There’s something about the Fourth of July that brings out the best in summer: warm evenings, glowing sparklers, laughter echoing off the water and the unmistakable smell of barbecue in the air. This year Rick and Lisa Pelfrey hosted a celebration that captured the very heart of Independence Day, welcoming friends to their home in Aiken for a relaxed, joy-filled evening centered around their pool and cozy pool house. But the real star of the party, aside from the fireworks, was the food. Thanks to Dukes Bar-B-Que, the Pelfreys didn’t have to lift a finger in the kitchen. They simply opened their doors, turned on the music and let the flavors of tradition take over.
For anyone familiar with Aiken, Dukes Bar-B-Que is more than just a place to grab a plate; it’s a well-loved Southern institution. For decades this family-run business has served up time-honored recipes prepared with the kind of care and consistency that can only come from generations of experience. When you eat Dukes, you’re not just eating pulled pork or hash and rice, you’re tasting a legacy of love, community and heritage that feels like coming home. And for a gathering as nostalgic and all-American as the Fourth of July, there couldn’t have been a better selection.
Christian and Rebecca Judy, the owners who help lead the restaurant and catering side of Dukes, take pride in making every event feel special. They know how stressful planning a party can be, especially when it comes to feeding a crowd. That’s why they’ve made it their mission to bring the comfort and flavor of Dukes straight to your doorstep. “We love helping people make memories,” says Christian. “When we cater an event, we want families to just enjoy themselves. That’s what this food is about, bringing people together.” Whether it’s a wedding, a corporate event or a backyard celebration, Dukes makes the entire experience seamless, flavorful and authentically Southern.
For the Pelfreys, this catering option meant they could actually enjoy the holiday alongside their guests, instead of running around with serving spoons and timers. As people arrived, the scent of slow-cooked barbecue wafted through the air and set the tone immediately. Plates were piled high with hash and rice, coleslaw and baked beans that practically melted in your mouth. Kids darted between the pool and the buffet table, their faces streaked with sauce and toothy smiles, while adults sipped cold drinks and shared stories in the shade of the pool house.
Laughter bubbled up around games of corn hole, homemade ice cream churned slowly on the deck and sparklers lit up little hands as the sun dipped below the horizon. All of it unfolded with the kind of ease that only happens when the hard work is already taken care of. The food didn’t just feed the party, it set the stage for it. Every bite tasted like summer and tradition, like porch swings and picnic tables, like something your grandma would have made if she’d had an industrial smoker out back.
One of the guests remarked that they hadn’t tasted barbecue like this since they were a kid growing up in the Carolinas. Another said the hash reminded them of their grandfather’s Sunday suppers. It was clear that Dukes doesn’t just deliver delicious food, they deliver a feeling. A feeling of belonging, of Southern roots, of pride in simple, honest cooking done right. And on a day that celebrates freedom and family, what could be more fitting?
As the night wore on and the stars came out, guests wrapped themselves in beach towels and blankets and gathered on the grass underneath the stars. The air was filled with the scent of citronella and the lingering sweetness of barbecue sauce. Kids were still licking their fingers and asking for seconds while grown-ups went back for just one more helping of banana pudding.
It wasn’t a party marked by extravagance but rather by warmth, by the clink of ice in glasses, the hum of familiar voices and the magic of being present. That’s the beauty of a Dukes-catered event. It lets the hosts focus on what matters most: each other. And it turns a gathering into something unforgettable.
For the Pelfreys and their guests, the night was everything a Fourth of July should be. Full of good food, better company and memories that’ll be talked about for summers to come. And at the heart of it all was Dukes Bar-B-Que, a Southern tradition that doesn’t just taste like home. It is home.
Because in Aiken, it’s just not the Fourth of July without Dukes.
“We love helping people make memories.”
”When we cater an event, we want families to just enjoy themselves. That’s what this food is about, bringing people together.”