The South Moon is a casual room packed with vintage and antique toys of all things. So many joints…read moredecorate their rooms with antique junk-it's a simple theme that almost always works. TOYS, as a theme catches your eye and your fancy, and provides a sense of comfort, really. If you're of a certain age, you HAD some of these pieces when you were a kid. I certainly did.
But what links Toys, Bourbon and BBQ, I have no idea. Perhaps if you hit some fine pre-prandial herb it might make sense. I can remember that state of mind from my hippie days, and I think I may be on to something.
The Q here is superb, at prices that will make you clean your glasses to make sure you saw it correctly. The perfectly-seasoned rib rack is HUGE (see photo below), with the right amount (and right flavor) of smoke. The pulled pork and brisket is the same quality. The sauces taste home-made and if you like it HOT, the ghost-pepper variety will not disappoint. Someone in this kitchen knows what they are doing.
There are a few miscues (not enough to put me off my feed, but I report it all nonetheless):
The Slaw is a little underseasoned. Hit it with some salt and it's great. The vaunted "spicy potato salad" isn't exactly a "must-have", I'd stick with the regular "mustard-style" tater-salad. There's a pulled Chicken which I haven't tried yet, but there isn't a bone-in BBQ chix option. I'll bet they'd knock it out of the park if there was one.
And then there's the bar. A heroic variety of Bourbons, and the guy who curates the collection (I think his name is Phil) really knows his stuff inside and out, even if he looks more like a farmhand than a Bourbon Sommelier. They also have a smashing selection of Irish Whiskies. Note Bene: Make sure you have a designated driver. Trust me. In and amongst the toys, all this great booze is offered for sale.
They also have a variety of THC-infused beverages on the menu. With this excellent Q, the mind boggles. Plus...toys.
As far as Circuses, the service is homey and efficient, with sports on the TV, and picnic tables as a seating choice. A fine feed indeed, and it doesn't do that bad of damage to your pocketbook.
We've always wanted to find a place that was in the same league as the Q joints found in the South, and I think we hit on a winner here.
Worth the drive, that's for sure.
Epilogue: Here's the wicked pissah: For a while, South Moon was open not more than a mile from Stately Breakwind Manor, here in the far southwest Chicago Burbs; in a building that until recently never had a winner in it. We didn't go 'cos we didn't like the building (idiots,we). If you take a look through Yelp for this region most every Q stop is compared to South Moon-believe them.
