Peggy Sue BBQ Not Reopening
Longtime Snider Plaza eatery Peggy Sue BBQ won’t be reopening.
As we previously reported, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Dallas area, the restaurant at 6600 Snider Plaza was closed for remodeling.
“Peggy Sue is not coming back as we know it. We thought they were, and we gave them every chance to succeed, and the ownership, who bought it from Marc Hall – they tried,” said Jerry Washam of the Ralph Porter Company, which manages much of Snider Plaza. “We signed a new lease with them at the first of the year, we gave them a period of time to do some improvements…and they started, and never did finish, and then COVID came and that finished them off, and they couldn’t recover from that. So, that obviously changed their plans, changed our plans.”
Peggy Sue BBQ opened in 1989, carrying on the tradition of barbecue in its location started by previous tenants Howard and Peggy’s, then Peggy’s beef bar, which closed in the late 1980s, according to the Peggy Sue BBQ website.
The website noted that while the “menu continues to evolve, we have kept the place firmly looking like the 1950s BBQ joint we all loved!”
“I recognize that corner and what it is. I mean, that’s been a barbecue restaurant longer than Kuby’s has been there. That’s been a barbecue restaurant since the mid-40s,” Washam said. “I recognize that southern gateway to Snider Plaza is going to demand something special, and that’s what we’re trying to do, but also keep it Snider Plaza, too,” Washam added. “We need something. We need a good neighborhood restaurant where people can bring their family, have a good meal, watch a game on TV, have a glass of wine or a cold beer, and that’s what I’m hoping to keep.”
He added that the location has been shown and been popular.
“I’ve been very pleased with the response that we’ve had, but nothing yet,” Washam said.
I am deeply saddened by this loss. We loved Peggy Sue’s with their quiet, old-school, casual environment and their consistently great food. I’ll miss their roasted chicken and the fried pies! Peggy Sue’s was a respite in the age of hip, loud restaurants and they will be missed. We wish the family and all those with Peggy Sue’s God’s blessings as they move ahead.
It’s too much change in a time where people wish things like this soulful gem could remain constant. This was a place of peace for many generations and an island in a sea of things not very comfortable and welcoming. It was Texan. I speak for many family members and friends as we say that we are absolutely heartbroken about this news. This wasn’t just a restaurant. It was a family meeting place full of beautiful memories and it was always packed because it stayed grounded.
I now live in Seattle but grew up in HP and went to SMU . I have many fond memories of going to Peggy Sue ‘s with my parents. Whenever I come home to Dallas even for a couple of days, I make sure to go to Peggy Sue’s. I will miss it and wish the owners and employees blessings on their next venture,