"Not just another pretty sauce." That's the slogan at Smoque BBQ, a new restaurant in the Irving Park neighborhood on Chicago's Northwest Side. They've got a funky, roadside vibe going -- plus some of the best ribs we've tasted in awhile.

After eating at Smoque BBQ, we motor along in the Mobile Recording Studio and discuss other barbecue restaurants we like. Leah and Dick have high praise for Bar-B-Que Bob's up in Rogers Park. Even though I wish their ribs weren't so soft, I like the sauce so much at Gale Street Inn that I can almost forgive them. And for all things barbecue, I've never gone wrong with Calvin Woods' Smokin' Woody's and Calvin's BBQ.

We also bring up L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge.

By the way, when the talk turns to side dishes, I even have the effrontery to ask whether Smoque BBQ's delicious beans are likely to induce rip-roarin' nether zephyrs. Fear not! Help is available.

Read Leah's published review.

Other assessments:

Chicagoist
Chicago Reader
Chicago Sun-Times
Chowhound
Metromix Chicago
YoChicago

Smoque BBQ
3800 N. Pulaski Road
773-545-RIBS

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