Hill Side Smokehouse & Tavern

Hill Side Smokehouse & Tavern We will be serving cocktails, beer (domestic/craft) and wine. Come see us! Come relish in the familiar camaraderie and new indulgences that await you.

🍻 **Welcome to Hill Side: Where Everybody Knows Your Name!** 🍻

**About Us:**
Discover the heartwarming charm of Hill Side, a local bar that exudes a Cheers-like atmosphere. Under the new ownership of Matt and Sarah Emmett, Hill Side has evolved into a beloved date night destination while maintaining the essence that made it special.

**Our Journey:**
Having fallen in love with Hill Side, Matt an

d Sarah embraced the opportunity to take the helm. They've cherished its legacy while introducing their own touch, enhancing the experience without losing the familiar feeling that patrons have come to adore.

**What Sets Us Apart:**
At Hill Side, we're passionate about blending the old and the new. While we're staying true to Diane's legacy, we're also thrilled to present an expanded beer menu and enticing cocktails, adding a fresh layer of excitement to your visits.

**Our Vision:**
As custodians of Hill Side, we have exciting plans in the works. Get ready for an enhanced culinary journey with the installation of a kitchen, promising delightful treats to complement your favorite drinks. Additionally, we're extending our hours and days of operation, ensuring that there's always a perfect time to drop by.

**Join Us:**
Whether you're a long-time regular or a first-time visitor, Hill Side welcomes you with open arms. We can't wait to share the Hill Side experience with you! Stay connected:
Follow us on at hillside_FM on Instagram and HillSide_FM on Twitter for updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses. See you at Hill Side soon! 🎉

Hill Side friends —We’re pausing Hill Side operations for the winter, effective immediately. This is not goodbye — This ...
12/15/2025

Hill Side friends —

We’re pausing Hill Side operations for the winter, effective immediately. This is not goodbye — This is see you soon.

Winter BBQ in Iowa is tougher than we anticipated, and between the seasonal slowdown and cold-weather cooking challenges, it makes sense to step back, reset, and take care of the building after our busiest stretch in decades.

We’re incredibly proud of what we accomplished this past year — bringing the Hill back as a restaurant, rebuilding the kitchen, and sharing a great first BBQ season with this community. Thank you for showing up and supporting it.

We do still have some parties scheduled, so as always, if the open sign is on, come on in.

See you in the spring,

Matt & Sarah

📣 Weather Update - Hill Side Closed TonightWe appreciate everyone’s understanding — stay warm, stay safe.
12/13/2025

📣 Weather Update - Hill Side Closed Tonight

We appreciate everyone’s understanding — stay warm, stay safe.

📣 Cold Weather Update — BBQ TonightThis cold snap and steady snow changed the plan a bit for the weekend.With these temp...
12/12/2025

📣 Cold Weather Update — BBQ Tonight

This cold snap and steady snow changed the plan a bit for the weekend.

With these temps, we won’t be running ribs or sliced brisket tonight — but we are open and serving plenty of BBQ.

What is ready:

🐖 Pulled pork
🍗 Pulled chicken
🔪 Chopped brisket

Served as sandwiches and sliders, plus our full lineup of homemade sides, dips, and the favorites you’ve been craving.

It’s cold outside — but warm, cozy, and fed inside the Hill.

🍽️ Kitchen 5–8 | 🍻 Bar till 10

12/11/2025

📣 Weather Update – Closed Tonight

Due to the winter weather and dangerous conditions, Hill Side will be closed tonight.

Several of our staff members drive in from out of town, and we don’t want to send anyone home after dark in this.

Stay warm, stay safe, and we’ll see you on our next service night.

— The Hill Side Crew

It’s Wing Wednesday, and the wings came out fantastic — crispy, smoky, and right on time.The only curveball today?The wi...
12/10/2025

It’s Wing Wednesday, and the wings came out fantastic — crispy, smoky, and right on time.

The only curveball today?

The wind chill slowed the pit way down, so sliced brisket is running hours behind and won’t be available tonight.

But everything else is hot and ready:

🐖 Pulled pork
🍗 Pulled chicken
🔪 Chopped brisket
🥔 Loaded baked potatoes
All your favorite scratch-made sides

Come warm up, grab some wings, and let the Hill take care of dinner.

🍽️ Kitchen 5–8 | 🍻 Bar till 10

📣 Behind the Bark: Final TackThey’ve been wrapped, softened up, and now they’re back on the pit for the tack phase.This ...
12/05/2025

📣 Behind the Bark: Final Tack

They’ve been wrapped, softened up, and now they’re back on the pit for the tack phase.

This is where the glaze tightens, the shine comes in, and that last layer of flavor locks on.

They’re almost ready…

Ribs hit the menu at 5:00pm.

📣 Behind the Bark: The WrapOnce the bones start pulling back, the ribs come off the pitand head into the kitchen for the...
12/05/2025

📣 Behind the Bark: The Wrap

Once the bones start pulling back, the ribs come off the pit
and head into the kitchen for their doctoring.

A layer of my sauce, butter, and a little sugar goes down before we seal the foil tight.

This is where they get tender, juicy, and ready for that perfect bite.

Back on the pit next — stay tuned.

📣 Behind the Bark: The SignalSee those bones starting to peek out?That’s the sign we’re getting close — the ribs are rea...
12/05/2025

📣 Behind the Bark: The Signal

See those bones starting to peek out?

That’s the sign we’re getting close — the ribs are ready for the next step.

Wrap time is coming.

Stay tuned… the magic happens in the kitchen.

🔥 It’s Rib Night, Fort Madison! 🔥Every Friday, The Hillside turns up the flavor with our slow-smoked ribs—tender, juicy,...
12/05/2025

🔥 It’s Rib Night, Fort Madison! 🔥
Every Friday, The Hillside turns up the flavor with our slow-smoked ribs—tender, juicy, and packed with rich BBQ goodness. These ribs spend hours in the smoker soaking up that perfect blend of smoke and seasoning, and trust us… you’ll taste the difference with every bite. 😍

Each order comes with our homemade pickled onions, fresh pickles, and two classic southern sides like mac and cheese, green beans, or coleslaw. It’s the comfort food lineup that keeps people coming back week after week. 🍽️💛

And what’s a great meal without a great drink? Pair your rib dinner with a handcrafted cocktail, an ice-cold beer, or a glass of wine from our tavern bar. 🍹🍺🍷 From family dinners to date nights to gatherings with friends, Friday nights at The Hillside are built for good vibes and even better food.

👉 Join us and start your weekend right!

📣 Behind the Bark: Setting the ColorNext step in the rib journey: color development.Once the rub meets the smoke, the ri...
12/05/2025

📣 Behind the Bark: Setting the Color

Next step in the rib journey: color development.

Once the rub meets the smoke, the ribs start to darken and that bark begins to form.

Not even close to done — but this is where the flavor foundation gets built.

Ribs drop at 5:00pm.
Stay tuned… the best parts are still coming.

📣 Behind the Bark: It Starts HereYou’ve been waiting… and tonight at 5:00pm, ribs finally hit the Hill.But before they e...
12/05/2025

📣 Behind the Bark: It Starts Here

You’ve been waiting… and tonight at 5:00pm, ribs finally hit the Hill.

But before they ever touch the smoker, it all starts right here —
a clean trim and my killer secret pork rub.

The rub hits the meat, the color pops, and the magic starts long before the smoke ever does.

More updates throughout the day — stay tuned.
The ribs are coming.

Address

1135 Avenue E
Fort Madison, IA
52627

Opening Hours

Wednesday 5pm - 10pm
Thursday 5pm - 10pm
Friday 5pm - 10pm
Saturday 5pm - 10pm

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