Best Texas-style slow-smoked barbecue in Novi?

HomeTownLife published this article on Dickey's new Owner/Operators in Novi. 

Jay Roney spent 25 years as an information technology professional, but when he got caught in a downsizing about a year ago, he decided to change course.

Roney and his wife Michelle last month opened a Dickey's Barbecue Pit franchise on Grand River, the first in Novi and the ninth in Michigan.

Dickey's, based in Dallas and the largest barbecue franchise operation in the country, offers Texas-style slow-cooked barbecue in a fast-casual atmosphere.

"There's been a great response from the community," Jay Roney said by phone last week. "Everybody seems to be very excited that we're here."

The new Dickey's is on Grand River, east of Wixom Road. Roney said it offers diners a change from the fast-food restaurants that dominate the immediate area.

"Dickey's definitely brings a unique combination of fresh, tasty food and that quick dining experience that people seem to be looking for these days," Roney said.

Laura Rea Dickey, chief executive officers of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants Inc., congratulated the Roneys in a press release.

“Dickey’s is growing rapidly nationwide and we are proud to continue that expansion by opening our ninth location in Michigan," she said. (The closest Dickey's is on Five Mile, east of Sheldon, in Plymouth Township.)

Wanting to be his own boss and leaning toward the restaurant business, in which he had worked earlier in life, Roney began researching his options about a year ago and settled on Dickey's. A visit to company headquarters in Dallas solidified his decision.

Later, he spent a month at Dickey's Barbecue University, where he received training in both the classroom and the kitchen. Employees — there are 22 full- and part-timers — also received Dickey's training, with "pit masters" and "pit bosses" getting more training in accordance with their greater responsibilities

Dickey's slow-smokes its meats in-house, in a hardwood-fueled smoker (usually hickory at Roney's place), for optimal tenderness. In addition to the brisket, chicken, ribs, sausage and more, there are sides like mac and cheese, barbecue beans, slaw and potato salad.

Dickey's also offers catering for events small and large.

Roney worked in the restaurant business in college, as a bartender and a waiter, and enjoyed it. That was a factor, he said, in deciding last year what kind of business to venture into.

"It's a different breed of people that tend to work in the restaurant business," he said. "High energy, a lot of fun, typically. People who enjoy life."

The Novi Dickey's is at 48975 Grand River and is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. The phone number is 248-923-1227.