The Original Hick'ry Pit — Restaurant in Walnut Creek

My family members are long-time fans (60 years) of the original Hick’ry Pit restaurant! From the moment we’re cheerfully greeted as we walk through the door until we leave full and happy, it’s a wonderful experience every time!

The Hick’ry Pit is a BBQ-Lovers paradise! The meat is always cooked to perfection in the smoker oven, and specialties like St. Louis ribs, original pork ribs, chicken and pulled pork are loved by all. All the side dishes are yummy, but my favorite is the coleslaw with the honey/horseradish dressing. I can never get enough of the fresh salad and crispy french fries either. And that’s not all…the menu is quite expansive with plenty of yummy sandwiches, burgers, breakfast combinations and so much more. And, let’s not forget about dessert! The pies all taste home-made and are simply scrumptious.

Over the years, we often showed up with a few family members or friends to grab a bite! We always knew the food was going to be delicious. We ate outside on the patio when the weather was pleasant…or chose the air-conditioned interior on hot summer days. It was always a comfortable and relaxing way to spend a lazy weekend morning or post-work dinner.

Last week, we did something a little different, we asked the Hick’ry Pit to host a 50+ person event. I have never been more impressed. General Manager, Teyaum, and owner Gita went “above and beyond” to make sure that the layout accommodated our large group, and that everything was beautifully decorated. They were helpful and professional in the planning phase, and made many excellent suggestions to optimize our guest experience.

On the day of our party, the place looked beautiful, and food was served to our hungry guests within 10 minutes of our arrival. Trays of meats and side dishes were brought to each four-person table, and everyone was able to dig in right away. Guests told us it was the best party they’d attended in a long time!

Thank you to Gita and her fabulous team. The food, ambience and service delivery was certainly beyond our wildest expectations.

Thank you for making the Hick’ry Pit a place we come back to over and over again. You guys...

I’m extremely disappointed with my recent visit to this restaurant — an establishment I’ve previously praised to family and friends for its food and ambiance. Unfortunately, what should have been another enjoyable dining experience was completely derailed by the service we received from a waitress named Maria.

From the moment we were seated, it was clear we were being ignored. Maria made eye contact with us from a distance several times yet made no move to approach our table. We had to ask the hostess if someone — anyone — could help us. When Maria finally arrived, there was no greeting, no smile, and no sense of welcome. Her demeanor was flat-out rude and indifferent, as though we were a burden rather than paying customers.

This isn’t an isolated experience — it’s the second time I’ve had the misfortune of being served by her, and while the first time was borderline tolerable, this time crossed the line. The lack of basic courtesy and customer service was stunning. I’ve honestly never felt so unwelcome at a restaurant.

We eventually voiced our concerns to the hostess, who thankfully took them seriously and brought in a new server. While I appreciated that swift action, the damage had already been done. Maria continued to linger nearby, pretending to be cheerful with other customers in a way that came across as performative and frankly disingenuous. It was uncomfortable and awkward.

I left the restaurant with a bitter taste in my mouth — and not just from the food, which I couldn’t even enjoy after the dreadful experience. I kept thinking, Why didn’t I just get up and leave?

No guest should ever feel unwelcome or disrespected, and it’s clear this server lacks the professionalism and hospitality required in a customer-facing role. Regardless of how good the food may be, no meal is worth being treated like an inconvenience.

Regretfully, I will not be returning — and I will certainly stop recommending this restaurant to others until I hear that serious steps have been taken to address issues like this. A single rude employee can tarnish the reputation of an entire...

The Hick'ry pit here is the original! - And, it is the very best of this type of eatery anywhere. Non pretentious, great service and I have been eating here for over forty years. This kind of restaurant has long disappeared since all of the designer food establishments have taken over and is really fairly priced with generous portions. Whether you are eating breakfast, lunch or dinner you simply can't beat the price. There are specials such as the "Early Bird Specials" and "Junior Portions" available that are even large enough for two adults to share. Not a smart designer food restaurant with cute little plates decorated to perfection. Here it's slabs of meat, baked potatoes, salads with plenty of blue cheese or thousand island dressings and such. Still not full?... well then, order a piece of fresh home made pie right out of the oven with over a dozen varieties to choose from. This place is awesome and I guarantee you will walk out with your belly full and plenty of satisfaction from the service and the down home cooked food from the "Smoker." This place is not for the faint of heart and you will not walk away hungry. The prices are very, very reasonable for the whole family all day long! It is worth every five star I can give it. Try the Original Hick'ry Pit and you will be returning as I have done for so long - about twice a week for over forty years! Five stars - easy! " * " Mike C...