
Franciscan Health Dyer emergency room manager Amy Braasch, left, and ER tech Michaela Vuckovic receive a batch of free boxed BBQ lunches from Doc's Smokehouse and several sponsors in April.
The award-winning and acclaimed Doc's Smokehouse is temporarily closing all locations, including the popular Doc's Smokehouse and Craft Bar at 1420 Calumet Ave. in Dyer, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The authentic southern-style barbecue restaurant, one of the first to deliver food to local hospitals and first responders during the pandemic, also has locations in Mokena, Milwaukee and Madison.
"From the beginning Doc's has been about more than great BBQ," co-owner Brent Brashier said. "We strive to deliver an amazing experience for each guest from the moment you walk through our doors until we bid you farewell. For the last eight months, despite state-mandated closures and limits, vague and conflicting safety information from health departments and the CDC, we have persevered to deliver that experience.
"It has become clear to me that we are no longer able to deliver the Doc's experience in a manner that is safe for both our guests and our staff."
Brashier stressed the closures would be temporary.
"It is with great regret I have to announce we are closing all Doc's location until further notice," he said. "While it is heartbreaking to close the business we have poured our heart and soul into, I know that by closing we will be able to return better than ever. This is temporary. We will be back."
Doc's smokes brisket, ribs and other meats locally sourced from suppliers such as Meats by Linz in Calumet City with hickory, dry rub and time. Regional sauces from Alabama, Memphis, Texas and North Carolina were available on the table or in the to-go bag. It boasted 100 bourbons and whiskeys, 60 craft beers on tap, and a digital pour screen with real-time information about each beer.
The barbecue restaurant has been active in the community, offering meals to furloughed federal workers and giving customers the chance to buy meals for nurses and other medical workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic at local hospitals.
Gallery: Feeding the Region's front-line COVID-19 fighters
Feeding the front lines

Amy Braasch, left, emergency room manager for Franciscan Health hospital in Dyer, and Michaela Vuckovic, an ER tech at the hospital, receive boxed lunches donated Thursday to front-line COVID-19 workers by Dyer-based Doc's Smokehouse and several sponsors.
Carryout for a cause

Doc's Smokehouse managers Meghan Sasse, left, Ceasar Douglas, center, and Casey McDaniel, right, load vehicles full of boxed BBQ lunches that were donated Thursday to feed front-line COVID-19 health care workers in the Region. The Dyer-based business made several deliveries Thursday, including hospitals in Dyer and Munster.
Masked benefactor

Doc's Smokehouse co-owner Brent Brashier sports a BBQ-themed surgical mask while donating boxed lunches from his Dyer business to front-line health care providers at Franciscan Health in Dyer.
Handing off good will

Doc's Smokehouse co-owner Brent Brashier, left, hands boxed BBQ lunches to Indiana District 1 Task Force team member Lori Postma Thursday outside of Franciscan Health hospital in Dyer while Doc's namesake owner, retired Dr. Humanshu Doshi, right, directs traffic. The business and several sponsors provided free meals to front-line health care workers in the COVID-19 fight.
Hands-on charity

Doc's Smokehouse Manager Casey McDaniel, of Highland, speaks to co-workers as they load free boxed lunches Thursday for front-line COVID-19 health care workers.
Thumbs way up

Franciscan Health Dyer Emergency Room Manager Amy Braasch, 48, of Crete, and ER Tech Michaela Vuckovic, 23, of St. John, show their appreciation for sponsors who helped fund free meals for them Thursday from Doc's Smokehouse in Dyer.
Front-line fill-up

Doc's Smokehouse co-owner Brent Brashier loads boxed BBQ lunches that were given Thursday, free of charge, to front-line health care workers in the COVID-19 fight.
Elbow bump

Doc's Smokehouse co-owner Humanshu Doshi elbow bumps with a Franciscan Health hospital staff member in Dyer Thursday after dropping off free BBQ lunches for front-line health care workers.
Showing the flag

Doc's Smokehouse co-owner Brent Brashier displays one of several fliers included with free BBQ boxed lunches for front-line health care workers Thursday.
Delivering the goods

Brent Brashier, left, and Dr. Humanshu Doshi, right, deliver boxed BBQ lunches Thursday to front-line health care workers at Franciscan Health hospital in Dyer. Brashier and Doshi are co-owners of Doc's Smokehouse in Dyer. Lori Postma, center, of the Indiana District 1 Task Force for the state Department of Homeland Security, helped coordinate the deliveries.
Grabbing the grub

Free boxed BBQ lunches from Doc's Smokehouse in Dyer are delivered Thursday to front-line health care workers at Franciscan Health hospital in Dyer.
Getting their food on

Front-line health care workers Amy Braasch, center, and Michaela Vuckovic, right, accept free boxed lunches Thursday from Lori Posta, of the Indiana District 1 Task Force.
Special delivery

Emergency Room Manager Amy Braasch, left, and ER Tech Michaela Vuckovic accept receive a batch of free boxed BBQ lunches from Doc's Smokehouse and several sponsors Thursday.
Supporting the front lines

Lori Postma, of Indiana District 1 Task Force for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, helps deliver free BBQ meals to front-line health care workers at Franciscan Health hospital in Dyer.