BBQ | Eat it Charlotte

Charlotte Locations: 2414 Sandy Porter Rd, Charlotte, NC 28273/ 2511 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203 An iconic establishment, Mac's Speed Shop, came to Charlotte around ten years ago (give or take a couple) and quickly opened up multiple locations. Dubbed as a biker bar,this Charlotte institution serves everyone from bikers to bankers. With what many consider to be the best BBQ in Charlotte, Macs serves standard southern fare such as Wings, Ribs, Chicken, Brisket and a very tasty burger. Current ranked the 6th best restaurant in Charlotte on TripAdvisor, Macs is a hugely popular establishment. Truth be told I have been going there since it opened, first frequenting the South Blvd. Location, and now currently their eatery on Sandy Porter RD.(I can not speak to the other four locations) While the food is good, I personally feel as if it is suffering from growing pains as it opens more stores. It certainly does not deserve to be on the top ten list of Charlotte restaurants, in my opinion. The Good: Both Locations have a great beer selection with a ton of choices on Tap. The selection further increases when you take into account the bottles they offer. I have had many a beer at Macs which I couldn't find again. The restaurant is good for watching sporting events, with multiple big screen TVs through out the bar. Both locations have a nice patio, which get packed during the nicer months. Mac's Speed Shop also have some menu items that are extremely appealing. Their wings can be hit or miss, but are still among the best in Charlotte. I enjoy the ribs and chili as well, which for the price, can't be beat. Overall the food here is pretty good although they definitely have their off days. Lastly, although some complain about the service, I have always had a good experience with it. Food comes out at a very fast pace even at its busiest times. The Bad: As mentioned, the popularity of Mac's Speed Shop may be its downfall. What started off as a uniquely good BBQ joint in Charlotte is getting a slightly more corporate feel. The food, although still good, is no longer as spectacular as I remember. At times the wings can almost have a soggy feel to them. Also more than once I have had my food come out luke-warm or even cold. There is also a problem with overcooked meats at times, with the chicken or pork needing a lot of extra sauce due to a dry consistency. The Ugly: Nothing overly terrible about Mac's Speed Shop, but if I had to pick I would say that parking can be a problem due to it's popularity. This can be said for both locations that I have visited. The Verdict: 6 out 10 (worth a nibble) : Maybe add half a star for for the South Blvd. location, but really Mac's Speed Shop is just pretty good. Many will tell you this is the best BBQ in Charlotte, but that is far from the truth. Besides having a couple of stand out items, it falls short in many areas. Don't get me wrong the food is good, just not the life changing experience some would have you believe. In some ways Mac's represents what I find frustrating about the Charlotte food scene. A place that started off really good and then let quality suffer as it became popular. Some times a place is popular because you are suppose to like it due to its past performance. Recommended Items: Wings and Burgers