King's Restaurant has been serving eastern North Carolina barbecue from its location on West Vernon Avenue (US-70 Business) since 1936. Whole-hog, slow-cooked over wood, chopped and dressed with a thin vinegar-and-pepper sauce — the eastern North Carolina style at its most classic, with hush puppies and slaw on the side.
The dining room is unfussy, the staff long-tenured, and the queue at lunch on weekdays a fair indicator of the kitchen's reputation. Beyond barbecue the menu runs to fried chicken, country-style steak, and a long list of vegetable sides. Cash and card both accepted; no reservations.