‘Truly grateful.’ Venerable NC BBQ joint thanks community after ‘break-my-heart’ fire
The owners of a 79-year-old North Carolina barbecue restaurant where Billy Graham and famous country music singers loved to dine thanked the community Wednesday for its support after a “break-my-heart” fire last week.
“We’re truly grateful for the incredible support from our community in helping us get back on our feet,” the owners of Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge on East Dixon Boulevard (U.S. 74) in Shelby said on Facebook Wednesday.
The owners announced that the restaurant reopened Wednesday after last Thursday’s fire.
“Please bear with us as we adjust to our new system, but you can still expect the same fresh barbecue you know and love,” the owners said. “Can’t wait to see you all!”
“While we lost our pits, we’re setting up shop outside and will still be serving our fresh, pit-cooked barbecue,” the owners said on social media Tuesday.
The restaurant will be open until 7 p.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, its regular hours before the fire.
“We will cook as much as we can, but remember: once it’s gone, it’s gone!” the owners said. “Thank you so much for all your love and support.”
The fire was contained within the firewall of the building, the owners said on social media last week. No injuries were reported.
First NC woman barbecue entrepreneur
The founders of the restaurant, Elmer “Red“ Bridges and his wife, Lyttle Bridges, developed a style of North Carolina barbecue slaw and sauce all their own, which their family calls “Shelby style.” It’s a cross between Western and Eastern styles, with a ketchup-vinegar base.
Lyttle Bridges is considered to be the first woman barbecue entrepreneur in North Carolina, “perfecting the recipes that have made the restaurant a ‘national standard for pork barbecue,’” Barbecue Hall of Fame officials said in announcing her selection.
Granddaughter Natalie Ramsey and other family members run the restaurant — an around-the-clock operation with 30 employees, many who’ve worked there for decades.
The fire started in the electrical system, Ramsey told Charlotte Observer news partner WSOC.
“This is my whole life, my world,” Ramsey said. When she got the call about the fire, “it instantly broke my heart,” she said.
The restaurant was runner up in the recent CharlotteFive Readers’ Choice Best Barbecue poll.
This story was originally published October 31, 2024 at 5:00 AM with the headline "‘Truly grateful.’ Venerable NC BBQ joint thanks community after ‘break-my-heart’ fire."