Redneck Heaven

Redneck Heaven was a chain of sports bars and restaurants based in Lewisville, Texas, and with locations in several other Texas cities. The chain was known for its controversial promotions, Southern theme and scantily-clad waitresses. It was the subject of an MTV reality show and it was frequently categorized as a breastaurant.

Redneck Heaven
TypePrivate
IndustryRestaurant
Number of locations
4 (at peak)
Area served
Texas
ServicesFood and beverage
Websitehttp://redneckheaven.com/ (archived)

History and concept
Redneck Heaven waitress wearing typical uniform (2013)

Opening in 2008[1] in Lewisville, Texas,[2] Redneck Heaven marketed itself as a rowdier, more sexually provocative version of the typical breastaurant like Hooters, Tilted Kilt, or Twin Peaks.[3] Restaurants featured Southern and Redneck-themed interior elements such as car doors from the General Lee (from The Dukes of Hazzard) and other automotive and sports memorabilia.[4] They also featured scantily clad servers who engaged in what the chain terms as "mischief" (including line dancing, hula hooping and spanking).[5][6]

The typical uniform consisted of skimpy cut-off shorts (resembling those of Dukes of Hazzard character Daisy Duke) with crop tops, bikini tops or bras.[4][7] Redneck Heaven had many special events, however, where the typical attire was bikinis, lingerie or other themes. The chain also held "Anything But Clothes" events where servers wore only panties and body paint.[3][8] Some reviewers characterized Redneck Heaven as bridging the gap between tamer breastaurants and strip clubs,[9] though the owner said the experience had become less extreme since the early days of the restaurant.[5] The Dallas Observer listed it as being one of the best bars in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.[10]

Big Tips Texas

During 2013, MTV ran a reality television series called Big Tips Texas.[11] The show followed a number of Redneck Heaven waitresses from the Lewisville, Texas location and ran for 14 episodes (one season).[12]

Controversial promotions

Anything But Clothes

Redneck Heaven ran periodic "Anything But Clothes" events where waitresses were topless except for body paint covering their breasts.[13] In response to this, at least three different municipalities in Texas changed their laws about what constitutes nudity, preventing body paint from being considered an "opaque covering".[14] Classifying the waitresses as partially nude would have required that Redneck Heaven be regulated as a sexually oriented business.[15]

Minnow Bombs

In addition to the regular menu, Redneck Heaven featured two unusual items which could be considered food challenges. One was a burger weighing 3 pounds (1,400 g) called the "Bubba's 'Tower in an Hour' Burger Challenge".[5] The other, more controversial, item was a drink called the "Minnow Bomb". This drink consisted of a shot of liquor containing a live minnow. This item drew protests from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA) who argued that it was both unsafe and inhumane to consume these live fish.[5][16]

References
  1. "About us". Redneck Heaven. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  2. "Redneck Heaven Map". Redneck Heaven. Archived from the original on October 26, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  3. Southwell, Steve (October 15, 2011). "Lewisville Council to Consider Cleavage Ban, S.O.B.s". The Lewisville Texan Journal. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  4. Steward, Steve (October 26, 2011). "Redneck Heaven, Garlic Bread Hell". Fort Worth Weekly. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  5. Blount, Chuck (August 10, 2018). "Lingerie, body paint, live-fish shots. It's Redneck Heaven, opening in S.A." San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  6. Stephen, Paul (September 11, 2017). "Review: San Antonio's Redneck Heaven surprisingly tame, not surprisingly bad". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  7. Kuperinsky, Amy (October 9, 2013). "In 'Big Tips Texas,' MTV messes with minnows, weaves and booty shorts". NJ.com. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  8. "Redneck Heaven Restaurant In Trouble Over 'Nudity' Claim". HuffPost. July 16, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  9. Lensch, Teresa (August 26, 2014). "A Woman's View of Redneck Heaven". Dallas Observer. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  10. Falcon, Jaime-Paul (July 21, 2015). "The 10 Best Bars in the Dallas-Fort Worth Suburbs". Dallas Observer. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  11. Marechal, AJ (November 4, 2013). "MTV Reality Shows: The Quietest Ones Now Speak The Loudest". Variety. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  12. Winkler, Jeff (October 9, 2013). "Meet the King of the Breastaurant™ Empire". Texas Monthly. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  13. Bradshaw, Kelsey (October 1, 2017). "'Anything But Clothes' party marked grand opening of San Antonio's Redneck Heaven". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  14. Nicholson, Eric (November 12, 2013). "Cedar Hill is Terrified of Redneck Heaven's Painted Breasts". Dallas Observer. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  15. Southwell, Steve (July 14, 2013). "Council to Consider Ordinance Change Again After Redneck Heaven Uses Body Paint to Circumvent Nudity Rule". The Lewisville Texan Journal. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  16. Sinpetru, Laura (September 9, 2013). "Bar in Texas Serves Live Fish Shots, PETA Wants It to Stop". Softpedia News. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
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