Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Chicago, according to Yelp
Barbecue, also known as BBQ for short, has captivated the taste buds of millions of people across the world; its smell, a quintessential part of backyard parties and long, lazy holiday weekends. This cooking method involves slow cooking and smoking meat over an open flame or heat source. Beyond the slab of baby back ribs and brisket that we're probably familiar with, barbecue has a long history dating back centuries and is rooted in various cultures.
The earliest origins of barbecue can be traced back to the Taino people, who were Indigenous to the Caribbean. By the 19th century, the technique became widespread in the American South, primarily using pork. Taino people didn't use the word barbecue. Instead, this method of cooking food over a raised wooden grate was referred to as barbacoa.
As time passed, techniques and flavors evolved as a result of colonization, globalization, and advancements in technology. Today, barbecue has become a beloved food all over the world. In the United States, there are four distinct styles: Memphis, North Carolina, Kansas City, and Texas BBQ. Memphis is renowned for pulled pork; North Carolina for smoked pork infused in vinegar sauce; Kansas City for dry-rubbed meats, and Texas for grilled brisket.
No matter the style, however, barbecue can be enjoyed anywhere, but if you're specifically looking for the best places to enjoy the savory and mouthwatering delights, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Chicago using data from Yelp. Rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.
#20. Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1392 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2002 S Wentworth Ave Ste 103 Chicago, IL 60616
- Categories: Barbecue, Dim Sum
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Jay's Backyard BBQ
- Rating: 4.5/5 (32 reviews)
- Address: 5604 W Division Chicago, IL 60651
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#18. City's Edge Chicago
- Rating: 4.5/5 (127 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5310 W Devon Ave Chicago, IL 60646
- Categories: Barbecue, American (New), Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#17. bb.q Chicken - Chinatown
- Rating: 4.5/5 (35 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2026 S Clark St Ste G Chicago, IL 60616
- Categories: Korean, Salad, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Smoque BBQ
- Rating: 4.5/5 (4680 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3800 N Pulaski Rd Ste 2 Chicago, IL 60641
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Green Street Smoked Meats
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2001 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 112 N Green St Chicago, IL 60607
- Categories: Barbecue, Cocktail Bars, Beer Bar
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Lucky Dorr
- Rating: 4.5/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1101 W Waveland Ave Chicago, IL 60613
- Categories: Beer Bar, Barbecue, Venues & Event Spaces
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Kababish - BBQ & Grill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (79 reviews)
- Address: 1554 N Larrabee St Chicago, IL 60610
- Categories: Indian, Pakistani, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#12. EL Ideas
- Rating: 4.5/5 (366 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 2419 W 14th St Chicago, IL 60608
- Categories: American (New), Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Sweet Virginia's Kitchen
- Rating: 4.5/5 (94 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5131 N Damen Ave Chicago, IL 60625
- Categories: Barbecue, Breakfast & Brunch, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp
#10. New Great Wall BBQ
- Rating: 4.5/5 (31 reviews)
- Address: 2127 S China Pl Chicago, IL 60616
- Categories: Barbecue, Cantonese
- Read more on Yelp
#9. KFire Korean BBQ
- Rating: 4.5/5 (120 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2528 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago, IL 60647
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#8. P & S Meats
- Rating: 4.5/5 (28 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 7544 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago, IL 60631
- Categories: Barbecue, Greek
- Read more on Yelp
#7. CFA Clubhouse
- Rating: 5.0/5 (4 reviews)
- Address: 6122 N Clark St Chicago, IL 60660
- Categories: Pizza, Brazilian, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Offset BBQ
- Rating: 5.0/5 (198 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1720 N California Ave Chicago, IL 60647
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#5. North Branch Fried Chicken
- Rating: 5.0/5 (228 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5481 N Northwest Hwy Chicago, IL 60630
- Categories: Barbecue, Chicken Shop, Comfort Food
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Mr E Chefs Barbecue
- Rating: 5.0/5 (5 reviews)
- Address: 4131 N Rockwell St Chicago, IL 60618
- Categories: Barbecue, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp
#3. 3 Little Pigs Chi
- Rating: 5.0/5 (246 reviews)
- Address: 831 N Sedgwick Chicago, IL 60610
- Categories: Chinese, Barbecue, Chicken Shop
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Goodstuff Eats
- Rating: 5.0/5 (7 reviews)
- Address: 1359 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago, IL 60622
- Categories: Barbecue, Sandwiches, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
#1. BamBooQue
- Rating: 5.0/5 (6 reviews)
- Address: 1629 N Halsted St Chicago Il Chicago, IL 60614
- Categories: Barbecue, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp
