Darryl Sookoonsingh, new franchise owner of Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Riverview. Lisa Stark photos.
What better way to celebrate May, National Barbecue Month, than to attend the Grand Opening of the new Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Riverview Town Center, which kicked off on Thursday, April 28, with a series of fun events and tasty giveaways for barbecue lovers of all ages.
“I’m excited to share my passion for barbecue with the residents of Riverview,” said Darryl Sookoonsingh, franchise owner and operator of the new Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Riverview. “I felt Riverview was missing out on Dickey’s down-home experience with slow-smoked meats and a family-friendly environment.”
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Grand Opening specials will continue on through May, including the chance for three lucky patrons to win free barbecue for a year. Doors opened on Thirsty Thursday and continued into Philanthropy Friday, with gift cards awarded to guests who donated to Dickey’s charitable foundation, Barbecue, Boots & Badges, which supports first responders and their families. Saturday was Singer-Songwriter Saturday, with live music from local band Rusty Coconut.
Owner Sookoonsingh said his restaurant experience dates back to his own Trinidadian restaurant in George Town, Grand Cayman, prior to his enlistment into the U.S. Army. “I fell in love with Dickey’s post-service in North Dakota,” said Sookoonsingh, who now resides with his wife Angela in Riverview.
“We are steadily growing our presence in the Sunshine State,” said Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Dallas-based Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, considered the nation’s largest barbecue chain. Dickey’s Barbecue was founded in 1941 by Travis Dickey with authentic slow-smoked barbecue that still lives up to the company motto: “We Speak Barbecue.”
The family-run barbecue franchise offers a selection of smoked meats, homestyle sides and tangy barbecue sauce and has now expanded to more than 540 locations in 43 states. 
The Dickey’s Riverview Town Center store is at 10463 Gibsonton Drive in Riverview. For more information, call 813-333-1773.