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HUNTINGTON -- The West Virginia Rib Station opened in July as the brainchild of former Le Cook Store owner Shawn Bresnahan.

The Rib Station is now a key part of the Cabell-Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau Visitors' Center (the former home of the Boston Beanery at 11th Street and Veterans Memorial Boulevard).

"The smoker was made in Arkansas. I actually bought it from a fellow who had opened up a rib place in Proctorville but decided to go to law school. I was in the right place at the right time to pick it up," Bresnahan said. "We use a combination of woods. Sometimes we use cherry. Sometimes we use apple. Sometimes we use oak, and sometimes we use a mixture of woods."

Bresnahan has spent much of his life learning about cooking and the food business.

"I've been in and out of the food business since I was about 13 years old," he said. "I started as a bus boy working at a Howard Johnson's outside of Chicago. My brothers and sisters all had to learn to take turns cooking dinner for each other. I spent about 20 years in the south in Louisiana, Texas and Georgia, where I learned more about smoking meats. I tried to look at what kind of restaurant was needed in the area, and I really didn't see anyone doing a great job of smoking meats. There are some others in the area that do a good job, but not great. I knew ribs and pulled pork were going to be the main players and that we had to offer some poultry for people who didn't like pork. From there, we grew on the menu adding beef brisket, and we're trying out smoked buffalo wings."

The Rib Station's signature item is the 3-B's Meal featuring a small portion of pulled pork, smoked turkey and a three-bone rib for $7.25. Another popular item is the Pullman Pulled Pork Sandwich, served on a Kaiser roll with a side for $6.25. There also is the Casey Jones smoked turkey sandwich for $6.25. Rib lovers can order a half-slab platter for $8.50 or a full slab for $15.99. Young diners can enjoy the 1-B and 2-B meals featuring one or two miniature versions of the Pullman and the Casey Jones for $3.75 and $5.25.

"The sauce we use is a basic tomato-based sauce," Bresnahan said. "We make the hot sauce what I call a West Virginia hot. It has a nice tang to it, but it won't burn your lips like a Louisiana or Texas hot sauce. I wasn't adding a mustard sauce to the menu, but a number of people asked if we were going to do one before we opened, so we decided to give it a try. The mustard sauce is actually the No. 1 sauce right now. People love it, particularly on the turkey breast."

Customers should ask about the daily dessert special.

The West Virginia Rib Station is located at 210 11th St., Huntington. Cash and all major credit/debit cards are accepted.

The West Virginia Rib Station is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. It is closed on the first Sunday of every month.

To place a takeout order, inquire about catering options or for more information, call 304-697-RIBS (7427).

Paul Sebert/For The Herald-Dispatch

Shawn Bresnahan is the owner of the new West Virginia Rib Station located inside the Cabell-Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau Visitors Center at 210 11th St., Huntington. The restaurant specializes in smoked meats.

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Paul Sebert/For The Herald-Dispatch

Photos by Paul Sebert/For The Herald-Dispatch

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