Smoked meats are one of life's greatest simple pleasures. Now, imagine you're sitting on a patio in the fresh air listening to free live music while you enjoy a plate of freshly-smoked meats. Or, maybe it's winter in Illinois so you opt to eat inside a modern farmhouse-inspired dining room, complete with rustic chandeliers, a wood pile, and framed art of blues, jazz, and country musicians. That's exactly the type of experience you'll have while visiting this iconic music venue — which also serves the best brisket in Illinois.
In Berwyn, Illinois you'll find Babygold Barbecue, 6615 Roosevelt Road, a renovated storefront that's become a favorite destination for lovers of smoked meats and classic American sides.
Visitors can chow down on platters of meat with savory beans, cornbread, and macaroni and cheese. Lighter options include char-grilled oysters, smoked cauliflower steaks, and kale Caesar salad.
Pro tip: Add a hearty portion of thick-cut bacon to the Ceasar salad — you won't regret it!
The restaurant opened in 2021 in partnership with the famed FitzGerald's nightclub, with whom Babygold shares a sprawling campus. Whether you're at the restaurant, on the patio, or in one of FitzGerald's two nightclub rooms, you can order the mouthwatering BBQ anywhere on the property!
FitzGerald's opened in 1980 and has been a prolific place for music. It has also been featured in several movies, including the 1992 classic, "A League of Their Own."
The real star of the show is the brisket, served either chopped or sliced. Babygold sources its Creekstone Farms black angus cricket from Whittingham Meats, a Chicago butcher shop since 1947.
You can order the meat alone, as an extra portion, or in a platter, which comes with two sides, two types of house-made barbecue sauce, bread, and house pickles and onions. Add one of Babygold's own beers or a craft cocktail and you're set. For those who prefer non-alcoholic cocktails, try the Golden Elixer!
The brisket is also featured on the eatery's weekend brunch menu alongside eggs, toast, and breakfast potatoes.
Keen diners will also spot the brisket in the restaurant's beloved chili — the perfect way to warm up while enjoying the venue's fall patio season.
Another perk: the patio stays open most of the year! It transitions from summer to fall to winter with the addition of a fire pit and heated tents. It's also the perfect spot to see live daily music from FitzGerald's outdoor stage while you eat.
Of course, when you'd rather focus on the food than the weather, head inside for a warm, cozy, rustic atmosphere that feels like home.
It's no surprise the best brisket in Illinois hails from Berwyn — it's also the same town where comedic legend Bob Odenkirk was born!
Have you ever been to Babygold Barbecue or FitzGerald's nightclub? Do you think Babygold has the best brisket in Illinois? Tell us in the comments!
If you're on the hunt for more drool-worthy barbecue, check out this road trip guide to another seven local spots. But before you leave Berwyn, make sure to stop by the World's Largest Laundromat (it's true!) to marvel at the unique space.
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