My plan was to order pulled pork like always, but the person ahead of me got a plate stacked with thick slices of smoked turkey, and I completely changed my mind. Across North Carolina, plenty of pitmasters are giving turkey the same slow, smoky treatment usually reserved for pork and brisket, and the results can steal the whole meal.
If you have only known turkey as a dry holiday afterthought, these smokehouses will flip that idea on its head. Here are nine spots worth the drive for turkey that comes juicy, generously sliced, and piled high.
1. Sam Jones BBQ, Raleigh, NC
Turkey newcomers have a habit of leaving here as converts. Set on West Lenoir Street in downtown Raleigh, this easygoing spot smokes turkey until the slices come out tender enough to melt in your mouth, cut thick and stacked high on the plate.
The lineup runs deep beyond the bird. You will find the Pitmaster Platter, the Jones Family Original BBQ Tray, spare ribs, and pork skins with pimento cheese, but regulars swear the Smokehouse Baked Potato loaded with real bacon bits is a sleeper hit worth ordering alongside your meats.
Wash it all down with some of the best sweet tea in the area, and save room for dessert. It is a casual, cozy place that suits solo diners and big groups alike, with counter service that keeps the line moving.
Practical notes: it opens daily, closing a touch earlier on Sundays, and lands right off I-95, making it an easy detour when you are passing through Raleigh. Parking can be a little tight, so leave a few extra minutes.
2. Haywood Smokehouse, Waynesville, NC
Mountain air and wood smoke make a natural pairing, and this Waynesville smokehouse leans into both. The turkey arrives in long, thick slices with slightly blackened skin, juicy underneath and carrying a deep smoky flavor that holds its own next to the brisket.
Combo platters are the smart move here. Pair the turkey with brisket, or go for ribs, then round out the tray with burnt end baked beans, collard greens, and a scoop of mac and cheese before the pint of banana pudding calls your name.
The dining room feels authentic and unfussy, with knowledgeable, friendly staff and fast table service. It sits in Waynesville just off the Blue Ridge, which makes it a perfect stop when the fall color rolls through the high country.
Keep the schedule in mind before you go: it is open Wednesday through Saturday only, with slightly later hours on Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy, dogs are welcome, and reservations are accepted if you are traveling with a crowd.
3. THE SMOKE PIT, Concord, NC
Big appetites, take note: portions here do not play small. This country-style Concord eatery slow-smokes its turkey until it is juicy through and through, then serves it in servings generous enough to make you rethink your leftovers plan.
Turkey shares the pit with a serious lineup, from burnt ends and chopped brisket to fall-off-the-bone ribs and pulled chicken. The sides bring their own fireworks too, with smoked baked beans, jalapeno cream corn, banana pudding, and a chocolate mousse that quietly ends the meal on a high note.
What makes it stand out is the value. You get the quality and the quantity without the sticker shock you might expect around the Charlotte area, which explains why there is usually a wait at the counter.
It runs Monday through Saturday and closes on Sundays, so plan around that. The atmosphere stays laid-back and family-friendly, with plenty of parking and a kids’ menu for the younger crowd.
4. Honky Tonk Smokehouse, Winston-Salem, NC
Texas-style smoke lands in Winston-Salem here, and the turkey holds up beautifully. Cut moist and tender, it comes out phenomenal alongside brisket that falls apart in your mouth, all built on real low-and-slow patience.
Order the turkey as a sandwich or on a platter, then let the sauce station do its thing. A wide variety of sauces lets you sample and mix, while sides like jalapeno baked beans, mac and cheese, sweet potato tots, and banana pudding fill out the tray.
The room is cozy and quiet, welcoming to families and open to everyone. Counter service moves quick, there is free Wi-Fi, and reservations are accepted if you want to lock in a table.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, closing on Sundays and Mondays. Parking is plentiful and easy on-site, which is a small but real gift when you are hungry and short on patience.
5. Lexington Barbecue, Lexington, NC
In the town that put Lexington-style barbecue on the map, the turkey is a quiet standout hiding among the pork. Beloved for its coarse-chopped barbecue and red slaw, this historic institution also turns out smoked turkey that fans say can’t be beat.
The move here is the hot grilled smoked turkey sandwich, layered with lettuce, tomato, and mayo, and you can also order the smoked meat sliced by the pound if you want to take some home. There is even a smoked turkey salad on the menu for a lighter angle.
Everything is smoked on site, so the flavor runs real and deep, from the tangy sauce to the crisp bits of skin. Attentive service and a comforting, old-school atmosphere round out the experience, and the apple peach cobbler makes a fine finish.
The kitchen keeps hours Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday, with curbside service available. Parking is generally easy, and the down-to-earth setting fits families and travelers passing through the Piedmont.
6. The Redneck BBQ Lab, Benson, NC
Award-winning credentials and enormous portions share a name here, and the turkey earns its spot on the tray. Smoked until it practically melts, it lands next to brisket, ribs, chicken, pork, and boudin sausage in servings sized for serious hunger.
A Pick 2 Meats plate is the easiest way to sample the range, and cornbread comes along for the ride. Sides like burnt ends, brisket mac and cheese, green beans, and potato salad keep things interesting, while three excellent barbecue sauces let you dial in your own flavor.
Located along NC-210 in Benson, it started as a food truck and grew into a rustic counter-serve stop with a drive-through and outdoor seating. It even serves breakfast, which is a rare treat in the barbecue world.
Open seven days a week with later Friday and Saturday hours, it usually has a wait during peak times. Parking is plentiful, dogs are welcome outside, and the whole place stays comfortably casual.
7. Prime Barbecue, Knightdale, NC
Turkey often gets called underrated, and this Knightdale favorite makes the case for why. Its smoked turkey comes out moist, succulent, and full of flavor, carrying just the right amount of smoke and none of the dryness that gives the bird a bad name.
You can order it as part of a plate or alongside heavy hitters like brisket sold by the half pound, chopped brisket, pork ribs, and even a beef rib. Sweet potato salad and peach cobbler are worthy companions, and the banana pudding is a near-perfect closer.
The vibe leans trendy and welcoming, with live music, free Wi-Fi, and a crew that clearly enjoys what they do. Dogs are welcome both inside and out, which is a nice touch for road-trippers.
Here is the catch worth planning around: it is open Tuesday through Saturday with early closing times, sometimes as early as mid-afternoon. Expect a wait, especially on Saturday, and know that portions run large and quality runs high.
8. THE ORIGINAL Q SHACK, Durham, NC
Bold claim spotted in Durham: turkey that beats Grandma’s. That is high praise, but the smoked turkey here backs it up, coming out moist and delicious and playing perfectly against the house sauces that carry a touch of sweet heat.
Blending Western Carolina and Texas traditions, the Q Shack smokes everything in-house. Build a two-meat or three-meat combo pairing turkey with the chile-rubbed beef brisket, tangy pulled pork, or ribs, then grab jalapeno deviled eggs, corn chip pie, or sweet potato tater tots on the side.
The setting is refreshingly no-frills, with bare-bones digs, outdoor tables, and a college-town energy that suits the Durham crowd. Live music and a lively atmosphere make it easy to settle in.
Doors are open Tuesday through Sunday, with a shorter Sunday afternoon window and later hours on Friday and Saturday. It is casual, kid-friendly, and does not take reservations, so just walk up and order.
9. Luella’s Bar-B-Que, Asheville, NC
Ask around Asheville about the best barbecue in town and this homey spot on Merrimon Avenue keeps coming up. The smoked turkey here is very moist and flavorful, holding its own beside brisket that comes out smoky and tender.
Portions are generous across the board, from pulled pork and wings to that standout turkey. Chase your meats with sides that shine on their own, like sweet potato chips, fried okra, and hush puppies, and consider the Big Boy’s Blue Ribbon BBQ Sampler if you want a bit of everything.
The atmosphere is laid-back and friendly, the kind of local joint where the crowd runs from college students to families. It is popular enough that you may hit a wait, but the payoff makes it worthwhile.
Convenience is a bonus: it is open every day from late morning into the evening, with plenty of parking and a kids’ menu. Tucked into a mountain city known for its food scene, it makes a satisfying anchor for a Blue Ridge day trip.