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RANDY’S ROADSIDE BBQ
OLKS HUNGRY FOR BARBEQUE DRIVE FROM FAR AND WIDE TO THE IRISH HILLS TO THE ICONIC RANDY’S ROADSIDE BAR-BQUE. THEIR MENU CONSISTS OF MOUTHWATERING HICKORY SMOKED PULLED PORK, RIBS, BRISKET, MAC AND CHEESE, BAKED BEANS, AND OTHER SAVORY DISHES .
What started as a donut “shack” 20 years ago evolved into an award-winning BBQ business, a food truck, and catering service. The idea originated with owner Randy Bahlau, who says, “I bought a few gallons of red paint and a smoker, and the rest is history.” He says they’ve won several awards. “For the best ribs, the barbeque sauce….”
Guy Fieri served as his inspiration. “I’ve met Guy a couple of times, and I’ve met some of the top barbecuers in the country.” Although, Bahlou’s family has been in the restaurant business since the 1960s, Bahlau said it was Fieri who inspired him. Now, Bahlau’s son Seth, daughter-inlaw Kameran, and wife Amy work with him at the roadside stop.
The menu offers a variety of items, but Bahlau says their hottest sellers are the pulled pork sandwich and mac and cheese. “The pulled pork gets smoked for 14 hours, then shredded. It’s cooked fresh every night,” he said, adding that they go through around 2,000 pounds of pork every week during the summer. They source meat from meat processors throughout Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.
Randy's continued...