Buddy’s bar-b-q was honored by the Tennessee General Assembly, Monday, with a joint resolution in the Senate recognizing the iconic restaurant’s 50th anniversary.

The resolution noted that Buddy’s was founded in Knoxville in 1972 by Carcel “Buddy” Smothers and his wife, LaMuriel, and soon became a popular gathering place serving up “delicious and always-fresh, home-style food at a real value with good old Southern hospitality.”

The resolution noted that LaMuriel’s recipes are still on the menu and the hickory-smoked barbeque is made daily on site as it has been for 50 years.

Future luminaries like Ricky Skaggs and the Knoxville Grass would perform in the restaurant on Friday nights. None other than Dina Shore added Buddy’s trademark hushpuppies to a cookbook she once wrote.

The resolution commended Buddy’s for its charitable service to the communities it serves, noting that the restaurant has hosted Mission Mondays, provides first responders with discounts and generously supports local schools and the University of Tennessee.

The resolution noted that Buddy’s Bar-b-q continues its remarkable growth with 19 locations spread across the great state of Tennessee, including East Ridge, Athens, Bristol, Cleveland, Clinton, Lenoir City, Maryville, Oak Ridge, Powell, and Sevierville.

The franchise group includes Darik and Deanne Dawes, David and Shelly Dawes, Ken and Mary Hope Maples, Allen and Cyndi Newton, and Greg and Kim Adkins, all Tennessee natives.

The joint resolution states in part: “the good people of Buddy’s Bar-b-q have operated their award-winning restaurant with expertise and integrity for 50 years, and they are wholly deserving of special recognition.”

The East Ridge Buddy’s is located at 619 Camp Jordan Parkway and is open Tuesday through Sunday.