City Barbeque — Charlotte

City Barbeque is a competition-quality smokehouse that's been cooking low and slow since 1999. The Matthews outpost on Galleria Boulevard keeps its own smokers running on local hickory, turning out barbecue the way the brand built its name — with smoke and time, no shortcuts.

Open daily from half-ten through nine most nights, a bit later on Fridays and Saturdays. The smokers are on-site; the fuel is hickory; the rest is patience.