I think I am probably the only person in the state who can boast they ate at Ridgewood Brothers’ BBQ three times in the first four days they opened, and let me tell you, if I could’ve made it four, I would have.
The popular Russellville-based food-truck-turned-brick-and-mortar officially reopened for business on Thursday, Dec. 8 in its new digs at 803 W. Main Place. I had the pleasure of being invited for the soft opening launch party the night of Dec. 2, where I dined on pulled pork, pork ribs, smoked turkey breast and, of course, the famous brisket. The handsome new building was packed that night, yet the line moved along like a well-oiled machine. Any indication of launch party jitters was nonexistent.
Last Saturday was opening day of Arkansas’s split duck season, and I had the opportunity to hunt in Russellville. I’d be lying if I said Ridgewood Brothers wasn’t a major factor in the decision to spend my opening day in a town not necessarily known for the quality of its waterfowl hunting. To my delight, Friday evening was spent once again at Ridgewood Brothers. We got there sort of late so they were out of brisket and sausage. I opted instead for the pork ribs, turkey, jalapeno cheese grits and pit-smoked green beans. It was delicious as usual, with the sweet, cold banana pudding being the perfect dessert to cleanse the palate. As bedtime approached I slipped comfortably away into a barbecue-induced coma.
Four-thirty a.m. came early Saturday morning, as it often does on opening day of duck season. We didn’t see much, save one lone merganser and a small gaggle of Canada geese (I punched a limit on the geese). The hunting was fun, but all I could think about was going back to Ridgewood Brothers. Few words were spoken as we cleaned the geese. My hunting buddy, Drew, was already reading my mind. The only thing that could satisfy this early morning hunting hunger was a giant beef rib and a mess of brisket. So that’s exactly what we did.
There was once again a line out the door when we arrived (always a good sign), and once again it moved along efficiently like they’ve been serving customers there for years.
Drew got the giant dinosaur-esque beef rib (a Saturday morning special at Ridgewood), and I got the brisket, jalapeno cheddar sausage and some turkey to take home.
I was once again blown away with the food. The brisket literally melts in your mouth the way a properly prepared slice of brisket should. The house-made jalapeno cheddar sausage snaps apart with a satisfying pop. The pork ribs have that salty tender bark that’s not too sweet. And mark my words: the turkey, quickly becoming my second favorite option behind the brisket, is not to be slept on.
My experience eating at this restaurant three times during its opening week has shown me that Robert Couser and Grant Hall, proprietors and pitmasters, really love their craft. In the world of barbecue, consistent quality is the ultimate goal and is easily the most elusive. Every single meal I’ve had at their brick-and-mortar is just as good as the meals I’ve had at their food truck, which are numerous. I’m happy to report absolutely no decrease in quality during this transition. In fact, with the litany of new menu items added, I’d say things have gotten even better. The jalapeno cheese grits, pit-smoked green beans and key lime crumble are wonderful additions to their already stellar menu, and there are more menu items on the way (like house-made bread).
Ridgewood Brothers’ BBQ is located at 803 West Main Place in Russellville. It’s open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. or until sold out Thu.-Sat. and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. or until sold out Sun.