Like so many of the best food places in the South, Dicky’s Hickory Pit isn’t built of flashy signs or clever advertising, but of a genuinely good take on barbecue. This north Nashville dive is a simple drive-through establishment along a side road, but people love the place. It’s amazing, spend some time to sit and enjoy your meal and you’ll find a ton of people lining up for some quick brisket to go. It’s just the right kind of place to get your fingers sticky with a sample of delicious southern barbecue.
Dicky’s Hickory Pit is the real, genuine southern style of barbecue. The pork is cooked until it’s fall-off-the-bone deliciously soft and served alongside a very vinegary barbecue sauce. It’s an often-noted difference between “Yankee Sweet” and “southern barbecue,” and I hoped my Midwestern roots wouldn’t bias me to the flavors, but it wasn’t a problem at all. I’ve reviewed other Nashville barbecue joints and loved them. I was a judge at the Ohio State Fair barbecue competition last year. I have a passion for the stuff. Here, you’ll find a new iteration of barbecue, though no less outstanding. It’s great stuff.
The sides are good too. You’ll find the classic favorites, the macaroni and cheese, cole slaw which is similarly vinegary, and biscuits. Personally I wish there was a greater variety of flavor to the food, it’s all very bitter. But that’s what sweet tea is for, really, and they have good stuff, prepackaged as it may be. What’s also important, it’s value priced and packages with family-sized meals available. It’s something you’ll want to try if you’re nearby, and fortunately there are plenty of opportunities to do so on a dime. It’s easy to see why it’s got so many people lining up. I should note, though, that the place has some limited hours on weekends, so mind that.
It’s hard to critique service in the friendly south, the people everywhere are usually great. Dicky’s is no exception, and whether you drive through or sit in I’ve found I never met an unfriendly person here. It’s the epitome of the small-business spirit.
All told, Dicky’s Hickory Pit is a good local dive. It’s the kind of place Hendersonville locals will always love, so I think we’ll keep seeing it for a long time. If you’re from out of town or unfamiliar with real southern barbecue, this might be a good place to give it a try. You’d be hard-pressed to find a reason not to like the place.
Recommendations
- They sometimes have strange hours. I don’t think they’re open on Sundays and Saturdays have brief hours. I keep thinking to check the hours but unfortunately I don’t have them here.
- Try the pulled pork, it’s the simplest and most family-friendly option.
- Also, there are some great options for family meals with a big tub of pulled pork, sides, and a jug of sweet tea. It’s a simple pleasure, really.
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