By Lisa Crockett; photos courtesy of Dickey’s Barbecue
Dickey’s Barbecue, with its signature original sauce and slow hickory
smoking technique, has been a Texas favorite since the early 1940s. With
recipes that have stood the test of time, what used to be a regional
favorite is now spreading nationwide. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit opened last
month in Castle Rock and has been smoking meat on site for a public
eager to enjoy brisket, pulled pork, ham, sausage, ribs and other tasty
delights.
“All our meats are slow smoked,” said Tyler Dunn, the assistant manager
at Dickey’s in Castle Rock. “We cook our pork and brisket for 12 to 14
hours, which makes it moist and tender and gives it a great flavor.”
Barbecue done well is a crowd pleaser; it’s relatively easy to transport
and appeals to a wide variety of palates, which makes it a natural
choice for parties and celebrations large and small.
“We feed groups from 10 people to 1,000 people,” said Dunn. “Catering is
a big part of what we do. Barbecue ‘holds’ well, so at a party where
food might sit on a buffet for an hour or so, the meat still has great
flavor and texture.”
Part of that great flavor comes from the seasoning of the meat and the
smoking technique, which is then augmented by a choice of sauces. “Our
original sauce is savory with a balance of sweet and spicy,” said Dunn.
“It’s not super hot, but it does have a little bit of a kick.”
It’s apparent that the staff at Dickey’s is passionate about the food
they prepare. On a recent visit, they were happy to make
recommendations, and had my food in my hands in no time at all. The
chicken sandwich they recommended was moist, tender and juicy. The onion
tanglers (a close cousin to an onion ring) were crispy and tasty, and
the potato casserole with cheese, bacon and chives was a decadent treat.
For dessert I had vanilla ice cream, which is complimentary to all
guests at Dickey’s.
“We are very family friendly, and serving free ice cream with every meal
is part of that,” said Dunn. “We have self-service vanilla soft-serve
cones every day. Moms especially love that.”
In addition to meat plates, sandwiches and a variety of side dishes
liked baked beans, cole slaw and fried okra, Dickey’s also offers loaded
baked potatoes and hearty salads. The kids menu features regular menu
items as well as chicken nuggets. Kids eat for free every Sunday.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is open from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. seven days a
week and is located at 323 Metzler Drive in Castle Rock. For more
information, visit www.dickeys.com.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit - (303) 688-3383
323 Metzler Dr #101
Castle Rock, Colorado 80108