5 Top Hole-in-the-Wall BBQ Joints in Chicago
These 5 Top Hole-in-the-Wall BBQ Joints in Chicago are in a city with a rich tradition of BBQ, and the five hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints we’ve listed – Lem’s Bar-B-Q, The Pit Rib House, Honky Tonk BBQ, Fat Willy’s Rib Shack, and Uncle John’s BBQ – are some of the best in the city.
Each restaurant offers a unique take on the classic BBQ flavors and techniques, making them a must-visit destination for BBQ lovers. However, this is by no means an exhaustive list, and there are many other hidden gems waiting to be discovered in Chicago’s BBQ scene. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, be sure to explore the city’s diverse and flavorful BBQ offerings. This list is not in any special order.
A lot of great options are in these posts!
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The Top 5 Restaurants in Chicago
1. Lem’s Bar-B-Q
Address: 311 E 75th St, Chicago, IL 60619
Phone Number: (773) 994-2428
Lem’s Bar-B-Q is one of the top hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints in Chicago, family-owned and operated that has been serving mouth-watering barbecue since 1954. Located in the Chatham neighborhood of Chicago, Lem’s Bar-B-Q is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that is loved by locals and visitors alike. The restaurant has a 4.5-star rating on Yelp and is considered to be one of the best hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints in Chicago. Now you know why they are one of the best restaurants in Chicago for satisfying your BBQ cravings.
The type of food served at Lem’s Bar-B-Q is classic Southern-style barbecue. They specialize in smoked meats such as ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. Customers rave about the smoky flavor of their meats and their delicious sides such as baked beans and mac and cheese. Lem’s Bar-B-Q is open seven days a week and has been operating for almost 70 years.
Lem’s Bar-B-Q is a family-owned and operated restaurant. The current owners are the third generation of the Lem’s family to run the business. Their commitment to quality and tradition has made Lem’s Bar-B-Q a staple in the Chicago BBQ scene.
Signature Food: The signature dish at Lem’s Bar-B-Q is their rib tips. These succulent pieces of meat are smoked to perfection and served with a spicy barbecue sauce. The rib tips are so popular that customers often line up for them, and they sell out quickly.
Main Menu Items:
1. Ribs – Tender, smoky, and slathered in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, Lem’s Bar-B-Q’s ribs are a customer favorite.
2. Brisket – The brisket at Lem’s Bar-B-Q is slow-smoked for hours, resulting in a juicy and flavorful meat that melts in your mouth.
3. Pulled Pork – The pulled pork at Lem’s Bar-B-Q is seasoned to perfection and cooked low and slow. The result is a tender and flavorful meat that is perfect for sandwiches or on its own.
Customer Reviews:
“I have been coming to Lem’s Bar-B-Q for years, and they never disappoint. The rib tips are my absolute favorite, but everything on the menu is delicious.”
“The brisket at Lem’s Bar-B-Q is the best I’ve ever had. It’s so tender and flavorful, and the sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.”
“I was blown away by the quality of the food at Lem’s Bar-B-Q. The ribs were so juicy and tender, and the mac and cheese was out of this world. I can’t wait to come back!”
Lem’s Bar-B-Q is a family-owned and operated restaurant that has been serving delicious barbecue for almost 70 years. Their signature dish, rib tips, is a customer favorite, and their ribs, brisket, and pulled pork are also highly recommended. With a 4.5-star rating on Yelp, Lem’s Bar-B-Q is a must-visit for anyone looking for top-notch BBQ in Chicago. They rank in the top hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints in Chicago for good reasons.
2. The Pit Rib House
Address: 1310 W. North Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
Phone Number: (773) 772-6656
The Pit Rib House is one of the popular hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints in Chicago. It is a family-owned and operated hole-in-the-wall barbecue joint located in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. The restaurant has been serving up mouth-watering barbecue for over 30 years, and has earned a 4.5-star rating on Yelp. This is why they are one of the best restaurants in Chicago for satisfying your BBQ cravings.
The type of food served at The Pit Rib House is classic Southern-style barbecue. Their meats are cooked low and slow over hickory wood, giving them a delicious smoky flavor. The restaurant also offers homemade sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, and baked beans. The Pit Rib House is open seven days a week and is a popular spot for both lunch and dinner.
The Pit Rib House is family-owned and operated, with the current owners being the second generation to run the restaurant. They pride themselves on using only the highest quality meats and ingredients to make their food. Their commitment to quality and tradition has made The Pit Rib House a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
Signature Food: The signature dish at The Pit Rib House is their ribs. These meaty and succulent ribs are cooked low and slow over hickory wood until they are fall-off-the-bone tender. The ribs are served with the restaurant’s homemade barbecue sauce, which perfectly complements the smoky flavor of the meat.
Main Menu Items:
1. Pulled Pork – The pulled pork at The Pit Rib House is slow-cooked for hours, resulting in a tender and flavorful meat that is perfect for sandwiches or on its own.
2. Beef Brisket – The beef brisket at The Pit Rib House is rubbed with a special blend of spices and smoked for hours, resulting in a juicy and flavorful meat that is perfect for any barbecue lover.
3. Rib Tips – The rib tips at The Pit Rib House are cooked until they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They are then slathered in the restaurant’s homemade barbecue sauce for the perfect combination of sweet and savory.
Customer Reviews:
“The ribs at The Pit Rib House are some of the best I’ve ever had. They are fall-off-the-bone tender and the smoky flavor is out of this world.”
“I’ve been coming to The Pit Rib House for years, and the pulled pork is always a hit. It’s so flavorful and juicy, and the homemade barbecue sauce is the perfect finishing touch.”
“The brisket at The Pit Rib House is simply amazing. It’s so tender and flavorful, and you can tell that the meat has been smoked to perfection.”
The Pit Rib House is a family-owned and operated barbecue joint that has been serving up delicious food for over 30 years. Their signature dish, ribs, are fall-off-the-bone tender and packed with smoky flavor. The restaurant also offers a variety of other meats and homemade sides that are sure to satisfy any barbecue lover. With a 4.5-star rating on Yelp, The Pit Rib House is a must-visit for anyone looking for top-notch barbecue in Chicago. They stand out among the top hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints in Chicago.
3. Honky Tonk BBQ
Address: 1800 S. Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
Phone Number: (312) 226-7427
Honky Tonk BBQ is another of the top hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints in Chicago that is located in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. The restaurant has been serving up delicious barbecue since 2009 and has earned a 4.5-star rating on Yelp. Now you know why they are one of the best restaurants in Chicago for satisfying your BBQ cravings.
The type of food served at Honky Tonk BBQ is classic Southern-style barbecue with a modern twist. The meats are cooked low and slow over hickory wood, and the restaurant offers a variety of homemade sauces to complement the flavors of the meat. The sides at Honky Tonk BBQ are also a highlight, with options like cornbread, collard greens, and mac and cheese. The restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
Honky Tonk BBQ is family-owned and operated, with the current owners being the second generation to run the restaurant. Their commitment to using only the highest quality ingredients and traditional cooking methods has made Honky Tonk BBQ a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
Signature Food: The signature dish at Honky Tonk BBQ is the smoked brisket. This meat is cooked low and slow for hours until it is tender and packed with flavor. The brisket is then sliced and served with the restaurant’s homemade barbecue sauce for the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
Main Menu Items:
1. Pulled Pork – The pulled pork at Honky Tonk BBQ is slow-cooked for hours until it is juicy and flavorful. It is served with the restaurant’s homemade barbecue sauce and is perfect for sandwiches or on its own.
2. St. Louis Ribs – The St. Louis ribs at Honky Tonk BBQ are cooked low and slow over hickory wood until they are fall-off-the-bone tender. They are then coated in the restaurant’s dry rub for a delicious smoky flavor.
3. Brisket Burnt Ends – The brisket burnt ends at Honky Tonk BBQ are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They are coated in the restaurant’s homemade barbecue sauce for the perfect combination of sweet and savory.
Customer Reviews:
“The smoked brisket at Honky Tonk BBQ is out of this world. It’s so tender and packed with flavor, and the homemade barbecue sauce is the perfect complement.”
“The St. Louis ribs at Honky Tonk BBQ are some of the best I’ve ever had. They are fall-off-the-bone tender and have the perfect smoky flavor.”
“I’ve been coming to Honky Tonk BBQ for years, and the pulled pork never disappoints. It’s always juicy and flavorful, and the homemade sauces take it to the next level.”
Honky Tonk BBQ is a family-owned and operated barbecue joint that has been serving up delicious food since 2009. Their signature dish, the smoked brisket, is cooked low and slow for hours and packed with flavor. The restaurant also offers a variety of other meats and homemade sides that are sure to satisfy any barbecue lover. With a 4.5-star rating on Yelp, Honky Tonk BBQ is a must-visit for anyone looking for top-notch barbecue in Chicago. They deserve to be ranked among the top hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints in Chicago.
4. Fat Willy’s Rib Shack
Address: 2416 W. Schubert Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Phone Number: (773) 782-1800
Fat Willy’s Rib Shack is one of the favorite hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints in Chicago. It is a popular hole-in-the-wall BBQ joint located in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. This family-owned and operated restaurant has been serving up delicious BBQ since 2004 and has become a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike. With its casual and cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and mouth-watering BBQ, Fat Willy’s has earned an overall rating of 4.5 stars on Yelp. This is why they are one of the best restaurants in Chicago for satisfying your BBQ cravings.
One of the standout dishes at Fat Willy’s Rib Shack is their St. Louis-style ribs. These fall-off-the-bone ribs are slow-cooked over hickory wood for hours until they’re juicy and tender. They are then brushed with a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce and served with a side of coleslaw. The signature dish at Fat Willy’s is the Pig Candy – thick-cut bacon coated in a sweet and spicy rub and slow-smoked to perfection. This dish is a must-try for any bacon lover.
Main Menu Items:
1. St. Louis-style Ribs – Slow-cooked over hickory wood and coated with a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. Served with coleslaw.
2. Pig Candy – Thick-cut bacon coated in a sweet and spicy rub and slow-smoked to perfection.
3. Brisket Sandwich – Sliced brisket topped with pickled onions and BBQ sauce. Served on a brioche bun with a side of mac and cheese.
Customer Reviews:
“I’ve been coming to Fat Willy’s for years and it never disappoints. The ribs are some of the best I’ve ever had and the Pig Candy is addictive!”
“The brisket sandwich is a must-try. It’s so tender and flavorful and the mac and cheese is the perfect side dish.”
“Fat Willy’s has a great vibe and amazing BBQ. The staff is always friendly and the food is consistently delicious. Highly recommend!”
Fat Willy’s Rib Shack is a family-owned and operated BBQ joint in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. With standout dishes like St. Louis-style ribs and Pig Candy, as well as a cozy atmosphere and friendly staff, it’s no wonder that this restaurant has become a local favorite. They have earned the rank of being one of the top hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints in Chicago.
5. Uncle John’s BBQ
Address: 337 E 69th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Phone Number: (773) 892-1233
Uncle John’s BBQ is one of the popular hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints in Chicago. A classic hole-in-the-wall BBQ joint located in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood of Chicago. This family-owned and operated restaurant has been serving up delicious BBQ since 1971 and has become a beloved institution for locals. With its no-frills decor and friendly staff, Uncle John’s BBQ has earned an overall rating of 4.5 stars on Yelp. Now you know why they are one of the best restaurants in Chicago for satisfying your BBQ cravings.
The signature dish at Uncle John’s BBQ is the rib tips. These succulent pieces of meat are coated in a flavorful dry rub and slow-cooked until they’re fall-off-the-bone tender. They’re then smothered in a tangy BBQ sauce and served with a side of white bread. Uncle John’s rib tips are so popular that they often sell out, so be sure to get there early.
Main Menu Items:
1. Rib Tips – Slow-cooked pieces of meat coated in a flavorful dry rub and smothered in a tangy BBQ sauce. Served with white bread.
2. Beef Links – Smoked beef links served with a side of BBQ sauce.
3. Fried Chicken – Crispy fried chicken served with a side of mac and cheese.
Customer Reviews:
“I’ve been coming to Uncle John’s for years and it never disappoints. The rib tips are out of this world and the fried chicken is some of the best I’ve ever had.”
“Uncle John’s is a hidden gem in the city. The beef links are juicy and flavorful and the mac and cheese is a must-try.”
“The rib tips at Uncle John’s are worth the trip alone. They’re always perfectly cooked and the BBQ sauce is to die for. Highly recommend!”
Uncle John’s BBQ is a family-owned and operated hole-in-the-wall BBQ joint in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood of Chicago. With its classic decor and friendly staff, this restaurant has been serving up delicious BBQ for over 50 years. The standout dish at Uncle John’s is the rib tips, but the beef links and fried chicken are also must-tries. If you’re looking for authentic Chicago BBQ, Uncle John’s is a great spot to check out. They can definitely be counted among the top hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints in Chicago.
Each of these top hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints in Chicago offers a unique take on the classic BBQ flavors and techniques, making them a must-visit destination for BBQ lovers. However, this is by no means an exhaustive list, and there are many other hidden gems waiting to be discovered in Chicago’s BBQ scene. This is why they are some of the best restaurants in Chicago for satisfying your BBQ cravings.
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