Have been eating here since the place opened. So many items I enjoy. The service is always great. Ben is awesome! Today we went for brunch. Their maple ribs with eggs and potato's is so good the maple glaze is quite different than their normal ribs. You should try both! My wife loves the Boss Hog brunch which is pulled pork, bacon, eggs and waffles. read more

I Smell Bacon - Boss Hog Brunch. - Smokehouse Near Me - Hoffman Estates, Illinois

See all

I had a solid experience at I Smell Bacon. I ordered the brisket wrap, and the mix of flavors was really good--everything blended well without one thing overpowering the rest. The brisket itself was flavorful and made the wrap worth it. The environment was also nice, clean, and comfortable, which made the whole visit more enjoyable. Overall, a good spot with quality food and a chill atmosphere. I'd definitely go back. read more

I smell bacon BBQ is a family owned BBQ joint in Hoffman Estates across from the arboretum. They also have a catering business. We were first to arrive upon opening on Father's Day as their ribs sell out fast. Our waitress was very attentive and allowed us to switch tables when we were feeling a draft. We ordered a Bloody Mary and a beer; I was very happy with the spice level of their pepper vodka. For entrees we ordered a half slab of ribs and corned beef sandwich, which was a real treat since they usually only have it on the 17th of every month. We also ordered the fried potato salad and Makin Bacon as an appetizer. Everything was delicious, however my favorite was the potato salad. It had a slight spice that paired nicely with the green onion and potatoes. On my way out, I made notes of things I'd like to try next time as everyone's food looked appetizing! read more

See all

I checked out I Smell Bacon in Hoffman Estates after a coworker raved about it for more than a month straight. I'm from Texas and I'm very particular about my que, especially the brisket. Service was warm and friendly on this rainy Saturday. I ordered brisket, smoked chicken, green beans, and cornbread. Food was prepared and sent out quickly. A small cup of pickled onions and pickles were given as condiments. There was also a variety of different sauces on the tables. Food was warm but not super hot. The green beans were well seasoned. The cornbread was moist and a little sweet. The brisket had a good smoke flavor to it and was not tough but lacked seasoning. The chicken faired a little better with the smoke and seasoning. I do like the various menu items offered on different days of the week like brisket nachos or tacos. There are not a lot of barbecue places in the area so if you just need to satisfy that craving come here and get your fix. read more

I Smell Bacon - Smoked chicken, cornbread, 2 small cups of pickled onions and pickles, and green beans - Smokehouse Near Me - Hoffman Estates, Illinois

After seeing such amazing reviews from other Yelpers, I knew I needed to make a stop out to try I Smell Bacon BBQ & Pub. The inside is very casual with a large bar, main dining with tables & chairs, a slots area, and fun/on brand decor. My husband and I sat at the bar and were thoroughly impressed with the menu offerings/variety. They offer daily specials as well as happy hour specials from 4-6pm. We started with a $4 You Call It cocktail special. I got the Redemption Bourbon & Diet and he got the Cruzan Rum & Ginger Ale. They were served in short glasses but flavor and balance was spot on. For food, I got the Chuck Wagon Cheesy Mac. The mac and cheese was absolutely delicious, full of flavor, and very filling. My husband got the Cup of Gumbo which he said was full of flavor as well and had a good heat. We shared a side of cornbread which came with two pieces, was served warm, and came with a side of butter. We left thoroughly impressed by the pricing, quality of food/flavors, and will certainly be back to try more of their meat offerings! Be sure to give this place a try! Tip: Thursdays they host trivia night and certain Wednesdays they host music bingo! read more

See all

Amazing bbq at an affordable price point. On a Sunday afternoon we were met withan open table and smiles. The drinks are served quickly and the bacon appetizer went down quickly....soon good. The main course aas the shining star. My partner had the pulled pork platter and I had a half slab of ribs. A side of fresh cut fries completed the order. Corn bread, nachos and cheese, coleslaw, and pickled onions made it over the top. The sauces are exceptional and I recommend honey habenero. You can find them at the Schaumburg Boomers games, which.is what brought us here. A great find. read more

I Smell Bacon - Ribs and pulled pork platters. - Smokehouse Near Me - Hoffman Estates, Illinois

Really great spot, wish we would have come in sooner. Sat at the bar, super friendly bartender. Casual spot with a bar, tables and slots. Good prices on drinks. Huge menu with such great options we were having a hard time deciding. Owner came over and gave us some recommendations. We started with the Bacon (of course) and the Jalapeño poppers. Thick cut bacon was tasty and the poppers were unique - giant, smoked and really good. We split the trio platter and added a side. All meats were terrific, the brisket was some of the best I have had. Sides were all outstanding, especially the pit beans. So many things we want to come back and try. The sandwiches sounded amazing. We will definitely be back soon, don't hesitate to give it a try! read more

See all

This has beeb on my list for sometime and we finally had the opportunity to try it and was not disappointed. It was fairly crowded and it was suggested we sit at the bar, so we could watch the Cubs game. Draft beers were $5 , a reasonable deal. My husband had the General Sandwich - sausage and pork topped with spicy coleslaw and bbq sauce on toast. The sandwich was a double decker combination of spice complimented by the creamy coleslaw. The texas toast did not fall apart and held the sandwich together. It was very large, but amazing and half went home . I had the Smoked turkey club. It was on Texas toast and layered with lettuce, tomoto and mayo. The turkey is smoked in house and was very tender. The thick cut bacon added a sweet smoky flavor. The sandwich was amazing, so flavorful. They have four house made sauces, that are gluten free. I especially liked the Habanero honey and Alabama white sauce. The atmosphere is similar to a sports bar, and service was excellent and all the servers were friendly. We will be back to try other items. read more

See all

This bbq place is located in Hoffman Estates off of Route 59 &72. We stopped in for "linner". I smelled the food just pulling into the parking lot! We ordered the shareable platter for two. What it came with (you make your own meat and side choices): *beef brisket *pulled port *Mac and cheese *Brussel sprouts *corn bread *Bread *pickled onions *pickles ***5 different house made bbq sauces to try! The food was out of this world delicious!! The service was quick and friendly. They have the TV's on playing your favorite sports game, with your typical sports pub/bar feel. We will definitely be back! They don't take reservations, but if you have a large party and call ahead they will try to accommodate your seating. They also have catering available. read more

See all

We had a Restaurant.com certificate so we stopped in on a Sunday after 4pm. Located in a strip center off Route 59 and Higgins,this place has a very casual setting with fantastic BBQ We were seated immediately as they were not crowded. They offer a nice selection of appetizers,sandwiches and BBQ platters. Portions are huge and prices are reasonable. I had the Big Texas Sampler which had a smoked chicken egg roll, jalapeno poppers that were stuffed with a delicious creme cheese blend,smoked wings and cowboy fries that were covered in cheese sauce and bacon. Everything was delicious. My wife had the 2 meat combo platter with pulled pork and chicken,cornbread and Cilantro potatoe salad. They make all of their sauces which are gluten free but I wish they were served in squirt bottles and not individual plastic cups. Everything was delicious and we took half of it home. Our server Cristina was super nice but it seemed they had too many servers which is normally not the case anymore. It felt like we were being watched since it was not busy. The atmosphere is just ok but the BBQ is the hit of the show! This is a family run business offering great food and great prices.. definitely will be back! read more

See all

Delicious bbq. Excellent choice for take out, and the servers are great at recommending sauce with the platters. The baked beans are a must. read more

Traffic was brutal and construction was in full force. BUT, I always say, "will travel for food." Unfortunately, it literally took two hours and twelve minutes to arrive. I thought leaving right after work was a good idea. Never mind that it's rush hour. Lol. I asked the police for directions when I got off the expressway. They were like: "oh it's really good barbecue", "it's right over there on the end." Of course, from the social media buzz and the news interview, I am fully aware that the owner is also a former police officer. Now, I really want to check to see if the food is any good. Upon entering I was greeted warmly. Although, I appreciate that, my first order of business is the bathroom. Lol. Ready to order. I'll have two orders of rib tips, one with fried potato salad and one with mac and cheese. I'll have one mixed platter that comes with chicken, pork, rib tips, baked beans and cornbread. I'll also have two orders of your smoked bacon and a root beer. Big bag to go. While waiting for my order, I spoke with the owners about the best menu items and their favorite sauces. We also took a picture. They were very nice. My husband and I ate that food for two days. Yes, it was worth the drive. read more

See all

This restaurant has been on our radar since it opened and we finally got to try it late Sunday afternoon. There were more servers inside than patrons which is surprising because the food is excellent, the portions are huge and they offer a good value. Hopefully it gets busier because they deserve the support. Our server was friendly and helpful. The interior is more sports bar vibe than bbq joint. There are both high and low top tables as well as seating at the bar and outside. I love that their sauces are homemade and gluten free. The cilantro potato salad is a delicious and unique take and the meats melt in your mouth. We will return when again craving good bbq! read more

See all

I will definitely come back to this place! Our senior group recently ate lunch here and the staff was able to handle our group of 20 plus with ease. I couldn't believe how quickly our food was served. Staff was very pleasant and super efficient. Very interesting menu. Food was awesome! read more

First time trying this spot and it was definitely delicious. Went with a small group for trivia but unfortunately no trivia was able to be had haha but stayed for the food and company. Our server was great! He was very prompt and efficient and explained everything really well. No problem splitting checks either which was nice. The smells when you first walk in will make your mouth water. I didn't realize the platter didn't come with sauce automatically unless maybe they forgot it but most of it didn't need any (but it was a tad dry)! It all had great flavor on its own. I tried a little of everything we ordered and definitely will be back again to try some other things. My BF and I ordered the trio sampler platter (chicken, pulled pork and brisket) with Mac n cheese for the side to share. I could have eaten an entire pan of the cornbread I think - almost ordered it to go honestly, haha (kicking myself that I didn't). We ALMOST finished the entire thing but took just a lil of each meat home for later. The pickled onions were a great acidic pairing with the sweet sauces and creamy coleslaw. I also really liked the "tangy" sauce which is honey mustard tasting and the hot honey was actually VERY HOT, imo, while the salsa for the street tacos had a building vs instant heat. The Mac n cheese was my BF's fav (well besides the meat and tacos anyways). I preferred the flour tortillas even though I usual am team corn tortilla. Overall really fun atmosphere and good food. The prices vs portions were on point as well. Can't wait to try more yummy things next time! read more

See all

Chewy BBQ, friendly service, excellent Fried Potato Salad, casual table side eatery. The BBQ is chewy but moist. It's a weird combo, so much chewing. I had the Pulled Pork, Ribs, and Brisket. They were all flavorful, but chewy. The Ribs were the most tender, but the outside crust was tough. The pulled pork and brisket were all meat and all chew. The corned bread has a crust similar to creme brulee. It's an interesting desert but not good corn bread. The fried potato salad was the star of the show, yes the random side. Fried potatoes that were slighly crispy, with a nice spicy creamy sauce with a light kick, green onions for a crisp. Staff were super friendly and explained their BBQ style as Texas inspired, all rub, sauce on side. Sauces were ok, bbq was semi sweet, there is an orange south carolina tangy/sweet one too. Staff also explained meats are smoked in house the day before and most other things are made fresh same day. I would consider going back just for the fried potato salad, but it's 4 dollars for a small portion which is not that much food at all. read more

See all

We were greeted and sat promptly. Our server came over with great enthusiasm. I think his name was Ben.. he was helpful in explaining the menu and the specials.. the food came out in about 5 mins... everything was very good. They have 4 or 5 different bbq sauces. I'm pretty picky and liked them all. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars, the meat was pretty bland without a sauces on it.. but the sauce def made up for it. Will def be back! read more

We have been driving past here for quite a while and could not wait for this place to open. They have been open since August. There are high and low tables and seating by the bar. They have several TV's on the walls to watch the game! Video gaming area is coming soon. We were waited on right away, service with a smile! I ordered the pulled chicken platter and picked the cilantro potato salad for my small side. It was a decent size side too! The cornbread is moist and delicious too. My husband ordered 12 of the smoked wings (drummettes) and they were a decent size and came with blue cheese dipping sauce (ranch is also an option) There are several different BBQ sauces... I picked the tangy one... We will definitely be coming back again! Delicious! read more

See all

Food is amazing. Best in the burbs. Great staff and amazing portions. Love coming here

We wanted BBQ, and saw that I Smell Bacon had just opened so gave it a try. Jim's review (their first review) was outstanding, so that sealed the deal. They are in a strip mall in western Hoffman Estates, near Pinstripes. The interior is large and there are ample tables. I also noticed they had a full bar, but we weren't drinking. They have a very nice menu, and like most barbeque joints, when they run out of something, they run out. So, they were out of pulled pork when we got there but they had everything else. There were three of us - one ordered the Texas Link dinner, another the salad with brisket, and I had their three meat sampler, which normally has pulled pork. They gladly said they would substitute, so I asked for ribs. The portions are large, and the food was very good. The beans were outstanding, and (although I didn't have any), so was the corn bread and the fried potato salad. Everything my fellow diners said about the food was outstanding. Before we left, the owner stopped by and we chatted for a while. Very nice guy and I'd love to see his restaurant do well. So, if you are in the area and want some good barbeque, try I Smell Bacon... read more

See all

I've ordered the tacos and they were delicious! Absolutely packed with meat. My only suggestion would be to have guacamole available to order. The brisket tacos are the bomb! read more

Decided to stop in after seeing the open sign. It's a soft opening. When walking in, it's quite bright and open. There's a bar area to the right. The menu was limited at the time, but the staff were friendly and patiently explained the menu. We got a variety to try. The meats were smoke just about right, the ribs were tender, and the fried potato salad is something must try! We will plan to come back after its grand opening. read more

See all

We have eaten here a couple times since they opened. The service has always been good. The food wasn't great at first but we gave them another chance and it's definitely better. They are trying to do trivia nights and other things to bring people in during the week. I think that's great. Will be back again. read more

Our first time at I Smell Bacon. Very casual. Clean and bright. Good service. We both enjoyed our meat - pulled pork and pork rib tips. The Carolina Sauce was our favorite. Mixed review on sides. There was about 1/4 c of chopped onion in about a 1/2 c serving of baked beans. I fished out some of the onion and added bbq sauce because they weren't very flavorful. Greens were ok - a little too vinegary. Mac and cheese was ok - not baked, not worth the calories for me. Corn bread is sweet and cake-like, if you like it that way. I prefer it a little coarser and less sweet. Cole slaw was excellent and I am picky about cole slaw. We'll be back. I'll probably just order meat and coleslaw. read more

Went there for a drink and some appetizers... we ended up having dinner thanks to Ben our server. Ok we had rib tips as an appetizer and they were the best I've had, period! Delicious and melted in my mouth! We then had the pulled pork and brisket. The pulled pork was ok, not bad, needed the bbq sauces that were offered. The brisket was mouth watering and really good! Worth the up charge, we had a platter with two choices. We also had a side of fried potato salad, better than I thought and fries. The fries are good, crispy and not salty. Coleslaw was good, cornbread was better!! Ok downside was the tables are a little closely placed together and people kept bumping into me as they came in or servers walked by. They were polite but still was a little disturbing to enjoy dinner. Didn't do enough to ruin the high rating I'm giving. The owner was there and did come by and speak to us about our experience. He was friendly and a little funny. The tvs weren't too loud and the lighting was just bright enough. Ben was our server and he was passionate and knowledgeable about the menu. We will be going back for sure!!! read more

This place is amazing. Between the great customer service and the food, baby you can't go wrong! We have tried the brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken, and the ribs all are delicious. I highly recommend the fried potatoe salad omg it's sent from heaven. The Mac and cheese, greens are scrumptious! Oh and they have a full service bar/TV to watch your favorite sports team!! read more

I Smell Bacon - Smoked Chicken, Ribs, greens, fried potatoe salad. Cole slaw, corn bread and toast. The sauce is honey habanero it has a great kick! - Smokehouse Near Me - Hoffman Estates, Illinois

Tried this place. Had the smoked chicken and husband tried the pulled pork My chicken didn't taste super fresh but was ok. Husband enjoyed his pulled pork We both tried the Mac and cheese which was ok. Service was nice and polite Ambience is nice and clean Plenty of parking in front read more

I Smell Bacon - Smokehouse Near Me - Hoffman Estates, Illinois

Loved everything about this spot! Excellent food, great staff and clean! 1. The rib tips were fall of the bone tender and smoked brisket was also tender. Both were seasoned to perfection. 2. The fried potato salad was reminded me of cubed potatoes but also seasoned very well. 3. The coleslaw was fresh. So yummy! 4. The bacon was very tasty. I would've liked it a crispier but that's just my preference. Everything was awesome including the drinks! I can't say enough about this spot. But I'm glad I found a spot in my area with great food and service. We all know good BBQ is hard to find in the suburbs. This is the spot! Check them out! I promise you won't be disappointed. I will definitely be back as often as possible. 10/10 experience! And the bathroom was clean!!! I'm read more

See all

1st time customer ordered the Trio Sampler. Every thing was excellent the place is legit. Good service and employees were friendly and helpful if you had any questions. food order came out very quick. Will definitely be coming back. read more

Was hopeful when I saw there was a new barbecue restaurant in the area. Went in and placed an order to go. Ordered the nachos with the pulled chicken, the combo platter with brisket and sausage, the mac n cheese appetizer, and brisket and sausage a la carte. Since we were bringing our food home, about 25 mins away, I asked for cheese on the side, which the person taking my order didn't know if they could do- but thankfully they were able too. I mean it's just some cheese in a cup- which is what I even said to her. She was nice, but definitely could maybe use more training. Food came out quickly and off we went home. We get home and to my disappointment, no pulled chicken on the nachos. I paid $10.99 for chips topped with some cilantro, corn, onion, and tomatoes. I called to inform the restaurant- and I'm pretty sure it was the person who took my order who answered. I explained the situation and requested a refund. The whole point of getting the nachos was for the pulled chicken. And the response I got was "Well the price of the nachos doesn't change because there wasn't any meat." I responded back explaining we got the nachos for the meat and without it I paid $10.99 for some chips and cheese. She then told me that she would grab a manager for me. The manager was very helpful. She was apologetic and approved the refund immediately- which I appreciated. As for the other food we got- brisket, sausage, and mac n cheese, the portions are small for the amount you pay compared to other barbecue places, and the flavor is lacking... read more

See all

The food we ordered was amazingly cooked. It was flavorful and it just smelled amazing in here. The service was phenomenal. They helped each other out when I'm watching, and it is kind of relaxed, which is nice. You can smell the barbecue as soon as you open the doors. I had the fried potato salad which was amaze balls. A friend of mine had the buffalo chicken flatbread amazing and then we also had the mac & cheese appetizer amazing. Great job everyone. read more

See all

The wife and I have been close to here but just learned of this place. The staff were truly a cut above, very welcoming and attentive. The food was fantastic with some good sauce choices. Had a "local" vibe. Looking forward to coming here again and again. read more

1st timer. I don't live in the area however, how can you go wrong with a place called " I Smell Bacon "? I had brisket sandwich, and my brother had pulled pork sandwich. Both were good choices. If ever I'm in the area, I will always try and make it back. read more

I've been looking for a truly great barbecue restaurant in the suburbs for a long time now (since Smoking' T's in Long Grove closed). Hoffman Estates isn't in ourimmediate area but we had an errand to run that meant we needed to wait about an hour. Rather than hang around a service shop, we decided to try I Smell Bacon. I truly wasn't expecting much of a small place in a mall, but that's why we always hear that we shouldn't judge a book by its cover. I finally found my great barbecue in the burbs!! Ribs were great even with just the rub. But all the sauces were great. On the 17th of every month they have a special Irish menu and the corned beef was also delicious. My husband had the brisket sandwich and it was also a home run. I have to say that the entire friendly staff did a great job explaining menu items, keeping us up-to-date on progress, and checking on how we were doing. Very strong customer service orientation. I can't wait to go back and get some of the items that I didn't get a chance to try - are you listening, Poppers? read more

Went back to try again and I'm so glad I did. We ate in this time and it was a much better experience. The rib tips here are absolutely on point! The brisket was much better this time around and it's a very generous serving. The service was super pleasant and the ambience is welcoming and friendly. The owner was in today as well and is a super cool guy. I'm glad we gave it another chance but i can already tell you I'm going to be retuning for those rib tips as soon as possible. read more

Brisket good, pork good, pulled chicken OK Their sauces come in Little cups that they hand you upon request. Normally you go to bbq place and there are a couple of sauces in squeeze bottles to use as you want. I was given one sauce in a little plastic cup that tasted like plastic which tells me its not house made. Staff behind the bar was very friendly. There were several kitchen employees standing around chatting or on their phones and two employee sitting at the bar eating bbq which was strange. As i was leaving one employee sitting at a table outside smoking a cigarette with feet on the table which didnt look good. Bottom line food was good / sauces were ok / poor representation of staff with the exception of the bartender so this gets 3 stars. Next time i will try carryout and avoid dinging in read more

Very tasty meats tried almost everything from the menu. I liked side dishes also. Big plus you're getting 4 sauces to choose from ( really liked the white one ) definitely worth trying out read more

Stop there for lunch, great find. Everything we had was delicious. Service was great friendly staff. Would love to go back but just passing through. Just a little hole in the wall. Highly recommend this place. read more

Excellent Barbecue prepared by great people Who exude a real passion for Making you feel good and make and serve Delicious and quality food. Tried 3 their different meats & each one was Very tasty but what really impressed me Were there baked beans! Maybe that's not what they want to hear..but what a blast from the past They were like old-fashioned baked beans we would make an oven and bake for hours. Not these runny beans in a tomato based sweet sauce. I have not had beans like that in many many years and I'd go back and just buy a big batch of them. Pork, brisket and sausages that we had were wonderful as well. Next time I will try the ribs. The owner was On premises and Made you feel very welcome besides being very helpful to me as handicapped person. Thank you for making my outing special. read more

If you're ever in the area and craving authentic barbecue, this spot should be at the top of your list. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, making it a perfect place to enjoy a hearty meal with friends or family. Every dish I tried was packed with flavor and showcased the care put into the recipes. I had the Trio Sampler, which was pulled pork, smoked brisket and pulled chicken. It came with creamy coleslaw, cornbread, and fried potato salad. The fried potato salad is deep fried rosemary potatoes, tossed with a spicy cream sauce with onions and bacon. First of all, that fried potato salad was amazing. I never had a potato salad in my life so delicious! That cream sauce, onions, bacon and fried potatoes, what a combination--a little spicy but I loved it! The pulled chicken was tender and very tasty. The pulled pork was perfect in every way. The smoked brisket had those nice smoke rings with a wonderful flavor. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates classic barbecue done right! read more

I Smell Bacon - Smokehouse Near Me - Hoffman Estates, Illinois