If you haven’t yet been to one of Lowell’s newest restaurants, you are missing out on some pretty amazing, gush-worthy food.
I don’t like to gush when writing reviews. I have to be honest though — when I say Hop Hog is serving up some great grub, I mean it.
When Big Boiler Brewing revamped and became Hop Hog back in July, it gave our town a “new” place to eat.
Hop Hog, located at 318 E. Main St., is the creation of the same owners of Big Boiler. The original Hop Hog is in Greenville. Owner Brent Slagell decided to transplant their successful concept from Greenville’s Hop Hog to their Lowell restaurant.
As an infrequent patron of Big Boiler Brewing, my expectations of the new concept were not high. Nothing stood out to me at the former restaurant.
Not so at Hop Hog.
I’ve been there twice. Both times were during busy dinner hours. Both times I was seated immediately and greeted promptly by my server. Drinks and appetizers were served very quickly.
Here are some of the unique features of the new Hop Hog:
There are several sauces placed on all the tables with flavors like “Big City Heat,” “Hop Hog Heritage,” and “Carolina Gold,” which is a honey sauce with medium heat that is my favorite. You can sample the sauces on your food as you are eating to switch up your flavors.
Another feature that is very useful is paper towel rolls right there permanently on the tables. Between the sauces and juices from the meat, a roll of paper towels just makes sense.
Some of the specific menu items that I’ve tried are the beef brisket, chicken tenders, chicken wings, and two of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had in my life: The Philly and the French Dip.
Here comes the gushing: They do something magical to the meat here. It is juicy and flavorful, and there’s a quality about it that I am having difficulty describing. I know there’s some sort of fat agent at work here, but it’s not “fatty.” The result is lots of juice (paper towels) and flavor.
A couple side dishes need to be mentioned. There’s a cucumber salad that accompanies some of the meals that is fresh and delicious, and the Brussel sprouts were cooked perfectly.
They still brew their own beer, and there is one that I tried that was outstanding. It is called “Cool Runnings,” and it is brewed along with “Jamaican Blue Mountain” coffee. It tastes like a creamy coffee beer.
Hop Hog also features an entire gluten-free menu so if you need that, you are all set.
My only regret is that both times I’ve gone, I’ve become too full to have a dessert. One of these times hopefully I will try their caramel cheesecake or carrot cake – which I hear is huge.
Lowell is lucky to get a place with such a large variety of delicious offerings, and prices are comparable to most places around town. I’m looking forward to my next visit.
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