We’ll start at a nice little restaurant in Kitty Hawk, NC, High Cotton.

High Cotton is one of my favorites. We’ll make the 1½ hour drive just to eat here sometimes. The only problem I have with them is that they close for the winter since they are located at the NC Outer Banks. I rarely travel there during tourist season. We will hop in the Jeep and hit the road to go here in the spring or fall. Just have to check their hours to be sure that they’re open before leaving.

But if you’re at the beach on vacation or you’re a local, I strongly suggest going here for very good bbq. They offer Eastern Style BBQ, ribs, brisket and a variety of chicken dishes. We have never been disappointed. They have a good smoke flavor, not too strong, and offer a couple of very good sauces that you can add at your table. Their “Pig Picking” sauce is very close to the sauce that I make so I usually buy theirs and take it home. They offer several different sides to go with the meals including my favorites, fried okra, baked beans and Brunswick Stew. Their Brunswick Stew is the best that I have found at the beach in recent years. It is not my all-time favorite but it does rate up there. I normally get it every time we’re there.

The portions are very good sized. I’ve never left hungry. If you do manage to save some room for dessert they have a chocolate-pecan pie that will knock your socks off. We usually get this to go.

The service here is great. The dining room is casual and comfortable, nothing fancy. I look forward to spring every year so we can make a few trips down there before tourist season.

While my jury is still out on where my favorite bbq is, High Cotton is probably in my top 5. For more information check their website: www.highcottonbbq.com.