I was looking for a fast lunch and have been wanting to stop in here ya know check it out. This place has been in business for 35 years- admirable! I wanted to love this place, you walk in and feel like you've traveled back in time. Down home & very southern feel (to be expected). The food was not great but the service was some of the best I've ever had. Very friendly owners and super hospitable. I'm hoping I just got the wrong things. My recommendation was "everything". I went with the smoked chicken and for my sides I chose the collard greens & baked beans. Collard greens were very tasty! Beans were just okay. The chicken was the most disappointing as it was very dry. A fast lunch indeed but I would have given more time for some juicier chicken! Maybe next time. If you're on the edge of trying it, I say go for it. Get the collard greens. Pro tip- this place is connected to a biscuit place. was told they have the best biscuits in town. read more

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Amazing Service!!! Pulled up in the truck. Honked. Out came the server with a smile. Pulled pork and slaw...Honey Hush!! So Good! Thank You Hickory Pig for being the best BBQ with a smile!! read more

Good BBQ and service for a hole in the wall place. You can get sandwiches or bulk buy to take with you. Only draw back is they don't serve banana pudding read more

It was a great place to stop and eat. I would recommend it to anybody. And the gas prices are normal with everybody else.

Ribs were tough, pulled pork was good. Pricey. Was disappointed as this was local owner was sweet. read more

The Hickory Pig has delicious food! Phil is a master barbecuer and a fabulous conversationalist! We enjoyed our lunch thoroughly! read more

This place is the definition of why you go to whole in the wall joints. The staff was amazing the atmosphere was everything you could expect. My dad has 4 rules of real BBQ 1) Do you see the wood 2) Do you smell the smoke 3) they must have 3 different types of meat offered 4) you must be able to get meat without sauce (and of course add your own). Bonus: they let you see the smoker in action. It passed in every way. My favorite was the beans they could not have been better. read more

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Great hole in the wall Q joint. Prepare to sit down and talk with the owners and other "regulars." Soft, tender, and moist pork shoulder; perfectly smoked ribs; killer "nanner pudding" and the best southern sweet tea you will ever have For context, The menu is written with a sharpie on a piece of cardboard; may not be your thing; but sound like my kinda place. Highly Recommend! read more

Um. OMG. So, we're kinda new to Atlanta. And when we first arrived here we picked up the 2011 issue of Atlanta magazine in which they ranked 50 something BBQ places. Now, I've got a bit of a redneck smoker contraption that I like to fool myself into thinking that I know how to use. It could be the beer I drink while I'm slow smoking things that could be causing me problems. I dunno. What I can tell you is that this man is a master. At least in terms of the kind of BBQ I enjoy. And BBQ is an intensely personal thing. It's almost as personal as religion and sexual orientation. But those are different topics. Topics, however, that you probably could talk about at length with Phil. But he'll probably also tell you he's not narcissistic. Ask to see the list of things Phil is and isn't. So this place clearly has been assembled slowly over time. And at admirably low cost. Out back is a screened in building that contains multiple ovens he uses to hold the slow hickory smoked goodness that is his bbq. And I like sauce too. Make my own.. and I think it's pretty dang good. Better than my BBQ. His BBQ? It just doesn't need sauce. You know when you are in a neighborhood and someone has a fire pit going and they're using hardwoods, but it's a ways away from you... maybe a block or two away. And then you catch that ever so lovely whiff of smoke that's got all that peppery earthy smokieness to it without any harshness or acidity... you know that far off smoke smell that smells just soo good?? Phil has figured out how to bottle that and inject it in his BBQ. I'm not kidding. It's the most delicately smoked, yet fully smoked Q I've tried. I had a handful of ribs and some sliced brisket. Both were done to perfection. The Missus had a pulled chicken sandwich. Same. Perfect. And the beans and Brunswick stew... oh my. Look, he's got a lot of cuts on hand, usually. But it's a small operation so don't be all uptight if he doesn't have exactly the cut or type you want. Just try something else. Have a seat and enjoy the conversation. I assure you, you will not be disapointed. read more

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Yay! I'm a fan. For the initial review. But don't be thinking Mr. Bill Addison is a BBQ food writer. I believe this spot won out as the #1 joint in Atlanta Magazine based on the ability of Phil, the sweet helper, and quintessential Georgia Que' ambiance. The decor is the classic redneck style...basically you take everything off your coffee table at home and nail it to the wall....then you have a garage sale....what ever is left after this garage sale you take it and nail it to the wall....done Example: Big Mouth Billy Bass BOX--not the f''''n annoying talkin' bass but just the box w/ two nails like it is mounted in respect to the verbally infused fish that died of over use. The smoker did give me a slight jolt of pure BBQ bliss as I snuck out the back door and lifted the cover of this rust covered rig..Looked good but I don't know about number 1 good. I came for a Tuesday lunch(Wedn. is the same.) Stew and Que--ONLY--I kind of dig on the menu options. Yes, we ordered the entire menu, but they do have a larger selection on Thur, Friday, and Saturday Night. Which is why this is just an initial review. Brunswick Stew--meat a-plenty, vegetable a-few, Lima beans a-none, and seasoning a-missing. Not magazine worthy. Que Sandwhich- fatty, good flavor, moist almost wet, pickles, decent sauce, bun gets soggy, smoke is good, sandwhich is full of meat, and a good price. Phil is happier than a pig in sh'''t to get this recognition, and after twenty years of being in this gravel parking lot/redneck food court, you can't but feel a little happy for the good ol' boy. That's why I give an initial review rounded up to four stars....the BBQ Blissful Gods have smiled down on The Hickory Pig and gave them a jolt of business that can only make you feel good when you see the ol' timers face lit up. 3.5 stars Chef Invisible--Out read more

Hickory Pig - The Decor - Barbeque Near Me - Gainesville, Georgia

Found this spot driving thru. Arrived at 605pm.. they were closed but the man offered me inside and cooked me up 2 jumbo sandwiches! Very nice people!! Awesome little shack. The pork was fire!!! Melted in my mouth. It was fatty and flavorful. Not too fatty just right. Very tender.. Melted... The sauce was great too. I scarfed down two after eating nothing that day. My dog enjoyed a few bites too. Soooooo good. Will definitely be back if I'm nearby. read more

Hickory Pig - Jumbo pork sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Gainesville, Georgia

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The food was horrible. We spent $6 on a sandwich and it was tiny and the meat was terrible. It was dry and parts were green, I couldn't even eat it. Had to just throw it my cats. Their signature sauce is just as bad, absolutely no flavor. I have no idea how they are allowed to sell food to the public. read more

The brisket sandwich was super yummy! I will definitely be going back to try more! read more

Hickory Pig - When asked if we wanted a business card...they hand made one. Love them!! :D - Barbeque Near Me - Gainesville, Georgia

As one frequent customer put it while we were there: "You don't come here for the ambience." While that may be true, it certainly has its own distinct style. The owner, Phil, has thrown stuff on the wall in a mishmash way. Local sports pictures and articles. A picture of the Oscar Meyer Weiner truck. And the hind quarters of a stuffed hog. To be honest, the interior is pretty endearing. But, don't come expecting some kitchie, yuppie place. There are only three tables inside and you may have to sit with folks you don't know. That's a good thing. Because, it seems, everyone who is in there knows Phil or his right-hand lady, "Lil Bit." Hickory Pig is a true gem. We were traveling on our way up to Clayton to the mountains from Atlanta and decided we wanted some good BBQ. Instead, we got great BBQ. Phil puts a lot of love into his pork. And he'll tell you all about it. Honestly, the conversation was probably just as good as the food. We stayed well over an hour and we were actually in a hurry! The pulled pork is delectable. That smoky, hickory flavor just comes through. It's so tender. The Brunswick stew also has a smoky flavor and is really good. The beans could use a little punch, so we added a little sauce and voila! The slaw wasn't too sweet and was probably my least favorite side we tried. Phil also brought us some brisket and a rib to try. UNREAL. My wife was upset that she didn't get the brisket; we didn't see it on the menu (and by menu, I mean the chalkboard on the wall). After telling us some more stories, Phil asked if we wanted some "semi-homemade" Nanner Pudding (on the house). Of course, we obliged and said yes. It was light and smooth, although I prefer mine with a few more banana pieces. Phil explained that he doesn't load up his BBQ with all kinds of rubs and spices. He has been doing this for over 20 years and swears by oxygen. That's right, oxygen. Ask him about it. :) Before we left, Phil insisted we come out back and see the Karaoke Barn. My wife and I looked at each other and said, "Karaoke Barn?" Phil said we had to come out and listen to "Lil Bit" sing some Patsy Kline. Who could pass up Lil Bit singing Patsy Kline? So, we all journeyed out back to the Karaoke Barn and listened to Lil Bit sing; Phil, not to be outdone, sang a few bars as well. At one point, I wondered if we were in the Twilight Zone. This place is a true treasure. If you live in, or around, Gainesville, you need to swing into the Hickory Pig. I promise you will have an experience you won't soon forget. read more

Don't judge it on appearances, this is outstanding barbecue. The tiny dining room is full of hand-written signs and cheesy decorations; exactly what you'd expect from a roadside barbecue place. Don't expect white tablecloths and a wine list; but if you want a great pulled pork sandwich, this is the place. read more

Delicious. Down home, backyard style place. Its really a dreamy BBQ experience if you like grillin' n' chillin and southern BBQ. This guy is living the dream, and serving up some awesome BBQ. I saw them in Garden and Gun magazine 20 best BBQ sandwiches article and popped the address in the GPS. About 1 mile from my daughters house. I rolled 40 minutes to discover they were closed on Sunday but the sight of the place left me longing for a plate of their Q. I have never eaten anything here other than a jumbo BBQ sandwich with slaw and pickles, and I cant go by the place without my car automatically turning in. Just writing this review is causing me to go get a sammich right now! You will think you are in your own back yard relaxing and your tastebuds will love you. read more

We were in the hunt for good BBQ in the area, so after reading many great reviews of this place, we were excited to give it a try. Upon entering the little dining area, we liked that the small dining room was mostly full, but when we looked closer, the hallway next to the kitchen were cluttered with old, dusty things or pieces of papers pinned to the walls, and the small shelf where some pig figurines are displayed was also very dusty and with other junk piled on top of it. The dining rooms have flies buzzing around and the "self-served" drinks were basically jugs of dollar-store-buys of soda or flavored drink, and a jug of distilled water with a small ice bucket next to it. We ordered a couple of lunch plates with sides and had a shock when we saw the bill to be $25 dollars! We think that's definitely overpriced for what you get, both the quality of food and the atmosphere. The service was just ok, the owner of the restaurant came in at some point with fly swatter and killed some flies while we were sitting there eating - not a place we want to pay this much again. read more

The sandwich sat in front of me must of weighed half a pound or better. I stared at the thing trying to figure how to pick it up while at the same time calculating where to bite into the behemoth. It seemed to wink back at me like Longstreet at Marye's Heights. The pulled pork was tender yet the outside stringy bark didn't release its potent flavor without a fight. After that first big bite with that first surge of the magnificent sauce swirling across my pallet I could only imagine the size of the belt on any man who could eat two of these bad boy. The Brunswick stew and rich man's beans here are world renowned. Bbq perfectionists from all over the globe come here to get beans and stew. They come from Australia, Belgium, Great Britain and regularly pack Lee Gilmer airport to sample the pitmaster's wares. Ribs here are gently smoked over hickory embers for hours. Service is prompt, affable and genuine. The main dining room caters to the young and old alike, and is often filled to capacity with hungry patrons eager to fill up on what Atlanta magazine has named as best in the state. Despite all this notoriety and fame the joint remains a casual sort of local eatery. Phil knows airplanes! read more

This is a hole in the wall, good ole bbq place. Discovered this place years ago on accident and have been coming back ever since. The meat is perfectly smoked and the entertainment of talking to the owner is as good as it gets. They now take credit cards which is a nice plus. Don't come for ambience, come for the killer food. Both the bbq sandwich and hickory burger are great. read more

This place is delicious and it's always entertaining every time I've been. Great folks. Unbelievable food. Barbecue the way God intended it.

Had a delicious meal there today! Pulled pork sandwich and ribs were tasty!! Good size servings. Owners are wonderful people who shared a sample plate so we could taste before we ordered. Finished it off with banana pudding. My youngest son said it was "amazing". Stop by and have a wonderful meal and visit. read more

Hickory Pig - Stop by and sit a spell - Barbeque Near Me - Gainesville, Georgia

Having read the glowing Yelp reviews and finding myself nearby, my BBQ meter registered a sensational aroma in the wind and directed me to Hickory Pig for a smoky, meaty fix. I will say that the folks at Hickory Pig know how to serve up some excellent BBQ; their simple and honest Hickory smoked meats exploded through my culinary senses in such a way as for me to say they deliver some of the most flavorful BBQ this side of the Mississippi and South of the Dixie line! Their Ribs are expertly prepared; tender, juicy, smoky, and fall-off-the-bone good; their pork is decadently moist and heartily smoky flavored, and their BBQ chicken is some of the BEST I have sank my teeth into! The two choices of sauce (both tomato based with one mild and one slightly hotter) was excellent; each offering a decidedly Southern flavor that never overwhelmed the expertly smoked meats! The Brunswick stew was very tasty as well (I could eat through a gallon of it) and followed the traditional non-chunky recipe with a hint of spiciness. Cole slaw was of the coarsely shredded cabbage style mixed with a little touch of Mayo and slight spice; it was too bland and dry for my taste but not a deal breaker). Drinks are serve yourself canned Coke (Regular, Zero diet), Gallon jug Lemonade, Gallon Jug Water (free) with serve yourself ice from an Igloo style cooler. The decorum is downright backyard shed homey (It's nothing fancy to say the least) and offers three tables of indoor seating with a few "Patio" seats (take out business is brisk but don't let that stop one from eating in house). The BBQ served by Hickory Pig supremely satisfied my BBQ meter, and places them in my BBQ meat heaven! Their PRICES are EXTREMELY reasonable and a down right bargain for the quantity and quality of food served; my three meat combo (not on the chalk board menu but Lil' Bit made up a plate for me anyway) with two sides, a drink, and Nanner Puddin came to $12.00; what a DEAL!!!!! In closing, I'll state that Hickory Pig has some of the BEST smoked meats around, and I concur to all the praise given by Yelpers as well as to the Hickory Pig being exonerated in Atlanta Magazine! An extremely solid 4.9 on my BBQ Meter! read more

I've been to this place many times and I think they are all over the map on the rating. I've been there sometimes when I would give it six stars out of five and I've been there sometimes where I might give it one star out of five. When they have their sides available and are hot they are some of the best sides for a barbecue restaurant that I've ever had. But most of the time they don't have those. They have good barbecue. But you have to know before you go there that this is a classic hole in the wall restaurant. The owner himself will call it a dump. But I will tell you they are capable of having fantastic barbecue if the moon is full. read more

The worst barbecue I've ever eaten in my life. The pulled pork and ribs were undercooked and the sweet tea was store bought. How anyone could rank this higher is a mystery. Please do not go read more

I agree with Atlanta Magazine, Southern Living and Garden and Gun --- the Hickory Pig is the BEST q around! Owner Phil Beaubien is the master of deliciously smoking meat (ask him about the "pink ring"). Pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken and the AMAZING Hickory Hamburger are all perfectly smoked, moist and scrumptious. Seems like Brunswick Stew recipes are as different as fingerprints. HP's take on Brunswick stew is deliciously hardy and the "$4 stew" is a meal in itself. The milk shake (no milk included!) is sinfully rich and not to be missed. If you're lucky, he may also have beef jerky and the BEST cornbread EVER (not available everyday). The BEST collard greens in the world are a perfect match with L'il Bit's (Phil's helper) cornbread. If you love q, Hickory Pig is worth the drive (or flight) from anywhere! read more

Wow! We did not know what to think as we pulled up. Great thing I trust the users on Yelp because reviews previously stated to ignore its outer appearance. I am so glad we followed the red flashing light. As we entered we immediately noticed the personality of the ownership. We were greeted, served samples, influenced, and delighted. The food was great too! If it is your first time I highly recommend the Karaoke. Make sure you request the song Crazy! read more

Phil's Hickory Pig BBQ is the best that I've had in Georgia and in my top five from North Carolina to Texas. I've been there 6 or 7 times and had everything that Phil has pulled off the smoker, BBQ cooked to prefection, meat is jucy not dry, not to much smoke like some joints do, Brunswick Stew is the best that I've had anywhere hands down. You will not meet a nicer guy than Phil, and find any better BBQ than at The Hickory Pig in Gainesville Georgia. read more

Been going to Phil's for years - 45 minutes from where I live, but well worth the trip

Come on in for some tasty BBQ!! It's not a huge place, but it's good food and a great value. The best part is sitting and chatting with the owners. The sides do more than just fill the plate too! Will definitely be back!! read more

Was a bit disappointed after all the reviews. I asked for brisket plate. Got pulled pork. Oh well. At 12$ for a plate, there was not a lot of food. I will say the baked beans were smoky goodness. The pulled pork was ok. read more

Loved the BBQ! The people were fun to talk to as well. My wife and I will definitely be going back.

I don't get it. The baked beans were very bland and the pulled pork was wet alright, but with condensation, not barbecue sauce. What's charming about six jugs of various Kool-Aid type drinks and/or some distilled water offered up as "help yourself" beverage options? The ribs were dry, not tender, and don't tell me that I could have "helped myself" to the disgusting looking sauce to make them more palatable. I am most disturbed by the fact the some food writer in the Atlanta magazine gave it such glowing reviews. Really misleading. read more

I love BBQ, and I have made road trips from Memphis to the Carolinas in search of great 'que. Therefore, after reading the great reviews on this site and others, I was very excited to eat at the Hickory Pig, but as you can tell by my rating, the experience was disappointing. Unfortunately, the meat and sides were very watery and bland - bordering on disgusting. In fact, if I hadn't seen the smokers out front, I would have sworn the meat had been cooked in a crockpot. In addition to the flavorless meat, the baked beans were clearly from a can, and the sweet tea was the Laura Lynn variety sold at Ingles. Where was this mouth-watering BBQ that everyone raved about? Where was the BBQ worth driving miles for? Sadly - after five bites - I tossed my full plate into the trash can because I literally could not take another spoonful. Simply, it was a terrible meal. read more

Stopped in here after rowing Nationals. Best Decision!!! Great food! Cool atmosphere! If you are in the mood for southern BBQ this is the place to go! The owners are the sweetest couple you've ever seen! They even sang some karaoke for us after we ate. They got us started on some pulled pork sandwiches as soon as we sat down, and then gave us so many options it was hard to choose. Can't go wrong with any of the food here, and well worth the 30 minute drive that it was out of the way! read more

My father is a bigger BBQ fan than me. But Hickory Pig has made me a believer. I come here once a week sometimes twice and my dad comes here 2 to 4 times a week. When we do come we stay for an hour to two and half hours entranced in conversation and BBQ smoked to perfection. Gotta try it, and don't forget to tip lil bit!!! Lil bit is Phil's sidekick. read more

Seemed like nice folks, but unfortunately the worst BBQ I've ever tasted. Pulled pork sandwich meat tasted like crock pot meat and it was just a big soggy mess.. Brisket sandwich was marginally better but tasted roasty. At least it had a hint of smoke and sauce, unlike the pulled pork. A big NO for us. read more

I don't think I have ever had such a crazy, tasty experience and ended up without a burger. I guess I should have had a few expectations about the experience from the line on the website that says "Please call before you come as we may have stepped away on a catering mission". Phil and Lil Bit were the gracious hosts. I was stunned at first when I asked for the famous Hickory burger and the said "we don't have any burgers". After much grumbling, I ordered the yummy pork sandwich but I kept saying, "it's not a burger". I can easily see why they were voted #1 BBQ in Atlanta for 2010 as it was super tender and the sauce has a great flavor. Turns out when I mentioned about my little blog, the Hickory Pig only makes a certain number of burgers per day. Phil was very apologetic and said next time if I gave him a heads up ahead of time he would make sure to have a burger waiting for me. He proceeded to describe the burger making process until I had to wipe the drool off my chin. Then Phil and Lil Bit gave us a tour of the premises including the outside screened in dining area and a karaoke concert. As we were leaving, we got an added bonus. They gave my friend a cat to take home, like a parting gift from a game show. They are only open Tues & Wed 11-2 for "stew & cue" and Thurs-Sat 11-6 but don't forget to call first. read more

You must visit this place. Even if this place were truly awful, I'd say come here anyway just to meet the owner Phil, who is just a genuinely good and funny guy. Fact of the matter is that this is top-notch BBQ. But that's only part of the experience. I drove up and he noticed the New York license plates and screamed out, "All right, a New Yorker!" I hopped out of the question and he said, "Whatever you ask, the answer is Yes." I asked him if he was open (it was about 10:45 AM and he opens at 11 AM). He said Yes and escorted me into the place. This is a shack. A third of the place is the kitchen. Half of the place is seating, which probably comfortably sits only five. He told me to grab a seat. He seemed genuinely excited. Before I could even say anything, he says, "You probably don't know what you want. I'm just gonna bring you one of everything." And he actually did! Brisket sandwich, pulled pork, chicken, burger, brisket, ribs, corn bread, Brunswick stew, cole slaw, collard greens, beans, and banana pudding. He and some other friends sat there with me while I ate. I honestly felt like I was in their house and they being gracious with me as their guest. When I finished, I asked if I could see the smoker. He actually showed me the hickory wood, the hand-made smoker, and how he made each meat. He's been here 20 years and it started as a hobby. I asked him what he does if things are slow. He walks me to another shack where he entertains himself with a karaoke machine. Back in the dining area, he asked me if he ever received a "Redneck business card." I said No. He takes a stamper, stamps a random piece of cardboard, and cuts up the cardboard with scissors. "Here you go!" and hands me his business card with a smile. This guy is a riot. I asked him how much I owed. I had a $20 ready. "Seven dollars," he said. I was shocked. I told him I could pay him more. "It's not about the money," he told me. The BBQ is fantastic. No sauce needed. Fall off the bone. Sides are excellent too, including the Brunswick stew. All of those things and actually getting to spend time with an honest guy who loves BBQ and pleasing customers. Is it worth the 1 hour drive from Atlanta? Without a doubt yes! read more

Wow, talk about southern hospitality. We recent moved to Georgia and wanted to get some great BBQ, after doing some online searching we ended up at the Hickory Pig. It was early afternoon and we had the place to ourselves. The food was delicious (especially the brisket) and company was even better. The owner, Phil came out and sat with us. He also had us try almost everything on the menu.. on the house. We ended up spending a good chunk of our afternoon at the Pig and can't wait to go back. read more

My favorite BBQ in Gainesville - I live near Braselton & it takes over 30 minutes to get their from home, from the office (Gainesville) 12 to 15 minutes. It is always well worth the trip - Phil ( the owner) is a fun guy to spend time with. I try and go on Fridays read more