Smokin’ D’z BBQ finds new home at Hopkins Farm Creamery

Smokin’ D’z BBQ is preparing to reopen its red trailer, where it cooks and serves meals, at a new location next to Hopkins Farm Creamery west of Lewes.

The business is scheduled to open in the first weekend of May at its new location, 18186 Dairy Farm Road at the corner of Route 9, said Katherine Birl, who co-owns the business with her husband, Damian.

The business began 14 years ago at the corner of Cave Neck Road and Route 1, but had to relocate because the property is being cleared for future development of a project called Chappell Farm. 

Katherine said she appreciates the support of the community. When people heard the business was losing its longtime location, they offered alternative sites. Damian contacted the Hopkins family to inquire about space at the creamery property.

“My husband reached out to Mr. Hopkins,” she said. “The family came over to see us on our closing day [in October]. We worked it out from there.”

The Hopkins family could not be reached for comment.

Preparations are underway for the season, Katherine said. Water and electric service were installed to prepare the site, and the trailer is expected to be moved to the property this weekend.

Come May, the business will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, with the exception of Mother’s Day. It is expecting to close after the third weekend of October.

Birl said she expects Smokin’ D’z will continue as it had before. 

“The menu is small, but we pour a lot of love into each item,” Katherine said.

The menu features smoked baby back ribs, pulled pork, brisket, cuts of chicken and homemade sides. Another staple will be GC Pickles, made by and named for the owners’ sons, Gavin, 20, and Collin, 25.

While the sons are expected to be involved in the business this year, their daughter, Sophia may not, as she is busy working on her graduate degree in physical therapy at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.

Katherine said Smokin’ D’z BBQ has many repeat customers. Some families return to celebrate birthdays, Father’s Day and the Fourth of July.

“We do pretty well,” Birl said. “We have a lot of customers that come back every weekend. It is a tradition with some families.”