What Dickey's Barbecue Pit Is and How to Order

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is a Texas-based barbecue restaurant chain with locations across the United States. You order at a counter, choose your meat and sides, and eat in the dining room or take your food with you. The restaurant smokes brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and chicken on-site, and serves them by the pound or on sandwiches.

When you walk in, you'll see the meat options displayed behind glass at the counter. You tell the staff member how much of each meat you want, what sides you'd like (typically beans, mac and cheese, coleslaw, or potato salad), and whether you want cornbread or rolls. They weigh your meat, ring it up, and hand you your order. Most locations have a dining room with tables and a few have drive-through windows.

Dickey's operates in all 50 states, though not every city has a location. You can find the nearest restaurant and see its hours on their website or through Google Maps. Prices vary by location and how much meat you order, but a typical meal for one person (a half-pound of meat with two sides and bread) costs between $12 and $18.

Key Takeaways

  • Dickey's is a counter-service barbecue restaurant where you order by the pound and choose your own sides.
  • The restaurant smokes all its meat in-house daily, so availability depends on what they've cooked that day.
  • You can eat in the dining room, take your food to go, or use a drive-through window at some locations.
  • Prices are based on the weight of meat you order plus your choice of sides, and costs differ between locations.
  • The restaurant accepts cash and card payments, and most locations have online ordering for pickup.

How to Find Your Nearest Location and Check Hours

Dickey's has a location finder on its official website where you can enter your city or zip code. The search shows you the address, phone number, hours of operation, and whether that location has a drive-through. Hours vary by location—some open at 10 a.m. and close at 9 p.m., while others have different schedules, so checking before you go saves a trip.

Many locations close on Sundays or have limited Sunday hours. If you're planning to visit on a holiday, call ahead because some restaurants adjust their hours or close entirely on major holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas.

What Meats and Sides Are Available

Dickey's core menu includes brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and smoked chicken. The brisket is the signature item—it's smoked for hours and sold by the pound. Pulled pork comes shredded and ready to eat. Ribs are sold by the bone, and chicken is sold as halves or quarters. All meats come with your choice of sauce on the side or mixed in.

Standard sides include pinto beans, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad. Most locations also offer cornbread or rolls. Some restaurants add seasonal or regional sides, so ask what's available that day. If you're ordering for a group, you can mix and match sides—you don't have to order the same side for everyone.

Dickey's also sells family packs and catering platters if you're feeding more than four or five people. These come with multiple meats, several sides, and bread, and you order them in advance by calling the restaurant or through their website.

Pricing and Payment Methods

Prices are based on the weight of meat you order. A quarter-pound of brisket or pulled pork typically costs $4 to $6, and a half-pound costs $8 to $12, depending on the location. Ribs and chicken are priced similarly. Sides usually cost $2 to $4 each, and bread is $1 to $2. A full meal for one person usually runs $12 to $18 before tax.

All Dickey's locations accept both cash and credit or debit cards. Many also offer online ordering through their website or app, which lets you order ahead for pickup. Some locations participate in third-party delivery services like DoorDash or Uber Eats, though delivery fees and wait times explore.

Ordering Online and Catering Options

You can order online through the Dickey's website by selecting your location, choosing your meats and sides, and paying at checkout. Your order is ready for pickup at the time you select. Online ordering is useful if you know exactly what you want and want to skip the line, though peak times (lunch and dinner) can still have a wait even with an online order.

For groups of 10 or more, Dickey's offers catering. You can order platters with multiple meats, sides, and bread delivered to your location or pick it up yourself. Catering orders require at least 24 hours' notice and are usually ordered by calling the restaurant directly or through their website's catering section. Prices for catering are lower per person than ordering individual meals.

What to Know About Meat Availability and Smoking Times

Dickey's smokes meat fresh each day, which means what's available depends on what they've cooked that morning. On busy days, popular items like brisket can sell out by mid-afternoon. If you're visiting late in the day and want a specific meat, call ahead to confirm they still have it.

Smoking times vary—brisket takes 12 to 16 hours, so it's usually ready by late morning. Pulled pork and ribs take 6 to 8 hours. Chicken cooks faster, around 3 to 4 hours. If you arrive right when the restaurant opens, you may find limited meat available because the smoking process is still finishing. Mid-day (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) is usually when the full selection is ready.

Dietary Restrictions and Allergen Information

Dickey's barbecue is primarily meat-based, so vegetarian options are limited—usually just sides like beans, coleslaw, and potato salad. If you follow a vegetarian diet, call your local restaurant to ask what sides are available that day and whether any contain meat products or meat-based broths.

For allergen information, ask the staff at your location or call ahead. Sauces may contain common allergens like soy, gluten, or tree nuts. The restaurant does not have a separate preparation area for allergen-free meals, so cross-contamination is possible if you have severe allergies. Most locations can provide ingredient lists for sauces and sides if you ask.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order Dickey's for delivery to my home?

Some Dickey's locations offer delivery through third-party apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub, but not all do. Check the Dickey's website or search your address on a delivery app to see which restaurants near you offer it. Delivery adds fees and time compared to pickup.

What's the difference between Dickey's pulled pork and brisket?

Brisket is a tougher cut that's smoked longer (12 to 16 hours) and stays in larger chunks. Pulled pork comes from the shoulder, smokes for 6 to 8 hours, and is shredded. Brisket is fattier and more tender; pulled pork is leaner and easier to eat on a sandwich.

Do I need to make a reservation to eat at Dickey's?

No. Dickey's is a walk-in, counter-service restaurant. You don't need a reservation for regular dining. For large catering orders (10+ people), you should call ahead or order online at least 24 hours in advance.

What sauces does Dickey's offer?

Dickey's serves its own barbecue sauce, which is tangy and slightly sweet. Sauce comes on the side so you can control how much you use. Some locations may have additional sauce options, so ask what's available.

Can I buy Dickey's barbecue sauce to take home?

Yes. Most Dickey's locations sell bottles of their barbecue sauce at the counter. You can also order it online through some locations' websites for pickup or delivery.