ASHEVILLE – Eastern North Carolina has long been lauded for its barbecue, and this summer, a barbecue restaurant in Western North Carolina is proving that smoky, delicious options can be found in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
On August 22, Southern Living magazine released its list of the best new barbecue joints in the South.
Contributing Barbecue Editor Robert F. Moss traveled the country in search of the best new barbecue joints. Trails led the food critic to Asheville, where he discovered Huli Sue’s BBQ & Grill, a downtown restaurant that blends Texas and Hawaiian styles and flavors.
Huli Sue’s ranks 22nd, rounding out the list of the best barbecue joints in the South for 2024, with two other North Carolina restaurants also making the cut.
Southern Living defines “new” as a restaurant that has opened since the last version of the list was published in September 2021.
Moss has eaten at each selected location at least once, and the list and qualitative rankings were based “on the enjoyment of the food and the overall experience of the visit.”
Huli Sue’s, which opened in November 2021 at 1 Page Ave, Suite 150 in the Grove Arcade, was known for its slow-smoked brisket, baby back ribs, loco moco and Huli-marinated chicken.
“Because we are located in prime barbecue country and do not offer traditional barbecue, but rather our tropical flavors, influences and variations, it is nice to be included in the group of other recognized barbecue restaurants in the South,” said co-owner Lisa Smith-Vann. “We are happy and honored.”
Smith-Vann lived in Japan for 20 years before living in Hawaii for 15 years with her business and life partner Ben Krueger, which inspired Huli Sue’s concept.
The pan-Asian and tropical-inspired dishes do not contain barbecue sauce, but instead contain marinades made from Chinese five-spice mixtures as well as curry powder and passion fruit-based glazes.
“We love the Asheville community,” Smith-Vann said. “At first we were nervous about bringing this eclectic menu to town, but then we realized Asheville is weird and we feel like we fit perfectly into this eclectic atmosphere.”
Follow Huli Sue’s new food truck around town. This September, the mobile food joint will make the rounds at RAD Brewing Company, Hi-Wire Brewing, New Belgium Brewing, and Rock the RAD Block Party – a free, family-friendly event on Paynes Way in the River Arts District on September 15.
Other North Carolina barbecue joints on the list include Lechón Latin BBQ & Bar (No. 21) and Longleaf Swine (No. 12) in Raleigh.
The No. 1 destination is Palmira Barbecue in Charleston, South Carolina.
For Southern Living’s complete list, visit southernliving.com.
In March, Moss compiled a list of the best Southern barbecue joints in every state in 2024, naming Lexington Barbecue in Lexington the best in North Carolina. View the list at southernliving.com.
Check out Huli Sue’s barbecue menu at hulisuesbbq.com and for more information, follow @hulisuesbbq on Instagram.
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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a Citizen Times subscription.
