For our first BBQ tour of new year, a dozen Posse members met this morning to retrace some Dallas BBQ history. We started at the original Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse BBQ on Inwood, followed by stops at Odom’s Bar-B-Que, the original Dickey's Barbecue Pit and ending at Peggy Sue BBQ in Snider Plaza. Our past tours have averaged anywhere from 200 to 600 miles of driving. This one was 16 miles from the first stop to the last.

None of the places came close to the elite BBQ in the area or the state, but it was fun to get together and soak in some of the history of these long-time joints. Since 1958, the Original Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse has served patrons on Inwood Road, located across from UT Southwestern Medical Center. The inside is classic, with hickory smoke from the original smoker hanging in the air and vintage school desks lining the small seating area. Above is a portrait of founder Sonny Bryan that hangs on the wall there. This place has a loyal following, often winning reader's choice in local BBQ polls.

Our second stop was Odom’s Bar-B-Que in west Dallas. This is one of the original locations of Hardeman’s Bar-B-Que Restaurant, which was founded in the 1930s by Chester Field Hardeman. This location was sold to in-laws in 1990 and the family now operates three locations around the Dallas area. Most of the founder’s six children and many of his more than 16 grandchildren have worked at his restaurants.

The third stop was the first Dickey’s Barbecue Pit location, which opened in 1941. The photo below shows founder Travis Dickey standing in front of the original restaurant with children Elizabeth and T. D. Dickey, Jr. Dickey’s Barbecue is still owned and operated by the Dickey family and began franchising in 1994. Today they are the largest quick serve barbecue chain in the country with locations coast to coast.

Our last stop was Peggy Sue BBQ located next to the SMU campus. This has been a longtime barbecue location, first as Howard & Peggy’s for over 40 years, then operated as Peggy’s Beef Bar until closing in the 1980s. The current incarnation was started in 1989, but many reminders of the past remain in the dining room. Best news here is the ice cold beer awaiting you at their bar, the finish line of our Roots of Dallas BBQ Tour. Stay tuned, we'll have more to come on the blog about our short tour today.

Roots of Dallas BBQ Tour itinerary

10:45 am: Meet at Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse BBQ, 202 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX 75235, (214) 357-7120. Hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 am-8:00 pm.
noon: Odom’s Bar-B-Que, 1971 Singleton Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75212, (214) 631-3538. Hours: Open M-Thur 10:30-1:45am, F-Sat 10:30-2:45am, Sun 10:30-11:45pm.
1:15 pm: Dickey's Barbecue Pit, 4610 North Central Expy, Dallas, TX 75206, (214) 370-4550. Open: 10:30 am-9:00 pm.
2:00 pm: Peggy Sue BBQ, 6600 Snider Plz, Dallas, TX 75205, (214) 987-9188, Open: Mon-Thu, Sun 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm.

Top photo ©Chris Wilkins/Texas BBQ Posse