Poor Red’s has been an El Dorado institution since 1945, famous for their signature Golden Cadillac cocktails, barbecue and hospitality. It was briefly shuttered but now—thanks to new ownership and some spiffy renovations—it’s back and better than ever…like it never left. 

The building itself dates back to 1857, and it has a colorful history; in 1945 it was Kelly’s Bar, and according to local lore became Poor Red’s after Red, the owner, won the bar in a game of dice. If you’ve never been, it’s well worth the trip—and if you have fond memories of its dive-bar history, you won’t be disappointed. 

The front bar shows off its heritage proudly, from the shoeshine benches lining the wall to the split level bar and gorgeous Gold Rush murals. And there’s plenty of signature Golden Cadillacs to go ’round. What’s a Golden Caddy, you ask? Galliano, crème de cacao, cream and ice—blended into what tastes like a heavenly milkshake with a hint of anise…basically, it’s the cat’s pajamas! Served in a coupe glass, nothing warms my heart more than seeing grizzly bearded locals daintily sipping these. 

My husband and I hit Poor Red’s for Saturday lunch and it was hopping. For starters, we enjoyed an appetizer of huge crispy-fried, oozing-with-flavor onion rings crafted with hand-cut onions, then beer battered. When it came time for mains, we went for a half rack of ribs (house rubbed using a 12-spice mixture) and a pulled pork sandwich (served with onion strings on a fresh-baked roll). Both meats were tantamount to being in tenderness heaven, smoky and full of flavor, with barbecue sauce that was finger lickin’, lip smackin‘ good. 

And because we’re gluttons for punishment (or just gluttons) we couldn’t resist dessert. I had the peach cobbler and my husband had the chocolate brownie. My crisp was better than Grams, and my husband said the brownie was “holy cow awesome,” which I’ll take as a good sign.

 It’s a testament to the popularity of this place that the dining room was still buzzing and the bar almost completely full with happy locals at 2 p.m., a mere two weeks after reopening. Welcome back, Poor Red’s!

By Sharon Penny // Photo by Dante Fontana © Style Media Group

Poor Red’s Bar-B-Q, 6221 Pleasant Valley Road, El Dorado, 530-622-2901.