Address and Contact Information
Address: 117 Statesville Blvd, Salisbury, NC 28144
Phone: (704) 633-9953
Website: https://collegebarbecue.shop/
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College Barbecue – Salisbury, NC
College Barbecue has been smoking barbecue over Hickory wood coals since 1965 just a hop-skip-and-a-jump from nearby Catawba College.
Reviews
Brad R
TLDR: A true Carolina classic with great barbecue, retro diner vibes, friendly service, and prices that seem frozen in time.
College Bar-B-Que in Salisbury, NC is one of those rare places that truly captures the heart and history of Carolina-style barbecue. This spot has been around for what feels like forever, and it’s been dear to me since my college days at nearby Catawba College. Back then, my friends and I would come here often for lunch or bring our parents for a comforting Southern meal. It’s a place that has something for everyone, and thankfully, it has stayed remarkably true to its roots.
The look and feel of College Bar-B-Que haven’t changed much in over 20 years, which adds to its charm. The black and white diner-style tile floors, retro booth seating, and cozy dining room make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Even the small quirks, like having to go outside and around the right side of the building to reach the bathrooms, remain the same. I also love that you still get your bill from your server but pay at the register up front—just like the old days.
On my recent visit, I ordered the large chopped BBQ tray, which was just $10. I’m convinced that’s the same price it was 15 years ago. I also got the chuckwagon sandwich with fries, which is basically a chicken-fried burger. Both were exactly as I remembered them, fantastic. The barbecue was tender and flavorful, the slaw was perfectly tangy, and the hushpuppies, still golf ball-sized, were crisp on the outside and slightly sweet inside. Even at 4 p.m. on a rainy Monday, the place had a steady stream of customers, which says a lot about its reputation and loyal following.
Service was as warm and welcoming as ever, filled with that genuine Southern hospitality that makes you feel right at home. College Bar-B-Que isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a living piece of local history that continues to serve up comfort and nostalgia in every bite.
If you ever find yourself passing through Salisbury, do yourself a favor and stop by for a delicious, affordable meal that embodies the best of Carolina barbecue tradition. Five stars from me.
… moreCollege Bar-B-Que in Salisbury, NC is one of those rare places that truly captures the heart and history of Carolina-style barbecue. This spot has been around for what feels like forever, and it’s been dear to me since my college days at nearby Catawba College. Back then, my friends and I would come here often for lunch or bring our parents for a comforting Southern meal. It’s a place that has something for everyone, and thankfully, it has stayed remarkably true to its roots.
The look and feel of College Bar-B-Que haven’t changed much in over 20 years, which adds to its charm. The black and white diner-style tile floors, retro booth seating, and cozy dining room make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Even the small quirks, like having to go outside and around the right side of the building to reach the bathrooms, remain the same. I also love that you still get your bill from your server but pay at the register up front—just like the old days.
On my recent visit, I ordered the large chopped BBQ tray, which was just $10. I’m convinced that’s the same price it was 15 years ago. I also got the chuckwagon sandwich with fries, which is basically a chicken-fried burger. Both were exactly as I remembered them, fantastic. The barbecue was tender and flavorful, the slaw was perfectly tangy, and the hushpuppies, still golf ball-sized, were crisp on the outside and slightly sweet inside. Even at 4 p.m. on a rainy Monday, the place had a steady stream of customers, which says a lot about its reputation and loyal following.
Service was as warm and welcoming as ever, filled with that genuine Southern hospitality that makes you feel right at home. College Bar-B-Que isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a living piece of local history that continues to serve up comfort and nostalgia in every bite.
If you ever find yourself passing through Salisbury, do yourself a favor and stop by for a delicious, affordable meal that embodies the best of Carolina barbecue tradition. Five stars from me.
Cheri McGee
The food was terrible. They gave me some heart. Oh my God it was ridiculous and I seen roaches. This is 2026. They haven’t been rated since 2023 when I went in there they’re very prejudice and they’re very rude. the lady reached over my food that was rude and they got mad and said I was rude, but she reached over my food. She and I asked her was the tea good she was like oh yeah it’s good. I’ll take it. I said it’s OK and she grabbed it and didn’t. I didn’t even say I didn’t want it and didn’t. They told me that I was rude, but they were rude. They gave me a big container of mustard a little bit of container of mayonnaise and when I walked in, they all stared at me. I think they wanted me to be rude, but I wasn’t. I try to be as nice as I could, but they were. She was very rude because you don’t reach over anybody’s food nobody does that. She just didn’t have no respect for me I guess and they were full of Caucasian And the barbecue was, I asked for dog. They gave me some hard pieces and it was a lot of it. It was terrible. The worst I ever have.
… moreKnightbeast 92
Absolutely love this place. The food is fantastic. Got the bbq plate and it comes with beans, slaw, or you can do French fries and hush puppies. The bbq is perfectly smoked and it’s Lexington style. The have a vinaigrette type sauce. It has a slight kick which is delicious. It reminds me of a old dinner. Love the inside of the restaurant. The staff is all extremely friendly. It’s a smaller restaurant so it fills up fast but you still don’t have to wait long. Absolutely amazing place. Highly recommend this restaurant if you’re in the Salisbury area.
… moreRobin Gray
Such a fun family-owned and operated BBQ stop. The staff was so, so friendly and responsive to all their dining room guests. I had the half-sweet tea, which was bottomless and bewed perfect. We will look forward to visiting again.
… moreRicky Bonilla
After passing by many times and always wondering, we decided to try this place today. Honest truth, food was not the best, as my wife’s French toast was slightly burned, omelette was ok, but lacked flavor, and we had to wait close to forty-five (45) minutes for our meal. Service was slow, and cashier continued to look at me as I was in the wrong place. Server was ok, but lacked continued checking to ensure everything was good. Will our family come back? NO! We rather go to IHOP, quicker service and food has flavor and is not burned.
… moreMicheal KENNEDY
On my birthday last night , we chose to celebrate by going out to dinner at another local restaurant. What made this restaurant stand out was that they cooked their food right in front of us. A kind man politely asked us to switch seats with him so our kids could have a better experience. We were a group of seven seated with a lovely local family of three. We enjoyed conversations about sports and other topics. At the end of the night, we were delighted to discover that our bill had been taken care of ($343.24). We were sitting with the owner of College Barbecue! We regularly visited Salisbury to watch my niece play basketball at Catawba College.We are new to the food selection in the area.I’m excited to eat at his restaurant on my NEXT visit to show my appreciation. Random acts of kindness are still having a significant impact on the world. It’s wonderful to know that great people still exist. THANK YOU TO THE OWNERS OF COLLEGE BARBECUE. BE KIND
… moreTelana Norman
While we were visiting Catawba College, we decided to stop here before heading home and the service was great but the food was bland, no flavor at all! I had the philly and it’s like they just cooked the meat, put it on a hoagie and added peppers and onions. The fries were well season but everything else was bland.
… moreLiz
One of our favorite places. We regularly visit the drive thru for dinner pickup. We continue to return because the staff is ALWAYS so polite and kind, the food is always freshly cooked and consistently good.
… moreWilliam Rubinstein
I love this place. Nice quick family feel. Today however listening to the kitchen manager slap the table and yell at the girls about not selling enough cheesecake “Special” is very embarrassing for them and doesn’t show strong leadership.
… moreColin O’Connor
Loved it! A simple old school bbq place. Hush puppies are the size of golf balls, some of the best onion rings ever and chopped bbq sandwich that simply makes me happy!
… more