By Dathan Kazsuk
Welcome to our new series, where we bring the Western Wake community closer to the chefs who shape the way we eat. We will spotlight a local chef who answers a set of exclusive 5 West questions—but if they’re willing to go the extra mile, they’ll also share their Midtown answers. And lucky for us, this chef did both. So when you’re done here, hop over to Midtown magazine to read his additional Q&A.
We’re starting strong with Christopher Prieto, the owner and Head Barbecue Nerd behind Prime Barbecue, Primo Latin Cuisine, and Prime STQ. Prieto has been with Prime Barbecue for six years and brings decades of dedication to the craft of slow-smoked meats. Raised in Texas and rooted in the world of championship barbecue, he’s an author, instructor, judge, and a relentless student of flavor. His cooking is shaped by memory, heritage, and a lifelong search for what he calls the soul of barbecue.
Now let’s get into his 5 West-exclusive seven.
1. What’s the one dish on your menu that feels most connected to the Triangle community?
Our Brunswick Stew Sausage.
2. What makes running a restaurant in Western Wake feel different from anywhere else?
The diversity in our guests and their appreciation of our craft.
3. What’s one thing you wish people knew about the work that goes into running a local restaurant?
Margins are small, the work is long, and our local guests matter.
4. What dish on your menu would you recommend to someone visiting for the first time—and why?
Brisket, because brisket is our love language.
5. How does your team reflect the community around you?
We are diverse, hardworking, and offer genuine Southern hospitality.
6. Has the Western Wake area influenced your cooking in any surprising ways?
We have access to amazing ingredients!
7. What local businesses do you personally love to support?
Bellow Butcher Co., Tap It Social House, and Oak City Brewing Company.
His mission stays as straightforward as his barbecue: Make people feel cared for. “Barbecue obsessed, service driven, and community focused,” he says, and it shows in every smoky bite.
And when it comes to the hard parts—the failures, the doubts, the long nights staring down a stubborn fire—Prieto keeps it honest. He admits he used to get in his own way, until he realized that falling forward isn’t falling at all.
It’s momentum. It’s growth. It’s exactly how he built a barbecue life that blends craft and conviction.
Follow Chef Prieto
Instagram: @primebbq @primestq @primo_latincuisine @christopher_prieto
Facebook: Prime Barbecue, Pitmaster Christopher Prieto, Primo Latin Cuisine, Prime STQ
