After 10 years of people asking the question "why Red Lion?" It's time to come clean, it's not a unique name.
Riddled across the U.K. are numerous pubs and eateries displaying the image of a Red Lion, and while there are no exact number of all the licensed premises to have displayed the Red Lion name or symbol, it is generally believed to be the most pub sign with counts vary between 800 o 1,100 Red Lions.
Some historians believe this comes from James I of England. On his arrival in England, he ordered the Red Lion of Scotland to be displayed on all buildings of public importance. Others believe it comes from the heraldic coat of arms of John of Gaunt. However, both explanations have little evidence, and with John of Gaunt being a disliked figure among the population, it is unlikely to be true. So, if the previous explanations are false where does it come from? The Red Lion is perhaps one of the most common heraldic symbols used in England by many families across various counties.
So how does this tie in to Red Lion Smokehouse nestled in the downtown area of Port Arthur, Thunder Bay, Ontario? Simply put, when John Murray, head chef & owner, was coming up with the concept of what would become our beloved Red Lion, he was living and working in the U.K. and wanted to play homage to his time there.
On your next visit to Red Lion Smokehouse (the Thunder Bay one), see if you can spot all 18 references to "Red Lion" that John has collected through his travels (this does not include any of the Red Lion Smokehouse uniforms, menus, logos, or anything like that. Strictly memorabilia)
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