Fresh Wisconsin cheddar curds get dipped in batter, fried, and served with buttermilk dressing at a barbecue joint that smokes brisket daily. That’s a bold move for an appetizer.
Somehow, the cheese balls hold their own.
The menu runs past 100 selections. Hickory-smoked turkey, pork, and beef all compete for attention.
Then the placemat hits you with a full ice cream parlor menu of sundaes, shakes, and malts.
I like how this Iowa favorite refuses to pick just one thing to be famous for.
Barbecue, burgers, fried snacks, and towering desserts all share the same table.
It feels like a family reunion where every relative brought their best dish.
So which one wins your order first? I believe the answer might be cheesier than you expect.
These Golden Cheese Balls Deserve Their Own Fan Club
Brisket usually gets the spotlight at a barbecue spot. At Hickory Park Restaurant Co., a basket of fried cheese has a real shot at stealing it.
The Breaded Cheese Balls sit under the Tasty Tidbits section of the menu. They start with fresh Wisconsin cheddar cheese curds, which get dipped in batter and deep-fried.
Each order comes with buttermilk dressing for dunking. That cool, tangy dip is a smart match for hot, crispy cheese.
Here’s a small bonus detail worth knowing. Every Tasty Tidbit gets cooked in 0% trans fat soy oil, so the kitchen clearly thinks about how its fried foods are made.
I like ordering appetizers like these for the whole table. They show up, they vanish, and nobody has to argue about splitting them evenly.
Cheese balls also make a great warm-up while everyone studies the giant menu. Trust me, you’ll need the time.
With over 100 selections, deciding on dinner can feel like a group project.
So start with the cheese. It buys you time, keeps hungry kids happy, and sets a cheerful tone.
Then the barbecue can try its best to top it.
Can’t Choose One Snack? Get The Variety Plate
Indecision has a cure, and it arrives on one big plate. The Variety Plate gathers fried pickles, breaded cauliflower, onion rings, and cheese balls together.
That lineup covers a lot of cravings at once. Tangy, crunchy, mild, and cheesy all land on the table in one order.
The Tasty Tidbits menu goes beyond that plate too. You’ll also find sweet potato fries and chicken strips, which are easy wins for younger eaters.
Breaded cauliflower is the sneaky surprise here. Fried veggies might not sound exciting, but it gives the plate a nice change of pace between richer bites.
Dressings matter at Hickory Park, and the list is long. Choices include Buttermilk Ranch, Honey Mustard, Bleu Cheese, BBQ Dressing, and Parmesan-Peppercorn.
My advice is simple. Pick two or three dressings and turn the plate into a little taste test.
Groups get the most value from this order. Everyone grabs a favorite, and nobody feels stuck with one flavor.
Just pace yourself a bit. The smoked meats are still coming, and dessert sits right there on your placemat waiting patiently.
The Brisket Is Not Going Down Without A Fight
Hickory smoke is the whole point of the name. The kitchen smokes turkey, pork, and beef, and brisket stands among the featured meats.
You can order brisket as part of a meal. Pair it with a side like baked beans for a classic barbecue plate.
Bottles of barbecue sauce show up on the tables, and there’s more than one style to try. That means you control how saucy your brisket gets.
I like this setup a lot. Some folks want their meat plain to taste the smoke, while others want it dripping.
Portions here are known for being generous. Planning on leftovers is not a bad idea at all.
Brisket fans should also peek at the combo options. Mixing meats lets you compare beef, pork, and turkey side by side without ordering three separate dinners.
Honestly, the brisket versus cheese balls debate is a happy problem. You win either way, and nobody leaves hungry.
My suggestion? Order both and let your taste buds settle the matter.
It’s research, after all.
Three Meats, One Bun, Zero Regrets
Most pulled pork sandwiches stick to one meat. The Saucy Southerner laughs at that rule.
This sandwich mixes chopped hickory-smoked pork, beef, and turkey together. Then it all simmers in barbecue sauce before landing on your plate.
Hickory Park calls it their version of a pulled pork sandwich. I’d call it a sampler platter that learned to fit in your hands.
Fans of messy sandwiches will feel right at home. Grab extra napkins, because sauce tends to wander.
Burgers make a strong case too. The beef gets ground fresh in-house every day.
Sizes run from a quarter-pound to a half-pound, all the way to a full pound. That last one sounds like a dare more than a lunch order.
Vegetarians aren’t left out either. A black bean patty can be swapped in on request.
So the sandwich side of the menu is no backup plan. It could easily be the main event, especially for anyone who wants barbecue flavor without a full dinner plate.
Choose wisely, or just come back again soon.
Save Room, Because The Placemat Is Basically A Dessert Menu
Your placemat isn’t just there to catch crumbs. It often doubles as a colorful menu of ice cream treats.
That’s a clever trick, honestly. You spend the whole meal staring at sundaes, so skipping dessert becomes nearly impossible.
Hickory Park is famous for its old-fashioned parlor sundaes. Shakes and malts round out the list, and the variety is huge.
The ice cream comes from Blue Bunny, an Iowa-based company. That local tie gives dessert an extra hometown feel.
Gluten-free ice cream options are available as well. More people at the table get to join the fun that way.
Here’s my practical tip. Order dessert to share if your dinner was big, since barbecue plates here don’t play small.
Kids especially love this part of the meal. Reading the placemat feels like browsing a toy catalog, only sweeter.
Some families might even plan the whole outing around dessert. I can’t blame them one bit.
Brisket and cheese balls are great. Still, the sundae menu might be the sneakiest scene-stealer of all.
Metal Signs And Dark Wood Set A Nostalgic Mood
Dark wood panels line the walls inside. Dozens of metal signs cover them, giving the place a post-Depression Americana style.
It feels like a time capsule you can eat in. Every corner gives your eyes something new to explore.
That decor makes waiting for food more fun. Kids can hunt for their favorite sign while the grown-ups chat.
The look also blends two worlds together. Part old-school barbecue hall, part classic ice cream parlor, and it somehow works.
I like spaces that don’t try too hard to look modern. Hickory Park leans into its retro charm, and that charm feels earned after decades of serving Iowa diners.
Plenty of seating makes the room feel roomy rather than cramped. Booths and tables stretch through the building.
Photo lovers will find tons of fun backgrounds. A vintage sign behind a giant sundae makes for a pretty great snapshot.
So take a minute to look around before diving into the menu. The walls tell a story, even if they don’t say a word.
Four Hundred Fifty Seats Means Room For Everyone
Here’s a number that might make you blink. Hickory Park can seat 450 guests at one time.
Back in 2019, it was reported to be the largest restaurant in Iowa. Reports from that year also said it served over 20,000 pounds of meat each week.
That’s a lot of brisket. It’s also a lot of cheese balls, if we’re being honest.
All that space helps big groups. Birthday parties, team dinners, and family reunions can fit without squeezing.
Need to plan ahead? You can join a waitlist online or by calling the restaurant.
Larger parties should ask about reservations too. Smaller groups are seated as they arrive, so timing your visit can help on busy weekends.
You’ll find it at 1404 S Duff Ave, Ames, IA 50010. Hours run from 10:30 AM to 9 PM every day of the week.
That steady schedule makes planning easy. Lunch, early dinner, or a late dessert run all work just fine.
Families And Gluten-Free Diners Both Get Real Options
Little ones are welcome here, and the restaurant shows it. High chairs and a kids’ menu are ready to go.
Picky eaters have plenty to choose from. Chicken strips, burgers, and fries make easy picks for younger appetites.
Gluten-free diners get attention too. A dedicated gluten-free dinner menu is available, along with gluten-free ice cream choices.
That matters a lot for families with mixed needs. Everyone can order from the same restaurant without someone feeling left out.
My tip is to mention any food allergy right away. Then the staff can walk you through the safest choices for your table.
The family-friendly vibe stretches beyond the food. A busy, roomy dining room means a few kid giggles won’t turn heads.
Need to feed a crowd at home instead? Catering and bulk carry-out are both offered.
Graduation parties and office lunches could get a lot tastier that way. Just don’t forget to order extra cheese balls for the people who show up early.
Five Decades Of Growing Bigger Without Losing Its Heart
David Wheelock opened Hickory Park in 1970. The first spot held only about 60 to 80 people.
Demand kept climbing, so the restaurant moved. In 1981, it relocated to a space with 240 seats.
Even that wasn’t enough. In 1997, Hickory Park settled into its current 450-seat home in Ames.
Two moves in less than three decades says a lot. People clearly wanted more room at these tables.
In 2019, the restaurant joined the BCP Family. The hickory smoke and sundae menu still define the experience today.
I love stories like this one. A small barbecue spot grew into one of the biggest dining rooms in Iowa, simply by feeding folks well.
Ames is home to Iowa State University, so plenty of visitors pass through town. Game days and campus visits make a meal here an easy addition to any trip.
So go for the brisket, stay for the sundae, and start with the cheese balls. That order of events just feels right.
