Binko wrote:If you thought Smoque lacked atmosphere, be prepared for Honey 1. The dining room is pretty much an afterthought, although most of the top tier BBQ places in Chicago are carry-out only, so be thankful that there's even a place to sit and eat.

Yeah, I figured that out. It's fine for me but the wife wants more of an ambiance. A few years back, my brother and I drove from Tucson, AZ to Raleigh, NC and all we did was hit bbq places in between. The best ones seem to be the plainest, take out types. Can't wait to try Honey1...

tyrus wrote: The best ones seem to be the plainest, take out types. Can't wait to try Honey1...

The same holds true here. My personal favorite in Chicago is Uncle John's, on 337 E. 69th Street. I've never had a bad experience there, but I just stick to the tips/links combo. I actually have no idea how their regular spares fare, because the tips and links are so good.

My girlfriend and I tried Smoke Daddy over the summer and were sorely disappointed. Her pulled pork was dry as a bone (it looked like it had been out since the day before), and my rib tips were among the worst I've had. Had I known then (the fact that they don't actually smoke their meats low and slow) what I know now, I would have stayed away.

I'm from Alabama, and my favorite joints will always be from there, Georgia and Tennessee, but up here, I'll go to Fat Willy's, Honey 1, Merle's ever now and then. Always looking for that next great plate of BBQed meat.

Oh, and I tried Robinson's at a rib fest after reading that they were "number 1" in Chicago. By who's standard? They were wretched.

J

I just noticed Smoke Daddy for the first time. I guess I don't spend enough time on that stretch of Division...because in this case, time definitely equals money.

It looked liked a fun place to hang, but how's the food? Has anyone been since the last post?

Monday nights are $3 drafts and usually have live jazz, and IMO is the best night to stop by. $3 drafts of Half Acre Daisy Cutter (actually cheaper than buying it in the store as the 22oz bombers are 7-8 bucks) along with some decent BBQ is a nice combo. It's not the best BBQ in Chicago, but it's not bad and I think the atmosphere makes up for it a bit if you're planning on sitting somewhere for a while. I thought the spare ribs were pretty good.

They're definitely smoking the meats (you can smell it from outside the building, just like when you walk by Honey 1), but I suspect they may use a combo of wood and gas, which is why they're not as good as a Smoque or Honey 1 that smokes only.

Smoque uses a Southern Pride gas cooker. There is a fire box for real wood smoke, but the heat source is gas.

Smokedaddy uses an Ole Hickory pit . Gas powered with a firebox for wood.

The 4 Star Restaurant Group announced its plans to open a Smoke Daddy barbecue restaurant in the Hotel Zachary across from Wrigley Field, joining Big Star in the posh complex.

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2016100 ... field-cubs