Jody's Garage checking in!
I love NC BBQ and I am glad to find this website!
I grew up in Rocky Mount and "cut my teeth" on Bob Melton's BBQ. The place was destroyed by hurricane Floyd, but it was awesome. My first "real job" was at Gardner's BBQ on Hwy 301 back in the early 80's.
I have a career in G.I.S. (Geographic Information Systems - which is basically computer mapping) and my love for BBQ has spawned a project. I am creating a map of the State of NC that shows all of the best BBQ restaurants. I have been going County-by-County talking to local firefighters to collect the best places. I plan to make a donation to the NC Burn Center at the completion of this project as a "thank you" to them.
I am so excited to find this site and will keep an eye on the forums to see that no good 'que gets left out. I am not really judging places, but looking to provide information instead of reviews. The final product will be a fold-up road map similar to a DOT state map.
I am about halfway complete in surveying the Counties. I have a website up at www.ncbbqmap.com I hope to have the maps printed late this fall.
I look forward to being part of this BBQ lover's community!
-Jody's Garage