Barbecue is back on the menu as a Collinsville restaurant reopens in a new, bigger site
A popular Collinsville barbecue restaurant has reopened in its new home.
Previously located at 605 Vandalia St., Red Top BBQ & Chili moved to a much larger space at 834 S. Morrison Ave. in the Southtowne Plaza Shopping Center.
Owners Larry and Melissa Gilmore temporarily closed their restaurant in March, announcing on the Red Top BBQ & Chili Facebook page that the business would move to South Morrison Avenue.
And the new space will allow the restaurant to offer a lot more than it could before.
Melissa Gilmore said in a phone interview that they’re glad to finally reopen.
On Vandalia Street, Red Top was a drive-thru only operation. At South Morrison, customers will be able to dine in.
Curbside service will be available, said Gilmore, adding that some of their customers are older and may struggle with mobility. She feels that this additional service will make them happy.
Gilmore said they will have a bar (coming soon – they still need to get that liquor license) and an event space available to rent for private parties.
She mentioned that video gaming is also coming soon.
While official plans haven’t been made, Gilmore said they want to hold a grand opening or customer appreciation event in the coming weeks.
She said that right now, Larry just wants to get the restaurant open.
So stay tuned for upcoming event info.
On the menu
If you aren’t familiar with Red Top BBQ & Chili, here’s what you’ll want to know foodwise.
The menu offers a variety of chicken, pork and beef items.
Chicken options include wings, roasted chicken (quarter, half or whole), pulled chicken. They have roasted turkey legs too.
Pork steaks, ribs, tips, pulled pork, rib tips and snoots are all on the menu.
Or opt for a beef brisket or burnt ends.
Sides include baked beans, potato salad, corn on the cob, cole slaw, green beans, mac & cheese and fries.
The menu also has chili, gumbo, desserts (cake and cobbler), lunch specials and options for the kiddos.
About Red Top BBQ & Chili
Red Top BBQ & Chili originally opened July 29, 2016, and does well, according to Gilmore, attracting a steady stream of hungry customers.
Even during COVID, when most businesses struggled, the Gilmores built their reputation by providing free lunches to kids for more than a year through a free lunch program.
Other members of the Collinsville community helped by making monetary donations or providing additional food items.
Gilmore said they got a lot of publicity, appearing in the news multiple times.
Collinsville was later named as a finalist as one of the Nicest Places in America 2020.
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Red Top BBQ & Chili is located at 834 S. Morrison Ave., Collinsville.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call 618-855-8777 or visit facebook.com/redtopbbq.
This story was originally published August 11, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
