Business Details
37 Years
experience
Authentic Southern BBQ & Steaks in Lowell, NC
Since 1989, Hillbilly's BBQ & Steaks has been dedicated to serving high-quality barbecue and steak dishes in Lowell, NC. Founded by Gerald Duncan, our restaurant combines traditional Southern flavors with modern culinary techniques to deliver an unforgettable dining experience. Our menu features award-winning pork ribs, hand-cut Angus steaks, and slow-cooked meats smoked over hickory wood, complemented by homestyle sides and house-made sauces. We prioritize affordability without compromising quality, offering options for casual meals, family gatherings, and large-scale catering events. Our commitment to excellence extends to our catering services, which provide customizable menus for weddings, corporate events, and private parties with full-service support including tables, tents, and staff.With over three decades of experience, we maintain a focus on community, using locally sourced ingredients and fostering a welcoming atmosphere for all guests. Our team of skilled chefs and service professionals brings expertise honed through years of specializing in Southern cuisine, ensuring every dish meets our rigorous standards. We actively engage with customer feedback to continually refine our offerings, as evidenced by consistent positive reviews highlighting our flavorful food and attentive service. Whether dining in, ordering takeout, or hosting an event, our goal is to create memorable experiences centered around exceptional barbecue traditions.
Services
BBQ Catering
Steak Dinners
Family Meal Packs
Takeout Service
Event Catering
Wedding Catering
Corporate Catering
Pork Ribs
Hand-Cut Steaks
Southern Sides
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- We've served authentic Southern barbecue with consistent quality since 1989
- Our award-winning pork ribs are slow-smoked over hickory wood daily
- Hand-cut Angus steaks prepared to order by experienced grill masters
- Full-service catering with customizable menus and event coordination
- Locally sourced ingredients and scratch-made sides ensure authentic flavor
What people say
Great food
Friendly service
Accommodating staff
Award-winning ribs
Homestyle cooking
Services
BBQ Catering
Our full-service catering provides customized barbecue menus for weddings, corporate events, and private parties. We offer multiple meat options including pork, beef, chicken, and award-winning ribs with all traditional sides. Our team handles setup, service, and cleanup with rental options for tables, tents, and equipment. Menus can be tailored for any group size with advance ordering required for large events.
Hand-Cut Steaks
We feature premium Sterling Silver Angus beef steaks cut daily in-house. Options range from 8oz ribeye to 16oz cuts with customization for doneness and seasoning. Steaks are grilled to order with side choices including baked potatoes, collard greens, and macaroni & cheese. Our steak platters include house-made dressings and butter toppings for enhanced flavor profiles.
Family Meal Packs
Family packs serve 4-6 people with combinations of meats, sides, and sauces. Options include pork barbecue, chicken halves, and beef brisket with classic sides like coleslaw and baked beans. Each pack includes hushpuppies and choice of sauce with beverage options available. These pre-priced bundles offer convenient portions for takeout or dine-in groups.
Award-Winning Ribs
Our St. Louis style ribs are slow-smoked over hickory wood for tender perfection. Available by the half-pound or full rack, they feature our signature barbecue sauce with optional extra servings. Ribs come with traditional sides and slaw, with pricing based on portion size. Regularly recognized as top regional barbecue through customer reviews and local awards.
Southern Sides
We prepare classic Southern sides daily including collard greens, macaroni & cheese, and hushpuppies. Sides are available in pint or gallon quantities for individual meals or large groups. Menu features include Brunswick stew, potato salad, and fried okra made from scratch. These accompaniments complement all main dishes and can be ordered separately for catering events.
People
Gerald Duncan
Founder
Gerald Duncan opened Hillbilly's BBQ & Steaks in 1989, establishing the restaurant's commitment to quality barbecue and Southern cuisine. With decades of culinary experience, he developed the signature recipes and business philosophy that continue guiding the establishment's operations and expansion.
Bobby Duncan
Senior Team Member
Bobby Duncan, known as Paw Paw, contributes to Hillbilly's operations with his extensive knowledge of Southern cooking traditions. His role includes mentoring staff and maintaining the restaurant's authentic culinary standards that have made it a local favorite for over three decades.
Questions
What catering options are available for large events?
We offer full-service catering with customizable menus including pork, beef, chicken, and award-winning ribs. Services include setup, rentals, and staff for weddings, corporate events, and private parties with minimum 15-person orders.
What are the restaurant's operating hours?
We're open Monday-Thursday 11 AM-9 PM, Friday-Saturday 11 AM-9:30 PM, and Sunday 11 AM-3 PM for dine-in and takeout services.
Do you offer takeout and delivery options?
Yes, we provide takeout service for all menu items including family packs and catering portions. Delivery is available for catering orders with advance arrangements.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept major credit cards, debit cards, and cash payments at our Lowell and Gastonia locations.
Are there options for senior citizens?
Yes, our Senior Friends program offers value-priced regular portions for diners aged 60+ with menu selections including BBQ plates and homestyle sides.
What makes your barbecue unique?
Our meats are slow-smoked over hickory wood daily, featuring a proprietary sauce recipe developed over 30 years. This traditional Southern method creates the tender, flavorful results recognized in customer reviews.
Reviews (5)
Pete C.
May 30, 2022
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Menu looked great but food was just average. Sauces and hush puppies were great. Chopped brisket was dry, chicken fingers were average. Mac and cheese and collards were bland. Baked beans were good. Server was awesome and very friendly. Rest of staff didn't impress.
Jeff Yedinak
May 22, 2022
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Overall just not a great value or experience compared to places like Mission BBQ. Service was very good, but atmosphere was a little too family-restaurant oriented and a little bright for my taste for dinner. BBQ for my son and I was good quality-wise but portions could have been bigger and would have preferred it a little more well-done. My son's sandwich bun was a little too plain for the end cost of our meal of about $38 after tip. Not sure why a "service fee" on the bill either.
Charles Sanders
Apr 21, 2022
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It was okay. The only complaint we had was the lack of sound baffles in their new building, which seemed to amplify children yelling, dishes clattering, etc. We decided on Tylenol for dessert. Excellent French fries though. Top notch!
Mr. Clinkscales
Mar 27, 2022
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Food was ok. I ordered the ribeye, loaded baked potatoes, Mac n cheese and fried okra. I ordered pickup and all the food was on the cooler side. Order the steak medium and from the pictures you can tell it was cooked well done. I gave two stars because the overall flavor was ok
Guy Kernizan
Mar 04, 2022
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The restaurant was clean and open. The Waitress and host was very helpful and nice. I found the hush puppy was enjoyable. The Beef brisket wasn't the best It was dry with very little flavor. The beans make up for the brisket. This was my first time having BBQ in NC. So I'm not sure if this is how NC brisket should be.
