In a remote area in the northeast section of North Carolina lies many BBQ houses spread along the countryside that specializes in pulled pork that is served nowhere else in the world.
A short 20 minute drive east of I-95 is Wilson where one is quickly swept back into the past. With locals speaking in a heavy southern drawl and the women are women and the men are men.
A countryside who’s fields have been full with cotton and tobacco harvested by the hands of sun beaten slaves a century ago.
But in recent years, Wilson has grown up with Starbucks and Target on the main drag into town. On the way to Parkers BBQ one feels quite cosmopolitan.
However when entering the restaurant it feels as if one has stepped into a time warp. An elderly gentleman who has been working there since 1963 greeted us while young southern boys in crisp white shirts and paper hats hustled about with serving trays.
These trays are full of what we came for. “Family style BBQ” which is an unlimited supply of North Carolina pulled pork BBQ, fried chicken, Brunswick stew, boiled potatoes, coleslaw and hush puppies.
The BBQ tangy with a vinegar and red pepper flakes touches is nothing like the heavily laden BBQ that is served elsewhere.
There is a reason why we go out of our way to visit Parker’s every time we drive on I-95 through North Carolina, their food is fantastic down home cooking.
But what truly caught my eye was that all the diners I could see were classic southern Americana. Full of cliches…an American Legion, a team of young baseball players, retirees and young families. All of them were Anglo Saxon.
Of all the times I’ve been to Parker’s, perhaps just one time can I recall seeing an African American dining. There were a few minorities sprinkled in the crowd this Saturday night but white faces dominated the room.
I commented on this to my husband who responded, well there is a huge picture hanging on the wall showing slaves. I think that says it all.
P.S. this is the first time in creating a post using only my IPhone. Let me know what you think.
Categories: Foot Prints
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
Considering I don’t own an IPhone it appears to have done an excellent job! 😀 Stay safe and happy eating.
Great job of posting with the IPhone. I had never heard of pulled pork BBQ until I went to NC about 5 years ago. Now it’s everywhere 🙂
I had never heard of Carolina BBQ before either until hubby introduced it to me. Now I’m addicted and have been known to have it shipped to Maryland.
I was once a land use planner in Wilson County. Parkers was a local favorite. Great piece.
Parker’s really does have incredible. Carolina BBQ and is a local secret. Glad to bring memories back for you.
Interesting stor and the photos works well. I can understand that some people do not want to visit a place with pictures from the slavery on the wall, even if it might be history documentation..
The funny thing is that over 10 years of visits I never noticed it as I also took it in the historical sense.
Love the BBQ! :):)
Me too!
Makes me want to go to South Carolina …
Hope you can make there too!
If you go further east in NC toward the coast they have great BBQ also, just a little different flavor. As with most NC BBQ they are not slathered in sauce like in the Midwest. But with BBQ hitting mainstream and everyone putting their spin on it I’m sure you’ll see differences there too. 🙂
Interesting didn’t know that either. Thanks for sharing.
Because I love reading your posts, I nominated your blog for the ABC Award: http://thenorthwardroute.wordpress.com/2012/04/25/awards/. Have a nice day, and please keep posting beautiful pictures of great places to hike 🙂
Jennifer
I humbly accept this nomination Jennifer and hope to honor you well. Emily