Alston Bridges Barbecue — Restaurant in Shelby

You know what do you say about bridges BBQ on Highway 18 I say one man's opinion I've been in the restaurant business my whole life I've not been in the restaurant business the last 10 years this is a very consecutive restaurant every time you go in there it's the same quality of food same quality of taste I mean absolutely wonderful the food is best coleslaw in the world the only complaint that I have is the people that work there besides anet the waitress she is more friendlier than anyone that works there and I've been eating there for over 40 years and she's been there a long time and I know about everybody that works there coming from one man's opinion if you'd be a little bit more friendlier to the customers try not to charge every single Cent you can suck out of somebody you know you don't have to charge for every little detail for instance if you go in there and order a pint of slaw to go and you ask him to put extra sauce on the coleslaw they won't do it and then you ask them what I want to buy two small sauces they won't do it they will sell you one what's the difference man money is money they want to charge you for the big side of slaw and sauce which is a whole lot more money that's just one instance that I've dealt with so this is just one man's opinion you can take it for what it's worth I'm still going to eat there until the day I die may God bless you and your company and we give you the...

When I was a young boy in the 60's and 70's this location and the other one on 74 were some of the best BBQ places in the state. Here is why ....they smoked it on hickory wood. I am not sure how they cook it now but it is not that way at either place. I am not sure what it is but sometimes we get the Q for 4 and take it home and it is pretty good, still not hickory smoked but its descent. The other day we stopped there to dine in wow what a difference. The meat was not good, very bland with no flavor and tasted like it was cooked in a crock pot. Also are you kidding me on the portion size, ordered a large plate and there is a couple spoonfuls of meat on it. I should have ordered the Q for 4 I would have got enough. Good people that work there very nice and I love the atmosphere. The huspuppies are the best in the entire country. I sure hope they don't change that. There are much better BBQ locations elsewhere where it is still cooked properly over hickory wood. Dine in portion size is what really gets me, if the food is bad at least serve...

Pork bbq served either sliced or chopped, either on a bun or a plate with sides. This is the standard for NC BBQ. By my estimation this is not Eastern NC BBQ, neither geographically (obviously) nor in the style of BBQ. I guess this qualifies as "North Carolina Piedmont BBQ" if such a designation exists. If it didn't, it does now.

Presumably slow-cooked, I did not detect any smoke or spice. The sauce alongside seems a mixture of traditional NC BBQ sauce (apple cider vinegar based) and hot sauce.

For enthusiasts of Eastern NC, Memphis, Kansas City, or Texas style BBQ traditions, the style here may be considered bland. I found it to be so. However, it seems that there is an enthusiastic market segment here. Clearly, to each his own.

I want to call out that the hushpuppies were perfect. The baked beans seem to be straight from a can.

So I recommend this place based on the positive reactions of so many who recommend it. Importantly, temper your expectations based on your exposure to other...