Chicago, IL
Best BBQ in Chicago.
Harry's top 10 BBQ spots in Chicago score 50–87 on the Harry Score. One carries critic or guide backing. Prices run $$ to $$$$.
Smoke is an ingredient, not a decoration. Harry reads the bark, the smoke ring, and whether the meat rested as long as it smoked. Sauce is a condiment, not a rescue operation — if it arrives pre-drowned, the kitchen already told you what it thinks of the brisket.
Ranked by Harry Score, closest BBQ matches first. The Harry Score is a weighted blend of Google, Yelp, Tripadvisor, and critic mentions. No paid placements. No affiliate links.
Scores last recomputed
Happy Cattle BBQ
barbecue · bbq
2023 S Jefferson St Unit m, Chicago
4.7 across 140 Yelp reviews, and Google lands in the same place; priced about right for what you get.
Caveat: Google's into it. Tripadvisor isn't. Locals are louder here.
$$
Harry
79
Worth It
75
Bub City
barbecue · bbq
435 N Clark St, Chicago
4.5 across 4.3k Google reviews; sprawling, buzzy BBQ eatery & bar with a country-western theme, live music & a comfort….
$$
Harry
71
Worth It
71
Weber Grill
barbecue · bbq
539 N State St, Chicago
4.5 across 6.2k Google reviews, and Tripadvisor lands in the same place; casually refined venue for steaks, burgers & ribs cooked on giant Weber kettles.
$$
Harry
71
Worth It
71
Wilma's Famous BBQ & Tavern
barbecue · bbq
17 N Wabash Ave Fl 2, Chicago
4.1 across 1.8k Google reviews; OpenTable diners back it up at 4.3.
Caveat: Google's into it. Tripadvisor isn't. Locals are louder here.
$$
Harry
50
Worth It
50
Also serves BBQ
Wagyu House Chicago
barbecue · bbq
1147 S Delano Ct East, Chicago
4.8 across 5.9k Google reviews, and Yelp lands in the same place; a $$$$ barbecue option.
Caveat: You're getting an experience. Whether you needed it is up to you.
$$$$
Harry
87
Worth It
75
Chubby Skewers Authentic Chinese BBQ | Chicago
barbecue · bbq
2017b S Wells St, Chicago
4.8 across 1.0k Google reviews, and Yelp lands in the same place; fairly priced for what it is.
$$
Harry
86
Worth It
78
SO GONG DONG(SGD) TOFU & KOREAN BBQ - WICKER PARK
korean · korean-barbecue
2411 W North Ave, Chicago
4.7 across 206 Google reviews, and Tripadvisor lands in the same place; a sensible spend, nothing wasted here.
$$
Harry
84
Worth It
77
PERILLA korean fare
korean · korean-barbecue
401 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago
4.3 across 798 Google reviews, and Yelp lands in the same place; Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide.
$$
Harry
80
Worth It
75
Jake Melnick's Corner Tap
american · barbecue
41 E Superior St, Chicago
4.5 across 5.5k Google reviews; bBQ & bar fare plus lots of brews & keg cocktails in a laid-back, sports-pub setting….
Caveat: Only Google has weighed in so far — a single source, so read the score as provisional.
$$
Harry
78
Worth It
74
KFire Korean BBQ - Old Town
korean-barbecue · chicken-wings
1241 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago
4.6 across 65 Google reviews, and Yelp lands in the same place; fairly priced for what it is.
Caveat: Looks promising, but the sample size is tiny. Harry is watching.
$$
Harry
76
Worth It
74
BBQ in other cities
More cuisines in Chicago
More Chicago guides
Questions Harry gets about BBQ in Chicago
- What is the best BBQ restaurant in Chicago?
- Happy Cattle BBQ tops Harry's BBQ list for Chicago right now, with a Harry Score of 79/100.
- How does Harry Hungry score BBQ restaurants in Chicago?
- Harry Hungry blends ratings from Google, Yelp, Tripadvisor, and critic mentions into a weighted Harry Score (0–100). A separate Worth It Score ranks restaurants by value for money. No paid placements, no affiliate links — the ranking is built from public data only.
- Are there tourist-trap BBQ restaurants in Chicago to avoid?
- Harry Hungry flags restaurants where Tripadvisor ratings diverge significantly from local reviews — a common tourist-trap signal. See the tourist trap index for Chicago on Harry Hungry for a full breakdown.