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The Pit Authentic BBQ, Raleigh, NC

The Pit Authentic BBQ

4.5 (5742)
$30 and under
Southern
328 W. Davie Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
animated flamesBooked 25 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for groups
Servin’ everything but the squeal! The Pit Authentic Barbecue is home to world-famous tangy Eastern NC whole-hog, pit-cooked barbecue. Located in the Warehouse District, we source premium AWA-certified hogs to cook low and slow for twelve hours. All of our spirits have been handpicked to enhance the smoked and sometimes spicy fare cooked off the pit, from beer to bourbon.

Last but not least, we serve up a good time at unique private dining events. Our contemporary setting in a restored 1930s meatpacking warehouse is the perfect spot for rehearsal dinners, birthdays, and more. Check out the link below for details!

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Southern, Barbecue
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Carlos Andrade
  • Catering
    For Private Dining and Catering inquiries contact Melissa Robinson at (919)829-0833 or Melissa@thepit-raleigh.com.
  • Private party facilities
    We offer private dining areas to accommodate up to 85 guests. We will customize a Family Style Menu suited for your event.
  • Private party contact
    Melissa Robinson : (919) 829-0833
  • Neighborhood
    Raleigh
  • Cross street
    Dawson Street
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Gift card

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Private dining

What 5,742 people are saying

The Pit Authentic BBQ reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Pit Authentic BBQ serves up "excellent food" with "generous portions" and "great service," making it a "fantastic" spot for Carolina barbecue in Raleigh. Guests rave about the "delicious" pulled pork and fried chicken, while the carrot cake receives high praise. The atmosphere is "welcoming," and attentive staff ensure a memorable dining experience.
5,742 Reviews
  1. Adrianne

    Raleigh1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was excellent, and the waitress accommodated me(vegan) very well. Another great experience at The Pit tonight.

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  2. Steve

    New York City14 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 17, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Overall…a great place. Food and mixed drinks are delicious. Arrive hungry as portions are generous. Service is done as a team and all were friendly and very attentive. Only thing I would improve upon is at peak times have a dedicated check in for those with reservations. We arrived a few minutes early and were seated 20 minutes late due to the check in line. It was well worth the wait…we will return the next time we are in Raleigh.
    The Pit Authentic BBQResponded on May 20, 2025
    My apologies for the wait at the door, we have such a small landing area coming up that ramp it makes it tough when were packed like we were Saturday. Thank you for waiting, and I'm happy to hear you enjoyed what followed, and the teamwork that goes into our service experience. Appreciate you taking the time to reach out, and hope to see you folks again soon! Kevin Bartness GM The Pit

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  3. John

    Raleigh1 review

    3.0

    Dined on May 17, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Overall, Visit was ok. Nothing impressive. Will not recommend but glad to have experienced.
    The Pit Authentic BBQResponded on May 20, 2025
    Thanks for the review John, and wish we could have made your experience a memorable one. I'd love to know specifics on what you chose during your visit, and try to pin point a bit more where we fell short.

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  4. Nancy VIP

    Raleigh9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    We hadn't been to The Pit in many years, and now I'm sad that we hadn't. The food was excellent, and we brought home more pulled pork than we ate, the portions were very large. My husband had mac & cheese as a side, and it was very good. I had the potato salad, also excellent. The biscuits and hushpuppies brought before the meal were also excellent. The server was great too. We had an early, 5:15 pm reservation before a show in downtown Raleigh and we had no wait at all. My only small complaint was, were seated in an area that had tables for two and the tables are VERY close, like have to turn sideways to get into the table. The couple next to us was on a first date and we knew this because we heard their entire conversation and I'm sure they heard ours too.
    The Pit Authentic BBQResponded on May 20, 2025
    Hello Nancy, We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your experience at The Pit Authentic BBQ. It's wonderful to know that our food, pulled pork, mac & cheese, potato salad, and sides, hit the mark for you. We're glad you had a smooth seating experience and that our server could provide the service we hope to achieve. Appreciate your feedback about the proximity of the tables and we'll take it into consideration. We look forward to welcoming you back for another great dining experience. Thanks for taking the time to reach out, Kevin Bartness GM The Pit

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  5. Felecia

    Cincinnati / Dayton1 review

    4.0

    Dined on May 17, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Server was nice and attentive. Food was just okay.
    The Pit Authentic BBQResponded on May 20, 2025
    Hey Felecia, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at The Pit Authentic BBQ. We're glad to hear that our server was attentive and made your visit enjoyable. We're sorry to hear that our food didn't quite hit the mark for you. We're always striving to improve, and your feedback is valuable to us. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again and provide a better experience.

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  6. Suzanne

    Coastal North Carolina5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious! The food was fresh and flavorful! We had a party of 8, our server was very attentive and we had a fabulous team lunch! Thank you!
    The Pit Authentic BBQResponded on May 20, 2025
    Hey Suzanne, Thanks so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you and your party enjoyed your experience at The Pit Authentic BBQ. It's great to know that our fresh and flavorful food hit the mark for you and your group. We're also glad that our team lunch was a hit! We strive to make every visit a special one for our guests. We can't wait to welcome you back for another fantastic experience. Best regards, The Management Team

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  7. AJ

    Yosemite / Mammoth Lakes4 reviews

    1.0

    Dined on May 12, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Bland and dry ribs. The wait is higher than normal what you expect from a BBQ joint.
    The Pit Authentic BBQResponded on May 20, 2025
    Sorry to hear we fell so flat on your dinner AJ. We really do try and follow up when someone doesn’t like their choice, and always offer other options in the moment. Frustrating to know you left thinking 1 star experience top to bottom. Please reach out privately or publicly if you prefer? Would love a shot to find the perfect selection for you in the future. Thanks for the insights, Kevin Bartness GM The Pit 919-890-4500

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  8. Kevin

    Raleigh8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Pit was very flexible in moving up our reservation when we were early on Mother's Day. Much appreciated. Food was 10/10 across the board. Generous portions and great service.
    The Pit Authentic BBQResponded on May 20, 2025
    Hi Kevin, We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience at The Pit on Mother's Day! It's wonderful to know that our flexibility to accommodate your early reservation was appreciated. We're also glad you enjoyed our food and found the portions generous. Your kind words are truly appreciated and we can't wait to welcome you back for another great dining experience. Best, Kevin Bartness GM The Pit

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  9. Gary

    Greater Boston4 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    Of all the places to get BBQ in the Triangle area, this is near the bottom of the list when it comes to food quality. The food just really isn’t that good. The quality and smoke in the meat is subpar, the sides are so so at best (the sides are even much better in a place like Cracker Barrel). As an example, the fried okra was just a pile of mush and not crispy at all. The place tries to create an upper level dining atmosphere, but there is much better barbecue and more basic places and for less money. I have tried this place several times over the past seven or eight years and I think I’m finally at the point where I’m not coming back.
    The Pit Authentic BBQResponded on May 20, 2025
    Hello Gary, Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear that our BBQ didn't meet your expectations. We take all customer feedback to heart and will use your comments to improve. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed our atmosphere, but we're sorry that our food quality didn't meet your standards. We're always striving to improve and your feedback is invaluable in this process. We hope you'll reconsider and give us another chance to impress you. Best, The Pit Authentic BBQ Management Team

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  10. Susan VIP

    Raleigh57 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Enjoyed a good lunch on Mother's Day. We split the combo with two pieces of chicken and BBQ, and our sides were potato salad and sweet potato casserole. The service was prompt and friendly. We received our food very soon after ordering, and it was all delicious, especially the fried chicken, which was excellent! We have eaten at The Pit for 10-15 years, and it has consistently been good.
    The Pit Authentic BBQResponded on May 20, 2025
    Thanks for the review, Susan! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your lunch on Mother's Day and that our combo hit the spot! It's wonderful to know that our service met your expectations and that you found our food to be delicious, especially the fried chicken. Your loyalty over the years means a lot to us. We look forward to serving you again soon!

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FAQs

The Pit Authentic BBQ offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (919) 890-4500.

The Pit Authentic BBQ is rated 4.5 stars by 5742 OpenTable diners.

The Pit Authentic BBQ does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill
  4. Raleigh
  5. Raleigh

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
animated flamesBooked 25 times today
Google Map for The Pit Authentic BBQ

328 W. Davie Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Dawson Street
  • Neighborhood
    Raleigh
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–11:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Southern, Barbecue
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Carlos Andrade
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Catering
    For Private Dining and Catering inquiries contact Melissa Robinson at (919)829-0833 or Melissa@thepit-raleigh.com.
  • Private party facilities
    We offer private dining areas to accommodate up to 85 guests. We will customize a Family Style Menu suited for your event.
  • Private party contact
    Melissa Robinson : (919) 829-0833
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

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