There’s something exhilarating, and a bit empowering, about pushing a menu inside when the server approaches your table and declaring with a flourish, “I’ll take one of everything!” The new Terry Black’s BBQ Experience offers a variation on that theme.
“The Terry Black’s Experience was created last fall to give guests more than just a meal,” says Vincent Rodriguez, Terry Black’s Senior Operations Manager. “It gives them a behind-the-scenes look at Central Texas barbecue, including the pits, the pit masters, the process, and the food, while creating a more guided, premium experience than our traditional first-come, first-served service model.”
Indeed, being able to skip the long lines is a major perk at a bustling barbecue joint like this.
Your culinary journey begins once you reserve a time slot on OpenTable, available nearly any time during opening hours, including same-day options. Once your party’s spot has been reserved, head to the Dallas location on Main Street in Deep Ellum. Bypass the line by letting the host or bartender know you’ve booked the experience, and you’ll soon be greeted by a manager or a designated employee to guide you further.
Start at the bar where you can wrap your hands around an ice-cold beer, cocktail, or non-alcoholic beverage. (Each experience includes two drinks per person.) You’ll appreciate having something cold to sip once you’re led outside for a personal look at the massive pits and smokers.
Because the pitmasters are busy 24/7, you never know exactly what they’ll be smoking, but you’re pretty much guaranteed to see some briskets, beef ribs, and sausage in one stage of their cooking process or another. It’s fascinating to witness the scope of the operation while gaining a new appreciation for the intense, smoky working conditions behind every melt-in-your-mouth bite.
The behind-the-scenes portion of the experience lasts about 10 minutes, depending on how inquisitive you are and how many questions you ask. After, you’ll be escorted to a reserved table with drink cups ready if you want a sweet tea, Dr Pepper, or anything else from the fountain while you wait. Within a few minutes, team members will return with your fresh-from-the-line BBQ bounty. And what a bounty it is.
One tray features every single side dish, including mac and cheese, pinto beans, green beans, Mexican rice, cream corn, potato salad, and coleslaw. A second tray features all the meats.
“Rather than using a set weight per person, we have standardized portions based on group size, with set packages for two and four guests,” Rodriguez says. “For larger groups, they scale those portions accordingly to make sure there is plenty of food and guests get to experience the full menu.”
The proteins spread out before you include sliced brisket, pork ribs, turkey, original sausage, jalapeño cheese sausage, and chopped beef. The bonus here, compared to an off-the-menu family pack, is that you get a ginormous, juicy beef rib, which could weigh between one and two pounds on its own.
“We always recommend starting with the brisket and beef rib while they’re fresh and hot, then working your way through the rest of the meats and sides,” he says. “We intentionally provide plenty of food, so guests shouldn’t feel like they have to finish everything. Most of the barbecue travels and reheats really well, so taking leftovers home is part of the experience.”
The experience concludes with dessert. Banana pudding, peach cobbler with ice cream, chocolate pudding, and mini pecan pies each satisfy even the sweetest tooth.
The Terry Black’s Experience costs $150 per person for groups of two to 10. It includes one of every meat and side dish, dessert, two non-alcoholic beverages per person, white bread, pickles, onions, and a variety of BBQ sauces at the table. Plus, each guest can pick out a cap, T-shirt, or other Terry Black’s merch to commemorate the visit.
“Guests aren’t just coming in for a meal,” Rodriguez says. “They get to learn about the craft, meet the people behind the pits, and experience Terry Black’s in a more personal way.”
Terry Black’s Barbecue, 3025 Main St, Dallas, terryblacksbbq.com/dallas
