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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"
Thadeus Maximus
82 reviews
“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”
I went here almost every day for lunch during NeoCon.
Fantastic service and bbq. Moved from Texas and I can say the brisket reminds me of top quality BBQ from anywhere.
The pulled chicken is incredible and the brisket is legitimate bbq, unlike most “bbq” places.
First time trying their food. I ordered the pulled pork platter and substituted the coleslaw for Gruyere mac n cheese.
No recurring complaints found across reviews.
222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654
“I went here almost every day for lunch during NeoCon.”
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
Jun 2024
“The Nashville hot chicken sandwich was delicious The waffle fries were very good as well.”
The Nashville hot chicken sandwich was delicious The waffle fries were very good as well. Service was good.
Vincent Mañara
Jan 2024
“I went to Merch Mart to grab some lunch and I happened upon Blackwood BBQ, and thought I would give...”
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
Apr 2022
“Pulled chicken sandwich costs $10+tax and comes with nothing.”
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
Jan 2023
“Fantastic service and bbq.”
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
May 2023
“The pulled chicken is incredible and the brisket is legitimate bbq, unlike most “bbq” places.”
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
Mar 2020
“First time trying their food.”
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
Dec 2019
“I would kill for them to bring back their breakfast bowls.”
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.
Austin Cheng
Apr 2023
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