Parker’s Barbecue
Phone: (252) 237-0972
Address: Highway 301, Wilson, NC
User-posted restaurant reviews in the Wilson, NC area!
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Phone: (252) 237-0972
Address: Highway 301, Wilson, NC
On April 28, 2011 punchinelli wrote:
Parker’s is very interesting. Coming from a relatively young person who didn’t grow up in Wilson, you are somewhat taken aback when you first walk in.
The restaurant is located on the outskirts of Wilson on Highway 301. It looks like a restaurant on the verge of closing, but the parking lot is always packed and it’s been slammed every time I’ve been.
The wait staff are all-male and wear old-school uniforms (white “boat” hat, white clothes, and white apron).
The restaurant features wood paneling, wood chairs, and cafeteria-style tables. You are escorted to a table in the enormous restaurant floor.
The menu options are great – barbecue, fried chicken, Brunswick stew, etc. Most of the “plates” come with a variation of hush puppies, mustard coleslaw, Brunswick stew, and corn sticks.
All of the food I’ve eaten at Parker’s is absolutely delicious. The barbecue, in particular, holds up to its reputation – it’s not life-changing, but it’s most definitely the best barbecue I’ve had in a long time! Disclaimer: the barbecue is vinegar-based, not tomato-based, as is what’s more customary in the western side of NC.
The dishes are more expensive than what I’d expect, but you get plenty of food. The best value is the “family style” offering, where a party of 4 or more can “eat as much as they want” for a fixed price.
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On June 17, 2011 bartonbulldog wrote:
What can you say about Parker’s that’s not been said before??
Best barbecue for thousands of miles, full of heritage (including an all-male wait staff in full 50s-style outfits), and pretty cheap for what you get.
They do not take credit card which is absurd. They lose points on service because of this.
The barbecue is fantastic but the sides are slightly above average. There’s brunswick stew, corn sticks, slaw, fried chicken, etc.
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On June 21, 2011 MeganB1983 wrote:
Parker’s is one of the BEST BBQ places in the area. The minute you walk in, there is an atmosphere of the good ol’ South. The waiters are quick to get your drink order (sweet tea of course with crushed ice) and to offer you the family style..in which you get a buffet of BBQ, chicken and fixins AT YOUR TABLE! That’s right…you don’t even have to get out of your seat. My favorite fixin would be the boiled potatoes! Yummmmm! I have eaten at Parker’s too many times to count and have NEVER been disappointed and I always leave with a full belly. Family style is definitely the best and cheapest way to eat at Parker’s Barbecue.
P.S. My son’s name is Parker and we are no relation to the restaurant.
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On June 21, 2011 Jacci wrote:
I completely agree with the previous reviews. The eastern NC style bbq is awesome as are all the sides but ya’ll forgot the fried chicken! Yum! Yes,it’s a pain to have to remember to take cash with me when I go but the food’s so good they’re forgiven. Seriously, the place seems like it’s still 1955 so I guess debit cards won’t be a thought for quite a while.lol My brother and I play a game when we go there. We time the waiter from the time we order until the food arrives. Average wait? 2 &1/2 minutes. Love it!
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On June 25, 2011 Butch P wrote:
Great BBQ same on fried chicken. Don’t care that much for a all male service staff and having to pay with cash is also a bummer.
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On June 29, 2011 Anne wrote:
Parker’s is an experience! I am not from here, but love the retro atmosphere of the restaurant. The service is lightning fast, and you get lots of very tasty food at a very reasonable price. I am not a fan of the Eastern NC BBQ, personally, but I love their fried chicken and all the sides!
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On September 2, 2011 Chris wrote:
Parker’s is beyond a Wilson institution. I have eaten here since I was a baby! The food is always the same but absolutely delicious. I can eat my weight in their barbecue but DON’T try the large plate unless you haven’t eaten for weeks! The tea is the best in Wilson and my mother has me save some cornbread sticks every time we go. The only downside is when you go the smell sticks with you all day and even into the next day until you take a shower and wash your clothes…other than that it is some of the best barbecue I’ve ever eaten. Anyone passing through Wilson MUST try Parker’s once.
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On September 14, 2011 Debbi Covington wrote:
One of my all-time favorites! I buy BBQ to bring back to SC every time I go to Wilson. Best fried chicken on the planet!
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On September 14, 2011 Purple Drank wrote:
I understand why there are 3 restaurants in this category, but let it be known that there is only ONE barbecue place in Wilson, Parker’s. I talk to people from up and down the east coast daily. They always ask if I have eaten at Parker’s or tell me they pulled off 95 just to eat there. The service is quick!! Tea is like syrup and fried chicken is awesome. Don’t like barbecue and fried chicken? They have seafood as well!!
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On November 3, 2011 Karen Norfleet wrote:
Being a Wilson transplant, I don’t have the Parker’s grease running through my veins that others do…but I do love their BBQ chicken, brunswick stew and hushpuppies! The BBQ and fried chicken are great as well. The atmosphere is that of a high school cafeteria, but you aren’t really there for the ambiance. No cards taken, so be ready pay in cash. The staff is great, the food comes FAST. The owners are locals, which means the place is run with care.
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On January 6, 2012 Carol wrote:
Best BBQ in the state of NC! you don’t have to add NOTHING to this southern treat. They have the BEST sweet tea and it’s served with good ol crushed ice! can’t get any better than that! chicken is awesome too. Service is FAST and the food is HOT and will melt in your mouth. When I go see my friends in Texas and in Florida, they make me bring them BBQ from Parkers.
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On May 10, 2012 Keith wrote:
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
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On September 7, 2012 Benjamin T. wrote:
Parker’s is very good barbecue. The family style dinner is the best deal by far. I’m not a huge fan of the sides, but the barbecue is absolutely delicious. The sweet tea is top of the line. One aspect of Parker’s worth mentioning is the extremely efficient service. Your food comes out very quickly, and you’re never left wanting anything — food, drinks, anything you need are immediately available. Even getting seated is efficient — the entire parking lot can be full and I’ve never waited to sit down. The table bussing is quick and concentrated on through-put.
As previously mentioned, the sides are nothing special — the mustard coleslaw, brunswick stew, hush puppies, and even the fried chicken are nothing special, but definitely acceptable for the price. I just wish they were as good as the barbecue.
The atmosphere of Parker’s is pretty abyssmal. Imagine a K&W — except not as nice. They also don’t take card which is a huge inconvenience in 2012.
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On April 17, 2013 Lisa wrote:
Moved here from Florida recently and I have eaten at Parker’s Barbecue several times. The barbecue is delicious! I’m not even really a fan of vinegar-based bbq, but this changes my mind! The service is very fast and my cup of sweet tea was never close to empty. However, the sides taste like they are from a can and the corn sticks have no flavor whatsoever. From what I’ve heard from people who grew up here, they used to make the corn sticks from scratch, it would be wonderful if they went back to that. The place itself is very dreary and depressing, lightened up only by the wonderful people working and dining there.
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