Hickory River Smokehouse — Restaurant in Tipp City

It's not Texas style. It's not Memphis style. It's not Kansas's or Carolina style either. This is just local BBQ done the way locals seem to like it. Locals seem to really like. As for me, it's just okay but not my preferred style.

Some items to note. Cornbread here, not plain white bread or Texas Toast. Thick bold sauce here, not thin vinegar based or brown surgar sweet or excessive dry rub on this lightly smoked meat.

The slaw was terrific. Was pleased that it was not mayo based. A good splash of apple cider vinegar would have made it a wow (or if they like to stick with being different, a splash of rice wine vinegar would hit the spot as well).

The potato salad was a standard mustard style. It was executed perfectly for that style. It's just not my style.

The chili was definitely local northern style as it was bean and tomato based. While not my preferred style, the chili had a nice mild flavor everyone could enjoy, although a bit on the soupy side. Thicker and spicier would be my style, hold the beans too.

The sausage was good quality. The bold sauce overpowered the sausage though. Next time, sauce on the side or skip the sauce when it comes to the sausage.

The ribs were a nice cut, trimmed perfectly, and average on tenderness. The sauce for me though, too thick and too bold on flavor. And the rub, didn't seem to exist.

Finally the quarter chicken. This was a great bird. The meat juicy and tender. Would have liked a little more smoke and a lot more rub, but overall the chicken was great. Just skip the sauce or get it on the side (note to self who is not a fan of any of the three sauce choices).

So it's local Ohio BBQ. It's the local way. And the locals seem to give this bold saucy, lightly rubbed, and lightly smoked style the thumbs up. As for me, it's just okay...

My wife and I have been looking for good BBQ in the Dayton area since arriving here from Texas last year and we have finally found it! meats are dry rubbed and smoked to a beautiful tenderness that I have missed. We had the Smokehouse Combo #2 which comes with a 1/4 rack of their award winning ribs and a choice of two meats. We chose the sliced brisket and turkey breast. It also comes with 2 sides and we had the green beans and the side of the day which was scalloped potatoes. Ribs were great and the awards are warranted. Turkey was tender, juicy and plentiful and the brisket had an excellent smoke flavor and pulled apart perfectly but was a bit on the dry side. That was easily remedied with there most excellent BBQ sauce. The scalloped potatoes were to die for with hunks of ham hidden in the creamy goodness. The green beans were average and although I am not a fan of “City Barbeque” they have the better green beans. All this was accompanied by a hunk of homemade sweet cornbread that had real corn throughout. Service is cafeteria style and a bit slow but well worth the wait. I would suggest an additional meat cutter and order taker to speed things up. Staff was friendly, accommodating and eager to please. Highly recommend you visit as we will be doing so on a...

It’s Thursday, my favorite day at HRB. They run a special for their nachos. I had just left the hospital after having a chemo treatment. We arrived at Hickory River at 3:09. They have a huge banner that says Thursday’s special, loaded nachos. I used to get them whenever I worked at Honda with a friend of mine. When we went to place our order, they said that the special was only effective starting at 4 o’clock. Their sign says Thursday special, not Thursday between this time and this time. My husband and I were going to order a few other things, but at this point it’s about the principal. They would not sell us the nachos for seven dollars instead they lost out on an order that probably would’ve been between 30 and $40. How disappointing! I don’t know what you’re thinking when that’s the way your company does business. You need to post it somewhere in large letters this deal only good between 11 and two, four and six. I never leave bad reviews because I take into account that maybe somebody’s just having a bad day, but this had nothing to do with that, this is just bad business. I won’t be going back there for a long time, maybe if ever. I just wanted anyone that might be going to eat there to know about their stipulations on a...