An authentic Smoker imported from the US

Meats Smoked Overnight

NFL Sundays plus Super Bowl screenings

On site Cinema for kids

Country Music Playlist

Various Branches across UK (see here)

Gloucester Branch 1st Birthday Party August 12th 2025 with activities

Whenever I travel to the States, one place I always make a point to visit is a smokehouse – there is nothing quite like it! The slow cooking process and the use of traditional smokers create a depth of flavour that’s hard to match and whilst there are some BBQ spots and American themed restaurants in the UK, they never quite capture the authentic smokehouse experience that you find in the U.S.

The founders of Hickory’s are fans of Smokehouses like we are and they wanted to give the UK that southern experience and taste. Their journey began taking a road trip around the Southern States, meeting pit masters throughout their journey where they shared recipes, tips and more! So, 24 trips, 70 cities later, they brought home inspiration, knowledge, passion & good old Southern hospitality. (More info on how their business formed can be found here.)

When you walk into Hickory’s Smokehouse, in Gloucester it feels just like stepping into an authentic American Smokehouse in the heart of the Southern States. The atmosphere and decor immediately transports you into downtown Nashville or into the lone star state of Texas and other areas of the deep south. The staff are friendly, attentive and accommodating, providing excellent hospitality from arrival to departure (thanks Libby, Richard and co). The set up is homely, inviting and almost everything is open planned for visitors to get a real sense of what is going on behind the scenes so you can feel like a part of the process.

Country music and its sub genres are played across the restaurants playlist which automatically makes country fans like myself, feel at home. I found myself singing along quietly yet happily between mouthfuls of food and reminiscing about CMA Festival and more close to home, C2C Festival. Even though country music has become more popular in the UK, it still feels wild to have the likes of Miranda Lambert blaring in a UK restaurant.

Hickory’s is most definitely a place for everyone! Whether you are a lone star visitor perched at the bar watching the chefs showcase their talents with an American beer or a homemade Sweet Tea and some Hickory’s wings, a couple out for a civilised evening, a group of friends out for a good time or a family with small kids looking for a place that will keep them entertained – then Hickory’s is the place for you.

Probably one of, if not the best restaurants we have taken our kids to, Hickory’s has such a unique style of entertainment for the kids and that comes in the form of a cinema. We sat in a booth located right next to the cinema which meant when we were waiting for food, the kids could take themselves into the cinema to watch kids movies whilst we had some much needed adult time. As we were close, we could keep an eye on them. The cinema is set up exactly like a real cinema with tiered seating and comfortable cinema seats. The kids are even provided with bags of popcorn. We found that this helps families keep their kids off screens at the table, not that we judge that. There is also ( at least in the Gloucester branch) A play area outside.

Now let’s get on to the important part, the food! We will begin with our appetisers. As those who have visited the US will know, American portions are huge and Hickory’s will not disappoint. The kids went for a small corn dog which by kids sized meal standards, could have easily been part of a main. I went for the Frickels which are juicy pickles deep-fried in a crispy Cajun spiced batter, served with a pot of South Carolina barbecue sauce. These are suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans. The portion was generous and so tasty that I crave them as I type. The juice of the pickles trickles out making the flavour really spark in the mouth.

My husband is already planning to return for the Corn Bread with Maple Butter. I believe he said “better than any Corn Bread he has ever tasted”. A light and fluffy feeling, the butter is so finely melted within the bread that it provides the perfect moist feeling. He also had the BBQ Pit Beans with hand-pulled pork which he said were smoky and “umptious”.

Onto the mains. Hickory’s use an actual smoker so whilst many US themed restaurants in the UK will have smoked meats on the menu and class their foods as authentic American styled, most of them won’t have smoked their meat for 16 hours inside a smoker. The Smoker that Hickory’s use is imported from the US and it takes a crane to be delivered onto the premises. The one in Gloucester, named Southern Pride, cooks the meat for 16 hours overnight and is manned the next day by a trained pit master – not just your average person who has been taught the job of chef in a few hours. The Pit Master takes pride in their work and ensures the guests get the finest meats that they can get – the kind of brisket and ribs that fall off the bone. In the smoker they use Oak and birch wood.

If you look closely to the above photo you will see the ribs have been generously seasoned, smothered with what they call ‘Magic Dust’. The ribs are then smoked for four hours. You can also choose the following sauces.

BBQ SAUCE
BOURBON
MAPLE

Ribs were one of the choices our party went for and were described as soft, succulent, tender and moreish. The meat just slipped off of the bone. Ribs can be hit or miss in most places in the UK but at Hickory’s, they were definitely a hit.

I opted for the Smoked Brisket Sub. The brisket is slow cooked for 16 hours and packed in a sub with pepper sauce, onions, sweet peppers & cheese and with a pot of Texas gravy for dippin’. It also comes with fries and Slaw. The fries taste great dipped in the Texas Gravy. Not a massive fan of subs usually, this was easily one of the tastiest things I have ever had and I will definitely order it again. The coleslaw was also beautiful. I was very full after but of course, had to make room for pudding. However, before we rush onto the desserts, we must mention the kids mains. Good value for money, the kids meals, I believe, were around £7-£8. Our children had mac ‘n’ cheese and Popcorn Southern Fried Chicken. They were all happy and polished off their plates.

So, on to the desserts. The kids actually opted for a full sized dessert and it really isn’t hard to see why when I tell you what they had. Now the kids options were great and did suit my youngest who had Vanilla Fro-co (frozen custard) which was make your own. He was given American Quarters (I think) to go to the sweet dispensers and choose his own toppings.

Our other kids chose Campfire S’mores. The kids got to toast a set of marshmallow skewers over their very own table top campfire where they could dip the skewers into rich melted chocolate, then sandwich between crunchy s’mores biscuits. For every Campfire Marshmallow dessert sold, Hickory’s donate £1 to Cash for Kids.

I opted for The Cookie Creation which was three warm homemade chocolate chip cookies served with toffee sauce, fro-co, fudge pieces, honeycomb & mini marshmallows. The cookies were huge and doughy and very filling but absolutely worth it!

We had many options for drinks which also makes us want to return. Raspberry and Blueberry lemonades and Peach Sweet Tea on our table, we can’t wait to try more!

With great hospitality, sensational food and wonderful entertainment for the kids, we are in the process of booking our next visit already.

I have been to many UK based American themed restaurants and have been very happy with them. However, none of them have made me miss them and talk about them continuously straight after our visit as much as Hickory’s have. We will undoubtedly make this place a home away from home, after all, we need to try everything on the menu, it’d be rude not to! Check out the menu here.

The Gloucester Branch are celebrating their first birthday on August 12th 2025.

From 12pm to 9pm to say a big Hickory’s thank you, they’re throwin’ a 1st Birthday party—and you’re invited! They’ll have something for everyone, from classic American cars & live music, to cotton candy & face painting for the little ones. Take on their hot sauce tasting challenge if you’re feeling brave, or just relax in the garden with a cocktail! More info here!

Sports fans will also be pleased to hear that Hickory’s have NFL Sundays and also show the Super Bowl and are open for the whole of the Super Bowl night – what better place to watch NFL in true American style with wings and beer! More info here