There are certain imposing landmarks that are emblematic of Evanston: Deering Library, Fountain Square, Lake Michigan — but among those icons, the unassuming Hecky’s Barbecue maintains its status as a city staple since its opening in 1983.
Located at the intersection of Green Bay Road and Emerson Street, Hecky’s is a short walk from campus and Downtown Evanston.
The restaurant doesn’t have any seating, but its takeout is on par with competitors’ sit-down meals and proves optimal for a picnic. I went with some friends so we could all try a few different meals, but each entree we ordered worked as an individual lunch.
The pulled pork sandwich ($12.25) was a highlight. The meat was high-quality, although its true value was as a showcase for the signature barbecue sauce — even the sign proudly declares, “It’s the Sauce!”
The sauce is unusually sweet but doesn’t betray the classic barbecue taste, and it highlights the bold flavors of the restaurant’s Louisiana roots.
Despite originating with New Orleans recipes according to the website, Hecky’s holds its own as a unique establishment, claiming on its awning that it is “E-Town Style!”
“The Mutt” ($15.00) was a glorious mess, including pork hot links, wings, rib tips and fries, all doused in barbecue sauce to create a true monster of a meal. The ribs were somewhat tough but made up for their lackluster texture with their bold, rich taste.
The pork sausages were juicy, spicy and the best part of the order despite being somewhat of a background character. The wings were some of the best I’ve had in Evanston, albeit, like the pulled pork sandwich, they were more of a canvas for the sauce.
Although I made the grave mistake of not ordering a side, my friends luckily purchased a few that rounded out the meal.
As a sweet potato fries enjoyer — perhaps even aficionado — Hecky’s sweet potato fries ($4.50, small) were top-notch. Although the winter cold certainly got to them on our walk back to campus, they were still one of my favorite parts of the meal.
The mac and cheese ($5.25) was heavy on the latter, which was creamy, sharp and satiating.
The coleslaw ($3.75), which can be difficult to do well, served as a delicious savory contrast to the sweet and spicy sauce, and worked well as a topping for a pulled pork sandwich.
For dessert, the peach cobbler ($4.75) initially appeared almost soup-like, but tasted significantly better than it looked. The peaches were incredibly sweet but didn’t completely soak the bread, which maintained its taste despite being jammed into a container with plenty of liquid.
It may just be the sauce after all, but it’s clear Hecky’s has so much more to offer anyone craving a taste of New Orleans, “E-Town Style.”
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