Unearth The Voyage
North Carolina knows barbecue, but the real secret weapon on every menu is the banana pudding. Creamy layers of vanilla custard, fresh bananas, and crispy wafers create the perfect finish to any smoky meal. Whether you’re craving classic comfort or a bourbon-spiked twist, these ten spots across the state serve up pudding that’ll make you want seconds. Get ready to discover where Tar Heels go when they need their banana pudding fix.
1. The Pit (Raleigh) – Classic, creamy banana pudding layered with bananas, wafers, and a fluff/meringue finish
Raleigh’s barbecue scene wouldn’t be complete without The Pit’s legendary banana pudding. Layers of silky vanilla custard nestle between crisp Nilla wafers and perfectly ripe banana slices, all crowned with a cloud of sweet meringue or fluffy whipped topping.
Every spoonful delivers that nostalgic taste you remember from family cookouts. The balance between creamy and crunchy makes each bite addictive.
Locals know to save room for dessert here, even after filling up on pulled pork and ribs. You can order it as a single serving or grab extra to take home. This downtown staple has earned its spot on every must-visit barbecue list in the Triangle area.
2. Sam Jones BBQ (Raleigh & Greenville) – Whole-hog royalty with a down-home banana pudding
Sam Jones carries on his family’s whole-hog legacy, and his banana pudding honors that same tradition. Simple, honest ingredients come together in individual cups that pack serious flavor without any fancy tricks.
This isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel—it’s perfecting what grandmothers have been making for generations. Fresh bananas, creamy pudding, and those essential vanilla wafers create comfort in every bite.
Available at both the Raleigh and Greenville locations, you can even order it online for pickup. After demolishing a plate of smoky pork, this cool, sweet finish hits exactly right. It’s proof that sometimes the classics don’t need improvement, just respect and quality ingredients done well.
3. Prime Barbecue (Knightdale) – House-made custard, bananas, and bourbon whipped cream
Prime Barbecue takes banana pudding upscale without losing its soul. Their house-made custard provides a richer, more luxurious base than standard pudding mixes, and then they add their secret weapon: bourbon whipped cream.
That subtle kick of Kentucky spirit elevates the whole experience into grown-up territory. You can order by the serving for yourself or call ahead to get a whole pan for your next gathering.
The custard’s silky texture melts on your tongue while the bourbon cream adds depth and warmth. Knightdale locals treat this place like their personal treasure, and the pudding is a big reason why. It’s comfort food that knows how to dress up for special occasions.
4. Picnic (Durham) – Scratch-made pudding, sliced bananas, ‘Nilla wafers, and whipped cream
Durham’s Picnic doesn’t cut corners, and their banana pudding proves it from the first spoonful. Everything gets made from scratch daily—no boxes or shortcuts in sight.
Fresh banana slices stay firm and sweet, nestled in pudding that tastes like someone’s beloved grandmother just stirred it up. Classic Nilla wafers provide that essential crunch, while real whipped cream (not the stuff from a can) tops it all off.
Available every single day and in catering trays for events, this pudding has become a Durham institution. The scratch-made difference shines through in the clean, pure flavors that let each ingredient speak for itself. It’s the kind of dessert that reminds you why simple done right always wins.
5. Midwood Smokehouse (Charlotte + multiple NC locations) – A barbecue chain that takes dessert seriously
Midwood Smokehouse might have multiple locations across North Carolina, but they haven’t sacrificed quality for quantity. Their banana pudding earns its own dedicated spot on the printed dessert menu, right alongside the ribs and brisket.
Charlotte locals and visitors alike know this chain understands that great barbecue deserves an equally great ending. Creamy, sweet, and loaded with vanilla wafers, it delivers consistent comfort no matter which location you visit.
The pudding strikes that perfect balance—not too heavy after a big meal, but satisfying enough to feel like a proper treat. Having multiple spots means you’re never far from your fix. It’s proof that even growing restaurants can keep their soul intact.
6. Skylight Inn BBQ (Ayden) – Old-school whole-hog temple with old-school banana pudding
Skylight Inn has been serving whole-hog barbecue since 1947, and their banana pudding recipe probably hasn’t changed much since then either. Listed simply under “Sweets” on the menu, it’s as no-nonsense as the rest of this legendary spot.
Eastern Carolina barbecue purists make pilgrimages to Ayden specifically for this place, and smart ones always order the pudding. It’s straightforward comfort that matches the restaurant’s honest, unfussy approach to food.
Open Monday through Saturday, this James Beard-recognized institution doesn’t need to reinvent dessert. Their version tastes like stepping back in time to when pudding meant real ingredients mixed with care. Simple, timeless, and exactly what you want after perfect pork.
7. Lawrence Barbecue (Durham – Boxyard RTP; Cary) – Trendy smokehouse with a throwback dessert
Lawrence Barbecue brings modern smokehouse vibes to Durham and Cary, but their banana pudding keeps things refreshingly old-school. You’ll find it on their online ordering menu, ready to complete your brisket or pulled pork order.
The contrast works beautifully—cutting-edge barbecue techniques paired with a dessert that could’ve come from a 1950s church potluck. Cool and creamy, it provides the perfect counterpoint to spicy, smoky meats.
Located at the hip Boxyard RTP and in Cary, Lawrence proves you can be trendy without abandoning tradition. Their pudding respects the classic formula while fitting seamlessly into a contemporary dining experience. Sometimes the best innovation is knowing what not to change about a beloved recipe.
8. The Redneck BBQ Lab (Benson; plus North Hills, Raleigh) – Competition-style ‘cue and a classic banana pudding
Competition barbecue demands precision, and The Redneck BBQ Lab applies that same attention to their banana pudding. Available for online ordering at their Benson and North Hills locations, this dessert holds its own against their award-worthy meats.
The name might be playful, but there’s nothing amateur about the execution. Layers of creamy pudding, fresh bananas, and wafers come together with the care of pitmasters who understand balance and flavor.
After sampling their championship-level barbecue, the pudding provides a sweet, cooling finish that cleanses your palate. It’s become as much a signature as their smoked meats. When you’re serious about barbecue, you get serious about every item on the menu, desserts included.
9. Little Richard’s BBQ (multiple Triad locations incl. Clemmons) – Lexington-style stalwart
Little Richard’s has been serving Lexington-style barbecue across the Triad for years, and their banana pudding has earned its loyal following right alongside the chopped pork. Listed proudly on the dessert menu, it’s a staple at every location.
Lexington-style means vinegar-based sauce and red slaw, but the pudding keeps things universally sweet and creamy. It’s the perfect palate cleanser after tangy, smoky flavors.
Multiple locations from Clemmons to other Triad towns mean you’re never far from this reliable favorite. Families have been ending their meals here with banana pudding for generations. It’s the kind of consistent comfort that keeps customers coming back week after week, year after year.
10. Barbecue Center (Lexington) – Iconic drive-in–style barbecue spot with homemade banana pudding
Barbecue Center has been a Lexington landmark since 1955, serving up chopped pork and homemade banana pudding to generations of hungry customers. You can order it in small or large—though regulars know the large is always the right choice.
The drive-in atmosphere adds to the nostalgic experience of spooning through layers of homemade goodness. Everything about this place feels authentically stuck in time, in the best possible way.
Their pudding tastes exactly like what you’d hope to find at a classic North Carolina barbecue joint—honest, homemade, and deeply satisfying. No pretense, no gimmicks, just quality ingredients prepared with decades of practice. It’s a taste of Lexington history in every creamy, banana-studded bite.
