I was in search of BBQ in Decatur. My first stop turned out to be run down and permanently closed. My 2nd choice was closed for running out of food. Hickory House turned out to be my 3rd and it was a shame it wasn't my first. The brisket and pulled pork were both phenomenal as they were both tender and flavorful. There are 4 sauces - mild, hot, honey, and Chipotle mustard. I didn't like the Chipotle mustard as it was pretty hot but the other 3 sauces were rich and bold. I picked potato salad and ranch beans for my sides. Both were delicious! The potato salad was in a creamy mustard base. The ranch beans were in some kind of savory mild tomato conglomeration with a little heat. Cornbread came with the plate and it was sweet and crumbly. The building isn't much to look at as it is in an old Wendy's but the inside has been updated. If you want Texas Style BBQ in Decatur, Hickory House should be on your list. read more

Hickory River Smokehouse - Decatur - 2 meat brisket and pulled pork with potato salad, ranch beans, and cornbread - Smokehouse Near Me - Decatur, Illinois

I have had several combinations of pick up and they have been excellent, the meats are all great, some of the sides are not the best, but I can mix and choose as I want, so for me its excellent. Plus I get a number of brown bag lunches for me read more

We ordered a whole hog to be delivered, and Hickory Smoke house was very easy to work with. They delivered the whole hog, set it up, showed us how to carve it, and picked the carcass up after. It was delicious, everyone enjoyed it. I would highly recommend Hickory River Smokehouse read more

Disgusting! This place has no idea what real smoked beef, pork or anything should taste like or be like. Their pulled pork is disgusting. The majority of your "pound" of meat is not even edible. It's hard skin or fat. Maybe learn how to pull pork before you serve it to us. It looks and taste like slop! If this were real fresh pork....no salt is needed. Briskit is too dry. Nothing is ever fresh. The sides are disgusting. I don't understand how they are still in business. Save your money.... search for better places and go elsewhere. read more

I was greeted with what felt like a real smile by everyone when I walked in the door. The place smelled wonderful. Everything I could se on both the dining side and in the open kitchen was spotless. They went out of the way to package my pulled pork nacho order so that it wasn't soggy by the time I got home. The food was delicious. The meats weren't over seasoned. You could taster he smoke. The sauces were fairly mild and sweet but good. The vinegar slaw was a bit sweet but good. The pinto beans rounded it all up nicely. read more

Staying at a nearby hotel and needed a place for dinner. BBQ sounded good and it's really close. Got the burnt ends sandwich, mac and cheese and bbq beans. Disappointed by the burnt ends--very dry and chewy. The flavor was good and I had a couple of pieces that were good so I know it COULD have been great. But it was very chewy. The sides were great. The mac was very cheesy and creamy. They have some good looking food here: the pulled pork nachos and the 'cue shoe sound amazing. So even though my sandwich was a bomb, I'm guessing the rest of it's pretty good based on the growing crowd and tempting dishes I saw people carrying. read more

Hickory River Smokehouse - Decatur - Smokehouse Near Me - Decatur, Illinois

What a find! We stayed a nearby hotel, and were thrilled to try Hickory River. The Texas decorations really completed the "real Texas barbecue" theme. We all had the Pulled Pork Sandwiches, which were good. The macaroni was a little salty. Sweet tea with free refills was a great touch. They also have cobbler, ribs, and other smoked cuts of meat. Overall: It's like the Chipotle or Jimmy Johns of Smoked Meat. read more

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It was our first time here being new to the area. We ordered the pulled pork, brisket, Mac n' cheese and both kinds of slaw. The brisket was fine -- a pretty good one but the pulled pork was so intensely salty we couldn't eat it. Both kinds of slaw were good but the side portions are skimpy. The mac n' cheese was so over cooked it no longer resembled macaroni. It was cheesy but the consistency was grainy. We won't likely return based on the fact that we can get what we enjoy most at Mission BBQ up the road in Springfield when we really have the craving. We wanted to like it because it came recommended by other locals but it just didn't compare to other great places we've been to before. read more

Huge portions, I am stuffed. They have a two meat combo plate that includes two sides, and corn bread. The corn bread is delicious and they give you a huge piece. Not sure if this is a chain but it's inside an old Wendy's building. They have daily specials too. Good price. read more

Hickory River Smokehouse - Decatur - View from my seat - Smokehouse Near Me - Decatur, Illinois

Best barbecue anywhere and customer service is amazing! Eric went above and beyond by not only delivering some food missing from our order but gave us a bottle of barbecue sauce as well! Recommend highly!!! read more

Good food. Good people running the place--very friendly and customer service oriented. read more

Hickory River Smokehouse - Decatur - Some of the haziness from the smoke. Sunbeams were clearly visible due to bad air quality inside. - Smokehouse Near Me - Decatur, Illinois

After being on a meat hiatus for about roughly a month I was introduced back to the carnivore world via Hickory River Smokehouse. What's on my plate brisket sliced with mac and cheese and potato salad. My other half had pulled pork mac and cheese and apple sauce. On presentation alone I knew this was going to be a rough re introduction. I was right the meat was bland even though it was slathered in two types of sauces. There was some upside to the meal the mac and cheese was really good and after switching out my potato salad for garlic mashed potatos I was a happy Veg for the time. My girlfriend seemed to enjoy her food which is good since on the last few times that has not been the scenario. She ordered the pulled pork plate and it did look more appetizing than the brisket. So all in all not a complete lost on this restaurant maybe I'll try the chicken. They have glimmers of being a really good restaurant maybe some fine tuning and infusing recipes will make a difference. I might be persuaded to come back after all I have very beautiful company on my culinary escapades in Decatur aka D-Town Boogey...hahaha. read more

I've eaten plenty of BBQ in the state of Texas and I must say that this place is about as good as it gets without taking a long trip down south. The meat is smoked and has a great flavor. Their sauce is pretty good as well, although it is not a mustard BBQ sauce like you'd normally find in Texas. While I love their meat, I do wish they'd work on their sides. The sides are OK, but not the best in my opinion. If you want to try something different, try their 'Cue-Shoe - Sort of like a horseshoe with smoked pulled pork - Very tasty! They do not serve beer at this location like they do at the Springfield location. A great place to go with the guys for lunch or a week night dinner, but I doubt I'd take a date here. read more

For a BBQ joint in an old converted Wendy's, it's not too bad. I've had the chicken, brisket, and pulled pork and they were all quite good. The sides are hit or miss, sometimes the corn bread is good, other times it's dry. The Mac and cheese is nothing special. The set up of the restaurant is awkward. You order at the counter while they put your order on a tray on a shelf. They are always out of something and there's a lot of chatter between the employees while you're trying to order. read more

From outside appearances, this place looks like it could be a fast food restaurant. Actually, it is set up that way. The service is quick. The BBQ-well, they knock it out of the park. The best I have had in quick some time. This place is truly authentic. One thing I did notice, is that the plates looked a little tired. That is not a major concern. We will definitely go back!! Keep up the good job Hickory River Smokehouse!! read more

Ok people go eat in Texas. This is nothing like it. In Texas when you order brisket you specify if you want lean or fatty, which is the point for lean, and fatty is the large end. The girl at the counter said I couldn't ask for a specific type of brisket. I was watching the young man slice the whole brisket, and again commented why can't I have him give me what type of brisket I want? The girl was not willing to help. What is up with employees in the food service and hospitality industry that don't understand customer service. The sides nothing special. Bbq beans tasted just like cheap Sysco canned chili, mac and cheese like frozen Stouffer's. At any good bbq joint in Texas, all your sides would be handmade. read more

Was in town (from Texas) for training and had to see what they meant when they said "Real Texas" BBQ. Would have loved to have been able to order "moist" brisket, but the sliced brisket I did get was nice and tender. I have NO idea what it tasted like though, because all I could taste was the BBQ sauce. Ask for it on the side....they do not ask you. BBQ sauce should compliment the BBQ you are eating, not cover it up. (It was a little too sweet and ketchupy for my liking, but it wasn't bad) I asked for spicy sausage and it was spicy, but could only feel the heat and taste the sauce. The cornbread was good. It was moist and sweet and was a big piece. Over all, for Illinois "Texas" BBQ I was pleasantly surprised. If you live in the area I would give it a try, just ask for the sauce on the side. Now if I could find some Tex Mex read more

Good food but set up like a fast food spot. No beer, not a Texas environment feel. Would much rather drive thru than dine in.

Had their beef brisket today. It was delicious. All the food was good and fresh. Quick service and courteous staff. Would certainly recommend. Their bbq is also available for carry out. They also cater. Will certainly return for more of their yummy bbq. read more

Great tasting bbq. A little pricey buy great friendly service. Lots of choices and good size portions. Very casual service. If it's possible to classify as fast food style -- order at counter, fixed and placed on tray and off you go to find a table. Would love to have one closer to home. read more

Hickory River is my favorite place to eat in Decatur. I have eaten at a lot of BBQ places, and Hickory River is right up there with them. There prices are right on par as well. They run plenty of specials that make for a good night out. It feels more like fast food than a fine dinning experience, but the food is well worth it. read more

Great pulled pork, sides (beans, slaw, potato salad), and great portions. Service is five stars, too!

Best bbq in Decatur. Outstanding catering. Great Hickory smoke taste. The smoked wings were awesome. The sauce is a little different but not bad. The atmosphere needed a little updating; but it was clean and the staff was very friendly and helpful. The white cheese sauce is very good. No one else does brisket like they do. They also said they did whole turkeys and hams for the holidays. I'm sure that would be good. read more

We were Very Disappointed at the poor quality of the BBQ. The brisket was dry and tough and the scrawny ribs were not surprisingly dry. I should have known when I saw them prepare the plate, but I though I'd give them the benefit of the doubt. The prices were what you expect to pay for great BBQ - not cheap. However, the best thing served to our party of 6 on that day was the bottled beer! Don't waste your time with this place. read more