FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Steve Seitz
Director of Operations
Harper’s Restaurant Group
sseitz@harpers-rest.com

BLUE RIBBON BBQ

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Harper's Restaurant Group's newest concept offers

Uptown guests the best of authentic barbecue

CHARLOTTE, NC (January 17, 2008) – Uptown's newest barbecue joint, Blue Ribbon BBQ (BR BBQ), has just added some traditional barbecue favorites to its menu.  Along with its 100% smoked in-house pulled pork and chicken dishes, the restaurant will now offer house-smoked Pork Ribs and Beef Brisket. 

Owned and operated by Charlotte-based Harper's Restaurant Group, BR BBQ opened last month at the corner of Trade & Tryon in the old Harper's Blue Ribbon Diner location.  The cozy interior offers a traditional BBQ ambiance with checkered tablecloths and a communal table for larger groups. 

The menu, which was created and crafted by Harper's Corporate Executive Chef Tom Condron and BR BBQ's Chef Minie Raynes, features a feast of authentic barbecue.  Included on the menu is Chopped or Pulled Barbecue Pork Plates, Trays and Sandwiches, Barbecue Chicken (1/4 chicken, 1/2 chicken or pulled as a sandwich), Brunswick Stew with homemade cornbread, Vegetable Plate, Barbecue Salad with choice of pulled chicken or pork, and of course, Minie's award-winning Fried Chicken.  Sides include hushpuppies, wedge cut fries, baked beans, macaroni & cheese, cornbread basket, southern green beans, and an additional vegetable each day.

Buckets of 'cue, pints and quarts of coleslaw, barbecue sauce, whole pork butt, Dixie BBQ Chicken and Minie's Signature Fried Chicken are available for take home throughout the day at BR BBQ and next door at Harper’s To Go Go, which is open until 6pm, Mon – Fri.  The restaurant has also put together three picnic packages which include pulled pork, coleslaw, sauce, and rolls which can serve as few as 4 or as many as 16.  In addition, the restaurant delivers in Uptown and their catering experts can customize events at any off-site location. 

Blue Ribbon BBQ is located on the square in Uptown Charlotte at 121-100 West Trade Street, just around the corner from Harper’s To Go Go (Trade and Tryon Streets).   For further information, call the restaurant at 704.371.8774.

Charlotte-based Harper’s Restaurant Group is recognized as one of the southeast’s fastest growing and most critically-acclaimed restaurant companies.   The company owns, manages and  operates 11 locations, including Upstream, Mimosa Grill, Arpa/Tapas/Wine Bar/Grill, Zink American Kitchen, Harper’s Blue Ribbon Diner, Harper’s To Go Go, and five Harper’s Restaurants in the region.  A new Harper’s is scheduled to open soon in Charlotte at Carolinas Place Mall.  For further details on Harper’s Restaurant Group, visit the company website at www.harpersrestaurants.com or call 704.375.9715.