Blue Ribbon BBQ Is Opening a Third Location

Blue Ribbon BBQ in Arlington. / Photo via Facebook

One of New England’s best barbecue joints is taking its talents to Dedham Square. Blue Ribbon BBQ, with outposts in West Newton and Arlington, just signed a lease for a third restaurant, Eater Boston reports.

Partner Ron Stoloff told Eater Blue Ribbon BBQ in Dedham will be much bigger than his existing outposts, with more than 50 seats. It could open late spring 2017. It will be the first new Blue Ribbon in 20 years; partners Stoloff and Chris Janowski debuted in Newton in 1995, and Arlington followed just two years later. The company also has a commissary kitchen in Newton, and does ample catering.

Boston caught up with Stoloff earlier this year, when Boston Restaurant Talk reported the company was looking to expand.

“We’d only want to open another storefront if we can be true to our vision and do it the right way,” Stoloff said in June. “Barbecue is a 120-hour lead time. You mess up, there’s the day’s business. You need to be right and consistent every time. We’ve been at this for 20 years, we got a commissary to standardize how we produce our barbecue, and we’re good at what we do. We can take that leap and know we can do it right.”

Blue Ribbon BBQ is hailed for its vinegary, North Carolina-style pulled pork and chili-and-cumin-rubbed Memphis ribs, as well as Kansas City-style brisket and burnt ends.

1375 Washington St., West Newton, 617-332-2583, 908 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, 617-332-7427, blueribbonbbq.com.