Felicia Davis loves what she calls “country backwoods barbecue.” In her younger days, she would help in the kitchen and slice brisket at her aunt’s Crowns BBQ, which served Grand Prairie until its closing during the pandemic in 2021. Davis wanted to connect with the community, and as a sports fan, saw an opportunity when Johnny Eddlemon hung up his apron and retired in 2023, leaving available restaurant space in the Prairie Lakes clubhouse.

Davis had vision and saw the opportunity to begin her own adventure as a restaurateur, all the while giving a nod to her auntie. Crowns BBQ and Sports Grill took flight quickly, offering not only those playing a round of golf at Prairie Lakes delicious options for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but catering to those in the community who just have a hankering for some great ‘cue. 

For starters, Davis wanted to update the restaurant, making it more modern and inviting for those who weren’t just there to tee it up. An update to the patio was made, and the entire inside was renovated to turn the old space into a brand-new restaurant, with new bar space, countertops, lighting, fresh wall décor and paint. The interior is comfortable and cozy with some updated tech and TVs to catch whatever game or golf may be on the tube. The patio is a wonderful spot to enjoy some of the great food while taking in the fresh air and sights of golfers teeing off in the distance … or if you aren’t hungry, just enjoy a cold beer or cocktail as you enjoy some sunshine. 

The food at Crowns is simple, yet well-executed. I mentioned Davis refers to her method as “country backwoods.” For her, this means no seasoning on the meats before smoking. The internal and external fats and the smoke flavor the meats exclusively, which means you taste these savory cuts just as God intended.   

For breakfast, Crowns offers some grab-and-go options if you are getting ready to put a peg in the ground. Sausage or bacon tacos, or a hefty burrito, will fuel you up pre-round. For lunch and dinner, we get into the “meat” of the menu. Featured cuts include brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, sausage and wings. Brisket, pork, and sausage can be ordered as a basket with a side, or you can get brisket and pork as a sandwich.

Brisket at Crowns is very simply prepared. Fatty, succulent and moist. For my money, I loved it as a sandwich served on Texas toast. I am a huge fan of Texas toast as a sandwich vehicle, the toasted bread holds up better the moisture of the meat. The little bit of texture on the toast of the bread also really adds to the mouth feel of the sandwich. Add some onions, pickles and a bit of house-made barbecue sauce, and you have a real banger. I added some onion rings to my sandwich as a side, and they were crunchy with a little sweetness from the onion. If you are looking to really enhance your brisket or pork sandwich, add one of the fried onion rings on top of the sandwich for some added crunch and flavor profiles. 

One of the dishes you absolutely have to try is the smoked wings. They are tossed in a sticky, sweet sauce and come with some creamy ranch for dipping. Some wings can dry out during the smoking process, but these were juicy and tender, and the sauce was a perfect sweet note to complement the smokiness of the meat. They’re some of the most flavorful wings I have sampled anywhere. Pair them with some crispy fries or a side of creamy mac n’ cheese to make it a meal. 

Crowns also offers some dynamite fried catfish if that’s something you enjoy. Crunchy, flaky, and flavorful. As with her meats, Davis really lets the delicate flavor of the fish take center stage, as it’s not overly seasoned or greasy. It’s just well-executed catfish. Add some cool coleslaw on the side and you have a great meal that will scratch your catfish itch. You can also make it a sandwich if you like your fish as a handheld. 

One other must-try at Crowns is the loaded baked potatoes. These huge spuds are topped with brisket, covered in sour cream, cheese, chives then drizzled with their house-made sauce. These taters are roughly the size of a youth football, so you aren’t going to leave hungry should you choose Crowns’ famous specialty.

There is a little something for everyone at Crowns. If you aren’t a barbecue enthusiast, you can choose Crowns’ burger basket or up the burger ante with their jalapeño pimento cheeseburger, which is simply spectacular. Bang-Bang shrimp are also a big hit among locals, as is the chicken sandwich. At Crowns, you have plenty of options and can’t go wrong with any of them.

Crowns also now features a full bar, rather than just beer. So, if you are one that loves a great margarita or something with a little more punch than a standard oat soda, they have you covered. 

Felicia Davis learned a lot from her auntie and uncle when it comes to barbecue. But she is now carving out her own identity in the community and keeping that legacy alive through vision, drive and talent in the kitchen. With all those attributes combined, Crowns will be a prominent fixture at Prairie Lakes for years to come.