Keaton’s has been located on the same desolate stretch of Woodleaf Road since 1953. Just when you think you must have overshot it, you’re almost there.
Burette Walker Keaton, better known as B.W., founded Keaton’s in 1953. After B.W. passed in 1989, his nephew Lefty took two years to reopen the establishment. Happily, the second generation kept using B.W.’s recipes.
The chicken was tremendous, pan-fried then dipped in BBQ sauce, caramelizing the skin and locking in the meat’s juices. Baked beans (8 ounces for $0.90) were just fine, but I didn’t drive to rural North Carolina to eat beans.
Inexplicably, Keaton’s sells a gallon of tea for $7.68. Only a whole chicken cost more. I like sweet tea as much as any temporary Southerner, but I settled for a cup (with refill) for a buck.
Yet again, I found myself following Jane and Michael Stern’s gastro-path. Their photo lined the wall. Keaton’s was far from the first terrific regional restaurant they led me to. I’ve been a Roadfood adherent for over 10 years.
Blog Comments
Rob Lawless
February 23, 2010 at 11:34 AM
This extraordinary restaurant may cease to exist within the year. My wife and I ate here in mid-february. We were talking to the grandson of BW Keaton and he said business is in bad shape because of the economy. So much so, that they can’t afford to keep the phone turned on, so customers can’t use credit cards. They also find themselves without the money to buy provisions, so, as was the case when we ate there, they couldn’t afford to have pork shoulders for those customers that didn’t want chicken. Please help to support wonderful places like Keaton’s BBQ.
Joshua Lurie
February 23, 2010 at 11:39 AM
Rob,
That’s terrible news. If Keaton’s goes out of business, the world will be a less interesting place to eat. I certainly hope that the local customers rally to support such a terrific restaurant.