Business Details
20 Years
experience
Authentic Carolina-Style BBQ & Catering
Founded in 2003 by childhood friends Brian Bailey and Tim Hug, Old Carolina Barbecue brings authentic Carolina-style BBQ to the Midwest. Our journey began with a passion for traditional low-and-slow smoking techniques learned during road trips through the Carolinas. We use real hickory wood to smoke meats for up to 14 hours, perfecting flavors that have earned us recognition as one of USA Today's Top Ten BBQ Chains. Our commitment extends beyond foodwe actively support local communities through charitable partnerships and offer a 10% discount to first responders and military personnel. Every meal is prepared with dedication to our founding principles of extraordinary barbecue and genuine hospitality. Our team ensures every guest experiences consistent quality, from our award-winning pulled pork to our five distinct house-made sauces.With multiple locations across Northeast Ohio and Pennsylvania, we continue expanding while maintaining the warmth of a family-owned business. Our 'love at first bite or we'll make it right' guarantee reflects our confidence in delivering exceptional dining experiences. Through catering services and franchise opportunities, we share our Carolina traditions while adapting to modern demands like digital ordering and mobile payment options. Our wedding catering division specializes in creating memorable events with customizable menus and full-service support. As we grow, we remain focused on preserving the authenticity that made us famous while embracing innovation to better serve our communities.
Services
Catering Services
BBQ Bowls
Wedding Catering
Gift Cards
Franchising
Details
- Year established: 2006
Highlights and features
- Award-winning recipes perfected over 20 years of competition experience
- Community-focused with charitable partnerships and first responder discounts
- Authentic low-and-slow smoking using real hickory wood for 14-hour flavor development
- Full-service wedding catering with customizable menus and dedicated planners
- Proven franchise system with comprehensive support and established brand recognition
What people say
Amazing BBQ
Stress-free planning
Unforgettable experience
Full-service catering
Still talking about
Services
Catering Services
We provide full-service catering for weddings and events with customizable menus featuring slow-smoked meats, signature sides, and house-made sauces. Our dedicated planners coordinate logistics from setup to cleanup. Available across Northeast Ohio and Pennsylvania, we offer tasting appointments and dietary accommodation options.
BBQ Bowls
Create personalized meals with award-winning smoked meats served over mashed potatoes, mac-n-cheese, or fries. This flexible option allows customers to choose from multiple proteins and traditional Southern sides for a tailored dining experience.
Wedding Catering
Specialized wedding catering includes customizable menus with smoked meats, vegetarian options, and late-night snacks. Our team handles logistics, portion planning, and equipment needs while offering buffet or plated service options for events of all sizes.
Franchising
Franchise opportunities include brand recognition, proven operating systems, and comprehensive support. We provide site selection assistance, training programs, vendor partnerships, and marketing resources to help entrepreneurs establish Carolina-style BBQ restaurants in new markets.
Gift Cards
Gift card options allow customers to share the Carolina BBQ experience. Available for purchase online or at locations, these cards work with our digital ordering system and mobile payment platform for convenient redemption.
People
Brian Bailey
Co-Founder
Co-founded Old Carolina Barbecue in 2003 after discovering Carolina BBQ traditions. Developed award-winning recipes through competition experience. Oversees brand authenticity and community engagement initiatives.
Tim Hug
Co-Founder
Co-founder with Brian Bailey since 2003. Transformed backyard smoking passion into successful restaurant chain. Focuses on operational excellence and franchise development while maintaining original Carolina cooking methods.
Questions
What catering packages do you offer for weddings?
We offer classic BBQ packages with smoked meats and sides, customizable options, and packages including appetizers and desserts. Our specialists help build menus for any budget.
Can we schedule a tasting before deciding?
Yes, we offer complimentary tastings by appointment to sample our smoked meats and signature sides before booking.
Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?
We provide vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free options, and specialty dishes to meet various dietary needs for wedding events.
What areas do you serve for weddings?
We cater weddings across Northeast Ohio including Cuyahoga, Summit, Portage, Stark, and Wayne counties, plus Altoona, PA.
How far in advance should we book?
We recommend booking 6-12 months ahead, but we can accommodate shorter timelines if availability exists.
Do you handle setup and cleanup?
Yes, our team manages setup, breakdown, and cleanup of food service areas for wedding events.
Reviews (4)
Andrew Walsh
Apr 20, 2022
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Okay. So the fries are baller. The pulled pork just wasn't doing it for me. The sauces are pretty good tho.
Jay Blogger
Mar 26, 2022
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Got a ton of take out there yesterday for a family of 3 and it was excellent! The ribs held a true bite like they should. The brisket salad my wife got for $9 is a bargain in today's economy and will last for a couple meals. My boy devoured the mac and cheese. The vinegar slaw paired well with the pulled pork on sandwiches. The only thing we didn't try was the chicken but I will definitely be back. It's so good as I am writing this review I am getting hungry for the leftovers in the fridge.
Brad Ashburn
Jan 13, 2022
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First time at Old Carolina BBQ. Ordered pull pork sandwich n fresh cut fries. Tried 2 sauces, original and screaming beaver(Lil spicy). having managed a BBQ joint in the Carolinas, I was quite surprised. Flavors were good, pork was fresh, tender and delicious. And how can you go wrong with fresh cut fries. Heather, the manager, was awesome, along with the rest of the staff. thank you for lunch today.
Brad Kimble
Nov 08, 2021
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The only reason I am giving this business three stars is because the staff was super friendly. The chicken wings were too salty to even eat. The chicken breast was dry. I was unable to taste any smoke flavor on any of the meat. The only thing I would order again was the fries but I don't go to bbq restaurants for the fries.
