This place is a hidden gem. I first heard about it from Greg, and I'm glad I gave it a try. For about $38, the dino ribs alone will put a smile on your face. Just make sure you call ahead or go on the weekend--that's usually when they have them. If you don't, you might miss out and end up with pastrami instead... but honestly, that's not a bad backup at all. The pastrami is meaty, flavorful, and pretty addictive. The tots are another highlight. They come with their honey rub (aka "fairy dust"), and it's seriously good. If you haven't tried this place yet, I definitely recommend it. It's one of those spots you'll want to come back to. read more

Second time at this BBQ joint. Came back mainly for the Beef Short Ribs which is only available every other Sunday. And it didn't disappoint. The Spare Ribs were good as usual. But the Briskets and Corn Muffins are a big dry. Therefore I'm only giving 4 stars for the food. Service is great and as a bonus treat, Greg from "Grub with Greg" YT channel and his son came in, so you know it's gotta be good for this to be his frequent spot. read more

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The Sunday Beef Rib Special is legit! The food here is consistently great and never disappoints. The Onion Rings are always a crowd favorite and we find ourselves always placing a to go order of the onion rings to take home. When you walk up to the counter to order the staff is very knowledgeable and able to field the questions we have. The restaurant is always clean, tables are bussed with a sense of urgency and presentable upon walking in. It's Always a treat to hit Hickory and Spice when driving up from San Diego. read more

Wowie!!! This place is delicious. Ate here last night and came back again. Onion rings are THE BOMB. Crunchy and full of flavor. They are a great addition to the wonderful sandwiches. Pulled pork is incredible, tender and flavor is great. Nice coleslaw too. The lean brisket is another great item. The tacos perfect!! Ranch beans are new for us and again, yummy. The service is so good- everyone is happy and food served quickly. Clean and cute location. TVs and a bar area in addition to tables. Walk up and order and choose your seat. Definitely visit this spot. Well worth the drive and price. Incredible!! read more

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I highly recommend Hickory & Spice. The food is quality, the ambience is nice, and the people are friendly. I had the brisket and a side of onion rings. The onion rings are a must have. Huge onions, crispy batter, and they were perfectly done. The brisket was tender and delicious. The owner came out and talked to various patrons. He also buses tables. He's won many a BBQ contest, but he's humble and you can tell that this is his life's work. The restaurant is kept clean. They have a water jug where you can refill your water and they have a little plant underneath to catch any drippings. The staff clean tables and sweep underneath. To me it's all about the details from the food to the experience. Go to Hickory & Spice and support a local business owner who knows his craft and does it well. read more

Sooo delicious!!! Definitely get the Dino ribs!!!! And the onion rings and the brisket sandwich was delicious tooo!!!! Definitely going to be our go to spot!!! read more

Hickory & Spice - Dino beef ribs only on the weekends - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

My husband is a huge BBQ fan and this spot hits the spot! The onion rings are so crispy and have a sweetness to it. I usually don't care for brisket, but this one was so good. It had a yummy pepper flavor to it and was so tender. Ribs were also really good, it wasn't fall off the bone, but still tender and flavorful. The Mac n cheese was probably the only thing I didn't care for, I don't really like the grainy-ness of it. The staff was really nice and attentive, the chef even came out to check on us. I wish this was closer to me, but I would def come back if I was in the area. Oh! The pickles were really good too! It was crunchy, tangy, and sweet. read more

Hickory & Spice - Pulled pork and onion rings - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

Had a craving for BBQ so I stopped by for dinner tonight. While this place wasn't the best, it did satisfy my bbq craving (for now). The restaurant is located in the Target plaza with plenty of parking nearby. The restaurant has a bar area and plenty of seating as well. You order at the counter and then grab a seat at either area while you wait for your food. They also have a takeout area with spices and sodas you can check out while you wait. Service was nice and they were quick with our food. I ordered the 3 piece brisket plate with mac & cheese and cornbread, onion rings, and a five piece pork rib plate with beans and cole slaw. The mac & cheese was grainy and pretty bland, which was a disappointment considering the smoked cheeses that were used. The beans were also overly sweet and overpowered by the peppers that were used. I was really hoping to get more of a smoky flavor on both these items, and that was missing unfortunately. The cole slaw was great, especially for those who like vinegar-based cole slaw. The onion rings were good too, though I wish they had ranch because that would've made them great. The cornbread was just fine, nothing special. The stars of the show were the meats, the brisket was juicy and tender, and the ribs were fantastic. The ribs were my favorite thing, they were tender and pulled off the bone effortlessly, and were packed with tons of flavor. Both meats came with bbq sauce which also provided lots of flavor. If I were to come back, I'd totally get a rib plate and coleslaw, which is what I'd recommend to anyone visiting. Overall, this place has some promise, but it's not the best bbq I've had in OC. I'd say it's worth a visit if you're in the area, but I'd avoid the sides and focus on the meats. read more

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It's so amazing , so delicious smoked brisket, mouth-watering spare bribs, MAC cheese so delicious , bbq ribs we tried everything we recommend 100%. read more

There's already a line when we got here at 11:35 (It opened at 11:30). Took 30' before we got to the cashier to order. We knew what we wanted. Took us less than 2' to order. Got a table. It is 12:36 now and still no food. It's Mother's day but mind me mostly men/guys here so can't blame the holidays. Only one cashier who also runs back and forth to clean the tables in between orders. Poor him. Cheap owner not hiring enough staff. Do better!!! read more

Had to come check out Hickory & Spice after hearing several friends rave about it. I'm pleased to report, the hype is real! The dining area is cozy yet spacious and is arranged nicely. Orders are placed at the counter and delivered to your table when it's ready. Beverage selection is comprised of canned soda and bottled water/tea. There is also a sit down bar. Service was outstanding! The counter employee was friendly, efficient, and happy to answer questions. Throughout the meal the workers checked in on us and the owner even stopped by our table to ask how we were doing. The food was delicious! In order to try more things, I shared everything with my friend. The turkey sandwich was ah-mazing! Sliced, smoked turkey breast with melted cheese, a very yummy honey mustard sauce (and I usually don't like mustard!), and a very nice cranberry pecan spread had me wishing I didn't have to share! The adult mac & cheese was creamy and cheesy with bits of bacon mixed in was definitely more sophisticated than the average mac & cheese! The cheeses were very mild, so this dish could've used some more seasoning. We also had the tots with "fairy dust" which were perfectly crunchy with a hint of sweetness. Looking forward to coming back soon. And I won't be sharing my turkey sandwich next time :) read more

Hickory & Spice - Adult mac & cheese and tater tots - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

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Love, love BBQ- was checking out a few places close to my job. Saw the reviews for Hickory and Spice and decided to try it. Shout to Stefano for taking my order- really nice, down to earth!!! To Go Order Large Beef Brisket Plate with A Large Side of Adult Mac and Cheese, Ranch Beans- and additional sides of Creamed Corn and Onion Rings. Beef Brisket so tender and juicy- just how i like it- some BBQ places leave the Brisket too long- a big slab of beef jerky. I dont who the GRILL MASTER is behind the scenes, but He has definitely mastered the ART of grilling BBQ. FYI you dont need teeth to eat this meat (Brisket). OMG so good -- give this man a TV show!!! Whoever grilled this brisket has some blessed hands!!! The Adult Mac and Cheese is good- I like Mac and Cheese with a slight crusting of cheese on top of mixed in. Oohwee the onion rings!!!! I asked for Ranch dressing, Roddy said they only serve honey mustard and ketchup with the onion rings. Funny thing is I didnt use either- the onion rings dont need any sauce. The onion rings are so crunchy with a slight hint of honey flavor. I kept eating until there was only two left in the container- Man this is soo good!! The Ranch Beans hands down the best in the Cali- if there is anyone who can top these RANCH beans I love to know.. There is a melange of beans, onions, and peppers- omg so tasty!! Last but most definitely not least - the creamed corn- can you make the sides larger- I will definitely buy!!! I dont know if there is cheese mixed in with the corn but it is delicious!!! Hickory and Spice and all that's nice-YOU definitely have some winning food combinations!!! read more

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A friend and I stopped by Hickory & Spice for some BBQ lunch. You place your order at the register and then they deliver it to your table. There are mostly tables inside but there are also a few booths by the entrance. They also have a bar area and there are several TVs usually playing sports. There is a ton of parking right out front. I ordered the regular pork spare rib plate with tater tots. The ribs had great flavor and the meat practically fell off the bone. There were only three bones but they do have a large size with five bones and an additional side if you want more. The tater tots were good and there were a lot of them. I liked the pickles and pickled onions on the plate which complimented the rest of the plate well. They also have a variety of different BBQ sauces if you want to try something besides the default sauce. I heard that the onion rings here were very good so I had to order those as well and they definitely did not disappoint. They had a great thick crispy panko crust and the fairy dust sprinkle gives them a little sweetness. My friend is a regular here and he devoured the large pulled pork plate with creamed corn and ranch beans. The owner is very friendly and stopped by several tables before stopping by ours to say hello. We actually chit chatted about different BBQ places and then he generously brought out a few burnt ends for us to enjoy. They were melt in your mouth delicious. Hickory & Spice is very solid BBQ. All BBQ places are on the expensive side but the quality here is top notch and the owner and pitmaster has won many national awards for his BBQ. read more

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This was my first time trying this place and it definitely won't be my last!!! The food was superb. I tried the beef brisket sandwich with a side of tater tots, my husband had the beef brisket plate with tots and Mac n cheese. He also had the homemade corn bread. The meat was cooked to perfection very tender and great flavor. The place is nice we went around 1pm and there was plenty of seating. This place is definitely worth trying read more

Hickory & Spice - Beef brisket sandwich and tater tots - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

I ordered a Regular Beef Brisket Plate with the "Adult" Mac-n-Cheese for the one side. Pros: 1. Brisket was tender, almost melt in your mouth. I appreciated that they included strips with varied marbleization. 2. I like when pickled items are part of the plate, especially if they're made in-house. Pickles were sour while the onions were sweet, so you get a good mix. Cons: 1. Smaller portion than I had expected for a regular-sized hearty meal. It looked a little sad on the metal tray. 2. Brisket was very salty. I didn't want to add any sort of sauce to offset it since I was worried about overpowering flavors, and I don't like brisket doused with sweet barbecue sauce. 3. "Adult" mac was disappointing with how bland it was. I love smoked gouda, but this mac didn't taste cheesy enough to me, or maybe it needed some more salt. Also, the thick, starchy tubes of penne didn't seem like the best vehicle for the blend if cheeses used. I'd prefer elbow, shell, or corkscrew. I sampled a burnt end from my friend's plate, and it was decent. Different from the mouthwatering, savory, juicy meat cubes in the Midwest, cuz those are something else. They set the bar pretty high, so props to Hickory and Spice for offering their version of a beloved food. Free lot parking is part of the large corner plaza. Fast-casual spot where you order up front a then take your number to one of the many tables inside. Service was quick and friendly. Staff dropped by many times to check on us. Interior was clean and casual. You can tell that they take pride in what they do there. read more

Hickory & Spice - Regular brisket plate with "Adult" mac-n-cheese. Both were ok. Small portion. Burnt ends were just added for the pic - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

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Ribs are yummy and service here is always 10/10. The restaurant is very clean and love their sides! Especially their coleslaw and ONION RINGSSSSSSS read more

I wish I would have had a chance to leave a review based on the food because the pictures looked good but unfortunately I did not get the opportunity. As soon as we walked in, no one greeted us. The staff saw us but went about their business. Today is my boyfriend's birthday and he was extremely excited to try the ribs since he chose the spot. It was so unwelcoming and uncomfortable that even my kids noticed and wanted to leave. I hope they really make an effort to change they treat anyone who walks in. read more

Amazing service, incredible food, Onion rings and brisket to die for. They opened early for me, and accommodated a large order for my high school. the decor and the smell are off the charts, pics to come read more

Plenty of parking and we got there right when it opened so there wasn't a line; however one did form after we sat down! The ribs were so good we had to order another rack! We'll pass on the brisket next time - flavor was good but a little tough for us. We'll definitely also get the pulled pork, onion rings and creamed corn again. The flavors were delicious! The cornbread is a little small for $2 but my toddler and husband enjoyed it! My toddler also liked the Mac but I wouldn't order it again for myself. I'll definitely be back - the food and service were great and we were all stuffed! read more

Got $7.50 overcharge return. What for wasting my time? Rebuke. They decided to indicate that they consider me a chronic yelp complainer. Which I took to be the opposite of "making it right "! Not even a sorry for the overcharge. They decided that you can't please everyone. ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T ATTEMPT TO They must think they're the only bbq joint around. Gladly not. Be aware the management is of poor quality. I don't support that. I'll never be back. Good riddance! read more

Amazing little spot! Cool place to watch the game and grab a beer and some BBQ! I will say their beef rib they do bi weekly is absolutely amazing! Their normal pork ribs are also top notch! My only wish is if they have a jalapeños and cheese sausage or any sausage for that matter. There kids meals are clutch my son loved it and there was a generous portion which we appreciate! The gentleman who took our order was also our "server" he was very nice and helpful but you could tell he was being pulled all over! They could use a little help in the front but hardly an issue. For larger parties there is a nice room for a larger group. All in all super cool ! Super good and definitely worth supporting local! Also! Onion rings are lit! read more

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My new fave BBQ in OC! I've been meaning to try Hickory & Spice for quite a while, but honestly every time I get excited about trying a BBQ place in OC, it ends up feeling and tasting like more style over substance --- BBQ for Instagram. Hickory & Spice gloriously breaks that trend with its incredible flavors and balance that show a focus on the FOOD. Every element is painstakingly thought out and executed: the deep smoke ring, the slight crunch of the rub, the slight tartness of the sauce (served on the side, of course), the sun dried tomatoes in the mac and cheese to counter the gooey richness, the refreshing coleslaw. Even the great selection of IPAs points toward how much heart has gone into curating all elements of the menu. How good was it? I absolutely destroyed the 3 rib platter, including the additional side, and went back to add a brisket sandwich, which had an amazing mango slaw to balance the incredibly succulent meat. I rolled out if there much more stuffed than I'd intended, but thrilled to have found a new go-to. Service was also friendly and spot-on, and I love seeing the chef/owner making the rounds with customers. It shows how much he really cares. read more

Excellent food,excellent service. Very friendly atmosphere, my family and I will definitely come back for Tacos and barbecue. Thank you for the hospitality, we really appreciate it! See you soon. read more

Hickory & Spice - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

Yes, this is the place for fantastic ribs and brisket. Once u eat here, no other place comes close. Rick, the owner is a great host, brought some brisket to try and the banana crack is unique and so good. Onion rings one of best ever. Prices are very reasonable and love their music. I give it a 9.5 out of 10 and we are very discriminating. Yum!!! read more

Our smoked-meats obsessed friend said Hickory & Spice is the best BBQ spot in OC--and he's not wrong. After years of hearing him rave about this place, we finally came. It was absolutely delicious. For our family of 4, we ordered 1/2 pound brisket, full rack of ribs, Mac and cheese, tater tots and creamed corn. It was by far the best brisket and ribs we've ever had. The ribs were tangy and fell right off the bone. The side dishes were unreal. We couldn't stop eating everything! Our friend mentioned that you need to come early because they're so popular, they'll run out of meats sometimes. They have a really good beer selection, with a lot of options from Brewery X. The service was great--and the owner (who is the chef) came out to welcome us and make sure we had everything we needed. The seating at the bar has a nice vibe, and the tables in the dining area are open and spacious. We will DEFINITELY be returning again and again. read more

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Too expensive for the amount of meat. The brisket was a little too fatty. The ribs were okay, fall off the bone but flavor was too salty for both. read more

That was a super tasty sweet potato side dish! It gave me an awesome memory of my childhood! That sweet surrender-banana pudding is STOOOO-pid good! I can't put my spoon down! Lol. See you guys real soon! read more

Delicious Get the BRISKET I'm telling you, the tots are great too!! The online rings everything was great. read more

We found this gem on yelp after church one Sunday. Their brisket was so good it is worth the drive from Corona on the 91. That says a lot. We have been there twice now and will go back soon. read more

brisket was really good, not dry at all and very flavorful. did not need any extra sauce pit master came out to check on us as well super nice service would come back again definitely read more

Freshest and tasty bbq I've ever had. Meat falls right off the bone. The side are a good size portion. The cashier and waiter were very attentive and good making recommendations. In my opinion the mac n cheese wasn't my favorite tasted very oily but everything else was delicious. read more

Hickory & Spice - 1/2 lb brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

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Been to several BBQ places in the OC, but this place is the best. We love the beef rib, turkey sandwich, and the spare ribs best. For sides, can't beat the bean, tater tots, onion rings. Service is always great, and the owner walks the floor interacting with customers when not in the kitchen. Nice friendly place with great food. read more

Hickory & Spice - Beef rib, tater tots, and beans. - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

Came in for lunch and we ordered 2 brisket sandwiches and a side of cornbread (only $2). The food arrived pretty quickly and I was surprised the buns were not warm but over all the meat was super tender and they paired it with a mango salsa and coleslaw mixture which I thought paired nicely and balanced the meat. They also had a little bar area with beers on tap and were showing a football game so I'm sure this is a cool hang out place for friends. Would come back! read more

Hickory & Spice - Brisket sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

The food is pretty good. Excellent brisket. Can't say much about the environment, I had take out. Same goes for the service. I can only say the biggest drawback is the high. Very expensive read more

Always looking for bbq so checked this place out and convinced friends to try it too. Very sad that none of us were happy with our orders. The sandwiches were small burger buns that seemed old. They were dry and stale and had very little meat. For $20 it was quite a disappointment. Was so sorry I talked friends into going with us. They need to make some upgrades to what they offer. Awards are great but worth nothing when served as we got it. Too many restaurant choices and this place won't be our choice in the future. read more

My first visit to Hickory & Spice was very highly-anticipated and I've been wanting to eat here for almost two years, since the time I was still living in Hawaii but I'd be following the social media posts. The world champion pitmaster, Rick Mysse, is as culinarily perfectionistic and ingenious as he is kind, generous, and uplifting. The beef brisket was the material realization of perfection in the world of beef briskets... so tender, flavorful, substantive, and clean. The pulled pork was also breathtakingly perfect... meaty, clean, an amazing mouthfeel, and so packed with incredible flavor. The ranch beans had such a complex and almost addicting taste that also was filling enough at the same time. The cornbread was light-tasting (not greasy) while also having that grainy consistency we all seek when eating cornbread... and it came with a wrapped piece of awesome grass-fed salted butter! When I start making more money, I will be coming here much more frequently. The staff here is so personable, welcoming, and courteous that it was basically a utopian dining experience. The restaurant decor and layout is super clean, spacious, well-designed, and filled with life and history. Next time, I will be buying something from their merchandise section as well. Thank you for making the best BBQ in the world right here in Orange County!! read more

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Everything I've had is excellent here! Wish they were open everyday! Pork Ribs and Pork Belly Burnt Ends are my favorite. Wait staff is great. Always friendly. Atmosphere is relaxing. read more

Hickory & Spice - Pork Belly Burnt Ends! - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

I want success for them, but $30 for a few slices of brisket and terrible beans isn't going to get you there. I was shocked. The wife walked out when she saw the prices. I wanted to see what the hype was about, so I got brisket and beans. Do not recommend. read more

We had a delicious BBQ rib plate with tots and onion rings. All were very good and the staff was pleasant. It also has good ambience. read more

Hickory & Spice - Yum! - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

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Walked in for a family birthday party after hearing about this place on IG and I couldn't even rave more enough. The owner Rick heard that it was his birthday and was so sweet and came over and gave us samples of brisket and their turkey. After we finish eating, he came over to check on us and was just the sweetest very humble guy even though he's one over 350 awards and has beat every pit master on TV. We ordered the burnt ends were amazing with the world, famous onion rings, which had a sweet taste to them. The star of the day was definitely the brisket. We liked it so much that we ended up ordering a pound to go so we would have dinner for that night. It has a great family ambience, but very mom and Pop type of place where the owner just casually comes up and checks in on you make sure that you're doing well. You can tell the owner started it as a hobby because of the love that he has for barbecue and just wants people to eat good. Also, Stefano had great hospitality and was checking on us bringing us different sauces, and a taste of their turkey and making sure we were happy. We are definitely gonna be coming back and have already told lots of our friends about the place. Thank you so much Stefano and Rick you guys were awesome. See you soon! read more

Hickory & Spice - Turkey sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Orange, California

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