Owners celebrating 50 years in East Dallas

By Shari Goldstein Stern

There is no better way to celebrate the Fourth of July in Texas than with barbecue. But, oh, the outside heat! 

Have no fear! Scott and Teresa Collard are here inviting their patrons, friends and neighbors inside for a barbecue fix to share in their 50th anniversary celebration at Back Country BBQ on Tuesday, July 1 at 6940 Greenville Ave.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., some amazing anniversary specials will be available, including 50¢ slider sandwiches, 50¢ fries, and 50¢ soft drinks for dine-in only patrons. The Redmans, a Dallas-based acoustic singer/songwriter duo, will play during the event. 

“What all started in a humble spot on Northwest Highway at Ferndale, just west of the Shell station with ‘the car’ in 1975, grew into a neighborhood favorite that later moved to Greenville Ave. and Park Lane,” Scott said. “Thanks to the passion of founder Frank Hart and legendary pit master Earnest Griffith, Sr., we are thrilled to still be in our own neighborhood, Lake Highlands.”

In 2016, Scott and Teresa Collard took over the reins from Hart. For Scott, it was a continuation of his 40-year career in restaurant management with Big Al’s Smokehouse. “Those years as general manager for Big Al’s gave me deep insight into the business and helped fuel my passion for authentic Texas barbecue, which eventually led me to owning Back Country,” Collard said. 

Although Earnest retired after 46 years with Back Country, the friend to many past and current diners will be there July 1 to join the celebration with his friends, the Collards, and to revisit with his regulars.

Deep Ellum’s historic Rudolph’s Market & Sausage Factory, serving Dallas since the early 1890s, has been Back Country’s source for its delicious sausage for years. “They’re going to be part of our celebration, bringing their expertise and heritage to the event. We’re excited that the grandson and some family members of the founder will be joining us for the celebration, making it even more special,” Collard said.

Scott and Teresa, who have been married for almost 36 years, agree they are Texans through and through. He grew up in Garland, and she in Mesquite.

The couple have two adult children and five grandchildren ranging in age from 10 to 21. “We are the proud great-grandparents of a sweet one-year-old great-granddaughter,” Teresa said. “Family means the world to us. You might even see a grandkid helping out at the restaurant from time to time or enjoying one of their favorite dishes.” 

Collard recommends the menu’s “classic combo” for barbecue first timers, because that gives them a little of everything. Back Country BBQ has a lot of old timers, too.

“One of SMU’s fraternities meets for dinner one night a week. One gentleman started coming here the day we opened and still comes Friday night every week,” Scott said. “Wednesdays, the elders from a local church enjoy coming in for lunch. A 97-year-old gentleman and his bride of more than 70 years come in a couple of times a week.”

Just today a table full of Woodrow Wilson HS alumni were seen enjoyed lunch together at Back Country.

With his outgoing personality, Scott gets to know as many of his customers as possible and then greets them by name the next time they come in his restaurant. That personal service is bound to keep Back Country BBQ’s smokers busy for many more years to come.

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