Simply Smokin' in Frankfort

Yes, yet another new BBQ place opened in the Chicago area, seems that 2010 will go down as the year of the Q. Simply Smokin opened its doors over the summer, and I didn't write a review after my first visit since I stumbled in there opening week and thought it wouldn't be fair to do that as they would be ironing out kinks. But, in fairness, the first visit was not completely different from this last one so I will mention that too.

My first visit, I happened to be greeted by the owner, a nice Greek fellow that I don't remember the name, and was excited to chat him up as there aren't any other bbq options in my hometown. He had owned several pancake houses, but this was his first venture into bbq. I asked him about the smoker (I was a little worried since I didn't notice wood laying around anywhere), and he beamed that yes, they do use a smoker. I inquired about the type, and he told me "a big commercial one that uses gas so the product comes out even". At that point, I started feeling pains of guilt, the Richton Park UJs was only 15 minutes away, yet I was here cheating on it. This greeting was actually better than the last one as the hostess/server was chatting on her cell phone and asked us a couple of times about our preference because she couldn't hear us over her call.

The owner recommended the brisket the first time, and this last time I had the ribs while my wife had a steak. The steak was quite good. The bbq, well not so much. The brisket actually had a smoke ring and a nice flavor to it, but was literally cut paper thin, so it was hard to gauge the texture. The ribs were well... strange. Baby backs ordered without sauce. There was no smoke ring evident, and an almost artificially smoky flavor that did not seem to penetrate all the way through the rib. The sweet potato fries were crisp and good, the beans were lifeless.

On my way out I was listening to another server describe the texture of the brisket to a customer as being "just like lunchmeat", I winced as I beat a hasty retreat to the door. Here is the address, maybe it can be used as a warning beacon. I really had hoped to like the place.

Simply Smokin'
10211 Lincoln Highway
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-469-4440

Thanks for taking one for the team.

Wow glennpan this place sounds like it has several problems going down. Wonder if they were using l*quid sm*ke (trademark Gary lol) ? Sounds like they need someone new to run there big commercial gas pit....ughhh!

I live relatively close. My son was all excited about the place. Food was terrible and when he complained they were complete jerks. He was a complete gentleman and they were asses.
NO SECOND CHANCE

atomicman wrote:Thanks for taking one for the team.

thanks for the heads up glen.
just another south bound train

There was an article in the local Frankfort paper today that mentioned that Simply Smokin is now closed and they were evicted from the location. Apparently, their belongings were strewn over the lawn outside the building earlier this week. No details were available if the eviction was a result of a financial issue, or if the landlord had tasted their lousy que.

dang, my parents live right down the street. they could've grabbed me some industrial cooking equipment!

Found a bit of the article online.
http://www.frankfortstation.com/Articles-c-2011-05-03-220904.114133-Frankfort-Police-Simply-Smokin-evicted.html