RICK'S NC BBQ

Rick catered an "I Do BBQ" for a spring wedding of about 70 people in Oriental and he nailed it! The brisket was incredibly tender, the pulled pork deliciously seasoned, and the fried chicken was out of this world. Rick was accommodating to the party size and, even with generous portions sizes, we had plenty of leftovers. Looking forward to being back in town again to enjoy the great BBQ!

We went here from a local recommendation but seeing the reviews I was going to suggest it to my party. We all left there stuffed and in awe. We all agree it’s the best fried chicken we’ve had and I also loved the barbecue. I also enjoyed the collard greens and wish I could have tried some of the other sides. We are in the area so we will be back.

The juiciest peice of fried chicken I have ever had. The pulled pork and Mac n cheese were also top notch. The slaw is a non-mayo based slaw that I am going to have to try to replicate at home. They even have bar to sit at, have a beer and watch some football while you eat.

Pet sitting in Oriental and stopped here for barbeque. Had the daily special - pulled pork sandwich, fried potato wedges, and vinegar based cole slaw. Sandwich came with 2 kind of sauce on the side - red/brown and vinegar based - both were good, but I preferred the vinegar based. Barbeque was excellent - good flavor and some crunch bits. Potato wedges were great - fried in the fried chicken batter, cole slaw was tasty. Friendly service, great price for the daily special. Note they are only open a few days a week!

This food was spectacular, everyone inside was raving about it. The potato salad was good, the cole slaw and collards are superior. Excellent. They make it fresh. They have ribs, pork barbque, brisket that is fantastic. They have mac n cheese I was too full to try that. It has a bar there. Very clean. Just wanted to add to my experience. Have a friend that went by to pick up some pork for me. He and his employees are so friendly. I have over one million views on Google Maps, love this place. Just trying to help other foodies find a great restaurant.

This BBQ is very very good. Maybe the best I’ve ever had. And being from NC, I’ve eaten a lot of BBQ. I asked for just a half pint and it came with both types of sauces. But it didn’t need any. You can tell the owner and employees care about the business. I look forward to seeing Rick’s in Oriental for many years to come.

I’ve never had fried chicken so good! Best fried chicken I’ve ever had in my life. And the sides were delicious. Cold beers yummy. And with all of that Rick and the incredible people who took care of us were the best part. A easy walk from the dock ( we stayed at Oriental Inn & Marina.) Or however you arrive at Oriental. We will definitely stop back when our travels bring us back this way. Thank You Rick!

Rick’s BBQ, Oriental NC: The Rib Game 10/10 Listen. I’ve eaten a lot of BBQ in my life—from Texas to Memphis to Carolina—but Rick’s BBQ in Oriental, North Carolina just earned a permanent spot in my top tier. This place is small-town, off-the-map Southern soul at its finest. No frills. No gimmicks. Just real BBQ done right. Let me walk you through these pork ribs that had me questioning everything I thought I knew about BBQ. The rub on those ribs? It’s something special. Deep flavor. Not overly sweet, not too salty, but balanced with a rich blend of spices that created a perfect bark—crispy and caramelized just right. It hits you with a slow-building flavor wave: first smoky, then savory, then that little back-end kick that wakes up your taste buds like “Oh yeah… this is the real deal.” And when you add Rick’s house BBQ sauce into the mix—whew. The sauce is a masterclass in bold flavor: slightly sweet, slightly smoky, with enough tang to brighten up the meat without overpowering it. Now here’s where it gets even more interesting—they also serve a vinegar-based sauce, classic Eastern Carolina style, and when you blend that with the BBQ sauce? Man. It’s alchemy. That combination gives you this layered, complex bite that’s bold, sharp, juicy, and unforgettable. Every rib was so tender you barely needed to chew—just a gentle pull and it came clean off the bone. Now let’s give the greens their flowers, because these weren’t just a side—they were a soul food statement. Perfectly cooked down, but still holding their integrity—no mush here. The flavor was rich, likely simmered in a slow pot with smoked meat and just enough vinegar and seasoning to make each forkful its own event. These greens tasted like somebody's grandma was in the back, whispering old family secrets to the pot. Final thoughts? Rick’s BBQ is one of those places you don’t just eat at—you remember. You tell people about it. You plan your road trips around it. You dream about those ribs and greens long after you’ve cleaned your plate. If you're passing through Oriental, NC—or even if you’re not—go out of your way to eat here. Trust me, it’s worth it.