Keaton's Barbecue

In the middle of nowhere you will found this restaurant that is known for their hot dip chicken and that's like the only thing people order. You will see plenty of people drive from Statesville or nearby to dine here during lunch. I usually don't get very spicy chicken, mild is spicy enough. Everyone is freshly made so the chicken is juicy and hot and plenty of flavor.

A North Carolina classic for a reason. The building is a run down cinder block dive in the middle of nowhere and it hasn't seen a can of paint or a new floor since Methuselah was a baby but damn, the chicken is good. Hard fried chicken, white or dark, bathed in a thin bbq dip, spicy or mild. There may be something else on the menu but you don't come here for anything else. A side of slaw, either red or white, and some baked beans and tea and life is good. Make sure you have time to wait or call ahead to order. The chicken is cooked to order and you can be waiting around for a good while. So worth it, though.

Live nearby and get their chicken often. Nothing like it anywhere, I promise!Don't let the little Bohemian looking building fool you, there's a real treasure awaiting inside!!

Better attuned to Call In and Take Out than in Dining Room setting.Been on my bucket list for years and finally made time to grab lunch here or should I say, tried to grab lunch.It's got a great reputation in NC for BBQ but let me qualify that by saying it's noted for it BBQ Chicken foremost. They also advertise Pork which to me is the epitome of BBQ.Only about a 20 minute drive from work but this place is really out in the country. Pulled in, walked in and walked up to the counter to review the menu and place my order. Everything is counter service.We started with my beverage order which was half and half tea. Should have suspected a problem when the young gentleman at the counter said he wanted to get that first since he was the only one there. Probably the only one up front but should have given me a hint that this was not going to work out well.Ordered a BBQ Pork Sandwich ... stop ... we're out of Pork.Plan B: Two pieces of Chicken ( White Meat) along with a side of BBQ Beans and Potato Salad.Paid and the young gentleman brought the tea to my table. Let me qualify things. It's not table service, you pick up at the counter. Next month I have hip replacement surgery and they were very kind.Almost no one in the dining area but a good crowd had called in for Carry Out. Too bad you can't call in and dine in but that is the policy.Sat there patiently for 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes and finally they called out number 56. My number was 55 so I asked and was told the 55 was for take out and mine was not up yet.With that, I left. The young gentleman at the counter popped his head out the kitchen door and asked if I was leaving. I said yes and he replied, well they are getting ready to start your dinner now and you will be next.35 later and they are just starting to prepare my food? Don't need that.Told him to pass it on forward and to give it to someone else.My time is valuable. I run a plant and while I have a great degree of flexibility on time, I could easily taken the time but my employees needed me to be there and accountable.Food may be good but if you don't get a chance to try it, can not comment on how good or bad it was.Based on what I say, their trade is not geared to the dine in traffic but to a rather loyal group of local who know enough to call in ahead for takeout.

Keaton's dining room is OPEN! Dined in today and found the fried chicken(dipped in Keaton's secret recipe bbq sauce) just as tasty and moist as always. Keaton's turns 70 years old this year! What an accomplishment - and it's still in the same family. Impressive. Let's keep Keaton's going for their next generation and ours. Please make the trip to visit this delicious out-of-the-way gem. You won't be sorry.

So a good friend and myself have been working on over a two year deal to eat at Keaton's.With his work it it was when we could get there.Two years back he took a day a vacation and we made our way there and once in the parking lot and low and behold was a sign.Sorry we're Closed due to refrigerator is broke..So here we are two years later and just hoping Keaton's is open.I told my buddy earlier that just maybe we should pick up a bucket of chicken just in cased their closed and eat in the parking lot.As we arrived just a few cars in the parking lot.In the door you place the order at the counter and pay.Take your stub to your table and pick it up when the call your #.Keaton's bird is fried then dipped in their BBQ sauce.Which appear's to be a secret.I chose their spicy.My friend got their regular.He got a quarter white meat with some great looking Mac& Cheese and baked beans.I got the half and potato salad.Keaton's is in an old block building and just walking in in was a tad bit warm but the dining area was cooler.Our yard bird did not take long to come out.Paper plates and plastic fork's was our utensils.Potato salad was good just needed a hint of salt and pepper.Out chicken was hot which is a good thing.Mine had the spicy sauce and had a bit of bite.I really liked it.Their menu showed three desserts.I wanted their banana pudding.But we were informed No desserts.Overall our food and experience was a good visit.I hope maybe my wife might accompany me back there.Since I drove my friend wanted to pay for our lunch.Had I been by self I probably would had eaten a whole chicken.This fall I see another Keaton's BBQ chicken in my future.

As of May 2021, it is take out only. There is a red shelter put up by the side door where all transactions happen. There are 2 picnic tables for anyone that just has to eat there. The chicken is still the best BBQ chicken around and I was quite happy that the business survived the 2020 Pandemic and shut downs. BBQ Chicken

I am giving you a 5 star review today, however, we've been eating at Keaton's for 40 years and this is the first time we were served old dried out chicken. We were shocked that this was done, Kathleen would have never done this. Secondly, Keaton's is known for their very unique and one of a kind recipe for their BBQ chicken and it is a sweet and spicy sauce and the chicken we got yesterday was without any sugar in it to give it that sweet part of the sweet and spicy. I would recommend that you make the recipe that you've had since old man Keaton came up with it 70+ years ago and not leave stuff out. We will hope that this was a one off and keep coming back to the same FANTASTIC BBQ chicken you've had for the last 8 decades. Triple D, you need to come check this place out!

Legendary chicken in a sauce that will knock your socks off, especially when piping hot. Plus, the potato salad is mild, yet delicious. Our favorite place for decades.

Great food, nice portions. Only open certain hours. Call before you drive from other town. Rustic ambiance.