Mary Beth Brown and Lazar Brown Oglesby remember most of their childhood revolving around food, especially when it came to their Granddaddy Dolan. So, opening a barbecue restaurant in his name is a fitting fate for these two sisters.
“I remember him pulling up in the truck and yelling, ‘Hop in, girls! We’re goin’ to Grandy’s,” Mary Beth explained.
“He used to barbecue over a brick smoker every Fourth of July, so we actually had a mason go out to the farm and look at that smoker to design the one we use in the restaurant,” Lazar said.
Previously a McDonald’s on Statesboro’s Main Street, the updated and improved Dolan’s BBQ offers a welcoming garage hangout vibe. Cool modern decor lines the walls, and a spacious patio offers casual outdoor seating and a space for live music, something the location is known for.
My hosts were pulled away a few times during my visit, not only to assist staff but to say hello to regulars and friends. I imagine this is what Fourth of July at Granddaddy Dolan’s felt like.
“We wanted to build a place where anyone could come,” Mary Beth said. “So many different types of people come through our doors. We try to make something for everybody.”
Dolan’s offerings will please anyone from adventurous foodies to more particular palates. You’ll find staples like BBQ-loaded fries and the chopped pork sandwich on the fixed menu. I started with the sampler, which includes chicken, ribs, and chopped BBQ. The homemade sauces pair perfectly with each plate, but the Sister’s White is my favorite. You could eat it on anything—Mary Beth suggests pizza.
Keeping the menu diverse is a skill Mary Beth has honed. Inspired by a love of Asian food and other diverse dishes, she and her team create daily specials that surprise and delight, like Hawt Honey Buffalo Chicken Tacos.
I was most looking forward to the $10 Green Plate. Changing daily, this always affordable dish could include southern classics like roast beef, served with mac n cheese and green beans. More creative creations frequently jump in the rotation, like “DO MEIN,” vegetable lo mein topped with pit-smoked ribs in a sweet and tangy Asian BBQ sauce.
If you need a quick meal to-go, the Honey Specialties shop just inside the doors of Dolan’s offers premade meals, dips, and cheesecake to go. And you cannot leave without cheesecake.
Lazar lights up when she talks about her desserts. Flavors like brown sugar pecan and blueberry crumble will make your mouth water. Thankfully, her sweets are available for shipping nationwide through the Honey Specialties website.
With community events, trivia nights, and one-of-a-kind cocktails on top of the usual restaurant routine, I can’t imagine how they do it all. But with the help of their friendly, swift staff, they are doing it all so well. These sisters are proof ‘girls can ‘cue, too.’ You’ll undoubtedly come away from a meal at Dolan’s with some fond memories of your own.
Dolan’s BBQ
39 S Main St, Statesboro, GA 30458
Images provided by Statesboro CVB
