The Barbecue Center History
Serving Lexington, NC Since 1955
The Barbecue Center, Inc. is the oldest barbecue establishment in downtown Lexington that still cooks on pits. It has been featured in Southern Living magazine, on the TV show “Good Morning America” and in a number of newspapers. This bastion of Lexington-style barbecue started years ago across the street from its current site as a dairy center serving ice cream. They built a small barbecue pit to have something to sell in the winter when the ice cream business slowed. They moved in the late 1950s but they still sell a lot of ice cream.
At The Barbecue Center, the art of pit-cooking is perfected to create tender, smoky, and flavor-packed pork. The process begins with carefully selected cuts of pork, which are then seasoned with a blend of secret spices and allowed to marinate. The meat is then slow-cooked over hickory wood for hours, allowing the flavors to develop and the meat to become incredibly tender, moist, and infused with that distinctive smokiness.
When someone is described as an icon, you better be able to back up that statement with some proof. But when you are talking about someone like Sonny Conrad, owner of The Barbecue Center, then no explanation is needed.
Conrad, 75, of East Holly Grove Road, died Friday morning at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, and the city of Lexington may never be the same.
“He was my best friend, the best boss and the best Dad a man could have,” said his youngest son, Michael Conrad.
Sonny Conrad 2/24/38 – 6/14/13
When someone is described as an icon, you better be able to back up that statement with some proof. But when you are talking about someone like Sonny Conrad, owner of The Barbecue Center, then no explanation is needed.
Conrad, 75, of East Holly Grove Road, died Friday morning at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, and the city of Lexington may never be the same.
“He was my best friend, the best boss and the best Dad a man could have,” said his youngest son, Michael Conrad.
Sonny Conrad 2/24/38 – 6/14/13
One cannot speak of The Barbecue Center without mentioning its renowned Lexington-style barbecue sauce. This tangy, vinegar-based sauce perfectly complements the slow-cooked pork, adding a zing of flavor without overpowering the natural taste of the meat. It is a testament to the region’s barbecue heritage and a nod to the sauce that has made Lexington-style barbecue famous worldwide.
Alongside the succulent pork, The Barbecue Center offers an array of Southern sides that elevate the dining experience. From hush puppies and coleslaw to baked beans and cornbread, each side dish is crafted with care, providing the perfect accompaniment to the main attraction. Additionally, don’t forget to polish off a great entrée with The Barbecue Center’s world renowned Banana Split.
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