Another BBQ Chain Comes to Knoxville

Laurie and I like BBQ, but we really appreciate great BBQ and most of what we’ve found so far here in East Tennessee is just OK or average.  So, when a new BBQ outlet opened in the area we just had to give it a try… How does the saying go?  …Hope springs eternal!

This is the relatively new Dickey’s Barbecue Pit which is located in Knoxville’s Turkey Creek Shopping area.  The color of the awning does catch your eye as you drive past the plethora of stores and restaurants in Turkey Creek.

Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. was founded in 1941.  The company is based in Dallas Texas.  As of 2015, Dickey’s had 530 locations across the USA and the company reported revenues of $520,000,000.  Franchises are available…

These photos show the interior of our local Dickey’s Barbeque Pit.  The wood walls and checkered table coverings evoke visions of downhome BBQ…in an urban environment. 

In addition to dining in, Dickey’s offers catering, online ordering, holiday meals, a number of retail items…and in some markets, outside delivery is available.

There are printed menus available but most people order from this menu board hanging near the beginning of Dickey’s ‘production line’.  This is a ‘fast casual’ restaurant where you go to the counter and place your order…and then follow it along until it’s ready to hand to you at the register.

The person taking the order then processes the meat portion of your meal…and that seemed to cause a little stack up of customers in line as they waited for the order ahead of them to be passed on down the line for other meal add-ons and finishing touches. 

Laurie ordered the Pit Boss Deal…a luncheon special.  For $13.50 she got a roll, potato chips, asiago cheese creamed spinach, a large 'take with you Dickie's logo cup' with lemomade and 5 BBQ ribs.  She really liked the creamed spinach and she thought that the ribs were pretty good too. 

I wasn’t as impressed with the ribs as she was.  The flavor was OK and they were relatively ‘meaty’, but they weren’t anything special.  It probably didn’t help my opinion when I watched the ‘meat server’ pull some ribs wrapped in Saran Wrap from a warmer, unwrap them and then cut them up into her serving… It wasn’t an appetizing experience.

I ordered the Original Westerner for my lunch. ($7.50) This sandwich consists of sliced brisket and Polish kielbasa sausage, topped with cheddar on a toasted hoagie bun.  The kielbasa was just fine but the brisket was much too dry and as a result, it was fairly bland.  The toasted roll was a plus and the BBQ sauce was fairly decent… I’d buy it for use with my own BBQ at home. 

One happy plus for meals at Dickey’s is the small cone of soft-serve ice cream that comes free for the taking with your meal.  I opted out but Laurie really enjoyed this little post-lunch treat.

My search for good barbeque here in East Tennessee continues.  Dickey’s is OK for quick meal but I wouldn’t seek it out… Given the company’s growth they must be doing something right, but it isn’t great BBQ.

Dickey’s Barbeque Pit in the Turkey Creek is located at 11483 Parkside Drive in Knoxville Tennessee.  Phone: 865-675-8227.  The company’s website can be found at www.dickeys.com. 

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them.

Thanks for stopping by for lunch…

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave