Southern & Soul BBQ

Established in 2018, BBQ & Baker is a family-run kitchen that utilizes custom Beck Built Smokers to prepare traditional, wood-fired barbecue without the use of deep fryers. The menu features scratch-made sides, pitmaster savory burgers made from a brisket and pork grind, and specific daily rotations including midweek smoked chicken and Saturday-only St. Louis style pork ribs. In addition to their Coal City restaurant, they operate a food truck and provide catering services.

Located in Waukegan’s Fountain Square, Big Ed's BBQ specializes in meats seasoned with a special dry rub and slow-smoked to perfection. The menu is highlighted by baby back ribs, chopped salads, and scratch-made desserts like key lime pie. This family-operated establishment has gained local recognition through features on media outlets like *Check, Please!*

All-Out Smoke Pit in Park Forest provides a relaxed, full-service dining environment featuring a central bar and traditional pit-smoked barbecue. The establishment focuses on a diverse menu designed for both communal dinners and quick lunch service. With a 4.6-star rating, the venue is recognized for its hospitable atmosphere and outdoor-inspired smoker techniques.

Steamboat BBQ in Wheaton specializes in traditional southern-style meats smoked daily for up to 14 hours over fresh-cut hickory wood. They are known for their featured turkey and offer a diverse selection of regional sauces, including sweet, spicy, vinegar, and mustard-based varieties. Because they cook fresh every day, items are sold on a first-come, first-served basis and frequently sell out.

Bub City is a BBQ destination that centers its visit around a combination of live music performances and an extensive whiskey program. The establishment features family-style dining setups and hosts live bands, offering a high-energy atmosphere at its Chicago and Rosemont locations.

Located in Tinley Park, All-Out Smoke Pit is a barbecue destination featuring a diverse menu of smoked dishes served in a relaxed, cozy atmosphere. The establishment utilizes traditional pit-smoking techniques, with a "Grill Master" tending to the smokers onsite. The venue accommodates various dining styles, ranging from solo meals at the bar to full-service dinners.

City’s Edge is a Chicago sports bar and BBQ destination located near the Metra station that specializes in sliced brisket, ribs, and pulled chicken. The menu also features tacos, American cheeseburgers, and brisket sandwiches, with items frequently selling out due to high demand. The establishment offers dine-in, takeout, and catering services in a casual atmosphere known for game-day viewing.

Located at Rockwell on the River, this Avondale spot specializes in chef-driven soul food and signature smoked meats, including prime brisket that is smoked fresh daily until sold out. The restaurant features a sun-filled dining room and a riverside patio where guests can pair BBQ plates with craft cocktails, beer, or wine. Distinctive for its transition from ghost kitchen to a full-service social space, it also offers meat samplers, slider kits, and extensive catering options.

Since 1997, this family-owned Westmont institution has specialized in hardwood-smoked BBQ prepared low and slow. The establishment focuses on traditional, home-style meats and comfort food, maintaining a heavy emphasis on full-service catering for corporate events and weddings. They are recognized for their long-standing presence in the community and have been featured on programs like Chicago’s Best.

BBQ'd Productions Bar & Grill in Lake Zurich is a full-service establishment that specializes in smoked meats and traditional barbecue fare. The restaurant is recognized for its pork offerings and provides on-site event hosting and professional catering services. Along with its dine-in menu, the location features a loyalty rewards program and a rotating schedule of events and specials.

Firewater BBQ & Brew specializes in Southern-style barbecue utilizing Midwestern farm-raised pork, chicken, and beef. The proteins are prepared with proprietary wet and dry rubs before being slow-smoked over a combination of hickory and applewoods. The establishment is particularly noted for its award-winning ribs and also offers full-service catering, including professional pig roasts.

Located in Elizabeth, Eager Beaver BBQ specializes in meats slow-smoked daily over real oak wood and seasoned with signature sweet brown sugar rubs. The menu features a variety of ribs, specialty slow-smoked meat platters, and high quality sandwiches. They offer full-service catering and custom smokehouse menus for events ranging from corporate gatherings to weddings.

Sharko’s BBQ in Naperville specializes in a variety of smoked meats, including hand-pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken on the bone, and smoked turkey. The restaurant is recognized for its "off the bone" style and traditional sides like macaroni and cheese, green beans, and house-made corn muffins. They also feature a rotating seasonal menu and offer a popular full-service Thanksgiving feast.

Located in Frankfort, Bear Down Barbecue & Catering Co. specializes in traditional Southern-style barbecue, featuring award-winning dry-rubbed ribs recognized by "Chicago’s Best." The menu focuses on slow-smoked brisket, wings, and pulled pork, alongside burgers and scratch-made sides like Smoky Mac and Cheese. The restaurant utilizes time-honored smoking techniques and offers a diverse selection that includes specialty sandwiches like pastrami on marbled rye and smoked salmon.

Located in Machesney Park, Ritchie’s Smokin' BBQ is a specialized barbecue destination that offers both pickup and delivery services. The establishment maintains a 4.3-star Google rating and operates out of a single location on North 2nd Street. They are known for providing consistent service to the local community with a focus on traditional smoked meats.

Firewater BBQ & Brew in Crest Hill specializes in southern-style pork, chicken, and beef sourced from natural Midwestern farms. The meats are prepared with wet or dry rubs and slow-smoked over a combination of hickory and applewoods. This location is particularly recognized for its ribs and offers off-site catering services including pig roasts.

Located in downtown Geneva, Firewater BBQ n BREW specializes in Southern-style barbecue utilizing natural, farm-raised midwestern pork, chicken, and beef. The meats are prepared with proprietary wet and dry rubs before being slow-smoked over a combination of hickory and applewoods. The establishment is particularly noted for its award-winning ribs and also offers full pig roasts for off-site catering.

Located in Plainfield since 1998, Baby Back Blues BBQ specializes in meat smoked over real hardwood using low-and-slow techniques. Their menu focuses on ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork, and smoked link sandwiches, earned them a feature on WGN’s "Chicago’s Best." The establishment offers a casual, family-friendly environment with options for dine-in, carry-out, and online ordering.

Real Urban Barbecue in Vernon Hills specializes in traditional wood-fired barbecue, featuring a signature 14-hour smoked and sliced brisket. The menu is known for classic items like burnt ends and Texas sausage, alongside a variety of traditional sides. This location offers full-service catering for large events and maintains a loyalty program for frequent diners.

Smokin’ Jack’s BBQ in Mundelein specializes in slow-smoked meats made fresh daily alongside classic sides and craft cocktails. This establishment functions as both a restaurant and a sports bar, featuring 10 big-screen TVs, 12 beers on tap, and an outdoor patio. The venue is also known for its live entertainment schedule, which includes weekly live music and trivia nights.

Soul & Smoke West Loop specializes in daily smoked meats and soulful comfort dishes like gumbo, operating with a policy where items are available only until they sell out. Located in the Accenture Tower, this spot is known for weekday lunches and takeaway snacks paired with craft cocktails for Metra commuters. The menu is served daily from morning through late evening, though pre-ordering is encouraged to ensure availability.

Sharko’s BBQ specializes in classic smoked meats, including hand-pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken on the bone, and smoked turkey. This Downers Grove establishment is recognized for its "off the bone" style and a menu that features seasonal rotations and house-made desserts like whole chocolate cakes and corn muffins. Through their "Pig-up and Go" service, they focus heavily on family-style dining and large-scale catering across the western suburbs.

Founded by Chef Charlie McKenna, Lillie’s Q specializes in Southern-style smoked meats, homemade sides, and a signature line of sauces and rubs. Their West Town location is situated within District Brew Yards as a 21+ establishment, while additional outposts serve fans at the United Center. The menu highlights regional favorites like pulled pork sandwiches and traditional barbecue prepared with diverse seasoning profiles.

Located in Wrigleyville near Wrigley Field, Old Crow Smokehouse specializes in meats slow-smoked over hickory, including brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and wings. Pitmaster Tony Scruggs leads the kitchen, which serves Southern-inspired sides, Nashville chicken, and brunch alongside craft cocktails. The venue is notable for its rooftop patio, live country music, and late-night events.

Hog Wild specializes in award-winning barbecue, with a particular focus on their signature pork chops, slow-smoked brisket, and ribs. Located in the former Little Joe’s space, this location features the Chops and Hops Sports Bar, a lively setting where patrons can pair their smoked meats and burgers with cold drinks while watching games.

Soul & Smoke’s flagship Evanston location specializes in a combination of high-quality smoked meats, such as prime brisket and country ribs, and scratch-made soul food. The kitchen draws on fine-dining roots to produce bold flavors using high quality ingredients. Distinctive for its community-focused mission, the restaurant also operates a community fridge and food trucks alongside its traditional service.

Mindy's Ribs in Mokena specializes in award-winning baby back ribs and BBQ chicken, a staple of their menu for over 20 years. The family-friendly establishment features nostalgic décor, an ice cream bar, and on-site gaming. Beyond traditional barbecue slabs, the menu includes a variety of wraps, salads, and vegetarian options.

Hog Wild Cicero provides large portions of comfort food specializing in thick-cut pork chops and award-winning brisket. This location is also known for its char-broiled burgers and smoky ribs served in a brand-new space on South Cicero Avenue.

Based in Bolingbrook, Uncle Booker’s Bar-B-Kew operates a food truck and catering service specializing in smoked meats. The menu features classic BBQ options such as full and half slabs of ribs, hot links, half chickens, and pulled pork sandwiches. They are distinctive for bringing their neighborhood-focused BBQ directly to customers via their mobile truck and offering online ordering.

Established in 1974, Hillery’s Bar-B-Q in Waukegan specializes in traditional Southern-style barbecue, featuring a menu of slow-cooked ribs, chicken, and catfish accompanied by signature sides. The restaurant emphasizes traditional recipes and time-honored cooking methods passed down through generations. They function primarily as a takeout and catering operation, serving the community six days a week.

Firewater BBQ & Brew specializes in Southern-style pork, chicken, and beef sourced from Midwestern farms and slow-smoked over hickory and applewoods. The restaurant is recognized for its "Chicago's Best" ribs, which are prepared using a combination of wet and dry rubs. In addition to dine-in service, they offer pig roasts and off-site catering.