WINTERVILLE — Peter Heffley of Tarboro is serving up some “wycked” good food at Pete's Wycked Grill on Old Tar Road in Winterville.

"We offer an alternative to Eastern North Carolina barbecue," said Heffley, a native of Pennsylvania whose family operates similar restaurants. "Our customers really like that we are able to provide that alternative."

Heffley's menu includes Texas-style beef brisket, Memphis-style barbecued pork ribs, Lexington-style pulled pork barbecue and half smoked chickens. Side dishes include sweet potato fries with brown sugar butter, vegetarian baked beans, Southern-style corn pudding, macaroni and cheese, Wycked slaw (a German cabbage salad), roasted peppers, hush puppies and sweet corn bread.

"Our most popular entree item is the brisket," said Heffley. "We get a lot of people that come in to see if we have 'real' Texas-style brisket and they are always amazed when they taste it."

Heffley, who formerly was in the kitchen-and-bath construction business, said he had always wanted to build a wood-fired brick oven, so he constructed one at his home in 2006. He started experimenting with cooking meats in the oven and giving the meats to clients and friends as gifts.

"We were getting good reviews off of that," said Heffley. "I decided to expand a little and did some tailgating parties."

Heffley has also served food at Tarboro's Second Saturday events, Happening on the Common and Tarboro's History Days.

Heffley said that he decided to buy a larger smoker, one that could accommodate a restaurant, and open a place of his own.

"There was no way that I could keep up with the oven I built at home," Heffley said.

Heffley opened his restaurant on Aug. 1 and is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony and Grand Opening today.

Heffley said that since opening in August, the restaurant is steadily building up a regular clientle.

“We have got some great customers,” said Heffley. “We are building up a good core of business.”

Heffley said that many of his regulars get hooked during there first visit to the restaurant.

“I get some people in at lunch and they are like ‘wow this is really good,’” said Heffley. “Then they will come back with their family that evening to eat again. I had one family in here three times one day.

“When that happens, you know you are doing something right.”

Pete’s Wycked Grill is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.

To place an order or to contact Heffley, call 353-5353.