Amazing service, incredible food, Onion rings and brisket to die for. They opened early for me, and accommodated a large order for my high school. the decor and the smell are off the charts, pics to come read more

My new fave BBQ in OC! I've been meaning to try Hickory & Spice for quite a while, but honestly every time I get excited about trying a BBQ place in OC, it ends up feeling and tasting like more style over substance --- BBQ for Instagram. Hickory & Spice gloriously breaks that trend with its incredible flavors and balance that show a focus on the FOOD. Every element is painstakingly thought out and executed: the deep smoke ring, the slight crunch of the rub, the slight tartness of the sauce (served on the side, of course), the sun dried tomatoes in the mac and cheese to counter the gooey richness, the refreshing coleslaw. Even the great selection of IPAs points toward how much heart has gone into curating all elements of the menu. How good was it? I absolutely destroyed the 3 rib platter, including the additional side, and went back to add a brisket sandwich, which had an amazing mango slaw to balance the incredibly succulent meat. I rolled out if there much more stuffed than I'd intended, but thrilled to have found a new go-to. Service was also friendly and spot-on, and I love seeing the chef/owner making the rounds with customers. It shows how much he really cares. read more

I am really trying to find my Goto BBQ place in central OC. If you like overly smoked meat then this is for you. I like a bit of smoke but really the flavor of meat. This just didn't hit it for me. Mac and cheese was mediocre , coleslaw was probably the best thing. read more

Amazing little spot! Cool place to watch the game and grab a beer and some BBQ! I will say their beef rib they do bi weekly is absolutely amazing! Their normal pork ribs are also top notch! My only wish is if they have a jalapeños and cheese sausage or any sausage for that matter. There kids meals are clutch my son loved it and there was a generous portion which we appreciate! The gentleman who took our order was also our "server" he was very nice and helpful but you could tell he was being pulled all over! They could use a little help in the front but hardly an issue. For larger parties there is a nice room for a larger group. All in all super cool ! Super good and definitely worth supporting local! Also! Onion rings are lit! read more

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I will give this place a 5 s stars I love this place. The food is amazing and the owner is very polite friendly and the waiters are very friendly as well and the food has a great taste. I will totally recommend this place. read more

Our smoked-meats obsessed friend said Hickory & Spice is the best BBQ spot in OC--and he's not wrong. After years of hearing him rave about this place, we finally came. It was absolutely delicious. For our family of 4, we ordered 1/2 pound brisket, full rack of ribs, Mac and cheese, tater tots and creamed corn. It was by far the best brisket and ribs we've ever had. The ribs were tangy and fell right off the bone. The side dishes were unreal. We couldn't stop eating everything! Our friend mentioned that you need to come early because they're so popular, they'll run out of meats sometimes. They have a really good beer selection, with a lot of options from Brewery X. The service was great--and the owner (who is the chef) came out to welcome us and make sure we had everything we needed. The seating at the bar has a nice vibe, and the tables in the dining area are open and spacious. We will DEFINITELY be returning again and again. read more

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Wonderful neighborhood barbecue spot. Best in the southland IMO Service is always quick and attentive read more

My uncle recommended Hickory and Spice, so I took my grandpa and wife there. The food was excellent -- some of the best ribs I've had. Everything came out perfectly cooked. The staff was extremely friendly too, which made the whole meal even better. We'll definitely be going back. read more

I was looking for a barbecue place and I found this place near my work. There is plenty of parking since it's in the same lot as Target and there are plenty of other businesses in the area such as a Dominos, a nail salon, and hair salon. It was crowded since it was lunch time. There is plenty of tables, counter seating, and TVs to watch sports. I ordered the Brisket Sandwich, a side order of Mac and Cheese, Onion Rings, and Corn Bread which ended up being around $40. The sandwich was great. Everything went well together from the brisket, the cole slaw, the sauce, and the bun. The bun didn't fall apart as you ate the sandwich while the slaw was a good refresher from the brisket and sauce. The Mac and cheese was good it was nice and creamy. The onion rings were some of the best I've ever had. The batter was crispy while the onion rings was overwhelming with batter. Only thing that was kind of lacking that there weren't that many in an order. The corn bread was fresh and sweet which was a good break from all the savory items. I would come back again and try something else. read more

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That was a super tasty sweet potato side dish! It gave me an awesome memory of my childhood! That sweet surrender-banana pudding is STOOOO-pid good! I can't put my spoon down! Lol. See you guys real soon! read more

100% recommend Hickory & Spice! Love the owner, the friendly staff, all the meat. Brisket is my favorite. We come here all the time for quick dinners and special events with friends and birthdays. Don't miss out! read more

The food was so delicious!! The meat was all so tenderrrr. Plus the service was fantastic. Lovely to find delicious hidden gems in Orange County. read more

Hickory & Spice - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

We found this gem on yelp after church one Sunday. Their brisket was so good it is worth the drive from Corona on the 91. That says a lot. We have been there twice now and will go back soon. read more

Had a great experience at Hickory and Spice in Orange. The customer service was excellent from the moment I walked in. The young man working the cash register and serving customers was very polite, professional, and welcoming. I highly recommend the brisket sandwich. It was mouthwatering and had the perfect texture and flavor. Overall, a very solid four-star experience, and I would definitely come back. read more

I highly recommend Hickory & Spice. The food is quality, the ambience is nice, and the people are friendly. I had the brisket and a side of onion rings. The onion rings are a must have. Huge onions, crispy batter, and they were perfectly done. The brisket was tender and delicious. The owner came out and talked to various patrons. He also buses tables. He's won many a BBQ contest, but he's humble and you can tell that this is his life's work. The restaurant is kept clean. They have a water jug where you can refill your water and they have a little plant underneath to catch any drippings. The staff clean tables and sweep underneath. To me it's all about the details from the food to the experience. Go to Hickory & Spice and support a local business owner who knows his craft and does it well. read more

Freshest and tasty bbq I've ever had. Meat falls right off the bone. The side are a good size portion. The cashier and waiter were very attentive and good making recommendations. In my opinion the mac n cheese wasn't my favorite tasted very oily but everything else was delicious. read more

Hickory & Spice - 1/2 lb brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

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It's so amazing , so delicious smoked brisket, mouth-watering spare bribs, MAC cheese so delicious , bbq ribs we tried everything we recommend 100%. read more

There's already a line when we got here at 11:35 (It opened at 11:30). Took 30' before we got to the cashier to order. We knew what we wanted. Took us less than 2' to order. Got a table. It is 12:36 now and still no food. It's Mother's day but mind me mostly men/guys here so can't blame the holidays. Only one cashier who also runs back and forth to clean the tables in between orders. Poor him. Cheap owner not hiring enough staff. Do better!!! read more

I wish I would have had a chance to leave a review based on the food because the pictures looked good but unfortunately I did not get the opportunity. As soon as we walked in, no one greeted us. The staff saw us but went about their business. Today is my boyfriend's birthday and he was extremely excited to try the ribs since he chose the spot. It was so unwelcoming and uncomfortable that even my kids noticed and wanted to leave. I hope they really make an effort to change they treat anyone who walks in. read more

Been to several BBQ places in the OC, but this place is the best. We love the beef rib, turkey sandwich, and the spare ribs best. For sides, can't beat the bean, tater tots, onion rings. Service is always great, and the owner walks the floor interacting with customers when not in the kitchen. Nice friendly place with great food. read more

Hickory & Spice - Beef rib, tater tots, and beans. - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

Got $7.50 overcharge return. What for wasting my time? Rebuke. They decided to indicate that they consider me a chronic yelp complainer. Which I took to be the opposite of "making it right "! Not even a sorry for the overcharge. They decided that you can't please everyone. ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T ATTEMPT TO They must think they're the only bbq joint around. Gladly not. Be aware the management is of poor quality. I don't support that. I'll never be back. Good riddance! read more

Came in for lunch and we ordered 2 brisket sandwiches and a side of cornbread (only $2). The food arrived pretty quickly and I was surprised the buns were not warm but over all the meat was super tender and they paired it with a mango salsa and coleslaw mixture which I thought paired nicely and balanced the meat. They also had a little bar area with beers on tap and were showing a football game so I'm sure this is a cool hang out place for friends. Would come back! read more

Hickory & Spice - Brisket sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

Quick Summary This BBQ epitomizes OC dining: really good food without being overly greasy/heavy. The turkey is something I would come back for over and over again. Brisket and ribs were very solid as well. Onion rings and the sides were very good as well. Lots of parking available and no wait needed Food- 5 stars Turkey- this was incredibly tender and flavorful. I would come back to get more of this on a regular basis brisket- very good as well. Moist and tender without being too heavy or greasy ribs- these were really good as well. Very tender and falls off the bone. The sauce is similar to a Chinese BBQ pork, which was very good Onion rings were solid and well made. Definitely not frozen Beans- these were really solid as well. A tad sweet but very good Mac and cheese- these were solid as well. But aren't as good as the beans or onion rings Service- 5 stars Fast casual spot. Food arrived pretty quickly and all the servers were very helpful throughout our meal Bottom Line Fantastic BBQ spot without making you feel too guilty when you walk out read more

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The food is pretty good. Excellent brisket. Can't say much about the environment, I had take out. Same goes for the service. I can only say the biggest drawback is the high. Very expensive read more

Nailed it I really liked Hickory & Spice. First thing that struck me was the menu- seemed like the perfect balance of just enough options. I ordered the brisket and my wife got pulled pork. Both were big winners. Brisket had excellent flavor and was really moist. I skipped the bbq sauce because it didn't need any help. What helps lift Hickory and Spice above other places are the sides. The problem I've seen at a lot of other bbq places is that the sides are an afterthought. Not the case here. Onion rings and tots have that fairy dust seasoning, which is phenomenal. Absolutely worth the hype. I also really enjoyed the adult Mac and Cheese. The Gouda was a nice touch. My wife liked the coleslaw and appreciated that it was clearly fresh and not runny or total mush. Everyone we interacted with nice. It was a friendly and comfortable environment. I'll be working this spot into the routine. read more

Hickory & Spice - Large brisket plate with adult Mac and cheese and tots - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

My first visit to Hickory & Spice was very highly-anticipated and I've been wanting to eat here for almost two years, since the time I was still living in Hawaii but I'd be following the social media posts. The world champion pitmaster, Rick Mysse, is as culinarily perfectionistic and ingenious as he is kind, generous, and uplifting. The beef brisket was the material realization of perfection in the world of beef briskets... so tender, flavorful, substantive, and clean. The pulled pork was also breathtakingly perfect... meaty, clean, an amazing mouthfeel, and so packed with incredible flavor. The ranch beans had such a complex and almost addicting taste that also was filling enough at the same time. The cornbread was light-tasting (not greasy) while also having that grainy consistency we all seek when eating cornbread... and it came with a wrapped piece of awesome grass-fed salted butter! When I start making more money, I will be coming here much more frequently. The staff here is so personable, welcoming, and courteous that it was basically a utopian dining experience. The restaurant decor and layout is super clean, spacious, well-designed, and filled with life and history. Next time, I will be buying something from their merchandise section as well. Thank you for making the best BBQ in the world right here in Orange County!! read more

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Stopped by Hickory & Spice on a Saturday morning for lunch. We parked about 10 minutes before opening and saw a few other customers waiting in their cars as it was a rainy day. Line builds up fairly fast upon opening as everyone is trying to order before items start selling out. Within 30 past opening, there was no more line. Service was impeccable throughout from ordering at the counter to dining. We were checked up on about 3x by the friendly staff. Onion Rings ($10): About 8 pieces of crispy panko battered sweet onions. Though they were delicious, I'm not sure it was worth the $10 price tag as it tastes similar to the onion ring we get from The Hat for less. Beef Brisket Plate ($22): The regular comes with 1 side which we opted for the adult mac & cheese (gouda, jack, cheddar, sundried tomato). Though it was deemed adult mac & cheese, our toddler very much so enjoyed it as well. The brisket was nice tender, not completely "fall apart" tender but good enough. Paired great with some bbq sauce and pickled onions. 1 Ib Pastrami (~$36): Pastrami is only available on select days (some weekends?) so we opted to get a full pound. Hubby is usually a huge fan of pastrami and said this was okay - nothing bad to say but nothing to rave about either. Prices for BBQ in general are pretty hefty now. Our order along with 2 drinks totaled about $110 after taxes and tip. Located in a strip plaza with plenty of other stores - we didn't have an issue finding parking close by in the shared parking lot. read more

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How on earth are they sold out of everything already by 4pm on a weekend. Must be good BBQ, but clearly shit planning.

Everything I've had is excellent here! Wish they were open everyday! Pork Ribs and Pork Belly Burnt Ends are my favorite. Wait staff is great. Always friendly. Atmosphere is relaxing. read more

Hickory & Spice - Pork Belly Burnt Ends! - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

I want success for them, but $30 for a few slices of brisket and terrible beans isn't going to get you there. I was shocked. The wife walked out when she saw the prices. I wanted to see what the hype was about, so I got brisket and beans. Do not recommend. read more

We had a delicious BBQ rib plate with tots and onion rings. All were very good and the staff was pleasant. It also has good ambience. read more

Hickory & Spice - Yum! - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

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Always down to try a new BBQ spot, found this place hidden in a mellow corner of a shopping complex in Orange. Pretty empty when we arrived, ordered at the counter and seated ourselves. Random fact but they were playing great old school music selections while we ate - puts your emotions in a good spot. Straight up excellent pork ribs. We are talking flavor packed right off the bone kind of ribs. No dry or chewy nonsense, just pure rib meat pleasure. The brisket was good, the best taste comes with their sweet BBQ sauce. Side choices: Creamed corn was surprisingly good, very tasty and went well with the meat choices. The macaroni and cheese was of almost soup consistency - no cool. A loss of $7, times 2.. Still looking forward to another visit where I will try their smoked turkey. read more

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Too expensive for the amount of meat. The brisket was a little too fatty. The ribs were okay, fall off the bone but flavor was too salty for both. read more

Excellent food,excellent service. Very friendly atmosphere, my family and I will definitely come back for Tacos and barbecue. Thank you for the hospitality, we really appreciate it! See you soon. read more

Hickory & Spice - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

Delicious Get the BRISKET I'm telling you, the tots are great too!! The online rings everything was great. read more

Absolutely fantastic! I wish I tired everything! This has to be some of the best bbq in OC by far!! The pork ribs tater tots and onion rings were absolutely phenomenal. The service was spot on fast service and checked up on us. A great bbq ambiance smells amazing and have sports games on. How this place is not packed on a Sunday is a mystery. I would wait in line for this food read more

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So sad, this used to be good. Now it has unfriendly employees and dry brisket. I would not go back. Overpriced and the entire party left unsatisfied. We were the only party in there and now I know why. read more

Hickory & Spice - Very dry brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

Flavor explosion!! Be prepared for a food coma. Where to begin...first I can't remember the last time I have had that DELICIOUS of onion rings. Could've eaten them all by myself. Ribs, so tender falling of the bone. Pulled pork sandwich with a side of bbq sauce (I like my bbq saucy) loved every bite. Tater tots crispy and seasoned well. Two things that weren't my jam - Mac and cheese, flavor on point, but it was very grainy. And the baked beans, not sure what the flavor was, but didn't compliment the rest of the meal. read more

Hickory & Spice - Ribs, onion rings, Mac and cheese, tater tots, pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

brisket was really good, not dry at all and very flavorful. did not need any extra sauce pit master came out to check on us as well super nice service would come back again definitely read more

Came here on a Friday at 1130am. I ended ordering 1lb brisket, 1/2 rack of ribs, onion rings, banana cookies n cream. My favorite was ribs. The ribs was tender, juicy, and the right amount of seasoning. The brisket was good, tender snd full of flavor. Ribs is the must order for me. The onion rings where huge and delicious. The banana cookies n cream was so good I order another one Togo lol Place had plenty of tables, clean, the service was great, the pitt master even came around and ask how my meal was. Overall great service and delicious bbq. My favorite was the ribs and the banana cookies n cream. read more

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