Winston-Salem’s Mr. Barbecue Reopens Using Wood-Fired Pits | Eater Carolinas

"After a raging fire that burned a hole “big enough for three SUVs side by side” and destroyed virtually everything inside, the family-owned Mr. Barbecue reopened almost two years later on the same Peters Creek Parkway site; the pandemic and rainy weather slowed construction, but locals eagerly returned with more than 100 people lining up before the doors reopened. Owner Jimmy Carros never considered abandoning wood-burning pits because, he says, the flavor from wood is not easily matched; to reduce risk he replaced some wood fascia near the pits with concrete and will be more careful about clearing ash, though it remains an open flame. The nearly 60-year-old spot also added a drive-thru (something Carros has wanted and seen work as a big revenue driver at his other restaurants) that is already useful while he staffs up the relaunched indoor dining room." - Eric Ginsburg