Most people know Lexington, NC, for the Lexington Barbecue Festival, which draws more than 200,000 visitors each year, but far fewer realize how much the city offers long after the smoke clears. Set in the heart of the Piedmont, about 20 miles south of Winston‑Salem, Lexington rewards slow exploration—where creativity, heritage, and community pride intersect. On our recent visit, we paired the Southern Gateway Wine Trail with the many charms of Downtown Lexington and discovered a destination with even more depth than its festival fame.
The Barbecue Heritage: Where Tradition Still Smokes
There's no better place to start a tour of Lexington, known as the Barbecue Capitol of North Carolina, than Lexington Barbecue. The iconic white building on the hill has been serving up barbecue since it was established in 1962 by Wayne Monk. Diners are greeted in the parking lot with billowing smoke and an aroma that teases the belly with a preview of coming attractions. The nationally known restaurant cooks pork shoulders low and slow over oak and hickory coals for half a day. The succulent pork is served with red coleslaw.
I got hush puppies and a Cheerwine to make it a true Southern treat. Topped off with a chocolate cream pie, it was a perfect meal.
This is Lexington-style barbecue at its best. It's also called Western style, as the eastern part of the state serves it differently (whole hog and vinegar sauce). Here, the meat does the talking with little to no sauce -- you can get some "dip," a thin ketchup and vinegar sauce.
Love of barbecue runs deep in Lexington. The City Hall even has a barbecue pit that was unearthed during construction. Barbecue pits were created outside the courthouse more than 100 years ago to feed the hungry workers and visitors. Legend has it that the judge would halt court business when he smelled that the barbecue was ready.
From its earliest days, barbecue in Lexington was tied to public life—political rallies, courthouse gatherings, church events, and community celebrations. These meals were designed to bring people together, and they still do. Barbecue remains the “common thread that brings people together.
Today, there are 12 local barbecue restaurants serving chopped and sliced pork shoulders to more than 500 people a day.
Creativity & Craft: The Bob Timberlake Story
 |
| Bob Timberlake Gallery |
Timberlake began painting as a child, but has no formal art education or training. His work is known for intricate detail and attention to color. The Bob Timberlake Gallery, located at 1714 E. Center St. Ext., celebrates Timberlake's art, furniture designs, apparel, and home furnishings. The gallery is part museum and part personal archive, displaying craftsmanship and authenticity.
He has designed four postage stamps for the U.S. Postal Service. Timberlake has been honored by Presidents Carter and Reagan in the White House for his work with Keep America Beautiful and NC Beautiful, Inc., and by Prince Charles in Buckingham Palace.
Downtown Lexington: A Walkable, Welcoming Surprise
 |
| Downtown Lexington, NC |
After getting our bearings at the Lexington Visitor Center, we headed next door to the Conrad & Hinkle Food Market. The market has been operating since 1919 and is known for cut-to-order meats and beloved pimento cheese. With shelves stocked with handmade Moravian cookies, Moon Pies, and pickled okra, it’s a destination, not just a shopping experience.
Red Donut is a family-operated shop that makes scratch doughnuts and offers a welcoming cafe. They are known for a wide variety of fresh, delicious donuts, from classic Original Glaze to unique specialty creations like the Maple Bacon Donut (which I enjoyed!) and massive, flavorful fritters. Boba tea is also available.
Further south on Main Street is a danger zone for all those with a sweet tooth: The Candy Factory. The Candy Factory originally was in the front area of the Piedmont Candy Company, a wholesale manufacturer of pure sugar stick candy and Red Bird mint puffs. Its success prompted a move to the circa 1890 Lexington Hardware building. It was renovated and opened for business under the striped awning on September 15, 1979.
As you wander the creaky wooden floors past rows of candy jars, you can spy nostalgic candies, chocolates, Red Bird peppermint puffs, stick candy, licorice, sugar-free hard candies and chocolates, and hundreds of old-fashioned candy favorites. The antique signs, soda bottles, and products bring a wave of nostalgia.
Tommy Davis likes to say he didn’t find pottery; it found him. His high-stress job and loss of loved ones led to heart pains. The doctor advised him to find a hobby. A course at a community college introduced him to pottery, and today, with the help of his wife Joyce, Missions Pottery and More is a thriving Main Street business.
Missions Pottery features purposeful pottery that carries a deeper message. Each piece crafted by Tommy has a hole that represents the void that can only be filled by God. A portion of profits goes to support Christian missions globally.
Pigs in the City is a public art initiative started as a fundraiser in 2003 that quickly became a popular attraction. It features life-size fiberglass pigs painted by local artists and businesses. About 60 pigs adorn the sidewalks and stores of Lexington, more than half in the Uptown District.
Elvis Porksley, a pig decked out as “Vegas” Elvis, stares out toward Main Street from the Lexington Visitors Center. Other fanciful names include Oinkle Sam, Pigahontas, and Porky Dumplington. Here’s a map to all the Pigs in the City.
Downtown Lexington offers easy parking, a friendly pace, and visual charm. It’s a perfect place to visit on a sunny summer day.
Lexington After Dark: Food, Drink & Community
 |
| Creative cuisine at Sophie's Cork & Ale |
He returned home to elevate local dining, serving as chef at Sophie’s Cork & Ale and eventually becoming owner in 2019. Today, the restaurant focuses on locally sourced ingredients, creative plates, and a warm, community-driven atmosphere.
Craft beer and wine are highlighted, and the menu features mouthwatering dishes like Sashimi Yellowfin Tartlets, Duck Two Ways, and a Wagyu beef hot dog. Wilson’s artful and fun burgers have also become local favorites. The Deep South Burger features fried local chicken skins, smoked Gouda pimento cheese, and Memphis barbecue sauce.
Sophie’s is the ideal spot for a sophisticated meal or a casual meal with friends.
Goose & the Monkey Brewhouse is a story of resilience and rebirth. The brick, industrial-style building is a core part of Lexington’s Depot District. Until 1990, the complex of buildings served as the Lexington Furniture factory. The decline of the state furniture industry left the building vacant until the city launched an effort to repurpose and restore existing historic places.
The building, now transformed from furniture factory to brewery, retains its heritage with exposed brick, high windows that look out to working railroad lines, and distinctive high ceilings. Just as the brewery was being developed, it survived a near catastrophe. In December 2017, a devastating fire swept through the Depot District, threatening to destroy the brewery before it could even open its doors.
 |
| Goose & the Monkey |
The Goose & the Monkey is more than an award-winning brewery. It is a community hub and houses the commercial coffee-roasting operations for Perfect Blend Coffee Co., which also runs a fully functional espresso bar right inside the taproom. Also on-site is Pour Folk Provisions featuring hand-tossed, made-to-order pizzas cooked in a brick oven, plus fresh salads, rice bowls, and shareable plates. The pizza pairs perfectly with Seductive Mullet, their amber lager!
Curious about the unusual name? It comes from a line in a nursery rhyme: Three, six, nine, the goose drank wine. The monkey chewed tobacco on the streetcar line. It’s a reminder to lighten up, be playful, and have fun.
The Lexington Most People Don’t Know
Lexington is a destination worth slowing down for – a place where heritage and creativity meet. It features a nationally recognized barbecue tradition, a thriving arts presence, and a walkable, irresistible downtown. The food and beverage scene is growing, with craft beer and sophisticated cuisine. It’s also a community that welcomes visitors with genuine warmth.
Go beyond the festival crowds and discover Lexington’s everyday magic.
Before You Go: Explore the Southern Gateway Wine Trail
From bold reds to crisp whites—and tasting rooms filled with personality—this trail is the perfect complement to a day spent exploring Lexington’s barbecue heritage, arts, and walkable downtown.
Read the full story: Boutique Wines, Big Character
https://www.vino-sphere.com/2026/04/boutique-wines-big-character.html
No comments:
Post a Comment