Minding Your Business- Red River BBQ

Red River BBQ on Route 28 in Harwich Port is a local treasure. Since purchasing the building and opening its doors in 2023 Jeremiah Reardon and his wife Gabby have been serving up some of the best smoky, delicious barbeque around.

“I never thought in a million years that I would own a barbeque restaurant in Harwich Port,” Reardon said. “I couldn’t think of a better town to be in. Everyone here in town from the select board to Cyndi Williams at the chamber is incredible”

Reardon grew up in Orleans and Provincetown and worked in local restaurants since he was a kid. After a college lacrosse injury, he landed at the French Culinary Institute (now International Culinary Institute). He is a classically French-trained chef who has worked all over the county in some of the best restaurants in Manhattan, San Diego, Los Angeles and Boston.

“I didn’t want to do another high-end restaurant,” Reardon said. “I did that for most of my career. Nothing against high-end, but I never got to see my friends. You have to be in the kitchen constantly. You have to touch every plate. There is no correct way to do all the things we are doing now if I went high-end.”

And Red River BBQ is doing a whole lot these days! Last week Reardon and the Red River BBQ team had 27 events. Aside from normal seven-days-a-week restaurant business, Red River BBQ can be found in many locations in the area thanks to its two food trucks. This summer they have done stints at Cape Cod Beer, Truro Vineyards and Devil’s Purse Brewery. Reardon hopes to continue at some of these locations into the fall (be sure to follow them on Instagram @RedRiverBBQ for all of the food truck days and times). 

When asked what the fan favorites are, Reardon didn’t hesitate for a second. “Ribs, brisket and pulled pork are the big three,” he said. 

Reardon smokes all of the meat himself in-house using oak and cherry hardwood. He fires up the smoker out back seven days a week, starting around 4:30 a.m and finishing up around 3:30 p.m. On the menu plates of smoked barbeque are served with cornbread and honey butter, coleslaw and with a choice of homemade mac and cheeses, potato salad or house fries. In addition to the “big three,” the menu also features sandwiches, salads, and mouthwatering small plates like shrimp and grits, friend green tomatoes, chilli and crabcakes served with a New England succotash. To cap things off, Red River BBQ has a fantastic large bar area with beer, wine, cocktails and 20 different tequilas.

Event space is always an option at the restaurant for special occasions. The trucks are also available for off-site catering of private events, weddings, rehearsal dinners and everything in between. Catering packages like the Holy Trinity Combo (brisket, ribs, chicken wings and bratwurst) and the Cowboy Combo (brisket, ribs, pulled pork, wings), each with side choices, are served up off of the catering menu. Catering and platters are offered by Red River BBQ for any size occasion, party, tailgating and more. 

The fall is shaping up to be a hot one for Red River! Be on the lookout for fan favorites like smoked prime rib Thursdays and 50 cent wings on Sundays, as well as live music lineups (check social media)!

Red River BBQ

787 Route 28, Harwich Port

508-430-0405

Open daily

11:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.