The take
From the sourcesSteamboat 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.
Strengths
- · Award-winning hickory smoked turkey
- · Daily fresh-cut hickory wood smoking
- · Wide variety of regional sauces
Caveats
- · Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
- · Sells out daily
Why you'd go here
From the sourcesVisit Steamboat BBQ for their traditional, southern-style smoked meats, cooked fresh daily with hickory wood. Their diverse range of sauces allows for a customized flavor visit, complementing their long-smoked offerings.
The story
From the businessSteamboat BBQ specializes in smoked meats, cooked daily using fresh-cut hickory wood and spice blends to produce southern-style BBQ. Some products take up to 14 hours to cook. The restaurant warns that they sell out of items daily, operating on a first-come, first-served basis. They offer a selection of sauces ranging from sweet to hot-n-spicy, as well as regional vinegar and mustard-based sauces.
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From the community
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What Reddit says
From the communityComments mentioning Steamboat BBQ from r/chicago, r/chicagofood, r/bbq, and similar subs. Each is numbered / full links in the Sources block below.
Maypole - Wheaton Steamboat BBQ - Wheaton Alpine Subs - Elmwood Park Johnnie’s Beef - Elmwood Park Gene and Jude’s - River Grove Legend’s Pizza - Carol Stream
I do love Smoque, but TBH Steamboat BBQ out in Wheaton is the best BBQ I've had in Chicagoland.
Some tasty options in nearby towns (all within 10-20 minute drive from Roselle, give or take): * Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - Hoffman Estates * Opolska (Polish) * Colombian's Taste - Addison * Tacos Puebla - Addison * Sabor de mi Tierra - Addison * Cubano Bros - Elk Grove Village * Qulinarnia (Polish) - Mount Prospect * Ramen Misoya - Mount Prospect * Multiple Korean fried chicken chains: Bonchon, bb.q, Choong Man - Schaumburg * Daruma (Japanese) - Schaumburg * Torizen (Japanese) - Schaumburg * Pa Lian (Burmese) - Wheaton * Steamboat BBQ - Wheaton
>Northern Illinois Steamboat BBQ in Wheaton (Chicago suburbs) is some of the best barbeque I've ever eaten. I have a friend from Texas that always insists we go there when he visits. Their burnt ends are to die for, and I am *incredibly* picky about my burnt ends.
Steamboat BBQ in wheaton is legit! Don't think they are doing dine in at the moment though.
Steamboat BBQ hands down. Best bbq in the western burbs, and you don’t even need to leave Wheaton.
Smoque is my jam especially because it's two locations are right by my house and my office, so I'll vote that. THAT SAID, if you're out near wheaton at any point, Steamboat BBQ is LEGIT. I would highly recommend going there if you're in the area.
Hong Ning in Carol Stream for Filipino, recommend the Lumpia and bbq chicken skewers. Steamboat BBQ in Wheaton Alfie’s Inn in Glen Ellyn, great burgers and even better fried pickle spears.
Steamboat BBQ in Wheaton. Love it so much we had them cater our wedding lol
A long drive from the city, but in the Western burbs in Wheaton, [Steamboat BBQ](https://www.steamboatque.com/wheaton-location) has good burnt ends.
Shout out for Pa Lian! That place is awesome! Also Steamboat BBQ in that same area is good.
Steamboat BBQ in Wheaton I think it beats anything I've had in the city, and I've been to all the big ones multiple times.
Also came to suggest Russell's, Steamboat BBQ, and Uncle Bub's. Wasn't a fan of Q in Naperville.
Sources
Everything on this page is pulled from the sources below: the restaurant's own website, its public Google listing, and Reddit threads. We don't invent details; if a source is missing, the claim isn't here either.
- [1]Steamboat BBQ / official website / menu, hours, descriptions
- [2]Google Maps listing for Steamboat BBQ / rating, reviews, address, hours
- [3]r/ChicagoSuburbs comment by u/Fit-Nature5163 / May 2025
- [4]r/ChicagoSuburbs comment by u/Gusbuster811 / Jul 2024
- [5]
- [6]r/chicagofood comment by u/chapbass / Feb 2024
- [7]r/chicago comment by u/Sivim / Jan 2024
- [8]
- [9]r/chicagofood comment by u/ChibisaurX / Oct 2022
- [10]r/smoking comment by u/Prawn1908 / Jul 2022
- [11]r/ChicagoSuburbs comment by u/betterhumanlmt / Dec 2021
- [12]r/ChicagoSuburbs comment by u/hogBelly / Nov 2021
- [13]
- [14]r/chicagofood comment by u/chapbass / Jul 2021
- [15]r/ChicagoSuburbs comment by u/Cesspool17 / Feb 2021
- [16]
- [17]r/chicagofood comment by u/ChibisaurX / Jul 2020
- [18]
- [19]
- [20]r/ChicagoSuburbs comment by u/fiestainblue / Nov 2018
- [21]r/chicago comment by u/Sharkfightxl / Aug 2017
- [22]r/ChicagoSuburbs comment by u/PepperoniPanda / Mar 2015
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