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Ayden, NC: Skylight Inn Bar-B-Q
March 22, 2008
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The Sterns claim the whole-hog cleaver-hacked barbecue at the Skylight Inn might be the best anywhere. It's certainly the oldest, with its roots going back to 1830.
Today, the seventh and eighth generations of the founder's progeny tend the whole hogs as they slowly cook for 18 hours over hickory coals. They might sprinkle on some salt and pepper, a little vinegar, and some Texas Pete hot sauce, but that's it.
This is traditional Eastern North Carolina barbecue, after all, and that means there's no sauce. But never mind. The luscious meat, with its crispy skin, chewy outside meat, and velvety tender inside meat is enough. It's served up on a big thin square of unleavened cornbread instead of a plate with coleslaw on the side.
The simple storefront has about five tables. When you walk in, the room is silent except for the chopping sounds coming from the pit master's cleavers as he hacks away at the luscious meat. Customers are chowing down, not chatting.
Skylight Inn Bar-B-Q
4618 Lee Street
Ayden, NC
252-746-4113
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