Chicagoist: One Great Sandwich: Smoque's Sliced BBQ Brisket

E

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:01:45 -0600

I don't know, I've ventured in there for dinner several times and there was only a crazy line once. I tend to go in early (6ish or so) and early in the week, and there's usually not more than a few people in line before me. Also, while I can see why people are put off by the name, you can't really beat the combo of SMOke and Bar-B-QUE. The name works. So does the Brisket. YUM.

Benjy Lipsman

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:35:09 -0600

All but one of my visits to Smoque has been for lunch -- and the one dinner visit was the night of that really horrible snow storm last winter. At lunchtime, it's crowded but not so much that you can't get a table or have to wait in too long a line to order. Bronto, Smoque's brisket is much better than Honky Tonk's -- ours was also cold when we went there and it's also drier and sliced too thin. I do remember them having other sides, though...

Bronto

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:28:37 -0600

Looks similar to Honky Tonk in Pilsen. I would love to say nice things about them too, but they have only one side (cornbread) and is the meat supposed to be like refrigerator cold? Because mine was.

Navin

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:05:52 -0600

They should have taken the cheesy name to an even higher level: Smoc ala Tone Loc.

shameshameboy

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 12:52:17 -0600

I've had better luck with lines at lunch than at dinner, but there's always a wait. Nonetheless, it's worth enduring any delay. The food is phenomenal, and the owners really seem to care about satisfying their customers.

Louis Frascogna

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 12:32:51 -0600

I've never been, any idea of what the crowds are like at night? With all the press, can I get in to enjoy this hunk of deliciousness.

rickey

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 11:41:12 -0600

The chopped BBQ brisket is my favorite. Like it even better than the sliced. I think this will be my request for my last meal.

mike_thoms

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 11:36:56 -0600

The BBQ sandwich is truly the way to go. I prefer pork over brisket but it's all good smoked and slathered in sauce. Why go through the hassle of eating ribs, all that work, all that mess, when you can eat a sandwich with all the meat and no bones? It's like eating food with napkins on your hands and then being able to eat the delicious napkins as well.