A special thank you to Jimmy Martin

[s31463221]

AKA Rugsucker on here. Today, on my way back from South Carolina, I decided to pay Jimmy a visit at The Vac Shop in Elizabethton, TN. I gave him rather short notice and he was extremely gracious! He introduced me to absolutely the best BBQ I have EVER eaten! A little place called Ridgewood BBQ...We actually got lucky, no waiting which from what Jimmy told me is quite rare for this place....After eating there, I can certainly see why!

After lunch, I went back to the shop and was treated to a vacuum collectors' paradise! Let me tell you, if you're traveling within 200 miles of Elizabethton, you owe it to yourself to go check this place out! I stood there and drooled the entire time I was looking around! He has just about everything you could imagine, from modern day vacuums to antique Electrolux model 12's and everything in between!! My only regret is that I was on a tight time schedule today and only was able to scratch the surface.....with that said, I WILL be returning soon with a LOT more time to dig! Elizabethton is a lovely town and you couldn't ask for a nicer more gracious host than Jimmy! Thank you for the hospitality, introducing me to awesome bbq, and letting me in your shop! I'm sorry I had to cut and run so quickly but I'll definitely be back! Thanks again Jimmy!!

 

[kenkart]

RIDGEWOOD!

Absolutely the BEST BBQ you ever tasted!!

 

[rugsucker]

Steve,

Was great that you made the easy detour on your trip.Unlike previous months I am now here more often than not.For any that are coming to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge TN or Asheville,Boone or western NC it is an easy drive.Or skip these crowded areas and check out nearby Watauga Lake,Captains Table resort and others for the same mountains,lakes and rivers.We could have walked 2 blocks from my vac store for home cooking/breakfast,Italian,Korean,drive-in with hamburgers,meatloaf sandwich & more or pizza(all good)but as Hans confirms for the best Bar-B-Q(& beans & fries & slaw)it has to be Ridgewood!Do come back with a large shopping list and a small handful of currency when time allows.We didn't even have time to talk Buicks such as my grandfathers with B-U-I-C-K on the radio buttons and the antenna above the windshield as with your 52 even though you rode in my LeSabre to Ridgewood.,
Jimmy