Slicks Que Co. returning to Sisters

Slick's Que Co. is relocating its award-winning barbecue restaurant back to Sisters and is set to open sometime in early June at 442 E. Hood Ave., the former site of Papandrea's.

It's a building that fits barbecue pretty darn well, according to Slick's owner Roy Slicker. Slick's was founded in Sisters in 2009 but moved to Bend.

"After doing business in a really goofy location in Bend, the city of over 500 active restaurant licenses, and growing, and over 100 mobile licenses, we began to question our sanity," Slicker said. "While our catering business has grown rapidly in Bend and the surrounding areas on a reputation for having some of the best authentic barbecue in Oregon, we still had a yearning to be back in Sisters."

Slicker explained, "Then, on March 18, the decision to close the Bend location and move back home to Sisters came with sudden ease - but not without a severe family shock. My wife, Kim, went in for a simple follow-up appointment for what she thought was bronchitis and was told she had Stage 4 lung cancer. She has never smoked. The only symptom was a cough. The cancer is in both lungs, liver, and some rib bones.

"After almost five agonizing weeks of tests, we are now looking forward to a much better outlook. Kim is a very strong and positive fighter. There has also been some amazing progress in the fight against many forms of cancer. Kim is extremely lucky to be able to take a pill form of chemo that targets just the cancer mutation. It also has side effects and we are all being very supportive.

"With Kim's cancer we need to be closer to home, closer to friends and closer to where we should be. We've come to realize through a very serious, life-threatening blow, that Sisters is where we belong. I hope the community will come, roll up their sleeves and have some good barbecue with friends and family, and say hello to Kim."

Slick's has received high marks from foodies, industry publications, and picked up numerous awards for its product line of barbecue sauces, rubs, and wines. Slick's has also been listed consistently as one of the "Best of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in America" by the National Barbecue News.

For more informational call 541-549-4BBQ (4227).