Barbecue Maven Don Murray Dies

Saw today’s obituary for Don Murray, the Raleigh barbecue maven who opened Don Murray’s Barbecue on Capital Boulevard. Quoted is his one-time employee, Silas Gooch, who called him “’bout top” in terms of influence over the vinegar-based barbecue of Eastern North Carolina. Murray was 64.

Ten years ago, my fellow coworkers at HAHT Software and I would occasionally eat lunch at Don Murray’s. The colorful Silas was frequently our server. Silas made such an impression that he was forever immortalized at HAHT by having a fileserver named after him.

But that’s neither here nor there. Silas is still at Don Murray’s. Don Murray is not, and hasn’t been for a while. He sold his namesake restaurant long ago. Still, the Don Murray barbecue experience was something you couldn’t miss.

Especially the banana pudding.