Some city folks head north for the mountains, and some head north for the brisket. Up in Kingston, a short drive off the main road toward the Catskills, a folksy smokehouse has been quietly winning over hikers, road trippers, and former apartment dwellers for years.
People who know New York prices tend to leave this spot surprised by how far their money goes. Portions run big, sauces sit right on the table, and the hickory does most of the talking.
This article walks through where the place sits, what lands on the plates, which sides earn the hype, and what to know before planning a visit. Stick around, because the best surprises here come in the details, including a buttery little extra that turns an ordinary side into a reason to stop again on the drive home.
A Smokehouse on Route 28
Every great road trip needs a landmark, and for many Catskills travelers, that landmark is Hickory BBQ & Smokehouse.
The restaurant sits at 743 NY-28, Kingston, NY 12401, in New York State, United States. Its spot on Route 28 puts it right on the path many people take when heading from the Hudson Valley toward the mountains.
Officially, it is a barbecue restaurant. Unofficially, it works as a refueling station for anyone who has just traded subway platforms for hiking trails.
The concept is simple and proud of it. Homestyle hickory-smoked barbecue comes out of the kitchen for both lunch and dinner, served in a straightforward dining room that never tries to be fancy.
There is also a happy hour, plus a separate bar area for grown-ups. Families and kids stick to the main restaurant room, which keeps things tidy for everyone.
With more than 900 opinions logged online and a solid 4.3-star standing, the place has clearly built a following. That number did not happen by accident, and the menu explains a lot of it.
So before talking ribs or sides, it helps to understand the vibe of the room itself.
Folksy Rooms and a Long Bar
Nobody comes here for chandeliers. The dining room is spartan by design, which is a polite way of saying the focus stays on the food.
Still, the space has its charms. A nice long bar stretches across one area, booths line up for small groups, and a big dining room with tables can handle a large gathering.
The decor leans classic barbecue joint, the kind of place where sauce bottles on every table feel like part of the furniture. Many diners describe a laid-back, Southern-style mood that suits a casual meal.
The bar side works like a sports bar, open to adults who want to catch a game. Children stay in the restaurant room, so parents get a calmer space.
Not everything gets a gold star. Some guests have pointed out that the back area and restrooms could use more attention, and that feedback comes up often enough to mention.
The main dining room, on other days, gets called clean and neat. Expectations matter here: think comfortable and casual, not polished.
Once seated, though, attention shifts fast to what the kitchen sends out.
The Brisket Everyone Talks About
Brisket gets mentioned here more than almost anything except ribs. That alone says plenty about why people drive up Route 28 hungry.
The brisket is served sliced and smoked through with hickory. Many diners call it perfect and not dry at all, which is the gold standard for this tricky cut.
A popular way to order it is the brisket sandwich, often topped with melted cheese and coleslaw. Some swap the Jack cheese for blue cheese, and the kitchen goes along with it.
One fan even claimed it knocked their previous favorite brisket out of the park. Another noted that a partner who usually skips brisket became a convert.
Fairness matters, so here is the other side. A few guests found certain slices a bit tough on some days, and consistency seems to vary.
Most of the chatter, though, leans strongly positive. For many returning lunch regulars who work nearby, the brisket sandwich is the default order every single time.
Brisket may be the headliner, yet it shares the stage with a few other smoked stars worth meeting.
Ribs, Turkey and Smoked Supporting Acts
Ribs actually top the list of most-talked-about dishes, edging out brisket by a few mentions. Call it friendly sibling rivalry.
Plenty of diners praise ribs that come off the bone clean, without a heavy coat of sauce. Others say they are well marinated and carefully prepared.
Fans of the fall-off-the-bone style should know these ribs tend to hold together more. That is a matter of taste rather than a flaw.
The smoked turkey thigh is a sleeper hit. Some guests say it impressed them even more than they expected, and it sits comfortably next to the brisket in their praise.
Wings also earn a loyal fan base, especially tossed in mustard sauce. Rib tips have their own devotees too.
Pulled pork draws mixed opinions, with many calling it average. For a big group, the Hickory Feast lets everyone sample a range of meats at once.
Beyond barbecue, the menu stretches to burgers, a hanger steak sandwich, a fish sandwich, and tostadas. Of course, any smokehouse is only as good as its sides.
Hush Puppies and Maple Butter
Here comes the buttery little secret promised earlier. The hush puppies arrive with maple butter, and that pairing has a fan club of its own.
These hush puppies are known for being large and almost cake-like. People have ordered them as a side and then happily saved leftovers for the next day.
The maple butter does extra duty too. Some guests who were lukewarm about other dishes still singled it out as a highlight.
Cornbread is on the menu as well, though a tip worth knowing: bread and cornbread may need to be requested. Some diners did not realize this until a basket passed by on its way to another table.
So ask early and save the awkward glance.
Biscuits appear on the menu too, and the maple butter makes a welcome partner for any of these breads.
For travelers grabbing takeout, hush puppies hold up well for the ride. Next up, the side dish lineup brings its own debates.
Sides That Spark Debate
Mac and cheese might be the most argued-about dish in the building. Some people love it, others want it cheesier, and nobody seems neutral.
Garlic mashed potatoes collect steady praise. Baked beans also earn plenty of applause, with some calling them excellent.
The macaroni salad has quiet but loyal fans. Potato salad and sweet potato fries get recommended too, and the sweet potato fries are a handy pick for vegan diners.
Collard greens split opinions, though some guests rave about them. The sourdough onion rings have their own admirers.
Then there are the fries. Sandwiches come with heaping portions, and more than one hungry hiker has said they had never seen so many fries on one plate.
A smart strategy for groups is ordering several sides to share. That way everyone finds a favorite and the debate becomes part of the fun.
Save a little space, though, because dessert has one star worth knowing about.
Sauces on Every Table
A table full of sauce bottles is a barbecue joint saying it trusts its customers. Here, that trust comes in several flavors.
Diners can choose between sweet and spicy barbecue sauces, plus a Carolina mustard sauce. That mustard option wins converts among people who had never tried one before.
Many guests note the meat holds up fine without any sauce at all. Still, having choices at hand is part of the charm.
It lets everyone customize a plate without waiting on anyone. A brisket sandwich can go sweet, a plate of wings can go tangy, and nobody has to compromise.
On the dessert side, the salted caramel pie gets a handful of happy mentions. It makes a tidy finish after a heavy plate.
House drinks include draft root beer, which has its own supporters. Now for the practical stuff that helps plan the trip.
Hours, Prices and Who Feels at Home
Good news for late lunch fans: the doors open at 11:30 AM every day of the week. Sunday through Thursday, service runs until 8:30 PM.
Friday and Saturday stretch a little later, closing at 9 PM. That extra half hour helps weekend hikers coming down from the trails.
Expect to spend roughly $20 to $30 per person. People arriving from New York City often call the value a pleasant shock, given the generous portions.
The crowd is a mix. Local workers pop in for quick lunches, families take over the dining room, and hikers fresh off Mt.
Tremper drop by for dinner.
Service is often called quick and friendly. One standout story involved staff keeping a forgotten bag safe and shipping it back to a guest who lived far away.
Takeout is available for road trippers traveling with pets. Outdoor seating gets a few mentions too.
A little planning helps, and the final verdict ties it all together.
Worth the Detour off Route 28
Not every meal needs a reservation, a dress code, or a credit limit. Sometimes it just needs smoke, a generous plate, and a booth.
That is the sweet spot here. The brisket earns the headline, the ribs keep up, and the hush puppies with maple butter steal more attention than any side has a right to.
It is not flawless. Cleanliness and consistency come up in feedback, and a few dishes like the pulled pork land in average territory for some.
Still, the overall picture leans warm. Big portions, fair prices, friendly staff, and sauces on every table make for an easy stop.
For New Yorkers swapping city blocks for mountain views, this Kingston smokehouse feels like a fitting welcome. It is unpretentious, filling, and proud of its hickory.
Order the brisket, ask for the cornbread, and keep the maple butter close. The Catskills will still be there after dessert.
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