On our way from VA to TX and I wanted my family to try some real NC BBQ. It was perfect! Right off 85 and the food was great! The BBQ, Brunswick Stew and the Mac N Cheese were 10 stars! Plus, the service was amazing! Even my Texan hubby loved the BBQ and slaw. The kids loved the huge grilled cheeses. Enough for the little ones to split one. Plus, you can't beat the prices. Fed all 7 of us for under $50. Super glad we stopped in.
Korie Richards
Oct 20, 2023
3
I suggest that you do not go on your lunch break or within a time frame if ordering carry out. The line is long and the service is slow in the carry out line. After waiting a long while, about 20-30 minutes, after taking the gentleman's order before me, When I was at the window, they all left the window and started working on the orders in dine in, not even asking me my order after I had waited about 45 min at this point. I eventually got tired of no one coming to the window and left.
Also, they do not accept credit cards and have a convenient ATM at the front to give you cash for paying the restaurant but you must pay $2.50 to get the cash!
Also, the food is more expensive. Yes, they had to raise their prices due to inflation, however the slow service and atmosphere does not reflect those prices. One thing positive, I remember the food being delicious years back. Too bad I couldn't try it this time. But if you're stuck on Bullock's by all means, keep going and enjoy the friendly, yet slow service and don't forget your cash or you'll have to pay $2.50 to get cash. I'm sure some people do not mind waiting. But if you aren't one that does, you may need to find another place to dine.
Joy
Oct 12, 2023
5
I was part of a group that enjoyed our lunch at this establishment in the Bill City - Durham NC -conveniently located off I 85 Hillsborough Road- situated among numerous customer experiences and a short drive to a major hospital-a Walgreens included. A home like - home style environment- no frills but excellent home style food.I had the pork chops plus turnip greens - Mac & cheese & yams- enough food for a take out meal. Others in the group had fried chicken- beets - potato salad- home style steak & gravy - & other delicious food items- our food was fresh - cooked to our taste - delicious- our server was very efficient- down to earth - amazingly had everyone’s order down pat - friendly - courteous- the owner Ty - graciously greeted us - this is a cash only payment location with an atm located in the outer corridor- no credit cards accepted.The parking is a little tight right in front of the location especially at the time we visited- the lunch crowd- but generous parking close by - & a drop off location with an overhead shelter for accessibility-my meal which included 2 pork chops and three sides plus a drink was $19.85 plus the tip - I feel the quality & quantity of food was reasonable.
Flora P
Aug 14, 2023
4
Stopped here with the family as it was recommended. Huge portions for sure. There were four of us and we got the sliced pork and fried chicken, the chopped pork (pictured), the pulled pork and the bbq chicken breast (pictured). We know NC bbq is vinegar based but even so, it was almost overpowering on the vinegar taste and the chopped pork was really finely chopped. The fried chicken was very good. The sides were all pretty good - we got mac n cheese, mac salad, coleslaw, hush puppies, fried okra, baked beans, and corn. Excellent service and we had leftovers so all in all a good experience.
Stacy Robinson
Aug 12, 2023
5
Been coming here for years. Tonight I had the #10 (2 chicken breasts, 2 pieces of flounder) with Mac and cheese and French fries. Everything is always seasoned well and the portions are good. Also, the desserts are delicious!
Briona Blair
Jul 30, 2023
5
Went & Sat In For The Second Time With My Friends From Out Of Town & The Food Was So Delicious. The BBQ, Mac& cheese and now my new favorite the Brunswick stew. The service was great and our waitress did well. They’re usually so busy but the service was fast.
Han Stw
Jul 18, 2023
5
One of the best barbecue places in Durham! We had fried chicken, pulled pork, Brunswick stew and they were all delicious. Their vegetables/sides were equally tasty! Highly recommend the fried okra. Their deviled eggs, butter beans, and cole slaw were also good.
Ashley S.
Jun 21, 2023
5
Bullocks is amazing. I ate here often as a kid, and this was the first time I had been back in probably 25 years. I can't believe I stayed away that long. I had the pulled spicy bbq plate with fried okra, stewed apples, and brunswick stew, and my mom had a regular BBQ plate with slaw and brunswick stew. They only accept cash. When you walk in, there are so many photos of Tommy and all the celebrities he cooked for are astounding.
dwayne williams
Jun 3, 2023
5
Bullocks taste like early 90s after church your Grandma and all the church ladies have contributed with a spread from the ancestors. And Cash only but the food is so good you have to respect it
Brodie DeHass
May 26, 2023
5
This BBQ place is hoping! Wow. Seems like everyone was there on a Friday eve. The take out line had 20+ people. People like this place! I agree :) Service was fast paced and food was great.
Jim P
May 2, 2023
3
As an out-of-towner traveling for work, a quick search for good BBQ in Durham turns up Bullock's nearly every time. I can see why as the place was packed on a Tuesday night in May and I imagine it will stay that way into the future. Here are my comments:
Service - the service was terrific. Fran was a delight and answered all of my questions with aplomb. Refills were prompt and the food was brought out in a timely manner.
Atmosphere - Personally, the atmosphere and vibe was a bit out-of-date for me, but I can see why people like it. It's a traditional down-home country setting with pictures of famous people on the walls and a no-frills approach.
Food - Finally, the food. I wanted to try everything so I got the "family style all you can eat" for one person and added a side of sliced brisket. In all, I received pulled pork, sliced brisket, fried chicken, hush puppies, string beans, brunswick stew, cole slaw, and french fries. With all that, the food was a bit hit or miss for me. When I see "barbecue" in the name of the restaurant and thousands of reviews and fame, I expect big things from the smoked meats themselves. Personally, both the brisket and the pork were underwhelming. The pork tasted mostly of vinegar (I know NC style is vinegar forward, but still) and, for me, was way too chopped. Very little texture to it. The brisket was better but wasn't as tender / juicy as good barbecue brisket typically is from Texas or other regions. Also, it was sliced too thin, but perhaps that was done to make up for the lack of juiciness. The fried chicken was actually the star of the show - each piece was perfectly fried, super crispy, juicy, well seasoned and delicious. The sides were just OK, with the hush puppies and string beans being very good, the slaw being OK and the brunswick stew being below average. Lastly, the portions were absolutely HUGE. I know I ordered all-you-can-eat, but I was expecting moderation in the initial serving and then you can add more pieces of things as you want them. Instead, I got like 3 pounds of food all served at once! Just the chicken portion of this meal (which was "for one") was a full fried chicken - eight pieces! I'm a big eater, but I was never going to finish everything and felt quite bad about ordering that much food without knowing it and not eating all of it.
In general, it was a good visit and I'm glad I patronized Bullock's, a famous local spot, this one time. That said, I will probably go elsewhere if I'm in Durham again and looking for some barbecue.
One more note - it's cash only.
