Hickory River Smokehouse – American
The air at Hickory River Smokehouse is thick with the intoxicating scent of slow-burning hickory, drawing guests into a rustic haven where the art of low-and-slow barbecue takes center stage. Succulent slabs of baby back ribs and tender ribbons of pulled pork emerge from the pit with a deep, smoky crust, offering a melt-in-your-mouth richness that celebrates authentic pitmaster traditions. Every plate, from the hand-sliced beef brisket to the savory smoked chicken, delivers a soulful, hearty experience that captures the essence of a true backyard feast.
1706 North Cunningham Avenue, Urbana IL 61802 https://hickoryriver.com/locations/illinois/urbana/overview.htmlRating: 4/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: American
Price range: $
Dietary options: high-protein, keto, low-carb, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, heart-healthy, low-sodium, low-fat, whole30, paleo, plant-based, anti-inflammatory, atkins, south-beach, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, low-cholesterol, high-fiber, carnivore, zone, volumetrics, tlc, renal, aip, alkaline, slow-carb, lectin-free, macrobiotic
Currently closed
Hours
- Sunday - Thursday
- 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Friday - Saturday
- 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
What diners are saying
Celebrated for its delectable menu spanning from appetizers to main courses, guests frequently highlight the standout soup as a particularly flavorful favorite. Diners rave about the relaxed vibe and professional, welcoming service that ensures a seamless experience from start to finish. Reviewers often recommend making a reservation to fully enjoy the warm atmosphere and consistently high-quality dishes.
Menu
BBQ Plates
Includes your Choice of 2 Sides & Homemade Sweet Cornbread or Texas Toast
- Beef Brisket Plate - $14.99: Sliced or chopped beef brisket. Includes choice of 2 sides and homemade sweet cornbread or Texas toast. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pulled Pork Plate - $13.49: State fair winner pulled pork. Includes choice of 2 sides and homemade sweet cornbread or Texas toast. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pulled Chicken Plate - $13.49: Smoked pulled chicken. Includes choice of 2 sides and homemade sweet cornbread or Texas toast.
- Smoked Turkey Breast Plate - $13.49: Low-fat smoked turkey breast. Includes choice of 2 sides and homemade sweet cornbread or Texas toast. Dietary tags: Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, GERD-Friendly, TLC
- Sliced Pork Loin Plate - $13.49: Smoked sliced pork loin. Includes choice of 2 sides and homemade sweet cornbread or Texas toast. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium
- Smoked Country Ham Plate - $13.49: Smoked country ham. Includes choice of 2 sides and homemade sweet cornbread or Texas toast.
- Smoked Half Chicken Plate - $13.99: Smoked half chicken. Includes choice of 2 sides and homemade sweet cornbread or Texas toast.
- Polish Sausage Plate - $12.99: Smoked polish sausage. Includes choice of 2 sides and homemade sweet cornbread or Texas toast.
- Baby Back Pork Ribs - Full Slab Plate - $26.99: Full slab of baby back ribs. Includes choice of 2 sides and homemade sweet cornbread or Texas toast.
- Baby Back Pork Ribs - Half Slab Plate - $17.99: Half slab of baby back ribs. Includes choice of 2 sides and homemade sweet cornbread or Texas toast. Available at: dinner, lunch
Combo Plates
Includes your Choice of 2 Sides & Homemade Sweet Cornbread or Texas Toast
- 2 Meat Combo - $17.99: Choice of two meats. Includes 2 sides and cornbread or toast. Available at: dinner, lunch
- 3 Meat Combo - $19.99: Choice of three meats. Includes 2 sides and cornbread or toast. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Smokehouse Combo 1 - $18.99: 4 Bones of Baby Back Ribs and 1 Meat choice. Includes 2 sides and cornbread or toast. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Smokehouse Combo 2 - $21.99: 4 Bones of Baby Back Ribs and 2 Meat choices. Includes 2 sides and cornbread or toast. Available at: dinner, lunch
Sandwiches
- Beef Brisket Sandwich - $8.99: Sliced or chopped beef brisket on a bun. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pulled Pork Sandwich - $7.99: Award-winning pulled pork on a bun. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Smoked Turkey Breast Sandwich - $7.99: Low-fat smoked turkey breast on a bun. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pulled Chicken Sandwich - $7.99: Smoked pulled chicken on a bun. Available at: dinner, lunch
Other Fixins
- Our Famous 'Cue Shoe - $11.99: BBQ Pulled Pork & fries on Texas Toast, smothered in special cheese sauce. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pulled Pork Nachos - $10.99: Fried corn nachos topped with Pulled Pork, Ranch Beans, House Queso, & Choice of BBQ Sauce. Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Smoked Texas Tater with Pulled Pork - $9.99: Large baked potato topped with pulled pork. Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Smoked Texas Tater with Chopped Beef Brisket - $10.99: Large baked potato topped with chopped beef brisket. Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo Available at: dinner, lunch
- Turkey in the Garden - $10.49: Garden Salad topped with Smoked Turkey Breast. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Carb, Whole30, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, Low-Cholesterol, AIP, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Smoked Chicken Wings (6) - $9.99: 6 wings with choice of sauce. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Smoked Chicken Wings (12) - $17.99: 12 wings with choice of sauce. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Tenders (3) & 1 Side - $8.99: Three chicken tenders served with one side. Available at: dinner, lunch
Sides
- Potato Salad - $2.49 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Cole Slaw - $2.49 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Carnivore, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Ranch Beans - $2.49: BBQ Pinto Beans Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Macaroni & Cheese - $2.49 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Seasoned Waffle Fries - $2.99 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Onion Rings - $3.49: Breaded and deep-fried Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Renal
Desserts
- Cobbler - $3.99: Peach, cherry, apple, or blackberry Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free
- Brownie - $2.49 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, GERD-Friendly, TLC
- Big Chocolate Chip Cookie - $1.99 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
Beverages
- Soft Drink - $2.49
- Iced Tea - $2.49: Sweet or Unsweet
- Bottled Root Beer - $2.99 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based
- Coffee - $1.99
Frequently Asked Questions about Hickory River Smokehouse
- What makes this restaurant unique or special?
- This restaurant is unique for its authentic pitmaster traditions using slow-burning hickory to smoke meats like baby back ribs and brisket.
- What is the overall customer sentiment about this restaurant?
- Customers praise the flavorful soup, high-quality dishes, and professional service within a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere rated 4.0/5.
- What percentage of this menu works for vegan, keto, gluten-free, or low-carb diets?
- The menu offers vegan, keto, gluten-free, and low-carb options including ranch beans, smoked Texas taters, and high-protein smoked chicken wings.
- Is this restaurant good for casual dining or more upscale?
- Hickory River Smokehouse offers a casual dining experience with a relaxed vibe, rustic atmosphere, and budget-friendly pricing.
- Does this restaurant have a website or online ordering?
- The restaurant has a website at https://hickoryriver.com/locations/illinois/urbana/overview.html, though online ordering is not explicitly mentioned in the provided data.
- Which dishes work for multiple diets at once (e.g., keto + gluten-free)?
- Ranch beans and the Smoked Texas Tater with chopped beef brisket both accommodate multiple diets, including gluten-free and high-protein.
- How extensive is this restaurant's menu selection?
- The extensive menu features diverse barbecue plates, combos, and sandwiches, catering to over twenty dietary preferences including vegan, keto, and gluten-free.
- Is this restaurant good value for money?
- This budget-friendly ($) restaurant offers good value with high-quality barbecue plates and a 4.0/5 rating for its flavorful menu.
- Is this restaurant suitable for families?
- Families can enjoy a relaxed vibe and budget-friendly pricing with kid-friendly options like chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, and brownies.
- What's the best way to experience this restaurant?
- Reviewers recommend making a reservation to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, professional service, and standout dishes like the flavorful soup.
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