If you know, you know that some barbecue spots are worth a highway detour, and Stookey’s Famous Bar-B-Que in Nanticoke is exactly that kind of place.
The pulled pork here is tender, smoky, and saucy in a way that makes people tell friends, then drive back for seconds.
Friendly service, wallet friendly prices, and hours that fit real life make it easy to plan a visit.
You will leave plotting your next trip before you hit East Poplar Street.
Signature Pulled Pork Sandwich
When you bite into the Signature Pulled Pork Sandwich at Stookey’s Famous Bar-B-Que, you understand why drivers come from miles away. The pork is slow cooked until it surrenders into juicy strands, then tossed with a balanced house sauce that leans tangy with a soft brown sugar warmth. Piled on a soft roll, it drips just enough to make you reach for napkins without drowning the meat.
What sets this sandwich apart is the smoke that whispers rather than shouts. You taste clean hardwood, never bitterness, and the meat keeps its natural sweetness. Ask for slaw on top if you like a cool, crunchy bite that cuts through the richness without stealing the show.
Portion sizes are generous but not clumsy, so you can finish at lunch and still feel human. At the counter, the crew keeps the line moving with quick, unfussy kindness that matches the old school barbecue energy. Prices stay comfortably in the single digits, which makes ordering an extra sandwich for the road extremely tempting.
Pair it with fries or a side of beans, and you have a simple plate that punches far above its weight. Locals will tell you the sandwich travels well if you are headed up Route 29, though the best bites happen while it is still warm. If you want more sauce, they hand it over without side eye.
Sit by the window and watch Nanticoke roll by, or tuck into a booth where the aroma reaches you first. The sandwich is the headliner for a reason, and it introduces Stookey’s with total confidence. First timers usually look around, smile, and admit it tastes like the place has been doing this forever.
Classic Pulled Pork Platter
The Classic Pulled Pork Platter at Stookey’s Famous Bar-B-Que is where you settle in and take your time. A generous mound of pork arrives tender, smoky, and lightly sauced so you can adjust to taste. You get the full texture spectrum here, from juicy shreds to those irresistible barky ends that carry concentrated flavor.
Two sides make it a complete plate, and choosing becomes part of the fun. The beans are sweet savory with a subtle pepper kick, while the slaw stays bright and crisp for balance. Cornbread lands soft and a little buttery, perfect for swiping up the last streaks of sauce on the tray.
What makes the platter special is how it invites you to taste the craft. Every forkful confirms that low and slow patience that barbecue demands and shortcuts cannot fake. The smoke comes through clean and steady, never harsh, so you can keep eating without palate fatigue.
You can call ahead for takeout, but dining in lets you soak up the bustle and the smell that lingers happily on your jacket. Staff will nudge you toward extra sauce if you look undecided, and they are right. A little pour reshapes the plate with more zing and shine.
Budget friendly pricing means adding a side is easy, and nobody will judge you for chasing a platter with a sandwich. The crowd is a mix of regulars and first timers, all nodding like they discovered something worth telling a friend. If your road trip has only one proper sit down meal, make it this platter and thank yourself later.
Sauce Flight and Smoky Balance
Barbecue lives or dies by sauce, and Stookey’s proves balance is everything. Their house sauce leans tangy with just enough sweetness to shine on pulled pork without masking the smoke. You can ask for extra and build a mini flight, tasting how a light drizzle versus a generous pour changes the plate.
There is a clear respect for the meat here. The sauce never bulldozes the bark or the tender shreds that make pork so satisfying. Instead, it lifts the natural juices, bringing a gentle zip that keeps you reaching back for the next bite.
If you prefer a sharper edge, staff will steer you toward a zippier variant that brightens heavy sides. That option snaps awake beans and fries, and it adds a welcome spark to sandwiches layered with slaw. The trick is restraint, so splash, taste, then decide your sweet spot.
What you notice after a few bites is how the smoke and sauce collaborate rather than compete. There is no syrupy aftertaste, no cloying finish that hangs around. It stays clean, which makes the platter feel lighter than it looks.
Bring a friend and swap tastes so you can compare notes on drizzle versus dip. It is a fun way to learn your own barbecue preferences without overthinking things. And when you find your rhythm, you will probably buy a bottle to take home for that next leftover sandwich.
Sides That Make The Meal
At Stookey’s Famous Bar-B-Que, sides are not an afterthought. They are the supporting cast that turns pulled pork into a craveable meal. Expect slaw that stays crunchy, beans with a slow simmered sweetness, and fries that arrive hot, salty, and unapologetically simple.
Cornbread has a soft crumb that holds up to sauce without crumbling into mush. It is comfort in a square, familiar and quietly perfect for swiping up pork juices. If you like tang, a pickle spear cuts through richness in one quick snap.
Portions hit that friendly zone where sharing is easy but hoarding is understandable. You can stack your tray with two sides, then realize you still want one more. Nobody blames you for ordering slaw and beans together, since they play so well off each other.
These sides are budget friendly, which makes exploring the menu feel low risk and high reward. The staff will casually suggest great combos if you seem indecisive, and they are usually right. Beans with a sauce drizzle can stand almost like a mini entree alongside the pork.
There is something reassuring about sides that taste like they belong with barbecue instead of fighting for attention. They keep the meal grounded and satisfying from first bite to last. Leave room for an extra cornbread square if you can, because that last swipe of sauce is always the best one.
Dine In Vibes on East Poplar Street
Walk into Stookey’s Famous Bar-B-Que on East Poplar Street and you feel the warmth right away. The air carries smoke and a hint of sweet tomato sauce, plus that comforting sizzle from the back. It is the kind of casual that lets you relax the second you sit down.
Service is quick, friendly, and used to keeping hungry folks happy. The line moves steadily, and there is always someone ready to help you pick between a sandwich and a platter. You hear regulars trading small talk and staff greeting people by name.
Prices stay low enough to make this an easy weeknight stop. Open hours run 10 AM to 8 PM daily, so planning lunch or early dinner is simple. If you call ahead for takeout, pickup is smooth with your order hot and ready.
What stands out most is how consistent everything feels. The pulled pork comes out juicy today and again tomorrow, with the same balanced sauce and smoke. Seating is comfortable, with a clear view of trays landing full of pork and sides.
After a meal, it is hard not to linger a minute. You will want to savor that last sip of soda and the aroma that clings to your jacket. Then you step back onto East Poplar Street already thinking about your next visit.
Budget Friendly Barbecue Done Right
Great barbecue does not need a big price tag, and Stookey’s proves it every day. The menu is built to be friendly to families, solo diners, and students rolling through on a lunch break. You get quality pulled pork, hearty sides, and change left in your pocket.
What you pay goes straight to flavor. Slow cooking, consistent smoke, and careful seasoning do all the heavy lifting. Instead of bells and whistles, you get meat that speaks for itself and portions that satisfy.
The value shows up in details like soft rolls that hold together, fries that arrive hot, and slaw that crunches. Nothing feels skimped or stretched. Even better, the staff is quick to suggest smart combos so you can eat well without overspending.
Regulars often bring visiting friends because it is an easy win. You can order a platter to share, add two sides, and still keep the bill gentle. It is the kind of place you recommend with zero hesitation because the math always works.
If you are driving in from nearby towns, you will appreciate how predictable the pricing and portions are. No surprises, just good barbecue at a dollar level that keeps you coming back. Save a couple bucks for a to go sandwich and you have dinner solved, too.
Takeout Tips for The Perfect Drive
Picking up pulled pork from Stookey’s Famous Bar-B-Que for the road is a veteran move. Call ahead so your order is ready right at pickup, which helps keep everything hot. Ask for sauce on the side to control moisture during the drive and avoid soggy buns.
For longer trips, order the platter instead of a pre built sandwich. Pork in a clamshell with separated sides holds temperature and texture better. Bring a small cooler bag if you are heading far, and toss in napkins because you will absolutely need them.
When you get to your destination, reassemble the sandwich with a light sauce drizzle first. Taste, then add more sauce until the flavor lands where you like it. A quick two minute reheat in a skillet can wake up the bark and revive that fresh from counter feel.
Fries are best hot, so eat them first if you can. Beans travel well, and slaw stays crisp when packed separately. If you plan to save pork for later, ask for an extra sauce cup and keep it chilled.
The best part is how consistent takeout quality stays across days and seasons. Whether you are driving across Nanticoke or to a nearby trailhead, the pork remains tender and flavorful. That smell in your car is a happy problem you will not mind solving soon.
Why People Keep Coming Back
Stookey’s Famous Bar-B-Que has built a loyal following the honest way. The pulled pork is tender, consistent, and seasoned so the smoke and sauce stay in balance. Every visit feels familiar, like the staff already knows exactly how you like your plate.
Hours run 10 AM to 8 PM daily, which means lunch, early dinner, and even late errands can include a barbecue stop. Prices stay reasonable, so adding an extra side or second sandwich never hurts. It is a place where you can bring family, meet friends, or sit solo and feel welcome.
The location on East Poplar Street makes it easy for locals and road trippers to find. Parking is straightforward, and takeout is fast if you are on a schedule. Inside, the steady rhythm of trays sliding across the counter sets the tone.
What keeps people returning is that every bite tells the same story. The pork is juicy, the sauce is bright, and sides support rather than distract. When the craving hits, you already know exactly what you are coming back for.
In a world of overcomplicated menus, Stookey’s keeps it focused and personal. You taste care, patience, and local pride on every plate. That is how a small barbecue spot becomes a habit that feels like home.