Doin' the Cue Thing, Part 2-- King's Restaurant, Kinston, NC

While in Kinston yesterday, I stopped at King's Restaurant, also off US-70 on the Bypass.

I had the large barbecue plate with two sides, cole slaw and fried okra, for $6.99. Of course, that came with lots of hushpuppies as well. I couldn't finish it.

King's supports the local Civil War efforts. Fifty cents of every bbq sandwich purchase goes to the full-size replica of the CSS Neuse in downtown Kinston. They have four different place mats , two of the CSS Neuse and one each for the first and second battles of Kinston.There is a big display of dug-up Civil War artifacts and pictures as well.

Enjoyed watching the miniature train layout as trains ran about from time to time. One sign proclaimed "Pig Country." No kidding. Not so good for the pigs, however.

One item on the menu was a pig-in-a-puppy sandwich. This is a big pile of bbq in a hushpuppy sandwich. Sounded good, but I was there for the straight bbq stuff. Next time.

Saturday nights, they have a shrimp dinner with cole slaw, fies, and hushpuppies for $4.99.

From The Best Tar Heel Barbecue" by Jim Early.

King's got its start in 1936 when Frank King, Sr., moved his family to the present site of King's Restaurant. To supplement his income, he built a general store. He died a year later, and his son Wilber took over the store. After WW II, a grill was added and later barbecue was added.

During the 50s it was a big teen hangout. During the 60s, the building was remodeled several times and capacity raised to 275.In 1971, they built an 800 seat restaurant, one of the largest 'cue places in the South. Each week, they prepare 8000 pounds of pork, 6,000 pounds of chicken, and 1,500 pounds of collard greens.

They also have a thriving shipping business for those living elsewhere who have to have their eastern Carolina 'cue.

As Arnold Said, "I'll Be Back!" --RoadDog