Many folks in the Triangle / RTP area already know that Big Mike's BBQ is some of the best to be found anywhere in North Carolina. That same great food is combined with a bottle shop featuring local craft beer at two Big Mikes BBQ locations: 1222 NW Maynard Road in Cary NC and 2045 Creekside Landing Dr. in Apex NC.
The Triangle's most unique barbecue and local beer hangout is open every Monday - Saturday, and also Sunday in Apex. Because what could be better than BBQ and beer? Come and see us from RTP, Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Raleigh, Durham, and all over the Triangle for a casual bar atmosphere with some great local and crafty beers on tap to compliment locally sourced, farm to table BBQ and a variety of homemade sides.
The Triangle's most unique barbecue and local beer hangout is open every Monday - Saturday, and also Sunday in Apex. Because what could be better than BBQ and beer? Come and see us from RTP, Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Raleigh, Durham, and all over the Triangle for a casual bar atmosphere with some great local and crafty beers on tap to compliment locally sourced, farm to table BBQ and a variety of homemade sides.
Reviews (29)
Crisia T.
Jan 25, 2022
Report
I was on a work trip to North Carolina and there is absolutely no way I was going to leave without trying some good southern bbq. Big Mikes did just the trick and I slept like a baby once I got back to my hotel room. I tried the 3 Meat Platter, Ribs, Brisket, and Wings. And for my sides I picked cornbread and Mac cheese. The sides were okay, but the meats stole the show. Ribs had a slightly spicy bbq sauce, brisket was tender, and the wings were crispy and very flavorful. As a tip, you can order pot liquor upon request, and if you're like me and not sure what this is, it's basically the
Hannah W.
Jan 12, 2022
Report
Amanda P.
Jan 10, 2022
Report
Alyssa U.
Dec 18, 2021
Report
Food is phenomenal.
Customer service is so so. Waitstaff seems super annoyed that you're there.
I've worked in the service industry long enough to know that when it's busy, of course people are going to rushed. Everytime we've gone in, it's not at all busy. And they couldn't be bothered to even ask how you're doing. Very "what can I get you? Great it'll be right up" and that's it. They always seem annoyed to answer questions.
Other then that the place is clean, the food is out of the world.
Customer service is so so. Waitstaff seems super annoyed that you're there.
I've worked in the service industry long enough to know that when it's busy, of course people are going to rushed. Everytime we've gone in, it's not at all busy. And they couldn't be bothered to even ask how you're doing. Very "what can I get you? Great it'll be right up" and that's it. They always seem annoyed to answer questions.
Other then that the place is clean, the food is out of the world.
Deb S.
Dec 05, 2021
Report
You'd think it would be easy to find good bbq in North Carolina, but we had a heck of a time doing so. We stumbled upon Big Mikes and are so glad we can share a very positive review. Everything we tried was bold and flavorful, delicious bbq from start to finish. The saucy ribs. The smoky chicken wings. And Granny's cornbread - so so so good. I'd stop by here again in a hot second for some flavorful bbq. Thanks so much!
Richard G.
Dec 01, 2021
Report
Mindy W.
Nov 24, 2021
Report
BIG MIKE!! CONGRATS!! Beer on a screen and tonight our waiter, Ben(keep him), is wonderful!! A DEFINITE IMPROVEMENT since we were here back in June! We have relocated to Cary NC in July and we have been back to Big Mike's several times and I thought it only right to share when I see an owner who cares about his business! WE LOVE to support local businesses AND NOT CHAIN stores because and Big Mike's is on the right track!! FOOD IS GREAT as always! I always have the brisket, coleslaw, and baked beans! Never a disappointment! Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING and remember to support local businesses
Paul H.
Nov 13, 2021
Report
Shelly D.
Nov 10, 2021
Report
What a great BBQ spot!! The food was amazing, the service was impeccable THANKS GRACIE!!, the atmosphere was perfect for an afternoon lunch date. Will definitely be back. We had the burnt ends, bbq egg rolls, buffalo chicken egg rolls, potato salad, kale salad, smoked wings, and cornbread with pot liquor. Everything was perfect!
Mike O.
Nov 06, 2021
Report
For obvious reasons when I saw this place on Yelp for our trip we wanted to go there. As soon as we got there we smelled the aroma of hickory from the smoker out front. The inside was cute with two sections for seating and some outside. We chose the picnic style tables and were greeted with a friendly server who took our orders. For me I got the chopped BBQ plate that came with two sides, which I got the collard greens and the bleu cheese slaw. My wife ordered the brisket sandwich which came with slaw on it.
The meat was great and the greens and the bleu cheese slaw on mine meal were excellent
The meat was great and the greens and the bleu cheese slaw on mine meal were excellent
Tommy G.
Oct 26, 2021
Report
Matt B.
Sep 05, 2021
Report
Elizabeth N.
Sep 03, 2021
Report
Anterio K.
Aug 24, 2021
Report
Robbie P.
Jul 17, 2021
Report
Wow, what a disaster of a place.
I sat down at the bar and there were two people behind it. A younger guy in a red shirt and a woman with plugs who appeared to be in charge.
Both were too busy looking at their phones to notice me until I spoke up and asked if I could get a menu. "Yeah, there's probably one around here somewhere..." the younger guy said. The woman continued staring at her phone.
I eventually had to speak up again in order to get their attention off their phones to order a drink and food. Same thing happened when I wanted a refill.
Over the next 30 minutes, I
I sat down at the bar and there were two people behind it. A younger guy in a red shirt and a woman with plugs who appeared to be in charge.
Both were too busy looking at their phones to notice me until I spoke up and asked if I could get a menu. "Yeah, there's probably one around here somewhere..." the younger guy said. The woman continued staring at her phone.
I eventually had to speak up again in order to get their attention off their phones to order a drink and food. Same thing happened when I wanted a refill.
Over the next 30 minutes, I
Shenna W.
May 21, 2021
Report
We got there a little after 4, walked in to see only one customer and a waiter just standing there. He didn't acknowledge us, just stood there with a straight face and blank stare.
OOOK - this is a little awkward.
It wasn't until another gentlemen came from the "back" that he greeted us with a loud hello and told us we could sit where ever we liked.
It was off putting at first with the first encounter - I mean did you bite your tongue? Was it off putting because of who I was?
After finding a seat, we thought was we should have turned around as it wasn't the
OOOK - this is a little awkward.
It wasn't until another gentlemen came from the "back" that he greeted us with a loud hello and told us we could sit where ever we liked.
It was off putting at first with the first encounter - I mean did you bite your tongue? Was it off putting because of who I was?
After finding a seat, we thought was we should have turned around as it wasn't the
Jill S.
May 16, 2021
Report
I really love this place but our visit yesterday was not very good. We specifically went there for burnt ends and they were such a disappointment. They might have been ends but they weren't burnt and should not have been served. The fat was still visible and there was zero charring. We asked about them and were told that is the best they could do. When we didn't eat them, we were asked if we needed a to go box
Clayton & Cindy Putnam
Apr 11, 2021
Report
April 9, 2021 . . . TGIF , ready for BBQ ribs at Mikes BBQ in Apex, NC ! Our waitress Sarah “Let the air out of my BBQ Balloon”, what “NO RIBS”?
Oh well, switched to Beef Brisket & Chopped Chicken. Nice evening for outside dining. . . lights & plants adorn a section of the parking lot now, with five or six picnic tables . Sarah was attentive, a bit lax on wearing her Covid mask?
Since my last review, the beer supply has improved tremendously! Now they have a QRS code ( hope I’m using that terminology correctly) that links up their domestic & craft beer menu list! I brewed beer years
Oh well, switched to Beef Brisket & Chopped Chicken. Nice evening for outside dining. . . lights & plants adorn a section of the parking lot now, with five or six picnic tables . Sarah was attentive, a bit lax on wearing her Covid mask?
Since my last review, the beer supply has improved tremendously! Now they have a QRS code ( hope I’m using that terminology correctly) that links up their domestic & craft beer menu list! I brewed beer years
Ted A.
Mar 21, 2021
Report
I like this place, but I do have to file a complaint on take out. This past Friday, I ordered & picked up a bbq plate with sides of slaw and mac & cheese. They handed me the order in a paper bag & I brought it home.
When I got home, I noticed that a white creamy mixture was leaking from the bottom of the bag. I brought it inside the house and found that they had placed the clamshell container in the bag on it's side with the open end of the clamshell on the bottom. So when I opened the container all the food had mixed together.
I'm positive the server handed
When I got home, I noticed that a white creamy mixture was leaking from the bottom of the bag. I brought it inside the house and found that they had placed the clamshell container in the bag on it's side with the open end of the clamshell on the bottom. So when I opened the container all the food had mixed together.
I'm positive the server handed
Larissa Peluso-Fleming
Jan 30, 2021
Report
I was just blessed with the opportunity to sample the fare from Big Mike’s at a surprise baby shower. It was amazing and delicious and the best I have had in NC (which is my home state). The Big Mike’s Eastern NC Vinegar Sauce is the nectar of the gods. I just purchased several bottles to hold me over until next time I make the trek this way. Yum!!!!
Katie L.
Jan 15, 2021
Report
Pat S.
Jan 06, 2021
Report
Anissa W.
Oct 11, 2020
Report
10/10/20: Disappointed is an understatement. I'm just glad I didn't pay for it and someone else did or else I'd be beyond pissed.
He ordered a 2-meat & 3-meat special which included 1 side and a huge hunk of dry cornbread. Sure, they gave him butter, BUT it's kind of hard to eat it when the cornbread is cold and dry. You definitely need a drink to get any of it down. We went to a hotel without a microwave, so warming it to make it softer wasn't an option. And there were hard pieces in it that was probably corn & they were inedible.
The sausage wasn't good
He ordered a 2-meat & 3-meat special which included 1 side and a huge hunk of dry cornbread. Sure, they gave him butter, BUT it's kind of hard to eat it when the cornbread is cold and dry. You definitely need a drink to get any of it down. We went to a hotel without a microwave, so warming it to make it softer wasn't an option. And there were hard pieces in it that was probably corn & they were inedible.
The sausage wasn't good
Thomas Ingram
Jul 08, 2020
Report
Brisket was tough and difficult to chew. One piece was completely inedible. They also got our order wrong: I ordered brisket and chicken platters and got two briskets platters.
It will be a long time before I go back, if ever. There's just too many better choices for food around here to be that bad.
It will be a long time before I go back, if ever. There's just too many better choices for food around here to be that bad.
J. K.
Jul 06, 2019
Report
We bought ribs and pulled chicken for our twin daughter's college graduation. Had relatives in from Georgia and Texas and they raved about how great the food was, and one of my daughters said later the food was "perfect". Was ready on time...couldn't be happier!! Also made great leftovers for the next week.
Lindsay Longerbeam
Jun 12, 2019
Report
Can't say enough fabulous things about Mike, Katy, their staff and the FOOD at Big Mike's BBQ! They recently catered our wedding of 150+ people and did an outstanding job! Catering staff was wonderful. Food was superb! The whole process was seamless from the tasting to the big night! I cannot tell you how many of our guests complemented the food, especially the potato salad! Guests were begging Mike for the recipe! Thanks so much for making our special day so awesome! If you think BBQ might not be fancy enough for a wedding, think again. Our guests were full and happy after going thru the buffet
Tim Tyler
Feb 04, 2018
Report
Amended review. Brew N Que is pretty good local BBQ and a regular stop for my family for dine-in or sometimes we take-out bulk orders to last a couple of days. Its pet friendly with outdoor seating which is a plus for us. The staff is always very polite and friendly and they always have a good and interesting beer selection. I'm partial to the Brisket, which is always good, and the burnt ends, which are also always good but occasionally could be a bit more burnt and crunchy. The pork is good, pulled, and I usually get that as a bulk take-out item. I take it home and chop it up and make it a little
Michael Bailey
Jan 19, 2018
Report
Kathi Carlson
Nov 28, 2017
Report
4 and 1/2 rating. We had a family get together in June and ordered everything from Big Mikes. Every dish was excellent but my daughter really enjoyed the blue cheese slaw, my son enjoyed the kale slaw. All the food is very good, and he makes his barbecue right on site. It is tremendous. I recommend it for the price the atmosphere is very small town and people are super friendly. You cannot go wrong with big Mike's. We will start going more often, now that they're right around the corner from us. The gentleman that runs it is excellent.
