Taste the Smoke - Brand New Dining Experience at Kings Dominion

Volunteers (and foodies) needed! Kings Dominion is excited to announce that a brand-new dining experience will be opening this summer. Firehouse BBQ, located in Planet Snoopy, will certainly heat up the competition when it comes to theme park food. 

If you've spotted a sign at the park and called the number 804-201-4316 recently, you were greeted by fire chief Lester Bucket and the firehouse's loyal dalmatian companion, Sparky. The story goes that long before there was a Planet Snoopy, Candy Apple Grove, or even a Kings Dominion, there was Engine House 75. This small fire department was built in 1915 and served the surrounding area of Doswell Kings Dominion. This one-engine station was known for the quick responsiveness of its crews, and its delicious, mouth-watering, barbecue…that’s right…barbecue. Each year, to connect with the community, the men, and women of fire company 75 would open the large doors of the firehouse and host their annual Firemen’s BBQ. The smell of delicious smoked brisket, sausage, and terrific sides filling the air made this event a favorite amongst the local citizens. The BBQ became so popular that it was soon moved to a monthly occurrence, leading to a weekly occurrence. When it was announced that Kings Dominion would be built and the little firehouse was to be decommissioned, the fire chief – Lester Bucket, purchased the building and converted the old station into a full-fledged barbecue joint to serve the guests of Kings Dominion. That is how “The Firemen’s BBQ” was born.

The menu highlights entrees like brisket, smoked pork, hand-breaded chicken tenders, and jalapeño smoked sausage. You'll get to try sides such as ranch-style baked beans, mac and cheese, glazed carrots, street corn, southern cole slaw, southern potato salad, and fresh cornbread. In-house-made desserts will be also available like peanut butter pie, banana pudding, and loaded brownies.

We at Kings Dominion truly believe we have the best food in any theme park in America. “Over the last few seasons we have added signature locations such as Grain & Grill International Kitchen, Outpost Café and reinvented/innovated our menus at the remaining locations by adding quality ingredients while providing a large variety", said Ronnie Gillispe, Director of Food & Beverage. "From prime rib to funnel cakes, you can find everything you are looking for! When we sat down and started to think about what menu did we need to place in the restaurant space that we were taking over in Planet Snoopy, we had to look at the park globally – "What did we need"? "What cuisine was missing from the park"? As we did this we had an “aha moment!” - barbecue! We realized Kings Dominion did not have a full barbecue restaurant and we needed one. And let me tell you, ours is going to be mouth-watering and delicious! 

CONCEPT: Guests walk past an antique fire wagon parked in front of the converted fire station and into a room where pictures of past Engine House 75 crews and displays of old fire equipment line the walls. Helmets, fire coats, boots, ladders, hoses, and axes décor the interior of the restaurants, along with a painted logo of Sparky, the engine company’s dalmatian mascot. Guests can put out the fire from the zesty BBQ sauces with a cold refreshing beverage. 

Stay tuned to Kings Dominion's social media accounts for updates and more information as it becomes available. Now who's ready to volunteer? Share your excitement with the hashtag #TasteTheSmokeKD.