The Tech Talk

Issue date: 3/18/10 Section: More Talk

Media Credit: Ben Corda

Media Credit: Ben Corda Dowlings Smokehouse on Cooktown Road serves up hot barbecue at a college student's budget.

Dowling's Smokehouse is a locally-owned barbecue restaurant reminiscent of a fast food outlet, but this mom-and-pop diner exceeds any expectations a fast food restaurant could hope to achieve.

Located right next to the interstate on Cooktown Road, Dowling's is perfect for visitors, students or Ruston residents. After crossing the interstate going away from Tech, it is impossible to miss the joint promising "Bar-B-Q."

Unless the customer is ordering a full, 10-boned slab of ribs he should not expect to pay more than $10 for his entire meal. Ranging from brisket to ham, Dowling's offers quite a selection of barbecued meats for sandwiches or otherwise.

The barbecue sandwich is Dowling's best seller, and it can either be sold by itself for $5 or as a meal for $9, but do not let the price fool you. The sandwich is big enough to feed two people, plus the choice of either barbecue beans or a bag of chips and a 16 oz. drink.

The smokehouse's moderately-sized dining area can seat groups both small and large, either in the main dining area or on the deck.

The ordering fashion is unique. The customer orders at the counter, finds a seat and the cashier or worker in the kitchen brings the food to the customer's table, though at times Dowling's popularity is overwhelmingly obvious as lines stretch out of the front door. This can be somewhat pesky on an empty stomach.

The restaurant is rather old-fashioned in style and grace, which allows Dowling's to focus completely on the customer and the food.

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