Penguin Ed’s Throwback Anniversary

Paying Homage: BBQ Prices Roll Back 25 Years

Penguin Ed’s Bar-B-Que has come a long way in 25 years. From its humble roadside beginnings, smoking barbecue from a tent and a trailer at the crossroads of Crossover and Mission Blvd.; this now-more-than-barbecue business has grown to include three restaurants in Fayetteville, and its own successful sister catering company. On December 8th, in celebration of its 25th anniversary and how far they’ve come, they’re taking us back to where it all began; all three Penguin Ed’s locations will offer 25-year throwback pricing on the delicious offering that started it all: the original “Crossroads Bar-B-Q trailer” Sandwich Combos.

The concept began with a limited menu and the intention of serving home-smoked barbecue to the working lunch crowd. The story behind the penguins is a little more bizarre. During what was possibly a heat-induced daze caused by the cramped and over-heated conditions of the original food-trailer, owner Ed Knight decided to make a paper-mache emperor penguin colony. Whether it was just delirium or all part of a master plan, we may never know; but Ed had had a long-standing admiration for the way penguins share the good and the bad together to survive; and so the paper penguins found their home, nestled amongst the patrons and standing guard on the trailer’s roof — and a legacy was born. What was originally named “Crossroads Bar-B-Q” eventually took on its owner’s new nickname, and became affectionately and officially known as Penguin Ed’s Bar-B-Que.

Ed fondly remembers stories of penguin memorabilia being donated to the restaurants, as many of his 25-year collection of 3,000 penguins are gifts; but most notably, he said, “was a gal whose dying wish was to leave her collection of over a hundred penguins to us.” Among so many others, some of the most noticeable penguins in their collection are the sevenfoot statues that the Knights dress up and march in such events as the Mardi Gras Parade.

Each location is unique, with a different atmosphere and different menu items. The East Avenue Penguin Ed’s B&B location has a deep fryer to provide you with the classics like onion rings and fried pickles, and such unique treats as Betty’s homemade fried pies; but all three locations create more than just barbecue. Each location offers baked goods, including Audrey’s Cookies, baked in-house at Ed’s B&B and delivered daily to the other two locations.

You can get so much more than barbecue from Penguin Ed’s. They make praise-worthy burgers, wings, salads and breakfasts. Ed’s own personal favorite item on the menu: the Mushroom Swiss Burger, made with fresh beef patties seasoned and formed in-house daily. His second favorite is the half-chicken with baked beans and home-fried potatoes, because it isn’t easy to pick just one favorite.

Breakfast is available weekends from 7 a.m. to noon at the Mission location, and they have a full breakfast menu complete with pastries from their bakery. They serve French toast, pancakes, bacon, eggs, specialty omelets, biscuits with sausage gravy, and they even have a little something for the kids.

Check out the weekly specials for each location by visiting penguineds.com/ specials. For a more personal and in-depth look at what makes Penguin Ed’s so special, stop by their original brick-andmortar Bar-B-Que on Mission Boulevard and you’ll find a large photo album filled with pictures and stories that document the march of the Penguin.

Don’t forget to stop by your local Penguin Ed’s on December 8th between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. to celebrate 25 years; enjoy throwback pricing and a slice of cake, and maybe even win a prize or two.