Since 2007, the familiar scents of slow-cooked brisket, ribs and slabs of pork have beckoned motorists along U.S. 70, in the heart of Swannanoa. Known equally for its hospitable down-home atmosphere and slabs of meat drizzled with homemade sauces, Okie Dokies Smokehouse has long been an anchor in the unincorporated community’s business district.
Like many of its neighboring businesses, the constant stream of customers ceased, suddenly and shockingly, on the morning of Sept. 27, 2024, as Tropical Storm Helene decimated the area. Fourteen months later, the owners and staff are preparing to fire up the smokers and bring the familiar flavor back to the Swannanoa Valley.
Steve and Jody Dunning entered the burgeoning Western N.C. food scene in 1999, establishing a roadside barbecue food truck before leasing restaurant space at the Black Mountain Golf Course. When they needed to expand their growing endeavor, the couple did not need to look far…