Q: Eastern or Lexington BBQ?
UP: This seemed like a fun one to ask our team, and we’re split! I personally love Lexington, thanks to spending a lot of time there for a feature I wrote for Charlotte magazine. I also prefer pork shoulder-style of barbecue, as I think the meat is a more tender, and love tomatoes. Justin is also on team Lexington: “The food is delicious and homey, you can see them making it from behind the counter, and the inside is exactly what I want from BBQ: homey, causal, not frilly or chef-driven.” He loves the staff, too. He also has a pro tip: buy jumbo hand-pies when paying and eat them on the trip back home. Travis, however, is siding with Eastern N.C. even though his family will be unhappy with the statement. “I personally like whole hog better — you get more fat and a greater variety of cuts and textures,” he says. “I grew up eating Lexington-style — especially Wayne Monk’s — but have found it to be a little stale lately, phoning it in a bit and riding on the fumes of their fame. Skylight Inn, Grady’s and Scott’s barbecue are all great. For Lexington, my new fave is the Barbecue Center.” Fighting words.

Q: Where can I order a raw turkey? 
UP: Lots of places, and you should do so quickly! Justin put together a list of where to get your local, farm-raised turkey. Read it here. We also have put together guides on where to get dessert and Thanksgiving dinner made by local restaurants to eat at home.

Have a question for us? E-mail it to editor@unpretentiouspalate.com and we’ll answer it next week. 

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