Dickey’s introduces Mid-County to signature slow smoke
Published 6:22 pm Thursday, August 27, 2015
- Krystal Smith, 29 of Nederland, left, Ashley Chargois, 20 of Orange, and Danielle Smith, 28 of Nederland, wait at the entrance to Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Nederland Thursday morning before the restaurant opens for business. The friends beat the rush Thursday, claiming the top three spots in a line that quickly grew behind them, to earn a $50 Dickey’s gift card awarded to the first 50 customers.
Barbecue Pit grand opening give-a-ways scheduled through Saturday
NEDERLAND — Patrons heading to the new Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Mid-County Thursday didn’t need an address or directions to get there. The smell coming from the restaurant’s meat smoker could easily be substituted for GPS.
Those queued up at the entrance hoping to earn one of the $50 Dickey’s gift cards — reserved for the first 50 customers who walked through the door during the grand opening Thursday morning — said the aroma helped guide them from the parking lot to the door and even added some entertainment to their wait.
“There’s a lot of growling stomachs out here,” one woman said, laughing.
“We’ve got our own smell — all thanks to our signature slow-smoked meats,” owner Andy Maredia said. “We smoke all of our meats for 14 hours. The Dickey’s franchise got started in Dallas (in 1941) based on authentic, slow-smoked barbecue. As you can see — or smell — we still honor those traditions today.”
Andy Maredia, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit owner, center, cut two ceremonial ribbons Thursday for the Nederland and Port Arthur Chambers of Commerce during the grand opening ceremony for Dickey’s new location off Hwy 69 in Nederland, across from Central Mall in Port Arthur.
While eager and hungry customers lined up outside the entrance early Thursday, Maredia gave representatives from the Nederland and Port Arthur Chambers of Commerce a sneak peek inside the restaurant. Maredia and the Dickey’s staff, however, saved all the food for the waiting customers.
“Our grand opening is going to be a three-day event entirely devoted to our new customers,” Maredia said. “Our first 50 customers (Thursday) get $50 gift cards. The next 100 customers will all get a free meal voucher.
“On Friday, we’re going to have $2 pulled pork sandwiches and some big give-a-ways. We’re doing four drawings — one lucky winner gets a $500 Dickey’s gift card and the other three will each get free barbecue for a whole year. If you enter the drawing, you have to be here (from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday) to claim your prize.”
Maredia said smaller give-a-ways with “goodies and Dickey’s merchandise” are scheduled all day Saturday.
A Dickey’s Barbecue Pit employee wraps freshly smoked brisket before the restaurant opens for business Thursday morning in Nederland.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is located in the Plaza Shopping Center across from Central Mall at 1629 S. Hwy 69 in Nederland.
In addition to its signature slow-smoked meats — available by the plate, in sandwiches and by the pound — the franchise offers home-style sides, tangy barbecue sauce and free kids’ meals every Sunday. Orders can be made in person or online.
For more information, call Dickey’s Barbecue Pit at (409) 853-1726 or visit www.dickeys.com.
Twitter: @crhenderson90
