Welcome to Skylight Inn BBQ
Discover the essence of old-school Carolina Barbeque at the iconic Skylight Inn BBQ in Ayden, NC. With a menu featuring mouth-watering Pig Trays, BBQ by the Pound, and delicious Yard Bird options, this establishment offers a true taste of Southern comfort. Set in a casual environment with outdoor seating and friendly service, Skylight Inn BBQ is perfect for families and groups. The authentic flavors and affordable prices make it a must-visit destination for BBQ enthusiasts. Make sure to try their signature Pig Trays served with a side and bread for only $7.00 - a true indulgence for the senses.
- 4618 Lee St Ayden, NC 285134618 Lee St Ayden, NC 28513 Hotline: (252) 746-4113
Welcome to Skylight Inn BBQ, a cherished gem nestled in the heart of Ayden, North Carolina. Located at 4618 Lee St, Skylight Inn is not just a barbeque restaurant; it’s a tradition that has captured the hearts and taste buds of locals and visitors alike. Renowned for its authentic Eastern North Carolina BBQ, Skylight Inn BBQ has made a name for itself with its commitment to quality and tradition.
The menu boasts a variety of mouthwatering options, but it’s the slow-cooked chopped BBQ that takes center stage. Cooked over hardwood, this BBQ stands out with its rich, smoky flavor that Merton C. aptly describes as having "no fills, just old-time pork BBQ." It’s a true testament to the age-old techniques that have been passed down through generations.
For those who love chicken, Skylight Inn offers a selection that includes whole or half chicken options, as well as BBQ and chicken combos that are perfect for those wanting to savor both meat profiles. The plates come lavishly served, ensuring that every guest leaves with a full belly and a smile. Judy H. recalls the longstanding history and reliability of Skylight Inn, noting its wonderful and always fresh food, making it a go-to spot for generations.
What truly sets Skylight Inn apart is its dedication to community and celebration. Whether it’s catering a family milestone, like Judy’s father’s 90th birthday party, or serving hungry travelers stopping for lunch, the warmth of Skylight Inn envelops everyone who steps through its doors. The bustling counter service, often with lines snaking out the door, speaks to the high demand for this beloved eatery.
Not to be missed are the sides that accompany each dish. Mel S. raves about the unique cornbread and the standout mustard potato salad, providing a perfect companion to the rich BBQ. Every item on the menu is crafted with care, ensuring a memorable experience that patrons long to repeat, as seen with Lesley L., whose first visit fueled a desire for more.
For those seeking a world-renowned BBQ experience, Skylight Inn BBQ is a must-visit destination. With ample parking and a location just off the Hwy 11 bypass, it’s easily accessible. Whether you're craving a hearty pig tray or a succulent chicken plate, Skylight Inn BBQ promises to deliver an unrivaled dining experience that will leave you fulfilled and eager to return.
Contact them at (252) 746-4113 for more information or to place an order. Let Skylight Inn BBQ be the next stop on your culinary adventure!

There is no place like this place. Best Eastern BBQ pork. No fills just old time pork BBQ cooked over hardwood. The favor really can be tasted in the bbq.

Skylight has been around for many years. It was one of my dad's favorite places to eat. The food is wonderful and always fresh. The catering is really good. They catered my dad's 90th birthday party!

Very good, we enjoyed it. Every bbq place is different of course. I liked the pork bbq and the corn bread was different than I've had before but it was good and I would look forward to ordering it again when I go back! I thought mustard potato salad was the best of the sides w ordered.

This was my first visit, based on a recommendation, and I'm so glad I stopped for lunch! I had the "medium" tray with a side of slaw, and it was a very generous portion. It's counter service, and there was a line to the front door when I arrived, but it moved quickly. Skylight Inn is about 90 minutes from home, but I wish it were closer!

Amazing BBQ, world renowned in fact. It's a local place in Ayden just off Hwy 11 bypass. Plenty of parking. They are famous for their slow cooked chopped bbq, when it's chopped some parts of the skin(crackling) are included. You can order trays, sandwiches which come with corn slaw, and a cornbread block. You can go wrong here and will leave fully content.

For years I've read about Skylight in Southern Living and Garden and Gun. Many times well publicized restaurants fail to meet expectations, but Skylight exceeded them! Great crunch from the pork skin and the slaw. The cornbread reminded me of hot water cornbread. Great experience all around! Can't wait to come back!

This visit was a long time coming and we finally crossed it off our bucket list! My partner saw Skylight featured on a Munchies episode years ago and has since then tried hard to find a reason to go to NC to try it, so we figured why not just make a whole trip just for Skylight! It's a bit of a drive from Raleigh/Durham where we were staying but a nice way to get a mini road trip in. We really appreciated that they stay so true to the Carolina bbq method and walking around you can see the piles and piles of wood they use for smoking. We both got the whole hog bbq tray with cornbread and coleslaw and the banana pudding. Love the bbq and both sauces are uniquely delicious!! The sides were ok, cornbread was yum when hot but a bit oily when cold and the coleslaw had a bit of a strange texture to me, almost like it was pre-chewed, but just my interpretation. The banana pudding is very sweet, but nice to round out the meal.

My son and I decided that we would make the pilgrimage to Ayden NC to taste the offerings of this iconic Eastern NC BBQ restaurant, then we will travel a few miles into the town and stop at Bum's, another venerable BBQ joint and more. A17-year-old named Walter B. "Pete" Jones began cooking whole hogs over hard wood at this location in 1947, becoming the cornerstone of Eastern style NC barbecue. Moore came from a long-time barbecue cooking family, beginning with his great-great-grandfather, who sold pork barbecue from a wagon beginning in the mid 1800's! References to whole hog cooking goes back as far as the early 1700's in North Carolina. This iconic BBQ restaurant is still going strong today operated by Pete's grandson, Sam Jones. This is a simple, worn, barebones barbecue joint with no table service, with a plain but serviceable dining area, built not for comfort but for eating. You order at the register and the food will come out quickly, grab it and head for a table. All the barbecued pork is chopped, and that means hand chopped. The pig is moist, nicely flavored from the hard wood smoke and the vinegar basting sauce, with crunchy pieces of pork skin included. Add the fresh, crunchy slaw with just the right amount of mayo, and a slab of rather dense, crunchy cornbread made with white cornmeal from a recipe dating to the 1800's, and you are good to go. There is a fine house made BBQ sauce on the tables, it is the best I've tasted, but only a small amount is needed. For me this is as good as it gets, and I've eaten pig at almost every Eastern barbecue restaurant, I just wish you could get sliced or coarse chopped here. Now on to Bum's, just a short drive down the road into Ayden.