Highest-rated Barbecue Restaurants in the Chicago Area by Diners

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Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in the Chicago area by diners

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 , 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 : 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, has you covered with the highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Chicago based on diners' reviews on 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!

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#30. Dimo's Pizza

- Rating: 3.9/5 (1068 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3463 North Clark St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Pizza, Barbecue, Italian
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#29. Toons Bar & Grill

- Rating: 3.9/5 (287 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3857 North Southport Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Bars, Burgers, Barbecue
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#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
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#27. Boulevard Sports Lounge

- Rating: 4.0/5 (125 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2645 West North Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Sports Bars, Barbecue
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#26. Gogi

- Rating: 4.0/5 (332 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6240 North California Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
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#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
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#24. Chicago Kalbi

- Rating: 4.0/5 (378 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 3752 West Lawrence Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue, Japanese
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#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
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#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
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#21. Aloha Eats

- Rating: 4.1/5 (1092 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2534 North Clark St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Hawaiian, Barbecue
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#20. Woo Chon Restaurant

- Rating: 4.1/5 (223 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 5744 North California Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
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#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
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#18. Dengeos - Skokie

- Rating: 4.1/5 (551 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3301 Main St. Skokie, Illinois
- Categories: Barbecue, Greek, Sandwiches
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#17. Blackwood BBQ

- Rating: 4.1/5 (400 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 307 West Lake St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Barbecue, Salad, Sandwiches
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#16. bopNGrill

- Rating: 4.1/5 (985 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6604 North Sheridan Road Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Burgers, Korean, Barbecue
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#15. Carson's

- Rating: 4.1/5 (425 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 465 East Illinois St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Barbecue, Steakhouses, American
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#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
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#13. Chicken Inn

- Rating: 4.2/5 (167 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 7536 North Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Chicken Wings, Barbecue
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#12. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

- Rating: 4.3/5 (338 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2813 North Broadway Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Japanese, Barbecue, Asian Fusion
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#11. Une Année Brewery

- Rating: 4.3/5 (220 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6343 Gross Point Road Niles, Illinois
- Categories: Breweries, Barbecue
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#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
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#9. Smoque BBQ

- Rating: 4.3/5 (4856 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3800 North Pulaski Road Ste 2 Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Barbecue
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#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
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#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
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#6. Cigars & Stripes BBQ Lounge

- Rating: 4.4/5 (296 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6715 Ogden Ave. Berwyn, Illinois
- Categories: Tobacco Shops, Comedy Clubs, Barbecue
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#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
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