Stamey's Barbecue / Greensboro, NC

My very first Stamey's Barbecue sandwich was way back in 1985 while covering the ACC Tournament. I can't remember if it was before, during, or after a game, but I do remember how very much I enjoyed it. And it's probably been 35+ years since I had eaten one. However, based on that memory alone (and having eaten one that Ridge bought for me on the way back to Raleigh, so hard to judge an hour-plus car ride), Stamey's is ranked firmly in my Top 25 at No. 23. After today's sandwich, it is no longer that number.

Welcome to No. 14 and solidly inside my Top 15 BBQ Joints!

The BBQ is piled high with just the right amount of red slaw. The smoke of the meat is super subtle, but it's there. Perfectly sauced with just the right about of acid and vinegar, the meat itself is tender and moist. The amount of sauce chopped in does over soak the hamburger bun. Nor does the slaw. The ratio of meat to slaw is perfectly balanced, making for quite the delicious bite. For a red slaw, it was tastier than 95% of what I've had west of Orange County.

My only negative would be the chop of the slaw. I prefer a much finer cut and for the most part, the chop was not overly off-putting, but I had two large pieces of cabbage that really hurt the sandwich's overall score. And by large pieces I mean two fifty-cent size pieces of crunch.

It makes me so happy that this historic BBQ joint keeps its legacy intact with one of the best sandwiches that brings back such great memories of days gone by. 9.2/10

Stamey's Barbecue

2206 W Gate City Blvd.

Greensboro, NC 27403