Hickory's Smokehouse Lincoln — Restaurant in North Kesteven

Christmas Eve

Please read below my previous review which was 5 stars, although the experience we had today was night and day hence the 1 star review.

Because we had such a fantastic meal back in the summer we decided to book our annual Christmas Eve dinner here. We booked outside in a cabin and I have to say although it wasn’t particularly busy the service was awful. Starters came out before we had received any drinks which we had waited half an hour for we had to remind the server twice before receiving them.

Then someone tried to serve us someone else’s meal. When the main course finally came we then waited yet another half an hour before we received them, they finally arrived after we had finished the meal. The server was unhelpful, unfriendly and we just didn’t see them, I had to go to the desk twice to get service. The only saving grace was the young waitress who took over from our original server was very good although by this time we had had enough.

My wife didn’t enjoy the salmon and my daughter had the sea bass and the portion was extremely small for the price. The go big or go home burger was very good though.

The final straw was when we had to wait for the bill I had to get up and go and ask for it twice as we hardly saw the server. After waiting 15 mins we decided to pay at the desk. We were annoyed that they had decided to add a £10 tip for service, now I am all for tipping but not if the service and food were bad so we asked for it to removed. This had to be done by a manager who was extremely rude unprofessional and had no interest in why we wanted it taking off, I pointed out that last time we came I left a £20 tip and had gone out of my way to ask for the manager to say thank you and what a great meal we had received, again no interest from the manager.

I will not be revisiting this restaurant due to tonight’s terrible experience, I will also not be recommending the restaurant to friends.

Advice to the smokehouse chain,re-train the manager on duty this evening as they have lost you a returning customer having visited 4/5 times since the summer.

Summer visit

Absolutely lovely. The food was amazing, nice atmosphere and they seem to have thought of everything for the children. The kids absolutely loved the milkshakes, the park and the movie room. Free popcorn whilst waiting for your food, nice outside seating with small cabana type eating areas. One thing that really stood out was the fact that they had free woman’s sanitary facilities and children’s nappies in the toilet, lovely touch. The only thing that slightly let it down was the service, apart from that highly recommended and don’t forget to try Spikles Fried pickles absolutely delicious.

Looking forward...

Hickorys is not just a restaurant; it’s an experience, a beacon for barbecue lovers like myself. It's my go-to spot for unforgettable meals, whether it's date night with my partner or lively gatherings with friends. Visiting at least once or twice a month, I can confidently say that Hickorys never disappoints.

From the moment you walk in, the staff's warmth and charisma set the tone for your dining experience. They are consistently friendly, knowledgeable, and refreshingly positive, creating an inviting atmosphere that feels like home. The country music resonating in the background, will always put a smile on your face.

The food is nothing short of exceptional. Hickorys delivers authentic barbecue that channels the soul of Texas. The meat is a masterpiece, cooked to perfection with bold flavors that pop and complement each dish seamlessly. The brisket, any barbecue restaurants crowning glory, is a testament to true barbecue artistry. Prepared overnight for 16 hours, it boasts a moist, tender texture that melts in your mouth, a beautifully crafted bark with salt and pepper seasoning, and the coveted smoke ring that every barbecue enthusiast dreams of. It’s the pinnacle of pit mastery.

The barbecue platter is my personal favourite. A generous portion that satisfies any appetite, whether you’re dining solo or sharing. The sides are thoughtfully curated to enhance the main event, offering a variety of textures and flavors without overshadowing the star of the show, MEAT.

Beyond the food, Hickorys offers an impressive selection of beverages. From popular mainstream choices to their signature creative soft drinks served in jars, there’s something for everyone. Their lunch menu, featuring the fantastic sub ‘n’ soda deal for £11.99, is perfect for a quick yet satisfying bite with a friend.

With reasonable prices, hearty portions, and a lively atmosphere complete with sporting events, Hickorys checks all the boxes. It’s not just about filling your stomach; it’s about creating lasting memories. For anyone seeking the ultimate barbecue experience in the UK, Hickorys is simply...

We accidentally turned up and your early due to a mix up on my part so we went outside with our kids to play on the play area and got some drinks from the bar, the atmosphere seemed really great and there were lots of different varieties of table settings and sizes etc . The staffw ere all kind and friendly and happy to help. . The outside area had a fenced off playground which was enjoued by our children... There were q couple of huts with seats inside and then a numb rof different sizes tables and seating areas outside. We do dnt realise but there's a little table / kiosk that's manned just near the door where you can place a drink order. Lots of nice plants / shaded spots outside too. We were taken inside by a member of staff when our tablenwas ready and had a look at the menu. We were given a vottl of cold water for the table And a little bag of popcorn which eer both love lt touches. ordered and the food took a little while but it was very busy so we didn't mind too much. The waitress was very nice and asked if we were there for an occasion and chatted away with us , we had our food which was all delicious and very generous portions. We had to ask a few times for the bill as it was just so busy and everyone seemed rushed off their feet. There were a fair few people having their birthday sparklers bought over and singing happy birthday. We thought it was reasonable pricing and while we had waited for the bill the kids wer happy to go watch Disney + in the cinema room, which looked like it had about 10 seats and a projector screen. . Just before we left the waitress surprised us with a little cupcake and a phrase on a board to say happy anniversary which absolutely made our day. We will definitely be returning to taste some items we didn't this time around. The music and decor seemed really fitting for a BBQ/ smokehouse vibe and the toilets were clean and easy to access.

Two vegetarians in our group said their food was nice too with the limited options but had absolutely no complaints. Looks like on the menu there's options for allergy or intolerance...