Pit Stop BBQ Review: Wicked Weed Smokehouse – Cherokee, NC

This episode from Pit Stop takes us to Wicked Weed Smokehouse tucked inside the casino in Cherokee, North Carolina—a place with big claims and an even bigger reputation. With signage touting top barbecue rankings from Time Magazine and Leisure, we were eager to see if the hype lived up to the experience. Right away, the atmosphere felt more like a brewery hangout than a classic smokehouse, with a casual, open dining area and plenty of smoke fragrance in the air. The staff were welcoming and friendly, and the vibe was lively—though the barbecue itself was a mixed bag.

Let’s start with the sides. The baked beans were the real highlight, boasting a nice sweet balance and hearty chunks of meat that gave them more depth than your average BBQ beans. The coleslaw was more average—basic in both flavor and texture—and we steered clear of the potato salad entirely based on the server’s warning (and for good reason). The Brunswick stew offered a decent amount of meat and smokiness, though it skated the line between traditional stew and a lighter, brothier flavor.

As for the meats, the pulled pork was tender and juicy but leaned a bit too fatty, and the smoke level was subtle rather than bold. The brisket missed the mark for us: dry, falling apart in texture, and lacking the rich smoke and rub flavor we crave in a standout brisket. The ribs, while tender enough, were a bit overwhelmingly smoky and weren’t quite the balanced experience we hoped for—though the sauce helped pull things together. A notable bright spot was the mustard-based barbecue sauce, which stood out as one of the better elements of the meal.

While Wicked Weed Smokehouse delivers a fun atmosphere and some unique sauce flavors, the barbecue itself falls short of what we expect from a true North Carolina BBQ landmark. A solid once‑off stop if you’re in Cherokee, but not high on our list for repeat visits.

Plate from Wicked Weed in Cherokee, NC