Drive-Thru Barbecue Arrives in East Dallas

Drive-thru barbecue isn't exactly a common sight around here, unless of course you choose to go the Dickey's route. The team behind gluten-free mecca Company Cafe clearly saw an opening in the market for such a concept, leading them to open Back Home Barbecue in a freestanding building on Ross Avenue previously home to Yin's Wok.

Photo: EDFW

The small restaurant is outfitted in a rustic style befitting a barbecue place; think picnic tables outfitted with rolls of paper towels and a chalkboard menu above the counter where patrons dining in place their orders. The menu includes pulled pork, dry-rubbed ribs, finely ground pork sausage with snappy casings, and of course, brisket — just don't look for that tell-tale pink smoke ring. Back Home Barbecue utilizes electric smokers fueled by wood chips, and while barbecue purists may scoff at such techniques, Company Cafe operations manager Jeff Wells explains that it allows them to produce an "incredibly consistent" product.

Wells says they've also put a lot of thought into the sides, which include collard greens, smooth and creamy bacon-cheddar mashed potatoes, cornbread, cole slaw, and macaroni and cheese, plus pecan pie and banana pudding (paging Daniel Vaughn) for dessert. Sides come in individual or family-sized portions, while meats are sold in quantities of one-third or half-pounds.

The restaurant opens at 4 p.m. daily and closes at 10 p.m. or once the meat's sold out; with evening hours and the drive-thru window, Back Home Barbecue is hoping to cater to the post-work crowds in search of a bite on the way home. Once the restaurant's TABC application is approved, folks driving through will even be able to grab beer to-go.