$hop $mart - $hop Local - $hop Pinole of the meats and a nice variety of the sides. With a cup of each of the three barbecue sauces (original, sweet and spicy) accessible for dipping, we ate our way through almost everything on both platters. The overwhelming favorite meat for both of us was the Spicy cheddar Sausage, which had a wonderful flavor, mild spiciness, and a very definite cheddar flavor. My second favorite were the pork spare ribs, which were fall-off-the-bone tender, extremely meaty, and simply delicious. The beef brisket and the pulled pork were also very tender and were especially good when dipped in the barbecue sauce. If you like hot spiciness, try the hot links or the Polish sausage, as even the latter has a spicy “kick” to it. The sauce is a nice complement to all of the meats, although I am one who tends to prefer my barbecued meats without sauce. The original sauce is a recipe from the original Dickey’s in Texas, and serves as the base for both the sweet and spicy sauces. Of the three, the sweet sauce was my favorite, and my guest especially loved the spicy sauce. We tried 8 different sides, and we both love the baked potato casserole, which is akin to mashed potatoes, but also includes bacon, onions, and is topped with shredded cheddar cheese. My second favorite was a tie between the green beans with bacon and the barbecue beans. Our sample platter also included two Honey Buns, fresh squared buns baked fresh on-site daily, which were extremely savory and tender. And finally, for dessert, we helped ourselves to a free Dickey’s soft serve ice cream cone! Since the restaurant was founded, Dickey’s has offered free soft-serve ice cream to their customers, which is a big hit especially with the kids! There are a few other desserts available, including cookies and pecan pie, but most people just opt for complimentary ice cream, which offers a nice light finish to a hearty meal. Dickey’s in Pinole does a robust take out business, and customers can conveniently order by phone or online. Dickey’s also offers catering for small to large parties. Smaller groups of up to 25 can usually be accommodated on a same day basis; however, catering over 25 and up to 50 requires a minimum of 1 day notice, and for more than SIDeS 50, a minimum of two days advance notice is required. The catering menu and prices can be viewed in the restaurant or on their online menu. Dickey’s franchisees are required to maintain all corporate standards, so customers’ dining experiences and the quality and quantity of food served at any Dickey’s restaurant will be consistent and just as excellent as what you will find at the Pinole restaurant. Prices at the Pinole Dickey’s average between $8 and $16, but portions are hearty and food quality is excellent. During our visit, one customer approached Matt after she finished her meal and said “even the water here is good!”—a very nice compliment from a satisfied customer. Although our Monday night visit was relatively quiet, Dickey’s gets very busy and sometimes the line snakes out the door. This is especially true on Sundays when kids eat free all day! I encourage you to take a break from the typical fast food restaurants and try Dickey’s as an alternative for fast casual dining. Whether you eat in or take out, you’ll be sure to enjoy the variety of flavorful options to choose from, and will no doubt return again and again to enjoy your favorites (and the free ice cream!) Patty’s Pinole Child Care License #07340654 A SUMMER TO REMEMBER 2015 June 15th – August 14th | 7:00am–6:00pm Keeping Children Academically On Track! On-Site at Collins Elementary School 1224 Pinole Valley Road & Tennent Avenue, Pinole WE ARE a licensed child care program with many years’ experience & training in child development & school age programming. OUR JOB IS to provide quality learning opportunities for children to achieve academic success, improve life skills, & become more independent & self-confident. OUR PROGRAM INCLUDES math & language arts, weekly swimming trips, music, guitar, arts & crafts, sports, gardening, bilingual Spanish. Patty (510) 776-9631 > Roberto (510) 776-3280 > (510) 724-2429
Contra Costa Marketplace - May 2015
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