If you’re craving real-deal mountain barbecue, this Haywood Smokehouse Review will make your next meal decision extremely easy. Haywood Smokehouse is the exact kind of BBQ spot you want after a day in the North Carolina mountains — casual, smoky, and serving big portions with absolutely no tourist fluff. We visited the Waynesville location (they also have one in Dillsboro), and it instantly became one of those places you think about long after you leave.
Early in your planning, you can also see my full review of Weekend in Bryson City & Dillsboro, NC if you want to build an entire itinerary around good food and mountain views.
Haywood Smokehouse is locally owned by two brothers who do all the smoking themselves, which explains why everything tastes so intentional. The brisket is the standout — a shockingly tender, lean brisket that somehow keeps all the flavor without the weird chewy fat situation I normally hate. The whole place has that relaxed, mountain-town vibe where nobody rushes you, the portions are generous, the sides taste homemade, and the food actually lives up to the hype.
Both locations feel unpretentious in the best way. You walk in and immediately smell the smoke — not the artificial kind, but the “we’ve been tending this fire all day” kind. It’s casual, welcoming, and clearly popular with locals. Families, hikers, travelers, and groups all fit right in. It’s the type of spot you’d happily return to after a long day of exploring Western North Carolina.
If you’re staying in the area or doing a little mountain-town hopping, this fits perfectly with nearby restaurants, scenic drives, and outdoor activities. It pairs especially well with a laid-back afternoon in Dillsboro — their downtown is adorable, and if you’re planning to shop, check out my post on Shopping in Dillsboro, NC for the best boutiques and local stores.
This is where Haywood Smokehouse shines. Everything we ordered was tender, smoky, and full of flavor, but here’s what I’d order again without hesitation:
The star of the entire menu. Western North Carolina isn’t usually known for brisket, but theirs is shockingly good. The lean cut is insanely tender with no chewy fat — my ideal brisket. This would be my number one recommendation for this Haywood Smokehouse Review.
Yes, you can get the ribs fried. They’re crispy, smoky, and different from anything you’ll get at typical BBQ spots.
Add bacon and cheese. Trust me on this one. It’s rich, indulgent, and worth the extra napkin.
Get the baked beans — actually, get two. They’re sweet, smoky, and easily some of the best beans I’ve had anywhere.
Desserts are made fresh daily, and they do not skip steps.
Banana pudding — classic, creamy, comforting.
Bourbon chocolate pecan pie — the chocolate takes it to another level. This was amazing and absolutely worth saving room for.
They even go big for Thanksgiving, typically smoking over 200 turkeys. If you’re ever visiting during the holidays, this would be an incredible local option.
Haywood Smokehouse has a full lineup of sauces, and choosing one feels a little like choosing your alter ego. Here's the breakdown:
Sweet Red – Brown sugar and molasses. Sweet, safe, and dependable — delicious on everything.
Hot Red – Sweet Red’s spicier cousin who shows up uninvited and somehow makes everything better.
Sweet Carolina – Sweet, mild, and gentle. Zero attitude, all charm.
Georgia Fire – Sweet at first, then a little burst of heat that sneaks in at the end.
East Carolina – Tangy, peppery, and classic. Locals will argue endlessly about this style, and that alone tells you it’s legit.
Strawberry Chipotle – The unexpected superstar. Sweet, smoky, and surprisingly balanced.
S.O.B. – Habanero + jalapeño. Bold, hot, and a little chaotic in a fun way.
Chipotle Ranch – Creamy, smoky, and perfect when you want flavor but not full drama.
Pro tip: Mix Sweet Red + Georgia Fire for the perfect combo.
Haywood Smokehouse is the kind of place you walk into hungry and walk out planning your next visit. The food is consistently good, the sauces are genuinely fun to experiment with, and the atmosphere makes you feel like you’ve been eating there for years. Whether you’re staying in Waynesville, visiting Dillsboro, or exploring the surrounding mountain towns, this belongs at the top of your food list.
If you’re building a food-focused trip or just want more great spots to eat nearby, learn more in my post about Where to Eat in Bryson City, NC for additional breakfast, pastry, and coffee options that pair perfectly with a smoky BBQ dinner.
Booked my fall cabin before September even started, and I’m not sorry about it. 🍂
These are the stays that make you actually want the cold to hurry up fireplaces, mountain views, the kind of porch you don’t leave. Not every one of these is going to fit every trip, but if a cozy fall getaway is on your radar, this is the roundup to start with.
One of my favorite travel seasons is almost here, and I have zero chill about it. 🍁✈️
There’s just something about fall trips cooler air, apple orchards, that first flannel of the season, food that actually makes sense with the weather again. I’m already mentally packing for it before September even starts.
If fall is your favorite time to travel too, tell me where you’re headed... I’m taking notes for the list.
Pack your bags... ✈️🧳My hiking and road trip gear shop just got a refresh, and this is everything that actually earns a spot in my bag. The dry bag pulls double duty for beach days and trail days, the Osprey backpack is the one I grab for anything motorcycle or day-hike related, and the GoPro comes with me literally everywhere at this point.
Nothing on this list is filler it’s all stuff I’ve used, packed, and repacked more times than I can count. Full shop linked in my bio if you want to build out your own kit before your next trip.
Filing this one under “go now before it gets cold.” Bonneville Hot Springs is one of those trips where fall access is honestly the sweet spot the campground road is open, the hike in is short, and you skip the snow-and-gate situation we dealt with when we went in March.
September and early fall mean clearer trails, easier parking, and pools that are just as good without the extra mile of hiking to earn them. Fewer than 10 people out there when we visited, a rustic changing booth, zero amenities, and pools that range from “relax” to “actually scalding” until you move some rocks around and mix in river water. Small waterfalls feeding in, mountains in every direction, not polished, and that’s exactly the point.
Full breakdown on parking, what to pack, and timing it right is linked in my bio.
Summer’s not even over and I already have the itch. Fall hiking season is calling and I am answering.
Save this if you feel the itch too.🍁
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
