Jenny Luo / Daily Nexus
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has just opened its doors in Goleta! Located on Hollister Avenue, just across the street from the Camino Real Marketplace in the Smart & Final shopping center, Dickey’s offers a variety of slow cooked meats and sides.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has maintained its legacy of slow-smoked barbecue since its start in 1941. Lines form out the door for their guaranteed quality ingredients, all of which are prepared right in the restaurant.
This weekend, having lost a bet, I invited my roommate along with me to try out Dickey’s. Not knowing what to expect, we were greeted with a line and a packed restaurant. Being a Sunday, when kids eat free, it wasn’t surprising to find the place filled with families enjoying the day together. We opted for looking over the menu as we waited, taking in the tantalizing scent of meat cooking that drifted through the air.
As we made our way inside, I took a look around, taking in the blue-and-white checkered tablecloths and rustic wooden décor. The dining area was sparsely decorated, having paper towel rolls along the walls and wooden chandeliers dangling from the ceiling.
Jenny Luo / Daily Nexus
Eventually we made our way up to the counter and waited in line for our turn to order. When the time came, I chose to go for the pulled pork sandwich, while my friend went for the Italian marinated chicken sandwich. We were both craving that smoky slow-cooked taste that Dickey’s is famous for.
We took our sandwiches, sitting at one of the few empty tables in the restaurant. Placing our food down, we headed straight for the sauces in the back. We each elected to try out a different type of barbecue sauce, my roommate going for the sweet one while I kept things safe and original.
My sandwich consisted of pulled pork and a creamy slaw served on a light brioche bun. I topped my sandwich with my barbecue sauce, making sure to completely slather the delicious guilty pleasure. I sunk my teeth in, my mouth getting that full flavor of pork and barbecue. The pork was perfectly smoked, practically melting in my mouth from the buttery softness of it. The barbecue sauce was nice, not overly sweet as some barbecue sauces often are. Rather, it had just the right combination of spices so as to compliment the natural flavor and juices of the pork. I failed to finish my full sandwich, choosing instead to save some room for soft-serve ice cream before leaving.
Jenny Luo / Daily Nexus
All in all, if you’re looking for a great barbeque location with a rustic family charm, then Dickey’s may be for you. My personal tastes would probably not have taken me here of my own volition, but I would still recommend Dickey’s to anyone looking for a bite of smoky authenticity.
