Is it better than Dickey's? Or worse? Here's my story...

Growing up, Dickey's BBQ on 14th Street in Plano, Texas was our go-to BBQ restaurant. It was down the street from my dad's office, and we'd go there for lunch or dinner at least once a month. The guys cutting the meat knew my dad by name, and I can remember the HUGE wheel of cheese they use to have, in the middle of the restaurant, covered with a cheese-cloth and you would go up there and slice off as much as you wanted.

I heard once that the 14th St. location was the 2nd Dickey's BBQ built, after the original on Fitzhugh and 75. I can believe it, because it's been there as long as I can remember, and I'm going on my 45th year. And because we always went there, the quality of Dickey's is how I judge every other BBQ I've ever had in my life. I ask myself the question...

Is it better than Dickey's? Or is it worse?

If it's better, then it's good BBQ. If it's worse, it's bad BBQ. And I've had both...I've eaten ribs at The Rendezvous in Memphis, snacked on brisket from Franklin's BBQ in Austin, and talked 'cue with Daniel Vaughn. But I've also eaten BBQ from a gas station, a guy selling it off the side of the road, and from...gasp...over here on the east coast.

Dickey's BBQ is my litmus test of whether BBQ is good or not, and so far, it hasn't failed me. I've even got one down the street from me, and will head over every now and then and pickup a Westerner (with brisket and turkey, though they ALWAYS forget the slice of cheese). Being on the east coast means I have to search out the good BBQ places, and locals love to tell me where I should go.

So, I'm going to do it...I'm going to go on a BBQ journey and let you know what places you should check out...and which places you should avoid.

Comments

ZZQ Texas Craft Barbeque - Richmond, VA

I 've been waiting a long time for this one. After 5 years of living on the East Coast, I finally found myself in line at ZZQ Texas Craft Barbeque in Richmond, VA. This is one that's been on my list since I moved out here, and I dragged my wife, my in-laws, one of my wife's coworkers, and HIS wife (who doesn't eat meat) there for lunch on a Saturday, and it's safe to say everyone had a pretty damn fine meal. Though they were out of beef ribs when I got to the front (thanks dude in front of me), I went with my usual order of brisket, sausage, and on the suggestion of the employee behind the counter, the pulled pork. I also grabbed a couple of sides of collard greens, cornbread, mac & cheese, and an actual kolache...not a klobasnek, which is what I was expecting, but a fruit filled kolache...sat down and prepared myself for an out-of-body experience. The brisket was a little fatty (I didn't ask for a cut from the lean side) but delicious with good flavor an...

Palmira Barbeque - Charleson, So

I was in Charleston, SC for a work conference this past week, and have enjoyed all the delicious food that the Holy City has to offer...low country boils, fried chicken, collard greens, and shrimp & grits that were probably some of the best that I've ever had. After the last event of the conference, I was laying in bed about to fall asleep, scrolling through social media as I do, when this article from Texas Monthly popped up... The first place on the list was Palmira Barbecue, and I immediately checked to see where it was. Turns out, it was halfway between my hotel and the airport. I knew what I was doing with my last day in Charleston. I don't think I've ever walked into a BBQ place with a fully stuffed suitcase and backpack, but that didn't stop me from sallying up to the counter and ordering a half pound of beef cheeks, a sausage link, mustard slaw, pickled onions & pickles, a Cheerwine, and an Underberg. The cashier helped me to my tabl...

Better than Dickeys

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