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Neon eateries southeast

 

Bridges Barbecue
Shelby, NC
Photos and info courtesy Richard Weiss

The Bridges Barbecue in Shelby, NC is home to some real eye-catching neon. With the neon on the roof to the marquee outside, the Bridges can be seen from quite a distance. The photographer catches the essence of discovering this neon.

"Than I saw it in the distance, the call of neon in the form of the classic Bridges BBQ sign. For me who is always finding BBQ places when I do not have time to stop or have already eaten the time was right for this one. Stepping inside was a true blast from the past. The place was completely original from the mid 1950's. They had some 1950's postcards on the wall and sure enough, the building, signage and even the neon pig are as they were when the place first opened. The manager (owner?) told me the only noticeable change was the seat coverings that were recently redone but had been brown as per a photograph he pointed out. One thing I can say about the Carolina BBQ places is that I will never get used to BBQ cole slaw. Regular cole slaw is hard enough to pallet but the BBQ stuff is just offensive to my taste buds! 01-08

 

Bridges Barbecue sign
Shelby, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Bridges Barbecue
Shelby, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Bridges Barbecue pig close-up
Shelby, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

 

 

Mr. Waffle
Gaffney, SC
Photos and info courtesy Richard Weiss

This is Mr. Waffle on I-85 at Gaffney, SC. It is like a large version of a Waffle House and completely 60's inside. 02-08

 

 

 

 

Bantam Chef
Chesnee, SC
Photos and info courtesy Richard Weiss


Although the Bantam Chef advertises "50's style", other than for 50's memorabilia on the walls and 1950's style tables and chairs, the dark wood paneling and super plain order board made me think more of the 70's.

I ordered the "Eagle" which was a combination of a large "Dan friendly" burger, a mountain of fries and a drink named after the local school team, all for less than a Big Mac meal. Offered also was "The Studebaker" which was a double burger for a buck more and the Bantam burger, the smallest on the menu, named I suppose for the tiny Bantam car produced in the 1930's.

I am not sure how the name Bantam works with the Studebaker on the sign but the side of the building that resembles an old Mobil gas station houses a small automobilia collection including the Studebaker pictured on the sign (and a Studebaker wagon) but no Bantam. If you are planning on visiting the Cowpens National Battlefield make sure to drop by the Bantam Chef in Chesnee, SC. 02-08

 

Bantam Chef lettering
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Mobil Gas looking side of building
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The whole Bantam Chef building
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

 

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© Copyright 1998-2020 Syd Nagoshi. All rights reserved. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the author.