D & K Hickory House Restaurant

Our recent trip to Waterloo was topped off by a fantastic dining experience at D&K Hickory House restaurant. Thanks to a Google search of nearby restaurants, we stumbled on this "hidden treasure", and we're absolutely blown away. From the fast and courteous service by Cindy, our amazing server, to the final farewell from the owners daughter ( sorry, I didn't catch her name), this place hit it out of the park. My wife and I ordered salads with bleu cheese dressing, and were expecting the standard, generic dressing that attempts to taste like the real thing..WOW, were we wrong!! What we received was a homemade dressing with big chunks of real bleu cheese in a tangy-sweet mixture that left us wanting more. When I commented to Cindy, that it was the best I had tasted, she suggested we try the creamy garlic, also homemade, and she brought us a sample to try...another Home Run !!. When our entrees arrived, which was surprisingly quick for a Saturday night, we were again, incredibly impressed. I had the rib dinner, with hash browns. The ribs were tender, tangy, and literally falling off the bone. As a BBQ junkie, I was in 7th Heaven. My wife opted for the fried shrimp and they were cooked to perfection. The meals also came with choice of potato, a basket with dinner rolls and crackers, and a small relish tray...all very tasty . When Cindy brought our bill, she offered us a brief history of the place, and it sounds like citizens of Waterloo/Cedar Falls have been enjoying this local joint for over 70 years...very impressive. All in all, this was one of the highlights of our visit, and we will be sure to return again, the next time we are in the area. Two things to consider before visiting, they take cash & check only...no electronic payment...no problem...and, you would be wise to call first for reservation.. Truly a memorable meal and dining experience. 5 stars all around !!

Had an amazing Valentine’s thanks to dinner tonight at the hickory house.

First timers. Food was good and service real good. Will be back

Great little old style supper club. Service was excellent and the food was very good. Large portions.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: 1-lb of Ribs

Friendly staff and good food!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Wonderful food and service!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The best ribs in Waterloo ☺️

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: The Relish Tray, D&K Hickory Smoked Rib Special Pork 1 lb

An iconic Waterloo eatery with great ribs. Always enjoy going here. Service is great.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: The Relish Tray, D K Hickory House Smoked Rib Special 1 lb

Food is great, just a limited menu. The new building is great too !

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Ribs Ala Carte

It was my first time here since the fire. First of all, the service was excellent. I had a whiskey old fashioned which was nicely done. The pre dinner relish dish was a nice touch. I had the Bleu cheese dressing, and it was fantastic. We were a party of 5. Three ordered ribs and were very happy. Two of us ordered steak, and I was one of them. My friend ordered the small t-bone. It did not look appetizing. It was grey. Seriously, grey. There was no char or crust on it, but it did have a lovely little grease pond on top. Yuck. I ordered the filet mingon. I have had some bad steak in my life, but this was the worst. Again, grey meat. No char. No crust. It had a very skinny piece of bacon that was barely warm, let alone cooked, wrapped around the outside. It was a very small filet at barely 3/4 of an inch thick. When I cut into it, it separated into bits of meat, as if it had been pressed together. I managed a little over half of it, but that was all I could stomach. It wasn't until we were on our way home that I realized what was wrong with the filet. I am positive it was a LONDON BROIL, one of the cheapest cuts of meat you can buy, and for this, I paid $33! If that was my restaurant, I would be embarrassed to serve this to customers. I see from other reviews that the steaks have not had good reviews. I hope the owner or management pays attention to these reviews and makes some changes. Until then, I am going to the Texas Steak House.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 5

Best food and service as always. The place has been remodeled, but seems exactly like the old.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Ribs & Shrimp Dinner

Took my girlfriend for her birthday, I've never been, heard it was great. I had the steak and ribs. The steak was the worst I've had in recent memory. Looked grey, no crust. Barley seared, no flavor. Literally, none. I don't use steak sauce on good beef, I wished I'd asked for it this time.The famous ribs were overcooked for my taste. Some people like the "fall off the bone" ribs, I don't. The flavor was ok.My baked potato was massive, cooked perfectly. good salad and garlic dressing. Onion rings were good as well. My girlfriend went gaga over her ribs and that was great, it was her night. I'll try a few more times, I saw a fantastic looking Walleye Pike fillet dinner and a nice tenderloin sandwich I'll try. But stay away from the steaks. Go to Texas Roadhouse or Longhorn for those.

Food was excellent and generous I was part of a party of 10 and we tried several dishes and they were enjoyed by everyone. A little pricey and no credit cards accepted but the value was there.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: The Relish Tray, D K Hickory House Smoked Rib Special 1 lb, Rib Dinner

Same delicious food and service was great!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Homemade Onion Rings, Rib Dinner

Great new look! Loved coming back--- good food, great service. Already looking forward to our next visit.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5