hickory hollow
mattNow, I don’t know how USA Today compiled their list and maybe we just caught Hickory Hollow at the wrong time, but after our visit last Friday this certainly isn’t a place I would put on any Top 10 list. While the ‘cue was tasty and the vast selection of 25-plus side items was a neat surprise, the service was poor and the atmosphere (what is the deal with butterfly decorations all over the walls in a barbecue place?) was just average. Overall, I didn’t dislike Hickory Hollow, but I wouldn’t drive out of my way for it. It’s okay if you’re already in the area.
I ordered the east-Carolina style pork with cheese squash and creamed spinach as my two sides, while my fiancee Traci went with smoke turkey, roasted corn and steak fries. Both meals came with delicious corn fritters. I was happy with the pork and the squash, but the creamed spinach was missing something. Traci’s turkey was very good.
While the food was above average, it was overshadowed by the poor service from the moment we walked in the door. We’ve eaten at lots of barbecue joints and these aren’t the kind of places where you expect to find award-winning service, but that doesn’t mean we should feel like we’re bothering the waitstaff for eating there.
The level of service was night and day between Hickory Hollow and our visit to Newberry’s Backyard Bar-B-Q a few weeks ago. I am still looking for an excuse to go back up to Gainesville to eat there again. While Hickory Hollow didn’t knock my socks off, I still have high hopes for reader-suggested Big John’s Barbecue in Tampa and First Choice in Brandon. Both are on my list. I still think Jimbo’s on Kennedy is a good choice for ‘cue in a pinch.
Bottom-line: Good food was overshadowed by poor service with the net-result being I can’t see myself eating there again unless I already happen to be shopping in Ellenton and am in need of a major barbecue fix. Maybe if you’re with USA Today you get treated a lot better.
Inspection Scorecard: Last Inspection: April 2006 violations- Critical (4), Non-Critical (1).
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August 15th, 2006 at 5:24 pm
First Choice rocks. Nothing fancy, just straight-up BBQ.
August 15th, 2006 at 10:07 pm
I’ll be honest, I’m afraid to eat anything called BBQ in this state. In Durham, barbecue is a noun, i.e. pulled pork sandwich, vinegar based bbq sauce and cole slaw on a bun with a side of hush puppies and fried okra. Also, mac and cheese is a vegetable for those of you who don’t know. I missed a family outing to Kojaks last week, but I think I’m going to start venturing out and tasting soon enough. Best BBQ joint on the planet? Kings Barbecue, Petersburg, VA. Ain’t no better.
August 15th, 2006 at 10:32 pm
I have to say Hot Rods in Lutz is still my fav. It is certainly unique. They have great steaks too.
http://www.hotrodsbbqgrill.com/
If down home good southern cooking is your thing, and you are extremely hungry, try Lupton’s on Busch. They have breakfast, lunch and dinner on the buffet and iced tea is included. Breakfast and Lunch are under $10.
http://www.luptonscatering.com/
August 16th, 2006 at 9:04 am
First Choice in Brandon IS awesome. The food is great and the atmosphere is laid-back cool like a real barbecue joint otta be!! Sometimes you’ll hear them chopping the meat to the beat of the music playing in the background …R&B, soul, some light HipHop….takes me back to growing up in Alabama!
August 16th, 2006 at 9:15 am
Some other great BBQ places in the tampa-ish area are Curly Tails in Bartow and Jack’s in Clermont. I know its not really Tampa but they’re closer than dcdave’s suggestion
August 16th, 2006 at 9:29 am
Big John’s is great, but there’s no reason to go out there unless you’re already out there. That joint on Columbus and Armenia is really good, too - that Bucs guy who lost his leg owns it; it’s right by Hollywood Nites. I can’t remember the name, but the girls who work there are absolutely beautiful and the Friday night jazz deal is super-fun.
August 18th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
I beg to differ. Brown’s barbecue in Kingstree, S.C. is the best Q on the planet.
December 22nd, 2006 at 11:51 am
Miller Brothers in Dalton, Ga is a great spot to eat bar-b-cue!!
December 22nd, 2006 at 12:08 pm
Thanks for the suggestion.
Where is Dalton, Ga located?
happy holidays-
February 10th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Dalton, Ga is on I-75 right below Chattanooga, TN and above Atlanta, GA.
March 22nd, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Regarding Hickory Hollow BBQ. There is a sign on the front door stating that “If you’re in a hurry, this isn’t the place to be”. Now any joint that can put that warning on the front door and still manage to pack the place out on a regular basis is probably making some darn good food. I’ve been there a few times, the first time I was dissapointed only because my expectations were too high, way too high. The next few visits were far better and the food has always been top quality. This is the kind of joint you can take your kids in and not worry about them being a bit loud or hyper. The staff has always been nice to us, even with very young kids in tow.