Eddie Pappalardo built it and they came. That is, a local eatery with an indoor smoker for meat and chicken just like he remembered from his university days in Amarillo, Texas. Hickory's Bar-B-Que, at 674 Port Washington Blvd., recently celebrated 25 years in Port Washington and enjoys great popularity not only here in town, but throughout Nassau County.
Schreiber students in particular rave about the place. "I love Hickory's because it always remains true to its style of food," senior Brian Kennedy said. "It doesn't push itself beyond the limits of what it does best. Their approach is focused and as a result, the food is far better than its competitors."
Hickory's menu includes barbecued ribs, chicken, pork, beer battered fish, hamburgers, brisket, tacos and other dishes created to spark the palate. Customers enjoy large portions that drip with barbecue sauce and there's a steady stream of regulars who visit despite the limited menu.
According to Eddie, a big hit that consistently receives glowing reviews is the pulled pork sandwich which sells for $5.95. Students can often be heard calling it "mouthwatering" or saying "the pork was so tender."
"I love it because it's juicy with a really good sweet sauce," said Harrison Cohen, a senior at Schreiber that will be studying culinary arts at Johnson and Wales next year. "The pork is perfectly cooked and tender."
Stephen Farina, a Schreiber junior, said he really enjoys Hickory's $6.95 special chicken sandwich. "It always tastes fresh and is out-of-this world," he said.
Many students rave about Hickory's hand-cut and seasoned french fries as well. "I go there every week," Farina added, "not only for the chicken, but for the seasoned fries that are very unusual."
While Hickory's Bar-B-Que isn't a typical place to join other families for dinner, celebrate a special occasion or take someone out on a date, it's all about the food. Hickory's is clearly a spot for anyone who craves authentic barbecue, demands generous portions and wants low prices. (It's possible to have lunch or dinner for under $10 and most entrees range from $5-$8.) For those reasons, it's easy to understand why so many Schreiber students love Hickory's.
"Hickory's is fast, flavorful and cheap," senior Blaise Bevilacque said. "My friends and I arrive hungry and leave happy."
