Skip to content
312 Eats
River North · American · $$

Blackwood BBQ - Merchandise Mart

4.511 reviews
Permanently closed — this spot has closed. The page stays up for the record.
Staff was helpful and friendly, the pulled pork was quite good and dispite my aversion to sauces, the Chicago Style BBQ sauce was pretty good, the mac and cheese however was a little dry for my taste, and didn't seem to have much cheese in it, though it wasn't too bad other than that
Thadeus MaximusThadeus Maximus · 82 Google reviews
Read the reviews on Google →

Blackwood BBQ - Merchandise Mart — River North american that most people haven't found yet. Salik Ghaus: "The pulled chicken is incredible and the brisket is legitimate bbq, unlike most “bbq” places" [$$]

What 11 diners keep saying

Quick bite
Own Blackwood BBQ - Merchandise Mart? Claim this page · Spot an error? Suggest an edit

What 11 diners keep saying

verbatim, from Google
Review photo by Don Dejong
Jun 2024

I went here almost every day for lunch during NeoCon. I had the brisket salad multiple times, but the sausage platter is amazing, as well as the fried chicken sandwich. I didn’t have everything on the menu over my visits, but my colleagues did and everything looked great, the sauces are exactly as described. Waffle fries are crispy and delicious, as well as the Mac and Cheese.

Don Dejong

Don Dejong

86 reviews on Google

Review photo by Vincent Mañara
Jan 2024

The Nashville hot chicken sandwich was delicious The waffle fries were very good as well. Service was good.

Vincent Mañara

Vincent Mañara

674 reviews on Google

Review photo by Thadeus Maximus
Apr 2022

I went to Merch Mart to grab some lunch and I happened upon Blackwood BBQ, and thought I would give them a try, I am not the biggest BBQ fan, though every once in a while I do enjoy. I got the pulled pork with Chicago Style BBQ sauce, and added in a side of the 3-cheese Mac & Cheese. Staff was helpful and friendly, the pulled pork was quite good and dispite my aversion to sauces, the Chicago Style BBQ sauce was pretty good, the mac and cheese however was a little dry for my taste, and didn't seem to have much cheese in it, though it wasn't too bad other than that.

Thadeus Maximus

Thadeus Maximus

82 reviews on Google

Review photo by Mark Hollander
Jan 2023

Pulled chicken sandwich costs $10+tax and comes with nothing. Just pre-cooked meat, sauce and bread. Pickles are supposedly included, but weren't. Got their coleslaw on the side and it was packed with celery and tasted nothing like coleslaw.

Mark Hollander

Mark Hollander

120 reviews on Google

Jan 2025

wow this taco changed my life

Grace Colvin

Grace Colvin

30 reviews on Google

May 2023

Fantastic service and bbq. Moved from Texas and I can say the brisket reminds me of top quality BBQ from anywhere. It's juicy, moist and so tender and lots of flavor. You will not be disappointed. The brisket sandwich with Memphis sauce, pickles and Cole slaw is amazing.

Blake

Blake

111 reviews on Google

Mar 2020

The pulled chicken is incredible and the brisket is legitimate bbq, unlike most “bbq” places. Reasonably priced for the city. Friendly service. I’m back every week now!

Salik Ghaus

Salik Ghaus

515 reviews on Google

Dec 2019

First time trying their food. I ordered the pulled pork platter and substituted the coleslaw for Gruyere mac n cheese. The best mac n cheese I have tried in a long time. The pulled pork was awesome, too. Overall, great food and good prices.

Joel Ortiz

Joel Ortiz

68 reviews on Google

Apr 2023

I would kill for them to bring back their breakfast bowls. Besides that, it's on the better side of BBQ in Chicago. Their brisket and pulled pork are always good. Sides are very hit or miss and small for what you pay. A meal with two sides can easily get you into the $20 range. Everything is about the same price as you'd see from other good BBQ spots but smaller portions. The breakfast bowls were the real value deal here. Used to get them pretty much once a week. Now I eat here once in a blue moon because almost every time I look at the menu prices I change my mind (I work next door and frequent the food court at here). Would rather save my money for spots that give better value. Favorites: Brisket+burnt ends mac'n'cheese cornbread Edit: and as another reviewer experienced, they often don't give you the pickles that supposedly come with the sandwiches.

A C

A C

66 reviews on Google

Sounds like your kind of place?

Star it — your hit list is where dinner decisions get made.

First Bite

One email a month — new openings, hidden gems, and where locals are actually eating.

More American in Downtown & River North

See the ranking →

In the same lane · American, mid-range

If it's packed, walk to…

More good rooms in River North, minutes away.

Keep exploring