I'm going to Honky Tonk in a couple hours, and have only had the pulled pork and various ribs in my dozen or so visits. Tonight, it's brisket or tips. Smoque is my standard for brisket, and Honey 1 is my standard for tips.

What should I get?

Sweetbread wrote:I'm going to Honky Tonk in a couple hours, and have only had the pulled pork and various ribs in my dozen or so visits. Tonight, it's brisket or tips. Smoque is my standard for brisket, and Honey 1 is my standard for tips.

What should I get?

Willie's certainly known for his pulled pork but it sounds like you already know that.

Because it can vary so much, my usual m.o. when it comes to BBQ is to ask when I order what's particularly good on that given day. Hopefully, you'll get a straight answer, and the best item(s) they have to offer on that day.

=R=

Thanks Ronnie! I got the brisket; some pieces were great, and others were just okay.

Either way, I really like Honky Tonk; particularly the scene. You can't pin the clientele down as one demographic, and I really like that in a place. Also, I bumped a server who was carrying two "bacon (candy) and brews". One piece of bacon landed on the floor, and the other in my hand. I picked the one piece off the floor and said, "this is a tosser". Her response, "while I guess you have to eat the other one." The beers survived.

was in Pilsen last night picking up some old vinyl LP's for the restaurant (playing all vinyl in the new space), and thought I'd stop by to say hi to my buddy Willie....the place was hopping at around 6:30pm when we walked in. Not a single empty table, or seat at the bar. It's first come first serve, no hostess, so we waited for (less than) 5 minutes and found couple empty seats at the bar (later Willie told me they just re-ran their Check Please episode and its been busy). Having just left Rub and a 3 hour BBQ cooking class, I wasn't in the mood for traditional BBQ - so I ordered some Brisket Chili-Mac and some bacon candy. They serve Stone Smoked Porter, a personal favorite, so we grabbed a couple of those too.

I'll have to agree on previous comments regarding the clientele here, really cool vibe. Young people, old people, cool people, nerds, fat, slim, country, city, urban, farmers, painters, wives, husbands, sons and daughters....ALL WELCOME in the Honky Tonk. If there was an award for equal opportunity or diversity in a crowd -Willie's place wins 1st every time. What's even better, they pull this off without an ounce of pretentiousness, or effort. It's just downright comfortable. Awesome art on the walls, great music, cool old bar. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Willie's joint.

Food runner brought out my Chili, told me they were out of bacon candy...NOOO! Then, the bartender leaned over the bar and said (quietly), I've got a stash of bacon candy behind the bar...so here's a piece! thank you ma'am, it was delicious! I've enjoyed Bacon candy before, it's not an everyday thing - but a nice way to enjoy a piece of pork belly, and Honky Tonk makes an excellent one.

Brisket Chili - spicy, well seasoned, a few nice chunks of brisket - and the mac on top took it to the next level. Love the idea. I have always liked the idea of chili-mac (Cincinatti style), it's just usually not great chili or mac..to combine a good chili and a good mac - nice work.

Was in and out in less than an hour. Enjoyed my food, the atmosphere, and the service. Two Thumbs up.

Was there with my family and another family the other week. Great as usual, and handled the large party and ample number of kids with aplomb. My drink, on the other hand, some conflation of absinthe and bourbon, was kind of gross, but lesson learned! Next time, I'll stick with beer.

My Bride’s Birthday Festival week so a festival of great eating was in order.

Thursday, March 28th

Honky Tonk BBQ
1800 S Racine Ave, Chicago

We have been a fan of Willie and his efforts ever since it was a garishly decorated front entrance single storefront to his hugely successful operation it is today. Willie was not in residence this evening.

Huge beautiful bar, music many nights of the week and a finely tuned menu.


We had time to burn and resisted the efforts of the efficient staff to keep things moving. Had an appetizer or two, a few drinks, chatted it up with our table neighbors.


Nicely mixed and strong OF, the deluxe cherry seemed more like a grape. Martini a little dirty.


Very thick cut cooked well done and crunchy, Big! We took turns eating half at a time. Candied coating just sweet enough.


Good flavor, could of been a little more mois. Served warm. I usually prefer a little whole corn.


Surprisingly the standout of the night! Big, juicy with a deep smoked flavor.


I’ve been on a big sausage kick lately. Nicely smoked and a great flavor that was packing some heat. A little on the small side like a little bigger hot dog and a touch dry.


Good thick slices with a nice smokey flavor, not as strong as the tips. Last time we ordered we got a pound and a stack of buns. Order seemed a little small in comparison.

Music was great and started an hour after we arrived. I think my youngest son is older than they were.

https://youtu.be/iSBIgNAQAGo


I had to park several blocks away due to a concert at Thalia Hall a short distance away. We had a nice walk back to the car, looking at the old buildings with their vaulted sidewalks, the odd shops.

A nice visit!