Favorite BBQ in Chicago?

Hi everyone,

The fiance has told me he wants to get some bbq for his birthday next month, so I'm looking for suggestions. We would definitely choose authentic over fancy, and we have a car so we can travel a bit. TIA!

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Beef Ribs
L.Woods in Lincolnwood
Honky Tonk in Pilsen
Banderas downtown (not sure if they're smoked but they're great)

Brisket
Honky Tonk
Smoque

Chicken Sammich
Smokin T's in Long Grove - white sauce is amazing to top it.

Something Different
Smokin' T's beef rib sammich - succulent, juicy and fatty to perfection.

Something VERY Different
Khan BBQ on Devon and Western. Chicken Boti is stellar food item that will change the world.

For some sit-down barbecue on a birthday, I'd probably go with Honky Tonk or possibly Smoque. For a bit more traditional old school Chicago barbecue, I'd say Honey 1 (which has a dining area), followed by a trip to Quencher's up the street for a few birthday brews. My favorite barbecue is Uncle John's, but that's take-out only. It might be nice for a picnic, though. Pick up some ribs tips and links, drive down to Promontory Point in Hyde Park, and enjoy the lake and some tips. Also, in the same area, you have Lem's and Barbara Ann's. It really depends on what kind of barbecue you're looking for. I think the most likely to please the most palates options are Honky Tonk and Smoque. If you're a Chicago rib tips (or spare ribs) and hot links aficionado, then Honey 1, Uncle John's, Lem's, and Barbara Ann's would be clearly my picks, with the edge to Honey 1 only because it has a dining area and a nearby beer bar. I would say the last three are definitely not typical birthday-dinner places, but no Chicago BBQ list would be complete without them.

I'm not looking for a typical b-day place, I'm looking for super good bbq. We love Honey 1, but as far as I know, it's closed. Last time we tried to go (a few weeks ago) it was closed due to a fire.

richchoc wrote:I'm not looking for a typical b-day place, I'm looking for super good bbq. We love Honey 1, but as far as I know, it's closed. Last time we tried to go (a few weeks ago) it was closed due to a fire.

Honey 1 is open again!

I would second Honey 1 and Smoque, but are you looking for anything in particular? Ribs? Links? Brisket? Tips? The whole hog?

Well, the fiance loves brisket, and since it's his birthday I would say that's a good starting point. Me, I've hated brisket my entire life due to repeated childhood encounters of my mom's Lipton Onion Soup Mix-drenched leather meat. But I digress. He loves brisket, I love ribs, so there you go! Also, as much as I love a good picnic, seating would probably be a plus in case the weather isn't good enough. As much as I love BBQ, I don't need my car to smell like it for a month.

Honey One is, as they say above, open for business. It's also as good as ever. My vote would be for Honey One or Smoque, and my personal preference would be Honey One every time, unless I'm really, really craving brisket. If he loves brisket, take him to Smoque.

It should be noted for those who gave up on Smoque's ribs in the early days, that they have improved quite a bit since then.

richchoc wrote:Well, the fiance loves brisket, and since it's his birthday I would say that's a good starting point. Me, I've hated brisket my entire life due to repeated childhood encounters of my mom's Lipton Onion Soup Mix-drenched leather meat. But I digress. He loves brisket, I love ribs, so there you go! Also, as much as I love a good picnic, seating would probably be a plus in case the weather isn't good enough. As much as I love BBQ, I don't need my car to smell like it for a month.

In that case, I'd definitely go with Smoque or Honky Tonk, probably leaning a little towards Smoque for the brisket, although I prefer the atmosphere at Honky Tonk.

Smoque BBQ
3800 N Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 545-7427

Honky Tonk BBQ
1213 W 18th St
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 226-7427

For something accessible w/ lots of great sides -- Smoque
For the best tips and links in the city -- Honey 1

Smoque, for any "occasion" /event dining experience should be avoided.
Why?
Their Food Delivery method sucks.
I really can't see the thrill of:

[*]Standing in a line so thick, yer ass is bumpin on the door.
[*]Reading the Menu for "entertainment" while gettin' jostled in line.
[*]Still standing in line- getting jostled some more from those "lucky" enough to have gotten their Cafeteria Tray of Food assigned to them-
attempting to navigate their way to a table,whilst using the Cafeteria Tray as a "Cow-Catcher-Crowd-Clearing" device..
[*]Finally, after way too long of a wait in an ill fashioned line, having a barking 20 sumpin kid hurridly ask ya want ya want-
G_d forbid if ya have a question......Then Pay- and shuffle off to somewhere "out-of-the-way" to wait for your number to be called-
to be handed an aforementioned Cafeteria tray of Food that someone has used latex gloved hands to literally "grab-and-glop" your ration of cooked swine
onto.
Gee- no Thanks!

Oh- and did I mention how comfortable the "vibe' is there?
If Ed Debevics "vibe" makes ya wanna scream-
this place will drive ya to XANAX!
Quick!

Robert Jr is servin some fine BBQ at Honey One.
The fluorescent lighting may not be the most "chill" spot in the planet- but at least your able to enjoy your food and friends and maybe some conversation all at the same time.
The BBQ place on 18th Street in Pilsen is good for a "event" as well-Honkey-Tonk I believe is the name.

The merits of food aside I think the clear choice would be Honky Tonk as it is a vastly superior space and vibe. The possibility of live music along with BYOB and the laid back ambiance make for a really enjoyable experience. While Smoque may or may not have better food there is little character beside the friendly efficient aura of a place to eat really great food and be on your way.

Honky Tonk is in a more interesting neighborhood and provides many more options for pre or post nearby excursions for apps or desert.

In any case if you want to determine the best BBQ place in Chicago you will eat at both places eventually. But, IMO a celebratory dinner would be better served at the slightly kitsch Honky Tonk.

I guess I couldn't disagree more with the comments on Smoque BBQ.

Granted, it does somewhat play a role of when you want to go there, but I've gone there on a Friday night as well as a weekend and I didn't wait that long. Also the staff is incredibly nice. Not sure the experience you had of someone "barking"

Didn't know they had delivery, but you can always pick up your food too.

I prefer Smoque over Honkey Tonk as their sides are better and you seem to get more bang for your buck there. Honkey Tonk's lil sandwiches are good, but the brisket at Smoque is a God-send! Very excellent stuff!

smoque - get the sliced brisket. done.

1) Honey 1 - Their trifecta of rib tips, spares, and links are the best I have had in the city.

2) Smoque - their brisket is excellent.

Hombre de Acero wrote:Smoque, for any "occasion" /event dining experience should be avoided.
Why?
Their Food Delivery method sucks.
I really can't see the thrill of:

[*]Standing in a line so thick, yer ass is bumpin on the door.
[*]Reading the Menu for "entertainment" while gettin' jostled in line.
[*]Still standing in line- getting jostled some more from those "lucky" enough to have gotten their Cafeteria Tray of Food assigned to them-
attempting to navigate their way to a table,whilst using the Cafeteria Tray as a "Cow-Catcher-Crowd-Clearing" device..
[*]Finally, after way too long of a wait in an ill fashioned line, having a barking 20 sumpin kid hurridly ask ya want ya want-
G_d forbid if ya have a question......Then Pay- and shuffle off to somewhere "out-of-the-way" to wait for your number to be called-
to be handed an aforementioned Cafeteria tray of Food that someone has used latex gloved hands to literally "grab-and-glop" your ration of cooked swine
onto.
Gee- no Thanks!

Oh- and did I mention how comfortable the "vibe' is there?
If Ed Debevics "vibe" makes ya wanna scream-
this place will drive ya to XANAX!
Quick!

Couldn't disagree more. Smoque is one great choice and there are at least a few others, which have also been mentioned. But Smoque's often busy because their food is outstanding. They are incredibly hospitable and do a great job of managing flow through their space. In fact, I'd contend that their hands-on, get-involved approaches to order taking and seating are precisely what make the place so easy to deal with, in spite of the crowds. From what I have experienced personally and witnessed at Smoque, I think their customer service represents the standard to which all Chicago BBQ joints should be compared. It's not just good -- it's the best.

=R=

barry told me last year that the neighbors wouldn't allow them to have outdoor dining for some stupid reason. they have a huge sidewalk space to the south and it would eliminate some of the crowd problems in the summer anyway. it would be glorious! regardless, it is still my choice for que.

I'm a customer who's typically very critical of lackadaisical service and logistical "issues" that often peeve me.

I've been a dine-in customer at Smoque 6 or 7 times and my take on the service and quality of the operation is that it just keeps getting better each time I'm there: the menu is understandable, the lines flow smoothly, the counter staff knows what it's doing, the hands-on seating assignment by one of the owners once an order is placed is efficient and much better than the early days when it was every man (or woman) for himself! and the order fulfillment is rapid given the load.

I've seen problems and I've thought most if not all of them have been caused by customers - who've sometimes been standing in line for 5 or 10 minutes only to arrive at the order point asking for a explanation of the menu (which has been clearly posted on the wall precisely for them to read).

Visiting Smoque during it's busiest hours of operation can be unsettling for persons unfamiliar (or who don't like) wall-to-wall people enjoying themselves, and the company of others in the close quarters seating arrangement and I suspect folks who fall into that category don't make a return visit. The place is doing a lot of things right, though - judging by it's success and the long lines that have snaked to the door from day 1.

I've no favorite BBQ restaurant, though - because BBQ isn't high on my list of food choices.

i have been getting great spare ribs at the exsentor in markham , il on 159 st just west of 294. south side of street.

Only One Place HONKY TONK

honkytonkbbqchicago.com

Go for the Q stay for the fun....great food even better atmosphere

Bill wrote:I've no favorite BBQ restaurant, though - because BBQ isn't high on my list of food choices.

Dear Bill,

I regret to inform you LTHForum user account ~Bill~ has been suspended pending review. To expedite account reinstatement please submit 5 BBQ stained napkins to the LTHForum corporate office located at 1060 W. Addison St.

Best regards,
Gary Wiviott

G Wiv wrote:To expedite account reinstatement please submit 5 BBQ stained napkins to the LTHForum corporate office located at 1060 W. Addison St.

Best regards,
Gary Wiviott

The Captain Morgan Club?

Love that elevated leg thang.

G Wiv wrote:

Bill wrote:I've no favorite BBQ restaurant, though - because BBQ isn't high on my list of food choices.

Dear Bill,

I regret to inform you LTHForum user account ~Bill~ has been suspended pending review. To expedite account reinstatement please submit 5 BBQ stained napkins to the LTHForum corporate office located at 1060 W. Addison St.

Best regards,
Gary Wiviott

Gary,

You are way too easy. You need only eat BBQ once in order to attain 5 stained napkins. Submitting Bill to a BBQ-thon would be more fitting for reinstatement of his account, "Bill." *

*Just kidding, Bill.

Bill wrote:Visiting Smoque during it's busiest hours of operation can be unsettling for persons unfamiliar (or who don't like) wall-to-wall people....

I have to admit that I am one of those people that hate to stand in long lines for food but Smoque is the exception to that rule, especially when I get a whiff of BBQ smoke to reenergize me.

I just moved to Kenosha, the closest thing there to decent BBQ is ::shudder:: Famous Dave's

DirtyDuckInn wrote:

Bill wrote:Visiting Smoque during it's busiest hours of operation can be unsettling for persons unfamiliar (or who don't like) wall-to-wall people....

I have to admit that I am one of those people that hate to stand in long lines for food but Smoque is the exception to that rule, especially when I get a whiff of BBQ smoke to reenergize me.

I just moved to Kenosha, the closest thing there to decent BBQ is ::shudder:: Famous Dave's

I haven't been there yet, but from off-board opinions I've heard from people whose BBQ opinions I respect, it may be worth your while to check out Big Ed's BBQ in North Chicago, which is only about 20 miles from Kenosha.

I could care less if the line went out the door and then wrapped around the block during January!! Oh wait, it almost does at Smoque...

Anyway, I really enjoy Smoque. My only gripe is that they have the same rub on everything and it gives all the food a close to the same flavor profile. Otherwise, these guys try hard and consistently deliver great food.

The place that doesn't do it for me is Honey1, yeah I know, I'm going against the LTH grain again. But G Wiv & swsidejim have both assured me that its because I have been going there for dinner and not lunch... I'll find out when we do a tasting showdown this summer I suppose.

For me, the best I've found in Chicagoland is Big Ed's in the suburb of North Chicago.

DirtyDuckInn: You my friend are really close to Big Ed's, you just need to drive south on Green Bay Rd for 20 minutes to MLK, hang a left, and then all your BBQ woes will all disappear. Big Ed's is better & cheaper than Smoque without the long lines, at least for now, until the word really gets out. Another option for you is 40 mins north in Milwaukee at Speed Queen, that place is really good too.

abf005 wrote:The place that doesn't do it for me is Honey1, yeah I know, I'm going against the LTH grain again. But G Wiv & swsidejim have both assured me that its because I have been going there for dinner and not lunch...

Burt,

Not exactly what I said. Honey 1, like most small operation wood burning BBQ joints have a distinctive cycle, you seem to have, unluckily, hit them twice at low ebbs.

Early in the week when it's a little slower Honey 1's BBQ is at it's peak at lunchtime, busier week days, and all summer might be busier, the smoker gets re-fired for the dinner hour.

Friday and Sunday Mr. Adams always does two loads, Saturday he cooks continuously all day long.

It's also possible, as you are an electric smoker man, that you do not enjoy the crisp caramelized fat in the fire edginess of Honey 1's style of BBQ cookery. Same religion, different Rabbi's, as LAZ once wisely said.

Enjoy,
Gary

abf005 wrote: Another option for you is 40 mins north in Milwaukee at Speed Queen, that place is really good too.

Mmm...Speed Queen. I was just there for lunch two weeks ago before a Lakefront Brewery tour (probably the best beer tour I've ever been on.) Other than their outside shoulder being great, their hot barbecue sauce is quite interesting--I try to stock up on a couple of bottles when I go there, because I've never come across anything like it. While it seems to be based on South Carolina mustard sauces, it has a healthy dose of horseradish which I don't think I've ever come across before in a barbecue sauce.

If Smoque is better than Honey 1, it's got to be pretty incredible. 3800 N. Pulaski is a little awkward to get to from chez Trpt, but I'm going to make the trip to make the comparison. Will report back.