Phifer's Hot Wings & Bar-B-Q,
Statesville NC

In this barbecue review for Pit Stop Adventures, the team visits Phifer’s Hot Wings & Bar-B-Q in Statesville, North Carolina, after a recommendation from their chiropractor. This unassuming restaurant made an impression with its welcoming atmosphere and loyal local following, filling up with everyone from construction workers to firefighters during their weekday visit. They ordered fried chicken and pulled pork alongside potato salad, baked beans, and creamy coleslaw. The fried chicken was a standout for its exceptional juiciness and flavor, but the team felt the barbecue deserved just as much attention. The pulled pork was tender with noticeable, well-balanced smoke and enough flavor to enjoy on its own, while the sauce added tang and a slow-building heat rather than heavy sweetness.

The sides rounded out the meal, particularly the skin-on potato salad, which had a comforting, homemade quality. Combined with the reasonably priced combo plate and comfortable local setting, Phifer’s delivered one of the team’s most memorable meals so far. Earning an overall score of 94 out of 100, it moved ahead of Noble Smoke to take the number-one spot on their leaderboard at the time of the review. The team recommends trying both the fried chicken and pulled pork, and they’re already planning a return visit to sample the hot wings they missed the first time.