Smoke Daddy BBQ Closing Wicker Park Location After 31 Years
Smoke Daddy BBQ Closing Wicker Park Location After 31 Years
by tvoutfitz
27 Comments
tvoutfitz
one of those situations where I feel a little sad and nostalgic reading the headline but then remember I haven’t actually been to this place in maybe seven or eight years.
annamal
I live down the street and this was my beloved BBQ fix in the neighborhood – hate this news.
socool111
Went once for a drag show brunch…:it was awful, the food at least. Drag show was 5/10
beignetbenjamin
I’ll miss the burnt ends and hush puppies
ChiMike24
Their brisket skillet deserved to be on the main menu. I believe it can carry a franchise.
BikeGoblin
This place was so good. I loved it. I went two weeks aco 🙁
Significant_Amoeba34
Chicago BBQ = not great
Pewpewkitty
About 7 or 8 years ago, they got rid of their veggie black bean burger. It was not only the best vegetarian option here, but one of the best vegetarian options for vegetarians throughout the entire city. Sucks to see it go, but I haven’t been since they removed this burger from their menu.
Side note: if anybody has that recipe please hit me up.
criccccccckk
I worked and lived in the neighborhood in the early 2010s and their food was great, great service etc. Went there for a sandwich this summer and the pulled pork was incredibly skimpy and somehow incredibly salty. Sauce still slaps though. Great memories here
WP_Grid
Via Carducci is for sale too.
Proper_Sky3177
I mean it was never good.
booshayed
Will miss the solid deals. Man the service was awful tho, especially at brunch
SaoLixo
It really wasn’t that good to be fair
McButterstixxx
Used to play gigs there in the 90s. Food was never really good. Honestly shocked it’s still open.
MK1_Scirocco
31years is extremely long for anything on Division St, but I agree their food was overpriced and not good. The place had that now-dated vibe of exposed brick walls with lots of random crap nailed to them with the metal stools. Also Gen Z doesn’t go to these places anymore – too millennial/gen x for them.
DecentBathroom7725
Considering beef prices these days, and how expensive bbq was previously, gotta be tough to make a profit.
This is more a generalized statement, not unique to this joint.
cobragun1
Sad to see the news, especially since places to eat/drink and listen to live music are an increasing rarity. Thankfully Offset is wonderful and close by
fandango1989
BBQ there is mediocre, but still sad to see it go
idiocracyineffect
Glad to read the staff are being offered jobs.. I’m just curious what the “new” concept will be.
demo4
I miss the $2 sliders/$3 lone stars they did on thursdays pre-covid
nycago
The live music was great.
Hungry-Treacle8493
Quite a run! I remember when they first opened. The BBQ in Chicago is way better these days, but Smoke Daddy was an early bright spot in that change. Hopefully the staff all get taken care if and the new concept is interesting.
ProStockJohnX
I remember when it first opened, the founder used to rent practice space to bands in the basement. He went by Max but I think his name was Mark.
MrChiGuy22
Great bloody Mary’s
Drake0Malfoy
Food was nothing special but I did love their pimento cheese hush puppies.
emoska
Their brunch deal is amazing. Going to miss that for sure.
wicker-punk
First Milk & Honey and now Smoke Daddy…both were past their prime but it’s been a rough year for my Division St nostalgia.
27 Comments
one of those situations where I feel a little sad and nostalgic reading the headline but then remember I haven’t actually been to this place in maybe seven or eight years.
I live down the street and this was my beloved BBQ fix in the neighborhood – hate this news.
Went once for a drag show brunch…:it was awful, the food at least. Drag show was 5/10
I’ll miss the burnt ends and hush puppies
Their brisket skillet deserved to be on the main menu. I believe it can carry a franchise.
This place was so good. I loved it. I went two weeks aco 🙁
Chicago BBQ = not great
About 7 or 8 years ago, they got rid of their veggie black bean burger. It was not only the best vegetarian option here, but one of the best vegetarian options for vegetarians throughout the entire city. Sucks to see it go, but I haven’t been since they removed this burger from their menu.
Side note: if anybody has that recipe please hit me up.
I worked and lived in the neighborhood in the early 2010s and their food was great, great service etc. Went there for a sandwich this summer and the pulled pork was incredibly skimpy and somehow incredibly salty. Sauce still slaps though. Great memories here
Via Carducci is for sale too.
I mean it was never good.
Will miss the solid deals. Man the service was awful tho, especially at brunch
It really wasn’t that good to be fair
Used to play gigs there in the 90s. Food was never really good. Honestly shocked it’s still open.
31years is extremely long for anything on Division St, but I agree their food was overpriced and not good. The place had that now-dated vibe of exposed brick walls with lots of random crap nailed to them with the metal stools. Also Gen Z doesn’t go to these places anymore – too millennial/gen x for them.
Considering beef prices these days, and how expensive bbq was previously, gotta be tough to make a profit.
This is more a generalized statement, not unique to this joint.
Sad to see the news, especially since places to eat/drink and listen to live music are an increasing rarity. Thankfully Offset is wonderful and close by
BBQ there is mediocre, but still sad to see it go
Glad to read the staff are being offered jobs.. I’m just curious what the “new” concept will be.
I miss the $2 sliders/$3 lone stars they did on thursdays pre-covid
The live music was great.
Quite a run! I remember when they first opened. The BBQ in Chicago is way better these days, but Smoke Daddy was an early bright spot in that change. Hopefully the staff all get taken care if and the new concept is interesting.
I remember when it first opened, the founder used to rent practice space to bands in the basement. He went by Max but I think his name was Mark.
Great bloody Mary’s
Food was nothing special but I did love their pimento cheese hush puppies.
Their brunch deal is amazing. Going to miss that for sure.
First Milk & Honey and now Smoke Daddy…both were past their prime but it’s been a rough year for my Division St nostalgia.