The smell of hickory smoke and slow-cooked meats is now officially part of West Swindon’s culinary landscape.
Hickory’s Smokehouse – the barbecue restaurant that began its journey in Chester back in 2010 – has taken over the former Brookhouse Farm site, bringing its signature Deep South hospitality to the South West. And The Swindonian was lucky enough to be invited along for a preview evening.
From the moment you step through the door, it’s clear that Hickory’s have thought of everything – especially for those with young families. There’s a dedicated outdoor play area, a mini cinema room showing Disney favourites like Moana and Toy Story, and even a popcorn machine and “Fro-Co” Creation Station. Kids can grab a pot of Hickory’s own frozen custard and “pay” with plastic coins to choose from an array of sweet toppings.
But don’t mistake this for a venue that’s all show and no substance. We came hungry – child-free and with appetites to match. And it’s fair to say, the food more than delivered.
Kicking things off with a trio of starters, the Brisket Popcorn Bites – smoky, melt-in-the-mouth brisket fried to perfection – were an early standout. The Classic Corn Dogs, served with crushed pork rinds and a mix of Carolina and Texan sauces, packed a bold punch, while the Smoky Bourbon Bacon Bites had just the right mix of sweet and savoury, finished with a blue cheese dip that tied it all together.
Portions are generous, and by the time the mains arrived, loosening the waistband became more necessity than choice.
I (tried) tackling the mighty Smokehouse Platter – a meat feast of baby back ribs, smoked pork sausage, pulled pork, wings, pit beans, eight-hour smoked Jacob’s ladder, and the star of the show: grain-fed beef brisket. Add to that a mountain of magic dusted tater tots and you’ve got yourself a belt-stretching meal.
The other opted for the brilliantly named 3am Mac ‘n’ Cheese – comfort food levels off the scale, topped with Cajun fried chicken, bacon crumb and a drizzle of maple syrup. Sounds mad, works brilliantly.
The service was relaxed, not overbearing, and despite the Southern theme, there’s no gimmicky cowboy nonsense. The venue strikes the perfect balance between family-friendly, casual dining and quality food. There’s even a large bar area with screens for live sport and space for those just dropping in for a drink – dogs welcome, of course.
The interior pays tribute to states like Texas and Tennessee, with rustic wooden furnishings and red leather booths adding a cosy touch, while outdoors, there are dining tables for when the British weather behaves.
Hickory’s have certainly done their homework – Swindon hasn’t had anything quite like this before. After months of anticipation and prep, they’re ready to roll. And if our evening was anything to go by, it’s not going to take long for them to become a local favourite.
One bit of advice – pace yourself. That dessert menu will have to wait for another day.
