Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge, Shelby, North Carolina

I love to go to Red Bridges. The food is fantastic, the owners and staff are some of the sweetest people around, and every time I go there I meet a fascinating person and have a great conversation. Remember Mr. Joe Champion? And Mr. Tony Henson? Please send them my regards. I was sorry to miss Natalie and Chase, but the staff members present were a treat.

This time it was nearly 3:00 pm when we made it to Red Bridges, but there was still a steady stream of customers, and the place was pretty full. Nancy is a one-lunch person, and was still pretty full. So was I after a breakfast and two lunches, but I went on in while Nancy stayed in the car. I ordered a mere small tray — pork. slaw, and hushpuppies.

I think I just ate one before taking a photo. My tray appeared very quickly.

As you can see, there’s a layer of dip (sauce on top) on the pork. It;s gorgeous underneath.

The layer is superficial, just the solid element of the sauce. It’s a fine Lexington-style sauce, one of the very best. The pork itself is a miracle of the barbecue craft. On every visit I wonder how they do it, and every time I leave I think I’ve just eaten the best Lexington style barbecue anywhere. I’ll admit that from time to time I think that about other places, but still…. Their slaw, though, has no peer. It’s the best around, with a wonderful tang and freshness. It’s a joy to eat.

I mentioned the hushpuppies in passing, but let’s retrace our steps. They’re very good. I’m going to stop wondering who might have the best hushpuppies in the state. Just about every time I have one I think, “This is a contender.” I’ll just note that I ate all of them despite having had … a lot in my earlier lunches.

And once again at Red Bridges, I met a fascinating person. For his entire career he worked 10 months a year and for two months traveled the world, the Americas, Europe, Africa, and beyond. He and his wife always toured on their own, no guides or tour companies.  We talked about various countries and travel until I just had to ask what sort of business allowed him two straight months off. It turns out that he had a food service company, one that set up trucks and tents at state and local fairs and the like. I learned that Italian sausage sandwiches are favorites everywhere. I shared my theory that if you eat them standing up, Italian sausages have no calories. Apparently, others operate on that principle. I didn’t catch his name, or maybe I caught it and dropped it. I do that more and more. If you know his name, please share it with me and give him my best.

What a fascinating conversation, and what a wonderful meal! There’s been a magic about Red Bridges on my visits. Everything works, everything is at its best. Food, servers, customers, everything. Go there. Sit on a stool at the counter and talk to the person next to you. I’ll bet they’re remarkable, as are you. Go there and get some of the very best barbecue in the state — one of the best in the nation.

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