Nearly a month after taking down its “Opening May 17th” banner, Hickory Ridge BBQ finally opened its doors Saturday on the northeast corner of Ellsworth and Ocotillo roads in Queen Creek.
The Texas-style barbecue joint takes its name, in part, from owner Kevin Ridge (pictured below with his wife, Laura), who ran a catering business in California before moving to the East Valley two years ago.
Ridge’s strip-mall space is mostly designed for takeout and catering. A long, gray counter runs the width of the shallow storefront. A couple of small tables can accommodate, maybe, 10 people.
The décor underwhelms. A few star-shaped accent pieces and a piece of needlework reading “Today’s menu: Take it or leave it” hang on the dull yellow walls. The menu is written on the back wall.
What Hickory Ridge lacks in amenities, though, it tries to make up with a tempting lineup of smoked meats, Southern-style sides and desserts.
Sandwiches, served on cornmeal-dusted buns, are good-sized. The pulled pork version ($5.95) has very tender meat, while sliced beef brisket ($5.95) has a smokier flavor.
But the highlight of both sandwiches — and the real star at Hickory Ridge — is the barbecue sauce, which is thick, sweet, tangy and delicious.
Other meats are a mixed bag. St. Louis-style ribs ($11.45 half rack, $19.85 full rack) are under-cooked and a little tough, but they’re fairly meaty and have a pleasant flavor, thanks in great part to the sauce.
The sauce also comes to the rescue of smoked chicken ($8.85), which is slightly on the dry side. Hot links ($8.85), sliced lengthwise, have a spiciness that gradually builds without overpowering.
Sandwiches and lunch entrees include choice of side and bread, while dinners include an additional side. Options include barbecue beans, collard greens, potato salad, macaroni salad and cornbread muffins, all serviceable if unremarkable.
Service is friendly, but a work in progress. The counter person has to ask for help several times while punching my order into the computer. I get cornbread instead of the dinner roll I request. Worst of all, the small sweet potato pie ($2.35) I order for dessert is forgotten.
Ultimately, I wouldn’t drive across the East Valley — past Joe’s and Waldo’s and Cooper’s — for Hickory Ridge’s barbecue. But I’ll definitely stop in again when I’m in the area.
HICKORY RIDGE BBQ
Where: 21805 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek (northeast corner of Ellsworth and Ocotillo roads)
Open: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Prices: Sandwiches $5.95, lunch combos $$5.95-$8.95, dinner combos $8.85-$19.85, sides $1.65-$4.45, desserts $2.35.
Info: (480) 987-3995 or hickoryridgebbq.com.
First Taste reviews are based on initial visits to new East Valley restaurants. Full reviews are written after multiple visits, usually over a period of several weeks, after the restaurant has been open at least a couple months.
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You actually stopped in on the first day they opened their doors and were surprised everything wasn’t perfect? Shame on you. You need to give them another shot.
Hickory Ridge has the best pulled pork! And the shop is clean!!!!
That place is kickin and I got great service and the poor counter girl was just nervouse and I feel for her. The food was great!!
Shame on the reviewer for a such a subjective review in the opening week of this place.
Open less than a week amd apparently it is not as good as 2 long established BBQ places, what a suprise.
I have yet to eat there but when I do I hope I will be a little more open minded.
I don’t know how you could even remotely try to compare Hickory Ridge BBq with Waldo’s. So far I don’t know one person that says Waldo’s has good barbeque. I guess you’re just use to that flavor and not real bbq.
FANTASTIc BBQ!!!! Best I’ve eaten in the state! Chicken was amazing! Pulled Pork Incredible! Great addition to Queen Creek!
What a great place. That food is delicious, and good people to boot. Very courteous service. There’s no way Waldo’s even comes close.
Made the trip from Gilbert. Glad I did. Needed to challenge the Trib column on the store. The review was okay; I found the food and service: GREAT!
Stopped there on friday to give them a try. BBQ sauce is great. Now all they have to do is have some meat on the bones that i paid $8.00 for, and they’d have a good meal for the price. My side order was coleslaw, which had all of 3 spoonfuls in the small container.
Might try them again!
I got the pulled pork sandwich with a side of baked beans. SO GOOD!!!! The sauce was my favorite. I’m definitely going back.
sorry folks, this place like others in QC have failed. They are closed
The place closed? I thought it was burned down?
hickoryridge is opening in pinal county the sign is up yessssssssssssssssssssss
Where are they opening in Pinal County? I was sad to see this place close. I lived in Atlanta for 12 years and ate a lot of bbq. This by far was the best I have found out here.
WE WILL OPEN .FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND CATERING CALL ME AT 480-200-1783
Im ready for some good Q
I live in Seattle Washington and I have heard great things about this place. When I go to AZ this will be the first place I eat at.
Good Luck Ridge Family