On the way to watch UNC play Kansas in the NCAA Championship in 1957, Andrew Young’s father filled his car at a gas station that used to be on Franklin Street.
Sixty-three years later, Young opened Blue’s on Franklin in the very same spot.
“Chapel Hill has lost a lot of mom-and-pop shops,” Young said. “There are not a lot of other places that do true authentic old southern food and barbecue. To be on Franklin Street and have sports, outdoor seating and good southern food has been a lot of fun.”
Blue’s on Franklin, owned and operated by three generations of Tar Heels and located at 110 W. Franklin St., serves eastern-style, vinegar-based barbecue. To create that authentic flavor, pork is smoked at 175 to 185 degrees for about 21 to 22 hours.
All the recipes at Blue’s can be dated back at least 150 years. Young said the family can’t claim them, but has collected them from other smokehouses.
Young’s son Cooper, who also works at the restaurant, said a lot of people like the Jus’ Awesome appetizer: sidewinder fries and thinly sliced onion rings topped with pulled pork and melted white cheese. The House Favorite BBQ pulled pork sandwich or plate comes with barbecue and vinegar-based slaw served on a toasted bun with two sides that include mac ‘n cheese or smoked corn on the cob.
View this post on Instagram
Because of the pandemic, customers at Blue’s enjoy their food in mostly outdoor seating.
Young said the pandemic actually helped him open Blue’s. He doubts he would’ve been able to find a location without Moe’s closing. Despite the pandemic, Young said opening the restaurant has been a lot of fun.
“Even with COVID-19, we had to close twice because we ran out of barbecue,” Young said. “People have really been taking to it.”
To entertain new customers, the restaurant also hosts live music on the weekends if there are bands available to perform. Young said the TV and sound system make the place a good spot to gather on game days.
And Blue’s brings together more than just happy eaters. Young’s wife and kids work at the restaurant. Occasionally, friends will also stop by to help, too.
A lot of students and people from all across the state have already visited Blue’s, and Young said they have received compliments that the restaurant compares well against other North Carolina barbecue places.
“Barbecue in N.C. is kind of like home,” Young said. “Barbecue, collards, corn and baked beans, that is N.C. and it’s just something I grew up with.”
Young said he hopes the restaurant can stay around, like Sutton’s Drug Store and Mama Dip’s Kitchen, and become a place for younger and older generations of Tar Heels to come together.
Blue’s on Franklin is located at 110 W. Franklin St. They are open on Monday through Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday from 11:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Sunday, the restaurant is open from noon until the owners go home, according to its website.
By Britney Nguyen
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines