North Carolina
The ‘North Carolina Barbecue Trail’ Is A Mouthwatering Journey Through Old-School Smokehouses Steeped In Tradition – Islands
One of the best parts of traveling is trying the region’s specialty foods, and if you’re visiting North Carolina, that means barbecue. There are two styles of barbecue in North Carolina, and both of them involve pork. The eastern style typically uses whole pigs (no ketchup) on an open pit that’s chopped thin and served with a vinegar sauce. Lexington style uses bone-in pork shoulder, a chunkier chop, and a thicker, sweeter vinegar sauce. You can experience both styles and choose your favorite on a food trail created by the North Carolina Barbecue Society, with iconic stops at traditional smokehouses scattered along the state.
The trail includes 15 restaurants and roadside shacks that have become institutions, each specializing in slow-roasted pork over charcoal and wood, and it’s best visited during summer and fall when several areas host barbecue festivals and events. Not only do trail-goers get to sample amazing barbecue, but they’ll experience some under-the-radar destinations that might have otherwise been missed. The trail includes North Carolina’s “barbecue capital,” a vibrant town full of character with about 15 dedicated barbecue restaurants, and is also home to an iconic barbecue festival, a massive event that takes place in October.
Highlights of the North Carolina Barbecue Trail
The North Carolina Barbecue trail starts off in Ayden with the Skylight Inn, which uses eastern-style methods over wood coals, and earned a coveted James Beard “American Classics” award. Next, the trail heads to Greenville, home to one of America’s prettiest downtowns. The main attraction for foodies here is B’s barbecue, which is known for mouthwatering ribs. Get there early or they might run out! In Goldsboro, Wilbur’s Barbecue has a convenient drive-through and eastern-style ‘cue, plus it’s a great spot to grab some merchandise and souvenirs.
Heading to Dudley, Grady’s Barbecue might not look like much from the outside, but the little shack serves up a mean rack of ribs (cash-only). Another small town oozing with charm that the trail winds through is Shelby, sandwiched between Asheville and Charlotte with unique southern cuisine. Stop by the Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge for hickory-smoked pork sandwiches, or for something different, livermush is a local delicacy (pig liver, cornmeal, and seasonings) and is served at the Shelby Cafe (among other restaurants).
No barbecue trail would be complete without visiting Lexington, often considered North Carolina’s “gateway to BBQ,” which has a walkable downtown with several barbecue joints serving up “Lexington style” ‘cue (using the pork shoulder). The city’s oldest BBQ spot (that is still using pits) is the Lexington Bar-B-Q Center, which has been in operation since the 1950s and is another mouthwatering stop on the barbecue trail. Most people go for the vinegar-based pork served with the hush puppies and red slaw, but they have a variety of pit-cooked options.
The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Sunday, April 19, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 6-2-0, Fireball: 6
Evening: 4-1-7, Fireball: 5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 7-6-9-4, Fireball: 4
Evening: 8-1-5-6, Fireball: 6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
02-21-32-35-37
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Double Play numbers from April 19 drawing
18-26-27-31-42
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 19 drawing
32-42-52-53-55, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:
- Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
- Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.
When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
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