BBQ sandwich all the way with coleslaw and hot sauce.
ows the history of the bar
Wilkes Bar-B-Q storefront - that's all there is!
ows a sign on the side of a building
Menu
Big bbq sandwich & potato salad
ows the front page of the plain and simple success
ows the menu
Ashli S.
Jan 18, 2025
I LOVE pork bbq- minced with slaw sandwiches, and I have had some great ones in the past.Wilkes put all the others to shame!!!THE BEST BBQ SANDWICH I HAVE EVER HAD.No frill, no distractions, just good o'le Pork BBQ.
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Michael R.
May 11, 2022
The Rib dinner never disappoints! Cole slaw and baked bean side dishes works perfectly with the rolls they include. Don't forget to 'sop' the BBQ sauce with the rolls as you slow chew the tender ribs.Nicely hidden, but not from the faithful locals of this area that have supported this business for 2+ generations!
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Equis Z.
Oct 26, 2023
The ribs and potato salad are to die for. Theres legit a mom and pop in the kitchen of this hole-in-the-wall spot.
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J David H.
Apr 18, 2019
I'm constantly drawn to food dives and there is no better example than Wilkes BBQ that fits a dive joint to a tee. Located in a bit of a seedy side of Hampton, but during the day I felt safe. Just the look of the building alone will have you convinced it's abandoned. Or in my case second guess how far I will take trying a food dive with graffiti signage. Parking is off street. Expect debris, weeds and possibly an odd looking pedestrian nearby. A few customers were already lined up just before opening on a weekday morning. Once open expect a friendly greeting as I did from a young black male who works in the kitchen. A menu board and flyers are available. There is little room for customers, so expect a line out the door. Most of the square footage is kitchen. I found everything clean. The menu boast NC BBQ which is not typically my favorite, but that's okay. As a foodie I do not discriminate. The menu is small and straight forward with bbq, ribs, chicken and traditional southern sides. An older woman I spoke with said she had been a regular customer for years. Wilkes also offer dinner portion combos and even pie. No drinks are sold per the menu. So when it was time to order the Big Sandwich made sense and my inclination was confirmed by other customers. My side of potato salad seemed safe and it is a dish I typically like. Wilkes is known for their collards offered in the Winter only. My card was processed without incident and order was out in a brown paper bag with napkins and a plastic fork in minutes. The male cashier/cook was more all business than friendly. In no way did I construe this as rude. With no eat in option and not wanting to eat in the car I hit a nearby McDonald's and got a soda. The traditional North Carolina bbq style sandwich offered a fresh bun. The meat was fresh and tasty, the sandwich large. However, I felt the meat was not applied thick. Maybe this is the traditional method. The amount of potato salad was surprisingly huge. Unfortunately it was a let down. Edible for sure, but not to my liking as it was mustard based and assume a Southern recipe. With no trips planned in the near future to Hampton I made the call on a single visit. Based on other items on the menu I feel confident I would enjoy and rounding a 3.5 up to a 4. I would recommend giving this tiny bbq landmark a try and will try to make it back.
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Staysi B.
May 14, 2022
A historic neighborhood spot, Wilkes is a bare bones operation that churns out some delicious Carolina style BBQ in Hampton. They are a small family owned establishment that has been in the same spot on Victoria Blvd for decades. It is take out only and can boast a line during the lunch rush. The BBQ sandwich all the way (coleslaw and hot sauce) is the way to go. It is a huge sandwich that will certainly fill you up and you can't beat the price. I alway get a small order of the baked beans which are sweet and thick and goes perfectly with the BBQ sandwich. They do accept cards but there is a $10 minimum order. Parking is street parking and the entrance is on the side of the building on Victoria Blvd. Don't let appearances fool you, the food and friendly staff are worth a visit!
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Michael S.
Mar 31, 2023
I've been going to Wilkes for years and the food has always been yummy. Yesterday I stopped by, ordered a bb chicken dinner & a rib dinner. It was almost 25.00 dollars, (23 & change). I thought to myself, this must be one hell of a dinner. Wrong, the ribs were terrible. They were cold, tough & hard to chew. The texture of the meat was like they had cooked them days earlier & microwaved to serve. Upon looking closely at the meat I could see the membrane had not been pulled off of the back which explains the toughnest & hard to chew. The sides were great, they tasted like grandmas. Quality ribs should o have a nice pop or snap not a Pull & Tug exercise. When you pull up to a bbq dive & don't see smoke coming out of a stack in the roof or somewhere on the premises, & you don't smell the aroma in the air, know that that meat has been cooked days earlier, if not weeks.
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Kasey A.
Apr 7, 2022
Great price with great food! We got the chopped bbq dinner and bbq rib dinner. Both dinners served with 2 sides.
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Ashley W.
Sep 3, 2020
This place has always been a go-to for Virginia style BBQ as they've been around for decades and will not disappoint on flavor. You can't go wrong with the taste of their chopped BBQ sandwich. It's packed with well rounded flavor, lil' bit sweet and twangy. It's so tender and no gristle as a poorly prepped chopped meat may be. That is a big deal peeps. Even though parts of the edge may be a tad soggy from the Coleslaw, it is still a delicious meal. This is a must have if you're in Hampton and looking for food which has your mouth singing in every bite.
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Michael D.
Nov 7, 2023
the best great nothern beans in virginia, mike d from chesapeake, va. (check them out)
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Stephen F.
Dec 12, 2022
I picked up 10 pounds of BBQ and some slaw to feed over 30 people for my great grandson's 1st birthday party. Everyone loved it. Wilkes is basic and always great, been coming here since way back in the last century. Hope to come back soon.
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