Honky Tonk Barbecue

Restaurants, Barbecue Lower West Side
  • 5 out of 5 stars
(3user reviews)
8 Love It
Save it
Honky Tonk Barbecue
Photograph: Chris Lake
Honky Tonk Barbecue in Pilsen is one of the best barbecue restaurants in Chicago.

Success on the competition circuit and local festivals prompted Willie Wagner to set up a permanent home for his “Memphis-style,” dry-rubbed barbecue in Pilsen. The smoky pulled pork clocks in at one of the best around. Tender, juicy chicken comes in second for best bets, with puckery slaw and meaty beans right behind it. Make a night of it with the lively bands that play in the attached bar on the weekends.

Posted:

Venue name: Honky Tonk Barbecue
Contact:
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Address: 1800 S Racine Ave
Chicago
60608
Cross street: at 18th St
Opening hours: Tuesday-Friday 4pm-2am, Saturday 4pm-3am, Sunday 4pm-2am, kitchen closes all days at 11pm
Transport: El stop: Pink to 18th. Bus: 9, 18, 60.
Price: Average main course: $12
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Average User Rating

4.7 / 5

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star:2
  • 4 star:1
  • 3 star:0
  • 2 star:0
  • 1 star:0
LiveReviews|3
1 person listening
Jill F
tastemaker

Great BBQ, great music, great beer, what more can you want? Sometimes they set up shop in my office in the Loop for lunch, and I always go for the mac and cheese and brisket chili when they do. Yum.  

Tim L
tastemaker

This place is a great addition to any newcomers who are heading to Pilsen. Just a 100ft from Duseks/Thalia Hall, this is a great place to grab a drink or a bite to eat before or after a show. They have live music almost every night and trivia on Tuesday's where you can win gift cards. You can't beat the PBR and candied bacon special....I mean it's candied BACON. I also recommend the dinky dunkers which are to sliders wtih your choice of meat, and they do not skimp on the portions. For sides, I think they have some of the best mac n cheese in the city!

Zach L
moderator

You can certainly find a better plate of barbecue in Chicago, but if you’re visiting Honky Tonk you’re probably not there for gourmet cuisine. This neighborhood restaurant and bar is notorious for hosting living music on a nearly nightly basis, ranging from twangy country acts to South Side blues bands. Longtime neighborhood residents and young transplants fill the seats, sipping on bottles of beer and licking sauce from their fingers—it’s a cultural cross section united in the name of good music and solid grub.