| Golden Rule Bar-B-Q | |
|---|---|
 Golden Rule BBQ in Crestline Village | |
 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1891 |
| Owner(s) | Brian Kemp |
| Previous owner(s) | Michael Matsos |
| Food type | Barbecue |
| Street address | 2504 Crestwood Blvd |
| City | Irondale |
| County | Jefferson |
| State | Alabama |
| Postal/ZIP Code | 35210 |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 33°32′11.5″N86°41′49″W / 33.536528°N 86.69694°W |
Golden Rule Bar-B-Q is a barbecue restaurant in Alabama. It has been in continuous operation since 1891.
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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