Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Moravian Sugar Cake. Lexington-style barbecue. Here we have North Carolina’s contribution to the national buffet. One of the best known spots for that famous barbecue is right here in Winston at Little Richard’s. Little Richard’s is a mom and pop place on Country Club Road and though there are other locations (in Clemmons for example) which bear the same name, the one on Country Club is the one true original owned by Mr. Richard Berrier.

Little Richard’s is one of my favorite cultural culinary experiences in town. The barbecue is the best around, but the atmosphere contributes a fair share to the adventure. If you’re a southerner craving some southern culture and some good BBQ, or if you’re a northerner just wanting to know what all the fuss is about, head on down to Little Richards.

First of all, the place isn’t Twin City Chop House. It is basically a low-ceiling shack in the corner of a parking lot; one of those truck stop type places that you wouldn’t ever stop at if you were traveling on the Interstate. But do not let this deter you. Go inside and take in the sights, sounds, and smells. Seat yourself at one of the tables squeezed in around the perimeter and near the back of the restaurant. They’re covered with those old-school red and white checkered table cloths. The walls are littered with license plates and old advertisements for Coke, Pepsi, and RJR cigarettes.

Now, I feel it is important to go ahead and admit my own bias here – I love barbeque, I love Little Richards, and I love southern culture (God bless it). After returning from studying abroad in Europe, I craved nothing more than Little Richards barbeque, Krispy Kremes, and sweet tea. That having been said, we can press on.

If you don’t come to Little Richards for the food, it is certainly acceptable to come for the prices. Your college dollar goes a long way at this joint. Barbecue sandwiches are about two dollars, the generous side orders are less than $1.50, and other sandwiches are around $3 a piece. The waitresses (yes, they’re all women...the men are in the kitchen) will refill your drink until you can drink no more. Be sure to order either the hush puppies or the onion rings as a side. The hush puppies are homemade and nearly as good as the barbecue.

Many first timers to Little Richards are dismayed by the “chopped” or “sliced” barbecue option. It’s actually not a dramatic difference and despite belief to the contrary, does not alter the taste. Chopped barbecue is probably what you’ve seen before and it is just as it sounds – chopped bits and pieces of pork. This is the usual manner in which Lexington-style barbecue is served. Sliced barbecue is more like a deli sandwich – the pork is sliced in thick slabs and stacked on top of the bun. You can’t go wrong ordering any version of the barbecue.

Most people go for one of the sandwiches – with or without coleslaw. Mark Arinci made me promise to explain the Little Richard’s coleslaw to you. The coleslaw is not the traditional mayonnaise based, but vinegar instead. The well versed Little Richard's patron knows it as "barbecue slaw." It’s finely chopped and served on the barbecue sandwich unless you tell your waitress otherwise. I suggest you taste a bite of an experienced friend’s slaw first to see if you like it. You may or you may not have a taste for it and it is worth mentioning that the slaw tastes better on the sandwich than on its own. The regular size sandwiches are relatively filling; the big sandwiches are substantially bigger and only a few cents more than the regular-sized. Barbecue “plates” come with hush puppies and slaw usually, but you can substitute baked beans, add fries or onion rings, whatever you like.

Rarely have I eaten anything other than barbecue at Little Richard’s, but they do have burgers, barbecued chicken, and nice-sized hot wings that are pretty good. Don’t expect anything beyond these limited choices.

Little Richard’s is neither a place for variety or low calories. But, to their credit, most of the restaurant’s food is fresh and even the short order of crinkle cut French fries are not very greasy. After you’ve inhaled the barbecue, fries, hush puppies, and washed it down with some sugary ice tea, take solace in the fact that you “had Subway for lunch.” But unlike that Subway lunch, Little Richard’s does not take Deacon Dollars - or checks or credit cards. Cash only. They also cater and sell in bulk which is great for clubs or groups hosting events.

In summary, everyone deserves some fun food now and then, and Little Richard’s provides it. It is a date place only with a young lady of the deep-fried southern belle variety. You shouldn’t wear your oxford button-down unless you want to have the whole place stare at you. Put your old blue jeans on, go out with some friends, and have a good ole time.