Hickory Hog Pt Pleasant

[seal]

Took the kids to Jenk's for some quarter sucking fun this morning and went to the Hog for lunch afterwards.

Nice location, right next to Rita's and across from Scarra's so lots of italian ice choices for dessert afterwards.

My son had his usual order of chicken wings that he gets everywhere that has them. So far Jack's in W Long Branch is our favorite and this was good but not good enough to displace Jack's as wing king.

My daughter and I shared the bbq rib combo with cinnamon apples and fries as the sides. The apples were a big flop, but the fries were crispy enough to make both kids happy as we all dipped them into the wonderful Southern house-esq bbq sauce. It is very possible that is the same exact sauce they used to have.

The baby backs were the best of the two types of ribs on the combo, but in retrospect I should have gotten some of them with the cajun dry rub instead of sauced. The St Louis ribs were good, but not outrageous.

All in all, a good, albeit expensive lunch at $50 for me and two kids, not counting the $10 for some good ices afterwards. Not quite good enough to make me drive all the way there just to eat, but a good choice if you are in the neighborhood and missing Southern House's sauce.

[David7]

Just caught up with this site, and found the reference to Hickory Hog. With the demise of the Southern House and Jack's Ribs & Ale, we've been at a loss trying to find a good rib joint. So far, this is the one. Terrific ribs - fall off the bone good. Price is a bit steep, but as someone else pointed out, in line with prices at other restaurants.

When we drove up the first time, my wife thought that it was strictly takeout, and we almost left. But I saw diners sitting there, and we went in. No ambience, but then again, if it's good ribs in Central Jersey, I'd eat 'em standing up. Very clean and neat place, though, and very attentive staff.

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Hickory Hog
3009 Route 88, Point Pleasant Boro, NJ 08742

[bgut1]

Jack's closed?

[Barbarella]

Jack's in Neptune closed some months ago. It is replaced by some mediocre place whose name slips me. The interior is nothing spectacular, Jack's was much nicer. the big bar is still there. It seems more like a breakfast place now.

[bgut1]

Oh the horror! No more ribs? Was this posted about on this board? How did I miss it? Thanks Barb.

[tuxedo]

I believe Jack's in West End is still open

[joonjoon]

Jack's West End is still going strong...still the best bar in LB IMO.

[bgut1]

I forgot that they had two locations. Thanks for the info.

[tommy]

is this place smoking their meat? Did the Southern House smoke meat? I used to love the place, but that was so long ago I don't think I even knew what smoke was.

[MGZ]

No

[tommy]

Eh.

[MGZ]

The only smoke at Southern House was on its final night of existence.

[shorebilly]

that's cold:)

[Tapas52]

I thought the Southern house was just so so anyway...no way was it authentic real Southern BBQ as I'm used to in Texas or LA Instead just a family place with decent food for shore goers.

[bgut1]

Tapas - I don't disagree however there was something about those ribs and that BBQ sauce.

[Tapas52]

bgut1........ yes I used to think so also, until I started traveling down south & tried the real deal a few times.....BBQ is very controversial & serious business down there.......but us NJ lovers just have to seek out what we have and enjoy or make our own if you know what your doing. I'm still searching......enjoy

[MGZ]

Southern House was a childhood favorite – eating ribs, chicken, onion loaf on a blanket on the floor in the living room.

About 15 years ago, I was driving through Western North Carolina with a beautiful young woman and practically no money. A magical ATM machine dispensed $100 that was not in my account. Moments later, we stumbled upon Lexington #1. Everything changed!

[equal_Mark]

I gave up on finding decent BBQ around here over 15 years ago, and started smoking my own...

[MGZ]

http://www.gourmet.com/restaurants/20...

[shabbystorm]

Excellent MGZ.

Time to gas up the RV!

[magemaud]

Just had to register for this site to post a response, but a friend of mine had the exact same observations about the Hickory Hog and the comparisons to the Southern House barbeque sauce. Now I'm going to let you in on not-so-closely-guarded secret from this same friend. She found out a couple of years ago that the sauce used at the Southern House tasted exactly the same as "Open Pit" original flavor barbeque sauce. The problem is, it's very hard to find this brand, but we have discovered two local sources. Lenny's Colonial Market in Point carries 18 oz. bottles, but the original flavor sells out quickly. I just bought a bottle there on Wednesday. The other source is that big restaurant supply place on Route 88 in Brick, but you have to buy it by the gallon.

[Barbarella]

Do you know the name of the place in Brick?

[magemaud]

Yes, it's Shore Restaurant Supply on 88 in Brick, between Midstreams and Van Zile Road. It's set back from the road, looks like the building was once a supermarket.

[Babs16]

One good secret deserves another. The owner of the Hog used to work at Southern House, ergo the reason the sauce is so familiar.

[JohnHuebner]

Just found this site, appreciate the notes on "Southern House" Style ribs. Really loved that place and everyone I know loved it too, its really a shame they never reopened. I agree with the Open Pit, been buying that for years, although havent been able to find it lately. Used to love pouring it over the Onion Ring loaf, yummy!

[BeerWeezil]

I'm glad people picked up on the similarities between the old Southern House and the Hickory Hog. It's not just the sauce but many of the items on the menu are the same, from the steak tidbits to the block o' onions.

The reason? From what I've heard, the owner used to be one of the cooks at the Southern House.

[tuxedo]

exactly!

[Tapas52]

"the owner used to be one of the cooks at the Southern House "

That's excactly what the chef/owner told me at Hickory Hog when I dined there a few months ago...

[bgut1]

Seal - Happy you enjoyed the ribs. You should've listened to me in my earlier post in recommending the dry rub. :) Clearly the best ribs on the menu. Reason enough to return soon. I'm happy you concur with my opinion that the BBQ sauce is the same as the ol' Southern House. I'll also thought the meal was a bit on the expensive side however the cost is pretty much in line with most other rib establishments.

[joonjoon]

I checked this place out after work yesterday...the dry rub ribs were tasty! It was like eating pork candy. Mmm. It was slightly dry but considering the dearth of rib options here I was definitely happy. Now if I'd only get off my lazy ass and start making my own...