Last fall, we heard that Boone’s Bar-B-Que Kitchen, once celebrated as our top BBQ spot in Charlotte, had closed its doors. After some digging, it turns out Boone’s had rebranded and emerged as Gibson’s Family BBQ, with Dan “Boone” Gibson still at the helm. Given how much Charlotte’s BBQ scene has evolved since we first lauded Boone’s back in 2014, we were eager to see how Gibson’s Family BBQ stacks up today. We caught up with them at Pilot Brewing, a cozy brewery in Plaza Midwood, to sample their offerings.
Family Bar BQ: Gibson's Family BBQ Food Truck at Pilot Brewing in Charlotte, NC.
Stepping up to the Gibson’s Family BBQ truck felt like stepping back in time to Boone’s. The menu remained the same, the sauces sported the same familiar packaging, and even the food truck still bore Boone’s branding. While Boone himself wasn’t present during our visit, the overall vibe was undeniably familiar.
Gibson's Family BBQ Menu on Display at Their Food Truck, Featuring Pulled Pork and Brisket.
This sense of familiarity extended to the food itself. We ordered a pulled pork sandwich and brisket, opting to skip the sides to focus on the meats. Knowing Boone’s history, we suspect they are still using a Southern Pride gasser smoker, which he always skillfully used to produce smoky BBQ. On this occasion, the smoke flavor was present, but the pulled pork was noticeably dry, almost as if it had been reheated. Despite the generous brioche roll, the pulled pork sandwich was a dry mouthful, even with the addition of slaw and their Eastern vinegar sauce. We’re hoping this was just an off day, but we’ll need a revisit to confirm.
Dry Pulled Pork Sandwich from Gibson's Family BBQ, Served on a Brioche Roll with Slaw and Vinegar Sauce.
Close-up of Gibson's Family BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich Showing Dry Texture.
In stark contrast to the pulled pork, the brisket slices were anything but dry. Opening the container, we were immediately reminded of how Gibson’s brisket deviates from the typical brisket you find elsewhere. Their brisket slices are grilled and then generously coated in their sweeter PoPo’s sauce. It’s a flavorful bite of BBQ, but those seeking a traditional Central Texas-style brisket should adjust expectations, as this preparation is uniquely Boone’s.
Gibson's Family BBQ's Unique Brisket Slices Doused in PoPo's Sweet Sauce, a Non-Traditional BBQ Style.
Having previously removed Boone’s from our Charlotte Big Board when we believed they were closed, we will be adding Gibson’s Family BBQ back into the rankings. However, given the evolving landscape of Charlotte BBQ and perhaps our own changing preferences, Gibson’s Family BBQ doesn’t quite stand out as much as Boone’s once did. While still offering a Family Bar Bq experience, they face stiffer competition in today’s Charlotte BBQ scene.
Ratings:
Pork – 2 hogs
Brisket – 2.5 hogs
Overall – 2.5 Hogs
Gibson's Family BBQ Ratings: Pork 2 Hogs, Brisket 2.5 Hogs, Overall 2.5 Hogs, According to Barbecue Bros Review.
