Still hitting on all cylinders, carrying on the namesake’s focus on quality and great service. Had a great family meal of St Louis ribs, tips, smoked chicken and some pulled pork, sauce on the side of course. Been enjoying Hecky’s for 35+ years (old Highwood location was my first time), this meal was right up there with my memories best.
I had driven to Evanston to try a restaurant only to find out that it was closed permanently. Plan B also turned out to be closed permanently. So, I Googled for other options, and Hecky's was it since I was nearby. I ordered a half slab of St. Louis ribs, greens, potato salad, baked beans, and peach cobbler. The flavor of the ribs was good enough, but they were not quite tender. So I did a low heat, long bake in the oven. Meat fell off the bone. If I go back, I'd request to have the sauce on the side. The greens tasted like no seasoning had been added. I diced a small onion, cut up a garlic clove, and cut up a habanero to put in with some bouillon and pepper, after which I did a slow cook stovetop. That kicked them up. The potato salad and the baked beans were right on. I ordered everything on a Saturday and ate it the next day after letting the seasoning set in the greens. As to the peach cobbler, there was no flavor. I worked in a little cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg and then baked on low for a few minutes to heat it while keeping the juice. I added a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream, and that seemed to work. I think my timing may have been off. It happens. Perhaps the outcome will be differently whenever the next time I go for an order.
mike martinez
I tried Heckys for the first time. I ordered a full slab of beef ribs.. very tasty but not a ton of meat on the bone. Brisket sandwich.. a bit dry and EXTREMELY SALTY. Pork sandwich.. very tasty, good sandwich.. fries..good.. overall a nice place.. very friendly staff, very clean.. overall I recommend giving Heckys a try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ, Pulled Pork
Ken B.
I love the idea of a place like this that's been in business so long and it's an institution. But there were a few glaring things that irked me. The brisket was very nicely crusted. The fatty side was much better than the underside but without adding sauce, it was quite dry. The sauce was delicious. Both regular and spicy versions were excellent. Slaw was good. Didn't taste homemade but worth it. No pickles available. The corn muffins- OMG- DON'T order these! Dry and like powder. These were beyond disappointing and we threw them away after one bite. I almost couldn't swallow the small piece even with butter on it. Sad. Chicken hot link- mostly hot, not flavorful. Very dry. I'd take a pass. I've had the pork ones and they are good. I wanted beef ribs but not available today. Pork ribs must be the thing here but my wife doesn't eat them so we had other things. Next time I'll eat pork ribs in the car. Although this is an icon in the Chicago area, I really think it's my last visit.
Ann A.
Outstanding BBQ! Well prepared meat (tips are fav), delicious sides and as always the sauce is the magic.
Cho Ng
Best BBQ around. 2/23/24 updates. Still the best.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicago Combo
Sandra Fitzpatrick
I ordered wings and fries. I'm not sure how a restaurant can be in business for 40yrs, but can't even cook wings. Dry and hard. And the fries are too thick not crispness at all. First and last visit.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Wings
Natalie Estrada
Ribs were really dry tough and not a lot of meat for $40, the bits I did eat were tasty though they make great Mac and cheese the portions are a bit small. The Peach cobbler was like slimly? The crust was wet Was not expecting that.
Food: 3
Recommended dishes: Mac and Cheese, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Peach Cobbler
Joan H.
I miss Hecky Powell, but his family is keeping the food and service up to par! The BBQ is one of the best in town. The bread pudding, peach cobbler and sweet potato pie are excellent. I prefer rib tips, the big turkey drumstick and of course the fries. When it comes Down to it, though, with BBQ, it is the tenderness of the meat and the sauce! The only sauce that comes close is "Baby Rays" and the Evanston Chicken Shack. Hecky's squeaks past both of these as you will see!
Scott Ahlstrom
I ordered in the website to be delivered. Only half of the order was sent. I called the restaurant and they said I could get a credit for a future meal. I told them I am done with them. Why couldn’t they send over the balance of the meal! Unbelievable!!!
Can't say enough good things about Hecky's BBQ and Cheryl! Both the food and service are fantastic. I worked with Cheryl on two separate catering orders for our staff. She was so wonderful to work with, offering her thoughts to help place the order and was extremely flexible and kind with date changes and increasing the order size. Aside from this our staff raves about the food, specifically the Mac and cheese and pulled pork!
Cheryl C.
For one thing I was overcharged it went from 28 to 41 dollars plus 19 dollars I gave driver but tips were not tender tough and lots of fat sauce was good
John Aldape
Hecky's did not disappoint. We both ordered the brisket sandwich, which was huge! Plenty to enjoy. I tried both the regular and hot bbq sauce on the side and they were both great. We also enjoyed the baked beans and cole slaw, which were the perfect compliment to the lunch. My lunch companion also ordered the Juneteenth Strawberry Soda, which he let me try. It was delicious and reminded me of the red cream sodas I had growing up. Glad to be new regular at Hecky's.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tammy Pickard Babcock
Yummy yummy yummy went in my Tummy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Rib Tips, BBQ, Sauce
Ivy J
I was trying to leave an comment. Yes,My only complaint was the fries were hard like day old fries. I HAD 4 Orders ALL THE SAME. I spent almost 200.00 dollars. Nothing should have been
Still hitting on all cylinders, carrying on the namesake’s focus on quality and great service. Had a great family meal of St Louis ribs, tips, smoked chicken and some pulled pork, sauce on the side of course. Been enjoying Hecky’s for 35+ years (old Highwood location was my first time), this meal was right up there with my memories best.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ Sauce, BBQ, Pulled Pork, Rib Tips
I had driven to Evanston to try a restaurant only to find out that it was closed permanently. Plan B also turned out to be closed permanently. So, I Googled for other options, and Hecky's was it since I was nearby. I ordered a half slab of St. Louis ribs, greens, potato salad, baked beans, and peach cobbler. The flavor of the ribs was good enough, but they were not quite tender. So I did a low heat, long bake in the oven. Meat fell off the bone. If I go back, I'd request to have the sauce on the side. The greens tasted like no seasoning had been added. I diced a small onion, cut up a garlic clove, and cut up a habanero to put in with some bouillon and pepper, after which I did a slow cook stovetop. That kicked them up. The potato salad and the baked beans were right on. I ordered everything on a Saturday and ate it the next day after letting the seasoning set in the greens. As to the peach cobbler, there was no flavor. I worked in a little cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg and then baked on low for a few minutes to heat it while keeping the juice. I added a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream, and that seemed to work. I think my timing may have been off. It happens. Perhaps the outcome will be differently whenever the next time I go for an order.
I tried Heckys for the first time. I ordered a full slab of beef ribs.. very tasty but not a ton of meat on the bone. Brisket sandwich.. a bit dry and EXTREMELY SALTY. Pork sandwich.. very tasty, good sandwich.. fries..good.. overall a nice place.. very friendly staff, very clean.. overall I recommend giving Heckys a try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ, Pulled Pork
I love the idea of a place like this that's been in business so long and it's an institution. But there were a few glaring things that irked me. The brisket was very nicely crusted. The fatty side was much better than the underside but without adding sauce, it was quite dry. The sauce was delicious. Both regular and spicy versions were excellent. Slaw was good. Didn't taste homemade but worth it. No pickles available. The corn muffins- OMG- DON'T order these! Dry and like powder. These were beyond disappointing and we threw them away after one bite. I almost couldn't swallow the small piece even with butter on it. Sad. Chicken hot link- mostly hot, not flavorful. Very dry. I'd take a pass. I've had the pork ones and they are good. I wanted beef ribs but not available today. Pork ribs must be the thing here but my wife doesn't eat them so we had other things. Next time I'll eat pork ribs in the car. Although this is an icon in the Chicago area, I really think it's my last visit.
Outstanding BBQ! Well prepared meat (tips are fav), delicious sides and as always the sauce is the magic.
Best BBQ around. 2/23/24 updates. Still the best.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicago Combo
I ordered wings and fries. I'm not sure how a restaurant can be in business for 40yrs, but can't even cook wings. Dry and hard. And the fries are too thick not crispness at all. First and last visit.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Wings
Ribs were really dry tough and not a lot of meat for $40, the bits I did eat were tasty though they make great Mac and cheese the portions are a bit small. The Peach cobbler was like slimly? The crust was wet Was not expecting that.
Food: 3
Recommended dishes: Mac and Cheese, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Peach Cobbler
I miss Hecky Powell, but his family is keeping the food and service up to par! The BBQ is one of the best in town. The bread pudding, peach cobbler and sweet potato pie are excellent. I prefer rib tips, the big turkey drumstick and of course the fries. When it comes Down to it, though, with BBQ, it is the tenderness of the meat and the sauce! The only sauce that comes close is "Baby Rays" and the Evanston Chicken Shack. Hecky's squeaks past both of these as you will see!
I ordered in the website to be delivered. Only half of the order was sent. I called the restaurant and they said I could get a credit for a future meal. I told them I am done with them. Why couldn’t they send over the balance of the meal! Unbelievable!!!
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Can't say enough good things about Hecky's BBQ and Cheryl! Both the food and service are fantastic. I worked with Cheryl on two separate catering orders for our staff. She was so wonderful to work with, offering her thoughts to help place the order and was extremely flexible and kind with date changes and increasing the order size. Aside from this our staff raves about the food, specifically the Mac and cheese and pulled pork!
For one thing I was overcharged it went from 28 to 41 dollars plus 19 dollars I gave driver but tips were not tender tough and lots of fat sauce was good
Hecky's did not disappoint. We both ordered the brisket sandwich, which was huge! Plenty to enjoy. I tried both the regular and hot bbq sauce on the side and they were both great. We also enjoyed the baked beans and cole slaw, which were the perfect compliment to the lunch. My lunch companion also ordered the Juneteenth Strawberry Soda, which he let me try. It was delicious and reminded me of the red cream sodas I had growing up. Glad to be new regular at Hecky's.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yummy yummy yummy went in my Tummy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Rib Tips, BBQ, Sauce
I was trying to leave an comment. Yes,My only complaint was the fries were hard like day old fries. I HAD 4 Orders ALL THE SAME. I spent almost 200.00 dollars. Nothing should have been
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3