Fire up the BBQ at Lester‘s

The word “barbecue” can mean many things. Abbreviated as barbie or BBQ, it can mean the outdoor appliance that cooks food, the party event surrounding the cooking of such food, or the cooking of the food itself. And one place in Northern Michigan that has the “barbecue” mastered is Lester’s BBQ, which was founded in Boyne City in May, 2000.
Owned by Les-Lee Robinson, the original Lester’s, still very much in business, was followed by a second location in Alanson in May of 2002.  Kelly Woodard is the general manager, and oversees day-to-day operations with an eye towards offering the best BBQ in Northern Michigan and beyond. 
“We are known for our BBQ,” Woodard enthuses, “our baby back pork ribs are what we are most often recognized for, and have received numerous awards.” 
Lester’s uses the freshest of ingredients, and has a special method of making their ribs great that would be tricky to duplicate even in the best home kitchen or backyard grilling area.
The ribs are first slowly smoked, and are then braised for hours in preparation for grilling. Grilled over an open flame until they are, as Woodard puts it, “fall off the bone tender,” the ribs are then either rubbed with one of Lester’s signature dry rubs, or brushed with Lester’s secret recipe BBQ sauce. 
Two other popular menu items are the pulled pork, which is slow-cooked for 18 hours to make for the utmost tendernessand a delicious chicken, which is prepared much like the ribs, but with a shorter cooking time. 
“We like to offer superior foods at reasonable prices,” Woodard says, “and we also like to provide a variety of foods.  In addition to the barbecue ribs, pork, chicken, and our BBQ jumbo shrimp, we also have USDA Choice cut steaks, real Maryland crab cakes, bourbon salmon, perch and walleye platters.” 
For lighter fare, Lester’s offers up several summer lunch wraps and salads.  And there are plenty of beverages to wash it all down.  “Our beer selection alone encompasses over 300 beer choices from around the world, and we’ve got a broad wine selection as well,” Woodard says. 
And, if you’d like your Lester’s brought to you, Woodard and crew can oblige, with full service catering that can include a complete on-site bar and grilling. 
So will Lester’s be opening another BBQ restaurant close to you any time soon?  Although Woodard says that “anything is possible,” for the time being, Lester’s is focusing on their two existing locations, adding live entertainment on the weekends and for special occasions throughout the summer. Live performances this summer include those of the peppy Mud Bugz, singer-guitarist Patrick Ryan, Josh Hall, and many more. 
 
Both Lester’s BBQ locations are open year-round; in Boyne City, you can find them at 151 Ray Street (telephone
231-582-4500), and in Alanson, they’re located at 7540 US 31 North (telephone 231-548-4646).  View On Our Website