Most people drive past strip malls without giving them a second glance.
But tucked into the Forum Boulevard shopping center in Columbia sits a barbecue restaurant in Missouri that’s been quietly perfecting the art of slow-smoked meats since this location opened its doors.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit might look like just another chain restaurant from the outside, but step inside and you’ll discover why locals keep coming back for that authentic smokehouse experience. 🔥
The Secret Behind The Smoke
What separates this casual BBQ restaurant in Missouri from countless other options comes down to one commitment: every single meat gets smoked on-site, every single day.
While other restaurants reheat yesterday’s leftovers or rely on liquid smoke, certified Pit masters here tend to hickory wood-burning pits throughout the night.
The Forum Boulevard location follows traditions from 1941 when Travis Dickey opened the first location.
Walk in around lunchtime and the aroma tells the whole story before you see the menu.
This is what a real wood-smoked meat restaurant smells like – actual wood burning in actual pits creating actual flavor.
What Makes It a Powerhouse
This family-friendly barbecue spot in Missouri earns the powerhouse title through sheer volume and quality combined.
Dickey’s serves over 4.4 million pounds of brisket annually across all locations, making them the world’s largest purchaser and provider of brisket.
The Columbia location maintains the same exacting standards that built the brand’s reputation.
Every pork shoulder gets hand-rubbed with signature spices before spending hours in the pit.
Every rack of ribs receives careful attention.
When The Takeout food critics ranked pulled pork sandwiches from thirteen major chains, Dickey’s claimed the top spot. 🏆
Food Highlights
- Slow-Smoked Brisket: The signature offering spends fourteen to eighteen hours in hickory wood pits, hand-rubbed with Dickey’s famous Brisket Rub that creates a spicy peppercorn bark, available chopped or sliced to order.
- Pork Ribs: Fall-off-the-bone St. Louis-style ribs come coated with so much flavorful dry rub that adding sauce becomes optional, though three varieties stand ready for those who want extra flavor.
- Southern Pulled Pork Sandwich: The nationally-ranked champion features tender pork shoulder topped with creamy coleslaw and comeback sauce on a garlic butter toasted brioche bun that stays sturdy despite generous portions.
- Jalapeño Cheddar Kielbasa: A proprietary blend of beef and pork smoked into Polish-style sausage with jalapeños providing just enough kick without overwhelming the hickory smoke flavor.
- Three Meat Plate: The most popular order lets diners combine any three pit-smoked meats with two homestyle sides and a buttery roll, creating a complete barbecue dining experience.
- Giant Pit-Smoked Baker with Meat: Massive Idaho potatoes loaded with choice of slow-smoked meat, cheddar cheese, green onions, sour cream, and butter create meals substantial enough to fuel entire afternoons.
Beyond The Main Attractions
What truly defines where to eat barbecue in Missouri isn’t just meat quality – it’s the complete package.
The homestyle sides at this Missouri barbecue restaurant with smoked meats follow family recipes passed down through generations.
Mac and cheese brings creamy comfort pairing perfectly with smoky proteins.
Barbecue beans balance sweet and savory notes.
Crispy fried okra delivers perfect Southern touch.
The buttery rolls follow Miss Ollie’s family recipes, providing the perfect vehicle for soaking up juice and sauce.
And complimentary soft-serve ice cream comes with every meal – a tradition among regulars who know to save room. 🍦
The Full Smokehouse Restaurant Offerings
This BBQ pit restaurant in Missouri serves eight different slow-smoked meats, giving diners more options than most local joints provide.
Beyond brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and sausage, you’ll find smoked turkey breast and marinated chicken breast.
Each meat offers multiple serving options: sandwiches on garlic butter toasted buns, meat plates with sides, or family packs for feeding crowds.
Giant bakers loaded with toppings provide alternatives.
Smokehouse salads top fresh lettuce with choice of slow-smoked meat.
The Westerner sandwich lets diners choose two different meats topped with cheddar cheese.
Catering handles everything from intimate gatherings to massive events.
Why Locals Keep Coming Back
Understanding top barbecue restaurant options in Missouri means recognizing what builds customer loyalty beyond good food.
Counter service keeps things moving efficiently.
Order at the counter, grab the iconic Big Yellow Cup, fill it with Miss Ollie Dickey’s famous iced tea.
The dining area provides functional space – honest barbecue served in an environment that celebrates the pit rather than fancy décor.
Seniors receive 10% discounts making regular visits more affordable.
The Big Yellow Cup Rewards program earns points toward free barbecue.
Kids eat free on Sundays, making it family-friendly and budget-conscious.
Free ice cream adds unexpected value.
All these factors create the kind of place you visit once and keep returning to for years.
The Authentic Barbecue Experience
Local barbecue dining in Missouri comes in many forms, but authentic pit-smoking separates pretenders from the real deal.
This location maintains traditional methods that most modern restaurants avoid because they’re time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Every night, pit masters arrive hours before opening to tend to meats smoking since the previous evening.
Low temperatures between 225 and 250 degrees require constant monitoring.
By morning, tough cuts have transformed into tender perfection.
This is what separates a classic Missouri BBQ eatery from places that just heat pre-cooked meat.
The difference is immediately obvious in the taste and texture.
Making The Most of Your Visit
Columbia residents have developed strategies worth sharing.
Arriving before or after the main lunch rush means shorter lines.
The three barbecue sauce varieties bring different flavor profiles.
Original delivers classic tangy taste, sweet adds molasses notes, and spicy brings heat.
The sides deserve attention – that crispy fried okra might surprise you.
The Catering Angle
This Missouri barbecue joints to try location has been handling barbecue catering for over sixty years.
They’ve figured out how to feed small office meetings to massive celebrations without compromising quality.
Party Packs include generous amounts of meat plus all necessary sides, bread, condiments, and sauces.
Two pounds of pulled pork plus two pounds of brisket with family-sized sides feeds ten to twelve people.
The food holds up well at room temperature, making timing less stressful.
Plus, everyone loves barbecue – it’s crowd-pleasing without being boring.
Atmosphere
The cozy barbecue restaurant atmosphere embraces functional simplicity that lets the food take center stage.
Counter service maintains efficiency while casual seating provides comfort to enjoy your meal properly.
The overall vibe says “authentic smokehouse” rather than trying to be something fancier or trendier than a barbecue joint should be.
Expect the aroma of hickory smoke, paper-lined trays, and an environment where showing up in casual clothes and leaving with sauce on your fingers is completely normal and expected.
Bottom Line
This Columbia location earns its powerhouse status by delivering:
- Authentic pit-smoking of all meats on-site daily using hickory wood and traditional methods that most restaurants won’t commit to anymore.
- Eight different slow-smoked meats, homestyle sides following family recipes, complimentary ice cream, and rewards program creating complete value beyond just food quality.
- Consistent execution that builds customer loyalty through reliable experiences, senior discounts, family-friendly pricing, and efficient service that respects your time.
For more information, visit their website or Facebook page.
Address: 1412 Forum Blvd Ste 130, Columbia, MO 65203
📞 (573) 303-3167