Hickory Park

From Rofflehaus

Hickory Park
1404 S Duff Avenue
(515) 232-8940
http://www.hickorypark-bbq.com/

Hickory Park is long considered an Ames classic; visits to this restaurant are expected by almost all Ames visitors. Known to be especially busy during sporting or other events. An exceptionally large seating area allows nearly all of Ames to eat dinner at the same time but still manages to have the lobby full of people waiting to eat.

Going there within three days of your birthday nets you $2.50 off a sundae and song.

1 History
2 Reservations
3 Menu
4 Getting there
5 Reviews
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] History

From their website:

In May of 1970 a young man discovering his future took a chance with a closed BBQ at 604 E. Lincolnway. With a lot of ambition, a little know-how, and a seating capacity of 60, the legend of Hickory Park began.

Then came church pews to provide more seating, followed by the walnut and mirrored ice cream fountain serving "more-than-a-person-could-possibly-eat" sundaes.

BBQ at Hickory Park Restaurant was starting to be a tradition with ISU football fans. With only 80 possible seats, customers waiting for their turn would stand in line through rain and snow, hoping to get seats in less than an hour.

Hickory Park BBQ and Ice Cream was quite a success and on New Year's Eve of 1981, the restaurant moved to SE 16th Street. The new location had a seating capacity three times greater than the old location.

In 1997 Hickory Park Restaurant grew again and moved to its present location at 1404 South Duff Avenue. The ambiance is still the same with church pews, tin advertising signs, antique glass, metal ceilings, dining room after dining room and the ever so popular ice cream fountain. There are still waiting lines for the great food and renowned service that keep Hickory Park customers coming back.

[edit] Reservations

Hickory Park does not allow reservations (maybe for large groups?) and they give you a number after putting your name on a list, which they then call on the PA. Showing up early is a good idea, but they won't seat you until your entire party is there.

[edit] Menu

Their menu has a wide variety, but mostly centered around BBQ and/or smoked meats. Perhaps most well known are their Saucy Southerners, ice cream sundaes, and the soda fountain (with Coke & Pepsi products with 10 optional flavor syrups).

They also have hamburgers (called Hickorys); beef or pork BBQ ribs; salads; soups; over a dozen side dishes; and a slew of sandwiches.

[edit] Getting there

The most obvious way is the entrance on Duff Avenue but there is also an entrance on South 16th Street. If caught in rush hour, it may be near impossible to turn south out of the Duff Ave exit so taking the South 16th exit can get you to a stop light.

South 16th Street also turned into a gravel road that continues out east to meet up in front of the Citgo/Subway at the Dayton Avenue exit off of Highway 30. So taking the Dayton Avenue exit is another way to get there if you don't mind a mile of gravel road.