stories
stories
HomeMoneyLifestyleNewsSportsEntertainmentTravelScienceLocal

Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in the Chicago area by diners

·Stacker

Joshua Resnick // Shutterstock
Joshua Resnick // Shutterstock
Add Stacker as Preferred Source

Barbecue stands as one of America's most cherished culinary traditions, weaving together a rich tapestry of history, regional diversity, and evolving flavors that resonate with diners from coast to coast. A July 2022 YouGov survey revealed that nearly all Americans (96%) who consume meat enjoy barbecue, underscoring its widespread enduring appeal and cross-cultural significance. Among the 1,000 survey respondents, Texas dominated as the place most often associated with barbecue, but the cuisine's roots expand far beyond the Lone Star State.

American barbecue can be traced back to Indigenous cooking techniques and was further enriched by the influences of enslaved Africans. In the centuries since, it's evolved into a multifaceted culinary art with distinct regional styles: the tangy, vinegar-based sauces and slow-cooked pork of the Carolinas; the tender brisket of Texas with sauce served on the side; the robust, sweet-forward flavors characteristic of Kansas City; and Alabama's signature mayo-based white sauce drizzled over some juicy chicken.

Alongside these classic offerings, innovative interpretations have surged in popularity in recent decades, as multicultural variants such as Korean BBQ, with its marinated cuts and sizzling grill presentations, and Mexican barbacoa, known for its richly spiced, slow-cooked succulence, have carved out their own niche in the competitive barbecue landscape.

Over the years, barbecue has not only mirrored America's evolving palate but has also fostered a spirit of community, as festivals, backyard cookouts, and friendly competitions celebrate the art of smoking and grilling—traditions lovingly passed down from generation to generation.

Nationwide, barbecue restaurants today greet families and friends with the intoxicating aroma of slow-smoked meats served on sturdy metal trays, often covered in rustic butcher paper. And what meal would be complete without those hearty sides? Whether you opt for gooey mac and cheese and smoky collard greens or crumbly cornbread and creamy coleslaw, you can't go wrong.

If you're craving some good 'cue in your neck of the woods, Stacker has you covered with the highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Chicago based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants with at least 20 reviews tagged as "barbecue" within a 10-kilometer radius of Chicago were included. As a result, some restaurants featured may serve other food items.

Keep reading to see where to go when the hunger for all things low-and-slow strikes you!

You may also like: Car insurance rates in Chicago October 2025

1 / 30

#30. Dimo's Pizza

- Rating: 3.9/5 (1068 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3463 North Clark St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Pizza, Barbecue, Italian
- Read more on Yelp

2 / 30

#29. Toons Bar & Grill

- Rating: 3.9/5 (287 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3857 North Southport Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Bars, Burgers, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

3 / 30

#28. L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge

- Rating: 4.0/5 (1275 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 7110 North Lincoln Ave. Lincolnwood, Illinois
- Categories: Barbecue, American, Gluten-Free
- Read more on Yelp

4 / 30

#27. Boulevard Sports Lounge

- Rating: 4.0/5 (125 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2645 West North Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Sports Bars, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

6 / 30

#25. Chicago q

- Rating: 4.0/5 (2056 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1160 North Dearborn St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Barbecue, Breakfast & Brunch, Venues & Event Spaces
- Read more on Yelp

7 / 30

#24. Chicago Kalbi

- Rating: 4.0/5 (378 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 3752 West Lawrence Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue, Japanese
- Read more on Yelp

8 / 30

#23. Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar

- Rating: 4.0/5 (1288 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 230 West Erie St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

9 / 30

#22. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

- Rating: 4.0/5 (528 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1364 West Randolph St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Japanese, Barbecue, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp

11 / 30

#20. Woo Chon Restaurant

- Rating: 4.1/5 (223 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 5744 North California Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

12 / 30

#19. Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern

- Rating: 4.1/5 (1022 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1655 North Sedgwick St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: American, Barbecue, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp

13 / 30

#18. Dengeos - Skokie

- Rating: 4.1/5 (551 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3301 Main St. Skokie, Illinois
- Categories: Barbecue, Greek, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

14 / 30

#17. Blackwood BBQ

- Rating: 4.1/5 (400 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 307 West Lake St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Barbecue, Salad, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

16 / 30

#15. Carson's

- Rating: 4.1/5 (425 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 465 East Illinois St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Barbecue, Steakhouses, American
- Read more on Yelp

17 / 30

#14. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

- Rating: 4.2/5 (1959 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 210 East Ohio St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Japanese, Barbecue, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp

18 / 30

#13. Chicken Inn

- Rating: 4.2/5 (167 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 7536 North Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Chicken Wings, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

19 / 30

#12. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

- Rating: 4.3/5 (338 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2813 North Broadway Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Japanese, Barbecue, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp

21 / 30

#10. City's Edge Chicago

- Rating: 4.3/5 (149 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5310 West Devon Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Barbecue, New American, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp

22 / 30

#9. Smoque BBQ

- Rating: 4.3/5 (4856 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3800 North Pulaski Road Ste 2 Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

23 / 30

#8. Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings

- Rating: 4.4/5 (1854 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2002 South Wentworth Ave. Ste 103 Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Barbecue, Dim Sum, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp

24 / 30

#7. Green Street Smoked Meats

- Rating: 4.4/5 (2214 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 112 North Green St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Barbecue, Cocktail Bars, Beer Bar
- Read more on Yelp

26 / 30

#5. Wagyu House by The X Pot

- Rating: 4.4/5 (727 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 1147 South Delano Court East Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Hot Pot, Japanese, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

27 / 30

#4. KFire Korean BBQ

- Rating: 4.5/5 (137 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2528 North Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

28 / 30

#3. Hwang Soh Grill

- Rating: 4.6/5 (111 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 5819 Dempster St. Morton Grove, Illinois
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

29 / 30

#2. Chubby Cattle

- Rating: 4.6/5 (222 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 2162 South Archer Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Barbecue, Japanese, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp

30 / 30

#1. Offset BBQ

- Rating: 4.7/5 (267 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1720 North California Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Cynthia Rebolledo, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 281 metros.

You may also like: Chicago 7-day weather forecast

Trending stories