The minds behind Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen and Pappasito’s Cantina – Pappas Restaurants Inc. – have added a new feather into their caps. And it might be their most authentic, dynamic menu to date.

Pappas Delta Blues Smokehouse is officially opening its second overall location and its first in the Metroplex in Plano today at 5 p.m. The restaurant comfortably feels as if it has been a part of the community for years. That’s thanks in part to the décor, an eccentric combination of western and diner pieces that feel both specifically selected and effortlessly placed. But mainly it’s from the menu’s classic yet elevated Southern offerings.

Typically, exceptional barbecue requires standing in lines and hours of waiting, but the restaurant group’s director of marketing Christina Pappas said that Delta Blues wanted to do something different: provide all those bold flavors in a traditional full-service environment.

“When Harris Pappas imagined this concept, he wanted to pair amazing Texas barbecue with the environment of a full-service restaurant,” Christina said.

The menu boasts classic barbecue dishes enhanced with clever ingredient combinations. The Sticky Pot Belly Bites come out moist and, thanks to the cherry cola glaze, subtly sweet. The Delta Shrimp & Sausage Brochette acts as a balanced yet delicious alternative. But it’s the high quality mains that make Delta Blues shine.

“We have elevated the barbecue experience by serving only USDA Prime brisket, Snake River Farms pork chops, and by making everything from scratch in-house on a daily basis,” Christina said.

The USDA Prime brisket comes out with a strong bark while remaining supple, thanks to its marbling. Enjoy a few of these cuts with one of their barbecue combos, where guests can choose between either the prime beef brisket or St. Louis style ribs and add on one or two more sliced meats, including pulled pork, chicken or sausage. By using smoke and dry rubs to enhance the natural flavor of these proteins, each meat comes out tender and delicious. And the ample serving sizes ensure everyone is satisfied throughout the meal.

“We use a blend of oak and hickory in our pits, which our pit masters monitor 24 hours a day to ensure that our meats are cooked to perfection,” Christina said.

To get a taste of more of their dishes, the BBQ Feast – complete with prime beef brisket, St. Louis ribs, smoked chicken, smoked turkey, pulled pork, smoked boudin and housemade jalapeño and cheddar or beef sausage – is a must. And with four housemade sauces – original sweet barbecue, espresso barbecue, mustard barbecue and spicy vinegar – crafted fresh every day, there are plenty ways to customize each bite.

Delta Blues also offers burgers, pit sandwiches, loaded baked potatoes, delicious seafood catches and both grilled and fried chicken. Truly, the menu does it all.

Wash it all down with one of Delta Blues’ array of handcrafted cocktails. The Frozen Whiskey Smash, a cold concoction of Old Forester 100, Mathilde Pèche liqueur, lemon juice and mint syrup, acts as a nice refresher when paired with the hearty meats. And the Strawberry Habanero Mule, with Tito’s vodka, strawberry, mint, habanero pepper, lime and ginger beer, packs a flavorful punch with each sip. Delta Blues also offers whiskey flights for those interested in sampling one of their 60+ American varieties.

If somehow there’s still room for more after the plates are cleared, the dessert menu is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. The Mississippi Mudslide, layered with Devil’s Food chocolate cake, mocha cream, hot fudge and marshmallow, provides an indulgent finish to the night while the Warm Apple Cobbler, adorned with vanilla ice cream and streusel topping, offers a sweet and refreshing last bite.

Delta Blues makes sense in Plano – both because of its ambiance and its offerings. Pappas Restaurants Inc. knew it too, as they have known for quite some time that they wanted to open this concept inside the city’s limits.

“When this building became available, we knew it would be ideal for Pappas Restaurants’ newest concept,” Christina said. “Plano is a wonderful community, and we are glad to finally be a part of it.”

So get ready to find your new favorite barbecue restaurant and head over to Delta Blues. Your jeans might feel a little tighter on the way home, but it will all be worth it.