Smoque BBQ
Stephanie Polakowski · 253 Google reviewsSmoque BBQ — high-caliber american in Irving Park. Order the Brisket. The cooking is rooted in real tradition. Jade Emerson: "The meat was tender and smoky, and the sauces on the side made it even better" [patio]
What 4,516 diners keep saying
What 4,516 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“chopped brisket sandwich with bbq beans was great. slaw is light and very good. thanks”
“Run don’t walk! We’ve been searching far and wide for meat smoked just right, and Smoque BBQ flawlessly executes the job. A highlight of our food trip, we excitedly showed up minutes before it opened. Highly recommend the brisket and sausage! My German partner, who is usually not too impressed with the quality of sausages in the U.S., couldn’t stop eating it and we had to contemplate getting another one although we were full. We also noticed that lot of locals drove by while we were dining in to get take outs, a testament to how beloved they are in the area. I can confidently say that this is the best BBQ I’ve had in the midwest and northeast (haven’t yet been to the south). The sauces were so tangy and I wish I bought extra to bring home with me. Edited July 11th: Thank you for the sauces, we truly had a wonderful experience at Smoque and will definitely return when we’re in Chicago ❤️”
“Smoque opened in Irving Park in 2006 with a very clear point of view: Chicago doesn't need to apologize for not being Kansas City or Memphis, it just needs good barbecue, and good barbecue can happen here. The founders wrote a 2,000-word manifesto about it when they opened and posted it inside the restaurant where it still hangs. Whether you find that charming or slightly over the top, you get your answer the moment you try the food. The brisket is the one that keeps coming up in reviews and it kept coming up at our table too. Sliced thick with a bark on the outside and a smoke ring that runs a quarter inch into the meat, it is properly fatty and tender and has enough smoke to let you know something real happened to it without being overwhelming. We paired it with Memphis-style dry ribs, which come rubbed with spice and smoked without sauce, the meat falling off the bone with a crust on the outside that carries the whole flavor story. The pulled pork slider is another crowd anchor, soft shredded pork on a soft bun with house pickles cutting through the richness. For sides, the BBQ beans are thick and smoky and a little sweet, the kind of side that competes with the main for attention. Bread pudding for dessert is made fresh every thirty minutes and is soft and dense with a sauce that pools in the crevices. The chalkboard menu and cafeteria-style ordering is part of the deal, and the room fills fast from the moment doors open at 11am. Closed Monday. Keep that in mind when you're planning.”
“2026.06.14 미국 도착하자마자 첫끼 점심으로 방문한 Brisket 맛집. 다운타운까지 블루 트레인으로 가다가 마침 역 근처에 있길래 중간에 기차 내려서 들렀음. 카운터에 점원분이 굉장히 친절했음. 내가 처음왔다고 하니 음식 추천해주셔서 여기 시그니처인 Sliced brisket meal로 시킴. W/slaw 라고 적혀 있는데 29달러임. 소스는 달콤한 멤피스 스타일 소스랑 매콤한 거 고를 수 있는데 맵찔이인 나는 달콤함 소스로함. 딱 그 기본 bbq 소스로 베이비백립 아웃백에스 주문하면 발라 나로는 그 소스라고 보면됨. Meal로 하면 사이드 두개 할 수 있어서 BbQq bean이랑 freshes cut fries 를 고름. 브리스킷은 진짜 맛있었는데 양이 생각보다 적게 느껴짐. 그래도 시키길 잘했다고 생각이 들 정도로 잘 구워지고 기름지고 부드러웠음. 멤피스 비비큐 소스도 적당히 새콤달콤하면서 꾸덕해서 아주 잘 어울렸음. 사이드로 감자랑 코울슬로 비비큐 빈이 너무 많아서 먹다보니 배터짐. Bbq bean은 동일한 bbq소스를 베이스로 한 거라 좀 겹친다는 느낌이 들었지만 그래도 맛있었음. 안에 고기도 같이 들어 있었음. 여기 사이드로 나온 감자는 정말 산더미같이 많이 나와서 다 못먹음. 셋이 먹어야 할 정도임. 그리고 정말 생감자를 바로 잘라서 튀겼는지 아주 맛있었음. 점원분들이 스타벅스 처럼 내 이름 처음에 물어보시더니 음식 나왔을 때도 내 이름 불러주고, 음식 먹는 중에도 이름 부르며 맛 어떤지 체크하심. 정말 친절하고 제대로 맛집이었음. 저녁 안먹어도 될 정도다.”
“Can't say enough about how excellent the meats are here! No sauce required, the flavors are amazing. I would eat here every day if I could.”
“Best barbecue in Chicago, if you order fries, just know the serving that comes with a meal is easily enough for 2 people.”
“edit 2: im sad to say the quality keeps slightly dropping now every time we go ): its still good but this last time i went the brisket was dry and very under seasoned. the service has gotten friendlier though but youre here to drop a kidney ($$$) on some bbq it should be good yknow edit: 2 years after initial review: i feel the quality is slowly beginning to go down. the last 3 times we have been here the ribs and brisket are in the dryer side. its very disappointing! it is still good! but man for the price?! i dont want dry meats old: my husband and i love this place, meats are always so tender & the sides so tasty. we just dont necessarily like the cole slaw here, it's not that its bad it just doesnt feel like it fits as it tastes more like curtido than the coleslaw i expect when i think bbq. i always get the brisket and it never disappoints.”
“I’m happy to write this review and confidently say this is still the best BBQ joint in Chicago. And I don’t say that lightly, I’m from Texas and take my BBQ very seriously. We ordered takeout on a Sunday night, and the dining room was surprisingly busy. The staff asked whether we preferred to wait inside or in our car and even took our vehicle information so they could bring the food out to us. Truly above and beyond. I’m gluten and dairy free, and both the order taker and the manager took this very seriously. They walked through the entire menu with me in detail to make sure I could order safely without compromising my preferences or restrictions. The staff was incredibly accommodating and completely nonjudgmental about my allergies, which, unfortunately, is not always the case. Too often I’m met with eye rolls or uncertainty about ingredients, but that was absolutely not the experience here. The process was quick and seamless. We had our food within 10–15 minutes, and when we got home everything was clearly labeled for allergies. Most importantly, the food was so good. I can’t express how much I love this place. Every visit makes me feel right at home, and I’ll continue coming back without hesitation.”
“Smoke brisket with side of chili. Juicy and well seasoned brisket. The brisket bread was crisp outside and soft moist inside. Love this place”
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