Smoque BBQ
A no-frills Northwest Side barbecue counter widely rated among the city's best smoked meats.
The call
Worth it if you're watching the budget and you're traveling with kids.
Short answer
Is Smoque BBQ worth it?
Smoque BBQ deserves a place on most first itineraries.
The answer depends on your budget, time and travel style; the breakdown below shows who gets the most value.
Why
- 01
Order at the counter, grab a paper-lined tray, and tuck into brisket and ribs in a plain, busy room.
- 02
Zero pretense, serious smoke.
Is it a fit?
Go if
What to order
The plates that decide it
- Brisket and St. Louis ribs — the two dishes that built the reputation
- Pulled pork and the mac & cheese — reliable, well-executed standbys
- Coming late in the evening — best cuts can run out — go earlier
Plan it well
- Cost
- $$ — generous and affordable
- Timing
- Lunch or early dinner before items sell out
- Booking
- No reservations — counter order, walk-in
- Allow
- 45 min–1 hour
- Accessibility
- Order-at-counter; limited but real veg sides
Ready to plan it?
Booking may earn us a commission. It never changes the verdict.
Sources and method (3)
- Old Irving Park (Northwest Side) BBQ counter open since late 2006; ~50 seats, order-at-counter, known for Texas-style brisket and St. Louis ribs smoquebbq.com ↗
- Routinely ranked among Chicago's best barbecue timeout.com ↗
- choosechicago.com ↗