3007 Downing Street, Wilson, NC
(800) 68-BILLS
Website
BBQ Jew’s Grade: B-
Porky Says: “Royally over-the-top all you can eat.”
The Prime Minister of Q
Number 10 Downing Street is the home of the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister and the headquarters of Her Majesty’s Government. But many folks in Wilson, North Carolina would argue that 3007 Downing Street is far more important. For it’s at this address that His Majesty Bill Ellis has his castle. Bill Ellis’ Barbecue is a several acre complex that includes a buffet restaurant, a separate drive-thru/takeout building, and an 18,000 square foot convention center. But is all of this real estate an indication of the great food that Ellis’ serves or a Royal family-style way of distracting from significant shortcomings? A little bit of both, in my opinion.
Across the country, it is not uncommon for barbecue joints to trade in braggadocio and hyperbole. From “The best BBQ you’ll ever eat” to “Need no teef to eat my beef”, barbecue proprietors are known to boast about their product even–especially?–when it is squarely mediocre. But for the most part barbecue joints in North Carolina refrain from the bragging game. NC BBQ joints tend to be modest places run by modest people. Thus, it is a little jarring to come across the sprawling cluster of buildings that is Ellis’ Barbecue. Although I saw no boastful signs or other overt displays of arrogance, it is hard not to feel like Ellis’ Barbecue is trying to prove something that need not be proved. (One gets the same feeling perusing their website, where Ellis’ Barbecue refers to itself as the “Microsoft of Barbecue,” whatever that means.)
In addition to the several buildings at Ellis’ Barbecue (described above), there is a fleet of dozens of trucks that might make the British Army jealous: 18-wheelers, smaller tractor trailers, delivery trucks, and even dump trucks all with Ellis’ logo emblazoned on the side. Despite Ellis’ claim of “coast-to-coast catering” it is hard to imagine any occasion, other than an invasion of Redcoats, that would require more than a fraction of these vehicles be put into service. That said, owner Bill Ellis does have a large catering operation, a thriving restaurant business and even his own hog farm, plus that convention center. If anyone BBQ joint can come at all close to justifying a fleet of trucks this large, it’s Ellis’ Barbecue.
Dining like Royalty?
Is it relevant to begin a restaurant review with a few paragraphs that have nothing to do with the food? Possibly not, but Ellis’ Barbecue is one of 
the very few joints in the state where the food can get lost in the surroundings. That is largely because the surroundings are so memorable, but also because the barbecue is quite the opposite. (This is in stark contrast to Wilson’s other famous BBQ joint, Parker’s.) Ellis’ Barbecue offers a well-executed buffet dining experience with several side dishes that stand out as far above average, the pork itself is middle-of-the-road. You could do just fine for yourself by wading through the buffet line and gorging on candied yams, delicately spiced sweet yellow slaw, tender collards, odd-but-tasty Brunswick stew, classic boiled barbecue potatoes, fried chicken, meringue-topped banana pudding, hush puppies, corn sticks, and many other dishes. Most of these dishes are good, some are very good, and only a few (the from-the-can fruit cobblers come to mind) are subpar.
The chopped barbecue provided on the steam table is much too moist and a bit greasy, due to the pooled sauce and drippings in the pan, as well 
as limp. In other words, typical buffet barbecue. However, you can do a bit better by taking a slight detour from the main buffet line and visiting the visually-impressive whole hog “pit” where pig pickin’ style ‘cue is available. In this self-serve station, customers can pick pre-pulled pork or, if brave, reach the hog and pick at it directly. This pork is unsauced and customers can sauce it with either a typical (excellent) Eastern-style vinegar sauce or a thicker tomato-based version that is quite delicious despite being quite out of place in eastern North Carolina.
Is Ellis’ Barbecue fit for the Queen? Probably not. But it is worth a visit and I guarantee you won’t go home hungry.
Filed under: Restaurants & Reviews | Tagged: Eastern style, Grade B, Wilson, Wilson County, Wood-cooked |
BBQ Jew 
Going back over 20 years I always thought that, when in Wilson, Parker’s was the place for ‘cue, Bill Ellis was the place for fried chicken. Looks like that hasn’t changed.
I still can’t get into those corn sticks, though.
Y’know, I still miss Melton’s in Rocky Mount. Those were the days.
Rocky-cat, I regret that I never made it to Melton’s. Sounds like a gem from everything I’ve heard.
I’ll be honest, I’d go the extra few miles to get Grady’s before I’d eat NC BBQ at either Parkers or Bill Ellis’. But it’s damn near impossible to beat a wing bag from Bill Ellis’….. Their fried chicken is some of the best I have had.
Wilson has the best! -Wills Computer Repair, Wilson NC