Golden Rule Bar-B-Q

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Golden Rule Bar-B-Q
Golden Rule BBQ in Crestline.jpg
Golden Rule BBQ in Crestline Village
Golden Rule Bar-B-Q
Restaurant information
Established1891
Owner(s)Brian Kemp
Previous owner(s)Michael Matsos
Food typeBarbecue
Street address2504 Crestwood Blvd
CityIrondale
CountyJefferson
StateAlabama
Postal/ZIP Code35210
CountryUnited States
Coordinates 33°32′11.5″N86°41′49″W / 33.536528°N 86.69694°W / 33.536528; -86.69694

Golden Rule Bar-B-Q is a barbecue restaurant in Alabama. It has been in continuous operation since 1891.

Golden Rule menu cover Golden Rule BBQ Menu.jpg
Golden Rule menu cover

History

The first Golden Rule Bar-B-Q restaurant was founded in Irondale, Alabama by the Williams family in 1891. Located on a major dirt road, the restaurant originally catered to travelers. [1] The original wood building had dirt floors, but it was later moved to a new location with a wood floored dining room. [2] The restaurant served barbecue pork and other refreshments. [3] The construction of U.S. Route 78 placed the restaurant on a major route between Birmingham, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia. Because it served beer, it was popular with travellers who had to pass through dry counties on their way to Atlanta. [4]

Ellene Williams married Jabo Stone in the 1930s, and they ran the restaurant together. [5] The location was moved again in the 1960s when the highway was widened, and the new building had neon signs and a metal awning. [2] The Williams-Stones had no children to inherit the business and eventually decided to sell the restaurant. [5] In 1969, [6] the restaurant was sold to Michael Matsos, a Greek American from Massachusetts who operated La Paree, a successful steakhouse in Birmingham. [4] Jabo Stone had frequently visited Matsos' steakhouse, [7] and Matsos in turn had enjoyed Stone's restaurant. LIke with his other restaurants, Matsos hired Greek chefs and managers to help him run the restaurant. [4]

Matsos expanded the restaurant's menu to include Coca-Cola, French fries and a green salad. [2] He later moved the restaurant to a new location near the Interstate 20 in the 1970s. [4]

As of 2007, the restaurant was being run by Michael's son Charles. [8] It had 29 locations throughout Alabama in 2013. [2] The restaurant was purchased by Brian Kemp in 2023. [9] It is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Alabama. [6]

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References

  1. Moss, Robert F. (August 20, 2010). Barbecue: The History of an American Institution. University of Alabama Press. p. 171. ISBN   978-0-8173-1718-8.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Browne, Rick (October 15, 2013). A Century of Restaurants: Stories and Recipes from 100 of America's Most Historic and Successful Restaurants. Andrews McMeel Publishing. ISBN   978-1-4494-0783-4.
  3. Auchmutey, Jim (June 1, 2019). Smokelore: A Short History of Barbecue in America. University of Georgia Press. p. 75. ISBN   978-0-8203-3841-5.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Johnson, Mark A. (August 7, 2017). "Chapter 4". An Irresistible History of Alabama Barbecue: From Wood Pit to White Sauce. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN   978-1-4396-6212-0.
  5. 1 2 "Golden Rule Bar-B-Q | Southern Foodways Alliance - Southern Foodways Alliance". October 3, 2006. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  6. 1 2 Thornton, William (March 30, 2023). "Alabama's oldest restaurant now under new ownership". al. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  7. Brown, Emily (August 3, 2015). Birmingham Food: A Magic City Menu. Arcadia Publishing. p. 51. ISBN   978-1-62585-346-2.
  8. Staten, Vince; Johnson, Greg (July 1, 2007). Real Barbecue: The Classic Barbecue Guide to the Best Joints Across the USA --- with Recipes, Porklore, and More!. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 116–118. ISBN   978-0-7627-5195-2.
  9. McGough, Crystal (March 28, 2023). "Brian Kemp purchases Golden Rule". The Trussville Tribune. Retrieved July 19, 2023.