27 Best Barbeque Restaurants near Evanston

“Every item on the menu is incredible. They are a staple of... not just Evanston... but of all Chicagoland!“

“Phenomenal food, that’s arguably the best in the north shore.“

“I’ve been to Smoke Daddy multiple times now and everything I get is amazing (I’ve had about 6 different food menu items now - each awesome). I’m particularly writing this review because they saved our 4th of July friend get together. The service, food and atmosphere make this one of our favorite places in the city.“

“Food was delicious & service was great especially the fact that they were really busy.“

“we love love love it here 🩷“

“I had a mistake on my order and I called the staff was amazing . I just wanted my food but they went above and beyond and made it all right the food is great You can go there and be assured your getting good food and service“

“always great pizza, really friendly staff, and good prices for the amount of food! I would go for the specialty slices. my favs are the mac and the chicken and waffles!! place itself is pretty no frills but staff was friendly enough to change TVs to games we were interested in!!“

“Phenomenal food, that’s arguably the best in the north shore.“

“Ya Hala truly lives up to its name — a warm welcome from start to finish. The moment you walk in, the aroma of freshly grilled meats and spices wraps around you like a hug from home. The staff is attentive without hovering, and every dish feels prepared with real care. The hummus is creamy and rich, the shawarma tender and bursting with flavor, and the falafel has that perfect crispy shell with a soft, savory center.

What makes Ya Hala stand out, though, is its atmosphere — relaxed yet vibrant, perfect for both family dinners and casual nights out. Portions are generous, prices fair, and you leave both full and genuinely satisfied. Ya Hala isn’t just another Mediterranean restaurant; it’s a true gem that makes you want to come back again and again.“

“Just come back from Twin Anchors and loved our experience! We are from the UK and our waitress was so hospitable, asking what we were up to and making sure we had a great experience. She also recommended the ribs and they were delicious. We came in around 3.30 so it wasn’t too busy and didn’t have to queue, if we ever return to Chicago we will be sure to visit again!“

“Great food and interesting menu to say the least. 10/10 would eat and drink again!“

“Buona qualità del cibo, ambiente accogliente e familiare, manca a mio parere una buona apparecchiatura.“

“The vibe is very chill and relaxing. The sandwich I had was thanksgiving turkey sandwich . Delicious with turkey gravy served on the side. Beer was really tasty . My first beer was a Kriek sour 3.5 out of 5 . The sour taste was very forward but but behind that there was not a good punch of cherry flavor. My second beer was a raspberry jalapeno that was very tasty. It was in the belguin fruit beer style. I give that one 4 out 5. The flavors were bright and playful with a slight hint of sweetness. Enjoyable place and nice servers and people.“

“Hubs and I came last night for an impromptu date night. The holiday décor was absolutely beautiful, you can tell a lot of effort and attention went into it. The staff were all super friendly and helpful! We arrived during the dinner rush, and given it’s the holiday season, I’m sure there’s an uptick in guests, but we were still seated within about 15–20 minutes, which was impressive. There is a one-hour dining limit during this season, I understand they’re turning tables quickly to accommodate everyone, especially having worked in the industry myself. However, I was really disappointed that every single item we ordered was cold. I don’t usually like to complain, so I didn’t mention it at the time, assuming it was just due to how busy the restaurant was. But after reading other reviews, it seems this may be a recurring issue, which is unfortunate. I’m not sure I would return, but on a positive note, the atmosphere was lovely and the staff were wonderful. Hopefully they can work with the kitchen to make sure the food is served hot, because everything else about the experience was great!“

“It was my first time dining at this restaurant, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed with their delicious BBQ ribs and mouthwatering cornbread. In fact, I would say that their BBQ ribs are the best I’ve ever had in Chicago. I’m already planning to return to try their other BBQ dishes and side dishes as well!“

“This place is great--a family fave of ours for special occasions. The food is always a hit, the vibe super cozy--especially when it's otherwise freaking cold 9 months out of the year in these parts--and the staff is seasoned and excellent. Also good for takeout and delivery when you don't feel like cooking.“

“Bluegrass Restaurant is a wonderful, family-owned restaurant. We have been ordering takeout and eating in since we came to Highland Park three years ago. The owners take pride in managing the restaurant on a daily basis. They prioritize customer service, great food, and a warm, welcoming experience. Last night, they hosted the Highland Park/Highwood Professional Moms group. We had only expected 15 women to attend, but 25 women ended up coming. The owners and the staff were AMAZING. They brought over additional chairs. They provided us with top-notch service, including separate checks. They respected us when we were speaking to the group and quietly took orders in the background. I can't say enough nice things about this restaurant.“

“the smoked sweet potato is a gamechanger. Spectacular“

“amazing staff and food,good prices and a great atmosphere“

“Great food ans service with a freat atmosphere.“

“Delicious food and the best owners! Friendly and fast service.“

“We took a ride to City Barbecue in Park Ridge.

It's about thirty minutes northwest of Chicago.

I ordered a combination plate with Pulled Pork and Beef Brisket.

The plate came with cole slaw, beans and a piece of bread.

Really delicious and really moist.

The location is very clean and employees are very friendly.“

“Great place for drinks and good music. Friday nights are a blast when line dancing is happening!“

“There’s lots of options to choose from (more on the sweeter side). Heads up, this is a grab and go bakery, therefore, there is no indoor seating (only a bar to stand at outside). They will also not heat up the pastries :/

The hot fudge babka $6⭐️4/5
It did not really taste like it had chocolate… it was still delicious, but it tasted more like an apples strudel and banana bread mix—yummy but not chocolate babka lol

The smoked ham brown grainy mustard + Gruyère croissant ($7.50) ⭐️2/5
This didn’t hit it for me :/ If you know you love gruyère cheese, then I say give it a go, if you’re unsure, probably try something else?

Update:
Hot fudge croissant ⭐️3.5/5
A bit on the drier side and I felt that they skimped on the chocolate a bit. But it was a delicious pastry

Blackberry cheesecake danish ⭐️3/5
This was yummy and an easy to-go eat. I wish there was a bit more cheese tho

Banana bread cold brew ⭐️4/5
Idk how they do it, but this legit tastes like banana bread in a drink. Perfect for the fall season.“

“If you are looking for a really special food experience with a cozy casual atmosphere, this is an awesome place to visit. The chef, Ms Dani Kaplan, is the daughter of one of my closest bff. OMG! Each bite is a tastebud delight! And the bar - so special! If you want a true, high-quality, Chicago, eating experience don’t miss this place!!!!“

“Awesome spot. We called ahead and ordered the party platter for our Super Bowl party. Transaction was smooth, confirmed the pick up time and they dropped the food in the car no hassle. Food was amazing! Brisket, two types of ribs, pulled pork, beans, mac and cheese, and coleslaw! Awesome food texas smoker style! Gonna come back again for sure soon!“

“Great apps!!! Potato skins & Artichoke dip. 🔥🔥🔥“