By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

CHELSEA – When Andrew Jernigan asked first-time customers Johnny Patterson and his son Jordan how their lunches were at Good Ole Boys BBQ in Chelsea on April 14, the two men immediately complimented the food.

“The wings were great,” Johnny Patterson said, also praising the green beans and baked beans.

Johnny said he had heard about the new eatery from someone, and as he and his son prepared to take a lunch break from their work April 14, Johnny insisted on trying Good Ole Boys BBQ.

“We really enjoyed it,” Jordan said.

Jernigan is the manager of Chelsea’s Good Ole Boys BBQ, which opened inside the Marathon gas station at 16634 U.S. 280 on March 1, becoming the restaurant’s first location in Shelby County.

Jernigan also serves as the marketing director for all Good Ole Boys BBQ locations, the first of which opened in Sylacauga. The other three locations are in Pell City, Alexander City and Wedowee.

Chelsea’s Good Ole Boys BBQ is located in the space where Alabaster-based restaurant Chubb’s Grub Station previously operated its Chelsea branch.

When the space became available again, Jernigan said his family decided it was time to open the county’s first Good Ole Boys BBQ.

“It’s been wonderful,” he said of the location’s first seven weeks of operation. “The town has really gotten behind us. The folks here are incredible. I love being here in Chelsea.”

Good Ole Boys BBQ offers a wide array of barbecue meat entrees, appetizers, salads, fish and shrimp, sandwiches, sides and desserts.

Patrons can choose from pulled pork barbecue, barbecue smoked chicken, fried chicken, fried wings, fried barbecue wings, ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs and more.

Among the best-sellers are the ribs, smoked chicken, pulled pork, hamburgers and hamburger steak, Jernigan said.

“We sell a lot of fried chicken tenders,” he said. “Everything’s made to order.”

Another hit with customers is the porky fries appetizer – a plate full of seasoned crinkle-cut fries covered with pulled pork, barbecue sauce, melted Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses and bacon bits.

The menu features 11 side items, including onion rings, cheese sticks, baked potato, coleslaw and baked beans.

Good Ole Boys BBQ award-winning barbecue sauce adds extra flavor to the restaurant’s dishes and can be purchased at each location and online at Goodolebbq.com.

The restaurant offers take-out and catering services.

The Chelsea location can seat about 44 people in its dining room, and it has a pick-up window for take-out orders.

Jernigan’s family has experience in the restaurant and catering industry. His brother-in-law, Kenny Boggan, started Whiskers Catfish in Sylacauga, and Boggan’s son, Daniel, is the owner of Good Ole Boys BBQ.

“We’ve been catering and doing catfish for about 14 years,” Jernigan said. “We’re looking forward to growth.”

Good Ole Boys BBQ offers fundraising opportunities for schools, churches and other local organizations. Those wanting more information about fundraising opportunities, or catering services, should contact Jernigan at andrew@goodolebbq.com.

Good Ole Boys BBQ in Chelsea is open Monday–Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is closed on Sunday.

“We want folks to feel like they’ve come home,” Jernigan said. “They’re just coming to hang out with family. We’re really blessed.”