Get ready for the 22nd eating establishment within two blocks of ground zero for dining out in Manteca — the intersection of East Yosemite Avenue and Commerce Avenue.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit opens its Manteca location next door to Chipotle’s on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 11 a.m. Dickey’s offers a Texas-style BBQ with a selection of meats smoked every day, home style sides, tangy barbecue sauce and free kids’ meals every Sunday. Three-day grand opening events include: 

• Thursday kicks off with the first 50 dine in guests receiving gift cards worth up to $50. 

• Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. is country music with radio station Kat Country 103. One lucky winner will be chosen for a $500 gift card and three winners will receive free barbecue for a year. 

• Saturday, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit offers all day merchandise giveaways.

This is franchise owner Rod Cockrum’s third location. He also owns Dickey’s Barbecue locations in Lodi and Stockton. His fourth location opens in north Stockton on Oct. 16.

The new Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Manteca is located at 1446 Hulsey Drive.

Dickey’s BBQ Pit is the 22nd restaurant to open in the area that sports a seventh of all dining options in Manteca. Last month Rocky’s Diner opened behind Applebee’s while Panera Bread is waiting for construction to start on its new location across the street from Jack-in-the-Box.

• • •

Wastewater in high demand?

Mayor Willie Weatherford has a prediction.

The day is fast coming when farmers may be knocking on the City of Manteca’s door to buy its treated wastewater that is already cleared for application on select farm crops.

Not only is the corn being grown for silage around the wastewater treatment plant some of the healthiest looking around due to being irrigated every other day with Manteca’s treated wastewater, but he noted Tracy already has a booming demand for its treated water.

Farmers are buying it at the rate of $300 an acre foot.