Darrell Byers
A big tray of delish from Wicked 3D BBQ.
If you’ve heard the name Regan Wickes, it can mean one of two things: You know about his barbecue truck, Wicked 3D Craft BBQ, or you’re really into golf.
Before he turned into a professional barbecuer, the Arlington resident was a PGA professional. He clarifies: “I wasn’t a professional golfer,” he says, laughing. “I was a golf professional.”
The best thing about his time spent as a golf professional was meeting his wife, he says. They met on the green and married soon thereafter. “I got a couple nice checks, too, but meeting her was the best thing that playing golf brought me,” he says. “It was fun, but it wasn’t the road for me.”
His path, he says, belongs to the world of barbecue. Wickes has been cooking professionally since 2021, when Wicked 3D — named after his three daughters, Delaney, Delyla, and Delorey — was officially born. But he’s been honing his craft a lot longer, since he was a kid. “I had an old propane grill, which wasn’t working at the time,” he says. “I stripped it down and rebuilt it and taught myself how to cook with fire.”
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Darrell Byers
Regan Wickes (center) and employees prepare for service at Wicked 3D Craft BBQ on Saturday, November 2, 2024 in Pantego, TX.
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Darrell Byers
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Darrell Byers
Today, his food is finally catching fire with North Texas barbecue aficionados who’ve seen raves on social media for his smoky, peppery brisket and thick and juicy pork ribs. The meat side of his menu also includes chicken, bologna, turkey, and two kinds of sausage. He also offers smashburgers, whose super-thin patties are made from brisket, and for sides, there’s brisket-studded pinto beans, mac and cheese, and potato salad.
Like most barbecue spots these days, he comes up with rotating menu items. Recent specials have included a smoked bologna patty melt, brisket quesadillas, and pumpkin pie with a cheesecake swirl, topped with buttered pecan crumble.
“That’s the fun part in all this,” he says. “I mean, it’s all fun. But coming up with creative ways to do barbecue, whether it’s a new dish or just a new ingredient you’re using, is what does it for me.”
Wicked 3D BBQ, wicked3dbbq.com
