Little Richard’s BBQ has been a North Carolina staple for nearly three decades, with locations in Clemmons, Mount Airy, Yadkinville and Walkertown. Notorious for its top-notch Lexington-style BBQ and smoked meats, families flock to fill up on pulled pork and banana pudding seven days a week. Broadening its horizons, Little Richard’s BBQ has now crossed over into the world of wine, whiskey and more at its newest location on Stratford Road, with an expansive food and drink menu. Little Richard’s Smokehouse Bar-N-Que is Winston-Salem’s go-to hangout spot for carnivores and craft beer lovers alike.
While opening the Bar-N-Que is a new business venture for Little Richard’s, the Stratford Road team stays true to its roots as a friendly, neighborhood eatery – but this time, with a few more libations. The COVID-19 pandemic threw a temporary wrench in the Bar-N-Que’s plans after first opening in August 2019, but over time, bar regulars and locals returned with a renewed appreciation for the largest Little Richard’s location to date.
With a menu packed with comfort food, Little Richard’s Owner Stephen Karagiorgis strives to create a welcoming, “Mom and Pop shop” atmosphere for regulars and newcomers. The Smokehouse Bar-N-Que has become such a neighborhood hotspot that many customers request a table or booth in the bar area in order to immerse themselves in the Little Richard’s community. With numerous televisions and plenty of bar stools, there’s room for everyone at the Bar-N-Que.
Bar Manager Kristin Absher looks forward to seeing regulars at the bar, especially on Tuesday nights for half-priced wine and Wednesday nights for trivia. Although trivia doesn’t begin until 7:00 p.m., customers begin piling in at around 6:00 p.m. to fill up on brisket before the fun begins. Groups of six or less can try their hand at tough trivia questions to win gift cards to Little Richard’s, leaving players with the perfect excuse to return and take advantage of the location’s daily specials.
Craving cocktails? Stop in on Friday nights for $5 Blue Ridge Martinis and Twin City Sippers, both of which are topped off with Sunshine Sparkling Energy beverages for a local twist. Saturday nights supply patrons with signature Hippie Juice cocktails for only $5 each, featuring NASCAR legend Junior Johnson’s Cherry Moonshine. Swing by on Sundays for lunch and a $5 Lexington Bloody Mary, infused with Little Richard’s own Lexington barbecue sauce and customizable with the addition of house-made Voodoo sauce and jalapenos for extra heat. All of the signature cocktails at the Bar-N-Que, in name and ingredients, bring home the idea of local, which is what the Little Richard’s team is all about. BBQ is a part of our local, shared cultural experience here in the Triad, and the team does its best to keep that at the heart of every item in the restaurant.
Beer lovers will look forward to $4 craft beer on Wednesday nights, but will have a tough time deciding which North Carolina-crafted beer to choose. With 20 beers on tap, customers will find that most are local selections from breweries in Winston-Salem and the extended North Carolina area. If you’re overwhelmed by the Bar-N-Que’s vast selection of craft beer, most customers find that both Foothills Brewing’s Jade IPA or Wicked Weed’s Pernicious brews are safe bets. Monday nights offer discounted ribs by the bone, while Thursdays serve up bourbon with a $2 discount.
Customers with a sweet tooth will swoon for the Bar-N-Que’s signature Cheerwine Slushie, spiked with Jim Beam for an adult flair. Nostalgic drinkers will appreciate the location’s signature classics, such as Old Joe’s Smoky Old Fashioned. Little Richard’s unique take on the old fashioned keeps its recipe local by adding Winston-Salem’s own Broad Branch Frank’s Reserve to the mix. Additionally, the Bar-N-Que keeps customers cool with three different types of mules, each topped off with delicious Sunshine Ginger Berry.
Interested in joining the Little Richard’s team? The Stratford Road location is currently hiring friendly faces to fill all front-of-house positions. Send resumes to [email protected] to snag a great job and become part of the Little Richard’s family.
If your mouth is watering for ribs, visit Little Richard’s Smokehouse Bar-N-Que Monday through Sunday at 109 South Stratford Road. To order online or request catering, visit the team’s website at www.littlerichardsbarbeque.com. Check out Little Richard’s on Facebook, and follow the team on Instagram at @littlerichardsbbq to stay posted on all locations’ news and updates.
