Big Dean's BBQ & Hot Chicken Brings Bold Barbecue Flavors & More to Marlton

Barbecue lovers of South Jersey, get ready! A new restaurant is bringing serious smoke, flavor, and Southern-inspired cooking to Marlton.

Big Dean’s BBQ & Hot Chicken is coming soon to the Shoppes at Renaissance Square, 103 Route 70 East. The restaurant will occupy the former Gaetano’s storefront and introduce an exciting new dining concept to the area.

Behind the concept is Chef Dean Dupuis, a seasoned culinary professional with an impressive background in the restaurant industry. Passionate about cooking and committed to quality, Dupuis has big plans for his namesake restaurant.

And when we say big, we mean BIG!

Meet Big Dean: The Chef Behind Marlton’s New BBQ Restaurant

Chef Dean Dupuis isn’t new to the restaurant business. He has spent years building his career as a chef, restaurant consultant, and salesperson. His extensive culinary experience eventually caught the attention of LaScala’s Restaurant Group, which recruited him to lead its newest restaurant concept.

The original vision focused exclusively on Nashville-style hot chicken. However, Dupuis saw an opportunity to do something more ambitious. He wanted to offer more and expand the concept to include authentic barbecue alongside hot chicken.

Together, they developed Big Dean’s BBQ & Hot Chicken, a restaurant built around Dupuis’ culinary vision and expertise. Although a large restaurant group backs the concept, the food and cooking philosophy reflect Big Dean’s approach.

He’s a chef’s chef who lives and lives/eats/sleeps everything culinary. He describes himself as slightly obsessed, and cutting corners simply isn’t an option.

Low and Slow: Quality Barbecue Takes Center Stage

Great barbecue requires patience, proper preparation, and careful attention to detail. Which is why Big Dean is committed to traditional BBQ techniques, quality ingredients, and the proper equipment designed to deliver consistent results.

That means embracing the time-honored barbecue philosophy of cooking meats low and slow. The kitchen features top-of-the-line equipment to support the restaurant’s ambitious culinary program.

From seasoning and smoking to preparation and presentation, every detail matters, and Dupuis wants customers to taste the difference that experience makes.

What’s on the Menu at Big Dean’s BBQ & Hot Chicken?

The menu is under wraps for now, but barbecue enthusiasts can expect plenty of familiar favorites, plus some unique items not common in our area.

The restaurant plans to offer the usual suspects, including smoked ribs, barbecue chicken, pulled pork, and sausages, available on platters or available in bulk. Naturally, all the sauces will be made in house.

The menu will also include an assortment of apps and snacks, including corn and cheddar fritters and a Florida-inspired smoked crab and fish dip. Dupuis said fish dip is common in Florida, where he previously worked, but adding crab is a nod to the Mid-Atlantic.

Platters, sandwiches, scratch made sides, chef’s cornbread, homemade sweet tea and lemonade, a couple of desserts, and Hank’s sodas will round out the menu.

One popular barbecue staple will be noticeably absent, though. You won’t find traditional smoked brisket on the menu. That is an intentional decision, not an oversight. Instead, Dupuis wants to introduce South Jersey diners to another beef specialty that deserves more attention: PIT BEEF.

Forget Brisket: Big Dean Is Bringing PIT BEEF to South Jersey

While brisket dominates many barbecue menus, Dupuis plans to take a different approach. Pit beef is a regional barbecue specialty closely associated with Baltimore, Maryland.

Traditionally, roast beef is cooked over high heat before slicing it thinly for sandwiches. Unlike brisket, which requires lengthy smoking, pit beef emphasizes the flavor and texture of roasted beef. Its preparation also keeps the meat’s natural flavor front and center.

Big Dean feels this helps the restaurant distinguish itself from other barbecue establishments. Instead of following other familiar barbecue trends, he wanted to offer something different and not commonly found around these parts. Now that we’re thinking about it, maybe they should have called the restaurant Big Dean’s BBQ & Pit Beef! But we digress.

Big Dean’s Has Already Been Winning Over Marlton Diners

The restaurant hasn’t officially opened, but local residents have already enjoyed a preview of what’s coming. Big Dean and his team have been introducing their food at the Friday night Marlton Farmers Market. Dupuis says the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Customers have sampled the food, learned about the concept, and expressed excitement about the upcoming opening. Anticipation continues to build as the restaurant nears welcoming its first customers.

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Inside Big Dean’s New Marlton Restaurant

South Jersey Food Scene recently visited Big Dean’s BBQ & Hot Chicken for a look inside the upcoming restaurant. Some cosmetic work and finishing touches remain, but the project is nearing completion. We’ll be returning soon to take photos of the finished dining room. Stay tuned.

The restaurant will seat about 40 guests indoors, offering a casual yet appropriate setting for barbecue and hot chicken. He shared renderings showing a vibrant, festive, eye-catching dining room with a rustic feel to it.

Dine-in service will represent only part of the business. The team also expects strong takeout demand, especially from customers looking for convenient meals.

Additionally, third-party delivery services will help bring Big Dean’s food to customers throughout the surrounding area. Eventually, the restaurant plans to introduce catering services, making it another option for parties, corporate gatherings, celebrations, and other events.

When Will Big Dean’s BBQ & Hot Chicken Open in Marlton?

The restaurant is getting very close to opening, although an official date hasn’t been announced.

During SJFS’s recent visit, Dupuis anticipated opening in about two weeks. However, that timeline depends on completing the remaining work and receiving the necessary inspection approvals.

Customers should consider the projected opening timeframe tentative.

A New Destination for Barbecue Lovers in South Jersey

Marlton’s dining scene continues to evolve, and Big Dean’s BBQ & Hot Chicken promises something different. With traditional barbecue, hot chicken, and distinctive pit beef, the restaurant will definitely be talk of Marlton for a while after it opens.

More importantly, Dupuis brings years of experience and a genuine passion for the culinary craft. His goal isn’t simply to open another barbecue restaurant. Instead, he wants to establish a destination built around quality, flavor, and consistency.

South Jersey Food Scene will share additional updates as the restaurant approaches its opening. Stay tuned for the finalized menu, official opening date, and more details.