Looking for something other than burgers and hot dogs to serve for the Fourth of July? Several area eateries offer alternatives that will spice up your holiday festivities without having to break a sweat over the grill. 

Steam pots to go

Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach are home to two area companies specializing in carry-out steam pots. Cape Fear Boil Co., 1140 N. Lake Park Blvd. in Carolina Beach, and Topsail Steamer, 530 Causeway Drive in Wrightsville Beach and 303 South Topsail Drive, Unit B, in Surf City, each carry a variety of steam pots that can be customized to feed your crowd.

Cape Fear Boil Company offers add-ons such as N.C. pulled-pork barbecue, creamy cole slaw and corn muffins, while Topsail Steamer offers cornbread, key lime pie and lemon blueberry pie. Both companies allow you to call ahead to place your order and both offer full-service catering as well.

Barbecue to go

No time to smoke your own brisket or prepare your own pulled pork? These Port City barbecue joints have you covered. 

Moe’s Original Bar B Que, 5818 Oleander Drive

Moe’s offers several family pack options to carry out as well as smoked pulled pork and smoked turkey breast by the pound, and sides such as baked beans, potato salad and mac and cheese by the pint or pan. The Picnic Pick Up package includes pulled pork with two sides, buns or grilled cornbread, barbecue sauce, pickles and serviceware. Moe’s also offers whole smoked turkeys, smoked chicken wings and racks of St. Louis-style spare ribs.

Jackson’s Big Oak Barbecue, 920 S. Kerr Ave.

Jackson’s Big Oak Barbecue offers a barbecue special with one pound of pulled pork barbecue, one pint of slaw and a dozen hushpuppies for $12.99. Barbecue pork, ribs and chicken are also available by the pound or half-pound, and over a dozen sides are available by the quart, pint or half-pint, making it easy to customize your order. Corn sticks, hushpuppies and buns are sold by the dozen, sweet tea by the gallon and Jackson’s Big Oak Barbecue sauce by the bottle. 

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, 5120 S. College Road 

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Monkey Junction offers several family and picnic packs featuring 2 to 4 pounds of slow-smoked brisket and pulled pork and a variety of classic side dishes. The party pack includes two pounds of brisket, 2 pounds of pulled pork, 4 pints of potato salad, 4 pints of coleslaw, 4 pints of barbecue beans, 12 rolls and serviceware. Sandwich platters and racks of ribs are also available, as are desserts. 

Mission BBQ, 351 S. College Road 

Mission BBQ serves a variety of smoked meats by the pound, from brisket to pork, chicken, turkey and sausage. The party packs for 10 include the choice of up to three meats and sides, with a choice of bread and sauces for $11.99 per person. Brownie and cookie trays are available, as are sweet tea and lemonade by the gallon. 

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