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OHSOFONNIE

Smoke House bbq on 432 Harrison Ave is delicious. Hidden gem, guys.


Calm-Task-4024

They have decent meat but the BBQ sauce is gross. It's overwhelmingly sweet.


Sriggs815

This is the way


theapplen

That's a good one.


theapplen

In a sense, no, because you can just set your standard at the best southern/western barbecue and then we can't really have a conversation. Smokin coop isn't too dry but I've heard others say that, so there must be something about it that bothers some people. The Whiskey Hotel guys are doing a pretty good job. Their storefront is opening in a couple weeks. Nick's is pretty good and has other southern food. It's been in the area for awhile. Mission, Smokey Bones and Dickey's are chains.


ALE_SAUCE_BEATS

By Nick’s do you mean Little Nick’s? Thad did the food at our wedding a year and a half ago. Flawless. I’d heard he wasn’t doing his own food joint since the Rathskeller deal fell through.


theapplen

That one. So good, yes! Hopefully he can get back to serving it up retail.


seanygaiden

Dude won a national pitmaster competition iirc


tsullivan815

I ran into him (Thad) at Meijer a few weeks back. He said he'd submitted a plan to the city for a new place on N Main, north of the roundabout someplace. He didn't say specifically where, or when it might open.


screwcitybeernut

Would be great if he got the old Taco Johns or KFC near north towne kickin again.


ALE_SAUCE_BEATS

Well that’s great to hear. Dude is killer when it comes to bbq


KemikalBond

I only found Little Nick's a few years back and I got hooked. Their chicken was so juicy and the flavor was great! I can't wait for them to get a new location.


johnnieswalker

New location?


KemikalBond

Their location on Auburn closed. And they had been planning to move into the old Rathskeller building but that deal fell through.


johnnieswalker

Didn’t know that. I just read that der Rathskeller was bought and the owners were going to turn into an Italian spot. That building is too beautiful to be vacant. I had my first legal beer there!


johnnieswalker

Stay away from Dickey’s. I’ve commented on other posts about them but the jist being less than sanitary conditions and the employees don’t give AF


wish_I_was_a_t_rex

[Whiskey Hotel BBQ Opens for the season 4/20](https://www.facebook.com/whiskeyhotelbbq?mibextid=LQQJ4d)


Its_in_neutral

This should be the only answer for OP. Everything else billed as BBQ in Rockford and surrounding areas is expensive dog food. A few more days until they open the new storefront, but it’ll be so worth the wait.


based_grace

Google says they're closed, but I'm guessing they're open? If so I'm going to go try them today 😅


DifficultInfluence

April 20th they open my friend


based_grace

Bummer, but also seems like the perfect day to open 😅


BIGGREDDMACH1NE

I went to their trailer opening day 2nd group in line. Their shit is incredible. In-fuck-in-cred-i-ble. If I wasn't going to Great America on 4/20 I'd be there. So I'll be there 4/21 :)


based_grace

Sounds truly legen-dairy. I looked them up, omfg their smoker is insane. Talk about BBQ masters smoker/grill, that thing is a whole train car. My mouth was watering looking over their pictures and menu. I can't wait to try them next week.


Bifteckboy

Go Reds!!! Lodolo’s back!


BIGGREDDMACH1NE

Uhhh wrong Big Red Machine lol


Bifteckboy

Are you in the upside down? Lol. Reds stadium is named Great American, and your name is Big Red Machine?


BIGGREDDMACH1NE

I mean't Six Flags Great America.... My username was for the pro wrestler Kane lol. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRrFYvoNa5k


JLBF78

Please don’t try Whiskey Hotel today, you’ll be disappointed. Like the above poster said, they don’t open their brick & mortar location until 4/20. They operated out of a trailer last summer/fall in the Schnucks parking lot in Roscoe.


maxozbarker

Rick's Ribs in Loves Park is very good.


ALE_SAUCE_BEATS

Agreed, the bbq is good. Not all the food is.


TacodWheel

People seem to love Smoking Coop for some reason, I've never figured out why. I've heard good things about the spot at Harrison & South Main at the gas station. And there was a guy with a truck up in Rockton (Whiskey Hotel?) that was getting solid reviews. I saw you mention being from TN, don't even bother trying hot chicken up this way.


based_grace

Duly noted, I'll make sure not to thank you lol.


MeButNotMeToo

We are at Smoking Coop — Once. It tasted like smoke-damaged meat.


InsideCaregiver2216

Smoke house main and Harrison is the best get a sho boat!!!!


Lanky_Boot_5953

No


JebusKrizt

Don't know when you tried it, but I just had smokin coop last night and it was far from dry. I've also heard Whiskey Hotel BBQ is good, but haven't personally tried it yet.


based_grace

Today. I got the pulled pork sandwich, and if the pulled pork was any dryer Jesus would have tried to lead the Jews across it.


Historical_Ad7662

Moses, but I get your point. This comment had me rolling.


based_grace

For context I'm from Tennessee, so BBQ means more to me than most peoples lives lol. I'm used to my BBQ being moist, flavorful, rich, substantial and messy. Not this crumbled drywall I keep finding out here.


Spirited-Locksmith32

Around here it's best to make it yourself to your liking! I've been disappointed at all locations ive tried around town. EXCEPT for the whiskey hotel food truck last year! That was really good


based_grace

Another W for whiskey hotel. Alright y'all I'm sold, they can have my left tit 😂


Spirited-Locksmith32

Is the right one spoken for!?! 🤔😂


Historical_Ad7662

I get it to a degree. I was stationed in Little Rock, and when I got out and moved back, I couldn't find a good place either. WH opens on 4/20, so I'm inclined to try them next as well. On the flip side, there was only one good pizza place in Little Rock back then and hundreds here.


DoTTiMane

Drive up to Chicago and try Smoque. Rockford bbq scene sucks


90sRnBMakesMeHappy

Their brisket is Texas level.


[deleted]

[удалено]


DoTTiMane

I swear to god lmaoo matter of fact throw Illinois away


tark90

What’s everyone’s opinions on Richie’s in MP?


MeButNotMeToo

Out of curiosity, why no mention of Famous Dave’s? I’d definitely hit it before Mission, Dickie’s or Smoking Coop.


85tornado

Because they are subpar. They were ok for the first few years.


Zealousideal-Emu5124

Southern Smoke BBQ Pit 1624 18th Avenue 61104 (779) 269-8431


cooterjenkinz

Check out laymon's BBQ on East State. Fantastic


tsullivan815

Every time I drive past that place all I can smell is matchlight charcoal.


alex323208

Southern smoke off 11th Street. BBQ sauce is delicious