Hickory’s Smokehouse BBQ offers jaw droppin’, finger lickin’ good barbecue that can satisfy the craving for good ole Texas barbecue. Hickory’s was a place we often drove by but never stopped long enough to have a bite to eat. Recently, this changed. Four of us decided to try a place we had not experienced, and Hickory’s won the debate. Not too long after my first bite, I knew that I needed to write a blogpost about Hickory’s.
Horse Pictures at Hickory’s
Opening in early 2012, Hickory’s owners, Steve and Samantha Brantley, desired to fill a vacant niche in Flagstaff with delicious Texas style barbecue. The couple are former Northern Arizona University students who came here for school and never wanted to leave so they are living their dream by creating a way to stay. Fortunately for Flagstaff, Hickory’s truly is delicious and is offered in a welcoming country style way. With wood floors, cozy booths and horse pictures on the wall, the atmosphere takes on a western flair.
When asked their favorite item on the menu, Adam, the general manager of the restaurant, mentioned that the pulled pork sandwich is a customer favorite, especially if you happen to be tight on cash. Personally, Adam prefers the smoked roasted chicken. For the very hungry, he recommended the ‘Sloppy Texan’, a flavor-filled layered affair starting with pickles lining the bottom of the plate, then smoked brisket adding a layer of hot links and topped off with cole slaw. On the other hand, Andie, hostess and waitress of the restaurant, prefers the ribs. Racks of pork ribs rubbed with Hickory’s own special recipe are smoked for 3 hours to where the meat almost falls off the bones. The menu also features sides of cole slaw, potato salad, borracho beans, sweet potatertots, beans smoked alongside the brisket and pork and my favorite being their fried okra. Funnel cakes with a wide variety of toppings are offered for dessert.
Wanting to play while you wait? Hickory’s also provides widescreen TV’s for watching your favorite sports team and board games like Taboo, MadGab, Scrabble, Jenga and a deck of cards to distract you from the delicious smells from the kitchen as they prepare your order. Hickory’s will literally ‘cater’ to your barbecue cravings through their catering service. Whether it is a retirement party, birthday, shower or actual wedding, Hickory’s can provide the home cooked style food for any occasion.
Whether you are just traveling through Flagstaff or have been here awhile and are like us and ‘never stopped long enough to have a bite to eat’, you will be glad you enjoyed the ‘down home’ country atmosphere and mouth waterin’ barbecue of Hickory’s. Put this one on your list of restaurants to try and don’t forget that Team Tait sent you!!
by Leslie Crawley, Assistant to Jacki Tait
