Sam Jones BBQ

Mr Jones' team has really upped their game. The BBQ has always been good, but now, on certain days, there is some outstanding brisket. It has a very good bark and smoke flavor. In addition to the brisket, burnt ends are also offered. The burnt ends are exceptional. They are pretty addictive. They have a great flavor, tenderness, and the perfect amount of sauce. I recently brought 2 friends visiting from New Zealand here to try Eastern NC BBQ. The burnt ends were so good one of them went back up and ordered a pound to go. Both commented on how much they enjoyed the pork BBQ and the Mac and Cheese sides as well as the beans. One commented how surprised they were by the crackins' in the BBQ and how it added a "pop" of smoke flavor. They were split on the cornbread. It is not for everyone. If there is a group, at least one person should get it and share.The BBQ pork is never oxersauced. Additional sauce is on the table if someone feels the need to spice the BBQ up some. To me, too much sauce covers up the smokiness of the pork. The ribs are always a great choice by themselves or to share, not a fall off the bone, but very close. They are moist, tender, and not oxersauced. For those that do not want pork the chicken and turkey are great options. I wish my grilled chicken turned out 3/4 as good as the stuff they have here. There is seating indoors and tables outside. Inside tends to be a bit noisy when it is crowded. As a bit of advice, go earlier in the day if possible.

I just can't get over how bad the Cornbread is. It's like bar shaped, lacking sugar and salt, dense as heck. Inedible. 30+ reviews echo the same, not sure who could like? I got the meat topped potato, fairly good. Reasonably priced. But Cornbread is such a staple of BBQ, not sure how this stays on the menu?Update per owner response: love the history, but I specifically said I was first time customer and I would have expected cashier to better describe cornbread if it is so non-traditional so as to better expectation set. I never heard of the muffins as another option, as that sounds like it would have been enjoyable to try to those with more traditional tastes.

I would give it 3.5 stars but ... can't on this app. New space going for a traditional look and succeeds. Friendly and quick service.I got the two meat combo that comes with two sides and a choice of bread. Good size portions of meat, a pile of pork and 4 good sized slices of turkey. I enjoyed my meal. The whole hog chopped BBQ is good but the meat I really liked was the smoked turkey. It was good enough for Thanksgiving. The collards were the best side I had and the Mac & cheese was average. The cornbread while thankfully not sweet was a bit dense. I was surprised I like the sweet sauce better than the vinegar, usually I'm all about the vinegar sauce.Would recommend you try it but not my fav BBQ in Raleigh.

Pulled pork sandwich is "The Truth." This is whole hog at its finest. The crispiness of the finely chopped skin in contrast to the tenderness and moistness of the smoked pork on a soft potato roll with the perfect "meat to bun" ratio makes this a hit! No vinegar here - just slow cooked (20+ hours) whole hog delight with choice seasonings. I didn't use ANY sauce. WhIle I've only visited once, I'm jonesing for my next visit. The homemade mac n cheese along with the sweet potato muffins is a bonus. I haven't said anything about the ribs - you'll have to see for yourself...another hit. I'll try the smoked chicken and another BBQ pork sandwich during my next visit.

Good BBQ and good service. Stumbled upon this place while visiting family it was very easy to order on the app and not overpriced. If in the neighborhood give it a go. It does appear to get crowded so grab a table outside and order on the app.

Sam Jones serves up some really fire Carolina Style bbq! Their chopped roast pork is their signature and it shines! So different from other styles of bbq, I love the use of vinegar to give the rich pork some acid and sharpness. The dicing of the crispy skin into the meat provides fantastic textural contrast. The cornbread is also quite unique compared to other places. Trending on the less moist and more dry side, it does a great job soaking up the vinegar sauce without falling apart. The people working here are very hospitable and I love the ambiance and vibes this place gives off. If you are on the bbq trail and you want some excellent Carolina Style bbq, put this place on your list :)

I had a business trip and ordered from here via Door Dash. The ribs were good, baked beans ok and the Mac and cheese was on point , not bad for my first night in NC!

Sam Jones is located downtown Raleigh. I was able to find street parking when I arrived. There is outdoor, indoor and bar seating available. If you want full service you should dine at the bar. There were TVs near the bar. We ordered our food at the counter and it was brought to us a short time later.I got the rib dinner with Mac and cheese and baked beans. It also came with a choice of bread so I chose the sweet potato muffin. The bottom of my muffin was burnt and it lacked flavor. When I brought it to an employee's attention she told me that they have been coming out like that all day. I am not sure why they would still be serving them if that was the case. She allowed me to exchange the muffin for a piece of Texas toast. The toast was better and was buttered well. The mac and cheese was ok and the baked beans were sweet with a small amount of meat. I was given a large portion of ribs and small portions of sides with my dinner.

Sam Jones BBQ is a highly rated barbecue restaurant in Raleigh and today I had the chance to learn why. They are dishing out delicious Eastern Carolina style wood fired whole hog barbecue right here in Raleigh. I've been craving the delicious vinegar tang flavor I grew up on as the daughter of a skilled pit master. I come from a family of men who know how to barbecue, so trust that when I recommend Sam Jones, it's with a sophisticated palette. I enjoyed everything we ordered via delivery. You'll find quality meats, large portions and flavorful dishes at Sam Jones. I decided on the turkey, pork chopped barbecue, Smoked Alabama white sauce wings, potato salad, barbecue beans, macaroni and cheese and moist sweet potato muffins. All of the barbecue meats were moist and flavorful. The turkey was sliced perfectly, the pork was delicious paired with both the vinegar based sauce and sweet sauce as well. The smoked wings with the Alabama White Sauce were a favorite for me. Alabama white BBQ sauce is a mayonnaise-based dressing that also includes horseradish and cayenne pepper. These wings were so moist, yet charred perfectly. The white sauce really packed the flavor for me. The sweet potato muffins were so delicious ! I'm glad I skipped out on the cornbread and went with the muffins. You can really taste the sweet potato and I love how soft, moist and fresh these were. I am extremely picky about side dishes. The Collard Greens were perfect here. Vinegar based and flavorful. I really enjoyed these. The potato salad, macaroni and cheese and baked beans were all perfect as well. Nothing was overly seasoned or under seasoned. I enjoyed everything. Sam Jones serves the perfect Sunday dinner. This is now one of my favorite restaurants in Raleigh.

I don't want to write this review. I'm a bbq fan and going to the Skylight Inn in Ayden was practically a religious experience for me. It was seriously some of the best food I've ever eaten, so I came into the order from Sam Jones with high hopes. I spent almost $100 on takeout and got a pretty wide spread of food. I even got a piece of corn bread to see what the controversy is. The good:Baked beans - wow! I'd order these by themselvesThe ok:Mac and cheese - decent, but not anything memorableBbq - pretty meh to be honest. Part of a tub is still in my fridge a couple of days later. Slaw - slightly sweet, very fine cabbageSweet potato muffins - they were ... fineThe bad:Collards - practically no flavorPotato salad - tasted like it came from a tubThe interior was nice for a bbq place in a city, and my take out order was ready very quickly. I can get similar food for half the cost elsewhere and will continue to do so. I can't see coming back here, though.