Bristol Gameday recommendations?

#53
#53
As a born and bred local, I'm baffled at the enjoyment of Ridgewood. It's good, but it's not the best in the area, certainly not the best in the state.
 
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#54
#54
volfanbill said:
As a born and bred local, I'm baffled at the enjoyment of Ridgewood. It's good, but it's not the best in the area, certainly not the best in the state.
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I grew up in Kingsport. Who would you consider the best BBQ in East TN? Pratt's, Pardoner's, Red Pig?
 
#55
#55
BeardedVol said:
I grew up in Kingsport. Who would you consider the best BBQ in East TN? Pratt's, Pardoner's, Red Pig?
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Firehouse would be my #1. Dixie would be #2 but sadly it is no more. Pardner's probably takes their spot at #2. I like Red Pig, but not for their BBQ. I still need to try Phil's Dream Pit. I just never make the time when I come home to visit there.

a HS friend runs a bbq food truck called B&B BBQ. Both times I've eaten from him, I've found it to be absolutely top notch.
 
#57
#57
CoaxialOrange said:
Phil's is very good. I definitely recommend it.
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I always hear good things. But I can't pass up Firehouse, Greg's Pizza, Moto's and El Matador on my trips home. After those four, I figure I should eat healthy the rest of week!

Edit: And of course, Pal's. Usually twice.
 
#58
#58
volfanbill said:
Firehouse would be my #1. Dixie would be #2 but sadly it is no more. Pardner's probably takes their spot at #2. I like Red Pig, but not for their BBQ. I still need to try Phil's Dream Pit. I just never make the time when I come home to visit there.

a HS friend runs a bbq food truck called B&B BBQ. Both times I've eaten from him, I've found it to be absolutely top notch.
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I've always thought of Firehouse as "inspired by" Ridgewood. Even down to using the same pots for the beans, and using the hams instead of the shoulder. Though their sauce is thinner and has a little more spice to it.

Pardners though...meh...never was a fan. I grew up eating there as a kid when they had the Kingsport location open. Pork always seemed to fatty, and the sauce was relatively bland. I've not eaten at the Piney Flats location as it's so close to Ridgewood.

I've heard good things about Phil's Dream Pit as well, need to get over there next time I am in town.
 
#59
#59
For those not staying in and around the race track. If you are staying in the hotels along the I-81 corridor north of Bristol, Exit 7 - Exit 19, There is numerous places to eat and drink.

Exit 7 is the HUB with numerous restaurants. Outback, Osaka, O'Charleys, Kobe, Mellow Mushroom, Red Lobster, Jersey Mike's, 5 Guys, so on and so forth.

Exit 14 - Exit 19 Which is the Abingdon exits has many restaurants like Rain, The Tavern, Luke's Cafe, Bonefire BBQ, Los Arcos, and many chain restaurants. Also as mentioned before Wolf Hills Brewery.

All of this is in reasonable driving distance to the track.
 
#60
#60
BeardedVol said:
I've always thought of Firehouse as "inspired by" Ridgewood. Even down to using the same pots for the beans, and using the hams instead of the shoulder. Though their sauce is thinner and has a little more spice to it.

Pardners though...meh...never was a fan. I grew up eating there as a kid when they had the Kingsport location open. Pork always seemed to fatty, and the sauce was relatively bland. I've not eaten at the Piney Flats location as it's so close to Ridgewood.

I've heard good things about Phil's Dream Pit as well, need to get over there next time I am in town.
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I prefer Firehouse's Carolina Pulled Pork over the sliced that resembles Ridgewood. It's the best of Pulled Pork without the nasty vinegar based sauce.
 
#61
#61
volfanbill said:
I always hear good things. But I can't pass up Firehouse, Greg's Pizza, Moto's and El Matador on my trips home. After those four, I figure I should eat healthy the rest of week!

Edit: And of course, Pal's. Usually twice.
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I usually hit Firehouse or Ridgewood on my way in, Nick's, and occasionally Pratt's during the visit. On my way out I try to make time for Pal's

The following week I have ice cubes and air for breakfast and lunch.
 
#62
#62
also for those curious, there are just way too many good local restaurants in the area to waste your time at an Outback, Chili's, etc. imo.
 
#63
#63
volfanbill said:
I prefer Firehouse's Carolina Pulled Pork over the sliced that resembles Ridgewood. It's the best of Pulled Pork without the nasty vinegar based sauce.
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and to add to this, I don't even care that much for Firehouse's thin sliced. Their chicken is really really good too.
 
#65
#65
volfanbill said:
I always hear good things. But I can't pass up Firehouse, Greg's Pizza, Moto's and El Matador on my trips home. After those four, I figure I should eat healthy the rest of week!

Edit: And of course, Pal's. Usually twice.
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Can't go wrong with those!
 
#66
#66
creekerballer said:
If you want to go to Johnson City which isn't far from Bristol there is a reasturant called Hokie Smokey. It's a VT/UT themed reasturant. Should be a pretty good atmosphere in their this weekend and the BBQ is good too.
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Hokie Smokie was one of my favorite places when I was in JC. Best thing on the menu was the smoked wings with dry rub only. They smoke em, grill em, and flash fry em. Was my go to place when friends/family came up to visit. Ridgewood is awesome for bbq but ya might as well pitch a tent on Friday night if u want to eat there on Saturday. It's always crazy and will be worse this weekend.
 
#69
#69
hibbs said:
expound on this, please
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Interstate 81 as well as HWYs 394, 11E, and 11W (all 3 are 4 lane hwys) will also help get you to and from Bristol from all directions.

People act like BMS hasn't been dealing with 150k+ for years with every NASCAR event. It's laughable.
 
#71
#71
Skoby's.....errrrr it's gone!

Moose Lodge............errrr it's gone too!

Joe Gong's............gone again!
 
#73
#73
BeardedVol said:
I've always thought of Firehouse as "inspired by" Ridgewood. Even down to using the same pots for the beans, and using the hams instead of the shoulder. Though their sauce is thinner and has a little more spice to it.

Pardners though...meh...never was a fan. I grew up eating there as a kid when they had the Kingsport location open. Pork always seemed to fatty, and the sauce was relatively bland. I've not eaten at the Piney Flats location as it's so close to Ridgewood.

I've heard good things about Phil's Dream Pit as well, need to get over there next time I am in town.
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I agree on pardners, the story goes they stole the Ridgewood recipe and went out on their own in bluff city. Then they built the one in Kingsport. I have eaten at both locations a couple times, Ridgewood still blows pardners away. I am surprised the pardners in bluff city is still around as well. Most of my family still lives in Colonial Heights and love the dream pit.
 
#75
#75
UT_Dutchman said:
And sliced bbq beef. Hard to find around these parts.
I used to work at Skobys, sad day when they closed.
Go Big Orange!
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I took my prom date to Skobys in 1992 (Science Hill)! My family used to go there as well. It Was a great place.


GBO!!!
 
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