10 Crave-Worthy Smokehouses In Illinois Locals Can’t Get Enough Of
You don’t have to travel to America’s Deep South to get a taste of some lip-smackin’ BBQ. Illinois is home to a plethora of delicious smokehouses that will make you forget all about Tennessee, Texas, and North Carolina.
Be warned – this list is bound to make you hungry. Plan your next Illinois adventure around one of these eateries. Check them out:
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
Some of the amazing food at this joint is so popular that locals eat it all up. You have to get it early to enjoy brisket that has slow smoked over apple, hickory, and cherry wood for 14 hours. Guests also enjoy pulled pork, candied bacon, ribs, sausage, chicken, and even seafood dishes.
For more than 40 years, this has been one of the most well-loved smokehouses in the state. It has won many awards over the years through its traveling team, and it is most popular for its unique flavor. Enjoy burgers, spare ribs, brisket, chicken, turkey, and much more.
Renowned for its Texas-style BBQ, this wonderful little smokehouse features indoor dining, delivery, and a drive-thru for take-out. By the pound, you can order brisket, ribs, ham, turkey, pork loin, and Polish sausage as well as sandwiches and "all the fixin's" like corn bread, fries, and mac and cheese.
With locations in Springfield, Urbana, Peoria, and Decatur as well as a couple places in Ohio, this eatery's amazing smoked meats have been enjoyed by many. Winning numerous awards for its Texas-style BBQ, Hickory River is also a household name as they bottle and sell their sauces.
This open-pit BBQ restaurant is a local favorite that serves up both Texas- and Kansas-style barbecue that can't be beat. In addition to a full service bar, guests also enjoy pork, chicken, brisket, and rib tips as well as burgers, wings, fries, salads, and sandwiches.
This Mississippi River favorite is one of the best smokehouses in the Quad City area. Though it offers delivery and take-out, you'll likely want to enjoy your meal right along the waterfront. Ribs, burgers, pork, brisket, and chicken dishes abound.
This unique little local favorite has been serving up good eats since the 1980s. It is best known for its ribs and gyros and has also been recognized for its Vienna beef hot dogs. In addition to BBQ, you'll also find other American favorites on the menu like seafood, subs, salads, and more.
This family-owned hotspot began as so many smokehouses do: as a catering business. It is best known for its pulled pork, brisket, and ribs, though you'll also find sandwiches, seafood, salads, and even specialty pizzas on the menu. The restaurant also has a playground and games.
This casual eatery is one of the most popular BBQ joints in the state. It includes a full catering menu, homemade ice cream, and hog roasts. Smoked meats include brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and chicken. The restaurant also offers many sandwiches and salads as well as a plethora of appetizers like nachos, onion rings, and cornbread.
As far as smokehouses are concerned, this is one of the best you'll find in the center of the state. It's most famous for its smoked chicken breasts, but locals also love to dine on turkey legs, beef brisket, and brats. It's currently closed for winter, but this epic eatery reopens this year in April, giving you something to look forward to in spring.
For yet another great place to get smoked meat, try one of Illinois’ most famous BBQ joints.
Which of these Illinois smokehouses do you call home? Share your favorite place with us!
