Consistently GREAT brisket and service!! This is my go-to for brisket and been coming to Smoque for years; they still maintain the same high-quality cooking for their smoked meat. I travel about 25 miles each way and purposely pass all the other smokehouses just to get to Smoque. One of Chicago's top BBQ spots and worth every mile!! read more

Sunday Funday and we ended up here! When we 1st walked in, all of the seats inside were taken. We opted to wait for outside seating, but while ordering and using their restroom inside dining seats became available so we sat inside. I had a brisket sandwich and 1/2 slab baby back ribs. My sides were cornbread and fresh cut fries. Hubby ordered the same, and mom ordered a pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw. Everything came out in about 10 minutes. Everything was fresh and hot, just like we like. Brisket was soft and smoked to perfection, as were the ribs. Service was friendly, and they were bussing continuously throughout the night to keep the tables turned over quickly. They're a little pricey also. But the general concencus was that everyone enjoyed their food and would return. When we left, we noticed the patio was filled completely. read more

Smoque BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had to come back after 7-8 years away. In fact it was my first stop after checking into the hotel. Glad I was first in line at 11, because it got crowded by 11:30. The setup was different than what I remembered. I placed my order at the counter when I first walked in as opposed to walking to the pick up area. I got my usual order, platter of sliced brisket, St Louis ribs, smoked beans, mac and cheese with bread crumbs on top, vinegar slaw. Loved everything, and I also liked that spicy BBQ sauce, I don't think I'd had it before. They even have a couple charging spots if you're sitting near the wall. Good to be back! read more

The food is good but it's small in there and the prices are so high it unreal I know food has gone up but this place always has higher prices. The people where good the one that attended me not so good but what can I say? I guess you don't like his job but it's good food. I will go again but not to eat in there claustrophobic read more

We got the ribs and brisket. The brisket was delicious and the ribs were pretty good as well. We got the St. Louis ribs, but if I were to go again, I would get the baby back ribs instead because the St. Louis ribs were a little bit fatty they had a variety of sauces to choose from that were very tasty. My only other thing would be that the sides were a little bit on the smaller side. Otherwise the service is great. There is indoor and outdoor seating, but the indoor seating is kind of limited so you might be waiting for a spot. I would go with a smaller group to get seated inside. read more

Smoque BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Hands down, my absolute favorite barbeque restaurant! Every time I visit Chicago, I make a pit stop at Smoque BBQ. I always over order and I always eat WAAAAYYYYY too much but I can't help myself because it is SO SO SOOOOO good! When the owners decided to open a barbeque joint, they traveled all over the country sampling the best of the best. They selected their favorite preparations and that is what is served at Smoque. All the meats are delicious but the brisket is hands down fabulous. If you get nothing else, get the slightly fatty sliced brisket (they also offer it leaner and chopped). Burnt ends are not on the menu but sometimes they are available - just ask because they are the answer to all your meat dreams! They offer Baby Back and St. Louis ribs which are perfection. When people talk about the meat falling off the bone, it really shouldn't fall off the bone but it should have a little pull when you bite into it and comes off the bone cleanly which is how they are at Smoque. I also like that they are so delicious that they don't sauce them so it is pure meaty flavor. But don't knock the sauce! They offer three sauces: Memphis Style (thick and bold for everything), Carolina Style (thin and vinegary for pork and brisket) and Spicy Memphis (thick with a kick for everything). My favorite is Spicy Memphis. Don't forget to munch on a couple of those candied jalapenos. The smoke on the pulled pork is so subtle but so delicious. I really enjoy the chicken but I usually skip it because I need more brisket and ribs! The Texas Sausage is juicy and a tad spicy. Sides are really worth every bite and calorie. French fries are thinly cut, come out of the kitchen piping hot and crispy. The brisket chili is more brisket than chili - just the way I like it. Macaroni & cheese has a lightly crispy topping with oozy gooey cheesy goodness that you can't stop eating. The corn bread is warm and really delicious dunked in one of the sauces. But the show stopper for me is the cole slaw. You are probably asking yourself: How can it be that good? It really is. Thinly sliced cabbage with a hint of red onion slivers, vinegary with a dash of celery salt. I have been trying to get this recipe out of the owners for the last ten years! Two adorable desserts are on the menu if you still have room for more food: Peach Cobbler and Pecan Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel Sauce. I am not the biggest dessert person but both of these are the perfect ending to this wonderful Smoque BBQ experience. Check out this video from Chicago's Best: https://youtu.be/WlMiruj5Sfk?si=NNLhKGxWR6sLBF0g Highly recommend. Go on vacation to Chicago just for the opportunity to eat Smoque BBQ!!! read more

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We walked in around 11 AM on a rainy Thursday. I could tell they were used to big crowds: we walked through a long but empty rope line and right at the entrance was a cashier who took our food order. We picked out our seats and waited for our name to be called. Here's a rundown of the meal. Sliced Brisket: I ordered a juicer cut but mine looked leaner than my companion's dish. The brisket had a big beefy flavor but not a lot of smoke on the profile. Pulled Pork: A cup of shredded but tender pork, above average in my book. Ribs: Now this is the real highlight, very tender and the most flavorful of the bunch. Memphis Spicy Sauce: Good heat, a much-needed sidekick for the smoked meats. Macaroni & Cheese: Very cheesy and has a perfect consistency and texture. Loved the crunchy breadcrumbs that topped it. My favorite side of the meal. Cole Slaw: Freshly sliced and adorned with a light dressing that made it feel more like a salad than a slaw. Brisket Chili: A chili with lots of pinto beans, fresh-cut tomato, and an occasional piece of brisket. It was nice and hot and prefect for a cold, rainy day. Overall Smoque is a good- but not great BBQ. I wish I could give half stars- this is a solid 3.5, I think it could easily get to 4 with a better cut of brisket. read more

Smoque BBQ - Brisket Chili - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Heard lots of good things about Smoque so we decided to try it out. We got take out and ordered: Baby back ribs - tender and flavorful as expected and very good! St louis ribs - seemed drier than baby back but more spiced and flavored. Not bad Brisket - pretty good and got the fatty cut, still kinda dry. Wish it was tender Brisket kids sandwich - bread was nice and soft and went well with the brisket For sides: slaw, mac n cheese, fries. All quite mediocre for us. Slaw was too vinegar-y, mac n cheese a bit flavorless, fries standard. For dessert, I got the pecan bread pudding which was pretty good. Packaging for takeout could be improved as they used a paper box with a lid that wasn't very secure so the caramel sauce on it leaked all over the other boxes during transport. read more

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My brother kept mentioning this place to me. So, he treated me for a birthday lunch here at Daley's Restaurant. Who would know me better than my brother? I love me some good, delicious Bar-BQ and Cole slaw. Let me tell you this place of business is jumping. As we were sitting outside on the patio eating. Cars were lined up picking up their online orders. You would think they were giving away something. The food and service is unexplainable. I highly recommend as one of the best places to come for some good Bar-BQ, Cole slaw and Mac & Cheese. Food is the bomb. Meat juicy, tender and falling off the bone with every bite. Yes, I will be coming back. read more

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Been a customer for years. Until last night. Cut my brisket sandwich in half expecting a great sandwich per usual. Came upon 3 grisly fatty pieces each about an inch long and a little thick in the first half. Never happened before. What happened Smoque? Your stuff is expensive enough and with that the expectation of consistency and quality. Biting into that was yuck. You can do better! Hope the second half is better. read more

This is definitely my favorite place! Great BBQ! In my opinion briskets are the best, but baby back ribs are awesome, too. The sides are also good. I would recommend beans and mac n cheese. The portions are huge, so 1/2 of the portion is absolutely enough for one person who likes to eat a lot! Update: I would give them again 5 stars! Tried so many different places, but this still keeps #1! Absolutely the best! The quality of the food doesn't go down with quantity and higher demand! BRAVO! read more

Smoque BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Edit: Had some issues with an experience. Smoque reached out and made it right. I really appreciate that, shows that you guys care and will go out of your way to fix mistakes made by employees under your roof. Thank You! read more

Smoque BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I finally had some barbecue in Chicago after 5 years. The place was really busy mostly from pick up orders. I arrived on a Sunday around 1800. I could smell the smoke as a parked and briskly walked towards the restaurant with much anticipation. It wasn't too crowded on the inside. I placed my order at the counter after looking over the menu and took a seat. I had a brisket sandwich with 2 sides. It was filled with a generous portion of tender smoked brisket placed on one of the most sturdiest buns I have ever had. That bun was so thick and solid till no piece of meat was getting past it. The barbecue was similar to Texas style and the sauce was thick and sweet. This was one hefty sandwich that surely hit the spot. The coleslaw was different from what I was accustomed to, but I liked it. The cabbage was coated in more of a vinegar based dressing instead of mayonnaise. The acidity was perfect with a mild sweetness. The mac and cheese was alright, I just prefer more of a creamy cheese consistency which I don't find often. Smoque BBQ went pretty hard for the price. read more

Smoque BBQ - Very busy prep area - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place is bomb!!! I've gotten it two days in a row just to try some different things out. The brisket is ridiculously good. I paid a little extra for the fatty pieces and it was worth it. No sauce needed in the brisket. The rub and smoke hit perfectly!!! The sausage is on point too. Slaw was good, loved the Mac, loved the baked beans, loved the brisket chili, and really loved the gumbo!!! Also, get a side of candied jalapeños. So freaking good! Like homeade sweet relish but with jalapeños. The sweet overtakes the heat and is an experience worth the couple of extra bucks. They also have curbside which is clutch when the weather turns for the worst. Just pull up, they ask you your name and boom! Your life is about to be changed! Locally owned and operated! Who doesn't like being a contributing member of society by supporting locally owned spots!?! Now stop what you're doing and go get some Smoque!!!!!! read more

Prices went up and the portion of the BBQ beef brisket seems to have gotten a little smaller. That being said, the food is really good. The mac and cheese has improved since my last visit many years ago, and I noticed the portions of BBQ sauce with each platter is much larger. Ironically enough, I found myself using less sauce than I used to because the brisket is so good on its own. So I guess they are justified in raising the price because I have yet to find brisket that compares to this place. The coleslaw is ok, but vinegar based, so not my favorite. Corn bread is good and my husband likes the beans. My only true disappointment is they got rid of the peach cobbler. read more

Smoque BBQ - Coleslaw, cornbread, mac and cheese, BBQ sauce, brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is an easy 5 out of 5 stars! And Juanita, 10 out of 10 give my girl a raise!!!! A MUST stop if you're in Chicago. Customer service is top tier, food is amazing, zero complaints read more

Smoque BBQ - Dining area - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I wish I could give Smoque more stars because after making 2 mistakes and giving us the wrong orders during our visit for pickup. We ordered one and 1/2 sobs of at Louis ribs and when we got home they only gave us 1/2 slab. they Left out the sides we ordered. When I called and complained a manager told me that it Was their mistake as their copy of our order showed. she offered to have a driver deliver the ribs to us. so far-/ professional. but when we did receive them the one slab was delicious and the other was rubber and fat and not St. Louis ribs. A for effort but inconsistent in quality. We had to toss half of the ribs we received. smoque no longer deserves its reputation.'try Green Street Smoked Meats. read more

While a typical ambiance of a BBQ joint with basic seating and a fast food vibe, there is a 199% chance that I will be returning. Their brisket was the best I have had at any restaurant. Succulent, flavorful and fall-apart tender. Loved that they had servers to drop off food as well as remove empty plates. Friendly, warm and cozy. I felt the prices were very appropriate for what you got. read more

Smoque BBQ - Wet brisket sandwich and brisket tacos - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The food is not the best testing, but it does taste fresh. I think that the barbecue could be more flavor, however, this just isn't it. The prices are reasonable. read more

Smoque has been a local focal point in Old Irving Park for more than a decade now and its outstanding reputation is well-deserved. The BBQ here is among the best in Chicago, the prices are fair and the staff are really friendly and attentive. It's got the feel of a place where an owner is always there and he or she hired all the employees personally. I think that carries through in the sense of responsibility that the staff here take in making sure you have a good experience. I've eaten in the small dining room wheee staff cleans and turns tables like a NASCAR pit crew, picked up a meal and ordered catering (neatly packed!) for 20 and it's always boringly excellent. If I had one quibble it's that I wish they had more bbq chicken options. But maybe that's like asking an elephant to have spots. Regardless, Smoque is what you hope it will be and more. read more

Smoque did not disappoint! The service was speedy, the brisket was tender and the cole slaw had a wonderful flavor. The macaroni & cheese portion could've been a tad bit larger, but you can't get everything I guess read more

Smoque BBQ - Brisket Sandwich, coleslaw & mac - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm obsessed with their barbeque. Definitely the best I've had in Chicago and it rivals some of the better BBQ meals I've had in Texas and other parts of the South. I wish they'd open a location closer to the Loop. read more

The food was very delicious! The ribs were seasoned really well, you can really taste the smoke flavor throughout. I also tried the pecan bread pudding & it was amazing, 5 star quality dessert. The service was very fast & the staff was very nice. The restaurant was very clean & the owner floated around making sure everything was spotless. Some of the best bbq in Chicago. read more

Smoque BBQ - 1/2 Slab baby back ribs, bbq baked beans, Mac & cheese & Cole slaw - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Was nearby and saw this gem of a BBQ place and had to try it out. Do not disappoint. Had the 1/2 brisket and 1/2 pork sandwich with slaw and beans with Memphis sauce. Hit the spot! Will try to be back to try out all the other goodness items I saw! Parking is difficult in the neighborhood. Seating inside and outside (limited). Effective in and out door process, to keep the ordering line going. They have xfinity WiFi if you have a login. Huge amount of takeout/pickup going on constantly from what I could see. :-) read more

Smoque BBQ - 1/2 brisket 1/2 pork sandwich with slaw and beans, with Memphis sauce - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Never disappoints... we have been in this place multiple times and love the food here Cannot wait to go back read more

Smoque BBQ - Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Absolutely the BEST bbq around!! Each time we go we always get the pulled pork, brisket and ribs. The fries are sooo good too. Honestly everything on their menu is amazing, including the cornbread! Do not hesitate, it'll soon be your favorite craving too. read more

Not so good any more. This place use to be the best, but now they value profits over customer satisfaction. The price we paid was way too high. I'm okay paying if the food is good and plenty, but not the case. The buns are now super big, too much bread, like they are trying to fill you up with bread. The quantity of Mac and cheese and slaw is ridiculous, a tiny little cup, like it's super expensive and they can't spare any. Same with the corn muffin, tiny little piece of bread. We are going to find another place. read more

Pulled pork sandwich, 5/5, absolutely recommend! That soft sweet bread pairs perfectly with the meat and barbecue sauce served on the side Baked beans, 4/5, just not the taste for me! Brisket red bean chili - chunks of beef really makes this Gumbo -- sausage, pulled pork/chicken with a spice! Cornbread read more

Smoque BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food is great. The service is great. Thank you for the Mac & cheese gift. I need more words. The food is consistently good. The service is consistently good. I have no complaints. read more

Came here because it was known for their BBQ in Illinois. Let me say the seasoning on the meat is phenomenal. I love chicken and got their 1/2 chicken and let me say the skin is so crispy and flavorful. My boyfriend got the 1/2 brisket and pulled pork, taste of st. Louis ribs and Texas sausage. For the side we got Mac and cheese, corn bread and slaw. The server were very nice to help us out and recommend what to get. Would come back. read more

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The flavors are not just on the surface, there are complexities of simple sides. Full of flavor from start to finish. A nice to go option and during warmer weather comfortable seating outside. Nice service and comfortable space. read more

Smoque BBQ - Buttery ribs and delicious sides - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Simply the best BBQ in Chicago! Absolutely delicious options at Smoque if you are looking for authentic smokey goodness. On the latest trip, we had their brisket platter which is hands down their best meat. Literally melt-in-your-mouth with the perfect amount of smoke flavor. For sides, we had the coleslaw which had a unique sweet vinegar taste, cornbread and Mac and Cheese. All were cleaned up. To top off, the service here was amazing - super friendly and very attentive. They seated us, offered more BBQ sauce and gave us candied jalapeños as a bonus. read more

Smoque BBQ - Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love it !! My favorite BBQ restaurant. My family and I have been patronizing this business for years now.

Came here on a whim, but everything I tried was good. I'm not a huge fan of BBQ, so I got a salad with chicken. It was so fresh, tons of veggies, and the chicken was tender and great quality smoked. I took a bite of the sausage, and it reminded me of kielbasa. The fries were a tad soggy, but I liked the seasoning. Cornbread was moist and a perfect individual size. Everyone else seemed to enjoy all the meats, but I heard the brisket was a little dry/tough. Friendly staff and BYOB! read more

Smoque BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Tried this place with the family. Not bad. Tried the two types of meat - pretty tender, a little bit spicy. Came with corn bread and sides. Pricing is reasonable. Parking is a bit challenging and on the street. Inside is a little meh and seating is a bit tight. SErvice is ok. read more

I was in a mood for good bbq.. I have been binge watching young sheldon, there was this scene showing sheldon's dad cutting brisket, the juice dripped down as the tender meat got sliced, and I went to costco this afternoon and this guy in food court was eating whole rack of ribs by himself. And i had to have bbq for dinner. Lol. Well, i made a mistake of choosing "fat and juicy" brisket, it was just too much fatty for me, so I will definitely choose leaner one next time. I got baby back rib and st louis one, they both were good. Fries were hot and crispy, sauces were nice, I wish they got rib tips tho :) I liked the food. read more

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Smoque is amazing!!! When our daughter lived in Chicago, we would periodically go to Smoque for the amazing food. It has been 5 years since our last visit and Smoque hasn't missed a beat. The brisket was tender and delicious after 18 hours in the smoker. The baked beans were amazing, as well as the Cole slaw. One of my favorites is the corn bread which was moist and very satisfying. I highly recommend Smoque if you are ever in the Chicago area. It is definitely the best BBQ that I have ever had, and that is saying a lot since I have been to many of the BBQ hotspots around America. read more

Smoque BBQ - Guy Fieri's endorsement of Smoque - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Not the largest of places, but it is very busy. I had read it was one of the best BBQs in Chicago. I ordered a Pulled Pork Sandwich with a side of Baked Beans ($15) plus added a 1/4 slab of Baby Back Ribs ($8). They then assign a table. The sandwich was pilled high with pulled pork and a very good bun. The pork was very tender and a wonderful full flavor. The baked beans were very good with bits of brisket in it. The ribs were excellent with a really nice char on them. The meat definitely fell off the bone and full of great flavor. Overall a 5 star review. I definitely see why they are so popular. Would I return? Absolutely. read more

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Me and a friend came to smoque to grab a quick lunch and overall it was a good experience just not anything amazing. I had the full slab combo with French fries and Mac and cheese. I asked the lady at the register the difference the difference between the baby back and St. Louis and she told me the baby back ribs were going to be more tender and less chewy they were still very chewy but had a great flavor and taste The bbq sauce was very forgettable Mac and cheese was my favorite dish there but it was a very small portion Fries weren't anything special Overall the food was good but definitely not worth the near $40 spent. read more

Smoque BBQ - Full slab of baby back ribs with fries, Mac and cheese I forget which bbq sauce I got - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Pretty tasty stuff they got going on at smoque. How it works is you place an order at the register, sit down, and once your order is ready they will call your name and you go pick up. Big alert - ITS BYOB! So bring all your seltzers, beers, wines, whatever is your poison. I didn't know before had but got lucky I was in the area to pick up a bottle of wheated bourbon that paired fantastic with the meal. Speaking of the meal - GET THE CHILI. If there is one thing I am critical of in a cold fall in Chicago is chili. Smoque's is unique and has a great spice to it. More of a stew than a chili as it isn't super thicc, but it is filled with goodness. The bbq was also great and definitely in the top tier in Chicago (which can be lacking in the bbq scene). Lastly, the bread pudding was to die for. It was caramel and pecans on top and immediately teleported me to better days when my mother used to make a similar dish. Thank you for a great meal, Smoque! read more

Smoque BBQ - 1/2 brisket 1/2 pulled pork plate, Mac & cheese, chili, bread pudding, coleslaw (and BYOB bourbon!) - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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