Best Pulled Pork In Chicago
Good pulled pork doesn't need to be from Memphis or the South. It just needs to be tender, succulent, juicy and packed with loads of flavor with or without some mouthwatering barbecue sauce. You'll find all this, and more, at these five barbecue joints in Chicago.
Smoque
3800 N. Pulaski Road
Chicaog, IL 60641
(773) 545-7427
www.smoquebbq.com
Featured on such shows as "Diners, Drive-Ins & Drives," Smoque is always a hopping place -- and for good reason. The five guys who started this casual joint combine just the right amount of natural meaty flavor with a hardwood smoke when they make all of their many meats. The hefty pulled pork platter clocks in at a reasonable $11.95 when you want slaw and two sides, or $8.45 a la carte. If you're looking for a sandwich, get it with slaw and one side for $9.95 or a la carte for $7.45. A half order is also available, but with this delicious meat, you're going to want to load up. The pork is also available by the pound.
Pork Shoppe
2755 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 961-7654
www.porkshoppechicago.net
This low-key Avondale hot spot knows how to do barbecue right, and not just because it offers three different kinds of sauces (sweet, spicy and tangy) and beer in cans. Grab a pulled pork sandwich combo (with sides) for $7.95. Or, if you have a hankering for just the meat itself, get it for about $6. Another dish worth trying -- other than the ribs of course -- is the succulent pork belly pastrami.
Related: Best Barbecue in Chicago
Fat Willy's Rib Shack
2416 W. Schubert Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 782-1800
www.fatwillys.com
Don't let the restaurant's name fool you. Paired with Fat Willy's amazing house-made barbecue sauce, the pulled pork is awesome no matter which way you pull it: as an appetizer slider, sandwich or a hefty hunk of meat. Sandwich versions come in either a "half" version for a reasonable $8, or a full sandwich for a reasonable $12 as well, on crusty, hearty bread. Sandwiches also come with fries and a vinegar coleslaw. Don't want to drive to Bucktown? Just call in an order and Fat Willy's will deliver.
Smoke Daddy
1804 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 772-6656
www.thesmokedaddy.com
Want a side of live music with your platter of pulled pork? Head to this Wicker Park hot spot that smokes all of its meats in house and douses its pulled pork in its own barbecue sauce. Grab the pulled pork on a platter (along with another pulled meat) for $15.95 or as a sandwich with one side for $8.95. If you're still hankering for more pulled pork, try the smoked pit beans as a side, in which pork -- and brisket -- are ingredients.
Honey 1 BBQ
2241 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 227-5130
www.honey1bbq.com
Pulled pork sandwiches are usually defined by the quality of their meat, but Honey 1 adds a special twist to this meaty goodness. The smoked pulled pork is also topped with some snappy coleslaw that not only adds some interesting texture, but some one-of-a-kind flavors. Its $7.99 pulled pork sandwich comes with a side of fries, as well as sauce and coleslaw (unless you order otherwise).
Related: Chicago's Best Smokehouses
