While some restaurants chase the latest food trends, others spend decades perfecting one thing and become legends because of it.
That’s exactly the story of this iconic North Carolina barbecue joint, where whole hog is still cooked using the same time-tested methods from nearly 80 years ago.
People drive for hours just to grab a tray, and barbecue lovers from across the country regularly add it to their must-visit lists.
If you’re looking for one of the most authentic barbecue experiences in North Carolina, this place belongs at the top of your list.
Where Is It?
Skylight Inn BBQ is located at 4618 Lee St. in the small town of Ayden, Pitt County, North Carolina.
If you’re driving, it’s about 80 minutes from Raleigh, roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes from both Wilmington and Durham, and 3 hours and 45 minutes from Charlotte.
About
Skylight Inn BBQ is one of the best places in the state to experience traditional eastern North Carolina whole hog barbecue.
The restaurant is known for cooking entire pigs over oak and hickory coals, then chopping the meat with crispy skin before seasoning it with a vinegar-pepper sauce.
This chopped whole hog barbecue is the star of the menu, whether you order it on a tray, piled onto a sandwich, or by the pound to take home.
Each tray comes with bread and your choice of a side, including coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, or a thick slice of popular cornbread.
You’ll also find chicken plates, BBQ and chicken combos, and desserts like banana pudding and cake.
The restaurant’s building itself is just as memorable, with its iconic Capitol-shaped dome perched on top.
This miniature silver dome has become a local landmark, making Skylight Inn easy to recognize from the road.
Inside, you’ll find a no-frills dining room with wooden tables, black chairs, framed photos, and a simple order-at-the-counter setup that keeps the focus on the food.
It’s a place where time-honored barbecue, simple surroundings, and generations of tradition come together in every meal.
History
Skylight Inn BBQ first opened in the summer of 1947, when 17-year-old Pete Jones welcomed his first customers in Ayden.
From the beginning, the restaurant focused on traditional eastern North Carolina barbecue, slow cooking whole hogs over wood-fired pits.
Before long, it had built a growing reputation throughout the region for its barbecue.
In 1979, Skylight Inn received national attention when National Geographic featured it in Back Roads America as one of the country’s best barbecue destinations.
Just three years later, in 1982, Pete Jones was invited to serve at the Congressional Bowl after his cooking impressed politicians.
The recognition didn’t stop there, as more national magazines, television networks, and food publications continued highlighting the restaurant over the years.
One of the biggest honors came in 2003, when the Jones family earned a James Beard America’s Classics Award for its lasting contribution to American food.
After Pete Jones passed away in 2006, his son Bruce, nephew Jeff, and grandson Sam Jones continued running Skylight Inn BBQ.
Today, the wood-fired pits are still going strong, as the family remains committed to cooking barbecue the old-fashioned way.
Know Before You Go
Hours and Best Time to Visit
Skylight Inn BBQ is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and is closed on Sundays.
Hours can occasionally change, especially around holidays, so check the restaurant’s website or social media before making the drive.
If you’re hoping for the freshest barbecue, plan to arrive earlier in the day.
Popular items can sell out before closing, especially on busy weekends.
Parking and Payment
Parking is free and available on site, making it easy to pull in, enjoy your barbecue, and head back out when you’re done.
Skylight Inn BBQ used to be a cash-only establishment, but now it does accept card payments.
Things to Do Nearby
Ayden is a small town, so many visitors pair their meal with other attractions in eastern North Carolina.
If you’re visiting with family, Simply Natural Creamery is just 10 minutes away, where you can enjoy homemade ice cream, take a farm tour, or hop on a hayride.
For a relaxing afternoon outdoors, head to Ayden District Inclusive Park, which features walking trails, a disc golf course, and a seasonal splash pad.
Just 20 minutes away, Greenville offers museums, local shops, and the Greenville Town Common, home to a scenic 1,500-foot riverwalk along the Tar River.
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