Front of Moe’s Original BBQ in Durham – nctriangledining.comWhen it comes to barbeque in the Triangle area, we are now awash in smokers and smoked meats, hooray! So when I heard about Moe’s Original BBQ coming to Durham, I was a bit excited and curious. Some research shows that Moe’s specializes in Alabama-style smoked meats which means white sauce (mayonnaise, acid, sweet, salt, and pepper) to me. The creaminess of white sauce is usually a good contrast to smoky meats and I was looking forward to seeing what Moe’s could dish out. While it may be a regional chain, online reviews were pretty solid overall from what I could find online!
Moe’s Original BBQ, Durham – Ambiance and Decor
Located in the old Blu Seafood space that sits next to Vin Rouge, the new Moe’s BBQ has been transformed! Dark brick exterior with red highlights, the interior has a very masculine feel. Rough concrete floors, rough wood hewn tables, a small bar, and some high tops give the fast-casual space some character. Even the front door has a large, metal cleaver attached as a door handle. Overall it’s a utilitarian and basic space but that’s not unusual for a barbeque restaurant! Note that you can get full service if you dine at the small bar in the center. Otherwise, Moe’s is counter-order and you’ll pick up your food at a service window along with self-serving any soft drinks or water.
Dining area at Moe’s Original BBQ in Durham – nctriangledining.comMoe’s Original BBQ, Durham – Menu and Prices
The menu at Moe’s Original BBQ is pretty standard barbeque covering all the usual bases for smoked meats: pulled pork, chicken, turkey, and ribs in plate or sandwich form (from $12 to $20). Standard sides include baked beans, potato salad, slaw, banana pudding, and chips. Moe’s Original BBQ usually has some daily specials for their sides which you should definitely check out. For any meal, you can Add Moe for $3 which means an additional meat side of wings, pork, chicken, or turkey which I highly, recommend! Don’t plan on a low-cal meal here…
Moe’s Original BBQ, Durham – Food and Sides
So how’s the food at Moe’s Original BBQ? Pretty solid IMO. I’ve had the chance to eat here several times and I can definitely vouch for the smoked meats at Moe’s. At the top of my list are their smoked wings which are wonderful. These wings are clean and flavorful with the smoke penetrating the chicken wing skin and meat in abundance. A quick dip in Alabama white sauce and you’ll be a happy camper. The pulled pork with sop sauce is decent but the meat tends to be a bit soft and over-cooked. Unfortunately, one common them here is that a lot of the food seems to be kept in warmers resulting in sort of a flabby texture for certain dishes. And given that a lot of the food is served in plastic or paper containers, dining at Moe’s has a very casual feel. Love the grilled cornbread which comes with meals. Sweet with plenty of grain to the cornbread makes for a good and satisfying side!
Pulled pork and sop sauce at Moe’s Original BBQ in Durham – nctriangledining.com
Collards at Moe’s Original BBQ in Durham – nctriangledining.com
Moe’s Original BBQ, Durham – Final Thoughts
Overall I’d be happy to eat at Moe’s if not entirely thrilled. The basic ambiance, cardboard containers, and slightly over-cooked meats and sides makes for a solid meal. But the barbeque game has really been raised in the area with Prime Barbecue, Lawrence Barbecue, and Sam Jones BBQ now dishing out smoked meats in the Triangle. But still, Moe’s is doing a solid job for the 9th Street crowd in Durham if you’re craving some que.
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