'An American treasure': The best BBQ spots in Illinois, according to Yelp
For many, summer is the perfect time to fire up the grill and enjoy good barbeque – from hamburgers and hot dogs to chicken wings and baby back ribs.
According to Yelp, “Great barbecue is an American treasure. Just a whiff of sweet wood smoke and sizzling meat is enough to get mouths watering and stomachs rumbling.”
The statement could be found in Yelp’s 2024 list of the Top 100 Barbecue Spots in the U.S.
As it created the list, Yelp considered and ranked various barbeque restaurants “using a number of factors.”
Here is a look at which Illinois restaurants made the list.
More: 3 of the best barbecue restaurants around the Peoria area as voted on by readers
BEAST Craft BBQ
BEAST Craft BBQ was ranked No. 27 on Yelp’s Top 100 BBQ list. The restaurant – located at 20 S. Belt West, Belleville – serves smoked meats, spare ribs, smoke-fried wings and more.
Smoque BBQ
Listed at No. 40, Smoque BBQ is situated in Chicago, Illinois. The BBQ business’s website describes itself as “a neighborhood kind of place that cooks up BBQ good enough to make it a true destination.”
The menu features brisket, pulled pork, ribs and more.
The restaurant is located at 3800 N. Pulaski Road, Chicago.
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Black Dog Smoke & Ale House
Ranked at No. 94, Black Dog Smoke & Ale House offers burnt ends, pulled pork, brisket, catfish, jackfruit and more.
The Yelp list places the BBQ restaurant in Urbana, Illinois. However, the business’s Yelp page lists the location as temporarily closed, and Google lists it as permanently closed.
The website connected to the restaurant’s Yelp page lists the address as 320 N. Chestnut St., Champaign.
More: 3 of the best ribs restaurants around the Peoria area as voted on by readers
Big Ed’s BBQ
Big Ed’s BBQ – situated at 4030 Northpoint Blvd., Waukegan – comes in at No. 97 on Yelp’s list of Top 100 Barbecue Spots. Customers can order burnt ends, rib tips, pulled pork, chicken and more. The menu also features the Big Ed Combo Dinner – which allows customers to select two meats. Sandwiches, burgers and other dishes are also available.
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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: The best BBQ restaurants in Illinois, according to Yelp
