Nags Head Restaurants

High Cotton BBQ is owned and operated by a native North Carolina family that was born and raised in the heart of BBQ country. They serve authentic, eastern North Carolina-style pork BBQ. The pork is smoked for hours over hickory, hand-chopped and then seasoned with a light, vinegar-based sauce that doesn't overpower the natural flavor of the smoked meat. The Southern fried chicken is crisp and delicious. The smoked chicken is so tender it falls right off the bone, and the Texas-style beef brisket is smoked, sliced and served with a tangy sauce. The St. Louis cut ribs are the local's favorite for good reason. Portions here are generous. They serve traditional side dishes like cole slaw, baked beans and fresh vegetables plus hush puppies and French fries. The sauces are homemade and available for purchase. They have a children's menu. This is a great place to feed a crowd, and they have a speedy to-go counter for take-out. Check out their convenient to-go packages and bring home your own pig-pickin'. The restaurant also offers catering. High Cotton serves lunch and dinner every day in season and closes for a short time in the winter. Plus, after a meal at High Cotton BBQ, you can step into their retail shop to pick up some of their own homemade BBQ sauces, fresh-roasted peanuts and fun t-shirts. They also carry Southern-style goodies like Moon Pies if you want to send a taste of Southern charm to that poor person who couldn’t come on vacation with you!