When prompted to name where the best barbecue in the area comes from, most self-respecting Carolina residents would respond, "My backyard," citing sacred family techniques for slow-cooking pork. It takes a gourmet touch, though, to execute specialties such as slow-smoked barbecued catfish, peppered trout, and salads with barbecued salmon or duck confit, as is done expertly at The Barbecue Joint in Chapel Hill. Not to worry traditionalists, The Barbecue Joint serves up plenty of Eastern Carolina-style pulled pork with a vinegar-based sauce, complemented by show-stealing sides such as cornbread, baked beans, fried green tomatoes and house-made pickles. Celebrity chefs – both Rachael Ray and Bobby Flay have brought their TV shows here in recent years – and local experts with seasoned smoked-swine sensibilities agree that this "joint" is far from ordinary. Beer available. Serving lunch and dinner Mon–Sat. Closed Sun.