When Sam Jones, heir to the Skylight Inn, one of North Carolina’s most iconic barbecue spots, decided to strike out with a barbecue place of his own, the skepticism was plenty. Would he be able to recreate the glory of Skylight’s whole-hog masterpieces, a restaurant that he had worked for (and helped to revitalize) since he was a teenager?
The answer, thankfully, is a resounding yes. He uses the exact same techniques that made his family’s restaurant famous — cooking whole pigs over hardwood coals — but with a few, welcome upgrades.
The restaurant is located in a rustic-chic spot that feels comfortable but modern, and Jones has also pushed beer and wine into the mix. As a plus, at Sam Jones, you can even score some Skylight favorites without waiting in the original spot’s lengthy line, like the pillow-soft cornbread, and the Pete Jones BBQ Sandwich with Slaw, made with slow-smoked chopped pork, and named after Sam’s grandfather and the founder of Skylight Inn.
The 1947 Burger is an homage to Sam’s grandfather (when Skylight Inn first opened, it was a simple roadside burger joint.) The smoked wings are also a must-try as well as the loaded baked potato. Browse family photos along the walls or check out the game at the bar TVs. A drive-thru window makes ’cue even easier to grab on the go.