For most people, a honeymoon is a pleasant experience; a chance to bond and make memories with a new husband or wife. But Justin Bradford describes the honeymoon he and his wife took as life-changing. It was on that honeymoon in Texas that Bradford discovered all the possibilities of Southern-style barbecue. And he’s brought that experience to Tucker’s Main Street as the co-owner and pitmaster of Ford’s BBQ.
“We try to do everything Southern,” Bradford said, sitting in a booth of his new restaurant. “Southern barbecue [with] a Texas twist. Whether that’s Alabama white sauce or Carolina vinegar sauce, Texas style ribs, brisket, turkey, stuff like that….We try to encompass the best of barbecue from everywhere.”
Ford’s BBQ is maybe the most anticipated restaurant in Tucker history. Originally rumored for a 2018 opening in the building which formerly housed the Roly Poly sandwich shop, Ford’s met several delays followed by a global pandemic. When they finally opened last month, customers were able to follow their noses to barbecue nirvana.
“We cook almost all day long,” Bradford explained. “There’s somebody here cooking most hours of the day and night and we just burn straight oak and a little bit of pecan wood with it so you will smell it across Main Street.”
Ford’s is the latest opening of what’s been a Main Street restaurant renaissance. Since the beginning of 2019, eateries, breweries and a coffee shop have all opened in Tucker’s downtown and all are thriving. For Bradford, it’s the building of something special in a place he considers special.
“People know that this is kind of a destination,” he explained. “They can come down to Main Street every night for dinner, have Local 7 one night, maybe Village Burger one night, come to Ford’s one night, Hot Betty’s for breakfast and lunch. So, it’s good that it’s a destination.”
Ford’s BBQ is located at 2337 Main Street. You can visit them online at www.fords-bbq.com.
