Durham Becoming a BBQ Mecca

Durham, NC's oldest restaurant is a BBQ spot called Bullock's, and up until a few years ago, the second oldest was, too. BBQ runs deep in Durham.


Today it was announced via Twitter that Durham is one step closer to welcoming another BBQ restaurant - this one owned and operated by world-famous pitmaster, Ed Mitchell.

Named Ed Mitchell's Que, this spot is tucked into the Diamond View Three building in the shadow of the Durham Bulls Athletic Park across the street from the American Tobacco Campus on Blackwell Street. It will join 11 other dedicated BBQ restaurants in Durham, and dozens of others in town that offer up 'cue on their menus alongside other dishes. Durham is a town serious about its food and was named the Tastiest Town in the South by Southern Living magazine last year.

The NC barbecue landscape has been earning significantly increased attention in the last few years as diners nation- and world-wide have come to love an respect the dish. Now Durham is going to be a more direct focal point with this new restaurant. "Mitchell is a titan in the field of BBQ. That he is bringing his talent to Durham is a great commentary on the overall dining scene," said Sam Poley, Director of Public Relations for the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB). "And it's especially good news for those who like to eat great food," Poley added.

Mitchell attends BBQ competitions around the world, and is a widely considered one of the very best in the business. Director of the Southern Foodways Alliance John T. Edge, a well-respected authority on food authenticity, named Mitchell the #1 Pitmaster in NC back in 2002. Mitchell has gained additional notoriety by appearances on the Food Network's Throwdown with Bobby Flay where he was victorious in the competition with the renowned NY chef, and on CNN's Eatocracy.

Known for his talent for flavors, textures, and technique. Mitchell is also known for his big personality and story telling.  He's an engaging character who has already made an impact on Durham.  Mitchell was the culinary driving force behind The Pit, a Raleigh restaurant that opened a second location in Durham in November last year. Mitchell is now focusing on his own project that is due to open very soon.

Find Mitchell's restaurant on Facebook, and follow him on Twitter. See a list of Durham restaurants that either specialize in, or highlight BBQ, on their menus online.

Breaking News - Pit Master Ed Mitchell Announces Durham Restaurant Opening Fall 2013

Durham continues its meteoric ascension as a food destination of note - and the list of reasons continues to grow.  Named as the Tastiest Town in the South by Southern Living Magazine, Durham is now getting another food luminary to put roots in the ground here.

Ed Mitchell, nationally celebrated as a BBQ pit master expert, and who made the Raleigh restaurant The Pit a national focal point, is opening 'Que in Durham in the Fall of 2013.  Interestingly, The Pit, with which Mitchell is no longer involved, is opening a location in Durham this year, as well.

‘Que will be located on the ground floor of the new Diamond View III building and feature patio seating and other amenities alongside lunch and dinner menus starring Mitchell’s authentic whole-hog, pit-cooked ‘Q. The restaurant will have a nice list of features.

• About 150 seats inside with more on a patio
• Casual lunches starting at around $10 and slightly more formal dinners starting at around $15
• Locally produced hogs and vegetables
• A full bar as well as a deep and diverse wine cellar

While Ed Mitchell’s ‘Que’s offerings will make it a standout in the Southeast, Mitchell – who’s been feted on the Food Channel among other media - is just as excited about the location.

“There’s a shared heritage between what I’m doing with BBQ and what’s happening at American Tobacco Campus that makes this unique,” Mitchell said. “North Carolina was built in large part on the Golden Leaf and on BBQ. We’re adding new twists to that heritage. American Tobacco Campus is now a center of 21st century innovation. Ed Mitchell’s ‘Que will feel just as fresh while delivering the best BBQ around.”

Mitchell added that while he has become an international BBQ ambassador to connoisseurs everywhere (recently traveling to Australia), he is eager to establish American Tobacco as a destination for whole hog-lovers from around the state and the world.

Michael Goodmon, vice president of real estate for Capitol Broadcasting Company (which owns ATC), echoed that sentiment: “We’re thrilled that an icon like Ed Mitchell is bringing not only his talent for outstanding BBQ to American Tobacco but a whole lot of new and longstanding fans with him. We always shoot for the best, and with Ed, we’ve got it.”

Local food is a big deal in Durham, so much so that there is a list of locally-owned restaurant that users of Facebook can follow so as not to miss any of the information those restaurants share on the social media platform.  It can be accessed here. Once open, 'Que will be added to the list.  For information about all the dining options in Durham, visit this site.

This story will be updated as additional information becomes available.