Bar-B-Q King: Charlotte’s Beloved Drive-In Sparks Guy Fieri’s New Carolina Sauce

A fresh sauce hits store shelves, born from Guy Fieri's visit to a Charlotte drive-in. The Food Network star crafted his Carolina-style mix after tasting Bar-B-Q King's flavors during his 2007 "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" stop.

Working with Litehouse, Fieri bottled Flavortown Carolina Barbecue Sauce to match North Carolina's sharp vinegar kick. He said, per the Tasting Table, the mix works magic on fish, chicken, and grilled vegetables.

Since 1959, Bar-B-Q King has kept its wheels turning. Cars still line up at the old-school spots, where crackling speakers take orders. Staff zip between vehicles, balancing trays loaded with smoky treats.

Pure hickory smoke wraps each pork shoulder: no fancy tricks needed. Their sauce runs thin but packs punch, mixing sharp vinegar with tomato tang. It coats every bit of meat, pulled or sliced.

For Fieri, Carolina sauce runs in his blood. His roots trace back to Raleigh and Morehead City, where his mom grew up tasting local pit stops. His new mix strikes a balance: true to tradition yet crowd-pleasing.

That first taste at Bar-B-Q King stuck. Between filming takes in 2007, cameras caught Fieri sneaking extra dips of sauce, unable to resist the pull of those local flavors.

The menu stretches past pork: crispy chicken, fresh seafood, juicy burgers, and golden hushpuppies fill the board. A signed Fieri poster watches over diners, marking his unforgettable visit.

Yet change looms. The land beneath this Charlotte icon hit the market at $4.2 million in 2023. Owner Gus Karapanoa holds an eight-year lease, but questions swirl about what comes next.

As glass towers rise nearby, this slice of old Charlotte stands firm. The neon sign still cuts through night air on Wilkinson Boulevard, while car hops dash between spots, keeping a sixty-year tradition alive.