Carter's Pigpen Bar-b-Que: "Come gitcha some (early)" Mechanicsville Restaurant Tip by b1bob

Carter's Pigpen Bar-b-Que opened in the autumn of 2008. My first go of this new place was when they were open less than a couple of weeks. We got there about 45 minutes before closing time, but the ran out of nearly all of their side dishes (except for beans and corn muffin). They were fixing to run out of pork when we placed our order. I guess when a restaurant is new, it's hard for them to gauge how much food to make each day. Business is apparently good because they had to turn away prospective customers before posted closing time. It is in an old house in old town Mechanicsville near the intersection of Cold Harbor Road and Mechanicsville Turnpike. Even though it has been converted into a restaurant, the lobby where you place your order and the small dining area (in two separate rooms) are a reminder that this was once a home. If the seats are all filled they will gladly do takeaway.

Favorite Dish: I had the Carter's combo which consists of vinegar based eastern barbecue on a bun with baked beans and corn muffins. The barbecue and beans were really good, but the portions were smaller than usual because they had to stretch the last bit of pork.

Address: 8011 Cold Harbor Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Comparison: least expensive
Directions: From I-295: Take exit 37B to Mechanicsville 0.4 mi (0.6 km.); Merge onto Mechanicsville Turnpike 0.1 mi (0.2 km); Take the exit toward Mechanicsville and merge onto the bypass 0.3 mi (0.5 km); Turn left at Cold Harbor Rd. It is on the right.
Phone: (804) 730-3616
Price: less than US$10
Rating: 5
Theme: Barbecue