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Restaurants Near Raleigh Convention Center

May 22, 2021 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

Sam Jones BBQ Arrives in Raleigh Offering Up Top-Notch Barbeque, Ribs, and Sides

Front of Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Front of Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

If you’ve spent any time in North Carolina, you quickly learn about the area’s passion for barbeque! And whether you’re a fan of Eastern NC barbeque or Western NC barbeque, you’ll have legendary que shacks that you just have to try and check out. Skylight Inn is one of those barbeque classics and third generation pitmaster Sam Jones is part of that barbeque legacy. With his original restaurant in Winterville and now his newest location in Raleigh, you don’t have to travel very far to try out his top-notch whole-hog barbeque that’s smoked over oak. Located a couple of blocks away from the Red Hat Amphitheater, you’ll find his delicious smoked meats and Southern sides just a stone’s throw away from the downtown action. Given the restaurant opened up during the pandemic, the first couple of meals I did at Sam Jones BBQ were take-out but recently I got in for a seated meal. Here’s what to expect if you visit!

January 2021 menu of Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
January 2021 menu of Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Dining counter and bar at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Dining counter and bar at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Located in a newly growing neighborhood of Raleigh, Sam Jones BBQ sits amidst some brand new apartment buildings, condos and not too far from the ever popular, Boulted Bread. Inside you’ll find a very similar space to his original restaurant. The interior is basic and Southern with a concrete floor, painted wood and a marble dining counter-top snaking along the back of the space. There’s a smallish dining space inside along with a private room upstairs but where I’d imagine you want to eat at is one of the sidewalk tables up front or a table on the side-patio! Sam Jones BBQ is fast-casual, order upfront and the food is brought out to you. However, if there’s a line up front, you can work around it by just dining at the bar in back.

Dining room at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Dining room at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Side patio at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Side patio at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Prices at Sam Jones BBQ are a touch higher than the Winterville location, from $7 to $16 and you can choose from all the usual favorites: smoked pork barbeque, turkey, chicken, and ribs. Dine on your smoked meat in plate or sandwich format along with some wonderful Southern sides like collards, mac n cheese, baked beans and more. Plates come with corn bread or my favorite, the sweet potato muffin! There’s also a handful of salads and non-smokehouse items on the menu, choose from a chicken club, burger, fish sandwich or pimiento cheese sandwich.

Smoked wings tossed in barbeque sauce at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Smoked wings tossed in barbeque sauce at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Pork ribs at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.comPork ribs at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Pork ribs at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

As a starter, I’m a fan of the smoked wings! Slicked with some barbeque sauce, it’s a perfect way to get your meal started, sans pork. But given we’re in North Carolina, the pig reigns supreme and that it does at Sam Jones BBQ. The smoked ribs are excellent here, lean and meaty, cooked so they pull easily from the bone. And of course the barbeque! Going back to their Skylight Inn origins, Sam does a wonderful lightly chopped que. I’ve seen him prepare this barbeque at media events and they work in bits of cracklin’ into the meat for some crunchy texture. AND I’m pretty sure they work in more drippings in to keep the meat moist and full of umami. I think the barbeque here is as good as any you will get in the Triangle.

Barbeque, mac n cheese, collards plate at Sam Jone BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Barbeque, mac n cheese, collards plate at Sam Jone BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
 Three-way combo plate: Barbeque, smoked chicken, pork ribs and sides at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Three-way combo plate: Barbeque, smoked chicken, pork ribs and sides at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Fried catfish sandwich and fries at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Fried catfish sandwich and fries at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Beyond the smoked meats, I also really appreciate the Southern sides at Sam Jones BBQ. The collards are perfectly cooked leaving some texture and shape to the greens. The baked beans are loaded with ground meat, cowboy-style. And that sweet potato muffin just tops the whole meal off. You definitely get a lot of food eating here! As a bonus, the beer list is pretty solid, offering more than basic domestic brews for your meal bevvy. And the desserts? To die for…

Strawberry and Pig Pickin pudding at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Strawberry and Pig Pickin pudding at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
2nd floor private room at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
2nd floor private room at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Overall I’ve been very impressed by what Sam Jones BBQ is putting out. It’s not that easy to open during a pandemic but they handled things with aplomb. From their perfectly smoked meats, well prepared Southern sides to the friendly service, I doubt you can go wrong here. It sort of reminds me a bit of what the Pit used to be like when it first opened up. So welcome to Raleigh, Sam Jones! It’s great to have you in town along with your wonderful food.

Smokehouse at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Smokehouse at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Cooking the pork at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Cooking the pork at Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Sam Jones BBQ, Raleigh

502 W. Lenoir Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

984.206.2555

 

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Featured, Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: NC Barbeque, Restaurants Near Raleigh Convention Center, Southern Restaurants

December 8, 2020 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

The 10 Best Restaurants Near the Raleigh Convention Center, Red Hat Amphitheater, and City Plaza!

Raleigh Convention Center- NC Triangle Dining
Raleigh Convention Center- NC Triangle Dining

When I first moved to Raleigh back in 2008, downtown was a sleepy little area under construction. But over the past 10 years, City Plaza, the Raleigh Convention Center and Red Hat Amphitheater have opened up to revitalize the downtown area.  Add in Broadway theater and shows at the historic Progress Energy Center-Raleigh Memorial Auditorium and you’ve got a lot of people visiting the south side of downtown Raleigh. And while it’s a busy area there aren’t a ton of restaurant or dining options on that side of town, yet.

Front of Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, NC Triangle Dining
Front of Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, NC Triangle Dining
View from Red Hat Amphitheater stage, NC Triangle Dining
View from Red Hat Amphitheater stage, NC Triangle Dining
City Plaza in Raleigh, nctriangledining.com
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So where to go to eat if you don’t want to do McDonalds or hotdog cart?  Well my friend, just hoof it a couple of blocks further out and you’ll have some great, higher end options that are off the tourist path. From simple to fancy, downtown Raleigh has got you covered for some great eating!

 

Pooles Diner near the Raleigh Convention Center, NC Triangle Dining
Pooles Diner near the Raleigh Convention Center, NC Triangle Dining
Mac n cheese at Pooles Diner near the Raleigh Convention Center, NC Triangle Dining
Mac n cheese at Pooles Diner near the Raleigh Convention Center, NC Triangle Dining

On the pricey end of the spectrum, head over to Wilmington Street to find Ashley Christensen’s acclaimed Poole’s Diner! Known for it’s seasonal Southern fare, Poole’s takes classic Southern comfort food and puts it on its ear. From the moment you step in and ingest the quirky horseshoe shaped bar, hipster staff and cocktail menu, you realize it’s something special. There’s no online menu, just a chalkboard with some of the freshest food around. I’ve been here for brunch and dinner and tried everything from an amazing mac n cheese au gratin, to slow-cooked Berkshire pork. Preparation is everything at Poole’s and everything she puts out is tasty. The one drawback is that due to Poole’s popularity, they don’t take reservations and have only one dinner seating. Plan accordingly.

Sono near the Raleigh Convention Center, NC Triangle Dining
Sono near the Raleigh Convention Center, NC Triangle Dining
Sushi at Sono near the Raleigh Convention Center, NC Triangle Dining
Sushi at Sono near the Raleigh Convention Center, NC Triangle Dining

Sono is a chic sushi restaurant and long-standing Raleigh favorite decked out in crimson and black. With the stylish decor you know you’re not in for a traditional Japanese experience but that’s fine because their sushi is pretty darn good. With rolls with names like Screaming O and G-Spot, it’s got a sexy rep to live up to. And Sono dishes fresh and interesting non-sushi entrees and appetizers too.

Fiction Kitchen in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Fiction Kitchen in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Taco plate at Fiction Kitchen in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Taco plate at Fiction Kitchen in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Further west near the Warehouse District you’ll find the very popular and reasonably priced Fiction Kitchen! Popular with vegetarians and vegans, Fiction Kitchen does some amazing things with veggies and tempeh. They also pour a mean cocktail here.

Beasleys-ChickPlateMacCollards
Beasley’s Chicken + Honey in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

And don’t forget some other restaurants I’ve reviewed:  Beasley’s for their fried chicken and honey, and Bida Manda for Laotian.  All are within 5 blocks of City Plaza, Red Hat Amphitheater and the Raleigh Convention Center and worth the effort.

Interior at Bida Manda, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Interior at Bida Manda, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Honey ribs plate at Bida Manda, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Honey ribs plate at Bida Manda, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Overall while I’m sure the catering is decent at the Convention Center, if you’ve got an expense account or are visiting for a show, there are lots of options in the core of downtown Raleigh for great eats!  Or if you’re at the Raleigh Amphitheater for music, City Plaza for Winterfest, the Progress Energy Center for a show, take some extra time to find a good meal. And I guarantee you it’s worth the walk and effort, bon appetit!

 

10 Best Restaurants Near the Raleigh Convention Center, Red Hat Amphitheater, Progress Energy Center and City Plaza

Beasley’s Chicken and Honey (Southern)

Bida Manda (Laotian)

Capital Club 16 (American, German)

Clyde Coopers Barbeque (Southern)

Fiction Kitchen (Vegan/Vegetarian)

Oak City Meatball Shoppe (Comfort)

Poole’s Diner (Southern Seasonal)

Sam Jones Barbeque (Southern)

Sono (Japanese, Sushi)

Whiskey Kitchen (Southern, Bourbon)

Save

Save

Filed Under: Local Information, Overviews, Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Restaurants Near City Plaza, Restaurants Near Progress Energy Center, Restaurants Near Raleigh Convention Center, Restaurants Near Red Hat Amphitheater

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