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The Original Q Shack

4.6

2510 University Dr
Durham, NC 27707
Phone: (919) 402-4227
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Google Reviews

Photo of Yash Kiarashi Yash Kiarashi
Oct 27, 2023 5

Highly recommended! The food is exceptional yet affordably priced. We opted for the beef brisket plate, priced at approximately $17, which includes two sides and hush puppies. The meat was of excellent quality, and the sides—green salad, potato salad, coleslaw, and fries—were fresh and flavorful.

Photo of Arthur T Arthur T
Oct 13, 2023 4

Came by for a late lunch around 1PM. No line, so we were able to order right away. Let the staff know and they will quickly prep your order. The highlights for me were the brisket, ribs, and mac and cheese. I wasn't a fan of the pulled pork. On the really dry side. Portions are large. There is seating inside and outside. Limited parking in the lot, but we were lucky enough to get a few.

Photo of Shawn Reeder Shawn Reeder
Oct 7, 2023 5

Love it. I would probably eat here a few times a week, but I live about 2 hours away. The amount of food they give you, you will need a to go box. The food is prepared quickly. It's a very laid back place. Super friendly staff and a distance price. If you are thinking about trying it, stop thinking and do it.

Photo of Camerons Culinarium Camerons Culinarium
Sep 12, 2023 3

Decent for North Carolina bbq. Not great. Brisket was plain, and kind of dry. Mac n cheese was must be an acquired taste because it wasn't for me. The fries were fries, but would be better fresh cut. The hush puppies were good. Bread was not. The bbq sauce was decent. It wasn't the worst bbq I've had, but won't be back unless I'm in a pinch (like I was today)

Photo of Igor Pushilo Igor Pushilo
Sep 6, 2023 5

if you looking for a good BBQ in Durham, go here first. great beef brisket, great ribs taste so good and juicy. beans and mac and cheese also taste good and fresh. But please include silverware on default. )

Photo of Elizabeth Davidson Elizabeth Davidson
Sep 2, 2023 5

I've traveled all over the south eating BBQ. This BBQ joint came highly recommended. I thoroughly enjoyed the pulled pork. Delightful smokey flavor, tangy bite of vinegar floods your taste buds with each bite. The chili rubbed ribs were okay. The chili overpowered the smokey flavor. I prefer to taste the smokey meat flavor alongside the complimenting rub or sauce. I unfortunately could only taste the overpowering flavors of the chili rub. The sides were very good. I recommend trying all the sides because making a choice is super hard. The deviled eggs are definitely with trying. I like their spin on this southern picnic staple. If you find yourself in the Durham area, give this place a try.

Photo of Jonathan Ptachcinski Jonathan Ptachcinski
Aug 26, 2023 5

Never disappointed when eating here. BBQ is really great and the smoked turkey is also great. They had a special pimento cheese grits which was on point so if they have it again I'd recommend trying it. Collards are good (I think they need more vinegar). It's probably one of my top 3 favorite BBQ places in the area.

Photo of Diana S Diana S
Jul 22, 2023 5

I had brisket and I also had two pieces of catfish. Both were excellent. I had a baked potato. It could have been a little hotter but it was okay. The place is nothing to write home about inside but there's tables and chairs to sit on. But the food is very good.

Photo of Ken Ray (mrkenray) Ken Ray (mrkenray)
Jul 22, 2023 3

This is Brunswick stew made right. The serving sizes are quite generous. The hush puppies are delicious. The only drawback, and the reason we won't be back? Country music. They even pump it out to the patio, so you can't escape from it. We vote with our dollars. For me, the Ya'll Queda soundtrack is a deal breaker.

Photo of Sarah Mansell Sarah Mansell
Jul 20, 2023 4

If you’re on the hunt for good BBQ, Shack delivers! Ribs, briskets, smoked chicken, it’s always done right. You can choose to add their signature BBQ sauce or leave it off to appreciate the rub. My favorite sides are the creamed spinach and Mac and cheese. Hush puppies come with your order too!

Photo of Art Than Art Than
Jul 20, 2023 3

Food was cold. We got it to dine in and the ribs were cold by the time we sat down. The brisket tasted great but were a bit cold. Mac n cheese was warm. Fried okra was all clumped together so parts were not really cooked. Hush puppies were good. Kind of disappointed. At least food was filling. Not sure if we would eat here again.

Photo of Mark Goodwin Mark Goodwin
Jul 20, 2023 5

When I get a craving for BBQ, and not Carolina BBQ (which I like), but tomato base BBQ, I venture up to The Original Q Shack. On my latest visit I had the chopped beef brisket plate with mac and cheese and BBQ beans. I really liked the brisket, it was chopped and saucy, so not dry like brisket can sometimes be . The Shacks BBQ sauce is very good. The BBQ beans were excellent and the mac and cheese good. I'll also mention that although the food is not inexpensive, you get a lot of food for the price. I've always be satisfied with the food here and will continue to come back whenever I get that BBQ craving.

Photo of d j d j
Jul 4, 2023 5

Had a craving for some TX style BBQ, so got the rib plate, slaw, and baked beans. Really hit the spot on all counts. Fall off the bone ribs with a very good slightly sweet and spicy sauce. Sides were just as they should be, really tasty. And the hushpuppies were fried right with the real classic taste. All around satisfying and better than I expected. Service was friendly, fast and efficient. Recommended.

Photo of Lesyk Konecky Lesyk Konecky
Jun 27, 2023 5

Some of the best Carolina barbecue I’ve ever had. Sides are always great, best ribs, brisket is either really good or kinda dry

Photo of Amanda A Amanda A
Apr 4, 2023 5

Got three meat combo plate with smoked Turkey, chopped pork, and ribs. Smoked Turkey was my favorite but all meats were delicious. The bbq sauce they give you on the side was also very good. Mac and cheese is very good and staff was friendly. Came on a Tuesday for the last hour or so they were open and food still tasted fresh and they had a very steady flow of customers still. I haven’t had any other North Carolina bbq to compare it to, but plenty of texas bbq experience and I’d rank it in the top three places I’ve ever had. Collard greens I wouldn’t get again , but I think I’m just not a fan of them in general. They also have a nice mix of indoor and outdoor seating. Highly recommend!