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Dixie's BBQ
Categories: Restaurants Barbeque Restaurants Soul Food Barbeque, Soul Food [Edit]
11520 Northup Way(between N 115th Pl & N 116th Ave)
Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 828-2460
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sat 11 am - 4:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
147 reviews for Dixie's BBQ
Review Highlights
"do not pass up the lemon cake or baked beans."
(in 26 reviews)
"He asked me if I had ever met the man."
(in 16 reviews)
"...is excellent as is the sweet potato pie and the sweet tea."
(in 13 reviews)
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147 reviews in English
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Review from David L.
9/27/2011
Dixie's has catered many events in the Pacific Northwest, most notably, those at Microsoft. They have a huge following - like Pagliaci's pizza, Ivar's, and Starbucks - in the greater Seattle area.
If you like BBQ done right, go to Dixie's. Their pulled pork sandwiches are delicious, as is their brisket.
A word to those of you who get an upset stomach with onions, red or green peppers: Under no condition should you try "The Man" sauce. You may end up hospitalized. Seriously...avoid "The Man", or YOU WILL PAY.
Suggest you carpool or walk to Dixie's as parking can be a drag.Listed in: Quick Bite To Eat
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Review from Harold L.
Seattle, WA
8/31/2011
Having lived in the Austin, TX it's hard to find good BBQ in Seattle. I would say that Dixie's does a great job getting the food to stick to your ribs and compliments with some good bbq sauce.
The "Man" sauce (which you have to ask for) by it's name is the hottest BBQ sauce I have ever had and may be worth the trip alone. I would say they could spend a couple bucks to improve the decor regardless if it used to be a an old garage repair place. -
Review from Bill B.
7/4/2011
I would give this place 5 stars if it was the only BBQ I've tried outside of Arby's. I've eaten award-winning BBQ in 6 states and this stuff is sub-bronze medal, at best. For those who rate this place any higher, I feel sorry for your sheltered gastronomic experiences. A word to the un-wise: overpowering sauces are meant to mask crappy meat! This place does not serve quality cuts of meat, at all.
I'll stick with my big green egg, thanks! -
Review from Anthony J.
Orem, UT
5/10/2011
I ate here a few times when I lived in Bellevue and thought it was pretty good. But my whole family came to visit and I took them to Dixie's to see if they could "meet the man" and we were all disappointed.
We walked in and a sweaty, impatient lady took our orders. When the food finally came, it was alright. But the biggest let down is that no one ever came out to let us try the hot sauce. So my whole family thought I brought them to a mediocre bbq place in a car garage when there were some other amazing options in downtown Bellevue. -
Review from Frederick C.
Woodinville, WA
9/19/2011
After searching for BBQ reviews in and near Bellevue I came across Dixie's. I havent had their food in about 8 months but after reading the reviews I was instantly reminded of how bad my last experience there was. Like many others, I remember when the lunch line was crazy long. That's because they had decent Q. I ordered the 520 special (pulled pork with a sausage.) The "sausage was nothing more than a cheap hot dog. The pork was too fatty and the sauce wasn't too far from ketchup. For my sides I got the beans & rice and potato salad. Both sides weren't all that bad but the portions were too small. I ate half of my sandwich, threw the other half in the garbage and promptly left. I felt like I just got robbed!!! This place has died. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me! I'll NEVER eat there again. I'd be surprised if Dixie's is still open 12 months from now.
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Review from Diana C.
3/1/2011
okay, okay, I have to admit, I'm a huge carnivore. Any kind of meat thrown my way will be eaten. I really really wanted to love this place, but I can't. The meat is tender and fatty, and they pack it in so it's really difficult to eat (the way BBQ should be) but the sauce is just okay and the rest of the meal leaves you wanted more. It's just not that great.
The little old grandma is very sweet and bustling about to get everyone's order. The huge lady is apparently her daughter and is very rude and mean. She'll yell at you if you're in the wrong part of line and if you're not ready when it's your turn. Now I know a lot of home grown places are like that, and I can deal with the rudeness and such if they food is spectacular, but it's not.
They did not offer any of "the man sauce" and it was disappointing to say the least. The food is okay, but pricey for what you get. The beans looked okay, the cornbread was amazing, but the coleslaw was bland and soggy ( i don't know how else to describe it... watery?)
Yes there isn't much room to sit, it's hard to find, parking is terrible, and the facilities are disgusting, so if you're wondering, the previous reviewers have stated all true facts. The water situation is quite gross, and I avoided drinking anything till I got back to the office. Oh, and yes, it's CASH ONLY. -
Review from David A.
Sammamish, WA
8/7/2011
This review pains me, because I used to love Dixie's like nobody's business. But they have let the business slide so far to the point that my last meal there could only be described as disgusting. Maybe it's because Gene is no longer with us, or the "we are too cool to care" attitude has become reality, but it's a shame that they destroyed this BBQ icon. The tool cool to care, indifferent and rude attitude was a cool shtick when the food was awesome, it is annoying and maddening when they do it while serving awful food in a dirty environment and you are charged an arm and a leg for it. Seinfeld's Soup Nazi got away with it because his soup was the best...
I went on a Friday at 12:15pm and was not sure the place was even open. In the old days, that time on a Friday would have meant no parking and a long line at the counter. I parked and went in and I was the only person there, nobody in line, nobody sitting down. In retrospect, I have to think that nobody goes there anymore for the same reasons why I'm saying goodbye to this old friend.
The first thing that struck me was how dirty the eating area was and that carried over to the order area and kitchen. I'm sorry, but everything just looked filthy. Maybe it was just as bad back when the food was great, part of the auto shop bbq ambience, but I'm sure it's now far worse and doesn't make you feel very good about eating there.
There were two women behind the counter and they could have cared less if I was there. They weren't mean and rude like the big woman that use to work behind the counter (she once threw a friend of ours out because he asked that she not use the same spoon for the beef as she did the pork. "get out, you're done", we thought it was funny back then). However, since I was the only customer, I would have thought that they would be slightly interested in serving me instead of acting somewhat annoyed that I was there.
I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with hot link ("Porter Special"), potato salad, baked beans and a coke. The sandwich was a decent portion but the baked beans filled just half of this little cup and the size of the potato salad would best be described as a "dollop". But get this, it cost $16 and change!!!! One sandwich, two tiny sides and a coke for ~seventeen freakin bucks. Ridiculous!
Potato salad:
The potato salad came in this little Styrofoam cup and was the shape of a small scoop, like it had been scooped with a very small ice cream scoop. Hands down the worst potato salad I have ever had. It was incredibly dry, to the point of tasking like paste. There was little texture, no big hunks of potato, again the consistency of paste. No seasoning, therefore no flavor, unless you like paste.
Baked Beans:
Very small portion in little Styrofoam cup. Very weird taste, kind of like something soured, very unappetizing. Gross, I couldn't eat them.
Pulled Pork Sandwich with Hot link ("Porter Special"):
This used to be BBQ heaven, now it's not just bad, it's disgusting. First, the bbq sauce is bland, boring. I don't need the kick of "the man", I just need some taste. The worse part of the sandwich was the amount of fat in the sandwich. Easily 1/5th of portion of "meat" were big globs of fat. I would take a bite and be treated with big walnut sized glob of fat. Possibly one of the grossest things I have ever been served. Every few bites having to spit out a glob of fat. I can't stress enough how disgusting this was. You are having BBQ pork, so pork fat is part of the taste, that is expected, but really, serving huge globs of it? They obviously don't trim the pork before cooking and they don't cook it long enough for the fat to render out. I think it goes hand in hand with the "We don't give a sh*^ " vibe you get from the joint as a whole.
Been thinking for a while that I wouldn't write this review, probably out of loyalty for the old Dixie's. But the Dixie's I knew doesn't exist anymore. Gene is gone and the food has slid to the point of being disgusting. I had a pulled pork sandwich at Rhodie's in North Bend yesterday that reminded me what great BBQ is like. Felt compelled after that to write an honest review for this once great place. Goodbye Dixie's, I miss you. -
Review from Georgie M.
Scottsdale, AZ
4/19/2011
The best!
Mind you, I'm late to game since I've been coming here for only eight years. I only wish I was there when Gene decided his future was in BBQ and not fixing car dents. I will miss Gene and his hot sauce, and his humor, and his laugh, and him just walking around greeting everyone and making sure your pin was on one of his many maps!
I know this sounds more like a eulogy; well maybe because it is in some ways. He was one of a kind and we mourn him as if he was a member of our family.
As for the BBQ, it was the best I've ever tasted and I've been to Kansas City, Memphis and NOLA. Just go and enjoy!
I will say a prayer for you Gene knowing you've changed many lives including my own.
WOW! -
Review from Katy Jo V.
Marysville, WA
5/4/2011
Loved the BBQ ribs, adored the lemon cake, met the man on a toothpick
(and cried for the next 20 minutes, chowing down on the nuts they have there for that purpose), and miss seeing Gene every time we go. The service is slow, the seating not exactly comfortable, and the food is kinda pricey, but that's just Dixie's. Be sure to bring cash!! -
Review from Chad B.
Seattle, WA
9/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
If the food were served in a different building it would easily be a 4 or 5 star lunch. The restaurant is very small and the menu is a bit difficult for a newbie. Great lemon cake though!
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Review from Olga K.
Seattle, WA
8/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
I had heard a lot about this place - my teammates kept talking about it and the amazing hot sauce that they have there. They warned that it was not the best BBQ, but that the atmosphere and the sauce were well worth it.
So that is what we did - trekked for lunch on the east side from the city. Very excited. What do we find? Disappointment.
Since the death of Gene this place has apparently gone down hill. The wait is long, but that is fine. Local places often have a long wait. The service is rude - if you step in the wrong part of the waiting area you get yelled at. Also often expected from places with character (Soup Nazi style?), but the rest is inexcusable.
There was no 'The Man' sauce. They were apparently 'too busy' to go and serve it out. This is what people come here for! Nobody would mind a longer wait if they got the trademark sauce of the restaurant! So there we were - bad bbq, and no hot sauce.
The food itself was disappointing at best. I had the chicken which was dry and flavorless. I do admit that the lemon cake I had as a side was quite good, but that is no meal. Our one vegetarian teammate went over to Subway for a sandwich and I was jealous.
Bottom line: this place used to be a character place (apparently), but now it has nothing going for it except its past reputation. -
Review from p e.
Kirkland, WA
7/16/2010
I've never understood the attraction to this place. Parking is not easy, there is a long line at lunchtime, the woman behind the counter is mean, and the decor leaves a lot to be desired. Oh, and the food isn't anything to write home about.
You should only bring people you don't like here for lunch. -
Review from Marcy L.
San Francisco, CA
2/16/2011
Whoa. I liked this place so much it made me cry. Yup. No, really.
My friend and I were roadtripping down from Vancouver and he insisted we visit this place. So off we went. I was a bit put off upon driving into the parking lot sort of puzzled when we actually walked in.
We ordered, ate and all was good, until my friend asked them for the Man Sauce. Now, let me tell you, I've never, ever in my life, found anything, that was too hot for me. Not fresh, ripe habaneros, not siracha, not the hottest hot wings you could throw at me. Until that day. One tiny little speck of that sauce and I was immediately in tears.
You'd think I'm some sort of lunatic for giving this place five stars based on this, but for hot-heads, there's nothing like a good burn. I'd give it more if I could, not for the sauce but for the sweetness of Dixie herself! -
Review from Xander S.
Seattle, WA
Warning: CASH ONLY.
Even if you don't like BBQ, you should go here and check it out; it's the best BBQ that I've found in Seattle--which one should know, there's not enough of it in this city.
The greatest contribution that Dixie's has made is "The Man Sauce". BE CAREFUL! I don't know what's in this sauce, but I'm convinced that a teaspoon could probably burn you alive. It's the kind of spice that you feel more than you taste; yet everything tastes better with a little speck (and I mean a toothpick tip sized speck).
That said, everything there is good, so get whatever calls to you--just don't forget the Man Sauce. I will note that it's a bit pricey for what seems almost like a trailer, but it's worth every $. -
Review from Marlyn C.
Seattle, WA
5/27/2010
First, it's a trip because you feel like you're pulling up to "the compound". There are two ladies here now since the Man died- the little black lady is sweet and buzzing around like no other. However, the HUGE lady is a bitch . She's one *large* reason I will not return. My friends asked her if they were from Louisiana- she said yeah. Then they were looking at the sodas and asked her if they had a Louisiana brand of root beer. She said, "WHAT" (question repeated), "I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT" - blank stare. Cool. Whatever, huge 350 lb lady.
I got the brisket sandwich with a side of cornbread. The brisket was okay- it was tender, but sauce was not all that AND I was not offered any options in sauces. What, no hot sauce? That was a low point. The cornbread, though, was the best cornbread I've ever had. Moist, cakey- delicious.
I also had the unfortunate experience of using their bathroom. Their urinal is broken, sectioned off by masking tape, but smells like piss. It's pretty awesome.
Also, their water is contained in not very clean, clear jugs, stuck in a mini fridge. I declined any water and tried not to touch anything in general.
This place is nasty, the food is okay, and the service blows chunks. -
Review from Wesley F.
Seattle, WA
12/7/2010
A-mother effing-MAZING!
This place looks like it belongs under the highway (which is where it is) but it tastes soooooo good! Kinda spendy but more than worth it!
The baked beans are not like anything you've ever had before and the servings are enough for one and a half people. I found myself scraping all the BBQ sauce up and eating just it after I had finished my meal.
I think people interpret the service as rude but I think they are just efficient sweet people like Matt A. says.
They take cash and check only and have kinda funny hours too but it's still more than worth jumping through the hoops to get your hands on this gem of Seattle BBQ!
A Seattle must if you have people in town or if you just need to eat a meal! -
Review from Andrew R.
Brooklyn, NY
6/6/2010
"We are sorry if you have to wait in line. / This ain't McDonalds, the line for McDonald's is 1.7 miles down the road." Haha, I thought, such cute homespun touches -- Dixie's must surely be the real, Southern, deal. Alas, this was not the case. After actually eating their almost flavorless pork sandwich with their (flavorless) red beans and rice and their (disgusting) potato salad, I came to realize that sometimes you can judge a book by its cover.
Dixie's is a ramshackle place in every sense of the word. This place, I thought when I first walked in, could be my new spot. I loved the snarky little signs about how cups cost $5 or three for $12, because the Chihuahuas need winter coats. I thought the line must surely indicate a place in high demand and all those reviews and pictures and the Mukilteo-brewed Bull Dog brand root beer (which was actually OK, but it's no Virgil's) must mean that I had found a truly special place.
As I said, though, this was not the case. The surly girl with the weird haircut died jet black would have been acceptable as an eccentricity, indeed so would have been the fact that baked beans are served only on Wednesdays and Fridays (I know, WTF? This is supposed to be a BBQ restaurant?) and all the other niggling peccadilloes could have been tolerated with aplomb if the food was any good. But it's just not.
So it's kind of a paradoxical "appearances can be deceiving" thing: most people warn against judging a book by its cover. "Come on", they say, "I'll bet underneath all that dust and surliness is a real gem." Unfortunately, all that's underneath Dixie's dust and surliness is some mediocre to crappy barbecue. -
Review from Mo Y.
Kirkland, WA
5/6/2011
This is one OVER RATED place. The place used to be an auto repair shop, still looks like one, over priced, bad service and the "JOKE" about putting very hot sauce on people food is just getting old. Also, the place is disgusting, it is not far from being clean. Since we dont' have any GREAT BBQ places in Washington, this place continues to stay in business. They will not survice a month in Kansas City. Bad food, bad sauce, bad service and high prices.... this is what this place is all about.
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Review from Riss J.
12/11/2008
I hate writing reviews like this. I really do.
How do I separate out the right details, the right info, to give just a review of this place? If you read my reviews, you're wondering, "Why does she care, most of her reviews include all sorts of useless crap"..totally true.
I only struggle with this when it wasn't a super experience for me.
I'll admit I'm not a huge BBQ fan. I like it when i like it, and I don't really 'crave' it. I'm also tired of feeling like I have to continually explain that in reviews of places I visit where people DO get 'foamy mouth' over stuff, or why I haven't visited places people do (like Paseo..I'll get there eventually).
Don gets the trophy for breaking my Dixie's cherry, choosing this for lunch today.
This place is best described as the Little Southern Church Luncheon.
You know, where the church gathers up on a regular day, and the little old ladies of the Glee club all get together and show their love of the congregation and the Lord by cooking up some BBQ.
It's old, it's dated, it's a mish mosh of everything, everywhere. It isn't cutting edge, it isn't the greatest thing ever, but it works, and you like it, and you know next month at the church social, you're going to go again.
That's about how I felt. Nothing was out of this world, everything was acceptable, tasty and hot, and everything was done "their way" or not at all.
The Lemon Cake was by far and away fabulous though. Lots of love of the Lord there! -
Review from Betsy H.
Seattle, WA
5/31/2008 ROTD 11/3/2008
Wow! The bbq pork sandwich is like buttah baby!
Even now, thinking back to it.... 5 stars all the way! What's better is that I could only eat like half of it in one sitting, so I got to have a repeat performance later that night.
Since my first trip there (btw, really really hard to find the first time - I passed it twice before I found it!) We've had catering at our showroom and I have to say. Still 5 stars! LJ was great to work with on the planning and Dixie herself was so cute! She insisted on remaking our cornbread because she thought she over cooked the first one.
The beans are amazing, imo. The pulled chicken is great and the pork ribs are sooo meaty! Tender too - I accidently bit into the bone and found marrow a couple of times.... kinda ewww, but damn that meat is good!Listed in: Eastside Lunch Spots, So Good I Got an Award!
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Review from Marissa S.
Seattle, WA
7/25/2008 1 photo
Hi, let's just get this out of the way right now. If you tell me something is super spicy, I want to try it. I want to test the hottest shit around, because this is a competition I have with myself. It isn't about beating anyone else, it is about what I can take.
When i heard about "the man" I had to go to Dixie's. There just wasn't even a question.
I trekked my pescetarian hiney over to Bellevue to have a slice of cornbread smothered in about a teaspoon of "the man" sauce. And boy was I sorry.
Let me explain something about capsaicin. I like peppers, I like HOT peppers, the hotter the better. I like the flavor of them, the lip and tongue tingle effect. The heat that rises in my body. The high I get from this my drug of choice. BUT I don't like capsaicin extract. Why? because it is the devil, and I don't mean El Diablo sexiness...I mean it is bad bad evil for the belly. Like...liquid ulcer maker.
So, here's the deal with "the man". This sauce is made from some burnt ass peppers, who no longer have any decent flavor left (strike 1), and it is made with extract of evil. Which is what makes it so fucking spicy (strike 2), and which is what made my stomach reach out and punch me in the face for being such a junkie. And in my head you only need 2 strikes.
That being said, the cornbread was the best I have had outside the state of Texas, and I hear the BBQ is mighty tasty, so I won't completely bash Dixie's. I think overall it is a great little place, but trust me on "the man". It isn't worth the pain.
Ok I know you are going to do it,. I had to. I like experiences, shoot me. -
Review from Yuichiro M.
Seattle, WA
8/19/2010
Extremely good food, however, for people that are somewhat price conscious (that would include myself), it is a bit on the pricey side for lunch. For dinner, I would think that it would be perfect, although I would not take anyone on a date here unless they like to get down and dirty with their food...
Some Positives: The Man is something that you will probably not find anywhere else in the Seattle/Bellevue area, the CORNBREAD IS SO GOOD!
Some Negatives: Not the cleanest place around, kinda pricey for lunch, the cashier lady is not too nice
But I would def go again, next time with a friend to have them eat a spoonful of The Man -
Review from Jon L.
Seattle, WA
10/8/2006 ROTD 4/26/2007
Yeah. I've met the man. We go way back. In fact - my buddy Greg holds the record for the most "Man" consumed. Gene won't let anyone try that again though - 8 tablespoons. No joke.
So that says what about me? Jack squat. I bet you know a guy who crammed the Eiffel tower or something. Nice.
Dixie's is primarily useful for hazing interns and new hires. The BBQ isn't bad (the lemon cake tops it though) but you go there to here Gene call you "Blondie" and harass you with that pot of deadly boiling oil.
One word of advice should you meet the man and run away screaming: Only oil counters oil - the peanuts are there for a reason. Water can't help you now.
Ok, one more "word": No amount of "mixing it in" will blend the man into your sandwich enough to mellow it out. If you aren't all that interested but end up being attacked by The Man: Sacrifice it. The affected portion of your food is dead to you now - ditch it as you would a blown off limb.Listed in: Aarrr Oh TeeDees
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Review from katie l.
Bellevue, WA
12/8/2008
I've never really been a fan of BBQ food until about 3 years ago. My very new boyfriend (at the time) had decided to bring me to one of his favorite BBQ places he's ever been to and apparently that's a lot (he's in a traveling band) so I decided to give it a go.
We pull up into an old parking lot where a few old beat up trucks were parked in (which seemed like at least 15 years) in front of an old building. We get out and begin to walk to the front door and I notice the old picnic tables in the front with old table clothes spread out on each one. We walk in and notice a long line going from the kitchen out into the "family style" restraunt layout. I give my old bf a look of "are you serious?" and he just smiled and told me to "be patient". Patience is something i lack, especially when I'm hungry!!
We waited in line which wasn't taking too long and I looked at all the interesting memorabilia on the walls, made the time go by a little quicker. We finally get to the kitchen, by this time I feel like I'm in elementary school again, and I look at the menu on the wall. I decided to go with the chicken sandwich and I tell the lady, who seems to be not having such a good day, and she slabs bbq sauce on the buns, chicken that has been simmering in bbq sauce for hours, and then more sauce. She asks me what kind of side I want, (baked beans, lemon cake, or cornbread) I decide to go with the lemon cake..
We sit down and I start to eat and am instantly a fan... every bite that goes down I love it more and more! An older man comes up to us and asks us in a very southern voice if we've ever been before. I say no and he asks me if I want to "meet the man".. I was a little confused so I said "sure"... bad idea.. He gets a toothpick, dabs the tip of it in this little pot he carries around with him and put in on my next bite of bbq chicken sandwich. Now, I can handle spicy foods, so I thought this was going to be no big deal! I take a bite and don't taste anything yet so I look up at him and shrug my shoulders.. Just as I was "shrugging", my face turns red and my eyes start to water!! By this time I'm breaking out into a little sweat and I'm jugging water all while the man is laughing in his scratchy voice..
by the time the burning/hot sensation has subsided, he pats me on the back and say "you just experienced the man.. Come back now ya'hear?" He waddles away and i look at my date and tell him I'm never going to "meet the man" again... he laughs and I take my first bite into the lemon cake and I fall in love all over again...
This place is old, but that's part of the charm to this place. Yeah, the line can be a little long, but all is well worth it..
You know how the saying goes, "Good things come to those who wait".
You won't be disappointed :) -
Review from Alex L.
12/2/2008 1 Check-in Here
Love this place! Weekday lunch crowds can be more than an hours wait. Better to visit on the weekend.
Always get the lunch specials on the wall. Best bang for buck.. $9.00 gets you choice of chicken, pork ribs, or beef ribs and a side (recomend beans and rice.) (all of the meat falls off the bone.) Lemon cake is the shiznit.
Warning: Have your order ready, and get off your cellphones. I have been yelled out by LJ Porter for stuttering my order. Make eye contact and be confident. Oh yeah watch out for "the man" he moves like present Muhammed Ali now... but the "man hot sauce" with just a small toothpick taste will make you KTFO and beg for sweet tea! -
Review from Bob G.
Bothell, WA
9/17/2007
When I worked in South Seattle, we made a special trip to "meet the man" About 4 of us ventured across the lake for lunch. The BBQ isn't the best (Rowdy Cowgirl, Pecos Pit in south Seattle and Uncle Milts in Bellevue are all better, to name a few).
But none of them have Gene and "The Man Sauce" You have to go here at least once to see the show! It is fun to take co-workers and get them to try "the man sauce", if nothing else.Listed in: I ate there and Lived?, BBQ
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Review from Larry M.
Seattle, WA
9/9/2009
BBQ = cooking low and slow, with a smoke component. Smoked meats should show a pink "smoke ring" which is evidence of sitting in a smoker for several hours. The BBQ process breaks down the tissues in what is normally an unusable cut of meat making it heavenly and delicious. Brisket and shoulder are two of the cheapest meats around, cooked properly they should show the tenderness of a mother's love.
Meat here is not smoked, not for a minute. If there's a smoker on site, it's for decoration and to provide some street cred to the Microsofties in line. Be warned, if the sauce gets more attention than the meat, chances are someone is trying to hide something. Sadly, this about sums up Dixie's. -
Review from Chelsy C.
3/2/2010
I was there on Saturday. Luckily, I had cash in my pocket, several of my friends had to go scrounging for an ATM. I ordered the "520" sandwich pork rib meat and a hotlink. The hotlink is a hot dog, not a hot little sausage. The sandwich could not be any more loaded with meat, it was impressive. The rib meat was so tender, the sauce, so-so.
The indoor tables were full so my friends and I piled around an outside table to eat in the rain. I was so EXTREMELY looking forward to "The Man" hot sauce. I have been building up my tolerance for 6 months with hot-as-hell food and wanted to try this. I could never find the infamous guy who brings around the sauce. I asked inside and the lady cooking said he will be around with it.
I had no idea that Gene Porter, owner of Dixie's and inventor of "The Man", was laid up in a hospital. He passed the next day.
Well Mr. Porter- I'm sorry I didn't get to meet "The Man", but you left a pretty cool legacy, and for that sir, I salute you!Listed in: Seattle Metro BBQ
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Review from Rick M.
Seattle, WA
9/28/2008
Dixie's:
Dixie's is hands down the best BBQ in the greater Seattle area. I can never decide between pulled pork sandwiches and pork ribs when I eat BBQ and Dixie's has done its customers a great service by just combining the two. What I mean is that the sandwich does not contain shredded pork, but HUGE mountains of pork. Whole ribs basically! I kept expecting to find bones in there. Willie's might have a slight edge in the sauce department, but Dixie's gets the meat done right. 5 frick'n pentagrams for this place.
The Man:
Ridiculous. It's like bear spray with hot knives. Just a lick off a toothpick had me thinking I might need medical assistance: panic attacks, a seizure and an acid flashback all while trying maintain consciousness. The recipe has to be habanero peppers, powered glass, razor blades and mace. It ruined the rest of my day. Whatever you do, do not put this stuff on your food or sample it before eating if you want to taste your meal. Then again, having it afterwards is like enjoying a nice dinner followed by a savage kick to the groin. And who wants that? Minus one star for the assault and battery. -
Review from Erickson E.
Seattle, WA
6/21/2010
Once upon a time, Dixies BBQ sat atop the pile of Seattle-area bbq joints -- with a deserved reputation for quality and character. I joined the throngs of Microsofties in enjoying what we all thought was one of the best-kept culinary secrets on the west coast.
Today, Dixies is a shadow of its former self -- Gene no longer wanders around the seating area, wickedly dolloping out "The Man" sauce to uninitiated diners (God rest his soul, the poor old guy passed on not long ago). No longer is the meat tender, the portions large, the sauce fresh and spicy and rich and flavorful... Dixies of today clearly uses lower quality ingredients, the preparation is less skilful, and the overall experience greatly suffers for it.
I'll occasionally grab a pork sandwich for old times sake, and sit at the counter entertaining dark thoughts about mortality and the ephermeralness of life as I joylessly work my way through a below-average bbq experience. Around alternating mouthfuls of dry/tough and then all-fat pork, I dourly think of days past. -
Review from Donald T.
Redmond, WA
10/24/2006
Sorry, simply does not live up to the hype. I realize that folks around here are starved for good BBQ, and this serves as the best approximation of it.
Has no one spent any time at all in the south? What on earth could they be comparing this place to? Other places around here?
Do people even realize the existence of completely different styles of BBQ, such as mustard-based and vinegar-based, Cincinnati dry rub, etc? Seems to me people around here are quite myopic and limited in their ability to appreciate the fine points of BBQ connoisseur-ship...
There is nothing in the world like slow-smoked pork shoulder. Does "The Man" even have a smoker? Why isn't there a loaf of white bread on every table?
At best, Dixie's is a rough simulation of good BBQ, but certainly not anything close to the *real thing*. -
Review from Janor H.
Issaquah, WA
8/9/2006
Jones BBQ better than Dixies?? N**GA PLEASE!!
Whether you have the intestinal fortitude to meet The Man or not, Dixie's/Porter's is the best bbq in the Northwest.
Btw, the name "The Man" only applies to THE SAUCE. Gene is not "The Man". Get it straight. ;)
This is only conjecture but I think the name "The Man" as it is used by Dixie's comes from the african-american folklore about "going down to the crossroads to meet The Man" (making a deal with The Devil). The Man is a nickname for Satan...Listed in: Best Seattle Area Restaurants
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Review from Tom B.
2/20/2009
It's legendary for Gene being such a kook, and for his daughter at the register being so astonishingly rude all the time. But that's why you go. If you don't feel up to being insulted, or having a strange, in-your-face conversation today, then wait for another day to try Dixie's. (And if you're a buxom woman, Gene will probably let you know he noticed; fair warning).
It's legendary most of all, though, of course, for the rendered habanero sauce known as The Man. It really is hot as blazes. The BBQ is good, though--the brisket especially, and the links and sides are great. It's not just about a hot sauce gimmick at all. The lines can be outlandish, especially in summer, so be prepared. -
Review from Jeremy C.
Seattle, WA
1/28/2006 ROTD 2/14/2006
Both preexisting reviews recommend not "meeting the man" ("the man" is their hot sauce). I half disagree. I think that the barbeque by itself is good, for sure, but as one reviewer said it's not outstanding. Dixies is hyped BECAUSE of "the man"; that's one of the things that sets Dixies apart from every barbeque place I've ever been (including a number in Louisiana).
It's true, if you don't have a spice tolerance, don't touch it. This isn't even comparable to, say, "five star" spices at a Thai restaraunt. I have a very high spice tolerance and I've found myself crying in agony, drooling over myself and pacing in circles while biting my tongue trying to distract myself from the pain. For reals.
My point: if you're one of those people that goes around saying that "Seattle doesn't know what hot is" then you obviously haven't been to Dixies. If you like spicy hot food, this is a must.
One recommendation: put your ego aside. Don't mock Gene (the owner, who dispenses "The Man"). Don't play up your spice tolerance. Don't be macho. Really. I've done this. And it hurt -- even more than your endorphines can compensate for.Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from sarah m.
5/14/2007
this palce has very specific high school memories for me. Gene calls all my friends junior & we got a really unique bond with him.
then again, probably everyone says that about gene and themselves.
either way, just for the memories at this hole in the wall, i give it 5 stars.
i love their cornbread, and for 6.50, their briskets are hard to beat.
it's also five star entertainment to see your man friends crying eating (and pooping) out the man...or hiding the huge scoop of the man sauce that gene put on top of their meat inside their corn muffins.
haha. ahhh...good timesListed in: love the eastside? hate it?…, Cheap eats
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Review from Zachary Sam Z.
Seattle, WA
3/20/2009 1 photo
It's rare that I'm in the mood for BBQ... whenever I leave, I find that the food just sits in my stomach, and I'm resigned to a food coma for hours. So, I've got to decide about a week in advance that I might want barbecue, and let myself crave it for a while.
Once I get into that craving zone, Dixie's is the place for me. The environment and the experience is something fun that I will occasionally share with folks visiting from out of town, or else I will grab a sandwich from their catering when they are in the MS cafe on Tuesdays. I'm a big fan of the BBQ chicken (but mostly because I'm not big into either beef or pork). But my pork aversion doesn't stop me from getting the grand slam - yay for meat on top of sausage!!
The lemon cake is good, but it's not what I crave when I go there. I need a side of meaty-beany goodness with my food, so I go for the beans and rice.
All in all, a good place for barbecue if you're craving it.Listed in: My Guide for Seattle Tourists
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Review from Chris O.
5/30/2006
Update: 3/23/07. I am used to waiting for my food here, and usually it's worth it, but today the wait was AN HOUR (58 minutes to be exact) even though the line was not exceptionally long (about 35 people). The two ladies working the front look like they could use some extra help - would it cost that much to hire a teenager to help move things along? I know Dixies prides itself on 'good things take time' but this was almost more than we could take.
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Fun dining experience, especially on a sunny day, although as mentioned before nicer days are busier so the wait is longer. There is interesting stuff on the walls and a lot of traditional procedure to follow. Whenever I go here we end up telling stories of what happened here in the past.
I tend to order a pork or beef brisket sandwich. The pork sandwich is delicious and generous in size, though occasionally I'll have issues with it being too fatty.
Waiting in line to order can be humbling... the folks at the counter want you to say your order clearly and quickly, ala the Seinfeld Soup Nazi episode ("No Man for you!"). They are nice people, I think they just like to keep the line moving when they are busy. But it can be intimidating if you've not been there. Bring some quarters so you can get a drink from the vending machine.
The Man (the special hot sauce) is crazy-hot. I ask for a "little hit" and get maybe the head of a pin's worth, which doesn't seem like much but trust me it will heat a whole sandwich, or if you get it in one bite it will feel painful.
The lemon cake is excellent, and as a bonus it puts out the fire a little bit.
I know of no better BBQ in the greater Seattle area. -
Review from Yong L.
2/26/2007
I love barbeque. So I wasn't really focusing on "The Man" as I was on the meat. And to tell you the truth, it wasn't all that great -- kinda fatty, and clumpy with old, thick sauce. The other weird thing is that in spite of the over-saucing, the meat had too strong of a stinky-porky odor.
Which is too bad because the dive-like ambience signaled to me that the food must be great. But it wasn't . . . so the only thing I can say is that the big draw must be "The Man." I had one tiny lick, and felt that bit dragging out the sweat from the begrudging pores in my scalp. Pretty soon, I was sweating up a storm, even when it wasn't warm inside. This then caused me to shiver. Which was all pretty cool.
But it would've been cooler to have good barbeque, though. -
Review from Ray Z.
Paradise, WA
5/14/2007
Dixie's is another one of those places whose notoriety is maintained by it's lemming customers. I've tried to like the place and have given it 3 tries, each time vowing never to return - shame on me!
Ambience: This place looks to be an old auto repair shop or similar. Seating is at long tables and benches. The food gets served in styrofoam. I don't know if they have functional heating - it can be pretty darn cold in winter. The maps on the walls (into which customers stick pushpins according to where they're from) in mildly amusing.
Food: The food is very average. Nothing is particularly rich or flavorful; the BBQ's not particularly moist or tender. I grew up eating spicy food and enjoy hot sauces with my meals. The Man is a joke. Condiments are supposed to add to the enjoyment of food. The Man is just scorching hot. Even Gene admits he doesn't touch the stuff.
Service: What service? You stand in line (sometimes for over an hour) to place your order. You have to witness Dixie being mean to newbie and unprepared customers. She sounds like she's doing them a favor. Tending the steam table and scurrying around the kitchen is frail, harrassed-looking old Momma, slaving to keep up with orders. Old people shouldn't have to live life like that.
1 Star - I'll never return. -
Review from Neil O.
Kent, WA
4/7/2009 1 photo
I paid a visit to The Man because I got word from the grapevine that this is a lunch spot Microsoft employees recommend. Anything Microsoft employees recommend must be worth trying, right? Ehm...
So I've gone through the Dixie BBQ experience minus getting my picture taken with the guy holding a saucepan containing The Man (don't call the "guy" "The Man" or he'll throw a fit!). I did get the sample off the tip of a toothpick. The habanero concoction exploded on my tongue for a moment, then sort of fizzled away as I dug into my bbq ribs and lemon cake (both of which were tasty, by the way). This was from a droplet on a toothpick! I can only imagine the damage The Man would cause if he were slathered all over my ribs. Can someone reserve a spot in the emergency room?
The ambiance was unique, to say the least. Lit from natural and fluorescent light, the interior reminded me of a small sausage factory. The exterior reminded me of the movie Forrest Gump for some reason.
Yes, the lady up front was rude to me too, although I kind of liked it in a way I cannot explain. "No brisket!" she growled. So I opted for the ribs with submission.
