Hickory, NC, is like a treasure chest for BBQ lovers! I’ve had the pleasure of exploring this charming town, and let me tell you, the barbecue here is something special. With a rich history of Southern cooking, Hickory is home to some amazing spots that serve up mouthwatering smoked meats and delicious sauces. I’m excited to share my favorite places with you!
So, what’s the best BBQ in Hickory, NC? Well, the best BBQ in Hickory, NC, is a mix of fantastic restaurants that are famous for their tasty smoked meats, yummy sauces, and cozy vibes. Whether you love classic Southern BBQ or want to try something new, there’s a place here that will make your taste buds dance!
Get ready to dive into the world of Hickory BBQ with me! I’ll take you through the top spots that every BBQ fan should check out, and I promise you’ll find some delicious options that will leave you craving more.
Top 10 BBQ in Hickory, NC
- West End BBQ
- BBQ Pit
- Hugh’s Q
- Cranford Brother’s Barbecue
- Windy City Grill
- Mt View Bar Bq
- Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q
- Hannahs BBQ South
- Charlie Graingers
- Olde Hickory Station
1. West End BBQ
Phone: (828) 327-0760
Menu: www.westendbbq.net
Directions: Open on Map
West End BBQ is one of my favorite places in Hickory! It’s right on U.S. Hwy 70, and you can feel the good vibes as soon as you walk in. Whether you want to sit inside or enjoy the nice weather outside, it’s super cozy and perfect for hanging out with friends or family.
When I went there, the smell of smoky goodness hit me right away! I had to try their pulled pork sandwich, and oh my goodness, it was amazing! The meat was so tender and juicy, and the sauce they put on it was just the right amount of tangy. I also got some crispy fried pickles on the side, and they were so crunchy and delicious!
What makes West End BBQ really special is how tasty the food is and how friendly the prices are. You can enjoy a great meal without spending too much money. If you go, definitely try their brisket! It’s slow-cooked and so soft that it just melts in your mouth. You’re gonna love it!
2. BBQ Pit
BBQ Pit is such a fun place to eat in Hickory! It’s on 2nd Ave SW, and I love how cozy it feels. You can sit inside where it’s nice and cool or outside to enjoy the sunshine. It’s a perfect spot to grab some yummy barbecue with friends or family.
When I went there, I just had to try their ribs, and wow, they were amazing! They were so tender that the meat just fell off the bone, and the smoky flavor was out of this world. I also got some coleslaw on the side, and it was super fresh and crunchy, which made it a great match for the ribs.
What really makes BBQ Pit special is how they stick to the classic barbecue flavors. If you visit, you’ve got to try their smoked chicken! It’s juicy and full of flavor, and I promise you’ll want to come back for more. You’re gonna love it!
3. Hugh’s Q
Phone: (828) 979-3638
Menu: www.hughsq.com
Directions: Open on Map
Hugh’s Q is one of my favorite BBQ places in Hickory! It’s right on US Hwy 70 SE, and I love how cozy and welcoming it feels. You can sit inside where it’s nice and cool or enjoy the fresh air outside. It’s a great spot to hang out and enjoy some tasty barbecue with friends or family.
When I visited Hugh’s Q, I just had to try their brisket, and oh wow, it was so good! The meat was super tender and juicy, and the smoky flavor was just perfect. I also got their mac and cheese, and let me tell you, it was creamy and cheesy—so yummy!
What really makes Hugh’s Q special is how they focus on quality and flavor. If you go, you’ve got to try their pulled pork! It’s bursting with flavor and comes with their special sauce, which makes it even better. You’re gonna love it!
4. Cranford Brother’s Barbecue
Phone: (828) 270-7229
Menu: cranfordbros.com
Directions: Open on Map
Cranford Brother’s Barbecue is such a fun place to eat in Hickory! It’s located on Main Ave NE, and I love how friendly and welcoming it feels. You can sit inside where it’s nice and cool or outside to enjoy the fresh air. It’s a great spot to grab some yummy barbecue with friends or family.
When I visited Cranford Brother’s, I just had to try their smoked sausage, and wow, it was so good! The sausage was super juicy and had a nice smoky flavor that made every bite delicious. I also got their baked beans, and they were sweet and savory—such a perfect side!
What really makes Cranford Brother’s special is how they focus on quality and flavor. If you go, you’ve got to try their pulled pork! It’s packed with flavor and comes with their homemade sauce, making it a BBQ treat you won’t forget. You’re gonna love it!
5. Windy City Grill
Phone: (828) 322-1131
Menu: www.windycitygrillhickory.com
Directions: Open on Map
Windy City Grill is one of my favorite places to eat in Hickory! It’s on N Center St, and I just love how chill and friendly it feels. You can sit inside where it’s cozy or outside to enjoy the nice weather. It’s a perfect spot to grab some yummy BBQ with friends or family.
When I went to Windy City Grill, I had to try their BBQ chicken, and oh my goodness, it was so good! The chicken was super juicy and packed with flavor, and the sauce was sweet and tangy—just perfect! I also got their fries, and they were crispy and delicious, which made them great for dipping.
What really makes Windy City Grill special is the fun vibe and tasty food at great prices. If you visit, you’ve got to try their pulled pork sandwich! It’s so flavorful, and I promise you’ll want to come back for more. You’re gonna love it!
6. Mt View Bar Bq
Mt View Bar BQ is one of my go-to places in Hickory! It’s right on NC-127, and I love how friendly and welcoming it feels. You can sit inside where it’s nice and cozy or outside to enjoy the fresh air. It’s a perfect spot to chill and enjoy some yummy BBQ with friends or family.
When I stopped by Mt View Bar BQ, I just had to try their pulled pork, and oh wow, it was so good! The pork was super tender and full of flavor, and the sauce they use is just perfect. I also got their coleslaw, and it was crunchy and refreshing—such a great side!
What really makes Mt View Bar BQ special is their tasty food at really good prices. If you visit, you’ve got to try their ribs! They’re smoky and juicy, and I promise you’ll want to come back for more. You’re gonna love it!
7. Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q
Phone: (828) 278-7930
Menu: www.jimnnicks.com
Directions: Open on Map
Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q is one of my favorite places to eat in Hickory! It’s right on US Hwy 70 SE, and I just love how relaxed and friendly it feels. You can sit inside where it’s nice and cozy or outside to enjoy the sunshine. It’s a perfect spot to grab some yummy BBQ with friends or family.
When I went to Jim ‘N Nick’s, I had to try their slow-cooked BBQ, and wow, it was so good! The meat was super tender and packed with flavor. And I can’t forget to mention their cheese biscuits—they are a must-try! They’re warm, cheesy, and oh-so-delicious.
What really makes Jim ‘N Nick’s special is their tasty food and fun atmosphere. If you visit, you’ve got to try their pulled pork sandwich! It’s full of flavor, and I promise you’ll want to come back for more. You’re gonna love it!
8. Hannahs BBQ South
Phone: (828) 294-4227
Menu: www.hannahsbbqsouth.com
Directions: Open on Map
Hannah’s BBQ South is one of my favorite places to eat in Hickory! It’s right on NC-127, and I just love how warm and friendly it feels. You can sit inside where it’s cozy or outside to enjoy the nice weather. It’s a perfect spot to grab some yummy BBQ with friends or family.
When I went to Hannah’s BBQ South, I had to try their pulled pork, and oh wow, it was so good! The pork was super tender and packed with flavor, and the sauce they use is just perfect. I also got their fries, and they were crispy and delicious—such a great side!
What really makes Hannah’s BBQ South special is their tasty food at really good prices. If you visit, you’ve got to try their brisket! It’s smoky and juicy, and I promise you’ll want to come back for more. You’re gonna love it!
9. Charlie Graingers
Charlie Graingers is such a cool place to eat in Hickory! It’s right on N Center St, and I really love how friendly and relaxed it feels. You can sit inside where it’s cozy or outside to enjoy the nice weather. It’s a perfect spot to grab some yummy BBQ with friends or family.
When I went to Charlie Graingers, I just had to try their BBQ sandwich, and oh my goodness, it was so good! The meat was super tender and full of flavor, and the sauce was just perfect. I also got their sweet potato fries, and they were crispy and delicious—such a great side!
What makes Charlie Graingers special is their tasty food at really good prices. If you visit, you’ve got to try their brisket! It’s smoky and juicy, and I promise you’ll want to come back for more. You’re gonna love it!
10. Olde Hickory Station
Phone: (828) 322-2356
Menu: www.oldehickorystation.com
Directions: Open on Map
Olde Hickory Station is such a cool place to eat in Hickory! It’s right on Government Ave SW, and I just love how it’s in an old depot. The vibe is really neat, and you can sit inside where it’s cozy or outside on their dog-friendly patio. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy some yummy BBQ with friends or family.
When I went to Olde Hickory Station, I had to try their smoked brisket, and wow, it was amazing! The brisket was super tender and full of flavor, and I loved how they added a fun twist to classic BBQ. I also tried their sweet potato fries, and they were crispy and delicious!
What really makes Olde Hickory Station special is their fun atmosphere and tasty food. If you visit, you’ve got to try their BBQ nachos! They’re loaded with flavor and perfect for sharing. I promise you’re gonna love it!
Map of BBQ in Hickory, NC
Choosing the Right Restaurant for You
With 10 excellent places, here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
| Restaurant | Price | Seating | Takeout | Delivery | Wheelchair | Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West End BBQ | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | Yes |
| BBQ Pit | – | Yes | Yes | No | Accessible | No |
| Hugh’s Q | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
| Cranford Brother’s Barbecue | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
| Windy City Grill | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | No | Accessible | No |
| Mt View Bar Bq | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | No | Accessible | Yes |
| Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q | – | Yes | Yes | No | Accessible | – |
| Hannahs BBQ South | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | No | Accessible | No |
| Charlie Graingers | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
| Olde Hickory Station | Moderate | Yes | Yes | No | Accessible | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the best BBQ restaurants in Hickory, NC?
Oh, there are so many great BBQ places in Hickory! Some of my favorites are West End BBQ, BBQ Pit, and Hugh’s Q. Each one has its own yummy flavors, and you really can’t go wrong with any of them! -
Is there outdoor seating available at BBQ places in Hickory?
Yes, lots of BBQ spots have outdoor seating! Places like Windy City Grill and Olde Hickory Station let you enjoy your meal outside, which is super nice when the weather is great. -
Do any BBQ restaurants in Hickory offer takeout?
For sure! Most BBQ places, like Jim ‘N Nick’s and Cranford Brother’s Barbecue, have takeout options. It’s perfect if you want to enjoy some tasty BBQ at home or on the go! -
Are there vegetarian options at BBQ restaurants in Hickory?
While BBQ is mostly about meat, some places do have vegetarian sides! You can usually find things like coleslaw, baked beans, and salads. Just ask the staff if you’re not sure! -
What is the price range for BBQ in Hickory?
The prices for BBQ in Hickory are pretty good! You can find lots of yummy meals that are inexpensive to moderate, so you can enjoy a great BBQ meal without spending too much money.
