Grady's BBQ

06/05/2026

Thank you all for the birthday wishes, comments, calls, cards, flowers, hugs, sweet treats, and visits. Reading through your messages and kind words has truly touched my heart.

I may not be able to respond to everyone individually, but please know how much I appreciate you. Thank you for making my birthday so special.

With love,
Mrs. Grady

05/28/2026

Join us in wishing Mrs. Grady a very Happy Birthday.

Known by many as the First Lady of Eastern North Carolina BBQ, Mrs. Grady has helped make Grady’s BBQ what it is today. The food, the tradition, the hospitality, and the love poured into every plate are all part of the reason people travel from near and far to Dudley year after year.

Her cooking has created memories for generations of families, and her warmth and welcoming spirit have made people feel at home the moment they walk through the door. Most days, you can still find her at the restaurant catching up with familiar faces, meeting new visitors, and enjoying the people who continue making Grady’s BBQ part of their traditions and travels.

Today we celebrate Mrs. Grady and the legacy she continues to build. Leave her a birthday wish in the comments, and if you’re stopping by for lunch soon, be sure to tell her happy birthday in person.


Photo taken by Cornell Watson for The Assembly

05/27/2026

Thank you, Visit Goldsboro, NC for spotlight!

05/16/2026

Grady’s BBQ landline is currently down. We apologize for the inconvenience.
We are still open and serving until 4 PM.

05/06/2026

Grady’s BBQ phone lines are back up and working. We look forward to serving you this week and appreciate your patience while we got everything restored!

03/30/2026

We are grateful to be featured in this recent article by The Assembly, written by Nikki Miller-Ka with photography by Cornell Watson, highlighting the legacy and continued work of Grady’s BBQ.

By most accounts, one Black-owned brick-and-mortar whole-hog barbecue restaurant sits atop best-of lists across North Carolina: Grady’s BBQ in tiny Dudley, near Goldsboro in Wayne County. Run by 81-year-old Geral Grady and her family, it’s one of the last of its kind.

Grady’s late husband, Steve, learned the craft of whole-hog barbecue from his father. And for nearly 40 years, they perfected it.

Geral still shows up at Grady’s BBQ four days a week, checking the beans, tasting the slaw, and connecting with customers, while her son Scottie handles the pit. His wife, Sharon, works alongside him.

“We take it one day at a time,” Geral says. “You put your hand in God’s hand and step out on faith.”

This is just a short excerpt. You can read the full article here: https://www.theassemblync.com/news/culture/food/north-carolina-black-owned-whole-hog-bbq/

Thank you for taking the time to share this story and honor a legacy that means so much to our family and community.

Black-owned barbecue restaurants have continued the whole-hog tradition and anchored their communities. There aren’t many left.

03/26/2026

Today we remember Mr. Steve Grady on his first birthday in heaven.

Mrs. Geral recently stood before his portrait at The Museum of the Southeast American Indian, taking in a piece that captures him just as we all remember, by the pit, in his signature blue shirt, doing what he loved.

The painting, The Last Pitmaster: Mr. Steve Grady, by Dreamweaver (Haliwa-Saponi), was named Best in 2D at the 9|9 Native South Art Exhibit Best in Category Awards.

We are especially grateful that Mr. Grady was able to see and approve of the work before his passing.

From the pit to this portrait, and every article in between, his legacy continues to stand strong.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Steve. You are deeply missed.

02/09/2026

Grady’s BBQ will reopen this Wednesday, February 11 at 10:00 AM.

After our annual winter rest, we’re refreshed, ready, and looking forward to serving you again. Stop by, grab your favorites, and settle back into the flavors you’ve been missing.

Thank you for your patience while we were closed. We can’t wait to see you this week!

02/03/2026

Unfortunately, due to weather conditions, Grady’s BBQ will not open as planned tomorrow, Wednesday, February 4 at 10:00 AM.

With snow still on the roads and safety being our top priority for staff and customers, we have decided to wait until conditions improve before reopening.

We appreciate your patience and understanding and will share an update as soon as we are able to safely open.