Ridge Shrimp & Oyster

Where seafood specialties are the catch of the day

Ridge Shrimp & Oyster opened in Oak Ridge Commons a little over two years ago. Besides the challenges common to most new businesses, the pandemic brought additional challenges. Still, the restaurant has not only survived but is thriving – mainly thanks to owners Brad Hendrix and Drew Lacklen having the experience and perseverance to adapt to whatever comes their way.

The two co-owners/friends, who have worked side by side for over four decades, have over 80 years of restaurant experience between them and worked together at the former Bert’s Seafood Grille in Greensboro, and later at Reel Seafood Grill in northwest Greensboro.

Both restaurants were co-owned and managed by Lacklen, with Hendrix preparing the food. Their roles are very similar at Ridge Shrimp & Oyster, although Hendrix now also does menu planning and most of the food and supply shopping.

The restaurant’s staff includes Hendrix’s daughter and other servers who worked at the pair’s previous restaurants. Hendrix describes the crew as more of a family, and is deeply appreciative of their loyalty – the same type of loyalty he and Lacklen have been earning among their customers.

As its name implies, Ridge Shrimp & Oyster offers a huge selection of shrimp and oysters, prepared raw, fried and steamed. The restaurant’s menu as calamari, crab dip and crab cakes. “Flounder Sesame,” the restaurant’s grilled orange BBQ mahi-mahi, which Hendrix is also known to periodically seasonal flair.

“The farmer’s market is filled gies,” he said. “We’re always thinking rate those to provide our customers Right now, that “something different” salmon with cucumber dill sauce blue cheese remoulade. The marinated remains a popular choice.

SHOP • DINE • ENJOY

Oak Ridge, at the corner of NC Highways 68 and 150 also includes appetizers such cakes. Seafood entrees include restaurant’s most popular dish, and which runs a close second. periodically add new dishes with a with lots of fresh fruits and vegthinking about how we can incorpocustomers with something different.” different” includes blackened and potato-crusted grouper with marinated tomato cucumber salad

Ridge Shrimp and Oyster staff members (front, L to R) Drew Lacklen (co-owner), Cindy Skipworth, Cheryl White, Lynne Dardanell, James Ingold, Michael Jackson; (back, L to R), Ted House, Jody Wade, Beth Carney, Brad Hendrix (co-owner) and Brett Garrison.

But seafood isn’t the only thing on the menu –the family-friendly restaurant offers both steaks and burgers, and a kids’ menu.

Ridge Shrimp & Oyster has also become known for its scrumptious desserts, including coconut cream pie, apple dumpling with ice cream and Key lime pie.

Everything the restaurant offers is made fresh in its “scratch” kitchen, Hendrix notes.

“We make everything from scratch, from our main dishes right down to our pie crusts, sauces and dressings,” he said.

Along with delicious food, Ridge Shrimp & Oyster boasts an ample selection of beer and wine.

Expressing gratitude for the community’s support since the restaurant opened, Hendrix said, “We really appreciate our customers who have become regulars. And if you haven’t been in, we invite you to give us a try. We don’t think you’ll be disappointed.” www.ridgeshrimpandoyster.com

Ridge Shrimp & Oyster is open Tuesday-Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m.

Deepa Nayak, MD • Steve Kearns, MD Laurie MacDonald, MD • Lauren Miller Jones, FNP

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