Dickey's BBQ Pit Cary NC - The Traveling Locavores

Dickey’s BBQ Pit Cary NC is just one location of a family-owned American barbecue restaurant chain based in Dallas, Texas.

A buffet of food with a large platter of smoked turkey slices on a wood table at Dickey's BBQ Pit Cary NC

Smoked Turkey is the centerpiece of this spread at Dickey’s BBQ Pit
Photo Credit: Website

A black and white photo of the first Dickey's BBQ Pit from 1941.

1941 the first Dickey’s BBQ Pit opened in Dallas Texas
Photo Credit: Website

The inside of a fast casual Dickey's BBQ Pit Cary NC.

This is just like the Dickey’s BBQ Pit in Cary NC
Photo Credit: Website

Dickey’s BBQ Pit is really a true American success story. Way back in 1941, Travis Dickey established the restaurant which has now become the largest barbecue franchise in the United States. A World War II veteran, Dickey opened the first Dickey’s BBQ Pit in Dallas, Texas. Blessed with the gift of gab and the love of authentic, slow-smoked barbecue. In the beginning, Dickey’s BBQ Pit was truly a family operation with Travis working the block and Miss Ollie Dickey serving sandwiches. “Space on the restaurant sign was rented out to help pay the start-up costs for the restaurant and the menu was limited to beef brisket, pit hams, barbecue beans, potato chips, beer, bottled milk, and sodas.”

In 1967 Travis’ sons, Roland and T.D. Dickey took over the business and continued their father’s legacy of great quality hickory-smoked signature meats. Soon after taking over the reins the brothers expanded throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area and became known all over Texas for their mouthwatering hickory-smoked barbecue, popular catered events, and the iconic Big Yellow Cups. They began franchising in 1994 because loyal guests and barbecue fanatics demanded more locations. Today with more than 500 locations in 44 states, loyal barbecue fans are what keep Dickey’s thriving in every community.

A metal baking pan topped with pulled pork, ribs, coleslaw and mac and cheese at Dickey's BBQ Pit Cary NC

My yummy pulled pork and ribs platter at Dickey’s BBQ Pit Cary NC

Dickey’s BBQ Pit Cary NC and all of their locations still slow smoke all meats on-site just the same way it was done at the beginning way back in 1941. The menu features beef brisket, pulled pork, St. Louis style ribs, polish sausage, spicy cheddar sausage, smoked turkey, and marinated chicken, with an extensive array of home-style sides from jalapeño beans to macaroni and cheese. Buttery rolls are served with every meal along with complimentary ice cream. Another awesome feature is that kids eat free on Sunday.

The family tradition is still going strong. In 2006, Roland Dickey, Jr. became Chief Executive Officer in 2006. As the fast-casual franchise continued its expansion, Roland Dickey, Jr. transitioned to CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group and his wife, Laura Rea Dickey took over as CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. Today, the Dickey family is still serving the same wonderful barbecue recipes that have been handed down for generations. Those recipes, coupled with the same brand of southern hospitality only on a much larger scale is what keeps customers loyal.

A metal sheet pan topped with bbq and sides at Dickey's BBQ Pit Cary NC.

Don’t you love the 1/4 sheet pans used as trays?

For our lunchtime visit, we opted to try as many different options as we could. Everything was so delicious that we polished off our platters in no time flat. All of our meat selections were tender, smoky and moist. Proving that low and slow is definitely the way to go. Even the sides and condiments were delish. But sadly(or gladly) we were too full for that free ice cream. I know. There’s always room for ice cream. But it was only lunch and dinner was just a few short hours away.