Today is a very special day: It's my hubby Alex's birthday! In honor of my southern hubby and his special day, I'm showcasing one of his favorite foods: Barbecue!
"Best BBQ" may not be the first thing that enters your mind when you're thinking about the Chicago food scene, but lately the tides are turning. Much to the delight of foodies like me, Chicago has seen several new barbecue joints pop up all over the city in the past few years. Some of them are fancy, a few are definitely dive-y. Some offer barbecue so tasty that you think you've been transported right to Kansas City or the Carolinas and others, not so much. To help you weed out the delicious from the not so much, I'm sharing a few of my favorite Chicago barbecue joints with you today-- and a few suggestions of what to order at each place too!
For great BBQ with a fine dining feel..."Best BBQ" may not be the first thing that enters your mind when you're thinking about the Chicago food scene, but lately the tides are turning. Much to the delight of foodies like me, Chicago has seen several new barbecue joints pop up all over the city in the past few years. Some of them are fancy, a few are definitely dive-y. Some offer barbecue so tasty that you think you've been transported right to Kansas City or the Carolinas and others, not so much. To help you weed out the delicious from the not so much, I'm sharing a few of my favorite Chicago barbecue joints with you today-- and a few suggestions of what to order at each place too!
For [arguably] the best BBQ in the city with absolutely no frills...
Standout menu item: The Rib Combo. Because when you can't decide on one, why not get both?
For classic BBQ and an old school Chicago experience...
There
is nowhere better than Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern in Old
Town. Twin Anchors sort of epitomizes the phrase "Why change a good
thing?" The restaurant is not bright and shiny or modern, but it's
quaint and vintage with nautical touches that add to its charm. A scene
from Batman: The Dark Knight was filmed here and the restaurant
is famous for being a favorite spot for Frank Sinatra and several other
celebs over the years. Twin Anchors is also famous for its saucy baby
back ribs, which they've been serving up since 1932. These guys know
what they're doing and you really can't go wrong with any menu item you
order-- though the ribs, chicken, and pepper-jack creamed spinach would
be on my 'must order' list!Standout menu item: Chicken. I know that sounds boring at a barbecue joint, but Twin Anchors slow roasts and then grills their chicken so it's juicy and full of flavor. And if that's not "BBQ" enough for you, consider the Rib & Chicken combo and get a taste of each!
For a wide variety and hip atmosphere...
My 'go to' is always Lillie's Q in Wicker Park. Lillie's Q is my standby for barbecue: delicious food, tons of menu options, and a great location in the heart of Wicker Park. Definitely the trendiest of the barbecue joints on this list, Lillie's is a modern but rustic space with great people watching right on busy North Avenue and it is the perfect spot for a casual date night, dinner with friends, or a laidback lunch. Their menu offerings range from standard barbecue fare to traditional lowcountry foods like Brunswick stew and chicken and dumplings to playful takes on southern food like a chicken skin BLT and Memphis tacos. And their six handcrafted sauces are displayed at every table so no matter if you want spicy, mustardy, creamy, or vinegary, they have something for everyone.
My 'go to' is always Lillie's Q in Wicker Park. Lillie's Q is my standby for barbecue: delicious food, tons of menu options, and a great location in the heart of Wicker Park. Definitely the trendiest of the barbecue joints on this list, Lillie's is a modern but rustic space with great people watching right on busy North Avenue and it is the perfect spot for a casual date night, dinner with friends, or a laidback lunch. Their menu offerings range from standard barbecue fare to traditional lowcountry foods like Brunswick stew and chicken and dumplings to playful takes on southern food like a chicken skin BLT and Memphis tacos. And their six handcrafted sauces are displayed at every table so no matter if you want spicy, mustardy, creamy, or vinegary, they have something for everyone.
Standout menu item: A tie!
For a starter, we always order the fried pickles. They are beer battered
and crispy on the outside and served with a tangy ranch for dipping.
For an entree, order the Tri-Tip Sandwich (delicious tender smoked beef
on a brioche bun) and make it Southern Style-- they'll top it with their
slaw!
For slow cooked BBQ served up fast...
Try
Blackwood BBQ for lunch in the Loop. It seems counter-intuitive to list
a fast casual restaurant as one of the best places to get low and slow
barbecue, but Blackwood makes it work. Located on Lake Street on the
west side of the Loop, they're only open during business hours so it's
the perfect place to pick up a hearty lunch (or breakfast!) on the go.
Sandwiches and plates are available with a variety of traditional
barbecue sides, but I'm a fan of their salad option for a lunch that
doesn't feel so heavy: a bed of leafy greens topped with the meat and
sauce of your choice and a little slaw. I was really pleasantly
surprised by the quality of the food at Blackwood and have to say that
the smoker aroma outside the restaurant will already have you craving
barbecue no matter how early your morning commute.
Standout menu item: Anything
with the Chicago Style Sauce. Blackwood describes it as "the right
balance of sweet and heat" and listed on a menu among more famous
regional sauces like Memphis, Kansas City, and the two Carolinas, why
not pay some homage to the Windy City on that pulled pork sandwich?
omg smoque's brisket is the BEST! i also love lillie q's! xo jillian - cornflake dreams
ReplyDeleteSo so good! I pretty much love all BBQ-- and you're in an even better spot for it now. Jealous!
DeleteGreat share!
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Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead.
Regards,
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