WILMINGTON — Barbecue, bikes, and beer – it sounds like a simple concept and it is the driving idea behind Mac’s Speed Shop, a North Carolina native barbecue restaurant that has plans to open in Wilmington.
Born in Charlotte in 2005, Mac’s Speed Shop has seven locations in North and South Carolina. Its Wilmington restaurant is set to open in late April. Mac’s will be taking over the former home to TGI Friday’s located at 4126 Oleander Drive; the company is in the process of renovating the building now.
David Jewell, one of the co-partners of Mac’s Speed Shop, said the concept for the restaurant is something simple — barbecue, bikes and beer —- but also something unique.
Mac’s can be a family restaurant, biker hangout, a place to watch live music, or a spot for a girls night out all mixed into one, Jewell said.
“We always say that we are white collar, blue collar and no collar, because it’s so different,” Jewell said. “It’s the love of the food that brings such a cross-section of people together.”
Mac’s not only talks the talk, but has won several awards for its food and sauces.
“The Super Bowl of swine is the Memphis in May Festival, where international barbecue teams compete. In 2013 we finished first in the sauce category out of 245 entries,” he said.
In 2017, Mac’s took second place for the whole-hog championship at the festival.
The quality of food is what Jewell says sets Mac’s apart from its competition. Many of the competitors in the barbecue festival only cook competitively and do not operate brick and mortar store, so coming in second place is an impressive feat, he said.
Jewell said Mac’s is not just a typical barbecue store with red and white checkered tablecloths and sweet tea. Mac’s boasts 300 different beers to try, as well as the Mac’s Beer Club along with all sorts of sides.
Mac’s prides itself on catering to all walks of life, from bikers to bankers to babies and everything in between. The restaurant is family friendly he said, and even offers a kids eat free night.
“We’re traditional because we use traditional cooking methods and styles to create unbelievable Q,” the Jewell said. “We’re non-traditional because we serve up 300 appealing cold beer options that go great with our BBQ. We’ve also expanded on the typical old-school side selection by adding comfort foods like mac ‘n’ cheese, baked beans, collard greens, green bean casserole, cheddar grits and Brunswick stew. The kinds of salads we serve had never been seen at barbecue joints before and introduced a whole new concept of Mexicue too.”
Visitors can expect to be treated to live music at Mac’s at least a few times a week and, for those wanting to take a look at some motorcycles, the restaurant will offer bike nights, and will host cruise-ins for cars.
Even though Mac’s operates a few restaurants across the Carolinas, customers should not expect a typical chain restaurant, Jewell said. He noted that each restaurant takes on its own personality.
“We try very hard to be good stewards to the community we serve. Each store takes on a different personality based on the patrons. We provide the shell and the people make it what it is. A lot of our patrons make it ‘their’ Mac’s – they all have big personality,” Jewell said.
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