Sweet Lew's BBQ

Barbecue restaurant · Belmont

Sweet Lew's BBQ

Barbecue restaurant · Belmont

923 Belmont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

Highlights

Airy outpost serving wood-smoked BBQ meats like ribs & fried chicken plus beer, wine & cocktails.

923 Belmont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205 Get directions

sweetlewsbbq.com

@sweetlewsbbq

$10–20 · Menu

@infatuation

"If you were dropped blindly into Sweet Lew’s, you’d think you were in a small-town BBQ joint, not a restaurant in North Carolina’s largest urban city. The place is small and humble, with Coca-Cola, Cheerwine, and RC Cola memorabilia on the walls alongside vintage photos from when the building used to be a Texaco service station. Order the Sweet Lew Sampler at the counter from a menu scrawled on a chalkboard. You’ll get brisket, chopped pork that tastes great doused in classic Eastern North Carolina vinegar BBQ sauce, and ribs, plus two sides (the best being the mac and cheese and meaty collard greens). When the weather’s nice, take your metal baking sheet to the patio’s picnic tables and enjoy your ribs in this quiet neighborhood." - tess allen

The 25 Best Restaurants In Charlotte 2024

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@infatuation

Sweet Lew's BBQ Review - Belmont - Charlotte - The Infatuation

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@eater

"The newest addition to the Charlotte dining scene from co-owners Lewis Donald and Laura Furman Grice, Sweet Lew’s offers a “real North Carolina barbecue experience” in the Belmont neighborhood. The barbecue joint is housed in a flipped old service station, with a smoker burning a blend of hickory, pecan and peach woods, serving smoked meats including Lexington-style chopped barbecue made with North Carolina pork shoulder, dry-rubbed ribs and smoked chicken. Other options range from brisket, to fried chicken, to fried fish. Don't overlook the classic sides: baked beans, collards, mac and cheese, boiled peanuts, and Carolina boiled potato. Top it off with a sweet serving of banana pudding." - Katie Toussaint

4 Openings to Know About in Charlotte, North Carolina - Eater Carolinas

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Lonny Laven

Google

What I pictured Carolina bbq to be. Let’s start with the staff they were wonderful. Angela was attentive, upbeat and sweet. The portions were beyond generous. The brisket must’ve been almost a 3” thick piece, the ribs were massive St. Louis ribs. The ribs were tender, fall off that bone, but lacked that bbq flavor. The red slaw is on point delicious, on the sweet side very refreshing. The potato salad was great, had a nice blend of salt and pepper. Hush puppies, I have never been a fan but these have changed my mind. They crunch outside and sweet moist corn breading inside. Whoa! Thank you for the wonderful experience.

Robin F

Google

This is such a cute place. I think we found this restaurant from social media. Today we decided to give it a try! OMG, the food was delish. I was worried because a few reviews stated that the food was dry, but that was not the case. I had the chicken and pork plate and everything was amazing. Hubby had chicken and sausage and it was also amazing. They have a bunch of different sauces for your meal. The ladies taking the orders were super kind and we asked about a Military discount and they said they do honor that. Wow, now this is a restaurant that we will come back again. The food, service and honoring Veterans is our type of place.

Letitia Ard

Google

Sweet Lew’s in the Belmont community offers some delicious foods served up fast by a friendly staff (thanks again, Ms. Angela). This cozy venue has ample indoor and outdoor seating as well as convenient free parking. While the pork ribs are tasty with generous portions and my bf loves the brisket, it’s their sides all day for me! The potato salad, hushpuppies, and rotating casseroles hit just right every time. Please add the cauliflower cass and a green bean to your menu full time, I beg! TIP: Drop by their covered patio for a refreshing bev/snack break while strolling or pedaling the Little Sugar Creek Greenway.

Venus Zhang

Google

Very dry brisket not sure why it has rating of 4.3/5. Updated: I initially gave this place 3 out of 5 because while the service and overall experience were pleasant, I found the food quality was not impressive—which is the most important factor for me when dining out. However, after reading the owner’s response to my review, which came across as unnecessarily defensive and dismissive, I’ve decided to revise my rating to 1 star. A respectful and open attitude toward feedback goes a long way.

K Shakira

Google

I mean I have gotten better food from City BBQ and Midwood Smokehouse. I thought the restaurant was going to light up my country taste buds. I was told this was a great place for old fashion BBQ style food. Instead Sweet Lew’s had me worried was it worth paying $30+. Maybe I order the wrong menu items. Or maybe the food could taste better overall. I’ll return, but no time soon unfortunately.

T Martinez

Google

Was in town visiting Charlotte for the first time. I heard they had smoked beef rib on Friday so decided to try it. Most definitely my fault for picking that item lol. It’s Carolina and they’re known for hog, not beef. The beef rib was super tough and dry. Maybe one day I’ll be back to try the hog. Great service though.

Will M

Google

We went on Fried Chicken Sunday and I have to say, as far as barbecue places, this was the best fried chicken I believe we have ever had. Donald and his team really impressed us with the selection of great barbecue. So glad we have another choice here in Charlotte North Carolina.

Raquel Atkinson

Google

Great for diabetics and people with high blood pressure because they add zero seasonings. I REALLY hate visiting Charlotte bc their local food is high disappointing. Case and point: Disappointed was a SEVERE understatement after spending almost $100.00 to support this local business in Charlotte N.C. EVERYTHING was severely Bland af! The brisket was sad. I thought the bark was gonna be delicious but it tasted like NOTHING. Greens were cooked perfectly but just tasted like hot leaves, and the baked beans tasted like hot tart ketchup. Plain unseasoned pretty food.😭😭😭 Mac n cheese needed flavor, Turkey tasted like water.😭I love to support local businesses but why is the local food in Charlotte garbagio??? It's definitely more misses than hits.