I seldom eat BBQ out, but when I do, Skylight Inn in Ayden is where I go. I do not consider Bum's to be on par with Skylight and Bums, imo, has a distinct "You ain't from around here" attitude. The fat guy who works in the mornings is the worst. Bum is not much better.. Sam Jones BBQ in Greenville is the Grandson of Pete Jones who owns Skylight, so the BBQ is supposedly. identical.
To be direct, the best BBQ in Eastern NC comes off my smoker.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]