Kansas City, who? Thrillist recently released its list of the 33 Best BBQ Joints in America, and three Illinois establishments made the list: 17th Street Barbecue in Murphysboro, Lem’s Bar-B-Q in Chicago and BEAST Craft BBQ Co. in Belleville.
At 17th Street Barbecue, which also operates a location in Marion, offerings range from pork-stuffed potato skins to homemade strawberry shortcake. Owner Mike Mills was inducted into the Barbecue Hall of Fame in 2010 and is the only pit master in America with the security clearance to board Air Force One.
Brothers Bruce and Myles Lemons opened the first Lem’s Bar-B-Q in 1954 on the south side of Chicago. Today, the restaurant is famous across the country for its rib tips and fried chicken gizzards. Even after more than 60 years in business, the unique blend of spices in Lem’s Original Bar-B-Q Sauce remains a well-kept secret.
BEAST Craft BBQ opened in Belleville in late 2014 and hit the ground running, scooping up a bevy of local and national awards. Chef and pit master David Sandusky’s famed wagyu-style brisket and burnt ends earned BEAST Craft BBQ the title of “Best BBQ in Illinois” from Food & Wine magazine in 2018.
These eateries—and many more—are putting Illinois on every foodie’s bucket list. Read more about these locations and check out Thrillist’s full list here.
