Keep going up I-85 a little ways more and hit Lexington, the barbecue capitol of North Carolina.
A bunch of "best of" awards sent us here back in late June. http://www.mamaricottasrestaurant.com/Home/Mama Ricotta's. Was very good, though if that's the best in Charlotte, more reason to be thankful for Atlanta. I think I had the cannelloni. Everyone in the family liked.