Dickey's promises 'fall-off-the-bone' BBQ in Commerce

The scent of smoked meats will soon be wafting through the lakes area as a White Lake Township family moves forward with plans to open a new barbecue restaurant in Commerce Township.

“We are shooting for the beginning of November. There’s no exact date yet,” said Peggy Anicka of the grand opening of Dickey’s Barbecue Pit to be opened in the old Mammoth Video store at 4825 Carroll Lake Road.

The eatery will be the second Dickey’s restaurant in Michigan, with the first opening last year in Troy. The franchise organization, which is headquartered in Dallas, is one of the largest barbecue chains in the country, specializing in smoked ribs, brisket, pulled pork, sausage, and other items.

“We basically did Internet searching, looking for different franchising opportunities,” Anicka said of she and her husband, Joe. “We decided on Dickey’s because it is barbecue, and there isn’t barbecue in the area — nothing like that where people smoke their meats on site. We wanted to bring something different that wasn’t around (in the area).”

Peggy Anicka, who has about 15 years of restaurant industry experience, has also spent time volunteering to help domestic abuse victims and foster children. Joe Anicka has about 25 years of restaurant industry experience, including his work for the Drake Hotel in Chicago. Joe Anicka has also served as a park ranger at the Highland Recreation Area.

Despite their extensive restaurant experience, the couple has undergone rigorous barbecue training at Dickey’s headquarters in Dallas.

“We just got home from spending the last three weeks in Texas learning how to perfect the art of great Texas barbecue,” the couple stated on the restaurant’s Facebook page. “We can’t wait to share it with all of you. Fork tender brisket and fall off the bone ribs — yummy!”

Kyle and Joey Anicka, the couple’s teenage sons, will be assisting at the restaurant once it opens. Kim Smart, who also attended the barbecue training in Texas, will serve as general manager.

Dickey’s was founded in 1941 and has more than 250 locations in 43 states. The first location in Michigan was opened in August 2011 by Gary and Kim Smith in Troy.

Peggy Anicka said the Commerce location will hold a grand opening event after the official opening in November.

“We live in White Lake and our kids go to Walled Lake schools,” Peggy Anicka said. “White Lake and Commerce are pretty much what we consider our community.”