Hickory's Smokehouse has confirmed it will open a new restaurant in Bold Heath, between Widnes and St Helens, in mid-September. The venue will take over the space previously home to The Griffin Inn pub, which closed in June to make way for the new restaurant.
Expansion Across the North West
Founded in Cheshire in 2010, the company has expanded to more than 20 sites across the North West, including three on Merseyside. Its latest venue on Gateacre Brow, in the former Bear & Staff pub, opened on Friday, July 17. The business already has locations on Village Road in West Kirby and Folkestone Road in Southport.
A spokesperson told the ECHO: “We are delighted to be heading to Widnes– we've got strong links with the area, and we've already got to know so many guests from the local community, who have been visiting our neighbourhood bar and restaurants in Chester, Standish and across the region.
“Like the rest of the venues, visitors can expect a welcoming bar area, and on the menu they can choose from a range inspired by the barbecue traditions of the southern United States, with a focus on slow-smoked meats, stacked burgers and American comfort food.”
Signature Dishes and Historic Site
The restaurant's signature dishes include 16-hour Texas-style smoked brisket, Memphis-style baby-back ribs, hand-pulled BBQ pork, smoked chicken and jalapeño-and-cheese sausages. Diners can also choose from smokehouse platters featuring a selection of meats served with fries, cornbread, coleslaw and house pickles.
Hickory's Smokehouse original chef and now director, Rob Bacon, born “just up the road” from the new venue, said he was excited to be opening the first smokehouse on “home turf”. He said: “It's going to be a very special opening for me and the whole team. I know first-hand just how welcoming the local community can be and I can't wait to welcome friends, family and guests to our latest North West smokehouse.
“The new bar and restaurant will have classic Hickory's vibe, with cosy dining booths, fun, family friendly additions and a warm and welcoming bar area showing live sports daily - and of course their signature chef's bar, the prime spot to watch the chefs in action.
“The team are looking forward to getting to know the local community over the coming months and said they 'Can't wait to swing open the doors later this year.'”
Opening Date and Bookings
The Griffin Inn was originally established as a coaching house named 'The Magpie' back in the 1600s, and has acted as a warm and welcoming place to stay for four centuries. The premises has undergone several changes, including a rear infill extension, a new entrance, and a veranda, as well as adjustments to parts of the building's exterior. Covering an area of 47 square metres, the rear extension will measure 9.65m long and 5.6m wide, with a ridge height of 3.2m.
Speaking about the new venue, the restaurant chain said: “We are coming to Bold Heath this September, and we are now taking online bookings. The day is finally here folks – you can now book a table from Friday, September 18.”
