BBQ King Chicago - chunk charcoal?

Hey all

I've been a long time lurker and this is my first post.

I was in a cab coming back from the airport today and saw a truck with this logo on the side.

Anyone heard of these guys yet?

http://bbqkingcharcoal.com/

Their site isn't too complete but the truck said something like:
Wholesale and retail
BBQ Planks
Chunk charcoal
etc

I was going to give em a call and see what their prices were

That company is actually owned by the brother of a former roommate of mine.

If memory serves, he delivers the charcoal used at Fogo de Chao and a myriad of other places throughout the city and suburbs. I don't know if he serves individuals as well.

I put a call into my friend but I'm pretty sure he's in Costa Rica for the next 3 months surfing. (The bastard!) So, the response might be slow to come.

I got the pricelist via email. It was a super fast response!

email below:

No problem we can even throw a couple of extra bags on the truck we are in
the city 3 days a week.

40lb Lump Charcoal $20-$22
20lb Lump Charcoal $12-$15
Smoking Chips $5-$8
Cooking Wood $12-$15
Western Red Cedar Cooking Planks great for Salmon pack of 5-$20

Jason J. Szmurlo
BBQ King Charcoal Company
P.O. Box 235
Woodstock, IL 60098
www.bbqkingcharcoal.com
815-338-3477 Office
815-405-7552 Cell

Their prices seem almost 30% higher than Berger Bros.

Berger Brother's Charcoal
1176 N Cherry Ave
Chicago, IL
312-642-4238

Thoses prices that I gave Tom were for a delivered product to Chicago and were for a consumer who only buys small amounts. We also sell wholesale to many restaurants and do better on the price and quality than Berger Brothers. Thanks Guys

Pete yes hi how are you and yes my brother in in Costa Rica if you guys need anything please feel free to call me on my cell in the pos I gave Tom.

bbqking wrote:Thoses prices that I gave Tom were for a delivered product to Chicago and were for a consumer who only buys small amounts. We also sell wholesale to many restaurants and do better on the price and quality than Berger Brothers. Thanks Guys

BBQKing,

For the most part we are consumers who live in Chicago and only buy small amounts so the price would remain, and correct me if I'm wrong, about 30% higher than Berger, as Steve mentioned.

I've been quite satisfied with Berger's lump charcoal, how, if you'd be so kind to explain, is your lump charcoal better quality than Berger's.

Enjoy,
Gary
http://www.wiviott.com

Gary, this reminds me of a somewhat surreal experience I had earlier this week involving a driver for Berger Bros.

I was filling up my car at the gas station on the corner of North and Ashland when a perfectly groomed Cairn Terrier zipped by faster than I have ever seen a dog move outside of a pari-mutuel. Pulling his leash, the little pup zigzagged through traffic on Ashland, sending cars veering and screeching. Little Toto turned on a dime onto North and disappeared.

Just then, a fellow stepped out of his big charcoal delivery truck and said, to no one in particular, that he had bred and trained Cairn Terriers for many years, and could tell that this particular dog had been tortured and falsely imprisoned in contravention of the Immutable Laws of Nature. (I thought the dog looked particularly well cared-for, though poorly trained. But what do I know. Maybe it was the bow in his fur.)

Anyway, I asked the driver if he delivers to any of the famous South and West Side ribs and links spots so well known here. Yes. I asked about his favorites, hopefully. The driver's response was that we are all living in an Earthly hell; as we await Rapture, we should struggle to find the Good in all things. Focussing on that which is Good among BBQ places, the Berger charcoal man said that they're all about the same.

JeffB wrote:Gary, this reminds me of a somewhat surreal experience I had earlier this week involving a driver for Berger Bros.

Jeff,

Quite an odd conversation, to say the least.

You should have cheered him up with a particularly over-the-top version of the Aristocrats.

Enjoy,
Gary

stevez wrote:Their prices seem almost 30% higher than Berger Bros.

True, but if that's delivered (it seems to be, but I'm not certain) it seems a reasonable service fee.