Virginia Beach has plenty of flashy oceanfront spots, but Pungo Boys BBQ is the kind of rural “if you know, you know” smokehouse that turns casual visitors into meat-obsessed regulars.
Tucked along Princess Anne Road in the Pungo community, this family-owned joint leans into Texas-inspired, low-and-slow barbecue and old-school hospitality, the kind that keeps locals bragging in reviews and road-trippers plotting a detour just to get a platter before it sells out. 🤤🔥
How This Tender Barbecue Is Making People Addicted
The story of Pungo Boys BBQ really begins with pitmaster Bill Dixon, a former commercial fisherman whose love of smoke and meat turned into a full-fledged small-town shrine to barbecue.
Long before the restaurant opened, he was already building a following through his folksy Pungo Prairie videos and backyard cookouts, which quietly trained locals to trust whatever came off his smoker.
When he and his partners finally opened the doors at this cozy, country-themed storefront, the buzz spread the old-fashioned way: friends texting friends, neighbors dragging out-of-towners along, and glowing write-ups like this piece from the Princess Anne Independent News praising the way brisket and pork butts are treated like “precious treasures.”
Reviews and local threads on Reddit’s Virginia Beach community started calling it a “very good, local, and friendly” stop, especially for brisket sandwiches and mixed meat platters, and that was that—Pungo had its new barbecue obsession. 🐖
Now, the restaurant isn’t just feeding hungry locals; it’s catering weddings and events across Virginia Beach as an in-demand vendor on WeddingWire and Eventective, where they’re praised for low-and-slow smoked meats and generous buffet-style service.
Pair that with shoutouts from the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association and listings on NovaCircle’s barbecue roundups, and you get a tiny rural shop that feels less like a secret and more like a pilgrimage site for anyone chasing authentic Southern smoke.
Food Highlights
- Pulled Pork BBQ Platter: The Pulled Pork BBQ Platter is one of the star items on the menu, stacking smoky, slow-cooked pork with a balance of bark, juicy shreds, and tangy sauce with classic sides. 🐷
- Sliced Brisket & Andouille: The Sliced Brisket & Andouille combo hits that perfect sweet spot for meat-lovers who crave variety and features rich marbling and smoke, while the andouille sausage adds a spicy, juicy kick that keeps the plate from ever feeling one-note.
- Brisket Mac: The Brisket Mac takes creamy mac and cheese and loads it with chopped brisket, turning a comforting side into an over-the-top main event thanks to its smoky-cheesy combo that feels tailor-made for cold days and serious appetites. 🧀
- Pork BBQ Sandwich & Sliced Beef Brisket Platter: The Pork BBQ Sandwich and Sliced Beef Brisket Platter, both highlighted among Pungo Boys’ most-ordered items on Yelp, keep sandwich traditionalists and platter lovers equally happy thanks to the smoky depth of the meat and their unreal tenderness.
Atmosphere
Inside, Pungo Boys BBQ feels exactly like the kind of country BBQ shop you hope to find at the end of a long drive—small, casual, and focused on the food more than décor.
If you speak to locals and do your research online, you’ll find that it’s described as having a cozy, rural charm, with smoke curling around the sign out front and regulars chatting up the owners while they wait for their orders.
Reviews on MapQuest’s Yelp-fed page and NovaCircle echo the same vibe: friendly service, homemade-tasting sides, and a space that feels more like a neighborhood secret than a tourist trap.
It’s low-key, welcoming, and all about that smoke. 🤠
Bottom Line
Go to Pungo Boys BBQ for low-and-slow Texas-style meats, over-the-top brisket-loaded mac, a cozy rural vibe, and that “local gem” feeling you only get from a true community favorite. Come hungry, order the platters, and don’t be surprised if you’re planning your next visit before you hit the parking lot.
Address:
1776 Princess Anne Rd, Unit N, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
📞 (757) 301-8661
🕔 Open Wed–Sun, 11 AM–6 PM (or until they run out)