It’s not a chain (I don’t think) but the worst BBQ I ever ate was at Virgils near Time’s Square in NYC. It was the only time in my life I disliked Fried Chicken (I love fried chicken. For me even greasy dry supermarket fried chicken is eatable). The rest of the food as also pretty bad. Only the BBQ chicken wings (not buffalo wings) were passable.
I went back a second time years later (shame on me, I know) hoping my first experience was an off night but it was bad again. Won’t go back.
I was always happy at Famous Dave’s; my biggest complaint was that the restaurant was large and overly noisy–but the one I went to was in a historic round barn, which cut down on their options to remedy the problem.
I ate at Smoky Bones once, but it was so long ago I’ve forgotten what it was like.
And those are the only two BBQ chains I can think of.
Dreamland BBQ in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, AL.
I too live in Dallas and would rank Dickey’s near the bottom. If we’re talking chains Rudy’s is the top, followed not too far behind by Spring Creek. As others mentioned though, the best places are the ones that have true pit masters working in them. Near my house is a place called Three Stacks that’s pretty legit but very pricey for BBQ so I don’t go very often. My favorite is what I smoke in my own backyard - BBQ tastes a lot better when you have to get up at 5 AM to get the meat on the smoker for dinner.
The only franchise BBQ joint around these parts is Famous Dave’s. They have a sandwich plate that makes an ok lunch, but the “burnt ends” are a war crime. The pickles are the only thing that makes the place stand out.
I am in Fort Worth and would also rate Dickey’s near the bottom. They used to be decent but I think the expansion caused them to change some of their cooking processes so by the time the meat gets to the stores it is just not very good.
My favorites of the large chains are Rudy’s and Famous Dave’s. Both have great flavor and are completely different dining experiences.
At Rudy’s you walk in and order your meat by the pound, as the gods intended. You eat off of butcher paper and there is a central bar with all the relish and garnish you might need.
Famous Dave’s is a full-service dining experience with wait service and ordering from a menu. Perfect when I am out on the road and need some comfort food.
Red Hot and Blue is pretty good. Spring Creek is OK, but I don’t think their sauce and meat is seasoned enough, kind of bland. Both restaurants have the advantage of sending my mom coupons for Buy one/Get one meals. Mom loves a coupon.
Of course, nobody serves up smoked brisket quite as good as mine.
Whole Hog Cafe is the best barbecue in Little Rock. They have three locations here. Also in New Mexico, Missouri and New Jersey.
With so many other choices in and around Austin I don’t eat much chain/franchise BBQ, but I would say Rudy’s is OK…Bill Miller is quite bad.
I thought real BBQ goes in the smoker before you go to bed. 
To my friends that live in the Dallas area: You simply MUST go to 1050 BBQ! That’s some world class shit right there! They hire Pit Masters to work the smokers 24/7. And I mean that in the literal sense, even when the place is closed they have Pit Masters there working the smokers.
But anyway, if we’re talking chains, I’ll go with Sony’s.
probably the best I’ve been to is Arthur Bryant’s in Kansas City. I also went to Smokehouse BBQ on another trip there and really liked it.
I don’t think I’ve been to a place where I would dismiss it as “bad,” but one time some of us at work went to Famous Dave’s and the brisket I had seemed more like corned beef than smoked brisket.
Yes, it is very good.
Did you visit the Shack before the health department closed them down, or Sims?
I’m afraid to go more than 14 hours now so I buy sizes that finish in that time… One of these days though!
I’m game to meet you there one day. Anybody else?
Huh, lotta hate for Dickies. I’ve only been to the one location, maybe it’s got good ownership and I just got lucky. I think that one’s been there for awhile, unlike some newer ones that have been appearing around here. Or maybe the place benefitted from my low expectations of a chain BBQ. I agree with some posters that their prices are a little steep for what you get.
As a resident of San Antonio, the home of Bill Miller’s, where that chain is a major local employer and very well respected corporate citizen, I have to say that Bill Miller’s BBQ is … yes, quite bad. In fact, not really barbecue. I’m convinced their brisket is prepared in a microwave. They do a nice fried chicken though, and are well known for their sweet tea if you go for that kind of thing, which I don’t. Unsweetened, lots of ice, with lemon and/or lime, as God intended. A sprig of mint will add to your tip, and I’ll take a to-go cup please.
In a previous thread somebody recommended a joint in Deep Elum whose name I’ve forgotten. I get different reports about the neighborhood – it’s either insufferably hip or a wretched hive of scum and villainy. Either way, it sounds like it’d be exhausting to deal with.
I have tried the ribs at Sonny Bryans’, but I don’t recall being particularly moved.
Whoa, dreamland is a chain? There is one across the street from my office, and they are TERRIBLE. Like, I will get in my car and drive for 10 minutes to get better barbecue instead of walking across the street to Dreamland.
I just call it “dog food” and roll my eyes every time I see the place full of people. I mean… why?
Bizarrely, we went to Sea World once and there was a restaurant that had brisket - and it was pretty good, compared to expectations.
On Fredericksburg Rd near Callaghan there is a brisket place… Old Smokehouse, I think. Pretty good, but I have to admit the last time I went there the food wasn’t all that great. Perhaps it was an off day… for me and/or the cook, I don’t know which.
Blanco BBQ is OK… but don’t order their new fried chicken, I’m pretty sure it came to them already breaded and frozen. Reminded me too much of the Swanson TV dinners I used to eat as a kid.
Not BBQ by any measure, but I do love me some Tejas de Brazil, down on Houston St.
We should get together for lunch sometime. PM me and let’s make it happen.
I know exactly the place you’re talking about; it used to be Bob’s Smokehouse #2, but Bob passed about 10 years back an the family sold that one. I think they still run the original near WaterWorld but I’ve never been there. I usually go to 2 Bros, Smoke Shack, or BBQ Station, and looking forward to sampling Cue & Brew down at the Pearl.