Texas BBQ Arrives in Michigan With New Troy Location

Gary and Kim Smith were working as project managers for Hewlett-Packard Co. when they got their first taste of Texas-style barbecue. On Saturday, the Genesee County couple opened the first Dickey's Barbecue Pit restaurant in Michigan at 3672 Rochester Rd. in Troy.

They were in Dallas for business, Kim Smith recalled, when went to Dickey's for a meal. "We went back every day we were there and had it again at the airport before we left," she said.

Looking to try something different in their careers, Smith said she and her husband knew exactly what they wanted to do when they learned Dickey's had franchises opportunities available.

Saturday marked the grand opening of the couple's store and the first for the family-owned franchise in Michigan.

"I love to see these businesses grow," Troy Councilman Wade Fleming said about restaurants in the city while waiting in line.

Hoping to get Troy residents and workers hooked on their new business, the Smith's offered $1 pulled-pork sandwiches and free ice cream from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. during their grand opening event on Saturday. While the return rate will be determined in the following weeks, customers during the opening event lined up out of the door and around two sides of the building and into the parking lot to order.

"We've been pleasantly surprised that we were so busy," Kim Smith said in between talking to customers and whipping up some ice cream cones for a trio of children waiting in line outside with their faces pressed against a window. "I'm glad we chose Troy. The people are so friendly and welcoming."

Even with the pulled pork sandwiches being sold for about a fifth of the regular cost, the Smith said business has been great. She said staff made about 50 pork butts, five cases of ribs and about 20 beef briskets for the opening event.

All of the meats sold at Dickey's are smoked on site using hickory wood. Smith said they used about 1,000 pounds of wood to prepare the foods. The beef briskets and pork is slow cooked for 14 to 15 hours, while ribs cook for about four or five hours.

Fleming, who ate at the restaurant with his family, waited in line for about an hour before getting his barbecue fix.

"It's worth the wait," he said.