Honky Tonk BBQ / The Tonk

“Thursday open jam night was great, enjoyed great BBQ, good drinks and amazing music!”

Lori Delikat

Aug 2025

“After a long day, The Tonk was the perfect way to end the night.”

After a long day, The Tonk was the perfect way to end the night. This BBQ spot has a laid-back, rustic vibe that just makes you feel at ease the moment you walk in. The aroma of wood-smoked meats in the air promised an experience worth savoring, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. I ordered the St. Louis Ribs, and they were everything you hope for in BBQ. Each rib was smoked to perfection, tender enough to pull apart effortlessly but still with a satisfying bite. The wood-smoke flavor was deep and rich, layering each mouthful with that classic smoky goodness. But what really set these ribs apart were the sauces, they were something else. Each sauce was packed with its own unique blend of tangy, sweet, and savory notes. Whether you brushed it on lightly or went for a full-on slather, it was like a flavor bomb that made each bite better than the last. The sides rounded out the meal perfectly. The slaw was crisp and refreshing, adding a cool, crunchy contrast to the richness of the ribs. The soft, sweet Hawaiian bread was perfect for soaking up every last drop of sauce. And let’s not forget the mac and cheese — creamy, gooey, and just the right amount of cheesy indulgence. It was the kind of comfort food that makes you close your eyes and savor the moment. Every part of this meal came together to create a satisfying, unforgettable BBQ experience. From the tender ribs to the standout sauces and perfectly paired sides, The Tonk knows how to deliver the goods. If you’re a BBQ lover or just someone looking for a hearty, soul-satisfying meal, this spot is a must-visit. I’ll definitely be back for more!

Moises Treviño Garcia

Mar 2025

“We celebrated a big win at Honky Tonk this afternoon and they took care of a big group so...”

We celebrated a big win at Honky Tonk this afternoon and they took care of a big group so efficiently and with such big smiles. Great service and delicious food!!!

Rhonda Wong-Calace

Jan 2025

“Some of the best bbq that we have had.”

Some of the best bbq that we have had! Will definitely stop in again when in the area. The server and bar manager were exceptional and very nice to talk to. Our party had a delicious portobello mushroom, the Girlfriend salad with substituted homemade garlic bleu cheese dressing - yum! - and a half rack of dry rubbed ribs that were very tender! We also had their yummy candied bacon and tender corn muffins with corn husks as the muffin liner - so unique, to me anyway!

Sue Casey

Sep 2024

“Excellent memphis style baby back ribs.”

Excellent memphis style baby back ribs. Dry rubbed but not too dry. Good smoke. Delicious rub that doesn't overpower the flavor of the meat. Eclectic interior. There was even a dude on his ukulele singing. The jumbo wings were delicious too. They also have Old Style here for those who are feeling nostalgic for the brew. Would highly recommend.

Yu-Hsien Ho

Sep 2024

“Fernando, the food manager was really nice even on his off duty night … what dedication.”

Fernando, the food manager was really nice even on his off duty night … what dedication! He made our night amazing and made us want to return. He also offered us some really fun food items like thick cut sweet bacon strips. The brisket was really good! For someone who doesn’t like meat I liked this bc it was tender but still well cooked and the meat was not too fatty and had many shreds of lean meat inside the rims. The wings were huge and ribs were good from what I was told bc I didn’t eat them. But the best part?!? The mustard sauce was the best I ever had with little crunchy bits and a sweet but tasty flavor of authentic mustard. The BBQ sauce was also really good and sweet too. But I was swept away by the mustard sauce we saved it in the fridge for future use w fries or other food. I enjoyed mustard w French fries … just really high quality and tasty! Try it. Oh the Mac and cheese was okay… I personally thought it needed more gooey cheese. The mashed potato was good but lacking spunk. They also have live music and on 5/18/24 they had a burlesque show! Really nice to see something fun for a Saturday night.

karina k

May 2024

“Nice little BBQ place.”

Nice little BBQ place. I go with a friend and we ordered the sampler platter. EVERYTHING IS SO GOOD!!! I would say this is the best bbq sausage I’ve tasted in Chicago. If you order this sausage, just enjoy the moment when the juicy meat came out on your first bite of the crispy casing…. Also best corn muffins, best rib. I personally hate rib with sweeten sauce. This rib doesn’t have that, which makes it taste really smoky & tender. But you can always add sauce on your own, since they have different sauces on table.

FoodieTDBNS

Jan 2024

“I tried the fried ribs which I was a little bit skeptical about at first but they were absolutely...”

I tried the fried ribs which I was a little bit skeptical about at first but they were absolutely delicious to my surprise. They had three delicious sauces available for you to try with your dishes. The candy bacon is phenomenal! The beef brisket sandwich was absolutely tender Smokey delicious flavor. They had this wonderful band playing some beautiful Blues I was absolutely blown away I loved it! We received great service and are definitely recommending this place to our friends and we will be coming back very soon.

Belinda Colon

Aug 2023

“This was truly a dining experience.”

This was truly a dining experience. Live music, people dressed in classy, 50's attire, servers on point and the food was delicious. There was no wait at all, there were plenty of available tables. Did I mention the live music and dancing? It was fantastic!! We are definitely coming back!!

Lisa Redmond

Jun 2023

“This place was so cool.”

This place was so cool! We could smell the BBQ from the streets so me and my sisters came in for drinks and food. We had just left a food tour, and my sister said this was better than the tour's food :p. We ordered smoked chicken and pork with garlic mash and Mac. The garlic mash was the best of the two. We didn't see live music, but they do it almost every night, and the vibes were good, so I'm sure its worth checking out. Would recommend for groups or solo.

Zoe Tucker

Apr 2023

“EDIT: Revising my review from 3 stars to 5.”

EDIT: Revising my review from 3 stars to 5. I've been back a few times in the two years since I wrote the review, and have also ordered takeout from here during the pandemic, and have had a fantastic experience each time. It seems to me that Honky Tonk has made efforts to improve. I'm glad to have them in the neighborhood! Original review below: I sat at the bar and ordered a beer (their Old Style + candied bacon combo) and a pulled pork sandwich with Mac and cheese. I got my food super fast - as in 5 minutes tops. It tasted fresh and had a lot of flavor. It came with a few different barbecue sauces to try. I rated it 3 stars because after putting in my order, the bartender was not very attentive to me, instead talking to other employees. I had to wait about 15 minutes from the time I finished my meal to the time he asked if I wanted another drink/the check, even though it wasn't very busy when I was there. I would go back if I were going there with friends and getting a table, but I probably won't go back to their bar alone after that experience. Still a nice place to have in Pilsen though.

MSF

May 2021

“Intimate and nostalgic bar.”

Intimate and nostalgic bar! Live Jazz (1920-1930's era) every Sunday evening. What a treat. Yummy food. We just had cocktails, a desert and enticing macaroni & cheese. Next time we will come hungry for some BBQ.

J St

Oct 2019