Charlie Boy’s Pit BBQ
By Courtney Buell
Photography by Cody Buell
We’ve had barbecue before. Or, we thought we had until we visited Charlie Boy’s Pit BBQ in Lehi—a brightly-painted shack surrounded with picnic tables on a grassy lot sandwiched on Historic Main Street. In true Southern fashion, customers order at a window, listen to live music, and rub shoulders with owners Steve Vermillion and Charlie “Boy” Hurdle as they mill around the dining area. That is, if they’re not tending to the “smoker” (which appears to be fashioned out of an oil drum).
Ordering at Charlie’s is simple: barbecued chicken, pork or beef sandwiches can be ordered a la carte, or as part of a meal. Sides include baked beans, potato salad, cole slaw and Baked Lays. The beans are sweet’n'smoky, the potato salad is creamy and the cole slaw is fresh, crunchy and perfectly-seasoned. Stop by soon, and you might have the added treat of fresh-roasted, locally-grown corn.
Sandwiches come doused with Charlie’s zesty special sauce, and combined with the meats, the meal qualified as some of the best “Carolina” barbecue we’ve had. The beef is shredded and flavorful, the chicken is tender and juicy, and the pulled-pork (obviously Charlie’s specialty), is melt-in-your-mouth amazing. Lucky for you, all meats can be ordered by the pint as well. On Fridays and Saturday evenings, Charlie whips up barbecued ribs which were enthusiastically described by one patron as “the best I’ve ever tasted!” … at the top of his lungs. We seconded that emotion.
Though there wasn’t much room left, we couldn’t deny ourselves a cup or two of Charlie’s homemade 10 percent butterfat ice cream in chocolate and vanilla, which was more than worth the stuff-yourself-silly stomach ache. Combined with the fair prices, charming venue and amazing food, Charlie’s offers what’s arguably the best Southern dining experience in Utah. Hurry in, y’all.
{Take Pit-y}
Charlie Boy’s Bit BBQ
88 W. Main Street
Lehi, Utah
Open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. for dine-in or take-out
(801) 768-1931
www.charlieboyspitbbq.com
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Mmmm… That sounds and looks so yummy!
September 24th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
My mouth is waterin’. I’m ready to go get me some BBQ.
September 29th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I’ve driven past this a few times, I’ll definitely have to check it out.
September 24th, 2009 at 2:20 am
As a native of North Carolina, where the owners hail from, I would like to attest to the fact that you couldn’t get it better than this if you lived there yourself. Now all Utah Valley needs is a good place to get Soul Food. Cracker Barrel doesn’t count (though it is better than nothing).