Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Review – Hidden Gem or Overhyped? – Average EV Score: 6.3/10
Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa
Each dish is rated using our EV Score (Enjoyment-to-Value Score), based on enjoyment, price paid, and benchmark pricing.
Table of Contents
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Restaurant Overview
81 Riocan Ave Unit # M5, Nepean, ON K2J 5G3
Located in Barrhaven, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is part of a larger franchise chain that has locations across North America. It’s not a standalone, locally owned smokehouse, but rather a branch of a well-known brand specializing in American-style BBQ. The franchise model comes through in the experience: everything is designed to be super casual and quick. You walk up to the counter, place your order, get your tray, and then find a seat.
The setup is cafeteria-style, and it makes sense. Dickey’s positions itself as a place where you can grab BBQ without the formality or long waits you might expect at other sit-down restaurants. It’s straightforward and approachable, which works well if you’re in the mood for BBQ but don’t have hours to spare.
The restaurant itself is fairly spacious, with about ten tables inside. It doesn’t feel crowded, and with its quick-service format, there’s usually turnover to keep seating available. Parking is also a breeze here — there’s lots of parking available in the plaza, so you don’t need to worry about circling for a spot.
In terms of food, the BBQ is decent but not great. There are lots of menu choices, from brisket and ribs to pulled pork, chicken, and an array of sides like fries, mac and cheese, and baked beans. It’s certainly appealing if you want variety, but the execution doesn’t always live up to the promise.
Would return?: Not likely.
Beef Brisket
Image credit: Dickey’s Barbecue Pit via Google
😋 Enjoyment: 6/10
💰 Price Paid: $21
🎯 Benchmark Price: $21
📊 EV Score: 6/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
The brisket was the biggest letdown. With brisket, you expect tenderness, juiciness, and a balance of fat and lean meat. Instead, what I got was dry and somewhat bland. The slices didn’t have that melt-in-your-mouth quality that great brisket should deliver. The BBQ sauce on the side was decent — smoky with a touch of sweetness — but it wasn’t enough to rescue the meat. For a franchise built on BBQ, brisket should be a signature item, but here it fell short.
Beef Rib
Image credit: Dickey’s Barbecue Pit via Google
😋 Enjoyment: 6.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $21
🎯 Benchmark Price: $21
📊 EV Score: 6.5/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
The beef rib was an improvement over the brisket, though still not exceptional. It was meaty, with some noticeable tenderness, and the portion size was generous — as is typical for beef ribs. The flavour was fine, though not distinctive enough to stand out. It had more of the qualities I’d expect from BBQ, but it still didn’t leave me excited to order it again.
The surprise highlight here was actually the fries. They were crisp, well-seasoned, and enjoyable. Not often do the fries outshine the main BBQ meats, but in this case, they did.
Final Thoughts
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit delivers on its promise of casual, quick BBQ with variety, but it doesn’t go much beyond that. The franchise structure makes it reliable and accessible, but at the same time, it lacks the soul and refinement you’d expect from a truly great BBQ joint.
On the plus side, the location is convenient, the parking is plentiful, and the setup makes it easy to grab a meal without much fuss. The restaurant is casual and approachable, with enough seating to handle steady traffic. The menu has plenty of options, so if you’re looking for choice, it delivers. The staff were friendly and efficient, which helped keep things moving quickly.
On the downside, the execution of the BBQ itself was underwhelming. The brisket was dry and uninspired, the rib was fine but forgettable, and the sides ended up being the highlight. For a place built on the promise of authentic American BBQ, the quality simply wasn’t at the level it should be.
At the end of the day, Dickey’s is fine if you’re in the area, want something quick, and have a craving for BBQ. But if you’re after memorable, destination-worthy barbecue, there are better options to seek out in Ottawa.