The Ultimate Barbecue Guide

by Erin Chambers - 9,287 Reviews - 164 Lists

Updated: May 19, 2008

From the beach to the backyard to the deck, we've got Chicago's ultimate guide to summer-time grilling.

On this page:BBQ Restaurants, BBQ Take-Out Spots, BBQ Fixin's for the Backyard.

BBQ Restaurants

  1. 1 3.5 Star Rating: Average The Smoke Daddy
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    1804 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622 (map)

    Live music heats up this dark, divey neighborhood barbecue spot nearly every night.

  2. 2 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Pit Rib House
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    9430 S Roberts Rd, Hickory Hills, IL 60457 (map)

  3. 3 3.5 Star Rating: Average Smokin' Woody's
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    4160 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 (map)

  4. 4 3 Star Rating: Average Hecky's Of Chicago
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    1234 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60622 (map)

    Finger lickin' good barbecue and friendly folk make this famous rib joint a must-stop pit stop.

  5. 5 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Merle's Barbeque
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    1727 Benson Ave, Evanston, IL 60201 (map)

  6. 6 4 Star Rating: Recommended Carson's
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    612 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

  7. 7 3.5 Star Rating: Average Fireplace Inn
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    1448 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

  8. 8 4 Star Rating: Recommended Smoque BBQ
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    3800 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60641 (map)

  9. 9 4 Star Rating: Recommended Gale Street Inn
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    4914 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60630 (map)

    Jefferson Park classic serves up tender ribs and comfortable atmosphere to a loyal crowd of families and commuters.

  10. 10 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Twin Anchors Restaurant-Tavern
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    1655 N Sedgwick St, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)

    This dark hideaway serves up ribs by the rack-full to an adoring Old Town crowd.

  11. 11 3.5 Star Rating: Average Russell's Bbq
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    1621 N Thatcher Ave, Elmwood Park, IL 60707 (map)

    After 70 years, this Elmwood Park classic still serves up barbecue to the locals in a friendly, unadorned setting.

  12. 12 3.5 Star Rating: Average Weber Grill Restaurant
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    539 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

    Get that backyard barbecue flavor without slaving over the grill yourself.

  13. 13 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Patio Restaurants
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    9100 S Harlem Ave, Bridgeview, IL 60455 (map)

BBQ Take-Out Spots

  1. 14 4 Star Rating: Recommended Robinson's #1 Ribs
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    655 Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)

    Legendary Chicago rib joint serves up a Southern-style feast in a cozy Lincoln Park walk-up.

  2. 15 4 Star Rating: Recommended Honey 1 BBQ
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    2241 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 (map)

  3. 16 3.5 Star Rating: Average Ribs 'n' Bibs
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    5300 S Dorchester Ave, Chicago, IL 60615 (map)

  4. 17 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Uncle Bub's Hickory Smoked Bbq
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    132 S Cass Ave, Westmont, IL 60559 (map)

  5. 18 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Nick's Pit Stop
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    2011 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 (map)

  6. 19 4 Star Rating: Recommended Fat Willy's Rib Shack
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    2414 W Schubert Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 (map)

  7. 20 4 Star Rating: Recommended Lem's Bbq House
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    311 E 75th St, Chicago, IL 60619 (map)

BBQ Fixin's for the Backyard

  1. 21 2.5 Star Rating: Below Average Moo & Oink Inc
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    7158 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60649 (map)

  2. 22 4 Star Rating: Recommended Paulina Market
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    3501 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 (map)

  3. 23 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Bobak
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    5275 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60632 (map)