Hugh's Q, located in Hickory, NC, is swiftly gaining a reputation for exceptional barbecue that tantalizes the taste buds. Diners rave about the mouthwatering pulled pork and brisket, often hailed as some of the best they've ever encountered. The smoky flavor combined with sweet and savory sauces creates a flavor explosion that is hard to resist. Customers like Mel Jolly and John C. highlight the smoked meats, appreciating the tender, juicy textures and complementary sauces available—each providing a unique twist to the dishes. From the crispy buffalo cauliflower appetizer to the hearty two-meat dinners, Hugh's Q promises generous portions at reasonable prices, making it a perfect spot for both casual dining and family outings. Sides such as the creamy mac & cheese and green bean casserole receive commendable mentions, though some dishes, like the jalapeño cornbread, call for a little refinement. Service at Hugh's Q is consistently praised, with attentive staff enhancing the overall dining experience. While some guests desire a broader beer selection, the standout quality of the food speaks volumes. In a nutshell, Hugh's Q is a must-visit for barbecue enthusiasts seeking a taste of Carolina's finest, blending quality with hospitality in a welcoming atmosphere.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Quiet
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Photos
Reviews For Hugh's Q
Mel Jolly
May 9,2025
Delicious and reasonably priced! The pulled pork and brisket were the best BBQ I've ever had... that smoky flavor in contrast to the sweet and savory sauces... unmatched! Service was great, vibe was high, and the buffalo cauliflower appetizer was perfectly crispy and just spicy enough. We'll be going back soon. My only request would be a better beer selection; it's okay that everything is in cans, but I'd like some options like hefeweizen, stouts, porters.
John C.
Apr 24,2025
Wow! As a lifelong Texan, I used to be of the mindset that if it's not Texas BBQ, just bypass the middleman and straight to the garbage can. Well, that has changed. I ordered a pulled pork on Texas toast with dills and a half order of ribs. I asked for the vinegar and mustard based sauce, and they went ahead and sent all three. I also ordered the beans, which would have been great alone, but the hit was the ribs and vinegar based sauce, the ribs were great alone, but the sauce kicked them over the top! Much respect from the Lonestar, that was some great BBQ!
Leigh Dison
Mar 30,2025
I had the two meat dinner with pulled pork and brisket. The pulled pork was tender, juicy, and so flavorful. The brisket was amazing!! Probably the best I’ve ever had. Both were served in portions that were big enough for dinner as well as lunch the following day. Potato salad was good and beans were OK. Service was fast enough, and staff were very friendly. Prices are great for the amount and quality of food you get. We will definitely be going back!!!!! Can’t wait to try some of the desserts.
Shelli Beach
Mar 23,2025
This place was amazing!!! Food is superb!!!! I’m picky too. Will be back for sure !!! Shout out to Joey our waiter!!! He is amazing and has a wonderful personality!!! I highly recommend this place!!! Not expensive or nasty like Jim and Nicks !!
Wally King
Mar 1,2025
Finally found really good bbq in Hickory!! So of course had to try pulled pork, ribs and brisket. The pulled pork was very good. Right up there with Lexington bbq!! Ribs were also quite good. Not the best but better than average. The most surprising thing was how good the brisket is!! Great bark, good smoke, tender and lots of delicious fat! No longer have to drive all the way out to Morganton to get great bbq!! We tried the hush puppies and jalapeno cornbread. Hush puppies were amazing. Cornbread had good flavor but was quite dry. Needed some butter, honey or sorghum to fix. The creamed corn was great! Absolutely loved the green bean casserole. The jalapeno grits were good but need more salt, butter and cheese! The baked beans were good and had lots of meat mixed in. The potato salad was quite dill forward and the recipe seemed to need to be tweaked. They have three sauces on the table. Very good southern Carolina mustard bbq sauce. Good vinegar based eastern NC sauce. Also enjoyed the sweeter Memphis style bbq sauce. Overall very happy to have this great bbq so close to home. Highly recommend to anyone looking for great pulled pork or brisket!!
Jenny
Mar 1,2025
Great early dinner! We order 2 2-meat meals with sides and one brisket sandwich meal. We also ordered the cheese curds for an appetizer. Food came out quick, reasonable prices, and tasty brisket and fried okra. The only thing that was okay was the Mac and cheese, it was pretty basic. Other than that, great meal and service. We will be back!
Ron Dvir
Feb 23,2025
Ordered 3 meets - brisket, ribs, and turkey. Came in quickly and everything was excellent. The ribs, brisket and slaw were especially good.
Amy Fox
Feb 22,2025
The brisket, pulled pork, and pulled chicken were very tender, well seasoned, and perfectly smoked. They did not need any BBQ sauce. Great flavor. The hush puppies appeared to be house made and were very tasty. The side salad was a good size and some of the dressings tasted like they were house made as well.
Reviews For Hugh's Q