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Address and Contact Information
Address: 7801 Emerald Dr, Emerald Isle, NC 28594
Phone: (910) 546-8184
Website: http://www.shepardbbq.com/
Menu Photos
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Home | Shepard Barbecue + BiRDBOX
The answer to “which beach?” came in the form of a rave review for Shepard Barbecue from a friend who is also a chef and food writer. We dialed in Emerald Isle …
Shepard Barbecue | Wilmington NC – Facebook
Shepard Barbecue, Wilmington. 9704 … The support you guys have showed us in Wilmington and continue to show us all the way in Emerald Isle is amazing.
Shepard Barbecue: A Carolina Coastal Gem | The Low & Slow Blog
Shepard Barbecue is a barbecue business based on live-fire cooking and located on Emerald Isle Drive in Emerald Isle, NC.
Reviews
Chuck Rayman
My daughter and I decided to finally try Shepard Barbecue at the Cargo District (Wilmington)after hearing a lot of buzz about their ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. We went around 12:30–1:00 PM on a Monday, only to find out they’re closed on Mondays and Tuesdays—so definitely double-check their hours before heading over. They reopen on Wednesdays.
Once we returned, I ordered a brisket sandwich, a brisket plate with coleslaw and potato salad, and my daughter got the pulled pork sandwich. She really enjoyed hers—said it was flavorful and a great value for the price. That’s definitely a recommendation.
Unfortunately, the brisket didn’t live up to the hype. For nearly $20, I expected more meat and better quality. It was underwhelming, a bit too fatty, and lacked the depth of flavor I was hoping for. I’ve had better brisket elsewhere, so that was a letdown. In regards to the sides, the coleslaw was really good and potatoes salad was just average.
Still, I’m not writing them off completely. I’ve heard great things about their ribs, so I plan to give those a try next time. For now, I’d rate the experience 3 stars out of 5 stars.
… moreOnce we returned, I ordered a brisket sandwich, a brisket plate with coleslaw and potato salad, and my daughter got the pulled pork sandwich. She really enjoyed hers—said it was flavorful and a great value for the price. That’s definitely a recommendation.
Unfortunately, the brisket didn’t live up to the hype. For nearly $20, I expected more meat and better quality. It was underwhelming, a bit too fatty, and lacked the depth of flavor I was hoping for. I’ve had better brisket elsewhere, so that was a letdown. In regards to the sides, the coleslaw was really good and potatoes salad was just average.
Still, I’m not writing them off completely. I’ve heard great things about their ribs, so I plan to give those a try next time. For now, I’d rate the experience 3 stars out of 5 stars.
Justin Houghton
This place was so good! It has limited hours and days but we were able to nab it before we departed home from our trip. The brisket was amazing, the sausage was out of this world, and the pulled pork is always a hit in NC (especially with their sauce). The staff was so friendly and the food was so dang good. 100% would be back here again for the sausage alone!
Inside and outside seating available, limited parking so just beware if that.
A must try if you like BBQ!
… moreInside and outside seating available, limited parking so just beware if that.
A must try if you like BBQ!
Kerry B
Don’t miss this place! Read the reviews and had to try it out. Hubs ordered the brisket and my daughter and I had the pulled pork. Brisket was excellent and truly melt ed in your mouth good. Pulled pork was so flavorful we didn’t even add BBQ sauce. The pit beans and street corn were yummy, too. Service with a smile, and she was very patient and willing to explain all the things to us newbies. All around great experience and great food!
… moreMichael Cogar
Drove from the Charlotte area just to try his Que… & I must say they didn’t disappoint me… smoked pork, brisket, turkey, ribs & sausage. Sides Pimento mac and collards. It’s one of the best smoked porks I’ve had as served; a really good brisket, turkey & sausage, moist tender. An excellent dry rub on the ribs, tender, a good bite. If you’re near your lucky, if you’re far, it’s worth the drive.
Update… 2nd visit 3/18/23
BBQ Saturday….. Emerald Isle, NC. Shepard Barbecue…. A must if your even close & I was..
As good if not better than the first time I visited!
… moreUpdate… 2nd visit 3/18/23
BBQ Saturday….. Emerald Isle, NC. Shepard Barbecue…. A must if your even close & I was..
As good if not better than the first time I visited!
Jenni Field
We headed out yesterday morning from Raleigh after having decided it was a Beach Day. The answer to “which beach?” came in the form of a rave review for Shepard Barbecue from a friend who is also a chef and food writer. We dialed in Emerald Isle and made a bee line the almost 3 hours.
It was worth every mile and every gallon of gas, too. Their pork barbecue is nothing short of sublime. The most tender, moist barbecue I’ve ever had. My husband had the brisket and declared it the best, too.
We love that they source their ingredients from NC and use heritage-breed animals. No commodity meats. Maybe costs a bit more, but worth every penny to us.
Our only sadness was that we didn’t get some to-go. I guess we’ll just have to head back out soon. So worth the drive, and if you’re already close or vacationing in EI, it’s a no-brainer. Head over to Shepard, but go early, especially on the weekends, because they open at 11 until they sell out.
… moreIt was worth every mile and every gallon of gas, too. Their pork barbecue is nothing short of sublime. The most tender, moist barbecue I’ve ever had. My husband had the brisket and declared it the best, too.
We love that they source their ingredients from NC and use heritage-breed animals. No commodity meats. Maybe costs a bit more, but worth every penny to us.
Our only sadness was that we didn’t get some to-go. I guess we’ll just have to head back out soon. So worth the drive, and if you’re already close or vacationing in EI, it’s a no-brainer. Head over to Shepard, but go early, especially on the weekends, because they open at 11 until they sell out.
Ann Price
My family vacations every year in Emerald Isle and we’ve been lucky to find Shepard Barbecue the last few trips. We all raved about their pulled pork and brisket. The beans are delicious and that corn is off the charts good! Pimento mac n cheese is not to be missed. Can’t wait until we’re back for more!
… moreCrystal Ha
A must try while visiting Emerald Isle.
Get there early to avoid the crowd. We visited in a weekday so it wasn’t too bad.
Our favorites were:
Brisket
Ribs
Pit Beans
Smoked Sausage
Pulled Pork
Mac & Cheese
We ordered 3 of the platters to feed 7 adults & 5 children & had LOTS left over!
Oh, we also snagged the featured desserts and they were so good! The Chocolate Mousse cake was delish!
… moreGet there early to avoid the crowd. We visited in a weekday so it wasn’t too bad.
Our favorites were:
Brisket
Ribs
Pit Beans
Smoked Sausage
Pulled Pork
Mac & Cheese
We ordered 3 of the platters to feed 7 adults & 5 children & had LOTS left over!
Oh, we also snagged the featured desserts and they were so good! The Chocolate Mousse cake was delish!
Carolina C.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! First time visiting after I heard Guy Fiery filmed his show here, best ribs I’ve had, period! Be warned, there’s very long lines, and right now they are open on Friday and Saturday from 11-3pm, but I guarantee you, it’s absolutely worth it! There’s sitting area inside and outside, they also have grab and go Sheppard’s pie and beef stew, among others. You won’t be disappointed! 10/10
… moreChase Heffle
Got the 2 meat platter here at Shepards BBQ with their Carolina gold sauce. The Brisket was incredibly flavorful and not dry at all. The bark and tenderness on the brisket was second to none. Pulled pork as per the cashiers recommendation was out of this world! For my two sides I went with the pimento mac and cheese and the baked beans. TEN OUT OF TEN ALL AROUND! Been coming to EI for 26 years and this is without a doubt one of the best dining experiences I have ever had. Will definitely return on my next vacation.
… moreCaroline Luis
The pulled pork here was great! The brisket was dry and too separated—the fat didn’t melt through it at all. Nice sides. Slow service and they sell out early (by 12:30 today on a summer Friday). Worth a stop if you’re on the island!
… more