When people think of BBQ cities, Chicago isnāt always the first place that comes to mindābut it should be. The Windy City has a rich BBQ culture, built on smoky rib tips, sizzling hot links, and iconic street food.
Unlike Texas, Memphis, or Kansas City, Chicago BBQ has its own distinct flavorāone thatās deeply tied to African American pitmasters, South Side traditions, and good olā charcoal grilling.
From rib tips & hot links to the legendary Jim Shoe sandwich, letās dive into the bold, smoky world of Chicago BBQ.
š„ What Makes Chicago BBQ Unique?
Chicago BBQ doesnāt fit into one single categoryāinstead, itās a mix of deep South BBQ traditions, Midwest grilling culture, and local street food legends.
Hereās what makes Chicago BBQ stand out:
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Charcoal is king ā No fancy wood smokers hereāChicago BBQ is cooked over open charcoal pits.
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Itās all about rib tips & hot links ā These are the signature meats of the city.
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Sauce is key ā A tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy tomato-based sauce finishes everything off.
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Itās connected to Chicagoās Black history ā Many of the best BBQ spots in Chicago come from African American pitmasters who carried Southern traditions north.
š” Pro Tip: Chicago BBQ is low-key, no-frills, and absolutely deliciousāif you see a BBQ shack with smoke pouring out, stop and eat!
š„ Chicagoās BBQ Staples: What You Need to Try
š„© 1. Rib Tips: The Ultimate Chicago BBQ Dish
If you order BBQ in Chicago, youāll probably get a plate of rib tipsāsmall, meaty, cartilage-heavy pieces of pork ribs that are charred over an open flame.
š„ What Makes Rib Tips Special?
āļø Unlike full slabs of ribs, rib tips are smaller, chewier, and more flavorful.
āļø They soak up the charcoal smoke better than traditional ribs.
āļø Served drenched in Chicago-style BBQ sauce with a side of white bread.
š” Pro Tip: In Chicago, you eat rib tips with your handsāand you lick the sauce off your fingers.
š 2. Hot Links: Chicagoās Spicy BBQ Sausage
A true Chicago BBQ platter isnāt complete without a hot linkāa smoky, spicy pork sausage thatās grilled to perfection and sliced on the bias.
š„ What Makes Hot Links Special?
āļø Extra spicy (compared to other smoked sausages).
āļø Crispy & juicy after being grilled over charcoal.
āļø Served with BBQ sauce and sometimes on a bun like a hot dog.
š” Pro Tip: Many BBQ joints serve rib tips & hot links together, calling it a “Tip-Link Combo.”
š„Ŗ 3. The Jim Shoe: Chicagoās Underground BBQ Sandwich
The Jim Shoe (or Gym Shoe) sandwich is a Chicago South Side legend. Itās not found at every BBQ joint, but if you see it, ORDER IT.
š„ Whatās in a Jim Shoe Sandwich?
āļø Roast beef + corned beef + gyro meat (yes, all three).
āļø Grilled onions, lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, and hot peppers.
āļø Served in a hoagie roll, wrapped in foil, and meant to be eaten messily.
š” Pro Tip: No one knows exactly who invented the Jim Shoe, but itās been a Chicago street food classic for decades.
š„ The Best BBQ Joints in Chicago
Chicago is home to some of the best BBQ in the countryābut itās a little different from what youāll find in the South. If you want authentic Chicago BBQ, these are the places to go:
āļø Lemās Bar-B-Q (South Side) ā The OG Chicago BBQ joint, famous for rib tips & hot links.
āļø Honey 1 BBQ (Bronzeville) ā The best wood-smoked BBQ in the city.
āļø Smoque BBQ (Irving Park) ā Texas-style brisket meets Chicago-style ribs.
āļø Uncle Johnās BBQ (Chatham) ā A must-visit for rib tips & hot links.
āļø The Smoke Daddy (Wicker Park) ā A modern take on Chicago BBQ classics.
š” Pro Tip: If youāre in Chicago, always ask for extra sauceāitās a key part of the BBQ experience.
š„ How Chicago BBQ Compares to Other Styles
| BBQ Style | Meat Choice | Cooking Method | Sauce Type |
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| Chicago BBQ | Rib Tips, Hot Links | Charcoal Grilling | Tangy, slightly sweet, tomato-based |
| Texas BBQ | Brisket, Beef Ribs | Low & Slow Smoking | Dry rub or minimal sauce |
| Memphis BBQ | Pork Ribs, Pulled Pork | Low & Slow Smoking | Dry Rub or Wet |
| Kansas City BBQ | Burnt Ends, Ribs, Pulled Pork | Low & Slow Smoking | Thick, sweet, molasses-based sauce |
š” Conclusion: If you love charcoal-grilled, saucy, smoky BBQ, youāll love Chicago-style BBQ.
š„ Why Chicago BBQ Deserves More Recognition
Chicago is often left out of the BBQ conversation, but real BBQ lovers know that itās one of Americaās great BBQ cities.
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Charcoal-smoked rib tips & hot links are unique to Chicago.
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Itās deeply connected to African American pitmasters & history.
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Chicago BBQ sauce is perfectly balancedāsweet, tangy, & smoky.
š„ If youāre a BBQ fan, put Chicago on your must-visit list. It might just become your new favorite BBQ style!
š„ Have You Tried Chicago BBQ?
Whatās your go-to Chicago BBQ order? Drop your thoughts in the comments! šš„