As the seasons change and the colder weather begins to settle in, Hickory’s Smokehouse is turning over a new leaf with the launch of its autumn menu, bringing new dishes, returning favourites and some tempting lunchtime offers.
With lighter bites, hearty comfort food and a few Southern-inspired surprises, the smokehouse has introduced more choice for those who fancy something a little different without committing to one of its famously generous BBQ feasts.
We visited Hickory’s in Cardiff on a particularly chilly autumn afternoon, with a storm forecast to sweep across Wales. With the temperature dropping outside, we couldn’t think of a better place to escape the cold, settle in beside the roaring fires and enjoy some proper comfort food.
And with a new lunch menu to explore, we had plenty of reasons to stay a little longer.
A new lunchtime offering
One of the biggest changes at Hickory’s this autumn is its new dedicated lunch menu, offering smaller portions, lighter dishes and more affordable options alongside the usual smokehouse favourites.
Inspired by the BBQ shacks, neighbourhood restaurants and roadside diners of America’s Southern States, the menu brings together some familiar Hickory’s flavours with a few unexpected additions.
The lunch menu is available until 4pm, while brunch runs until 2pm. This creates something of a sweet spot between midday and 2pm, when diners can choose from both menus, as well as the regular main menu.
Naturally, we decided to make the most of it.
The Big Pig Bap (£12.50)
If there’s one thing Hickory’s knows how to do, it’s pulled pork.
The Big Pig Bap brings together 14-hour smoked pulled pork, Kansas BBQ sauce, French’s mustard, pickled red onions and crispy shallots, all packed into a soft bap.
On this occasion, we opted to leave out the onions, but there was still plenty of flavour to enjoy.
The pork was everything you’d expect from Hickory’s, tender, smoky and generously coated in BBQ sauce. The mustard adds a welcome sharpness to balance the sweetness, making this a satisfying lunchtime option.
We also added a portion of skin-on fries for £2, taking the total to £14.50.
For anyone who loves Hickory’s pulled pork but doesn’t necessarily want a full BBQ platter at lunchtime, this is a great alternative.
The Philly Shroom Loaded Potato (£10.50)
Now, this was something we probably wouldn’t have thought to order before seeing it on the menu.
Hickory’s has introduced a selection of loaded potatoes, and the Philly Shroom immediately caught our attention.
It’s topped with roasted flat mushrooms, seared peppers and onions, mornay sauce, mozzarella and crispy onions.
If you’ve ever tried Hickory’s famous pretzel bites, you’ll already have an idea of what to expect from the wonderfully rich, cheesy sauce.
It’s that same sort of indulgent cheesiness, only this time poured over a fluffy potato with the earthy flavour of roasted mushrooms and the sweetness of peppers. And it works surprisingly well.
It’s not the sort of dish you immediately associate with an American smokehouse, particularly one known for its smoked meats, but that’s exactly why it deserves a mention.
For £10.50, it’s a filling and comforting lunch option, and a particularly good choice for vegetarians looking for something beyond the usual salad or meat-free burger.
In fact, it was one of the more interesting additions we tried.
The return of Hickory’s Gumbo (£9.50)
There are some dishes that regular Hickory’s customers look forward to seeing return, and its Louisiana-inspired Gumbo is certainly one of them.
This spicy Southern-style stew has developed something of a following, with guests reportedly calling for its return each year.
The lunchtime version features smoked pulled chicken and pork jalapeño sausage, served with rice, black beans and scallions.
At £9.50, it’s also one of the more affordable dishes on the new menu.
Gumbo might not be the first thing that springs to mind when visiting a smokehouse, but it makes perfect sense for the colder months.
It’s rich, warming and full of those deep Southern flavours that Hickory’s does so well.
With autumn well and truly upon us, and the evenings getting darker, this is exactly the sort of food you want when you’re looking to warm up.
It’s also a welcome change from burgers, ribs and pulled pork sandwiches, particularly for regular visitors who fancy trying something different.
Pulled Pork Waffle (£11.50)
One of the advantages of visiting between midday and 2pm is being able to choose from the brunch menu too.
We went for the Pulled Pork Waffle, priced at £11.50.
This combines Southern fried pulled pork with a griddled egg and a peach, pickle and jalapeño salsa, bringing together sweet, savoury and slightly spicy flavours.
It’s certainly a different take on brunch, but that’s part of the appeal.
Hickory’s has always been good at taking familiar American dishes and adding its own smokehouse twist, and this is another example.
It’s a particularly appealing option for anyone who finds themselves torn between breakfast and lunch.
There’s more to discover
Of course, the dishes we tried are only part of the new autumn offering.
Other lunchtime additions include the Smoked Tennessee Brisket Sub, packed with slow-smoked beef brisket, roasted peppers, onions, cheese and creamy pepper sauce.
There’s also a Hickory’s Burger, a Baby Cobb Salad with Southern fried chicken and more loaded potato options, including one topped with pulled pork and BBQ pit beans.
The main menu has also had a seasonal refresh, including the return of Hickory Wood Smoked Pork, Jalapeño & Cheese Sausage, served with Tennessee bourbon gravy.
For those with room for dessert, there’s a new Banana Pudding Jam Jar Cheesecake.
Even the drinks menu has received an autumn update, with retro American Coke Floats joined by Grape Soda and Root Beer versions, alongside new cocktails.
Rob Bacon, Hickory’s founding Chef Director, said:
“We took the menu and gave it an Autumn American twist. After visiting the likes of Tennessee, Memphis and New Orleans, we knew we wanted to bring that authentic flavour for the new season ahead – and I don’t think diners will be disappointed!
“We’re really excited too for our new lunch menu. It is all about giving guests more choice; from lighter bites to proper smokehouse favourites, while still delivering the big flavours and Southern hospitality Hickory’s is known for. We can’t wait for you to come and enjoy it!”
Don’t overlook the daily Smokin’ Deals
Alongside the new menus, Hickory’s has introduced seven days of Smokin’ Deals, giving diners another reason to visit throughout the week.
These daily offers are available from midday at participating restaurants, with something different on the menu each day.
Our pick for a weekday visit would be Monday’s Smokehouse Super Sub, priced at £12.99.
For anyone planning a weekend visit, the Surf & Turf Sharer looks particularly tempting. Available on Fridays and Saturdays, the £70 deal includes wine and could be a great option for those looking to make more of an occasion of their visit.
Other offers include a Chicken Bucket for £12.99 on Tuesdays, Steak & Shake for £12.99 on Wednesdays and a Barbecue Blowout for £20.99 on Thursdays.
Sundays bring something a little different too, with a Dirrrty Wing Tray featuring 15 smoked wings across three flavours for £15.
The Smokin’ Deals are running until 22 November, so there’s still time to take advantage of them.
Our verdict
Hickory’s has always been somewhere we’d associate with big portions, smoky BBQ flavours and a relaxed American dining experience.
But what we particularly like about the new autumn menu is that it makes the restaurant feel more accessible for a casual lunchtime visit.
You don’t always want a huge plate of ribs or a full smokehouse feast, especially in the middle of the day.
Sometimes a pulled pork bap, a warming bowl of Gumbo or a loaded potato is exactly what you’re after.
The new menu delivers that choice without losing the flavours and character that make Hickory’s what it is.
We were particularly impressed by the Philly Shroom Loaded Potato, which proved that you don’t need meat to enjoy a satisfying smokehouse-inspired lunch. The return of the Gumbo is also welcome, particularly as the colder weather sets in.
And with lunch available until 4pm, there’s no need to rush out for an early sitting.
Our advice would be to visit between midday and 2pm, when you can explore the brunch, lunch and main menus together.
With the fires burning, plenty of Southern hospitality and a menu full of comfort food, Hickory’s makes a pretty convincing case for escaping the Welsh autumn weather.
The new autumn menu is available now at Hickory’s Smokehouse restaurants.
For more information, to view the menus or book a table, visit www.hickorys.co.uk.
The post We tried Hickory’s new autumn lunch menu and found some real comfort food favourites appeared first on Wales 247.
