Wilber’s Barbecue – the iconic Eastern North Carolina barbecue destination in Goldsboro, NC – which opened in 1962 and closed in March 2019 – is now offering barbecue curbside! “We are committed to preserving the Eastern North Carolina barbecue tradition, and to making it available to Wilber’s fans as quickly as possible,” explained operating partner Willis Underwood about its famous whole hog barbecue, cooked all night over oak embers in its historic pit.
Wilber’s Barbecue is now serving Wednesday through Saturdays from 11-7pm, and Sunday from 11-3pm. View the initial limited curbside menu and ordering details below.
As barbecue fans plan their return trip to Wilber’s, they’ll discover Eastern North Carolina Whole Hog Barbecue as the star of the menu, alongside mainstays like slaw, potato salad, slaw, and hushpuppies – all available to-go. “As soon as safely possible, we look forward to fully opening and welcoming customers inside our extensively restored building complete with a new, more efficient kitchen, larger bathrooms, and more. While it was renovated, we were careful to maintain that quintessential Wilber’s look and feel, and preserve all that is sacred about Wilber’s,” explained Underwood. No doubt, customers will recognize the barbecue destination they’ve known and loved for generations – from the old fashioned ‘cue to the knotty pine paneling and red checkered tablecloths, familiar servers and longtime pitmaster crew. Stay tuned as Wilber’s introduces more of its menu in the months to come – including BBQ Chicken and Gravy, Ribs, Fried Chicken, BBQ Turkey, and Link Sausage.
Thanks to barbecue fans, Wilberdean Shirley’s old-fashioned approach to cooking whole hog has been resurrected. “This place, this food, and this style of cooking is part of who we are as a community, a region, and a culture, and it will continue to be,” said Underwood, a Goldsboro native and lifelong regular at Wilber’s who spearheaded a group of residents and Wilber’s enthusiasts to form Goldpit Partners in order to restore, refurbish, and return Wilber’s Barbecue to its glory days. “This has been a labor of love, and an opportunity to save this legendary institution that lives large in all of our memories. But we also needed to infuse new capital and energy into it so we can preserve and continue the very best Eastern North Carolina barbecue tradition, and make sure this time-tested formula thrives into the future.”
Wilber Shirley – who celebrated his 90th birthday in June – said, “I’m proud to know that Wilber’s will not disappear and that Willis Underwood, my son-in-law, Dennis Monk, and many of the men who have made careers out of cooking hogs in those pits, will be here to help guide it into the future. Our method of cooking whole hogs over hardwood coals overnight is not easy or cheap, but it is the right way, and something we as a community take a lot of pride in,” said Shirley.
All Wilber’s Barbecue orders will be delivered directly to customers, curbside. Guests may call ahead at 919-778-5218 to place an order or order upon arrival from a parking attendant. Designated signs and attendants will be on-hand to direct traffic and manage ordering procedures. View the limited menu here.
Wilber’s Barbecue has pledged to participate in NCRLA’s “Count on Me NC” program. As a result, staff will be wearing masks, and social distancing guidelines will be in effect. In the coming months, as it is safe, Wilber’s looks forward to introducing their full menu and opening their indoor dining room.
