photos by: JEJ PHOTOS & AMBER RENEA PHOTOGRAPHY
Loyal to recipes passed down through generations and delivering true comfort with every meal at each of their five locations, Little Richard’s BBQ is an icon for Winston-Salem area residents.
From the lively Stratford Road neighborhood vibe to smaller destinations in Clemmons, Yadkinville, Mt. Airy, and Walkertown, both first- and second-generation members of the Karagiorgis family are proud to keep growing their family’s beloved business. By feeding, serving, and bringing people together across Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, Little Richard’s continues to be a vital part of the community!
Community is really the backbone of how Little Richard’s BBQ operates, and that local spirit is especially evident at the Stratford Road location, where regulars gather for sports watch parties, memorable family occasions, and lively dinners with friends. You can always catch your favorite teams playing on wall-to-wall TVs and enjoy a full-service bar along with your favorite game-day appetizers and entrées.
“We want guests to feel like family when they dine with us,” shares Victoria. “We hope our restaurants feel like gathering places, where the ambiance and food make you feel right at home. That sense of belonging is a big part of our identity.”
While maintaining the charm and comfort you feel at each of their locations, owner Stephen Karagiorgis and his sister, Victoria Kaliviotis, have expanded Little Richard’s reach with catering for community events of all sizes. The versatility of the restaurant’s menu pairs perfectly with any special occasion, and guided by Kristen Absher, general manager and head of operations, every event is seamless!
“With the growth of our catering efforts, we have also built many wonderful community partnerships — just one way we stay connected to the community that has supported our family business for decades,” shares Victoria.
You may have seen their black and gold catering van at Wake Forest Demon Deacon home football games, as this season fans have enjoyed pre-ordering their tailgating favorites and picking up that delicious custom meal in the Gold Lot at Allegacy Stadium.
“We’ve been thrilled to partner with Little Richard’s BBQ — as Wake Forest fans have already been enjoying their BBQ for decades,” adds Neil Bishop of Wake Forest University Athletics. “Bringing that local flavor to the stadium lets fans enjoy an even more authentic Winston-Salem experience on football game days. We’re proud to team up with Little Richard’s in continuing their strong tradition of serving our great community.”
Little Richard’s also supports several schools across Forsyth County — including Whitaker Elementary and R.J. Reynolds High School — through fundraising and engagement events.
“Little Richard’s is a natural partner,” explains Jane Duncan, who coordinates Whitaker’s Business Partners program. “They’ve invested at our highest level for the past two years and have contributed in-kind with catering for events — allowing us to sell their delicious food to raise funds for the school.”
“At Little Richard’s, community isn’t just something we talk about — it’s who we are. As a family-owned business, we’ve always believed that supporting local schools, university teams, and organizations is part of our responsibility and our joy. Our new partnerships let us give back to the same people who’ve supported us for generations, and they help keep us connected to what really matters — our community,” shares Stephen.
Partnering with Little Richard’s BBQ is also a tremendous boost for student-athletes at Salem College. The partnership began after Michael Williams, Athletic Director, attended a GWSI event at Little Richard’s BBQ, where he connected with Victoria about a potential collaboration.
“She was immediately enthusiastic and set up a meeting to discuss how they could work within Salem Academy & College’s budget to support our teams,” shares Michael. “Victoria has been a wonderful partner, and what makes this relationship even more special is learning that her mother, Stacey Karagiorgis, is a Salem alumna!”
The Little Richard’s BBQ partnership allows the school to provide student-athletes with healthy, nutritious post-game meals that support recovery, wellness, and performance. Hallie Kramer, a sophomore soccer player from Wisconsin, says being involved with the Winston-Salem community is vital for Salem students.
“By getting involved, we stop seeing Winston-Salem as merely a college town, and instead we start seeing it as our true home away from home,” she adds.
As Little Richard’s continues to make connections and partnerships across the community, they consider every customer and partner part of the family. They hope to bring their Southern classics to everyone’s holiday celebrations — because bringing folks together and sharing a meal has always been at the heart of what they do.
This holiday season, there’s nothing better than serving Little Richard’s deliciousness for festive gatherings with friends and family. Visit www.littlerichardsbarbeque.com/holiday-specials/ to pre-order their Holiday Meal Specials! Options include both turkey meals and BBQ meals (plus sides) to feed four to six guests (small) or 10 to 12 guests (large).
For more information on sharing the many flavors of Little Richard’s BBQ at your next school or community event, email [email protected] to discuss partnership options. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @littlerichardsbbq.
Contact Little Richard’s Smokehouse BBQ at 6470 Stadium Drive, Clemmons, 336-766-0401; in Mt. Airy at 455 Fredrick Street, 336-783-0227; Yadkinville at 916 South State Street, 336-679-7064; Walkertown at 5182 Reidsville Road, 336-754-4495; and Little Richard’s Smokehouse Bar-N-Que at 109 S. Stratford Road in Winston-Salem, 336-999-8037.
