OPen 7 DAyS/Week: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM from working with his father, who has owned Zio Fraedo’s in Pleasant Hill since 1974. Tony, Sherry, and their two daughters elizabeth (10) and Isabella (7) currently reside in Benicia. The Pinole Dickey’s is located in the Pinole Vista Shopping center on Fitzgerald Drive, nestled between Panda express and cold Stone creamery. Parking in the immediate area can be challenging with two-way traffic attempting to navigate the narrow corridor between parking spaces. If you want to avoid the traffic, there is ample parking in the adjacent lot if you don’t mind a short walk to Dickey’s front entrance. When entering the restaurant, you’ll notice that the décor is western themed, complete with wagon-wheel chandeliers. Ten tables covered with blue checkered tablecloths are available for casual, eat-in dining. customers line up at a long counter where they make their selections and watch their orders prepared before sitting down to dine. Large colorful menu boards hang above the queue line so customers can make their selections (although there is quite a lot of information on those boards to read if this is your first time here!) On the opposite wall from the order counter, there is a self-serve soda fountain and containers of sweet and unsweetened tea; stainless steel pots containing sweet, spicy, and original barbecue sauces; and the ever-popular soft-serve ice cream machine. The walls are adorned with large black and white prints, including a personally signed picture of Dickey’s Barbecue’s original owner, roland Dickey, which hangs prominently behind the cash register. Finally, two flat screen televisions are available for diners’ viewing pleasure. Dickey’s features seven different kinds of meats and fifteen different sides, affording customers with many choices and combinations. All of their meats are freshly slow-smoked on-site at the restaurant every day. Smoking times vary depending on the type of meat; for example, beef brisket is smoked overnight for fourteen to sixteen hours, whereas ribs are smoked for only three hours. Hickory wood and low temperatures are used to smoke the meats which ensures that the fully- cooked product is tender and wonderfully flavorful. All meats are drysmoked, since some customers prefer the smoky flavor without the barbecue sauce. Sauce is served on the side and is also available for self-serve in the dining area. The seven different meats include: Beef Brisket, Pulled Pork, Pork ribs, Ham, Turkey, chicken, and Sausage. There are actually 3 different sausages—Hot Links, Polish Sausage, and Spicy cheddar Sausage. In addition to the variety of meats and sides available, there are a number of options for ordering and enjoying Dickey’s food. For example, individual Barbecue Meat Plates come with your choice of one, two, or three different meats, a choice of two sides, and a fresh roll (honey bun). Family packs are also available, which offer the choice of 1, 2 or 3 meats (1 pound of each), larger and/or more sides and more rolls. The smallest of these serves 3 – 4 people, and the largest serves 6 – 8. Alternatively, one can order from three barbecue sandwiches, which range in size from a smaller snack-size and to a larger sandwich perfect for big appetites. Large stuffed baked potatoes and several salad options round out the menu. Also noteworthy is that any of Dickey’s cooked meats are available for purchase by the pound, either sliced or whole, if preferred. Matt Petullo is the general manager for both the Pinole and the Pleasant Hill Dickey’s restaurants, and joined us for the interview with the LoFortes. When it was time to eat, Matt and his crew prepared sample platters for me and my guest so that we could try all rIBS AnD SIDeS MATT PeTuLLO AnD SHerry AnD TOny LOFOrTe
Contra Costa Marketplace - May 2015
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