Dickey's BBQ

A new place opened here about a month ago called Dickey's BBQ. I found out that it's part of a chain that started in 1941 and is now in 31 states. The owner was on a local radio station talking about it , so I went there that afternoon. I didn't let him know that I had called the radio station while he was on, until after I had sampled his food. I ordered a two meat plate for $9.95 and got Brisket and Pulled Pork along with 2 sides of my choice and a roll. (You get your choice of 6 meats and about 10 sides) There are also free pickles and ice cream at a self serve station. After I introduced myself, the owner brought me 3 ribs to try and showed me his kitchen and Southern Pride cooker. I went back on Saturday with my girlfriend who is also a KCBS Certified BBQ Judge. She was as impressed as I was with this fast food BBQ chain and is thinking about us opening a location in a nearby city.
I've been judging BBQ competitions for 3 years and she just did her first year. We both agreed that the meat we had would place high in a competition and surpasses that stuff that some "famous" guy named Dave puts out. If there's a location near you, I'd definately give it a try.

I've been to the Dickey's in Cary, NC, in Durham, NC, and at the airport in Nashville, TN. I discovered that they can differ vastly at each location. The moist and tender pulled pork that I got at the Cary location was dry and chewy in Durham. I don't remember too much from the Nashville experience because I was rushed between flights and just grabbed a sandwich.

I've been KCBS and MBN certified (as well as North Carolina Pork Council) and would be hard pressed to even rate the Cary fare as award winning. But like I pointed out - each Dickey's is different.

I talked to a friend of mine last night after I posted this. He said the food at the airports was inconsistent, but better at the stand alone restaurants.

I'll be dawged if they didn't go and open another Dickey's in downtown Raleigh!!! This new one is just down the street from Clyde Cooper's - an Eastern NC style mecca in Raleigh. Just down the street from "The Pit" also.

Apparently a Dickey's opened here in Madison not too long ago, and there are also locations in Eau Claire and Green Bay. Not that I'd make a special trip to try it but I might give it a try if I'm in the area.

Anybody else eaten at one recently?

Brad

If you do decide to try a "Dickey's", I'd suggest the brisket. The pork just isn't all that great. I've not tried ribs there yet.

our dickeys around here is awful. not consistant.

to be honest, i've not been to one that is really all that impressive.

One of these is opening near my office...