https://thestateyourein.com/2026/01/15/red-simpsons-legacy-simps-bbq-in-roper-nc/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Du7iWhmDi/
September 1, 2024
Just across the Albemarle Sound from Edenton, there once stood a small, unassuming BBQ joint that held a big place in the hearts of many. Simp’s BBQ in Roper, NC, was more than just a place to grab a bite—it was a pillar of our community, a testament to the rich history and tradition of North Carolina BBQ.
For those of us who grew up in the South, there’s something deeply comforting about the old buildings that have weathered the storms of time. They remind us of our roots, our shared history, and the simple pleasures of life. Simp’s was one of those places. It wasn’t just about the food, though Red Simpson’s smoked pork shoulder was the stuff of legend. It was the warmth of the woodburner, the friendly faces that greeted you at the door, and the unmistakable aroma that lingered in the air, beckoning you to come in and stay a while.
Red was a master of his craft. He knew that the secret to great BBQ wasn’t in fancy gadgets or shortcuts but in patience and tradition. He smoked pork shoulder to perfection, creating a clean, lean NC BBQ that allowed the meat’s natural flavors to shine through. And he let you add the heat yourself, with a classic Eastern NC sauce that was as simple and honest as the man who made it.
When Red passed, so too did the spirit of Simp’s BBQ. The doors closed, the smoke cleared, and North Carolina lost one of its finest BBQ joints. But for those of us who were lucky enough to experience it, Simp’s will never be forgotten. It lives on in our memories, a symbol of the love we have for our heritage, our food, and the places that have shaped who we are.
Here’s to Simp’s BBQ - a true North Carolina classic.
Simps BBQ Roper North Carolina 🐖
35°56’26.0″N 76°32’00.9″W 📍
Some memories from comments of their Facebook post:
"I have so many wonderful memories sharing meals there with my momma and daddy. I remember it affected everyone in the community when they closed . We all have so many heartfelt memories from Simps. I knew people that came from Florida and always took back Simps BBQ with them because you could never find that taste of awesomeness, along with great chats while you waited on your order to be made anywhere else!!!"
"I lived 2 miles down the road while I was in highschool. Pretty much ate there every other day during the summer. There were plans to reopen after Red passed but just never happened."
"We own a Small Sign Shop in Elizabeth City Named R.O. Givens Signs. We maintained our Billboards throughout Eastern NC. We are at all these little roadside restaurants and when we were in that area. We always ate lunch at Simps... Great BBQ... and Great little Place."
"So of the best bbq you’d find anywhere! Between Simps and little man in Plymouth we had 2 of the best places to eat you could ask for!"
"Absolutely, hands-down, no debates—Simp’s had the best bbq I’d ever put in my mouth. Nothing else compares, I give no dangs how many competitions someone wins or how many sammiches they sell—Simp’s will remain unmatched."
"My husband was from over there. We ate there every weekend. Would love to have a shirt!!Best BBQ ever!!"
"I remember going there when I was little. I have vibrant memories of 7UP in glass bottles that were green. 🙂 It was almost right next to my grandparents' house in Roper."
"My family would adjust our vacation days to ensure that Simps was open on the trip down to and back from Nags Head. The best bbq I’ve ever had, and the only place with real sliced bbq sandwiches. Always had a Pepsi and some Fruit Chews for the road. The most disappointing thing for me about moving to northeast NC in 2005 was that Simps was closed. I was looking forward to eating there again…"
"Simp's was the best ever and I have yet to find another that quite compares."
"I had so many sandwiches with a cold bottle Dr Pepper at Simp’s! Best EVER! Sometimes the counter side seats were full and you had to sit on “the other side”. 🤣"
"Oh man we always stoped there on the way from the beach. Best bbq we ever had"
"My cousin was a crop grader and traveled all over NC and said this was some of the best BBQ he had ever had!"
"As a young veterinarian starting my career, I would often stop here for lunch while out doing farm calls. It was such a special place and the BBQ was legendary! Thanks for the memories!"
"My grandparents and I would always stop at Simp’s on the way back from the sound after fishing. Great memories."
"My mom is from Columbia we would stop every weekend heading to Columbia from Garner to get a sandwich. Morris BBQ is the closest to Simp’s taste, still isn’t as great though."
"It was the best BBQ!! A sandwich with slaw and hot sauce with a bottle Pepsi!! My husband and brother used to work that area on the Pepsi truck and had lunch there many times. And we would always stop there on the way to the beach. 😊"
"Fond memories of the best of the best! My parents almost always stopped by there on the way to Plymouth. It took me awhile after moving to Norfolk to even be able to try other BBQ! Nothing tasted as good as Simps!"
"I worked there when I was 15 to 18 years old. I made good money RED always looked out for us and I eat free for those years. I made so much BBQ it was crazy. [A.L.] worked out in the pit while it was cooking. I sure do have ALOT of memories from there and I know the recipe to that BBQ!!!!!"
"many teenagers had jobs at simps,truckers could pull right off the road get two to go with a pepsi, this place is a landmark with a whole lot of history."
"Many fun days in back of Simps swimming then going there to get BBQ sandwiches and all the hush puppies I could eat. Miss those days being with family"
"I lived like 6 miles from there. First rate people and first rate BBQ. Been there countless times. Post below the unique thing about their bottled soft drinks to confirm your patronage."
"Insane!!!! The memories….. I remember us riding BMX bikes there…. The old HWY 64….. MY childhood 😢"
"I'm 45 years old and my mother is from Pearidge not far from Simps. My mom would tell daddy she want a BBQ sandwich he would go with no hesitation and bring me one back just like mom's and that coleslaw with Texas Pete OMG!!! I still remember my first bite 😋 Simps was the best 💯💪🏽"
"Sure miss that place! Simp’s had the best BBQ and hush puppies ever. Always loved to go there after church on Sundays and later in life to grab BBQ sandwiches on the way to the beach."
"I grew up next to Simps. I used to ride my lawnmower to pick up food before I got my license. Best BBQ ever."
"We ate there often. Red and company cooked the BBQ, slaw, lace cornbread, and occasional burgers which brother ordered, and Rachel stood at the checkout or take out side. You had to have a coke with a paper straw and add salty peanuts to watch them fizz and the straw shoot up to the top. No better memory, which we relived over and over. Biggest decision: sliced or minced?"
"omg. We LOVEDDDDDD Simps. Like, best fries, grilled cheese, bbq sandwich and sweet tea love. My husband’s grandfather used to get there by boat." - Tales of an Educated Debutante
"Loved that place. We used to drive from Washington just to get BBQ. Was the only place that had sliced bbq too. Great"
"I was in single digits when we first started eating there over 60 years ago. Everyone would get bbq except me, I'd wanted three hamburgers. At the time more expensive than a bbq plate. I soon matured enough to enjoy the sliced BBQ and the lace cornbread that was fantastic. Simp's, was a regular stop on the way to Sandy Point beach. As a teen I worked in Plymouth, spent nights and weekend at Sandy Point, stopping at Simp's for supper was a no brainer. Great to remember these places that were so much a part of growing up in the south..."
"My ex husband [B.C.] worked with Red & Rachel for many years. I grew up next door to Mr.Dan & Mrs.Ruth Simpson. You can't find good BBQ like Simps anymore. [B] cooked that lacey cornbread & made the slaw too. He cut the end of his ring finger in the slaw machine pushing the cabbage thru. [B] was working there when we got married on 1965. He had been there a few years before we started dating."
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