Monroe is about to smell a whole lot smokier. Moe's Original BBQ is making its return to the greater Charlotte area, with a new restaurant set to open next Tuesday in the Union County city. The Tuscaloosa-born, Alabama-style chain is launching its latest outpost under local ownership by North Carolina natives Russell and Brooke Gentry, along with Paul Gentry, serving up slow-smoked meats, house sauces and scratch-made sides geared toward family dinners and quick takeout stops.
According to the Charlotte Observer, the Monroe restaurant will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It joins other North Carolina locations in North Asheville, Hendersonville and Wilmington. The Observer also notes that the chain has landed on national lists for its BBQ chicken sandwich, giving Monroe diners a little extra bragging rights with their sauce.
What to order
The chain leans into its Alabama roots, with pork shoulder that is dry-rubbed and slow-smoked over oak and fruit hardwoods, then finished with a vinegar-based "sop" and Moe's signature white and red sauces. The Monroe menu will feature pulled pork sandwiches, smoked wings, smoked chicken, ribs, a smoked-turkey platter and the fried-shrimp "Moe Boy," plus sides like baked beans, marinated slaw and potato salad, according to Moe's Original BBQ.
Locally run and family-focused
Co-owner Brooke Gentry said the team is aiming for a neighborhood feel as much as a solid smoke ring. "We wanted to create a place that felt welcoming and familiar to all," she said in a release. "Whether you’re sharing a meal with your family, picking up dinner on the way home or stopping by after work, we want every guest to leave feeling the warmth of Southern barbecue and a true sense of community," she added, per the Charlotte Observer.
Why 'Bama-style' matters
Moe's says its "Bama-style" approach, with bold rubs, slow smoke and distinctive sauces, is what separates it from the more familiar Carolina styles. The company highlights the vinegar-based "sop" and its mayonnaise-forward white sauce as finishing touches that let diners tweak each plate to their liking, according to Moe's Original BBQ.
The Monroe restaurant is setting up along a busy stretch of West Roosevelt Boulevard, aiming to serve families, commuters and catering orders once doors open next Tuesday. Guests can keep an eye on the restaurant’s official channels for menu details and opening updates.
