Evanston, IL, has some seriously amazing BBQ 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 help you find the best places to satisfy your BBQ cravings. Trust me, you’re in for a treat as we explore these delicious gems together!
So, what’s the best BBQ in Evanston, IL? Well, the best BBQ here includes a bunch of fantastic restaurants that serve up mouthwatering dishes. Places like Hecky’s Barbecue and Soul & Smoke are just a couple of the must-visit spots, each offering their own tasty twist on BBQ. You’ll find everything from smoky meats to yummy sides that will make your taste buds dance!
Stick around, and I’ll take you on a tasty journey through Evanston’s BBQ scene. You’ll discover where to find the juiciest ribs, the most flavorful sauces, and all the sides that make BBQ so special. Let’s dive in and find your new favorite BBQ place!
Top 10 BBQ in Evanston, IL
- Hecky’s Barbecue
- Soul & Smoke Evanston
- Firehouse Grill
- Pit & Tap
- 10Q Chicken
- Papa Bop
- Peckish Pig
- Ten Mile House
- Soban Korea
- Evanston Chicken Shack
1. Hecky’s Barbecue
Phone: (847) 492-1182
Menu: www.heckys.com
Directions: Open on Map
Hecky’s Barbecue is one of my favorite places in Evanston! Every time I go, I get super excited because the smell of BBQ hits me right when I walk in. Their ribs are just amazing! I remember the first time I tried their St. Louis ribs, and I couldn’t believe how juicy and tender they were. It was like a flavor party in my mouth!
What makes Hecky’s really special is how they care about their food. The BBQ sauce is sweet and a little tangy, which makes everything taste even better. If you’re not sure what to get, I totally recommend the rib tips with a side of mac and cheese. The rib tips are so tasty, and the mac and cheese is creamy and delicious. Trust me, you’ll love it!
2. Soul & Smoke Evanston
Phone: (847) 859-2732
Menu: www.soulandsmoke.com
Directions: Open on Map
Soul & Smoke Evanston is one of my favorite places to eat! Every time I go, I just love the cozy feel and the yummy smells that fill the air. I still remember the first time I tried their brisket. It was so tender and juicy that I couldn’t believe how good it was! I just kept going back for more.
What makes Soul & Smoke really special is how they mix classic BBQ with fun new flavors. It’s not just the same old thing; they really get creative! If you’re not sure what to order, you have to try the smoked chicken wings. They’re crispy and juicy, and the sauces are super tasty! And don’t forget to get some coleslaw on the side; it’s fresh and crunchy, and it goes perfectly with the wings!
3. Firehouse Grill
Phone: (847) 733-1911
Menu: www.firehousegrill.net
Directions: Open on Map
Firehouse Grill is one of my favorite spots in Evanston! I just love how it’s in this really cool old firehouse. When I first walked in, I felt like I was in a cozy cabin with all the wood and warm lights. The BBQ smell was so good that I couldn’t wait to dig in! I remember getting their pulled pork sandwich, and wow, it was piled high with juicy meat.
What makes Firehouse Grill super special is the fun atmosphere and the yummy food. They really know how to make classic BBQ that tastes amazing. If you’re not sure what to order, you have to try the smoked brisket. It’s so tender and flavorful! And don’t skip the sweet potato fries; they’re crispy and just the right amount of sweet. You’ll love them!
4. Pit & Tap
Phone: (847) 920-7227
Menu: pitandtap.com
Directions: Open on Map
Pit & Tap is one of my favorite BBQ spots! I remember the first time I went there; it had such a chill vibe, and I loved sitting outside. The smell of all the yummy smoked meats made my mouth water! I decided to try the smoked ribs, and oh my goodness, they were so tender and packed with flavor. I couldn’t believe how good they were!
What makes Pit & Tap really special is how they focus on quality and have a fun atmosphere. They have a great menu with lots of tasty BBQ options. If you’re not sure what to get, you have to try the brisket. It’s super juicy and just melts in your mouth! And don’t forget to grab a side of their baked beans; they’re sweet and smoky, and they go perfectly with the BBQ!
5. 10Q Chicken
Phone: (847) 859-6100
Menu: www.10qchicken.com
Directions: Open on Map
10Q Chicken is one of my go-to spots for a quick and tasty meal! I remember the first time I walked in; it had such a chill vibe, and the smell of fried chicken was just amazing! I couldn’t wait to try their food, so I ordered a chicken sandwich. When I took my first bite, I was so happy! It was crispy on the outside and super juicy on the inside.
What makes 10Q Chicken really special is how they focus on chicken and keep it simple but delicious. If you’re not sure what to get, you have to try their chicken wings. They’re so crispy and come with different sauces that are all yummy! And don’t forget to get some fries; they’re perfectly crispy and go great with the chicken!
6. Papa Bop
Phone: (847) 425-0666
Menu: www.papabopillinois.com
Directions: Open on Map
Papa Bop is such a fun place to eat! I remember the first time I walked in; the bright colors and friendly faces made me smile right away. I was super excited to try their BBQ, so I ordered the Korean BBQ beef bowl. Oh my gosh, it was so tasty! The beef was really flavorful, and it came with lots of yummy veggies.
What makes Papa Bop really special is how they mix Korean flavors with BBQ. It’s not just the same old BBQ; they have a cool twist that makes it different! If you’re not sure what to get, you have to try the spicy pork. It’s so tender and has a nice little kick! And make sure to get some rice on the side; it’s perfect for soaking up all that delicious sauce!
7. Peckish Pig
Phone: (847) 491-6778
Menu: thepeckishpig.com
Directions: Open on Map
Peckish Pig is one of my favorite places to chill and eat! I remember the first time I walked in; the brick walls and cozy feel made it so inviting. I was really excited to try their food, so I ordered the smoked brisket sandwich. Oh wow, it was so tasty and full of flavor! I couldn’t help but smile with every bite.
What makes Peckish Pig super special is how they mix great food with awesome craft beer. They really know how to make dishes that go perfectly with their drinks. If you’re not sure what to get, you have to try the smoked wings. They’re crispy and have that yummy smoky flavor! And don’t forget to get some fries on the side; they’re super crispy and the perfect snack with your meal!
8. Ten Mile House
Phone: (847) 905-0669
Menu: tmhevanston.com
Directions: Open on Map
Ten Mile House is such a fun place to eat! I remember the first time I went there; the cozy vibe made me feel right at home. I was super excited to try their food, so I ordered the BBQ pulled pork sandwich. Oh my goodness, it was so tasty! The pork was really tender, and the flavors were just perfect. I couldn’t stop smiling!
What makes Ten Mile House really special is how they take classic comfort food and make it even better. They have a cool twist on familiar dishes that makes everything so yummy! If you’re not sure what to get, you have to try the smoked brisket. It’s juicy and full of flavor! And don’t forget to get a side of their creamy coleslaw; it’s fresh and crunchy, and it goes perfectly with the BBQ!
9. Soban Korea
Soban Korea is such a cool place to eat! I remember the first time I went there; the cozy feel made me smile right away. I was super excited to try their BBQ, so I ordered the Korean BBQ beef. Oh wow, it was so tasty and tender! I loved how it came with all these yummy sides that made the meal even better.
What makes Soban Korea really special is how they mix traditional Korean flavors with BBQ. It’s not just regular BBQ; they really know how to make it unique! If you’re not sure what to get, you have to try the bulgogi. It’s marinated just right and super delicious! And don’t forget to grab some kimchi on the side; it adds a nice little kick to your meal!
10. Evanston Chicken Shack
Phone: (847) 328-9360
Menu: www.evanstonchickenshack.com
Directions: Open on Map
Evanston Chicken Shack is such a great place to grab a bite! I remember the first time I walked in; it had a super chill vibe, and I was really excited to try their Southern-style food. I decided to order the fried chicken, and wow, it was so crispy and juicy! I couldn’t believe how delicious it was!
What makes Evanston Chicken Shack really special is how they focus on comfort food that feels just like home. If you’re not sure what to get, you have to try the rib dinner. The ribs are so tender and packed with flavor! And don’t forget to get a side of their coleslaw; it’s fresh and crunchy, and it goes perfectly with the chicken and ribs!
Map of BBQ in Evanston, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hecky’s Barbecue | Moderate | – | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
| Soul & Smoke Evanston | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | Yes |
| Firehouse Grill | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | Yes |
| Pit & Tap | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | – |
| 10Q Chicken | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
| Papa Bop | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | Yes |
| Peckish Pig | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | Yes |
| Ten Mile House | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | Yes |
| Soban Korea | – | Yes | Yes | – | – | Yes |
| Evanston Chicken Shack | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the best BBQ restaurants in Evanston, IL?
Oh, there are some really great BBQ places in Evanston! Hecky’s Barbecue and Soul & Smoke are two of my favorites. They both have super tasty food that BBQ lovers will really enjoy!
2. Is there BBQ delivery available in Evanston?
Yes, lots of BBQ spots in Evanston offer delivery! Places like Hecky’s Barbecue and 10Q Chicken will bring yummy BBQ right to your door, which is awesome for a cozy night in.
3. Are there vegetarian options at BBQ places in Evanston?
While BBQ is usually all about the meat, some places do have vegetarian options! Soul & Smoke, for example, has some tasty sides and dishes that are perfect for non-meat eaters.
4. Can I make reservations at BBQ restaurants in Evanston?
Yes, you can! Some BBQ spots like Soul & Smoke and Ten Mile House let you make reservations. It’s a smart idea, especially if you’re going during busy times!
5. What is the price range for BBQ in Evanston?
The price for BBQ in Evanston is usually pretty good! You can find meals that are moderate to inexpensive, so it’s easy to enjoy some delicious BBQ without breaking the bank.
