Progress Pizza Becomes Progress BBQ
Chef Dalka creates a new destination for BBQ in a fast casual format
In June of 2024, Chef Kyle Dalka opened a second Progress Pizza location in Wichita Falls’ Parker Square, a location to augment the original pizza hub inside Wichita Falls Brewing Company downtown. Fast forward to May 2025, and change was on the horizon. Progress Pizza Parker Square became Progress BBQ (pizza is still available downtown) and we couldn’t wait to try it.
Unfortunately we let our eagerness get the best of us. On a lunch break, on Progress BBQ’s second day, we stopped in, and it quickly became apparent lunch break was gonna come and go before we got a chance to eat, because, as everyone knows, when a new place opens, everybody wants to try it. Progress BBQ was swamped with customers. We had to go, and resolved to come back later.
Then, we made another mistake.
Our craving for BBQ had initiated the launch sequence… like Harold and Kumar chasing White Castle, we had to have some BBQ, and we made the poor decision to eat at a chain BBQ joint that shall remain nameless. In the end however, it turned out to be a good choice, because when we went back to Progress BBQ the very next day, the difference between average, dry BBQ at the chain restaurant and the flavorful, unreal BBQ from Progress BBQ was stark.
We ordered the 2 meat plate with 2 sides — Wagyu brisket and a smoked half chicken with beef fat fries and hatch chili mac & cheese. It is no exaggeration to say it was the best BBQ we’ve had in years.
The brisket was juicy and the bark was delicious. The roasted half-chicken had crispy skin and equally tantalizing seasoning, and although both meats were amazing on their own, there is something incredible about the BBQ sauce served with the meal — a smooth, non-goopy sauce with a flavor we couldn’t quite put our finger on… perhaps bourbon? Whatever it was, it was amazing.
The beef fat fries had a familiar flavor that you only remember if you’re of a certain age, before the burger joints started using vegetable shortening for their fries. The hatch chili mac & cheese was made with a thick, rigatoni-like noodle that had just enough chili flavor without overpowering spice. Our platter was complimented with house pickles and bread, and we washed it down with a soda from the soda fountain, a big selling-point in our opinion. Refills are free, and self-service.
The franchise BBQ joint pales in comparison.
The 11:30 am crowd during our Saturday visit was totally manageable, and the service was quick and friendly. We ordered just in time, though, because a large party of Little Leaguers arrived just after we did. This place is popular already.
Progress BBQ’s other menu choices include Pork Spare Ribs, Jalapeno Cheddar Sausage, and Pork Belly, and we resolved to try their desserts next time, bread pudding and banana pudding.
Progress BBQ is located in Parker Square at 3001 Garnet Avenue, near Cinemark Theaters. Have you tried Progress BBQ? Tell us about it in the comments.
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