“YOU MUST BE LOOKING FOR THE RESTAURANT. JUST GO THROUGH THAT DOOR.”

Image 80

I had been told about Buck’s legendary ribs, but when I walk in, I see a dimly lit bar, a dance floor with disco ball spinning, a foxy lady on the wall. I saw the sign for Uncle Buck’s Restaurant, but this was not what I was expecting. The waitress saw that perplexed look before, and she set me straight.

I passed from a world where you had to be twenty-one to enter, into a restaurant that serves family-style meals.

“I always wanted to own a club and a barbecue joint,” Ben “Buck” Banks tells me.

“I was a trucker during the week, but on the weekend, I was always smoking ribs. A friend of mine had this barbecue joint and he wanted out so bad that he offered it to me for $150. That was back in 1978.”

Carolyn added, “I had always worked in restaurants around town, so I was very skeptical at first. I knew how much work a restaurant is, but I would come in and help out. I started spending more and more time here, and expanding the menu. I really enjoyed having a place of our own, and after about six months, he just turned this place over to me.”

With Carolyn and the family holding down the restaurant, Ben set his sights on that club that he always wanted. (Image 81)

Image 81

“I would drive a truck all during the week. After work on Friday, I’d go straight to the restaurant and smoke ribs all night. I’d spend Saturday splitting time between the club and the restaurant, and spend my Sundays at the club.” (Image 82)

Image 82

Over the years, the club and the restaurant moved locations a couple of times, which kept Ben hopping, but today, they are under one roof, which is a lot easier on Ben. Now that he isn’t trucking anymore, he has more time to pursue his fishing hobby.

When Carolyn is not at the restaurant cooking, you can find her at church. She plays serious bingo at least two nights a week. (Image 83)

Image 83: Uncle Buck’s Smoke House 2920 Jewella Avenue • Shreveport, LA 71109 • (318)635-5184