Dickey's Barbecue opens today in Carson

Less than two months after losing one barbecue joint, Carson City has gained another.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit opens today at the north end of Carson City, 3250 Retail Drive, ready to dish up Texas-style barbecue, complete with brisket, ribs and other sloppy mainstays and sides. While Dickey's is a national chain, all of its stores are independently owned franchises.

Travis Redd, the new-store opening specialist from Dickey's headquarters in Dallas, said he's seen about 150 to 200 people peeking in and knocking on the door since he arrived in Carson City a week ago.

"You can smell our hickory smoke from about a mile away," he said.

Alan Bill, the general manager and a Carson City local, said his shop will fit the niche of quick-service casual dining, as opposed to a more formal sit-down atmosphere.

On Monday afternoon, some of Bill's dozen employees were prepping for the opening and bustling through the kitchen. When the door was opened for an exit, they even bade a visitor farewell with "Happy trails," which Redd called "unique" to Dickey's.

The first store opened in 1941 in Dallas and still serves food there, Redd said, adding "that definitely" speaks a lot about the quality.

He said he's confident in the franchise's success, even with Locals BBQ's recent closure in the aftermath of the Sept. 6 shooting at the neighboring IHOP, because of the quality of the Dickey's product and the support of the national office. Bill bragged of winning the "Golden Apron Award" for finishing at the top of his managers' training class.

And Redd, originally from Georgia, poured more plaudits on his employer: "Barbecue is the one thing I do know, and Dickey's is by far the best."

DICKEY'S BARBECUE PIT

Dickey's Barbecue Pit serves Texas-style barbecue. For its grand opening, the first 100 people will receive a free pulled pork sandwich. Fans of the Facebook page www.facebook.com/DickeysCC also have a chance to win free barbecue for a month.

Address: 3250 Retail Drive

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

Online: Dickeys.com

Phone: 883-0100