Charlotte’s Best BBQ Catering for Weddings, Parties & Corporate Events

Few things bring people together like real North Carolina barbecue, and SMS Catering Service has built its reputation on getting it right.

Whether you’re planning a wedding, a birthday party, an anniversary, or a casual company cookout, our BBQ catering brings authentic, slow-cooked flavor to any event in the Charlotte area.

Backed by over 50 years of experience, our team helped shape the national BBQ industry in the 90’s and continues to set the standard for exceptional BBQ catering today.

Why Choose SMS for Your BBQ Catering?

  • Our owner Bob Freeman founded the National BBQ Association (NBBQA) in 1991, a community connecting restaurants, caterers, pitmasters, and BBQ professionals across the country.
  • Time-tested and award-winning North Carolina BBQ recipes, eastern and western style
  • Themed BBQ options beyond the standard cookout, from pig roasts to luaus
  • On and off site catering

SMS Catering Service offers two ways to bring mouthwatering BBQ to your event–

Mobile BBQ Kitchen

Our team can come directly to your location and prepare our signature dishes on-site, using fully equipped mobile kitchens that set up almost anywhere. Because everything is cooked fresh on location, guests can enjoy BBQ straight off the grill and chopped to order — the same quality you’d expect from our home base, delivered wherever your event is happening.

On-Site BBQ Catering

Prefer to host your event at a dedicated venue? After all, good barbecue deserves a good backdrop. SMS Catering Service’s banquet hall gives you the space to do just that. Our team slow-roasts and grills your selections on-site, so your guests get fresh, flavorful food straight off the smoker. One venue, one experience, from the fire to the finish.

North Carolina BBQ Favorites

Homemade North Carolina BBQ

Made using a recipe passed down through decades of tradition, delivering the classic flavors North Carolina BBQ is known for, both eastern and western style!

Slow-Roasted BBQ Pork butts

Cooked low and slow for 16 to 18 hours before your event, so every bite comes out tender and bursting with flavor.

Pulled BBQ chicken

Specialty Themed BBQ Events

Full or Whole Pig Roasts

A real crowd-pleaser, our whole pig roasts make for a memorable centerpiece that is sure to get your guests talking!

Hawaiian Luau BBQ Catering

A warm-weather favorite that pairs classic BBQ with island-inspired sides and presentation

No BBQ plate is complete without the fixings to match it!

Sides

  • Cole slaw
  • Potato salad
  • Baked beans
  • Corn-on-the-cob
  • Hush puppies
  • Brunswick stew
  • French fries
  • Buns
  • Pickles
  • Sauces: hot and mild

Desserts

  • Cheesecake with toppings
  • Fruit pies
  • Cobblers
  • Brownies
  • Chocolate chip cookies
  • Ice cream
  • Banana pudding
  • and more!

For the full spread — including our BBQ Pork and Chicken and Hawaiian menus — visit our complete menu selection.

Frequently Asked Questions


We provide BBQ catering throughout the greater Charlotte, NC area, both through mobile catering at your chosen location and on-site at our banquet hall.


A whole pig roast includes the roast itself along with your choice of add-on food options, allowing you to build out a full menu around the centerpiece dish. Our coordinator can walk you through available sides when you book. It’s one of our most highly recommended packages!


Eastern style uses a vinegar-and-pepper sauce which really highlights the flavor of the meat, giving it a tangy kick. Meanwhile, western (or Lexington) style uses a tomato-based sauce, thicker and sweeter than its Eastern counterpart, with a hint of smoke. It is closer to that “classic” BBQ taste people know and love. SMS Catering Service prepares both styles, so you can choose the flavor profile that best fits your taste buds or, better yet, try both!


Since our slow-roasted dishes are prepared 16 to 18 hours before your event, and popular dates fill up in advance, we recommend booking as soon as you have a date and guest count in mind.


Yes. Our team can work with you to round out the menu beyond BBQ, including sides and dishes suited to dietary needs and preferences.


BBQ catering can be scaled for anything from a small private gathering to a large wedding or corporate event. Reach out to our team with your expected guest count, and we’ll help you plan accordingly.


Don’t worry about it — we’ve got it covered. Our team handles setup and breakdown for your event, leaving you free to enjoy the event instead.


Yes. Every menu price includes top-of-the-line disposable plates, forks, napkins, cups, and table covers, so you don’t need to source these separately. If you’re looking for something beyond the standard setup, we can also arrange additional serving equipment to fit your event.


Both! We build the service style around what works best for your event — whether that’s a relaxed buffet or a more formal plated meal.

Ready to Book Your BBQ Catering?

Call SMS Catering Service at (704) 504-7344 to talk with our team about mobile or on-site BBQ catering for your next event. Consultations are free!

(704) 504-7344