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Picnic

4.3

1647 Cole Mill Rd
Durham, NC 27705
Phone: (919) 908-9128
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Catching national attention for their whole hog approach, Picnic has been featured in numerous publications. Sit outside at a picnic table and sample some of that famous barbecue and sides. Pair your meal with a craft beer or cocktail, and top it off with a bowl of banana pudding.


Google Reviews

Photo of Sara Hagmann Sara Hagmann
Sep 12, 2024 5

Have heard a ton of good things about this place, and it's totally warranted. Super yummy food -- the Mac and cheese was amazing, flavorful and not overcooked. Chill atmosphere where the music was not too loud and my very wiggly child could stand next to the table or chat with the server for a minute and it was no big deal. (Our server was Daisy, by the way, and she was a gem! Kept thinking of ways to be helpful before I even thought to ask, and very sweet.) We're asking it to our go-to list!!

Photo of Lauralei Knight Lauralei Knight
Aug 16, 2024 4

We went here for lunch. The outside was very plain, but the inside is very much a barbecue decor. There is indoor and outdoor seating. We went on a friday at one o'clock and it was not terribly busy. We had the quarter dark meat, fried chicken and a brisket sandwich. The chicken was not cooked to the point of falling off the bone. I prefer it that way. The crispy. Pour it on the outside of the chicken was very light and delicious. The brisket sandwich was actually cool, but the brisket itself was delicious. The baked beans were homemade and very good. They have jalapenos in them. So there is a little bit of a kick. The macaroni and cheese side was very good and very cheesy. That's coleslaw.It's very good, but it comes in a very tiny portion. The hush puppies we had, we're very dark and kind of dry and not enough onion for our taste. The atmosphere is very nice and it is comfortable seating. The service was extremely good. Our waitress came over several times to refill drinks and ask if there's anything else we wanted. I would recommend this place, Just not order the chicken again.

Photo of John Doe John Doe
Jul 22, 2024 4

The staff is really nice and friendly. The service is fast. The location is great and the facilities have a nice vibe. In terms of the food, there is definitely substantially better BBQ in the RDU area. The brisket is a bit dry, hard, and bland for example.

Photo of Grandpa Dale Ross Grandpa Dale Ross
Jul 19, 2024 5

I recently had dinner at Picnic in Durham, NC, and it was a delightful experience. The BBQ restaurant offers a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a hearty meal. **Food:** - **Pork:** The pulled pork was the best part of the meal, especially with the pig whiskey sauce. It was tender, flavorful, and had just the right amount of smokiness. In my opinion, it was most excellent. - **Brisket:** The brisket was moist and good, but I felt it needed a bit more flavor to bring it up to a 5-star level. I used their house sauce with it, and it paired well. - **Baked Beans:** The baked beans were rich and savory, with a hint of sweetness. I really liked them, but I do wish they had added some meat, both brisket and pork, to enhance the flavor. - **Collard Greens:** The collard greens were great, especially when I added the pig whiskey sauce to them. They added a nice touch of Southern comfort to the meal. - **Hush Puppies:** The hush puppies were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They were a delightful addition to the meal. - **Slaw:** The slaw needed something extra, but adding the pig whiskey sauce helped. It provided a refreshing contrast to the rich BBQ flavors. - **Banana Pudding:** I enjoyed the banana pudding as a sweet ending to the meal. **Service:** The service was friendly and efficient. The staff made sure we had everything we needed and checked in on us regularly. **Overall:** Picnic is a fantastic BBQ restaurant that delivers on both flavor and hospitality. While I am giving it a 5-star rating, my actual rating is 4.5 stars due to some minor improvements that could be made. If you're in Durham and craving some delicious BBQ, I highly recommend giving Picnic a try!

Photo of Amanda Wilkie Amanda Wilkie
Jul 7, 2024 5

The teamwork of the staff was amazing. As soon as we sat, they brought us water. Any time we put something to the side, they came over and asked if they could get it out of our way. The sauces and meat were amazing. I would highly recommend it to others and my husband, and I would definitely eat here again.

Photo of Suzie Rubish Suzie Rubish
Jan 6, 2024 5

My husband and I love coming here for their brisket. So tender and juicy with a nice smoky flavor. Their baked beans had a unique flavor, not your typical sweet sauce baked beans. I had their brussel sprouts for the first time and they were very tasty. Just a bit undercooked but the flavor was delicious. Love their cole slaw and mac and cheese. The staff is always friendly and when not busy, the bar tender came around to everyone and asked if we were satisfied or if we needed anything. Picnic isn’t a large place, but it’s quaint and always clean. It’s always worth the 50 minute drive for us to come and get some of the best brisket at a very reasonable price. Everything is homemade including the desserts.

Photo of Courtney Hertel Courtney Hertel
Dec 3, 2023 5

I love the catfish from Picnic. It is so good. Pretty much everything I’ve had from here is delicious, including the banana pudding and mac n’ cheese. My husband gets brisket as that’s his favorite. The food comes out quick, which is a plus.

Photo of Clarence Dillard Clarence Dillard
Nov 19, 2023 5

These guys rocked it when it came to my food allergy. Great service. Food was fantastic. Some outdoor dining. I'll be back!

Photo of Theresa Novicky Theresa Novicky
Nov 12, 2023 5

Picnic is so good! By the looks of the sign and outside decor it looks like a sit down restaurant with a server. To my surprise you ordered at the front and they brought it to you. I didn’t mind because we came in with a toddler. The lady who took our order was very friendly and helpful. Our food came out quick. It was so good. I got the NC whole hog BBQ sandwich, my daughter got the chicken sandwich, my boyfriend got the NC whole hog BBQ plate with okra, Mac and cheese and we got a side of baked beans for my son. We really enjoyed everything. The inside was really nice especially the lights on the ceiling and the big windows. I liked how clean the inside was and very modern.

Photo of Doug Belt Doug Belt
Nov 7, 2023 4

It's a really cool BBQ and seafood restraunt. You order at the counter and they bring the food to you. Indoor and outdoor seating available. The service was great! There are lots of entree options from BBQ to seafood . Seafood was very fresh. There are a ton of great sides for a Vegastable plate as well. Will definitely be back to try some other options.