You guys.
This, without a doubt, is my favorite restaurant in all of Chicago.
BEHOLD, THE ALMIGHTY SMOQUE:
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| Image 1. THE LEGEND. |
My arrival at Smoque was preceded by a failed attempt at attending Chicago's annual Ribfest, with which I have several bones to pick. First of all, I was informed via Metromix that Ribfest collected a "$5 suggested donation" to a specific charity whose name escapes me at the moment. However, once we arrived at the heavily guarded gates, a brazen security guard extended his empty hand in my general direction (the other hand was filled with $5 bills), implying that this supposed donation was not, in fact, a donation, but an entrance fee. I mean, I'm fine with paying a fee to get in and I'm glad that it's going to a charity, but let's call this "donation" what it is - an obligatory payment. Moving on.
Near the entrance was a haphazard tent under which tickets were being sold. Most of the "lines" were cash only, with the exception of one. I say "lines" with air quotation marks because the crowd waiting to buy tickets was gathered in a disorderly fashion like a bunch of children at a playground. Not okay. On top of that, each rib was like $2. Nope. Not happening.
The Ribfest debacle stirred an inferno of desire for barbecue within me, so I headed to the one and only Smoque BBQ, where I had been many times before. Usually on weekends the lines are out the door (which should be a testament to the tastiness of the food here considering it is located in the middle of nowhere - literally amid a bunch of residential buildings and nothing else), but luckily the place wasn't too crowded this time.
I ordered a half slab of St. Louis ribs with a "taste" of sliced brisket, complete with a side of BBQ beans, fries, and complementary cole slaw.
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| Image 2. DAT GREASE THO |
I also ordered a "butterscotch root beer," which tasted exactly like what I would expect butterbeer from Hogsmeade to taste like. I haven't been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to verify (it's on my bucket list, trust me), but yeah.
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| Image 3. Butterbeer |
These ribs, guys. They were amazing. Just the right amount of burnt along the edges, each bone loaded with meat, and the barbecue sauce had just a hint of burn and an appropriate amount of vinegar (you have to ask for the spicy sauce).
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| Image 4. Pigs are delicious. |
I have to say, though, the star of Smoque has always been the brisket. Some days when the meat has been smoking too long it can be a touch dry, but on a fateful day like this one, it can be heavenly. Like melt-in-your-mouth, perfection-on-earth heavenly. So tender, an elderly man with once-poor oral hygiene who left his dentures at home could eat it with no problem at all.
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| Image 5. Cows are even more delicious |
The moral of this tale: next time Ribfest comes around in the Windy City, drive straight past it on Irving Park Road and get your ass to Smoque.
Smoque BBQ
3800 N Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 545-7427
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