Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge
Shelby, NC Photo 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! Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 01-08
Bridges Barbecue Neon Letters
Shelby, NC Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
If you're traveling through Shelby on Highway 74, keep an eye on the roadside because this is one stop that's easy to spot. The towering neon sign at Bridges Barbecue has been drawing hungry motorists off the highway for generations. Outlined in colorful neon and trimmed with rows of glowing light bulbs, it's the kind of sign that reminds you of a time when restaurants competed for your attention with a little style and a lot of personality. Even if you weren't looking for barbecue, the sign might convince you otherwise.
The story behind the restaurant goes back to 1946, when Red and Lyttle "Mama B" Bridges first got into the barbecue business. They moved to this Highway 74 location in 1953, and it has been a Shelby landmark ever since. While plenty of barbecue restaurants have changed with the times, Bridges has stayed true to its roots.
Bridges Barbecue
Shelby, NC Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Pork shoulders are still slow-cooked through the night over hickory and oak, filling the air with the kind of aroma that lets you know you're getting close long before you pull into the parking lot.
One of the nicest things about Bridges is that it still feels like an authentic roadside stop instead of a tourist attraction trying to look old. Families have been pulling in here for generations, and the restaurant has remained in the Bridges family the entire time. Step inside and you'll find the kind of comfortable atmosphere that's becoming harder to find, but before you even reach the front door, it's that classic neon sign that has already welcomed you.
Bridges Barbecue Neon Pig
Shelby, NC Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The sign itself deserves a few extra minutes of attention. It has become one of western North Carolina's best-known barbecue signs, standing watch over Highway 74 while thousands of travelers pass by each day. It's easy to imagine families spotting it years ago and announcing that lunch was just up the road. That's exactly what great roadside advertising was meant to do, and this sign is still doing its job more than seventy years later.
UPDATE: An electrical fire broke out in the restaurant's smokehouse in October 2024, but thanks to quick work by firefighters, the main restaurant and its iconic neon sign were saved. Bridges reopened less than a week later and continues serving customers beneath the same familiar roadside landmark as it celebrates more than 80 years in business. 08-26
Bantam Chef
Chesnee, SC Photo 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.
Bantam Chef
Chesnee, SC Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
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. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 02-08
Bantam Chef front of restaurant
Chesnee, SC Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Here's one roadside restaurant that's almost guaranteed to make you hit the brakes. Bantam Chef has been catching the eyes of travelers in Chesnee since 1964, thanks to its distinctive roadside sign and a building that promises there's something a little different waiting inside. It looks like a classic hometown burger stand from the road, but don't be in too much of a hurry to leave after you finish eating. Half the fun is taking a look around. 02-08
Step through the front door and it's easy to see why this place has become such a favorite over the years. Sitting proudly inside the restaurant is a beautifully restored 1950 Studebaker, the same car featured on the roadside sign. Around it you'll find vintage motorcycles, an old Wurlitzer jukebox, gas station collectibles, signs, and enough automotive memorabilia to make you feel like you've wandered into a small transportation museum that just happens to serve burgers. Everywhere you turn there's another detail worth checking out.
Bantam Chef the Mobilgas station
Chesnee, SC Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
One of the most unusual features is attached to the side of the building. At first glance it looks like an old Mobil service station, complete with the familiar vintage styling. It never pumped a gallon of gas, though. Instead, it was built as the perfect home for even more of the restaurant's classic vehicles and memorabilia. It's a fun surprise that fits right in with the roadside spirit of the place.
The Bantam Chef has remained a local tradition for generations, and it's easy to understand why. You can stop in for a quick burger, but chances are you'll spend a few extra minutes wandering around and admiring everything on display. Places like this remind you that some of the best roadside discoveries aren't famous landmarks at all. They're the family-owned restaurants that have quietly been making road trips more memorable for decades.
Bantam Chef and Mobilgas
Chesnee, SC Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
UPDATE: Bantam Chef remains open today under new ownership. The restaurant's distinctive roadside sign, classic Studebaker, vintage motorcycles, and unique memorabilia displays continue welcoming travelers to Chesnee. 08-26
Bantam Chef front of restaurant
