I Met "The Man" At Dixie's

Take a family of southerners, transplant them to Northrup Way, and convert an auto-repair shop into a first rate barbecue restaurant, and you have Dixie's.

For the past five years, folks have been meeting "The Man" at Dixie's. I am a big fan of obscenely spicy sauces, and I enjoyed "The Man" --Gene Porter's high-octane special sauce. He roams the dining areas with a pan of it, serving it directly onto patron's food by request. "We can't serve it on the side or separate," notes Dixie Porter, "it's either on the meat or not at all." I asked her what's in this mighty barbecue and she says simply "it's a secret." Whatever it is, it packs a mighty punch as well as the powerful flavor of southern barbecue.

The Porters moved to Seattle by Gene's father's request in 1963. Gene, an auto mechanic, and Dixie, a nurse, brought with them professional skills and a desire to make people happy. In 1994, they decided they could do this by opening a restaurant in Gene's garage. Daughter L.J. helps out, making Dixie's a total family affair.

Lining the walls are accolades from many Northwest dining guides and travel magazines, as well as an autographed interview with Seahawk Cortez Kennedy-who just can't go without Dixie's Barbecue.

The average lunch wait can be as long as an hour. Even with an hour to think about the food, Dixie explains, people can't decide on a meal, "People start smelling the food, their mouths water, and they can't decide what they want." It's true. Once I made it to the head of the line, I fumbled one more time through the menu-deciding between the 520 Special or a Chicken Sandwich. I chose the 520: a pulled pork sandwich with a spicy sausage and corn bread.

The food is made of the highest quality cut meats and the sauces are the perfect complement. I felt transported to the bijou despite the notorious Northwest gray sky. Though no expense is spared in making the food, it is still apparent that patrons are eating in a garage. This may sound unusual, but instead the cleaned and restored garage is extremely warm and friendly. The diners act as though they are all enjoying a family picnic-- and many have befriended the Porters in the process.

Dixie told me great stories about some of her regulars. One treats her depression by spending time in Dixie's friendly atmosphere. Massachusetts Senator Dunn made a point to stop at Dixie's after a meeting at Microsoft and stayed for several hours, chatting with the Porters. Former Sonics Coach, Leonard Wilkens still stops by whenever he's in town. Dixie spoke with pride about a family that cut short a London trip because their 8-year old daughter refused to eat anything except for a sandwich from Dixie's.

I didn't get to talk to Gene Porter while I was there. He was directing traffic in the busy parking lot the way a drill sergeant takes control of a group of unruly privates. Of course, in between directions he was shouting to drivers, he would sing along with Johnny Walker blaring through the restaurant or serve "The Man" onto diners' plates.

The bottom line, entering Dixie's is entering the Porters' home. They take pride in their work, have wonderful senses of humor, and big hearts. Their great efforts are noticed: Dixie's son, Alton, is a very successful caterer--Porter's Place Catering handles all events with great food and hefty doses of "The Man" (by request); and L.J. is an R & B singer-she'll be singing the National Anthem at the King Dome on May 18 before the Mariners take the field.

Even if "The Man" overheats the palate, eating at Dixie's is a fun, delicious experience for everyone.

-Cheap Eats, E. Eibel, 5/99