Paulie’s Pig-Out, Afton, VA

As the old cliché goes, “you can’t judge a book by its cover,” and while we’re not talking about a book per se, the notion is certainly applicable. Paulie’s Pig-Out in Afton, Virginia may not look like much from the outside, but inside you’ll find some of the most delicious barbecue in the area. Seriously, the modest façade and simple white sign don’t do justice to the mouthwatering food that this roadside takeout restaurant offers.

Photo by Tara Stoll

First, you’ve got your pulled pork, enhanced with sides of coleslaw and baked beans. Next there’s the ribs with a perfectly smoky flavor and a tasty dry rub. Lastly, there’s the smoked chicken, well-seasoned and moist. The trick behind Paulie’s delectability lies in two different features. The first is that they pre-sauce their meats before smoking them, adding layers of depth to the flavors. The second feature is that they smoke the meat right in the premises, so you’ll savor the freshness of hickory and cherry wood. These two features complement each other in a way that proves barbecue is both science and art.

Need some more convincing? Check out these reviews from TripAdvisor and Yelp:

 “Just try to drive by, I dare you. One whiff of how good the food smells and you will pull over. The mac and cheese is fabulous and whatever they put on the fries is fabulous.” –ChefGeorge

“Outstanding!  Some of the best BBQ around. We each had the pork BBQ sandwich, a side of mac n cheese, and potato salad. You'll be sad if you miss it!” –Rob D.

“Where to begin?  Best BBQ of my life.” –Paul P.

Paulie’s Pig-Out is just down the road from Afton Mountain Bed & Breakfast, so if you’re not too keen on eating outside at one of their picnic tables, bring your barbeque with you, and feast at the inn.