We Ranked The Best Barbecue In Illinois And These 7 Smokehouses Made The Cut
Two of the best barbecue joints in Illinois sit inside old train depots. I love that.
Brisket and railroad history might be the most Midwestern pairing ever invented.
The surprises keep stacking up from there. One Chicago spot has been a South Side standard for over 70 years.
A small southern Illinois town has a pit crew that won competitions once claimed only by Southern teams.
So I went hunting for the smokehouses worth planning a day around. Some are perfect for a family lunch with high chairs and kids’ menus.
Others are late-night rib tip stops with a line out the door.
The list runs from the Shawnee hills to the Wisconsin line. Each pick earns its spot for a different reason.
Which one is closest to your house, and how fast can you get there?
1. 17th Street Barbecue
Southern pitmasters once treated barbecue trophies as their own private property. Then this Murphysboro crew started winning them, long before smoked meat was trendy up north.
That reputation still drives the menu today. You’ll find ribs, brisket, chicken, turkey, sausage, and pulled pork, plus a chili that earns its own fan club.
The menu stretches further than you might expect. Pork steak, a nod to the southern Illinois and St. Louis region, sits next to smoked chicken wings and a smoked turkey chef salad.
Starters keep the table busy while the meat arrives. Southern fried dill pickles, BBQ nachos, and potato skins make easy sharing plates for a hungry group.
Families get a solid setup here. There’s a kids’ menu, high chairs, table service, and the casual feel of a place built for groups.
Save room, because dessert is serious too. Bread pudding and strawberry shortcake round things out nicely.
Planning is simple with free parking and reservations accepted. It’s closed Tuesdays and tends to run busiest on Friday evenings, so check ahead for hours.
Murphysboro sits near Carbondale, which makes this a natural stop on a Shawnee National Forest trip.
Address: 32 N 17th St, Murphysboro, IL 62966
2. Smoque BBQ
Short menus make some diners nervous. Here, the tight lineup is the whole point, because each item gets serious attention.
Brisket leads the pack, and you can order it as a platter without the bun. The St. Louis half slab, pulled pork, and smoked turkey round out the core.
Proprietary sauces tie the menu together. That means you’re tasting a recipe built in this Chicago kitchen, not poured from a store bottle.
Curious eaters should grab the BBQ gumbo. It’s a fun twist you won’t see at most smokehouses in Illinois.
Fresh cut fries make a reliable side for picky kids. Parents will also appreciate the kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables in the restroom.
Ordering happens at the counter, so there’s no table service. Reservations aren’t accepted, and a wait is common, especially Sunday afternoons and weekend evenings.
Weekday afternoons tend to be calmer if you want a shorter line. It’s closed Mondays, so check ahead before making the trip.
Finish with peach cobbler or pecan caramel bread pudding. Both feel like a fair reward for waiting your turn.
Address: 3800 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60641
3. Lem’s Bar-B-Q
Seventy-plus years is a long time to keep a smoker busy. On 75th Street, this South Side standard has done exactly that.
Lem’s serves classic Chicago-style barbecue, which leans hard on rib tips and hot links. If you’ve only had Texas or Carolina styles, it’s a must-taste piece of Illinois food history.
The tips and links combo is the easy starter order. Rib tips with fries, full ribs, and large tips give you more ways to go big.
Love sauce but hate soggy fries? Ask for the sauce on the side, a popular move here.
Know what you’re getting into before you go. Seating is very limited and there’s no restroom, so plan on takeout.
That makes it a great grab-and-go stop rather than a sit-down family meal. Pack wet wipes, because ribs and kids in the back seat are an adventure.
The hours run late, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s closed Tuesdays, and weekend afternoons tend to bring the longest lines, so check ahead.
Coleslaw adds a cool, crunchy side to balance the smoke.
Address: 311 E 75th St, Chicago, IL 60619
4. BEAST Craft BBQ Co.
Craft-quality barbecue usually comes in small batches. This Metro East favorite manages to turn it out at a big scale while keeping the meat consistent.
The brisket plate is the headliner. Pulled pork, burnt ends, ribs, and wings all compete for your attention too.
Pork steak shows up as a full plate here, which makes sense this close to St. Louis. It’s a regional classic that many visitors from northern Illinois haven’t tried.
Sides are more creative than the usual lineup. Smoked cauliflower and bacon mac and cheese sit alongside pit beans and Brussels sprouts.
Four housemade sauces give you room to experiment. Grab a little of each and run your own taste test.
Kids get their own quarter-pound pulled pork option on the kids’ menu. High chairs and free wifi help the visit go smoothly with little ones.
Ordering is counter service, and reservations aren’t taken. Free on-site parking is usually easy to find.
It’s open seven days a week, which is handy for road trips. Saturday afternoons and evenings tend to be busiest, so check ahead if timing matters.
Address: 20 S Belt W, Belleville, IL 62220
5. The Blue Duck Barbecue Tavern
Trains used to stop at this Peoria building. Now people show up for house-smoked brisket inside the converted rail depot.
The location on Water Street puts you near the Illinois River. That makes it an easy pairing with a riverfront stroll before or after lunch.
Sliced brisket, ribs, and smoked chicken cover the classics. Then the menu takes a few fun detours.
Asian wings bring a different flavor to the table. A pulled pork torta and elotes add a Mexican-inspired spin that keeps things interesting.
Barbecue nachos and a wedge salad give you lighter or shareable choices. Variety like this helps when your group can’t agree on dinner.
Dessert deserves a plan. Peanut butter pie and key lime pie are both on the menu.
Table service and high chairs make it workable for families. Free parking is usually easy to find nearby.
Hours are the tricky part here. It’s closed Sundays and Mondays, with a midday break on some weekdays, so check ahead before you drive.
Saturday evening tends to be the busiest stretch.
Address: 212 Southwest Water Street B, Peoria, IL 61602
6. Black Dog Smoke & Ale House
Champaign has its own barbecue train depot, too. Apparently Illinois railroads and smokers were destined to share real estate.
This restored depot sits just outside downtown Champaign. It makes a smart stop on a University of Illinois campus visit or a weekend game day.
Brisket and pulled pork are the stars of the show. Smoked chicken and ribs give you plenty of backup options.
Portions run generous, which helps when you’re feeding a hungry crew. You might even leave with lunch for tomorrow.
The comfort-food side of the menu is worth a look. Chili cheese fries and Frito pie are fun picks for kids and grown-ups who still eat like kids.
Burgers are also on the menu for anyone who isn’t in a barbecue mood. Every family has at least one.
Nice weather calls for the outdoor seating area. Inside, you’ll get table service and high chairs for younger diners.
Parking is usually plentiful, with an on-site lot and street spaces. It’s open daily, though Friday and Saturday evenings tend to fill up, so check ahead.
Address: 320 N Chestnut St, Champaign, IL 61820
7. Honey Boy’s BBQ & Catering
Sauce is optional at this Rockford smokehouse. The seasoning carries so much flavor that plenty of people order their meat with little or none.
Slow-smoked rib tips and brisket lead the menu. The meats are known for falling right off the bone.
You can taste real pride in the craft here. That care shows up in the rub and the tender texture of the meat.
Located on East State Street, it’s an easy stop for northern Illinois families. It’s also a quick detour for travelers coming off I-90.
The schedule is unusual, so plan carefully. It’s closed Tuesday through Thursday and opens in the evening on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Sunday offers an afternoon window that works well for family meals. Hours can shift, so check ahead before you go.
Friday and Saturday nights run late, and live music adds some fun. There’s seating, dessert, and both counter and table service.
Parking is easy with a free on-site lot and street spaces. Not a sit-down crowd?
Curbside pickup and delivery bring the smoke home.
Address: 300 E State St, Rockford, IL 61104