Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

What a find! This place has sandwiches, quesadillas, flatbreads and more. Their menu makes sure…read moreto mark a "v" next to vegetarian items and there's a ton of them. Everything tastes so good. You can't go wrong with any of it. The vibe inside is so relaxed. They have tons and I do mean tons of beers on tap as well. Whether you want to hang out with friends or have a dinner with a drink, this is it! The dark walls and slow music they play really bring the tone down and let you relax. Even though it's got a decent size bar, it's not overly loud. You could definitely bring your family earlier in the day and enjoy good food together. The service is outstanding and the guy that runs the food out seems like he knows everyone in the building. We had a very nice waitress that hustled throughout the room getting orders with the quickness. Even as busy as it was there never seemed to be a table or patron neglected. Anyone near downtown Hickory should make this a regular place and those out of towners looking for something comfortable with a different twist like tofu shawarma would love this restaurant.

Food here is amazing! It's great for vegan/vegetarian, dairy free and gluten free- a good chunk of…read moretheir menu is customizable for dietary restrictions. Environment is casual , it's got a full bar but I would say it's still family friendly at dinner time. Service was great and the waitress took their time to take down my order- gluten free, dairy free flatbread with dairy free pesto.

Inside seating area and bar

Club sandwich with side of fruit

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Bombin’ Ramen

4.3(32 reviews)

0.5 mi

Food is always amazing. Requires a little patience but is well worth it. Also, they can get busy…read moreat times. Staff is very friendly and owner is on site frequently.

This tiny little place packs a mighty punch! They have a wide variety of delicious treats on the…read moremenu and the ramen is bombin', indeed! I went there with a group of 6. I do NOT advise going in a group this large as they do not have seating to accommodate larger groups. That being said, our server was fantastic. Everyone left satisfied with their meal. I went with the teriyaki toridon and it was magnificent! The prices were fair and everything was great!

Temporary sign, but they are open!!

Bao buns on Valentine's day

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Jason's Deli

3.7(66 reviews)

0.1 mi

You can't go wrong with Jason's Deli. Not only do they have a great lineup of sandwiches/subs, but…read morethey also have a massive salad bar that can be your meal as well. We visited this Jason's Deli during a recent trip, and for a first time visit, it was up to the same standards as the other Jason's Deli restaurants that we have been to. You order at the counter and pay before sitting down, which ensures that your littles don't change their mind a million times. We got the beefeater with chips plus a one trip salad bar, the kids pizza, and a turkey and cheese sandwich. They used to have turkey and cheese sandwiches on the kids menu, but have removed them, so my littles sandwich was adult-sized and lasted two days. The salad bar is massive, and there's something for everyone on there. We sat in one of the many tables within the restaurant, but there are also booths if that is what you would prefer. The decorations told the history of Jason's Deli and provided for some informational reading as we waited for our food. The beefeater is a massive roast beef sandwich that comes with au jus for dipping - so good! The kids cheese pizza is always just warm enough to eat immediately, but not hot enough that it will burn the roof of your mouth. I didn't realize until after our meal that I actually had a birthday reward for a free dessert, and the staff was kind enough to let me use it after the meal. I chose the strawberry shortcake, and it was pretty tasty. It was big enough to share with my table, although some opted out in lieu of the free ice cream. It was a welcomed stop on our trip, and if we're back in the area, I'm sure we will visit again.

Food service ambiance incredible very clean in the restaurant and great deals on prices five stars…read morefor this place!!

Spicy Sicilian Sub w/ ruffles chips

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Strawberry Shortcake

House of Noodles

4.5(2 reviews)

4.0 mi

The service and the food was good! I was surprised and my grandson liked it also!! It was clean.read more

This little gem is adjacent to an Asian Market. Small space with friendly staff. We usually lean…read moretoward the Seafood Pho, but is am hooked on the Sweet Noodle. Cold, spicy and delicious. Every bite is a gastronomic treat. Priced reasonable and always a delightful meal.

Duck N Good Food Place

4.2(92 reviews)

5.5 mi

Food is excellent and portions are great! Variety and options plentiful too. When I am in the area…read moreand am craving good food, this is the spot!

The food was amazing!! We had Pad See You with roasted pork and a Duck n Good Food signature combo!…read moreThe meat had great flavor! It was a good idea to have Pad See You with roasted pork since what interested me about this place was the roasted pork! The service was great! Quite a few people here on a Tuesday lunch!!

Duckin papaya tray

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Duck platter

Olde Hickory Tap Room

4.0(415 reviews)

3.2 mi

Solid bar with solid food. Nothing crazy but nothing bad either. Prices are good and you won't be…read moredisappointed. Inside is pretty cramped but the service is good. The chicken tenders were a little tough but you could tell it was real chicken. Overall a great spot if you just want some easy bar food.

This was a place that was on a number of YouTube videos for Hickory so we decided to get a beer…read morehere. It was VERY busy, but we got a table in the bar. We ordered a beer each but honestly they were a bit flat. We didn't send them back, but also didn't want to complain or order another so a beer each and out. It was okay, nothing special.

Shem crab cake sandwich

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Beer and beer

Fourk

4.3(243 reviews)

4.1 mi

Fantastic food, wonderful service. The pork chop had a perfect sear and the topping gave a really…read moregood fruity flavor. I liked that there was a separate room for large parties, it kept the overall ambiance relaxed. Dessert could have been better. It wasn't bad,it just didn't match the level of the food. We chose the apple dumplings.

Fourk is located in the Viewmount area of Hickory. They have a free parking lot across the street,…read moreand if that fills, there is street parking. The space is open with high ceilings. I admired the artwork. The cascading glass waterfall is what first caught my eye when I entered. Fourk has been open since 2015 and serves New American cuisine with a twist. I was warmly welcomed when I entered and got seated at a round booth with a great view, near the artwork that caught my eye. They really know how to treat single diners here, which is rare these days. I liked that I got the best table in the place, and that they didn't attempt to seat me at the bar. My waitress was friendly and incredibly attentive. She helped me select a mocktail while going over the daily specials, and she even brought me the dessert menu near the beginning of my meal so I could plan ahead. The menu had many options in all price ranges. You can get sandwiches, burgers, salads and more high-priced entrees like mahi mahi, scallops and filet mignon. I went with the daily special, which was the Oscar Filet Mignon. It came with hollandaise sauce and grilled shrimp, and that combination intrigued me. I had the Party Punch mocktail, but it was perfect with strawberries, basil, pineapple and ginger ale. The filet mignon and topping were also amazing. I even had room for dessert and knew I had to try the blackberry wine cake, and that didn't disappoint either. This was a very special meal for me, as it marked the first leg of my trip to finish visiting all 100 North Carolina counties. With the great atmosphere, service, and food, Fourk set the bar incredibly high for the rest of my journey. I might need to make another special trip just to dine here again. The murder mystery nights and the live music nights are an added plus.

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Mekvilai Thai Cuisine

4.0(69 reviews)

4.7 mi

I ordered takeout and got the beef Drunken Noodles. It comes as medium spice as standard and it was…read moreperfect. Their noodles are homemade and so fresh. The vegetables were perfectly cooked - not over done. I had enough for leftovers. Inside was very cute. Next time I will dine in.

Mekvilai Thai Cuisine is a casual Thai restaurant in Hickory. It is located in a medium sized plaza…read moreso there is plenty of parking. The interior is popping with red, albeit dim lighting. The service is friendly, but the food came out a bit slower (I had with four people total) than I expected. We got the Snow Pea Dish (Seafood Combination), Drunken Noodle with Chicken, Crispy Tofu, Rama Tofu, Red Curry, Tulip Dumpling, and Rice Pudding. I was pleasantly surprised the Drunken Noodle with Chicken! I enjoyed the sauce on my noodles which were also cooked well and did not clump together like at other places. I wish it was a bit spicy... next time I will ask for the chili spice rack (it was not readily available on the table). My cousins enjoyed their food, especially the tofu dishes. I ate a bit of the Crispy Tofu and I wish the tofu had some seasoning on it because the peanut sauce could only add so much flavor. I also tried a bit of the Rice Pudding, which is their mango sticky rice. I thought it was okay... the mango did not taste super fresh, maybe a bit artificial? But not bad! Overall, I am pleasantly surprised at how good my dish, the Drunken Noodle with Chicken tasted. I have eaten a lot of good Thai food, especially having lived/visited places like Atlanta/New York City, so I was not expecting this place... my tiny hometown... to be that good. Also, I had visited this restaurant a few years ago and I found the food to be very average, but this time it was very tasty. I am not sure if there was a change in chefs or management in recent years, but keep up the good work!

Beef Drunken Noodles 9/10

Crispy Tofu

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Drunken Noodle with Chicken

Bubblys

4.3(299 reviews)

0.7 mi

Love Bubblys! Great food, great service, portions are awesome, location is great and the price of…read morethe food is also great. Definitely recommend!

The food was amazing! It is NOT a fancy place and your feet stick to the floor when you walk…read more However I will definitely come back for the Bulgogi Hamburger and try other dishes. The people who work there are super nice -as an added bonus.

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Panera Bread

2.0(90 reviews)

0.1 mi

I eat at Panera often because I'm on the road for work a lot, and it's a great alternative to…read moregreasy burgers and fries. However, this location has some issues. 1. It's not very clean. You can look at the floor and see that it's dirty, and your shoes feel sticky on it (and not in a positive way, like they just used a little too much cleaner in the mop water... no, more like there is build up of grime). 2. The ice machine wasn't working when I was there. 3. The men's bathroom was out of order. The urinal was coned off and the main toilet area had the light overhead burned out so it was dark in the stall. If the part of the restaurant where customers eat and use is not clean or maintained, what does that say about the part you don't see, where the food is prepped and stored and made? I will not return to this location

Went to the Hickory N.C. Location today and I was shocked at how dirty all the tables were and the…read morearea where you place your food trays was a mess. People waiting on food and looked like none of the wait staff really cared at all. I also tried to use a Gift Card and the manager didn't even know how to use a gift card. Food finally arrived and was not the quality I would expect from this restaurant. Hope they get there act together.

Hearty Fireside Chili & Rustic Baked Potato Soup

Kickin' Grilled Cheese & Creamy Tomato Soup Value Duet

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New Sandwiches

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8 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Bill M.

0

3

0

1 year ago

Food was mediocre at best. Have eaten here in the past and it seems to have gotten more expensive and the quality went down. Service was terrible. We had a party of 10 and sat there with empty drinks for 20 minutes at a time, Appetizers came at same time as the meal, we would request more salad and bread and the waitress would disappear for 15 minutes at a time. The women's bathrooms were clogged and unkept. Never spoke to anyone besides the waitress so we could not address the issues. read more

Simba B.

0

3

5 months ago

Olive Garden is one of those places that consistently delivers a comforting, familiar dining experience. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, making it a great spot for family dinners or casual meals with friends. The staff are usually friendly and attentive, which adds to the overall relaxed vibe. read more

Rickey W.

0

1

0

4 years ago

I'll never ever eat at this place ever again...new management sucks!!! Not all of them but just a few and you know who I'm talking about. Terrible customer service!! Very best, RW read more

Dana B.

0

9

0

9 years ago

Sometimes the lines are really long but so are the lines at all the other Hickory restaurants! Great Italian food and better than the burger joints so what's not to like! read more

Anna P.

0

6

1

7 months ago

Will not allow togo orders after 9:30???.... RIDICULOUS. That is plain lazy! I have worked at olive garden and that should not be allowed

Finley W.

0

13

5

6 years ago

Good service Delicious food Good employees The food is so good but the wait for is still good it took only five minutes 5/5 read more

Leah K.

226

1

0

9 years ago

Delicious as always!! Fresh breadsticks!! Jammie took care of us at the bar and was wonderful!!!

Tom M.

0

14

0

13 years ago

The food is Good. The Staff is not.

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant - italian - Updated September 2026

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Palermo's

3.7

(31 reviews)

Food was okay at best. The restaurant lacks atmosphere. Surprisingly very expensive ($71 for TWO…read morepeople). The puffy bread appetizer is DELICIOUS & the dessert was quite tasty as well. Our entrees were nothing out of the ordinary to be honest. At least the staff were very nice though.

Don't be fooled by the way it looks from the outside. This is truly a family run restaurant. The…read moreowners are very nice and the food is good. Desserts looked amazing.

Italy Grill

3.1

(34 reviews)

I ordered a take out late. one hour before closing but they would take the order if I could pick up…read morein 15 minutes. The person on phone was very nice as were the two women there when I picked up my order. the problem was the food. ordered a chef salad, calzone and a pizza. The egg on the salad was turning blue and gave the whole salad a funky smell. the calzone was toasty on the outside but cheese barely melted inside. very little taste. The pizza was average. We tried this place first time in a while. It will be a while before I try again.

Italy Grill in Lenoir delivers exactly what you hope for in a casual Italian spot--fresh food,…read moregenerous portions, and great value. The pizza really stood out, with a fresh, flavorful crust and quality toppings that made it taste like it was made to order with care. It's the kind of pizza that hits that perfect balance between crispy and chewy. The appetizers were just as impressive. The mozzarella sticks were perfectly cooked--crispy on the outside with that satisfying, gooey cheese pull inside. The fried mushrooms were a pleasant surprise as well, seasoned nicely and fried just right. Both portions were generous, making them perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself). Overall, the combination of good food, hearty portions, and reasonable prices makes Italy Grill a great spot to stop in when you're craving classic comfort Italian. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the Lenoir area

Jason's Deli

3.7

(66 reviews)

You can't go wrong with Jason's Deli. Not only do they have a great lineup of sandwiches/subs, but…read morethey also have a massive salad bar that can be your meal as well. We visited this Jason's Deli during a recent trip, and for a first time visit, it was up to the same standards as the other Jason's Deli restaurants that we have been to. You order at the counter and pay before sitting down, which ensures that your littles don't change their mind a million times. We got the beefeater with chips plus a one trip salad bar, the kids pizza, and a turkey and cheese sandwich. They used to have turkey and cheese sandwiches on the kids menu, but have removed them, so my littles sandwich was adult-sized and lasted two days. The salad bar is massive, and there's something for everyone on there. We sat in one of the many tables within the restaurant, but there are also booths if that is what you would prefer. The decorations told the history of Jason's Deli and provided for some informational reading as we waited for our food. The beefeater is a massive roast beef sandwich that comes with au jus for dipping - so good! The kids cheese pizza is always just warm enough to eat immediately, but not hot enough that it will burn the roof of your mouth. I didn't realize until after our meal that I actually had a birthday reward for a free dessert, and the staff was kind enough to let me use it after the meal. I chose the strawberry shortcake, and it was pretty tasty. It was big enough to share with my table, although some opted out in lieu of the free ice cream. It was a welcomed stop on our trip, and if we're back in the area, I'm sure we will visit again.

Food service ambiance incredible very clean in the restaurant and great deals on prices five stars…read morefor this place!!

Ruby Tuesday

3.1

(62 reviews)

I was there yesterday with a bus tour. Our server, Shannah, was amazing. She kept everyone's glass…read morefilled and the food was all out very promptly. Excellent service for a group of 26!

The restaurant was warm & inviting; the service was excellent, and the food was wonderful!!…read more Thanks, Ruby Tuesday!

Da Vinci's

3.6

(104 reviews)

Da Vinci's is the best Italian food in Catawba county!…read more We had the Caprese Salad as an appetizer & Bolognese & Chicken Alfredo as our entres!

Food was good which is the only reason for 3 stars. With no…read morereservation was told it would be better to come on a weekday but you can order at bar if seats are open. Greeted at bar (without eye contact) with "you'll just have to wait". Then two sets of people walking up to bar after us got served. Person finally asked what we wanted to drink - didn't have ingredients to make a common drink. Went back to hostess stand to wait for a table rather than continue with the over stressed bartender. Much shorter time than told to get a table. A plus! Waitress new and unfamiliar with menu and admitted before we left, new to Italian food. There was more that went wrong but being new I have to give her a pass. But, as far as kitchen goes, I ordered veal piccata. What I got was veal (excellent veal) with mushrooms and capers in light brown sauce. It was good, just not classic piccata sauce w/lemon/butter/wine. Caprese appetizer excellent. Shrimp FraDiavolo was excellent, perfect amount of spice. Advice- order from the menu parts that spell out what is in the dish - I ordered from the "pick one" section where you choose meat/ pasta/ sauce separately. And one last note- ladies bathroom is an embarrassment, needs repair/renovation.

Cerro Grande Mexican Restaurant

4.5

(24 reviews)

Everything was delicious! Fajita meat was seasoned well. Beans were good and the guacamole was…read morepretty good! Authentic! Service was great! Ambiance was like it is in a Mexican restaurant, playing mariachi style music.

Overall the food was tasty. The amount of meat in each taco was a little inconsistent, but it was…read moreflavorful nonetheless. This was good Mexican food, but nothing special. The servers were nice and did well managing the big group I was with. They brought plenty of chips and salsa for everyone. The food came out relatively quickly which was nice. This restaurant is similar to somewhere like El Paso. All in all, this is a nice place to come for a quick lunch if you want Mexican, but it is nothing special as far as Mexican food goes.

Chicken Salad Chick

4.1

(7 reviews)

I had the cheddar bacon melt with the Jalapeño Holly chicken salad and the grape salad as my side;…read more10/10! Wonderful customer service as well.

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Granny's Country Kitchen

3.2

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If I could give this ZERO stars I would. This was a favorite place to eat with family, but after…read morefinding a maggot in hotdog, never again. The staff didn't even apologize but had the nerve to ask if we wanted something in replace of it. Absolutely NOT. I would be appalled if I was the owner or anyone working in there and someone come back saying this is what we found in our food. But they acted if they were not surprised or shocked. The health inspector called us back and showed up to their restaurant and said they have sufficient evidence of a infestation of maggots

Ordered food from granny's country kitchen this morning only to be served with maggots in the food…read more When I brought it to the employees attention all she could said was "oh God" then walked away. Another staff member came to me and said "she wants to know if you want a replacement " I said no, I want a refund. No apology was given or a thank you for bringing this to our attention. I am sharing our experience to bring awareness. Not only is this gross but it is also a health and safety concern.

Captain's Galley Seafood Restaurant

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I've been coming here since I was a kid with my parents- it's a local favorite for me. I introduced…read morethis restaurant to my fiancée and he loves it! I've never gotten bad service here when it's slammed busy. Service is always great - everyone is very friendly and knowledgeable about items on the menu and will tell you their opinion about different food items in the menu. My favorite meal here is the full catfish platter it's a huge portion for the money and I get two servings out of it. Atmosphere is causal and family friendly. I definitely recommend checking it out. They also have a Granite Falls location.

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