Fire Crackers
Hogs Hollow Smokehouse

Hogs Hollow Smokehouse

Cass Avenue, Utica, 48317, United States Of America

Pizza • Burgers • Barbecue • American


"I have to say, my experience at this BBQ joint hasn’t improved since my last visit—if anything, it was a bit worse. My dad and I decided to give it another go, but I still walked away feeling just "meh." During my previous visit, the owner mentioned that their smoker was broken, but I was hoping for a better outcome this time around. Unfortunately, the pork tasted boiled, the brisket seemed baked, and while the ribs were decent, they were overcooked to the point of falling off the bone—something I consider a bit lazy in the BBQ world. We ordered the three-meat platter with ribs, pulled pork, and brisket, along with sides of beans and mac and cheese. Let’s dive into the details. The ribs were flavorful but definitely overdone. Curiously, they were also served cold along with the other meats, despite our early arrival. I understand that BBQ is usually served low and slow, but it felt like we were served yesterday’s leftovers. The pulled pork was the standout disappointment—it had absolutely no smoke flavor and tasted bland, as if I was eating an unseasoned piece of meat. It’s clear that this recipe needs a complete overhaul. On a more positive note, the brisket was decent. It was a bit too salty, and it lacked that sought-after smoke ring, but it was tender and edible with a touch of BBQ sauce. The mac and cheese, which I enjoyed during my last visit, didn’t impress me this time. It was just okay—an upgrade from Kraft but still lacking that gooey, delicious quality I expected. In fact, it was rather dry. As for the baked beans, they reminded me too much of Van Camp’s canned variety, just with added bits of pulled meat. They were okay but nothing to write home about. Overall, I can only give this place two stars. The food feels a bit overpriced and lacks the necessary flair. The sauces are great as I remember, but the BBQ itself really needs improvement. The seasoning was weak or completely missing, and there was hardly any smoke flavor in the meats. As I mentioned in my earlier review, I shouldn’t have to rely on sauce to make mediocre BBQ taste better. I apologize if my review comes off as harsh, but my intention is to provide constructive criticism. I genuinely want our local businesses to succeed."