First Look: Dalie's Smokehouse in Valley Park

Fans of Pappy’s Smokehouse will note the familiar scent of wood smoke wafting from Valley Park this month. Doors have opened at Dalie’s Smokehouse, the newest member of the venerable barbecue joint family. Co-owners Mike Emerson and Skip Steele opened the restaurant at 2951 Dougherty Ferry Road on June 30.

As The Scoop reported in May, Emerson announced he would open his seventh eatery in the space that formerly housed Squeaker’s BBQ & Bar. Dalie’s big day came on the heels of yet another Emerson project with chef Rick Lewis: Southern, a hot chicken and sandwich shack located next to Pappy’s in Midtown. That restaurant opened just one week before Dalie’s. “Imagine planning two weddings back-to-back and the whole city’s invited,” Emerson said.

Pappy’s and Bogart’s Smokehouse customers will find similar menu offerings at Dalie’s, but all Emerson and Steele’s restaurants boast their own unique barbecue preparations and sauces (except the classic pulled pork recipe, the same at all their restaurants). For example, Dalie’s ribs receive a rich coating of the new Papa Joe’s original barbecue sauce, while the smoked chicken is glazed with the sweet heat of cranberry cayenne sauce.

Eleven sides are available, including Pappy’s classic sweet potato fries. Customers can also pair barbecue sandwiches or plates with chipotle-spiked mac-n-cheese, crunchy fried pickles and hush puppies studded with jalapeno, corn and black pepper. On the beverage side, soda and tea are currently available; Emerson soon hopes to add beer and wine.

Dalie’s is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Here’s a first look at what to expect when you jump in line at Valley Park’s newest barbecue joint.