Pulled Pork Piled Higher Than The Bun Keeps Locals Coming Back To This Illinois Smokehouse

Three grand championships at Memphis in May, and the ribs that won them came from a small town in southern Illinois. That alone stopped me in my tracks.

The team behind them was the first from north of the Mason-Dixon line to claim that title. Today, those championship ribs sit right on the menu, named for the winning years.

I like how the place never got fancy about any of it. You’ll find pulled pork, brisket, loaded potatoes, and a seasoning called Magic Dust that folks carry home by the bottle.

There are four house sauces too, including one with the gloriously odd name Hog Warsh.

Students and families have been filling these booths for around 40 years. I can’t imagine a better excuse for a road trip.

So how did a southern Illinois smokehouse beat the South at its own game?

Barbecue Royalty Hides Just Off The Main Road In Murphysboro

Murphysboro holds the official title of Barbecue Capital of Illinois. That’s a bold claim for a small southern Illinois town, and 17th Street Barbecue is a big reason it stuck.

The restaurant sits just off the main east-west road through town, right on 17th Street. Fitting name, easy directions, no guesswork required.

Inside, the menu covers ribs, brisket, pulled pork, burgers, loaded potatoes, and a long list of sides. It’s a casual sit-down spot, the kind where kids can be kids and nobody blinks at sauce on a sleeve.

What makes 17th Street Barbecue special is the mix of serious pedigree and small-town ease. The ribs carry championship history, yet the room still feels like a neighborhood hangout.

The brand has grown beyond this one building over the years. Still, this Murphysboro address is the original, the place where the whole story began.

For families heading toward the Shawnee National Forest or visiting Southern Illinois University in nearby Carbondale, it lands right on the way. That makes it an easy lunch stop rather than a special detour.

And honestly, with this much barbecue history packed into one dining room, you’d probably detour anyway. Good luck driving past it hungry.

Three Memphis In May Wins Put This Smokehouse On The National Map

Mike Mills is a BBQ Hall of Famer, and he founded this place. His competition team did something no northern crew had done before.

They became the first team from north of the Mason-Dixon line to win the grand championship at Memphis in May. Then they won it again.

And again, for a total of three titles.

The menu still nods to that run. The ribs are listed with the winning years, 1990, 1992, and 1994, which is a pretty great way to label a plate.

Kids may not care about competition history. They’ll care that the ribs have a smoky, seasoned bark and plenty to pick up with both hands.

For parents, the backstory adds a fun layer to lunch. It’s a little like eating at the hometown field of a famous ballplayer, except the trophy is something you can actually taste.

Those wins helped put Southern Illinois on the national barbecue map. Serious barbecue fans now make a point to stop here, and that reputation has held for decades.

Order a slab, share it around the table, and let everyone claim a bone. Few family dinners come with this much bragging material attached.

Pulled Pork That Refuses To Stay Inside The Bun

Pulled pork may not carry the trophies here, but it pulls plenty of weight. It shows up in sandwiches, on platters, and even stuffed into a potato.

That loaded pulled pork potato deserves a moment. It’s a baked spud topped with smoked pork, and it turns a side dish into the main event.

The sandwich version is the classic choice for younger eaters. Soft bun, tender pork, and a sauce choice that lets everyone tune the flavor to their liking.

Portions can vary by order, so check with your server if you’re feeding a crowd. Sharing a platter often works well for families with small kids.

Pork also appears on the family-style meals and the sampler. That makes it easy to compare it side by side with brisket and ribs.

A sprinkle of Magic Dust takes it in a savory direction. A splash of sweeter sauce keeps it friendly for picky palates.

Either way, pulled pork is a safe bet when the youngest diner isn’t ready for ribs. It’s also pretty hard to resist for the grown-ups pretending they only came for the kids.

Brisket Gets Top Billing On Plenty Of Tables

Ribs may have won the trophies, yet brisket comes up constantly in conversations about this kitchen. It’s one of the most talked-about items on the menu.

You can get it as a chopped brisket sandwich or by the pound. That flexibility helps when some family members want a sandwich and others want a plate.

The brisket is smoked low and slow, with the seasoning and bark you’d expect from a competition-rooted pit. It’s typically served without heavy sauce, so the smoke can speak first.

Brisket sandwiches pair nicely with a side or two. Coleslaw and potato salad are both on the lineup if you want a cool contrast.

Ordering for a group? Brisket by the pound is part of the carry-out options, which makes it handy for backyard gatherings or holiday meals.

Families who like to try a little of everything can grab the sampler. It’s a smart way to settle the classic family debate over brisket versus ribs.

Fair warning, though. Once brisket enters the rotation at 17th Street Barbecue, that debate rarely ends quietly.

Magic Dust Is The Souvenir Everybody Ends Up Buying

Some restaurants sell T-shirts as souvenirs. At 17th Street Barbecue, the real takeaway is a seasoning blend called Magic Dust.

It’s the rub that helps build the bark on those famous ribs. You can also sprinkle it onto your food at the table, which is where many people first fall for it.

Bottles are for sale on-site, and plenty end up in suitcases headed far beyond Illinois. One bottle has reportedly made it all the way to grills in Australia.

For families, it’s a fun project to bring home. Kids can help shake it onto chicken, pork chops, or even fries for a backyard cookout that tastes like the trip.

The flavor leans savory and smoky with a gentle kick. It works on more than barbecue, so expect it to wander into scrambled eggs and popcorn eventually.

The house sauces and other rubs are also available to buy. That makes a quick shopping stop almost as satisfying as the meal itself.

Grab one bottle for the pantry and one for a friend. Trust me, the second one rarely makes it out of your kitchen.

Four Sauces Turn Every Plate Into A Taste Test

Original, Little Kick, Apple City Red, and Hog Warsh. Those are the four house sauces, and each one gives your plate a different personality.

Original is the dependable crowd-pleaser. It’s a natural starting point for younger diners who just want something familiar and sweet-tangy.

Little Kick adds a bit more heat. It pairs especially well with the smoked chicken wings, and it’s a good choice for the adventurous eater in the family.

Apple City Red brings a tangy red-sauce style that matches nicely with ribs. Hog Warsh wins the best-name award, and kids will probably want to try it for that reason alone.

Servers can explain the differences if you’re unsure. Asking before you order often saves you from a sauce you didn’t expect.

Turning it into a family taste test is half the fun. Line up a few napkins, dip a bit of brisket in each, and let everyone vote for a winner.

Bottles of these sauces are sold at the restaurant too. So the champion of your family vote can come home and defend its title.

Fried Pickles And Pork Rinds Make The Wait Disappear

Hungry kids and a busy kitchen can be a tricky combination. Luckily, the starter menu at 17th Street Barbecue offers some easy fixes.

Deep-fried pickles are a favorite, served with a special dipping sauce. They’re crunchy, tangy, and surprisingly popular with kids who claim they don’t like pickles.

Pork rinds get plenty of attention too. Light, crisp, and fun to share, they’re the kind of snack that disappears before anyone notices.

Pimento cheese also has a spot on the menu. It’s a Southern classic, and it may win over a grown-up or two who never expected to like it.

Nachos are available for a bigger shareable plate. They can work as a full snack for a table of hungry teens.

Starters are especially handy on weekends and holidays, when the dining room tends to fill up. Ordering one right away can keep the mood cheerful while the main plates come out.

Pick two, set them in the middle, and watch the table go quiet. That’s the universal sign that the appetizer strategy is working.

Sides Deserve More Than An Afterthought Here

Potato salad might be the dark horse of the whole menu. It earns real affection from people who came in only thinking about ribs.

The side lineup is broad and very family-friendly. Baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, mac and cheese, green beans, chili, and seasoned fries all make an appearance.

Baked beans are among the most mentioned sides. They’re a classic match for smoked meat and a natural fit next to a pulled pork sandwich.

Fries come seasoned, and that seasoning gets noticed. They’re an easy win for kids who want something familiar beside their barbecue.

Mac and cheese is another reliable pick for younger eaters. Coleslaw brings a cool, crunchy balance to richer plates of brisket or ribs.

Most items at 17th Street Barbecue are served a la carte. That means you can build plates exactly how your family likes, though costs can add up with bigger groups.

Sharing a few sides family-style tends to work best. Everyone gets a taste, and nobody has to commit to a full bowl of something new.

Burgers, Wings, And Pork Steak Keep Picky Eaters Happy

Not every kid wants ribs, and that’s perfectly fine here. The menu stretches well past the smoker classics.

Burgers are a solid option, and they tend to earn genuine praise. Pair one with seasoned fries and you’ve got a dinner even the fussiest eater can handle.

Smoked chicken wings are another strong pick. Ask for Little Kick sauce if your crew likes a touch of heat.

Pork steak shows up too, which is a nice nod to regional tradition. It’s a St. Louis-area favorite that many southern Illinois families grew up eating.

Sausage and smoked pulled chicken round out the protein lineup. Together, they make it easy for every person at the table to find something they love.

Can’t decide? The sampler lets you try several items at once, which is ideal for first-timers or families who like to share.

That variety is a big deal for parents. It means you can bring grandparents, toddlers, and that one uncle who only eats burgers, and nobody leaves grumbling.

Bread Pudding And A Mason Jar Of Banana Pudding Await

Save room. That’s not a suggestion so much as friendly advice from anyone who has seen the dessert menu.

Bread pudding is a standout, and it’s one of the sweets people mention most. Warm, comforting, and rich, it’s the kind of finish that makes a long drive feel worth it.

Banana pudding arrives in a mason jar, which kids find delightful. It’s a playful presentation, and it makes sharing with a spoon or two easy.

Strawberry shortcake is on the menu as well. It offers a lighter, fruity option if bread pudding feels like too much after a slab of ribs.

Desserts are a great way to reward patient little ones. They also make a fun treat to grab for the car if the kids are already fading.

For families debating which to order, the easy answer is to get two and split them. Then everybody can argue about the winner on the ride home.

Somehow, the barbecue capital of Illinois has managed to make pudding one of its most memorable dishes. That’s a sweet twist nobody saw coming.

A Gluten-Friendly Menu Makes Allergy Planning Easier

Food allergies can make eating out stressful for families. 17th Street Barbecue offers a dedicated gluten-friendly menu, which is a genuine relief for many parents.

Staff are known for taking allergy questions seriously. That attention matters when you’re feeding a child with dietary needs.

The kitchen has also been open to feedback about the menu. When a salad listing on the gluten-friendly menu showed croutons, the team said they’d fix it on the next reprint.

Smoked meats are often a good starting point for gluten-free diners. Still, sauces, rubs, and sides can vary, so always confirm with your server before ordering.

Having a separate menu also speeds up decisions. Nobody has to interrogate the whole printed list while hungry kids wait at the table.

It’s a thoughtful touch for a restaurant known mainly for championship ribs. And it means the family member with restrictions doesn’t feel like an afterthought at dinner.

Check ahead if you have specific concerns, since menus can change over time. A quick question at the start can make the whole meal more relaxed.

Wood Paneling And Barbecue Photos Set A Laid-Back Mood

Wooden panels line the walls, covered with barbecue-themed photos. It’s a room that feels lived in, in the best possible way.

Longtime fans like that the place hasn’t changed much over the years. One former SIU student, returning decades later, found it just as he remembered.

There’s a main dining area plus a back room for extra seating. Booths have wooden bench seats, so families wanting more cushion may prefer a table.

Outdoor seating is available too. On a mild Illinois evening, eating outside can be a nice way to let restless kids breathe a little.

The staff can handle big groups, including parties of more than a dozen. That makes it a workable pick for reunions, team dinners, or a car full of cousins.

A small retail area sells T-shirts, sauces, rubs, seasonings, and even glassware. Some families end up spending nearly as much on souvenirs as on lunch.

The overall vibe is relaxed and unfussy. Nobody here expects tablecloth manners, which is great news for anyone traveling with a sauce-happy six-year-old.

Plan Around Tuesday Closures And Use The Drive-Thru Pickup

Tuesday is the one day the smoker rests. The restaurant is closed then, so plan your trip around it.

Hours generally run 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Friday and Saturday stretch to 9 p.m., while Sunday wraps up at 7 p.m.

Hours can shift around holidays, so check ahead before you go. Busy weekends, like the Fourth of July, may also mean a few items sell out later in the day.

You’ll find 17th Street Barbecue at 32 N 17th St, Murphysboro, IL 62966. It’s a short drive west of Carbondale and Southern Illinois University.

From Chicago, it’s a long haul down I-57, so many families pair it with a weekend in southern Illinois. Shawnee National Forest and the Cobden area make good companions for the trip.

Carry-out is an option, and there’s a drive-thru window for picking up phoned-in orders. Pickup can occasionally run behind, so a quick call ahead never hurts.

Larger family-style orders by the pound are available too. That’s handy for holiday gatherings or feeding a cabin full of relatives.

A Southern Illinois Road Trip Feels Incomplete Without This Stop

Plenty of restaurants claim to be legendary. 17th Street Barbecue actually has three Memphis in May grand championships to back it up.

Yet the best part might be how approachable it all feels. Kids can order a burger, parents can chase championship ribs, and everyone can fight over the banana pudding.

Service can vary on busy days, as it does almost anywhere popular. Going earlier in the day or on a weekday may help if you’re traveling with little ones.

The food is the real draw, from smoky brisket to pulled pork loaded onto a potato. Throw in four sauces and a bottle of Magic Dust, and the meal follows you home.

It also fits neatly into a bigger Southern Illinois adventure. Pair it with forest hikes, a campus visit, or a lazy weekend drive through orchard country.

I believe the places worth remembering are the ones that stay true to themselves. This Murphysboro smokehouse has done that for about 40 years.

So pack the wet wipes and plan a route that skips Tuesday. Your family’s next favorite Illinois road-trip tradition might be waiting on 17th Street.