Shelby

Linkdown: 2/28/24 – The Not So Great North Carolina Barbecue Debate Edition

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Monk: Congrats to Garren and Kelly Kirkman of Jon G’s Barbecue, who 4 years ago yesterday purchased the former Barbee’s Barbecue in Peachland and turned it into the Jon G’s Barbecue we know and love today. They took a few months to get the place ready for business before opening in June of 2020. Have you made it out for a Barbecue Saturday yet?

Native News

John Tanner makes some recent stops in NC at Red Bridges Barbecue in Shelby

…followed by Lexington Barbecue; quite the one-two punch

An Our State writer from out east discovers that Lexington Barbecue isn’t so different from her beloved eastern NC barbecue after all (I’ve been saying the same thing for years!)

If you happen to be in the market for a BQ Grill out of Elm City, they have a clear out sale going on right now:

The top 3 Lexington barbecue restaurants from The State You’re In

Today is the last day for 20% off accessories from SnS Grills

Non-Native News

Thanks to destination-bbq on including two of our latest posts (including our post on his book “Going Whole Hog”) in his latest newsletter

John Tanner regrets not ordering the pork or ribs at JL Smokehouse in Phoenix

Swig & Swine‘s fourth current location (fifth overall) will open soon in Myrtle Beach

Linkdown: 7/12/23 – The Hush Puppy Queen Edition

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Monk: Cheerwine has launched their “Uniquely Southern Summer Contest” and are giving Barbecue Bros readers – some of the smartest barbecue connoisseurs around – an edge when it comes to the contest. Simply enter “BBQBROS” in the “Bonus Code” box for a bonus entry when entering the contest at the link here.

Next week’s prize is The Carolina ‘Que Collection, “an ultimate culinary adventure featuring gift cards to over a dozen barbecue restaurants across North and South Carolina. Savor the mouthwatering flavors and unique regional styles that make Carolina barbecue legendary, and see why Cheerwine and BBQ are known as the ‘Southern Handshake.'”

The grand prize of the contest is a three-day, two-night stay at the historic Brown Mountain Beach Resort, “located in the breathtaking Wilson Creek Gorge of Lenoir, North Carolina, promises an unforgettable getaway where history and natural beauty intertwine. The stay will include a Cheerwine-themed riverfront yurt and plenty of swag from the South’s favorite soda. The winner will also enjoy paddleboard and kayak excursions along Wilson Creek and more.”

The contest ends on July 30 so be sure to enter today (and don’t forget to use the code “BBQBROS”).

More info on the restaurants included in the gift card pack here:

Native News

Congrats to Grady’s BBQ on 37 years open!

B’s Barbecue is featured in this month’s Garden & Gun Magazine

Some recent interviews with Ed and Ryan Mitchell as part of their press tour on their latest cookbook: WBUR in Boston and WUNC in Chapel Hill

Mike D’s BBQ Smokehouse and Retail opens this weekend in East Durham

https://www.wral.com/story/foodie-news-big-bbq-news-in-durham/20944299/

Red Bridge’s “hush puppy queen” DeDe recently celebrated her 40th anniversary of hiring at the barbecue institution

Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge has new Richardson hats in stock

Non-Native News

Looks like City Limits Q is off to a good start at their new, in-progress brick and mortar in west Columbia

From last month, CNN delves into barbecue hash

Aaron Franklin recently sat down with the Biscuits & Jam podcast

John Tanner rejoices that downtown DC is getting a legit barbecue restaurant in 2fifty Texas BBQ

Holy Smokes tickets are now on sale! The barbecue celebration returns to Waterfront Park in North Charleston in November.

Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge in Shelby Remains a Favorite

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Monk: It’s no surprise that Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge in Shelby has long been a favorite of the Barbecue Bros, and for good reason. They have been in business for 78 years and still cook over wood the old fashioned way. Not to mention they have consistently delivered for me personally every visit over the past 15 years I’ve regularly been eating there. The below photo is the wood stack closest to the building but is by no means the entirety of their wood, 95% of which is stacked out back behind the parking lot.

I recently stopped in with the family and Monks-in-Law, and that usual consistency was on display. The chopped pork tray had the right chop and tang from the dip, the red slaw had a great balance between tang and crunch, and the hush puppies were crispy and fresh.

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But my next time in Shelby, I won’t be visiting Red Bridges. I’ve received feedback that I should consider revisiting Alston Bridges Barbecue, which I visited for the first and only time over 10 years ago in 2013. From my experience, Shelby locals tend to favor Alston Bridges (at least the ones I know), and a recent video from The Carolina Foodie compared Alston’s to Red Bridges as well as Lexington Barbecue. He found the barbecue to be similar at both Alston’s and Red’s, which is slightly surprising to me since my understanding is that Alston’s cooks over gas. He also couldn’t pick between the slaw and hush puppies either. So I’ve got quite a good meal waiting for me at Alston’s. I can’t wait to try.

The Carolina Foodie Visits Alston Bridges Barbecue in Shelby

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pnjVZykw1g

Monk: It seems like The Carolina Foodie‘s been on the move constantly throughout western NC for the past six months. In this video he visits Alston Bridges Barbecue in Shelby where, anecdotally, a lot of locals eat. That is certainly the case for my Shelby friends. At Alston Bridges, he eats with three friends and really enjoys the hush puppies and barbecue.

I’ve been accused on focusing primarily on the other Bridges, which admittedly is fair, so I plan to re-visit Alston Bridges Barbecue which I’ve only visited once over 10 years ago.

Description: Great chopped pork barbecue plate at Alston Bridges Barbecue in Shelby, NC!