We recommend going to Hickory Park simply on the basis of the dessert menu. Of course, the Park’s famous Bar-B-Q alone is worth the trip.

We arrived on a Sunday evening and waited in the spacious lobby, beeper in hand. That’s right. When you are placed on the waiting list, you get a neat little vibrating beeper. We were enjoying ourselves already.

After our obligatory half-hour wait, we were seated in a very nice booth. By very nice, we mean very big, with very tall backs. And we’ve got two words for you — coat hooks. A very nice touch.

The whole operation was smoothly run. Our beverages arrived quickly, and we were able to order a cheese ball appetizer immediately. Thankfully, Hickory Park carries both Pepsi and Coke products, satisfying everyone but the RC fans out there … we know who you are.

Tom: Time came to a halt when I first caught sight of the dessert menu, a separate paper placemat featuring row after row of tantalizing treats.

There are really two ways to approach choosing a dessert: a simple process of elimination, crossing out dish after dish until a decision is made, or a tournament-style bracket system. You give each dessert a seed and pair them up, making your decisions round after round until a victor is chosen.

Either way, a pencil is required, and you can expect to spend at least 10 minutes ignoring your friends and neighbors as you focus on your task.

I chose a Tin Roof Sundae, and it was good stuff. Oh, and there was an entree too, an excellent Hickory Burger with bacon and cheese. Above average, even at six bucks a pop, so it was worth it.

Overall, a good meal made great by the presence of a fantastic ice cream sundae.

Pete: I had a Saucy Southerner. It’s a combination of all the meats chopped up and smothered in that delicious sauce.

It’s the only thing I eat when I visit the Park, and there is a very good reason for that. It’s wonderful.

I am not really a big fan of ice cream, so I enjoyed a Hot Apple Crunch. More apple crisp with a few scoops of ice cream than ice cream with a scoop of apple crisp, it was amazing, and went down smooth.

Guest columnist Megan: I ordered the sampler platter at the strong suggestion of my two companions. Pork ribs, beef ribs and half a barbecued chicken is a lot of food, but I was ready for the challenge.

The chicken had a fantastic smoked flavor and the pork ribs were equally pleasing. The beef ribs, however, were far too fatty for my taste. Tom, however, was all to happy to polish them off for me.

On that note, it’s not a bad idea to split Hickory Park’s larger dinners between two people. I just didn’t have enough energy to finish my S’mores Sundae. Again, Tom was happy to oblige.

Overall, Hickory Park is good stuff. If you haven’t had a chance to eat there, indulge yourself and head down South Duff to give it a shot.

The Park still has some Christmas lights hung outside, so you probably won’t miss it. Why the lights are still out as February winds its way into March is beyond us, but since it will help you find the place, we say live and let live.

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Peter Gudlewski is a sophomore in English from Davenport who actually said “are you gonna eat that” as we ate. Tom Hanks, not the multiple Oscar nominee, is a sophomore from Coal Valley, Ill. majoring in computer engineering. Megan Helmers is an undeclared sophomore from Sibley.