BBQ places in Chicago

I won't say there isn't any good Que in Chicago, but my cousin that lives there has threatened me with bodily harm in an effort to get me to stop sending him pictures of BBQ that I make. And when he comes back to NC on vacations, he stops at the local BBQ joint and eats before he even comes home, then he eats there every day until he leaves. Might give you a hint I guess.

Cadillac - I would save the BBQ for another city. When I think of Chicago, I think of great steaks. Try the "Chophouse", an institution. Get the 24oz boneless strip. Delicious! They also have Gibsons, as well as Mortons and others. I like the first 2 the best, especially Chophouse. Maybe they can put some BBQ sauce on the side......;- ) Good luck!

My primary residence is Chicago and I've lived there for about 25 years. 100s of great restaurants of all types but not much in the way of good BBQ. Most of the BBQ in Chicago revolves around ribs. I can think of a couple of pretty good rib joints but, unless you know the drill or have an "escort", it's best to avoid them.

As L.A. BBQ mentioned, Chicago has a lot of good steak houses. My personal pick is Gene & Georgetti's. A real Chicago institution.

Chicago Chophouse is pretty good. I personally think that Gibson's is way overrated. The overpriced food is OK but it's a "See and be seen" type of place. If you're not a regular or celebrity, you go to the back of the line in as far as wait times (even with a reservation), seating, and service are concerned. I have a $300 gift certificate that a vendor gave me 4 years ago that I have not gotten around to using yet. I don't need the abuse even if it's free.

Morton's is also OK but, with numerous locations around the country, if you've seen one, you've seen them all.

Forgot about Gene & Georgetti's. Heard lot's of good stuff about it before my visit. I believe it was rated #1 on most list's. Just didn't make it.

What about "Carson's Ribs"? I thought they were pretty good...

Run - Don't walk from Carson's. Boil them - Smack them on the grill for a few minutes - oversauce them - and eat.

DLS is right... forget Carsons. Gene and Georgetti is great for steaks! One of the best in the city. Also, if you like Thai, try Arun's. Expensive, but one of the best Thai restaurants in the US. Also, there are some excellent restaurants in Chinatown. This web site...

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/index.php

Has some great info on eating in chicago.

Back to Chicago BBQ... This subject was discussed on the BBQ mailing list a week or so ago. Here are the three places that were recommended by Gary Wiviot. I have not tried any them.

"Honey 1, a small store front on the far West side of Chicago. Robert Adams uses straight wood in an "Aquarium' Style smoker and produces very good tips, links and the occasional rack of Saint Louis style spares.

Barbara Ann's, on Chicago South side, uses a combination of lump and wood on an Aquarium style smoker. Mack, the pit man, has a delft touch with tips and links.

Lem's, South side of Chicago, damn good spare ribs, links and tips using lump and wood in an Aquarium style smoker.

All are order through bullet-proof glass, all are in, what some might deem,rough neighborhoods. Robert Adams, of Honey 1, is one of the nicest,friendliest guys you would ever meet, Mack the pit man at Barbara Ann's is friendly as well. I used to be friends with the owners of Lem's on 59&State, but they closed. Lem's on 75th has good BBQ, but I've never really chatted up the owner.

Pictures of Aquarium style smokers can be found
http://www.bigtimebbq.com/new_page_5.htm "

Looks like good food, but I wonder what their lungs look like after 10 years working in that place.

Try this website. It is everything you could want to know from restaurants to nightlife in Chicago. It is metromix.com

The places mentioned upthread by Ron_L are all pretty good and generally considered the top ranked places in Chicago for BBQ. You're not going to find any NC style pulled pork or Texas brisket. More along he lines of the BBQ you would find in Memphis or KC. Big movers are ribs, rib tips, and hot links.

Though it's been awhile, I've been to all of them and my personal ranking would be....

1. Honey 1 - Division & Laramie
2. Barbara Ann's Motel & Barbeque - 76th & Cottage Grove
3. Lem's - 75th & Prarie

As mentioned, all are carry out only. All are located in areas that one might consider a little tough but, and this is VERY important, all have their own little parking lots. So, it's pay for your food and go somewhere else (I guess you could get a room and eat at Barbara Ann's motel with hourly rates). Do not consider eating in your car in the parking lot.

All in all, some damn good BBQ with the some interesting scenery as a bonus.

Whoa....Carson's must have gone downhill bigtime. But, it's been 20 years or so. Guess they're like McClard's in Hot Springs, AR...not as good as their rep...

Ron,

"Aquarium style smoker" ? Could you elaborate please? This is new to me.

arkansasQer

Aquarium style smoker = boiling your ribs. LOL!!

I try to seek out the best a cummunity has to offer when travelling. I've eaten at the Chophouse and it's one of the classics.

And don't forget pizza. Not only is there great pizza, but there are a lot of historic pizza joints to check out.

When in Rome...

I want to thank everyone for their ideas & suggestions. Being from Iowa, I think Ill pass on Chicago's steaks. But that deep dish pizza... I may have to go off my diet for some of that! And if I really think I need some good Q, Ill take some with me.

Bob

I remember a few years ago while eating at Harry Carry�s in Chicago, I scanned down the menu to "CHOPS" and it said, "....go to Ditka�s."

While in Chicago, I recommend �Gino�s East� for some of the best, deep-dish, Chicago-style pizza anywhere. Bring your appetite�

arkansasQer

quote:

Originally posted by arkansasQer:
[qb] Ron,

"Aquarium style smoker" ? Could you elaborate please? This is new to me.

arkansasQer [/qb]

It was new to me, also... check out the pictures.

http://www.bigtimebbq.com/new_page_5.htm

It looks like a big glass aquarium instead of a metal box. It would be nice to be able to check doneness without opening the smoker...

quote:

Originally posted by cadillac:
[qb] I want to thank everyone for their ideas & suggestions. Being from Iowa, I think Ill pass on Chicago's steaks. But that deep dish pizza... I may have to go off my diet for some of that! And if I really think I need some good Q, Ill take some with me.

Bob [/qb]

Where are you in Iowa, Bob? I was in Mount Pleasant on Wednesday and Des Moines yesterday.

As Arkansas mentioned, Gino's East is great. Uno's and Due's are also wonderful. If you get to the Wrigleyville area, check out "The Art of Pizza" (on Clark, I think). They have won the best pizza in Chicago in the deep dish category for the past couple of years.

When are you coming to town? There's some cool festivals, etc. coming up. Check out the Metromix site in a post above for info. Feel free to PM me if you want more info on anything in the area.

I was in Chicago this week. My customer knows that I like BBQ and carried me to a place called "The Pit". It's in the Bridgeview area about 20 minutes from the Midway Airport. I had the pork platter. Very Good. If adventuring to Iowa I would highly recommend Rube's in Tama. Outstanding beef and you can cook it yourself.

quote:

Originally posted by Ron_L:
[qb]Originally posted by arkansasQer:
Ron,


It looks like a big glass aquarium instead of a metal box. It would be nice to be able to check doneness without opening the smoker... [/qb]

Well, I see why the place is full of smoke. Haven't seen a lot of success with glass used in a smoker. But hey if it works for them.

As for me, I can't check doneness by looking at them, I have to play with my food. Guess since I grew up with mom telling me not to, I'm fighting back and I play with my BBQ every time I get a chance.

Yep, it seems to me it�d just be one more thing to have to keep clean if it were to remain usable. If you didn�t, one good smoke and the glass would be �smoked�. No?

arkansasQer