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Honky Tonk BBQ
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Honky Tonk BBQ
8.3
This family-run Memphis-style smokehouse has been a Pilsen institution since 2005, featuring 14-hour wood-and-charcoal-roasted meats with award-winning dry rubs. The combination of championship-caliber BBQ and live roots music makes it a destination worth the trip.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baby Back Ribs, Candy Bacon, Championship Pulled Pork
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Only BBQ joint in Chicago using exclusively wood fire - no gas or electric - with three signature house-made sauces
Who should go: BBQ lovers seeking live music and authentic smokehouse vibes
When to visit: Wednesday-Sunday evenings when live bands perform
What to order: Baby back ribs with Chicago Sweet sauce, candy bacon, candied yams
Insider tip: The sampler platter lets you try all meats - pair with the Carolina Mustard-Butter-Garlic sauce
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on 18th and Racine; can be challenging in busy Pilsen - arrive early or use SpotHero for nearby lots
Dress code: Casual honky-tonk vibes - jeans, boots, whatever's comfortable for eating ribs with your hands
Noise level: Loud when bands play (Wed-Sun evenings) - conversation easy in the back room, challenging up front during sets
Weekend wait: 20-40 min during peak music hours without reservation; back room usually available
Weekday lunch: Closed Mon-Tue; minimal wait Wed-Thu lunch
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - all sides are vegetarian including candied yams, greens, beans, mac & cheese, and coleslaw
Vegan options: Yes - all sides are vegan-adaptable; also offers a vegan steak sandwich on brioche
Gluten-free options: Partial - both red BBQ sauces (Chicago Sweet, Memphis Tangy) are gluten-free; meats are naturally GF but buns/sides may not be
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, but strategic - the back room has high ceilings and actual conversation is possible, while the front bar gets rowdy during live sets. Come for the unique experience; just know you'll both have sauce on your fingers.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes - reservations available via Tock but walk-ins welcome. Back room accommodates groups easily. During popular band nights, arriving by 6pm secures better seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes - families with teenagers frequent the place (no cover charge, all-ages venue). Earlier dining times avoid the louder late-night music. The sampler platter lets picky eaters find something they like.
What's the music scene like? Live roots music Wed-Sun - blues, bluegrass, jazz, swing, and ragtime rotating throughout the week. Sunday nights often feature 1920s-30s jazz. No cover charge; the band is part of the experience, not an upsell.
Is it good before a Thalia Hall show? Perfect - it's steps away and locals specifically recommend it for pre-show dinner. Just time your meal to allow 90 minutes so you're not rushing through that brisket.
Best For
Better for: The full smokehouse experience - live music, 14-hour wood-smoked meats, and a real honky-tonk atmosphere that's been a Pilsen institution since 2005. The only Chicago BBQ using exclusively wood fire with no gas or electric shortcuts.
Skip if: You want quiet conversation at dinner, need weekend-only availability (they're open Wed-Sun), or prefer Texas-style over Memphis-style BBQ - the dry rub tradition here is sauce-on-the-side
Honky Tonk BBQ
7.6
A Pilsen BBQ bar where the sandwich route is the most reliable way to eat—smoky meat in a contained format, with live-music energy doing the rest. Come with a plan (one sandwich plus one side) so you’re not paying bar prices to sample the whole menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pulled pork sandwich, Brisket sandwich, Mac & cheese
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: BBQ sandwiches in a live-music bar setting that feels distinctly Pilsen-night-out.
Who should go: Groups grabbing food before or after a show
When to visit: Early evening before the room gets loud
What to order: Pulled pork sandwich, brisket sandwich, mac & cheese
Insider tip: Treat it like a sandwich-and-one-side mission—skip the menu sprawl.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on nearby Pilsen streets; usually manageable early evening but tight during live music nights.
Dress code: Casual bar wear—jeans, sneakers, band tees all fit right in.
Noise level: Loud once music starts—conversation is limited during live sets.
Weekend wait: 20–40 min during live music nights, shorter if you arrive early.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—mostly sides like mac & cheese or fries.
Vegan options: Very limited—a couple of sides may work but not a core strength.
Gluten-free options: Some meats can be ordered without bread, but cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, activity-driven date than a conversation-focused one—music and bar energy do most of the work.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially if you come early; later in the night expect to wait or stand.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier hours are fine for older kids, but late evenings skew adult and loud.
Best For
Better for: Combining BBQ sandwiches with live music and a lively bar scene.
Skip if: You want quiet dining, broad BBQ sampling, or strong vegetarian options.
Honky Tonk BBQ
8.2
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
A big-room BBQ stop that works for business lunch when you keep the order tight—one smoked-meat plate, one side, and you’re back out without dragging the afternoon. It’s casual, but the portions and midday service make it a reliable “feed the group” option.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smoked brisket plate, Baby back ribs, Mac and cheese
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Smoked-meat lunch in a roomy space that can handle groups fast.
Who should go: Work lunches that want BBQ without fuss
When to visit: Wednesday–Friday right at 11am opening
What to order: Brisket plate, ribs, mac and cheese
Insider tip: Split one combo platter for two to keep the meeting moving.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on surrounding blocks; usually manageable at lunch but tighter during evening hours. No dedicated valet.
Dress code: Casual—jeans, button-downs, polos, and workday-casual attire all fit comfortably.
Noise level: Moderate to loud—fine for group conversation, less ideal for quiet one-on-one meetings.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak hours without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait if you arrive near opening
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—sides like mac and cheese, slaw, beans, and cornbread can make a light meal.
Vegan options: Very limited—mostly vegetable sides; not a primary strength.
Gluten-free options: Some smoked meats and sides may be gluten-free, but cross-contact is possible—ask staff for guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it's casual, loud, and hands-on. Better for relaxed group meals than a focused first-date setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially at weekday lunch or right at opening; evenings and weekends can require a short wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—big tables, casual vibe, and familiar BBQ flavors work well for kids, though it can get noisy.
Best For
Better for: Fast, filling BBQ lunches for groups that want generous portions and minimal ordering friction.
Skip if: You need a quiet, polished meeting environment or strong vegetarian/vegan options.
Honky Tonk BBQ
8.1
A Pilsen BBQ room that’s easy for families because it’s loud, casual, and built around platters—everyone can share brisket, ribs, and sides without a complicated order. It’s best when you treat it like a sampler mission: one meat-heavy combo, two sides, and cornbread to round it out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Brisket platter, Pulled pork, Mac & cheese
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: BBQ platters in a music-forward room that welcomes groups.
Who should go: Families who like shareable platters
When to visit: Early dinner before live music peaks
What to order: Brisket platter, pulled pork, mac & cheese
Insider tip: Go platter-first—ordering sandwiches slows the share-and-pass flow.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on nearby residential blocks; generally manageable early, tougher after 7pm when live music draws crowds.
Dress code: Casual and relaxed — jeans, sneakers, and BBQ-ready clothes fit right in.
Noise level: Loud — conversation is possible early, but music-forward energy takes over later.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation, longer if live music is scheduled.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or very short wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — mostly sides like mac & cheese, cornbread, and greens.
Vegan options: Very limited — a couple of vegetable sides depending on the day; not a vegan-focused stop.
Gluten-free options: Some meats and sides may be gluten-free, but cross-contamination is likely; not ideal for strict gluten-free diners.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a quiet first date — it’s loud and casual — but great if you want low-pressure, messy BBQ energy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially earlier in the evening; arriving before music starts gives you the best shot at a quick seat.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — best for school-age kids who can handle noise and shared platters; less suited for infants during peak music hours.
Best For
Better for: Group-friendly BBQ platters with live music energy and a casual, forgiving room.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, refined BBQ technique focus, or strong vegetarian/vegan accommodations.