Skylight Inn Bbq

9-30-23 It's been maybe 20 years since I had been to Skylight until the date above. Has a dine-in side to the restaurant itself, and this is a counter order setup. Clean and well maintained dining area. Skylight Inn is an institution. It has national and state-wide recognition. The stuff on the wall is just a snippet of said accolades. It's been around since 1947 and has stayed in the family. The longevity is impressive. What they do is extremely simple, yet works. The number of patrons, even at non-peak times, is indicative of this. Love the wood pile out back, and the wood smoke aroma as you arrive will have your mouth watering. The BBQ is obviously the star here, and rightfully so. It is chopped finely relative to other BBQ joints. Has skin in as this is whole-hog. Yes! You can buy by pound or part of a small, medium, or large plate. Got a large plate, which is around $10 and comes with bread and a side. The BBQ can be sauced with a sweet sauce or their signature NC Eastern style vinegar zing! I love this (the latter) sauce. The amount of 'cue on a large plate is worth the $10 by itself. Excellent portion and taste. The sides are where they lose me a bit. The accompanying cornbread is a flat piece. It is more custard-like in consistency and is extremely wet. I am not fond of this. A soggy blah. Limited side choices of potato salad, slaw, or baked beans. None of these do anything for me. I am probably in the minority in that Skylight really does good business, and their simplicity is effective. But the sides really are disappointing. Simply, the BBQ is an outstanding version relative to other well-known BBQ joints, particularly in closer proximity. It really is great. Stick to that and their aforementioned Eastern sauce, and you will be happy.

Best bbq in the state!...I can eat this without sauce..just loaded with the yummy spice they use. A tray of pork with a cornbread slab on top with the potato salad like the church ladies would make, cubed up with that slight mustard twangy relish. However, it takes a minute to get the goods tuff. People line up to the register, shuffling at a snails pace. The air of anticipation cocoons each as they take their turn at the hardwood counter. We got there after the lunch. The tables were sticky, the bathrooms had paper flung everywhere. But after that first fork of chopped pig...I didn't mind so much... This is a locals place where everyone knows everybody. We stuck out in the throng in a pale wrong clothes kind of way. We garden at the farmers market & get close to farming by watching a John Deere commercial. So worth it though !!!