Fuzzy’s Bar-B-Q / Madison, NC (The Return)

Mark Twain said "Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated" and there must have been some extreme exaggeration somewhere in my brain by thinking that Fuzzy’s Bar-B-Q had closed. It was Short Sugar's in Reidsville, NC that shuttered back in January after 75 years, not the NC Historic BBQ Trail's Fuzzy’s Bar-B-Q  in Madison which is still pit-cooking 'cue.

So with an assignment taking me to the northwestern part of the state through Rockingham County, I figured I would pay Fuzzy's another visit since I was premature in their death assumption and that there's no other barbecue joints along the way. As most know, I avoid fast food places unless absolutely necessary (like, when I have to take a potty break and options are nearly nonexistent).

My first trip to Fuzzy's garnered lofty praise for a Lexington style 'cue. I pretty much glowed about it, even offering it up as the "Best red slaw I’ve ever had." This recent trip brought that compliment crashing bitterly down to earth.

Starting with appearance, this sandwich was so very different from the first one back in February, 2023. The "red" slaw this time was not red, but a light yellow/green that appeared more like an Eastern mayonnaise slaw, but without the mayo. The first sandwich's barbecue was also more red in appearance and the meat on the new one was more auburn than red. Less tomato sauce, maybe? The bun was traditional, framing a portion of filling that saw a very unbalanced slaw to meat ratio, with slaw dominating the two. The bread fell apart while eating and my last bite was just meat, slaw, and a quarter-size piece of top bun.

Taste? Bleh. Not nearly as good as last time. The slaw domination ruined the overall taste with a medicinal, tin-like flavor that overpowered the meat itself. While the pork did have a nice flavor, it lacked any hint of smoke and the bite was a tough chew in places. Far from tender, the barbecue almost seemed like it was warmed over or at least had some day-old meat chopped in.

If the lack of diners at lunch are any indication (three) and the quality of barbecue I experienced, then maybe my thinking Fuzzy's had closed was a premonition of their eventual fate being sooner, rather than later. 6.5/10

Fuzzy’s Bar-B-Q

407 N. Highway Street

Madison, NC 27025