Hickie's Hamburger

Having grown up in Portsmouth, Ohio, over 50 years ago, I can't believe it took me this long to try Hickie's Hamburgers. That all changed on December 11, 2024, when I visited for the first time with my mom. It was a quintessential Portsmouth dining experience--true to tradition, we ran into a few familiar faces, as is always the case in Scioto County.The food was everything I hoped for and more. We ordered cheeseburgers, fries with gravy, and some onion rings, and each bite was absolutely delicious. The burgers are made from scratch and were outstanding!As a first-timer, I had the unique honor of being dubbed a "Hickie's Virgin," which added a fun, personal touch to the visit. The staff and atmosphere made the experience warm and memorable. On top of that, I had talk with Sugg Hickman the owner while I was there. She shared the rich history of Hickie's, along with stories about all the famous folks who have frequented the restaurant over the years. It was fascinating to hear how much this place means to our community and beyond.Hickie's is definitely a place I'll be coming back to whenever I'm in town. If you haven't been, I highly recommend checking it out. It's a must-stop meal spot for anyone visiting or returning home to Portsmouth!

A buddy of mine that's local took me here to try it out. This is a classic diner style restaurant in my opinion. The decor is cozy with table, booth, and bar seating options. The air is filled with the smell of their burgers frying on their flattop griddle; which, while I was there, was constant. It's well lit and there's a persistent quiet racket that's to be expected with a busy dinner. We took a booth and were met with menus almost immediately. The selection was much larger than I expected, but I opted for four double cheeseburgers and fries with gravy. I had been prompted that the burgers were small, so it wasn't like I normally order that many. The burgers come with lettuce, tomato, ketchup, and mustard, but I opted to add white onion as well. The gravy fries I heard my buddy order so I decided to give them a shot.The food comes out quick, I don't think we waited more than 15 minutes honestly. The burgers were really good. The bun was soft and soaked up a little of the grease from the burger. The meat was lightly seasoned and dripped some juice with each bite. A simple, classic, and tasty burger. The fries with gravy were savory and worth the chance I took on them.The service is amazing, the food is good, but the real gem of the diner is clearly the owner Sugg. She makes her rounds and chats with everyone. She is funny, so very hospitable, and you can feel her pride in what she does. Sugg told me about how she opened in 1975, the numerous celebrity visits she has had, and how she makes her dishes in house instead of buying most of them. There's a thing that she does as well, I almost don't want to spoil it, but she's pretty proud of it. If you're new, and somehow she can tell, she asks where you're from and will then announce to the restaurant that you're new (in a fun way) and where you're from. It's a pretty good time.If you have to have a down side, you will smell like their diner for the rest of the day and your clothes may need two washes to get it out. Other than that, I'm definitely going again when I am in the area.

I stopped in for a quick bite after a doctors appointment so it was after lunch. I was there about 2 in the afternoon and the place was packed. The service was a little slow but, every table seemed to be occupied and there were not enough servers so they were doing the best they could. I ordered a foot long hot dog and a bowl of chili. The hot dog was okay not really great but the chili was some of the best I've eaten in a restaurant. My wife had a hamburger and onion rings, she said the hamburger was really good but the onion rings were just so so. The onion rings were the type that are chopped and formed then coated in batter, she got six onion rings on her order and they were a little pricey for what and how many came in an order. I would have included pics of the menu but it is posted on wall signs in multiple locations, it was kind of hard to read to be able to take it all in. The dining area is in two rooms and there is a dining counter. It's nothing fancy, it reminds me of an old lunch counter and dining area from like a GC Murphy or Woolworth.

The employees could be a lot more friendly & smile; instead of frowning & being rude, like they could care less taking your order. It's like a couple of the employees, just want to get done & clock out. Also the soup bowls; could be larger, so you can get your money's worth. We are at the restaurant to enjoy the food & environment; however, the employees make you feel unwelcome & want you to hurry up and get out.

Best Sliders around... Amazing waitresses interact with the customers and make you feel at home. Grab a table or sit at the counter and watch them cook up to 1000 patties a day. Great coneys, chili and sides.

Great Little DiveService was Great Burgers were Great They put out alot of Food QuickDefinitely would go back if i was in the neighborhood again Our Grandson had 3 Doubles And fries

I hadn't been to Hickie's in 20 years! I was so happy to taste nothing had changed!The burgers were tender, juicy, fresh. Fries and gravy that can only be had on this side of Ohio. Cincinnati style poutine just doesn't cut it. My first time trying fries and gravy was my first year of college from Hickies.Not many can rave about bean soup but at Hickie's, you can. Homemade, yum!Always busy, we did have to wait quite a bit for our food, and our server wasn't incredibly attentive. However, this crew worked together wonderfully. I was so impressed by this. So many girls, busy, in a small area, all trying to work can get hectic. They were all helping each other out. Several servers came to refill our drinks, deliver our food, offer a smile.Prices cannot be beat. So many came for carry out while dining in. There is a reason this is such a staple in the area!

Great burgers and footlongs . I go everytome im in Portsmouth ohio.my favorite burger joint .Ihighly recommend trying it

Seating and our order taken in no time flat! Soup on our table within a couple minutes. Waitress was very friendly and pleasant! Out slider style burgers were delivered within a few minutes and were excellent! I opted for two double cheeseburgers and the wife for a single hamburger. We would definitely stop here again if in the area!

Very much an experience but the food is inexpensive, delicious, and well prepared. Reduced hours and lots of carry out business. All menu items are reasonably priced ad well prepared