Best BBQ in Champaign, IL

When it comes to BBQ, Champaign, IL, has some seriously amazing spots that I just can’t wait to share with you! I’ve tasted my way through the local scene, and I’m excited to guide you to the best places where you can enjoy mouthwatering smoked meats and delicious sides. Trust me, you’re in for a treat!

So, what’s the best BBQ in Champaign, IL? Well, the best BBQ here features a mix of fantastic restaurants that serve up tasty smoked meats, yummy sauces, and a cozy vibe. Each place has its own special twist on BBQ, making sure there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Get ready to dive into a world of smoky flavors and tender meats! I’ll take you through some of my favorite BBQ joints, sharing what makes each one special and why you should check them out. Let’s explore the delicious BBQ scene together!

Top 10 BBQ in Champaign, IL

1. Black Dog Smoke & Ale House
2. Hickory River Smokehouse
3. Wood N’ Hog Barbecue Catering
4. Royal BBQ
5. Sooie Bros. Bar-B-Que Joint
6. Smoky’s House BBQ
7. Wood N’ Hog BBQ
8. Bobo’s Barbecue
9. Hickory River Smokehouse
10. Li’l Porgy’s Barbeque

1. Black Dog Smoke & Ale House

Oh man, Black Dog Smoke & Ale House is such a cool spot in Champaign! It’s in this neat old train depot, and when you walk in, the smell of all that delicious smoked meat just hits you. I remember the first time I went there; I was so excited! The staff was super friendly, and I felt right at home.

What makes Black Dog really special is how they do BBQ. Their ribs are so tender that they just fall off the bone, and the brisket? Wow, it’s so juicy and packed with flavor! Plus, they have a great selection of craft beers that go perfectly with the food.

If you’re thinking about what to order, definitely try the smoked brisket and the baby back ribs. They are just amazing and really show off how good their BBQ is. Trust me, you’re gonna love it!

2. Hickory River Smokehouse

Hickory River Smokehouse is such a fun place to grab BBQ in Champaign! It’s super casual, and when you walk in, the smell of hickory smoke just makes you feel all warm and happy inside. I remember the first time I went there; I was so ready to dig into some good food, and wow, it was amazing!

What I really love about Hickory River is how they make their BBQ. They hand-rub all their meats, and you can really taste that smoky flavor in every bite. Plus, their sides are really filling and tasty, which makes the whole meal even better.

If you’re not sure what to get, you’ve got to try the pulled pork and the brisket. They are super tender and full of flavor, showing off just how great Hickory River is at BBQ. You’re gonna have a great time there!

3. Wood N’ Hog Barbecue Catering

Wood N’ Hog Barbecue Catering is such a fun place to grab some BBQ in Champaign! I still remember my first visit; I was so excited to try their food. The atmosphere is really nice, and you can choose to sit inside or outside, which is perfect for a sunny day.

What I love about Wood N’ Hog is how they really care about their BBQ. Everything is made with fresh ingredients, and you can taste the difference. The smoky flavor is just amazing, and the portions are super big, so you definitely get your money’s worth!

If you’re wondering what to order, you’ve got to try the smoked sausage and the pulled pork. They are both so yummy and really show off how great Wood N’ Hog is at making BBQ. Trust me, you’ll want to come back again and again!

4. Royal BBQ

Royal BBQ is one of my favorite places to eat in Champaign! I still remember the first time I went there; the moment I walked in, the yummy smell of BBQ just made my stomach growl. The place has a really nice vibe, and you can sit inside or outside, which is perfect for hanging out with friends.

What makes Royal BBQ super special is their amazing flavors. They mix traditional BBQ with some fun twists that make every bite exciting. You can really taste how much care they put into their food, and it’s always so delicious!

If you’re thinking about what to order, you’ve got to try the brisket and the ribs. They are both super tender and packed with flavor, showing just how great Royal BBQ is at making BBQ. Trust me, you’re gonna want to come back for more!

5. Sooie Bros. Bar-B-Que Joint

Sooie Bros. Bar-B-Que Joint is one of my favorite BBQ spots in Champaign! I still remember the first time I walked in; the smell of smoky meat made my mouth water right away. The place has a really friendly vibe, and you can sit inside or outside, which is perfect for a sunny day with friends.

What makes Sooie Bros. super special is their fun menu and tasty flavors. They have so many yummy options, and you can really tell they put a lot of love into their BBQ. Every bite is so flavorful, and it feels like a little party in your mouth!

If you’re wondering what to order, you’ve got to try the pulled pork and the smoked chicken. They are both super juicy and delicious, showing just how good Sooie Bros. is at BBQ. Trust me, you’re gonna want to come back again and again!

6. Smoky’s House BBQ

Smoky’s House BBQ is one of my favorite places to eat BBQ around Champaign! I still remember the first time I went there; I was so excited to try their food. The place feels really cozy, and you can sit inside or outside, which is perfect for a nice day with friends or family.

What makes Smoky’s House BBQ super special is all the yummy BBQ choices they have. They serve everything from ribs to brisket, and you can really taste how well they smoke their meats. Each bite is so full of flavor, and it feels like a big hug for your taste buds!

If you’re not sure what to get, I totally recommend the smoked ribs and the pulled pork. They are both super tender and delicious, showing just how great Smoky’s is at BBQ. You’re gonna want to come back for more!

7. Wood N’ Hog BBQ

Wood N’ Hog BBQ is such a cool spot to enjoy BBQ in Urbana! I still remember the first time I went there; I was so excited to try their food. The place has a really nice vibe, and you can sit inside or outside, which is perfect for a sunny day with friends or family.

What really makes Wood N’ Hog BBQ special is how fresh and tasty everything is. You can tell they really care about their BBQ, and every bite is just bursting with flavor. Plus, the portions are super big, so you definitely get a lot for your money!

If you’re not sure what to order, you’ve got to try the smoked brisket and the ribs. They are both so tender and delicious, showing just how great Wood N’ Hog BBQ is at making BBQ. Trust me, you’re gonna want to come back for more!

8. Bobo’s Barbecue

Bobo’s Barbecue is one of my favorite places to get BBQ in Champaign! I still remember the first time I went there; the moment I walked in, the yummy smell of smoked meat made my stomach growl. The vibe is super friendly, and you can choose to sit inside or outside, which is perfect for a nice day with friends.

What really makes Bobo’s special is all the tasty BBQ options they have. They serve everything from juicy ribs to pulled pork, and you can really taste how good the food is. Each bite is so full of flavor, and it feels like a little party in your mouth!

If you’re wondering what to order, you’ve got to try the smoked ribs and the brisket. They are both super tender and delicious, showing just how great Bobo’s is at BBQ. Trust me, you’re gonna want to come back for more!

9. Hickory River Smokehouse

Hickory River Smokehouse is one of my favorite BBQ places in Urbana! I still remember the first time I walked in; the yummy smell of hickory smoke just made my mouth water right away. The vibe is super chill, and you can sit inside or outside, which is perfect for enjoying a nice meal with friends or family.

What really makes Hickory River special is their hand-rubbed BBQ. You can taste that smoky flavor in every single bite, and it’s just so delicious! Plus, their sides are really hearty and tasty, which makes the whole meal even better.

If you’re not sure what to order, you’ve got to try the pulled pork and the brisket. They are both super tender and full of flavor, showing just how great Hickory River is at BBQ. Trust me, you’re gonna want to come back for more!

10. Li’l Porgy’s Barbeque

Li’l Porgy’s Barbeque is one of my favorite spots for BBQ in Champaign! I still remember the first time I walked in; the yummy smell of smoked meat just made my mouth water. The place has a really friendly vibe, and you can sit inside or outside, which is perfect for enjoying a meal with friends on a nice day.

What makes Li’l Porgy’s super special is their tasty BBQ at really good prices. They have a bunch of yummy options, and you can tell they put a lot of love into their food. Every bite is so flavorful, and it feels like a cozy little BBQ haven.

If you’re wondering what to order, you’ve got to try the pulled pork and the ribs. They are both super tender and delicious, showing just how great Li’l Porgy’s is at BBQ. Trust me, you’re gonna want to come back for more!

Map of BBQ in Champaign, IL

Choosing the Right Restaurant for You

With 10 excellent places, here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:

Restaurant	Price	Seating	Takeout	Delivery	Wheelchair	Reservation
Black Dog Smoke & Ale House	Moderate	Yes	Yes	Yes	Accessible	No
Hickory River Smokehouse	–	Yes	Yes	Yes	Accessible	No
Wood N’ Hog Barbecue Catering	Moderate	Yes	Yes	Yes	Accessible	No
Royal BBQ	Moderate	Yes	Yes	Yes	Accessible	–
Sooie Bros. Bar-B-Que Joint	–	Yes	Yes	No	Accessible	–
Smoky’s House BBQ	–	Yes	Yes	Yes	Accessible	Yes
Wood N’ Hog BBQ	Moderate	Yes	Yes	Yes	Accessible	No
Bobo’s Barbecue	Moderate	Yes	Yes	Yes	Accessible	No
Hickory River Smokehouse	Moderate	Yes	Yes	–	Accessible	No
Li’l Porgy’s Barbeque	Inexpensive	Yes	Yes	No	Accessible	No

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best BBQ places in Champaign, IL?
Oh, there are so many great BBQ spots in Champaign! Some of my favorites are Black Dog Smoke & Ale House, Hickory River Smokehouse, and Sooie Bros. Bar-B-Que Joint. Each place has its own yummy flavors and a cozy vibe that makes them super popular with everyone.

2. Is BBQ in Champaign, IL, expensive?
Not at all! You can find BBQ at all kinds of prices here. Places like Li’l Porgy’s Barbeque have really tasty food at great prices, so you can enjoy a delicious meal without breaking the bank.

3. Do these BBQ restaurants offer takeout?
Yes, they do! Most BBQ places in Champaign, like Royal BBQ and Smoky’s House BBQ, have takeout options. It’s super easy to grab your favorite BBQ and enjoy it at home or wherever you want.

4. Are there vegetarian options at BBQ places?
While BBQ is mostly about meat, some places do have vegetarian choices. You can usually find tasty sides or salads. It’s always a good idea to check the menu or ask the staff for what they recommend if you’re looking for something without meat.

5. Can I make reservations at BBQ restaurants in Champaign?
Some BBQ spots, like Smoky’s House BBQ, do take reservations, especially if you’re going with a big group. It’s a smart move to call ahead if you’re planning to visit during busy times or for special events.