By Jake Slater

Jadean’s.

Jadean’s Smokin’ Six O BBQ, or Jadean’s for short, is a family-owned and operated restaurant that has been serving the greater Richmond community for close to 50 years. Located right off of Patterson Avenue between Collegiate’s main campus and the Robins Campus, Jadean’s often is overshadowed by the convenience of the nearby McDonald’s and Taco Bell in the Tuckahoe Village Shopping Center.

Jadean’s specializes in cherrywood and applewood smoked barbecue but has many other scrumptious options, including their wings, smoked brisket, and Buffalo chicken tenders. The wide array of options offered at this quaint spot is enticing to a person like me, who loves trying new provisions. One of my favorite dishes is their cherrywood smoked wings, which come in six different and delicious flavors, including, but not limited to, Honey Bourbon BBQ, Old Bay, and Mango Habanero. 

Wings.

Jadean’s offers eight wings for $13.99 and 12 for $18.99, although every time I order their tasty wings, I find myself getting two meals out of it due to their large portion sizes. These wings are cooked to perfection and offered along with a side of your choice, which might just be the most outstanding part of the restaurant. For sides, you can choose from a list of over ten, including smoked mac and cheese, onion rings, and french fries, which are all the best I have had out of any other restaurant.

Another one of my frequent purchases, and one of their most popular dishes, is the Carolina-style pulled pork sandwich. Available in four and six-ounce servings, it’s served with cole slaw and your choice of one of their four homemade barbecue sauces. The sandwiches come at a reasonable price of $6 for the four-ounce and $8 for the six-ounce, but I never pass up the opportunity to make it a meal for an extra $5 and add on a side of seasoned fries and a sweet tea. 

BBQ Sandwich.

While Jadean’s may be overshadowed by the smell of smoking brisket and delicious sides, do not be afraid to indulge in one of their many delectable homemade desserts. One of my personal favorites is Janet’s homemade banana pudding, but there are many other notable options offered, including homemade oatmeal cream pies, pecan pie, and brownies.

Over the past few years, I have brought many friends along with me to enjoy the experience. Collegiate alum Hank Shield (’23), who also happens to be a barbecue connoisseur, had some notable things to say about Jadean’s when asked. Shield stated, “Jadean’s was very big for me in high school. I remember, after practice or open gyms, traveling there with the Slaters and truly feeling at home. Pull up, hop out, and order a barbecue sandwich and a coconut cream pie. Oh, how delicious it was.” Shield was not exaggerating when he mentioned Jadean’s feeling like home either. I find it comforting walking into the restaurant and smelling the sweet smokiness of barbecue and being greeted by the same friendly faces and superb service, every time. I often have a homemade sweet tea on my table without me even asking. Jadean’s is truly a hidden gem, but similar to Shield, it feels like home to me.

Oatmeal Cream Pie.

After years of selling their barbecue out of a food truck, Dean Cijek and Janet Chamberlayne, the owners and operators of Jadean’s, jumped on an opportunity they saw when an old restaurant, Alexander’s BBQ, was closing. They quickly purchased the rundown building and completely renovated it following Alexander’s closing in July 2019. When they were ready to open, they had hopes of being able to provide exceptional food for the community, yet what they were not expecting was for their business to be shut down by the governor 11 days later. 

The COVID-19 pandemic forced them to have to put their dreams on hold for a little longer and retreat back to selling food out of their well-known food truck. When pandemic restrictions eased, and people began eating in public again, my family and I found Jadean’s. Since then, my family and I regularly visit Jadean’s multiple times a month.

Newly renovated Jadean’s interior.

The rustic features from their recent renovation, including their barn wood and sheet metal walls, allow for a more comforting eating experience. When you walk in, you have the option to either sit at a booth or sit at the bar, which has a TV at the end. The ability to sit at the bar on College Gameday in the fall and watch your favorite football team while eating some wings is next level. 

Due to the restaurant’s hidden placement, it’s challenging to attract the thousands of drivers driving on Patterson daily. These drivers often see fast food chains as their only option, such as McDonald’s, Arby’s, or Wendy’s, located in perfect sight of any passing driver. Jadean’s sits at the end of a line of stores and is only visible to those who drive right past it on Westbriar Drive. Jadean’s also only has a Facebook page, and therefore often does not draw customers from a younger audience through social media. Although Jadean’s has faced some struggles over the past few years, they have persevered and continued to serve the community with some of the best barbecue in the area.

Alll photos courtesy of Jadean’s via facebook.