Hickory River Smokehouse — Restaurant in Peoria

My wife and I purchased 2 full meals (2 slabs of ribs) with fixins, pies and ice creams. To spare details I shall say that Mike’s customer service integrity lacks zero imagination because of his excellent answerability with flowing ideaphoria. Both are outstanding, fair and thorough with compassion as Mike exemplifies what Corporation IS. As well as a true gentle man Mike excels at issue resolution (amongst the best I have come across). Seeing as I was Co-Owner of some JJ sandwich shops “Epicurean Delights” dba ‘Jimmy John’s’ for almost 2 decades beginning July 7th, 1997 I am also SO VERY THANKFUL Mike and Mike have brought an A+ Restaurant With Ownership Excellence into our hearts and homes here in our Central Illinois and local Peoria. ThX I say to thee Mike and Mike! Fact of interest to me upon speaking with Mike today is that he too was with Jimmy Johns in his earlier years @ Champaign/Urbana where JJ’s JJ’s Worldwide HQ was for a while when Jimmy John Liataud (sorry Jimmy if I have forgotten last name spelling-never was my forté). I appologize if too lengthy, tho this signifies the length of time (the rest of my life) I will continue eating and enjoying both JJ’s sandwiches et al & Mike & Mike’s Restaurant/s. Please accept this ALSO as a complete recommendation to all Jimmy John fans anywhere in our USA/Earth to enjoy this BBQ & Menu that Mike and Mike have made possible in the Peoria area and near where I live in North Peoria. Doug Wilson (=Proud husband of Jeanette Lynn Wilson🤍& sonshine of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Rhodell Wilson=Mom(=}GiGi Flo aka Sharon Kay Wilson(Owner) & Dad(“Pops”)(Owner) ❤️😍🥳🤩thank you Mike for your Conflict Resolution and Integrity...

Hickory River Smokehouse 5101 w. Holiday Dr. Peoria Il. 61615

I’m going to start off this review by saying I am a little biased towards Hickory River Smokehouse. I have been there four times and I really like it. I know there are the naysayers out there that say “Oh this place is better” or “This place is the best” and blah blah blah. I have had BBQ in KC and Memphis and Georgia and Texas. I am not trying to say this place is the best in the world but it is solid. They have a variety of really good BBQ and sides.

The Pulled Pork is great. It has won multiple State Fair titles. I also like the Beef Brisket and the Baby Back Ribs. You can’t go wrong with either the Hot or Mild Sauces. The undisputed Hickory River Smokehouse Champion is The Cue Shoe. This dish will knock you out into a food coma. I am a big guy and I struggle with this mountain of culinary love. The foundation is Texas Toast then a heap of Pulled Pork soaked in your choice of sauce. Next they top it with French Fries and smother it in a delicious white cheese sauce.

The sides are also good. I have had the Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Corn Bread and the Mac & Cheese. If I could give them one knock it would be the Baked Beans. I just don’t like them and think it is probably a matter of preference, but you may love them.

The only location I have been to is the Peoria spot. I think the interior is appropriate and have had nothing but good service there. From my experiences the staff has been great.

According to the Big Food Jerk.

If you want delicious BBQ at reasonable prices and good service then I highly recommend The Hickory River Smokehouse and Oh Yeah you gotta try...

My experience was not the best and food was just okay… I drove an 1 1/2 for an appointment and googled near by BBQ joints and this location popped up so my family and I decided to try it. We ordered the two meat combo, rib’s and brisket with two sides, the half chicken meal with two sides, and their “famous Cue shoe.” The ribs were tender but skimpy and tasted like re-heated ribs and nothing spectacular along with the sauce that tasted bottled and the potato salad tasted like you could get from your local Hy-Vee, all of which lacked in flavor in addition to the ranch beans, as if you would get out of the can from Bush’s ranch baked beans. The sweet corn chucked off the cob (as advertised, when I asked the employee at the register what she recommended and stated was on special for the day), was nothing more than corn from a can. The brisket was tender, couldn’t taste “the smoke” though but when doused with bbq sauce not as dry. On a positive note my son said the best part of his meal was the Mac n cheese and chicken. As well as the Cue shoe. I think what really did it for us was the corn bread, again dry and I mean sticking to your mouth dry and when getting ready to leave, saw a worker in close proximity from the register and visible to the front restaurant area seen eating a piece of the cornbread with one hand gloved while the other hand not, then proceeded to continue cutting the remainder of the cornbread from the pans dumped out without changing her gloves or washing her hands, absolutely disgusting! $62.16 later was not impressed and when visiting the area again will not return and find another bbq joint. Sorry...