Holy smokey BBQ! This place is insanely good...and dangerous. Living so close, I am really mad at myself for not coming sooner - esp when it was BYOB. Shame on me. Hubby and I demolished the sampler platter - half slab of ribs, half roasted chicken, one pulled pork dinky dunk and one brisket one, beans, slaw and garlic mashed potatoes - oh and two huge suasage links. Add three beers and a peach cobbler to the mix and we're officially oinkers. YOWZA! Everything was soooo good, but my fav has to be the pulled pork, sausage (which is unusal, but these links are PACKED with flavor) and garlic potatoes. And the peach cobbler is heavenly. This meal literally TKO us out - we went into food coma instantly once we got home and I floated into a dreamland filled with happy ppl with pork bellies to match mine, eating peach cobbler. True story. My next meal here will only include my top three - living this close is def no bueno for my waistline...
(4)
K T Y.
Agree with jami s's review..this place smells like urine. Maybe there was a plumbing problem that day. Just surprised that no one else mentioned the bathroom smell.. On to the food, it was decent. That's it..just decent. St. Louis ribs and brisket just tasted like cooked meat i.e. not much flavor. mac n cheese was very good. Service was very nice.
(3)
Vannee G.
There brisket sandwich very good but their was no smoke. Their BLT is very very tasty.
(3)
Tamikca R.
Went here last night with my hubby for our 15th anniversary. Food was amazing, music grown and sexy a lil loud but that's ok my hubby and I are a "Lil loud" So we totally fit in. The bacon candy beer combo was awesome!!! I will go back again..
(5)
Tami S.
Took a friend here last Saturday around 10:40pm after I told her about Honky Tonk. I wanted to try the fried green tomatoes and grab a drink. We sat their about 5 mins before being acknowledged only to be told there was NO FOOD... they ran out. Really? All your food is gone? The snide waitress didn't even bother to ask what we were ordering or if we wanted drinks. Apparently there is a dance party that takes place at around 11:30 and they wanted to prepare for it. Me nor my friend seemed to be the type that would be welcomed (although I actually like honky tonk). Last year when I came I had a pleasant experience and the food was good. I WILL NOT COME BACK. Good service goes a long way. While their BBQ is good it isn't the best. The statement we have no food seemed ridiculous. I
(1)
Jennifer R.
Ran out of mashed potatoes on a Saturday night, unacceptable.
(1)
Jennifer I.
After eating at Honky Tonk BBQ, I have to wonder if Trace Adkins used this place as inspiration for his hit song, Honky Tonk Badonkadonk. There is some good food to be had here, kids...I'm pretty sure my dining companion and I left some behind. We enjoyed ribs (St. Louis and baby back), chicken, mac and cheese, and peach cobbler. The meat is served dry....you add your own sauce, which is on the table (3 varieties). We were happy with everything....especially the peach cobbler. If you like peach cobbler, you have to come here, even if it's just for that. After stuffing my face like I had not eaten in a week, I rolled on home, knowing every calorie and fat gram was worth it. As a bonus, my butt is now a little more comfortable to sit on. Imagine that! Shut my mouth, slap your grandma There outta be a law Get the Sheriff on the phone Lord have mercy, how's she even get them britches on That Honky Tonk Badonkadonk
(4)
Jill J.
Currently my FAVE place in the city. *Gluten free friendly *Yummy sauces on the table *Candied bacon appetizers (MMMMMM) *Paper Straws *Cool art on the walls *Great music *Live bands at night *Booze soaked cherries in the drinks *Really, really good drinks *Real corn bread I'm too full right now to write out paragraphs. But really, you should go. It's not fancy, the service isn't 5 stars but the total experience is. It gets busy and when it's busy the service is slow. I've been lucky and gotten in and out right before busy times in the past. I'm a fan.
(5)
Joanne N.
This place was great. I am never in the Pilsen area and was a little hesitant to head in, but I was so pleased once we were there! My boyfriend and I went in to pick up some BBQ after a trip to Target in the south loop. The woman who took our carry-out order was so nice and even brought our food out to us while we waited at the bar. My boyfriend never tips on carry-out orders (a thing of his), but he tipped her! At the bar, I ordered a water while we waited and he had a coke, and the sweet bartender didn't even charge us. When we got home, the food was absolutely fantastic!! The candied bacon was the best thing I have had in a long time. And, the ribs were delicious and tender. I had the pulled pork and was definitely satisfied, although it was huge. We also split a corn muffin, yum!! Overall, this place has excellent service as far as I can tell as well as some kick-ass BBQ. Go go go!!!
(5)
Ray W.
Simply great barbecue. Service was lacking but that tells you how great the food was for me to give it such a high review
(4)
Paula P.
I just got home from eating there with a friend. The whole way home we talked about how the peach cobbler tasted like ass. It smelled horrible too. We first got the bacon candy, and it was phenomenal so we got excited for the rest of the food. Next we got the sampler, and the only thing that tasted O.K. was the corn muffins...and I guess the brisket. All the meat was generally dry, and their house-made sauces were good but nothing special. If you know whats good for you...do not get the peach cobbler. Our waitress was really cool, and fast. I also ordered a gin and tonic and it was decent. Again...the peach cobbler is going to haunt me forever.
(2)
Robert Y.
Our first time experience here was a huge disappointment! Honky Tonk's big shtick is bbq that is slow smoked up to 15 hours with a special dry rub and served dry (sauce on the side only) and it was what enticed us to go there. My wife and I usually prefer the "pure" smoke & rub taste of a sauce-less smoked piece of meat because good bbq should stand on it's own...no sauce needed to taste truly good. We split an order of St. Louis and short ribs between us and what a disappointment! The meats were tasteless, smokeless, lukewarm and very dry. The three different style sauces on the table were okay but had no real zing or bite...a commercial bottled sauce would have been better. At one point I asked one of the wait staff if they had anything with a little heat in it and the only thing they could offer was a bottle of Tabasco, which he forgot to bring. The coleslaw tasted neither sweet or vinegary; it was, like the meat, bland. Don't expect to find traditional bbq side staples like French fries or green beans here, because they don't have it. On the bright side, the mac and cheese and deserts were good. We were disappointed with the drinks as well. My wife's wine was okay, but my scotch and my friend's vodka was tiny (probably exactly measured 1.5 shots) and warm; they were poured in tiny glasses with barely enough room for a couple of ice cubes. My friend's wife ordered a Martini and it was served in one of the smallest Martini glasses that we've every seen. Ah the music. We could not tell of the band was good or not because of the rooms terrible acoustics; it very difficult to distinguish between the vocals and music from the band or conversation of your dining companions. The room's mixture of reflective hard floors, hard wall surfaces and a metal ceiling makes you feel that you are in a loud muddled sounding boom box. Sorry, I cannot recommend this place, especially if you are a true bbq aficionado for you will be very disappointed!
(2)
Jason W.
I am a big BBQ fan. I think this place is better than Smoque, Smoke Daddy's, Lilly's Q, etc. This place rocks. I will get into the ambiance first. This place is a throw back Western dining hall/saloon. It is soo cool! The walls are filled with old cowboy/western/southern paintings and knickknacks. They have wooden tables with straight back wooden chairs. The setting is complete with the piano and old man crooning away. (He has a really high voice and sings like a woman, but you get used to it after a song or two.) Now the Meat!! The serve candy bacon. I hadn't ever heard of candy bacon before, but I now know that when i die, I want to meet my maker with a handful of candy bacon. That might help him overlook my multitude of indiscretions. Anyway. Candy bacon is thick cut bacon cooked in molasses. It could not taste better. The rib tips were great, a giant portion for $9.00 The smoked chicken was wonderful, as was the pulled pork. The brisket was a little dry but still pretty tasty. Anyway, if you want to go to feel like you went back in time to an old west town, and you have a hankerin' for some tasty meats, this is the place! Cheap cold beer too!
(5)
E W.
great service, cool atmosphere & good crowd. Not the best BBQ in the city but worth a try!
(3)
Laura E.
I never know what to except of places where all the servers seem required to have tattoos/piercings, but this place is pretty good if you like meat (and I do). The meat and their sauces have awesome flavor. The pork platter is awesome. I really like the garlic mustard sauce or whatever it is. Definitely a foodgasm experience -- I should really come here sometime when I have hardcore pms. Whatever you do though, do not order the house wine -- it's awful and tastes like vinegar. Probably definitely more of a beer place, though I unfortunately can't drink beer. Drinks seem really pricey. As far as sides, I've tried the portabello mushroom side and the southern style (collard) greens. Portabello mushrooms were way too oily, though I should mention I"m not really a mushroom fan (though I try occasionally). The southern style greens are good though and I'm not a huge collard green fan. I must just not cook them in enough grease or something. I also tried their one signature dessert to try the bacon candy. I was okay, but not really mind blowing. I think bacon is awesome, but I think the weird cultural obsession with it has gone way too far sometimes.
(4)
Sammy T.
This place is lovely. It combines bbq, hipsters, art and alcohol, what's not to love? Plans were made to do bar trivia with friends when I came into town. When I arrived I was told we were going for BBQ. BBQ in Chicago? In March? Huh? We arrive and the space in the front part was full. Alot of people turn out for the trivia which is pretty cool. The back room was not even occupied and they broadcast the questions over the speak system so we didn't miss a thing, but judging peoples facial hair and sartorial choices. I had the 2 lil sandwiches I think they are called squealers or dippers (shrug). They were tasty one was beef and one was pork and you could tell it was real bbq and not some faux smoked jive. The sauces they offer aren't your typical bbq sauce and I liked the tangy one especially. I even put it on my garlic mashed potatoes. My drink of choice was the charlie temple which was ketel one vodka, sprite and homemade spiced cherry syrup. YUM-O!!! I had several and soon was unable to read the trivia question sheet. Oops. I will be back of course since it was fun, and especially because my team won.
(4)
Julie A.
Great place! And they're getting the liquor license in two weeks! My husband and I had a great time - the band was amazing, and a perfect accompaniment to our luscious pork, beef, mac + cheese, cornbread muffins, fried green tomatoes and banana pudding. Wow. We ate a lot. And enjoyed every bite.
(5)
Pascal M.
I stared at the stars for 10 minutes before I gave 2. I don't know how to explain it. I never thought I could review a bbq establishment under 3. My friend and I biked to this place, had a beer outside while we waited for them to open. With a decent buzz going, I was eager to try this place. I had seen them on Check Please and had heard some good tips about the place from fellow food enthusiasts. Plus, the owner/chef won 3rd place at Memphis in May for his pulled pork. That's pretty damn impressive in the bbq world. All that blew my mind was the mac and cheese (had to order an extra serving) and the ribs. I still believe we caught them at a bad time and perhaps they gave us left overs from the night before. The brisket and pulled pork were dryer than the Sahara. I'm going to give it another go in the near future to hopefully change my review.
(2)
Ted C.
I went for dinner last night w/ a few work associates, because HTBBQ got good reviews. Our Italian friend had never had BBQ, so we had to show him what it was all about. I'll have to agree w/ a few other Yelpers, and say that this place was just OK. The service was very good, but the food was middle of the road. I always use ribs as a comparison, for good BBQ. HTBBQ's ribs were just average. I typically like my ribs a little more tender, and seasoned better. HTBBQ's were overly smoked, and you had to really rely on the sauces to add depth to the ribs. The Candy Bacon was interesting, and pretty good. They taste like taking cold bacon beef jerky, and dipping it in very sweet maple syrup. We finished the meal w/ the Salty Pig....disgusting. Vanilla ice cream, chunks of bacon, walnuts, and hot fudge. The chunks of bacon completely overpowered the dish, and had WAY too much salt. Definitely a pass on this dish.. Overall, I would probably return, and try something different.
(3)
Bettina S.
This place is fantastic. My friends and I have a little BYOB club, and we decided to try this place just in time; before they get a bar next week :) The food was good, and filling as BBQ should be. The tangy sauce was my favorite, and I was given a little bit to take home with my doggy bag. I love the ambiance. The walls are covered in colorful interesting paintings, but then the tables and chairs are simple wood, giving it a very country feel. The banjo player helped that as well. I'll definitely go back even after it is no longer BYOB.
(5)
Daniel M.
Calling this a dive bar is extremely misleading. It's a huge restaurant and I regularly see families with kids there. The barbecue is good, the portions are large, and they have great live music. The whiskey selection is extensive but a bit overpriced. I have fairly exacting standards for barbecue which is the main reason they didn't get the fifth star from me.
(4)
Jennifer E.
Two words: Bacon Candy. That is all.
(5)
Karen N.
Their take out option is truly great! We called ahead to order, then went to pick it up 30 minutes later. Shesam! It became a big BBQ party at home! Be sure to get lots of sauce. The mac and cheese(not mushy anymore) and hot links(more heat) have gotten better too. Way to go!
(3)
Daniela R.
I'm not impressed. I definitely had better. Food arrived at our table cold, very cold. Brisket was so fatty and chewy couldn't eat. I liked the Mac and Cheese, really good.
(2)
Grant W.
First heard of this place from Food Network's DDD a couple of years ago, and I must say I think this place is very underrated. First and foremost, their pulled pork sandwich is the best in Chicago, hands down. They know what they are doing with their dry rub and "q" / smoking techniques. Brisket is solid, but ribs were just so-so. Sides are really good and fresh.
(4)
Scott M.
I'm a HUGE fan of Honky Tonk. If it were possible to give 4.5 stars, I would. The atmosphere is awesome. There is a ton of artwork and trinkets all around to keep your eyes busy for multiple visits. At first, I wasn't sure what to call the decor but it's grown on me and I really think it's perfect for the neighborhood. The tables are older and all different. I think it gives it a "at home" kind of feel. The service has always been great. I recall a few times where I would have liked to have seen a check-in or a check more quickly, but things happen and it definitely was not an extreme amount of time. They are always smiling and very friendly, I'll take that kind of service any day! The food, oh, the food! DELICIOUS BBQ. The best I've had in Chicago. I've tried the bacon candy was addicting! The pulled pork, which I normally don't eat was so tender and full of flavor. I'm a ribs guy. I've tried the baby back and St. Louis style and prefer the baby back although they were both really good. They come with a dry rub and I had to keep reminding myself to use the sauces, because the ribs are awesome without the sauce. They do have 3 sauces available. I haven't tried the mustard based one, but the other 2 are great! They don't have a HUGE beer list, but they do offer something for everyone from PBR and Old Style to Belhaven Scottish Ale (one of my favorites and not commonly found in restaurants. They also have a lot of live music and trivia, so be sure to sign up for the email list. They don't annoy you with SPAM and it's nice to see what's going on. All this being said, I would take off a half star because the bathrooms could use some updating and I wish they had longer hours! If you haven't already, CHECK THIS PLACE OUT!
(4)
Colleen C.
My magical BBQ food baby was conceived at Honky Tonk BBQ. He's got a preference for old-school country, lip smackin' good food, and cute blonde waitresses. He was happy last night. I'm callin' HTBBQ: the "barbecure." For anything that ails you... HOLY MOTHER OF BARBECUE: A full slab of ribs. Dismantled effectively. Pulled pork sandwich...great sauces at the table, bustin' with pork! Sides: greens (soaked in pork juice!), mac 'n cheese, candied yams, and one delicious, moist, sinful corn muffin. Dessert: ZOMG. Banana bread pudding, sweet potato pie & peach cobbler. Unlike Simone's (down the street), Honky Tonk BBQ fills a niche...a need, without proving garish, or stepping on anyone's toes. It's authentic, the owners are genuine, the service is sweet, the food fantastic, the setting original, and the concept: traditional. It works well into the Pilsen-fold, without disturbing the delicate mix of cultures, histories and values. Because, let's face it...ANYONE can value good damn BBQ in a non-stuffy setting. A few things to note: 1. Cash ONLY. 2. BYOB. 3. They do not have straws. But, they do have great Diet Coke. I'll live. 4. They do not have take-out containers. So eat up! 5. Closed on Mondays. 6. They do not take reservations. 7. They are SUPER busy on the weekends. I will certainly have Peach Cobbler finding me in my dreams, I am sure. I am planning a future return with my father and brothers in tow, because this is a "sure-as-shit" pleaser for any man in your life that LOVES to eat, LOVES meat, and LOVES to eat with their hands. Ain't no frou-frou food up in here...you can bet on it! Endearing. It's a new favorite.
(5)
Sam C.
Had just about everything on the menu and it was all that the then some. I will be going back soon! Try the Bacon Candy, Fried green Tomatos, Mac & Cheese and any of the soild smoked BBQ items.
(4)
Will V.
Some of the previous Honky Tonk reviewers seem to be a little bit confused about different styles of BBQ. Honky Tonk seems to me to be a Texas-style BBQ, which implies smoking with none or minimal seasoning, served dry at the table. I ordered the St. Louis ribs, a "cup" of Texas-style brisket chili, and my dinner date ordered the pulled pork sandwich. The St. Louis ribs were a lean, not quite fall off the bone tender (but certainly not tough), and had a good smoky flavor. They were everything St. Louis ribs are supposed to be, and I love ribs. The "cup" of Texas-style brisket chili was awesome with great chunks of brisket, and wonderful flavor, but I thought the name was a little misleading, it is not really a Texas style chili. It was very good, nonetheless. The "cup" of chili at Honky Tonk is not really fit for a side dish, though, as it is massive, probably larger than most restaurants' bowls of chili. The "bowl" of chili I observed at another table was more like a trough. No skimping on the chili portions. The pulled pork was a little easy on the smoky flavor, but more than made up for it with its tenderness, easily the most tender pulled pork I have ever had. Comparisons to butter come to mind. The sauces at the table were not really my favorites, but the mustard garlic BBQ sauce was quite nice. I would like to have seen a spicy BBQ sauce, and definitely a light vinegar-based BBQ sauce. But I guess it is called Honky Tonk. The sides were delightful, the cornbread was tasty (did not come easily out of the cupcake wrapper though) and the mashed potatoes were amazingly good (take that David Burke's Primehouse). A few caveats... you'll likely have to wait, we waited for about 30 minutes for a table for two, had to end up sharing a 6-top with another couple. I'm easy, that's no big deal. BYOB, no cork fee, my favorite kind. Honky Tonk is cash only. People with disabilities affecting mobility will probably have a tough time at Honky Tonk, there is no wheelchair ramp, only a steep but short flight of steps to the door. Ambiance was amazing, everything you'd expect an artsy Pilsen BBQ joint to have. The service was excellent and friendly. Yes, I am a fan. I'm a *big* fan. I'll be back!
(4)
Sarah M.
It's kind of a weird vibe when you go in. You're not really sure what to do and, at least when I was there, there didn't seem to be much staff. But whatever, everyone seemed to be engrossed in their own thing so we sat down and ordered. I had the pulled pork, which is a go-to in most BBQ joints and I was not disappointed. The brisket looked good too, but I didn't get to try it because it was basically swallowed whole by one of my dining mates. Next time...
(4)
Beth C.
My brother and I had been talking about going to Honky Tonk for months now. I am so glad we finally went. It seriously changed my life. I've never been much of a BBQ fan, but I couldn't stop eating. Every savory bite got better and better as we devoured the sample platter. It could probably feed 3 people, but we couldn't stop! The corn bread muffins were tasty, the hot links are juicy, the roasted chicken was delectable, the ribs perfection and the pulled pork was out of this world. We seriously left in a euphoria and have been grinning about it for the past hour. Not only to I recommend Honky Tonk BBQ but I insist! Go! Get the candied beer in an Old Style. Game changer!!!!!
(5)
Angie M.
I love a man who takes pride in his meat. And that man, my friends, is Willie Wagner, owner of Honky Tonk BBQ. Thanks to our very own Carol J., who organized a dinner for about 25 Yelpers, I had the opportunity to embrace my meat-loving side and go hog wild on the awesome BBQ served up at Honky Tonk. Truth? The restaurant itself is nothing fancy. The outside is a completely nondescript storefront on 18th Street in Pilsen. The inside is simply decorated with long, wooden tables, white walls and a few, um, colorful, paintings. But really, you're not coming to Honky Tonk BBQ for the decor. You're coming for the food! We had a special, family style dinner preset for us, which was great because we were able to try so many different meats, sides and desserts. So here we go, BBQ lovers: Appetizers: Fried green tomatoes, mushrooms with roasted garlic and bread served with mustard sauce and ketchup & horseradish. The tomatoes had the perfect amount of thick breading to give them a nice crunch, the mushrooms were perfectly sauteed and the mustard sauce was out of this world! Sides: We were served coleslaw, candied yams, greens and beets. I'm going to be honest... I only ate the coleslaw because I wanted to focus my attention on the meat-a-polooza that was headed my way, but what I can say is that the slaw was the best I've had in my entire life. More vinegar than mayo and a touch of cilantro made it incredible. And now, the meat. Willie told us that he's the ONLY BBQ joint in Chicago that doesn't use any kind of gas to cook his BBQ. Not knowing a damn thing about cooking BBQ, I took his word to mean that's a good thing. A good thing, indeed! All the meat comes to you sans BBQ sauce so you can pick your choice of Honky Tonk's 3 sauces, Chicago Sweet, Memphis Vinegar or Carolina Mustard Garlic. I found that mixing the 3 gave me the best flavor. First out were the pork baby back ribs and pork St. Louis ribs. I'm normally really picky about ribs and don't like to order them at restaurants because they never live up to my expectations, but these ribs did me proud! I especially enjoyed the leaner St. Louis ribs. They were a bit firmer than the baby back, but had excellent flavor. Next came the beef brisket, beef spare ribs and pulled BBQ pork. The brisket was super tender and the spare ribs were huge and so moist that the meat actually fell off the bone when I picked it up. And the pork? While I'm sure it's fabulous every day, Willie smoked a special pork shoulder for us that was injected with extra flavor and seasonings. It was just... amazing. Still have room for dessert? Let's hope so! We received a sampling of the banana pudding (complete with whipped cream and vanilla wafers), sweet potato pie and incredible peach cobbler. I love that Willie told me that cobbler was so good due to the landslide of butter in it. Gotta respect the honesty! So after all was said and done, our carnivorous group waddled out of Honky Tonk BBQ with full bellies and memories of some of the best meat to ever cross our lips. That sounds perverted, but I don't care.
(5)
shaun M.
*Update* I came back to Honkey Tonk and was very disappointed. First of all, they are no longer BYOB... I think was a poor decision on their part but oh well. Second of all we got the viking ribs but they were probably 50% fat. When you pay 18 bucks for ribs there should not be that much fat on them. I do have to give them credit though, I still like their hot links and cornbread. Their beef brisket sandwich was good but not the best I ever had. Probably the best thing about this place is their sauces, they have a very tasty mustard sauce.
(3)
Henry A.
This place is really cool. I love the chill atmosphere and live music on the weekends. Coming here with some friends, bringing some good beer (it's BYOB), listening to bluegrass and enjoying some great bbq makes a damn near perfect evening. After my wife and I first came here, we went back every week for the next month and it has definitely become a solid pick on our restaurant rotation list. You can end up having to wait for a table for a long time if you don't come early. With BYOB and live music, there is no reason for people leave and free up a table after they are done eating. This is what makes this place special though. Ok, the food: The pulled pork sandwich is the way to go. It is ridiculously good. The ribs, both St. Louis style and baby back, are pretty good, but not amazing. You also can't miss the sides, especially the pork and beans and the candied yams - skip the mac and cheese and the coleslaw though. I haven't tried the other meats on the menu yet, but after I've had the pulled pork, I just can't see myself ordering anything else from here.
(5)
Patrick R.
I would like to give this 2.5 stars to be fair. I was pretty excited about trying Honky Tonk, so I loaded up with some micro brews and headed down to Pilsen with a couple friends. I would have liked to have seen a pulled pork plate, or a brisket plate. Some BBQ classics were not present on the menu. It took us quite some time after seating to be approached by a waitress, there seemed to be some confusion over who had our table. Both myself, and one of my friends ordered the Dinky Dunkers pulled pork/ Brisket mini sandwiches, my other friend ordered a half slab of baby backs. The sandwiches were okay. Texture was pretty good but the meat did not have a lot of flavor. I had to put on quite a bit of bbq sauce to get flavor out of the meat. This is Memphis style, where's the spicy dry rub? Maybe a cider injection in the pork? The smoke alone did not do enough. The $3.50 Mac-N-Cheese was pretty pathetic. No flavor, over cooked, tiny portion for the price. Maybe I hit Honky Tonk on a bad night, so I will give it another try. If they fail to impress me I think my BBQ Bucks are better spent at Fat Willy's or Smoque.
(2)
Vivian Y.
I'm sorry Honky Tonk, I'm downgrading you. I sort of wish you'd just stick to BBQ and smoking things because the other items need work. Though your bbq is still good, something changed with your sauce. It didn't hit the spot like it did the last 5-6 times when I ate your food. Did you change your recipe? I remember when you served up at the Zoppe Circus event, I couldn't get enough of your sweet BBQ sauce. I remember when I bought takeout to eat it at Lush, that I loved your BBQ sauce. I loved it when I came in on a busy Saturday night a few months back. Even when I have movie nights in with my husband and we got delivery, I loved your BBQ sauce. WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SAUCE? I just didn't love it on my last visit. I still think your sides are a rip off. and your coleslaw is tasteless (add a little pickle juice and sugar to your recipe!). The fried green tomatoes were terrible. Sorry...but that batter is way thick. BUT, you do have the best pulled pork in Chicago. I love them dunkers. Your ribs are pretty good and tender. I'm still a fan because you're so close and easily accessible. I've also learned to avoid you on weekends and stick to early evenings during the weekday. But I wanna know - WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SAUCE?
(4)
KM M.
This place is so great, and I'm not just saying that b/c of the picture of "W" they have on the door with a sign that says "Kick Here." Strolled in for a late dinner on a Saturday night, luckily, there were seats available. I'm not typically a fan of "Country" music but the live band they had was a lot of fun to listen to and I found myself toe-tapping throughout my meal. Definitely on the loud side in there, so don't go there for a romantic date unless you're more interested in looking at your date than listening to them. As many others have said, this place is BYOB which is such a great feature - I like beer with BBQ and being able to bring my beer of choice makes me happy. I ordered the dinky dunkers - one of each. I think I liked the brisket one better, but they were both good, so I'll call it a tie. I loved having 3 sauce options at the table... I kept switching up sauces between bites. They're all different and delicious (2 BBQ and 1 Mustard-type sauce). Also ordered 3 sides, Garlic Mashed, Mac & Cheese and Coleslaw... loved the Mac & Cheese and Mashed, liked the coleslaw, felt like it could use a bit more dressing though. The sides are true side-order size, not appetizer size, so that's why they're so fairly priced. I did not get dessert, although now I regret not trying the Peach Cobbler. I had my heart set on Apple, but I know I'll be back so I'll save room for dessert on my next visit. Met the owner on our way out and he was really friendly and seemed liked he genuinely cared about our feedback and thoughts. I enjoy places where the owner is working and out in the open to talk to. Great food and atmosphere... looking forward to going back with a larger group so I can try the sampler platter!
(5)
Stan W.
Wow, what is wrong with you people? I thought it was an interesting place but the food was bland as hell. I got the sampler: didn't seem like they used any seasoning at all on the ribs - chicken was cooked perfectly but again, no flavor or much of a hint of seasoning - couldn't really tell the difference between the brisket or the pulled pork other than the texture. Had to douse it all in sauce to even taste anything. Corn muffin was pretty bad too. You can't just smoke things plain without any seasoning and leave some sauces on the table calling it good BBQ. Service was great while I was there, and it seems to be a fine neighborhood place with good atmosphere and a lot of charm. But the food itself was beyond bland. I've been to most of the BBQ/rib places in the city (smoque, fat willys, smoke daddy, honey1, twin anchors) and this place is dead last in my book. No reason for me to ever go back. I just don't get it.
(2)
Jessica M.
I will say at the outset that my friends and I went the week after it was on Check Please. Honky Tonk did not seem ready for the business. When we got there at 6:00, there was an hour wait. It was extremely crowded inside so we waited an hour or maybe a little more outside in the cold. When we were seated, the service was slow and not too friendly (except for our busboy who was great). The food was ok, but nowhere near as good as Fat Willy's or Smoque. And it was cold. So yeah. Never going back. Honky Tonk can kiss my Badonkadonk.
(1)
Alexander W.
Wow. I was in the same group as Jacob R. and Ginger W., so no need repeating the points they made -- I'll merely confirm that everything stated was spot-on (though I believe the waitress's final comment was "this meal's been irritating for all of us." So sorry to irritate you, Madame Beer-Spiller). I'll limit myself to five additional points: (1) The Honky Tonk Apologists on Yelp seem to think that the only reason I had a bad experience is because of the "Check Please! lemmings." I'm not sure how TV viewers can be blamed for a pulled pork sandwich that came straight out of a goddamn fridge. If Honky Tonk BBQ can't handle a crowd -- and they can't -- perhaps they shouldn't have agreed to the televised promotion. (2) I noticed that half the people in the restaurant seemed to know the owners/staff personally. This, to me, helps explain the inflated Yelp average. I also think that the relatively limited number of dining options in Pilsen might be playing a part, as it's getting a location/convenience bonus. After all, if there's only one donut shop in your town, it may SEEM like they're best donuts on the planet. (3) Dylan D. says, "It's BBQ, folks. It is what it is. If you come here expecting fine dining, look elsewhere." Uh, okay, except that I wasn't asking for cloth napkins or kobe beef -- I just wanted food that was warm and available. I received neither (see below). (4) As Jacob/Ginger mentioned, by the time we got a table there were only 5 dishes left (and one of those was garlic bread). Okay. You ran out of food. Fine. But what I don't understand is WHY WE WERE SEATED IN THE FIRST PLACE. We were practically standing in the kitchen waiting for the table -- why not say, "Hey, guys, sorry, but we just ran out of EVERYTHING. Might wanna go somewhere else while places are still open?" (5) I could see dismissing our negative reviews as "one bad experience." The long wait, dickish staff, spilled beer, cold food, no food, hellish musician, etc. That's fine, except that even the WARM food was not good. I'd be willing to brave the longest lines and the worst service if the food was worthwhile, but it just wasn't. They could probably get away with it if this was the only BBQ joint in town, but unfortunately this is Chicago. You have options! Go somewhere else!
(1)
adam C.
Wonderful st louis ribs. Great people. If I had to find a gripe, its that there isn't much on the menu for a vegetarian.
(5)
char y.
BBQ is okay here. Had the slab of ribs with mac and cheese. My ribs seem to have been in the smoker for way to long since it was dried out. Also ordered the rib tips which was juicy and a great portion. There aren't to many BBQ in the neighborhood especially in Pilsen so it's a great addition to the area. The restaurant is located in what looks like an old bar. It had that old smell to the place once you walk in but after you sit there for a few minutes, you won't notice it anymore.
(3)
Jose H.
I'm really surprised at all the positive reviews. My food was absolutely nothing to write home about. The brisket and the pork had no smoke flavor and the rub was bland. I do have to mention the service was very good, cheery, fast and helpful. The music was also top-notch.
(2)
Kathleen K.
My roommate and I randomly found Honky Tonk yesterday after accidentally making a wrong turn. As it was 6ish we decided to stop in and have some dinner as we had both heard good reviews. The restaurant itself is interesting to look at as it is completely cowboy-ed out. It has a nice and very casual atmosphere. Service was excellent. Our waitress, whose name escapes me now, was really helpful. She made several recommendations but they had all sounded so good we had trouble deciding - so my roommate and I decided to go all out and order the sampler platter which comes with: -half spread of ribs -half smoked chicken -two dinky dinks (pork/brisket) -two hot links -fresh coleslaw, beans w/pork and 2 corn muffins So before you call us fatties, let it be known that the food was good and totally worth the calories. I have to agree with previous yelpers as I was a little disappointed that the ribs were not falling off the bone, but you could definitely taste the smokey flavor and rub Honky Tonk applies. The ribs/meat does not come slathered in sauce (it doesn't come with sauce on it at all), which I LOVED. There are 3 homemade sauces that Honky Tonk has on each of their tables: a sweeter sauce, a tangier sauce and a honey mustard-garlic sauce (great for chicken!). The pork and beef brisket were awesome. When I come back I will more than likely order one as my main entree. Mac & cheese was delish and topped with breadcrumbs. They have VERY limited healthy options on their menu, but then again we are talking about a BBQ place... They have a stage for live performers. When we finished our meal an act was prepping to go on. The space was small so it may get a little loud? I don't know. But I would be willing to return when there was live music just to check it out. It was a good BBQ and I will probably be returning. So the reason for 3 stars? By no means was our experience bad, but I wasn't blown away either. For good BBQ though, this place will satisfy.
(3)
Efrain C.
You can't go wrong with the pulled pork anytime here. I usually ask for some bark, some white meat, and some pink meat from the picnic ham portion of the shoulder in my sandwich. The beef brisket has the right amount of smoke that I like too. This time of year, the chicken pot pie is like cocaine to me. i had an apple cobbler there one night that was stunning. Honky Tonk is also my favorite hangout in Pilsen. Some great country western music acts come through here. I have seen all my favorite local bands play here which is amazing.
(5)
perry f.
Don't you guys know your supposed to check out the restaurant before its on Check Please? Lemmings please stay away, I need lots of elbow room when I devour a slab and multiple sides and sling a half dozen wine bottles onto the table. Hell this was always an industry ( restaurant, music) Hide Out. If BBQ isn't your religion.... us old customers arent missionaries looking for converts. If you feel the spirit of Hank Sr. and The Man in Black, and you appreciate naturally raised meat slow cooked by a master like ol' Willy, well I don't have to tell ya, your already here.
(5)
Ryan M.
What this restaurant has going for it makes this place worth making your way there. First, the barbeque is fantastic, We got a full slab of baby back ribs, cooked perfectly, juicy and tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. We also had an order of garlic mashed potatoes (which were absolutely perfect) and a cornbread muffin (which was also delicious). The ambiance was also worth the trip. There was a country music guitar player crooning (and not too loud, just right). The waitresses were attentive and pleasant, and the other dinner guests were all polite (one even gave us the remaining wine from their bottle as they were leaving, thank god for the BYOB). The only downside to this was the fact that the restaurant is in a place where there isn't a lot of taxi traffic and the bus doesn't run past six pm on the weekend. That means you may be walking down the street for quite some time in a less than great area before a bus or taxi comes by. Don't get me wrong, at no time did I feel my safety was threatened, but when we go again, it'll be in the daytime. For all the positives and the one single negative, I say that this is a great place to go for barbeque.
(4)
Allison M.
The barbecue is okay. I prefer juicier, tender ribs and brisket. I can never complain about the sides. I LOVE the sides :)
(3)
Mark S.
Even for us Northsiders, with the great food, friendly staff & eclectic art, this place is worth the trip to Pilson. Their new, expanded space feels hip, spacious and welcoming. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Leigh R.
I had to try this place to compare it to Smoque. It is better than Smoque in my humble opinion. This had less of a "fast-food joint" feel and the food was better. I love how they don't drown the food in BBQ sauce, they let you do it yourself. On the table are three types of BBQ sauces and if you're a condiment lover then you'll love trying all three! Becasue of that I also felt like this was "heathlier" than Smoque because I didn't eat pounds of sauce and have it all over my fingers. I had the pulled-pork, my husband had the brisket and my father in law had the baby-back ribs. The pulled pork sandwhich was really good but I was so full a 1/4 the way into it and I didn't even bother eating the bread. I wish they had an option to not have a sandwhich. My husbands brisket sandwhich was the best - real tender, shredded and tasty. I didn't try the ribs but my father in law said they were a bit cold which was very disappointing. The taste was still great on the ribs so of course he ate them all up regardless. Sides: The mac and cheese is a sure winner! The boys enjoyed a side or corn bread as well. Dessert - yes after all that BBQ we shared two MOUTH WATERING desserts! Who would have thunk? The banana pudding was freaking amazing and the peach cobbler (I think) was hot and delicious. The sauces - their house is the best in my opinion but I thoroughly enjoyed all three...not goin lie this was a very pleasent dining experience. Atmosphere - interesting art work on the walls - entrance is kinda scary - but overall very nice. I hear they have live music on the weekends. I would think it could get really loud since the room isn't that big and the acoustics would really vibrate throughout the hard-wood floor room. It is BYOB so don't forget your own beer and/or wine! We didn't bother - just had water and sodas.
(4)
P O.
I did not want to agree with the other comments on here and really tried to have a good experience but it was a complete waste of time and money. After a day of shopping and fun in the city, I took my 18yo daughter here on Friday night, 3/16/12. I've tried plenty of restaurants that have mixed reviews and they worked out well so after looking at the reviews here I decided to give it a try anyway. First we were carded as we approached the front door, that should have tipped me off to the type of environment I was entering. I let him know that we were just coming for food, I had no idea that it was "Rockabilly" night which is a mood killer for me anyway. I should have cut my losses right then but when we were immediately ushered glasses of water, I thought, hmmm maybe its ok. WRONG! I ordered a pulled pork sandwich, sides of greens, mac & cheese, and garlic mashed potatoes, my daughter had the dinky dunkers, and like a fool I immediately put in an order for the sampler platter and rib tips to take home to the rest of the family. All of the meat was dry, another commenter said the bbq sauce was watery - CORRECT! The greens had am odd tangy flavor, the mash tasted like it was old and out of a box, and the mac and cheese was lackluster and looked prettier than it tasted. We nibbled and brought the rest home and no one else liked any of it either. Chicago has many great places to eat, especially for BBQ. I am not afraid of adventure, it's an hour drive for me to go into the city so when I do, I expect good food for my time and money. I tend to stay away from places where its obvious that the bulk of their revenue is made from the bar - I shouldv'e paid better attention, they stop serving food at 11pm yet are open till 2am. The food tasted old and reheated, this was proven when we unwrapped the foil packets that the sampler was wrapped in and the char marks inside let you know that it had been stored and heated in that foil. There's nothing there to make me go back or to advise anyone else to even give it a try. We also tried the peach cobbler, it had been nuked by Chef "Mic(rowave)", was unevenly heated and a crust which might have been good otherwise was soggy and disgusting. As for the service, that cup of water we had when we first sat down was the only one we ever saw, no refills were ever given. I saw the server randomly sit at people tables as she took their orders around us (I hate that.) During my 85 minute stay too long, most of it was spent waiting 20 minutes to order, and at the end 20 minutes for her to pick up my payment even though I had my card ready as she walked by several times. To top it off, my daughter said from what she saw going on, we got the best treatment. DO NOT waste your time. Money can be earned again when lost, time cannot. There are chains with better ribs. I'm not a dog, I like my meat to fall off the bone so I don't have to wrestle with it. And this was no trip to FLAVORTOWN!
(1)
Neha S.
This place has good food, and as a vegetarian I like a bbq place where I can get a good meal. They have a great salad that's enough for a meal. I also like the fried green tomatoes and the portabello sandwich. I've been here twice on a Friday night and love the live music I've heard both times. Great local country artists...not pop country, real, artistic country music. It's a nice place for a chilled out meal.
(4)
Fuffie G.
I had been wanting to try this place for the longest time and yesterday i finally got my chance. i absolutely love the vibe of the restaurant. walking up the steps to a black building makes you feel as if you are going somewhere forbidden. the old building with the kitchy artwork on the wall, the smell of the barbeque and music playing lets you know you are going somewhere unique. We got there about 8:30 on saturday night, put our name down and were seated in less than 10 minutes. the pulled pork was wonderful...definitely better than the brisket...the brisket was good, but i have had better. the sides were okay. cole slaw, not memorable, mashed potatoes had great flavor but they were cold...the beans were delicious. the best was the hidden surprise in the banana pudding for dessert. OMG...that's all i need to say...OMG. save room. the only buzz kill to the night was our surly waitress. shouldn't it be a requirement that you should have a personality?? she's the only reason this review did not get 4 stars. i am looking forward to going back to try the other things on the menu.
(3)
Milan P.
Meh poor service, combined with meat that's too dry = bad ribs experience. I am not sure why but every ribs place I've been to in Chicago is actually pretty bad (except Smoque). I won't really comment too much on the service, because it really was more managements fault for not having enough servers, rather than our server who had like 20 tables. We started out with some bacon candy (Ordered bacon and brew $5 beer and bacon candy), it was awesome as always. As a matter of fact this keeps us coming back! We also ordered the sampler platter, and everything from the brisket to the ribs to the chicken were way to dry. The mac and cheese side was ok, and the yams were good until I realized it seemed like they poured a syrup over it to make it taste better (not very tasteful of an idea). In any event, this place does have some pretty cool live music, and the prices aren't bad. So it wasn't an overall terrible experience, especially if you compare it to other chicago bbq restaurants (excluding smoque).
(2)
Leslie D.
The beer was cold! But so was the food. Not too good. The bbq needs a lot of sauce (which was tasty), but it is nothing special. The mac and cheese was great!
(2)
Len L.
They have platter's of various smoked meat, a smorgasborg of smoky delights. You get a selection of home-made sauces (hot, mild and honey mustard) on the side with every order. Located in the heart of Pilsen, this place feels like a old barn with trinkets of the past. Along the walls are pictures with history of BBQ. If your lucky, you may see celebrities eating at this place. On that day, I saw Bill Maher (Comedian and host of Real Time with Bill Maher series).
(3)
F D.
Saw this on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. The barbeque ribs were just ok. My companion had the beef short rib, which was very disappointing since it was mostly fat. I've had much better at Smoque.
(2)
monique t.
When I first walked up the stairs and opened the dooor, it looked like someones apartment. I just saw a clear view of a kitchen. So, I ran down the stairs and around the corner before someone called the police on me and arrest me for tress passing. I called my friend and asked where do i enter the restaurant? She said come up the stairs and come right on in. And so I did! As i proceeded in the waitress came behind me and closed the door. My first reaction was that it looked like an apartment. and our table was in the living room. Its a very small space with a few tables. we we were seated in the living room with a clear view of the staff's back room or kitchen I think. I saw staff's coats,umbrellas, and other personal items. The bathroom is conviently located in the living room/ seating area. gross. the food was good, but ive had better. I had the baby back ribs with mac and cheese and mash potatoes. The baby back ribs were ok. My friend had the pot pie which was loaded with 2 cans of peas, she said it was ok.Every one else at my table had the baby back ribs or the St. louis ribs and they felt it was so so. Although, i wouldnt go to this restaurant again i do think that the service was awesome. they were very attentive and hospitable. Everyone was very pleasant. Oh yea its a b.y.o.b .. but to bad i wont be bringing my booze there!
(2)
Mark K.
Good BBQ. If you like the dry rub style you will like this place. if you are looking for bbq sauce dripping off you might not. I like both styles. No complaints from me.
(4)
Jason F.
A prereq to reading this is that I have a crush on a waitress that works there. There...I said it. I haven't been able to get LL Cool J 's "Around the way girl." out of my head since I left. I digress..... A friend and I split the sampler and had a side of mac'n cheese. It was all very good. The meat was moist and had good texture. What I mean by that is that it was crunchy but not overly burnt. The meat came without sauce which made it nice to be able to distribute the sauce as you like. They have three varieties to choose from: Regular, spicy, and a garlic mustard. Personally, I feel like any time you mix pasta with cheese you get a 90% so it's really hard to mess it up. The pasta they used was really good and the cheese blend was also good, but the amount was not worth the price. I would still give it a 94% though. What I liked best about Honky Tonk was the atmosphere. I sat at the bar in front of the stage and listened to some great live music. It wasn't so loud that I couldn't have a conversation and it provided a very enjoyable atmosphere. I am excited to go back when they get a liquor licenses. If you owners are reading this, get some Sioux City Sarsaparilla on the menu, would be a great fit. Word.....
(4)
P S.
Best. BBQ. In the CITY!!! (and possibly in the whole inflationary multiverse.) Also, the servers are charming and extremely attractive. I will just come out and admit that I have had sexy dreams about the candied bacon. It is unbelievable. I have never had a bad bite there!
(5)
Ashley M.
The sauces and pulled pork is just a bit better than the Smoke Daddy. I'm happy they expanded the place and that there's a bit bigger dance space for enjoying the live music. Carry out is always fast and so is the service eating in. The mac and cheese is a must-get!
(4)
Abby T.
Been to HT bbq twice. I really like the artwork on the walls although some of it does not mesh well w/ the rest of the dining room's motif. I also like the tables and chairs w/ a country feel to them. The front door even has a rickety screen door!! Totally country up in this joint. And lots of pig knick knacks everywhere. The first time was on a weeknight and the service good. Next visit was on a Friday....it was pretty busy and our table was obviously overlooked. The food here is mediocre....but that's coming from someone who doesn't like the memphis/dry rub style of bee-bee-cue. The sides are also just average at best. I will come back bc my friends love the BYOB and the beef brisket. Also, props for the occassional live entertainment!
(3)
Esther Y.
This should be a 2.5. It's very middle ground. First, I got kind of irritated b/c I called ahead, but the number gives you another number. I called both and they both went to voice mail. When I got to the restaurant, they say on their menu "call ahead" umm yeah, tried that...you didn't answer. Fine. Moving on. Got there...cash only. I don't know how I missed that....so had to scrounge around for cash. Ordered 4 brisket sandwiches, 1/2 slab of baby back ribs, 2 sides of mac & cheese, 2 sides of mashed, 4 corn breads and was told the cole slaw would come on the side with the ribs. The food was ready within 15 min, so that was a plus. Then we were on our way. Got home and there was no cole slaw...boo. Then we dug in. The general consensus with the brisket was that it was cut too thick, hard to eat in the bread (b/c it kept sliding out) and that it was too fatty. Also, everyone didn't like the french bread roll that the brisket came on. I had a bite of the brisket and thought it was good, but thought Smoque's brisket was infinitely better. I had the 1/2 slab of the baby back ribs and thought there was WAY too much fat. Like others said, their sweet and hot bbq sauces are good and it's nice to switch back and forth. As for the sides, mac & cheese was ehhh, but the mashed were good. I think the favorite thing for everyone was the corn bread. It was nice and buttery with corn pieces in it. It was a fine, i guess, but I'd probably never go again. I would rather travel further to Smoque for better sides and less fatty meat.
(2)
Carlos P.
I believe I have just found the best 'Q joint in the city, hands down. One evening in mid-August I took my parents here. They were amused and delighted by the art on the walls in the big dining room. The food took a little while to get there, but you know what is said about good things. We opted for the ample BBQ sampler. For $30 you get a little of everything: pulled pork, hot links, ribs, chicken, cornbread, beans, vinegar slaw. I tell you, we walked away quite satisfied. On my first visit for a Burning Man meet & greet, I got the sampler platter which ended up feeding me & my friend with very little left over. I got a little crazy and ordered the pecan pie for everyone -- damn good pie, I must say! Now I gather from some more recent reviews that they're slipping up a bit -- is that so? They might have fallen victim to the "Check Please" effect. In any case, the owners are a friendly, approachable bunch. May have to take it up with them.
(5)
roberto a.
After a failed attempt to eat here last Friday, my college friends and I made a second successful attempt to grab dinner last night. What a difference a week makes. Last week when we came, there was a large crowd on the sidewalk waiting by the door, and when we entered inside, the staff apologized, telling us that the wait was going to exceed their closing time, and they had stopped carryout orders for the night just to keep up with the people that were there already. When we arrived this week, there were a few people outside smoking, which alarmed us at first, but after asking if they were waiting for tables, it turns out they were killing time waiting for their takeout orders. The place was busy, but not overly packed. Our waitress was awesome, as she pretty much made our decision to order the St Louis Ribs over the baby backs. She looked at us and said that for five hungry guys, only the St Louis Ribs would satisfy us. Case closed. We placed orders for full slabs and sides. Our ribs arrived with full slabs laying diagonally across large square plates. I had ordered a side of creamy mac-n-cheese, which arrived in a smaller than expected bowl, yet had a very pleasing, larger than expected taste. With the exception of the corn bread muffins, which were huge, the sides didn't lend themselves to sharing. Each slab is served with a side of slaw. But this is a rib place, so lets get down to the business of ribs. Initial Observations: A fairly large slab served dry, with visible amounts of dry rub on the meat. You will need a fork and knife to cut the slab into a manageable size to hold. Although the meat does not fall off the bone when grasping with your teeth, it actually requires a small tug, the meat does not taste dry or tough, and it only requires a decent amount of chewing to unlock the smoked and rubbed in taste. From this point, it is up to your personal preferences to determine how much sauce, if any, to pour on the ribs. Two sauces are available at the table, a thick, sweet sauce, or one that is smoky and tangy. Salt and pepper are available, but were not needed. I personally like a more smoky tangy taste and found that a light mixture (you don't need to drown it!!!) of both sauces, with more smoky/tangy poured on, then spread randomly with a fork, gave the best overall flavor. Yes, I used 1/3 of my slab to figure out the optimal mixture. As for eating the ribs without any sauce, I tried two ribs worth, but concluded that that these ribs go better with sauce. The ambiance. Country and Western. For the latter part of our time there, a country band was playing in the next dining area. They alternated between country/western, and what sounded like rock-a-billy. A female sung cover of "Folsom Prison Blues" did justice to man in black himself. Word of advice- now that winter has set in, you may want to avoid the tables nearest the entrance door. Each time someone came or left, we were blasted by a cold gust of wind. And sometimes people would forget to completely close one or both doors on the way out, which would cause them to blow open on the next gust of wind. Oh yeah, and bring cash, because this is a cash only operation. Pros: Yum. No-nonsense full size slab of ribs ready to go. A decor that makes you forget that you are in Pilsen (well at least the Mexican side of Pilsen, because with the artwork displayed on the wall, you're reminded of the artsy side of Pilsen). A hub for some country and western acts as fliers for upcoming band acts seem to indicate. Cons: Cash only, with its recent appearance on Check Please!, you have to wonder what has changed before and after its moment of fame. Closes early 9:30, can get crowded. To sum it up: Gotta consider placing in an order after work...I'm only 10 minutes away.
(4)
Philip D.
Ok, so I just tried this place out last week for the first time, so I have no old school memories to compare to. However, I did enjoy good service, my beer didn't sit even a quarter empty before being asked for another, and my brisket dinner was excellent. On top of that the music was top notch and free..a three piece jazz band that night, so enjoyable I took my girlfriend there just 4 days later and had an equally good time. Dixie style band on Sundays is a must see, especially the drum kit which is from the early 1800's.
(5)
J J.
So myself and a friend decide to go here on a whim because we didnt feel like driving all the way up north to Smoque. Needless to say we should have went with out first thought, but we were being adventurous and decided to explore. The atmosphere is exactly what the name of the place states. So not feeling too outta place we take a seat at the bar. (Why do they have a bar and don't have anything on tap?) We order a 1/2 slab of baby backs, 1/2 slab of St. Louis ribs, the sliced brisket dink dunkers or some goofy name stuff, and the mac and cheese. After talking to the bartender who was bragging on how great the food was and basically telling us that Smoque had nothing on this place, we were excited to get our food. After the first bite into my the St. Louis ribs I new we made a mistake. I thought ribs were supposed to have a smokey flavor, and they were dry. We didn't even finish the baby backs or the cold, dry azz no flavor brisket. Seriously how do you serve cold bbq? Really? You mean it didn't just come outta the smoker. How do you go to a rib joint and not want to finish off all the ribs or at least take home leftovers? But the worst thing of all is they didn't offer me a moist toilette. That's just a no-no with me at rib joints. LOL!!!!! So you'll never guess what we did after leaving this place. Yep! We drove up north to Smoque and got a 1/2 slab of St. Louis ribs and a taste of sliced brisket just to satisfy our insatiable craving for BBQ. Then and only they were we truly satisfied. Won't return for the food or the music.
(1)
Double L.
No real reason to pile on here. Coleslaw was lacking either more vinegar or mayo or maybe a little bit of both. Mac'n'Cheese was awesome along with the corn muffins. Beans were just o.k.. All their sauces are really tasty. We got the sampler and I really enjoyed everything especially the snausage. Thought it was great value as well and enjoy the BYOB. Didn't notice a $1 charge as other people have mentioned. RrL
(4)
Christine W.
We went with friends who had seen Honky Tonk BBQ featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. We had two southern boys in the crowd and we received two thumbs up for very good (not the best they have ever had) but respectable, especially for up north :) Very eclectic place with tons of charm located in the Pilsen neighborhood. Easy to get a cab to the place a bit tough getting one out. So the #12 bus will be your friend to get back to Michigan Avenue if you are an out-of-towner. The bus travels right in front of the place (look for the bus stop). Check bus schedules though since they change routes often.
(4)
Benji R.
I read the reviews, I saw it on TV; I knew what to expect. I was very disappointed. I went there at about 5:45 pm on a Friday, and they were not busy, though as we were ending dinner the rush started to come in. While I cannot speak for dishes which I did not eat I can tell you about the St. Louis ribs, the beef brisket sandwich, pulled pork dinky dunkers, the mashed potatoes, and the corn bread muffins. St. Louis ribs were just ok, nothing special. They were cooked unevenly; the side with the thicker bones was not cooked long enough, and the meat was tough and chewy and did not want to come off the bone. The side with the smaller bones, on the contrary, was cooked like St. Louis ribs should be cooked and were tender, and just released from the bone with a little tug. The ribs also lacked flavor. They either went easy with the rub they use, or purposely left out flavor. I understand that the 3 BBQ sauces are on the table are to be used (and were good) but ribs on their own should taste good; season them better or develop a better bark! The brisket was the shining star of the group. It was tender, moist, and sliced just right. It also was a bit under seasoned, but was great with all the sauces. It was so good actually that I had to eat it piece by piece as I did not think the sandwich gave the brisket justice. This I can recommend. The pulled pork was of the most delicate texture, and literally fell apart on its own, BUT had absolutely no flavor. The rub was also meager on this, but I was just astounded as to how flavorless the meat was. I would not recommend the pulled pork at all. Mashed potatoes were very bland as well, and did not have a pleasing texture. It was lumpy, but not in the good way. Lastly the corn bread muffins...what can one say about the muffins? I do not know if I just was particularly "lucky" in my visit, but the muffins were either bad, or a day or two old. They were super crumbly and fell apart as I was trying to eat them. They did have corn kernels inside (which is good) but they completely fell apart. Overall I would not recommend this place. If you do end up going to Honky Tonk definitely try the brisket. Do not waste your time on the pulled pork. *Their "sweet tea" is Nestea type sweet tea. Big disgrace for a southern style BBQ place.
(2)
Allison A.
This is my favorite bbq in the city. My only complaint is that the sides are so small for the price. It has a nice relaxed atmosphere and live bands on certain nights. The bar selection is great and if you haven't, TRY THE BACON CANDY!
(4)
Maureen S.
The service here is kind of weird- the waitstaff seems understaffed on hopping weekend nights, but this place absolutely makes up for it. The ambiance is incredible- the bizarre baroque and retro art collection would make anybody drool, and the live performances of down-home, wailing bluegrassy folkies on weekends are a big treat. Their beer selection is a bit small, but decent enough. The crown jewel, though, is the incredible offerings of BBQ sauces in a variety of flavors and uses, and you just can't top their collard greens and mac and cheese!
(4)
Jeff G.
this was very good. had the sampler platter thing and all was very good: brisket, sausage, chicken. the hostess was a bit flaky - we put our name on the list said it would be 15 min and then about 20 min later i asked her what she thought and she said maybe another 15 min wait for a table.
(4)
Alex K.
Ok the place keeps getting better and better every time we go there!! Our waitress was awesome and told us they were short staffed but was super amazing dealing with it which just makes everything kind of happy. We ordered just ribs... and they were great! They were hot and there were good meat on them. They have 3 sauces which is awesome. Really tasty. Don't get mashed potatoes, it tasted worse than the betty crocker boxed instant ones. Really bad. I learned a bit about ribs recently and it still had that membrane on it which seems all the recipes said to take off so made for some slight chewyness. I think because they only use rub and little sauce it makes it for dryer ribs but it's only my opinion since it seems there are 2 different types - made with rub or made with sauce. I prefer sauce. They have awesome selection of booze and pear cider was amazing. We saw hipsters, locals, families, people in their 50s, 20s etc all eating and enjoying together. It was really awesome to see and I am glad that their food gets better for us everytime we go there!
(4)
Michael H.
Can't believe this place isn't rated higher. The food here is awesome! The pulled pork is my favorite... so delicious, you don't even need to add sauce... but still do it, it's damn tasty. I dream about the mac and cheese, and the banana pudding is a great way to end the meal. All this good food, and free live music... I'll take it.
(4)
Lauren T.
I'm reading all these bad reviews and I'm not sure why. They are a little pricey, but it's worth it. The ribs are AMAZING. I think they use all natural ingredients too. The people who own it are really nice. They are super laid back which is why I think they may have gotten some bad reviews. This isn't your typical rib joint...it's MORE. Try the ribs here...I'm pretty sure they got voted number one in the city for ribs last year. You have to get the fried green tomatoes.
(5)
Theresa K.
Wait was terrible food could be much better...complete lack of management. Not impressed. No discount/apology from management. Would not go back. Food was average. I smoke a brisket better than this place. Greens were not good. Beans and cornbread were the best. I don't understand the hype of this place.
(1)
Jim B.
THIS IS THE BEST BBQ EVER!!!! I love this place!!!! The favors of the rub were outstanding, it was actually the first time I ever wanted to eat my ribs with NO sauce!!! There was SOOO much flavor. I also tried the brisket, it was out of this world!!! The sauces they have on the table are delicious, especially the mustard type sauce. This is a great place. I drove 20 miles to try this and it sure won't be the last time either!!! By the way, a few days later I tried Smoque, it was good but not the delicious flavors that this place has. The BBQ,smoke flavors were the best I have ever had!!! Hope you try this based on my review. ENJOY!!
(5)
Ashley K.
My fiance and I went here for dinner a few weeks ago because my friends and I had been discussing a trip to Memphis for BBQ and I was craving it. I was hesitant based on the reviews on here, as it seemed like this place is really hit or miss. But I've been to Smoque and I don't love Smoque, plus it's much further away from my place, so I thought we would give this a try. We loved it from start to finish. The atmosphere was very Wild, Wild West without being overly cheesy. I got such a kick out of it, and the cowboy circling the restaurant playing the banjo who drank a glass of wine every time he had a break. I don't know why I was so amused by the wine, but I was. FI got a beer that he had been wanting to try (their beer selection is quite good) and I had a pear cider. We ordered the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer, which were good but suffered from overly watery tomatoes so that after the first, crispy bite, the remainder ended up slightly soggy on the bottom. The breading was great, but I was slightly confused about why they were served with cocktail sauce. I much preferred a combination of the three bbq sauces on the table. For our entrees, FI ordered the bbq pork and a side of chili. I had the bbq brisket and mac and cheese. The bbq pork was big chunks of pork, not stringy pieces like you normally see, and did not have any sauce on it, just a really delicious dry rub. It was moist and juicy and something I would love to eat again. I only had a bite of the chili and thought it was good, but not the best I've had. My bbq brisket was delicious. Also moist and juicy and had clearly been smoked, so I'm not sure what you people are talking about when you question whether Honky Tonk actually smokes its bbq. It also came with only the dry rub, so that I could put bbq sauce on to suit my own pleasure. I really prefer this because my personal preference was a combination of all three sauces and I'm glad that they didn't pick just one for me. I loved the brisket. A+ all around. The mac and cheese was fine but I think that next time I would order a different side. With all the food we ordered, it sat pretty heavy for me and wasn't enough of a stand out for me to stop eating my brisket sandwich. We ate way more than we needed to, and were entirely too full for dessert. Next time I come here, I'm saving room for banana pudding though. Until we meet again Honky Tonk, I'll be dreaming of your brisket.
(4)
Ronda J.
I rarely take the time to write a review. It just seemed necessary since I rely so heavily on reviews and these reviews do not reflect my experience. As a Texan living in Chicago I am always on the look out for good BBQ. My husband told me about this place which is moments from our house and we were sooooo excited. I checked out the site and saw the awards they had won and was very hopeful. We had the brisket Dinky Dunkers and Brisket sandwich as well as the Pulled Pork sandwich mac 'n cheese and peach cobbler. The brisket was nicely smoked but I don't think any type of rub was used. There didn't seem to really be any seasoning so you NEEDED the sauce. The sauce saved it. To me the test of a good brisket is the lack of need for sauce. The Mac'n Cheese was really good. Unfortunately, the experience was was brought down completely by an awful attempt at Peach Cobbler. It was Uncooked Dough and a few peaches. We threw most of it away. I won't mind traveling to Smoque for good barbeque and great peach cobbler.
(2)
Hank R.
I'm from North Carolina and I will personally say this BBQ is a close second. Best I've had in Chicago. We will be back!
(5)
Dan N.
Willie is amazing, a true Chicago treasure. Real BBQ featureing award winning Pork. Its so great the Chicago features several great BBQ places now, and Honky Tonk is right up with the best anywhere
(5)
Gefilte P.
I was salivating for crisp, pungent, rim-burnt, delicious rib tips--as they should be--and got mushy blobs of fat that needed plenty of sauce to be at all tasty. Instead of white bread they were on a sturdy sandwich roll which was too hard to soak up sauce, and no human would eat rib tips as a sandwich. The fried green tomatoes were also lackluster, bland.
(2)
Deglazer Z.
Sad to give this a 3. Had take-out in the form of a half-slab of ribs and a few hot links. Tangy sauce was quite good, but the ribs lacked smoke flavor and spice. Hot links were better, but still not up to my gold standard, Uncle John's. I liked the vibe of the place, so will probably try it again,... but they will really need to deliver.
(3)
Sarah S.
This place was just that.. OK. I got super excited when I first heard about it and the rave reviews.. well it was over priced and didn't have much taste. What a disappointment. Tried it after the hype had worn off.. it was a tad better, but cold sauces on hot food is rarely a good idea... and they do NOT take credit cards... so bring a wad of cash with ya Save it for better places..
(3)
Ro L.
Loved the food and service. Our party had 6 people and every server and bus boy greeted us as we came in. We ordered quite a bit from the menu, the corn muffins,2 kinds of ribs, rib tips, chicken, mac and cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, greens and candied yams . We shared/tried almost everything and it was all delicious. For dessert we also shared the sweet potato pie, peach cobbler and pound cake. The pound cake was the surprising favorite with the bourbon butterscotch sauce. Everything was great and we will definitely be back!
(5)
Kathryn M.
Well, this is where I spent my New Year. A small, but decent balloon drop, live band, and a bartender that served everyone, not just her regulars made for a very welcome 2011. The stage, towards the back of the place was kickin. I know it was a special occasion, but the crowd was friendly and hip, not minding my crazy dancing at all. The girls room (can't speak for the boys) was clean and maintained. After reading these reviews I would be interested in seeing the dining experience and the brisket of this place. Happy New Year !
(3)
Sia M.
Hands down the BEST pulled pork sandwich you will ever sink your teeth into! However, a bit pricey so I only indulge on special occasions. Location is convenient in that it's easy to locate, but parking is horrendous no matter the time of day.
(4)
Ben A.
The meat is all really fatty and not the best. The sauces are pretty good. Excellent sides and bread. Live music adds a lot to the atmosphere. The pulled pork sandwich is the best deal for the money. Skip the Viking Short Ribs.
(3)
Will R.
One of my favorite restaurants in the city. The BBQ is hands down some of the finest I've had - and I'm from the south. It's certainly no-frills here with racks of ribs arriving on paper plates, but what it lacks in amenities the place makes up for with incredible BBQ and great entertainment. The Northside Southpaws play bluegrass on Friday night and really put on a terrific show. Service is a little confused at times. It's not always clear if you should order at the counter or not. They didn't have wine glasses once when we showed up and we wound up drinking hooch out of some weird goblet things they came up. Stuff like that doesn't faze me, but someone looking for five-star service should go elsewhere. The husband and wife owners are always around and really treat you like family. The restaurant is clean and bright and features two different sit-down dinning areas. The larger of the two is where the band plays. It's setup a little weird and when it get's crowded there isn't much to do other than to hug the wall and listen to the band. Full racks will run you around $18.00. That's typical for BBQ ribs and there are cheaper items on the menu. I really like the pulled pork BBQ sandwich when I'm feeling to cheap to splurge on ribs.
(5)
Lily L.
I had heard several Pilsenites raving about this place for a while, so I was very disappointed when I finally visited. The sauce was bland, the portions too small for the price, the mac & cheese and mashed potatoes tasted straight out of a box, the BBQ only average. The pulled pork was good, but not great, the desert plain. The staff was friendly, and the ambiance welcoming. Family friendly, I wouldn't mind taking my children here. I'm glad I've dinned at Honky Tonk once, just to say I've checked it out for myself. But I probably wouldn't crave a second visit.
(2)
Rachel P.
Went there to see a friend's band play, they were great, but the food and menu left a lot to be desired. I was excited to got since the restaurant was featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, however, the pork was not pulled, so it had lots of chunks, and there were lots of fat hunks in my sandwich. The flavor was okay, nothing special and the sauces were fine. We ordered the mac and cheese and coleslaw as sides. The coleslaw was pretty good, but the mac and cheese came out warm/cold so it didn't taste that good. The menu overall was lacking too. They did not have any appetizers that could be split among 4-5 people, like chips and chili, salsa, nacho, artichoke dip etc. All of the apps we 3-4 pieces. I may go back to see my friend's band play again, but I know for sure that I will be eating before.
(1)
Matt P.
Great place ... most BBQ places I've been to in the city kind of ape you in their prices, but all you need to do at Honky Tonk is get the sampler for $30, and you're well on your way. It's a pretty great place. The ambiance is really cool, because it's built like you're in this wooden smoke shack (hilariously enough in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood). Our server was super nice, and really helpful. I think Honky Tonk is only second to Fat Willies, but definitely better than Smoque.
(4)
Kairo C.
ever since i have been here i have been eager to come back. for starters you walk inside and immediately felt transported to Texas: the smell of REAL bbq, the live country/folk/rockabilly music, bars and booths and tables laced with regulars, kitschy local art, shiner or lonestar beer, a menu showcasing slabs, pulls, and briskets of meats, fried green tomatoes, black eyed peas, cornbread and peach cobbler.... nom nom nom! in an area engulfed in mexican flairs, this place stands out as a flaming minority with an expression to be heard. i had (OK don't laugh)... the special goat cheese salad with garlic soy dressing and bbq pulled chicken added on top... WOW, not your classic choice but the salad was GREAT and the pulled chicken was GRAND! i still get cravings for this salad. i tried... the beef brisket of my girlfriends. she is a rare beef eater and was convinced by the waitress to go for the beef brisket.... she tried but retreated to the comforts of lighter fare... the waitress offered with sweetness and smiles (at least in front of us!) to replace the plate with pulled chicken sammie... all of it was good in my opinion! the fun part was dressing hunks of meat with one of 3 of their house made sauces: a tangy, a sweet, a traditional bbq sauce. unlike most slimy bbq i am accustomed to, here the meat is rubbed and smoked and it comes out tender - you dress as you please. the quality meat can stand alone, but the marriage of tastes with the sauces is certainly a match made in heaven. left to conquer... candied bacon, fried green tomatoes, mac n cheese, beef short ribs, smoked sausage, pulled pork (yes i will not discriminate against pork here)...mmmMMMmmm like i said, since i've been here i've been already itching to come back.
(5)
Immer R.
Go to this place. Now! What are you waiting for...go! Mmm, Mmm, Mmm! I had the St. Louis Ribs with a side of corn bread and cole slaw. Both the sweet and spicy sauces were delicious. The interior of this place is exactly what you want if you are looking for excellent BBQ. Nothing fancy, which means they spend most of their time making sure what come out of the kitchen is finger licking good. This place is BYOB for $1/person. BTW the best thing to do when you get there is to go to the counter and ask them if you can sit anywhere...they'll tell you yes and hand you some menus...find a table, sit, and the wait staff will be around in a few minutes to take your order.
(4)
Nick Y.
Surprised to see some of the lower ratings on this place, its a GEM of the city. Tough to spot from the street and an awkward climb up some stairs to the front door, but cozy as can be once inside. The food was fantastic, great, smoky BBQ with great sauces, sides and dessert. BYOB is always a great bonus and the Friday night bluegrass live music was an incredible add-on. Recommend this to any/everyone, our 4 person group was raving throughout the experience. Check it out, great neighborhood, great food, great service, great atmosphere. Honky Tonk - A+
(5)
Paul K.
We had a meeting of the Chicago Carnivore Club here and Willie could not have been more accommodating! The sides and entrees were fabulous and service was good. Highly recommended for a casual/ funky evening!
(5)
james j.
A friend of mine and I ate here on a Saturday afternoon, we were greeted quickly at the door and we found an empty table at the back room. The first thing i noticed was an overwhelming smell of vinegar, which permeated the entire place. Upon sitting down, we unwrapped our silverware to find 2 knives & 1 fork with crusty food bits on them...we asked the waiter for more, when those came only 1 our of 4 had food on it, not an impressive start. Our food came quickly, but that's because it was COLD!!! My friend got 1/2 rack St.Louis Ribs & I got the Rib Tips..both were barely room temperature and needed to have been cooked for at least 1 hour more. While I cannot claim to be an expert in BBQ, I usually think that it should take less chewing effort than a well done steak; sadly our ribs were very chewy. We also had the mac n cheese whose sauce had an off-putting sandy texture which was a result of using cheddar that hadn't been properly incorporated into the base bechamel sauce. So for $52 with tip we got undercooked chewy ribs, gross mac n cheese, in a stinky restaurant..
(1)
Jonah B.
Love it, great service, great barbeque, great candied bacon. I've been there many times. The decor and ambience are inviting, homey, and western style. Great accompanying music in the evening. We love it so much we had our wedding reception there and it never fails to impress friend and family.
(5)
Michael B.
I try to make it to Honky Tonk a couple times a month. The food is amazing, the staff are always friendly and there is a variety of live music just about every night on stage. Some food favorites: - Green BLT (Fried green tomato, bacon, lettuce, tomato, spicy garlicy mayo) order it with the goat cheese rounds on top. - Smoked Chicken sandwich on garlic bread - Brisket & Pulled Pork sandwiches (get the dinky dunkers and have a smaller version of each) - Black eyed peas - Bacon Candy. Mmmmm... Drink favorites: - Honky Tonk Old Fashioned - Smoked Snapper Bloody Mary - a delicious gin based bloody mary (the "smoked snapper" is referring to the smoked hot link garnish) - A well stocked whisky/rye/bourbon/scotch shelf Say hi to the owners while you are there. Willy will be somewhere drinking a Heineken.
(5)
Brian B.
I'm normally not a fan of mustard-based sauces, but the golden sauce here really nails it. The other sauces are good too. The ribs have a very smoky character, and I also recommend the beef brisket. Try the candied bacon too for a treat. The desserts are also very good.
(5)
Joshua C.
Came here last night to see the deadstring brothers. Loved the atmposhere and was able to get seats to enjoy some good music, cheap drinks and some good que. One of my new favorite bars in Chicago despite being a hike from the northside. Ps just try the candied bacon...trust me
(5)
Brandon K.
Went there last night for a friends birthday. BYOB made me happy. So did the two guys playing sort of old-time bluegrassy tunes on the mandolin and acoustic guitar. They sounded great. But the food... OK, i've had the pulled pork sandwiches take out on many occasions, so I'm definitely a fan. Had the brisket sandwich last night, and it was pretty solid too. The homemade sauce was yummy indeed. However, I do have a few complaints. It was basically luke warm when they served it to me. The garlic mashed potato portion were harldly garlicky, and definitely small. Especially for the 3.50 they charge for it. I mean, it's mashed potatoes, you got slop that shit on. Why hold back? I was excited to try the cornbread. I don't consider myself a connoisseur of much, but when it comes to cornbread, my palate is quite discerning. Sorry, HTBBQ, it really didn't do it for me. The waitress talked a big game about the chicken, but my friend felt let down in the end. Good vibe of a place tho, even if the rock ' n' roll flames on the outside are a little misleading.
(3)
Heidi O.
I really really love this place. I don't go as much as I use to due to lack of time, but I use to eat here at least once a week. The staff is really nice, but genuinely nice, not "I want a good tip" nice. Now that they have a bar and accept credit cards (yay!) this business is going to keep growing. I've never been disappointed in anything I've ever ordered here, and some of the things on the menu seem to continue to improve. I am embarassingly notorious here for my love of the chicken pot pie, which is occassionally on special, but so good I wish they had a call list to tell me when it was going to be on the menu. I've had the recent specials a number of times the last couple of months. The fried goat cheese salad is really good, and the candied bacon is ridiculous. candy. bacon. bacon. How could that not be good? The corn muffins are really yummy. Good mashed potatoes. Obviously, delicious bbq. But the thing that makes this place great I think is that I can bring my vegetarian friends here, and they are more satisfied with the options than with other places in the neighborhood like Skylark. The music here is awesome if you have any taste whatsoever. Now please make me a chicken pot pie.
(5)
Susan L.
This place has got to be kidding. Ribs were meatless. It had a smokey taste that was too overwelming and ribs were oversmoked to complete dryness. Ribs were not passable to eat alone in of itself so you must use the BBQ sauce as an add on. Pulled pork and briskets are only okay. Side dishes of macaroni and cheese, mushrooms, yams are better tasting than the ribs. Mac n cheese was definitely good.. However, when I come to a BBQ place, I expect great ribs!! Very disappointing food. Never coming back
(1)
Kirsten F.
Great BBQ and great atmosphere. From the moment you walk in you feel like you are stepping back in time. The food is fantastic,my favorite is the pulled pork sandwich paired with a Lone Star. Also, the portobello mushroom melts in your mouth. All of the ribs were yummy, especially with the sweet sauce. The bar looks like an old western saloon and a vintage arm wrestling machine adds to the ambiance. The decor is a delight for the eyes of all ages. Unique paintings and folk art make Honky Tonk BBQ a feast for the eyes too. Be sure to end with the Banana Cream Pudding -- nilla wafers, drowning in vanilla pudding and whipped cream, just like my grandma used to make. Super-delish.
(5)
Kika K.
I have been in BBQ withdrawal since living here, so when I heard this had Memphis style BBQ, I grabbed some friends and came as quick as I could. While close, it's not Memphis style. It's still pretty good though. The place seems small, but I think there's another room they had closed off. There's a huge banner over the entrance, so you can't mistake it. It's very casual, and I think the wait staff seemed a little confused when we sat down. Maybe we were supposed to go up to the front to order? They have a decent menu selection. In addition to the pulled pork, I ordered the salad and it was delicious. There's also specials written on a chalkboard next to the register which looked pretty good. I was a little hesitant when I found out there would be a guitar/country singer. That is NOT Memphis style at all. I thought it would be horribly cheesy, and since I hate country music, I thought my ears would hurt the whole time. I was mistaken. The guitar player is very cute, and he grew on me after a couple minutes. Also, this place is BYOB, so grab a couple beers before you come (it's $1/person). It's also cash only, so stop by an ATM.
(4)
Joshua R.
The banana pudding with nilla wafers is the best. The atmosphere, awesome. The BBQ is fantastic.
(5)
Martha Z.
No more BYO, they got their liquor license.
(4)
Tina D.
My BF and I decided to try this spot after watching Chicago's Best. Now I am really going to try this place again. I really wanted to LOVE everything but didnt. The fried green tomatoes were not what they were cracked up to be, although the dipping sauce def plus. The mac and cheese was overcooked and not very flavorful. The chicken was pretty good. Overall, it was a nicely priced. i would love to go back and listen to the live music on the weekend and i will give the food another chance.
(3)
Michelle L.
I thouroughly enjoyed my visit to Honkey Tonk. We recieved wonderful service, and had delicious bbq. Our table ordered the Brisket, the Pulled Pork, the short rib special, Mac and Cheese and "What your girlfriend wants Salad". They were all exceptional. Willy makes it all himself. Even the hot sauce is a wonderful house blend. Also, the salad is perfect for hesitant veggie eaters. (not to mention... be sure to indulge in the mac and cheese. it is not to be missed.) Note: there is no Sweet Baby Ray's Q sauce, as another critic wrongfully mentioned. Also, there are windows! The sauces are on the table, it is nice that you dont have to ask for a side of extra sauce, if you are like me. This way, you get to choose which sauce to put on your sandwhiches. Your enthusiastic host is worth the visit. Keep it up. I cant wait to visit on a friday or saturday for the music.
(5)
Neil R.
This is not your typical restuarant. First off the neighborhood, as Nancy said there were shots fired fairly close to the restuarant and cops were called on the scene. The door seemed very secure and solid so we were safe in the premises that have no windows? What type of restuarant has 0 windows? I don't recall any windows. There was a cowboy walking around singing in the restuarant in his flannels, cowboy boots and gallon hat. At least he sang happy birthday to the birthday boy. BYOB. I think we brought too much liqour. I believe we had a party of 20 or so and not everyone was drinking, primarily the birthday boy who couldn't hit the toilet bowl. The interior and exterior are awful. I would not recommend this place. Any other restuarant would be just as great. Best part about it was the BYOB. Now to the food. My friend and I shared the food and he ordered EVERYTHING. half slab of St Louis ribs and half of baby back ribs. Somewhat dry. Nothing special, they used sweet baby rays BBQ sauce which I love. The garlic mash potatoes were too buttery. The garlic bread was ok. Beef Brisket was decent once you pile on a lot of BBQ sauce. Pulled Pork, I couldn't even touch. Macaroni and Cheese was awful. Corn Bread was great but I only had a bite.
(2)
Sara M.
Who ever thought a restaurant could make you addicted and utterly obsessed with coleslaw?? Random, I know. There is truly something magical about it. I was never even a huge fan of coleslaw UNTIL I put that forkful of crunchy, sugary-tart, creamy glorious-ness in my mouth. More on the magical coleslaw later and let's talk about how I arrived to have this obsession. I would always drive past Honky Tonk on my way from UIC to Bridgeport - and every time I would see that crazy piece of art that sits on the corner of 18th and Racine - I would say to myself "...I need to try that place one of these days". Then I happened to be watching Check Please one day and I saw Honkey Tonk featured on the show - and my thought was cemented - I need to go to this place. So I go... and what the hell in wrong with this place making food so good? The first time I went I ordered - Pulled Pork Sandwich with a side of Coleslaw and Mac & Cheese... and now have been back MANY times and I still order the same thing every time. I can't help myself. Why fix something that isn't broke, non? I went to school for engineering so my composition skills are poor - but let me see if I can layout and describe the meal that I would pick if I was on death row. FIRST! You have to start out with a frosty bottle of Two Brothers Domain Dupage French Country Ale. Because 1. it's delicious. and 2. because you should always support local beer companies . Sorry Goose Island - it was a good run - but with AB owning you now 312 just won't have the same feel. THEN! Fried. Green. Tomatoes. Do I partly order them because it reminds of the movie with the Grandma from Batteries Not Included that I used to watch every Sunday on WGN growing up? Sure... I am nostalgic. I can't help it. The fact that they are breaded morsels of fresh green tomatoes doesn't hurt either - they must coat them in some kind of corn meal - because I love that the breading doesn't fall off right away - which is REALLY hard to do with Fried Green Tomatoes. NEXT! Pulled Pork Sandwich. Always. And. Forever. They break the Kaiser bun mold by putting the sandwich on the softest hoagie bread I have ever had. The pulled pork and the bread just melt into each other. I then take my coleslaw side and put in on my sandwich and give a squirt of that famous mustard they have sitting on the table- while giggling with excitement because I know the flavor explosion that is coming my way. If you do this, when you take a bite you get the ridiculously soft pork that has been waiting for you all day long coupled with the sweet-tangy crunch of the coleslaw. After you have had this combination - you will never be able to go back to eating pulled pork without the slaw ever again. The vinegar-based coleslaw is super fresh - sweet - yet you get this fresh bursts of a peppery flavor at the same time. It's so good, it hurts. I take turns between sandwich bites for the Mac & Cheese and it definitely feels like I am breaking a 10th commandment with each bite. It's sinfully good - especially when you are washing it down with a Two Brothers. The music is always great in the background - adding to your southern experience - and the service is always decent. No Soup Nazi-esque service like the kind you get at Smoque. Get your Midwest panties out of a bunch if you feel like you are waiting too long for your food - the place is always slammed and your meat has been cooking for 12 hours so you can wait another 10 or 15 min. The bill is always a joy to read too - my husband and I would be able to make it out of there for under $25 between us if we didn't have all those Two Brother beers... but even then I don't think we have ever spent over $50 bucks for all the times we have been there. Did I mention that I have to take 1/2 my sandwich home because it's so huge I can't finish it? It's just as delicious the next day too. Who wants to eat the ultimate BBQ delicious-ness on a budget? Ummm... I do. This is why I go to Honkey Tonk.
(5)
MaryAnne M.
Me "Would it be in poor form to take my bra off? Since I am so stuffed and my bra seems to be suffocating me?" Fellow diners: "Yes" Me: "Fine. Bra stays on. Dammit." This review is some time in the making and I think I just recently recovered from the meat sweats I encountered. Carol J put together this bbqapalooza. Let's start with the entertainment. Yes, entertainment. A rockabilly guitar type singer. Fun. With out going too much into the menu this is what stood out: Starters: Fried green tomatoes, mushrooms with roasted garlic and bread, candied yams, greens and beets I LOVE yams. Especially since I typically have to wait until fall for them. And beets? I can eat them all day. On to the good stuff: Beef brisket, beef spare ribs and pulled BBQ pork, Pork baby back ribs and pork St. Louis ribs. It was soo much food. And soo good. (See above bra/meat sweats comment.) I just kept eating it like I was trying to prove something. Dessert: Sweet potato pie and peach cobbler. The peach cobbler being the stand out here. The owner Willie Wagner was so nice and attentive to our group. Summary: Get down to Pilsen.
(5)
Gina T.
We decided to try this restaurant after seeing it on Drive ins, Diners, and Dives on the Food Network. The atmosphere definitely deserves 5 stars as does the BYOB status. Our waitress was nice and service was fast. We had the sampler platter... our favorites were the pork, cornbread, beans, brisket, and peach cobbler. The ribs were a bit dry and scarce on the meat, and the chicken was too moist. We will be back for the pork, peach cobbler and live music.
(4)
David W.
BBQ, BYOB, Pislen? I'm intrigued. In an unassuming store front on 18th street in the heart of Pilsen has bloomed Honky Tonk Barbeque. A simple no frills BBQ joint that has a menu filled with meat and a dining room filled with live music. The entrance to the Honky Tonk is dark black (is there any other kinda black?) and we didn't know if we were walking into the restaurant or into somebody's apartment. We guessed right. However throughout the night would be diners would open up the mail slot and peek through to hedge their bets. Standing in the middle of the Honky Tonk was a man dressed in red. Red shirt, red pants, red shoes, and yes even a red belt. This man also was wielding a guitar and singing both American and Spanish cowboy classics. It couldn't have been more perfect. You order from the counter in the front directly underneath the "Order Here" sign. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich, side of beans & pork, side of coleslaw, and to finish her off some nana pudding. The pork was moist, tender, and seasoned well. It was served on a ciabatta roll which was a pleasant surprise and added a layer of complexity to the simple sandwich. The beans and coleslaw were both delicious. The nana pudding was good, but nothing like my grams used to make. Jeff ordered a full slab of baby backs (they were out of the st. Louis) and housed them down. I think he liked them. Mike ordered the brisket and found it to be a bit on the fatty side, but said it tasted good. Both ordered the corn bread and wouldn't stop telling me how good it was. Neither offered to share! The space itself is.........shitty. I mean it's a BBQ place. You wouldn't want it any other way. The service is......shitty. I mean it's a BBQ place. You wouldn't want it any other way. Despite that, the Honky Tonk has something about it that you just can't help but find endearing. I'm not sure if it was the Pinot we drank, the neighbors we chatted with, the songs we sang, or the pork we put down but we loved this place. I will definitely be heading back. 1 Pulled Pork Sandwich 1 Slab of Ribs 1 Brisket Sandwich 2 Orders of Corn Bread 2 Orders of Beans 1 Order of Slaw ------------------------------------- $40
(4)
Constance R.
Honky Tonk is one of my favorite places in the city for these reasons: great music (from blues to jazz to honky-tonk country, I've always enjoyed whatever band they bring in), delicious beer (they must go through a lot of Allagash because it always tastes so fresh and delicious here), AWESOME greens (soooooo gooooood -- they're southern style), and a fun atmosphere. ****I have heard they don't always have the greens, but they have had them every time I've gone. Aside from the greens, my favorite things here are the hot links, the beef brisket sandwich, and the green BLT sandwich (green because it has fried green tomatoes on it). The BLT comes on these fat little buns and I wish it came on regular bread, but other than that it's delicious. If you are a vegetarian but you like comfort food, you can still find a good meal here (plenty of sides, but trust me the greens are the best side -- they may be cooked with meat, though, so you might want to ask). They also have a portabella sandwich that is pretty good, and I bet you could order the green BLT sandwich without the bacon.
(5)
Hans H.
Let me preface this by saying that I generally hate pulled pork. US pork is all grain fed and dry and tasteless as eating twine, unless it's marinated to high heaven. Pulled pork to me is like eating ordinary chicken breast put through a dryer. Slather on the sauce just to make it go down... I love Honky tonk's pulled pork. I don't even need their sauce, but the combination of the spicy and sweet sauce on the roll just makes it even better. Perfect combination of spices in the pork, and it just goes down moist and smooth, like a big chunk of dark meat. I had the pork & beans and slaw as sides, and they were both excellent (the beans comes with a big chunk of pulled pork in it too!). The slaw is definitely not the creamy kind, but more vinegar and tartness which is much more to my taste. I've had better beef brisket than from here, however. Try Smoque, up north for the best beef brisket I've ever had. Don't expect to be waited on here too attentively. The food is the focus. Highly recommended!
(5)
John S.
WOW! Amazing...great place! I will be a regular. I had the beef brisket sandwich (with a side of real horseradish to spread). This stuff is great! The sauces are excellent (one won third place at a big time BBQ contest). I also had the fried green tomatoes (excellent!) and sampled the mac and cheese (5 cheeses...good/decent...but I am a stickler with mac & cheese and the cheesier/creamier the better). We arrived on Fri night at 7 and by 7:30, it was jumpin. The music is what you would find at a Honky Tonk in Nashville. Artwork fills the walls...givin it that southern country flair. There is nothing like this in Chicago...it's an original. I applaud them for the originality and the food is seriously worth a trip down to Pilsen. The bar has a good line of draft beers/cocktails....even the cherry's they drop in some of the cocktails have a unique taste as they are marinated....they've thought of everything! This one is easy....5 stars.
(5)
Connie M.
Honestly, I had only a 2-star experience, but I can't be that harsh on an earnest attempt at BBQ. Maybe my crap meal was a fluke; the owner and master-griller was away at some BBQ contest. So maybe usually it's better. Ergo, 3 stars. I went on a weeknight--no live music, and realistically, there should be no excuses about the lack of service. I waited 30 minutes for a lukewarm, dry brisket. All the sauce in the world couldn't help this brisket. I'm sorry. Seasoned leather is still leather. My garlic mashed potatoes were oddly buttery but not particularly seasoned (like good ol' salt and pepper). They seemed hastily made. It all just seemed half-assed. I'd give it another shot--as long as I have a 6-pack handy...
(3)
Mika J.
As if the name alone wasn't bad enough...the bbq at Honky Tonk is as authentic as Kenny Roger's face! Since Brisket isn't my "thang", I can't speak on that, but as someone who knows her Southern cuisine, please trust me when I say, the ribs here taste nothing like the coveted delicacy Memphis and KC natives call BBQ. The sauce was boring and the meat lacked real flavor, smelling ALOT smokier than it tasted...how does that happen? (Two stars for the staff who on the whole were pretty friendly.)
(2)
Rob P.
It's all about the meat. Owner/meat-meister Willie Wagner (who stopped by our table) is as compulsive about buying the right cuts of beef and pork as we are eating it. And it shows. The delectable hi-protein sampler platter offers an ideal cross section of what the laid back Pilsen joint has to offer. The plate offers tender meaty bites, not too aggressively seasoned, yet each with a distinctive flavor. From there you have the option of going whole hog (or cow) with a full order of brisket, ribs, pulled pork, links or any of the other menu items. Three BBQ sauces (all great) on the table allow you to mix and match to taste. The space, its walls covered with American art (from mid 19th century Romantic prints to contemporary outsider kitsch), is a combination of store fronts, with its focal dining room being an old neighborhood bar. Seating is an anti-trendy odds and ends collection of comfy tables and chairs. Service is casual, but very friendly and efficient. And the bathrooms are kept clean (remember, the cleanliness of the kitchen is directly proportional to the cleanliness of the johns). And you can't beat the price. My group of five hungry bloat-seeking men filled up for about $20 a head (including tax and tip). Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Ben C.
This place is amazing! I can't wait to go for the first time, some day. If Dave realizes he hasn't eaten lunch at like 3pm, he will hold out and go to Honky Tonk at 4pm! Jamie says sandwiches are $6. Guess I'll just have to see!
(4)
Katie T.
Honk-y-tonk...honk-y-tonk. I absolutely loved this place! Went on a Saturday and had to wait 20 minutes which is fine because it gave us a chance to get our buzz on at the bar. Plus, there was live blues music to enjoy! And of course, we were able to take a look at what people were ordering. We had to get the sampler platter since it was our first time there, seemed like the right choice as every table around us did the same. We got a half slab of the St. Louis ribs, half a roasted chicken, two dreamy sausages, 2 samples of the brisket sandwich, beans and coleslaw. We also ordered the garlic mashed potatoes (shhhh). Oh! and 2 cornbread muffins. All of the meat was tender and dry rubbed to perfection. The chicken had an amazing smoked flavor and the 3 sauces they put on the table were all amazing. I love to mix em together! I will be back again and again. It's in walking distance from my boy's house so - again and again!
(5)
harry l.
Having eaten here numerous times before, as well as several take out orders in the bag, I decided to suggest this for our office dinner. The food was great, as always. There were a few minor glitches (ran out of a few items, and forgot to pack one item)--but it was the last order of the night--and a big order, at that. Beth delivered our missing item very promptly, and included a few goodies, as well. Great food, great service! Would def recommend.
(4)
Molly S.
Great little gem to have in Pilsen which is basically a Mexican and pizza kind of neighborhood (not that there's anything wrong with that). But, Honky Tonk's brisket will definitely fill the need for some good barbecue. St. Loius ribs were good too - plus two sauces to choose from. I haven't tried everything and think the service is still figuring itself out (i.e. "Am I a full-service restaurant or a take-and-go ribs joint?), but I'll be back.
(4)
Andrew B.
Tried the pulled pork, spare ribs, and hot link, no sides. Service was good, and the place smelled properly smoky. The owner was walking around, chatting with customers. Seemed like a pretty friendly place. Parking was a pain in the butt, but that's not Honky Tonk's fault. The "championship" pulled pork was just OK. It was tender and juicy, but didn't have the crispy bits of bark that I love in pulled pork to break up the texture. The rub was grainy and bland -- like Lawry's seasoning salt with a few extra spices thrown in. It came on a huge ciabatta bun that actually was pretty good. It was rather chewy for a sandwich bun, but I ended up dipping big hunks of it in the different sauces. The hot link was good. Like a high-quality piece of sausage cooked over a backyard grill. Doesn't stand up to the quality of the better links in the city (Honey1, Smoque, UJ's), but certainly head and shoulders above the crappy kielbasa that passes for hot link at some places. The spares were the standout. Although the rub was once again a bit off-putting, the meat was tender and flavorful, perched on the bones in a thick, fat sheet. A decent amount of bark added a nice textural contrast. I could take or leave the other dishes, but I would order this again. Three sauces supplied: sweet, tangy, and mustard. Sweet and tangy were both insanely sweet, with the tangy adding a little bit of spice. Mediocre. The mustard was my favorite, with a very viscous texture for the style. Bright and vinegary with a good amount of spicy kick, it went well with the pulled pork.
(3)
Manny G.
Worst BBQ ever. I know Chicago is not known for BBQ, but this BBQ is honestly the worst that I've ever had. Don't know where all the hype is coming from. I would rate it a zero if I could.
(1)
Noah C.
Overall this was a good place for BBQ. My wife, daughter and I shared the sampler platter and enjoyed everything on the plate! Great smokey BBQ flavor and nice portions for the price. I was not thrilled with the service, a little indifferent. Almost like they were "too cool" for us. Another thing about the experience, the room was freezing!! They were aware of it and tried to do what they could but it was almost unbearable. Lastly, they only take cash. Things could have been a lot worse but they could have been a lot better. The food was worth it but I think I might pass next time.
(3)
Tony S.
I was told about this place from a friend and have been wanting to try it. it is now my new faborite place. First of all you walk in and it just reminds me of a restaurant you would find driving down a turn pike in texas. Everything looked fantastic, so me and my good friend Angie wanted to try everything and went with the everything platter for only $30.00. We had tons of food that was great and were absolutley stuffed aftrer that. But we were both craving some chocolate. So the waitress suggested the chocolate cheese cake. "oh my god". Hands down the best cheesecake i have ever had. I definatley look forward to going back there and telling soeim friends about it. It was great. Tony
(5)
Rachel H.
My companion and I had a few things to celebrate, and I had put Honky Tonk at the top of my "To Eat" list after I saw their Halloween sign with a skeleton eating some ribs. Har har har. After ordering at the counter, which is built into a facade that looks like a fake barn of some type, we settled into our table in a little nook where I could feel comfortable squeezing the BBQ sauce bottles while making little fart sounds with my mouth. Shockingly I didn't create a BBQ sauce murder scene. Luckily for my companion our food arrived before I could embarrass myself too badly. Damn. I got the half chicken which was dry rubbed with spices and very smoky. When I saw that bird there was a part of me that said "How the Hell will I eat all that?" When I finished the bird, the part of me with no dignity or willpower whatsoever said "I should have gotten the whole chicken." My companion enjoyed his St. Louis style ribs and both of our entrees came with a tangy coleslaw that seemed like it had apple in it. We also both got the roasted portobella mushrooms which was one of their specials and they were delicious. I would definitely come back to check out a pulled pork sandwich or some live Honky Tonk on the weekends. Either that or I'll order the whole chicken and go home and eat it where nobody else can judge my pigginess. Oh and speaking of pigginess, right by the tip bucket there's a plastic mother pig feeding its babies and it has a disturbing number of little plastic nipples. 15, and yes, I counted.
(4)
Buzz and Poxie C.
Great BBQ. Saw it on the Food Network and decided to try it.
(4)
Becca A.
Honkeytonk BBQ is so damn good! I had the pleasure of going out to eat with two hungry boys so I got to try (basically) everything on the menu that my little heart could handle. I personally ordered the "what your girlfriend wants" salad, served with fresh mixed baby greens, berries, jicama and nuts (drizzled with real olive oil) while the boys got a pulled pork sandwich, brisket and a full rack o ribs (who am I fooling? You know I helped devour that pile of meat! Put it straight up on my salad). The ribs were amazing, dry rubbed and falling off the bone tender. We actually had to order more they disappeared so fast! The brisket was juicy, not at all dry and full of beefy goodness. Though I tend not to be a pork fan, the pork was scrumptious! Super tender, not greasy like I've had before. We also had some sauteed mushrooms which rounded out the meatfulness of our meal. For dessert, we enjoyed a couple slices of pie from local pastry chef Stacey (wish I could remember her last name) which were superb! I liked the pecan pie best but the sweet potato was also delish. Not too sweet and very fresh tasting. A few days later, I went back for more brisket and surprise! It was even better then the first time. The decor is cool, the staff is laid back and friendly. Honkeytonk BBQ is a Pilsen treasure trove of yum! UPDATE, 5/21/08: I just heard through a friend that Honkey Tonk BBQ took 3rd in the national Memphis in May BBQ competition!!
(5)
Sherri S.
Seriously BBQ??? I saw this place on diners, drive ins and dives and it sounded spectacular. How could Guy be wrong he did recommend Smoque BBQ which is spectacular BBQ. So my husband and son drove 1 hour last night to this joint and we walked in and the place reeked of mold that should have been my first clue to turn around and go somewhere else. We sat down and ordered off the menu that had a list of country BBQ items. We ordered smoked pork and chicken, fried green tomatoes and garlic bread. I was looking forward to ordering dessert too. We got our food the chicken was dry as can be, the pork had very little smoke flavor and the tomatoes were dripping with grease. I would give this restaurant at best 1 star. If you really want excellent BBQ go to Smoque BBQ. The flavor is out of this world so smoky and moist this place is an absolute dump. I would have been better off at McDonald's.
(1)
Gloria E.
I really wasn't too fond of HT BBQ. I was so excited to finally try it long after seeing it on Check Please! I lived in Pilsen at the time and this was the last place in Pilsen I got around to trying. Perhaps they have good and bad days or a few *off* slabs, but I was not impressed or even satisfied with it. Service was good, but my ribs were dry as hell. I thought 'maybe this is what southern bbq is all about and it's just me.' Then again, I AM from the south (kind of... So. Fla), but I came with a friend, and he's from Texas. So, if I don't count as being Southern, he for sure does. Neither of us was happy about our food. I got their beef ribs and I think he ordered the St Louis Ribs. We shared. Both our ribs were super dry (nothing falling off the bones), and the sauces were okay, but it just couldn't coat the ribs. They were too dry. It would basically slide right off and by the end, my plate had lots of sauce, and my ribs had very little sauce. The best thing about my experience was the cornbread, and in a BBQ joint, that just shouldn't be the case. On top of all that, it's kind of pricey. I mean ribs are always kind of pricey, but they're also usually pretty good, and these were not good for the price. I don't think I'll be back.
(2)
Christine M.
Oh, wow. My cousin loves this place and has been trying to get us to go there for ages. We made reservations a week ago for tonight, and last night it's on Check, Please! We knew that it was going to be crowded. We didn't expect them to be totally out of ribs. All we were able to order was pulled pork or the beef brisket. They did have all of the sides, except mashed potatoes. The food, it was just ok. It wasn't great, it was barley good. It didn't have much of a smokey taste at all. I was unimpressed with the sides, as well. The service was slow, but the place was PACKED, so that is understandable. This sounds silly, but there was only a single bathroom in the whole place! We were in the second room, and our table was directly in front of the live music. We wanted to talk, and that made it near impossible.
(2)
Karl Z.
OK, I went again and this time had the rib tips. They're a HUGE step up from the brisket and pulled pork, the service was also significantly better, though it was much quieter. I still need to go a couple more times to see if that holds up, but I'll at least give them another try now.
(3)
Bryan M.
All around an amazing experience. Nice atmosphere, excellent food and great live honkey tonk music
(5)
Jean C.
Ah-mazing. After reading review after review, I thought it was time to check this place out. I came here last night with my husband and his best friend and we already knew prior to coming here what we were going to order. The sampler platter. It's a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. Honestly, I think it could have fed the three of us just fine, but the boys wanted more ribs. And they were quite tasty. They had a great smokey flavor that was just right. The sausage links were awesome as well as the corn bread. The cole slaw had cilantro in it. A big no-no in my book. After I picked it out, it tasted good. The chicken was probably my least favorite meat on the plate. It was good but just average compared to everything else on the platter. I was unable to try the brisket only because the guys got to it first. No problem though. I definitely got my fill. There were three different BBQ sauces and all of them were delicious. It was fun experimenting which sauce went best with which meat. Next time we go (and according to my husband we are going all the time) I would like to try the sides and dessert. A few dessert plates walked past our table and they looked divine. This place is so cool. The ambiance is so laid back and the decorations really give it a nice charm. There was a duo playing music last night and that was great! I'm not really a fan of the country style music but I was last night! It's BYOB and cash only. This place is definitely worth a trip. We were lucky that we didn't have to wait last night! I can't wait to go back for round two!
(5)
Char Y.
Much better! We saw it on DDD and decided to give it a second try. The st louis ribs were WOW, juicy and flavorful through out. The brisket and the pulled pork were tender and juicy as well. I am definitely impressed, and will go back again.
(4)
Rene H.
Excellent service. Cocktails are strong. Great sauces. Food is between good & great, depends what you order. Live band is awesome.
(4)
Jerry E.
A little too much fat. Rip tips and pork are good. No parking unless your feeding the meters.
(3)
joe b.
I tried the baby back last night. it was very disappointing as it was served cold and dry. If you are expecting fall off the bone bbq, this is not the place for you. the meat is very dry. what i saw on tv that a lot of spices were used to make the dry rub was not evident on what i had last night. not a bit of moisture on th bb back. The pulled pork sandwich is just ok. just smother it with their bbq sauce. but it is not something you will go back there for. it is just not award winning for us. we didnt bother to order anything after these. the ambiance was ok. servers were friendly and nice.
(1)
Brad F.
Came here the other night and had the baby back ribs and mannnnn were they fantastic, I work right and the area and wish they were open for lunch. I had a side of mac and cheese and the corn bread was awesome. I thought it was cool that Guy Fieri was here from the food network.
(5)
Sagar N.
Having partially grown up in Austin, TX - I can say I have some legitimacy in critiquing barbecue. Of course, I know I am biased towards that amazing Texan style of bbq: moist brisket, smoky sausage, gasoline fumes, ahhh... But I digress.. Living in Chicago has made me aware that in this city of never-ending food variety, one thing that is missing is solid barbecue. In my search for legit bbq in the Chi, I stumbled upon Honky Tonk, and felt the only word that can describe it is: surprising. Surprising, that a BBQ joint sprouted up in the middle of Pilsen. Surprising, that this place also has line dancing weekly with live music. Aaand, most of all, surprising that it has some decent food. I went at an inopportune time (11a on a saturday) because my schedule didn't permit otherwise, but went with the brisket and some sausage. Although, I can't say that it competes with the best I've had in Texas, it is pretty decent 'cue, made the right way, and with a good complimentary sauce. The only thing lacking was the slaw, which I can admit I'm pretty particular about. Overall, for the ambiance, the quality, and the surprise factor this place is a great find! However, I am still looking for that little bit of Texas in Chicago... Solid 3.5
(3)
Nicole R.
Love it... Great Food, Great Music, Awesome Atmosphere!
(5)
Ron J.
i really dont know who reviewed this place before or if it has changed as one reviewer had said. i want the last 2 hours of my life back. worst bbq i have had in a long time. ALL the meat: brisket, st louis and baby back ribs and the pulled pork are boiled. Very little smoke flavor if any. The sides were good, i had fried green tomatoes and corn bread. The space is cool with good live music. Those are the only redeeming qualities. With so many great bbq places in Chicago Smoque, Lillys and Pork Shopee, don not waste your time at this place.
(1)
Russ S.
Excellent barbecue!!!!! And every year they have a pig roast for the community in Pilsen. So good!
(4)
Mayari G.
A friend and I went to Honky Tonk and ordered the BBQ sampler platter (i despise the word sampler). Anyway, it was so tasty and varied that you honestly felt like they were separate items - not just a mass of BBQ - we should have brought 3 more people b/c we had tons of left overs but will definitely be back. The decor is not theme-driven but feels like an empty barn within a Pilsen building which is exactly what it is - it's great.
(4)
Lauren R.
The pork was delicious! Loses a star for not being a BYOB anymore. Really enjoyed their sauces as well as sides (the cornbread is so good!).
(4)
T C.
I live down the street from Honky Tonk and was really excited when it opened. There isn't much like it around Pilsen. Traveling for great bbq isn't a horrible thing, but it's much nicer to have a local place. The first time I ordered at Honky Tonk the food was delicious. Each time since then; it's been hit or miss. It seems that every time I've ordered take out, something has been wrong with the order. Whether the size was incorrect or something was missing, there's always something to complain about. The food has fallen off since it first opened; and that's disappointing because (as many have said) it's a really chill place to catch great music and a good vibe. (cheap beers, too. It's got a laid back, dive bar feel without the dive) I wonder if the fall off is because it's a larger place than it was when it first opened or because (now that there's live music, a bar, etc) the focus on good food has been lost. Whatever the case may be, my ribs last night were way overcooked, (the foil even smelled overcooked) and there was hardly any rub/flavor to them. After a few tries, I passed on eating them, and there's nothing more disappointing than looking forward to rib night and not getting it. The people who work there, while friendly, aren't too bright. It seems like most of the mistakes that are made are because of total forgetfulness. (Somehow they remembered to wear their cool hipster mustache but forgot how to make food taste good.) Honky Tonk could be, and once was, a great place to get bbq. Their bbq is different than other places in the city, and if done correctly, I'd eat there often. (more often than one should, actually) But until then, no thanks. I'd rather make the trek to another spot.
(2)
kirstjen l.
When you open the door, the scent of smoked pork engulfs you. Best pulled pork ever! Good sauce. Great baby back ribs! This is a real "hole in the wall" BBQ joint. Great friendly service, great prices. I will definitely be back! They also had some funky guy playing guitar & singing old Hank Sr, Johnny Cash, etc & dressed to the hilt in hillbilly finery. Wow!! They are open at 4pm, Tues-Sat.
(5)
Van D.
Tried this place for the first time last Fri night. Food was great. Tried the sampler platter which had ribs, chicken, brisket, pulled pork, sausage, beans, cole slaw, and cornbread. I am big rib guy and very much liked their ribs. They have sauce on the table but these ribs were made with a dry rub. Usually don't order brisket, pulled pork, or chicken but was very impressed with flavor and juiciness of their meats. Sides were average. Good selection of bottled beers. Atmosphere is definitely different. Funky art work and furniture in the back room and more of bar atmosphere in the front room. (If you ever wondered where your family's dining room table from the 80s is, check the back room)
(4)
Gerty L.
Honestly, there's better BBQ out there than what was served at Honky Tonk. We tried the Baby Back Ribs, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Brisket Sandwich, Mac and Cheese, Grilled Portabella, Mashed Potatoes and Beans. We found the meats pretty tasteless and dry. The portabella -- charred to the point that we can only taste the bitterness. Without the bbq sauces, the meats tasted quite bland. We were really hoping for some finger-lickin' stuff. It was really disappointing experience for an establishment claiming to place 3rd at a well-known BBQ Championship event.
(1)
Aurore L.
The other night I was lucky enough to be transported in a world of fantasy. Of the cinematic kind since it was the (almost Homeric) one of "Oh Brother Where are Thou?" Unlucky for me - George Clooney was not in sight but the three bluegrass musicians who were singing on their banjos (lefty style- yay!!!) did a pretty impressive job. I just had to close my eyes to be in a mystic South I have never set foot in. Nobody's perfect. Honky Tonk didn't disappoint. We shared a large sampling platter of meaty goodies and I loved every bite of it. The sausage oddly enough was my hands down favorite. But everything has already been said about all the sticky messy yumminess of the place....you really just have to go and see for yourself. And enjoy the love. And no - there is not only Mexican food in Pilsen. For a matter of fact, HKBBQ is just across the street from a Chinese place. If you find George Clooney though - with or without banjo - please let me know. Always on the hunt.
(4)
Elizabeth V.
Came here with some friends a few nights ago. My boyfriend and I shared a full slab of ribs, mac and cheese and a corn muffin. The food tasted good and enjoyed it since I was hungry. I would like go back and try the pulled pork which according to some reviews is the thing to get. The space is big and they had live music which was enjoyable.
(3)
John B.
This was the first stop on my week of eating until my innards exploded, and what a start. Carol J and pitmaster Willie Wagner put together a prixy fixy dinner that gave us a chance to try everything on the menu for 25 bucks. Well maybe not everything, but that's what it felt like. First, the apps. Fried green tomatoes -- crispy, crunchy coating, creamy tomatoey goodness on the inside, that's eating. I had to have a second, in spite of trying to save room for the meat. Garlic portabella mushrooms with garlic toast and a honey mustard sauce. Oh my. Then the meat, in shifts, with sides. First up, baby back ribs. Oh yeah. These pulled off the bone, but didn't fall off the bone, the sign of a good long smoking without the dastardly par-boiling that some placed employ. Rubbed but not sauced, because the sauce is on the table and it just burns on the grill anyway. Three sauces -- one sweeter, one spicier, and one mustard-based -- let you serve up the meat as you like it. Along with the ribs, we had sweet potatoes, collard and mustard greens, pickled beets, and cole slaw. I didn't get to the slaw because I was so taken with the greens. And the sweets -- melt in your mouth goodness. Of course, the pool of butter and brown sugar might have had something to do with that. But wait, there's more! A second platter of meat, with beef ribs, brisket, and pork shoulder. The clear favorite here was the beef ribs -- burnished brown, meltingly tender, with just enough fat to keep it all moist. The pulled pork was excellent, too, but I was fixated on the short ribs. The brisket was the least interesting, although it did make the best leftovers the next day. Probably because of the extra fat. Willie serves up the brisket as a sandwich, with horseradish on a ciabatta roll, and that would be a very different animal. And then, when you think you're going to burst -- dessert! Cobbler, banana pudding, and sweet potato pie. Who knew banana pudding could be such a treat. This was the dessert in which I had the least interest, and yet it turned out to be my favorite. This is the kind of place you'd walk right by, if you didn't know what was inside. Even when you get inside, it's not that impressive. But then the food comes out, and oh mama. That's what we're here for.
(5)
trieu n.
i went to honky tonk with a few friends for a delicious weeknight dinner, and that's exactly what i got. unfortunately, they were all out of brisket, so 3 of us had pulled pork and the other 2 split a full slab of st. louis style ribs. we also had corn muffins, a family order of mac n cheese, and large candied yams. we all needed to be rolled out of the restaurant...bu in the best way. the pulled pork is everything i wanted and more: huge chunks of moist pork, perfectly smoked with slightly burnt/crisp ends. excellent. the sweet bbq sauce was very popular at our table. i wasn't a huge fan of the vinegar bbq sauce or the mustard sauce...but that's more personal preference. my friends enjoyed their ribs immensely and polished off the entire slab. the dry rub had a good flavor and the meat was perfectly cooked. our sides were HUGE. we thought that between the 4 mac n cheese eaters, we ought to go with the family size. when the bowl came out, it looked tiny and i didn't think there would be enough; however, after we started eating, we noticed that this was a magic bowl of mac n cheese because even though we were taking huge spoonfuls of big spiral macaroni, more kept appearing in the bowl. don't let the small bowl deceive you. the candied yams were also good...soft but not mushy and just the perfect amount of sweetness. i am deducting one star for the service. the restaurant was only slightly busy and we hardly ever saw our waitress. i hate to deduct a star because she was very friendly...but we had to go a very long time without drink refills. also, we were looking for her for at least 10 minutes to bring out butter for the cornbread. it might have been an off night for her...but what could have been a 60 minute meal...turned into almost a 2 hour meal. also, another waitress went to clear our table, but did not ask us if we were done eating. she piled the bowl of mac n cheese and yams on top of one another before we had time to tell her that we were still picking at it. it was pretty heartbreaking. the service should deter me from coming back, but i really like barbecue...and a bbq joint that is a short ride away is hard to come by. so i'll be back...and hope for better service.
(4)
Douglas M.
This is the best BBQ I've ever had. I've also not had hot links as good as these since my German grandfather passed away.
(5)
Jake B.
Great food and atmosphere as long as it's not super crowded. And even when it is super crowded, it's still great food.
(4)
Blythe Z.
this place rocks - i'm hoked. candied bacon - so good only need a bite or two very rich. my husband and I tried the sampler - we even had leftovers! My favorite is the hot links - so so good - mac and cheese is a close second though. a great place to bring in friends from out of town - really great staff too!
(5)
Frankie B.
The quality of the food was good. The beans were awesome, the mac-n-cheese was rad.. I just think it's a bit too pricey and the portion size for the sides are too small. Grew up around the corner from here and am glad they are here in Pilsen. Staff is nice enough, but I have to ding them for the portion sizes.
(3)
Carol J.
This place blows. YOU HEARD ME. MOVE ALONG. NOTHING TO SEE HERE! It blows every bbq joint in town away. I am just hoping people won't read past my opening statement and ignore the star rating. I was introduced to Honky Tonk at the rib-a-que at Moonshine and had the pleasure of gorging on ribs right off the smoking/grilling contraption. It was no surprise to me that Willy and Honky Tonk won the judges choice award against some pretty stiff competition. Actually, no one else came close. So I thought I would give them a try in their restaurant/carry out location on a cold Saturday night in January and headed down to Pilsen with a friend, well aware of the unfortunate presence on Check Please (those who know me know how I feel about that show and the lemmings, I mean people, who are influenced by it...but I digress.) When I called, Beth, one of the owners frankly told me the wait was gonna be long and I was cool with that. Upon arrival at the homey, chill, BYOB place I was greeted by a mob of people, the taunting smell of smoking bbq and totally awesome vibe. Yeah people were pissing and moaning about the wait, but hey, Check Please! Fine with me. I had no place to be. While waiting, totally cool people offered us extra chairs at their table, Kurt the artist offered a couple of random St, Pauli Girls and gave us a 5 cent tour and a history of the art displayed throughout. We made friends with some cute, older Gold Coast couples who learned about it you know where....and just hung out and chatted. Then Willy came out of the kitchen and whispered that they were running low on ribs. Some folks were aghast! NO. But I was cool because I watched him work a grill one day from 6 am till 6 pm and I know how much time it takes to turn out product like that. Those tender morsels are lovingly smoked for hours and I also know that no restaurant owner has a crystal ball. What happened next is like a movie. And kind of how going with the flow can work to your advantage. I casually mention that I'm cool with whatever bbq delight will be left if and when we get seated and my date mentions brisket as his preference. Minutes later a cafeteria tray with heaping hunks of smokey brisket and pulled pork is enroute to us in the corner where we were sitting drinking the artist's generously donated beers and a glass of BYO wine. The cute little server goes and gets us a tv tray table, brings condiments. Macaroni and cheese (sinfully rich and creamy) lands between the two mounds of meat and crusty bread. Willy apologizes profusely for the fact that he was almost out of ribs. I mean seriously, I felt like I was in someones home and they were going out of their way to make me welcome. After we finished, we went into the main dining room to listen to the talented one man band and bond with our new found friends from the waiting room. Everyone in the room was having a finger licking, lip smacking great time. Except one table of lemmings who were being rude and condescending to the server, but that's someone elses review to write. We asked to peek at dessert menu and despite being so full, settled on a Banana Bread Pudding/Moon Pie and a decadent chocolate mousse cake. Random staff came over and said hello. Young kids from the neighborhood, a cool chick waitress, the owners kids, who were bussing tables. I saw the Pissers and the Moaners making friends with the tables next to them. The music was countryish and the room was homey and warm with random chairs and tables. We learned this was a former Wood Workers Union Hall that Beth and Willy bought to open up this little piece of heaven. We were offered a tour of the gymnasium on the top floor but were too full to hike up the stairs. It turns out that this actually is their home. No surprise there. Awesome bbq, they even have "pain in the pork butt" vegetarian options, delicious sides. Sweet, warm service, low key chill atmosphere and amazing desserts. PLEASE DON'T RUIN IT PEOPLE!
(5)
Susan K.
The entryway can make it look a little foreboding, like you're entering some speakeasy or the alley door to some club or restaurant kitchen. (who else has a solid metal door as their main entrance ?!) Inside its cute, simple, and casual. There's a window right at the front for carryout (yay! convenience, smart thinking) and another room off to the side where you can sit and eat and there's live music to entertain you. I am a vegetarian, so you must be wondering what there is for me to eat at a BBQ restaurant? Answer: Plenty, if you love mushrooms, which I do. I ordered a portabello mushroom sandwich which was great , I loved the different sauces they had, the garlic mashed potatoes were good, and there were still several other sides I didn't try right then and there that I bet would have also been good choices. Sometimes, even though you want to go out with someone, you just want a break from having to be witty, scintillating, and fun. This place took that pressure off me by providing musical entertainment to distract both me and my date. This would be a great place to go if you are tired and you want to just spend time in someones company and let someone else take care of the impressing.
(4)
Allison B.
I was a disappointed. Heard great reviews, but it just didn't live up to them. The candied bacon was good, but I've had better bbq overall.
(2)
Thomas B.
Delicious BBQ and so authentic, even down to the three types of sauce supplied with your meal. I ate in the older dining room, not new edition with full bar and blue grass bands every night. Get the beef brisket sandwhich, so good. Also got a side of hot links which were very spicy yet just right. And a BBQ place with vegetarian options. Only down fall was the staff is kind of stand offish, well they are very helpful when serving but kind of take their time and disappear for long periods of time. Otherwise no complaints.
(4)
Chris A.
Very good BBQ and a good way to start a night out in Pilsen. The candied bacon was really the only thing I was crazy about, but everything else is solid...and I think our group literally tried everything. It's not BYO anymore which is disappointing, but it is still a great BBQ spot.
(4)
T J.
I struggled between a 2 and a 3 on this one, honestly I say 2.5. Saw it on Triple D, wanted to give it a try with the BF. I've definitely had better bbq. I knew I was in trouble when I couldn't pull my baby back ribs apart and had to grab a knife. They weren't tender at all like I'd hoped. Cole slaw was pretty vinegary, mac and cheese was okay. The highlight of my meal was the pear cider from the bar, I'll be looking for that at Binnys. BF had the brisket and devoured it, but he wasn't impressed with his mashed potatoes. I do think we'll go back because we really liked the vibe, live music, and overall space. I'm thinking maybe they just pulled my ribs a bit early from the pit, maybe it was an off night. I'll check out the pulled pork or the brisket next time per the other reviews. The place has potential, I think you just gotta know what's good.
(2)
Dave O.
One sentence review: If you want decent-to-good BBQ for a GOOD price, come to Honky Tonk BBQ. I went to this place for the first time tonight with my girlfriend and 2 other friends. As soon as we walked in, a pungent aroma hit us-- and it wasn't smoked meat. It smelled like must, like 'old people' as my friend said, like the marsupial house at a zoo. Fortunately, the smell either fades away quick or your mind gets used to it and it's not so in your face after awhile. I really enjoyed the feel of the place. It was like walking in to a saloon from a country-western flick. We didn't go into the second dining room so I can't say much for the decor for that room. Our server was friendly but was a little on the untimely side. The appetizers were good-- empanadas, candied bacon (yea, fat kid delight), and fried green tomatoes. The empanadas were tasty, but nothing to write home about. The candied bacon was clearly the star of the show-- thick cut, cooked perfectly, and candied in brown sugar. Amazing. The friend green tomatoes we good; once again, nothing to write home about. A note about the empanadas: you only get 3 of them so it's not good for a group. We cut them up in half to share with the 4 of us. I have an opinion about barbeque places I should share as well. If you're going to open a BBQ place, you damn well should be able to cook good ribs. If you can't do that, don't even try. So it's fair to say that the ribs were good. You should also be able to make outstanding brisket. Since it was only served as a sandwich, I didn't order that as well. I had the St. Louis style ribs and 2 others had baby-back-- consensus was, St. Louis as all around better. The 4th person had a pulled pork sandwich and loved it. The mac and cheese was outstanding-- I would go back there just to order the 'family size' side of it for just my meal. It was that good. The corn bread muffins are awesome as well. The biggest draw back was that we waited just over 45 minutes for our entrees. I'm not sure if that the norm here, but that kind of wait isn't suitable for a Friday night when there's maybe 12 people seated. One serious upside was pricing. $10 for a half slab of St. Louis style ribs w/ slaw (which was delicious, not too much mayo) and biscuit (corn bread is sold as a side, not as a given with meals). $3.50 for a side (a small portion though) of mac and cheese. Overall, we left satisfied. Definitely worth checking out. There was a live band, or should I say, live music since it was 2 guitarists. They were talented, but I'm not sure everyone enjoys blue grass. Oh, and as my friend pointed out, it's like hipster nation there.
(3)
Amanda S.
I live about 25 steps away from here, so I thought it only fitting to make this my first review. Honkey Tonk is some of the best BBQ in Chicago, with a great vibe, reasonable prices, and BYOB to boot. Very good desserts and some delicious sides as well, which now come in much bigger portions. The live music on the weekends is awesome, and service is very friendly. The only thing that could be improved is if/when they accept credit cards...
(4)
Devin C.
I've eaten here once or twice and enjoy the food, but I'm more into the bar. I drink here a few times a month, and it's always a barnburner. The staff is super friendly and they make a helluva Bloody Mary. The environment inside alone is totally worth it.
(5)
J M.
Decent BBQ, great Mac n' Cheese. Overpriced and really just not that good. Service was super snotty and slow. Ok place if you lived in the neighborhood. Definitely not a destination spot.
(2)
Neal K.
I've only been to Honky Tonk twice, but it's easily one of my favorite BBQ joints in the city. As far as the food goes, it's solid. Right up there with Fat Willy's, Smoke Daddy, and Honey 1 in my hood. Great choice to leave the meats dry rubbed with no sauce so you can add 1 of their 3 tasty choices as you please. I like the feel of this place. There's a lot of love in the wait staff and the owner, and plenty of local flavor as far as the Pilsen art scene goes all over the walls. 2 lefties hammering on the mandolins is a real treat. Cobbler was good. BYOB with BBQ is a winning combination. If you're a northsider/NW like me it's definitely worth a ride down to Pilsen to meet any of your more geographically inconvenient friends. Not sure about putting the pulled pork on ciabbatta though. Maybe a grilled Texas Toast?
(4)
Brian S.
I reserve 5 stars for the truly exceptional ... but this place is pretty awesome. The food is great (loved the fried green tomatoes) and the BBQ brisket. And the drinks are creative and well prepared. The music is a great thing too: My favorite thing about it is that my son (3 yrs) loves it... they have an old mechanical horse that (sometimes) works... and he loves getting up on it and dancing around to the music.
(4)
shirley m.
Saw this place on Check Please a while back and ordered carry out after a loooong day at work. Ordered the sampler platter, ribs were tender and moist, they use a dry rub and it has a REALLY smoky flavor (too smoky for some of us , perfect for the rest of us) the sausage (good! 2pcs) came mild and spicy, the platter included pulled pork and brisket sandwich bites, smoked chicken (moist and smoky) and sides. Mac and cheese is has a sharp cheese flavor, included beans and cornbread which was a hit with our group. This place is good if you like a lot of smoke and your BBQ sauce on the vinegar-y side!
(3)
Riley H.
I like to think I am a master with BBQ since I dis grow up in Memphis! So here is the break down... For an app we got fried green tomatoes and they were some of the best id ever had. For our meal my wife and i split a rack of ribs, brisket sandwich, and the homeade mac n cheese. The ribs were descent dry rib but nothing too exciting, they had ok flavor but the meat wasn't very moist and quite frankly there wasn't much meat on the bones! Now, the brisket sandwich was amazing and I put some of there homeade garlic mustard BBQ sauce on it, it was to die for! That sauce was very unique and flavorful! The Mac and cheese was very good as well and I would probably order the same next time I go minus ribs( and get an extra sandwich to go for the next day!) great restaraunt and atmosphere I will go back!
(4)
Carl S.
Award winner... hell they have the trophy to prove it. Pulled Pork is the BEST. Ribs, both St. Louis and Baby Back are wonderful. The brisket has an awesome smoke ring. You have to try the Mac and Cheese and the Corn Bread. Save room for the Banana Pudding.
(5)
Martha E.
Don't go to Hony Tonk BBQ. Got it? I don't want you to go and make me have long waits because I love this place with its lovely, quirky artwork, low-key, unprentious vibe, awesome live music and...oh yeah...delicious Memphis BBQ. And if you ignore my pleas and wind up going, don't order the moist pulled pork, hearty black eyed peas nor the creamy mac n'cheese because I don't want them running out by the time I get there. Got that? *pause* See you there.
(4)
Sven K.
Me and 6 of my friends went to Honky Tonk and had a very mixed experience. The Good: - Everybody enjoyed their sides (mac and cheese - yum!), the pulled pork (although I thought it was not exceptional, some dry pieces), the sausage links, the corn muffins (although I remember them being better), and the atmosphere. The Bad: - The green BLT (no flavor, not enough bacon), the dry brisket. We did not go for the ribs in the first place since they are not worthwhile - see other reviews on yelp. We also tried to order appetizers - the empanadas. Our waitress told us that we would get 6. When we got them, there were 3 small ones on a plate, and they could have been from Sam's Club. For $8 (!) We pointed it out to her, and she just told us that we could get another order (duh!), which we politely refused. We said that either we would return them or she could get us another complimentary order. She then proceeded to get the manager (!?), who also suggested that we get another order - and in a very annoyed way. When we refused, she just took the empanadas away and took off, without comment. This is best described as "resting on your laurels" when your business is probably going well. In the end we did not get charged for a dish, which was a welcome mistake on their part. Karma is a b*tch. Bottom line is that Honky Tonk is overrated, and you better know what to get ahead of time, so as not be disappointed.
(3)
Mike L.
Solid 4 stars. Went here for a quick lunch and had a brisket sandwich. The rub they used was awesome, loved it. It was also pretty darn big as well, nothing like getting stuffed off a great $8 sandwich. I love that they put no sauce on it, but the sauce at the table was great as well. Tried some pulled pork from the person I was with and thought it was great too. I have seriously been considering going back there for dinner, but I wont hurt my waste line that much in a day. Cant wait to go back and try there sampler platter
(4)
kinke s.
love this place!!!
(4)
ELLIE M.
First off let me tell you how much I enjoyed this place.The wait staff makes you feel you feel very comfortable they have live music in the back round and the pulled pork sandwich is AWESOME . Not only that the have a dry rub rib and if you like it it wet (as most of you do) they have like 3 different bbq sauces on the table you can try .I really liked this joint and if your not to far from the Pilsen area you should definetly check it out!!!!!!
(5)
Jonathan W.
1) Overrated. 2) Super meh...
(2)
Don R.
I was really looking forward to some great BBQ from all the hype on this place, but sadly I was dissapointed. The sauces were good but not outstanding. The babyback ribs lacked any distinct flavor. I am sure these ribs were not boiled first, but that is how they tasted. The pulled pork was much the same. I expected some big smoke flavor, but the pork was bland. The fried green tomatoes were mush and very greasy. I am a big fan of Triple D and have been to many of the restaurants that are featured on the show and this was by far the biggest let down. In my opinion, if you are looking for great BBQ in Chicago head to Smoque on the north side.
(2)
Alan S.
A carnivores carnival! This place has excellent BBQ!! The pulled pork sandwich is a must; throw away the bread, you don't need that, and anyway you'll have more space for the ribs, or even the "Viking" ribs which are huge and moist and delicious! Everyone knows the BBQ is good here but I was amazed at the Bannana pudding, it's great, and people I was with raved about the sweet potato pie and a peach cobbler.... I don't know if these are always on the menu but save a bit of space for them! The place is straightforward; good music, plain tables, get's a bit loud and crowded, but what do you expect if it's this good?
(4)
natalie p.
I have not eaten in their restaurant, but I just came from a Pig Roast they catered and the pig was perfect. The owner and his wife are very nice and interesting people. I think the restaurant just opened, and they may also deliver soon. Will update review after I eat there. Oh yeah, and they do catering!
(4)
Chris P.
I love Honky Tonk BBQ! It's sad to read so many negative reviews, but on the other hand maybe it means there will be an open table for me to enjoy some great q and music as well.
(4)
Lezah G.
I rank this 5 stars in terms of ambience and music. It is a family place, a place for dates, a place for groups. It can be all things to all people. I love the old artifacts from the past and the old fashioned fixtures and mixmatched chairs. The people there were all very nice, but were they efficient? No...we barely saw our server and had to wait forever between getting seated, getting water, getting our orders taken,etc. Then nobody came to fill out our water glasses or see if we wanted anything. We both had brisket sandwiches which were delicious but our sides were not. Someone's hand slipped with the vinegar bottle and the slaw and the beans were inedibe and left uneaten. The server had no reaction when we told her about this. Afterwards we heard the band the Possum Hollow Boys perform. I give them 5 stars .As for the restaurant, whether or not I return will depend on what bands they have there. To me it is not worth a trip to Pilsen if there is not a good band playing!
(3)
Juliet H.
They're main entrance is a bit random, but they're most likely open. It is very lively in there. Their food? Eh...not the best. Their service? Eh..could be better. Just didn't really enjoy their food too much. I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was dry and not enough sauce. My theory with pulled pork sandwiches...if you have to add more sauce, it's not good enough.
(3)
Ryan P.
Amazing!! At my table there was pot pie, pulled pork sandwich, st. louis ribs, mac and cheese, sweet yams, and fried green tomatoes. AMAZING!!! We had desert, peach cobbler and chocolate cake - ehh. But back to the main food, amazing.
(5)
Jennifer B.
Walking into Honky Tonk BBQ is like walking into a tattoo- a big, bright red and orange flame tattoo that surrounds the metal door. Stepping inside, you realize it's more like having dinner in your funky country aunt's dining room. Honky Tonk has strange hours- 4-9:30 on Tuesday-Saturday only- but making the trek is definitely worth it. First, the BBQ! My dining partners salivated over the $30 giant combo platter. Two people split it and a bowl of the chili and still had leftovers at the end of the meal. Another friend got the pulled pork sandwich and coleslaw to similar acclaim. I, the resident vegetarian, had an unexpectedly awesome meal of the "What Your Girlfriend Wants Salad" (true in this case!), the mac n cheese, the candied yams on special that night, and the cornbread muffin. The three housemade BBQ sauces on the table were the best part of the meal- one was sweet, one tangy, and one spicy mustard! Someone at the table was explaining the difference between Memphis-style and other-style BBQ, one being dry and one smothered in sauce, and the meat here is definitely the dry style, so you can add as much of your own sauce as you want. The restaurant is also BYOB, so bring some cold beers to go along with the food! Extra bonus shoutout to the Northside Southpaws who perform at Honky Tonk every Friday night. The music was fantastic and fit in perfectly with the food and the atmosphere. This alone makes the restaurant worth visiting for any fans of folk, bluegrass, and other mandolin/guitar based music.
(4)
TRose H.
Went because of the reviews...Food was bland. There are soo many better BBQ places in Chicago. Won't go back
(2)
david o.
Great atmosphere - the band was amazing and the service was Awesome. Food was fantastic also - the artwork hanging up in the restaurant was such a Great surprise!
(5)
E.P M.
Had better. I have when they opened up in 2007 me and my girlfriend were there, the brick of cornbread came wrapped up looking like a bulls head with a slab of butter on top. The chicken was juicy and flavorful...sadly unlike most things according to my girlfriend who recently had went with family...it has not aged well. I'm leaving it at that. I'm gonna be nice.
(2)
Sep E.
I really wanted to love this place, especially after seeing it on TV, but this was perhaps one of the worse dining experience in my life. So bad that is prompted me to write my first Yelp review. So, I started off the Friday night with a suggestion to my boyfriend that we check out the BBQ joint we saw on TV. Little did we know that would wind up being our entire evening. We waited for more than 2 hours after initially being told it would take only one hour to be seated. After being seated, the food did not come out for one hour. Shouldn't BBQ already be made and ready to be slapped on a plate when ordered? Apparently, not here. The management in this place is awful and clearly not equipped to deal with a heavy dinner crowd. Smoque handles large crowds far better and in a far friendlier manner. I felt sorry for people with takeout orders who waited more than one hour! I would have been okay with the wait if the food was good, but it was, at best mediocre. I went specifically for the beef spare ribs and they were out (shocker). So, I went with the beef and chicken options. The chicken was dried out and flavorless, and the brisket was flavorless too and served on bread that was not right for BBQ. The black eyed peas were tasty, but the other sides just okay. The mashed potatoes needed major seasoning and someone clearly did not taste them before sending them out. Fried green tomatoes were unimpressive - sorta like a fried mushroom with that weird mystery bread crumb coating. So, bottom line - I am headed to Smoque next time I get the crazy idea to go to a BBQ joint on a Friday night.
(1)
Diana S.
Cheap tasty bbq joints are great! This place wasn't fancy at all. There is no air conditioning which was really killing us the day we went there, so we got take out instead. The main room was really humid and smelled like a dirty wet dog...eww. Not very appetizing. However, I can overlook all of that. We got a full slab of ribs and the rib tips. The sauces that came with were tasty. The ribs were so smoky...yum! The rib tips could have been a bit more tender and I wish they were cut parallel to the bone. It would have been easier to eat. Overall the food is pretty good. Next time we'll get delivery from there.
(3)
Ryan W.
I enjoy good BBQ and I've been hearing about Honky Tonk BBQ for some time. I happened to be in the neighborhood today and decided to give Honky Tonk a try. I suggest you stay away. The service was terrible. We waited over an hour for our food, which came out wrong, cold and tasteless. THe best part about the meal was the mac and cheese, which was fantastic. The brisket was horrible no matter how much BBQ sauce I dosed it with. After we got the check (and waited for about 10 minutes for someone to work the register) we both started feeling sick to our stomachs on the ride home. Not worth the trip, wait or cost.
(1)
Tommy A.
Probably would go 4.5 if I could, this is a good place. I need to start off by saying I don't think Memphis dry rub bbq is my favorite type, Carolina style, and Texas beef brisket are 2 styles I prefer. With that said I'll try to be objective and the dry rub on the ribs and chicken especially, are very good. Went with a group of 4 plus a kid that likes to eat, we split the large sampler and this allowed us to get a little taste of everything. Not sure if anything stood out too much, but all around solid, with maybe the exception of the brisket. I thought the brisket was kind of mediocre. I liked the sauces, the mustard one is especially interesting and good. Prices are fair, maybe a touch high, but on par with most BBQ places. The vibe in there is fun. Like old saloon, meets Jersey diner with fun new age kind of Western paintings on the wall. Looks like it might get more lively at night, but certainly somewhere kids can eat before too late. So overall, give it a try. Chicken, ribs, pulled pork, pretty good. Hot link is decent not great, brisket I'd skip.............. Oops, holy crap, I almost forgot to mention the bacon candy, this is awesome! I must try.
(4)
Julie S.
This southerner was pleasantly surprised by Honky Tonk BBQ. After having Fat Willies - I thought I was destined to never have good BBQ again... but Honky Tonk is a welcome addition to my rotation. We did the sampler and a few additional items - favorites were the brisket, pulled pork, and the chicken. The Mac and Cheese was good - but not the best I have ever had..... I will definitely come back!
(4)
Julia H.
I've been here three times in the past week. I dream about it at night. I may be in love. Bad atmosphere? Wrong. I liked the artwork and Johnny Cash is always a good listen. Bad service? Maybe. The owners are friendly and talkative but the server seemed bored. I don't blame her though because I think she is there every night. Bad neighborhood? Pshaw. Just trust me, this place is delicious. Don't go to a BBQ place in Pilsen expecting stellar service. Go expecting good food, good prices, and a friendly atmosphere.
(5)
Christopher H.
This place is really good. They're mac & cheese and corn bread are awesome. I usually get the St. Louis Ribs. The food is excellent w/ just the dry rub, but the sauces are really good too. It's reasonably priced & I love the space, very saloon-y feel to it. I've been back a couple of times & will continue to go back, service is timely & friendly. Better than Lillies Q, not as good as Smoque.
(4)
Ruth G.
The bbq was pretty good, but not quite on the same level as smoque daddy, or smoque... (but almost there). The portions are pretty big, and the homemade apple pie was tasty (but not quite memorable). The atmosphere is pretty fun, which adds an extra level of enjoyment. It's decorated like a barn and there is some live music at times. So, pretty solid if you are in the neighborhood.
(3)
Debbie E.
A solid 3 stars. I've had better and I've had worse. We had the sampler platter and the rib tips. The sampler platter is a pretty good value at $30. You could easily feed 3-4 people. Everything was quite tasty. The rub and the char on the meat was good enough that you could choose to go without sauce. Ribs were not dry and came off the bone easily. The pulled pork was really moist. The brisket had good flavor, but was a little too fatty. Hot links had skin that "popped" when you bit into it and had a nice kick. The ribs tips were plentiful and delicious. The chicken wasn't bad, but slightly overcooked. We had gotten there early... around 5:30 before it got crowded. One of the biggest downsides of the place is that when you first walk in, you get an overwhelming whiff of stale cigarettes and beer. Although, the bar is in the front of the place. Maybe the back room smells better. Will be back there because it's close to home, but wouldn't make a special trip there. Too many better barbecue places in Chicago for that.
(3)
Craig C.
The food at Honky Tonk BBQ is delicious....plain and simple. The Beef Brisquet sandwich is my favorite with melt-in-your mouth meat...doesn't even need sauce, on a wonderful roll; the sweet potato side dish was to die for. And the country music that played the last couple of times I was there was energetic, listenable, and provided a great backdrop to the food. The restaurant itself is developing a better ambiance than it had originally, and the service is getting much better. Don't expect the smooth gentility of Carson's, but it's much better, for example, than Leon's on the south side. I'd compare the place to Smoke Daddy both in terms of the food and the environment.
(5)
Erica M.
NEVER AGAIN Honkey Tonk! I came back after a really terrible experience figuring that maybe they had an off-night when we ordered from there a few months ago. After the long walk over from 18th Street Pink line I placed my order: half slab of baby back ribs; pulled pork sandwich, side hot link and mac and cheese. First of all, for $4 the mac and cheese portion is a joke. But I guess it doesn't matter much since it's just bland overcooked noodles with a very stingy cheese-like sauce. Never trust white mac & cheese; mac & cheese should be a nice deep orangey color. This pulled pork sandwich is atrocious. Huge chunks of barely tender meat. If you pull the pork it should look shredded, but it seems the pork hasn't been cooked long enough, hence the gross chunks of meat that have no flavor!!! Again, the baby back ribs don't seem like they've been cooked long enough either. The meat is still pink and there's none of the fall of the bone goodness that I shelled out $11 for. Where's the smoked goodness that marks southern bbq. I mean even liquid smoke would've added a bit more authenticity. The hot links were enjoyable, reasonably priced but even that couldn't save this meal. NEVER AGAIN!!! I don't know who in the hell gives this place great reviews-they've obviously never tasted real bbq. I'm so disappointed, I could just cry...
(1)
Nancy H.
Interesting neighborhood. Cops were called to this area last Saturday night because there were gunshots heard, and my friends saw sketchy people running for their lives. I guess the front door should have been a big clue; it's a gated screen door covering a tall, black door that makes you feel like you're walking into a boarded up house instead of a restaurant. Atmosphere isn't great, but the smell of BBQ smoke welcomes you as soon as you walk in. Food wasn't great either, nothing has BBQ sauce on it; instead you squirt some on yourself. The menu is limited to pork sandwiches ($6-8), a brisket sandwich ($8), and baby back or St. Louis style ribs (full slab for $20). Sides are extra ($1.50 - $2.50). Service was great, though - they are so friendly here, and there was a country singer on his guitar who walks around the restaurant singing and playing music. Lastly, it's BYOB with no corkage fee, but we abused their policy, and the owner charged us $20 for the mess in the bathroom.. oops!
(2)
Zenia R.
one: i love saying the name, two: i don't have to travel to luling, texas for mouth watering brisket, three: there's live blue grass and the most amazing ipod play list jamming. that's more than enough for me to reserve a spot for honky tonk on my top favorites places to dine and chill in the city.
(4)
Martha S.
Having just returned from St. Louis and still not having my fill of ribs, I decided to head out to the first place in Chicago with 'dry rub' ribs. Honky Tonk BBQ summoned me. Went on a Sunday evening, found parking half a block away, which is a luxury in the city. Walked in and found seating with no problem and suddenly, the place started hopping. There was live music, which was nice for a change for a Sunday night dinner. My son had the pulled pork sandwich he loved and finished. My daughter ordered the vegitarian sandwich with fried green tomatoes and goat cheese, which was actually two small sandwiches. She loved it, but didn't finish because she tried some of my half slab. We had the basked of 4 corn muffins, which were moist and delicious. We shared baked beans with pork, which were not amazing-just good. The coleslaw that came with my 1/2 slab was good and the mac n cheese was delicious, with real cheese. Yum! I'd go here again, with friends and have a few drinks with my food. Didn't know this place was so close to home. Now that I do, I will head out here more often.
(4)
annie r.
ok. i'm stupid. ignore my previous review. this place is my jam and i would eat here everyday if my jeans allowed it.
(5)
Mike H.
I'm glad a friend of mine told me about this place b/c I'll definitely visit this BBQ joint again in the future. It's true that the restaurant number I found to order ahead so I could carry-out apparently was the cell phone number of the owner. However, as part of the voicemail, I heard that they have live music on Friday and Saturday evenings so I decided to dine-in instead, and I'm glad I did. It's also a BYOB restaurant with a $1/person corkage fee. The restaurant has two different areas. One is the main room and is connected to the other room (where the live music was playing) by a doorway. FYI - it's difficult to do anything but eat b/c of the music in the connecting room when there's live music. The party of four I was a part of had to wait about 15 mins before a table opened up for us on a Friday evening. There is no A/C which can definitely be an issue during the summer (it was already a little warm on a late Sept evening). The menu was simple and short but there are a few vegetarian options. Personally, I'd recommend the pulled pork and peach cobbler. I also liked the chicken and baby back ribs. If you're looking for brisket, go to Smoque BBQ. Do not get the chili - it wasn't any good. As far as the sauces, I preferred the the sweeter sauce which I was told was Sweet Baby Ray's. The hot sauce wasn't really hot, it was more tangy.
(4)
January C.
I came here last night for the first time. I had read good things but was a little skeptical of a BBQ joint in Pilsen. I looked through the menu and was very pleased by the offerings and the prices. Sometimes BBQ can be a little on the expensive side but I felt like everthing was reasonably priced. I was very excited to see they make a Carolina mustard sauce! I ordered a half slab of St. Louis style ribs, macaroni and cheese, and yams. The ribs were awesome! The mustard sauce was amazing! The spicy sauce was most welcome, given all the nasty sweet sauces offered in this city. The macaroni and cheese was very cheesy and good. I've had better yams. The ribs came with a roll and coleslaw; both were great. The coleslaw was fresh tasting, not drowned in mayo, and the roll had a nice garlic salt application on top. I ate the leftovers for lunch today and the meat fell right off the bone. It was just as delicious today as it was last night. I got my food for carry-out but while I was waiting, I checked out the place and thought the country-influenced paintings and honky tonk music really created an appropriate atmosphere. I think its cool that it's BYOB. I don't think it's cool that it's cash only, but I will just have to remember that. Hands down, this is the best BBQ I've eaten in Chicago and it even rivals Arthur Bryant's in Kansas City!
(5)
Nora B.
Yummy.... I have to declare that I am NOT a meat eater. I did have the BBQ chicken and it was amazingly delicious as were all of the sides, mac& cheese& garlic mashed and the sauce options at the table only added to the flavor, but were not even necessary! I was with a bunch of meat lovers and they were all impressed. My man friend had the ribs and raved about how they fell off the bone, which is good in the rib world, I am told... The service was good and the atmosphere was great, live music and all!!! Save room for the banana pudding if you can.
(4)
J J.
We were pretty disappointed since we were excited that we found this place - maybe we have been spoiled by all the Texas and Memphis BBQ we have had. Menu was limited and most of the meat selections were sandwiches. I tried the mini sandwiches but the meat was dry - definitely needed BBQ sauce for added flavor. Service was good but nothing outstanding... not a horrible experience but I will try other places next time
(2)
Jeanne C.
My friends and I got Honky Tonk carry out: one brisket sandwich, two orders of dinky dunkers (one pork/one brisket), corn bread, mac&cheese, and coleslaw. I liked it a lot. My co-eaters weren't quite as big of fans. The brisket and pork were both super tender and I really liked the sauce. The mac&cheese wasn't very cheesy and was sort of dry. The corn muffin was delicious, though I am a sucker for corn bread. My one friend (who is from Oklahoma) did not finish her dinky dunkers saying "it just wasn't like in the south." Good, solid bbq. But it didn't rock my world.
(4)
Jason M.
The food is here is always solid. They now have a full bar too making the whole experience complete. I did think it was weird though when I saw two baby-boomer couples come in and order a bottle of Merlot. What the f?!!! Who does that?
(5)
Jeremy V.
Let me tell you about how Honky Talk used to be. It used to be friendly staff greet you at the door, prompt service, and really good food. Sadly that's not the case any more. I walk in tonight with myself and two others. We didn't get greeted right away, and when we finally did, it was a server(let's call him Glasses, didn't give his name) told us about 30-35 minute wait, which is perfectly fine. After waiting another 5 minutes later, Red Pants(a buser/food runner, again, didn't give his name) asked us to wait by the bar which is perfectly fine. After moving over, he sits the party which was ahead of us to their table(6-top) and then seats a party of 2 that arrived way after us at a table my party could have easily sat us plus one other. One of my friends decided to confront Red Pants about this, who seemed quite confused about it and was willing to move the table he just sat and ask them to get up. At that point we had enough of the rude, unwelcoming service at this establishment and decided to take our business elsewhere. It's a shame, at one time this place was a good spot to drive down and grab a good drink, have some great food, and enjoy the atmosphere that this bar/restaurant offered. Now, not so much. I won't be going back and I will not recommend this place to anyone anymore. TL:DR: Horrible service, head elsewhere.
(1)
Judy R.
I haven't been to the restaurant but the restaurant came to me via Fooda in the lobby of the building where I work. I had a brisket sandwich and mashed potatoes. Wow. The brisket was tender and melted in my mouth. The mashed potatoes were scrumptious and oddly addictive. Definitely checking this place out when I am in Pilsen so that I can up this to a 5 star review. Happy eating.
(4)
Erika C.
I've been to many BBQ places and although this place was not too bad, it wasn't great either. The service was absolutely horrible. Probably the worst service I've had in a very long time. The food was just decent, nothing to brag about. The bar was very cool & hip. I wouldn't go back. There's a lot of other places in the city with better tasting mac & cheese, beef brisket and with better service. Luckily I had great company, made the horrible experience worth being there.
(2)
Sandra C.
Nice place music was good! No one greeted us at door walked to bar because we didn't know where to go for a table! Drinks great before we could order the lady comes up to bar and said we are out of every meat but pulled pork sandwich really!! How's that!! So we left no food my hubby grabbed a sandwich to go! He's is better! Maybe next visit we'll go before our movie!
(2)
Jonna N.
This place just seemed too surreal to be in Pilsen. It was like walking into another world - a pretty awesome world. I shared The Sampler with a friend. It consisted of two sausage links, two dinky dunkers (one pork and one beef brisket), side of cole slaw, side of beans, half smoked chicken, two corn muffins and half a rack of ribs. The chicken was so moist. The rib meat came off of the bones. The beef brisket came apart nicely. The sausages were a bit spicy and grilled nicely. I'm not the biggest fan of beans, but these beans were good. I wasn't a big fan of the cole slaw though. It seemed like they got a bag of lettuce that you get in salad bags and added too much vinegar to it. It wasn't my cup of tea. I think aside from the food being awesome, the thing that made Honky Tonk BBQ seem surreal was the live country/folk music. The dim lighting helped to set the mood. Overall, it was a pretty good dining experience.
(5)
Stephanie W.
Live music and good bbq. My absolute favorite is the candied bacon. It is a must when you go there to get it.
(4)
randy j.
Honky Tonk (definition) A loud, rowdy bar that plays 'honky tonk' country music (or sometimes Hot Jazz). Typically full of drunken dancing hillbillies having a good ole' time. You have been warned.
(5)
J. Chuck K.
Awesome band. The usual awesome layout and menu, but extremely poor service this time around. From the moment we were seated we knew it was going to be a battle all night for drinks. Any time we wanted to order something we had to flag our waitress down, and when our drinks arrived they came with an extra side of "F you" personality. At times she would only take the order of the person who flagged her down and quickly ignore the rest of the table and walk off. Our experience finally ended when she flat out refused to take our order and told us to go to the bar. A waitress passing up at least a $5 tip is a first for me. If you can tolerate poor service, come eat some BBQ, drink some $3 Lone Star beer and listen to some rockabilly music.
(2)
Bertha M.
I just LOVE coming here on Sundays. Enjoy some amazing BBQ (their pulled pork is my usual) while listening to the Fat Babies. Mind you, I'm not a fan of loud music while eating but the music they play is wonderful. There's always a group of customers that are there in dressed in '20's/'30's attire and they just makes me feel like I went back time. Seriously, one of my favorite spots in the city.
(5)
Allen F.
The salads are great, service is super friendly, and bacon candy is BOMB. SO GOOD!
(4)
Lindsey C.
The atmosphere is great, cocktails are strong, but the meats come out cold. We watched 3 tables of 2 served their food before we ever ordered (also table of 2). The sides are the best thing here. GREAT candied bacon, Mac and cheese, pretzel roll and cornbread. The pork is far better than the brisket (very fatty and hard to choke down cold).
(2)
F. C.
Great dry rub St,Lois style Ribs the candy bacon is also tasty .
(5)
Jessica H.
Bacon & Brew is amazing! Their cole slaw is the jam. Music is just a little loud for conversation!
(4)
Megan S.
To be fair, I have visited Honky Tonk on several occasions to try and conceive what is with all the hype that is built up for this establishment. As a disclosure, I am not a food critic nor a "foodie," I'm just your average American girl with a respect for things well made. How do I begin... First of all, despite what many have claimed about Honky Tonk, I find the place to be rather grimy. Grease seems to linger in the air and when combined with unwashed floor grit, the whole restaurant feels stuffy and out-dated. Oddly, some people seem to care for this feel, I do not. Not in a place that serves food. I've tried several of their meats; I am unimpressed to say the least. Honky Tonk cold smokes their meats and oddly enough, serves the food cold. Like day old, stagnant, luke warm. Anyone that knows anything about true barbecue, knows that good barbecue does not need "barbecue sauce." I have observed the majority of paying customers in this joint smothering their chicken and pulled pork sandwiches with barbecue sauce... And laughing, carrying on with their day. Shameful. Their prices are beyond ludicrous for their sub-par cooking-- 7$ for seven SLICES of fried tomatoes!! Ha! Just... Awful. Anyways, I did enjoy the bands and ensembles that came through during my visits, and the guys behind the bar are great... Just not great enough for me to return. Ever. If you want decent barbecue try County BBQ, off Taylor street. That place gives you more bang for you buck with good food and less plaid shirts... Oh God, the sea of plaid shirts at Honky Tonk... I still have nightmares. (Hipsters, just remember that you are still in El Barrio).
(1)
Dermite S.
Had a delicious dinner tonight thanks to Honky Tonk and our sweet server Emily. She was on it, from suggestions to service; didn't bat an eye and just smiled when the BBQ "pros" at our table proceeded to heckle her about the menu. This place never disappoints, and is made all the more charming with fun staff, decor and Outstanding live music! electric blues kept the crowd lively during our visit. Management clearly knows what they are doing, this place is a Pilsen institution. Try anything pork, it's award winning. Great Mac n cheese, don't miss the girlfriend salad, fried green tomatoes, and banana pudding. Love the group dining experience to try out more food than anyone should consume alone. They have a solid bar with a quality beer selection and charming tenders, Joe makes a mean moonshine.
(5)
Rott G.
Stopped in last night for dinner. Food and service was wonderful.
(5)
Chuck T.
Local hangout for very solid KC-style BBQ, music and beer. Love their brisket and smoky links! Place is usually packed, so head to the bar, grab a seat when you can, down a cold one and enjoy some of the best local CW music in the region! while waiting for a delicious meal!
(4)
Kellie M.
We went on the Sunday before Memorial Day 2014 to see the band, Fat Babies, and had never been to the Honky Tonk BBQ. I have to rate this as two separate situations and they are both very mixed: THE FOOD/RESTAURANT: Amazing food. Service: Meh. The fact that you have to wait around the front until a table leaves and pay attention to find your own table even though they have someone that sorta seems like a hostess but not really because sometimes she's seating people and sometimes she disappears is a little annoying. Once you actually sit down and are served, it's a nice atmosphere. Our waitress was kind and helpful I will note that originally, we walked in and sat at a table that was not near the band at all (in fact it was in another room very far from the band) but when we decided we really wanted to be closer to the band, we went back to the front of the restaurant to wait for a new table. I went out of my way to look for our original waitress (who didn't actually serve us anything, just went to get us menus) and she was a total bitch about it. I went out of my way to find her and tell her we were moving and why and I apologized and she didn't even answer me. New waitress: way better. The food is good. We had the bacon candy for starters which was not out-of-your-mind good but good. I had a pulled pork sandwich and my date had a beef brisket. They were both really good. For sides, we had the mac and cheese - a little too peppery but still okay and candied yams which were awesome. The large was too large for us but we took about one serving of each side home. We each had two drinks: one Pimm's cup which was AMAZING..THE BEST I EVER HAD. and second drink called a Lazy Protestant or something like that. Meh. Dessert was strawberry shortcake which we instantly regretted ordering but we ate it anyway because, hey, it's dessert. THE RESTAURANT AS A VENUE: For this band: HORRIBLE! The band started playing right as we sat down to eat so by mid appetizer, several 20-something swing dancers were in our way and, well, pretty much in everyone's way. By the time we got to dessert, the restaurant had moved 2 tables so the 12 couples of swing dancers could do their thing, however, it WAS STILL TOO SMALL OF AN AREA FOR THEM TO BE DANCING. The restaurant should be aware of this. What's worse is that I didn't see any of them order food (maybe a drink or two for a couple of them). They just showed up to dance. I get that they wanted to have fun but my god, at the expense of the comfort of paying customers?? The two tables next to us were FORCED to sit on benches staring at the dancers because their tables were MOVED!! What the hell? While we attempted to look past the dancers, we tried to enjoy the last few numbers of the band and eat our dessert. My date got stepped on, kicked and yes, SWEATED on while we were eating. What's worse is that these self-absorbed hipster assholes didn't even pay attention to anyone around them. They danced into a bus boy with plates, a runner with trays of food and a customer trying to go to the bathroom. It was ridiculous. Needless to say, it's hard to like this place with that type of experience we had. We will go to see Fat Babies somewhere else and there are plenty of other BBQ places in Chicago that aren't as clueless as Honky Tonk BBQ. I think this place needs to make up its mind - is it a restaurant or a dance venue because it sucks as both.
(2)
Ed B.
Awesome BBQ. Highly recommend that everyone should try it. The Brisket was perfect!
(5)
Jonathan C.
So I went with the Mrs and a couple friends this past Friday night. Its been a few years since I was in Pilsen as from 2010-2012 I was living in Australia and then moved to the northern burbs of Chicago in 2012. Anyways, I was excited to go back to Pilsen as I thought it was a really cool neighborhood back in 2009. Now it seems like the Mexicans have all but moved out and the hipster/artsy/not quite yuppy crowd has moved in. I've got nothing against that, because I have plenty of great Mexican food by my house and I was not going to make a trip all the way to Pilsen for Neuvo Leon or another amazing Mexican place that is just too far of a trip from my house. So we enter this place. I am a fan of the decor. My wife mentioned it reminded her of her Grandfather's house (he lives on a ranch outside of Ponca City, Oklahoma). So the decor really works for a BBQ place. I like the trays. I love the fact that they have good beers on tap. The music, oh the music was great. There was one band that was twangy and two guitars and later there was a blues band. The second band actually got lots of people up and dancing. So Jon, why only 3 stars for a place that has so much going for it?!?!? The service of the waitress was absolute crap. I understand that they are busy, but that is no excuse. They may need to have more servers, they may need better servers, I do not know. But she stops by and we say we need a minute or two to decide what to order. It took a good 10 minutes before she showed up again and that is only because I called her over while she was walking by. However, once we got the check, she was extremely quick to show up and pick up the credit card. And the food, well that was lacking. They were out of bacon candy, baby back ribs, sweet potato pie, and another item I cannot remember. Boo what kind of place is missing so many of their key items? Maybe if they were able to keep in stock their popular/good items my food review would be higher. The Texas chili had beans!!!!! WTF that is not Texas Chili. The brisket chunks were meaty goodness, but the beans and spice was not what I expected. There was more cumin, garlic, onion powder, and salt flavor than chili pepper flavor. We got a sampler platter and the beef ribs. The brisket was a little fatty and possibly should have been smoked/cooked longer to let all the fat render. The chicken was dry. The pulled pork was solid and the hot links were probably the highlight of the meal. The beef ribs were huge, ala Flintstones opening sequence. They were definitely not ribs you can eat with your hands. It was more entertaining than anything else. I think next time I'm in Pilsen I will definitely go somewhere else for food as I'm passing too many better BBQ joints on way to Pilsen.
(3)
Cloey S.
I eat here several times a year with family. This is the best BBQ around with a handful of sauces to choose from. They even have candied bacon! I am always happy to see the local art hanging all over the walls and I enjoy the live music. I would suggest you try this place out if you're ever in the area. Always great service and they have a full bar.
(5)
Adi R.
Quirky place with a different country/swing band playing every night. Food and drinks are decent but I would recommend going just for the experience.
(4)
Vince L.
Great food, intelligent service. Try he cobbler!
(4)
Tameka A.
I went for my birthday, and since was also our first time there we really ordered a large amount of food to ummmm (taste) lol. We ordered candied bacon, black eyed peas, corn muffins, a sampler platter which had ( 1/2 rack of baby back ribs, 1/2 chicken, pulled pork, brisket, hot links, cole slaw, baked beans and I could be missing something, lol) we also ordered candied yams, mac & cheese, 1/2 rack of St. Louis ribs, a Bloody Mary to die for and the peach cobbler. Now to the tasty bits, all the sides were really good, which the exception of the candied yams they were ok. I find that the ribs were great, the chicken was average as always in a BBQ joint. There links surpassed my expectations, the brisket good but the pulled pork was atrocious ( dry, boring and tasteless) . Where they really shine is in customer service, they are really attentive. They walk the floor making sure if need anything and are quick with the service they provide. My server was a really sweet young lady and even still we really enjoyed the atmosphere. Also try the candied bacon and the Bloody Mary it's a meal in and of itself!!
(4)
Anna P.
Honky Tonk has a really great vibe, perfect for noshing on BBQ. It is dim and noisy (in a good way!) and they have live music almost every night. If you go at peak times, be prepared to wait. We tried the fried green tomatoes, brisket, pulled pork, ribs, mac n cheese, coleslaw, and vegetarian beans. Everything was good, although I did not think that the ribs lived up to the hype. The best thing we tried was probably the peach cobbler for dessert! Definitely a must-try for BBQ lovers.
(3)
Ashley W.
I went and had the ribs and chicken combo and was so surprised at how subpar the BBQ sauce an meat was. Thats it. Service was fine; beer and decor nice but food way overrated. Sorry to be a downer everyone!
(2)
Joel G.
I would give this restaurant a good rating but they keep running out of food. Don't rely on anything being on the menu.... And they cop an attitude when you question it.
(1)
Diaz M.
Ummm, nice attempt but no cigar! Smells good, but taste very bland. Had the Ribs, BLAND! Had the pulled pork, BLAND had the cole slaw, I'm not a fan of cilantro in my cole slaw! It overpowered the vinegar and mayo based sauce, please take that out. The people who like this BBQ have no idea what good BBQ tastes like. If you put a dry-rub with some Salt(s), paprika, dry mustard, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, garlic, onion powder, rubbed in with soy sauce...then we can talk. OOPS, I just gave away a rub recipe. PLEASE USE IT! However the service was very nice! :) Not a fan, I'm sorry guys!
(1)
Kristina V.
Ribs were chewy and not tasty. I've eaten BBQ all my life and this was very disappointing. I would not order the Mac & cheese. It was just off. The best thing here was the ice cold Lone Star beer!
(2)
Maggie M.
Just fantastic all around. Great drinks- try the Moonshine cocktail. Mouth watering food- I recommend the Brisket, and I'm usually a pulled pork gal. Live music with a southern twang, friendly and attentive staff. I can't speak more highly of this BBQ joint, it's just perfect. They also have Trivia nights, I think Tuesdays. Not a bad place to come just for drinks either!
(5)
Pattie S.
The sides were great but all the meat was so dry. Also there was a hair in my mashed potatoes. I get it...sometimes it happens but the meat just killed it for me. First time they opened it was great and now not so much. Baby back ribs I literally broke apart and they sounded like styrofoam. I try to give everything a chance so I have gone back a few times but really every time after the first has sucked. I don't get it everyone else's pic looks juicy but then I order it and it as hard as a rock. The taste of the ribs were good but they were so hard and there was barely any meat on them. It's almost as if they had been sitting out then thrown into the microwave. My kids had the pulled pork sandwich and no matter how much bbq they added they still said it was so dry. When we first walked in no one even acknowledged us and it was empty! The waiter was really nice and helpful but I really only enjoyed the appetizers and the sides. That sucks tremendously because it's a bbq place but...oh well. Oh and as cute as the high Chairs are, they're not very safe. My kid just pushed the tray right off and there was no belt on it. So disappointed I really wanted to take my godmother out to a good bbq before she left town again. I want to say I'll give it another try but this has been our third time there and no improvement. I do like to support local business so I am sad but this is the second time they serve me dry meat.
(2)
Rob N.
I showed up for a couch surfing meet so there was a total of 7 of us. I split the sampler ($32) with a friend It came with a pulled pork sandwhich (4/5) you put the sweet sauce on the burger and it was tasted and nice and soft ribs (3/5) the ribs were good but I felt were a little too charred Sausage (3/5) it was alright I don't know how to describe it Chicken (4/5) The chicken was awesome nice grilled and not too dry Beans (5/5) Awesome I think I'm missing something else, but the vibe of the place was simple and there was a blues band playing (I personally didn't want music but it was a good feel) Place is awesome and it doesn't hurt your wallet B++++++ would do business again
(4)
Merrill O.
Just two words. Candied. Bacon. Probably the closest thing to bar grub perfection that I have ever tasted. And just 5 bucks will get you a thick crispy slab of said sweet perfection AND a pint of Old Style. Seriously....what are you waiting for? Get to Honky Tonk BBQ....sit at the bar....and order up a slice of heaven. And if Joe happens to be your bartender, your night is off to a darn good start!
(4)
Eric A.
Awesome BBQ. Great drinks. Good service and live music. Can't really say much more. People come from all over the city to get the bacon and brew. Candied bacon served with a glass of old style beer for 5 dollars? Awesome. Honestly I hate old style. But for 5 dollars it's hard to complain.
(5)
Tim E.
I was here last Sunday. My first impression was that they were a little unorganized. My girlfriend and I waited at the front door with another couple for a few minutes before we asked someone if we were supposed to seat yourself. We had a tough time finding a table because we were meeting some of our other friends and there was 7 of us all together. The front half of the place was jam packed with people, so we settled on sitting in the back. While we were waiting we checked out the bar and got pretty fast service for how busy it was. We both settled on the moonshine drink, I cant exactly remember what it was called. We listened to the band play while we waited for everyone to arrive. I am a sucker for live music and this band did not disappoint. I couldn't tell you one song they played, but they sure played the hell out of them. So once we all got settled in we ended up sitting in the back room. A little disappointing because the atmosphere in the back was not nearly as cool as the front, but what can you do when you have 7 people. So we ordered our food, we got the sampler platter. It was amazing. Little bit of everything they do, plus it makes great leftovers (I am eating some right now). The service was pretty much what I expected. Not overwhelmingly attentive but they were pretty busy, so its excusable. The one thing I really dislike that they did here, gratuity was included. I know a lot of places it's just policy or whatever, but I really don't like to be forced into tipping. But oh well, I would've tipped more than 18% so its really the servers loss. Overall I had a very pleasant experience at Honky Tonk, and I will be back soon, probably will a small group though! I was really in-between 3 and 4 stars, but I think the live music really put it over the edge for me and tipped it to the 4 star scale. Keep it up Honky Tonk BBQ!
(4)
Margaret P.
Tonight was my first visit, and I'll definitely be back. My friend and I split the bacon candy appetizer; it was delicious and salty and sweet and just the right amount of chew. Definitely recommended if you like bacon (and who doesn't?) For dinner I had the platter with both meats (pork and brisket) and a side of candied yams. The yams were a little oversweetened for my taste, but they were cooked perfectly, and you get an appropriate portion size. The brisket was a little "flaky" for lack of a better word, but not dry; and the pulled pork was that right balance of moist without being greasy. I had the mustard BBQ sauce on the pork, and the less sweet red BBQ sauce on the brisket (I didn't see labeling on the sauce bottles to indicate the style). Portion size on the meats is very generous; I eat a lot of meat on principal (Paleo eater) and I still brought home most of the pork. One thing I would have left off: the seasoned salt they dust the meat with. The meat was delicious enough to not need additional salt. My friend got a mixed drink with absinthe and local root beer, and I had a sip. It was verrrrry anise flavored and I wasn't a fan. Also they use paper straws, which are great for the environment, but my friend's straw collapsed halfway through the meal. Another nice touch was the live music. I'd call it "Dixieland jazz" if I had to define it, and I said to my friend that it was like waking down Main Street in Disneyland. It gave a nice, uptempo feeling to the evening. Service was nice and fairly attentive, despite it being dinner hour and pretty busy. I look forward to going back.
(4)
Jean K.
Love me some great BBQ!...and art!...and live music!! So when you combine all 3 of these together...you know I'm a fan!! Was greeted right away...and sat within a few minutes. Pretty simple place. Saloon'ish with the modernization of art. Thursdays feature live music - and that old rocking horse!! Loved it! had one!! Was enjoying myself even before the drinks arrived. Good drinks on tap. Did love the unique selections...although we played it safe and stuck with good ol'beer. Food was either hit or miss - although nothing was terrible. Wanted to try it all...so me and my hubby went with the platter which offered a good sampling of everything. His mom and our son went with the brisket. Cornbread...greens...mac and cheese...we had all the fixings for a gorge out! The best food we sampled was the brisket. And this is coming from someone who does not really like brisket! But, it was delic!! So good...I wanted more!! Even better topped off with their mustard sauce! Corn bread was the 2nd runner up...followed in by their chicken and pulled pork. Sausage had a good grilled flavor, but was a little on the greasy side, which would really upset my belly later on. Had really wanted to try out the bacon candy! But, will save that for the next time around...because - we will be back! Trying that Fungi Sammie too - looked tasty!!
(4)
Lola M.
can i be perfectly honest here? this is my favorite bar in all of Chicago. yep, #1. the grub is solid. the drinks are delicious - per example, Honky Tonk's version of a Manhattan is made of angel tears, house cured cherries and a splendid over-sized ice cube the size of a billiard ball. the bands that play here are unique and a roarin' good time. bring yer little lady and swing her round, fellas!
(5)
AK D.
What a bummer. We came in here to grab some drinks and food before a concert next door. We sat at the bar at 7pm on a Thursday and couldn't not have received more attitude from the bartender. Rolling eyes and some serious shade for every question we asked. Which was a shame because the food came out timely and hot from a friendly runner. The Mac and Cheese was tasty and the mixed platter was good. I can't say the quality of the BBQ was great. I wouldn't go out of my way to order the brisket or the pork again. No smoke taste at all and the brisket was not tender. Again not terrible but meh. We liked the drinks when we could get the attention of the bartender standing 3 feet away not making eye contact like it was a bet. So points for Mac and Cheese, bacon candy, and cocktails.
(1)
Jim K.
Went here on a Sat night. The place was chaos (and not in the fun way). There was no one to seat us, yet they were kicking people out of sits for "reservations." That didn't even bother me; it was the fact that there was no one to direct traffic at the front of the house. It was insanely disorganized. The service was average, and certainly not anything to write home about. Had an "Old Fashioned" which was quite good. Took sips of other's drinks, and everything seemed pretty tasty. From a food standpoint, the Candied Bacon was tasty, and is recommended for anyone who's never had sugar topped bacon. I tried the pull pork, but was not horribly impressed. The sauces were average (I preferred the vinegar based BBQ sauce). Over all, I wasn't very impressed with my visit to The Honky Tonk. I really want to try it again, but, frankly, there are better BBQ joints, bars, and live venues that will always take precedence.
(2)
Beatriz T.
Was slumming in the Pilsen area last Saturday night on our way to DeColores for some Mexican food when we passed by Honky Tonk and I heard very excited "awwwww that place is the shit" from the back seat of the car. We pulled over, had a pow wow, busted a U-eyyyyyy and were on our way. BBQ it was. I absolutely loved the decor...I am plotting ways to break in and steal the huge Frida Kahlo portrait they have when you walk in the door. Italian Job anybody??? Rockabilly Bands playing while we ate! Yes! I'm a huge rockabilly/pin up girl fan. Started with the Bacon N Brew which was fine by me. Candied Bacon is never a bad idea,,neither is beer for that matter. Had fried green tomatoes and Mac n Cheese for apps. Both were so/so, Have had better. Ordered the sampler platter for my main course. Holy Shit that's a lot of food. Huge Portions Great Service Delicious Cornbread. Ribs were delicious. Coleslaw was awesome with hints of cilantro. Banana Pudding was very good and I don't usually order desserts. The sauces are delicious, especially that mustard sauce. I don't know what's in it, but I would have loved to take the bottle. (I seem to want to steal a lot of shit from here...don't mind me Honky Tonk...I won't steal your sauces or painting....honestly.) All I know is I got home and put on my stretchy pants and the next thing I knew there was drool on my shoulder. ITIS! To sum this up....I would come back to eat or just to have some drinks and listen to some bands. My experience was great here.
(4)
Evelyn M.
2 of my friends and I met here for dinner. Appetizer: BACON CANDY we had to order it. Thick, chewy, caramelized bacon- yummm! We ordered pulled pork sandwiche and the beef brisket... AMAZING! Just as tasty as the mac and cheese, garlic mashed potatoes and the fungi that very well complemented our sandwiches. I ordered B&E Moonshine, and it was delicious. Overall, our experience was great. Staff very friendly and the atmosphere was fun and pleasant!
(5)
Talin H.
This is clearly a Pilsen establishment that contributes to the trend of the slowly but surely gentrifying neighborhood. You know how it is: first the hipsters come in, then cool restaurants, and then apartment prices slowly start to increase. But I digress. The food here was very good. I loved that they had a variety of regional housemade BBQ sauces to try, which is the benefit of being in the midwest, where we don't really stake a claim to any specific method of barbecue or sauce. I also loved that they had a variety platter which included a little bit of the all of the meats they have on hand. The chicken was one of the best barbecue chickens I've ever had - smoky and juicy. I will say that the whole bacon and PBR thing is really just a gimmick, but bacon gimmicks go a long way these days. I would definitely go back, and if I lived anywhere near here, I would eat here often!
(4)
Anastasia A.
I really wanted to like it...I had heard great things about the place for months and I finally made my way there. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. I order the rib tips with mac and cheese. My companion had the brisket. The food was so heavily spiced with pepper that it over powered the meat and the mac and cheese taste. The tips were dry and pasta not well cooked. The overall serviced were pleasant. I just wish the food would have lived up to our expectations.
(1)
Devon W.
I LOVE the Honky Tonk BBQ. They may not win the best BBQ in America each year, or have a travelling team of bearded men and women smoking meats at county fairs, but they do have a lovely location, fun venue for bands, tasty food, and a general good ambiance. I have started making this my go-to place for trivia on Wednesday nights (8:30pm). Trivia is free, and you can get all the beer/food/bacon candy you want as you're playing. Since I am now there regularly, I will add to this post as I try new things. So far my favorite menu item is the basket of rib tips. These are always seasoned wonderfully and cooked to perfection. Whenever I'm there I try to order something else, but my little tastebuds and growling stomach get the better of me and I end up ordering the rib tips... again... and again. If you're there with some newbies, be sure to get the bacon candy. It's a real belt-loosener, but so delicious you have to try it at least once. If (for whatever reason) you're the only one ready for a taste, you can get one THICK slice with a beer for $5. Two of those and you've got yourself a meal.
(4)
Stephanie S.
I got takeout here last night: the pork sandwich and mac and cheese. It was OK. I'd go back, but it wasn't the best BBQ I've ever had. The sandwich was huge. The pork was sliced and I prefer chopped. The sauce was on the better side of OK but nothing to write home about. The bread was a garlicky ciabatta, and I really liked the soft chewiness of it. The macaroni was just OK. It had the consistency of being made the day before, refrigerated overnight and heated up again. When I got there, workers were standing on the stoop and seemed surprised that I wanted to go inside and order something. I think they had been open for an hour already and didn't have their cash register set up to take my payment, so I used a credit card. The girl who took my order seemed slightly annoyed and was pretty unfriendly. I couldn't help but think that she was looking down her nose at me because I'm not as tattooed and ironic as she is. I'm definitely willing to come sit down one evening with my husband to try out something else, maybe the bacon candy, and enjoy the ambiance.
(3)
Daniel S.
My favorite place for BBQ in the city, I've been here countless times and have tried literally everything, the brisket and pork are the best meats, rib tips are good and you get a lot, ribs were just ok, the sausage links were really good, the mac and cheese is great, the banana pudding the best ive ever had, the empanadas were solid, the bacon candy is delicious, all their pies and ice cream are good too, nice beer and drink selection as well, reasonably priced and you get a good deal for your money, i can't recommend it enough
(5)
Chris M.
For starters, maybe you like beer. Maybe you don't. But you have to give it to HTBBQ for creating the Bacon & Brew. A pint of Old Style (because it's ironical to like cheap beer, or something) and a slice of thick, candied bacon laying on top of the glass. Crazy, right?! And fantastic! If I have one minor quibble, it would be that I wish that the meat had a little more flavor. And we tried a variety of things, including the St. Louis ribs, rib tips and pulled pork. I thought it was somewhat on the bland side (More rub? More smoke?), but I'm a bit of a smoke-aholic when it comes to BBQ'ed meats, so maybe that's good news for your taste buds. Anyhow, a fine, casual dining experience, nice side dishes and great sauces. Try it! If you can find a parking spot. MUAHAHAHA....
(4)
Holly W.
My Husband and I are restaurant owners in the South Loop. We are huge lovers of BBQ and decided to order a handful of menu offerings for carry out after they had placed an order at our restaurant. I sure am glad we did because we found our new FAVORITE bbq spot here in Chicago. As BBQ connoisseurs know, it is unusual to find a place that nails both the meats as well as those tasty, tasty side dishes. We ordered several meats but the Smoked Chicken was absolutely magical, perfection. I loved all of the sauces but the tangy one reminds me of a favorite from back home so I ate the heck out of that one. Another stand out for me was the Southern Style Greens- Salty, a bit spicy, and delicious. The last thing I want to comment on is the Banana Bread Pudding. I will admit I have always been afraid to try bread pudding and being honest, I licked the lid as I removed it not knowing exactly what it was... UM YUM! No one else was allowed near the container of Banana Bread Pudding. We will definitely be back to sit at the bar for a few and listen to the live bands!
(5)
Abraham D.
Please note that as past restaurant and business owner for 10 years, I have higher expectations on food and service so I tend to notice things that regular clients don't. My wife wanted to have some BBQ ribs so we decided to go to Honky Tonk on Pilsen. I am by no means a BBQ nut but have to say that this place left something to be desired. It was really a problem finding parking on the street; finally, after 20 minutes going around the blocks, we found a spot about a block away. The place was almost full (St. Patrick's Day celebration?), we were not greeted and after finding the hostess, she directs us to find a table ourselves, finally, we found a boot close to the stage; the place was a little chilly for me (and I like cold weather), the menu was the placemat and we had our first disappointment, no backed potatoes anywhere. My wife was really looking to have a nice hot baked potato with the ribs. My wife ordered half baby back ribs and this was served with slaw and pretzel roll and she asked a side of garlic mashed potatoes; I ordered empanadas and a pulled pork sandwich. Wife ordered a coke (it was from a fountain machine not can or bottle) and I stayed with the glass of water after tasting the coke. The ribs were cold and not fall off the bone tender, we had to send them back to be reheated, also they were a little too dry and bland at best, I'm confident I can make a better rib. The slaw was much too fresh (raw) for my taste and not creamy enough and the garlic mash potatoes, well, my wife kept tasting the garlic after midnight. The empanadas were great but needed a bit more cheese and the corn sauce dressing was good. The pulled pork sandwich was ok but it had no trimmings, I had to steal some slaw from my wife to put some color and taste to my sandwich. I tried the 3 different types of sauces and they were ok, but they were obviously store bought. Total bill about $40, a little pricy for the quality of food but the service was good. They had live music but I recommend not sitting close to the stage if you want to have a conversation. Honky Tonk is marked as to be in the top BBQ places in Chicago but they will have to do more to get me back here again...
(2)
Heather L.
Wow, this is the epitome of a hipster hang-out. Everyone dresses like they just had an Up-and-Coming interview with Pitchfork. The decor is quite ambivalent, a little bit of haphazard vintage, grunge Americana, dive-bar lighting, and yeap... animal head trophies. No matter. We are serious diners, and we wanted to get our BBQ on. The cocktails were bleh, but at $7-8, it was a cheap bleh. We also had the Bacon & Brew, which was a slab of candied bacon balanced on a glass of Old Style: Beer, meat, grease, sugar and butter? That's not even fighting fair. The sauces were our favorite part of the dinner. There were three smoky and bold selections in squirt bottles that we tried putting on everything: One mustard-based, one ketchup-based, and a Carolina-esque. Their cornbread, lentil soup and chili were all very well done. The chili was probably the best I have had in awhile, with large chunks of meat and topped with a generous helping of mac and cheese. That said, the meats themselves were a bit lacking. The brisket we got was a big disappointment: Fleeting smokiness, quite cold, and very dry. We might stick to the sandwiches and chili next time.
(3)
Tyler F.
The food was great but the service was horrible. It's shame we had to pay 20% gratuity because she could barely speak in coherent sentence and looked like she was rolling on something. I would go back for the food only.
(3)
Lauren D.
This is a meat-eaters paradise serving up Memphis-style bar-b-que cuisine with their award-winning pulled pork and is a Chicago championship-BBQ eatery. From St. Louis spares to baby backs to the big beef short ribs, they are dishing up super-slow cooked barbecue with three signature sauces, which are absolutely finger-suckin' good! Also, sample the bacon candy or try their beef brisket sandwiches, and bold slabs of dry-rub St. Louis ribs. I always get the brisket sandwich, but have also tried the pulled pork (both are worthy of five stars). My husband always orders the ribs and they are worthy of five stars. Believe it or not, they also have vegetarian offerings here. If you enjoy "live" music this is a must for music lovers. Honky Tonk was rated as one of the top 10 bars in Chicago and one of the top five for "live" music. If you are a die-hard bar-b-que fanatic, get your ass over to this place. This restaurant has a wonderful selection of meats with a great vibe. It is filled with loud conversation and music. What kind of people come here? All ages, but mostly it is filled with college students from nearby University of Illinois and the young 20-something singles. I noticed a few in their early 30's with young kids (about 10-12 years of age). The restaurant is located in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, where most of the restaurants are "mom and pop" operations. You don't expect to see this kind of restaurant in Pilsen, and albiet, it is located in an unusual location. Hey, it works for them. If you cook it good, they will come! Parking is street only, and since this is a very popular Chicago restaurant it can be a challenge to find a legal parking spot on a Friday or Saturday night. I rate it with four stars, because service is not fantastic here (though it is friendly). Their sides are very, very small but the meat makes up for the small side portions. Also, seeing a "live" band here can be hit or miss -- you are lucky if you can get in here to listen to the music. Arrive super early if you plan to stay for the "live" music! If you don't mind being in a very crowded bar, elbow to elbow, listening to live music, check it out!
(4)
Anne M.
Overall good. Some things I really enjoyed and some things I didn't. I really wanted to LOVE the place but I wasn't blown away. Not really sure how to rate this place. I gave a 4 because of the atmosphere, a few items we liked, and the potential the place has. I had the St. Louis ribs with coleslaw, candied yams and cornbread. My Husband had the brisket with mac & cheese and had a Bacon & Brew. I'm not super familiar with rib styles so I wasn't sure what to expect. I asked the difference between the baby back and St. Louis style and the server said that the baby back ribs have more fat on them. The ribs were a dry rub they were okay but not something I would order again. Life is too short to eat just okay items when dining out. I was expecting the typical messy ribs with falling off the bone meat but these ribs were a little bland and reminded me of beef jerky. I loved the candied yams and cornbread. The coleslaw was too vinegar-y to me, it was nice and fresh but I prefer a mayonnaise base. My Husband really loved his brisket (he is a brisket connoisseur) and he said the mac was not great. Favorite thing we tried: the Bacon & Brew it was awesome, The atmosphere is really cool, it has this vintage-y Mexican/bar style inside. The service was at best.... weird. Only our server looked us in the eye and she definitely did not have a friendly demeanor, she was very matter of fact. We had several people here and there. One to take our drink order, one to bring our dishes, and then our main server. I would go again if I was in the area but I wouldn't make it a regular outing.
(4)
Jason F.
I love this place! I love to come on Sundays when they have a 1920s style jazz band playing there. The band is awesome, and you even get some people dressed up in the 20s garb that come there to dance. It's just a really cool atmosphere. As far as food goes, I like the brisket a lot. Some of the other things I tried, like the chicken, were not all that impressive. I didn't care for the mac and cheese when I first had it, but then I ordered chili mac and that was so good! They also serve candied bacon with beer, and that stuff is amazing. This is a cool place with a lot of character.
(5)
Tony E.
I'm reviewing as a musician and a customer. Our group played here this weekend, and Honky Tonk treated us very well. They do business with musicians the way it should be done. Band gets paid and fed, no cover and they draw their own customers because they make good food and book good music. Although it's kind of a cramped set up to play as a full band, it's a fun place to play. It's divey. They were also cool with us doing a raffle to support homeless veterans. Actually, the bartenders bought so many tickets, they walked away with half the prizes! They'd get 5 stars if they tightened up some of their internal communication/administration. Foodwise, I had the brisket sandwich with mac and cheese. Really good! Beer selection is also great. They have a bacon and brew with a slice of caramelized bacon that is the size of a 2x4. 'Nuff said.
(4)
John F.
The place is just great. Get the BBQ platter. It has everything you could want. It's enough food to feed two, and possibly 3 people. The ribs leave a tad bit to be desired. But the pulled pork, and the brisket is outstanding. Live music gives a cool touch. The atmosphere is hipster-ish, without being too pretentious. I've brought my kids there, and it's totally cool for them as well. Parking is a pain, but it's all worth it.
(5)
Christina B.
Awesome restaurant! My boyfriend and I were going to the sox game and wanted to grab a bite to eat before we went. Found the Honky Tonk BBQ on google, and so glad we came here. The decor was super cute, the wait staff was very friendly. We ordered the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer, and I got the pulled pork sandwich and mac and cheese, he got the ribs/half chicken/greens/coleslaw. I ate a little something of everything (aside from the chicken) and it was all delicious. I absolutely want to come back here again. I loved the atmosphere, and would like to go back when a band is playing. I would definitely recommend Honky Tonk to anyone who likes good BBQ.
(5)
Warrior W.
I like this place. The music is cool and something a little different. They make some classic drinks and have a decent beer list so no complaints there. You can kind of treat this place like two sides really. The front is the busier-hip-drinking crowd and the back has the eaters. The food is pretty decent with the cornbread and mac and cheese being the standouts. The pork is a "B" and the brisket is a "D" i would say (they don't cook nearly as long as one should and lines of fat on there). I haven't had the chicken yet but since chicken is easier and takes less time, i have a hunch it will be better than the other meats. I will definitely be coming back over and over since friends just moved in the area.
(4)
Laura A.
I was here on a random weekday night for a drink. My drink was strong and really good. My brother and I also ordered the candied bacon ( having no idea what to expect) it was nasty and we sent it back. We proceeded to order a brisket and a pork slider. Both were great, but the pork was def better. I'll be back on a weekend night for the experience
(4)
Jamie H.
Well, I moved to Pilsen and people keep raving about Honky Tonky so seeing as though it's been about 3 years since I've been here I figured I'd give it another shot. The place is about as different from what it once was as you can get. We came in about 10 mins before they stopped serving food and there were 8 of us so kind of obnoxious, yes, but 8 people = bigger tip. Well, we got some incredibly rude service we were basically shoved up and told to pay now because the waitress was off. I get it, you want to go, at least half of us have or do work int he service industry all you had to do was polity tell us that and we'd have settled up right then and there. So, terrible service but the food was better than the last time. We got a few sample platters. I'm sure I'll be back because it's so close; I just hope the service is better next time!
(3)
Dale J.
Great place. BBQ is outstanding, good beer choices, banana pudding, great service!!!
(5)
Jimmy J.
Beyond underwhelming. If you know anything about quality bbq, this place is lousy. Their sauces totally sucked. Zero flavor. We tried whole smoked chicken, back ribs, brisket. All served cold No flavor. No seasoning. And when sauces suck, you're in trouble. We came here because it was featured by Guy Fieri. This was a huge disappointment. Our experience at the Famous Dave's chain blew this away. Im in the business and hate bashing a place to this degree but their meats had zero flavor, temps were cold and a bottle of Open Pit would have been better than what they had on table. Lastly, while their menu says ribs come with slaw (sucked too) and corn bread, I got slaw and a dinner roll. A weak operation. It has been my experience that all famous bbq places are more hype than hope. This place is biggest example. Service was also lackluster. Go to the hood and get real bbq. This isnt good bbq. Not even close.
(1)
Julieta C.
They have a Cool and comfy bar! I only had time for a drink although I wish I would have had some extra time to order from their menu.The bartender not only introduced himself but truly was attentive to his customers. That's true customer service! The food smelled delicious!
(4)
Cindy M.
This place is AMAZING! I love BBQ ribs and these are quite delicious. They have a variety if BBQ sauces for the ribs, I prefer the sweet BBQ. Their Mac and cheese is also delicious. By far the best experience of BBQ in Chicago. The atmosphere is nice, front or backside seating. They have their own unique style of decorating, artwork hangs in the walls, and there's usually a live band playing. I would definitely recommend to those who love ribs!
(5)
Jeff Q.
Stopped in after a Sox game for a bachelor party dinner...had the plate of brisket, pulled pork and hot link and it was awesome...I coulda done just a plate of the hot links, no joke...not an over powering smoke flavor which ruins the flavor of the meat at some places but it was right on....a couple buddies had the rib tips and they loved them and it was definitely a healthy portion...I had the greens as a side which were very good too...I dig mine with a sweet heat kinda flavor and it was very good...dug the service too, very accommodating for a group of 10...thanks!!
(4)
Eric K.
The best St Louis style ribs i've had in the city of Chicago hands down. Awesome atmosphere, especially on Sunday nights with the live music.
(5)
Vina O.
I've been eating here since I moved to Chicago three years ago and I've enjoyed it every time! Although the bread roll and the coleslaw are pretty blah, the St. Louis ribs are top notch every time! Besides, who really comes to a BBQ joint for the bread roll and coleslaw...? I haven't tried the infamous Smoque, but I'm not willing to drive almost 10 miles just for some BBQ when Honky Tonk is less than a mile away. Stick to the St. Louis ribs, I think they're better than the baby back. I like to mix all the sauces together (sweet BBQ, tangy BBQ, and garlic mustard) and dip my meat in it!
(4)
Toni B.
The hubby and I came here with some friends, which I was very excited for since we both love BBQ! Please note: Their food is meant to be on the dryer side so that you can put as much or little sauce as youd like on them on your own. When we walked into the restuarant, the hubby and I waited by what we thought was the hostess stand for 5 minutes before another group coming in and seating themselves..so we figured wed do the same! We ended up find the couple we were meeting in the back area. The food is pretty decent. My hubby and our friend ordered the bacon candy..and according to the hubs, it was the best food he's ever eaten (I guess better then my spinach lasagna!). I ordred the chicken sandwhich and the hubby ordred the ribs. We are more fans of meat being marinated in sauce, but it was pretty decent. The mac and cheese was good as well! Check it out if you want to try a new BBQ joint in that neck of the woods!
(3)
Patrick B.
This is my favorite bar in Chicago. I haven't had their food, but I love the bar. Their signature cocktails are incredible, the bartenders are excellent, and the atmosphere can't be beat. Great live music, trivia nights, and all around good times to be had. The "Bacon and Brew" deal is by far the best drink deal you can find in the city. $5 for a THICK slice of candied bacon and a pint of Old Style. Heaven.
(5)
Christy D.
I really wanted to love this place after hearing about their great barbeque and live country music but was extremely disappointed. The hostess and our waitress were both unfriendly and almost rude. Our waitress didn't smile once and didn't tell us anything about the menu. We ordered our cocktails and the woman next to me ordered the same thing. When we got our drinks they were completely different. Mine was bourbon on the rocks and not a cocktail. When I asked her about it she told me that it was a cocktail and when I explained that the woman next to me had the same thing she told me they were different glasses but the same drink even though the other drink had cherries in it. She said "what do you want me to bring you cherries? It's the same cocktail just different glasses and yours doesn't have cherries." Um, ok. The couple sharing the table with us were very nice and helpful and they suggested the sausage which was wonderful with the mustard sauce, a must have. The brisket had absolutely no flavor at all and so I drowned it in barbeque sauce. The sauce was fine but nothing spectacular and frankly I wanted good tasting brisket not sauce. The mac and cheese was just okay. After our meal we listed to Sarah and the Tall Boys play which was great and why I gave this 2 stars. Without the live music I would have only given them 1.
(2)
Allison R.
I was in Chicago for a long weekend and at the suggestion of a local checked this place out for their bbq, tunes and fun atmosphere. It's a no-frills place that is out of this world!! I had the pulled pork sandwhich and my friend had the smoked chicken sandwhich. Both were fantastic. They have a really large selection of whiskey including some more hard-to-find varieties/brands and had a good beer list too! While we didn't order any side dishes I definitely would next time as the tables around us with sides looked really really tasty! The services was great - friendly but not hawking around our table and never made us feel rushed. It was a really cool and fun place. Low-key with great food!
(4)
Mindy M.
Great drinks, Great service, Candied. Bacon. Can a place get any better? Other than the great food, they have amazing live music, great trivia nights. Favorite bar in the area.
(5)
Serena Y.
Well went back to give it a 2nd chance after 3 yrs and it still SUCKS! BBQ was cold...Sent it back...came back a little warmer :-( Server was nice.. No complaints there.... The collard greens were the best thing we had..disappointed really thought it would be better than the first time.... Guess we will be driving to Smoque if we crave BBQ!
(1)
K B.
***I'm down-grading to 4 stars, even though this is still based on the bacon primarily. I'm only rating this place 5 stars for you to go in and do the following: 1. Enjoy the music. 2. Order the Candied Bacon. 3. Order a nice Craft Beer. No guarantees on anything else.
(4)
Rob I.
Love this place! Pork is king! Pulled pork, ribs are great! Love the brisket as well, wish they offered burnt end!! Love the atmosphere and bar is great! Great drinks and just a go to place for great music, food, and drink! Pilsen gem!
(4)
Tom S.
Candied Bacon....need I say more.
(5)
BELLE T.
I loved the candied bacon, but I thought the ribs were dry. Dry ribs = no bueno.
(2)
Jami S.
Honestly I hate to say it but not a fan of this place. We went on a Saturday right when it opened. My friends were dying to try and I think they enjoyed it a lot more then I did being they are big guys who love ribs. The service was great, the review is def not based on that. However, the restaurant smelled like a combination of BBQ & urine & there were full on drug (prob meth) addicts sitting across from us. It was really gross watching them. It's not the fault of Honky I guess but it ruined my dinner. The brisket probably was the best thing & the cornbread. Ribs were okay. The decor is cool. Though, I would 100% say Chicago Q is better. Sorry Honky but I won't be back.
(2)
Ellen M.
I was quite surprised to see that HKB had an average 3.5 star review. Whatever. I love it to bits. I've been five times and haven't had a bad meal yet. Many reviewers commented on the hipster scene. Let's get something straight right now: I don't give a rat's mama's expletive-not-uttered who else is dining. No one has ever disturbed me to the point of caring. But I digress. Me, man, man's parents, two sampler platters, tons of leftovers. Their ribs and brisket are lovely, but I'm truly impressed when the chicken leaves an impression. Delicious, delightful service from pretty, tatted gals, good selection of beers. Change back on a hundred. What's not to love? In any case, I also recommend the fried green tomatoes as a starter. Dry rub.
(5)
Brian B.
As a long time BBQ fan, this place is tops. Their homemade sauces are out of this world, and the way everything is slow smoked with just the right amount of spice is mouth-watering-delicious! Every time I have friends in from out of town I take them here. The cool 1920's vibe to the place and their classic bar with the live bands is just so darn cool! Not to mention the staff with their wicked tattoos. What a real gem! Everything is delicious, but my favorites are the chicken and ribs and pulled pork and mushrooms and baked beans. Get the sampler platter, you can't go wrong. WOW! SO GOOD!
(5)
Elizabeth E.
The best brisket I have ever had. I am a HUGE BBQ fan & this place did not disappoint. Everything I tasted was amazing, mac & cheese, mushrooms, chicken, hot links. The icing on the cake was the out of this world banana cream desert! I cannot wait to go back. Great food, great atmosphere & great friendly service! Could not ask for a better night out!
(5)
Stet D.
This is place definitely has some of the best bbq in Chicago. I decided to check it out after reading an article about it online. I ordered take out and lady who took my order and payment was really friendly. I ordered the St. Louis style ribs, and they were phenomenal! Before I even opened my bag with my meal, I could smell the smokiness. When I took my first bite, I thought I had died and went to heaven..lol. These were some of the best ribs that I had even tasted. They were not only smoky, but they were a little sweet. Anytime that I am in the area, I will come back though.
(5)
Jennifer K.
I've been here 3 times, but the quality declined with each visit and I don't foresee returning. The first visit was amazing: the pulled pork sandwich was perfect, huge portion, delicious meat. I had never had a vinegar based coleslaw (as opposed to mayo based) before, and loved it. My boyfriend had the beef brisket, which was good but totally trumped by the pulled pork. On my 2nd and 3rd visits, the pulled pork portion got smaller and more fatty/gristly each time, however the coleslaw remained awesome. Really cool decor: beautiful old-timey wooden bar, great paintings hanging all over. Hipper-than-thou clientele for sure: tattoo here, tattoo there, tattoo everywhere. :) Not sure what happened, but I wish the quality of the food had been more consistent.
(3)
Sarah S.
The food is good, the service and music is great. The only thing that is a problem for me is it smells like mildew or something else gross in this place.
(3)
Max T.
My first visit to Honky Tonk definitely won't be my last. I was actually headed elsewhere for dinner when I passed the Q place and wondered what it was. Just up the block I pulled over and demanded an executive decision of where we were going and next thing you know I couldn't even remember where we were going originally. I give Honky Tonk 4 stars since I'm still out looking for my best BBQ in Chicago and I still haven't found it. Not to say that Honky Tonk wasn't good, because it was very good. They even have an edge with the venue/ bar, its just that I'm on a BBQ mission lately. We started with some bacon and brews which were okay. For apps we had fried green tomatos and mac and cheese. No complaints. But the feast came with the entree. A $32 sample platter that could feed a family. Pulled pork, brisket, half chicken, hotlinks, rib rack, bread, cole slaw and baked beans. Pretty much everything was on point. My only criticism would be the beans and cole slaw. The beans just were not up to par with any baked beans that should be served with BBQ. The cole slaw was good but in my opinion should be chopped more fine. I recommend the sample platter though to everyone. We actually also stayed for zerts which is rare and they were all so good too. None better than the banana pudding. Get it. Now. We also ordered the bourbon pound cake and peach cobbler. Watch the bourbon, its tasty, and the cobbler is served nice and hot. Both paired with vanilla ice cream. I wish I still had my leftovers. Aside from the food what puts Honky Tonk over is the place itself. I am a die hard Crybaby fan and we walked in to a live Rockabilly band and also got the table right by the stage. Entertainment indeed. I had a great Saturday night with ribs and rockabilly. This place is cool too it seems even if you aren't coming to eat since there is still the bar vibe happening. There are also so many wall treatments and pictures to take in that one visit isn't enough. Especially the huge Frida you see upon entering. I need to find the best BBQ so I can come back.
(4)
Emily D.
I saw this place on tv and had to try! Can't figure out all the hype, however after reading some of the other reviews, it looks like I may have went on a "bad day" people say this place is hit or miss. Well...WE MISSED! Based on take out... 1) Food was ready fast (positive) 2) Was missing an item from our order, of course didnt find out until we got home. 3) When I took out containers of food they were noticably light! I had the pulled pork it was ok, but a little amount on a mound of bread. Its like the bun makes it look bigger. I didnt eat bun and just ate meat and it was a very very small portion. My friend had the brisket and was also disppointed with size. I looked at it and was turned off because it looked very fatty. The macaroni & muffin was good. My friend was actually mad he spent $35 on our dinner and felt that if we would have gone to another BBQ place it would have tasted better and the serving size would have been better. I'd be curious to know the serving size of meat and if they weigh out servings each time. We love BBQ but would never recommend or spend our money at this place! After dinner, we were actually so disappointed and irritatted we looked on yelp for other places to try because this place didn't live up to our expecations AT ALL. Wouldn't return.
(2)
Junchen F.
Viking Rib is totally worth the 21 dollars. The rib is nicely done and so huge! It goes extremely well with the hot source and it is a shame they do not compliment such amazing work with homemade special source. The rib tip is also great. Considering the price tag, it is as good as it gets.
(5)
Erick H.
A friend has been bugging me for quite some time to try Honky Tonk BBQ, so my wife and I decided to make the 30+ mile drive to check it out. We were seated quickly, and started with a bowl of the Brisket Chili. I would have been fine with just that. It was the most flavorful thing we had all night, and was delicious. Big chunks of brisket, very few beans, and even my wife loved it. Our meal came very fast, and we started to eat. It was pretty good. We had a half-rack of St Louis ribs, and Brisket. The ribs were good, not quite enough smoke for me, but they were good. The brisket was well cooked, and quite good. Was it the best 'que I have had? No, but it is better than most. The sides were good, but not spectacular. Slaw was just okay, a bit too sweet for me. The Mac 'n Cheese was good and cheesy. For desert we had the Salty Pig. Too much Bacon Candy. I would have preferred the ice cream, nuts, chocolate and whip cream without the Bacon Candy. So, will I be back? Could be, but I won't make a special trip.
(4)
Brian B.
This place does a pretty great job of mixing a hip artsy feel with good southern style bbq. Starting with the bacon candy is pretty intense so you might actually want to save it for dessert. But it was pretty dang good. had the three meat plate with pork, brisket and a hot link. Both the pork and brisket were moist and each had a beautiful smoke ring that really indicates that it was cooked right. I was on a mission for some peach cobbler since it's not a popular dish in Chicago, and to be honest, they missed the mark on this one. Okay let's talk sauces- the mustard one is great. The sweet one was a little too sweet for me and tasted JUST like chic fill a bbq sauce, so just decide how you feel about chic fill a sauce, and there ya go. The vinegar sauce was decent. My wife is making me add in here that she was not impressed by any of the sauces, as she prefers a spicy bbq sauce. All in all, if you want pretty good meat, go to Honky Tonk. If you want the whole bbq experience, go to Texas.
(4)
Leo V.
The food was horrible!!! They didn't even have smoked chicken because the lady said the smoker broke but they had smoked ribs!! Don't make sense... I had the Texas brisquet chili which was horrible!! Then I got the pulled pork and brisquet which was extremely dry and flavorless even tho they put all that dry rub on it...and their BBQ sauce is ok which I gave the one star..will never be eating their again.....
(1)
Sandra M.
Pilsen is changing...for the better. We didn't have places like this when we lived here!! The beef brisket, pulled pork, and ribs were all delicious and enjoyed by my family, including a very picky nine year old. What made the evening really nice and memorable was the band. I felt like we were on vacation somewhere down south. I never noticed the huge, wooden bar until this visit. it is beautiful.
(4)
Howard L.
Honky Tonk BBQ is a neat place, but bottom line from our visit is that the food is so-so. From a non-descript entrance at corner of 18th and Racine, one surprisingly finds inside a western saloon bar, and a couple of nicely and interestingly decorated dining rooms (numerous paintings and western paraphernalia). We had a half slab of St Louis ribs, a couple of Dinky Dunkers (half-sized pulled pork and beef bnsket sandwiches), hot link, and mac n cheese. The bread was cold and hard. The ribs were fatty and a bit undercooked, and lacked flavor, except for what BBQ sauce you wanted to put on it. The sandwich meat was ok, with the pulled pork more flavorful and juicy than the brisket. All portions were on smaller size also. Server and others were friendly and attentive. All told, I'd say 2.5-3 stars, and I wouldn't go out of my way to come here for the food. I would say it's worth at least one visit for the quaint dining environment, and I would return if we happened to be nearby and wanted BBQ. Some have compared this place to Smoque, which picqued my interest, but Smoque is in a league of it's own on the BBQ food quality. There's no BYOB anymore here, and they do now accept credit cards.
(3)
Alex D.
I came here very excited, in particular for the deep fried sweet potatoe pie, so I'll start there. It was bland with very little flavor. Worse, it was frozen in the middle! And the marshmallow that comes on the side is not melted, rather, it was cold but tasted burnt....as the waiter pointed out, its more ornament. I was looking forward to the whole experience and was sorely let down. Now service. The service was terrible. We were put into the back and the waiter probably came by 3 times on his own (order, food, check). I had to flag down waitstaff to order dessert. She never asked how everything was, nor was she particularly friendly. I had to pay a 20% tip because there were 6 of us, and I expect more than the bare minimum. Side dishes. Mashed potatoes were okay. They were good or bad, just meh. The Mac and cheese was terrible. It tasted like I was eating nothing. After a few bites, I just stopped eating (oh they wouldn't let me replace it). BBQ. The BBQ was pretty good. It was probably worth 4 starts on its own. I got the brisket and pulled pork. The only downside was that the BBQ sauce is on the table, so its cold. WARNING: they do not take more than 2 credit cards, which is extremely inconvenient and cheap. Each of us spent over 30 dollars; the least they can do is let us all pay by credit card (they dont likely because they dont want to pay the credit card fees). Overall I wasn't impressed and I will not be going back. OH, also its extremely loud because their is a sub par live band playing. I prefer conversation to loud music at dinner, but maybe thats just me.
(2)
Jaime C.
I was driving down 18 st so I decided to pay them a visit. It was my first time here but I've read some reviews on yelp so I kind of knew what to expect. The place is nice and welcoming the decor is different from what I seen before in a BBQ restaurant but I liked it. I thought the live country music was awesome! The service is attentive but in my opinion a bit slow. This isn't the best BBQ in The city but is good enough, candied bacon a must!!! if you're in the neighborhood I suggest you give them a try.....live music, good BBQ decent selection of draft beer???? I would definitely come back.
(4)
Lisa H.
One of Guy Fieri's locations on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. About a 4 block walk from the L-train. We got the sampler, and my favorite thing we had was the ribs, because they just broke apart so easily. The corn bread muffins were pretty good, I just didn't like the corn kernels. We also had chicken, sausage, cole slaw, and two mini sandwiches one brisket and one pulled pork. I enjoyed the pulled pork sandwich, especially with the 3 different sauces the staff provides you with. The sampler was a good option to try everything I just wish the sausages were 2 different kinds. Also, instead of the coleslaw I would have like mashed potatoes, the cole slaw just didn't do anything for me. I would have liked to try the homemade pie, but we were pretty full. Recommendations - turn on the lights! It was so dark in there. And the live music only wen until 9...I thought it would have at least gone till 10, especially since we got dinner at 8:30.
(3)
TB H.
Hands down best #Manhattan since #Blue 13 closed. Don't mess around just order the sampler platter it's BBQ and your not here to diet. Taste 10x better the next day. Leftovers are king
(5)
Chad D.
I've been to Honky Tonk BBQ twice and each time it is an absolute delight. The ambiance is excellent. They have weird southern and country decor. After a half hour in the restaurant you forget you are in Chicago! The waitstaff is incredibly knowledgable and helpful. They can describe the menu and how the food is prepared in detail. The BBQ is very good as are the sauces on the table. The ribs are excellent as are the hot links. I know they do the ribs in house but the hot links are sourced out. Fine by me. The music is not too loud and adds to the great atmosphere. This is a fun place to hang out or take a date for something a little different. I recommend stopping in and giving it a try. I will be back.
(4)
Chika S.
The minute I walked in I knew I loved this place. Quirky eclectic folk art (if you know Lucky Platter in Evanston, imagine that with a Western theme), and a long vintage bar leading to a stage in the back of the room... a perfect place for sipping whiskey after a hard day of work. Alas, no whiskey this visit... I happened to be there mid-day with a huge group of family (3 kids under 10). We were seated quickly in the back room, surrounded by other families with smaller children. We felt very at home. Service was a little slow, but they were also very patient and attentive once our order was taken. We ordered the sampler and it was excellent. In my informal 3 generation family survey, the brisket was the favorite. My daughter normally doesn't like brisket and she liked it. Sauces were interesting and varied. Sides were fresh and yummy. Mac and cheese was a hit for all ages... mild and creamy and delicious. The highlight of the meal was deserts... we got 3 to share and they were all so good we wished we had saved more room. Peach Cobbler and Pound cake were delicious. My mouth just started watering remembering how good they were. Looking at the full drink menu and reviews, I need to go back soon with NO KIDS on a night with music and a designated driver!
(5)
Diana G.
Some of the stuff were hit and miss for me. We ordered the sampler platter, full slab baby back ribs, extra hot link, garlic mashed potatoes, peach cobbler and banana pudding. I liked the chicken - moist and good. The hot links were good - hot and not dried out like some places. Garlic mashed potatoes was ok. Ribs were a bit disappointing. Pulled pork and brisket was ok, but not really memorable. Beans were eh. Cole slaw was yuck - sour and weird tasting to me. Peach cobbler was sweet. Banana pudding was sweeeeeeet. I'm not a big dessert eater, but if you like sweet then you would probably like these. Service was ok. This lady was nice and gave my niece some blueberries. Our server was ok, but she did forget our glass of milk. I don't think I would come back often, but give it a try!
(3)
Julie C.
First impressions are important. The four of us were greeted and advised to take a seat by a very nice waitperson. The decor was great/fun (I could've done without the animal-head perched over the bar staring at us but fixed that by sitting with my back to it); warm simplicity at it's finest. Our waitperson Chelsea was absolutely delightful. Appetizer's of "Bacon Candy" and Fried Green tomatoes were served in a very decent amount of time. Bacon was different and good-tasting; fried green tomatoes had a nice coating but were served room temperature (they're suppose to be hot) and the tomatoes had not been drained long enough so they were very watery and could've been cut thicker (the frying tends to shrink). Then came our dishes. My husband's and brother's rib tips, while flavorful when an unburned section could be located (rib tips are small) were, well, burnt. The pulled pork (on my pulled-pork sandwich) was delicious but the ciabatta bun was waay too large for the amount of pork offered (which was a perfect amount) and the texture of the bun was akin to wet paper mache. As soon as I picked it up, a quarter of the bread tore away and the rest of my attempts to eat the "sandwich" were discarded; I just used a fork to eat the meat. The side of cole slaw was literally shredded cabbage in a bowl; ZERO base; no mayo, no vinegar, nothing. We ordered dessert (two peach cobblers and a banana pudding). The peach cobbler was so scalding hot, it melted the ball of vanilla ice cream in under a minute (I'm sure it didn't help that I resembled a floor fan in my attempt to cool the cobbler so I could actually get a bite before the ice cream melted, splashing bits of rapidly deteriorating ice cream on the table). My brother's banana pudding was watery but unsure he actually noticed as every bite of pudding was accompanied by whip cream which covered the pudding in what appeared to be an amount equivalent to half-a-can of Reddi Whip. Chicago has a fantastic array of barbeque places; unfortunately, I won't be returning to Honky Tonk.
(2)
Scott A.
Live country music = good. BYOB = also good. Pulled pork = slap my ass and call me Susan good. My friend and I attempted to split the sampler platter with a fried green tomato app. We were unsuccessful. It was the greatest failure in my life. Everything was above average, with the ribs being the low spot but still very tasty, the brisket full of smoke and bold meaty flavor, and the pulled pork melted in my mouth like an M&M on a hot summer day. Upon my triumphant return I will be ordering the pulled pork along with another order of fried green tomatoes and as many of those corn muffins that I am able to fill into the remaining space in my fundus.
(5)
Andrew P.
What's up with all the mediocre reviews?!? As a resident of the South Loop, I am SO GLAD that Honky Tonk BBQ is just a short drive away. Over the years, Honky Tonk has transformed into a hipster joint (with a full bar and live music on most nights), but the food has gotten better and better. I'm a big fan of the rib tips, and my wife usually orders the fried green tomatoes and mac n cheese. They have decent beer options (and Old Style on tap the last time I was there) and the live music is always a bit eccentric but very good. It's a HUGE place so you are usually seated right away. The service has always been excellent and street parking is doable with a little bit of patience. You simply cannot find another BBQ restaurant in this part of town. And even if there are a lot of hipsters in there, why hate on hipsters?!? You're probably a hipster, too. :)
(4)
Darren F.
always down to try a restaurant known for their BBQ and i been eyeing this place for a while.. finally got a chance to try it! ordered the bacon candy, beef brisket sandwich, rib tips, hot links, and also got a filbertis black cherry soda... the bacon candy has a sweet coating on a thick slice of bacon and it was really good! so flavorful! the beef brisket sandwich was just OK.. not really special... the rib tips was just decent.. they cut it up in big chunks and i find it to be a little too dry.. the hot links was pretty good... the filbertis soda wasn't my cup of tea.. i didn't really like it.. they have a few different choices of sauce to choose from and most of them are great... i will be back to try other food in the menu!
(3)
Cristie F.
Even with a raging stomach ache and a bout of nausea, I was still able to chow down on some BBQ, enjoy it, and wished I could eat more. ((Impressive for not feeling well, huh??)) On our way to check out an upcoming business on the south side, my bf and I stopped in Honky Tonk to get a quick bite of some BBQ eats. This place has clearly a lot more to offer than just some good grub, so I was disappointed we weren't able to see live music, or take the time to grab a seat at the bar and shoot back some whiskey. The decor and atmosphere really sets the stage for that - I felt like I was in a vintage saloon. :::Grub::: - Fried Green Tomatoes// Perfectly cooked with just the right amount of fried goodness - Mac n' Chese// Creamy, cheesy, crispy on top. Perfection. - Rib tips// Delish. Especially when smothered with their BBQ sauce. Sadly, that's all we had. If my appetite had been screaming for more, I would have gladly indulged in some Dinky Dunkers, some Baby Back Ribs, Hot Links or their Texas Brisket Chili. I suppose that means I'll just have to go back, right?? Service was also fantastic. Fast and friendly. Just how I like it. Our server was also happy to provide numerous recommendations. I look forward to my return ((sans the nausea & ailments)) to further indulge and be gluttonous in some Honkey Tonk BBQ!
(4)
Melanie S.
Okay, I'm not a gin-soaked bar-room queen from Memphis, so perhaps I'm not a true Honky Tonk Woman in every sense, but I liked this place just fine. Met a friend here for dinner on a Sunday night and it was remarkably easy to get a table (contrary to what I've heard about Friday and Saturday nights). We're both true-blue fans of Smoque, but it never hurts to give another place a try. In other words, I didn't have to put up some kind of a fight. The front area was teeming with kids, so we headed to the much quieter back room to enjoy our 'que. I ordered the sweet tea, and thankfully it was quite drinkable (which isn't always the case for me); it was sweet but still tasted like tea and not just sugar. We both ordered ribs (St. Louis for my friend and baby back for me), a side of macaroni and cheese, and also a half chicken. I was a little bummed that they don't offer fries (just mashed potatoes) because that's the perfect accompaniment in my book, but I got over it. The food came out quickly and it's dry-rubbed. The server explained their three barbecue sauces --a sweeter one, a tangy, more vinegar-y one, and a garlic mustard. I pretended I was Goldilocks and mixed all three until it was "just right," and then slathered it liberally over everything. I liked that there was still some tug on the ribs and the skin on the chicken was nice and crispy. I've had better mac 'n cheese; theirs wasn't very creamy or cheesy. But overall, everything was very enjoyable. I'm saving my biggest praise for dessert: peach cobbler. I don't know if they used fresh peaches or not, but it really didn't matter as it was delicious. The crust was flaky and buttery, the peaches tender, and the filling had a nice note of cinnamon. It was my perfect peach cobbler. It didn't even need the generous scoop of vanilla ice cream that came on the side. Service was amiable and efficient. I would definitely go back. No Honky Tonk Blues for me. 3.5 stars.
(4)
David T.
Place is getting bad. Ordered carry out/ate-in about dozen times last 3 years. Obviously it was good in the beginning but the last three visits in the last six months have been awful. In last nights carry out order the brisket was soggy grey as though they steamed it instead of smoking it. No flavor outside of the one teaspoon size burnt end piece they threw in which really seemed out of place with the rest of the meat. I wish I took a pic. There was no smoke ring on any of the meats and it was chewy in an overcooked way. I also ordered ribs which were under-cooked and cold. Really really disappointed. Cool place, nice vibe but they can't smoke meats well anymore. Honestly I hope they get their act back together.
(1)
Andy P.
My gf and I have been wanting to go to this place for about a year now but have never gotten the chance. We finally go today and it did not disappoint. We got there and were seated quickly (nice!). My gf ordered the deluxe platter (pork) with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. I ordered the deluxe platter (brisket) with a side of mac and cheese. Both orders came with a hot link and corned bread. The hot link and corned bread was freaking delicious. I thought the garlic mashed potatoes and mac and cheese were just so-so but my gf liked both of them. The actual meat itself (pork and brisket), I thought it was a tad on the dry side but when you add sauce to it (there were 3 different kinds of sauces on the table) it made it better. So we had all that for $40 with tip. Not bad. For the amount of food, I'd say that was a solid deal. The table next to us ordered a sampling platter and it looked delicious. We are definitely ordering that next time. All in all, I'd say that this was a pretty good place. Good food for a good price. The only knock on it is that the meat was a tad dry. Other than that, this is a great place.
(4)
Kayla A.
Ordered takeout from this place a couple times. We always get the same stuff, the viking beef short ribs and the full spread baby back ribs. I really can't say anything bad about this place. If you are looking for a good bbq, either you make it by yourself or just order one from this place.
(4)
Bobs C.
I like honky Tonk a lot it's just really basic. The BBQ itself is above average and the sauces are absolutely amazing. I love their Old fashions. The fried green tomatoes are my favorite appetizer options. The beef brisket is what I order all the time and wish they gave a bigger portion. My favorite deserts are the Banana pudding and peach cobbler. The scene is cool and low key for the most part. The band is awesome even though the noise can be annoying at times.
(3)
Beth M.
BBQ joints are not typically known for their vegan food, but Honky Tonk has some delicious options. The portobello sandwich is juicy and full of flavour. The marinade is superb - it reminds me of French dip sandwiches - and baby lettuces top it off. The black eyed peas and one other side dish (I believe it was the greens) are also vegan. It can get pretty packed, and live bands add to the ambient noise. But it's a fun place to go with a small group.
(4)
John J.
REALLY good beef brisket sandwiches. Flavorful and ample. The mac and cheese was delicious as well. I did the mac and cheese a disservice because I was too busy eating my sandwich. My mac and cheese was cold by the time I got to it. My fault. Still is was well made. My brother wanted a burger and fries and was disappointed that he could not. However, as soon as he took one bite of the pulled pork sandwich...thumbs up all the way! When we're back in Chicago - we are going back!
(4)
atrack b.
I'm not gonna lie. When I moved to Pilsen, I was desperate for tips, found this place, and was happy for a while. I've had some time to think and to be completely offended by a barbecue place that doesn't serve fries. I mean c'mon. This place does have tasty meats, but for the money I can get better tips, some links, AND fries for half the price. Guess I'm just gonna have to drive my lazy ass to the South Side.
(3)
Vanessa H.
My husband was craving BBQ and we decided to check this out as it was featured on some reputable Chicago blogs. It was easy to find and street parking was readily available- it was a Sunday evening. We weren't sure if it was a family-friendly restaurant because it looks like a bar. We had a two-year old with us and didn't want to be in someone's angry tweet. I asked a waitress before letting in the rest of the troops. We were brought water promptly and tasted the sauces in the meantime. There was not much of a variety, just three sauces on the table. There was a garlic mustard (not my cup of tea) as well as two sweet sauces. One of the sweet sauces lacked seasoning- big time. While the initial taste is sweet, it definitely leaves a bland aftertaste. The other sauce was also sweet with much better flavor, so that's what we went with. While it was the best sauce on the table, it is just ok overall. Not terrible, but also not the best sauce I've ever had. I like mine to have a subtle kick of heat, and none of the sauces had any heat. I can go on and on about the sauces- let's face it, the BBQ sauce will make or break a BBQ restaurant. Our waitress was super attentive, but not in an annoying way. She cleaned up the table and refilled our water constantly, but never interrupted our meal to do so. We ordered candied bacon, half a pound of rib tips and half of slab of baby back ribs. I WILL preface this by saying we are NOT huge pork eaters- we try to eat lean meat and *gasp* turkey bacon when possible. But when the husband craves, we do it. The rib tips were alright, slightly charred, but still tender. My husband said that his ribs had a better dry rub than my tips. (He ate both, I was stuffed.) My full pound rib tips came with a half of a bun and coleslaw. I told them to hold the 'slaw, and was disappointed with my half a hamburger bun. No garlic bread? I ordered a small side of the mac-n-cheese. The cheese came with a bread crumbs, which provided a nice bite. But after a while, it had a weird taste. Maybe it was one of the types of cheese they use? (The menu claims it is made with five different cheeses.) My husband ordered the garlic mashed potatoes- which again- lacked some seasoning. I think it might have just been salt and pepper. Strong garlic taste- which I love- but also bland. The candied bacon was $8 for 3 slices, although they were some pretty darn thick slices of bacon. Also- I HAVE NEVER TASTED CANDIED BACON. I've heard all the raves on it, but again, this was just okay. Sweet, but super greasy. I had to take it apart to find the meat because my 2 year-old choked on the candied bacon fat. I'm giving this place a 3 because I thought the atmosphere was cool- trendy but with an old school Chicago feel to it. We sat next to a small stage, which means there must be live music there. There is a fully-stocked bar as well, and the staff was very personable and friendly. Overall, food was ok. I was expecting something more for a place that has all these amazing reviews and has been featured on the Food Network.
(3)
Remesis G.
Great food, great service, great hours!!! The price is awesome too. I love this hidden gem in Pilsen. One of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. On certain days of the week, they have live music which is a bonus when your're eating. Will come back over and over again.
(5)
Sean B.
"Honey, watch out for my oxygen tank. Upon second thought, you can sit down on it -- if I can watch." A delightful middle aged or older woman with a thick drawl proceeds to hit on me, as I sit down to the end of a birthday table, which seems to happen more and more now that I wear suspenders and got a new haircut. "I'm from West Virginia and I married my daughter off to a Lesbian. Gay is A-OK with me! You wouldn't believe how they act in West Virginia." The guy across the table from me interrupts "I'm from West Virginia." There are lots of weird paintings in this place. A drag queen viva mural, a piece made out of yard sticks (with the Elston yard stick repeated). Hundreds of animals and portraits, lots of weird flair on the wall (animal skeletons anyone?). Plenty to look at. There is even interesting art in the bathroom. That lady leaves and the next group of two hispanic ladies also hit on me. I was beginning to see a theme here. Then the waitress, bringing out some of our sides, leans in and spilled some greens juice on my white pants. Poo on me for wearing white pants to a BBQ joint. Nevertheless, an attractive woman who worked for the place shows up out of nowhere within seconds with soda water and a lemon, rubs my knee rather vigorously, and gets the stain out. Then the waitress brings me CANDY BACON which is the most amazing bacon I've ever had. Complex hints of smoky flavor and a sweet draw and I quickly forgot that my knee was wet, fondled by a staff member, and had hispanic ladies giggling at and with me. The live musicians were honky tonking, and it was clear they'd intentionally detuned the piano to sound more honky. It felt like a combination of dancing, living, joy, and I was only one milk stout in and didn't care that my pants were recovering from a waitress spill (they handled this about as well as humanly possible given the circumstances). The clarinet player was especially awesome in timbre, nuance, and improvisational ability. They had a tuba player which is rare for such an ensemble. The HOT LINKS are awesome here, spicy finish on the sausage. The MUSHROOMS WITH A GARLIC SAUCE are slippery but delicious. The spare rib tips are awesome. The corn muffins could use a little more whipped butter (or a butter side) but the quality of them is very high and I like the square wrap they come in. Now I'm going to try scrubbing the shirt I messed up the other day with the soda water and lemon. It is amazing there was no hint of stain on my pants when I got home.
(4)
Todd E.
The service was great the food very poor, brisket very dry no flavor the ribs were very dry no taste beans terrible, coleslaw terrible. The corn bread was good though but I don't think you want to go to a restraint for the corn bread. Sorry won't be back way better places for Bar B Que in the city Bathroom was filthy
(1)
Beast B.
Over hyped & over rated!! We went with high expectations after seeing it featured on the food network & felt disappointed. It was merely ok/average. The ribs were tough & far from tender & juicy, pulled pork sandwich lacked flavor & seasoning. Chicken was ok, mash potatoes & mac n cheese was good. Soda was flat, like drinking cola water. That was our first & last visit, there's better place's in Chicago.
(2)
Jelena Z.
Honky Tonk, you were someone great. But after earning local fame on Check Please, you slowly let it go to your head. I understood when you went from BYO to full bar, because you're a business and businesses run on money not table-hoggin' guests. Hell, I even admit I was one of those guests. When you started the Saloon Stage and began booking regional acts, I regularly drove 9 miles instead of hanging in my own 'hood on Saturday nights. I brazenly deemed your pulled pork sandwich "the best" and advised many to go and experience it. You were just that good. Then you raised your prices. Understandable, as you really jazzed up the joint and food costs are on the rise. But your quality starting suffering - that pulled pork sandwich I could always count on being spectacular became an inconsistent gamble. Sometimes, like when I showed up at opening time, the meat was hot, fresh, just perfect. Other times, the meat was lukewarm and fatty and the bread fall-apart soggy. Why? I've enjoyed many good nights here over the years, and hope you give your service and food the revamp it deserves, just as you did to your venue. I'm sill holding out hope. Love, The Duchess
(3)
Johnny T.
I said it was a one-time thing and I should have left it at that. The years have not been kind to our steamy tryst, Honky Tonk. This was a lesson in "You can't go home again" and when I say something, I need to mean it. I fully realize that in the three years it's been since I last set foot in your doorway, things have changed. You've enjoyed mucho success. The dining room is crowded. The physical space has doubled. I am pleased to see you doing well. But, I was not pleased with: - the non-existent service. More than once, I asked my dining partner if the restaurant was self-service. From the time we sat to the time we left, we saw our waitress four times. No bueno. We had to ask for napkins -- at a BBQ place -- because we weren't given any (or silverware). Eh? I had to ask for my soda (when my food came) and it was brought over by a bus boy. She never asked how our food was, if we needed/wanted anything, if we had a pulse. Who/how do I tip for being ignored and not waited on? I definitely got the impression that I and my business were after-thoughts. - the speed with which we were rushed in and out. As I mentioned, I received my food before I received my beverage. Odd. Add to the oddness, I received my food pretty quickly after ordering. I fully realize that BBQ can sit in warming bins as it (in busy restaurants) has been smoked/bbqed/whatever hours previously. But if it takes more time to press a lever and fill a glass with carbonated beverage than to put a plate of food in front of me and there are no golden arches in sight... that gives me some pause. This added to the wham/bam service we received. - the food I ate. My bbq was nauseatingly fatty. Once I stripped away the globs of congealed goo from my sandwich, I had a third less food. The bread fell apart (like last time) as I ate and getting through the sandwich was more chore than joy. I get paid to do chores, not the other way around. The mac & cheese was substantial but rather tasteless. I enjoyed the cornbread. The price for two people was not insignificant and I was galled to pay it given the experience. Waiting for my change (oh yes, this tip would be parsed out with exact precision) took almost as long as the dining-in experience and came with about as much care. This really is the last time.
(2)
Natasha H.
Came in here last night. The place was freezing. Our server was rude, and her service was horrible. After our food arrived, she never did come over to the table to see how everything was going. I wanted to order something else, and after waiting for her for 20 minutes. I flagged down one of the busboys. She finally comes by and notices an extra cup of mashed potatoes sitting on the table, she raises her eyebrows and says "Oh did you get that from one of the busboys, I need to know so I can add that to your bill" I wasn't trying to get away with free food, but the tone when she said this came off as very rude. Especially seeing as she didn't come by at all to see how we were enjoying our food but noticed the second when something new appeared on the table. I ordered the garlic mashed potatoes and pulled pork sandwich and that alone is the only reason that I would consider returning.
(2)
Alan D.
Took the wife and two kids here after we were told this was the place to eat BBQ in Chi Town. We are from Nashville and know BBQ. Loved the brisket sandwich! Loved the pork sandwich! Both very tender! Three sauces and all were fantastic. Liked the mustard sauce the best! Server and staff were VERY friendly, not sure where the bad reviews came on that. The band that played was a jazz trio and BADASS is all I can say! And it was FREE! Only minor negatives is the food was a little on the Luke warm side and there was no kid menu (which made an expensive meal even though we ate sandwiches! Kids (10-12) LOVED the place (decor and food)!
(5)
Allie H.
Phenomenal spot for good music and a great vibe, definitely worth heading to Pilsen to hear a band you like and give the BBQ a shot. Minus two stars: a) if you offer classic cocktails, do them well; the negroni is pretty much lighter fuel and the old-fashioned only slightly less heavy-handed, and b) the brisket and pork are just fine, maybe good in Chicago, but as a girl raised in NC's BBQ mecca, plenty of room to improve the flavor of (including sauces) both, as well as the sides (it's easy to make a killer coleslaw, so go for it). Service is generally nice, crowd is pretty mixed.
(3)
Todd H.
Decent food--not spectacular. Candy bacon was a hit. Corn muffins were weak; beans were nothing special. I did expect a bit more in terms of food excitement. The service was solid. Now: On to the urine smell. Yes--absolutely. No mistaking it. Something ain't right. Half of the restaurant was closed--with fans blowing. If I was on a date, we would not have stayed--no how, no way. Because I was with a bunch of guys, they didn't care. Live entertainment was a nice touch.
(2)
ANDREA g.
Went out tonight looking for some good peach cobbler, and ended up finding amazing BBQ! Great music, even if you don't like honky tonk, live music is always a plus. Great atmosphere and beautiful bar! Boyfriend and I split the pulled pork on cibatta sandwich and mac and cheese. The bread was soft and fresh, the pork was juicy and tender! mac and cheese was home made!! and amazing, i wanted to lick the bowl clean!!! Peach cobbler was a 7 out of ten. We have been spoiled by some amazing cobbler, so we hold them to a high standard. The ice cream was super rich and creamy, the crust on the cobbler was to doughy for us we prefer a crunchy crust, but it wasn't bad, just not amazing. We will be heading back though, service with a smile and great food.... SOLD!
(5)
Christy Q.
Now I will start with- I am not a pit master. HOWEVER, I do not understand the high ratings for this place. All I can think is people are rating them high on the entertaiment aspect of this restaurant rather than the bbq. And also, perhaps people just dump enough bbq sauce on the meat served here so that they aren't tasting the actual meat itself. Because honestly, the bbq was pretty cruddy. When we got to the restaurant we didn't realize they don't open the kitchen till 4pm, so we wound up being their first customers of the day. Everytime in my life that I've ever walked into a bbq restaurant, even a suburban chain restaurant, the first thing I noticed was the lucious smoked smell. This place smelled disgusting. We smelled no food. Not even stale beer. I thought it stunk like cigarettes- in fact I could have sworn people in the kitchen must have been smoking because it smelled so bad. Another person in my group thought it smelled like urine, and another thought mold. None of these is what you want a restaurant to smell like. So right off the bat our senses were assulted with stink. Not good. In fact, it smelled so bad (and no NOT of anything smokey) that I asked if they do the smoking of the meats here on site or elsewhere? They claim they do the smoking here on site. Could have fooled me! Our waitress was nice, but when we asked her about their bbq she said its the best in Chicago. I asked where else she gets her bbq from and she admitted this is the only bbq shes ever had in Chicago. Oookkkkk.... The guys ordered the brisket and us ladies got pulled pork. The pulled pork was really really fatty. And absolutely NO smokey taste or smell in the meat. None. I had to resort to drowning the meat in bbq sauce. The brisket was dry and tasteless. There was NO smoke flavor or smell in the stuff. The guys were really dissapointed. We even asked our waitress if the brisket was perhaps from the day before, and just reheated and served to us. She swore up and down that it was fresh brisket . If that's the case then I will absolutely not be returning. It was REALLY bad. The waitress reported our comments back to the cook and he sent out a new, fresh platter of brisket for the guys. They said it was better- more moist, but really it tasted like they just tossed some chicken stock on the stuff. They said even that batch, though better than the one the restaurant originally served them, wasn't good enough to ever return... especially with places like Smoque and Chicago Q in the city. We asked a second time if the original brisket was perhaps from the day before and they swore again that both batches were made today. The waitress finally admitted their meat can be pretty hit or miss. I guess we hit them on a miss knd of day. The next day we took our business back to Smoque for an amazing meal of meat. And ps- after eating at Smoque my fingers smelled like smoke for two days. That's how you do bbq!
(1)
Vada P.
Never had a bad meal or experience here, but the brisket is just a nose hair below that of Smoque. Still, the bar and the atmosphere are great. The fried green tomatoes are excellent, as is the mustard-y sauce that they have on the table. The chicken, believe it or not, is mouth-watering.
(5)
Brett F.
I've got a Honky Tonk Badonkadonk! It's just what happens here, you start eating a little bit of 'Que and before you know it, you just can't stop. Open mouth, expand buttocks. From the out-fucking-standing Bacon Candy to the succulent Beef Brisket, Honky Tonk has got magnificent meat on lock down. Absolutely loved their Sampler Platter which was more than enough for three lovely ladies a-sharing and provided us the opportunity to try a gaggle of goods. We downed: a Half Spread of Ribs, Half Smoked Chicken, a Pork Dinky Dunker (like a pulled pork slider), a Brisket Dinky Dunker (second verse, same as the first), a Hot Link, Fresh Slaw, Beans and two Corn Muffins. With the exception of the ribs which were sadly a wee bit dry, everything was exceptional. Ever heard a Croatian, a Russian and a Korean moan in unison? Yep, 'twas that good. In addition to the super tasty BBQ eats, at HTB you also get the benefit of an absolutely adorable and charming decor - think backwoods bar meets chic lodge - in addition to awesome - and very theme apropos - live music nightly. Fab fun for all! Good service, great food and, duh, bacon candy... get there and get your badonkadonk on, it's worth it.
(4)
Eric G.
Came here on a weekend, was pretty crowded.But luckily got a table within 15 mins. Had empanadas for an appetizer which was quite good. Ordered a pulled pork sandwich meat was cooked good and not to dry. Also The mac n cheese and corn bread are great!! Overall it was good. I definitely would come back and try more on the menu. The decor is amazing, and they have a nice bar with great craft beers! Good spot in Pilsen if your tired of Mexican food lol
(4)
Alex M.
It took me four months of living in Pilsen but I finally made it to this bar. Everything you've heard is true. The BBQ is delicious (well, the non-meaty BBQ sure is but I bet the meaty kind is pretty great too). They have musicians in all the time (playing great music) and their trivia night is pretty damn fun as well. Cheap drinks and a great atmosphere.
(5)
Big D.
the food is ok but needs love to go into the Ribs and Chicken. Your better going off to SMOQUE. The thing that sucks is the portions. I cannot stress that enough, small portions for price. The peach cobbler is not as good as SMOQUE but they tried here, but no luck.
(2)
James C.
Went here on a whim right before the kitchen closed and ordered the pulled pork sandwich with some mac and cheese. Full disclosure: this isn't like your traditional pulled pork, guys. It's not that chopped up stuff swimming in barbecue sauce. It's a lot more similar to carnitas. If you have some preconceived notion that a pulled pork must come a certain way, you aren't going to like it (as some of the folks have noted). I thought it was fantastic and it was big enough for me to take some home. The mac and cheese was also great with some nice flavors (not a garlic powder bomb, good God...). In short, I would come back.
(4)
Yaniv K.
I had the pork + brisket combo thinking it was enough for two, as the waitress promised. Turns out it's only enough for one person. The meat was a bit dry and insipid, but the macaroni and cheese and the cornbread were fantastic. If you're really craving BBQ food, I would suggest other places in the city. But if you find yourself in Pilsen and can't wait, then this place does it.
(3)
Brad C.
Good but not great, unbelievable isn't a word I would use to describe Honky Tonk. I loved the atmosphere more than the food. Honky Tonk has a really cool homey feel, it just feels like you're sitting in someone's house (maybe an artist friends house cause of all the painting on the walls). They also have a live band and surprisingly they sounded pretty good. For dinner I ordered the pulled pork sandwich, it was good but it was kind of dry and had too much bread for me. If it wasn't for the great sauces on the table it would of been a sad dinner. The mustard sauce was my favorite one of the three. I was able to try the brisket sandwich and thought it had a lot more flavor then mine. For a side I went with the Mac & Cheese, sadly is was really runny, I saw someone with an order of mashed potatoes and those looked way better. For $2 I wanted a larger portion and something better. I say skip the sides when you come here they are not worth the extra $2 for such a tiny helping. Maybe I just ordered the wrong things that night. I might be back in the future sometime but since the hours here are sort of a pain I'm not sure I'll be back anytime soon.
I have been here several (3) times, and I have to give the place 2 stars overall for some things: 1) dry or fatty meat--really a Crime in barbecue. Barbecue is a method that for even not great meat, I mean it originally was food for poorer folks and they didn;t have great Cuts, yet barbecue is awesome...you can make it taste great by how you store and prepare it. No excuse for the poor preparaton of meat here. 2) service is not great...there are often not enough servers on 3) maybe the building needs a good clean, but I have several times smelled smoke pretty strongly in the place which just is hard to get used to if one is trying to eat. The price is affordable, only saving grace but I rather pay more for better food and less attitude.
(2)
Quijote D.
Beware of the20% tip added to larger groups. Not equal to 20% service. Food quality is excellent and live jazz music is a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend.
(4)
Carol K.
Honky Tonk has been on my list to try since before it got popular on Check Please! and I've just been waiting for the fever to settle down before checking it out for myself. The space is simple- outfitted like an improvised art gallery or coffee house with huge paintings on the wall and wooden tables and chairs. We were there on a weeknight and there was even some entertainment with a guitar player crooning out tunes which was a nice touch to the place. We ordered a couple of slabs of ribs, and two sides- the mac and cheese and some cornbread. Surprising for us was that there was not the BBQ standard of Beef Brisket on the menu (unless you wanted it pulled on a sandwich). The ribs were delicious. Meaty with that crisp outside that shows that they are slow cooked and not boiled like some places. I loved that they come plain and you have a choice of three sauces to tempt your taste buds. The sides were only so- so. The corn muffin was a little dry and stale, and the mac and cheese tasted like noodles with Velveeta on top so you may want to try something else when you go. But the real winner? The peach cobbler! OMG! It was like I was sitting at my grandma's table and she had just pulled this from her oven. Hot, sweet and doughy- this was an unexpected surprise to end our meal. Service is utilitarian so know that you take your bill to the counter in the front room to pay- and bring CASH as they don't take plastic. The place is BYOB so don't forget to grab some beers before coming. And if you drive- parking is fairly easy (depending on the night you go) on this stretch of 18th. Honky Tonk isn't fancy. It's quirkiness is just a part of it's charm (check out the pig lamp and you'll know what I mean) But it serves up some pretty good ribs and in my book- that's all a rib place should do.
(4)
Tracey H.
The food is nothing to write home about whatsoever, save that pound cake which is to die for. They understaff their floor and it can be hard to get good service. Not exciting or innovative BBQ, but really packed, presumabley because it does, indeed, have a really fun atmosphere. If you go, go for the music and the beer, maybe eat dessert, but skip the BBQ.
(2)
Jedd J.
Oops, review snafu - accidentally filed this review under Honey 1 BBQ. Sorry Honey 1. I'll try you soon. About Honky Tonk BBQ... Terrible dining experience. The pork and beans were cold and flavorless. The "chili" was a scalding bowl of shaved beef in terribly salty gravy, lacking any hint of tomato, sweet, smoke, pepper, or spice. The "pulled" pork sandwich consisted of huge chunks of flayed meat on a lousy roll, and something was wrong with the flavor. Of the three BBQ sauces, only the "spicy" was edible. We did not finish any of it and quickly left. The only positive note - good live music by a two piece band consisting of a hollow body guitar and upright bass.
(1)
Jennifer G.
I so wanted to love this place. After watching triple D and hearing the Memphis in May awards, I thought this place was going to knock my socks off. Not so much! First, no self respecting bbq joint should list sweet tea and serve me Lipton brisk. That is so wrong. Second, bbq should not be served on ciabatta rolls. BBQ and ciabatta just don't jive. Third, the sides were really lacking. The beans were bland, the black eyed peas were flavorless and the mac and cheese was average. 3 sandwiches and a side each, $51.00.... Aside from all of the failures in the food department, the place was really cute and the service was pretty good.
(2)
Matthew B.
This is the worst food I've had in Chicago, ever. My companion and I walked into Honky Tonk and were immediately put off by the smell - I knew the meat wasn't smoked upon walking in because when you smoke your meat on the premises your restaurant smells smokey - Honky Tonk smells soapy. I have eaten over 300 meals out in the past 2 years, Honky Talk is the worst of 300 by FAR, and I have eaten in some bad places in 2 years - like places you dont eat sober bad, like Bacci pizza bad. I wish there was a way to give zero stars, thats how bad this meal was. What was wrong with it: 1)BBQ is smoked - Honky Talks meat is boiled. At SOME point this meat may have been in a smoker, but I doubt it. When I asked the waitress how long they smoked their meat for, she said "Oh, hours...and hours...overnight." She LIED right to my face. If they were running a smoker for 12-18s in the building it would smell of smoke - it doesn't. I would question if the meat is smoked at ALL. When I pressed her for what kind of smoker they used, she didn't know. The correct answer would have been a Southern Pride wall unit - which is what a good BBQ place would have. Hell, at this point I would have taken a glass smoker. Supposedly the owner is a competition pitmaster - that is BULLSHIT because we get to point #2... 2)The sauce is HORRIBLE. They have three abominations "Tangy" "Sweet" and "Garlic(?) Mustard". They are ALL bad, they all have the distinct taste of being watered down, and they have the mouthfeel of using too much sugar or corn syrup. Nothing could help the boiled bland meat, but good sauce would have been better. These sauces were ALL worse than Kraft BBQ sauce. 3)The Mashed potatoes are cheap. They are either a mix or they are watering them down to save on using milk as a binder. They have practically no butter in them. They were terrible. I knew as soon as I saw them that they would be bad. 4)The rolls that the sandwiches are on are horrible. They are dried out and obviously store bought. Im sorry that anyone thinks that this is even PASSABLE FOOD, let alone passable BBQ. F-
(1)
Bertel J.
First of all, I'm a rib snob. B., I live for BBQ III., bad ribs should be punishable by deportation (jail time would need to be supported by tax monies) With that said, all employees & owners should be on their way out of the country...period!
(1)
Lauren G.
Great ambiance. Great food. There's even a cluster of hippie/country boys who sit at a table with cowboy hats on and cowboy attire. Felt like I was in a saloon just because they were there. LOL. But the food was fabulous. Cornbread, pulled pork, mac and cheese and coleslaw. DELICIOUS!
(5)
Eric L.
Another Chicago BBQ failure. 4 for atmosphere, but 2 for food. This place just oozes cool, hipster BBQ joint, but the BBQ is weaksauce. ribs: dry brisket: great texture, but needs to be smokier. almost entirely unseasoned, if you told me this was made in the oven, i'd believe you. pulled pork: uninspired sausage: probably not made in house, but severely overseasoned (there were several different links, one was overly salty, even for sausage, and the other was just boring) smoked chicken: dry and the skin was like leather cole slaw: dressing wasn't thick enough to stick to the cabbage the thing that saved this from being 1.5 stars was their bacon and brew. I didn't even have it, but my dinner companion ordered it and said the bacon was outstanding, and it was tantalizing enough that I will actually return to Honky Tonk just to try it, despite how unimpressive the rest of the menu was.
(2)
Kymberly J.
beware: CASH ONLY! I think they should tell you this before you order. The atmosphere is pretty cool. The entry way is a lovely view of the kitchen (not sure if I like that idea) and the hostess stand. I felt like I was walking into someone's home. Then the dining area is white walls covered with a hodge podge of mostly bad paintings but it works. It's a strange ecletic mix in this super high ceiling room. In the back is the bar which looks and feels completely different from the dining room. It's dark and narrow. Sometime in February they will be getting their liquor license so until then BYOB! So on to the food. It wasnt the greatest ever but it wasnt the worst ever. The ribs and the mac and cheese were served a little on the warm side but none the less tasty. Three sauces to choose from, one of which was a mustard sauce - an interesting option but nothing I would slather over my entire slab. They have a salad called "what your girl friend would order salad" with field greens (and arugala...oh how I heart the arugala!) seasonal berries (fresh) walnuts, jicima and goat cheese served with an awesome tangy dressing.
(3)
Selena L.
After hearing numerous rave reviews, my boyfriend and I decided to check it out for ourselves. To say we were bamboozled by the reviews would be an understatement. The clear sign we ignored: the place smelled more like a barnyard with NO scent of smokey bbq goodness anywhere. Too bad we didn't read fellow Yelpers reviews before we went.
(1)
Christine K.
The best thing about this barbecue place was the cornbread. That pretty much sums up the food here. Based on other Yelp reviews, I ordered the fried green tomatoes and the delux platter with brisket, hot link, corn bread, and one side (greens). The brisket was dry and flavorless. The sauces were pretty good (sweet, tangy, mustard garlic), so it wasn't as bad once it was drowned in sauce. The corn bread was moist and I actually liked the hot link quite a bit. It was much better than the brisket. The greens were bland. When we asked for bread, they brought out stale dinner rolls, which was quite a disappointment. The fried green tomatoes were heavily breaded, which was fine but the breading could not hold onto the wet tomatoes and would slip off at the touch of a fork. The tomatoes also completely lacked in the tartness that makes fried green tomatoes so delicious, but that might just have been our tomato. Our main server was nice, but some of the people there are horribly rude. I would have been willing to return for the cornbread and hot links, but I probably won't because the rude workers there make the thought of going back extremely distasteful. In sum, go somewhere else.
(1)
Jessie Elizabeth J.
The Honky Tonk BBQ is a lively and colorful restaurant with good bbq, great sauces, and great entertainment. I recommend the sausage links which are flavorful and juicy, as well as the bbq pork- melt in your mouth good. Avoid the baked beans which are regularly unercooked and served in a watery base, and the chicken/ribs are cooked long before the night shift so they can be dry. We ordered the sample platter and had enough food for 2 people for 3 meals :]
(4)
Vishal P.
Came here bc I lived near by not knowing what to expect from looking at outside of the building but inside is a whole new world literally....this what u call a hidden gem. Reminded me of mom pops bbq place from south. Ordered ribs and slaw with beer garnished with BACON CANDY! Just writing this review the next day making me hungry again. I would def go back order same thing...ribs, slaw, beer w/ bacon candy! I would maybe give it 4 stars bc it's so busy and limited seating but that wouldn't be fair....
(5)
Liz T.
Honky Tonk is a-okay--for average, not awesome. I got the green tomato BLT, which should actually be called the fried green BLT for "fried green (bacon lettuce) tomato" because it's two fried green tomato patties in slider buns! Genius, brilliant brilliant idea, but delivery fell just a little flat. The fry batter was average--on the onion ring batter spectrum rather than the country fried chicken spectrum. I think it should be the latter. The $2 extra goat cheese is goat cheese crumble in a little cup? Not a goat cheese spread on the actual sandwich, which I thought was a little strange and over-priced. The mac and cheese is unique. It definitely has a sour spank and spice that makes me think of "buffalo mac and cheese," but I'm not sure it actually has buffalo sauce in it. It's definitely different. The maple syrup encrusted bacon is decent, too, but doesn't come out piping hot. It's a little cold and dry on presentation, more like a maple syrup glazed beef jerky. I'm also a sweet tea snob, and their sweet tea tastes like Nestea... not sure if they just need to buy some better tea or what. But definitely on the cheap tea side, which... come on, this ain't no honky tonk! Oh... wait... Overall, I would go back for late night dive food, but it's not like Green Street. Green Street is definitely on a different caliber of high quality, fresh preparation and presentation. Honky Tonk really is... maybe just more like a honky tonk.
(3)
Carol M.
VERY NICE .... atmosphere was very enjoyable .... loved the music / band was great! Dancing was added plus! FOOD WAS A+ .... a MUST TRY is the SUPER-SIZE SAMPLER PLATTER! **Huge sampling of Dry-Rubbed Ribs / BBQ Chicken (loved the smoke) / Smoked Links / Cole Slaw / Sky-High Stacked Pulled Pork Sammies (they didn't last long on our table of 2 men 3 women). Corn-Muffin was to die for --- yummmmmm! ALSO TRIED .... RIB TIPS --- portion was more than enough to share --- loved them! *try sweet BBQ sauce as side splash!! ....MAC & CHEEZZEEEE --- my grand-daughters favorite!! .... BRISKET --- was fabulous!! ONLY DISAPPOINTMENT .... the beans never showed up on our platter!! YES --- I'L BE BACK
(5)
Michael C.
Honky Tonk is a solid bbq place in the Pilsen area. My coworkers come here every Wednesday for Trivia night, so I decided to come join them yesterday. The restaurant is dark and really long, with a center stage for live music and where trivia announcing takes place. I came here quite hungry and ordered a whole order of smoked chicken. The chicken was moist, and the skin was nice and crispy. Each half chicken was placed upon half a hamburger bun, which I though was kind of odd considering there would be no way to eat it like sandwich (bone and all). What was odd about their dishes is that none of the smoked meats or sandwiches come with a side. What??? And in order to get a side, you'd have to cough up 3.50 for the regular size which stinks. They should at least offer a side at discount if you order one of those meal plates. Sadly, this is not the case. Trivia was really fun though. They have some crazy hard questions that require knowledge of current events, with a pretty big focus on literature and geography. Bring your worldly friends and you might stand a chance!
Okay, so this is Chicago and not Texas, so I didn't walk in here expecting an actual Honky Tonk like some folks, but I was looking for good food. We started off with the fried green tomatoes, which were lightly fried and delicious with the garlic mustard. For our meals, my husband got one of the meat platters (brisket with mashed potatoes and cornbread) and I got the chili with mac and cheese. We were both pleased with our meals. The meat was moist and flavorful, the potatoes were creamy, and the mac and cheese complemented the chili well. My husband tried all of the sauces (tangy tomato, sweet tomato, and garlic mustard) and liked them all. So, we were looking for good food and we got it. We'll definitely be back.
(4)
Art M.
Cool spot in Pilsen. I had some appetizers and a beer with a friend. Everything was excellent. Good videos. Plenty of room. Nice hang out. I had fun and the prices weren't outrageous.
(5)
Shereene M.
Bacon Candy- must get enough for at least half a piece for everyone, we had a piece for everyone and I was in love but felt like it was crazy Sampler- crazy huge. Wasn't crazy about the chicken but the ribs and hot links were delish One of the salads- meh, could have passed on it I wanted all of the sweets but didn't have any space. We all left with some leftovers! The live music is cool but the service isn't that great. I don't think I'll be back but glad we checked it out.
(3)
Marilynn P.
Came here a few months ago with a few friends. I just remember the bacon candy was the bomb dot com- seriously, so delicious. The sampler was huge and the ribs were on point. I even thought the salad was good the next day for lunch. If I'm in the area, I'd come back for some BBQ.
(4)
Tracy J.
I had high hopes, the smell outside is awesome. I wandered in before concert at Thalia Hall. Asked my server if the tips or the brisket was best, he suggested tips, which i love.....done correctly. They were dry and tough...a bit overdone to say the least. They wouldnt tear apart...very much like low grade jerky. The sides of greens and garlic mashed were really good so i might suggest keeping the cook of those and getting a new meat chef. Overall, id say half the tips were edible, the rest, would be suitable for my pooch, if I had one, and i was mad at him. Service was good..but I wont be back..my suggestion is the cook should travel the US to find the true potential of smoked meats, because this example was not it. Pass
(2)
Irene H.
Go on a Sunday night at 8pm to hear the band, Fat Babies. Bacon Candy is a must-try and the Texas Brisket Chili topped with Mac n' Cheese is my favorite thing on the menu. Also, the banana pudding is absolutely delicious, to quote our waitress "it's like crack!"
(4)
JS T.
This review is solely for their catering service- disregard if you're not planning a wedding or event. My two dear friends got married at Colby Barn in Grayslake and and asked me to coordinate their reception. Beth was the person I worked with most. In terms of professionalism, problem solving, and flexibility, I cannot say enough good things about the team they sent. Not only were they efficient and attentive, they went beyond the expectations of a caterer. When the car full of decorations arrived an hour late (leaving only an hour to decorate from scratch) they all pitched in to help. They decorated the tables, and Beth was in the kitchen cutting and arranging flowers with us. I wouldn't have survived without them. They were constantly asking what else they could do to help out. In terms of the food, I can't totally speak to the quality because I was the last table to eat, so the chicken was a little dried out. However, the BBQ sauce, candied bacon, and Mac and cheese were yummy.
(4)
Brent W.
Waitstaff grumpy, irritated, and poor drink menu. After returning to this favorite spot of mine where I love to listen to music, I was suprised by the waitstaff and poor training to maintain a professional attitude through the night. Not only would the bar staff bring out the incorrect drinks, they were upset when you didn't take the incorrect order. The food cam out quickly, but when we would try to enjoy the music dancing, the waitstaff was less than patient. The drink menu has two choices: sugary drinks or bitter drinks. They seem to not know how to balance any cocktail. I know it's a bbq themed bar with 'vintage' inspired drinks, but even bathtub gin didn't taste that bad. Finally trying to wrap up the evening trying to sort out the check, they refused to split the tab and put someone's bar tab on our tables tab after being asked not to. I will not be returning.
(1)
Stephanie M.
I enjoyed our dining. The decor gave us lots to talk about. Our waitress was awesome. The food was good. My family member that is a vegetarian had things to choose from. Perfect fit for a chill/relaxing evening.
(3)
Charlie C.
I think that this is a 3-4 star place. But I am bordering on 3 for a few reasons. (Side note, my meal was a 4). I was with a friend there- their ribs were quite fatty and cooked to non-precision. The music in the front room was good, but the volume was blaring so loud that I could not think while making my order. We went to the eccentric back room and enjoyed the experience much- MUCH more. I had pulled pork- it was terrific. The mac 'n cheese. My god its rich and wonderful. So... the food was good on my end. The atmosphere once escaped form that dreadful noise was great- and my co-diners meal was "meh." I would go back.
(3)
Rachel P.
They list about half a dozen appetizers, but they are all smoke and mirrors for the one true appetizer: BACON CANDY. Order it. Order another to go. Thick, chewy, sweet, bacony - just yum! The meats are also smoky and good, if a touch heavy-handed on the black pepper for my taste (maybe this is Chicago-style?), as well as tasty mac and cheese and garlic mashed potatoes. The no substitution rule also kinda sucks if you don't like coleslaw, like me, but overall a good meal. I'm not sure which band was playing the night we went, but I really enjoyed the old jazz/big band sound more than I thought I might, and would definitely go back for both the food and the music again.
(4)
Kevin D.
The girlfriend and I were in town from the Twin Cities for a little vacation and sightseeing. After a long and humid day, we were ready to end the night with a nice dinner. I used an app that finds restaurants that were featured on the Food Network and found Honky Tonk BBQ. After a longish bus ride from Willis Tower, we made it to the neighborhood. It's located in what seems to be an up and coming area. As we walked toward the restaurant, we were beckoned by the sound of live 1920s jazz music. The door was propped open and we could hear that a good time was to be had inside. We entered the bar which was packed and very loud with the music and customers. The bar is smallish with very loud acoustics. The large sound system could have definitely been turned down by 20%. Aside from the noise, the ambiance was excellent and very cool. The band was great. The bar was dimly lit, full of random photos and oil paintings, and a beautiful old wooden bar. Unfortunately, it was also swelteringly hot inside. It appeared that the bar was being cooled by window unit air conditioners that were clearly inadequate for the room. Everyone I saw in the bar, ourselves included, was noticeably sweaty. We were unable to find any staff initially but knew we wanted to stay despite the heat and noise. This was an authentically cool Chicago bar. Eventually we sat ourselves at an unbussed table and a friendly waitress later came to clear the table and serve us. We both ordered pulled pork sandwiches and an order of the garlic mashed potatoes. My girlfriend ordered a gin and tonic. When the food arrived we were very pleasantly surprised. While many other pulled pork sandwiches served at other restaurants tend to be greasy, runny, and sloppy to eat, this one was nice and tender but dry; perfect to add their house made BBQ sauce. They had both a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. Both were excellent. I preferred the tangy even though I'm generally averse to spicy foods and sauces. The girlfriend enjoyed her G and T's though they were slow to be refilled. The garlic mashed potatoes were not runny like some restaurant mashed potatoes and they appeared to be made from scratch. We both thought the meal was delicious and particularly enjoyed their sauces. Even with the oppressive heat and loud noise and so-so service, the food and ambiance were both so great that we will definitely be back next time we're in town.
(4)
Taylor T.
Honky Tonk created the best wedding weekend ever! Karie and Willie go above and beyond to ensure amazing customer service. All of our guests raved about the food!!! And when the day started out it with a crazy thunderstorm, Karie stepped up to help make sure our day was still perfect. Perfect venue, amazing food, and excellent waitstaff!!
(5)
R R.
This is a great option for a vegetarian and a meat eater seeking good BBQ. The meat eater had the rib tips with vinegar based slaw and loved every bite. He even said it was better than the BBQ that I brought back from the heart of Texas! Wow! The veggie eater had the Green tomato BLT with portobello mushroom substituting for the bacon with a side of Mac and cheese. It was amazing and I loved it so much that I saved half of it to have again the next day. A must for any veggie lover. We concluded with peach cobbler and banana pudding. Both of which were fabulous. Add this place as a mmajor local must do in the Pilsen area! In a word- YUM! NOTE: They have live music most nights so be ready for some music while dining. Also there are lots of meters street parking in the area. Chitown Veg Gal
(4)
Lisa H.
To me, walking in here felt like walking into a random local country joint on a road trip, which I kind of liked. There were an assortment of random photos on the walls, and it looks like there was live music on some days, but we didn't come on one of those days (or at the right time). Wanted to come to try the barbecue. We ended up getting the sampler platter, which includes ribs, 1/2 smoked chicken, 2 dinky dunkers (pork and brisket sliders), 2 hot links, beans, coleslaw, and corn muffins. I know, ambitious for 2 people. The hot links and the dunkers were delicious. I was a fan of the BBQ sauce as well. I usually don't like cornbread at all, but my boyfriend thought it was one of the most delicious things he had there. The ribs were a little dry and overdone, and I didn't enjoy they as much as I could have. The chicken was similar. The service was a little slow, but not too bad. For drinks, they had an Old Style beer that came with candied bacon which I was tempted to try, but ultimately decided against. Maybe next time.
(3)
Amy H.
Right when you walk through the door, you are in a different world. A lot of people are dancing and there is live music. We sat at a table near the front of the restaurant and it was packed. I was so hungry from walking there that I ordered a Portabella mushroom burger and their Mac and Cheese. The food was the best. It was a juicy mushroom with arugula and goat cheese. The Mac and Cheese had a nice crust on the top. OMG YUM! I'm drooling just thinking about it.
(5)
Sharita R.
I sampled some rib tips from this restaurant at the Pilsen Food Truck Social. They were okay, but the meat didn't have much flavor to it. I did like the Carolina mustard sauce they had out. It made it a bit better, but I've honestly had better ribs and better sauces from other restaurants. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here.
(3)
Julie T.
The food is amazing! Fried Green Tomatoes, candy bacon topped off with a mason jar of moonshine! It a gotta go place when we are in Chicago!
(5)
Jennie C.
Dusek's quoted an hour long wait for a weekday so here I am at Honky Tonk BBQ, which turned out to be a pleasant alternative. It was bright and a lot quieter, so you can actually carry out a conversation. We had the 1/2 chicken, brisket deluxe plate, fried green tomatoes and extra corn muffins. The tomatoes came out piping hot but not greasy at all. Loved the corn muffins. And the brisket was melt-in-mouth tender. Only letdown was the coleslaw, which wasn't very flavorful. Prices are right and service was great too. How could I have not tried this place earlier?!
(4)
Bianca R.
Trying to book the outdoor venue months in advance was like pulling teeth with Karie. I later found out after several calls and emails that they are booked until next summer but they could squeeze my son's baptism luncheon in for a couple hours. I'm guessing before another "booked party" or maybe they were holding out for a wedding or larger event. They also wouldn't be able to do the whole hog but could offer pulled pork sandwiches. No thanks. Either way, the whole ordeal of having to chase Karie for an answer was draining. Maybe they'll hire someone who can handle event coordinating a little better...
(1)
Hilary K.
Honky tonk is my ride and die place in Pilsen. My dad and I stumbled upon it several years ago On Wednesday night and immediately when I walked in, I knew this place would be awesome. Since then, we have probably gone there 50+ times, celebrated birthdays and good company. The atmosphere is well worth the visit, and the food just makes everything right. Beware, they do not take reservations - only for groups of 10 or more. And boy this place gets crowded. The pulled pork and smoked chicken is absolutely fantastic. I feel that the servings are generous and if you're with a group, ordering a lot of sides can make it really fun. Love the whiskey drinks and I can't wait to make it back there soon.
(5)
Erika G.
Oh, YES! Pleasantly crowded, noisy, fun place. Rib tips and brisket with tangy Carolina barbeque sauce. YES. The meat was delicious, and the cole slaw was pretty great too. The band! They've been here for seven years, and I ran into a friend - the fingerstyle guitar player - that I'd not seen in about that long. Great fun! Cool place, lively and fun. Our waiter was great - totally recommend this place in getting-hipper-all-the-time Pilsen.
(4)
Mark H.
Sounds of jazz fills the air. The smell of BBQ is everywhere. Can this place be the perfect spot for a casual yet romantic getaway supper? Perhaps. But...whatever it is, Honky Tonk BBQ, albeit its young age however has quickly become a Pilsen restaurant landmark. Went on a Monday night to listen to a group called Fat Babies, a local jazz band featuring 1920s music. Tried their sampler to get a wide range of meat. The BBQ sauce was very tangy. The ribs were nice and firm. I enjoyed the links. Full of spice and rich in flavor. The chicken was nice and moist. Overall a great dish for two. I even had their candy bacon. Now this is an acquired taste for me. Tons of sugar infused into a thick slice of bacon is great with a cold beer. This is cool place. If you're into trying something different from that downtown restaurant def put this on your list of must trys.
(5)
David W.
GO FIR THE BEEF BRISKET ON THE SANDWICH MENU!!! $9.50 Worth every penny. You literally pay for the quality and get your money's worth!!!! Also you go in and self serve yourself to any seat.
(5)
Cindy V.
Gentrification at its finest!!! If u want a real gentrification experience go to the honky tonk and u will surely get it! It's filled w hipsters who are taking over Pilsen and their wealthy parents who are visiting them. It was pretty sad to sit there and experience that when all we wanted was some barbecue, which by the way was mediocre at best. The food took about 30 minutes to reach us and when it did it was cold:( yes cold Mac n cheese how can that happen? Well maybe it was bc our waitress kept gazing out the window instead of checking to see if our food was ready. It was really disappointing, if u want good barbecue I recommend husky hog on 31st st as it's delicious!! The only good thing here was the candy bacon, but I would never go back again :(
(1)
Tim B.
Well, I've given them a fair shake many times, and the experience and food just seems to be getting worse. I'm in the neighborhood, and I call in an order- the Fried Green Tomatoes, a large side of macaroni and cheese, and an order of the Dinky Dunkers, both of which I wished to be Brisket (Important fact for later). They tell me about fifteen to twenty minutes. Sure. I walk on over there, wander through to the back, and they get my bag together, put in a big ol shopping bag with handles. Total comes out, $35. Did I order something else and forget it? I don't know. I pay, check the bag, seems like everything's there, go home to eat. When I get home, I open the bag, and there were two orders of brisket sandwiches, which of course explains the extra upcharge. I'll eat them, whatever. It might have been my mistake in not articulating my order properly. I hand over the Fried green tomatoes to my lady friend, who looks at them, all burnt like, takes a bite, shakes her head, and tries another one. Just as bad. No seasoning, and they're using red tomatoes. Oh, what's that on the side? It comes with cocktail sauce? At a BBQ joint? What? Strike 2. If they're serving a large side of Macaroni in a pint container and filling it up 2/3 of the way, I'm not getting it again. I've been here before, and the food has been average, especially the meats. Smoke them correctly, slice your brisket thinner, pull the pork to order so it stays more moist, and either trim the gristle or learn how to make burnt ends. It's obscene. The entertainment is nice. I'm glad they have that going for them, because the drinks can't cover up for how poor the food is, and it's only getting worse. Sorry, guys. Gotta go.
(2)
Cicele B.
The Good: The overall atmosphere of this place is really cool, and inviting. We sat at the bar so, I can't speak of the service from the waitstaff but the bartenders were very attentive. The live music hadn't started while we were there, but I can imagine that that would up the "down home" feel. Finally, the bacon candy... Amazing! Three strips of super thick sugared bacon, um yes please and thank you! The Bad: The food, part one. Our food was cold. Now I know they have a special smoke method that they use, but I still feel like the food should be hot upon delivery. The hot link was spicy, but lacked snap. In general, we were disappointed. The Ugly: The food, part two. Those. Damn. Southern. Greens. In a word, yuck. Perhaps, the worst I've ever had in my life. I am not exaggerating, or trying to be a jerk, they were just bad. I want to give this place another try, so we will be back. I'm just gonna stay away from the green leafy vegetables.
(2)
Eric R.
I really used to like this place. Went here when I was in the area after a game because I wanted some bbq and I used to frequent when I lived in the area. Pulled pork is nowhere near as good as it used to be, dry and flavorless. Candy bacon has become way to expensive. 4$ a slice? Really?? Service is still great tho :-) Thanks for being friendly, not always easy to do at 10p. I'm just not feeling it anymore. Work on your jive.
(3)
Sherry Y.
Came here for The Fat Babies just this past Sunday. To see them for free was worth it enough, but the atmosphere here is so friendly. You can strike up a conversation with anyone at the bar and feel absolutely relaxed. Not to mention, even if you can't grab a seat when it's crowded, the bartender will still find you a menu and mix you a drink as quick as they can. I had an old fashioned that was just sweet enough with the perfect amount of fruit to libation ratio. Tip well, for my friend says once you get to know a bartender, they'll mix you a drink in advance. Great music, cozy room for dancing. I'll update later on the food, but it looked fantastic.
(5)
Melissa G.
A friend of mine brought me here because he saw it on Triple D (Diners, Drive-ins and Dives) and let me tell you this Kansas City BBQ joint does NOT disappoint!!! Everything was tasty, from the delicious platter of ribs to the jalapeno cornbread. They even feature live music from various local bands, which is always a fun compliment to a casual meal. Also, let me just say that I'm not a huge beer connoisseur, but their Bacon & Brew is definitely worth a try. Did I mention the bacon was candied??? TO-die.... Fun Fact: They have Free Trivia on Wednesday nights starting at 9P (or at least they used to), which is always a ton of fun. I brought my coworkers up here for some trivia and we actually took home first prize which ended up being $25 off our bill (a drop in the bucket, but the thrill of victory made it all worth it!)
(4)
Matthew R.
I started with the bacon and brew. I wasn't that impressed with the bacon candy but it was a nice little snack I guess. I had the rib tips for dinner which were great. They were a little on the dry side but had a nice dry rub and were smoked well. The portion size was huge and I could only finish about half. The mac and cheese was great, the coleslaw was so so, and the corn muffins were alright. The choice of sauces were decent though I would have liked to see a spicy one. I'm a big banana pudding fan and this one was pretty good though it seemed like 80% cookies an 20% pudding. Service was fairly quick once we got seated and overall it was a good experience. I would recommend this place to friends looking for some decent BBQ.
(4)
Brent B.
First time I've ever been to a BBQ restaurant that cold smokes their meats. From the baby back ribs to the dry and cold brisket and pulled pork I would have thought maybe it was yesterday's left overs, but no.... We got there at 4 when they opened and everything should have been fresh off the smoker, right? Luckily the hot link was quit tasty and I saw a glimmer of hope but than I was corrected when the candied piece of leather was harder to choke down than my $70 unsatisfactory meal. I wish it would have worked out like I planned.
(2)
mark l.
We give up.
(1)
Jennifer Craig A.
after reading reviews this was on our must try list. food was not good at all, brisket was mushy and fatty. hubby had 1/2 slab baby back. he felt they were a bit overdone but I liked. the slaw was strong vinegar based and mac/chz was riotoni with cheese. had chili for appetizrr, very tasty but served plain. our drinks came with food. server was pleasant but really slow
(3)
Anthony G.
We are easy to please low maintenance, stopped in a few weeks ago. Don't think I've ever given a negative review. Walked in from a night of perfect weather, but was basically greeted by a bartender that was somewhere between grumpy and indifferent, who took his time to take our order. We had hoped the food would be better when we were finally seated, but it was also disappointing and unfortunately all the BBQ meats we tried were dry, a little bland, and tasted all similar to each other (we had the sampler). We tried to enjoy the night, but about 30 minutes into our dinner, but a woman who appeared to be the owner started nastily yelling at someone else, not far from our table. All in all, the restaurant was kind of a downer.
(2)
Mike H.
Threw on my boots and plaid shirt, and headed down to Pilsen for some bacon, beer, and ribs. The bar itself was pretty cool, and I could see it being a fun time at night when there is live music. Unfortunately, the food was a little underwhelming. We got there right at 4 when they opened and first thing we ordered was the bacon and brew, which is a pint of Old Style and a stick of candied bacon. Although a little bit tough, it thought it was pretty good. You really can't go wrong with bacon and cheap beer. As for the main course, we ordered a rack of baby back ribs, and a platter of brisket and pulled pork, with sides of mac and cheese and corn bread. I thought we were going to be in for a treat being that we were one of the first people to arrive, but when the food came, we were left a little dissapointed. The meat itself was dry and really not even hot. The ribs were meaty, but weren't fall off the bone delicious. I really liked the mac and cheese, and the cornbread was amazing. All in all it was a cool place to check out if you're nearby looking for some good beer choices and live music, but I wouldn't make the drive again for the BBQ.
(3)
Michelangelo V.
Honest review bad food do not trust the positive reviews i saw this on drivers dine in n drives so i was so excited to eat here one of the biggiest disappointments ever i ordered the chili pulled pork brisket sandwhich mac n cheeze ribs n candy bacon the only thing that was good was the pulled pork n brisket but they were cold n u could tell were extremely old the mac n cheeze tasted like crappy kfc stuff the chili had no flavor like was mostly broth n tomato then the candy bacon do not order it it was so cold/ old / dry it was like really crappy beef jerky n there was only 3 pieces for 11 dollars thats crazy then the ribs were extremely dry n flavorless n they were extremely small the service is really bad like they forget what u order dont get u anything n leave n never come back so u have to sit there and wait for them also the place smells trust me if u want the best barbeque in chicago thats cheap with huge portions go to hogwild
I looked to ddd for some spots to check out on my visit to chicago.....and i almost didn't try this one, but fortunately some friends wanted to eat and when I mentioned it ....they were in. WoW!! I'm so glad we did! Delicious bbq - the garlic mustard was a nice addition to the savory food. I'M ALSO RECOMMENDING THE BANANA PUDDING....BEYOND Yummy!!!!...I'm not even a banana fan, but it was decadent and heavenly...truely. the wait staff was matter of fact, but attentive and never left us looking around for them. If you want good ol timey tunes and southern bbq charm with the savory food to back it up then come here on your visit or for a night out! Love you honky tonk!!....and of course your scrumptious bananna pudding ;)
(5)
Jennifer S.
Honky Tonk beats other BBQ joints hands-down because of its unique atmosphere and the amazing food and drinks. When you walk through the door you are immediately taken in by the eclectic art collection that hangs frame to frame over every foot of this huge space. Honky Tonk's owner shared with me that all the art belongs to one collector and that he won't sell any of the pieces, but is open to the occasional trade. I don't know why, but I find that charming. They have the best old fashioned in the city and they make their own black cherry garnish which ferments in another liquor for months before it makes its' way to the bottom of your glass. The bacon candy is amazing and defies accurate description. All I can say is "You gotta try it." I also love the novelty of the bacon candy being served with a Miller High Life pony! As for the BBQ... the brisket is fantastic and the St. Louis style ribs are some of the best I've had outside of MO. There's life music 3 or 4 nights a week and the bands are always great. It can get a little loud, but the back dining room is a good buffer for the noise. They also have a take out counter and you can't miss the entrance as it's painted with flames. I've been to Honky Tonk more than a dozen times and the experience is always consistently great. the only mild negative worth mentioning is that there is a slight odor (maybe from the sewage drains?) in the ladie's and I assume the men's room.
(5)
Rachel R.
The food was amazing. We went on a night with a live band and had a great time. The service was more than I expected for the hood it was in. Friendly staff who wanted to help and take care of you. Something you don't see often.The food came out fast and HOT! Ordered the St.Louis half rack of ribs, slaw and a side of Mac & Cheese. I may be 135 pounds, but I can normally eat what is placed in front me. Not this night. It was a lot of food on the plate. The ribs had more meet than what you would normally see. What a bonus. The meat fell off the bone and into my mouth. They have three different BBQ sauces on the table. It made it hard to use just one. Hence it is on the table. It makes it easy to bit what ever you want when it's on the table. Thus making my ribs tastin like sweetness or hot and spicy. I look forward to coming back and enjoying the brisket.
(4)
jim s.
They never disappoint. Food is terrific, had the girlfriend salad last night with brisket, great sauce. I have never experienced a nicer, friendlier, sincere wait staff/bartender crew. Been there several times, same consistent attitude. Crowd is eclectic which I love. Music always outstanding, last night the Fat Babies for father's day. Oh, almost forgot.....3 dollar PBRs VT 4 bucks...c'mon this place is the best
(5)
Crystal F.
Just had the chili via their stand from fooda at my office building downtown. Opened it up and ate some of it -- only to realize that it was mostly fatty liquid, with no beans and the chunks of meat swimming in this fat/liquid. Seems they don't skim the fat (at all) when making the chili -- and the server scooped my portion straight from the top. All fat from which my tender stomach hasn't recovered. I went down to explain, trying to be nice by avoiding the words fat and grease. She just gave me another *half* order and told me I could mix it with the other chili I had in my left hand, which I was hoping she would take back. That was really enough discussion for me. I had to bring it back to my office to dispose of it and go to Mac Kelly's and get a banana and strawberries for when I feel better. You'd think they'd know not to ladle it from the top.
(2)
Kristen L.
The first time we visited, it was bustling--there was a live band and not an empty seat in the house. As busy as they were, the service was still great. This time around, not so much. Visited Honky Tonk on a slow, Easter Sunday evening at around 6:30pm. Sat down, took a look at the menu and decided to split the sample platter (a mix of chicken, hot links, a small brisket sandwich, a small pulled pork sandwich, half slab of ribs, and two corn bread muffins) between the bf and I, all for the price of $32. As we were waiting, I decided to go wash my hands. Only needing to wash my hands, I figured, "Eh. I don't need to lock the door..I'll only be in here for 30 seconds." Literally 10 seconds after I walk in, a server comes barging in. Granted, it was my fault for not locking the door, but do people not knock these days? Plus she didn't even give a common courtesy "sorry" before closing the door, just an "oh." Did I look at her, shake my head, and give her a dirty look as I exited? Damn straight, I did. The food itself didn't take long to come out--about a 10 minute wait from ordering to table. The sample platter is definitely more than enough food for 2 people, but everything was insanely dry--as if it was sitting under a heat light for a long time. I understand it was probably a slower day for them and a lot of the food has to be made beforehand because it is a BBQ place after all, but yikes. After giving us our food, our server says he'll be back with plates. Five minutes later and no plates, the bf asks a different server who brings us plates and apologizes on the other server's behalf. After we start munching, another server comes by and asks how we're doing. We tell her we're good and she goes on her way. And that was the last we ever saw of a server. I finished my water about half way through the meal and the first time around the servers were great about coming around more than once and filling up waters. Which is funny considering the fact that the place was pretty empty and all the servers were standing around talking to each other. Overall experience including food, service, and ambiance were much better the first time around when it was packed to the brim. Really disappointed that it wasn't as good as we remembered it.
(1)
Heather D.
Do you want to have a mouth orgasm where the brisket just melts in your mouth from deliciousness? COME HERE! (no pun intended) I had seen this place on TV as a great BBQ joint and the boyfriend and I were looking for something different for dinner. It's hard to miss this place in the day, easy at night, because the entire outside of the building is black. But once you step in, it's like you entered a different world of Chicago. The building itself has a vintage interior, and the walls are sprinkled with paintings, which is fitting since you're in the Pilsen arts district. Our hostess and waitress were very friendly and said we came just in time for the band. BBQ and Honky Tonk? Yes Please!! We got the Fried Green Tomatoes for an appetizer which the breading was delicious! My boyfriend ordered the Delux and I ordered the Platter. All of the food was great. I leaned more towards the Tangy sauce, and my boyfriend was torn between the sweet and the mustard. (at some point he said "screw it" and mixed the two together) Our only complaint, which resulted in a loss of the star was we had ordered dessert and waited for 15 mins to find out the kitchen missed our ticket. Our waitress was kind enough to give us dessert on the house, not the ones we ordered, but we weren't trying to be shitty because it was a free dessert. I would've much rather preferred the ones we ordered though as I wasn't a fan of the ones we were given. All in all we like it here, the atmosphere is cozy, people are friendly, and the food is delicious! Don't let our dessert mishap deter you from checking this place out, because they really do have some delicious BBQ!!!
(4)
Claudia S.
I go back and forth with Honky Tonk. The brisket sandwich and pulled pork are quite good, but the rib tips are overpriced and not very meaty. I know, they're rib tips, but I've definitely had better. The mac & cheese is flavorless and the empanadas are, different. Love the fried green tomatoes & cornbread muffins though, so really it can just be hit or miss when it comes to sides. When they're not good, you'll definitely feel like you wasted money though. The beer selection is small, the wine selection is decent & the liquor selection looks adequate. Honky Tonk is close, which is why it's a nice option to have, but definitely check your order if you do takeout. They have a tendency to mess them up. The staff, however, I like and when I come here alone I've always met friendly people, so, it's good for some pleasant conversation. They have a trivia night, live music & cheap beer, which seems to be what people in the neighborhood like, so they're fitting into this gentrifying neighborhood exactly as they planned, I assume. I avoided this place for awhile for many reasons, but when it's actually open (that's another issue), I like it.
(3)
Gracie G.
Living in Pilsen practically all my life and now that the HonkyTonk is actually in Pilsen is Great!! I love their pull pork sandwiches, sweet bacon to die for and the band's that play every Friday it's Great! To see the neighborhood change with good food and entertainment is a plus for me..
(5)
Kimberly M.
I came here with a group of coworkers mostly for the music, but they happened to be hungry too. We waited about an hour for a table, which was fine because we got to enjoy some fantastic live music from The Fat Babies while we waited. Let me tell you, the bar area was nothing short of a party during that first hour. We loved it! We were seated shortly before the end of the first set. Food was okay. Nothing spectacular, but surprisingly good BBQ for Chicago. The reason I docked two stars from this review was the service. It took over an hour just to have our plates removed and checks finalized. We watched the band eat their food and then missed the ENTIRE second set during the time we were waiting to wrap things up. Lessons learned: come here to drink, party, and listen to live music. That's all.
(3)
Jessica M.
From Chicago's Magnificent Mile to Honky Tonk's magnificent meat! Get your butt to Pilsen NOW! Our party of eight arrived on a Friday evening slightly before 8pm for a friend's birthday. Long and behold, a large table was ready for us despite not having reservations. We were meant to be! We ordered the bacon candy, Texas brisket chili, and THREE sampler platters. The bacon candy came in three strips. Very tasty but it was a wee bit tough. The brisket chili was hearty and delicious with plenty of brisket and beans to go around. As for the sampler platter, we downed everything: spread of ribs, smoked chicken, pork dinky dunkers, brisket dinky dunkers, hot links, fresh slaw, beans, and corn muffins. The ribs were a bit dry but everything else got our table of Asians licking plates and fingers! Excuse us, but it was that good. Our waitress was also a sweetheart and played along with our surprise. She brought out a generous slice of chocolate mousse cake with a lit candy for our birthday girl. Parking was less than difficult. We were able to find a spot two blocks away after circling the area for 10 minutes. Will I be back? DUH! OF COURSE!
(4)
Lisette D.
I always have a good time at honky tonk! The ribs are great and I recommend the Mac and cheese. The beer selection is smaller than expected, but with craft beer you don't always see on tap, like allagash white. I got an Ace pear cider that complimented the ribs nicely. The only downside was the coleslaw, which was underdressed and a bit too earthy. The bacon candy was a delicious start and the live music was a great end! I highly recommend taking your meat eating friends here!
(4)
Brian C.
There's a saying about an amazing restaurant with great food, friendly service, wonderful atmosphere and greasy salt shakers; the only thing you tell people about are the salt shakers. Happy to report the salt shakers here are clean. Can't say enough great things about this place from the diverse live music to the barbecue that rivals anything I've experienced since leaving Texas. The waitstaff was informative, fast and folksy! Did I mention how tasty the good is? And affordable. Two words; "candy bacon." Honky Tonk puts Pilsen on the map!
(5)
Helen P.
Aye.. . Kinda disappointed. Was recommended highly by my chef and food snob friends. Food cold . .all of it. Great taste to baby back.ribs just wish it was not cold. Even mac and cheese was cold how u mess that up beyond me. Waitress awesome Heather was her name. Great drinks great atmosphere. .will give it one more shot other wise off my list and county bbq still #1.
(2)
Raul I.
I'm a regular here every Wednesday for Pub Trivia. Yes, it is a "thing", and yes I DO come with other friends just for trivia. I don't just sit at the bar by myself thinking I'm the next Alex Trebek. The added bonus to trivia and let's be honest, the centerpiece to this place is the BACON. You heard me, this place is part of the bacon revolution, and you've come to the right place if you're looking to get your fill of it. I of course am referring to their plate of bacon. yes a plate, of just bacon. But no grocery store style bacon. THICK, LONG, SMOLDERING, bacon. I normally start out the night with a Bacon & Brew which consists of a pint of PBR & a SLAB of bacon laid across the top of it. Did I forget to mention that this bacon is caramelized. Yes, sweet and salty goodness on top of cheap beer. No complaints here. I follow my dinner (bacon & brew is really like a dinner) with a few Honky Tonk Old Fashioned drinks. Perfect blend of bourbon, vermouth, and it has a cherry. Love it. Of course everyone comes here for the BBQ. And that is just as delicious. Meal-wise I like to order the Pulled Pork sandwich. Tender smoked meat and you have your choice of BBQ sauces on the table. Ranging from sweet, to spicy, to tarty. I recommend you mix them all in. Voila! My go to side here is the mac & cheese. To die for! You HAVE to try it. Really, don't leave without it. My favorite waitress is Isabel (I hope I got that right). She's awesome. Doesn't disturb while we're discussing the answer to the trivia question and always stays on top of our drink orders :-) So if you haven't noticed yet based on my review. The place is awesome, so go check it out.
(5)
Tamir G.
Great BBQ joint. Come for the live music if you don't feel like talking to people in your party.... Doesn't have to be a bad thing. Focus on the ribs instead. The ribs come dry with a perfect rub and plenty of sauce to pour over the meet. Rib tips is the way to go. Large portions. Beans with pork are amazing. I would pass on the corn bread. The candy bacon is a cool appetizer.
(4)
Mark G.
Between Pollo Express and Honky Tonk, 18th Street is always smellin' like a summertime barbecue. It makes me want to drink a 40 and watch girls play volleyball topless. I struggled with whether to give them 3 or 4 stars. "Omgerd wish we could give half stars durr hurr!" If you've made a list of places to try because you want to capture the essence of barbecue in Chicago, I would place Honky Tonk in the bottom half of said list. There's other places you can get more bang for your buck and more impressive taste. But when you do make it here, I would recommend the rib tips and the side of garlic mashed potatoes. Not a bad place to have nearby if you're craving barbecue, but I wouldn't blow anyone for a free meal from here.
(3)
Alexis E.
spicy sausages were amazing, and i had the sampler. I would go back just for the sausage.
(4)
C P.
The restaurant is conveniently located in Pilsen and is easy to reach. The drinks were good but, watered. The BBQ was over cooked and rubbery. It didn't have much flavor and the baked beans were disgusting. The muffins were cold and the service was mediocre. I would pass if you are looking for real BBQ.
(2)
Sarah C.
Go Sunday Nights! The Fat Baby's are FAB-U-LOUS! So, okay, proclaimer: I am a BBQ snob. My first job was at a BBQ joint in the south. I got to learn a lot - rub, sides, etc. When I wasn't waitressing I was getting to help cook. I have some pretty high standards. Honky Tonk was alright on the BBQ side. I wasn't floored by it. It's pretty sweet, but it's not greasy like I've found a lot up here. I'm not going to ramble - so I'll leave it at being pretty good. The sides were so-so. I know a lot of people have said that the mac and cheese is awesome. Maybe it was an off night for them, because what I had was a 5/10 at best. I did see this fun thing called the bacon and blue - a PBR with a strip of candied bacon. Apparently everyone knew something I didn't because lots of people got them. I loved the band. I mean, I really loved the band. They're a 1930s style swing band and they look like it. It's like all those guys were supposed to be in this band. SO much fun!!
(3)
Denae H.
Honky Tonk BBQ is so worth the drive. Their BBQ is expertly prepared with 3 choices of sauces. We enjoyed the Sampler Platter with smoked chicken pork and brisket. Ribs 2 hot links 2 corn muffins beans and Cole slaw. The links are made in house and the mustard sauce makes a perfect pair. The ribs chicken pork and brisket are tender and flavorful. The sauces only enhance the flavors The restaurant also features live music on the weekend a fun tasty experience
(5)
Brian L.
Great place in Pilsen for some piggies! Stopped in here when passing through town as reccomended by a friend (and whom I ate/drank with). Server was friendly, food was good (though I just ate at Kumas not long before and only are half a strip of bacon) it my friend says the food was bomb! Cool enviornment in the middle of Pilsen. They had live music when we were there. Sweet!
(4)
Kat A.
Came in here on a Saturday night. The place was pretty busy (possible because they had live music). We were seated within half an hour as promised. The waitress and bus boys were extremely slow the whole time. We started off with the candied bacon. I've seen this item more often on menus recently so I thought I'd give it a try. It was pretty good actually. Then I had a half slab of the St. Louis ribs which came with a dinner roll and coleslaw. My friend ordered the pulled pork and brisket platter which also came with a dinner roll and a side. We got the pork beans and mac n cheese for additional sides. None of the food (besides the candied bacon) had much flavor. I wasn't sure what BBQ sauces were what...the one I liked was mustard colored. Basically I had to drown the meats in the sauce to enjoy it. The mac n cheese's noodles were overcooked and bland. The pork beans had a strange flavor. I was highly disappointed because this restaurant was featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives!
(2)
Peter G.
We happened in on a Friday night and were pleasantly surprised with live music and great food. I highly recommend the greens and brisket.
(4)
Kellie V.
Horrible. They boast bacon and beer as a specialty, however they were out of bacon. Come on!
(1)
Custom M.
BEST RIB TIPS IN TOWN! BEST BBQ SAUCE. I have never gone a on a crowded day. I doubt I ever will. Rib tips combined with the Mac N Cheese and corn bread. Oral orgasm!!! Can't really complain about the service or venue. Worth the money and travel for me.
(4)
Elisa E.
Beautiful bar, great band, solid (if not spectacular) BBQ. I had the brisket sandwich, and it was tender and juicy. I asked for horseradish and received a grape-sized mound of the condiment in a paper cup. Were they running out? Was the waitress afraid I couldn't handle it? Child, I'm German-American; I was weaned on horseradish. I had a major case of entree-envy for my dining companion's rib tips; they were burnt/fatty/delicious on their own, no sauce needed. But, there probably won't be a redo, or at least not involving my automobile. I parked in a legal spot on 18th, east of Racine, and was later extensively keyed by some neighborhood asshat. The friend who invited me to dinner is from Pilsen, and a second generation Mexican-American. He explained that the restaurant was probably too expensive for most of the working-class people in the neighborhood, and was full of outsiders. I can't think of any other plausible reason why someone would do this, except to "teach" a lesson to one of the restaurant patrons.
(3)
Keeping it real b.
I HAVE TO SAY A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!!!!!.... After seeing this place hosted on a episode of Drive In, Dinners and DIves and it was getting some crazy hype, I was extremely excited to try another good BBQ joint with an atmosphere. After my fiance and I had talked about visiting this restaraunt for a few months we had decided to give it a shot on a Saturaday Night. We arrived at the restaraunt at 9:00, understanding that there may be a slight wait. The host had said that it would be around a 45 min wait, so we had decided to fight our way through a small crowd for standing room only to enjoy a couple of beers. Beer list was different, but in a good way to help branch you from your routine beverage of choice. Bartenders were very pleasent and responsive, crowd was pollite and the band was very entertaining keeping the wait less painful.... After 30 min. a table had opened up and we were on our way with high hopes for a tastey BBQ. We were seated in the dinning room with great atmosphere filled with unique paintings and various kitchen furniture giving a great southern, backyard kinda feeling. Unfortunately, this is were it all then began to go downhill. We were sat at 9:30 pm when the waitress took our first drink order. Took over 15 minutes for her to return with out drinks. She then took our dinner order, we ordered the Sampler Platter which had great variation, (Chkn, Ribs, Sausage Link, Sliders, corn bread beand and slaw) and also a side of rib tips. Was very excited to get a taste of what was so hyped up on the tv show D.D.D.. After an hour of being sat and very little attention from the service and visually seeing the food not moving out of the kitchen and serving other tables, we had actually spoke to another waitress to see what was going on with our order and to speak to a manager. Being an hour later, there is no reason while at a "Restaraunt' there is no reason not to have some sort of a FOOD item sitting in front of you. I dont think that is asking for much. The response we recieved from one waitress was, "Cant you see we are Busy". Well no kidding, now my intellegence were just insulted. Busy or not, there was no food moving out of the kitchen and the fact is it has been an Hour waiting for what is usually all PRE COOKED food that just gets warmed up and platted when it comes to BBQ joints. No excuse for it, but we still made the best of the moment. When the food finally arrived, it had a nice presentation, but you could see that ALL the meats were dried out, over cooked and just brittle like saw dust.... COME ON MAN!!!! This is suppose to carry a reputation for GOOD BBQ.... I would love to know how many returning customers they have. I would guess not many. Brisket was well dried out, chicken was petrified, half slab of ribs tasted as they were cooked 3 times over, coleslaw had little to bad taste to it, beans were out of a can and the only thing that was moist was the sausage due to its casing and the ability to cook those fresh... All in all, I would say the food was far from good BBQ and even further from being FRESH. The sauces on the table had a good flare to them, nice variety and good way to help the meats slide down. Rib tips werent bad, but definitly nothing to go back to or refer a friend to. Prices were good, drinks were good, like the atmosphere and the manager was nice enough to comp the drinks and take $10 bucks off to ease the pain slightly. All in All Honky Tonk - I give you a BIG ONE STAR - --- have to say, very disappointed with the quality of food and wait time. Definitly in need for the owner and manager to review the flow process and ability to get the food out quicker. Customers will be happier, the tableswould also turn faster making it happier for the guests not to have to wait as long, the waitress happier getting more tables = more tips and bottom line, making the owner a happy person to serve more tables = more food = happier customers = returning customers = and referalls from customers = alot more $$$$$ for HONKY TONK..... Have to say, wont be back anytime soon - I GOT the HONKY TONK BLUES!!!
(1)
Kristina D.
Two words. Bacon Candy. Yes. Bacon Candy. The evening we went with friends there was no live music but some nice funk and R&B playing. We were given our choice of seating and our sassy server (who I hope forgives me for not remembering his name) promptly came to our table to ask us about drinks. I had the Lonely Presbyterian. Actually, I had two. Then we opened with an order of the Fried Green Tomatoes and Bacon Candy. Fried Green Tomatoes were pretty good, could have used just a bit more kick. But the bacon candy. All I have to say is it was gone in seconds and that everything is better with bacon. Just delicious. I then had the half spread of the baby back ribs, mac and cheese and cornbread muffin. The muffin was okay, too sweet for me but that's a matter of personal preference. The ribs were great although I like a little more kick and the mac and cheese, although rather nontraditional with the white cheddar, was delicious. I'll definitely be returning. They don't do delivery but they cater and have a calendar of music events on their site.
(4)
robert a.
HOLY BBQ Go here eat drink listen nothing more needs to be said.
(5)
Leticia L.
The first night we moved back to Pilsen my husband and I decided to try this place. We were starving and the open doors were inviting us in. I was pleasantly surprised. We found a seat in front and our waiter was quick and attentive. I tried the brisket with mac and cheese. Both were divine. I also loved the corn bread. Our second visit was also great, we ordered the half chicken, with a large mac and cheese and the garlic mashed potatoes. I must say I was not disappointed. The chicken fell off the bone and melted in my mouth like butter. It was another great meal!
(5)
Tera D.
Honky Tonk is an interesting little place. Very neighborhood, regular customer feel. I got the distinct impression that when they didn't recognize us they assumed we came in because of Check Please. Which is true. In my opinion, the meat was better cooked than most I've ever tried. Pulled pork, brisket and ribs were all uber tender and perfect. The flavor wasn't as strong as other places though, so that was a bummer. As for the sauces, I thought the only one that stood out was the garlic mustard one, which was tangy and fabulous. For side dishes we had mac n' cheese and pork and beans. Both were only ok compared to other BBQ places I've been. Glad I went, and would go back if I lived close, but probably won't make the trek to Pilsen for it a second time.
(3)
Kc B.
This place is a crap-hole. We had a large party. They sat us down and mentioned several minutes later that they were out of most meat items on their menu. Seriously? It was a Saturday night. What kind of moron doesn't order enough meat for a Saturday night crowd at a BBQ joint?
(1)
Jozo B.
My friends talked about this place all day on a wasted Sunday. I didn't believe what they were saying, but sure enough they were so right. The pulled pork sandwich was simply amazing. I mean melt in you mouth flavor, and the sauces made every bite a different flavor sensation. The brisket chili was super hearty, thick, and plain awesome. Definitely, met all my expectations and then some.
(5)
Xriz H.
Did Helcky's finally reopen in Chicago? Quite possibly, but this place did not have that signature "Burnt Bologna" smell that is easy associated with the local Evanston hero. Honky Tonk earns a solid three stars and not for the food. If you like food with a lot of flavor, that smokey BBQ taste and sauces that range from smokey sweet to spicy, this is not the place. I would consider this a place suitable for the BBQ inept. I think the most exotic they get with the seasoning is perhaps Iodized Salt. I do like the no substitute rule, as it makes the ready made plates come out in lightening fast speed, nothing low and slow about this place. The decor is nice, give you that feeling of "hey this place might just be good"... but it is not. Good beer selection and the waitstaff has all the right stuff (tattoos, piercing, blank stares, beauty pageant personality etc...). I will warn whoever dares go there. Never Ever Ever take the left overs home, they will make your car, bus, fixie whatever you are in stink like hell! I think the food is already half decomposed when it come out on the plate! That being said, 3 stars...and not for the food!!! 1 Star for nice Decor 1 Star for nice beer choices 1 Star for friendly people No Stars for the food, cause it is not good food, sorry Mr. Tonk please work on the recipes.
(3)
Maja B.
I don't know why I was convinced for a long time it was called Willy's Honkey Tonk BBQ. I guess cuz my friend Phil who introduced me to the joint upon my move to Pilsen 7-8 months ago is good friends with the strange but genius owner, Willy. This place has been around for a minute. A good 8-9 years ago when I was still an innocent northsider I use to hear tales of a mystic place on 18th street where they threw wild parties with live feral animals like ocelots or was that eatacidalot? Or what was that wild cat called that one can train and house? Anyway these parties are no longer. Soon enough Willy and his wife opened a BBQ joint. A BBQ joint in the middle of Raza territory on 18th street, called "Honkey Tonk BBQ" haha you must be kidding right? Well you best believe that the BBQ was so good that it won the hearts of the locals and many others who regularly flock to the spot from all over Chicago. Let's talk meat. There is a sandwich at Willy's, ha there I go again with the Willy's, simply called the "Pulled Pork Sandwhich". And it is pork shoulder with a lil rub, on a bun. Sounds kinda boring right? But oh the flavor, oh the tender, the juicy, the JESUS BUDDHA MOSES whatever you believe in... It is the BEST freaking pork not just pulled pork but I proclaim the BEST pork sandwich in Chicago. We're talking "3rd place Trophy from the World Championship Memphis-in-May Competition, the largest pork competition in the world." -http://honkytonkbbqchicago.com The world has spoken, the world of pork. And that is quite the achievement for a Chicago sandwich, it use to be $7 now it has gone up to $7.75. Prices have gone up I'll admit, it's a little eh, but it's a tough economy and understandably prices are going up everywhere. They also added a Fried Green Tomato Bacon and Garlic Mayo sandwich I tried. Not too impressed with this one, it was mostly fried green tomato couldn't really taste the bacon, the Garlic mayo was good but again it all overpowered the meat. The Banana pudding though, dear god, try the Banana pudding, you'll thank me you did! The atmosphere is kinda bizzare, it's like they took every crappy painting from like 1940-1975 and hung em all side by side literally lining the walls, the worst part? It actually works! They're adjacent to the most beautiful wooden bar in Chicago (this is cuz the space use to be the Slovanian cultural club, yeah us eastern-europeans got this design thing down ;) The drinks are pretty good they have A Bloody Maria served with Tequila instead of Vodka and both the Mary (w/Vodka) and Maria come with a bullet sized high life to balance out the spicy Bloody. Amazing hangover cure potential unless you end up knocking back a few more and then busting some moves to the always rocking western country swing and rockabilly sounds. I never even liked this music until I heard it at Willy's Honkey Tonk BBQ. Have you not been yet? Why the hell not, go! Go now!!!!!!
(4)
Michael L.
Disappointed! I had a craving for ribs and Honky Tonk is pretty close to the house. I'd been there a few years ago and liked it, so I thought this was a no-brainer. We waited about 10 minutes for a table which I didn't think was bad for a Friday night. Things started out well with an order of bacon candy. I think it's baked bacon with brown sugar and maybe molasses. Yum! If we stopped eating at this point the review would be 5-stars! I ordered a full slab, in anticipation of tasty leftovers, and a side of mac & cheese. I have to agree with a previous reviewer that said the ends were over-cooked and the middle was ok. Don't get me wrong, I love the bark on good bbq, but these ribs were just dry. Another mark of good bbq is that it doesn't need sauce, the sauce just enhances the experience. This meat demanded sauce! I do have to say that the mustard sauce was good and I don't really like mustard. Service was quick and friendly, but couldn't make up for the over-cooked meat! I will not be back again.
(2)
Ed C.
Honkey Tonk BBQ is a very fun place. Great signature cocktails, music, atmosphere, service....and really lame BBQ. I am glad I went. Pilsen is a fun neighborhood that I don't visit enough. It's too bad the food wasn't very good, because I want a reason to come back. I am a sauce guy and that is the one part they did above average...but it wasn't great. All of us there were big BBQ fans and we split bacon candy, 2 platters and 2 pulled pork sandwiches. All of the meat seemed well prepared...very moist and great texture...just super bland. The ribs were the most tasteless I have ever had. Just no flavor. The same can be said for the brisket and chicken. The pulled pork had some nice bites and the links were very good with their mustard garlic sauce ( That sauce was pretty solid) The beans were not bbq style at all. The fried green tomatoes were very good. Go for the drinks and snack on the bacon, tomatoes and banana pudding, but this is not an even average BBQ spot.
(2)
Michael M.
Really good bbq brisket. Fun atmosphere. Hard to get a cab in the area.
(4)
Lisa B.
HONKY TONK BADONKADONK! No this place isn't owned by Trace Adkins, but it does have that down home, country, southern hospitality feel. Its really eclectic and funky with great art on the walls and totally mismatched seating. Loved it. The food and drink was just as comforting and interesting as the decor. I must say, the house-made bourbon soaked maraschino cherries were killer. I contemplated asking for a whole bowl of them. I had the deluxe plate with the pulled pork, mac and cheese, hot link, and cornbread. Pulled pork was great, so tender, great smokey flavor. The mac could have been a little creamier, but it had good flavor and I loved the breadcrumbs on top. Hot link was tasty, nice spicy kick to it. LOVED the cornbread, it was sweet and savory while moist and delicious. Husband ordered the viking beef short ribs, which are only available on weekends, so we thought they'd be awesome... they were, eh, very Viking-esque. They were huge, short ribs smoked, until tender. While they feel off the bone, they were really fatty and we weren't overly impressed with them. The coleslaw that accompanied them was too dry - needed more vinegar and oil. Loved having three different BBQ sauces on the table so i could try them all with my meat. My favorite was the mustard one, great tang! We ended our meal with some killer peach cobbler - served nice and hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! great way to end the meal - we'll definitely be back.
(4)
Matt M.
What Honky Tonk BBQ has with atmosphere in spades it's lacking in quality BBQ. The restaurant has a great environment with vintage decorations, a full bar and a reasonable beer list. We went based on their consistent comparisons to Smoque, which can be best compared to the big brother who actually knows what he's doing. Honky Tonk serves their meat without sauce, which is to say you add the BBQ yourself. This wouldn't be a big problem normally, as their sauces are undoubtedly above average though not exceptional in any way, shape, or form. The issue is that all moisture has been smoked from the meat, and the flavor with it to boot. I sampled the chicken, pork, and brisket, and each was nothing to write home about. I also tried the ribs, which were not only dry, but burned. Thankfully a down-home bluegrass band started playing adjacent to our table, distracting me from the dry, flavorless meat and poor cornbread. The mashed potatoes, however, were great. If you're looking for a late-night hangout with live southern music and a nice looking carved barback with the option for some decent food, this is the place.
(3)
leslie m.
Honky Tonk I was scared to try you, scared that you would not be as good as Smoque and more like that Five place on Taylor but I am so happy that I did. -Easy seating that doesn't make you feel rushed-CHECK -Choice of sauces right on the table to please everyone-CHECK -Cornbread and Mac n cheese that are Tha bomb-CHECK -Alcohol-CHECK -Nice assortment of BBQ dishes and combos that are juicy, tender and delicious-CHECK -Easy street parking and friendly service-CHECK Honky tonk, I think I love you
(5)
Michele D.
Brought a girlfriend from Austin Texas in to show her how we do BBQ in Chicago...she LOVED it! Flavorful pull pork and ribs, melt in your mouth brisket, and scrumptious Mac and cheese! (oh and the sauces...!!!!!) Texas ain't got nothin' over HTBBQ. We even enjoyed some country music and two steppin'. (with no cover for music) Oh and the sweetest wait staff and bartenders. The owners even come up and chat you up. Felt so warm and welcomed. Great energy in the room. We posted FB photos and all our Austin friends couldn't believe it. Now that it's warming up in Chicago they're making there way up here to taste a little Texas in Chicago!
(5)
Rebekah S.
The atmosphere and live music is a bonus to some of the best damn bbq I have ever had. The staff and owner make you feel like family. Try to visit if you can. The prices are very reasonable. Thanks for making my daughters bday awesome!!!!
(5)
Mindy S.
Three times is not the charm. I think the greatest way to honor an animal is to make it tasty (and give it a great life, obvi) I don't know what HT BBQ is doing to their animals, but it's not good. The brisket is dry and I'm not sure how to describe the pulled pork other than :( Completely pass up the beans too, bleh. I couldn't recommend a single thing from HT, other than it's a great atmosphere to grab a drink and live performers were wonderful last (Thursday) night. Their display of art is marvelous too. My only recommendation would be to go to a place that knows how to handle their smokers. Check my reviews/lists for my favs, it's definitely not this place.
(2)
Patrick S.
The layout of the place gives you a number of options depending on the occasion or setting you are so inclined towards. Upon entering you notice what appears to be a fully stocked bar to your left. The front is very dimly lit, equipped with seemingly date appropriate seating opposite of the bar. If you venture deeper into the establishment you will discover another room towards the back. It has a very homey, family oriented vibe to it. Join-able tables to accommodate larger parties, and booths along the back wall. Some..eclectic, artwork and decor adorn the walls somehow make it feel like a mess hall or cafeteria of some sort. A word of caution to the booth goers..be weary of the hung artwork overhead as there is a slight possibly of acquainting yourself upclose and personally. Only a mere freak occurrence, Im sure. But I felt it worth mentioning as I found it humorous that I heard a large thud emanating from behind me. Something had fallen straight onto the table in one of the booths where a women had been sitting. She didnt seem to be startled at all..which makes me suspect this happens more times than you would think. While Im way off topic, I might as well mention that I used "appears to be" and "seemly" to describe the bar and front seating only because I opted towards the back room seating. So I would not know firsthand. Upon entry, there isnt actually anyone to greet you so if you come in for the first time you would probably think twice to what you are supposed to do. Me and a friend approached a server at the tail end of the bar who informed us to sit where we deemed fit, not her words mind you. So we chose the brighter lit room for a less..questionable, for lack of better word, dining experience. Two guys eating at a dimly lit table in a bar just doesnt look right..if you get my drift. Anyhow...Im here to speak of such things as BBQ! Dry rubbed, cured, and fine smoked meats! I speak of choice cuts of marbled slabs of animal carcass fit as offerings to the gods! Apologies, but coming to places like this, I cannot understand how anyone could deny such carnivorous urges. Regardless...onto the food at hand. I was looking to sample some of the menu since it is impossible to taste the extent of the menu unless youre there with a full party. So I decided on the rib tips with a side of garlic mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. Little did I know, I was in for the biggest rib tips Ive ever encountered. These tips are ENORMOUS. Regardless of the caps, the font size isnt appropriate enough to describe the size of them. Not to mention Ive never had rib tips in its pure, unadulterated, un-sauced, dry rubbed form. Each and every bite of these gave off an overwhelming amount of smokey richness that I almost wish eased off towards the end; but it was unrelenting. There was 3 sauces on the table. The bigger of the 3 which was more of the sweeter style bbq, a smaller tangier bbq, and a mustard that was slighty sweet but more dijon-ey. I went with a 70%sweet-30%tang mix. I look forward to trying several other entries in the menu which will call for an update to my review. Hopefully a more, on topic offering. Im especially tempted toward the viking short ribs that I contemplated over briefly. Its only offered fri-sat. You could never go wrong with limited time items.
(5)
Jacob L.
By far the best BBQ I've had for the longest time. The ribs were sooo good and the sauces they had were yummy. It is nicely decorated and the live music is fun to have around. I will be coming in here again with some friends to show them how great this place really is!
(5)
Derrick T.
13 hour day at work... I"m starving. Roommate calls, time to try a new place! Some BBQ sounds good, and I've had this on my list for about two weeks. Time to check it out! Packed to the brim on a Thursday night. The fact that it had just got reviewed on Check Please probably did quite the boost on business. Found a seat with 10 minutes, table for two, good band kickin it in the background with some southern music. We order up the Sampler Platter to give it all a try. Here's our thoughts: Half chicken: Tasty skin. Definitely smoked well. The breast is ridiculously tender and juicy, which means the dark meat is even more so. Never had chicken breast that tender before at a BBQ joint. Ever. Pulled Pork: A little dry, but the flavor was plentiful. Served with an artisan-like roll. Dryness likely due to the lack of sauce, but good nonetheless! Brisket: Tender, juicy, a little bit of fat cut into each piece. This was some excellent brisket! Half slab ribs: Crunchy smoked exterior, with soft tender juicy interior meat. Smoked for 4+ hours according to the owner, and it shows. While the meat was not completely fall off the bone, you can taste the flavors from the applewood and the spice rub used in creating the crunchy exterior. Excellent. Links: Tasty, flavorful, simple. I'm not a links kinda guy, but these were good nonetheless. Corn Bread: Bits of corn, soft and flavorful. This is some excellent cornbread, ladies and gentlemen. Slaw: Average slaw to me. Flavor was right, texture was right, but nothing phenomenal about it. Rightly so, as slaw is a side IHMO. Baked Beans: Tasty, but definitely not the memory of the meal. Platter was priced at $30, and my roommate and I ate well. If you're a BBQ fan, I suggest you stop in for the ribs and brisket. But honestly, I think the platter is probably an excellent way to go. Verdict? I'll be going back. There was an intriguing dessert menu that neither of us were able to really take part in due to the size of the platter... but we'll be back... don't you worry.
(5)
Junior D.
Another disappointing BBQ experience, Whats with all the hype? I wanted to like Honky Tonk I really did.. I walked in to some live music with a violin player jamming some country tunes with a decent singer... Lets start off with the Pros. Nice decor, great Live music, Pulled Pork, Bacon Candy...your order actually comes out quick after waiting so long for the waitress to take your order. Cons. Slow service, tough rib tips, fatty and chewy brisket.. We waited too long just to pay and get out of this place because our waitress would disappear for a while. this is one of those places where I couldn't wait to visit and like Chuck's BBQ was really disappointing.. I am willing to come back just for the pulled pork but nothing fancy here in my opinion.. Lets hope Smoque doesn't disappoint me in my quest for most hyped BBQ on YELP thats actually good.....
(2)
Josh Y.
When my wife told me some friends of hers had showed her a new BBQ place AND it was just down the road from our house, I got pretty excited. OK i was ecstatic! Good BBQ? Only 4 blocks away? Beach body smeach body... I'm there! As you can see, I couldn't wait to try this place out, but alas all good feelings must come to an end. Location = Awesome. Food = Downright mediocre. I tried the St. Louis ribs, and the Brisket sandwich. Also the Fried Green Tomatoes. The ribs were pretty dry, and the sauce was just ok. The Brisket sandwich was decent (better than the ribs) but still lacked the chops to live up to all the hype I'd heard about this place. The Fried Green Tomatoes... well those were spot on and amazing... just like the movie... that i've never seen... ever... shut up. Listen, I don't want to get all high horsey about the "Best BBQ" places. I'm giving these guys three stars because i think they're decent, but I've been spoiled. All my uncles ribs (minus Uncle Gerald) blow this place out of the water. G&W in the south burbs, Fat Willy's & Smoque up north all go pretty hard, and I just expected much more than I got with Honky Tonk. Not gonna sweat it. Will definitely be back. It's right down the block, and the beer selection alone is worth the price of admission. Try the fried green tomatoes, and empanadas. Ok i'm done now. Try this place for yourself, you might love it.
(3)
Ry O.
My girlfriend insists that I have not experienced Pilsen until I've sucked the BBQ off of some BBQ and then demolished a pot pie, mac n cheese (yes, "n" is too a word), corn bread, and some cheese cake. I insist that she's gross and I will never suck BBQ off of BBQ, so I ordered some brisket and sucked the horseradish off that instead. I think she had me eat some other stuff too, but I was a little dizzy after devouring something that resembled my forearm. She's right though, this place is amazing, with live music, cheap beer, and people you haven't seen in forever randomly sitting at the end of the bar. ... On a related note, the Federal Government last week issued a report recommending that Americans consume less food (much to the chagrin of the food lobbyists), and I subsequently issued a middle finger recommending that they more frequently shovel the sidewalks on my route to Honky Tonk BBQ, buy me a bigger chair with some pockets on the side, and figure out how to put a subsidy on sides of white cheddar mac n cheese. (also, for the record, I don't think my girlfriend is gross... I've never seen someone eat a pot pie so delicately.)
(5)
FoodLover Z.
Good bbq by Chicago standards. They have live music on some of the days and trivia night on others. I've had better bbq even in Chicago, hence the rating of 3 stars.
(3)
KChicagoan S.
yuuuuuuuum this place is good - legit BBQ with a great atmosphere. This place is in an unassuming building on 18th street just west of Halsted. The thing that has me (and my husband) coming back again and again is the pulled pork - it is delicious. Everything they do at Honky Tonk is dry-rub BBQ so you put on your own sauce. Honestly, you don't really even need the sauce because the meat is soooo tender and juicy. I've also had the ribs and while they were very good, nothing beats the pulled pork in my book. The spicy mustard sauce, cibatta bread, a side of mac n' cheese and I'm in a food coma like no other. The prices are fair, the waitstaff is friendly and low-key and if you're lucky, someone will be playing the banjo and singing twangy bluegrass music (idk what nights of the week this happens). This is the best BBQ I've had in the city of Chicago - check it out!
(5)
Julian F.
Oh man oh man....this place was rad. I'll admit I was here under strange circumstances in that I'm a vegetarian and I was with two other vegetarians and we had all just stuffed our faces at Chicago Diner. I'm not going to explain why we ended up in this situation because you don't care--all I'll say is that we actually had options (fried green tomatoes, mushrooms, etc) and they tasted great. I was telling the booker/sound guy Daniel that in my past carnivore life, I would have laid waste to the Honky Tonk BBQ. Had I not been so full, I would have considered a rack of ribs last night as they're cooked the way I used to like them: less of a dripping off the bone style and more carefully spiced. Aside from the food, the Honky Tonk seems to have hung pretty much every ugly painting ever made on its walls. Additionally, they boast an eclectic collection of live music, strong drinks, and damnit, it just smells awesome in there. ***NOTE: THERE IS A SUPER COOL METAL CHICK IN THE KITCHEN!***
(5)
JP P.
Yeesh, so-called BBQ "experts" have to be one of the most irritating, fussy groups of people out there -- and then they get on Yelp. The worst food you've ever had in Chicago? Honky Tonk boils their meat? Seriously? Have you met pitmaster Willie? You can smell the smoke on him a mile down the street. While it's by no means perfect (the "Best BBQ Joint in Chicago" debate will be an eternal one) -- it's pretty darn decent. In my opinion, it IS some of the best BBQ'd pork you'll get in the city. It's unfortunate consistency seems to be a problem at HT, but I guess I've lucked out each time I've been there ... But hey, if the BBQ-loving fusspots of Chicago won't be returning, that's cool with me -- just means more room for me and my pals to enjoy a night of BBQ, beer and some excellent live music.
(4)
Angela S.
The candied bacon is the best bacon I've ever tasted. The mac and cheese is a bit too garlicky. The desserts are amazing!
(3)
Mike K.
I suddenly had a hankering for barbecue on a lazy summer Sunday afternoon and started perusing Yelp for the best option that was reasonably close. Smoque and Brand were the two places that came up that I really wanted to try, but due to proximity and hunger they lost out to Honky Tonk, which is only about a 10-minute drive from me. First, Honky Tonk is kind of in the hood. I find their location to be "interesting" and rather incongruous. Perhaps they threw darts at a map or maybe dropped a little barbecue sauce on a map to choose the location? Splat! Racine and 18th, it is! Anyway, after reading several of Tony K.'s reviews, I realize I know nothing about barbecue, so you'll have to take this review with a grain of salt. I ordered takeout, so I cannot comment as to the dine-in experience. They do have a bar and a small stage for music, but the interior of the place is gritty. I got a bit concerned about the food when I saw the interior. So I ordered two of the dinky dunks, with a side of mashed potatoes (duh) and a side of macaroni and cheese. I figured I'd get the dinky dunks to try both the brisket and the pork. Both were very smoky and tasty with the added barbecue sauce from the side. I did have to pick a bit of fat off of the brisket, but afterward it was tasty. As for the sides, I would advise against ordering these, as you only get a mini Chinese takeout container for $3.50 and they're just not very good. I was there at 4 p.m. on a Sunday, so maybe they just weren't very fresh at the time. Both were bland city. I would recommend going strictly with meat at Honky Tonk. Four stars. I'll likely be back sometime.
(4)
chris g.
I'm really starting to like the Pilsen neighborhood. Mexican food brought me here but now you have options. Pilsen has several options for libations as well. So now you can make a whole night out of your visit. Some suggestions are Simones & the one of the classic dive bars, Skylark. But this visit Was for BBQ at Honky Tonk. It draws a good crowd but luckily the joint is big. The servings of meat & sides are not the largest but they are good. Get a combo & try several meats.
(4)
Esther S.
MEAT. MEAT I got the personal platter (12.50) with beef brisket and mac & cheese. Some strips of meat were more tender and some were a bit dry. Smother it with some BBQ sauce and it's all good. I wish the beef came out smoking hot, but it was just warm enough. The mac & cheese side was delicious. The dinner roll was like the stale kind you buy at Jewel. I usually devour carbs, but I didn't finish the roll here. My bf got the personal platter delux (14.50) with the pork and mashed potatoes. The pork was tender and flavorful!! LOVED it. The mashed potatoes were standard. His platter came with a tasty hot link and forgettable corn bread muffin. QUICK TIP: You add your own BBQ sauce here. Also, Order the PORK!! Overall, I enjoyed my meal (my bf loved his), but just wished the food came out pipin' hot- the way I like my BBQ!
(3)
Zach T.
This is a Good one. I saw it on one of the food network shows, and finally made it there. It deserves as much press as Smoque gets... it's just as good. I went there with a large party for my sister's birthday. I ordered the sampler platter for $30 and it fed my wife and I and our 2 kids. Their brisket and pulled pork mini-sandwiches are awesome. I'd say their brisket is better than Smoque's; It's pure dynamite. Their ribs are great. The sauces on the table are excellent. The sampler platter also comes with a half a smoked chicken--WOW. The one thing I still drool over, though, is the banana pudding. I would never have thought to order it, but thanks to you guys on Yelp, I did. When I win the lottery, I'm going to have a bathroom like Francis in Pee Wee's Big Adventure. The tub will be filled with this banana pudding.
(5)
Ashley P.
We had our wedding reception here and the food was FANTASTIC and the owners were amazing to work with. BBQ so amazing that it converted one of our vegetarian friends.
(5)
Erin L.
There was a time when I think I ordered that dang Fungi Sandwich every day for a week! SO GOOD! And I think I could bathe in the mustard bbq sauce... Mmmm! The corn bread is also freakin' awesome. Wine's good too. I like the decor, the staff is friendly and, although I haven't experienced it yet, I appreciate that they have live music.
(4)
Kara T.
We have been going to Honkey Tonk for awhile now and have never been disappointed. The staff is great and friendly. Cheap Beer, Mid-Range Priced BBQ, Live Music (can be loud at times) and Easy Parking- you cant beat it! While the Rib Tips could have been left with more meat, we always go for the SAMPLER PLATTER- $30.00. Its plenty to share with two people and you get a tasting of everything. Make sure you get the Mustard Sauce--- the best! Sampler Platter- Boyfriend Salad- Mustard Sauce- Two Old Styles and its a great date night for around $50.00.
(4)
Rafael H.
I stumbled upon this BBQ joint with some friends. The food here is awesome. I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of homemade mac and cheese. The sandwich was delicious and the mac and cheese had real cheese (not from a box!). I tried the brisket sandwich but I preferred the pulled pork. Their BBQ sauces are great, ranging from tangy to sweet and spicy. Last time I went, their live music was great. They had a guy playing the violin, and another guy playing the guitar and singing. Good saloon tunes. Finally, try the bacon candy. It's bacon made into candy. That's the only way I can explain it. Trust me... it's good.
(4)
Ann S.
The chicken is amazing- the Viking Rib was not so great. I love the music and the staff, the food is a bit touch-n-go. I wanna 5 star this place...
(4)
Michelle L.
I had a wonderful time at Honky Tonk. My friends and I always pass by it but never actually went in, until today. It's a busy restaurant but we didn't wait long for seating. The staff was very friendly. The pork was very tender and the sauce was delicious. There was even a live folk band playing!! Over all I had a great experience!
(4)
Denise H.
If it were possible to rate this place zero stars I would. Unfortunately I had a $10 off coupon for Honky Tonk so a friend and I decided to venture to Pilsen for bbq......huge mistake. I'm not certain why so many people rate this place greater than one star other than they may be a fan of the live Honky Tonk music because the food is god awful. So we order the st. louie and baby back ribs in addition to the brisket and mac & cheese. The st. loiue ribs were not good or great but edible; however, I couldn't even stomach the bb ribs. The mac & cheese was lackluster but I expected this from a place named Honky Tonk. The worse offender though, was the brisket. Absolutely no flavor cooked into it, it was lukewarm and the rub was sprinkled on the top of the meat as opposed to being marinated prior too cooking.....just god awful. Just to make ourselves feel better and get that taste out of our mouths, we ended up going to smoque for "real" bbq.
(1)
Solomohn E.
To me, Smoque definitely has better bbq. However, HTB's atmosphere (or shall I say ambiance) is hard to beat. My husband and I visited this evening for our wedding anniversary and it was just what I needed...decent food, fun drinks, great live music, a cute environment, and a whole lot of personality.
(4)
KELLIE K.
Willie and Beth welcomed us into their home. Or at least that's what it felt like. I can't even find words to properly describe the pulled pork. AWESOME is all that comes out. Then again, my mouth may be full of pulled pork, and my brain full of beer and vinegar, so that's all I can muster. Treat yourself a bit and spilt up your pork among both tangy and sweet sauces put on the table. It'll give your mouth a joyride you won't soon forget. A large group of us were easily accommodated and they brought out a big bucket with ice for all the beer. That was a nice, homestyle touch that made it feel like we were in their backyard, just waiting for the goods to come off the grill. Add to that some live banjo-playing musicians, and it was a real hootenanny! I'll reserve a 5th star for my next visit and it's not a large group for a birthday party. Willie, keep that fire going and don't let me down!
(4)
J. F.
It's a solid Three Stars. The rub thing is OK. Tasty, but not exciting. I forget which sides we had. . .but I'd go back! I liked my server, the service, and the ambience. The food was GOOD. Just GOOD. But GOOD counts, too, right?
(3)
Moe f.
Great bar and fantastic music! Hit this joint up on Saturday night and only waited 20 minutes. They have lone star, Dixie, and tall boy PBR's cheap. The bacon candy was everything it sounds like. They were already out of brisket so got a huge slab of St. Louis ribs that were quite tasty. Pulled pork was OK. Baked beans rocked. And the old fashioned was fantabulous. I was wearing my western shirt and a guy from the first band thought I was playing in the next band(I was flattered). All in all, a great spot for food and some drinks.
(4)
A. J.
PAcked when I went. Live band, kind've kitchy. Excellent Spread. split the smaller sampler with my gf and left stuffed. Decent price.
(4)
Michael S.
From the street festival circuit, to bricks and mortar, Honky Tonk is still a pleaser. Then again, if it's smoked BBQ, I will admit that I have somewhat of an addiction. I have been wanting to write a review for this place for a long time, but because the last time I was there was literally when it opened (and Yelping was still a yet to be discovered pleasure), I held off until....now! Bottom line....while not super smokey, the back ribs were quite good, and if you are in the neighborhood, definitely worth investigating (if the previous 200+ positive reviews hadn't already told you that). The sauce they sent along on my take out seems like it has a good dose of liquid smoke in it as well (of which I'm a fan). Otherwise, they were the type of ribs that do NOT fall of the bone (bonus), and their pink and moist (ha) presentation, were the first signs of a cared for product. If I may pull one element from the initial visit, their pecan pie is reputed to be "one of the best." If I'm in the area, I'm happy to stop in again for a return visit, but, I will say that if I'm on the north side, Smoque is where I will seek out 5 stars.
(4)
Ale M.
So the husband and I decided to try a different restaurant in our new neighborhood and I'm glad we came here. It was a Sunday evening and as we were walking in there was a band setting up...which was such a treat to hear a live jazz band while having dinner! There is no host at the entrance so you can sit where ever you please. We sat at a table across from the bar because we wanted to hear the live music. Our waitress was super friendly, attentive and knowledgeable with the menu items. We had the St. Louis ribs because they were out of the baby back ribs, which were pretty good and fell off the bone! We had fried green tomatoes, mac and cheese which both were super yummy. My only complaint would be the mash potatoes, they were bland and tasted like they were made from a box of instant mash potatoes (not impressed.) Overall I was very pleased with the food and service and we will definitely be back. I'm not a drinker but my husband is and he was pleased with the cocktails as well!
(4)
julie q.
Went back last night and ate some good stuff. Pulled pork dunkys...sooooo soooo good. Beef brisket was a bit "beefy" and fatty for my liking. Mac n Chz was heavenly!!!!! I agree with a few other yelpers - when you pay $20 for a full slab of ribs, the least they could do is give you cornbread instead of a stupid dinner roll. Other than that...I love the food here and the atmosphere even more.
(4)
Joshua N.
Honky Tonk BBQ would be my favorite BBQ place in town if Smoque didn't exist. They one amazing hot link! I recommend going with a few friends so you can share the BBQ sampler platter. I love how it looks small and run down from the outside, but once you walk through the door you realize that it is a gigantic, nice looking restaurant. Well worth the trip south.
(4)
Amy T.
I stumbled upon this place looking for a bar for 16 de septiembre. its no cantina, but i loved it the second I walked in. The mood and lighting is gorgeous at night. There was live music from two hombres playing a mandolin and a harmonica. my pulled pork sandwich, mac n cheese, and lonestar beer were exactly what i needed! i just moved from texas, and i felt right at home, coulda fulled me i was back in austin. definitely going back again. and again. i only wish they had shiner bock on their beer list!!
(5)
Chris V.
I was nervous about this place because of all of the up and down reviews. Some people love it., some people hate it. Let's be real hear. This place definitely does not deserve 1 star. For those of you who rated this place with only 1 star, shame on you. The ambiance alone brings this place to at least 2 stars. Classic setting with great jazz music. Totally different than anything I have seen in Chicago. The food was good- nothing mind blowing, but good. The mac & cheese was delicious- and I am a M&C snob. The brisket was good (not dry at all like Christne K. said - in fact don't listen to anything she said). The sauces at this place were great... especially the spicy mustard sauce. A must try. I took 2 stars off of my rating because we had some major service problems. First off, our waters were not filled up the entire meal. I mean, not once. That's a huge problem when you are eating BBQ. It's the first rule in providing excellent service- fill up waiters! Secondly, they brought out our food, and the food runner admitted he dropped my pulled pork sandwich, so he said he would bring me another. It never came, so 30 minutes later I flagged down our waitress and let her know. She brought it out and took it off the bill... which was ok I guess. I haven't eaten the sandwich yet, but it looks good. We also ordered a couple beers, which took at least 25 minutes to get to our table. I would try this place again. Though the restaurant was not too busy, maybe I just caught the service on a bad day. All in all- 3 out of five, great ambiance, ok food, less than par service, with a hipster vibe.
(3)
Gamaliel E.
Please only read the bad reviews......I don't want everyone to know how great this place really is! I'd hate to have to wait in line to get into the place. I've been here a few times and can tell you that Willy does his BBQ right. I've had both the baby back ribs, and St.Louis style ribs. I'd have to say I preferred the baby back ribs. I love that the ribs aren't covered in BBQ sauce....you get to decide which sauce you prefer at the table. I like to switch between sauces since its so hard to decide which one is better. My friend ordered the brisket sandwich and loved it. His girlfriend ordered the chicken..which looked sexy. Yeah, i said it...the chicken looked sexy. The staff is nice...and the live music is awesome. Oh yeah...to top it off its BYOB. You can't beat that with a bat. The interior has personality to it...just like the neighborhood it resides in. This place will be on Check Please! in no time.
(5)
Carly G.
Finally tried out HT tonight. So happy I have a BBQ place near me. My favs are Fat Willy's and Smoque, but HT now has a place in my heart. We ordered the Sampler Platter so we could try a little bit of everything, as well as an order of Bacon Candy. I love Bacon, love it, and this was a twist on it that took me a little to warm up too. Its confusing only because I was unsure about whether it belonged as a desert or an appetizer, or not at all. I have to try it again when in the mood I guess. The Sampler Platter was great. Sausage juicy, corn bread fresh and hot with real corn in it, beans were tasty, chicken fresh, pulled pork smoky, ribs meaty. The only think I would pass on was the Brisket, it was a little fatty. I loved the coleslaw. I am not a coleslaw person, however this was great. I loved the fact they put parsley in it. Great touch. Overall Tasty food, very affordable and neat atmosphere. I will return.
(4)
Suzanne B.
So, the BBQ wasn't perfect but the whole night was just really nice. I went with a bunch of co-workers for happy hour. I tried all three of their bourbon cocktails on the specialty list & I was very happy with them- especially the Old Fashioned. The food was decent & reasonably priced. I had the fried green tomatoes which were very tasty, but the sauce with them was just ketchup with horseradish?? We also had the mac & cheese which was good but not anything special & not nearly as good as my own homemade mac & cheese. I also tried others' pulled pork sandwiches & brisket sandwich. They were both very tender & tasty, but needed some extra sauce --which is provided on the table. Our server was really nice, competent & the room was comfy & fun. Definitely another happy hour or two could happen here & I would be pleased.
(3)
Deepak N.
Friendly hip staff. Live music (which im not a fan of - not their fault). Mac n cheese chili was amazing. Bbq platter was avg. Spicy sausage = amazing. Chicken and other items = dry. I guess you would go here more for the drinks and music rather than the food.
(2)
P S.
My friend and I ventured down to Pilsen to test out one of the newest BBQ joints in the city with great anticipation. The space is beautiful. It feels and smells just like your favorite neighborhood bbq joint. Smokey, woody, old-timey. The kitchen is huge and open for viewing from the order counter. There are two rooms, a smaller one and a large one that hosts the live music they sometimes have. The prices are about right, $7 for brisket, for example. It's BYOB with a $1 surcharge per person, but they also have cans of Cokes and the like for order. The nearest liquor store is two blocks down, by the way. We ordered a smattering of goods. Brisket, mac & cheese, slaw, pulled pork sliders (two per order), a half rack of baby back ribs and garlic bread. First thing we dove into were the sliders, which were so tender but we noticed right away lacked smoke. In fact, all of the meat lacked smoke. No smoke ring, very little smoke flavor. The ribs were a little bit tough, but the rub was delicious - still though, not very smoky. The two sauces on the table were quite similar, though one was a little more zingy than the other. Both had the consistency of ketchup, so don't go looking for the vinegary, looser Carolina sauce because you won't find it. The garlic bread was awesome, but I could make it myself. Mac & cheese good, but nothing outstanding about it. The brisket was so tender and delicious, but again, no smoke. The sandwiches are served on untoasted Ciabatta bread which we found unfortunately overwhelmed the meat and didn't add to the flavor. They should at least toast the bread, if not swap it for a basic bun, we thought. Overall Honkey Tonk was good, but not great. If they could smoke their meats a little longer and allow the flavor to permeate I think the impact could be great - but for now, it's solidly average or slightly above average. I'll be returning to see how they change over time, but for now I don't think it's a personal destination.
(3)
Maggie R.
So I had heard many things about this restaurants, mostly from those who, I would say, are not BBQ enthusiasts/foodies which I consider myself to be. Here are the reasons why I rated so low. 1)They don't have parking, yes, I know it's Chicago but it's a hassel to get decent parking around there. 2)My boyfriend and I had never been to Honky Tonk so we did not know if we would be seated or if we could do so ourselves. We stood around the entrance looking around for a sign that said "sit yourselves" or someone to direct us for about a minute until we asked if we could sit wherever, which the waitress said we could. 3) As far as I know, there is only one restroom for the whole restaurant, correct me if I'm wrong but the one I went to was unisex. 4) We picked a booth ( I do like the seat arrangements) and waited another 5 mins. before we got our waiter. (It was not busy at all, there were 3 other parties of around 3-6 in the second room). We finally got our order in and did not wait long. 5) Reason for my super-low rating is because our waiter sucked!!! He came three times the whole hour and half that we were there. Once to greet/place our order, the other to bring food, and the last one to bring our check and that only happened because we flagged him down. My boyfriend asked for more water and I had asked for another lemonade when he brought our food and we never saw him until we flagged him down for our check. 6) The food was OK, nothing great, especially for a BBQ fanatic like myself. I expected so much more from this place and was very dissapointed. My boyfriend ordered the rib tips and was dissatisfied with how much fat they had, so much that he just stopped eating them and just ate the corn. I got a pulled pork sandwich and I've had better. 7) Sauces- they have 3 different sauces; Original, Tangy, and Garlic. I thought they would have a spicy or sweet sauce but nothing like that. Overall, super dissapointment. I def. will not be returning and I will stick to my other BBQ joints that I already love. If you want to try a really good BBBBQ rest., you should make the drive to downtown La Grange to Q-BBQ, their meat is always so tender, great atmosphere plus not to mention the downtown is spectacular.
(1)
Jackie B.
I do need to add that Honky Tonk is no longer BYOB (tear, tear)! I still love it though. Try their chili - I promise you will not be disappointed. I have Honky Tonk chili cravings.... There is a full bar now and they accept credit card which makes the full bar a little friendlier. This is a must-go for any of our out of town guests. Love having it in the neighborhood!
(5)
Kevin H.
Simply the best bbq I've ever had. Light on the sauce, which I prefer. The meat was outstanding. The sausage was mind-blowing. Pass on all sides. Update: after more experiences here, the consistency of the BBQ can vary
(4)
Jennifer C.
I am shocked by all of the positive reviews, this is by far the worst BBQ both my husband and I have ever had in our lives. When I first walked in and sat down I noticed my seat was dirty. The floor also had not been swept recently. The water tasted absolutely disgusting, I don't know how you can get tap water to taste that bad but it was not at all a good look. My husband and I got the sampler platter and the only edible thing on there really was the corn muffins. The meat was very fattening and flavorless, the sauces were mediocre, the beans were not seasoned and would have been better if they were from a can. We talked to the waitress about how unhappy we were with our meal and we did not have to pay for it so from a customer service standpoint it was ok, but we definitely will not be back.
(1)
April L.
I used to go here all the time, and I miss it. Need to go back soon. Their cornbread is wonderful as is their mac and cheese. Brisket is a little too tough for me, but the pulled pork on ciabatta is awesome. Their garlic aioli sauce (maybe a south carolina mustard sauce?) is off-the-hook. The banada pudding is incredible, and I don't even like banana pudding. I appreciate that the cornbread isn't as greasy as Smoke Daddy (whose food I essentially hate), but has as much moistness and flavor. Love the friendly staff, too! And I like that they let you add your own sauces instead of assuming they know which one you'll like.
(5)
Rebecca D.
Very good BBQ. Dry rub with sauce on the side. Atmosphere was hipster-urban country-latino/pilsen a refreshingly diverse mix. Live music was nice, but not too loud to talk to the people you came with. Street parking was easy, even on a Sat night. They don't take reservations unless your party is over 6 people, but we didn't have to wait.
(4)
Sarah P.
I finally went to Honky Tonk last weekend. The first thing that drew me to this place was the live music. There was a really fun country band that played. We ordered the sampler platter. Now, there were only two of this so it was kind of a ridiculous amount of food for two girls. The platter included sausage, chicken, brisket, pulled pork, corn bread, beans and coleslaw. Everything was delicious. We also ordered mac and cheese, which was really tasty. When I go back I will probably just get a meat dish and side of mac and cheese. My favorite bbq place is Smoque, but Honky Tonk is a nice change because of their full bar and live music. After we ate, we sat at the bar and had a drink and listened to the music for a while longer. Will definitely go back for the food and the live music!
(4)
Dexter L.
Great bbq. Excellent smoke and good sauces that all come on the side like they should. Dinners are fairly priced but some of the appetizers are too expensive. The candy bacon is a real trip. This is a great place to go before or after a Sox game.
(5)
Nicholas T.
While walking the dogs, I caught the smell of a neighbors BBQ and that's all it took to get my family to visit the Honky Tonk. This is another Chicago restaurant featured in DDD (Diner's, Drive-ins, and Dives) and it lives up to its reputation. The atmosphere was perfect for my tastes. Saloon style restaurant with live music and a huge bar. Tonight wasn't a drinking night but from what I saw, the beer selection is fairly large and they have Rogue Dead Guy on tap. The restaurant is covered wall to wall with paintings to create that old museum look. Very reminiscent of some of my favorite places to eat back in my hometown of Columbus, OH at the Short North. The food was fantastic. It's rare when every single thing you order is good. I had a half slab of St. Louis style ribs with a corn bread muffin. We also ordered fried green tomatoes and mac n cheese to share. The BBQ is done very well here with distinct smoke lines and a rub that makes the meat perfect to eat without the need for a sauce. Honky Tonk does provide a vinegar based sauce and a sweet sauce for you to use on your food. Both are excellent but the vinegar based sauce gets my nod. The fried green tomatoes are a little heavy on the breading side but its not enough to ruin the sourness of the green tomato. No complaints with the mac n cheese either. The dish has a very sharp cheddar taste to it. It's not the best I've ever had (Hoggy's in OH still wins that honor) but it's close. Service was good with a little bit of a long wait for the food but our patience was rewarded. I feel bad for the vegetarians who are missing out on this gem of a BBQ joint.
(4)
Joseph L.
Pulled pork sandwich. Corn bread muffins. Mac & cheese.
(5)
Kimberly K.
There is a lot of hype about this place and I think it lives up to it! We had the sampler platter, mac & cheese, fried green tomatoes, and banana pudding. All of our items were damn good. The pulled pork was moist and juicy, the chicken and ribs were both falling off the bone tender, and the sauces were great! The garlic mustard sauce was really good, but I think I preferred the bbq vinegar. I mixed them and that was quite tasty. The mac & cheese is some of the best I've had. The banana pudding was also quite good. Definitely save room. The decor is definitely kitschy, but really fun as well. GO THERE.
(5)
Patty S.
We went there on a Sat night at 7:30p (prime dinner time) and found a table right away. They also had live music which was a nice touch. The restaurant consists of 3 separate dining areas - each with it's own feel. We were brought water right away and the menus are on the table. My favorite part is that they actually serve drinks! They have this bourbon lemonade drink that was absolutely delicious. It wasn't overpowering, but definitely did it job! As we were walking towards our table, we saw this huge platter of food being placed next to a table next to us and my mouth started to water. Come to find out, it was the sampler platter which in my opinion is the best way to order. It's got a bit of everything on it - what's not to like? On this gigantic plate, it's got brisket, pulled pork, ribs, smoked chicken, links, and corn bread. There are also 3 sauces on the side for your choosing (my favorite dipping sauce was the mustard based one). I really enjoyed the lightness of the smoke flavor. There are some places where the smoke is just over-powering and I can't taste the meat at all. It's not that way at Honky Tonk. The brisket was tender, pull pork was flavorful, the links had a nice smokey and a bit spicy kick to it, and the chicken was not dry at all! I must say my least favorite was the ribs. Not sure what it was about it, but I thought it was off. I will most definitely be back. I think I may have found my new favorite bbq place in the city!
(4)
Lindsay R.
Love the food, love the giant portions, love the staff, love the decor. Location is a bit hard to get too if you don't drive but its worth the effort. I will have to say the Banana Pudding is BY FAR the best pudding/dessert I've every tasted. The sauces are amazing and I like being able to put my sauce on because I don't eat spicy stuff so I got to choose another option. I like this place so much I choose this as my Birthday dinner place....so....its that high on my scale.
(5)
Van P.
I had ribs at Honky Tonk BBQ (here) and at Robinson's in Lincoln Park ON THE SAME DAY BECAUSE I LOVE RIBS and I gotta say these ribs were superior. More specifically, they have two types of ribs (baby back and St. Louis) and I of course got both and both are excellent! The BBQ sauce selection that is on the table covers a broad range of flavors and the ribs come seasoned but not slathered in sauce, giving you the consumer complete control.
(5)
H L.
Service...excellent. Friendly waitstaff. Never had to wait too long for anything. Hot link was excellent. Pulled pork was good. Sliced brisket was very good. Spare rib was a little dry for my taste although my friend loved it. There were three sauces which complemented the food very well. I want to return to try their beef ribs that are offered only on fri and sat.
(4)
Ben A.
I'm a huge fan of this place. We are finding more and more excuses to go here as time goes by. Here's what I like about Honky Tonk: - Fantastic Pulled Pork Sandwich on a Ciabatta roll (They recently won an award in the Memphis BBQ cookoff for this item) - 3 tasty barbeque sauces at the table to flavor your food with - Great pork and beans and corn muffins - Some excellent beers on their beer list including (Stone's Arrogant Bastard and Porter, Two Brother's French Country Ale, Konig Pilsener, etc.) - Wonderful and friendly waitresses and waiters. Great service. - Cool art on the walls. The owner has a spare room full of paintings and they rotate them out every so often. They have live country music on some nights. I'm not particularly into that, but some people might be. The beer list, also while not particularly extensive, has some real winners on the list. I also can't stress enough how nice it is to get a bomber of Arrogant Bastard for $9. Go a few blocks down to Simone's and that same beer is $16!! If its your first time at Honky Tonk's and you're with someone else, I highly recommend trying the sampler platter. It's $30, and offers a half slab of ribs, a half smoked chicken, two "dinky dunkers": one pork and one brisket, a hot link , cole slaw, and two corn muffins. This is a good gambit of what they offer and will give you a chance to try everything and figure out what you like the best. I thought the ribs and chicken were decent, but liked the pulled pork the best. Also FYI, their BBQ is more of a memphis style dry rub, so if you like your BBQ well sauced, you'll have to do it to your preference at the table. All 3 sauces are pretty tasty! Whether to grab a beer and hang out or grab dinner with friends, this place is a winner.
(5)
Elaine A.
Great food and such a fun atmosphere! The bar is so beautiful, and the live music added to the experience. The pulled pork and beef brisket sandwiches are absolutely delicious. The meat is so tender, juicy and full of flavor! It practically melts in your mouth. The ciabatta bread is a nice compliment. The sides are also just as delicious. Definitely loved the mac n cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, and corn bread. Can't wait for my next BBQ fix!
(4)
Khadijah L.
Wow.. really not what I expected it to be. For many months I've heard nothing but raves for Honky Tonk BBQ, but I thought to myself, its BBQ! and I don't eat pork so the idea of BBQ is just 2nd choice for me personally. On my recent visit... 1. OH MY. what a beautiful interior!-- a food establishment rarely induces this reaction. It is very pretty inside. Not what I had expected from a BBQ place. 2. OH MY. The mashed potatoes are too awesome. For my main fare I ordered the beef brisket sandwich, as my BF recommends, and it smells really great (the dry rub spices). Now, I don't like the taste of beef so much, unless its soaked in a lot of juice and gravy. So this tastes very beefy to me and I would probably not get it again. I rather liked the BBQ chicken better. It has a great crispy outer skin and very moist inside. However, for the best roast chicken in the world, see this review: yelp.com/biz/rosa-de-lim… Save room for dessert because the peach cobbler is absolutely stellar!! I could just come here and eat 20 peach cobblers and forgo the BBQ altogether and die happy.
(4)
Nathan W.
Addmitedly, I've been wanting to come here since I first heard about it on Check, Please! but hadn't had the occasion to for the longest time. We showed up right before dinner was starting, I guess they close between lunch and dinner sessions. Anyways, there are two things that I love about this place, their BBQ sauces and the lovely rockabilly girl at the counter with the bob hairstyle, candy-apple red lips and great tattoos. I split a sampler platter with my friend and the standouts were the chicken which was perfectly tender and I also really liked the cornbread that was also cooked to perfection. Our ~12 or so ribs were on the tough side and hard to eat. The decor is unique and feels like you are transported to a piecemeal texas roadhouse if I do say so myself. I have to say, I think I'm buying an A La Card set next year after the great deal we got here.
(4)
Jen T.
A BBQ place that vegetarians can get into? totally awesome! I went to meet up with some friends who were in the area and who wanted pulled pork and rib tips or whatever. I was a little wary, but I'm so glad I gave it a chance! Between the delicious mac & cheese, cornbread muffins, and the annoyingly named but excellent "what your girlfriend wants" salad w/jicama, goat cheese, and blackberries, I was in hog heaven. They do have a vegetarian sandwich although it seems oddly fancy and un-BBQ, but I would love it if they ever felt like experimenting with a fake meat, old fashioned style BBQ sandwich -- they have (obviously) wonderful sauces!
(4)
Six B.
love the meat, hate all the bread! lots of old timey live music that is FUN!
(3)
Joe H.
I love BBQ and had heard that this was a must have in Chicago. I ventured over to Pilson for a birthday party and got some Honky Tonk. First off, as a Bar this place rocks! The bar tender was nice and there were two bands. Both of them were awesome, I will be back here drinking for sure. On to the food... I got some brisket and my GF got the pulled pork. I liked my brisket sandwich but my GF was not all that impressed with her pulled pork. The sauces were pretty good, and The mac & Cheese was ok. All in all I probably be more likely to come back to drink than to eat. But that being said I will definitely go back to try the "texas brisket chili with mac", my mouth is watering just typing that. I also intend on trying some ribs. I say give it a try if you like yourself some BBQ.
(4)
Devin B.
We were at the art institute so pretty much a straight shot out from roosevelt. Got the "Viking" and the sampler (see photos). Both were really good and actually bbq'd not boiled. So far I would say only smoque would be better or comparable out of the ribs I have tried here. If you go early it is actually a really good place to take kids their noise gets drowned out by the general din. Our waitress Mona was really sweet and helpful and checked in several times never leaving us wanting anything. Oh yeah the funky decorations and odd oil paintings really add to the atmosphere.
(5)
J.M S.
Fun atmosphere and tasty food if you're in the area.
(4)
Escape C.
Absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Honky Tonk BBQ!!! This place is low-key, yet still lively and fun with an interestingly eclectic atmosphere. Remember people this is BBQ, a place to go to get down and dirty in the meat....it's not trying to be a "fine dining" establishment. One should know going in this is Memphis style bbq, aka cooked and served dry with sauce on the side. So if you like your meats cooked while drenched in sauce, this ain't your place. If you loved perfectly smoked meats that are so flavorful they don't even need the sauce, then Honky Tonk delivers! The pulled pork is award winning, smokey melt in your mouth, pure deliciousness. One of the best pulled porks I have had. The whole chicken is moist and tender, and just falls off the bones. I love their spicy sauce as well, especially with the chicken. This place is the real deal. If you want good bbq, look no further!!
(5)
Alex E.
Do not order the baby back ribs or chili. The ribs were too dry and the chili was just plain awful. However, I would go back there for drinks and appetizers. The fried green tomatoes are delicious! They had a dj on friday night playing reggae music. Nice chill place overall though - nice atmosphere.
(3)
Edgar D.
Stopped by here a few days ago and enjoyed a nice dinner. Even though Chuck's on 79th seems to get more fanfare, I have to admit that culinarily this place is much better. I would give them another star but the host was less than attentive when we arrived. As we walked in and asked for a table he cut us off to attended to someone else that showed up after we arrived. The dinner made up for it as I had the fried green tomato sliders which were tasty. My wife ordered small sides to mix it up. When we came here before we had their version of a sampler and it was more like a last supper. As much as we tried, between my wife and I we couldn't finish it. Some of the best 'Cue on the south side and like Schwarzenegger said "I'll be back."
(3)
Katie H.
1) It's not BYOB anymore - they now have a full bar and 2) cash only Okay, now that's out of the way - hot damn that was good. Two "dinky dunkers" of pulled pork plus a shared side of mac n cheese was enough to fill me to bursting and the BBQ sauce was so good I seriously could have drunk it right from the bottle. Expect a wait (we waited about 20 minutes at 9pm on a Saturday) and expect some amazing BBQ.
(5)
David R.
Wow, somehow this place lived up to my high expectations. That's rare. It wasn't quite perfect, but I'm rounding them up to five stars based on some intangibles such as the company and the experience: I simply had a hell of a great time. BYO doesn't usually entice me because I tend not to drink with dinner, but barbecue is the perfect cuisine to accompany with beer, and since I was having a small gathering, two six-packs suited us just fine. They brought an ice container for us to chill the stuff. How cool is that! I also liked the tag-team servicing; it helped contribute to the casual but welcoming vibe that was perfect for the occasion. I love the interior, although hard to describe. It's a little arty but very fun. Of course we mostly came for the food, which was excellent. On the first bite of my brisket sandwich, I called out to deities in which I don't even believe; by the third bite, I was weeping and speaking in tongues. Honestly, I didn't know whether to devour this sandwich or make love to it. Best brisket on earth. No sauce needed, but try it with the garlic/mustard for a bite or two. The brisket was the highlight, and the sandwich is plenty big for a full meal, but there was plenty o' gluttonizing left to do: Baby back ribs: Not quite as tender and fall-off-the-bone as I like, but solid (B) Pulled pork: They should call this "semi-pulled pork" because it is still in big chunks mostly. It works--I like the extra heft, and the meat is very, very good (A-) Beef chili: A bowl of savory fucking amazingness (A) Macaroni and cheese: A little boring; oddly, a light-contrasting option to all the meats, since they don't smother it in cheese as most places do (B) Cole slaw: Good to have something cool and light-ish, but this could use more zing (B) Corn muffin: Fluffy! (B+) Garlic/mustard sauce: Excellent, and went PERFECTLY on the brisket (A) Tangy bbq sauce: Very, very good, perhaps a bit more vinegary and less smoky than I like; went very well with the pork items (A-) Sweet bbq sauce: The weak link of the sauce trio (C) Banana pudding: I don't even have the words. I thought that I was full and could only eat a bite or two of dessert. Wrong! Nearly licked the bowl. (A) Hell, I even loved the plain roll that came with my rib dinner (different from the ciabatta on which the sandwiches are served). Hmm, anything else to say? Probably not. Awesome grub; fun, friendly place...a compelling, independent reason to trek down to Pilsen.
(5)
Isabel G.
This is where I go after a long hard day and I want to treat myself to some brisket sandwiches. I get the Dinky Dunkers, both brisket. So heavenly good and afterwards top the meal off with banana pudding. You MUST try the banana pudding. I'm not much for pudding but this is pure heaven. Atmosphere is really charming, staff are friendly and attentive, and the place is just great. Sometimes it's crowded though I've never had to wait for a seat. They added more space which is just as great at the first room. Great BBQ, abundant art on the walls (my favorite piece is the Frida mural), friendly staff. Love it.
(5)
DeaconMSA W.
I tried the St. Louis style ribs and the BBQ chicken. Both were very good. We also had some macaroni & cheese. At the end of our meal, a staff member (maybe the owner) came by and suggested we try the banana pudding for dessert. He offered to pay for it if we didn't like it. Needless to say it was as good as promised. Service was great as well. FYI, this is BYOB
(4)
Dusty K.
Believe it or not, Honky Tonk was my first BBQ experience. **A small mob forms in the distance and a grizzly man approaches** Grizzly Man: "Are you telling me you never had Southern BBQ?" Me: "Yes, this was my first BBQ experience" Grizzly Man: "Son, you couldn't spot a great BBQ place if it fell out of the sky, landed on your nose, and did a little boogie!" **The crowd cheers it's approval** Ok, before you get on my case about...well about "that"...I want to say 2 quick things. First, I fully anticipate visiting places like Memphis, Kansas City, North Carolina, and the like over my lifetime to experience great BBQ. And second, I still know the difference between great food and bland food since my mouth is a fully functioning mouth quite capable of all it's mouthy duties. I loved Honky Tonk. The waitress we had was very upbeat and I felt she enjoyed working there. That's something you don't get very often these days. I also loved the 2 piece folk/blues music group that started playing at 7 PM the night we went. It definitely added that extra something to complete our experience. I ordered the half slab of the St. Louis cut ribs and split the brisket sandwich with my brother. The ribs were good but the brisket was delicious - an amazing smoky flavor. Also, I believe the owner won 3rd place at Memphis in May for his pulled pork. Next time I will be ordering that along with the beef ribs. The mac and cheese was okay but everyone seemed to really enjoy the banana pudding dessert. Give Honky Tonk a try. Even if you haven't been down South this place will provide a taste of something special a little North of BBQ country. Last note - cash only and BYOB!
(4)
Happy Mama M.
This place is GREAT!!!! I am getting a little worried that Im getting addicted. I love the salad!! Its a fun atmosphere and great food. What else could you ask for? Oh, they have a bar too!
(5)
Cara N.
I'm glad we waited until the post-Check Please frenzy blew over. This is definitely a ma and pa establishment. Pa even made a visit to our table to ask us how our meal was. We ordered the fried green tomatoes which were delicious. My hubby ordered the ribs and even though I haven't eaten pork in years, they were especially tempting! I had the beef brisket and loved it. Sometimes the beef options at BBQ joints are iffy, but Honky Tonk's brisket was outstanding. I haven't been there on a weekend yet, but I hear it gets pretty crowded. I'd like to check out the live music sometime and fill my belly with their awesome bbq!
(5)
Michelle N.
Dry, smoky ribs. Yes, that's the style, but I prefer a moister meat. Good sauce options. Yummy, but overpriced empenadas--$10 for three pieces. Terrific bar, ambiance--a real honky tonk joint. Fun beer with candied bacon. Indifferent service.
(2)
Jon P.
I've been on a BBQ roll lately, though not deliberately. After a long BBQ drought, suddenly I've been finding myself at a ton of BBQ places lately, which is fine by me. Before going here, I had never heard of it and had no expectations at all. That all changed once I pulled up to the building--its brick facade is gaudily painted black with red and yellow signage all over it. Interesting... I'm listening... Things were even more interesting inside. Its broken up into 3 sections: a small entrance/takeout area, a dining room and a bar. All serve their purpose. Since we were dining-in, we were seated in the dining room. What a weird room. With a mishmash of different chairs, tables, benches, doors, paintings and pictures everywhere, to say the room has an eclectic feel is a huge understatement. Ultimately, I don't know if I liked it, but hey, at least I'm talking about it? On to the food experience. The waitress was quick and attentive. Since I've been on a ribs kick and have had good luck with them lately, I decided to give them a go (half slab) with some mashed potatoes and a beer. Both of my friends ordered pulled pork sandwiches. After ordering, we must have gotten our food within 5 minutes. Fast is great, but sometimes food can come too fast. That's how I felt this time. That coupled with the fact that ribs can be eaten really quickly, I felt like I was done with my meal before I started. Overall though, I enjoyed my ribs. I don't say that often, so that alone says something about this place. I didn't come away loving it though. Everything came and went too fast. I really need to go again to get a better feel for everything.
(3)
Melody L.
This place has great ambiance! A group of us went there on a Friday night. It's a great place for groups. They don't take reservations for groups under 6 or 8 (I don't remember) but if you show up a bit early, you shouldn't have a problem getting a seat. The food is good. I got the ribs, which were great. If you like your ribs to be fall off the bone, this is not the place for you. I like sauce, so it's great they have three sauces on the table. The sides are good, but the yams were a bit too sweet for me. My son loved the mac & cheese and garlic mash. I tasted the pulled pork, which I thought looked like brisket, but it was tasty. The peach cobbler was fantastic. Service was friendly. As the night went on, our server didn't rush us out. We had a nice leisurely dinner. It was enjoyed by all. Parking is not that easy, went around the block a couple of times. I hope to be back soon, but would like to try other BBQ places to compare!
(4)
Shauna B.
Look, I'm just gonna say this: you can be too upscale for your own good. I mean, WHO really wants their pulled pork served on ciabatta? Gimme a cheap white hamburger bun any day of the week and keep your hard fancy-pants fight'cha-back bread to yourself. And I can't help adding this: when I pay $5 for fried green tomatoes and get a whole 4 slices in my order, it awakens all the math skills I thought I had forgotten after fifth grade. How much did you have to pay for that tomato that just one slice of it should cost me $1.25? You were robbed. I think I was, too.
(2)
Basil T.
Delicious BBQ and live music = good times!
(4)
Colleen R.
Honky Tonk may not be the best BBQ in the city (ahem, Smoque), but its atmosphere is so welcoming and lively that I think it truly deserves 5 stars for the experience. Don't get me wrong -- the food is delicious. We sampled a variety of tasty goodies, from pork and brisket sliders to St. Louis-style ribs to the root beer float. The BBQ was juicy, tender and subtly smoky. No complaints there. Even when we didn't have food in front of us, though, Honky Tonk was a fun place to hang out. We chilled at the bar before our meal and listened to the live music playing while wetting our whistles, and once we were seated, the tunes wafting through the door to the large dining room kept the mood going. And our server was darling. While this place might not be a great place for quiet conversation, it's sure to perk you up for a night out on the town. On top of everything else -- they take A La Cards, and with the discount it's really a steal.
(5)
ZZ K.
We went here after seeing them on Check Please and we weren't the only ones! We went on Sat (they don't open until 4pm). We got there early so we waited outside for about 20 minutes and were the first ones to place our to-go order (we opted to eat at home). Since this was our first time there we opted for the sampler (which has chicken, pulled pork, ribs, hot links (sausage) and beef brisket, plus corn muffin, slaw and beans. We also got an extra order of the brisket and pork on the ciabatta rolls (Dinky Dunkers). We waited inside while they put our order together and even walked around the restaurant - including the soon to be bar area. The place is certainly eclectic (including the umm...interesting bathroom). The staff was very friendly and we had cups of water while we waited - the bus boy there was super nice. They have music there in the evenings (probably only on the weekend), but we didn't stick around - I'm sure its great. My BF couldn't even wait until we got home and started rummaging through the bags right when we got in the car! We had a few bites and tore into the bags when we got home. The ribs, pork and brisket were great (in that order). The sauce that came with (the sweeter one) was really good, as was the coleslaw and corn muffin. We also had mashed potatoes and they were nice and creamy. The beans were by far the worst thing we got. The chicken was tasty and moist, and the hot links sausage was also pretty good but a bit on the spicy side. My BF has been craving some more of this deliciousness and I'm sure we'll be back soon. This place was very good and I would rank it up there with Smoke. Give em a try y'all! lol
(5)
Alf O.
This place is amazing!!! The owners are such nice people, and Willie is a certified bbq champion. The food here is unbelievable, the decor is beautiful, and throw in some live music to make this place a very memorable experience. One of Chicago's treasures.
(5)
Elizabeth T.
I find myself again wishing I could go with half-stars on here. I'd give Honky Tonk a solid 3.5 if I could. The sauces are quite possibly the best i have had in the city. So, so good. The meat from the ribs pulled right off the bone, which was awesome. The mac and cheese is yummy, location is great and decor wonderful. I do wish they offered beverages other than soda and water, but it IS BYOB, so I guess that's a mild complaint. Service is so-so and the chicken, while "okay" by my finace's standards, was a tad on the dry side. Overall, though--good stuff. Give em a try! Waaaay better than some other so-called BBQ joints in this town!
(3)
Jerome H.
I was SO disappointed in this place, I was just starting to use Yelp when I ran across this place with "amazing authentic BBQ in Pilsen." I have lived here for a while and have to say almost any deviation from charbroiled chicken and Mexican fare is welcomed. But in this case, I was so disappointed. I could have driven to the south side and had some real BBQ and not this sub-par excuse for ribs. Here are the issues: I. WTF, you don't trim the ribs? The membrane on the slab we ordered was still in tact--is this some delicacy where the chef was from? II. Hot Links? YOU WISH! They tasted like frozen and thawed cheap Moo and Oink links. III. The bread was harder than it was for me to believe this place won an award at a BBQ contest. It's hard to screw up ribs, but if you are interested in a method, call or visit this place.
(1)
Michael H.
I was here for a party and was lucky enough to sample everything. The pulled pork was incredibly tender; the ribs were a little dry; the sausage and brisket were wonderful; and the mac and cheese was perfect. Nice ambiance in Pilsen (of all places). The bar area is comfortable and the dining area was decorated by paintings seemingly hoisted from garage sales and flea markets in the area. I expect this place to be reviewed on Chicago's Best shortly.
(5)
Lori B.
We went to Honky Tonk last night for dinner, fantastic! The St. Louis ribs were the best we've ever had! The beef brisket & pulled pork sandwich's were good, but the ciabatta was to much bread. Mac & cheese was outstanding, the beans were ok, slaw was good, & the cornbread was good (a little dry). We will definitely be back for full slabs of ribs!!
(4)
Varsha L.
Went here Sun June 6th,2010 the decor was cool, food was okay, I didnt really try any of the meat items so cannot really comment on that, the fungi sandwich was very bland and a lot of mushrooms, the ciabiata roll it came on was good, greasy and delicious... mashed potatoes were good, I would prob not go back but the husband might want to... I should have got the salad or the empanadas on special...maybe I ordered the wrong thing?
(2)
Chris M.
I saw this place on Check Please a few months back and was intrigued. I am always looking for a good barbecue spot and from the review, this place looked good. My girlfriend lives down on the south side and it is nice to find good food options around there. We got take out from here a few weeks back and I think it lived up to the hype. I had the Pulled Pork Sandwich, she had the Funghi Sandwich and we split a side of Mac and Cheese. My only complaint is that I could have used an extra side of BBQ sauce. The portions were huge, the food was tasty and the ciabatta roll on the pulled pork sandwich really hit the spot. My girlfriend is a vegetarian and I really liked the fact that they had a couple of options for her which is rare at a BBQ place. The next time I go, we are definitely going to dine-in, take advantage of the BYOB and chow down on some ribs or the sampler platter.
(4)
Carri A.
5 stars for a BBQ place from a Texan vegetarian (a rare breed)? Yup, it's true! So I did not partake in what smelled like some kick ass barbequed meat, but my carnivore friends will testify under the strictest of oaths to its tenderness and overall deliciousness. I will, though, go on for days about the non-meat fare, which there is plenty of. My table ordered several family-sized sides including the phenomenal fried green tomatoes, superb mac & cheese, mashed potatoes and portabello mushrooms. I ordered the Funghi Sandwich and was very pleased with it. (The ciabatta was stellar.) To sum this up quick, the food is amazing. AMAZING/FANTASTIC/DELICIOUS/etc... Also, they have three bottles of different sauces for your dipping and saucing needs - all are spectacular but I kind of want to take a bath in the mustard-based one. It's that good. The service was prompt, friendly and professional. The prices are extremely fair. The decor is so adorable and interesting, even in the bathroom! And it looks like they have some live music at times (we missed out during our meal) but the set up is so cute. I really have nothing bad to say about this place, other than I wish it was closer to me. But thats also a one-way ticket to being 400 pounds. So a blessing in disguise. They can handle big groups and have a super friendly, relaxed vibe about the place. Almost like going home...
(5)
Michael T.
Yay! I'm a fan. I learned about HTBBQ from Diners Drive-Ins and Dives (thank God Guy Fieri seems to have a culinary chub for Chicago - he's introduced me to tons of places) and incented a group of exTREMEly reticent gays to leave the cocoon of Boystown for the 3 day journey to Pilsner.. err, Pilsen. Once there, all the terror of driving on LSD without stopping at the Mag Mile soon evaporated - the food was freakin' GOOD. I have learned to appreciate the quirky service cultures associated with 'dives' in exchange for food that will work me over. The ribs? Amazing. Pulled pork? Ditto. Chicken? Why bother with chicken in a BBQ joint!? Also noteworthy was the "OMG! No seriously, OMG!" quality of the banana pudding. It's not something I eat often, but this is what you want it to taste like when you do. Even had some 'Nilla wafers, just like mom used to bake. Get over that it has a practically-in-Indiana location and give it a try.. totally worth it.
(4)
Poof A.
The chance to give this gem the stellar review it deserves was one of the reasons I finally caved and joined Yelp (yep, I've been leeching off others' reviews for a while now...) It's not always easy to please a vegetarian and a BBQ fiend in one place. Honky Tonk more than succeeds! BF had the pulled pork sandwich- he swears that the dry rub was so good that it didn't even require the delicious sauces that he put on, and having it on ciabatta was "the icing on the cake" (seriously. his words.) I had the 'what your girlfriend wants' salad (how did they know?!) Delicious, fresh, generous amounts of goat cheese, and really good dressing served on the side. We split the mac and cheese (great, love the crust on top!); a corn muffin (dig the kernels inside); and the coleslaw (note: it's the vinegary kind, not the creamy kind- consider yourselves warned!). Washed it down with ice cold root beer, but the place is also BYOB and there was a liquor store down the block. Our server was lovely and attentive but not overbearing, and the decor in this place is so cute- love how all the tables and chairs are different! We will definitely be making the trip in the future.
(5)
NARDO Q.
Before I begin let me say this: Before you are done reading this review, you will have said "Saay whaat?!" to yourself. Three times, I have gone to his place. 1. They took forever and a half to take our order, bring our food and the service was horrible. It was a group of three who went and all three were not satisfied with the service and, to top it off, the food tasted a bit "food truckish." Not to mention really greasy! 2. Against my wishes, my family decided to take my brother there for his birthday - off we went. Again, the service was horrible and everyone else seemed to be getting their things before us. We paid no mind to it and kept enjoying the time we were spending together. The food, once again, nothing impressing that I can't get a local trucker stop or small BBQ joint. 3. AGAIN, against my wished, a group of friends wanted to try this place - I had been drinking and didn't put up much of a fight. BOY DID I GET MAD, when we were waiting to be seated and a group came in 5 minutes after us and were sat before us. Okay, understandable - maybe they were waiting and stepped out, maybe they had reservation - a lot of factors can come into play. Then another group was sat before us. Okay, I had enough. I went to ask someone what was going on, in my calm drunken voice I said, "Well WTF, two groups were sat down before us and we were here first - I don't mean to be rude but thats F'ed up!" They assured us we were next and sure enough 10 minutes after my little conversation we were seated. Now we waited, and waited. Finally someone came asked what we wanted - order was put it. Waited and waited. Went to the washroom. Waited and waited. Finally food came - EVERYTHING WAS WRONG! So we went some stuff back and other cr4p wasn't messed up too bad so that was kept - plus we were all starving at this point. And again, we waited and waited. Food came out, everything seemed alright. Check came and we were being charged for everything that was made!! (Saay Whaat?!) So of course I said, "You must be crazier than a fish with titties to think I'm going to pay for that." It was fixed, and we paid - NO TIP FOR YOU! After telling my experience to a few people they told me similar - with a few exceptions. Here is my conclusion (AND BY NO MEANS AM I SAYING ITS FACT), I believe these guys are racist. Both groups that were sat before us were white, everyone around us was white (or some type of hipster thing) - my friends all agreed they felt like if they were put "in the dark corner of the bar" (Simpsons reference), except for my white friends. Man, I'm sorry but this place is no good for me and my brown/black people, save some time and money and hit up a taco joint.
(1)
M. V.
My favorite pulled pork sandwich in Chicago! Add the homemade yellow sauce & its perfection!! I enjoy the mac & cheese & cornbread as sides. Mmmmmm, Honky Tonk does carryout too.
(5)
doug k.
Excellent brisket with fun, young predomo Latino crowd....decent live music. Pilsen shld be on every tourists visit list.
(4)
Zoran O.
Brisket is out of this world - with their hot sauce - the best I've had outside of the obvious BBQ US cities like Austin, Kansas or East coast. I was very happily surprised bumping into after going there for a birthday celebration and some music. The space is really cozy and casual - as it should be for a meat consuming joint. Really nice and genuine addition to the Chicago's small and tight circle of proper BBQ joints. Looking forward to trying other items on the menu very soon!
(5)
Jessica Z.
Honky Tonk is the the reason (besides bacon) I will never be able to stop eating pork. (insert 5 stars for pulled pork here!) The location and atmosphere- unique, laid back, real tonky! (insert 5 stars here). The sides- I do really like some of the side dishes, but some could be improved (insert 4 stars here). A little sadness that they are no longer BYOB; however now they are open late (kitchen closes at 11pm still) (insert 4 stars here). A new southside dining institution: insert 5 stars here! What Smoque is to brisket, Honky Tonk is to pulled pork. I think you go to each of these places for different reasons. Overall, a solid 4.5 stars. If you like pork, you MUST go. You can bring your vegetarian friends too, they have a few options for them.
(4)
Pizz o.
Place has really great BBQ. I had pulled pork and it was amazing. Dad had ribs he liked them and so did I. Cole slaw was good. Server was so nice and helpful. Chili left a bit to be desired.
(4)
Frank L.
Checked out Honky Tonk BBY the other night and was sadly disappointed. My sister and I shared a half slab of st. louis style ribs, baby back ribs, cornbread muffines and some mac & cheese. I had a sweet tea with the meal. There was no noticeable difference between the baby back and the st. louis style ribs. neither had much flavor without the tableside sauces. (a sweet, a tangy, and a garlic sauce. The sweet seemed to go best with the ribs). The most disappointing thing about the ribs were that you really had to gnaw on the bones to get the meat off. I want my ribs to be "fall off the bone" tender, and this certainly did not meet the standard. I'll concede that someone else might enjoy ribs with a little "game" to them, but I want them to fall apart on the touch/clamp of my teeth. The cornbread muffins are great - definitely order some to pair with your meal (although a half slab does come with a dinner roll and cole slaw that is a bit to vinegar-y.). Mac and cheese was topped with something crunchy, which gave it some texture. The mac and cheese was good - another item you should complement your meal with. I had to do a double take with the sweet tea. There was SO much lemon flavor that i thought I mistakenly ordered a lemonade. Gotta mention the decor too - there is nothing pretentious about this place. during our meal, a couple of guys in cowboy hats played on a semi-stage next to the bar. You feel like you're walking into a saloon from the old west, yet modernized with flat-screen TV's and other modern day amenities. Overall I cannot recommend Honky Tonk BBQ given my taste for super succulent meat on the bone. A big helping of Honky Tonk BBQ for those: who who want a little cowboy flair to go with their bbq. Save your ride for another rodeo: if you're looking for fall-off-the-bone style ribs especially with a little more seasoning to the meat (i.e. before you have to add extra sauce)
(3)
Bradley R.
I owe the yelp world a huge apology. I was going through my reviews and I realized I had not submitted one for honkey tonk. My wife and I went there on a cold November Friday night in 2012. The place is super easy to find even for a true suburbanite like myself. Parking was about a half block down so it wasn't to bad either. We waited maybe five minutes to be seated in the main area near the bar. I cant recall what we had for a round of drinks but it didn't piss me off so it must have been OK. I do recall having the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer and being very pleased with them. We had a variety of meats which we both enjoyed for entrees as well as the sides. All of their meats were super tender and well smoked and didn't taste like they had been sitting in a warming oven for the past eight hours like some place that I wont mention their names with a Q in it. The thing I remember the most however was the hot link. I told my wife it was the most incredible sausage I had ever had and she says I raved about it for at least a month. There was a live soloist playing while we ate but the room wasn't to loud for us to talk which we used to do back than. Overall it was a great experience and I hope to get back here one day again.
(4)
Christopher G.
Fun spot, cute waitress, but the worst BBQ I've ever had. No smokey flavor to be found. Sauces lacked any special character. They bussed our food off the table with such speed without even asking (turn those tables). Oh, and we drove all that way to try this and they're out of baby backs at 8pm. Not good first impression. I'll stick to Smoke Daddy, baby.
(1)
Deez N.
pretty solid for bbq. the smokiness definitely comes out. I have been on a binge of bbq recently and I found honky tonk to be pretty decent. The brisket sandwich was my favorite here. I recently reviewed the places Q, Smoque, Fat Willys, and Smoke Daddy. All in all, the brisket sandwich here is what to come for, however, i liked the sliced brisket at Smoque the best. In terms of ribs, I prefer Q, even though its a bit pricier.
(3)
Radish E.
If you're craving some smoked meat, this place will not disappoint. I stick with the pulled pork, which comes piled high on some nice ciabatta. They do take out, but I recommend eating in so you can have your fill of the sauces on the table, all of which are tasty. I love sopping up the sauce with chunks of the bread. The side items aren't a very good value because you get such a small portion. Don't worry, the entree is plenty of food so you don't need any sides. They have some interesting artwork on the walls to check out while you're waiting for your food.
(5)
Courtney K.
I absolutely love Honky Tonk BBQ. It is nearby to my apartment, which makes it a great destination for a bike ride around Pilsen. The atmosphere of the restaurant is awesome, and sends me straight back to an old saloon I once visited in South Dakota (vague as hell, right? at least it's a fond memory.) Every time I have been there, there has been live music which really adds to the upbeat mood of the place. I love the dim lighting, the incredibly friendly service, and the pleasant waiting time. The rib tips are always juicy and tasty, and the sauces that are available to mix and match are DELICIOUS. The portions of the sides are also perfect. Please do not miss out on the macaroni and cheese as it is the best I have ever had in my life. Seriously. It is also great that a meal for two can be eaten without making your stomach drop in a bad way when you are handed the bill. Honky Tonk may be a little bit off the beaten path, but that does not mean that it should be overlooked.
(5)
Nisa D.
We went in on a Tuesday night, we didn't wait long for seating. The staff was very friendly in funky kind of way. The pork was very tender and the sauce was delicious i love that you get to pick your sauce and put as much as you want on your meat. This time we got the rib tips and they were delish also we got the family size mac n cheese we just love mac n cheese.Over all I had a great experience!
(4)
Erica T.
Honky Tonk? (Live bluegrass music playing...) Check. BBQ? (Extensive menu of pulled pork, ribs, smoked chicken, etc. etc. etc.) Check. The name pretty much says it all. OK, well maybe not - here are my two cents: They have an eclectic beer selection - bottles, no beer on tap. The Mac&Cheese was delish - reminded me of my recent trip to N. Carolina. Peach cobbler - best ever! I didn't have BBQ because I had a late lunch that day, so I can't really truly judge, but I sampled a piece of pulled pork - not your typical in that it was dry and not pulled apart, but cut into pieces - but the flavor was pretty good, and there are sauces on the table to smother your meat in.
(4)
Y B.
My husband discovered this place a few years ago while repairing their dsl services and decided to bring us here. LOVE the rib tips. Most tender pieces you can try anywhere. Mixed dining crowd and eclectic dining setting makes it homely. I would go back anytime.
(4)
Nikki C.
when the owner, sous chef and family put out their best to host a bunch of big drinking and big eating peeps from yelp it all leads to a bunch of meat comas and the need for sweatpants the next few hours if not days. slow smoked meats, home made sauces, and voice quieting sides led to a meat orgy of mega-orgasmic proportions. the place is clean and cozy, live music adding to the circus and smiling and way cute waitresses adding to the mo' bettas. yes, they have me hooked to return and try to repeat the experience. just need to wait awhile until this vytorin restores my HDL levels back to human safe levels. dats good stuffs! loved the sweet potatoes, the ribs, the pulled pork, the peach cobbler, the brisket, the beets, the byob and the love of meat felt around the room.
(5)
Carolynne M.
OK, OK, OK, sorry about my April Fool's prank (cough, not really), but here is the REAL and TRUE review that I promised! Oh, uh, first up KUDOS to Carol J, who obviously put a lot of thought and preparation into last nights event and oh my word... This place is UNBELIEVABLE! The only words I can use to describe it would be meat, meat, sauce, and meat! Don't go if you know whats good for you! Seriously, you will have to be rolled out of this place at the end and since there are some hard concrete steps outside, thats gonna hurt! I really don't want to go into too much detail about it (oh, OK if you insist!) Let's just say my all day fasting yesterday in anticipation of that dinner was... completely necessary! *groan* So, just when you think the meat has your full attention, there are these side dishes - one better than the other! Fried green tomatoes, sweet potatoes, coleslaw. Oh man. Not even one tiny thing to complain about. What the heck! Well, I guess there is a good reason this place won at the Memphis BBQ competition! I have never been so full & happy since my last foray into the world of gluttony that is the Wisconsin State Fair. Sweeeeeet. Oh and by the way, this is no joke. If you like BBQ you need to get your butt down to Pilsen, ASAP.
(5)
QB Chicago B.
So we were in the mood for some BBQ and heard from a friend that this would be the place, closest to us & should try. Well....it was a'ight....nothing special...just a'ight. The meat had great flavor & was very tender. (baby back ribs) But it was the sauce that got my panties in a bunch. Usually it's the meat that gives you the problem but here, it was the sauce! I tried all 3 that they offered and they progressively got worse. And how does fries not come with BBQ is beyond me but whateves...we tried the Mac...it too was just a'ight. Many southern offerings but none taste quit southern...nothing was horrible but all missing a lil....southern comfort. The fried green tomatoes, candied bacon (my love requested them warm...how they come cold is a wonder...mos def should revamp to serve warm...they smelled sooooo good after they were heated and everyone around us kept asking what the hell we were eating that smelled so yummy), yams...all just a'ight. Wanted desert really bad but after the meal, we decided not to chance it. So to sum it up, in a pinch, want to listen to some live dixie...fall thru...if you want a great southern BBQ meal, keep heading south...pass Pilsen.
(3)
link b.
lovely bar...very old. Nicely decorated. Good for pilsen.
(3)
Kameko G.
One star is too much for this place. The food was not edible. I bought 2 orders of Viking Short Ribs and you could not even cut the meat there was so much fat. I was so disappointed. Worst food experience ever!!! $50.00 down the drain. Do not go there!!!!
(1)
Diana R.
Thanks to Carol J for putting a great event together. All you can eat for $25.... I'm still full. Highlights: Pulled pork..... OMFG, I am never eating pulled pork anywhere else. Also, candied yams and coleslaw. yeah i said coleslaw, it was damn good. Dessert banana pudding.... i think I took the most from the whole table. oops! Also, I like that the owner came by and talked to us for a little bit, he was very relaxed and friendly, made the experience even better.
(5)
Marc B.
I'm a total BBQ fan and, to be fair, a bit of a snob. I have strong opinions on the different styles of BBQ (Memphis, Texas, KC, Carolina) and even technique preferences within these styles. So with all the attention Honky Tonk BBQ is getting in Pilsen, I had to go. Full disclosure: Several jobs back, I worked for Honky Tonk BBQ's owner, Willie Wagner, at a printing company his family owned. So when I saw that Willie had left the printing business and gone on the competition BBQ circuit, won some prizes and then opened a restaurant, I was both surprised and intrigued. Gotta say, Willie and his wife Beth have a knack for great BBQ. It is probably the best in the city, outside of maybe a few tiny places on the far South Side from my youth that may or may not even be open any more. Willie does Memphis-style BBQ (my favorite of the four styles) and offers two cuts of ribs, brisket, pulled pork, chicken and sausage. We tried the St. Louis style ribs and the brisket sandwiches as well as the fried green tomato appetizer and the mac and cheese. The brisket was just perfect, lots of smoke and tender meat that still had enough chewiness. Whatever rub he is using works well - and this is where I think Memphis technique is just so much better than the spare Texas style. Put Honky Tonk's brisket against Smoque's (the critic's fave on the North Side which specializes in Texas style BBQ) and there is no comparison - Willie's is just a more interesting, complex take. The ribs were quite good, although not in the class of the brisket. Smoke was perfect as well and I do like the rub quite a bit. But what I typically like about ordering and grilling the St. Louis cut is it gives you more meat to play with. And the cut we had at Honky Tonk were a bit more spare than I'm used to. The end result was a texture more like you get with baby back ribs. Again, nothing wrong with the technique - I just think a meatier slab would be much better. The fried green tomatoes were crunchy and good and the mac and cheese solid - but the meat was clearly the star. We will for sure go back, this is a must stop if you love BBQ. Important note: Honky Tonk only takes cash. Make sure you stop at an ATM on the way.
(4)
Fay E.
Came here with a group on a Sunday night to celebrate a friend's birthday. We got there pretty late, considering they close at 8pm. But you wouldn't have known it by the service at all. The servers were awesome, so nice, hung out and joked with us, and let us take our time. They didn't rush us at all, even though we stayed well past closing. I wanted to really love the food, but unfortunately, I didn't. We ordered the Sampler Platter, 1/2 slab of baby back ribs, mac n' cheese, beans with pork, sweet potatoes, peach cobbler and pecan pie. I love dry rub ribs and will always compare them all to the ones I've had in Memphis. But I didn't think these had much flavor at all, neither did the chicken. The chicken actually looked a little unappetizing because of the light color of the skin. You definitely needed to use the sauces on the table on everything. The sauces were pretty good though. The sides and desserts were just okay. Nothing really stood out here, which is sad, considering I've heard so much hype on various TV shows.
(2)
Damon M.
GREAT BBQ! I would consider myself somewhat of a wannabe BBQ connoisseur. The "wannabe" comes from lack of an official title. I have traveled all over this great land and have tasted all types of barbecue. Honky Tonk is absolutely top notch. Definitely have to try the split Dinky Dunkers to get a good sampling of the pork and brisket. I would advise against smothering in one of the EXCELLENT 3 table sauce options right off the bat, but rather pace your self and throw in some sauce variety with each bite. Like I said, each sauce is excellent and unique. The sides we had are also phenomenal. Mac 'n Cheese, garlic mashed, and slaw. make sure to note, these are individual sides, not sharing apps. Maybe because I'm a hog and everything was so good that I didn't want to share, but that is neither here nor there. Possibly the best feature of this amazing restaurant is that it's BYO. WHY O WHY can't all restaurants adopt this amazing trend??? The decor is fantastic - always something to look at. Really great artwork adorn the walls with everything from Dean in Giant, to Dorothy in Wizard, to a Fridaesque mural, to one of the crazier paintings that you could stare at for 20 minutes and still find something new. The music is great. I definitely do not consider myself a country music fan, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the band channeling Hank Williams throughout their set. You just can't help the toe from tapping along. We also had the opportunity to meet Willie, the Tonk's gracious and passionate owner. You could tell from the look in his eye that he knows good barbecue. Not just "knows" like knows a recipe or two... I'm saying he "knows" in the way where the gods of barbecue come to him at night and whisper in his ear. Possibly the greatest feature of this incredible spot is the one you notice as you leave, but is a quick reminder that you will be back very soon. I am speaking of the "kick here" sign on the back of the entry door. I highly enjoyed kicking there, and look forward to go back to the Tonk soon, just so I can leave and kick again - Don't know what I'm talking about? You better head on over to find out.
(5)
Edward L.
Oh A La Card. You've provided me with such insight into an otherwise insurmountable culinary journey. I went to Honky Tonk BBQ at the behest of an oft-unused A La Card. Being a native Texan I'm a little wary about barbecue especially in Illinois. Honky Tonk is a pretty tasty place but nothing extraordinarily write-home about (especially to a mom that still lives in Texas). Good: Service was pretty good. The place was pretty empty for a Sunday at around 8 pm there was one other dining table. Food came out quickly. Most of the food was pretty good. The hot link was especially tasty and the brisket was moist and flavorful without feeling too fatty. The sauces were pretty standard vinegar-based "tangy" and "sweet". The sweet was the better of the two -- offering a thick, rich, brown sugary sweetness. The tangy was just a thinner version with more vinegar to stretch it out. My favorite part was the peach cobbler. Warm and gooey without the processed peach taste and a scoop of severely rich ice cream on top. Not so good: The ribs were dry and light on the meat. The sides (beans and coleslaw) were forgettable. It's also a restaurant/bar so there were many people talking obnoxiously loud at the bar about topics that were not too appetizing. Also, the straws were inexplicably made of cardboard (or a cardboard-like material) that was odd but did result in a nice conversation piece. Bottom Line: Good (not great) option for smoked meats in Pilsen.
(3)
Dee M.
Friends of ours mentioned this place and loved the food. I saw this place showcased on Metro Mix so I was confident that with a recommendation it would be fine. Let's look at how things really played out. FIRST Time- Big football game day, Sunday- Call in the order, ask if they deliver, they said, not today, okay, we pick it up, Good food, links were awesome, potatoes have actual garlic in them, mac and cheese was okay. SECOND Time- Call at about noon- asked if they delivered because I wanted to place my order before leaving the office. They tell me, not sure, call back at 3 pm, okay I did, do you deliver? Uhhhhhh, no. OKAY, place the order anyway and pick up on the way home from work. THIRD time- big game night- call to order, they tell us ...wait for it............. we ran out of food. WHAT??!!!!! AUGH!!!! Drove past their place and low and behold!!!!! Their signs says, you guessed it.......WE DELIVER.........oh, really? My gripe with this place is that they are still unsure how to run a business. There is no consistency. Unpredictable. Delivery or not...food or not. If we order from here again, we will have a plan B...it's disappointing. Get your stuff together people. Your food is good but like some good friends, you just can't be counted on. Sorry
(3)
Ginger W.
I saw this place on Check Please and decided to give it a try. We showed up at 8:15 on Saturday night and stood in an overly crowded room until we were finally seated at 9:45. There were a couple of tables in the middle of this room with people eating. One table finished and I heard him ask the waitress if she needed the table, and she said NO!! So this guy just sits and hangs out while several other people had to stand around waiting. They also had a couple sitting at a table for four while a table for 2 sat empty. No one asked them to move to a different table for more room, so we just stood there hoping we would be seated soon. Around 9:00 the owner came by to tell us they were "low on ribs". Okay, there's still a lot of other things on the menu so no problem. When we were finally seated, the unapologetic waitress tells us "your only options left are pulled pork, beef ribs, garlic bread, and macaroni and cheese". EVERY other item was GONE. They had told us early they were low on ribs, no one mentioned they were running out of all the food they had on the menu. The waitress then tells us "you are lucky to get the beef ribs. We usually run out of those by 7:00". Really? Well then why the fuck don't you get some more?! Or at least let people know if they come in after 7 then the kitchen won't have anymore food left!! We should have just left but for some stupid reason we stayed. Half of us went with pulled pork, the other half ordered the beef ribs. When their so called award winning pulled pork arrived, it was cold and bland. Someone asked us how things were, so we told them the sandwiches were cold. They microwaved them and returned them to us but they still weren't any good. Later they did make an effort and brought us out a cold half slab of the st. louis ribs (I thought they were OUT??) and they were not good either. When the waitress brought our check, she said she didn't charge us a corkage fee since "there's no point irritating you with the charge" and walked off. I know it's not her fault for the majority of the problems but she was kind of a shit to us about everything. Seriously, one of the worst places I've been to in Chicago.
(1)
Kevin L.
I stopped by the other week and I'll give it a high "SPF" rating( Service, Price and flavor). We walked in and were giving a genuine greeting, not just one of those walmart greetings. The decor made you feel like you were not in the city. Very down to earth country feel, especially with the live music. The servers were really friendly and upbeat. they answered all our question, gave good suggestion and never lead us wrong. they made sure we had everything we needed and check up on us. The half chicken was very nice, juicey, and season very well. The st. louis and baby back ribs were very yummy. Their house sauces were not to my liking but they were not back, I just like bbq sauce to be a little smokier. But the best part of my dinning experience there was the Mac N Cheese. Three cheese mac with bread crumbs, wow, I not going to describe it just go get it if you are around the area. This place is worth your time and money.
(5)
Windy R.
Walked in and there was nobody at the bar or even in the front room to direct us. We didn't know if it was seat yourself or not. Decided to pick a table and sit down which as it turns out is how it works. Took another 7 or 8 minutes for a waitress to show up at our table. Service was very slow although the waitress, food runner, etc were all friendly enough. Food was average at best. There was a lot of fat on my pulled pork. You have to add your own sauce so there isn't much flavor on the meat without the sauce. The bun it comes in is so large it falls apart. The bun was seasoned and was tasty but overwhelms the meat. We also had ribs and mac and cheese. The ribs were extremely dry and overcooked with little taste. The mac and cheese was good. We hated the cole slaw. Nobody at my table would eat it after one bite. Another gripe was that they don't have an option for french fries as a side. We like fries with our BBQ and that was not an option. There is also no kid's menu and the menu is not kid friendly except for the mac and cheese. We won't be back. There are other much better BBQ options in the city.
(2)
W Q.
Lesson learned--never let a rockabilly make your ribs. They were so fatty and gross they ended up barfed up into a pile of snow. The pulled pork was fatty as well, plus bland. Good meat shouldn't take more than a little squirt squirty of bbq sauce but I had to drench mine just to get some flavor.
(1)
brian d.
great food, great room, great service and awesome music!
(4)
H S.
Pulled pork sandwich is as good as it gets and they don't skimp out on the pork. The ribs are excellent as well. Worth a try!
(4)
Mark L.
I have to admit up front that I love ribs from Gale St Inn, and that's the standard that I compare other rib joints to. I realize that ribs from places like Honky Tonk, are deep smoked for a long time, and are usually not as tender as Gale St. That being said, I still like to try new places for BBQ. I had high hopes for HT, but was let down from the moment we walked through the door. We waited at the front, where one would expect a hostess to be. We waited and waited, all the while staff kept walking past us without asking if we had been taken care of. After around 10 minutes of the uneasiness of just standing there, I asked if we were supposed to talk to someone about a table, or if it was self-service seating. The waitress said she would try to find a table for us. She did find one and said she'd clear it off for us. Once again we found ourselves just standing there, as the waitress never returned. Luckily someone else took it upon them self to prep the table. Not a great start, but a good meal could easily erase the bad start. I ordered a slab of baby backs, and my wife asked for a pulled pork sandwich, along with a large mac n' cheese as an appetizer. We waited at least 30 minutes before the waitress came and told us there was a delay due to a 'technical issue' in the kitchen. Eventually, the meal came, appetizer and dinners together. The mac was more like mac and no cheese. Very poorly made and bland tasting. The real disappointment was the ribs. I have smoked ribs in my Weber a few times, and these were identical to mine. Not tender, but chewy and a little tough, with very little meat. Maybe they order a cheaper cut to keep their price down? I did like the flavor of the dry rub they use, and the sauces on the table were pretty good also. My wife liked her pulled pork sandwich and the sauces also. I expected that 'award winning' ribs would be better than what I could make at home, but I guess not. After we were done, I asked the waitress if they had any wet naps, a standard item at BBQ joints. She returned with 2 paper towels, one with water and one dry. Not what I really asked for..... The best part of the evening was the price, very reasonable at $35 for the both of us. If it wouldn't have been for the price, I would have given them 1 star. I wasn't crazy about the neighborhood, safety-wise. As soon as we parked, a tattooed gang-banger wanna be was eying our car. I couldn't get that image out of my mind during the dinner. The car was intact, so no harm done. Also, there were a lot of people walking in the front door, and wandering around trying to get seated. They need a designated greeting area for a hostess. I like to give a restaurant at least a couple of tries before I write them off, so we will be going back, maybe I'll try the St. Louis ribs and a different side.
(2)
gary g.
i am not really a big fan of BBQ food but this place is great. i go here with a friend of mine and we order the same thing everytime. i get the ribtips and she gets the brisket sandwich. i would like to try something else and i know i wouldnt be disappointed but its hard to pass up the ribtips. its a dry rub on the ribs so you dont get dirty while you eat. there is a few choices of BBQ sauce that you can add on the table. its a good place to go have a few beers with your buddies but i like to watch ESPN or a game if im drinking and i dont remember seeing tvs there. all in all though i strongly recommend.
(4)
B. L.
I love this place! It has an awesome casual & fun ambiance, with live music and awesome art work covering the walls, but best of all the food is delicious and really, really affordable. I'm going to become a regular here in no time.
(5)
Mina G.
My husband and I had dinner at Honky Tonk tonight because we have been hearing rave reviews about it. Including an interview some time back on NPR about the BBQ sauce. Then we saw that it was featured on Check Please and we figured we better hurry and see what all the rage is about. We were lucky to beat the dinner rush, we got there about six and left about an hour later when the crowds were arriving. I got the baby back ribs--this one was a clear winner--it was like summer in my mouth. My husband got the pulled pork sandwich and we both agreed that it was pretty mediocre. The BBQ sauces were pretty awesome and that made the pulled pork bearable. The sides are a tad bit on the modest side especially when you factor in the price. There was nothing spectacular about them. The cornbread muffins were baked too long and blackened towards the bottom, dry and bland. (The Jiffy box mix turns out a more delectable batch.) The mac n cheese was nothing to run home about and we suspect the pork and beans were from a can. The cole slaw was nothing inspiring. The stingy sides were for good reason, it meant plenty of room for desert. We shared a Banana Pudding dish. And that was a clear winner, it was sweet, creamy, and pretty heavenly. The decor was pretty eclectic and kitschy. I didn't mind the ceramic pigs, or the print of Johnny Cash or the HUGE Marcos Raya wall mural. What could have improved my experience would have been comfortable seating. The theater seats lining their west dining room wall did not make for the most comfortable seating but it was one of our only options since the other smaller tables with two regular chairs were taken and we didn't exactly want to take up a table for a party of six. Is the stage area for the live music really necessary? Bathroom was clean but out of tp...ahem, luckily I was only in there to wash my hands before dinner and there were plenty of paper towels. The waitress and busboy should switch jobs. He needs a promotion and she needs a demotion. Her service was dry and she seemed confused but the busboy was super nice, friendly and knowledgeable--he volunteered to share the specials and encouraged us to save room for desert, she seemed to just want to turn the table and collect her tip. We were a little slow to order but the food arrived quickly. We will probably only return for takeout (and that's because we finally have a decent BBQ place close to us.) We will stick to the meats and deserts.
(3)
Sean C.
this place is freakin great.......twe tried the pulled pork, baby back ribs, and the rib tips.....all good, the fried green tomatoes and mac and cheese were silly good. when you do try this place, you CANNOT leave without having desert, because it is really the icing on the cake.we had tried the banana bread pudding, and the peach cobbler, and I was shaking my head with every bite. the live music and good service made the experience that much better.
(5)
Jen M.
This is my new favorite spot in Chicago. I visited in January during a blizzard with a large group and Honky Tonk was full of life. The ambiance was fun and upbeat and there just happened to be live music that night! We brought a few bottles of wine & beer since it's a BYOB and the staff was accommodating. They gave us buckets of ice to put our beer in and provided a bottle opener. The service is great - friendly, helpful and down to earth. All the sides are delicious. We tried almost everyone and I would recommend the pork & beans, mac & cheese and mashed potatoes. The pulled pork sandwich is smoky and tender. The BBQ sauces are great, I used both on my sandwich. I ended up coming back 2 weeks later and tried the chili which is very hearty and flavorful. I went home full, tipsy and very satisfied.
(5)
Abbey H.
I've lived across the street from Honky Tonk for a couple years now and when it was just the restaurant, I'll admit that I wasn't really all that interested. As a vegetarian, a place with "BBQ" in the title doesn't really pique my interest (though there are a couple vegetarian entrees on the menu and some tasty sides-- Fried Green Tomatos? Yes please!). But the new bar that they've opened has quickly become a solid reason for me to never to move out of the neighborhood. It's so wonderfully laid back, dark but not too dark, great live music, never empty but never too crowded, lots of funky things to look at on the walls and the most gorgeous old bar I've ever seen. We were told the building used to be a union hall and the bar was brought down from the second floor piece by piece. I can't imagine what a hassle that was, but it was totally worth it. Plus, the drinks are cheap, the staff is friendly and you can almost always get a comfy booth to sit at-- what more could you ask for?
(5)
A M.
I am a fan of the brisket and their desserts. It's close to the house and good. Can't ask for any better. And if you go on a certain day, they had 2 guys playing the youkalaylees. It's a neat place. Def have to check out.
(4)
Tom A.
I saw this restaurant on the PBS, "Check Please" program. They raved about the place and I went there with high expectations. My advice is don't believe the hype. The restaurant is located in the rejuvenated Pilsen area. The restaurant is housed in a beat-up building that was formerly the home of a bar. I went there on a Saturday night and the place was very crowded (Check Please was repeated the previous night). The restaurant is in dire need of repair and...well, furniture. I felt like I was eating in a Thrift store. Service was very slow. While waiting, I had a conversation with an older man at the next table. He was eating a slab of St. Louis ribs. I asked him how the ribs were and he said he has had "much better ribs, all across Chicago." I dismissed his opinion, until I received my food. I ordered their baby backs and my companion had a pulled pork sandy. Both were devoid of taste and barely adequate. Both dishes were dry and tasteless. The sides of slaw, mac and cheese and green fried tomatoes were adequate. The mac and cheese looked like it came right out of the box from Kraft. The slaw is of the vinegar variety. The green fried tomatoes were nothing to write home about. They offer you a choice of three BBQ sauces, all of which were unremarkable The restaurant is BYOB. This is always a great deal, which allows you to buy alcohol at less than half price. However, I would recommend Smoque as an example of what a great BYOB BBQ restaurant could be! Don't believe the hype!
(1)
Beer H.
I am so glad that I finally went to Honky Tonk! I could not be happier with my experience! My wife and I went after work this past week. We got there a little late, and there were only a few other tables. However, I am sure this place is booming on Friday and Saturday nights. Our server was very attentive, and our food was out in a flash. I ordered the St Louis style ribs, they were very very very good! I was going to bring half for lunch the next day, but I ended up just finishing them off! My wife got the pulled pork sandwich. Not only was it some of the best looking pork I have ever seen, it tasted great! Nice smoke ring on both the ribs and pork. The mustard sauce was exactly what should be served with St. Louis style ribs if you ask me, so that was a nice addition! They do not serve alcohol, but they are BYOB. They do charge a dollar per person if you bring your own alcohol, but that is nothing! I don't think they even charged us. You can tell that they really care about their product. I will be going here for a long time! I can't wait to goo back!!!!!!!
(5)
Jason T.
This is an odd area for a BBQ place. You may only want to carry enough money to pay for your food around this place. The food was just ok. For all the hype that surrounds this place, it wasn't all that. I got the brisket sandwich. It was pretty dry. My friend got the half slab of ribs which barely had any meat on them. The menu is pretty pricey. However, The best thing on the menu is the hot links. The staff was ok and the place was clean. Parking was not good, you will probably have to get a meter. If you live more that 15 minutes away or you are not in the area, don't make a special trip.
(3)
Donald R.
We tried Hony Tonk last night at the recommendation of a good friend who lives just down the street from it in Pilsen. We love BBQ and were thrilled to check this one out. We had also not eaten since breakfast and were eager to get our food on. Since many reviewers have already detailed the layout of the place, I won't dwell on that, other than to say the area where you wait for your table is welcoming, but not comfortable. I ordered the baby back ribs, my partner and our buddy ordered the St. Louis ribs. We also tried several sides. The center section of the baby back ribs were meaty and tender, but the only burst of flavor was found in a piece of fat on the back. The meat was tender, but bland. The ends of the rack were dry, to the point of being like jerky. Reviews from our table of the St. Louis ribs were mixed (we brought home quite a few meat laden bones for our dogs). Sides were greatly disappointing too. The pork with beans serving size was embarrassingly small. Seriously...there were maybe 6 tablespoons of beans or less and not a trace of pork. Not one. The seasoning was also heavy handed and did not taste like it had been simmered, but rather added just before serving. The corn muffins (a favorite food of mine) were dry and rather dull. I tried two of them and neither tasted anything like the other. One tasted like the batter had not been mixed well. They were large. That's the best I can say about them. Banana Pudding dessert was delicious, as was the chocolate cheesecake. Service was quite nice. The young man that served us was attentive, personable, and knew his stuff. The bill for 3 came to $68, before tip. Cash only. It was good to get out and try something new, as always. But when we crave BBQ, we'll still want to head to Smoque.
(2)
P C.
very good and nice people, and nice atmosphere. TOTAL PACKAGE
(4)
cory a.
As a Texan in Chicago, I will tell you straight up that this is great bbq and deserving of the awards it has won. The meat comes sauceless, Memphis style, so you can add your own to your specifications. And the sauces, by the way, are made on the premesis - a bottle of sweet and a bottle of spicy is at your table. The pulled pork is without question my fav, with the brisket a close second. I also strongly recommend the mac n' cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, and the desserts. They also feature some great local country bands on the weekends, which adds to the down-home folk-art ambiance. Right now the place is cash only and BYOB. They've recently expanded into a second dining room/bar, and they are working on a liquor license. I'd say the prices are on-par with similar places in Chicago.
(5)
Lauren B.
If craving meat, this place is perfect. I've twice ordered carryout and the service was really quick. The dining area has a laid-back casual vibe, and I believe that it is byob. The menu is rather limited, but both the pulled-pork sandwich and the brisket that I have tried are delicious.
(4)
Fredo M.
I have lived in Texas and have traveled to St. Louis and Memphis many times. When I read some of the reviews it is funny how some people don't know a damn thing about BBQ and just make themselves look like idiots, there are many styles of BBQ.I was here when this place first opened and yes it is small and it makes it worse when a bunch inconsiderate people sit around drinking long after their meals due to it being B.Y.O.B. Anyway the food was great not the best BBQ I have ever had but it was very tasty and authentic. This place seems to be doing well and I believe that it is time to expand this the dinning area and change the location of the restrooms.
(4)
Tom B.
For those of you who've been to Texas - for a baseline - I'm a huge fan of Rudy's. Anyways, on to Honky Tonk. I was with a group of 6. We were in the dining room at a circular table, perfect for a social group. Nothing special, some cool artwork, some weird. Honestly, who cares, its BBQ, not a high end establishment. It was hot and steamy in there, kind of added to the experience, though I couldn't wait to turn the AC on. We ordered texas brisket chili, mac&cheese, black eyed peas and 2 specials - fried green tomatoes and empanadas. All were very good - favorite was the chili. Perfect for a cold day in chicago, can't wait to visit in the winter and get a huge bowl. For dinners, people ordered ribs, bbq pork sandwiches and the brisket sandwich. All received good reviews - my brisket sandwich was great. I combined a few bbq sauces and the sourdough? bun was a great treat. All in all, left very full and very satisfied. Definitely will return.
(4)
Barry G.
I wanted to rate this place on its food alone, without the taint of atmosphere. I got a sampler to go, with a side of mac'n'cheese. I consider myself a hard critic of barbecue. I've had lots of it, some great, some terrible. I prefer pork over beef. I am not a fan of chicken except when fried or in paprikash. I dream of one day being Abe Froman, the sausage king of Chicago. With all of that laid out on the table, with my preferences and prejudices out in the open, here is my rating of the sampler, in order of bad to good. Spare ribs, brisket, pulled pork, back ribs, hot links, chicken. I don't know what what they season their meats with, if anything at all. Everything was bland but with a pleasant but faint smoke aroma. The spare ribs were moist but too lean, and generally didn't taste like much. The brisket was bland and too dry and lean, with a slightly smokier aroma. The pulled pork was bland but with a nice smoke and a little bit of desired fat. The back ribs were nicely done, but bland. The hot links were spot on, but it's hard to screw up a sausage. The surprising winner was the chicken, which was nicely seasoned, beautifully smoked, perfectly fatty, moist breast. I loved it, and may I remind you, I think chicken is booooring. The sauce was nice, a lingering ring of vinegar brought much needed life to the otherwise bland four-legged meats. The cornbread was meh. The mac'n'cheese was not worth $3.50. The cole slaw one-sided, too celeryseedy. The bread was too chewy without a nice crust. At $30, this sampler isn't cheap, and the place doesn't take credit cards. Bring a pile of cash if you're buying for a group. I'll go back a second time, but if things aren't very different, I'll have to say this one isn't worth a third time.
(2)
andrea l.
Wow. This place has delicious food, which is good because there isn't really any other BBQ around. I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was awesome. I like when BBQ places let me put my own sauce on, but sometimes the unsauced meat looks pretty gross. This pork was definitely an exception, the meat looked amazing- and it was! All the sauces taste good, so I mixed them all together and it was really tasty. I had the mac n cheese which was pretty good as well. My husband had the st. louis style ribs and he LOVED them, which is hard to do b/c he is extremely picky, he believes these to be better than smoque's. We got to hear an explanation from a lady who I believe is an owner about why st. louis is so much better. You can tell she is passionate about ribs and the proof is in how awesome everything there tastes. We will be going back to try the brisket hopefully soon! Beyond the delicious and fairly priced food, the service was excellent. My new fave BBQ spot
(5)
Mark T.
I probably should have gone for the pulled pork, since that is what they got the trophy for at BBQ competition, but I'm a sucker for brisket, and theirs is supposed to be good, so I had to try it - along with a sausage. The sausage was very greasy, and had decent Texas style flavor, although a long way from the best I've had. The mustard BBQ sauce went well with the sausage. The bread on the brisket sandwich was a little crumbly and eventually fell apart, but had a good taste to go with the brisket. The brisket was also greasy and was also a little crumbly. I would rate the BBQ as acceptable, but not great. The place was so dark, it was hard to see my food, but I didn't need to see the dessert. The banana pudding was very, very good! Because it had about 2 inches of whipped cream on top, and vanilla wafers embedded along with pieces of banana, the pudding was closer to a banana cream pie than a pudding. I probably wouldn't go back for the BBQ, but I would definitely go back for the banana pudding.
(3)
Aron P.
Best brisket around. Ribs r to die for.
(5)
Andy M.
I used to live within a mile of Honky Tonk BBQ. For that reason, I probably gave this place a few more chances than I would have otherwise. The first time I ordered from here, I had the St. Louis ribs, which were pretty bland and overcooked on the ends. None of their sauces were particularly good either, which might explain why they only give them to you on the side. I tried the chili on my second visit, which tasted okay, though was aesthetically extremely unappealing. The color of it was surprisingly dark and there were pools of oil separation that didn't mix into the chili no matter how much I stirred it. On my last visit, I tried the viking beef short ribs, which just flat-out sucked. It was way overpriced, alarmingly fatty and mostly flavorless. Do not get this. I would have appreciated a decent BBQ place close to home, but after a while, I had to give up on Honky Tonk. All the atmosphere in the world doesn't matter if your food is substandard. I've tried a handful of BBQ places in Chicago, and honestly, I don't know of a place I was more disappointed in than Honky Tonk.
(2)
Rochelle W.
Overall, the food was delicious and the decor was great as well. The only downside was the wait for a table and the amount of waiting space available. I think we had about a 45 min wait, where I was able to squeeze into a seat at the bar while my boyfriend had to stand behind me and dodge passing servers and other patrons. They had a live country violinist performing, which was entertaining. While we waited we were able to get 4 beers for 10$ which was a good price in my opinion... When our name was called we got a seat in the back dining room. It had a feel of a house in the old south or something, with dishes and pictures and random memorabilia on the wall (think cracker barrel style). Anyway, I got the rib tips, and my bf got the hot link sandwich. I REALLY wanted to try the fried green tomatoes but I remembered I had some homemade ones leftover at my place and opted out. The ribs were VERY tender and the variety of sauces they had were great! My bf enjoyed his sandwich as well, but the highlight was the mac and cheese. Boy was it cheesy, gooey, thick and topped with breadcrumbs....everything i was looking for.... Our total bill was around 30 for the food and drinks. I cant wait to return! (Minus the long uncomfortable wait)
(4)
Jeff H.
Hipsters serving BBQ. Our server acted like she was annoyed by us from the get go but manager was very nice. Food had good flavor, but came out room temp. Did like the jazz band that played and the decor was nice.
(3)
Jennifer S.
Best barbecue I've had in Chicago. My friend and I ordered the brisket and pulled pork platter to share, which came with one side. We chose mashed potatoes and also ordered fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. The meat was delicious. Loved the barbecue sauces too. The portions were generous. I like the atmosphere with the mirrored bar and live music. Next time, I'll have try different sides and appetizers. I thought the mashed potatoes were too garlicky and their texture felt as if they were from a box. The batter on the fried green tomatoes was too thick- it should just be a thin coating and crispy. And the sauce on the tomatoes tasted like cocktail sauce- strange. But having spent a lot of my life in the deep South, I will say the barbecue is the best I've had in Chicago, which was a nice treat for me.
(4)
Lulu R.
I know I am a statistic that gives into fantastic review of places on Yelp and visits them. Its me. Guilty as charged. We share this giant bbq platter that had everything bbq under the sun. It had a pulled pork sandwich which I added the slaw on top of to complete the "pulled pork experience". They had homemade sausages which thier homemade mustard bbq suace was perfect for, brisket perfectly cooked and sliced, and smoked chicken. I really couldn't complain about the food. The server was hard to catch due to the overflow of customers steadily piling in. The walls are like some sort of art show. Some of the paintings are hideous but ...hey this isnt my spot. Real hipster kind of place. Reminded me of wicker park. The place smelled real old though...kind of like moldy wood. It was really loud and we couldnt have too much conversation. The bbq was good though. So its and eye for an eye.
(4)
Britney R.
I live 3 blocks away and had not only seen the place 100x but had heard people talk about it several times. I mean, it was on DD&D. So we decided to check it out last weekend. We ordered the bacon candy, which was good, but nothing spectacular. I ordered the pulled pork and baked beans. My bf ordered the brisket and mac n cheese. The beans were completely bland (this is after they bought greens instead of beans). The pulled pork was just ok. The brisket was good and the Mac and cheese was also good. But overall, it was pretty average. Our server was pretty blah and didn't really make the experience much better. I'd like to say I'll be back for the live music, but their drinks/specials are not even that good so... Meh
(2)
Michael P.
I'm reading the other reviews thinking of what to put and I'm reading that they won a prize for their pulled pork? So when I asked the waitress the house special, why did she say the brisket? Anyway, I got five slices of brisket on a huge bun - there was not enough brisket for a regular sized sandwich (a rip-off right there) and then they compound it by making it look even smaller on this huge bun. It was all bun. Didn't taste good either, and to be honest, the BBQ sauces tasted off as well. Also got the black-eyed peas. Now, I make BEP at home and they're pretty good - as in, I can eat a pound of them at one sitting. These? Ate two bites - one to try, the second to confirm that they didn't taste any good. Too much pepper or something. Ate a bit of Flowers' veggie sandwich, not good at all - had a funny taste to it. Last, is everyone in Pilsen high and angry? Even had a problem with some pigeons. Not coming back. Save your Q for someplace better. One flag. More flags, more fun!
(1)
David C.
Ahhhh go here, worth ..... Just tried this place out randomly since its somewhat close to my place and wow what a joint. Live music starting at 8, great BBQ, great apps, nice ambiance, people are friendly, service is great! It works. Pleasantly surprised 10/10 would bang!
(5)
Mr. P.
I have been wanting to come here for years after seeing them on Check Please many years ago. Since they have never been open for lunch, it has been challenging to get here but I finally made it out here last night. Based on currently reviews here that I decided to read AFTER dining there, something has gone very wrong with the food here recently. On a side note, I know my BBQ to a high degree and have experienced even disappointing BBQ places in Chicagoland better than Honky Tonk. I'll just get right to the food: We started with a cup of steak chili. It was not bad, but it reminded me of Chunky Soup sirloin steak chili with more spices and ingredients added to it. I asked the waitress if she recommend the Viking Short Ribs - they SOUNDED amazing and they are only available on Friday and Saturday. They were as pricy as a full slab of ribs - but I have had some great short ribs before at other places (not BBQ, but braised). The waitress said she definitely recommended them. My girlfriend ordered the pulled pork sandwich, and we shared a side of garlic mashed. Viking Short Ribs: It looked wonderful until I cut into it. It was huge but 15% of it was edible meat, the rest was gobs and gobs of fat. The thin layer of meat that was on the surface did not taste good, had little flavor and I had to use the mustard BBQ sauce to make it edible. We complained at the end of our meal that it was inedible and it was mostly fat... I tore it apart looking for meat to eat with no success. She came back and told us "the cow was fatty, sometimes the cow is fatty, I'm very sorry." Hmmm blame the cow! She brought us a free banana pudding dessert which we really didn't want or ask for because we were so disappointed in everything, we ate it anyway and couldn't wait to get out of there. Pulled pork sandwich: Not smokey, little flavor, fatty, NOT PULLED - it was large chunks of pork that had to be cut up with a knife, it was not tender and did not come apart easily. Fat pieces were evident - the fat should have melted off in the BBQ process. Bread on both dishes: Dry, stale, inedible. Coleslaw: Dry, no flavor, no vinegar... maybe it was hiding at the bottom of the dish but it tasted to dry and bland, we were done with it immediately - it tasted like dry salad. Garlic mashed: Very whipped potatoes, with a piece of garlic clove on top. I couldn't taste the garlic very much in the potatoes - they were whipped so fine I almost thought they were boxed mashed potatoes but I found a small chunk of potato in them once in a great while. Sorry Honky Tonk, we shall not be returning. :-( first visit VERY BAD.
(1)
Natalie L.
Loved the atmosphere here. Service was good and the prices were reasonable. But I did not care for my pulled pork sandwich. I did not care for the bread and the pork was dry. The mac and cheese was fantastic and everyone else at our table liked their bbq platters. So it seemed like I ordered the wrong thing.
(3)
Jennifer K.
Two thumbs down for Honky Tonk. Reasons being: 1) Terrible customer service. Servers being unfriendly is one of the main reasons I'm not coming back. 2) The food is just OK. Yea, it's good, but I've had better. 3) The music is great; just too loud. Plus's 1) The decor is fantastic. 2) The prices on the food is affordable.
(2)
Cristina T.
Honky Tonk had been on my Chicago BBQ bucket list for a while, and after I moved pretty close to it, it was only a matter of time before I tried it. We ordered carry out from there on Friday and it only took about 15 minutes to be ready. I loved the interior of the restaurant. It was spacious and there was live music. Definitely would love to come back to watch a band. We ordered the sampler platter and a side order of mac and cheese. Definitely waaaay too much for 2 people, but at least we had plenty of leftovers. The chicken was very moist and delicious as was the brisket. I loved the pulled pork but unfortunately the bf finished off the majority of it. As for the ribs, our 1/2 rack was really small and hardly had any meat. Mac and Cheese was divine. I loved the corkscrew noodles and the white cheese sauce. The coleslaw was also light and refreshing. As for the cornbread? I love all types of cornbread and this one was a unique one. Tasted more like a corn fritter and had big pieces of corn in it. Yummy. Overall, I think I would go back to Honky Tonk more for the atmosphere than the food. There are some standout items, but I will still be on my quest for great BBQ in Chicago.
(4)
Jarrod R.
I would give this place three and half stars if that were an option, but can't quite justify four. On a side note, if you are from out of town and taking a cab here make sure you specify the address as S. Racine because as it turns out, N. Racine is nowhere close. After an 86 mile, three hour cab ride (ok slight exaggeration), I was starving in the literal sense and figuratively with anticipation. By the way, you know the cab fare is going to hurt when you've had to stop for gas twice. The location...on S. Racine...as it turns out, is an older building in a slightly shady looking area of town. With that said, when it comes to great BBQ I learned to absolutely never question either. As for the food, I started with a cup of the brisket chili and I will never forget it. This was the first time I've ever seen brisket in chili and it was incredible. The chili was very flavorful with just the right kick of spice and laden with tender chunks of savory brisket. I would definitely go back just for the chili. Another thing the Honky Tonk is doing well is their cornbread. This was a grandma needs to check on her recipe because she's got real competition with this one, kind of good. Unfortunately it was the main course that took this review from a solid four to a three for me. If you've ever read any of my previous BBQ reviews you can probably guess I went with the brisket and in this case, the brisket sandwich. Right off the bat I notice that the brisket is very heavily seasoned, as in on top and after the fact. I am all for a precooked rub, but am not accustomed to seeing legitimate brisket requiring seasoning on top. However the real issue for me was just the immense amount of fat and gristle that was left on the sliced brisket. What can I say, I like my women thick and my brisket thin. It's one thing if it's sliced brisket on a plate where it can easily be trimmed, but not easily option when it's already lathered in sauce and on a sandwich. I am not completely sold on the idea of brisket on seasoned ciabatta bun (as you'll find here) either. Maybe it's just the traditionalist in me, but I prefer my BBQ on plain white sliced bread or a bun. Aside from the food I really liked the unique decor from another era and was especially fond of the painting of Hank Williams Sr. The service here was outstanding and all of the servers were very friendly and attentive. Lastly, the live music was a nice touch and really rounded out the BBQ experience and honky tonk feel.
(3)
Eric R.
We had a great time here. There was a live band playing the rock and roll classics, and the BBQ is legit! If it's your first time there the sample platter is the way to go.
(5)
Brad S.
A friend and I went after the first round of NFL games a couple Sundays ago and I have to say...AMAZING BBQ!!!! I highly recommend starting (or finishing) with the CANDY BACON!!!! Absolutely....absolutely phenomenal! I ordered the 2 meat combo w/ a hot link and was thoroughly amazed! Only thing I wish they had was a spicy/hot bbq sauce, though I admit I didn't ask if they did. The service was great, we got there right when they opened on a Sunday and got our food relatively quick. Reasonably priced and completely worth it!
(4)
Jessica V.
I've came here about four times in the past year.... I really liked it but this last time was bad..... There was 7 of us I bragged about honky tonk a lot to my friends and was let down...... The brisket sandwich was ok but the pulled pork was a joke..... One of my friends got burnt ends and the bread is horrible..... I will not come back because I do not support restaurants that done make things better.... U guys have to do something about ur ciabatta bread..... Guy From food network brought me to this place but again every time it getting worse... Thanks.
(2)
James T.
I usually get carry out since it is so close to my apartment. Pretty good BBQ. The brisket and pulled pork meat are tender. The links are good, nothing unique but they are enjoyable. The chili is delicious, comes with huge chunks of meat. The causes I tried were their tangy and sweet. The tangy sauce was meh, but the sweet sauce was damn good. Overall friendly service, large space for groups, and there were times they had my carryout order done within 10 minutes. The prices are comparable to other bbq places like smoque or lillies cues. The 3 stars is for the food. The bbq is pretty good, but I wasn't blown away. That is not a bad thing though. Honky Tonk is a friendly place with a lot of options, so check it out for yourself.
(3)
Justin B.
Honky Tonk } Smoque } Pork Shoppe After finally making a trek down to Honky Tonk after what seemed like months on end, I must admit, I am definitely impressed! Walking into the joint I immediately felt I was in for quite a food experience. Just looking at the menu had me jumping in my seat. Bacon candy!? A variety of whiskey cocktails!? Be still my swine beating heart. I opted to go w the brisket sandwich, mac n cheese, garlic mash, and a hot link on the side. The hot link was phenomenal, the garlic mash very light and creamy, the mac n cheese creamy and flavorful, and the brisket...wow. Soft, meaty, succulent pieces of meat piled onto a ciabatta roll...heaven on a bun. I managed to snag a few rib tips from my buddy who went with me and I must admit, they have some beastly sized rib tips! I will definitely be going back here to try the ribs, there was so much on the menu that jumped out at me but I knew not to overload myself. I recommend going with a few of your friends to take advantage of the portion size! Hats off to Honky Tonk!
(5)
John M.
Twice I have come here in my search for the perfect beef brisket in Chicago. Twice I was compelled to send the brisket back to get it heated up. In this case, two strikes and you are out. If I wanted cold beef I would go to the deli and order it. I am afraid this place will never live up to it's potential. I don't see it being around too much longer. Too bad. Chicago could have really used another decent place for beef brisket.
(1)
Armand K.
Walk in, immediately your mind travels... This place is huge, that art is as eclectic as it gets, and the smell is so incredible it could be a menu item. Okay, now I'm hungry, but wait a beer would be nice. As if your mind was read, a pint of Old Style and a piece of bacon candy for $5, where am I again, because I already don't want to leave. Before I go further, what's bacon candy? A thick cut piece of bacon smoked in maple syrup and crusted with brown sugar. More simply put; amazing. Okay so where were we; beer, check. Appetizer, check. Now for the main course, a sizable half rack of baby back ribs. Smoked for hours, as tender as a beef stew, with a bark like a great oak. On it's own they're good, but after tinkering with the three house sauces (sweet BBQ, tangy BBQ, and garlic mustard) you really have something worth writing home about. Before we finished our meal, a nice added touch was the live pianist. I personally felt like a not so well-dressed cast member dining in a saloon of the Boardwalk Empire stage set. Make your way to the West side and check this place out, 4.5 stars.
(4)
Jackie O.
I remember the first time I went here, before there was a snazzy bar. The food was decent, the service was slow as molasses, and the band was great. I couldn't justify a 30min. drive cross-city when I could hit up some great places in my neck of the woods. Now I have that reason, and it is BACON CANDY. They caramelize brown sugar, and then soak bacon in it and let it cool. Crunchy bacon candy. At least, I think that's how it's made. I have no idea. If you have 2-3 people, the $30 sampler patter is the way to go. It comes with pulled pork, brisket, hot links, ribs, chicken, slaw, beans, cornbread... etc. Between two people, we had leftovers. For booze, their bourbon cocktails are well crafted. I had moonshiner's lemonade (but I switched out Maker's for Buillet). If I remember right, and I probably don't, it had Acai berry liquor, bitters, lemonade, and a bourbon soaked cherry.
(5)
Juli A.
Damn good BBQ in a neighborhood known for anything but. I remember the first time I ordered and the owner's wife delivered my dinner. They know how to BBQ and while delivery was awesome, I rather prefer dining in.
(4)
Raul Z.
I thought it was great good food good beer terrific music live band and not so expensive for two people drinks and food $ 30.00 a person...
(4)
Emily C.
Yee-haw. Honky Tonk is famous for their brisket -- stick to it. It was by far the best of all of their meats. I also loved the mac and cheese, which had a sharp cheddary flavor and a hardened parmesan crust. They also have a full bar. Honky Tonk has a large interior and is a great spot for groups. When I went they had live country folk music, which really added to the country-style ambiance. The barbeque is not on the same level as, say, Smoque, but the dining experience is far nicer. In short, go here for ambiance and brisket. Oh, and Pilsen, if that's your thing.
(3)
Yesy D.
What can I say I love this place! It's a little pricey but I love the location, atmosphere and of course the food. They have the best beef brisket I've ever tasted and the live music adds to the experience. We've always had great luck with the waiters. Special side note: If you are a garlic lover, you will LOVE the garlic mashed potatoes.
(4)
Mandy A.
Came here on a random, rainy Saturday night with the husband and it was, as they say, all that. Had to wait a bit but we grabbed some beers and listened to the live jazz duo. Decor is cool and vintage and farm-y and weird. Lots of portraits of awkward individuals. Once we were seated we decided on the candy bacon as an appetizer. I mean, have you ever eaten bacon with a fork and knife before? You know it's going to kind of be good and make you want to throw up at the same time. The candy glaze and the salt fat made a good combo but holy mother that was like the equivalent of a whole package of bacon from the store. What a way to start it off. We split their sampler platter since we figured it was the best of everything and oh, it was. Ribs, delicious. Pulled pork and brisket sliders, both delicious. Hot links, I don't even consider myself a big sausage fan and these too were delicious. BBQ chicken, yep. Corn bread muffins, hell yes. Skipped the beans because beans are gross. I asked my husband which was his favorite and he couldn't decide. I asked which was his least favorite and he couldn't decide. Hence, everything is awesome. Pretty cheap overall, about $70-ish with a couple drinks. Pretty great date night.
(5)
Josan K.
Not the best, not the cheapest, not the greatest. It's decent, but better options for the money. The ambiance is great. Live music, great decor. Helpful, good servers. Candied bacon and beer special is plus!
(3)
Michael R.
we own a uber busy venue on Randolph street and I only mention that because we are a food and beverage biased destination. The visit to honky tonk was a total sensory 5 star experience. I will leave the irritating details to the yelpers that feel they are food critics,and probably have not even lived long enough to have any caveat to comment.I do not know how anyone could think other than I do...I always am amazed at the less well traveled and seasoned diner denegrating a genious and well poised establishement.Wait did I just review Yelp reviewers??? :LOL OMG my BFFs
(5)
Kat M.
Did you hear the one about the vegetarian who went to the barbeque joint? She had a surprisingly good meal! Normally, I don't seek out such places, but I have married into a pork-loving family, so Father's Day Dinner found me at the Honky Tonk Barbeque seated at a table with several pounds of smoked meat. All in all the experience was not as traumatic as one would think. They don't take reservations for parties smaller than ten, so we had a bit of a wait when we got there at five. That was okay. There was ample room at the bar. Their cocktail list is kinda fun. Nothing that blew me away, but I did enjoy the bourbon-soaked cherries that garnish many a drink. So we sat a bit, enjoying our drinks and listening to a fellow crooning cowboy music (quite a pleasant voice, by the way). And after about 20 minutes, they had a table for us. In-laws ordered many great slabs of meat. I can't say too much about it. They seemed to enjoy it. Everyone was pretty happy when all was done. And I was happy, too. The thing I like about Honky Tonk is that the vegetarian menu does not seem like an afterthought. There's some good stuff there! Most of the sides are veggie. Think traditional comfort food: Mac and Cheese, Candied Yams, Black-eyed peas... You get the picture. The salads are well done. I enjoyed the "Girlfriend Salad" - jicama, blueberries and goat cheese. I also enjoyed the fact that they had a menu item called the Girlfriend Salad! Corn bread muffins are warm and yummy. The "Green BLT" features a tasty fried green tomato, and vegetarians can substitute a Portobello mushroom for the bacon. Great sandwich! I recommend slathering on the garlic mustard sauce. For dessert we shared some peach cobbler and banana pudding - yes, with Nilla Wafers. Both quite good. The place itself is kitschy-cool: amateur artist oil-paintings line the walls. There's live music. Service was a bit on the slow side, but very pleasant. I wouldn't hesitate to go back. In summary: If you are a vegetarian looking to find areas of compromise with the carnivores you love, you'd do well to check out this place. Odds are you will all go home happy.
(4)
John I.
Love the Honky Tonk! Great, authentic, small-time live music, excellent Q, delicious cocktails, and though I'm weary now of the exuberance about bacon everywhere, the candied bacon with a beer back sure is sweet. The pulled pork is savory; the brisket is especially good with horseradish and the links hit the smokey spot. The standard sauce is a bit boring, but the "spicy" is tasty (though not really spicy), and the mustard sauce would do the Colonel in the Clue board game right.
(4)
Paty S.
I'll just keep my visits here strictly at the bar. Food was bland. Sure, maybe because you need to add the BBQ sauce, but even the BBQ sauce was bland. Doused my pulled pork sandwich and still lacked flavor. When I think BBQ, I can taste the smoked flavor of the meat. Nope, not this time. My husband's chicken was dry also flavorless. I won't even mention that it still had a feather in it. I've been here before for drinks at the bar. I was hoping to be wowed by the food. Unfortunately, it was quite unsatisfying to say the least.
(2)
Anthony R.
Went here on a Friday night, called in beforehand and they said it wasn't too busy, got there 5 minutes later and the place was packed. Sat in the corner so the service was shit, but the food arrived fairly quickly. It has a country/rockabilly ambience which I really liked and they had live music when I went there. As for the food, I've had better and I've had worse. I ordered the sampler platter which had a bit of everything. The ribs and chicken were very dry. The brisket, pulled pork, and hot link were all delicious. The slaw wasnt anything special, but the beans were really tasty. The corn muffin was probably my favorite thing on the platter, which is kind of sad for BBQ joint. I'm only giving Honky Tonk 3 stars because it's a quantity over quality place. I was very surprised at how reasonable the check was for the amount of food you get, but that's not always good thing. If you want better BBQ, go to Fat Willy's.
(3)
Kellie G.
The ribs were just ok. The service was great, loved the live music. Although I was just stopping through it seemed like a great late night hang out with friends
(3)
Rockie N.
Candied bacon. Its good... but be careful how much you eat, or you may become full before the rest of your meal arrives! I split ribs with my buddy. They were fall-off-the bone perfect. The crunch of the edges made for a great texture. I barely even used the BBQ sauces! My sides were just okay. The slaw was nothing to write home about, and the cornbread was alright. The atmosphere is great! We dug the fact that there was a live old-man-jazz band. It reminded us that we were in Chicago! Great service. Great drinks. Decent BBQ. I would totally hang out here if I lived near!
(3)
Alejandro H.
Great pulled pork and even better rib tips. They have a very wide beer selection and great music on Fridays, although I'm not sure if they have that any other day. I would have preferred to sit in the front as it seemed to have a better atmosphere but didn't bother me too much to sit in the back, I guess I'll just have to get there sooner.
(4)
Shelley D.
This place was great. The atmosphere is really laid back. We got the bacon candy and the empanadas and both were pretty good. We had ribs, coleslaw, mac and cheese, pulled pork, ribs, and the brisket. Everything was great and the sauces were all pretty interesting and good. We ended the night with the banana pudding and the peach cobbler. The peach cobbler was okay but the banana pudding was probably the best part of the night. Not too sweet or too much pudding, just the right amount of everything. We would highly recommend this place!
(4)
Jonathan S.
Loving hearing @aaronGetsug play his sax with #LateNightBait
(4)
Aimee M.
What I miss most about living in Texas is the BBQ. Particularly warm days dining outside having good BBQ and an ice-cold beer. *Sigh. Honky Tonk did a great job filling that void when I was craving good BBQ. The hubs and I love that even serve Lone Star Beer. There are other beer choices (PBR, Two Brothers, just to name some) but I like to keep it simple when I have BBQ--Miller is just fine by me. The sampler platter is a good place to start if you're unsure of what to try and perfect when you want to share. The BBQ is served sans sauce, but if you feel the need to add some, there are three different ones already on the table. Here's my breakdown: Pulled pork--delicious. Smoky flavor and so tender. Almost don't need to add any sauce. This is my favorite. Chicken--oh so tender and juicy Baby back Ribs--just ok. They seem kinda small and didn't have much meat on them, but the flavor was very good. Sausage--great smoky peppery flavor, a little spicy but not overly so. Brisket--this was good. Very tender. But if you're a fan of TX brisket (the Holy Grail of BBQ in TX) you might feel it's just not the same. But don't skip it, it's very good. Corn muffins--the hubs and I fought over who got the bigger one--yeah, it is that good it made us act like children. Service is friendly throughout. I love the decor and atmosphere. There's a gorgeous dark wood, western style bar--I almost felt like we were in a saloon. Live music on the weekends make it even more fun to visit!
(4)
Zach J.
Alright everybody relax! I see bad reviews talking about how dry this stuff is etc....you are not from South Carolina, Kansas City, or Memphis and neither is this place. You are no expert and neither are they. My review is based upon the fact that Chicago is not a BBQ city and never has been, but this place comes the closest you can get to the real deal from the south. You have to have a knack for BBQ to eat here and enjoy it plus you have to realize that you are in CHICAGO not SOUTH CAROLINA, it will not be as good but really good for Chicago. I found the hot links to be the best thing on the menu I still think about those juicy little pieces of meat and I have not eatin here in nearly a year! The service is excellent and friendly and the rest of the dishes were fantastic. The mac and cheese was delicious, and did I recommend the hot links? Oh yes I did, because they are awesome! Please review with a clear mind understand that Chicago is NOT known for BBQ. Just like do you think it would be fair of me to go down to Memphis and trash on every pizza place about how crappy their pizza is? No, it would not be fair because it would be Memphis they don't know squat about pizza.
(5)
J J.
Great place. Fantastic food. Very well priced. Service is very friendly. Might even have Willie Owner/Cook/BBQ Professional stop by your table and say hello. I like Sweet Baby Ray's and Smoque but Honky Tonk doesn't suffer from the commercial and "sterile Chicago restaurant scene. BYOB makes the place feel more like a country family BBQ than a stuffy franchise. 1$ surcharge per person for BYOB. Very reasonable. Hope to have my Birthday party here next year!
(5)
Allen P.
When you've got SmokeDaddy or Smoque within close driving distance, you can't help but compare. I'm sure HT BBQ cringes when they read about comparisons because based on the atmosphere/ambiance of each location, these are all very different. HTBBQ takes the cake as far as making you feel welcome to be there. Service/staff was great and on top of everything. I had my 2 year old son and no one in my party ordered alcohol (apparent no-no's when dining out on a Saturday night) and the service was awesome. Live music made it a great atmosphere. We ordered just about everything on the menu: Candy Bacon: Good. Like when you dip your bacon in maple syrup. It's cold though and I guess I was expecting it to be warm. Mac & Cheese: a must order, solid Candied Yams: also very good if you like candied yams, not too sweet Garlic Mashed Patatoes: good flavor, but came out kind of cold, must not get ordered a lot because it must have just been reheated Corn Muffin: I thought it was a little dry, others liked it Dinner roll: didn't eat it, cheap and not warm Cole slaw: not good at all, didn't eat it, and I like cole slaw Hot link: delicious, a must get if you're into sausages pulled pork: IMO the best offering on the menu St. Louis ribs: well cooked, best rib option but underwelming Baby Back ribs: bland, well cooked (as in falling off the bone) All the meat needed to be smothered in house sauce to have any real flavor and the house sauces were a-ok at best. It wasn't like a "get me some more of that sauce!" type of thing, but it did the job. If you want a comfortable atmosphere, live music, great service and decent food, this is your place. If you need to be blown away by the food and that's mostly what matters to you, this is not your place.
(3)
Luan N.
Don't tell my gut, My honky tonky gut I just don't think he'd understand and if you tell my gut My honky tonky gut He might just blow up and kill this man Tell him what? That Honky Tonk won 3rd place in the Memphis world BBQ championship because over-hype can kill. Does it live up to the distinction? I guess you could say that. My only complaints were that the portion of 1/2 spread of baby back ribs seemed a bit small, I wished they could open up the bar area for more seating, and the front entrance is a bit scary. P.S. sorry for the Billy Ray Cyrus, that song just went viral in my head when I was in there.
(4)
Joe P.
The Candied Bacon is worth going a second time for and the brisket is so tender you just want more. I would advise you go in a group so everyone can get something different and share otherwise you might be missing out on something. They don't even get upset when you start a sauce war at your table.
(4)
Veronica S.
Have eaten here five times. Really good rib tips, mac and cheese, and peach cobbler, but it takes forever to get the food even if you arrive and order just as they open their doors. Plus last time we were there the air conditioning was broken and it smelled like a backed-up sewer. It's a bit of a hike for us and we have much better BBQ nearer to home. Most likely will not be back.
(3)
Cisco D.
My 90 Day Challenge is in Jeopardy with this BBQ that is F I R E !!!! Honky Tonking and stuffing my face off is where it's at !!!!
(5)
Andres D.
After watching the Honky Tonk BBQ youtube video of Diners, Drive-in & Dives. I just knew I had to visit this place for some dry rub style ribs cooked over a wood burning flame. My group of 3 attacked the sample platter first with the half slab of baby back ribs. Absolutely superb and the bbq sauce on the table was all the ammo I needed to reach my barbeque utopia. Next we ordered the rib tips plus half slab of st louis ribs. The rib tips were a winner and the st louis were a bit fatty but good, still suggest the baby back instead. The homemade mac n' cheese with bread crumbs and corn muffin was the best I ever had! Although I could have done without the coleslaw..that part was disappointing and I love coleslaw. By the way, they have a full bar now.
(4)
Jacob J.
What you should know about Honky Tonk BBQ: BYOB. At the time I dined here it was Cash only (At the time I wrote this review it was cash only, I've been told that since late Jan 2010 they now accept cards, I'm not sure and it's wise to call ahead). Their barbecue is different than most of the BBQ you get most anywhere else in Chicago. It's perfectly cooked meats served plain. You then choose from three sauces (offered on every table) and cover it as much as you like. Their sauces come in; something like a peppery or hickory flavor, honey mustard and a sweet and tangy type. For most that are used to having prepared meats served with sauce applied while cooking, it's a lot different since the sauces are at room temperature. I prefer barbecue with sauce applied while cooking, burnt on, soaking in it, smoked, whichever. I visited with two other guys, one got the pulled pork sandwich, the other the brisket sandwich and myself with rib tips and 2 dinky dunkers of brisket and pulled pork. The brisket was dry and the buddy that ordered that sandwich was not satisfied. The other one with the pulled pork wasn't satisfied either. I thought my dinky dunker pulled pork was fine, once I doused it in sauce. Btw, dinky dunker is just a cute name for mini sandwich, there's nothing extra special about it. The bread was an Artisan sandwich bread, soft on the inside with an almost crisp crust. The rib tips were pretty good served plain over a soggy piece of garlic bread. I took some of my food to go. On day 2 I threw everything into a wok with barbecue sauce, a bit of mango, hot spices and sizzled them all together. I took that soggy garlic bread and toasted it till it became a crisp wafer. Having that bread extra crispy with BBQ'd leftovers was bangin! Oh yea, I also got a corn bread muffin which was sweet to the taste and it contained bits of creamed corn (I'm guessing); which was a nice surprise. If going, I'd suggest going with a group, getting a bunch of food to share like their sampler platter and a few different sides. This way you may still have space for dessert! Pluses.. sweet staff and service with a smile. Our waitress came over often to check up on us and an older lady (maybe the owner) came over just to thanks us for visiting and remind us that they are there to help, that was cool. If hitting the Honky Tonk on a weekend, finding street parking can be a headache and time consuming task but, they are open till 11pm, so there's still time.
(3)
mark l.
We give up.
(1)
Sia M.
Hands down the BEST pulled pork sandwich you will ever sink your teeth into! However, a bit pricey so I only indulge on special occasions. Location is convenient in that it's easy to locate, but parking is horrendous no matter the time of day.
(4)
Ben A.
The meat is all really fatty and not the best. The sauces are pretty good. Excellent sides and bread. Live music adds a lot to the atmosphere. The pulled pork sandwich is the best deal for the money. Skip the Viking Short Ribs.
(3)
Will R.
One of my favorite restaurants in the city. The BBQ is hands down some of the finest I've had - and I'm from the south. It's certainly no-frills here with racks of ribs arriving on paper plates, but what it lacks in amenities the place makes up for with incredible BBQ and great entertainment. The Northside Southpaws play bluegrass on Friday night and really put on a terrific show. Service is a little confused at times. It's not always clear if you should order at the counter or not. They didn't have wine glasses once when we showed up and we wound up drinking hooch out of some weird goblet things they came up. Stuff like that doesn't faze me, but someone looking for five-star service should go elsewhere. The husband and wife owners are always around and really treat you like family. The restaurant is clean and bright and features two different sit-down dinning areas. The larger of the two is where the band plays. It's setup a little weird and when it get's crowded there isn't much to do other than to hug the wall and listen to the band. Full racks will run you around $18.00. That's typical for BBQ ribs and there are cheaper items on the menu. I really like the pulled pork BBQ sandwich when I'm feeling to cheap to splurge on ribs.
(5)
Lily L.
I had heard several Pilsenites raving about this place for a while, so I was very disappointed when I finally visited. The sauce was bland, the portions too small for the price, the mac & cheese and mashed potatoes tasted straight out of a box, the BBQ only average. The pulled pork was good, but not great, the desert plain. The staff was friendly, and the ambiance welcoming. Family friendly, I wouldn't mind taking my children here. I'm glad I've dinned at Honky Tonk once, just to say I've checked it out for myself. But I probably wouldn't crave a second visit.
(2)
Rachel P.
Went there to see a friend's band play, they were great, but the food and menu left a lot to be desired. I was excited to got since the restaurant was featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, however, the pork was not pulled, so it had lots of chunks, and there were lots of fat hunks in my sandwich. The flavor was okay, nothing special and the sauces were fine. We ordered the mac and cheese and coleslaw as sides. The coleslaw was pretty good, but the mac and cheese came out warm/cold so it didn't taste that good. The menu overall was lacking too. They did not have any appetizers that could be split among 4-5 people, like chips and chili, salsa, nacho, artichoke dip etc. All of the apps we 3-4 pieces. I may go back to see my friend's band play again, but I know for sure that I will be eating before.
(1)
Matt P.
Great place ... most BBQ places I've been to in the city kind of ape you in their prices, but all you need to do at Honky Tonk is get the sampler for $30, and you're well on your way. It's a pretty great place. The ambiance is really cool, because it's built like you're in this wooden smoke shack (hilariously enough in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood). Our server was super nice, and really helpful. I think Honky Tonk is only second to Fat Willies, but definitely better than Smoque.
(4)
Nick Y.
Surprised to see some of the lower ratings on this place, its a GEM of the city. Tough to spot from the street and an awkward climb up some stairs to the front door, but cozy as can be once inside. The food was fantastic, great, smoky BBQ with great sauces, sides and dessert. BYOB is always a great bonus and the Friday night bluegrass live music was an incredible add-on. Recommend this to any/everyone, our 4 person group was raving throughout the experience. Check it out, great neighborhood, great food, great service, great atmosphere. Honky Tonk - A+
(5)
Paul K.
We had a meeting of the Chicago Carnivore Club here and Willie could not have been more accommodating! The sides and entrees were fabulous and service was good. Highly recommended for a casual/ funky evening!
(5)
Brandon K.
Went there last night for a friends birthday. BYOB made me happy. So did the two guys playing sort of old-time bluegrassy tunes on the mandolin and acoustic guitar. They sounded great. But the food... OK, i've had the pulled pork sandwiches take out on many occasions, so I'm definitely a fan. Had the brisket sandwich last night, and it was pretty solid too. The homemade sauce was yummy indeed. However, I do have a few complaints. It was basically luke warm when they served it to me. The garlic mashed potato portion were harldly garlicky, and definitely small. Especially for the 3.50 they charge for it. I mean, it's mashed potatoes, you got slop that shit on. Why hold back? I was excited to try the cornbread. I don't consider myself a connoisseur of much, but when it comes to cornbread, my palate is quite discerning. Sorry, HTBBQ, it really didn't do it for me. The waitress talked a big game about the chicken, but my friend felt let down in the end. Good vibe of a place tho, even if the rock ' n' roll flames on the outside are a little misleading.
(3)
Heidi O.
I really really love this place. I don't go as much as I use to due to lack of time, but I use to eat here at least once a week. The staff is really nice, but genuinely nice, not "I want a good tip" nice. Now that they have a bar and accept credit cards (yay!) this business is going to keep growing. I've never been disappointed in anything I've ever ordered here, and some of the things on the menu seem to continue to improve. I am embarassingly notorious here for my love of the chicken pot pie, which is occassionally on special, but so good I wish they had a call list to tell me when it was going to be on the menu. I've had the recent specials a number of times the last couple of months. The fried goat cheese salad is really good, and the candied bacon is ridiculous. candy. bacon. bacon. How could that not be good? The corn muffins are really yummy. Good mashed potatoes. Obviously, delicious bbq. But the thing that makes this place great I think is that I can bring my vegetarian friends here, and they are more satisfied with the options than with other places in the neighborhood like Skylark. The music here is awesome if you have any taste whatsoever. Now please make me a chicken pot pie.
(5)
Susan L.
This place has got to be kidding. Ribs were meatless. It had a smokey taste that was too overwelming and ribs were oversmoked to complete dryness. Ribs were not passable to eat alone in of itself so you must use the BBQ sauce as an add on. Pulled pork and briskets are only okay. Side dishes of macaroni and cheese, mushrooms, yams are better tasting than the ribs. Mac n cheese was definitely good.. However, when I come to a BBQ place, I expect great ribs!! Very disappointing food. Never coming back
(1)
Kirsten F.
Great BBQ and great atmosphere. From the moment you walk in you feel like you are stepping back in time. The food is fantastic,my favorite is the pulled pork sandwich paired with a Lone Star. Also, the portobello mushroom melts in your mouth. All of the ribs were yummy, especially with the sweet sauce. The bar looks like an old western saloon and a vintage arm wrestling machine adds to the ambiance. The decor is a delight for the eyes of all ages. Unique paintings and folk art make Honky Tonk BBQ a feast for the eyes too. Be sure to end with the Banana Cream Pudding -- nilla wafers, drowning in vanilla pudding and whipped cream, just like my grandma used to make. Super-delish.
(5)
Kika K.
I have been in BBQ withdrawal since living here, so when I heard this had Memphis style BBQ, I grabbed some friends and came as quick as I could. While close, it's not Memphis style. It's still pretty good though. The place seems small, but I think there's another room they had closed off. There's a huge banner over the entrance, so you can't mistake it. It's very casual, and I think the wait staff seemed a little confused when we sat down. Maybe we were supposed to go up to the front to order? They have a decent menu selection. In addition to the pulled pork, I ordered the salad and it was delicious. There's also specials written on a chalkboard next to the register which looked pretty good. I was a little hesitant when I found out there would be a guitar/country singer. That is NOT Memphis style at all. I thought it would be horribly cheesy, and since I hate country music, I thought my ears would hurt the whole time. I was mistaken. The guitar player is very cute, and he grew on me after a couple minutes. Also, this place is BYOB, so grab a couple beers before you come (it's $1/person). It's also cash only, so stop by an ATM.
(4)
Joshua R.
The banana pudding with nilla wafers is the best. The atmosphere, awesome. The BBQ is fantastic.
(5)
Martha Z.
No more BYO, they got their liquor license.
(4)
Tina D.
My BF and I decided to try this spot after watching Chicago's Best. Now I am really going to try this place again. I really wanted to LOVE everything but didnt. The fried green tomatoes were not what they were cracked up to be, although the dipping sauce def plus. The mac and cheese was overcooked and not very flavorful. The chicken was pretty good. Overall, it was a nicely priced. i would love to go back and listen to the live music on the weekend and i will give the food another chance.
(3)
Michelle L.
I thouroughly enjoyed my visit to Honkey Tonk. We recieved wonderful service, and had delicious bbq. Our table ordered the Brisket, the Pulled Pork, the short rib special, Mac and Cheese and "What your girlfriend wants Salad". They were all exceptional. Willy makes it all himself. Even the hot sauce is a wonderful house blend. Also, the salad is perfect for hesitant veggie eaters. (not to mention... be sure to indulge in the mac and cheese. it is not to be missed.) Note: there is no Sweet Baby Ray's Q sauce, as another critic wrongfully mentioned. Also, there are windows! The sauces are on the table, it is nice that you dont have to ask for a side of extra sauce, if you are like me. This way, you get to choose which sauce to put on your sandwhiches. Your enthusiastic host is worth the visit. Keep it up. I cant wait to visit on a friday or saturday for the music.
(5)
Neil R.
This is not your typical restuarant. First off the neighborhood, as Nancy said there were shots fired fairly close to the restuarant and cops were called on the scene. The door seemed very secure and solid so we were safe in the premises that have no windows? What type of restuarant has 0 windows? I don't recall any windows. There was a cowboy walking around singing in the restuarant in his flannels, cowboy boots and gallon hat. At least he sang happy birthday to the birthday boy. BYOB. I think we brought too much liqour. I believe we had a party of 20 or so and not everyone was drinking, primarily the birthday boy who couldn't hit the toilet bowl. The interior and exterior are awful. I would not recommend this place. Any other restuarant would be just as great. Best part about it was the BYOB. Now to the food. My friend and I shared the food and he ordered EVERYTHING. half slab of St Louis ribs and half of baby back ribs. Somewhat dry. Nothing special, they used sweet baby rays BBQ sauce which I love. The garlic mash potatoes were too buttery. The garlic bread was ok. Beef Brisket was decent once you pile on a lot of BBQ sauce. Pulled Pork, I couldn't even touch. Macaroni and Cheese was awful. Corn Bread was great but I only had a bite.
(2)
Sara M.
Who ever thought a restaurant could make you addicted and utterly obsessed with coleslaw?? Random, I know. There is truly something magical about it. I was never even a huge fan of coleslaw UNTIL I put that forkful of crunchy, sugary-tart, creamy glorious-ness in my mouth. More on the magical coleslaw later and let's talk about how I arrived to have this obsession. I would always drive past Honky Tonk on my way from UIC to Bridgeport - and every time I would see that crazy piece of art that sits on the corner of 18th and Racine - I would say to myself "...I need to try that place one of these days". Then I happened to be watching Check Please one day and I saw Honkey Tonk featured on the show - and my thought was cemented - I need to go to this place. So I go... and what the hell in wrong with this place making food so good? The first time I went I ordered - Pulled Pork Sandwich with a side of Coleslaw and Mac & Cheese... and now have been back MANY times and I still order the same thing every time. I can't help myself. Why fix something that isn't broke, non? I went to school for engineering so my composition skills are poor - but let me see if I can layout and describe the meal that I would pick if I was on death row. FIRST! You have to start out with a frosty bottle of Two Brothers Domain Dupage French Country Ale. Because 1. it's delicious. and 2. because you should always support local beer companies . Sorry Goose Island - it was a good run - but with AB owning you now 312 just won't have the same feel. THEN! Fried. Green. Tomatoes. Do I partly order them because it reminds of the movie with the Grandma from Batteries Not Included that I used to watch every Sunday on WGN growing up? Sure... I am nostalgic. I can't help it. The fact that they are breaded morsels of fresh green tomatoes doesn't hurt either - they must coat them in some kind of corn meal - because I love that the breading doesn't fall off right away - which is REALLY hard to do with Fried Green Tomatoes. NEXT! Pulled Pork Sandwich. Always. And. Forever. They break the Kaiser bun mold by putting the sandwich on the softest hoagie bread I have ever had. The pulled pork and the bread just melt into each other. I then take my coleslaw side and put in on my sandwich and give a squirt of that famous mustard they have sitting on the table- while giggling with excitement because I know the flavor explosion that is coming my way. If you do this, when you take a bite you get the ridiculously soft pork that has been waiting for you all day long coupled with the sweet-tangy crunch of the coleslaw. After you have had this combination - you will never be able to go back to eating pulled pork without the slaw ever again. The vinegar-based coleslaw is super fresh - sweet - yet you get this fresh bursts of a peppery flavor at the same time. It's so good, it hurts. I take turns between sandwich bites for the Mac & Cheese and it definitely feels like I am breaking a 10th commandment with each bite. It's sinfully good - especially when you are washing it down with a Two Brothers. The music is always great in the background - adding to your southern experience - and the service is always decent. No Soup Nazi-esque service like the kind you get at Smoque. Get your Midwest panties out of a bunch if you feel like you are waiting too long for your food - the place is always slammed and your meat has been cooking for 12 hours so you can wait another 10 or 15 min. The bill is always a joy to read too - my husband and I would be able to make it out of there for under $25 between us if we didn't have all those Two Brother beers... but even then I don't think we have ever spent over $50 bucks for all the times we have been there. Did I mention that I have to take 1/2 my sandwich home because it's so huge I can't finish it? It's just as delicious the next day too. Who wants to eat the ultimate BBQ delicious-ness on a budget? Ummm... I do. This is why I go to Honkey Tonk.
(5)
MaryAnne M.
Me "Would it be in poor form to take my bra off? Since I am so stuffed and my bra seems to be suffocating me?" Fellow diners: "Yes" Me: "Fine. Bra stays on. Dammit." This review is some time in the making and I think I just recently recovered from the meat sweats I encountered. Carol J put together this bbqapalooza. Let's start with the entertainment. Yes, entertainment. A rockabilly guitar type singer. Fun. With out going too much into the menu this is what stood out: Starters: Fried green tomatoes, mushrooms with roasted garlic and bread, candied yams, greens and beets I LOVE yams. Especially since I typically have to wait until fall for them. And beets? I can eat them all day. On to the good stuff: Beef brisket, beef spare ribs and pulled BBQ pork, Pork baby back ribs and pork St. Louis ribs. It was soo much food. And soo good. (See above bra/meat sweats comment.) I just kept eating it like I was trying to prove something. Dessert: Sweet potato pie and peach cobbler. The peach cobbler being the stand out here. The owner Willie Wagner was so nice and attentive to our group. Summary: Get down to Pilsen.
(5)
Mika J.
As if the name alone wasn't bad enough...the bbq at Honky Tonk is as authentic as Kenny Roger's face! Since Brisket isn't my "thang", I can't speak on that, but as someone who knows her Southern cuisine, please trust me when I say, the ribs here taste nothing like the coveted delicacy Memphis and KC natives call BBQ. The sauce was boring and the meat lacked real flavor, smelling ALOT smokier than it tasted...how does that happen? (Two stars for the staff who on the whole were pretty friendly.)
(2)
Jonathan W.
1) Overrated. 2) Super meh...
(2)
David W.
BBQ, BYOB, Pislen? I'm intrigued. In an unassuming store front on 18th street in the heart of Pilsen has bloomed Honky Tonk Barbeque. A simple no frills BBQ joint that has a menu filled with meat and a dining room filled with live music. The entrance to the Honky Tonk is dark black (is there any other kinda black?) and we didn't know if we were walking into the restaurant or into somebody's apartment. We guessed right. However throughout the night would be diners would open up the mail slot and peek through to hedge their bets. Standing in the middle of the Honky Tonk was a man dressed in red. Red shirt, red pants, red shoes, and yes even a red belt. This man also was wielding a guitar and singing both American and Spanish cowboy classics. It couldn't have been more perfect. You order from the counter in the front directly underneath the "Order Here" sign. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich, side of beans & pork, side of coleslaw, and to finish her off some nana pudding. The pork was moist, tender, and seasoned well. It was served on a ciabatta roll which was a pleasant surprise and added a layer of complexity to the simple sandwich. The beans and coleslaw were both delicious. The nana pudding was good, but nothing like my grams used to make. Jeff ordered a full slab of baby backs (they were out of the st. Louis) and housed them down. I think he liked them. Mike ordered the brisket and found it to be a bit on the fatty side, but said it tasted good. Both ordered the corn bread and wouldn't stop telling me how good it was. Neither offered to share! The space itself is.........shitty. I mean it's a BBQ place. You wouldn't want it any other way. The service is......shitty. I mean it's a BBQ place. You wouldn't want it any other way. Despite that, the Honky Tonk has something about it that you just can't help but find endearing. I'm not sure if it was the Pinot we drank, the neighbors we chatted with, the songs we sang, or the pork we put down but we loved this place. I will definitely be heading back. 1 Pulled Pork Sandwich 1 Slab of Ribs 1 Brisket Sandwich 2 Orders of Corn Bread 2 Orders of Beans 1 Order of Slaw ------------------------------------- $40
(4)
Constance R.
Honky Tonk is one of my favorite places in the city for these reasons: great music (from blues to jazz to honky-tonk country, I've always enjoyed whatever band they bring in), delicious beer (they must go through a lot of Allagash because it always tastes so fresh and delicious here), AWESOME greens (soooooo gooooood -- they're southern style), and a fun atmosphere. ****I have heard they don't always have the greens, but they have had them every time I've gone. Aside from the greens, my favorite things here are the hot links, the beef brisket sandwich, and the green BLT sandwich (green because it has fried green tomatoes on it). The BLT comes on these fat little buns and I wish it came on regular bread, but other than that it's delicious. If you are a vegetarian but you like comfort food, you can still find a good meal here (plenty of sides, but trust me the greens are the best side -- they may be cooked with meat, though, so you might want to ask). They also have a portabella sandwich that is pretty good, and I bet you could order the green BLT sandwich without the bacon.
(5)
Hans H.
Let me preface this by saying that I generally hate pulled pork. US pork is all grain fed and dry and tasteless as eating twine, unless it's marinated to high heaven. Pulled pork to me is like eating ordinary chicken breast put through a dryer. Slather on the sauce just to make it go down... I love Honky tonk's pulled pork. I don't even need their sauce, but the combination of the spicy and sweet sauce on the roll just makes it even better. Perfect combination of spices in the pork, and it just goes down moist and smooth, like a big chunk of dark meat. I had the pork & beans and slaw as sides, and they were both excellent (the beans comes with a big chunk of pulled pork in it too!). The slaw is definitely not the creamy kind, but more vinegar and tartness which is much more to my taste. I've had better beef brisket than from here, however. Try Smoque, up north for the best beef brisket I've ever had. Don't expect to be waited on here too attentively. The food is the focus. Highly recommended!
(5)
John S.
WOW! Amazing...great place! I will be a regular. I had the beef brisket sandwich (with a side of real horseradish to spread). This stuff is great! The sauces are excellent (one won third place at a big time BBQ contest). I also had the fried green tomatoes (excellent!) and sampled the mac and cheese (5 cheeses...good/decent...but I am a stickler with mac & cheese and the cheesier/creamier the better). We arrived on Fri night at 7 and by 7:30, it was jumpin. The music is what you would find at a Honky Tonk in Nashville. Artwork fills the walls...givin it that southern country flair. There is nothing like this in Chicago...it's an original. I applaud them for the originality and the food is seriously worth a trip down to Pilsen. The bar has a good line of draft beers/cocktails....even the cherry's they drop in some of the cocktails have a unique taste as they are marinated....they've thought of everything! This one is easy....5 stars.
(5)
Connie M.
Honestly, I had only a 2-star experience, but I can't be that harsh on an earnest attempt at BBQ. Maybe my crap meal was a fluke; the owner and master-griller was away at some BBQ contest. So maybe usually it's better. Ergo, 3 stars. I went on a weeknight--no live music, and realistically, there should be no excuses about the lack of service. I waited 30 minutes for a lukewarm, dry brisket. All the sauce in the world couldn't help this brisket. I'm sorry. Seasoned leather is still leather. My garlic mashed potatoes were oddly buttery but not particularly seasoned (like good ol' salt and pepper). They seemed hastily made. It all just seemed half-assed. I'd give it another shot--as long as I have a 6-pack handy...
(3)
Gerty L.
Honestly, there's better BBQ out there than what was served at Honky Tonk. We tried the Baby Back Ribs, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Brisket Sandwich, Mac and Cheese, Grilled Portabella, Mashed Potatoes and Beans. We found the meats pretty tasteless and dry. The portabella -- charred to the point that we can only taste the bitterness. Without the bbq sauces, the meats tasted quite bland. We were really hoping for some finger-lickin' stuff. It was really disappointing experience for an establishment claiming to place 3rd at a well-known BBQ Championship event.
(1)
Rob P.
It's all about the meat. Owner/meat-meister Willie Wagner (who stopped by our table) is as compulsive about buying the right cuts of beef and pork as we are eating it. And it shows. The delectable hi-protein sampler platter offers an ideal cross section of what the laid back Pilsen joint has to offer. The plate offers tender meaty bites, not too aggressively seasoned, yet each with a distinctive flavor. From there you have the option of going whole hog (or cow) with a full order of brisket, ribs, pulled pork, links or any of the other menu items. Three BBQ sauces (all great) on the table allow you to mix and match to taste. The space, its walls covered with American art (from mid 19th century Romantic prints to contemporary outsider kitsch), is a combination of store fronts, with its focal dining room being an old neighborhood bar. Seating is an anti-trendy odds and ends collection of comfy tables and chairs. Service is casual, but very friendly and efficient. And the bathrooms are kept clean (remember, the cleanliness of the kitchen is directly proportional to the cleanliness of the johns). And you can't beat the price. My group of five hungry bloat-seeking men filled up for about $20 a head (including tax and tip). Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Ben C.
This place is amazing! I can't wait to go for the first time, some day. If Dave realizes he hasn't eaten lunch at like 3pm, he will hold out and go to Honky Tonk at 4pm! Jamie says sandwiches are $6. Guess I'll just have to see!
(4)
Katie T.
Honk-y-tonk...honk-y-tonk. I absolutely loved this place! Went on a Saturday and had to wait 20 minutes which is fine because it gave us a chance to get our buzz on at the bar. Plus, there was live blues music to enjoy! And of course, we were able to take a look at what people were ordering. We had to get the sampler platter since it was our first time there, seemed like the right choice as every table around us did the same. We got a half slab of the St. Louis ribs, half a roasted chicken, two dreamy sausages, 2 samples of the brisket sandwich, beans and coleslaw. We also ordered the garlic mashed potatoes (shhhh). Oh! and 2 cornbread muffins. All of the meat was tender and dry rubbed to perfection. The chicken had an amazing smoked flavor and the 3 sauces they put on the table were all amazing. I love to mix em together! I will be back again and again. It's in walking distance from my boy's house so - again and again!
(5)
harry l.
Having eaten here numerous times before, as well as several take out orders in the bag, I decided to suggest this for our office dinner. The food was great, as always. There were a few minor glitches (ran out of a few items, and forgot to pack one item)--but it was the last order of the night--and a big order, at that. Beth delivered our missing item very promptly, and included a few goodies, as well. Great food, great service! Would def recommend.
(4)
Molly S.
Great little gem to have in Pilsen which is basically a Mexican and pizza kind of neighborhood (not that there's anything wrong with that). But, Honky Tonk's brisket will definitely fill the need for some good barbecue. St. Loius ribs were good too - plus two sauces to choose from. I haven't tried everything and think the service is still figuring itself out (i.e. "Am I a full-service restaurant or a take-and-go ribs joint?), but I'll be back.
(4)
Andrew B.
Tried the pulled pork, spare ribs, and hot link, no sides. Service was good, and the place smelled properly smoky. The owner was walking around, chatting with customers. Seemed like a pretty friendly place. Parking was a pain in the butt, but that's not Honky Tonk's fault. The "championship" pulled pork was just OK. It was tender and juicy, but didn't have the crispy bits of bark that I love in pulled pork to break up the texture. The rub was grainy and bland -- like Lawry's seasoning salt with a few extra spices thrown in. It came on a huge ciabatta bun that actually was pretty good. It was rather chewy for a sandwich bun, but I ended up dipping big hunks of it in the different sauces. The hot link was good. Like a high-quality piece of sausage cooked over a backyard grill. Doesn't stand up to the quality of the better links in the city (Honey1, Smoque, UJ's), but certainly head and shoulders above the crappy kielbasa that passes for hot link at some places. The spares were the standout. Although the rub was once again a bit off-putting, the meat was tender and flavorful, perched on the bones in a thick, fat sheet. A decent amount of bark added a nice textural contrast. I could take or leave the other dishes, but I would order this again. Three sauces supplied: sweet, tangy, and mustard. Sweet and tangy were both insanely sweet, with the tangy adding a little bit of spice. Mediocre. The mustard was my favorite, with a very viscous texture for the style. Bright and vinegary with a good amount of spicy kick, it went well with the pulled pork.
(3)
Manny G.
Worst BBQ ever. I know Chicago is not known for BBQ, but this BBQ is honestly the worst that I've ever had. Don't know where all the hype is coming from. I would rate it a zero if I could.
(1)
Noah C.
Overall this was a good place for BBQ. My wife, daughter and I shared the sampler platter and enjoyed everything on the plate! Great smokey BBQ flavor and nice portions for the price. I was not thrilled with the service, a little indifferent. Almost like they were "too cool" for us. Another thing about the experience, the room was freezing!! They were aware of it and tried to do what they could but it was almost unbearable. Lastly, they only take cash. Things could have been a lot worse but they could have been a lot better. The food was worth it but I think I might pass next time.
(3)
Tony S.
I was told about this place from a friend and have been wanting to try it. it is now my new faborite place. First of all you walk in and it just reminds me of a restaurant you would find driving down a turn pike in texas. Everything looked fantastic, so me and my good friend Angie wanted to try everything and went with the everything platter for only $30.00. We had tons of food that was great and were absolutley stuffed aftrer that. But we were both craving some chocolate. So the waitress suggested the chocolate cheese cake. "oh my god". Hands down the best cheesecake i have ever had. I definatley look forward to going back there and telling soeim friends about it. It was great. Tony
(5)
Rachel H.
My companion and I had a few things to celebrate, and I had put Honky Tonk at the top of my "To Eat" list after I saw their Halloween sign with a skeleton eating some ribs. Har har har. After ordering at the counter, which is built into a facade that looks like a fake barn of some type, we settled into our table in a little nook where I could feel comfortable squeezing the BBQ sauce bottles while making little fart sounds with my mouth. Shockingly I didn't create a BBQ sauce murder scene. Luckily for my companion our food arrived before I could embarrass myself too badly. Damn. I got the half chicken which was dry rubbed with spices and very smoky. When I saw that bird there was a part of me that said "How the Hell will I eat all that?" When I finished the bird, the part of me with no dignity or willpower whatsoever said "I should have gotten the whole chicken." My companion enjoyed his St. Louis style ribs and both of our entrees came with a tangy coleslaw that seemed like it had apple in it. We also both got the roasted portobella mushrooms which was one of their specials and they were delicious. I would definitely come back to check out a pulled pork sandwich or some live Honky Tonk on the weekends. Either that or I'll order the whole chicken and go home and eat it where nobody else can judge my pigginess. Oh and speaking of pigginess, right by the tip bucket there's a plastic mother pig feeding its babies and it has a disturbing number of little plastic nipples. 15, and yes, I counted.
(4)
Buzz and Poxie C.
Great BBQ. Saw it on the Food Network and decided to try it.
(4)
Becca A.
Honkeytonk BBQ is so damn good! I had the pleasure of going out to eat with two hungry boys so I got to try (basically) everything on the menu that my little heart could handle. I personally ordered the "what your girlfriend wants" salad, served with fresh mixed baby greens, berries, jicama and nuts (drizzled with real olive oil) while the boys got a pulled pork sandwich, brisket and a full rack o ribs (who am I fooling? You know I helped devour that pile of meat! Put it straight up on my salad). The ribs were amazing, dry rubbed and falling off the bone tender. We actually had to order more they disappeared so fast! The brisket was juicy, not at all dry and full of beefy goodness. Though I tend not to be a pork fan, the pork was scrumptious! Super tender, not greasy like I've had before. We also had some sauteed mushrooms which rounded out the meatfulness of our meal. For dessert, we enjoyed a couple slices of pie from local pastry chef Stacey (wish I could remember her last name) which were superb! I liked the pecan pie best but the sweet potato was also delish. Not too sweet and very fresh tasting. A few days later, I went back for more brisket and surprise! It was even better then the first time. The decor is cool, the staff is laid back and friendly. Honkeytonk BBQ is a Pilsen treasure trove of yum! UPDATE, 5/21/08: I just heard through a friend that Honkey Tonk BBQ took 3rd in the national Memphis in May BBQ competition!!
(5)
Sherri S.
Seriously BBQ??? I saw this place on diners, drive ins and dives and it sounded spectacular. How could Guy be wrong he did recommend Smoque BBQ which is spectacular BBQ. So my husband and son drove 1 hour last night to this joint and we walked in and the place reeked of mold that should have been my first clue to turn around and go somewhere else. We sat down and ordered off the menu that had a list of country BBQ items. We ordered smoked pork and chicken, fried green tomatoes and garlic bread. I was looking forward to ordering dessert too. We got our food the chicken was dry as can be, the pork had very little smoke flavor and the tomatoes were dripping with grease. I would give this restaurant at best 1 star. If you really want excellent BBQ go to Smoque BBQ. The flavor is out of this world so smoky and moist this place is an absolute dump. I would have been better off at McDonald's.
(1)
Gloria E.
I really wasn't too fond of HT BBQ. I was so excited to finally try it long after seeing it on Check Please! I lived in Pilsen at the time and this was the last place in Pilsen I got around to trying. Perhaps they have good and bad days or a few *off* slabs, but I was not impressed or even satisfied with it. Service was good, but my ribs were dry as hell. I thought 'maybe this is what southern bbq is all about and it's just me.' Then again, I AM from the south (kind of... So. Fla), but I came with a friend, and he's from Texas. So, if I don't count as being Southern, he for sure does. Neither of us was happy about our food. I got their beef ribs and I think he ordered the St Louis Ribs. We shared. Both our ribs were super dry (nothing falling off the bones), and the sauces were okay, but it just couldn't coat the ribs. They were too dry. It would basically slide right off and by the end, my plate had lots of sauce, and my ribs had very little sauce. The best thing about my experience was the cornbread, and in a BBQ joint, that just shouldn't be the case. On top of all that, it's kind of pricey. I mean ribs are always kind of pricey, but they're also usually pretty good, and these were not good for the price. I don't think I'll be back.
(2)
Christine M.
Oh, wow. My cousin loves this place and has been trying to get us to go there for ages. We made reservations a week ago for tonight, and last night it's on Check, Please! We knew that it was going to be crowded. We didn't expect them to be totally out of ribs. All we were able to order was pulled pork or the beef brisket. They did have all of the sides, except mashed potatoes. The food, it was just ok. It wasn't great, it was barley good. It didn't have much of a smokey taste at all. I was unimpressed with the sides, as well. The service was slow, but the place was PACKED, so that is understandable. This sounds silly, but there was only a single bathroom in the whole place! We were in the second room, and our table was directly in front of the live music. We wanted to talk, and that made it near impossible.
(2)
Karl Z.
OK, I went again and this time had the rib tips. They're a HUGE step up from the brisket and pulled pork, the service was also significantly better, though it was much quieter. I still need to go a couple more times to see if that holds up, but I'll at least give them another try now.
(3)
Bryan M.
All around an amazing experience. Nice atmosphere, excellent food and great live honkey tonk music
(5)
Jean C.
Ah-mazing. After reading review after review, I thought it was time to check this place out. I came here last night with my husband and his best friend and we already knew prior to coming here what we were going to order. The sampler platter. It's a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. Honestly, I think it could have fed the three of us just fine, but the boys wanted more ribs. And they were quite tasty. They had a great smokey flavor that was just right. The sausage links were awesome as well as the corn bread. The cole slaw had cilantro in it. A big no-no in my book. After I picked it out, it tasted good. The chicken was probably my least favorite meat on the plate. It was good but just average compared to everything else on the platter. I was unable to try the brisket only because the guys got to it first. No problem though. I definitely got my fill. There were three different BBQ sauces and all of them were delicious. It was fun experimenting which sauce went best with which meat. Next time we go (and according to my husband we are going all the time) I would like to try the sides and dessert. A few dessert plates walked past our table and they looked divine. This place is so cool. The ambiance is so laid back and the decorations really give it a nice charm. There was a duo playing music last night and that was great! I'm not really a fan of the country style music but I was last night! It's BYOB and cash only. This place is definitely worth a trip. We were lucky that we didn't have to wait last night! I can't wait to go back for round two!
(5)
Char Y.
Much better! We saw it on DDD and decided to give it a second try. The st louis ribs were WOW, juicy and flavorful through out. The brisket and the pulled pork were tender and juicy as well. I am definitely impressed, and will go back again.
(4)
Rene H.
Excellent service. Cocktails are strong. Great sauces. Food is between good & great, depends what you order. Live band is awesome.
(4)
Jerry E.
A little too much fat. Rip tips and pork are good. No parking unless your feeding the meters.
(3)
joe b.
I tried the baby back last night. it was very disappointing as it was served cold and dry. If you are expecting fall off the bone bbq, this is not the place for you. the meat is very dry. what i saw on tv that a lot of spices were used to make the dry rub was not evident on what i had last night. not a bit of moisture on th bb back. The pulled pork sandwich is just ok. just smother it with their bbq sauce. but it is not something you will go back there for. it is just not award winning for us. we didnt bother to order anything after these. the ambiance was ok. servers were friendly and nice.
(1)
Brad F.
Came here the other night and had the baby back ribs and mannnnn were they fantastic, I work right and the area and wish they were open for lunch. I had a side of mac and cheese and the corn bread was awesome. I thought it was cool that Guy Fieri was here from the food network.
(5)
Sagar N.
Having partially grown up in Austin, TX - I can say I have some legitimacy in critiquing barbecue. Of course, I know I am biased towards that amazing Texan style of bbq: moist brisket, smoky sausage, gasoline fumes, ahhh... But I digress.. Living in Chicago has made me aware that in this city of never-ending food variety, one thing that is missing is solid barbecue. In my search for legit bbq in the Chi, I stumbled upon Honky Tonk, and felt the only word that can describe it is: surprising. Surprising, that a BBQ joint sprouted up in the middle of Pilsen. Surprising, that this place also has line dancing weekly with live music. Aaand, most of all, surprising that it has some decent food. I went at an inopportune time (11a on a saturday) because my schedule didn't permit otherwise, but went with the brisket and some sausage. Although, I can't say that it competes with the best I've had in Texas, it is pretty decent 'cue, made the right way, and with a good complimentary sauce. The only thing lacking was the slaw, which I can admit I'm pretty particular about. Overall, for the ambiance, the quality, and the surprise factor this place is a great find! However, I am still looking for that little bit of Texas in Chicago... Solid 3.5
(3)
Nicole R.
Love it... Great Food, Great Music, Awesome Atmosphere!
(5)
Ron J.
i really dont know who reviewed this place before or if it has changed as one reviewer had said. i want the last 2 hours of my life back. worst bbq i have had in a long time. ALL the meat: brisket, st louis and baby back ribs and the pulled pork are boiled. Very little smoke flavor if any. The sides were good, i had fried green tomatoes and corn bread. The space is cool with good live music. Those are the only redeeming qualities. With so many great bbq places in Chicago Smoque, Lillys and Pork Shopee, don not waste your time at this place.
(1)
Russ S.
Excellent barbecue!!!!! And every year they have a pig roast for the community in Pilsen. So good!
(4)
T C.
I live down the street from Honky Tonk and was really excited when it opened. There isn't much like it around Pilsen. Traveling for great bbq isn't a horrible thing, but it's much nicer to have a local place. The first time I ordered at Honky Tonk the food was delicious. Each time since then; it's been hit or miss. It seems that every time I've ordered take out, something has been wrong with the order. Whether the size was incorrect or something was missing, there's always something to complain about. The food has fallen off since it first opened; and that's disappointing because (as many have said) it's a really chill place to catch great music and a good vibe. (cheap beers, too. It's got a laid back, dive bar feel without the dive) I wonder if the fall off is because it's a larger place than it was when it first opened or because (now that there's live music, a bar, etc) the focus on good food has been lost. Whatever the case may be, my ribs last night were way overcooked, (the foil even smelled overcooked) and there was hardly any rub/flavor to them. After a few tries, I passed on eating them, and there's nothing more disappointing than looking forward to rib night and not getting it. The people who work there, while friendly, aren't too bright. It seems like most of the mistakes that are made are because of total forgetfulness. (Somehow they remembered to wear their cool hipster mustache but forgot how to make food taste good.) Honky Tonk could be, and once was, a great place to get bbq. Their bbq is different than other places in the city, and if done correctly, I'd eat there often. (more often than one should, actually) But until then, no thanks. I'd rather make the trek to another spot.
(2)
kirstjen l.
When you open the door, the scent of smoked pork engulfs you. Best pulled pork ever! Good sauce. Great baby back ribs! This is a real "hole in the wall" BBQ joint. Great friendly service, great prices. I will definitely be back! They also had some funky guy playing guitar & singing old Hank Sr, Johnny Cash, etc & dressed to the hilt in hillbilly finery. Wow!! They are open at 4pm, Tues-Sat.
(5)
Van D.
Tried this place for the first time last Fri night. Food was great. Tried the sampler platter which had ribs, chicken, brisket, pulled pork, sausage, beans, cole slaw, and cornbread. I am big rib guy and very much liked their ribs. They have sauce on the table but these ribs were made with a dry rub. Usually don't order brisket, pulled pork, or chicken but was very impressed with flavor and juiciness of their meats. Sides were average. Good selection of bottled beers. Atmosphere is definitely different. Funky art work and furniture in the back room and more of bar atmosphere in the front room. (If you ever wondered where your family's dining room table from the 80s is, check the back room)
(4)
Mayari G.
A friend and I went to Honky Tonk and ordered the BBQ sampler platter (i despise the word sampler). Anyway, it was so tasty and varied that you honestly felt like they were separate items - not just a mass of BBQ - we should have brought 3 more people b/c we had tons of left overs but will definitely be back. The decor is not theme-driven but feels like an empty barn within a Pilsen building which is exactly what it is - it's great.
(4)
Lauren R.
The pork was delicious! Loses a star for not being a BYOB anymore. Really enjoyed their sauces as well as sides (the cornbread is so good!).
(4)
Aurore L.
The other night I was lucky enough to be transported in a world of fantasy. Of the cinematic kind since it was the (almost Homeric) one of "Oh Brother Where are Thou?" Unlucky for me - George Clooney was not in sight but the three bluegrass musicians who were singing on their banjos (lefty style- yay!!!) did a pretty impressive job. I just had to close my eyes to be in a mystic South I have never set foot in. Nobody's perfect. Honky Tonk didn't disappoint. We shared a large sampling platter of meaty goodies and I loved every bite of it. The sausage oddly enough was my hands down favorite. But everything has already been said about all the sticky messy yumminess of the place....you really just have to go and see for yourself. And enjoy the love. And no - there is not only Mexican food in Pilsen. For a matter of fact, HKBBQ is just across the street from a Chinese place. If you find George Clooney though - with or without banjo - please let me know. Always on the hunt.
(4)
Elizabeth V.
Came here with some friends a few nights ago. My boyfriend and I shared a full slab of ribs, mac and cheese and a corn muffin. The food tasted good and enjoyed it since I was hungry. I would like go back and try the pulled pork which according to some reviews is the thing to get. The space is big and they had live music which was enjoyable.
(3)
John B.
This was the first stop on my week of eating until my innards exploded, and what a start. Carol J and pitmaster Willie Wagner put together a prixy fixy dinner that gave us a chance to try everything on the menu for 25 bucks. Well maybe not everything, but that's what it felt like. First, the apps. Fried green tomatoes -- crispy, crunchy coating, creamy tomatoey goodness on the inside, that's eating. I had to have a second, in spite of trying to save room for the meat. Garlic portabella mushrooms with garlic toast and a honey mustard sauce. Oh my. Then the meat, in shifts, with sides. First up, baby back ribs. Oh yeah. These pulled off the bone, but didn't fall off the bone, the sign of a good long smoking without the dastardly par-boiling that some placed employ. Rubbed but not sauced, because the sauce is on the table and it just burns on the grill anyway. Three sauces -- one sweeter, one spicier, and one mustard-based -- let you serve up the meat as you like it. Along with the ribs, we had sweet potatoes, collard and mustard greens, pickled beets, and cole slaw. I didn't get to the slaw because I was so taken with the greens. And the sweets -- melt in your mouth goodness. Of course, the pool of butter and brown sugar might have had something to do with that. But wait, there's more! A second platter of meat, with beef ribs, brisket, and pork shoulder. The clear favorite here was the beef ribs -- burnished brown, meltingly tender, with just enough fat to keep it all moist. The pulled pork was excellent, too, but I was fixated on the short ribs. The brisket was the least interesting, although it did make the best leftovers the next day. Probably because of the extra fat. Willie serves up the brisket as a sandwich, with horseradish on a ciabatta roll, and that would be a very different animal. And then, when you think you're going to burst -- dessert! Cobbler, banana pudding, and sweet potato pie. Who knew banana pudding could be such a treat. This was the dessert in which I had the least interest, and yet it turned out to be my favorite. This is the kind of place you'd walk right by, if you didn't know what was inside. Even when you get inside, it's not that impressive. But then the food comes out, and oh mama. That's what we're here for.
(5)
trieu n.
i went to honky tonk with a few friends for a delicious weeknight dinner, and that's exactly what i got. unfortunately, they were all out of brisket, so 3 of us had pulled pork and the other 2 split a full slab of st. louis style ribs. we also had corn muffins, a family order of mac n cheese, and large candied yams. we all needed to be rolled out of the restaurant...bu in the best way. the pulled pork is everything i wanted and more: huge chunks of moist pork, perfectly smoked with slightly burnt/crisp ends. excellent. the sweet bbq sauce was very popular at our table. i wasn't a huge fan of the vinegar bbq sauce or the mustard sauce...but that's more personal preference. my friends enjoyed their ribs immensely and polished off the entire slab. the dry rub had a good flavor and the meat was perfectly cooked. our sides were HUGE. we thought that between the 4 mac n cheese eaters, we ought to go with the family size. when the bowl came out, it looked tiny and i didn't think there would be enough; however, after we started eating, we noticed that this was a magic bowl of mac n cheese because even though we were taking huge spoonfuls of big spiral macaroni, more kept appearing in the bowl. don't let the small bowl deceive you. the candied yams were also good...soft but not mushy and just the perfect amount of sweetness. i am deducting one star for the service. the restaurant was only slightly busy and we hardly ever saw our waitress. i hate to deduct a star because she was very friendly...but we had to go a very long time without drink refills. also, we were looking for her for at least 10 minutes to bring out butter for the cornbread. it might have been an off night for her...but what could have been a 60 minute meal...turned into almost a 2 hour meal. also, another waitress went to clear our table, but did not ask us if we were done eating. she piled the bowl of mac n cheese and yams on top of one another before we had time to tell her that we were still picking at it. it was pretty heartbreaking. the service should deter me from coming back, but i really like barbecue...and a bbq joint that is a short ride away is hard to come by. so i'll be back...and hope for better service.
(4)
Douglas M.
This is the best BBQ I've ever had. I've also not had hot links as good as these since my German grandfather passed away.
(5)
Jake B.
Great food and atmosphere as long as it's not super crowded. And even when it is super crowded, it's still great food.
(4)
Blythe Z.
this place rocks - i'm hoked. candied bacon - so good only need a bite or two very rich. my husband and I tried the sampler - we even had leftovers! My favorite is the hot links - so so good - mac and cheese is a close second though. a great place to bring in friends from out of town - really great staff too!
(5)
Frankie B.
The quality of the food was good. The beans were awesome, the mac-n-cheese was rad.. I just think it's a bit too pricey and the portion size for the sides are too small. Grew up around the corner from here and am glad they are here in Pilsen. Staff is nice enough, but I have to ding them for the portion sizes.
(3)
Carol J.
This place blows. YOU HEARD ME. MOVE ALONG. NOTHING TO SEE HERE! It blows every bbq joint in town away. I am just hoping people won't read past my opening statement and ignore the star rating. I was introduced to Honky Tonk at the rib-a-que at Moonshine and had the pleasure of gorging on ribs right off the smoking/grilling contraption. It was no surprise to me that Willy and Honky Tonk won the judges choice award against some pretty stiff competition. Actually, no one else came close. So I thought I would give them a try in their restaurant/carry out location on a cold Saturday night in January and headed down to Pilsen with a friend, well aware of the unfortunate presence on Check Please (those who know me know how I feel about that show and the lemmings, I mean people, who are influenced by it...but I digress.) When I called, Beth, one of the owners frankly told me the wait was gonna be long and I was cool with that. Upon arrival at the homey, chill, BYOB place I was greeted by a mob of people, the taunting smell of smoking bbq and totally awesome vibe. Yeah people were pissing and moaning about the wait, but hey, Check Please! Fine with me. I had no place to be. While waiting, totally cool people offered us extra chairs at their table, Kurt the artist offered a couple of random St, Pauli Girls and gave us a 5 cent tour and a history of the art displayed throughout. We made friends with some cute, older Gold Coast couples who learned about it you know where....and just hung out and chatted. Then Willy came out of the kitchen and whispered that they were running low on ribs. Some folks were aghast! NO. But I was cool because I watched him work a grill one day from 6 am till 6 pm and I know how much time it takes to turn out product like that. Those tender morsels are lovingly smoked for hours and I also know that no restaurant owner has a crystal ball. What happened next is like a movie. And kind of how going with the flow can work to your advantage. I casually mention that I'm cool with whatever bbq delight will be left if and when we get seated and my date mentions brisket as his preference. Minutes later a cafeteria tray with heaping hunks of smokey brisket and pulled pork is enroute to us in the corner where we were sitting drinking the artist's generously donated beers and a glass of BYO wine. The cute little server goes and gets us a tv tray table, brings condiments. Macaroni and cheese (sinfully rich and creamy) lands between the two mounds of meat and crusty bread. Willy apologizes profusely for the fact that he was almost out of ribs. I mean seriously, I felt like I was in someones home and they were going out of their way to make me welcome. After we finished, we went into the main dining room to listen to the talented one man band and bond with our new found friends from the waiting room. Everyone in the room was having a finger licking, lip smacking great time. Except one table of lemmings who were being rude and condescending to the server, but that's someone elses review to write. We asked to peek at dessert menu and despite being so full, settled on a Banana Bread Pudding/Moon Pie and a decadent chocolate mousse cake. Random staff came over and said hello. Young kids from the neighborhood, a cool chick waitress, the owners kids, who were bussing tables. I saw the Pissers and the Moaners making friends with the tables next to them. The music was countryish and the room was homey and warm with random chairs and tables. We learned this was a former Wood Workers Union Hall that Beth and Willy bought to open up this little piece of heaven. We were offered a tour of the gymnasium on the top floor but were too full to hike up the stairs. It turns out that this actually is their home. No surprise there. Awesome bbq, they even have "pain in the pork butt" vegetarian options, delicious sides. Sweet, warm service, low key chill atmosphere and amazing desserts. PLEASE DON'T RUIN IT PEOPLE!
(5)
Susan K.
The entryway can make it look a little foreboding, like you're entering some speakeasy or the alley door to some club or restaurant kitchen. (who else has a solid metal door as their main entrance ?!) Inside its cute, simple, and casual. There's a window right at the front for carryout (yay! convenience, smart thinking) and another room off to the side where you can sit and eat and there's live music to entertain you. I am a vegetarian, so you must be wondering what there is for me to eat at a BBQ restaurant? Answer: Plenty, if you love mushrooms, which I do. I ordered a portabello mushroom sandwich which was great , I loved the different sauces they had, the garlic mashed potatoes were good, and there were still several other sides I didn't try right then and there that I bet would have also been good choices. Sometimes, even though you want to go out with someone, you just want a break from having to be witty, scintillating, and fun. This place took that pressure off me by providing musical entertainment to distract both me and my date. This would be a great place to go if you are tired and you want to just spend time in someones company and let someone else take care of the impressing.
(4)
Allison B.
I was a disappointed. Heard great reviews, but it just didn't live up to them. The candied bacon was good, but I've had better bbq overall.
(2)
Thomas B.
Delicious BBQ and so authentic, even down to the three types of sauce supplied with your meal. I ate in the older dining room, not new edition with full bar and blue grass bands every night. Get the beef brisket sandwhich, so good. Also got a side of hot links which were very spicy yet just right. And a BBQ place with vegetarian options. Only down fall was the staff is kind of stand offish, well they are very helpful when serving but kind of take their time and disappear for long periods of time. Otherwise no complaints.
(4)
Chris A.
Very good BBQ and a good way to start a night out in Pilsen. The candied bacon was really the only thing I was crazy about, but everything else is solid...and I think our group literally tried everything. It's not BYO anymore which is disappointing, but it is still a great BBQ spot.
(4)
T J.
I struggled between a 2 and a 3 on this one, honestly I say 2.5. Saw it on Triple D, wanted to give it a try with the BF. I've definitely had better bbq. I knew I was in trouble when I couldn't pull my baby back ribs apart and had to grab a knife. They weren't tender at all like I'd hoped. Cole slaw was pretty vinegary, mac and cheese was okay. The highlight of my meal was the pear cider from the bar, I'll be looking for that at Binnys. BF had the brisket and devoured it, but he wasn't impressed with his mashed potatoes. I do think we'll go back because we really liked the vibe, live music, and overall space. I'm thinking maybe they just pulled my ribs a bit early from the pit, maybe it was an off night. I'll check out the pulled pork or the brisket next time per the other reviews. The place has potential, I think you just gotta know what's good.
(2)
Gina T.
We decided to try this restaurant after seeing it on Drive ins, Diners, and Dives on the Food Network. The atmosphere definitely deserves 5 stars as does the BYOB status. Our waitress was nice and service was fast. We had the sampler platter... our favorites were the pork, cornbread, beans, brisket, and peach cobbler. The ribs were a bit dry and scarce on the meat, and the chicken was too moist. We will be back for the pork, peach cobbler and live music.
(4)
Dave O.
One sentence review: If you want decent-to-good BBQ for a GOOD price, come to Honky Tonk BBQ. I went to this place for the first time tonight with my girlfriend and 2 other friends. As soon as we walked in, a pungent aroma hit us-- and it wasn't smoked meat. It smelled like must, like 'old people' as my friend said, like the marsupial house at a zoo. Fortunately, the smell either fades away quick or your mind gets used to it and it's not so in your face after awhile. I really enjoyed the feel of the place. It was like walking in to a saloon from a country-western flick. We didn't go into the second dining room so I can't say much for the decor for that room. Our server was friendly but was a little on the untimely side. The appetizers were good-- empanadas, candied bacon (yea, fat kid delight), and fried green tomatoes. The empanadas were tasty, but nothing to write home about. The candied bacon was clearly the star of the show-- thick cut, cooked perfectly, and candied in brown sugar. Amazing. The friend green tomatoes we good; once again, nothing to write home about. A note about the empanadas: you only get 3 of them so it's not good for a group. We cut them up in half to share with the 4 of us. I have an opinion about barbeque places I should share as well. If you're going to open a BBQ place, you damn well should be able to cook good ribs. If you can't do that, don't even try. So it's fair to say that the ribs were good. You should also be able to make outstanding brisket. Since it was only served as a sandwich, I didn't order that as well. I had the St. Louis style ribs and 2 others had baby-back-- consensus was, St. Louis as all around better. The 4th person had a pulled pork sandwich and loved it. The mac and cheese was outstanding-- I would go back there just to order the 'family size' side of it for just my meal. It was that good. The corn bread muffins are awesome as well. The biggest draw back was that we waited just over 45 minutes for our entrees. I'm not sure if that the norm here, but that kind of wait isn't suitable for a Friday night when there's maybe 12 people seated. One serious upside was pricing. $10 for a half slab of St. Louis style ribs w/ slaw (which was delicious, not too much mayo) and biscuit (corn bread is sold as a side, not as a given with meals). $3.50 for a side (a small portion though) of mac and cheese. Overall, we left satisfied. Definitely worth checking out. There was a live band, or should I say, live music since it was 2 guitarists. They were talented, but I'm not sure everyone enjoys blue grass. Oh, and as my friend pointed out, it's like hipster nation there.
(3)
Amanda S.
I live about 25 steps away from here, so I thought it only fitting to make this my first review. Honkey Tonk is some of the best BBQ in Chicago, with a great vibe, reasonable prices, and BYOB to boot. Very good desserts and some delicious sides as well, which now come in much bigger portions. The live music on the weekends is awesome, and service is very friendly. The only thing that could be improved is if/when they accept credit cards...
(4)
Devin C.
I've eaten here once or twice and enjoy the food, but I'm more into the bar. I drink here a few times a month, and it's always a barnburner. The staff is super friendly and they make a helluva Bloody Mary. The environment inside alone is totally worth it.
(5)
J M.
Decent BBQ, great Mac n' Cheese. Overpriced and really just not that good. Service was super snotty and slow. Ok place if you lived in the neighborhood. Definitely not a destination spot.
(2)
Neal K.
I've only been to Honky Tonk twice, but it's easily one of my favorite BBQ joints in the city. As far as the food goes, it's solid. Right up there with Fat Willy's, Smoke Daddy, and Honey 1 in my hood. Great choice to leave the meats dry rubbed with no sauce so you can add 1 of their 3 tasty choices as you please. I like the feel of this place. There's a lot of love in the wait staff and the owner, and plenty of local flavor as far as the Pilsen art scene goes all over the walls. 2 lefties hammering on the mandolins is a real treat. Cobbler was good. BYOB with BBQ is a winning combination. If you're a northsider/NW like me it's definitely worth a ride down to Pilsen to meet any of your more geographically inconvenient friends. Not sure about putting the pulled pork on ciabbatta though. Maybe a grilled Texas Toast?
(4)
Brian S.
I reserve 5 stars for the truly exceptional ... but this place is pretty awesome. The food is great (loved the fried green tomatoes) and the BBQ brisket. And the drinks are creative and well prepared. The music is a great thing too: My favorite thing about it is that my son (3 yrs) loves it... they have an old mechanical horse that (sometimes) works... and he loves getting up on it and dancing around to the music.
(4)
shirley m.
Saw this place on Check Please a while back and ordered carry out after a loooong day at work. Ordered the sampler platter, ribs were tender and moist, they use a dry rub and it has a REALLY smoky flavor (too smoky for some of us , perfect for the rest of us) the sausage (good! 2pcs) came mild and spicy, the platter included pulled pork and brisket sandwich bites, smoked chicken (moist and smoky) and sides. Mac and cheese is has a sharp cheese flavor, included beans and cornbread which was a hit with our group. This place is good if you like a lot of smoke and your BBQ sauce on the vinegar-y side!
(3)
Riley H.
I like to think I am a master with BBQ since I dis grow up in Memphis! So here is the break down... For an app we got fried green tomatoes and they were some of the best id ever had. For our meal my wife and i split a rack of ribs, brisket sandwich, and the homeade mac n cheese. The ribs were descent dry rib but nothing too exciting, they had ok flavor but the meat wasn't very moist and quite frankly there wasn't much meat on the bones! Now, the brisket sandwich was amazing and I put some of there homeade garlic mustard BBQ sauce on it, it was to die for! That sauce was very unique and flavorful! The Mac and cheese was very good as well and I would probably order the same next time I go minus ribs( and get an extra sandwich to go for the next day!) great restaraunt and atmosphere I will go back!
(4)
Carl S.
Award winner... hell they have the trophy to prove it. Pulled Pork is the BEST. Ribs, both St. Louis and Baby Back are wonderful. The brisket has an awesome smoke ring. You have to try the Mac and Cheese and the Corn Bread. Save room for the Banana Pudding.
(5)
Martha E.
Don't go to Hony Tonk BBQ. Got it? I don't want you to go and make me have long waits because I love this place with its lovely, quirky artwork, low-key, unprentious vibe, awesome live music and...oh yeah...delicious Memphis BBQ. And if you ignore my pleas and wind up going, don't order the moist pulled pork, hearty black eyed peas nor the creamy mac n'cheese because I don't want them running out by the time I get there. Got that? *pause* See you there.
(4)
Sven K.
Me and 6 of my friends went to Honky Tonk and had a very mixed experience. The Good: - Everybody enjoyed their sides (mac and cheese - yum!), the pulled pork (although I thought it was not exceptional, some dry pieces), the sausage links, the corn muffins (although I remember them being better), and the atmosphere. The Bad: - The green BLT (no flavor, not enough bacon), the dry brisket. We did not go for the ribs in the first place since they are not worthwhile - see other reviews on yelp. We also tried to order appetizers - the empanadas. Our waitress told us that we would get 6. When we got them, there were 3 small ones on a plate, and they could have been from Sam's Club. For $8 (!) We pointed it out to her, and she just told us that we could get another order (duh!), which we politely refused. We said that either we would return them or she could get us another complimentary order. She then proceeded to get the manager (!?), who also suggested that we get another order - and in a very annoyed way. When we refused, she just took the empanadas away and took off, without comment. This is best described as "resting on your laurels" when your business is probably going well. In the end we did not get charged for a dish, which was a welcome mistake on their part. Karma is a b*tch. Bottom line is that Honky Tonk is overrated, and you better know what to get ahead of time, so as not be disappointed.
(3)
Mike L.
Solid 4 stars. Went here for a quick lunch and had a brisket sandwich. The rub they used was awesome, loved it. It was also pretty darn big as well, nothing like getting stuffed off a great $8 sandwich. I love that they put no sauce on it, but the sauce at the table was great as well. Tried some pulled pork from the person I was with and thought it was great too. I have seriously been considering going back there for dinner, but I wont hurt my waste line that much in a day. Cant wait to go back and try there sampler platter
(4)
kinke s.
love this place!!!
(4)
ELLIE M.
First off let me tell you how much I enjoyed this place.The wait staff makes you feel you feel very comfortable they have live music in the back round and the pulled pork sandwich is AWESOME . Not only that the have a dry rub rib and if you like it it wet (as most of you do) they have like 3 different bbq sauces on the table you can try .I really liked this joint and if your not to far from the Pilsen area you should definetly check it out!!!!!!
(5)
Don R.
I was really looking forward to some great BBQ from all the hype on this place, but sadly I was dissapointed. The sauces were good but not outstanding. The babyback ribs lacked any distinct flavor. I am sure these ribs were not boiled first, but that is how they tasted. The pulled pork was much the same. I expected some big smoke flavor, but the pork was bland. The fried green tomatoes were mush and very greasy. I am a big fan of Triple D and have been to many of the restaurants that are featured on the show and this was by far the biggest let down. In my opinion, if you are looking for great BBQ in Chicago head to Smoque on the north side.
(2)
Alan S.
A carnivores carnival! This place has excellent BBQ!! The pulled pork sandwich is a must; throw away the bread, you don't need that, and anyway you'll have more space for the ribs, or even the "Viking" ribs which are huge and moist and delicious! Everyone knows the BBQ is good here but I was amazed at the Bannana pudding, it's great, and people I was with raved about the sweet potato pie and a peach cobbler.... I don't know if these are always on the menu but save a bit of space for them! The place is straightforward; good music, plain tables, get's a bit loud and crowded, but what do you expect if it's this good?
(4)
natalie p.
I have not eaten in their restaurant, but I just came from a Pig Roast they catered and the pig was perfect. The owner and his wife are very nice and interesting people. I think the restaurant just opened, and they may also deliver soon. Will update review after I eat there. Oh yeah, and they do catering!
(4)
Chris P.
I love Honky Tonk BBQ! It's sad to read so many negative reviews, but on the other hand maybe it means there will be an open table for me to enjoy some great q and music as well.
(4)
Lezah G.
I rank this 5 stars in terms of ambience and music. It is a family place, a place for dates, a place for groups. It can be all things to all people. I love the old artifacts from the past and the old fashioned fixtures and mixmatched chairs. The people there were all very nice, but were they efficient? No...we barely saw our server and had to wait forever between getting seated, getting water, getting our orders taken,etc. Then nobody came to fill out our water glasses or see if we wanted anything. We both had brisket sandwiches which were delicious but our sides were not. Someone's hand slipped with the vinegar bottle and the slaw and the beans were inedibe and left uneaten. The server had no reaction when we told her about this. Afterwards we heard the band the Possum Hollow Boys perform. I give them 5 stars .As for the restaurant, whether or not I return will depend on what bands they have there. To me it is not worth a trip to Pilsen if there is not a good band playing!
(3)
Juliet H.
They're main entrance is a bit random, but they're most likely open. It is very lively in there. Their food? Eh...not the best. Their service? Eh..could be better. Just didn't really enjoy their food too much. I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was dry and not enough sauce. My theory with pulled pork sandwiches...if you have to add more sauce, it's not good enough.
(3)
Ryan P.
Amazing!! At my table there was pot pie, pulled pork sandwich, st. louis ribs, mac and cheese, sweet yams, and fried green tomatoes. AMAZING!!! We had desert, peach cobbler and chocolate cake - ehh. But back to the main food, amazing.
(5)
Jennifer B.
Walking into Honky Tonk BBQ is like walking into a tattoo- a big, bright red and orange flame tattoo that surrounds the metal door. Stepping inside, you realize it's more like having dinner in your funky country aunt's dining room. Honky Tonk has strange hours- 4-9:30 on Tuesday-Saturday only- but making the trek is definitely worth it. First, the BBQ! My dining partners salivated over the $30 giant combo platter. Two people split it and a bowl of the chili and still had leftovers at the end of the meal. Another friend got the pulled pork sandwich and coleslaw to similar acclaim. I, the resident vegetarian, had an unexpectedly awesome meal of the "What Your Girlfriend Wants Salad" (true in this case!), the mac n cheese, the candied yams on special that night, and the cornbread muffin. The three housemade BBQ sauces on the table were the best part of the meal- one was sweet, one tangy, and one spicy mustard! Someone at the table was explaining the difference between Memphis-style and other-style BBQ, one being dry and one smothered in sauce, and the meat here is definitely the dry style, so you can add as much of your own sauce as you want. The restaurant is also BYOB, so bring some cold beers to go along with the food! Extra bonus shoutout to the Northside Southpaws who perform at Honky Tonk every Friday night. The music was fantastic and fit in perfectly with the food and the atmosphere. This alone makes the restaurant worth visiting for any fans of folk, bluegrass, and other mandolin/guitar based music.
(4)
TRose H.
Went because of the reviews...Food was bland. There are soo many better BBQ places in Chicago. Won't go back
(2)
david o.
Great atmosphere - the band was amazing and the service was Awesome. Food was fantastic also - the artwork hanging up in the restaurant was such a Great surprise!
(5)
E.P M.
Had better. I have when they opened up in 2007 me and my girlfriend were there, the brick of cornbread came wrapped up looking like a bulls head with a slab of butter on top. The chicken was juicy and flavorful...sadly unlike most things according to my girlfriend who recently had went with family...it has not aged well. I'm leaving it at that. I'm gonna be nice.
(2)
Sep E.
I really wanted to love this place, especially after seeing it on TV, but this was perhaps one of the worse dining experience in my life. So bad that is prompted me to write my first Yelp review. So, I started off the Friday night with a suggestion to my boyfriend that we check out the BBQ joint we saw on TV. Little did we know that would wind up being our entire evening. We waited for more than 2 hours after initially being told it would take only one hour to be seated. After being seated, the food did not come out for one hour. Shouldn't BBQ already be made and ready to be slapped on a plate when ordered? Apparently, not here. The management in this place is awful and clearly not equipped to deal with a heavy dinner crowd. Smoque handles large crowds far better and in a far friendlier manner. I felt sorry for people with takeout orders who waited more than one hour! I would have been okay with the wait if the food was good, but it was, at best mediocre. I went specifically for the beef spare ribs and they were out (shocker). So, I went with the beef and chicken options. The chicken was dried out and flavorless, and the brisket was flavorless too and served on bread that was not right for BBQ. The black eyed peas were tasty, but the other sides just okay. The mashed potatoes needed major seasoning and someone clearly did not taste them before sending them out. Fried green tomatoes were unimpressive - sorta like a fried mushroom with that weird mystery bread crumb coating. So, bottom line - I am headed to Smoque next time I get the crazy idea to go to a BBQ joint on a Friday night.
(1)
Diana S.
Cheap tasty bbq joints are great! This place wasn't fancy at all. There is no air conditioning which was really killing us the day we went there, so we got take out instead. The main room was really humid and smelled like a dirty wet dog...eww. Not very appetizing. However, I can overlook all of that. We got a full slab of ribs and the rib tips. The sauces that came with were tasty. The ribs were so smoky...yum! The rib tips could have been a bit more tender and I wish they were cut parallel to the bone. It would have been easier to eat. Overall the food is pretty good. Next time we'll get delivery from there.
(3)
Ryan W.
I enjoy good BBQ and I've been hearing about Honky Tonk BBQ for some time. I happened to be in the neighborhood today and decided to give Honky Tonk a try. I suggest you stay away. The service was terrible. We waited over an hour for our food, which came out wrong, cold and tasteless. THe best part about the meal was the mac and cheese, which was fantastic. The brisket was horrible no matter how much BBQ sauce I dosed it with. After we got the check (and waited for about 10 minutes for someone to work the register) we both started feeling sick to our stomachs on the ride home. Not worth the trip, wait or cost.
(1)
Tommy A.
Probably would go 4.5 if I could, this is a good place. I need to start off by saying I don't think Memphis dry rub bbq is my favorite type, Carolina style, and Texas beef brisket are 2 styles I prefer. With that said I'll try to be objective and the dry rub on the ribs and chicken especially, are very good. Went with a group of 4 plus a kid that likes to eat, we split the large sampler and this allowed us to get a little taste of everything. Not sure if anything stood out too much, but all around solid, with maybe the exception of the brisket. I thought the brisket was kind of mediocre. I liked the sauces, the mustard one is especially interesting and good. Prices are fair, maybe a touch high, but on par with most BBQ places. The vibe in there is fun. Like old saloon, meets Jersey diner with fun new age kind of Western paintings on the wall. Looks like it might get more lively at night, but certainly somewhere kids can eat before too late. So overall, give it a try. Chicken, ribs, pulled pork, pretty good. Hot link is decent not great, brisket I'd skip.............. Oops, holy crap, I almost forgot to mention the bacon candy, this is awesome! I must try.
(4)
Julie S.
This southerner was pleasantly surprised by Honky Tonk BBQ. After having Fat Willies - I thought I was destined to never have good BBQ again... but Honky Tonk is a welcome addition to my rotation. We did the sampler and a few additional items - favorites were the brisket, pulled pork, and the chicken. The Mac and Cheese was good - but not the best I have ever had..... I will definitely come back!
(4)
Julia H.
I've been here three times in the past week. I dream about it at night. I may be in love. Bad atmosphere? Wrong. I liked the artwork and Johnny Cash is always a good listen. Bad service? Maybe. The owners are friendly and talkative but the server seemed bored. I don't blame her though because I think she is there every night. Bad neighborhood? Pshaw. Just trust me, this place is delicious. Don't go to a BBQ place in Pilsen expecting stellar service. Go expecting good food, good prices, and a friendly atmosphere.
(5)
Christopher H.
This place is really good. They're mac & cheese and corn bread are awesome. I usually get the St. Louis Ribs. The food is excellent w/ just the dry rub, but the sauces are really good too. It's reasonably priced & I love the space, very saloon-y feel to it. I've been back a couple of times & will continue to go back, service is timely & friendly. Better than Lillies Q, not as good as Smoque.
(4)
Ruth G.
The bbq was pretty good, but not quite on the same level as smoque daddy, or smoque... (but almost there). The portions are pretty big, and the homemade apple pie was tasty (but not quite memorable). The atmosphere is pretty fun, which adds an extra level of enjoyment. It's decorated like a barn and there is some live music at times. So, pretty solid if you are in the neighborhood.
(3)
Debbie E.
A solid 3 stars. I've had better and I've had worse. We had the sampler platter and the rib tips. The sampler platter is a pretty good value at $30. You could easily feed 3-4 people. Everything was quite tasty. The rub and the char on the meat was good enough that you could choose to go without sauce. Ribs were not dry and came off the bone easily. The pulled pork was really moist. The brisket had good flavor, but was a little too fatty. Hot links had skin that "popped" when you bit into it and had a nice kick. The ribs tips were plentiful and delicious. The chicken wasn't bad, but slightly overcooked. We had gotten there early... around 5:30 before it got crowded. One of the biggest downsides of the place is that when you first walk in, you get an overwhelming whiff of stale cigarettes and beer. Although, the bar is in the front of the place. Maybe the back room smells better. Will be back there because it's close to home, but wouldn't make a special trip there. Too many better barbecue places in Chicago for that.
(3)
Craig C.
The food at Honky Tonk BBQ is delicious....plain and simple. The Beef Brisquet sandwich is my favorite with melt-in-your mouth meat...doesn't even need sauce, on a wonderful roll; the sweet potato side dish was to die for. And the country music that played the last couple of times I was there was energetic, listenable, and provided a great backdrop to the food. The restaurant itself is developing a better ambiance than it had originally, and the service is getting much better. Don't expect the smooth gentility of Carson's, but it's much better, for example, than Leon's on the south side. I'd compare the place to Smoke Daddy both in terms of the food and the environment.
(5)
Erica M.
NEVER AGAIN Honkey Tonk! I came back after a really terrible experience figuring that maybe they had an off-night when we ordered from there a few months ago. After the long walk over from 18th Street Pink line I placed my order: half slab of baby back ribs; pulled pork sandwich, side hot link and mac and cheese. First of all, for $4 the mac and cheese portion is a joke. But I guess it doesn't matter much since it's just bland overcooked noodles with a very stingy cheese-like sauce. Never trust white mac & cheese; mac & cheese should be a nice deep orangey color. This pulled pork sandwich is atrocious. Huge chunks of barely tender meat. If you pull the pork it should look shredded, but it seems the pork hasn't been cooked long enough, hence the gross chunks of meat that have no flavor!!! Again, the baby back ribs don't seem like they've been cooked long enough either. The meat is still pink and there's none of the fall of the bone goodness that I shelled out $11 for. Where's the smoked goodness that marks southern bbq. I mean even liquid smoke would've added a bit more authenticity. The hot links were enjoyable, reasonably priced but even that couldn't save this meal. NEVER AGAIN!!! I don't know who in the hell gives this place great reviews-they've obviously never tasted real bbq. I'm so disappointed, I could just cry...
(1)
Nancy H.
Interesting neighborhood. Cops were called to this area last Saturday night because there were gunshots heard, and my friends saw sketchy people running for their lives. I guess the front door should have been a big clue; it's a gated screen door covering a tall, black door that makes you feel like you're walking into a boarded up house instead of a restaurant. Atmosphere isn't great, but the smell of BBQ smoke welcomes you as soon as you walk in. Food wasn't great either, nothing has BBQ sauce on it; instead you squirt some on yourself. The menu is limited to pork sandwiches ($6-8), a brisket sandwich ($8), and baby back or St. Louis style ribs (full slab for $20). Sides are extra ($1.50 - $2.50). Service was great, though - they are so friendly here, and there was a country singer on his guitar who walks around the restaurant singing and playing music. Lastly, it's BYOB with no corkage fee, but we abused their policy, and the owner charged us $20 for the mess in the bathroom.. oops!
(2)
Zenia R.
one: i love saying the name, two: i don't have to travel to luling, texas for mouth watering brisket, three: there's live blue grass and the most amazing ipod play list jamming. that's more than enough for me to reserve a spot for honky tonk on my top favorites places to dine and chill in the city.
(4)
Martha S.
Having just returned from St. Louis and still not having my fill of ribs, I decided to head out to the first place in Chicago with 'dry rub' ribs. Honky Tonk BBQ summoned me. Went on a Sunday evening, found parking half a block away, which is a luxury in the city. Walked in and found seating with no problem and suddenly, the place started hopping. There was live music, which was nice for a change for a Sunday night dinner. My son had the pulled pork sandwich he loved and finished. My daughter ordered the vegitarian sandwich with fried green tomatoes and goat cheese, which was actually two small sandwiches. She loved it, but didn't finish because she tried some of my half slab. We had the basked of 4 corn muffins, which were moist and delicious. We shared baked beans with pork, which were not amazing-just good. The coleslaw that came with my 1/2 slab was good and the mac n cheese was delicious, with real cheese. Yum! I'd go here again, with friends and have a few drinks with my food. Didn't know this place was so close to home. Now that I do, I will head out here more often.
(4)
annie r.
ok. i'm stupid. ignore my previous review. this place is my jam and i would eat here everyday if my jeans allowed it.
(5)
Mike H.
I'm glad a friend of mine told me about this place b/c I'll definitely visit this BBQ joint again in the future. It's true that the restaurant number I found to order ahead so I could carry-out apparently was the cell phone number of the owner. However, as part of the voicemail, I heard that they have live music on Friday and Saturday evenings so I decided to dine-in instead, and I'm glad I did. It's also a BYOB restaurant with a $1/person corkage fee. The restaurant has two different areas. One is the main room and is connected to the other room (where the live music was playing) by a doorway. FYI - it's difficult to do anything but eat b/c of the music in the connecting room when there's live music. The party of four I was a part of had to wait about 15 mins before a table opened up for us on a Friday evening. There is no A/C which can definitely be an issue during the summer (it was already a little warm on a late Sept evening). The menu was simple and short but there are a few vegetarian options. Personally, I'd recommend the pulled pork and peach cobbler. I also liked the chicken and baby back ribs. If you're looking for brisket, go to Smoque BBQ. Do not get the chili - it wasn't any good. As far as the sauces, I preferred the the sweeter sauce which I was told was Sweet Baby Ray's. The hot sauce wasn't really hot, it was more tangy.
(4)
January C.
I came here last night for the first time. I had read good things but was a little skeptical of a BBQ joint in Pilsen. I looked through the menu and was very pleased by the offerings and the prices. Sometimes BBQ can be a little on the expensive side but I felt like everthing was reasonably priced. I was very excited to see they make a Carolina mustard sauce! I ordered a half slab of St. Louis style ribs, macaroni and cheese, and yams. The ribs were awesome! The mustard sauce was amazing! The spicy sauce was most welcome, given all the nasty sweet sauces offered in this city. The macaroni and cheese was very cheesy and good. I've had better yams. The ribs came with a roll and coleslaw; both were great. The coleslaw was fresh tasting, not drowned in mayo, and the roll had a nice garlic salt application on top. I ate the leftovers for lunch today and the meat fell right off the bone. It was just as delicious today as it was last night. I got my food for carry-out but while I was waiting, I checked out the place and thought the country-influenced paintings and honky tonk music really created an appropriate atmosphere. I think its cool that it's BYOB. I don't think it's cool that it's cash only, but I will just have to remember that. Hands down, this is the best BBQ I've eaten in Chicago and it even rivals Arthur Bryant's in Kansas City!
(5)
Todd H.
Decent food--not spectacular. Candy bacon was a hit. Corn muffins were weak; beans were nothing special. I did expect a bit more in terms of food excitement. The service was solid. Now: On to the urine smell. Yes--absolutely. No mistaking it. Something ain't right. Half of the restaurant was closed--with fans blowing. If I was on a date, we would not have stayed--no how, no way. Because I was with a bunch of guys, they didn't care. Live entertainment was a nice touch.
(2)
Jerome H.
I was SO disappointed in this place, I was just starting to use Yelp when I ran across this place with "amazing authentic BBQ in Pilsen." I have lived here for a while and have to say almost any deviation from charbroiled chicken and Mexican fare is welcomed. But in this case, I was so disappointed. I could have driven to the south side and had some real BBQ and not this sub-par excuse for ribs. Here are the issues: I. WTF, you don't trim the ribs? The membrane on the slab we ordered was still in tact--is this some delicacy where the chef was from? II. Hot Links? YOU WISH! They tasted like frozen and thawed cheap Moo and Oink links. III. The bread was harder than it was for me to believe this place won an award at a BBQ contest. It's hard to screw up ribs, but if you are interested in a method, call or visit this place.
(1)
Michael H.
I was here for a party and was lucky enough to sample everything. The pulled pork was incredibly tender; the ribs were a little dry; the sausage and brisket were wonderful; and the mac and cheese was perfect. Nice ambiance in Pilsen (of all places). The bar area is comfortable and the dining area was decorated by paintings seemingly hoisted from garage sales and flea markets in the area. I expect this place to be reviewed on Chicago's Best shortly.
(5)
Lori B.
We went to Honky Tonk last night for dinner, fantastic! The St. Louis ribs were the best we've ever had! The beef brisket & pulled pork sandwich's were good, but the ciabatta was to much bread. Mac & cheese was outstanding, the beans were ok, slaw was good, & the cornbread was good (a little dry). We will definitely be back for full slabs of ribs!!
(4)
Varsha L.
Went here Sun June 6th,2010 the decor was cool, food was okay, I didnt really try any of the meat items so cannot really comment on that, the fungi sandwich was very bland and a lot of mushrooms, the ciabiata roll it came on was good, greasy and delicious... mashed potatoes were good, I would prob not go back but the husband might want to... I should have got the salad or the empanadas on special...maybe I ordered the wrong thing?
(2)
Chris M.
I saw this place on Check Please a few months back and was intrigued. I am always looking for a good barbecue spot and from the review, this place looked good. My girlfriend lives down on the south side and it is nice to find good food options around there. We got take out from here a few weeks back and I think it lived up to the hype. I had the Pulled Pork Sandwich, she had the Funghi Sandwich and we split a side of Mac and Cheese. My only complaint is that I could have used an extra side of BBQ sauce. The portions were huge, the food was tasty and the ciabatta roll on the pulled pork sandwich really hit the spot. My girlfriend is a vegetarian and I really liked the fact that they had a couple of options for her which is rare at a BBQ place. The next time I go, we are definitely going to dine-in, take advantage of the BYOB and chow down on some ribs or the sampler platter.
(4)
ANDREA g.
Went out tonight looking for some good peach cobbler, and ended up finding amazing BBQ! Great music, even if you don't like honky tonk, live music is always a plus. Great atmosphere and beautiful bar! Boyfriend and I split the pulled pork on cibatta sandwich and mac and cheese. The bread was soft and fresh, the pork was juicy and tender! mac and cheese was home made!! and amazing, i wanted to lick the bowl clean!!! Peach cobbler was a 7 out of ten. We have been spoiled by some amazing cobbler, so we hold them to a high standard. The ice cream was super rich and creamy, the crust on the cobbler was to doughy for us we prefer a crunchy crust, but it wasn't bad, just not amazing. We will be heading back though, service with a smile and great food.... SOLD!
(5)
Carri A.
5 stars for a BBQ place from a Texan vegetarian (a rare breed)? Yup, it's true! So I did not partake in what smelled like some kick ass barbequed meat, but my carnivore friends will testify under the strictest of oaths to its tenderness and overall deliciousness. I will, though, go on for days about the non-meat fare, which there is plenty of. My table ordered several family-sized sides including the phenomenal fried green tomatoes, superb mac & cheese, mashed potatoes and portabello mushrooms. I ordered the Funghi Sandwich and was very pleased with it. (The ciabatta was stellar.) To sum this up quick, the food is amazing. AMAZING/FANTASTIC/DELICIOUS/etc... Also, they have three bottles of different sauces for your dipping and saucing needs - all are spectacular but I kind of want to take a bath in the mustard-based one. It's that good. The service was prompt, friendly and professional. The prices are extremely fair. The decor is so adorable and interesting, even in the bathroom! And it looks like they have some live music at times (we missed out during our meal) but the set up is so cute. I really have nothing bad to say about this place, other than I wish it was closer to me. But thats also a one-way ticket to being 400 pounds. So a blessing in disguise. They can handle big groups and have a super friendly, relaxed vibe about the place. Almost like going home...
(5)
J J.
We were pretty disappointed since we were excited that we found this place - maybe we have been spoiled by all the Texas and Memphis BBQ we have had. Menu was limited and most of the meat selections were sandwiches. I tried the mini sandwiches but the meat was dry - definitely needed BBQ sauce for added flavor. Service was good but nothing outstanding... not a horrible experience but I will try other places next time
(2)
Jeanne C.
My friends and I got Honky Tonk carry out: one brisket sandwich, two orders of dinky dunkers (one pork/one brisket), corn bread, mac&cheese, and coleslaw. I liked it a lot. My co-eaters weren't quite as big of fans. The brisket and pork were both super tender and I really liked the sauce. The mac&cheese wasn't very cheesy and was sort of dry. The corn muffin was delicious, though I am a sucker for corn bread. My one friend (who is from Oklahoma) did not finish her dinky dunkers saying "it just wasn't like in the south." Good, solid bbq. But it didn't rock my world.
(4)
NARDO Q.
Before I begin let me say this: Before you are done reading this review, you will have said "Saay whaat?!" to yourself. Three times, I have gone to his place. 1. They took forever and a half to take our order, bring our food and the service was horrible. It was a group of three who went and all three were not satisfied with the service and, to top it off, the food tasted a bit "food truckish." Not to mention really greasy! 2. Against my wishes, my family decided to take my brother there for his birthday - off we went. Again, the service was horrible and everyone else seemed to be getting their things before us. We paid no mind to it and kept enjoying the time we were spending together. The food, once again, nothing impressing that I can't get a local trucker stop or small BBQ joint. 3. AGAIN, against my wished, a group of friends wanted to try this place - I had been drinking and didn't put up much of a fight. BOY DID I GET MAD, when we were waiting to be seated and a group came in 5 minutes after us and were sat before us. Okay, understandable - maybe they were waiting and stepped out, maybe they had reservation - a lot of factors can come into play. Then another group was sat before us. Okay, I had enough. I went to ask someone what was going on, in my calm drunken voice I said, "Well WTF, two groups were sat down before us and we were here first - I don't mean to be rude but thats F'ed up!" They assured us we were next and sure enough 10 minutes after my little conversation we were seated. Now we waited, and waited. Finally someone came asked what we wanted - order was put it. Waited and waited. Went to the washroom. Waited and waited. Finally food came - EVERYTHING WAS WRONG! So we went some stuff back and other cr4p wasn't messed up too bad so that was kept - plus we were all starving at this point. And again, we waited and waited. Food came out, everything seemed alright. Check came and we were being charged for everything that was made!! (Saay Whaat?!) So of course I said, "You must be crazier than a fish with titties to think I'm going to pay for that." It was fixed, and we paid - NO TIP FOR YOU! After telling my experience to a few people they told me similar - with a few exceptions. Here is my conclusion (AND BY NO MEANS AM I SAYING ITS FACT), I believe these guys are racist. Both groups that were sat before us were white, everyone around us was white (or some type of hipster thing) - my friends all agreed they felt like if they were put "in the dark corner of the bar" (Simpsons reference), except for my white friends. Man, I'm sorry but this place is no good for me and my brown/black people, save some time and money and hit up a taco joint.
(1)
M. V.
My favorite pulled pork sandwich in Chicago! Add the homemade yellow sauce & its perfection!! I enjoy the mac & cheese & cornbread as sides. Mmmmmm, Honky Tonk does carryout too.
(5)
Michael T.
Yay! I'm a fan. I learned about HTBBQ from Diners Drive-Ins and Dives (thank God Guy Fieri seems to have a culinary chub for Chicago - he's introduced me to tons of places) and incented a group of exTREMEly reticent gays to leave the cocoon of Boystown for the 3 day journey to Pilsner.. err, Pilsen. Once there, all the terror of driving on LSD without stopping at the Mag Mile soon evaporated - the food was freakin' GOOD. I have learned to appreciate the quirky service cultures associated with 'dives' in exchange for food that will work me over. The ribs? Amazing. Pulled pork? Ditto. Chicken? Why bother with chicken in a BBQ joint!? Also noteworthy was the "OMG! No seriously, OMG!" quality of the banana pudding. It's not something I eat often, but this is what you want it to taste like when you do. Even had some 'Nilla wafers, just like mom used to bake. Get over that it has a practically-in-Indiana location and give it a try.. totally worth it.
(4)
Poof A.
The chance to give this gem the stellar review it deserves was one of the reasons I finally caved and joined Yelp (yep, I've been leeching off others' reviews for a while now...) It's not always easy to please a vegetarian and a BBQ fiend in one place. Honky Tonk more than succeeds! BF had the pulled pork sandwich- he swears that the dry rub was so good that it didn't even require the delicious sauces that he put on, and having it on ciabatta was "the icing on the cake" (seriously. his words.) I had the 'what your girlfriend wants' salad (how did they know?!) Delicious, fresh, generous amounts of goat cheese, and really good dressing served on the side. We split the mac and cheese (great, love the crust on top!); a corn muffin (dig the kernels inside); and the coleslaw (note: it's the vinegary kind, not the creamy kind- consider yourselves warned!). Washed it down with ice cold root beer, but the place is also BYOB and there was a liquor store down the block. Our server was lovely and attentive but not overbearing, and the decor in this place is so cute- love how all the tables and chairs are different! We will definitely be making the trip in the future.
(5)
doug k.
Excellent brisket with fun, young predomo Latino crowd....decent live music. Pilsen shld be on every tourists visit list.
(4)
Zoran O.
Brisket is out of this world - with their hot sauce - the best I've had outside of the obvious BBQ US cities like Austin, Kansas or East coast. I was very happily surprised bumping into after going there for a birthday celebration and some music. The space is really cozy and casual - as it should be for a meat consuming joint. Really nice and genuine addition to the Chicago's small and tight circle of proper BBQ joints. Looking forward to trying other items on the menu very soon!
(5)
Jessica Z.
Honky Tonk is the the reason (besides bacon) I will never be able to stop eating pork. (insert 5 stars for pulled pork here!) The location and atmosphere- unique, laid back, real tonky! (insert 5 stars here). The sides- I do really like some of the side dishes, but some could be improved (insert 4 stars here). A little sadness that they are no longer BYOB; however now they are open late (kitchen closes at 11pm still) (insert 4 stars here). A new southside dining institution: insert 5 stars here! What Smoque is to brisket, Honky Tonk is to pulled pork. I think you go to each of these places for different reasons. Overall, a solid 4.5 stars. If you like pork, you MUST go. You can bring your vegetarian friends too, they have a few options for them.
(4)
Pizz o.
Place has really great BBQ. I had pulled pork and it was amazing. Dad had ribs he liked them and so did I. Cole slaw was good. Server was so nice and helpful. Chili left a bit to be desired.
(4)
Frank L.
Checked out Honky Tonk BBY the other night and was sadly disappointed. My sister and I shared a half slab of st. louis style ribs, baby back ribs, cornbread muffines and some mac & cheese. I had a sweet tea with the meal. There was no noticeable difference between the baby back and the st. louis style ribs. neither had much flavor without the tableside sauces. (a sweet, a tangy, and a garlic sauce. The sweet seemed to go best with the ribs). The most disappointing thing about the ribs were that you really had to gnaw on the bones to get the meat off. I want my ribs to be "fall off the bone" tender, and this certainly did not meet the standard. I'll concede that someone else might enjoy ribs with a little "game" to them, but I want them to fall apart on the touch/clamp of my teeth. The cornbread muffins are great - definitely order some to pair with your meal (although a half slab does come with a dinner roll and cole slaw that is a bit to vinegar-y.). Mac and cheese was topped with something crunchy, which gave it some texture. The mac and cheese was good - another item you should complement your meal with. I had to do a double take with the sweet tea. There was SO much lemon flavor that i thought I mistakenly ordered a lemonade. Gotta mention the decor too - there is nothing pretentious about this place. during our meal, a couple of guys in cowboy hats played on a semi-stage next to the bar. You feel like you're walking into a saloon from the old west, yet modernized with flat-screen TV's and other modern day amenities. Overall I cannot recommend Honky Tonk BBQ given my taste for super succulent meat on the bone. A big helping of Honky Tonk BBQ for those: who who want a little cowboy flair to go with their bbq. Save your ride for another rodeo: if you're looking for fall-off-the-bone style ribs especially with a little more seasoning to the meat (i.e. before you have to add extra sauce)
(3)
Bradley R.
I owe the yelp world a huge apology. I was going through my reviews and I realized I had not submitted one for honkey tonk. My wife and I went there on a cold November Friday night in 2012. The place is super easy to find even for a true suburbanite like myself. Parking was about a half block down so it wasn't to bad either. We waited maybe five minutes to be seated in the main area near the bar. I cant recall what we had for a round of drinks but it didn't piss me off so it must have been OK. I do recall having the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer and being very pleased with them. We had a variety of meats which we both enjoyed for entrees as well as the sides. All of their meats were super tender and well smoked and didn't taste like they had been sitting in a warming oven for the past eight hours like some place that I wont mention their names with a Q in it. The thing I remember the most however was the hot link. I told my wife it was the most incredible sausage I had ever had and she says I raved about it for at least a month. There was a live soloist playing while we ate but the room wasn't to loud for us to talk which we used to do back than. Overall it was a great experience and I hope to get back here one day again.
(4)
Christopher G.
Fun spot, cute waitress, but the worst BBQ I've ever had. No smokey flavor to be found. Sauces lacked any special character. They bussed our food off the table with such speed without even asking (turn those tables). Oh, and we drove all that way to try this and they're out of baby backs at 8pm. Not good first impression. I'll stick to Smoke Daddy, baby.
(1)
Deez N.
pretty solid for bbq. the smokiness definitely comes out. I have been on a binge of bbq recently and I found honky tonk to be pretty decent. The brisket sandwich was my favorite here. I recently reviewed the places Q, Smoque, Fat Willys, and Smoke Daddy. All in all, the brisket sandwich here is what to come for, however, i liked the sliced brisket at Smoque the best. In terms of ribs, I prefer Q, even though its a bit pricier.
(3)
Radish E.
If you're craving some smoked meat, this place will not disappoint. I stick with the pulled pork, which comes piled high on some nice ciabatta. They do take out, but I recommend eating in so you can have your fill of the sauces on the table, all of which are tasty. I love sopping up the sauce with chunks of the bread. The side items aren't a very good value because you get such a small portion. Don't worry, the entree is plenty of food so you don't need any sides. They have some interesting artwork on the walls to check out while you're waiting for your food.
(5)
Courtney K.
I absolutely love Honky Tonk BBQ. It is nearby to my apartment, which makes it a great destination for a bike ride around Pilsen. The atmosphere of the restaurant is awesome, and sends me straight back to an old saloon I once visited in South Dakota (vague as hell, right? at least it's a fond memory.) Every time I have been there, there has been live music which really adds to the upbeat mood of the place. I love the dim lighting, the incredibly friendly service, and the pleasant waiting time. The rib tips are always juicy and tasty, and the sauces that are available to mix and match are DELICIOUS. The portions of the sides are also perfect. Please do not miss out on the macaroni and cheese as it is the best I have ever had in my life. Seriously. It is also great that a meal for two can be eaten without making your stomach drop in a bad way when you are handed the bill. Honky Tonk may be a little bit off the beaten path, but that does not mean that it should be overlooked.
(5)
Nisa D.
We went in on a Tuesday night, we didn't wait long for seating. The staff was very friendly in funky kind of way. The pork was very tender and the sauce was delicious i love that you get to pick your sauce and put as much as you want on your meat. This time we got the rib tips and they were delish also we got the family size mac n cheese we just love mac n cheese.Over all I had a great experience!
(4)
Erica T.
Honky Tonk? (Live bluegrass music playing...) Check. BBQ? (Extensive menu of pulled pork, ribs, smoked chicken, etc. etc. etc.) Check. The name pretty much says it all. OK, well maybe not - here are my two cents: They have an eclectic beer selection - bottles, no beer on tap. The Mac&Cheese was delish - reminded me of my recent trip to N. Carolina. Peach cobbler - best ever! I didn't have BBQ because I had a late lunch that day, so I can't really truly judge, but I sampled a piece of pulled pork - not your typical in that it was dry and not pulled apart, but cut into pieces - but the flavor was pretty good, and there are sauces on the table to smother your meat in.
(4)
Y B.
My husband discovered this place a few years ago while repairing their dsl services and decided to bring us here. LOVE the rib tips. Most tender pieces you can try anywhere. Mixed dining crowd and eclectic dining setting makes it homely. I would go back anytime.
(4)
Nikki C.
when the owner, sous chef and family put out their best to host a bunch of big drinking and big eating peeps from yelp it all leads to a bunch of meat comas and the need for sweatpants the next few hours if not days. slow smoked meats, home made sauces, and voice quieting sides led to a meat orgy of mega-orgasmic proportions. the place is clean and cozy, live music adding to the circus and smiling and way cute waitresses adding to the mo' bettas. yes, they have me hooked to return and try to repeat the experience. just need to wait awhile until this vytorin restores my HDL levels back to human safe levels. dats good stuffs! loved the sweet potatoes, the ribs, the pulled pork, the peach cobbler, the brisket, the beets, the byob and the love of meat felt around the room.
(5)
Carolynne M.
OK, OK, OK, sorry about my April Fool's prank (cough, not really), but here is the REAL and TRUE review that I promised! Oh, uh, first up KUDOS to Carol J, who obviously put a lot of thought and preparation into last nights event and oh my word... This place is UNBELIEVABLE! The only words I can use to describe it would be meat, meat, sauce, and meat! Don't go if you know whats good for you! Seriously, you will have to be rolled out of this place at the end and since there are some hard concrete steps outside, thats gonna hurt! I really don't want to go into too much detail about it (oh, OK if you insist!) Let's just say my all day fasting yesterday in anticipation of that dinner was... completely necessary! *groan* So, just when you think the meat has your full attention, there are these side dishes - one better than the other! Fried green tomatoes, sweet potatoes, coleslaw. Oh man. Not even one tiny thing to complain about. What the heck! Well, I guess there is a good reason this place won at the Memphis BBQ competition! I have never been so full & happy since my last foray into the world of gluttony that is the Wisconsin State Fair. Sweeeeeet. Oh and by the way, this is no joke. If you like BBQ you need to get your butt down to Pilsen, ASAP.
(5)
QB Chicago B.
So we were in the mood for some BBQ and heard from a friend that this would be the place, closest to us & should try. Well....it was a'ight....nothing special...just a'ight. The meat had great flavor & was very tender. (baby back ribs) But it was the sauce that got my panties in a bunch. Usually it's the meat that gives you the problem but here, it was the sauce! I tried all 3 that they offered and they progressively got worse. And how does fries not come with BBQ is beyond me but whateves...we tried the Mac...it too was just a'ight. Many southern offerings but none taste quit southern...nothing was horrible but all missing a lil....southern comfort. The fried green tomatoes, candied bacon (my love requested them warm...how they come cold is a wonder...mos def should revamp to serve warm...they smelled sooooo good after they were heated and everyone around us kept asking what the hell we were eating that smelled so yummy), yams...all just a'ight. Wanted desert really bad but after the meal, we decided not to chance it. So to sum it up, in a pinch, want to listen to some live dixie...fall thru...if you want a great southern BBQ meal, keep heading south...pass Pilsen.
(3)
link b.
lovely bar...very old. Nicely decorated. Good for pilsen.
(3)
Kameko G.
One star is too much for this place. The food was not edible. I bought 2 orders of Viking Short Ribs and you could not even cut the meat there was so much fat. I was so disappointed. Worst food experience ever!!! $50.00 down the drain. Do not go there!!!!
(1)
Diana R.
Thanks to Carol J for putting a great event together. All you can eat for $25.... I'm still full. Highlights: Pulled pork..... OMFG, I am never eating pulled pork anywhere else. Also, candied yams and coleslaw. yeah i said coleslaw, it was damn good. Dessert banana pudding.... i think I took the most from the whole table. oops! Also, I like that the owner came by and talked to us for a little bit, he was very relaxed and friendly, made the experience even better.
(5)
Marc B.
I'm a total BBQ fan and, to be fair, a bit of a snob. I have strong opinions on the different styles of BBQ (Memphis, Texas, KC, Carolina) and even technique preferences within these styles. So with all the attention Honky Tonk BBQ is getting in Pilsen, I had to go. Full disclosure: Several jobs back, I worked for Honky Tonk BBQ's owner, Willie Wagner, at a printing company his family owned. So when I saw that Willie had left the printing business and gone on the competition BBQ circuit, won some prizes and then opened a restaurant, I was both surprised and intrigued. Gotta say, Willie and his wife Beth have a knack for great BBQ. It is probably the best in the city, outside of maybe a few tiny places on the far South Side from my youth that may or may not even be open any more. Willie does Memphis-style BBQ (my favorite of the four styles) and offers two cuts of ribs, brisket, pulled pork, chicken and sausage. We tried the St. Louis style ribs and the brisket sandwiches as well as the fried green tomato appetizer and the mac and cheese. The brisket was just perfect, lots of smoke and tender meat that still had enough chewiness. Whatever rub he is using works well - and this is where I think Memphis technique is just so much better than the spare Texas style. Put Honky Tonk's brisket against Smoque's (the critic's fave on the North Side which specializes in Texas style BBQ) and there is no comparison - Willie's is just a more interesting, complex take. The ribs were quite good, although not in the class of the brisket. Smoke was perfect as well and I do like the rub quite a bit. But what I typically like about ordering and grilling the St. Louis cut is it gives you more meat to play with. And the cut we had at Honky Tonk were a bit more spare than I'm used to. The end result was a texture more like you get with baby back ribs. Again, nothing wrong with the technique - I just think a meatier slab would be much better. The fried green tomatoes were crunchy and good and the mac and cheese solid - but the meat was clearly the star. We will for sure go back, this is a must stop if you love BBQ. Important note: Honky Tonk only takes cash. Make sure you stop at an ATM on the way.
(4)
Fay E.
Came here with a group on a Sunday night to celebrate a friend's birthday. We got there pretty late, considering they close at 8pm. But you wouldn't have known it by the service at all. The servers were awesome, so nice, hung out and joked with us, and let us take our time. They didn't rush us at all, even though we stayed well past closing. I wanted to really love the food, but unfortunately, I didn't. We ordered the Sampler Platter, 1/2 slab of baby back ribs, mac n' cheese, beans with pork, sweet potatoes, peach cobbler and pecan pie. I love dry rub ribs and will always compare them all to the ones I've had in Memphis. But I didn't think these had much flavor at all, neither did the chicken. The chicken actually looked a little unappetizing because of the light color of the skin. You definitely needed to use the sauces on the table on everything. The sauces were pretty good though. The sides and desserts were just okay. Nothing really stood out here, which is sad, considering I've heard so much hype on various TV shows.
(2)
Damon M.
GREAT BBQ! I would consider myself somewhat of a wannabe BBQ connoisseur. The "wannabe" comes from lack of an official title. I have traveled all over this great land and have tasted all types of barbecue. Honky Tonk is absolutely top notch. Definitely have to try the split Dinky Dunkers to get a good sampling of the pork and brisket. I would advise against smothering in one of the EXCELLENT 3 table sauce options right off the bat, but rather pace your self and throw in some sauce variety with each bite. Like I said, each sauce is excellent and unique. The sides we had are also phenomenal. Mac 'n Cheese, garlic mashed, and slaw. make sure to note, these are individual sides, not sharing apps. Maybe because I'm a hog and everything was so good that I didn't want to share, but that is neither here nor there. Possibly the best feature of this amazing restaurant is that it's BYO. WHY O WHY can't all restaurants adopt this amazing trend??? The decor is fantastic - always something to look at. Really great artwork adorn the walls with everything from Dean in Giant, to Dorothy in Wizard, to a Fridaesque mural, to one of the crazier paintings that you could stare at for 20 minutes and still find something new. The music is great. I definitely do not consider myself a country music fan, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the band channeling Hank Williams throughout their set. You just can't help the toe from tapping along. We also had the opportunity to meet Willie, the Tonk's gracious and passionate owner. You could tell from the look in his eye that he knows good barbecue. Not just "knows" like knows a recipe or two... I'm saying he "knows" in the way where the gods of barbecue come to him at night and whisper in his ear. Possibly the greatest feature of this incredible spot is the one you notice as you leave, but is a quick reminder that you will be back very soon. I am speaking of the "kick here" sign on the back of the entry door. I highly enjoyed kicking there, and look forward to go back to the Tonk soon, just so I can leave and kick again - Don't know what I'm talking about? You better head on over to find out.
(5)
Edward L.
Oh A La Card. You've provided me with such insight into an otherwise insurmountable culinary journey. I went to Honky Tonk BBQ at the behest of an oft-unused A La Card. Being a native Texan I'm a little wary about barbecue especially in Illinois. Honky Tonk is a pretty tasty place but nothing extraordinarily write-home about (especially to a mom that still lives in Texas). Good: Service was pretty good. The place was pretty empty for a Sunday at around 8 pm there was one other dining table. Food came out quickly. Most of the food was pretty good. The hot link was especially tasty and the brisket was moist and flavorful without feeling too fatty. The sauces were pretty standard vinegar-based "tangy" and "sweet". The sweet was the better of the two -- offering a thick, rich, brown sugary sweetness. The tangy was just a thinner version with more vinegar to stretch it out. My favorite part was the peach cobbler. Warm and gooey without the processed peach taste and a scoop of severely rich ice cream on top. Not so good: The ribs were dry and light on the meat. The sides (beans and coleslaw) were forgettable. It's also a restaurant/bar so there were many people talking obnoxiously loud at the bar about topics that were not too appetizing. Also, the straws were inexplicably made of cardboard (or a cardboard-like material) that was odd but did result in a nice conversation piece. Bottom Line: Good (not great) option for smoked meats in Pilsen.
(3)
Dee M.
Friends of ours mentioned this place and loved the food. I saw this place showcased on Metro Mix so I was confident that with a recommendation it would be fine. Let's look at how things really played out. FIRST Time- Big football game day, Sunday- Call in the order, ask if they deliver, they said, not today, okay, we pick it up, Good food, links were awesome, potatoes have actual garlic in them, mac and cheese was okay. SECOND Time- Call at about noon- asked if they delivered because I wanted to place my order before leaving the office. They tell me, not sure, call back at 3 pm, okay I did, do you deliver? Uhhhhhh, no. OKAY, place the order anyway and pick up on the way home from work. THIRD time- big game night- call to order, they tell us ...wait for it............. we ran out of food. WHAT??!!!!! AUGH!!!! Drove past their place and low and behold!!!!! Their signs says, you guessed it.......WE DELIVER.........oh, really? My gripe with this place is that they are still unsure how to run a business. There is no consistency. Unpredictable. Delivery or not...food or not. If we order from here again, we will have a plan B...it's disappointing. Get your stuff together people. Your food is good but like some good friends, you just can't be counted on. Sorry
(3)
Ginger W.
I saw this place on Check Please and decided to give it a try. We showed up at 8:15 on Saturday night and stood in an overly crowded room until we were finally seated at 9:45. There were a couple of tables in the middle of this room with people eating. One table finished and I heard him ask the waitress if she needed the table, and she said NO!! So this guy just sits and hangs out while several other people had to stand around waiting. They also had a couple sitting at a table for four while a table for 2 sat empty. No one asked them to move to a different table for more room, so we just stood there hoping we would be seated soon. Around 9:00 the owner came by to tell us they were "low on ribs". Okay, there's still a lot of other things on the menu so no problem. When we were finally seated, the unapologetic waitress tells us "your only options left are pulled pork, beef ribs, garlic bread, and macaroni and cheese". EVERY other item was GONE. They had told us early they were low on ribs, no one mentioned they were running out of all the food they had on the menu. The waitress then tells us "you are lucky to get the beef ribs. We usually run out of those by 7:00". Really? Well then why the fuck don't you get some more?! Or at least let people know if they come in after 7 then the kitchen won't have anymore food left!! We should have just left but for some stupid reason we stayed. Half of us went with pulled pork, the other half ordered the beef ribs. When their so called award winning pulled pork arrived, it was cold and bland. Someone asked us how things were, so we told them the sandwiches were cold. They microwaved them and returned them to us but they still weren't any good. Later they did make an effort and brought us out a cold half slab of the st. louis ribs (I thought they were OUT??) and they were not good either. When the waitress brought our check, she said she didn't charge us a corkage fee since "there's no point irritating you with the charge" and walked off. I know it's not her fault for the majority of the problems but she was kind of a shit to us about everything. Seriously, one of the worst places I've been to in Chicago.
(1)
Kevin L.
I stopped by the other week and I'll give it a high "SPF" rating( Service, Price and flavor). We walked in and were giving a genuine greeting, not just one of those walmart greetings. The decor made you feel like you were not in the city. Very down to earth country feel, especially with the live music. The servers were really friendly and upbeat. they answered all our question, gave good suggestion and never lead us wrong. they made sure we had everything we needed and check up on us. The half chicken was very nice, juicey, and season very well. The st. louis and baby back ribs were very yummy. Their house sauces were not to my liking but they were not back, I just like bbq sauce to be a little smokier. But the best part of my dinning experience there was the Mac N Cheese. Three cheese mac with bread crumbs, wow, I not going to describe it just go get it if you are around the area. This place is worth your time and money.
(5)
Windy R.
Walked in and there was nobody at the bar or even in the front room to direct us. We didn't know if it was seat yourself or not. Decided to pick a table and sit down which as it turns out is how it works. Took another 7 or 8 minutes for a waitress to show up at our table. Service was very slow although the waitress, food runner, etc were all friendly enough. Food was average at best. There was a lot of fat on my pulled pork. You have to add your own sauce so there isn't much flavor on the meat without the sauce. The bun it comes in is so large it falls apart. The bun was seasoned and was tasty but overwhelms the meat. We also had ribs and mac and cheese. The ribs were extremely dry and overcooked with little taste. The mac and cheese was good. We hated the cole slaw. Nobody at my table would eat it after one bite. Another gripe was that they don't have an option for french fries as a side. We like fries with our BBQ and that was not an option. There is also no kid's menu and the menu is not kid friendly except for the mac and cheese. We won't be back. There are other much better BBQ options in the city.
(2)
W Q.
Lesson learned--never let a rockabilly make your ribs. They were so fatty and gross they ended up barfed up into a pile of snow. The pulled pork was fatty as well, plus bland. Good meat shouldn't take more than a little squirt squirty of bbq sauce but I had to drench mine just to get some flavor.
(1)
brian d.
great food, great room, great service and awesome music!
(4)
H S.
Pulled pork sandwich is as good as it gets and they don't skimp out on the pork. The ribs are excellent as well. Worth a try!
(4)
Mark L.
I have to admit up front that I love ribs from Gale St Inn, and that's the standard that I compare other rib joints to. I realize that ribs from places like Honky Tonk, are deep smoked for a long time, and are usually not as tender as Gale St. That being said, I still like to try new places for BBQ. I had high hopes for HT, but was let down from the moment we walked through the door. We waited at the front, where one would expect a hostess to be. We waited and waited, all the while staff kept walking past us without asking if we had been taken care of. After around 10 minutes of the uneasiness of just standing there, I asked if we were supposed to talk to someone about a table, or if it was self-service seating. The waitress said she would try to find a table for us. She did find one and said she'd clear it off for us. Once again we found ourselves just standing there, as the waitress never returned. Luckily someone else took it upon them self to prep the table. Not a great start, but a good meal could easily erase the bad start. I ordered a slab of baby backs, and my wife asked for a pulled pork sandwich, along with a large mac n' cheese as an appetizer. We waited at least 30 minutes before the waitress came and told us there was a delay due to a 'technical issue' in the kitchen. Eventually, the meal came, appetizer and dinners together. The mac was more like mac and no cheese. Very poorly made and bland tasting. The real disappointment was the ribs. I have smoked ribs in my Weber a few times, and these were identical to mine. Not tender, but chewy and a little tough, with very little meat. Maybe they order a cheaper cut to keep their price down? I did like the flavor of the dry rub they use, and the sauces on the table were pretty good also. My wife liked her pulled pork sandwich and the sauces also. I expected that 'award winning' ribs would be better than what I could make at home, but I guess not. After we were done, I asked the waitress if they had any wet naps, a standard item at BBQ joints. She returned with 2 paper towels, one with water and one dry. Not what I really asked for..... The best part of the evening was the price, very reasonable at $35 for the both of us. If it wouldn't have been for the price, I would have given them 1 star. I wasn't crazy about the neighborhood, safety-wise. As soon as we parked, a tattooed gang-banger wanna be was eying our car. I couldn't get that image out of my mind during the dinner. The car was intact, so no harm done. Also, there were a lot of people walking in the front door, and wandering around trying to get seated. They need a designated greeting area for a hostess. I like to give a restaurant at least a couple of tries before I write them off, so we will be going back, maybe I'll try the St. Louis ribs and a different side.
(2)
gary g.
i am not really a big fan of BBQ food but this place is great. i go here with a friend of mine and we order the same thing everytime. i get the ribtips and she gets the brisket sandwich. i would like to try something else and i know i wouldnt be disappointed but its hard to pass up the ribtips. its a dry rub on the ribs so you dont get dirty while you eat. there is a few choices of BBQ sauce that you can add on the table. its a good place to go have a few beers with your buddies but i like to watch ESPN or a game if im drinking and i dont remember seeing tvs there. all in all though i strongly recommend.
(4)
B. L.
I love this place! It has an awesome casual & fun ambiance, with live music and awesome art work covering the walls, but best of all the food is delicious and really, really affordable. I'm going to become a regular here in no time.
(5)
Mina G.
My husband and I had dinner at Honky Tonk tonight because we have been hearing rave reviews about it. Including an interview some time back on NPR about the BBQ sauce. Then we saw that it was featured on Check Please and we figured we better hurry and see what all the rage is about. We were lucky to beat the dinner rush, we got there about six and left about an hour later when the crowds were arriving. I got the baby back ribs--this one was a clear winner--it was like summer in my mouth. My husband got the pulled pork sandwich and we both agreed that it was pretty mediocre. The BBQ sauces were pretty awesome and that made the pulled pork bearable. The sides are a tad bit on the modest side especially when you factor in the price. There was nothing spectacular about them. The cornbread muffins were baked too long and blackened towards the bottom, dry and bland. (The Jiffy box mix turns out a more delectable batch.) The mac n cheese was nothing to run home about and we suspect the pork and beans were from a can. The cole slaw was nothing inspiring. The stingy sides were for good reason, it meant plenty of room for desert. We shared a Banana Pudding dish. And that was a clear winner, it was sweet, creamy, and pretty heavenly. The decor was pretty eclectic and kitschy. I didn't mind the ceramic pigs, or the print of Johnny Cash or the HUGE Marcos Raya wall mural. What could have improved my experience would have been comfortable seating. The theater seats lining their west dining room wall did not make for the most comfortable seating but it was one of our only options since the other smaller tables with two regular chairs were taken and we didn't exactly want to take up a table for a party of six. Is the stage area for the live music really necessary? Bathroom was clean but out of tp...ahem, luckily I was only in there to wash my hands before dinner and there were plenty of paper towels. The waitress and busboy should switch jobs. He needs a promotion and she needs a demotion. Her service was dry and she seemed confused but the busboy was super nice, friendly and knowledgeable--he volunteered to share the specials and encouraged us to save room for desert, she seemed to just want to turn the table and collect her tip. We were a little slow to order but the food arrived quickly. We will probably only return for takeout (and that's because we finally have a decent BBQ place close to us.) We will stick to the meats and deserts.
(3)
Sean C.
this place is freakin great.......twe tried the pulled pork, baby back ribs, and the rib tips.....all good, the fried green tomatoes and mac and cheese were silly good. when you do try this place, you CANNOT leave without having desert, because it is really the icing on the cake.we had tried the banana bread pudding, and the peach cobbler, and I was shaking my head with every bite. the live music and good service made the experience that much better.
(5)
Jen M.
This is my new favorite spot in Chicago. I visited in January during a blizzard with a large group and Honky Tonk was full of life. The ambiance was fun and upbeat and there just happened to be live music that night! We brought a few bottles of wine & beer since it's a BYOB and the staff was accommodating. They gave us buckets of ice to put our beer in and provided a bottle opener. The service is great - friendly, helpful and down to earth. All the sides are delicious. We tried almost everyone and I would recommend the pork & beans, mac & cheese and mashed potatoes. The pulled pork sandwich is smoky and tender. The BBQ sauces are great, I used both on my sandwich. I ended up coming back 2 weeks later and tried the chili which is very hearty and flavorful. I went home full, tipsy and very satisfied.
(5)
Abbey H.
I've lived across the street from Honky Tonk for a couple years now and when it was just the restaurant, I'll admit that I wasn't really all that interested. As a vegetarian, a place with "BBQ" in the title doesn't really pique my interest (though there are a couple vegetarian entrees on the menu and some tasty sides-- Fried Green Tomatos? Yes please!). But the new bar that they've opened has quickly become a solid reason for me to never to move out of the neighborhood. It's so wonderfully laid back, dark but not too dark, great live music, never empty but never too crowded, lots of funky things to look at on the walls and the most gorgeous old bar I've ever seen. We were told the building used to be a union hall and the bar was brought down from the second floor piece by piece. I can't imagine what a hassle that was, but it was totally worth it. Plus, the drinks are cheap, the staff is friendly and you can almost always get a comfy booth to sit at-- what more could you ask for?
(5)
A M.
I am a fan of the brisket and their desserts. It's close to the house and good. Can't ask for any better. And if you go on a certain day, they had 2 guys playing the youkalaylees. It's a neat place. Def have to check out.
(4)
Tom A.
I saw this restaurant on the PBS, "Check Please" program. They raved about the place and I went there with high expectations. My advice is don't believe the hype. The restaurant is located in the rejuvenated Pilsen area. The restaurant is housed in a beat-up building that was formerly the home of a bar. I went there on a Saturday night and the place was very crowded (Check Please was repeated the previous night). The restaurant is in dire need of repair and...well, furniture. I felt like I was eating in a Thrift store. Service was very slow. While waiting, I had a conversation with an older man at the next table. He was eating a slab of St. Louis ribs. I asked him how the ribs were and he said he has had "much better ribs, all across Chicago." I dismissed his opinion, until I received my food. I ordered their baby backs and my companion had a pulled pork sandy. Both were devoid of taste and barely adequate. Both dishes were dry and tasteless. The sides of slaw, mac and cheese and green fried tomatoes were adequate. The mac and cheese looked like it came right out of the box from Kraft. The slaw is of the vinegar variety. The green fried tomatoes were nothing to write home about. They offer you a choice of three BBQ sauces, all of which were unremarkable The restaurant is BYOB. This is always a great deal, which allows you to buy alcohol at less than half price. However, I would recommend Smoque as an example of what a great BYOB BBQ restaurant could be! Don't believe the hype!
(1)
Beer H.
I am so glad that I finally went to Honky Tonk! I could not be happier with my experience! My wife and I went after work this past week. We got there a little late, and there were only a few other tables. However, I am sure this place is booming on Friday and Saturday nights. Our server was very attentive, and our food was out in a flash. I ordered the St Louis style ribs, they were very very very good! I was going to bring half for lunch the next day, but I ended up just finishing them off! My wife got the pulled pork sandwich. Not only was it some of the best looking pork I have ever seen, it tasted great! Nice smoke ring on both the ribs and pork. The mustard sauce was exactly what should be served with St. Louis style ribs if you ask me, so that was a nice addition! They do not serve alcohol, but they are BYOB. They do charge a dollar per person if you bring your own alcohol, but that is nothing! I don't think they even charged us. You can tell that they really care about their product. I will be going here for a long time! I can't wait to goo back!!!!!!!
(5)
Jason T.
This is an odd area for a BBQ place. You may only want to carry enough money to pay for your food around this place. The food was just ok. For all the hype that surrounds this place, it wasn't all that. I got the brisket sandwich. It was pretty dry. My friend got the half slab of ribs which barely had any meat on them. The menu is pretty pricey. However, The best thing on the menu is the hot links. The staff was ok and the place was clean. Parking was not good, you will probably have to get a meter. If you live more that 15 minutes away or you are not in the area, don't make a special trip.
(3)
Donald R.
We tried Hony Tonk last night at the recommendation of a good friend who lives just down the street from it in Pilsen. We love BBQ and were thrilled to check this one out. We had also not eaten since breakfast and were eager to get our food on. Since many reviewers have already detailed the layout of the place, I won't dwell on that, other than to say the area where you wait for your table is welcoming, but not comfortable. I ordered the baby back ribs, my partner and our buddy ordered the St. Louis ribs. We also tried several sides. The center section of the baby back ribs were meaty and tender, but the only burst of flavor was found in a piece of fat on the back. The meat was tender, but bland. The ends of the rack were dry, to the point of being like jerky. Reviews from our table of the St. Louis ribs were mixed (we brought home quite a few meat laden bones for our dogs). Sides were greatly disappointing too. The pork with beans serving size was embarrassingly small. Seriously...there were maybe 6 tablespoons of beans or less and not a trace of pork. Not one. The seasoning was also heavy handed and did not taste like it had been simmered, but rather added just before serving. The corn muffins (a favorite food of mine) were dry and rather dull. I tried two of them and neither tasted anything like the other. One tasted like the batter had not been mixed well. They were large. That's the best I can say about them. Banana Pudding dessert was delicious, as was the chocolate cheesecake. Service was quite nice. The young man that served us was attentive, personable, and knew his stuff. The bill for 3 came to $68, before tip. Cash only. It was good to get out and try something new, as always. But when we crave BBQ, we'll still want to head to Smoque.
(2)
P C.
very good and nice people, and nice atmosphere. TOTAL PACKAGE
(4)
cory a.
As a Texan in Chicago, I will tell you straight up that this is great bbq and deserving of the awards it has won. The meat comes sauceless, Memphis style, so you can add your own to your specifications. And the sauces, by the way, are made on the premesis - a bottle of sweet and a bottle of spicy is at your table. The pulled pork is without question my fav, with the brisket a close second. I also strongly recommend the mac n' cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, and the desserts. They also feature some great local country bands on the weekends, which adds to the down-home folk-art ambiance. Right now the place is cash only and BYOB. They've recently expanded into a second dining room/bar, and they are working on a liquor license. I'd say the prices are on-par with similar places in Chicago.
(5)
Lauren B.
If craving meat, this place is perfect. I've twice ordered carryout and the service was really quick. The dining area has a laid-back casual vibe, and I believe that it is byob. The menu is rather limited, but both the pulled-pork sandwich and the brisket that I have tried are delicious.
(4)
Fredo M.
I have lived in Texas and have traveled to St. Louis and Memphis many times. When I read some of the reviews it is funny how some people don't know a damn thing about BBQ and just make themselves look like idiots, there are many styles of BBQ.I was here when this place first opened and yes it is small and it makes it worse when a bunch inconsiderate people sit around drinking long after their meals due to it being B.Y.O.B. Anyway the food was great not the best BBQ I have ever had but it was very tasty and authentic. This place seems to be doing well and I believe that it is time to expand this the dinning area and change the location of the restrooms.
(4)
Tom B.
For those of you who've been to Texas - for a baseline - I'm a huge fan of Rudy's. Anyways, on to Honky Tonk. I was with a group of 6. We were in the dining room at a circular table, perfect for a social group. Nothing special, some cool artwork, some weird. Honestly, who cares, its BBQ, not a high end establishment. It was hot and steamy in there, kind of added to the experience, though I couldn't wait to turn the AC on. We ordered texas brisket chili, mac&cheese, black eyed peas and 2 specials - fried green tomatoes and empanadas. All were very good - favorite was the chili. Perfect for a cold day in chicago, can't wait to visit in the winter and get a huge bowl. For dinners, people ordered ribs, bbq pork sandwiches and the brisket sandwich. All received good reviews - my brisket sandwich was great. I combined a few bbq sauces and the sourdough? bun was a great treat. All in all, left very full and very satisfied. Definitely will return.
(4)
Barry G.
I wanted to rate this place on its food alone, without the taint of atmosphere. I got a sampler to go, with a side of mac'n'cheese. I consider myself a hard critic of barbecue. I've had lots of it, some great, some terrible. I prefer pork over beef. I am not a fan of chicken except when fried or in paprikash. I dream of one day being Abe Froman, the sausage king of Chicago. With all of that laid out on the table, with my preferences and prejudices out in the open, here is my rating of the sampler, in order of bad to good. Spare ribs, brisket, pulled pork, back ribs, hot links, chicken. I don't know what what they season their meats with, if anything at all. Everything was bland but with a pleasant but faint smoke aroma. The spare ribs were moist but too lean, and generally didn't taste like much. The brisket was bland and too dry and lean, with a slightly smokier aroma. The pulled pork was bland but with a nice smoke and a little bit of desired fat. The back ribs were nicely done, but bland. The hot links were spot on, but it's hard to screw up a sausage. The surprising winner was the chicken, which was nicely seasoned, beautifully smoked, perfectly fatty, moist breast. I loved it, and may I remind you, I think chicken is booooring. The sauce was nice, a lingering ring of vinegar brought much needed life to the otherwise bland four-legged meats. The cornbread was meh. The mac'n'cheese was not worth $3.50. The cole slaw one-sided, too celeryseedy. The bread was too chewy without a nice crust. At $30, this sampler isn't cheap, and the place doesn't take credit cards. Bring a pile of cash if you're buying for a group. I'll go back a second time, but if things aren't very different, I'll have to say this one isn't worth a third time.
(2)
andrea l.
Wow. This place has delicious food, which is good because there isn't really any other BBQ around. I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was awesome. I like when BBQ places let me put my own sauce on, but sometimes the unsauced meat looks pretty gross. This pork was definitely an exception, the meat looked amazing- and it was! All the sauces taste good, so I mixed them all together and it was really tasty. I had the mac n cheese which was pretty good as well. My husband had the st. louis style ribs and he LOVED them, which is hard to do b/c he is extremely picky, he believes these to be better than smoque's. We got to hear an explanation from a lady who I believe is an owner about why st. louis is so much better. You can tell she is passionate about ribs and the proof is in how awesome everything there tastes. We will be going back to try the brisket hopefully soon! Beyond the delicious and fairly priced food, the service was excellent. My new fave BBQ spot
(5)
Mark T.
I probably should have gone for the pulled pork, since that is what they got the trophy for at BBQ competition, but I'm a sucker for brisket, and theirs is supposed to be good, so I had to try it - along with a sausage. The sausage was very greasy, and had decent Texas style flavor, although a long way from the best I've had. The mustard BBQ sauce went well with the sausage. The bread on the brisket sandwich was a little crumbly and eventually fell apart, but had a good taste to go with the brisket. The brisket was also greasy and was also a little crumbly. I would rate the BBQ as acceptable, but not great. The place was so dark, it was hard to see my food, but I didn't need to see the dessert. The banana pudding was very, very good! Because it had about 2 inches of whipped cream on top, and vanilla wafers embedded along with pieces of banana, the pudding was closer to a banana cream pie than a pudding. I probably wouldn't go back for the BBQ, but I would definitely go back for the banana pudding.
(3)
Jason M.
The food is here is always solid. They now have a full bar too making the whole experience complete. I did think it was weird though when I saw two baby-boomer couples come in and order a bottle of Merlot. What the f?!!! Who does that?
(5)
Jessie Elizabeth J.
The Honky Tonk BBQ is a lively and colorful restaurant with good bbq, great sauces, and great entertainment. I recommend the sausage links which are flavorful and juicy, as well as the bbq pork- melt in your mouth good. Avoid the baked beans which are regularly unercooked and served in a watery base, and the chicken/ribs are cooked long before the night shift so they can be dry. We ordered the sample platter and had enough food for 2 people for 3 meals :]
(4)
Irene H.
Go on a Sunday night at 8pm to hear the band, Fat Babies. Bacon Candy is a must-try and the Texas Brisket Chili topped with Mac n' Cheese is my favorite thing on the menu. Also, the banana pudding is absolutely delicious, to quote our waitress "it's like crack!"
(4)
Liz T.
Honky Tonk is a-okay--for average, not awesome. I got the green tomato BLT, which should actually be called the fried green BLT for "fried green (bacon lettuce) tomato" because it's two fried green tomato patties in slider buns! Genius, brilliant brilliant idea, but delivery fell just a little flat. The fry batter was average--on the onion ring batter spectrum rather than the country fried chicken spectrum. I think it should be the latter. The $2 extra goat cheese is goat cheese crumble in a little cup? Not a goat cheese spread on the actual sandwich, which I thought was a little strange and over-priced. The mac and cheese is unique. It definitely has a sour spank and spice that makes me think of "buffalo mac and cheese," but I'm not sure it actually has buffalo sauce in it. It's definitely different. The maple syrup encrusted bacon is decent, too, but doesn't come out piping hot. It's a little cold and dry on presentation, more like a maple syrup glazed beef jerky. I'm also a sweet tea snob, and their sweet tea tastes like Nestea... not sure if they just need to buy some better tea or what. But definitely on the cheap tea side, which... come on, this ain't no honky tonk! Oh... wait... Overall, I would go back for late night dive food, but it's not like Green Street. Green Street is definitely on a different caliber of high quality, fresh preparation and presentation. Honky Tonk really is... maybe just more like a honky tonk.
(3)
Carol M.
VERY NICE .... atmosphere was very enjoyable .... loved the music / band was great! Dancing was added plus! FOOD WAS A+ .... a MUST TRY is the SUPER-SIZE SAMPLER PLATTER! **Huge sampling of Dry-Rubbed Ribs / BBQ Chicken (loved the smoke) / Smoked Links / Cole Slaw / Sky-High Stacked Pulled Pork Sammies (they didn't last long on our table of 2 men 3 women). Corn-Muffin was to die for --- yummmmmm! ALSO TRIED .... RIB TIPS --- portion was more than enough to share --- loved them! *try sweet BBQ sauce as side splash!! ....MAC & CHEEZZEEEE --- my grand-daughters favorite!! .... BRISKET --- was fabulous!! ONLY DISAPPOINTMENT .... the beans never showed up on our platter!! YES --- I'L BE BACK
(5)
Michael C.
Honky Tonk is a solid bbq place in the Pilsen area. My coworkers come here every Wednesday for Trivia night, so I decided to come join them yesterday. The restaurant is dark and really long, with a center stage for live music and where trivia announcing takes place. I came here quite hungry and ordered a whole order of smoked chicken. The chicken was moist, and the skin was nice and crispy. Each half chicken was placed upon half a hamburger bun, which I though was kind of odd considering there would be no way to eat it like sandwich (bone and all). What was odd about their dishes is that none of the smoked meats or sandwiches come with a side. What??? And in order to get a side, you'd have to cough up 3.50 for the regular size which stinks. They should at least offer a side at discount if you order one of those meal plates. Sadly, this is not the case. Trivia was really fun though. They have some crazy hard questions that require knowledge of current events, with a pretty big focus on literature and geography. Bring your worldly friends and you might stand a chance!
Okay, so this is Chicago and not Texas, so I didn't walk in here expecting an actual Honky Tonk like some folks, but I was looking for good food. We started off with the fried green tomatoes, which were lightly fried and delicious with the garlic mustard. For our meals, my husband got one of the meat platters (brisket with mashed potatoes and cornbread) and I got the chili with mac and cheese. We were both pleased with our meals. The meat was moist and flavorful, the potatoes were creamy, and the mac and cheese complemented the chili well. My husband tried all of the sauces (tangy tomato, sweet tomato, and garlic mustard) and liked them all. So, we were looking for good food and we got it. We'll definitely be back.
(4)
Art M.
Cool spot in Pilsen. I had some appetizers and a beer with a friend. Everything was excellent. Good videos. Plenty of room. Nice hang out. I had fun and the prices weren't outrageous.
(5)
Shereene M.
Bacon Candy- must get enough for at least half a piece for everyone, we had a piece for everyone and I was in love but felt like it was crazy Sampler- crazy huge. Wasn't crazy about the chicken but the ribs and hot links were delish One of the salads- meh, could have passed on it I wanted all of the sweets but didn't have any space. We all left with some leftovers! The live music is cool but the service isn't that great. I don't think I'll be back but glad we checked it out.
(3)
Marilynn P.
Came here a few months ago with a few friends. I just remember the bacon candy was the bomb dot com- seriously, so delicious. The sampler was huge and the ribs were on point. I even thought the salad was good the next day for lunch. If I'm in the area, I'd come back for some BBQ.
(4)
Tracy J.
I had high hopes, the smell outside is awesome. I wandered in before concert at Thalia Hall. Asked my server if the tips or the brisket was best, he suggested tips, which i love.....done correctly. They were dry and tough...a bit overdone to say the least. They wouldnt tear apart...very much like low grade jerky. The sides of greens and garlic mashed were really good so i might suggest keeping the cook of those and getting a new meat chef. Overall, id say half the tips were edible, the rest, would be suitable for my pooch, if I had one, and i was mad at him. Service was good..but I wont be back..my suggestion is the cook should travel the US to find the true potential of smoked meats, because this example was not it. Pass
(2)
Vishal P.
Came here bc I lived near by not knowing what to expect from looking at outside of the building but inside is a whole new world literally....this what u call a hidden gem. Reminded me of mom pops bbq place from south. Ordered ribs and slaw with beer garnished with BACON CANDY! Just writing this review the next day making me hungry again. I would def go back order same thing...ribs, slaw, beer w/ bacon candy! I would maybe give it 4 stars bc it's so busy and limited seating but that wouldn't be fair....
(5)
JS T.
This review is solely for their catering service- disregard if you're not planning a wedding or event. My two dear friends got married at Colby Barn in Grayslake and and asked me to coordinate their reception. Beth was the person I worked with most. In terms of professionalism, problem solving, and flexibility, I cannot say enough good things about the team they sent. Not only were they efficient and attentive, they went beyond the expectations of a caterer. When the car full of decorations arrived an hour late (leaving only an hour to decorate from scratch) they all pitched in to help. They decorated the tables, and Beth was in the kitchen cutting and arranging flowers with us. I wouldn't have survived without them. They were constantly asking what else they could do to help out. In terms of the food, I can't totally speak to the quality because I was the last table to eat, so the chicken was a little dried out. However, the BBQ sauce, candied bacon, and Mac and cheese were yummy.
(4)
Brent W.
Waitstaff grumpy, irritated, and poor drink menu. After returning to this favorite spot of mine where I love to listen to music, I was suprised by the waitstaff and poor training to maintain a professional attitude through the night. Not only would the bar staff bring out the incorrect drinks, they were upset when you didn't take the incorrect order. The food cam out quickly, but when we would try to enjoy the music dancing, the waitstaff was less than patient. The drink menu has two choices: sugary drinks or bitter drinks. They seem to not know how to balance any cocktail. I know it's a bbq themed bar with 'vintage' inspired drinks, but even bathtub gin didn't taste that bad. Finally trying to wrap up the evening trying to sort out the check, they refused to split the tab and put someone's bar tab on our tables tab after being asked not to. I will not be returning.
(1)
Stephanie M.
I enjoyed our dining. The decor gave us lots to talk about. Our waitress was awesome. The food was good. My family member that is a vegetarian had things to choose from. Perfect fit for a chill/relaxing evening.
(3)
Charlie C.
I think that this is a 3-4 star place. But I am bordering on 3 for a few reasons. (Side note, my meal was a 4). I was with a friend there- their ribs were quite fatty and cooked to non-precision. The music in the front room was good, but the volume was blaring so loud that I could not think while making my order. We went to the eccentric back room and enjoyed the experience much- MUCH more. I had pulled pork- it was terrific. The mac 'n cheese. My god its rich and wonderful. So... the food was good on my end. The atmosphere once escaped form that dreadful noise was great- and my co-diners meal was "meh." I would go back.
(3)
Rachel P.
They list about half a dozen appetizers, but they are all smoke and mirrors for the one true appetizer: BACON CANDY. Order it. Order another to go. Thick, chewy, sweet, bacony - just yum! The meats are also smoky and good, if a touch heavy-handed on the black pepper for my taste (maybe this is Chicago-style?), as well as tasty mac and cheese and garlic mashed potatoes. The no substitution rule also kinda sucks if you don't like coleslaw, like me, but overall a good meal. I'm not sure which band was playing the night we went, but I really enjoyed the old jazz/big band sound more than I thought I might, and would definitely go back for both the food and the music again.
(4)
Kevin D.
The girlfriend and I were in town from the Twin Cities for a little vacation and sightseeing. After a long and humid day, we were ready to end the night with a nice dinner. I used an app that finds restaurants that were featured on the Food Network and found Honky Tonk BBQ. After a longish bus ride from Willis Tower, we made it to the neighborhood. It's located in what seems to be an up and coming area. As we walked toward the restaurant, we were beckoned by the sound of live 1920s jazz music. The door was propped open and we could hear that a good time was to be had inside. We entered the bar which was packed and very loud with the music and customers. The bar is smallish with very loud acoustics. The large sound system could have definitely been turned down by 20%. Aside from the noise, the ambiance was excellent and very cool. The band was great. The bar was dimly lit, full of random photos and oil paintings, and a beautiful old wooden bar. Unfortunately, it was also swelteringly hot inside. It appeared that the bar was being cooled by window unit air conditioners that were clearly inadequate for the room. Everyone I saw in the bar, ourselves included, was noticeably sweaty. We were unable to find any staff initially but knew we wanted to stay despite the heat and noise. This was an authentically cool Chicago bar. Eventually we sat ourselves at an unbussed table and a friendly waitress later came to clear the table and serve us. We both ordered pulled pork sandwiches and an order of the garlic mashed potatoes. My girlfriend ordered a gin and tonic. When the food arrived we were very pleasantly surprised. While many other pulled pork sandwiches served at other restaurants tend to be greasy, runny, and sloppy to eat, this one was nice and tender but dry; perfect to add their house made BBQ sauce. They had both a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. Both were excellent. I preferred the tangy even though I'm generally averse to spicy foods and sauces. The girlfriend enjoyed her G and T's though they were slow to be refilled. The garlic mashed potatoes were not runny like some restaurant mashed potatoes and they appeared to be made from scratch. We both thought the meal was delicious and particularly enjoyed their sauces. Even with the oppressive heat and loud noise and so-so service, the food and ambiance were both so great that we will definitely be back next time we're in town.
(4)
Taylor T.
Honky Tonk created the best wedding weekend ever! Karie and Willie go above and beyond to ensure amazing customer service. All of our guests raved about the food!!! And when the day started out it with a crazy thunderstorm, Karie stepped up to help make sure our day was still perfect. Perfect venue, amazing food, and excellent waitstaff!!
(5)
R R.
This is a great option for a vegetarian and a meat eater seeking good BBQ. The meat eater had the rib tips with vinegar based slaw and loved every bite. He even said it was better than the BBQ that I brought back from the heart of Texas! Wow! The veggie eater had the Green tomato BLT with portobello mushroom substituting for the bacon with a side of Mac and cheese. It was amazing and I loved it so much that I saved half of it to have again the next day. A must for any veggie lover. We concluded with peach cobbler and banana pudding. Both of which were fabulous. Add this place as a mmajor local must do in the Pilsen area! In a word- YUM! NOTE: They have live music most nights so be ready for some music while dining. Also there are lots of meters street parking in the area. Chitown Veg Gal
(4)
Lisa H.
To me, walking in here felt like walking into a random local country joint on a road trip, which I kind of liked. There were an assortment of random photos on the walls, and it looks like there was live music on some days, but we didn't come on one of those days (or at the right time). Wanted to come to try the barbecue. We ended up getting the sampler platter, which includes ribs, 1/2 smoked chicken, 2 dinky dunkers (pork and brisket sliders), 2 hot links, beans, coleslaw, and corn muffins. I know, ambitious for 2 people. The hot links and the dunkers were delicious. I was a fan of the BBQ sauce as well. I usually don't like cornbread at all, but my boyfriend thought it was one of the most delicious things he had there. The ribs were a little dry and overdone, and I didn't enjoy they as much as I could have. The chicken was similar. The service was a little slow, but not too bad. For drinks, they had an Old Style beer that came with candied bacon which I was tempted to try, but ultimately decided against. Maybe next time.
(3)
Amy H.
Right when you walk through the door, you are in a different world. A lot of people are dancing and there is live music. We sat at a table near the front of the restaurant and it was packed. I was so hungry from walking there that I ordered a Portabella mushroom burger and their Mac and Cheese. The food was the best. It was a juicy mushroom with arugula and goat cheese. The Mac and Cheese had a nice crust on the top. OMG YUM! I'm drooling just thinking about it.
(5)
Sharita R.
I sampled some rib tips from this restaurant at the Pilsen Food Truck Social. They were okay, but the meat didn't have much flavor to it. I did like the Carolina mustard sauce they had out. It made it a bit better, but I've honestly had better ribs and better sauces from other restaurants. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here.
(3)
Julie T.
The food is amazing! Fried Green Tomatoes, candy bacon topped off with a mason jar of moonshine! It a gotta go place when we are in Chicago!
(5)
Jennie C.
Dusek's quoted an hour long wait for a weekday so here I am at Honky Tonk BBQ, which turned out to be a pleasant alternative. It was bright and a lot quieter, so you can actually carry out a conversation. We had the 1/2 chicken, brisket deluxe plate, fried green tomatoes and extra corn muffins. The tomatoes came out piping hot but not greasy at all. Loved the corn muffins. And the brisket was melt-in-mouth tender. Only letdown was the coleslaw, which wasn't very flavorful. Prices are right and service was great too. How could I have not tried this place earlier?!
(4)
Bianca R.
Trying to book the outdoor venue months in advance was like pulling teeth with Karie. I later found out after several calls and emails that they are booked until next summer but they could squeeze my son's baptism luncheon in for a couple hours. I'm guessing before another "booked party" or maybe they were holding out for a wedding or larger event. They also wouldn't be able to do the whole hog but could offer pulled pork sandwiches. No thanks. Either way, the whole ordeal of having to chase Karie for an answer was draining. Maybe they'll hire someone who can handle event coordinating a little better...
(1)
Hilary K.
Honky tonk is my ride and die place in Pilsen. My dad and I stumbled upon it several years ago On Wednesday night and immediately when I walked in, I knew this place would be awesome. Since then, we have probably gone there 50+ times, celebrated birthdays and good company. The atmosphere is well worth the visit, and the food just makes everything right. Beware, they do not take reservations - only for groups of 10 or more. And boy this place gets crowded. The pulled pork and smoked chicken is absolutely fantastic. I feel that the servings are generous and if you're with a group, ordering a lot of sides can make it really fun. Love the whiskey drinks and I can't wait to make it back there soon.
(5)
Erika G.
Oh, YES! Pleasantly crowded, noisy, fun place. Rib tips and brisket with tangy Carolina barbeque sauce. YES. The meat was delicious, and the cole slaw was pretty great too. The band! They've been here for seven years, and I ran into a friend - the fingerstyle guitar player - that I'd not seen in about that long. Great fun! Cool place, lively and fun. Our waiter was great - totally recommend this place in getting-hipper-all-the-time Pilsen.
(4)
Mark H.
Sounds of jazz fills the air. The smell of BBQ is everywhere. Can this place be the perfect spot for a casual yet romantic getaway supper? Perhaps. But...whatever it is, Honky Tonk BBQ, albeit its young age however has quickly become a Pilsen restaurant landmark. Went on a Monday night to listen to a group called Fat Babies, a local jazz band featuring 1920s music. Tried their sampler to get a wide range of meat. The BBQ sauce was very tangy. The ribs were nice and firm. I enjoyed the links. Full of spice and rich in flavor. The chicken was nice and moist. Overall a great dish for two. I even had their candy bacon. Now this is an acquired taste for me. Tons of sugar infused into a thick slice of bacon is great with a cold beer. This is cool place. If you're into trying something different from that downtown restaurant def put this on your list of must trys.
(5)
David W.
GO FIR THE BEEF BRISKET ON THE SANDWICH MENU!!! $9.50 Worth every penny. You literally pay for the quality and get your money's worth!!!! Also you go in and self serve yourself to any seat.
(5)
Cindy V.
Gentrification at its finest!!! If u want a real gentrification experience go to the honky tonk and u will surely get it! It's filled w hipsters who are taking over Pilsen and their wealthy parents who are visiting them. It was pretty sad to sit there and experience that when all we wanted was some barbecue, which by the way was mediocre at best. The food took about 30 minutes to reach us and when it did it was cold:( yes cold Mac n cheese how can that happen? Well maybe it was bc our waitress kept gazing out the window instead of checking to see if our food was ready. It was really disappointing, if u want good barbecue I recommend husky hog on 31st st as it's delicious!! The only good thing here was the candy bacon, but I would never go back again :(
(1)
Tim B.
Well, I've given them a fair shake many times, and the experience and food just seems to be getting worse. I'm in the neighborhood, and I call in an order- the Fried Green Tomatoes, a large side of macaroni and cheese, and an order of the Dinky Dunkers, both of which I wished to be Brisket (Important fact for later). They tell me about fifteen to twenty minutes. Sure. I walk on over there, wander through to the back, and they get my bag together, put in a big ol shopping bag with handles. Total comes out, $35. Did I order something else and forget it? I don't know. I pay, check the bag, seems like everything's there, go home to eat. When I get home, I open the bag, and there were two orders of brisket sandwiches, which of course explains the extra upcharge. I'll eat them, whatever. It might have been my mistake in not articulating my order properly. I hand over the Fried green tomatoes to my lady friend, who looks at them, all burnt like, takes a bite, shakes her head, and tries another one. Just as bad. No seasoning, and they're using red tomatoes. Oh, what's that on the side? It comes with cocktail sauce? At a BBQ joint? What? Strike 2. If they're serving a large side of Macaroni in a pint container and filling it up 2/3 of the way, I'm not getting it again. I've been here before, and the food has been average, especially the meats. Smoke them correctly, slice your brisket thinner, pull the pork to order so it stays more moist, and either trim the gristle or learn how to make burnt ends. It's obscene. The entertainment is nice. I'm glad they have that going for them, because the drinks can't cover up for how poor the food is, and it's only getting worse. Sorry, guys. Gotta go.
(2)
Cicele B.
The Good: The overall atmosphere of this place is really cool, and inviting. We sat at the bar so, I can't speak of the service from the waitstaff but the bartenders were very attentive. The live music hadn't started while we were there, but I can imagine that that would up the "down home" feel. Finally, the bacon candy... Amazing! Three strips of super thick sugared bacon, um yes please and thank you! The Bad: The food, part one. Our food was cold. Now I know they have a special smoke method that they use, but I still feel like the food should be hot upon delivery. The hot link was spicy, but lacked snap. In general, we were disappointed. The Ugly: The food, part two. Those. Damn. Southern. Greens. In a word, yuck. Perhaps, the worst I've ever had in my life. I am not exaggerating, or trying to be a jerk, they were just bad. I want to give this place another try, so we will be back. I'm just gonna stay away from the green leafy vegetables.
(2)
Eric R.
I really used to like this place. Went here when I was in the area after a game because I wanted some bbq and I used to frequent when I lived in the area. Pulled pork is nowhere near as good as it used to be, dry and flavorless. Candy bacon has become way to expensive. 4$ a slice? Really?? Service is still great tho :-) Thanks for being friendly, not always easy to do at 10p. I'm just not feeling it anymore. Work on your jive.
(3)
Sherry Y.
Came here for The Fat Babies just this past Sunday. To see them for free was worth it enough, but the atmosphere here is so friendly. You can strike up a conversation with anyone at the bar and feel absolutely relaxed. Not to mention, even if you can't grab a seat when it's crowded, the bartender will still find you a menu and mix you a drink as quick as they can. I had an old fashioned that was just sweet enough with the perfect amount of fruit to libation ratio. Tip well, for my friend says once you get to know a bartender, they'll mix you a drink in advance. Great music, cozy room for dancing. I'll update later on the food, but it looked fantastic.
(5)
Melissa G.
A friend of mine brought me here because he saw it on Triple D (Diners, Drive-ins and Dives) and let me tell you this Kansas City BBQ joint does NOT disappoint!!! Everything was tasty, from the delicious platter of ribs to the jalapeno cornbread. They even feature live music from various local bands, which is always a fun compliment to a casual meal. Also, let me just say that I'm not a huge beer connoisseur, but their Bacon & Brew is definitely worth a try. Did I mention the bacon was candied??? TO-die.... Fun Fact: They have Free Trivia on Wednesday nights starting at 9P (or at least they used to), which is always a ton of fun. I brought my coworkers up here for some trivia and we actually took home first prize which ended up being $25 off our bill (a drop in the bucket, but the thrill of victory made it all worth it!)
(4)
Matthew R.
I started with the bacon and brew. I wasn't that impressed with the bacon candy but it was a nice little snack I guess. I had the rib tips for dinner which were great. They were a little on the dry side but had a nice dry rub and were smoked well. The portion size was huge and I could only finish about half. The mac and cheese was great, the coleslaw was so so, and the corn muffins were alright. The choice of sauces were decent though I would have liked to see a spicy one. I'm a big banana pudding fan and this one was pretty good though it seemed like 80% cookies an 20% pudding. Service was fairly quick once we got seated and overall it was a good experience. I would recommend this place to friends looking for some decent BBQ.
(4)
Brent B.
First time I've ever been to a BBQ restaurant that cold smokes their meats. From the baby back ribs to the dry and cold brisket and pulled pork I would have thought maybe it was yesterday's left overs, but no.... We got there at 4 when they opened and everything should have been fresh off the smoker, right? Luckily the hot link was quit tasty and I saw a glimmer of hope but than I was corrected when the candied piece of leather was harder to choke down than my $70 unsatisfactory meal. I wish it would have worked out like I planned.
(2)
Anthony G.
We are easy to please low maintenance, stopped in a few weeks ago. Don't think I've ever given a negative review. Walked in from a night of perfect weather, but was basically greeted by a bartender that was somewhere between grumpy and indifferent, who took his time to take our order. We had hoped the food would be better when we were finally seated, but it was also disappointing and unfortunately all the BBQ meats we tried were dry, a little bland, and tasted all similar to each other (we had the sampler). We tried to enjoy the night, but about 30 minutes into our dinner, but a woman who appeared to be the owner started nastily yelling at someone else, not far from our table. All in all, the restaurant was kind of a downer.
(2)
Mike H.
Threw on my boots and plaid shirt, and headed down to Pilsen for some bacon, beer, and ribs. The bar itself was pretty cool, and I could see it being a fun time at night when there is live music. Unfortunately, the food was a little underwhelming. We got there right at 4 when they opened and first thing we ordered was the bacon and brew, which is a pint of Old Style and a stick of candied bacon. Although a little bit tough, it thought it was pretty good. You really can't go wrong with bacon and cheap beer. As for the main course, we ordered a rack of baby back ribs, and a platter of brisket and pulled pork, with sides of mac and cheese and corn bread. I thought we were going to be in for a treat being that we were one of the first people to arrive, but when the food came, we were left a little dissapointed. The meat itself was dry and really not even hot. The ribs were meaty, but weren't fall off the bone delicious. I really liked the mac and cheese, and the cornbread was amazing. All in all it was a cool place to check out if you're nearby looking for some good beer choices and live music, but I wouldn't make the drive again for the BBQ.
(3)
Michelangelo V.
Honest review bad food do not trust the positive reviews i saw this on drivers dine in n drives so i was so excited to eat here one of the biggiest disappointments ever i ordered the chili pulled pork brisket sandwhich mac n cheeze ribs n candy bacon the only thing that was good was the pulled pork n brisket but they were cold n u could tell were extremely old the mac n cheeze tasted like crappy kfc stuff the chili had no flavor like was mostly broth n tomato then the candy bacon do not order it it was so cold/ old / dry it was like really crappy beef jerky n there was only 3 pieces for 11 dollars thats crazy then the ribs were extremely dry n flavorless n they were extremely small the service is really bad like they forget what u order dont get u anything n leave n never come back so u have to sit there and wait for them also the place smells trust me if u want the best barbeque in chicago thats cheap with huge portions go to hogwild
(1)
Jennifer Craig A.
after reading reviews this was on our must try list. food was not good at all, brisket was mushy and fatty. hubby had 1/2 slab baby back. he felt they were a bit overdone but I liked. the slaw was strong vinegar based and mac/chz was riotoni with cheese. had chili for appetizrr, very tasty but served plain. our drinks came with food. server was pleasant but really slow
(3)
Denise P.
I looked to ddd for some spots to check out on my visit to chicago.....and i almost didn't try this one, but fortunately some friends wanted to eat and when I mentioned it ....they were in. WoW!! I'm so glad we did! Delicious bbq - the garlic mustard was a nice addition to the savory food. I'M ALSO RECOMMENDING THE BANANA PUDDING....BEYOND Yummy!!!!...I'm not even a banana fan, but it was decadent and heavenly...truely. the wait staff was matter of fact, but attentive and never left us looking around for them. If you want good ol timey tunes and southern bbq charm with the savory food to back it up then come here on your visit or for a night out! Love you honky tonk!!....and of course your scrumptious bananna pudding ;)
(5)
Jennifer S.
Honky Tonk beats other BBQ joints hands-down because of its unique atmosphere and the amazing food and drinks. When you walk through the door you are immediately taken in by the eclectic art collection that hangs frame to frame over every foot of this huge space. Honky Tonk's owner shared with me that all the art belongs to one collector and that he won't sell any of the pieces, but is open to the occasional trade. I don't know why, but I find that charming. They have the best old fashioned in the city and they make their own black cherry garnish which ferments in another liquor for months before it makes its' way to the bottom of your glass. The bacon candy is amazing and defies accurate description. All I can say is "You gotta try it." I also love the novelty of the bacon candy being served with a Miller High Life pony! As for the BBQ... the brisket is fantastic and the St. Louis style ribs are some of the best I've had outside of MO. There's life music 3 or 4 nights a week and the bands are always great. It can get a little loud, but the back dining room is a good buffer for the noise. They also have a take out counter and you can't miss the entrance as it's painted with flames. I've been to Honky Tonk more than a dozen times and the experience is always consistently great. the only mild negative worth mentioning is that there is a slight odor (maybe from the sewage drains?) in the ladie's and I assume the men's room.
(5)
Rachel R.
The food was amazing. We went on a night with a live band and had a great time. The service was more than I expected for the hood it was in. Friendly staff who wanted to help and take care of you. Something you don't see often.The food came out fast and HOT! Ordered the St.Louis half rack of ribs, slaw and a side of Mac & Cheese. I may be 135 pounds, but I can normally eat what is placed in front me. Not this night. It was a lot of food on the plate. The ribs had more meet than what you would normally see. What a bonus. The meat fell off the bone and into my mouth. They have three different BBQ sauces on the table. It made it hard to use just one. Hence it is on the table. It makes it easy to bit what ever you want when it's on the table. Thus making my ribs tastin like sweetness or hot and spicy. I look forward to coming back and enjoying the brisket.
(4)
jim s.
They never disappoint. Food is terrific, had the girlfriend salad last night with brisket, great sauce. I have never experienced a nicer, friendlier, sincere wait staff/bartender crew. Been there several times, same consistent attitude. Crowd is eclectic which I love. Music always outstanding, last night the Fat Babies for father's day. Oh, almost forgot.....3 dollar PBRs VT 4 bucks...c'mon this place is the best
(5)
Crystal F.
Just had the chili via their stand from fooda at my office building downtown. Opened it up and ate some of it -- only to realize that it was mostly fatty liquid, with no beans and the chunks of meat swimming in this fat/liquid. Seems they don't skim the fat (at all) when making the chili -- and the server scooped my portion straight from the top. All fat from which my tender stomach hasn't recovered. I went down to explain, trying to be nice by avoiding the words fat and grease. She just gave me another *half* order and told me I could mix it with the other chili I had in my left hand, which I was hoping she would take back. That was really enough discussion for me. I had to bring it back to my office to dispose of it and go to Mac Kelly's and get a banana and strawberries for when I feel better. You'd think they'd know not to ladle it from the top.
(2)
Kristen L.
The first time we visited, it was bustling--there was a live band and not an empty seat in the house. As busy as they were, the service was still great. This time around, not so much. Visited Honky Tonk on a slow, Easter Sunday evening at around 6:30pm. Sat down, took a look at the menu and decided to split the sample platter (a mix of chicken, hot links, a small brisket sandwich, a small pulled pork sandwich, half slab of ribs, and two corn bread muffins) between the bf and I, all for the price of $32. As we were waiting, I decided to go wash my hands. Only needing to wash my hands, I figured, "Eh. I don't need to lock the door..I'll only be in here for 30 seconds." Literally 10 seconds after I walk in, a server comes barging in. Granted, it was my fault for not locking the door, but do people not knock these days? Plus she didn't even give a common courtesy "sorry" before closing the door, just an "oh." Did I look at her, shake my head, and give her a dirty look as I exited? Damn straight, I did. The food itself didn't take long to come out--about a 10 minute wait from ordering to table. The sample platter is definitely more than enough food for 2 people, but everything was insanely dry--as if it was sitting under a heat light for a long time. I understand it was probably a slower day for them and a lot of the food has to be made beforehand because it is a BBQ place after all, but yikes. After giving us our food, our server says he'll be back with plates. Five minutes later and no plates, the bf asks a different server who brings us plates and apologizes on the other server's behalf. After we start munching, another server comes by and asks how we're doing. We tell her we're good and she goes on her way. And that was the last we ever saw of a server. I finished my water about half way through the meal and the first time around the servers were great about coming around more than once and filling up waters. Which is funny considering the fact that the place was pretty empty and all the servers were standing around talking to each other. Overall experience including food, service, and ambiance were much better the first time around when it was packed to the brim. Really disappointed that it wasn't as good as we remembered it.
(1)
Heather D.
Do you want to have a mouth orgasm where the brisket just melts in your mouth from deliciousness? COME HERE! (no pun intended) I had seen this place on TV as a great BBQ joint and the boyfriend and I were looking for something different for dinner. It's hard to miss this place in the day, easy at night, because the entire outside of the building is black. But once you step in, it's like you entered a different world of Chicago. The building itself has a vintage interior, and the walls are sprinkled with paintings, which is fitting since you're in the Pilsen arts district. Our hostess and waitress were very friendly and said we came just in time for the band. BBQ and Honky Tonk? Yes Please!! We got the Fried Green Tomatoes for an appetizer which the breading was delicious! My boyfriend ordered the Delux and I ordered the Platter. All of the food was great. I leaned more towards the Tangy sauce, and my boyfriend was torn between the sweet and the mustard. (at some point he said "screw it" and mixed the two together) Our only complaint, which resulted in a loss of the star was we had ordered dessert and waited for 15 mins to find out the kitchen missed our ticket. Our waitress was kind enough to give us dessert on the house, not the ones we ordered, but we weren't trying to be shitty because it was a free dessert. I would've much rather preferred the ones we ordered though as I wasn't a fan of the ones we were given. All in all we like it here, the atmosphere is cozy, people are friendly, and the food is delicious! Don't let our dessert mishap deter you from checking this place out, because they really do have some delicious BBQ!!!
(4)
Claudia S.
I go back and forth with Honky Tonk. The brisket sandwich and pulled pork are quite good, but the rib tips are overpriced and not very meaty. I know, they're rib tips, but I've definitely had better. The mac & cheese is flavorless and the empanadas are, different. Love the fried green tomatoes & cornbread muffins though, so really it can just be hit or miss when it comes to sides. When they're not good, you'll definitely feel like you wasted money though. The beer selection is small, the wine selection is decent & the liquor selection looks adequate. Honky Tonk is close, which is why it's a nice option to have, but definitely check your order if you do takeout. They have a tendency to mess them up. The staff, however, I like and when I come here alone I've always met friendly people, so, it's good for some pleasant conversation. They have a trivia night, live music & cheap beer, which seems to be what people in the neighborhood like, so they're fitting into this gentrifying neighborhood exactly as they planned, I assume. I avoided this place for awhile for many reasons, but when it's actually open (that's another issue), I like it.
(3)
Gracie G.
Living in Pilsen practically all my life and now that the HonkyTonk is actually in Pilsen is Great!! I love their pull pork sandwiches, sweet bacon to die for and the band's that play every Friday it's Great! To see the neighborhood change with good food and entertainment is a plus for me..
(5)
Kimberly M.
I came here with a group of coworkers mostly for the music, but they happened to be hungry too. We waited about an hour for a table, which was fine because we got to enjoy some fantastic live music from The Fat Babies while we waited. Let me tell you, the bar area was nothing short of a party during that first hour. We loved it! We were seated shortly before the end of the first set. Food was okay. Nothing spectacular, but surprisingly good BBQ for Chicago. The reason I docked two stars from this review was the service. It took over an hour just to have our plates removed and checks finalized. We watched the band eat their food and then missed the ENTIRE second set during the time we were waiting to wrap things up. Lessons learned: come here to drink, party, and listen to live music. That's all.
(3)
Jessica M.
From Chicago's Magnificent Mile to Honky Tonk's magnificent meat! Get your butt to Pilsen NOW! Our party of eight arrived on a Friday evening slightly before 8pm for a friend's birthday. Long and behold, a large table was ready for us despite not having reservations. We were meant to be! We ordered the bacon candy, Texas brisket chili, and THREE sampler platters. The bacon candy came in three strips. Very tasty but it was a wee bit tough. The brisket chili was hearty and delicious with plenty of brisket and beans to go around. As for the sampler platter, we downed everything: spread of ribs, smoked chicken, pork dinky dunkers, brisket dinky dunkers, hot links, fresh slaw, beans, and corn muffins. The ribs were a bit dry but everything else got our table of Asians licking plates and fingers! Excuse us, but it was that good. Our waitress was also a sweetheart and played along with our surprise. She brought out a generous slice of chocolate mousse cake with a lit candy for our birthday girl. Parking was less than difficult. We were able to find a spot two blocks away after circling the area for 10 minutes. Will I be back? DUH! OF COURSE!
(4)
Lisette D.
I always have a good time at honky tonk! The ribs are great and I recommend the Mac and cheese. The beer selection is smaller than expected, but with craft beer you don't always see on tap, like allagash white. I got an Ace pear cider that complimented the ribs nicely. The only downside was the coleslaw, which was underdressed and a bit too earthy. The bacon candy was a delicious start and the live music was a great end! I highly recommend taking your meat eating friends here!
I'm a regular here every Wednesday for Pub Trivia. Yes, it is a "thing", and yes I DO come with other friends just for trivia. I don't just sit at the bar by myself thinking I'm the next Alex Trebek. The added bonus to trivia and let's be honest, the centerpiece to this place is the BACON. You heard me, this place is part of the bacon revolution, and you've come to the right place if you're looking to get your fill of it. I of course am referring to their plate of bacon. yes a plate, of just bacon. But no grocery store style bacon. THICK, LONG, SMOLDERING, bacon. I normally start out the night with a Bacon & Brew which consists of a pint of PBR & a SLAB of bacon laid across the top of it. Did I forget to mention that this bacon is caramelized. Yes, sweet and salty goodness on top of cheap beer. No complaints here. I follow my dinner (bacon & brew is really like a dinner) with a few Honky Tonk Old Fashioned drinks. Perfect blend of bourbon, vermouth, and it has a cherry. Love it. Of course everyone comes here for the BBQ. And that is just as delicious. Meal-wise I like to order the Pulled Pork sandwich. Tender smoked meat and you have your choice of BBQ sauces on the table. Ranging from sweet, to spicy, to tarty. I recommend you mix them all in. Voila! My go to side here is the mac & cheese. To die for! You HAVE to try it. Really, don't leave without it. My favorite waitress is Isabel (I hope I got that right). She's awesome. Doesn't disturb while we're discussing the answer to the trivia question and always stays on top of our drink orders :-) So if you haven't noticed yet based on my review. The place is awesome, so go check it out.
(5)
Tamir G.
Great BBQ joint. Come for the live music if you don't feel like talking to people in your party.... Doesn't have to be a bad thing. Focus on the ribs instead. The ribs come dry with a perfect rub and plenty of sauce to pour over the meet. Rib tips is the way to go. Large portions. Beans with pork are amazing. I would pass on the corn bread. The candy bacon is a cool appetizer.
(4)
Mark G.
Between Pollo Express and Honky Tonk, 18th Street is always smellin' like a summertime barbecue. It makes me want to drink a 40 and watch girls play volleyball topless. I struggled with whether to give them 3 or 4 stars. "Omgerd wish we could give half stars durr hurr!" If you've made a list of places to try because you want to capture the essence of barbecue in Chicago, I would place Honky Tonk in the bottom half of said list. There's other places you can get more bang for your buck and more impressive taste. But when you do make it here, I would recommend the rib tips and the side of garlic mashed potatoes. Not a bad place to have nearby if you're craving barbecue, but I wouldn't blow anyone for a free meal from here.
(3)
Alexis E.
spicy sausages were amazing, and i had the sampler. I would go back just for the sausage.
(4)
C P.
The restaurant is conveniently located in Pilsen and is easy to reach. The drinks were good but, watered. The BBQ was over cooked and rubbery. It didn't have much flavor and the baked beans were disgusting. The muffins were cold and the service was mediocre. I would pass if you are looking for real BBQ.
(2)
Sarah C.
Go Sunday Nights! The Fat Baby's are FAB-U-LOUS! So, okay, proclaimer: I am a BBQ snob. My first job was at a BBQ joint in the south. I got to learn a lot - rub, sides, etc. When I wasn't waitressing I was getting to help cook. I have some pretty high standards. Honky Tonk was alright on the BBQ side. I wasn't floored by it. It's pretty sweet, but it's not greasy like I've found a lot up here. I'm not going to ramble - so I'll leave it at being pretty good. The sides were so-so. I know a lot of people have said that the mac and cheese is awesome. Maybe it was an off night for them, because what I had was a 5/10 at best. I did see this fun thing called the bacon and blue - a PBR with a strip of candied bacon. Apparently everyone knew something I didn't because lots of people got them. I loved the band. I mean, I really loved the band. They're a 1930s style swing band and they look like it. It's like all those guys were supposed to be in this band. SO much fun!!
(3)
Denae H.
Honky Tonk BBQ is so worth the drive. Their BBQ is expertly prepared with 3 choices of sauces. We enjoyed the Sampler Platter with smoked chicken pork and brisket. Ribs 2 hot links 2 corn muffins beans and Cole slaw. The links are made in house and the mustard sauce makes a perfect pair. The ribs chicken pork and brisket are tender and flavorful. The sauces only enhance the flavors The restaurant also features live music on the weekend a fun tasty experience
(5)
Brian L.
Great place in Pilsen for some piggies! Stopped in here when passing through town as reccomended by a friend (and whom I ate/drank with). Server was friendly, food was good (though I just ate at Kumas not long before and only are half a strip of bacon) it my friend says the food was bomb! Cool enviornment in the middle of Pilsen. They had live music when we were there. Sweet!
(4)
Kat A.
Came in here on a Saturday night. The place was pretty busy (possible because they had live music). We were seated within half an hour as promised. The waitress and bus boys were extremely slow the whole time. We started off with the candied bacon. I've seen this item more often on menus recently so I thought I'd give it a try. It was pretty good actually. Then I had a half slab of the St. Louis ribs which came with a dinner roll and coleslaw. My friend ordered the pulled pork and brisket platter which also came with a dinner roll and a side. We got the pork beans and mac n cheese for additional sides. None of the food (besides the candied bacon) had much flavor. I wasn't sure what BBQ sauces were what...the one I liked was mustard colored. Basically I had to drown the meats in the sauce to enjoy it. The mac n cheese's noodles were overcooked and bland. The pork beans had a strange flavor. I was highly disappointed because this restaurant was featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives!
(2)
Peter G.
We happened in on a Friday night and were pleasantly surprised with live music and great food. I highly recommend the greens and brisket.
(4)
Brian C.
There's a saying about an amazing restaurant with great food, friendly service, wonderful atmosphere and greasy salt shakers; the only thing you tell people about are the salt shakers. Happy to report the salt shakers here are clean. Can't say enough great things about this place from the diverse live music to the barbecue that rivals anything I've experienced since leaving Texas. The waitstaff was informative, fast and folksy! Did I mention how tasty the good is? And affordable. Two words; "candy bacon." Honky Tonk puts Pilsen on the map!
(5)
Helen P.
Aye.. . Kinda disappointed. Was recommended highly by my chef and food snob friends. Food cold . .all of it. Great taste to baby back.ribs just wish it was not cold. Even mac and cheese was cold how u mess that up beyond me. Waitress awesome Heather was her name. Great drinks great atmosphere. .will give it one more shot other wise off my list and county bbq still #1.
(2)
Kellie V.
Horrible. They boast bacon and beer as a specialty, however they were out of bacon. Come on!
(1)
Jeremy V.
Let me tell you about how Honky Talk used to be. It used to be friendly staff greet you at the door, prompt service, and really good food. Sadly that's not the case any more. I walk in tonight with myself and two others. We didn't get greeted right away, and when we finally did, it was a server(let's call him Glasses, didn't give his name) told us about 30-35 minute wait, which is perfectly fine. After waiting another 5 minutes later, Red Pants(a buser/food runner, again, didn't give his name) asked us to wait by the bar which is perfectly fine. After moving over, he sits the party which was ahead of us to their table(6-top) and then seats a party of 2 that arrived way after us at a table my party could have easily sat us plus one other. One of my friends decided to confront Red Pants about this, who seemed quite confused about it and was willing to move the table he just sat and ask them to get up. At that point we had enough of the rude, unwelcoming service at this establishment and decided to take our business elsewhere. It's a shame, at one time this place was a good spot to drive down and grab a good drink, have some great food, and enjoy the atmosphere that this bar/restaurant offered. Now, not so much. I won't be going back and I will not recommend this place to anyone anymore. TL:DR: Horrible service, head elsewhere.
(1)
Judy R.
I haven't been to the restaurant but the restaurant came to me via Fooda in the lobby of the building where I work. I had a brisket sandwich and mashed potatoes. Wow. The brisket was tender and melted in my mouth. The mashed potatoes were scrumptious and oddly addictive. Definitely checking this place out when I am in Pilsen so that I can up this to a 5 star review. Happy eating.
(4)
Erika C.
I've been to many BBQ places and although this place was not too bad, it wasn't great either. The service was absolutely horrible. Probably the worst service I've had in a very long time. The food was just decent, nothing to brag about. The bar was very cool & hip. I wouldn't go back. There's a lot of other places in the city with better tasting mac & cheese, beef brisket and with better service. Luckily I had great company, made the horrible experience worth being there.
(2)
Sandra C.
Nice place music was good! No one greeted us at door walked to bar because we didn't know where to go for a table! Drinks great before we could order the lady comes up to bar and said we are out of every meat but pulled pork sandwich really!! How's that!! So we left no food my hubby grabbed a sandwich to go! He's is better! Maybe next visit we'll go before our movie!
(2)
Jonna N.
This place just seemed too surreal to be in Pilsen. It was like walking into another world - a pretty awesome world. I shared The Sampler with a friend. It consisted of two sausage links, two dinky dunkers (one pork and one beef brisket), side of cole slaw, side of beans, half smoked chicken, two corn muffins and half a rack of ribs. The chicken was so moist. The rib meat came off of the bones. The beef brisket came apart nicely. The sausages were a bit spicy and grilled nicely. I'm not the biggest fan of beans, but these beans were good. I wasn't a big fan of the cole slaw though. It seemed like they got a bag of lettuce that you get in salad bags and added too much vinegar to it. It wasn't my cup of tea. I think aside from the food being awesome, the thing that made Honky Tonk BBQ seem surreal was the live country/folk music. The dim lighting helped to set the mood. Overall, it was a pretty good dining experience.
(5)
Stephanie W.
Live music and good bbq. My absolute favorite is the candied bacon. It is a must when you go there to get it.
(4)
randy j.
Honky Tonk (definition) A loud, rowdy bar that plays 'honky tonk' country music (or sometimes Hot Jazz). Typically full of drunken dancing hillbillies having a good ole' time. You have been warned.
(5)
J. Chuck K.
Awesome band. The usual awesome layout and menu, but extremely poor service this time around. From the moment we were seated we knew it was going to be a battle all night for drinks. Any time we wanted to order something we had to flag our waitress down, and when our drinks arrived they came with an extra side of "F you" personality. At times she would only take the order of the person who flagged her down and quickly ignore the rest of the table and walk off. Our experience finally ended when she flat out refused to take our order and told us to go to the bar. A waitress passing up at least a $5 tip is a first for me. If you can tolerate poor service, come eat some BBQ, drink some $3 Lone Star beer and listen to some rockabilly music.
(2)
Bertha M.
I just LOVE coming here on Sundays. Enjoy some amazing BBQ (their pulled pork is my usual) while listening to the Fat Babies. Mind you, I'm not a fan of loud music while eating but the music they play is wonderful. There's always a group of customers that are there in dressed in '20's/'30's attire and they just makes me feel like I went back time. Seriously, one of my favorite spots in the city.
(5)
Allen F.
The salads are great, service is super friendly, and bacon candy is BOMB. SO GOOD!
(4)
Lindsey C.
The atmosphere is great, cocktails are strong, but the meats come out cold. We watched 3 tables of 2 served their food before we ever ordered (also table of 2). The sides are the best thing here. GREAT candied bacon, Mac and cheese, pretzel roll and cornbread. The pork is far better than the brisket (very fatty and hard to choke down cold).
(2)
F. C.
Great dry rub St,Lois style Ribs the candy bacon is also tasty .
(5)
Jessica H.
Bacon & Brew is amazing! Their cole slaw is the jam. Music is just a little loud for conversation!
(4)
Megan S.
To be fair, I have visited Honky Tonk on several occasions to try and conceive what is with all the hype that is built up for this establishment. As a disclosure, I am not a food critic nor a "foodie," I'm just your average American girl with a respect for things well made. How do I begin... First of all, despite what many have claimed about Honky Tonk, I find the place to be rather grimy. Grease seems to linger in the air and when combined with unwashed floor grit, the whole restaurant feels stuffy and out-dated. Oddly, some people seem to care for this feel, I do not. Not in a place that serves food. I've tried several of their meats; I am unimpressed to say the least. Honky Tonk cold smokes their meats and oddly enough, serves the food cold. Like day old, stagnant, luke warm. Anyone that knows anything about true barbecue, knows that good barbecue does not need "barbecue sauce." I have observed the majority of paying customers in this joint smothering their chicken and pulled pork sandwiches with barbecue sauce... And laughing, carrying on with their day. Shameful. Their prices are beyond ludicrous for their sub-par cooking-- 7$ for seven SLICES of fried tomatoes!! Ha! Just... Awful. Anyways, I did enjoy the bands and ensembles that came through during my visits, and the guys behind the bar are great... Just not great enough for me to return. Ever. If you want decent barbecue try County BBQ, off Taylor street. That place gives you more bang for you buck with good food and less plaid shirts... Oh God, the sea of plaid shirts at Honky Tonk... I still have nightmares. (Hipsters, just remember that you are still in El Barrio).
(1)
Diaz M.
Ummm, nice attempt but no cigar! Smells good, but taste very bland. Had the Ribs, BLAND! Had the pulled pork, BLAND had the cole slaw, I'm not a fan of cilantro in my cole slaw! It overpowered the vinegar and mayo based sauce, please take that out. The people who like this BBQ have no idea what good BBQ tastes like. If you put a dry-rub with some Salt(s), paprika, dry mustard, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, garlic, onion powder, rubbed in with soy sauce...then we can talk. OOPS, I just gave away a rub recipe. PLEASE USE IT! However the service was very nice! :) Not a fan, I'm sorry guys!
(1)
Kellie M.
We went on the Sunday before Memorial Day 2014 to see the band, Fat Babies, and had never been to the Honky Tonk BBQ. I have to rate this as two separate situations and they are both very mixed: THE FOOD/RESTAURANT: Amazing food. Service: Meh. The fact that you have to wait around the front until a table leaves and pay attention to find your own table even though they have someone that sorta seems like a hostess but not really because sometimes she's seating people and sometimes she disappears is a little annoying. Once you actually sit down and are served, it's a nice atmosphere. Our waitress was kind and helpful I will note that originally, we walked in and sat at a table that was not near the band at all (in fact it was in another room very far from the band) but when we decided we really wanted to be closer to the band, we went back to the front of the restaurant to wait for a new table. I went out of my way to look for our original waitress (who didn't actually serve us anything, just went to get us menus) and she was a total bitch about it. I went out of my way to find her and tell her we were moving and why and I apologized and she didn't even answer me. New waitress: way better. The food is good. We had the bacon candy for starters which was not out-of-your-mind good but good. I had a pulled pork sandwich and my date had a beef brisket. They were both really good. For sides, we had the mac and cheese - a little too peppery but still okay and candied yams which were awesome. The large was too large for us but we took about one serving of each side home. We each had two drinks: one Pimm's cup which was AMAZING..THE BEST I EVER HAD. and second drink called a Lazy Protestant or something like that. Meh. Dessert was strawberry shortcake which we instantly regretted ordering but we ate it anyway because, hey, it's dessert. THE RESTAURANT AS A VENUE: For this band: HORRIBLE! The band started playing right as we sat down to eat so by mid appetizer, several 20-something swing dancers were in our way and, well, pretty much in everyone's way. By the time we got to dessert, the restaurant had moved 2 tables so the 12 couples of swing dancers could do their thing, however, it WAS STILL TOO SMALL OF AN AREA FOR THEM TO BE DANCING. The restaurant should be aware of this. What's worse is that I didn't see any of them order food (maybe a drink or two for a couple of them). They just showed up to dance. I get that they wanted to have fun but my god, at the expense of the comfort of paying customers?? The two tables next to us were FORCED to sit on benches staring at the dancers because their tables were MOVED!! What the hell? While we attempted to look past the dancers, we tried to enjoy the last few numbers of the band and eat our dessert. My date got stepped on, kicked and yes, SWEATED on while we were eating. What's worse is that these self-absorbed hipster assholes didn't even pay attention to anyone around them. They danced into a bus boy with plates, a runner with trays of food and a customer trying to go to the bathroom. It was ridiculous. Needless to say, it's hard to like this place with that type of experience we had. We will go to see Fat Babies somewhere else and there are plenty of other BBQ places in Chicago that aren't as clueless as Honky Tonk BBQ. I think this place needs to make up its mind - is it a restaurant or a dance venue because it sucks as both.
(2)
Ed B.
Awesome BBQ. Highly recommend that everyone should try it. The Brisket was perfect!
(5)
Kairo C.
ever since i have been here i have been eager to come back. for starters you walk inside and immediately felt transported to Texas: the smell of REAL bbq, the live country/folk/rockabilly music, bars and booths and tables laced with regulars, kitschy local art, shiner or lonestar beer, a menu showcasing slabs, pulls, and briskets of meats, fried green tomatoes, black eyed peas, cornbread and peach cobbler.... nom nom nom! in an area engulfed in mexican flairs, this place stands out as a flaming minority with an expression to be heard. i had (OK don't laugh)... the special goat cheese salad with garlic soy dressing and bbq pulled chicken added on top... WOW, not your classic choice but the salad was GREAT and the pulled chicken was GRAND! i still get cravings for this salad. i tried... the beef brisket of my girlfriends. she is a rare beef eater and was convinced by the waitress to go for the beef brisket.... she tried but retreated to the comforts of lighter fare... the waitress offered with sweetness and smiles (at least in front of us!) to replace the plate with pulled chicken sammie... all of it was good in my opinion! the fun part was dressing hunks of meat with one of 3 of their house made sauces: a tangy, a sweet, a traditional bbq sauce. unlike most slimy bbq i am accustomed to, here the meat is rubbed and smoked and it comes out tender - you dress as you please. the quality meat can stand alone, but the marriage of tastes with the sauces is certainly a match made in heaven. left to conquer... candied bacon, fried green tomatoes, mac n cheese, beef short ribs, smoked sausage, pulled pork (yes i will not discriminate against pork here)...mmmMMMmmm like i said, since i've been here i've been already itching to come back.
(5)
Immer R.
Go to this place. Now! What are you waiting for...go! Mmm, Mmm, Mmm! I had the St. Louis Ribs with a side of corn bread and cole slaw. Both the sweet and spicy sauces were delicious. The interior of this place is exactly what you want if you are looking for excellent BBQ. Nothing fancy, which means they spend most of their time making sure what come out of the kitchen is finger licking good. This place is BYOB for $1/person. BTW the best thing to do when you get there is to go to the counter and ask them if you can sit anywhere...they'll tell you yes and hand you some menus...find a table, sit, and the wait staff will be around in a few minutes to take your order.
(4)
Jonathan C.
So I went with the Mrs and a couple friends this past Friday night. Its been a few years since I was in Pilsen as from 2010-2012 I was living in Australia and then moved to the northern burbs of Chicago in 2012. Anyways, I was excited to go back to Pilsen as I thought it was a really cool neighborhood back in 2009. Now it seems like the Mexicans have all but moved out and the hipster/artsy/not quite yuppy crowd has moved in. I've got nothing against that, because I have plenty of great Mexican food by my house and I was not going to make a trip all the way to Pilsen for Neuvo Leon or another amazing Mexican place that is just too far of a trip from my house. So we enter this place. I am a fan of the decor. My wife mentioned it reminded her of her Grandfather's house (he lives on a ranch outside of Ponca City, Oklahoma). So the decor really works for a BBQ place. I like the trays. I love the fact that they have good beers on tap. The music, oh the music was great. There was one band that was twangy and two guitars and later there was a blues band. The second band actually got lots of people up and dancing. So Jon, why only 3 stars for a place that has so much going for it?!?!? The service of the waitress was absolute crap. I understand that they are busy, but that is no excuse. They may need to have more servers, they may need better servers, I do not know. But she stops by and we say we need a minute or two to decide what to order. It took a good 10 minutes before she showed up again and that is only because I called her over while she was walking by. However, once we got the check, she was extremely quick to show up and pick up the credit card. And the food, well that was lacking. They were out of bacon candy, baby back ribs, sweet potato pie, and another item I cannot remember. Boo what kind of place is missing so many of their key items? Maybe if they were able to keep in stock their popular/good items my food review would be higher. The Texas chili had beans!!!!! WTF that is not Texas Chili. The brisket chunks were meaty goodness, but the beans and spice was not what I expected. There was more cumin, garlic, onion powder, and salt flavor than chili pepper flavor. We got a sampler platter and the beef ribs. The brisket was a little fatty and possibly should have been smoked/cooked longer to let all the fat render. The chicken was dry. The pulled pork was solid and the hot links were probably the highlight of the meal. The beef ribs were huge, ala Flintstones opening sequence. They were definitely not ribs you can eat with your hands. It was more entertaining than anything else. I think next time I'm in Pilsen I will definitely go somewhere else for food as I'm passing too many better BBQ joints on way to Pilsen.
(3)
Cloey S.
I eat here several times a year with family. This is the best BBQ around with a handful of sauces to choose from. They even have candied bacon! I am always happy to see the local art hanging all over the walls and I enjoy the live music. I would suggest you try this place out if you're ever in the area. Always great service and they have a full bar.
(5)
Adi R.
Quirky place with a different country/swing band playing every night. Food and drinks are decent but I would recommend going just for the experience.
(4)
Dermite S.
Had a delicious dinner tonight thanks to Honky Tonk and our sweet server Emily. She was on it, from suggestions to service; didn't bat an eye and just smiled when the BBQ "pros" at our table proceeded to heckle her about the menu. This place never disappoints, and is made all the more charming with fun staff, decor and Outstanding live music! electric blues kept the crowd lively during our visit. Management clearly knows what they are doing, this place is a Pilsen institution. Try anything pork, it's award winning. Great Mac n cheese, don't miss the girlfriend salad, fried green tomatoes, and banana pudding. Love the group dining experience to try out more food than anyone should consume alone. They have a solid bar with a quality beer selection and charming tenders, Joe makes a mean moonshine.
(5)
Rott G.
Stopped in last night for dinner. Food and service was wonderful.
(5)
Chuck T.
Local hangout for very solid KC-style BBQ, music and beer. Love their brisket and smoky links! Place is usually packed, so head to the bar, grab a seat when you can, down a cold one and enjoy some of the best local CW music in the region! while waiting for a delicious meal!
(4)
Tameka A.
I went for my birthday, and since was also our first time there we really ordered a large amount of food to ummmm (taste) lol. We ordered candied bacon, black eyed peas, corn muffins, a sampler platter which had ( 1/2 rack of baby back ribs, 1/2 chicken, pulled pork, brisket, hot links, cole slaw, baked beans and I could be missing something, lol) we also ordered candied yams, mac & cheese, 1/2 rack of St. Louis ribs, a Bloody Mary to die for and the peach cobbler. Now to the tasty bits, all the sides were really good, which the exception of the candied yams they were ok. I find that the ribs were great, the chicken was average as always in a BBQ joint. There links surpassed my expectations, the brisket good but the pulled pork was atrocious ( dry, boring and tasteless) . Where they really shine is in customer service, they are really attentive. They walk the floor making sure if need anything and are quick with the service they provide. My server was a really sweet young lady and even still we really enjoyed the atmosphere. Also try the candied bacon and the Bloody Mary it's a meal in and of itself!!
(4)
Anna P.
Honky Tonk has a really great vibe, perfect for noshing on BBQ. It is dim and noisy (in a good way!) and they have live music almost every night. If you go at peak times, be prepared to wait. We tried the fried green tomatoes, brisket, pulled pork, ribs, mac n cheese, coleslaw, and vegetarian beans. Everything was good, although I did not think that the ribs lived up to the hype. The best thing we tried was probably the peach cobbler for dessert! Definitely a must-try for BBQ lovers.
(3)
Nora B.
Yummy.... I have to declare that I am NOT a meat eater. I did have the BBQ chicken and it was amazingly delicious as were all of the sides, mac& cheese& garlic mashed and the sauce options at the table only added to the flavor, but were not even necessary! I was with a bunch of meat lovers and they were all impressed. My man friend had the ribs and raved about how they fell off the bone, which is good in the rib world, I am told... The service was good and the atmosphere was great, live music and all!!! Save room for the banana pudding if you can.
(4)
Aron P.
Best brisket around. Ribs r to die for.
(5)
james j.
A friend of mine and I ate here on a Saturday afternoon, we were greeted quickly at the door and we found an empty table at the back room. The first thing i noticed was an overwhelming smell of vinegar, which permeated the entire place. Upon sitting down, we unwrapped our silverware to find 2 knives & 1 fork with crusty food bits on them...we asked the waiter for more, when those came only 1 our of 4 had food on it, not an impressive start. Our food came quickly, but that's because it was COLD!!! My friend got 1/2 rack St.Louis Ribs & I got the Rib Tips..both were barely room temperature and needed to have been cooked for at least 1 hour more. While I cannot claim to be an expert in BBQ, I usually think that it should take less chewing effort than a well done steak; sadly our ribs were very chewy. We also had the mac n cheese whose sauce had an off-putting sandy texture which was a result of using cheddar that hadn't been properly incorporated into the base bechamel sauce. So for $52 with tip we got undercooked chewy ribs, gross mac n cheese, in a stinky restaurant..
(1)
Jonah B.
Love it, great service, great barbeque, great candied bacon. I've been there many times. The decor and ambience are inviting, homey, and western style. Great accompanying music in the evening. We love it so much we had our wedding reception there and it never fails to impress friend and family.
(5)
Michael B.
I try to make it to Honky Tonk a couple times a month. The food is amazing, the staff are always friendly and there is a variety of live music just about every night on stage. Some food favorites: - Green BLT (Fried green tomato, bacon, lettuce, tomato, spicy garlicy mayo) order it with the goat cheese rounds on top. - Smoked Chicken sandwich on garlic bread - Brisket & Pulled Pork sandwiches (get the dinky dunkers and have a smaller version of each) - Black eyed peas - Bacon Candy. Mmmmm... Drink favorites: - Honky Tonk Old Fashioned - Smoked Snapper Bloody Mary - a delicious gin based bloody mary (the "smoked snapper" is referring to the smoked hot link garnish) - A well stocked whisky/rye/bourbon/scotch shelf Say hi to the owners while you are there. Willy will be somewhere drinking a Heineken.
(5)
Brian B.
I'm normally not a fan of mustard-based sauces, but the golden sauce here really nails it. The other sauces are good too. The ribs have a very smoky character, and I also recommend the beef brisket. Try the candied bacon too for a treat. The desserts are also very good.
(5)
Joshua C.
Came here last night to see the deadstring brothers. Loved the atmposhere and was able to get seats to enjoy some good music, cheap drinks and some good que. One of my new favorite bars in Chicago despite being a hike from the northside. Ps just try the candied bacon...trust me
(5)
Andy M.
I used to live within a mile of Honky Tonk BBQ. For that reason, I probably gave this place a few more chances than I would have otherwise. The first time I ordered from here, I had the St. Louis ribs, which were pretty bland and overcooked on the ends. None of their sauces were particularly good either, which might explain why they only give them to you on the side. I tried the chili on my second visit, which tasted okay, though was aesthetically extremely unappealing. The color of it was surprisingly dark and there were pools of oil separation that didn't mix into the chili no matter how much I stirred it. On my last visit, I tried the viking beef short ribs, which just flat-out sucked. It was way overpriced, alarmingly fatty and mostly flavorless. Do not get this. I would have appreciated a decent BBQ place close to home, but after a while, I had to give up on Honky Tonk. All the atmosphere in the world doesn't matter if your food is substandard. I've tried a handful of BBQ places in Chicago, and honestly, I don't know of a place I was more disappointed in than Honky Tonk.
(2)
Rochelle W.
Overall, the food was delicious and the decor was great as well. The only downside was the wait for a table and the amount of waiting space available. I think we had about a 45 min wait, where I was able to squeeze into a seat at the bar while my boyfriend had to stand behind me and dodge passing servers and other patrons. They had a live country violinist performing, which was entertaining. While we waited we were able to get 4 beers for 10$ which was a good price in my opinion... When our name was called we got a seat in the back dining room. It had a feel of a house in the old south or something, with dishes and pictures and random memorabilia on the wall (think cracker barrel style). Anyway, I got the rib tips, and my bf got the hot link sandwich. I REALLY wanted to try the fried green tomatoes but I remembered I had some homemade ones leftover at my place and opted out. The ribs were VERY tender and the variety of sauces they had were great! My bf enjoyed his sandwich as well, but the highlight was the mac and cheese. Boy was it cheesy, gooey, thick and topped with breadcrumbs....everything i was looking for.... Our total bill was around 30 for the food and drinks. I cant wait to return! (Minus the long uncomfortable wait)
(4)
Jeff H.
Hipsters serving BBQ. Our server acted like she was annoyed by us from the get go but manager was very nice. Food had good flavor, but came out room temp. Did like the jazz band that played and the decor was nice.
(3)
Jennifer S.
Best barbecue I've had in Chicago. My friend and I ordered the brisket and pulled pork platter to share, which came with one side. We chose mashed potatoes and also ordered fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. The meat was delicious. Loved the barbecue sauces too. The portions were generous. I like the atmosphere with the mirrored bar and live music. Next time, I'll have try different sides and appetizers. I thought the mashed potatoes were too garlicky and their texture felt as if they were from a box. The batter on the fried green tomatoes was too thick- it should just be a thin coating and crispy. And the sauce on the tomatoes tasted like cocktail sauce- strange. But having spent a lot of my life in the deep South, I will say the barbecue is the best I've had in Chicago, which was a nice treat for me.
(4)
Lulu R.
I know I am a statistic that gives into fantastic review of places on Yelp and visits them. Its me. Guilty as charged. We share this giant bbq platter that had everything bbq under the sun. It had a pulled pork sandwich which I added the slaw on top of to complete the "pulled pork experience". They had homemade sausages which thier homemade mustard bbq suace was perfect for, brisket perfectly cooked and sliced, and smoked chicken. I really couldn't complain about the food. The server was hard to catch due to the overflow of customers steadily piling in. The walls are like some sort of art show. Some of the paintings are hideous but ...hey this isnt my spot. Real hipster kind of place. Reminded me of wicker park. The place smelled real old though...kind of like moldy wood. It was really loud and we couldnt have too much conversation. The bbq was good though. So its and eye for an eye.
(4)
Britney R.
I live 3 blocks away and had not only seen the place 100x but had heard people talk about it several times. I mean, it was on DD&D. So we decided to check it out last weekend. We ordered the bacon candy, which was good, but nothing spectacular. I ordered the pulled pork and baked beans. My bf ordered the brisket and mac n cheese. The beans were completely bland (this is after they bought greens instead of beans). The pulled pork was just ok. The brisket was good and the Mac and cheese was also good. But overall, it was pretty average. Our server was pretty blah and didn't really make the experience much better. I'd like to say I'll be back for the live music, but their drinks/specials are not even that good so... Meh
(2)
Michael P.
I'm reading the other reviews thinking of what to put and I'm reading that they won a prize for their pulled pork? So when I asked the waitress the house special, why did she say the brisket? Anyway, I got five slices of brisket on a huge bun - there was not enough brisket for a regular sized sandwich (a rip-off right there) and then they compound it by making it look even smaller on this huge bun. It was all bun. Didn't taste good either, and to be honest, the BBQ sauces tasted off as well. Also got the black-eyed peas. Now, I make BEP at home and they're pretty good - as in, I can eat a pound of them at one sitting. These? Ate two bites - one to try, the second to confirm that they didn't taste any good. Too much pepper or something. Ate a bit of Flowers' veggie sandwich, not good at all - had a funny taste to it. Last, is everyone in Pilsen high and angry? Even had a problem with some pigeons. Not coming back. Save your Q for someplace better. One flag. More flags, more fun!
(1)
David C.
Ahhhh go here, worth ..... Just tried this place out randomly since its somewhat close to my place and wow what a joint. Live music starting at 8, great BBQ, great apps, nice ambiance, people are friendly, service is great! It works. Pleasantly surprised 10/10 would bang!
(5)
Mr. P.
I have been wanting to come here for years after seeing them on Check Please many years ago. Since they have never been open for lunch, it has been challenging to get here but I finally made it out here last night. Based on currently reviews here that I decided to read AFTER dining there, something has gone very wrong with the food here recently. On a side note, I know my BBQ to a high degree and have experienced even disappointing BBQ places in Chicagoland better than Honky Tonk. I'll just get right to the food: We started with a cup of steak chili. It was not bad, but it reminded me of Chunky Soup sirloin steak chili with more spices and ingredients added to it. I asked the waitress if she recommend the Viking Short Ribs - they SOUNDED amazing and they are only available on Friday and Saturday. They were as pricy as a full slab of ribs - but I have had some great short ribs before at other places (not BBQ, but braised). The waitress said she definitely recommended them. My girlfriend ordered the pulled pork sandwich, and we shared a side of garlic mashed. Viking Short Ribs: It looked wonderful until I cut into it. It was huge but 15% of it was edible meat, the rest was gobs and gobs of fat. The thin layer of meat that was on the surface did not taste good, had little flavor and I had to use the mustard BBQ sauce to make it edible. We complained at the end of our meal that it was inedible and it was mostly fat... I tore it apart looking for meat to eat with no success. She came back and told us "the cow was fatty, sometimes the cow is fatty, I'm very sorry." Hmmm blame the cow! She brought us a free banana pudding dessert which we really didn't want or ask for because we were so disappointed in everything, we ate it anyway and couldn't wait to get out of there. Pulled pork sandwich: Not smokey, little flavor, fatty, NOT PULLED - it was large chunks of pork that had to be cut up with a knife, it was not tender and did not come apart easily. Fat pieces were evident - the fat should have melted off in the BBQ process. Bread on both dishes: Dry, stale, inedible. Coleslaw: Dry, no flavor, no vinegar... maybe it was hiding at the bottom of the dish but it tasted to dry and bland, we were done with it immediately - it tasted like dry salad. Garlic mashed: Very whipped potatoes, with a piece of garlic clove on top. I couldn't taste the garlic very much in the potatoes - they were whipped so fine I almost thought they were boxed mashed potatoes but I found a small chunk of potato in them once in a great while. Sorry Honky Tonk, we shall not be returning. :-( first visit VERY BAD.
(1)
Natalie L.
Loved the atmosphere here. Service was good and the prices were reasonable. But I did not care for my pulled pork sandwich. I did not care for the bread and the pork was dry. The mac and cheese was fantastic and everyone else at our table liked their bbq platters. So it seemed like I ordered the wrong thing.
(3)
Jennifer K.
Two thumbs down for Honky Tonk. Reasons being: 1) Terrible customer service. Servers being unfriendly is one of the main reasons I'm not coming back. 2) The food is just OK. Yea, it's good, but I've had better. 3) The music is great; just too loud. Plus's 1) The decor is fantastic. 2) The prices on the food is affordable.
(2)
Cristina T.
Honky Tonk had been on my Chicago BBQ bucket list for a while, and after I moved pretty close to it, it was only a matter of time before I tried it. We ordered carry out from there on Friday and it only took about 15 minutes to be ready. I loved the interior of the restaurant. It was spacious and there was live music. Definitely would love to come back to watch a band. We ordered the sampler platter and a side order of mac and cheese. Definitely waaaay too much for 2 people, but at least we had plenty of leftovers. The chicken was very moist and delicious as was the brisket. I loved the pulled pork but unfortunately the bf finished off the majority of it. As for the ribs, our 1/2 rack was really small and hardly had any meat. Mac and Cheese was divine. I loved the corkscrew noodles and the white cheese sauce. The coleslaw was also light and refreshing. As for the cornbread? I love all types of cornbread and this one was a unique one. Tasted more like a corn fritter and had big pieces of corn in it. Yummy. Overall, I think I would go back to Honky Tonk more for the atmosphere than the food. There are some standout items, but I will still be on my quest for great BBQ in Chicago.
(4)
Jarrod R.
I would give this place three and half stars if that were an option, but can't quite justify four. On a side note, if you are from out of town and taking a cab here make sure you specify the address as S. Racine because as it turns out, N. Racine is nowhere close. After an 86 mile, three hour cab ride (ok slight exaggeration), I was starving in the literal sense and figuratively with anticipation. By the way, you know the cab fare is going to hurt when you've had to stop for gas twice. The location...on S. Racine...as it turns out, is an older building in a slightly shady looking area of town. With that said, when it comes to great BBQ I learned to absolutely never question either. As for the food, I started with a cup of the brisket chili and I will never forget it. This was the first time I've ever seen brisket in chili and it was incredible. The chili was very flavorful with just the right kick of spice and laden with tender chunks of savory brisket. I would definitely go back just for the chili. Another thing the Honky Tonk is doing well is their cornbread. This was a grandma needs to check on her recipe because she's got real competition with this one, kind of good. Unfortunately it was the main course that took this review from a solid four to a three for me. If you've ever read any of my previous BBQ reviews you can probably guess I went with the brisket and in this case, the brisket sandwich. Right off the bat I notice that the brisket is very heavily seasoned, as in on top and after the fact. I am all for a precooked rub, but am not accustomed to seeing legitimate brisket requiring seasoning on top. However the real issue for me was just the immense amount of fat and gristle that was left on the sliced brisket. What can I say, I like my women thick and my brisket thin. It's one thing if it's sliced brisket on a plate where it can easily be trimmed, but not easily option when it's already lathered in sauce and on a sandwich. I am not completely sold on the idea of brisket on seasoned ciabatta bun (as you'll find here) either. Maybe it's just the traditionalist in me, but I prefer my BBQ on plain white sliced bread or a bun. Aside from the food I really liked the unique decor from another era and was especially fond of the painting of Hank Williams Sr. The service here was outstanding and all of the servers were very friendly and attentive. Lastly, the live music was a nice touch and really rounded out the BBQ experience and honky tonk feel.
(3)
Eric R.
We had a great time here. There was a live band playing the rock and roll classics, and the BBQ is legit! If it's your first time there the sample platter is the way to go.
(5)
Brad S.
A friend and I went after the first round of NFL games a couple Sundays ago and I have to say...AMAZING BBQ!!!! I highly recommend starting (or finishing) with the CANDY BACON!!!! Absolutely....absolutely phenomenal! I ordered the 2 meat combo w/ a hot link and was thoroughly amazed! Only thing I wish they had was a spicy/hot bbq sauce, though I admit I didn't ask if they did. The service was great, we got there right when they opened on a Sunday and got our food relatively quick. Reasonably priced and completely worth it!
(4)
Jessica V.
I've came here about four times in the past year.... I really liked it but this last time was bad..... There was 7 of us I bragged about honky tonk a lot to my friends and was let down...... The brisket sandwich was ok but the pulled pork was a joke..... One of my friends got burnt ends and the bread is horrible..... I will not come back because I do not support restaurants that done make things better.... U guys have to do something about ur ciabatta bread..... Guy From food network brought me to this place but again every time it getting worse... Thanks.
(2)
James T.
I usually get carry out since it is so close to my apartment. Pretty good BBQ. The brisket and pulled pork meat are tender. The links are good, nothing unique but they are enjoyable. The chili is delicious, comes with huge chunks of meat. The causes I tried were their tangy and sweet. The tangy sauce was meh, but the sweet sauce was damn good. Overall friendly service, large space for groups, and there were times they had my carryout order done within 10 minutes. The prices are comparable to other bbq places like smoque or lillies cues. The 3 stars is for the food. The bbq is pretty good, but I wasn't blown away. That is not a bad thing though. Honky Tonk is a friendly place with a lot of options, so check it out for yourself.
(3)
Justin B.
Honky Tonk } Smoque } Pork Shoppe After finally making a trek down to Honky Tonk after what seemed like months on end, I must admit, I am definitely impressed! Walking into the joint I immediately felt I was in for quite a food experience. Just looking at the menu had me jumping in my seat. Bacon candy!? A variety of whiskey cocktails!? Be still my swine beating heart. I opted to go w the brisket sandwich, mac n cheese, garlic mash, and a hot link on the side. The hot link was phenomenal, the garlic mash very light and creamy, the mac n cheese creamy and flavorful, and the brisket...wow. Soft, meaty, succulent pieces of meat piled onto a ciabatta roll...heaven on a bun. I managed to snag a few rib tips from my buddy who went with me and I must admit, they have some beastly sized rib tips! I will definitely be going back here to try the ribs, there was so much on the menu that jumped out at me but I knew not to overload myself. I recommend going with a few of your friends to take advantage of the portion size! Hats off to Honky Tonk!
(5)
John M.
Twice I have come here in my search for the perfect beef brisket in Chicago. Twice I was compelled to send the brisket back to get it heated up. In this case, two strikes and you are out. If I wanted cold beef I would go to the deli and order it. I am afraid this place will never live up to it's potential. I don't see it being around too much longer. Too bad. Chicago could have really used another decent place for beef brisket.
(1)
Armand K.
Walk in, immediately your mind travels... This place is huge, that art is as eclectic as it gets, and the smell is so incredible it could be a menu item. Okay, now I'm hungry, but wait a beer would be nice. As if your mind was read, a pint of Old Style and a piece of bacon candy for $5, where am I again, because I already don't want to leave. Before I go further, what's bacon candy? A thick cut piece of bacon smoked in maple syrup and crusted with brown sugar. More simply put; amazing. Okay so where were we; beer, check. Appetizer, check. Now for the main course, a sizable half rack of baby back ribs. Smoked for hours, as tender as a beef stew, with a bark like a great oak. On it's own they're good, but after tinkering with the three house sauces (sweet BBQ, tangy BBQ, and garlic mustard) you really have something worth writing home about. Before we finished our meal, a nice added touch was the live pianist. I personally felt like a not so well-dressed cast member dining in a saloon of the Boardwalk Empire stage set. Make your way to the West side and check this place out, 4.5 stars.
(4)
Jackie O.
I remember the first time I went here, before there was a snazzy bar. The food was decent, the service was slow as molasses, and the band was great. I couldn't justify a 30min. drive cross-city when I could hit up some great places in my neck of the woods. Now I have that reason, and it is BACON CANDY. They caramelize brown sugar, and then soak bacon in it and let it cool. Crunchy bacon candy. At least, I think that's how it's made. I have no idea. If you have 2-3 people, the $30 sampler patter is the way to go. It comes with pulled pork, brisket, hot links, ribs, chicken, slaw, beans, cornbread... etc. Between two people, we had leftovers. For booze, their bourbon cocktails are well crafted. I had moonshiner's lemonade (but I switched out Maker's for Buillet). If I remember right, and I probably don't, it had Acai berry liquor, bitters, lemonade, and a bourbon soaked cherry.
(5)
Juli A.
Damn good BBQ in a neighborhood known for anything but. I remember the first time I ordered and the owner's wife delivered my dinner. They know how to BBQ and while delivery was awesome, I rather prefer dining in.
(4)
Raul Z.
I thought it was great good food good beer terrific music live band and not so expensive for two people drinks and food $ 30.00 a person...
(4)
Emily C.
Yee-haw. Honky Tonk is famous for their brisket -- stick to it. It was by far the best of all of their meats. I also loved the mac and cheese, which had a sharp cheddary flavor and a hardened parmesan crust. They also have a full bar. Honky Tonk has a large interior and is a great spot for groups. When I went they had live country folk music, which really added to the country-style ambiance. The barbeque is not on the same level as, say, Smoque, but the dining experience is far nicer. In short, go here for ambiance and brisket. Oh, and Pilsen, if that's your thing.
(3)
Yesy D.
What can I say I love this place! It's a little pricey but I love the location, atmosphere and of course the food. They have the best beef brisket I've ever tasted and the live music adds to the experience. We've always had great luck with the waiters. Special side note: If you are a garlic lover, you will LOVE the garlic mashed potatoes.
(4)
Mandy A.
Came here on a random, rainy Saturday night with the husband and it was, as they say, all that. Had to wait a bit but we grabbed some beers and listened to the live jazz duo. Decor is cool and vintage and farm-y and weird. Lots of portraits of awkward individuals. Once we were seated we decided on the candy bacon as an appetizer. I mean, have you ever eaten bacon with a fork and knife before? You know it's going to kind of be good and make you want to throw up at the same time. The candy glaze and the salt fat made a good combo but holy mother that was like the equivalent of a whole package of bacon from the store. What a way to start it off. We split their sampler platter since we figured it was the best of everything and oh, it was. Ribs, delicious. Pulled pork and brisket sliders, both delicious. Hot links, I don't even consider myself a big sausage fan and these too were delicious. BBQ chicken, yep. Corn bread muffins, hell yes. Skipped the beans because beans are gross. I asked my husband which was his favorite and he couldn't decide. I asked which was his least favorite and he couldn't decide. Hence, everything is awesome. Pretty cheap overall, about $70-ish with a couple drinks. Pretty great date night.
(5)
Josan K.
Not the best, not the cheapest, not the greatest. It's decent, but better options for the money. The ambiance is great. Live music, great decor. Helpful, good servers. Candied bacon and beer special is plus!
(3)
Michael R.
we own a uber busy venue on Randolph street and I only mention that because we are a food and beverage biased destination. The visit to honky tonk was a total sensory 5 star experience. I will leave the irritating details to the yelpers that feel they are food critics,and probably have not even lived long enough to have any caveat to comment.I do not know how anyone could think other than I do...I always am amazed at the less well traveled and seasoned diner denegrating a genious and well poised establishement.Wait did I just review Yelp reviewers??? :LOL OMG my BFFs
(5)
Kat M.
Did you hear the one about the vegetarian who went to the barbeque joint? She had a surprisingly good meal! Normally, I don't seek out such places, but I have married into a pork-loving family, so Father's Day Dinner found me at the Honky Tonk Barbeque seated at a table with several pounds of smoked meat. All in all the experience was not as traumatic as one would think. They don't take reservations for parties smaller than ten, so we had a bit of a wait when we got there at five. That was okay. There was ample room at the bar. Their cocktail list is kinda fun. Nothing that blew me away, but I did enjoy the bourbon-soaked cherries that garnish many a drink. So we sat a bit, enjoying our drinks and listening to a fellow crooning cowboy music (quite a pleasant voice, by the way). And after about 20 minutes, they had a table for us. In-laws ordered many great slabs of meat. I can't say too much about it. They seemed to enjoy it. Everyone was pretty happy when all was done. And I was happy, too. The thing I like about Honky Tonk is that the vegetarian menu does not seem like an afterthought. There's some good stuff there! Most of the sides are veggie. Think traditional comfort food: Mac and Cheese, Candied Yams, Black-eyed peas... You get the picture. The salads are well done. I enjoyed the "Girlfriend Salad" - jicama, blueberries and goat cheese. I also enjoyed the fact that they had a menu item called the Girlfriend Salad! Corn bread muffins are warm and yummy. The "Green BLT" features a tasty fried green tomato, and vegetarians can substitute a Portobello mushroom for the bacon. Great sandwich! I recommend slathering on the garlic mustard sauce. For dessert we shared some peach cobbler and banana pudding - yes, with Nilla Wafers. Both quite good. The place itself is kitschy-cool: amateur artist oil-paintings line the walls. There's live music. Service was a bit on the slow side, but very pleasant. I wouldn't hesitate to go back. In summary: If you are a vegetarian looking to find areas of compromise with the carnivores you love, you'd do well to check out this place. Odds are you will all go home happy.
(4)
John I.
Love the Honky Tonk! Great, authentic, small-time live music, excellent Q, delicious cocktails, and though I'm weary now of the exuberance about bacon everywhere, the candied bacon with a beer back sure is sweet. The pulled pork is savory; the brisket is especially good with horseradish and the links hit the smokey spot. The standard sauce is a bit boring, but the "spicy" is tasty (though not really spicy), and the mustard sauce would do the Colonel in the Clue board game right.
(4)
Paty S.
I'll just keep my visits here strictly at the bar. Food was bland. Sure, maybe because you need to add the BBQ sauce, but even the BBQ sauce was bland. Doused my pulled pork sandwich and still lacked flavor. When I think BBQ, I can taste the smoked flavor of the meat. Nope, not this time. My husband's chicken was dry also flavorless. I won't even mention that it still had a feather in it. I've been here before for drinks at the bar. I was hoping to be wowed by the food. Unfortunately, it was quite unsatisfying to say the least.
(2)
Anthony R.
Went here on a Friday night, called in beforehand and they said it wasn't too busy, got there 5 minutes later and the place was packed. Sat in the corner so the service was shit, but the food arrived fairly quickly. It has a country/rockabilly ambience which I really liked and they had live music when I went there. As for the food, I've had better and I've had worse. I ordered the sampler platter which had a bit of everything. The ribs and chicken were very dry. The brisket, pulled pork, and hot link were all delicious. The slaw wasnt anything special, but the beans were really tasty. The corn muffin was probably my favorite thing on the platter, which is kind of sad for BBQ joint. I'm only giving Honky Tonk 3 stars because it's a quantity over quality place. I was very surprised at how reasonable the check was for the amount of food you get, but that's not always good thing. If you want better BBQ, go to Fat Willy's.
(3)
Kellie G.
The ribs were just ok. The service was great, loved the live music. Although I was just stopping through it seemed like a great late night hang out with friends
(3)
Rockie N.
Candied bacon. Its good... but be careful how much you eat, or you may become full before the rest of your meal arrives! I split ribs with my buddy. They were fall-off-the bone perfect. The crunch of the edges made for a great texture. I barely even used the BBQ sauces! My sides were just okay. The slaw was nothing to write home about, and the cornbread was alright. The atmosphere is great! We dug the fact that there was a live old-man-jazz band. It reminded us that we were in Chicago! Great service. Great drinks. Decent BBQ. I would totally hang out here if I lived near!
(3)
Alejandro H.
Great pulled pork and even better rib tips. They have a very wide beer selection and great music on Fridays, although I'm not sure if they have that any other day. I would have preferred to sit in the front as it seemed to have a better atmosphere but didn't bother me too much to sit in the back, I guess I'll just have to get there sooner.
(4)
Shelley D.
This place was great. The atmosphere is really laid back. We got the bacon candy and the empanadas and both were pretty good. We had ribs, coleslaw, mac and cheese, pulled pork, ribs, and the brisket. Everything was great and the sauces were all pretty interesting and good. We ended the night with the banana pudding and the peach cobbler. The peach cobbler was okay but the banana pudding was probably the best part of the night. Not too sweet or too much pudding, just the right amount of everything. We would highly recommend this place!
(4)
Jonathan S.
Loving hearing @aaronGetsug play his sax with #LateNightBait
(4)
Aimee M.
What I miss most about living in Texas is the BBQ. Particularly warm days dining outside having good BBQ and an ice-cold beer. *Sigh. Honky Tonk did a great job filling that void when I was craving good BBQ. The hubs and I love that even serve Lone Star Beer. There are other beer choices (PBR, Two Brothers, just to name some) but I like to keep it simple when I have BBQ--Miller is just fine by me. The sampler platter is a good place to start if you're unsure of what to try and perfect when you want to share. The BBQ is served sans sauce, but if you feel the need to add some, there are three different ones already on the table. Here's my breakdown: Pulled pork--delicious. Smoky flavor and so tender. Almost don't need to add any sauce. This is my favorite. Chicken--oh so tender and juicy Baby back Ribs--just ok. They seem kinda small and didn't have much meat on them, but the flavor was very good. Sausage--great smoky peppery flavor, a little spicy but not overly so. Brisket--this was good. Very tender. But if you're a fan of TX brisket (the Holy Grail of BBQ in TX) you might feel it's just not the same. But don't skip it, it's very good. Corn muffins--the hubs and I fought over who got the bigger one--yeah, it is that good it made us act like children. Service is friendly throughout. I love the decor and atmosphere. There's a gorgeous dark wood, western style bar--I almost felt like we were in a saloon. Live music on the weekends make it even more fun to visit!
(4)
Zach J.
Alright everybody relax! I see bad reviews talking about how dry this stuff is etc....you are not from South Carolina, Kansas City, or Memphis and neither is this place. You are no expert and neither are they. My review is based upon the fact that Chicago is not a BBQ city and never has been, but this place comes the closest you can get to the real deal from the south. You have to have a knack for BBQ to eat here and enjoy it plus you have to realize that you are in CHICAGO not SOUTH CAROLINA, it will not be as good but really good for Chicago. I found the hot links to be the best thing on the menu I still think about those juicy little pieces of meat and I have not eatin here in nearly a year! The service is excellent and friendly and the rest of the dishes were fantastic. The mac and cheese was delicious, and did I recommend the hot links? Oh yes I did, because they are awesome! Please review with a clear mind understand that Chicago is NOT known for BBQ. Just like do you think it would be fair of me to go down to Memphis and trash on every pizza place about how crappy their pizza is? No, it would not be fair because it would be Memphis they don't know squat about pizza.
(5)
Ray W.
Simply great barbecue. Service was lacking but that tells you how great the food was for me to give it such a high review
(4)
Karen N.
Their take out option is truly great! We called ahead to order, then went to pick it up 30 minutes later. Shesam! It became a big BBQ party at home! Be sure to get lots of sauce. The mac and cheese(not mushy anymore) and hot links(more heat) have gotten better too. Way to go!
(3)
Daniela R.
I'm not impressed. I definitely had better. Food arrived at our table cold, very cold. Brisket was so fatty and chewy couldn't eat. I liked the Mac and Cheese, really good.
(2)
Allen P.
When you've got SmokeDaddy or Smoque within close driving distance, you can't help but compare. I'm sure HT BBQ cringes when they read about comparisons because based on the atmosphere/ambiance of each location, these are all very different. HTBBQ takes the cake as far as making you feel welcome to be there. Service/staff was great and on top of everything. I had my 2 year old son and no one in my party ordered alcohol (apparent no-no's when dining out on a Saturday night) and the service was awesome. Live music made it a great atmosphere. We ordered just about everything on the menu: Candy Bacon: Good. Like when you dip your bacon in maple syrup. It's cold though and I guess I was expecting it to be warm. Mac & Cheese: a must order, solid Candied Yams: also very good if you like candied yams, not too sweet Garlic Mashed Patatoes: good flavor, but came out kind of cold, must not get ordered a lot because it must have just been reheated Corn Muffin: I thought it was a little dry, others liked it Dinner roll: didn't eat it, cheap and not warm Cole slaw: not good at all, didn't eat it, and I like cole slaw Hot link: delicious, a must get if you're into sausages pulled pork: IMO the best offering on the menu St. Louis ribs: well cooked, best rib option but underwelming Baby Back ribs: bland, well cooked (as in falling off the bone) All the meat needed to be smothered in house sauce to have any real flavor and the house sauces were a-ok at best. It wasn't like a "get me some more of that sauce!" type of thing, but it did the job. If you want a comfortable atmosphere, live music, great service and decent food, this is your place. If you need to be blown away by the food and that's mostly what matters to you, this is not your place.
(3)
Luan N.
Don't tell my gut, My honky tonky gut I just don't think he'd understand and if you tell my gut My honky tonky gut He might just blow up and kill this man Tell him what? That Honky Tonk won 3rd place in the Memphis world BBQ championship because over-hype can kill. Does it live up to the distinction? I guess you could say that. My only complaints were that the portion of 1/2 spread of baby back ribs seemed a bit small, I wished they could open up the bar area for more seating, and the front entrance is a bit scary. P.S. sorry for the Billy Ray Cyrus, that song just went viral in my head when I was in there.
(4)
Joe P.
The Candied Bacon is worth going a second time for and the brisket is so tender you just want more. I would advise you go in a group so everyone can get something different and share otherwise you might be missing out on something. They don't even get upset when you start a sauce war at your table.
(4)
Veronica S.
Have eaten here five times. Really good rib tips, mac and cheese, and peach cobbler, but it takes forever to get the food even if you arrive and order just as they open their doors. Plus last time we were there the air conditioning was broken and it smelled like a backed-up sewer. It's a bit of a hike for us and we have much better BBQ nearer to home. Most likely will not be back.
(3)
Cisco D.
My 90 Day Challenge is in Jeopardy with this BBQ that is F I R E !!!! Honky Tonking and stuffing my face off is where it's at !!!!
(5)
Andres D.
After watching the Honky Tonk BBQ youtube video of Diners, Drive-in & Dives. I just knew I had to visit this place for some dry rub style ribs cooked over a wood burning flame. My group of 3 attacked the sample platter first with the half slab of baby back ribs. Absolutely superb and the bbq sauce on the table was all the ammo I needed to reach my barbeque utopia. Next we ordered the rib tips plus half slab of st louis ribs. The rib tips were a winner and the st louis were a bit fatty but good, still suggest the baby back instead. The homemade mac n' cheese with bread crumbs and corn muffin was the best I ever had! Although I could have done without the coleslaw..that part was disappointing and I love coleslaw. By the way, they have a full bar now.
(4)
Jacob J.
What you should know about Honky Tonk BBQ: BYOB. At the time I dined here it was Cash only (At the time I wrote this review it was cash only, I've been told that since late Jan 2010 they now accept cards, I'm not sure and it's wise to call ahead). Their barbecue is different than most of the BBQ you get most anywhere else in Chicago. It's perfectly cooked meats served plain. You then choose from three sauces (offered on every table) and cover it as much as you like. Their sauces come in; something like a peppery or hickory flavor, honey mustard and a sweet and tangy type. For most that are used to having prepared meats served with sauce applied while cooking, it's a lot different since the sauces are at room temperature. I prefer barbecue with sauce applied while cooking, burnt on, soaking in it, smoked, whichever. I visited with two other guys, one got the pulled pork sandwich, the other the brisket sandwich and myself with rib tips and 2 dinky dunkers of brisket and pulled pork. The brisket was dry and the buddy that ordered that sandwich was not satisfied. The other one with the pulled pork wasn't satisfied either. I thought my dinky dunker pulled pork was fine, once I doused it in sauce. Btw, dinky dunker is just a cute name for mini sandwich, there's nothing extra special about it. The bread was an Artisan sandwich bread, soft on the inside with an almost crisp crust. The rib tips were pretty good served plain over a soggy piece of garlic bread. I took some of my food to go. On day 2 I threw everything into a wok with barbecue sauce, a bit of mango, hot spices and sizzled them all together. I took that soggy garlic bread and toasted it till it became a crisp wafer. Having that bread extra crispy with BBQ'd leftovers was bangin! Oh yea, I also got a corn bread muffin which was sweet to the taste and it contained bits of creamed corn (I'm guessing); which was a nice surprise. If going, I'd suggest going with a group, getting a bunch of food to share like their sampler platter and a few different sides. This way you may still have space for dessert! Pluses.. sweet staff and service with a smile. Our waitress came over often to check up on us and an older lady (maybe the owner) came over just to thanks us for visiting and remind us that they are there to help, that was cool. If hitting the Honky Tonk on a weekend, finding street parking can be a headache and time consuming task but, they are open till 11pm, so there's still time.
(3)
Raquel D.
Holy smokey BBQ! This place is insanely good...and dangerous. Living so close, I am really mad at myself for not coming sooner - esp when it was BYOB. Shame on me. Hubby and I demolished the sampler platter - half slab of ribs, half roasted chicken, one pulled pork dinky dunk and one brisket one, beans, slaw and garlic mashed potatoes - oh and two huge suasage links. Add three beers and a peach cobbler to the mix and we're officially oinkers. YOWZA! Everything was soooo good, but my fav has to be the pulled pork, sausage (which is unusal, but these links are PACKED with flavor) and garlic potatoes. And the peach cobbler is heavenly. This meal literally TKO us out - we went into food coma instantly once we got home and I floated into a dreamland filled with happy ppl with pork bellies to match mine, eating peach cobbler. True story. My next meal here will only include my top three - living this close is def no bueno for my waistline...
(4)
K T Y.
Agree with jami s's review..this place smells like urine. Maybe there was a plumbing problem that day. Just surprised that no one else mentioned the bathroom smell.. On to the food, it was decent. That's it..just decent. St. Louis ribs and brisket just tasted like cooked meat i.e. not much flavor. mac n cheese was very good. Service was very nice.
(3)
Vannee G.
There brisket sandwich very good but their was no smoke. Their BLT is very very tasty.
(3)
Tamikca R.
Went here last night with my hubby for our 15th anniversary. Food was amazing, music grown and sexy a lil loud but that's ok my hubby and I are a "Lil loud" So we totally fit in. The bacon candy beer combo was awesome!!! I will go back again..
(5)
Tami S.
Took a friend here last Saturday around 10:40pm after I told her about Honky Tonk. I wanted to try the fried green tomatoes and grab a drink. We sat their about 5 mins before being acknowledged only to be told there was NO FOOD... they ran out. Really? All your food is gone? The snide waitress didn't even bother to ask what we were ordering or if we wanted drinks. Apparently there is a dance party that takes place at around 11:30 and they wanted to prepare for it. Me nor my friend seemed to be the type that would be welcomed (although I actually like honky tonk). Last year when I came I had a pleasant experience and the food was good. I WILL NOT COME BACK. Good service goes a long way. While their BBQ is good it isn't the best. The statement we have no food seemed ridiculous. I
(1)
Jennifer R.
Ran out of mashed potatoes on a Saturday night, unacceptable.
(1)
Jennifer I.
After eating at Honky Tonk BBQ, I have to wonder if Trace Adkins used this place as inspiration for his hit song, Honky Tonk Badonkadonk. There is some good food to be had here, kids...I'm pretty sure my dining companion and I left some behind. We enjoyed ribs (St. Louis and baby back), chicken, mac and cheese, and peach cobbler. The meat is served dry....you add your own sauce, which is on the table (3 varieties). We were happy with everything....especially the peach cobbler. If you like peach cobbler, you have to come here, even if it's just for that. After stuffing my face like I had not eaten in a week, I rolled on home, knowing every calorie and fat gram was worth it. As a bonus, my butt is now a little more comfortable to sit on. Imagine that! Shut my mouth, slap your grandma There outta be a law Get the Sheriff on the phone Lord have mercy, how's she even get them britches on That Honky Tonk Badonkadonk
(4)
Jill J.
Currently my FAVE place in the city. *Gluten free friendly *Yummy sauces on the table *Candied bacon appetizers (MMMMMM) *Paper Straws *Cool art on the walls *Great music *Live bands at night *Booze soaked cherries in the drinks *Really, really good drinks *Real corn bread I'm too full right now to write out paragraphs. But really, you should go. It's not fancy, the service isn't 5 stars but the total experience is. It gets busy and when it's busy the service is slow. I've been lucky and gotten in and out right before busy times in the past. I'm a fan.
(5)
Joanne N.
This place was great. I am never in the Pilsen area and was a little hesitant to head in, but I was so pleased once we were there! My boyfriend and I went in to pick up some BBQ after a trip to Target in the south loop. The woman who took our carry-out order was so nice and even brought our food out to us while we waited at the bar. My boyfriend never tips on carry-out orders (a thing of his), but he tipped her! At the bar, I ordered a water while we waited and he had a coke, and the sweet bartender didn't even charge us. When we got home, the food was absolutely fantastic!! The candied bacon was the best thing I have had in a long time. And, the ribs were delicious and tender. I had the pulled pork and was definitely satisfied, although it was huge. We also split a corn muffin, yum!! Overall, this place has excellent service as far as I can tell as well as some kick-ass BBQ. Go go go!!!
(5)
Grant W.
First heard of this place from Food Network's DDD a couple of years ago, and I must say I think this place is very underrated. First and foremost, their pulled pork sandwich is the best in Chicago, hands down. They know what they are doing with their dry rub and "q" / smoking techniques. Brisket is solid, but ribs were just so-so. Sides are really good and fresh.
(4)
Paula P.
I just got home from eating there with a friend. The whole way home we talked about how the peach cobbler tasted like ass. It smelled horrible too. We first got the bacon candy, and it was phenomenal so we got excited for the rest of the food. Next we got the sampler, and the only thing that tasted O.K. was the corn muffins...and I guess the brisket. All the meat was generally dry, and their house-made sauces were good but nothing special. If you know whats good for you...do not get the peach cobbler. Our waitress was really cool, and fast. I also ordered a gin and tonic and it was decent. Again...the peach cobbler is going to haunt me forever.
(2)
Robert Y.
Our first time experience here was a huge disappointment! Honky Tonk's big shtick is bbq that is slow smoked up to 15 hours with a special dry rub and served dry (sauce on the side only) and it was what enticed us to go there. My wife and I usually prefer the "pure" smoke & rub taste of a sauce-less smoked piece of meat because good bbq should stand on it's own...no sauce needed to taste truly good. We split an order of St. Louis and short ribs between us and what a disappointment! The meats were tasteless, smokeless, lukewarm and very dry. The three different style sauces on the table were okay but had no real zing or bite...a commercial bottled sauce would have been better. At one point I asked one of the wait staff if they had anything with a little heat in it and the only thing they could offer was a bottle of Tabasco, which he forgot to bring. The coleslaw tasted neither sweet or vinegary; it was, like the meat, bland. Don't expect to find traditional bbq side staples like French fries or green beans here, because they don't have it. On the bright side, the mac and cheese and deserts were good. We were disappointed with the drinks as well. My wife's wine was okay, but my scotch and my friend's vodka was tiny (probably exactly measured 1.5 shots) and warm; they were poured in tiny glasses with barely enough room for a couple of ice cubes. My friend's wife ordered a Martini and it was served in one of the smallest Martini glasses that we've every seen. Ah the music. We could not tell of the band was good or not because of the rooms terrible acoustics; it very difficult to distinguish between the vocals and music from the band or conversation of your dining companions. The room's mixture of reflective hard floors, hard wall surfaces and a metal ceiling makes you feel that you are in a loud muddled sounding boom box. Sorry, I cannot recommend this place, especially if you are a true bbq aficionado for you will be very disappointed!
(2)
Jason W.
I am a big BBQ fan. I think this place is better than Smoque, Smoke Daddy's, Lilly's Q, etc. This place rocks. I will get into the ambiance first. This place is a throw back Western dining hall/saloon. It is soo cool! The walls are filled with old cowboy/western/southern paintings and knickknacks. They have wooden tables with straight back wooden chairs. The setting is complete with the piano and old man crooning away. (He has a really high voice and sings like a woman, but you get used to it after a song or two.) Now the Meat!! The serve candy bacon. I hadn't ever heard of candy bacon before, but I now know that when i die, I want to meet my maker with a handful of candy bacon. That might help him overlook my multitude of indiscretions. Anyway. Candy bacon is thick cut bacon cooked in molasses. It could not taste better. The rib tips were great, a giant portion for $9.00 The smoked chicken was wonderful, as was the pulled pork. The brisket was a little dry but still pretty tasty. Anyway, if you want to go to feel like you went back in time to an old west town, and you have a hankerin' for some tasty meats, this is the place! Cheap cold beer too!
(5)
E W.
great service, cool atmosphere & good crowd. Not the best BBQ in the city but worth a try!
(3)
Laura E.
I never know what to except of places where all the servers seem required to have tattoos/piercings, but this place is pretty good if you like meat (and I do). The meat and their sauces have awesome flavor. The pork platter is awesome. I really like the garlic mustard sauce or whatever it is. Definitely a foodgasm experience -- I should really come here sometime when I have hardcore pms. Whatever you do though, do not order the house wine -- it's awful and tastes like vinegar. Probably definitely more of a beer place, though I unfortunately can't drink beer. Drinks seem really pricey. As far as sides, I've tried the portabello mushroom side and the southern style (collard) greens. Portabello mushrooms were way too oily, though I should mention I"m not really a mushroom fan (though I try occasionally). The southern style greens are good though and I'm not a huge collard green fan. I must just not cook them in enough grease or something. I also tried their one signature dessert to try the bacon candy. I was okay, but not really mind blowing. I think bacon is awesome, but I think the weird cultural obsession with it has gone way too far sometimes.
(4)
Sammy T.
This place is lovely. It combines bbq, hipsters, art and alcohol, what's not to love? Plans were made to do bar trivia with friends when I came into town. When I arrived I was told we were going for BBQ. BBQ in Chicago? In March? Huh? We arrive and the space in the front part was full. Alot of people turn out for the trivia which is pretty cool. The back room was not even occupied and they broadcast the questions over the speak system so we didn't miss a thing, but judging peoples facial hair and sartorial choices. I had the 2 lil sandwiches I think they are called squealers or dippers (shrug). They were tasty one was beef and one was pork and you could tell it was real bbq and not some faux smoked jive. The sauces they offer aren't your typical bbq sauce and I liked the tangy one especially. I even put it on my garlic mashed potatoes. My drink of choice was the charlie temple which was ketel one vodka, sprite and homemade spiced cherry syrup. YUM-O!!! I had several and soon was unable to read the trivia question sheet. Oops. I will be back of course since it was fun, and especially because my team won.
(4)
Julie A.
Great place! And they're getting the liquor license in two weeks! My husband and I had a great time - the band was amazing, and a perfect accompaniment to our luscious pork, beef, mac + cheese, cornbread muffins, fried green tomatoes and banana pudding. Wow. We ate a lot. And enjoyed every bite.
(5)
Pascal M.
I stared at the stars for 10 minutes before I gave 2. I don't know how to explain it. I never thought I could review a bbq establishment under 3. My friend and I biked to this place, had a beer outside while we waited for them to open. With a decent buzz going, I was eager to try this place. I had seen them on Check Please and had heard some good tips about the place from fellow food enthusiasts. Plus, the owner/chef won 3rd place at Memphis in May for his pulled pork. That's pretty damn impressive in the bbq world. All that blew my mind was the mac and cheese (had to order an extra serving) and the ribs. I still believe we caught them at a bad time and perhaps they gave us left overs from the night before. The brisket and pulled pork were dryer than the Sahara. I'm going to give it another go in the near future to hopefully change my review.
(2)
Ted C.
I went for dinner last night w/ a few work associates, because HTBBQ got good reviews. Our Italian friend had never had BBQ, so we had to show him what it was all about. I'll have to agree w/ a few other Yelpers, and say that this place was just OK. The service was very good, but the food was middle of the road. I always use ribs as a comparison, for good BBQ. HTBBQ's ribs were just average. I typically like my ribs a little more tender, and seasoned better. HTBBQ's were overly smoked, and you had to really rely on the sauces to add depth to the ribs. The Candy Bacon was interesting, and pretty good. They taste like taking cold bacon beef jerky, and dipping it in very sweet maple syrup. We finished the meal w/ the Salty Pig....disgusting. Vanilla ice cream, chunks of bacon, walnuts, and hot fudge. The chunks of bacon completely overpowered the dish, and had WAY too much salt. Definitely a pass on this dish.. Overall, I would probably return, and try something different.
(3)
Bettina S.
This place is fantastic. My friends and I have a little BYOB club, and we decided to try this place just in time; before they get a bar next week :) The food was good, and filling as BBQ should be. The tangy sauce was my favorite, and I was given a little bit to take home with my doggy bag. I love the ambiance. The walls are covered in colorful interesting paintings, but then the tables and chairs are simple wood, giving it a very country feel. The banjo player helped that as well. I'll definitely go back even after it is no longer BYOB.
(5)
Daniel M.
Calling this a dive bar is extremely misleading. It's a huge restaurant and I regularly see families with kids there. The barbecue is good, the portions are large, and they have great live music. The whiskey selection is extensive but a bit overpriced. I have fairly exacting standards for barbecue which is the main reason they didn't get the fifth star from me.
(4)
Jennifer E.
Two words: Bacon Candy. That is all.
(5)
shaun M.
*Update* I came back to Honkey Tonk and was very disappointed. First of all, they are no longer BYOB... I think was a poor decision on their part but oh well. Second of all we got the viking ribs but they were probably 50% fat. When you pay 18 bucks for ribs there should not be that much fat on them. I do have to give them credit though, I still like their hot links and cornbread. Their beef brisket sandwich was good but not the best I ever had. Probably the best thing about this place is their sauces, they have a very tasty mustard sauce.
(3)
J J.
Great place. Fantastic food. Very well priced. Service is very friendly. Might even have Willie Owner/Cook/BBQ Professional stop by your table and say hello. I like Sweet Baby Ray's and Smoque but Honky Tonk doesn't suffer from the commercial and "sterile Chicago restaurant scene. BYOB makes the place feel more like a country family BBQ than a stuffy franchise. 1$ surcharge per person for BYOB. Very reasonable. Hope to have my Birthday party here next year!
(5)
Scott M.
I'm a HUGE fan of Honky Tonk. If it were possible to give 4.5 stars, I would. The atmosphere is awesome. There is a ton of artwork and trinkets all around to keep your eyes busy for multiple visits. At first, I wasn't sure what to call the decor but it's grown on me and I really think it's perfect for the neighborhood. The tables are older and all different. I think it gives it a "at home" kind of feel. The service has always been great. I recall a few times where I would have liked to have seen a check-in or a check more quickly, but things happen and it definitely was not an extreme amount of time. They are always smiling and very friendly, I'll take that kind of service any day! The food, oh, the food! DELICIOUS BBQ. The best I've had in Chicago. I've tried the bacon candy was addicting! The pulled pork, which I normally don't eat was so tender and full of flavor. I'm a ribs guy. I've tried the baby back and St. Louis style and prefer the baby back although they were both really good. They come with a dry rub and I had to keep reminding myself to use the sauces, because the ribs are awesome without the sauce. They do have 3 sauces available. I haven't tried the mustard based one, but the other 2 are great! They don't have a HUGE beer list, but they do offer something for everyone from PBR and Old Style to Belhaven Scottish Ale (one of my favorites and not commonly found in restaurants. They also have a lot of live music and trivia, so be sure to sign up for the email list. They don't annoy you with SPAM and it's nice to see what's going on. All this being said, I would take off a half star because the bathrooms could use some updating and I wish they had longer hours! If you haven't already, CHECK THIS PLACE OUT!
(4)
Colleen C.
My magical BBQ food baby was conceived at Honky Tonk BBQ. He's got a preference for old-school country, lip smackin' good food, and cute blonde waitresses. He was happy last night. I'm callin' HTBBQ: the "barbecure." For anything that ails you... HOLY MOTHER OF BARBECUE: A full slab of ribs. Dismantled effectively. Pulled pork sandwich...great sauces at the table, bustin' with pork! Sides: greens (soaked in pork juice!), mac 'n cheese, candied yams, and one delicious, moist, sinful corn muffin. Dessert: ZOMG. Banana bread pudding, sweet potato pie & peach cobbler. Unlike Simone's (down the street), Honky Tonk BBQ fills a niche...a need, without proving garish, or stepping on anyone's toes. It's authentic, the owners are genuine, the service is sweet, the food fantastic, the setting original, and the concept: traditional. It works well into the Pilsen-fold, without disturbing the delicate mix of cultures, histories and values. Because, let's face it...ANYONE can value good damn BBQ in a non-stuffy setting. A few things to note: 1. Cash ONLY. 2. BYOB. 3. They do not have straws. But, they do have great Diet Coke. I'll live. 4. They do not have take-out containers. So eat up! 5. Closed on Mondays. 6. They do not take reservations. 7. They are SUPER busy on the weekends. I will certainly have Peach Cobbler finding me in my dreams, I am sure. I am planning a future return with my father and brothers in tow, because this is a "sure-as-shit" pleaser for any man in your life that LOVES to eat, LOVES meat, and LOVES to eat with their hands. Ain't no frou-frou food up in here...you can bet on it! Endearing. It's a new favorite.
(5)
Sam C.
Had just about everything on the menu and it was all that the then some. I will be going back soon! Try the Bacon Candy, Fried green Tomatos, Mac & Cheese and any of the soild smoked BBQ items.
(4)
Will V.
Some of the previous Honky Tonk reviewers seem to be a little bit confused about different styles of BBQ. Honky Tonk seems to me to be a Texas-style BBQ, which implies smoking with none or minimal seasoning, served dry at the table. I ordered the St. Louis ribs, a "cup" of Texas-style brisket chili, and my dinner date ordered the pulled pork sandwich. The St. Louis ribs were a lean, not quite fall off the bone tender (but certainly not tough), and had a good smoky flavor. They were everything St. Louis ribs are supposed to be, and I love ribs. The "cup" of Texas-style brisket chili was awesome with great chunks of brisket, and wonderful flavor, but I thought the name was a little misleading, it is not really a Texas style chili. It was very good, nonetheless. The "cup" of chili at Honky Tonk is not really fit for a side dish, though, as it is massive, probably larger than most restaurants' bowls of chili. The "bowl" of chili I observed at another table was more like a trough. No skimping on the chili portions. The pulled pork was a little easy on the smoky flavor, but more than made up for it with its tenderness, easily the most tender pulled pork I have ever had. Comparisons to butter come to mind. The sauces at the table were not really my favorites, but the mustard garlic BBQ sauce was quite nice. I would like to have seen a spicy BBQ sauce, and definitely a light vinegar-based BBQ sauce. But I guess it is called Honky Tonk. The sides were delightful, the cornbread was tasty (did not come easily out of the cupcake wrapper though) and the mashed potatoes were amazingly good (take that David Burke's Primehouse). A few caveats... you'll likely have to wait, we waited for about 30 minutes for a table for two, had to end up sharing a 6-top with another couple. I'm easy, that's no big deal. BYOB, no cork fee, my favorite kind. Honky Tonk is cash only. People with disabilities affecting mobility will probably have a tough time at Honky Tonk, there is no wheelchair ramp, only a steep but short flight of steps to the door. Ambiance was amazing, everything you'd expect an artsy Pilsen BBQ joint to have. The service was excellent and friendly. Yes, I am a fan. I'm a *big* fan. I'll be back!
(4)
Sarah M.
It's kind of a weird vibe when you go in. You're not really sure what to do and, at least when I was there, there didn't seem to be much staff. But whatever, everyone seemed to be engrossed in their own thing so we sat down and ordered. I had the pulled pork, which is a go-to in most BBQ joints and I was not disappointed. The brisket looked good too, but I didn't get to try it because it was basically swallowed whole by one of my dining mates. Next time...
(4)
Beth C.
My brother and I had been talking about going to Honky Tonk for months now. I am so glad we finally went. It seriously changed my life. I've never been much of a BBQ fan, but I couldn't stop eating. Every savory bite got better and better as we devoured the sample platter. It could probably feed 3 people, but we couldn't stop! The corn bread muffins were tasty, the hot links are juicy, the roasted chicken was delectable, the ribs perfection and the pulled pork was out of this world. We seriously left in a euphoria and have been grinning about it for the past hour. Not only to I recommend Honky Tonk BBQ but I insist! Go! Get the candied beer in an Old Style. Game changer!!!!!
(5)
Angie M.
I love a man who takes pride in his meat. And that man, my friends, is Willie Wagner, owner of Honky Tonk BBQ. Thanks to our very own Carol J., who organized a dinner for about 25 Yelpers, I had the opportunity to embrace my meat-loving side and go hog wild on the awesome BBQ served up at Honky Tonk. Truth? The restaurant itself is nothing fancy. The outside is a completely nondescript storefront on 18th Street in Pilsen. The inside is simply decorated with long, wooden tables, white walls and a few, um, colorful, paintings. But really, you're not coming to Honky Tonk BBQ for the decor. You're coming for the food! We had a special, family style dinner preset for us, which was great because we were able to try so many different meats, sides and desserts. So here we go, BBQ lovers: Appetizers: Fried green tomatoes, mushrooms with roasted garlic and bread served with mustard sauce and ketchup & horseradish. The tomatoes had the perfect amount of thick breading to give them a nice crunch, the mushrooms were perfectly sauteed and the mustard sauce was out of this world! Sides: We were served coleslaw, candied yams, greens and beets. I'm going to be honest... I only ate the coleslaw because I wanted to focus my attention on the meat-a-polooza that was headed my way, but what I can say is that the slaw was the best I've had in my entire life. More vinegar than mayo and a touch of cilantro made it incredible. And now, the meat. Willie told us that he's the ONLY BBQ joint in Chicago that doesn't use any kind of gas to cook his BBQ. Not knowing a damn thing about cooking BBQ, I took his word to mean that's a good thing. A good thing, indeed! All the meat comes to you sans BBQ sauce so you can pick your choice of Honky Tonk's 3 sauces, Chicago Sweet, Memphis Vinegar or Carolina Mustard Garlic. I found that mixing the 3 gave me the best flavor. First out were the pork baby back ribs and pork St. Louis ribs. I'm normally really picky about ribs and don't like to order them at restaurants because they never live up to my expectations, but these ribs did me proud! I especially enjoyed the leaner St. Louis ribs. They were a bit firmer than the baby back, but had excellent flavor. Next came the beef brisket, beef spare ribs and pulled BBQ pork. The brisket was super tender and the spare ribs were huge and so moist that the meat actually fell off the bone when I picked it up. And the pork? While I'm sure it's fabulous every day, Willie smoked a special pork shoulder for us that was injected with extra flavor and seasonings. It was just... amazing. Still have room for dessert? Let's hope so! We received a sampling of the banana pudding (complete with whipped cream and vanilla wafers), sweet potato pie and incredible peach cobbler. I love that Willie told me that cobbler was so good due to the landslide of butter in it. Gotta respect the honesty! So after all was said and done, our carnivorous group waddled out of Honky Tonk BBQ with full bellies and memories of some of the best meat to ever cross our lips. That sounds perverted, but I don't care.
(5)
Jose H.
I'm really surprised at all the positive reviews. My food was absolutely nothing to write home about. The brisket and the pork had no smoke flavor and the rub was bland. I do have to mention the service was very good, cheery, fast and helpful. The music was also top-notch.
(2)
Henry A.
This place is really cool. I love the chill atmosphere and live music on the weekends. Coming here with some friends, bringing some good beer (it's BYOB), listening to bluegrass and enjoying some great bbq makes a damn near perfect evening. After my wife and I first came here, we went back every week for the next month and it has definitely become a solid pick on our restaurant rotation list. You can end up having to wait for a table for a long time if you don't come early. With BYOB and live music, there is no reason for people leave and free up a table after they are done eating. This is what makes this place special though. Ok, the food: The pulled pork sandwich is the way to go. It is ridiculously good. The ribs, both St. Louis style and baby back, are pretty good, but not amazing. You also can't miss the sides, especially the pork and beans and the candied yams - skip the mac and cheese and the coleslaw though. I haven't tried the other meats on the menu yet, but after I've had the pulled pork, I just can't see myself ordering anything else from here.
(5)
Patrick R.
I would like to give this 2.5 stars to be fair. I was pretty excited about trying Honky Tonk, so I loaded up with some micro brews and headed down to Pilsen with a couple friends. I would have liked to have seen a pulled pork plate, or a brisket plate. Some BBQ classics were not present on the menu. It took us quite some time after seating to be approached by a waitress, there seemed to be some confusion over who had our table. Both myself, and one of my friends ordered the Dinky Dunkers pulled pork/ Brisket mini sandwiches, my other friend ordered a half slab of baby backs. The sandwiches were okay. Texture was pretty good but the meat did not have a lot of flavor. I had to put on quite a bit of bbq sauce to get flavor out of the meat. This is Memphis style, where's the spicy dry rub? Maybe a cider injection in the pork? The smoke alone did not do enough. The $3.50 Mac-N-Cheese was pretty pathetic. No flavor, over cooked, tiny portion for the price. Maybe I hit Honky Tonk on a bad night, so I will give it another try. If they fail to impress me I think my BBQ Bucks are better spent at Fat Willy's or Smoque.
(2)
Vivian Y.
I'm sorry Honky Tonk, I'm downgrading you. I sort of wish you'd just stick to BBQ and smoking things because the other items need work. Though your bbq is still good, something changed with your sauce. It didn't hit the spot like it did the last 5-6 times when I ate your food. Did you change your recipe? I remember when you served up at the Zoppe Circus event, I couldn't get enough of your sweet BBQ sauce. I remember when I bought takeout to eat it at Lush, that I loved your BBQ sauce. I loved it when I came in on a busy Saturday night a few months back. Even when I have movie nights in with my husband and we got delivery, I loved your BBQ sauce. WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SAUCE? I just didn't love it on my last visit. I still think your sides are a rip off. and your coleslaw is tasteless (add a little pickle juice and sugar to your recipe!). The fried green tomatoes were terrible. Sorry...but that batter is way thick. BUT, you do have the best pulled pork in Chicago. I love them dunkers. Your ribs are pretty good and tender. I'm still a fan because you're so close and easily accessible. I've also learned to avoid you on weekends and stick to early evenings during the weekday. But I wanna know - WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SAUCE?
(4)
KM M.
This place is so great, and I'm not just saying that b/c of the picture of "W" they have on the door with a sign that says "Kick Here." Strolled in for a late dinner on a Saturday night, luckily, there were seats available. I'm not typically a fan of "Country" music but the live band they had was a lot of fun to listen to and I found myself toe-tapping throughout my meal. Definitely on the loud side in there, so don't go there for a romantic date unless you're more interested in looking at your date than listening to them. As many others have said, this place is BYOB which is such a great feature - I like beer with BBQ and being able to bring my beer of choice makes me happy. I ordered the dinky dunkers - one of each. I think I liked the brisket one better, but they were both good, so I'll call it a tie. I loved having 3 sauce options at the table... I kept switching up sauces between bites. They're all different and delicious (2 BBQ and 1 Mustard-type sauce). Also ordered 3 sides, Garlic Mashed, Mac & Cheese and Coleslaw... loved the Mac & Cheese and Mashed, liked the coleslaw, felt like it could use a bit more dressing though. The sides are true side-order size, not appetizer size, so that's why they're so fairly priced. I did not get dessert, although now I regret not trying the Peach Cobbler. I had my heart set on Apple, but I know I'll be back so I'll save room for dessert on my next visit. Met the owner on our way out and he was really friendly and seemed liked he genuinely cared about our feedback and thoughts. I enjoy places where the owner is working and out in the open to talk to. Great food and atmosphere... looking forward to going back with a larger group so I can try the sampler platter!
(5)
Stan W.
Wow, what is wrong with you people? I thought it was an interesting place but the food was bland as hell. I got the sampler: didn't seem like they used any seasoning at all on the ribs - chicken was cooked perfectly but again, no flavor or much of a hint of seasoning - couldn't really tell the difference between the brisket or the pulled pork other than the texture. Had to douse it all in sauce to even taste anything. Corn muffin was pretty bad too. You can't just smoke things plain without any seasoning and leave some sauces on the table calling it good BBQ. Service was great while I was there, and it seems to be a fine neighborhood place with good atmosphere and a lot of charm. But the food itself was beyond bland. I've been to most of the BBQ/rib places in the city (smoque, fat willys, smoke daddy, honey1, twin anchors) and this place is dead last in my book. No reason for me to ever go back. I just don't get it.
(2)
Jessica M.
I will say at the outset that my friends and I went the week after it was on Check Please. Honky Tonk did not seem ready for the business. When we got there at 6:00, there was an hour wait. It was extremely crowded inside so we waited an hour or maybe a little more outside in the cold. When we were seated, the service was slow and not too friendly (except for our busboy who was great). The food was ok, but nowhere near as good as Fat Willy's or Smoque. And it was cold. So yeah. Never going back. Honky Tonk can kiss my Badonkadonk.
(1)
Alexander W.
Wow. I was in the same group as Jacob R. and Ginger W., so no need repeating the points they made -- I'll merely confirm that everything stated was spot-on (though I believe the waitress's final comment was "this meal's been irritating for all of us." So sorry to irritate you, Madame Beer-Spiller). I'll limit myself to five additional points: (1) The Honky Tonk Apologists on Yelp seem to think that the only reason I had a bad experience is because of the "Check Please! lemmings." I'm not sure how TV viewers can be blamed for a pulled pork sandwich that came straight out of a goddamn fridge. If Honky Tonk BBQ can't handle a crowd -- and they can't -- perhaps they shouldn't have agreed to the televised promotion. (2) I noticed that half the people in the restaurant seemed to know the owners/staff personally. This, to me, helps explain the inflated Yelp average. I also think that the relatively limited number of dining options in Pilsen might be playing a part, as it's getting a location/convenience bonus. After all, if there's only one donut shop in your town, it may SEEM like they're best donuts on the planet. (3) Dylan D. says, "It's BBQ, folks. It is what it is. If you come here expecting fine dining, look elsewhere." Uh, okay, except that I wasn't asking for cloth napkins or kobe beef -- I just wanted food that was warm and available. I received neither (see below). (4) As Jacob/Ginger mentioned, by the time we got a table there were only 5 dishes left (and one of those was garlic bread). Okay. You ran out of food. Fine. But what I don't understand is WHY WE WERE SEATED IN THE FIRST PLACE. We were practically standing in the kitchen waiting for the table -- why not say, "Hey, guys, sorry, but we just ran out of EVERYTHING. Might wanna go somewhere else while places are still open?" (5) I could see dismissing our negative reviews as "one bad experience." The long wait, dickish staff, spilled beer, cold food, no food, hellish musician, etc. That's fine, except that even the WARM food was not good. I'd be willing to brave the longest lines and the worst service if the food was worthwhile, but it just wasn't. They could probably get away with it if this was the only BBQ joint in town, but unfortunately this is Chicago. You have options! Go somewhere else!
(1)
adam C.
Wonderful st louis ribs. Great people. If I had to find a gripe, its that there isn't much on the menu for a vegetarian.
(5)
perry f.
Don't you guys know your supposed to check out the restaurant before its on Check Please? Lemmings please stay away, I need lots of elbow room when I devour a slab and multiple sides and sling a half dozen wine bottles onto the table. Hell this was always an industry ( restaurant, music) Hide Out. If BBQ isn't your religion.... us old customers arent missionaries looking for converts. If you feel the spirit of Hank Sr. and The Man in Black, and you appreciate naturally raised meat slow cooked by a master like ol' Willy, well I don't have to tell ya, your already here.
(5)
char y.
BBQ is okay here. Had the slab of ribs with mac and cheese. My ribs seem to have been in the smoker for way to long since it was dried out. Also ordered the rib tips which was juicy and a great portion. There aren't to many BBQ in the neighborhood especially in Pilsen so it's a great addition to the area. The restaurant is located in what looks like an old bar. It had that old smell to the place once you walk in but after you sit there for a few minutes, you won't notice it anymore.
(3)
Kathleen K.
My roommate and I randomly found Honky Tonk yesterday after accidentally making a wrong turn. As it was 6ish we decided to stop in and have some dinner as we had both heard good reviews. The restaurant itself is interesting to look at as it is completely cowboy-ed out. It has a nice and very casual atmosphere. Service was excellent. Our waitress, whose name escapes me now, was really helpful. She made several recommendations but they had all sounded so good we had trouble deciding - so my roommate and I decided to go all out and order the sampler platter which comes with: -half spread of ribs -half smoked chicken -two dinky dinks (pork/brisket) -two hot links -fresh coleslaw, beans w/pork and 2 corn muffins So before you call us fatties, let it be known that the food was good and totally worth the calories. I have to agree with previous yelpers as I was a little disappointed that the ribs were not falling off the bone, but you could definitely taste the smokey flavor and rub Honky Tonk applies. The ribs/meat does not come slathered in sauce (it doesn't come with sauce on it at all), which I LOVED. There are 3 homemade sauces that Honky Tonk has on each of their tables: a sweeter sauce, a tangier sauce and a honey mustard-garlic sauce (great for chicken!). The pork and beef brisket were awesome. When I come back I will more than likely order one as my main entree. Mac & cheese was delish and topped with breadcrumbs. They have VERY limited healthy options on their menu, but then again we are talking about a BBQ place... They have a stage for live performers. When we finished our meal an act was prepping to go on. The space was small so it may get a little loud? I don't know. But I would be willing to return when there was live music just to check it out. It was a good BBQ and I will probably be returning. So the reason for 3 stars? By no means was our experience bad, but I wasn't blown away either. For good BBQ though, this place will satisfy.
(3)
Efrain C.
You can't go wrong with the pulled pork anytime here. I usually ask for some bark, some white meat, and some pink meat from the picnic ham portion of the shoulder in my sandwich. The beef brisket has the right amount of smoke that I like too. This time of year, the chicken pot pie is like cocaine to me. i had an apple cobbler there one night that was stunning. Honky Tonk is also my favorite hangout in Pilsen. Some great country western music acts come through here. I have seen all my favorite local bands play here which is amazing.
(5)
Philip D.
Ok, so I just tried this place out last week for the first time, so I have no old school memories to compare to. However, I did enjoy good service, my beer didn't sit even a quarter empty before being asked for another, and my brisket dinner was excellent. On top of that the music was top notch and free..a three piece jazz band that night, so enjoyable I took my girlfriend there just 4 days later and had an equally good time. Dixie style band on Sundays is a must see, especially the drum kit which is from the early 1800's.
(5)
Ryan M.
What this restaurant has going for it makes this place worth making your way there. First, the barbeque is fantastic, We got a full slab of baby back ribs, cooked perfectly, juicy and tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. We also had an order of garlic mashed potatoes (which were absolutely perfect) and a cornbread muffin (which was also delicious). The ambiance was also worth the trip. There was a country music guitar player crooning (and not too loud, just right). The waitresses were attentive and pleasant, and the other dinner guests were all polite (one even gave us the remaining wine from their bottle as they were leaving, thank god for the BYOB). The only downside to this was the fact that the restaurant is in a place where there isn't a lot of taxi traffic and the bus doesn't run past six pm on the weekend. That means you may be walking down the street for quite some time in a less than great area before a bus or taxi comes by. Don't get me wrong, at no time did I feel my safety was threatened, but when we go again, it'll be in the daytime. For all the positives and the one single negative, I say that this is a great place to go for barbeque.
(4)
Allison M.
The barbecue is okay. I prefer juicier, tender ribs and brisket. I can never complain about the sides. I LOVE the sides :)
(3)
Mark S.
Even for us Northsiders, with the great food, friendly staff & eclectic art, this place is worth the trip to Pilson. Their new, expanded space feels hip, spacious and welcoming. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Leigh R.
I had to try this place to compare it to Smoque. It is better than Smoque in my humble opinion. This had less of a "fast-food joint" feel and the food was better. I love how they don't drown the food in BBQ sauce, they let you do it yourself. On the table are three types of BBQ sauces and if you're a condiment lover then you'll love trying all three! Becasue of that I also felt like this was "heathlier" than Smoque because I didn't eat pounds of sauce and have it all over my fingers. I had the pulled-pork, my husband had the brisket and my father in law had the baby-back ribs. The pulled pork sandwhich was really good but I was so full a 1/4 the way into it and I didn't even bother eating the bread. I wish they had an option to not have a sandwhich. My husbands brisket sandwhich was the best - real tender, shredded and tasty. I didn't try the ribs but my father in law said they were a bit cold which was very disappointing. The taste was still great on the ribs so of course he ate them all up regardless. Sides: The mac and cheese is a sure winner! The boys enjoyed a side or corn bread as well. Dessert - yes after all that BBQ we shared two MOUTH WATERING desserts! Who would have thunk? The banana pudding was freaking amazing and the peach cobbler (I think) was hot and delicious. The sauces - their house is the best in my opinion but I thoroughly enjoyed all three...not goin lie this was a very pleasent dining experience. Atmosphere - interesting art work on the walls - entrance is kinda scary - but overall very nice. I hear they have live music on the weekends. I would think it could get really loud since the room isn't that big and the acoustics would really vibrate throughout the hard-wood floor room. It is BYOB so don't forget your own beer and/or wine! We didn't bother - just had water and sodas.
(4)
P O.
I did not want to agree with the other comments on here and really tried to have a good experience but it was a complete waste of time and money. After a day of shopping and fun in the city, I took my 18yo daughter here on Friday night, 3/16/12. I've tried plenty of restaurants that have mixed reviews and they worked out well so after looking at the reviews here I decided to give it a try anyway. First we were carded as we approached the front door, that should have tipped me off to the type of environment I was entering. I let him know that we were just coming for food, I had no idea that it was "Rockabilly" night which is a mood killer for me anyway. I should have cut my losses right then but when we were immediately ushered glasses of water, I thought, hmmm maybe its ok. WRONG! I ordered a pulled pork sandwich, sides of greens, mac & cheese, and garlic mashed potatoes, my daughter had the dinky dunkers, and like a fool I immediately put in an order for the sampler platter and rib tips to take home to the rest of the family. All of the meat was dry, another commenter said the bbq sauce was watery - CORRECT! The greens had am odd tangy flavor, the mash tasted like it was old and out of a box, and the mac and cheese was lackluster and looked prettier than it tasted. We nibbled and brought the rest home and no one else liked any of it either. Chicago has many great places to eat, especially for BBQ. I am not afraid of adventure, it's an hour drive for me to go into the city so when I do, I expect good food for my time and money. I tend to stay away from places where its obvious that the bulk of their revenue is made from the bar - I shouldv'e paid better attention, they stop serving food at 11pm yet are open till 2am. The food tasted old and reheated, this was proven when we unwrapped the foil packets that the sampler was wrapped in and the char marks inside let you know that it had been stored and heated in that foil. There's nothing there to make me go back or to advise anyone else to even give it a try. We also tried the peach cobbler, it had been nuked by Chef "Mic(rowave)", was unevenly heated and a crust which might have been good otherwise was soggy and disgusting. As for the service, that cup of water we had when we first sat down was the only one we ever saw, no refills were ever given. I saw the server randomly sit at people tables as she took their orders around us (I hate that.) During my 85 minute stay too long, most of it was spent waiting 20 minutes to order, and at the end 20 minutes for her to pick up my payment even though I had my card ready as she walked by several times. To top it off, my daughter said from what she saw going on, we got the best treatment. DO NOT waste your time. Money can be earned again when lost, time cannot. There are chains with better ribs. I'm not a dog, I like my meat to fall off the bone so I don't have to wrestle with it. And this was no trip to FLAVORTOWN!
(1)
Neha S.
This place has good food, and as a vegetarian I like a bbq place where I can get a good meal. They have a great salad that's enough for a meal. I also like the fried green tomatoes and the portabello sandwich. I've been here twice on a Friday night and love the live music I've heard both times. Great local country artists...not pop country, real, artistic country music. It's a nice place for a chilled out meal.
(4)
Fuffie G.
I had been wanting to try this place for the longest time and yesterday i finally got my chance. i absolutely love the vibe of the restaurant. walking up the steps to a black building makes you feel as if you are going somewhere forbidden. the old building with the kitchy artwork on the wall, the smell of the barbeque and music playing lets you know you are going somewhere unique. We got there about 8:30 on saturday night, put our name down and were seated in less than 10 minutes. the pulled pork was wonderful...definitely better than the brisket...the brisket was good, but i have had better. the sides were okay. cole slaw, not memorable, mashed potatoes had great flavor but they were cold...the beans were delicious. the best was the hidden surprise in the banana pudding for dessert. OMG...that's all i need to say...OMG. save room. the only buzz kill to the night was our surly waitress. shouldn't it be a requirement that you should have a personality?? she's the only reason this review did not get 4 stars. i am looking forward to going back to try the other things on the menu.
(3)
Milan P.
Meh poor service, combined with meat that's too dry = bad ribs experience. I am not sure why but every ribs place I've been to in Chicago is actually pretty bad (except Smoque). I won't really comment too much on the service, because it really was more managements fault for not having enough servers, rather than our server who had like 20 tables. We started out with some bacon candy (Ordered bacon and brew $5 beer and bacon candy), it was awesome as always. As a matter of fact this keeps us coming back! We also ordered the sampler platter, and everything from the brisket to the ribs to the chicken were way to dry. The mac and cheese side was ok, and the yams were good until I realized it seemed like they poured a syrup over it to make it taste better (not very tasteful of an idea). In any event, this place does have some pretty cool live music, and the prices aren't bad. So it wasn't an overall terrible experience, especially if you compare it to other chicago bbq restaurants (excluding smoque).
(2)
Leslie D.
The beer was cold! But so was the food. Not too good. The bbq needs a lot of sauce (which was tasty), but it is nothing special. The mac and cheese was great!
(2)
Len L.
They have platter's of various smoked meat, a smorgasborg of smoky delights. You get a selection of home-made sauces (hot, mild and honey mustard) on the side with every order. Located in the heart of Pilsen, this place feels like a old barn with trinkets of the past. Along the walls are pictures with history of BBQ. If your lucky, you may see celebrities eating at this place. On that day, I saw Bill Maher (Comedian and host of Real Time with Bill Maher series).
(3)
F D.
Saw this on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. The barbeque ribs were just ok. My companion had the beef short rib, which was very disappointing since it was mostly fat. I've had much better at Smoque.
(2)
monique t.
When I first walked up the stairs and opened the dooor, it looked like someones apartment. I just saw a clear view of a kitchen. So, I ran down the stairs and around the corner before someone called the police on me and arrest me for tress passing. I called my friend and asked where do i enter the restaurant? She said come up the stairs and come right on in. And so I did! As i proceeded in the waitress came behind me and closed the door. My first reaction was that it looked like an apartment. and our table was in the living room. Its a very small space with a few tables. we we were seated in the living room with a clear view of the staff's back room or kitchen I think. I saw staff's coats,umbrellas, and other personal items. The bathroom is conviently located in the living room/ seating area. gross. the food was good, but ive had better. I had the baby back ribs with mac and cheese and mash potatoes. The baby back ribs were ok. My friend had the pot pie which was loaded with 2 cans of peas, she said it was ok.Every one else at my table had the baby back ribs or the St. louis ribs and they felt it was so so. Although, i wouldnt go to this restaurant again i do think that the service was awesome. they were very attentive and hospitable. Everyone was very pleasant. Oh yea its a b.y.o.b .. but to bad i wont be bringing my booze there!
(2)
Mark K.
Good BBQ. If you like the dry rub style you will like this place. if you are looking for bbq sauce dripping off you might not. I like both styles. No complaints from me.
(4)
Jason F.
A prereq to reading this is that I have a crush on a waitress that works there. There...I said it. I haven't been able to get LL Cool J 's "Around the way girl." out of my head since I left. I digress..... A friend and I split the sampler and had a side of mac'n cheese. It was all very good. The meat was moist and had good texture. What I mean by that is that it was crunchy but not overly burnt. The meat came without sauce which made it nice to be able to distribute the sauce as you like. They have three varieties to choose from: Regular, spicy, and a garlic mustard. Personally, I feel like any time you mix pasta with cheese you get a 90% so it's really hard to mess it up. The pasta they used was really good and the cheese blend was also good, but the amount was not worth the price. I would still give it a 94% though. What I liked best about Honky Tonk was the atmosphere. I sat at the bar in front of the stage and listened to some great live music. It wasn't so loud that I couldn't have a conversation and it provided a very enjoyable atmosphere. I am excited to go back when they get a liquor licenses. If you owners are reading this, get some Sioux City Sarsaparilla on the menu, would be a great fit. Word.....
(4)
P S.
Best. BBQ. In the CITY!!! (and possibly in the whole inflationary multiverse.) Also, the servers are charming and extremely attractive. I will just come out and admit that I have had sexy dreams about the candied bacon. It is unbelievable. I have never had a bad bite there!
(5)
Ashley M.
The sauces and pulled pork is just a bit better than the Smoke Daddy. I'm happy they expanded the place and that there's a bit bigger dance space for enjoying the live music. Carry out is always fast and so is the service eating in. The mac and cheese is a must-get!
(4)
Abby T.
Been to HT bbq twice. I really like the artwork on the walls although some of it does not mesh well w/ the rest of the dining room's motif. I also like the tables and chairs w/ a country feel to them. The front door even has a rickety screen door!! Totally country up in this joint. And lots of pig knick knacks everywhere. The first time was on a weeknight and the service good. Next visit was on a Friday....it was pretty busy and our table was obviously overlooked. The food here is mediocre....but that's coming from someone who doesn't like the memphis/dry rub style of bee-bee-cue. The sides are also just average at best. I will come back bc my friends love the BYOB and the beef brisket. Also, props for the occassional live entertainment!
(3)
Esther Y.
This should be a 2.5. It's very middle ground. First, I got kind of irritated b/c I called ahead, but the number gives you another number. I called both and they both went to voice mail. When I got to the restaurant, they say on their menu "call ahead" umm yeah, tried that...you didn't answer. Fine. Moving on. Got there...cash only. I don't know how I missed that....so had to scrounge around for cash. Ordered 4 brisket sandwiches, 1/2 slab of baby back ribs, 2 sides of mac & cheese, 2 sides of mashed, 4 corn breads and was told the cole slaw would come on the side with the ribs. The food was ready within 15 min, so that was a plus. Then we were on our way. Got home and there was no cole slaw...boo. Then we dug in. The general consensus with the brisket was that it was cut too thick, hard to eat in the bread (b/c it kept sliding out) and that it was too fatty. Also, everyone didn't like the french bread roll that the brisket came on. I had a bite of the brisket and thought it was good, but thought Smoque's brisket was infinitely better. I had the 1/2 slab of the baby back ribs and thought there was WAY too much fat. Like others said, their sweet and hot bbq sauces are good and it's nice to switch back and forth. As for the sides, mac & cheese was ehhh, but the mashed were good. I think the favorite thing for everyone was the corn bread. It was nice and buttery with corn pieces in it. It was a fine, i guess, but I'd probably never go again. I would rather travel further to Smoque for better sides and less fatty meat.
(2)
Carlos P.
I believe I have just found the best 'Q joint in the city, hands down. One evening in mid-August I took my parents here. They were amused and delighted by the art on the walls in the big dining room. The food took a little while to get there, but you know what is said about good things. We opted for the ample BBQ sampler. For $30 you get a little of everything: pulled pork, hot links, ribs, chicken, cornbread, beans, vinegar slaw. I tell you, we walked away quite satisfied. On my first visit for a Burning Man meet & greet, I got the sampler platter which ended up feeding me & my friend with very little left over. I got a little crazy and ordered the pecan pie for everyone -- damn good pie, I must say! Now I gather from some more recent reviews that they're slipping up a bit -- is that so? They might have fallen victim to the "Check Please" effect. In any case, the owners are a friendly, approachable bunch. May have to take it up with them.
(5)
roberto a.
After a failed attempt to eat here last Friday, my college friends and I made a second successful attempt to grab dinner last night. What a difference a week makes. Last week when we came, there was a large crowd on the sidewalk waiting by the door, and when we entered inside, the staff apologized, telling us that the wait was going to exceed their closing time, and they had stopped carryout orders for the night just to keep up with the people that were there already. When we arrived this week, there were a few people outside smoking, which alarmed us at first, but after asking if they were waiting for tables, it turns out they were killing time waiting for their takeout orders. The place was busy, but not overly packed. Our waitress was awesome, as she pretty much made our decision to order the St Louis Ribs over the baby backs. She looked at us and said that for five hungry guys, only the St Louis Ribs would satisfy us. Case closed. We placed orders for full slabs and sides. Our ribs arrived with full slabs laying diagonally across large square plates. I had ordered a side of creamy mac-n-cheese, which arrived in a smaller than expected bowl, yet had a very pleasing, larger than expected taste. With the exception of the corn bread muffins, which were huge, the sides didn't lend themselves to sharing. Each slab is served with a side of slaw. But this is a rib place, so lets get down to the business of ribs. Initial Observations: A fairly large slab served dry, with visible amounts of dry rub on the meat. You will need a fork and knife to cut the slab into a manageable size to hold. Although the meat does not fall off the bone when grasping with your teeth, it actually requires a small tug, the meat does not taste dry or tough, and it only requires a decent amount of chewing to unlock the smoked and rubbed in taste. From this point, it is up to your personal preferences to determine how much sauce, if any, to pour on the ribs. Two sauces are available at the table, a thick, sweet sauce, or one that is smoky and tangy. Salt and pepper are available, but were not needed. I personally like a more smoky tangy taste and found that a light mixture (you don't need to drown it!!!) of both sauces, with more smoky/tangy poured on, then spread randomly with a fork, gave the best overall flavor. Yes, I used 1/3 of my slab to figure out the optimal mixture. As for eating the ribs without any sauce, I tried two ribs worth, but concluded that that these ribs go better with sauce. The ambiance. Country and Western. For the latter part of our time there, a country band was playing in the next dining area. They alternated between country/western, and what sounded like rock-a-billy. A female sung cover of "Folsom Prison Blues" did justice to man in black himself. Word of advice- now that winter has set in, you may want to avoid the tables nearest the entrance door. Each time someone came or left, we were blasted by a cold gust of wind. And sometimes people would forget to completely close one or both doors on the way out, which would cause them to blow open on the next gust of wind. Oh yeah, and bring cash, because this is a cash only operation. Pros: Yum. No-nonsense full size slab of ribs ready to go. A decor that makes you forget that you are in Pilsen (well at least the Mexican side of Pilsen, because with the artwork displayed on the wall, you're reminded of the artsy side of Pilsen). A hub for some country and western acts as fliers for upcoming band acts seem to indicate. Cons: Cash only, with its recent appearance on Check Please!, you have to wonder what has changed before and after its moment of fame. Closes early 9:30, can get crowded. To sum it up: Gotta consider placing in an order after work...I'm only 10 minutes away.
(4)
J J.
So myself and a friend decide to go here on a whim because we didnt feel like driving all the way up north to Smoque. Needless to say we should have went with out first thought, but we were being adventurous and decided to explore. The atmosphere is exactly what the name of the place states. So not feeling too outta place we take a seat at the bar. (Why do they have a bar and don't have anything on tap?) We order a 1/2 slab of baby backs, 1/2 slab of St. Louis ribs, the sliced brisket dink dunkers or some goofy name stuff, and the mac and cheese. After talking to the bartender who was bragging on how great the food was and basically telling us that Smoque had nothing on this place, we were excited to get our food. After the first bite into my the St. Louis ribs I new we made a mistake. I thought ribs were supposed to have a smokey flavor, and they were dry. We didn't even finish the baby backs or the cold, dry azz no flavor brisket. Seriously how do you serve cold bbq? Really? You mean it didn't just come outta the smoker. How do you go to a rib joint and not want to finish off all the ribs or at least take home leftovers? But the worst thing of all is they didn't offer me a moist toilette. That's just a no-no with me at rib joints. LOL!!!!! So you'll never guess what we did after leaving this place. Yep! We drove up north to Smoque and got a 1/2 slab of St. Louis ribs and a taste of sliced brisket just to satisfy our insatiable craving for BBQ. Then and only they were we truly satisfied. Won't return for the food or the music.
(1)
Double L.
No real reason to pile on here. Coleslaw was lacking either more vinegar or mayo or maybe a little bit of both. Mac'n'Cheese was awesome along with the corn muffins. Beans were just o.k.. All their sauces are really tasty. We got the sampler and I really enjoyed everything especially the snausage. Thought it was great value as well and enjoy the BYOB. Didn't notice a $1 charge as other people have mentioned. RrL
(4)
Alex K.
Ok the place keeps getting better and better every time we go there!! Our waitress was awesome and told us they were short staffed but was super amazing dealing with it which just makes everything kind of happy. We ordered just ribs... and they were great! They were hot and there were good meat on them. They have 3 sauces which is awesome. Really tasty. Don't get mashed potatoes, it tasted worse than the betty crocker boxed instant ones. Really bad. I learned a bit about ribs recently and it still had that membrane on it which seems all the recipes said to take off so made for some slight chewyness. I think because they only use rub and little sauce it makes it for dryer ribs but it's only my opinion since it seems there are 2 different types - made with rub or made with sauce. I prefer sauce. They have awesome selection of booze and pear cider was amazing. We saw hipsters, locals, families, people in their 50s, 20s etc all eating and enjoying together. It was really awesome to see and I am glad that their food gets better for us everytime we go there!
(4)
Michael H.
Can't believe this place isn't rated higher. The food here is awesome! The pulled pork is my favorite... so delicious, you don't even need to add sauce... but still do it, it's damn tasty. I dream about the mac and cheese, and the banana pudding is a great way to end the meal. All this good food, and free live music... I'll take it.
(4)
Benji R.
I read the reviews, I saw it on TV; I knew what to expect. I was very disappointed. I went there at about 5:45 pm on a Friday, and they were not busy, though as we were ending dinner the rush started to come in. While I cannot speak for dishes which I did not eat I can tell you about the St. Louis ribs, the beef brisket sandwich, pulled pork dinky dunkers, the mashed potatoes, and the corn bread muffins. St. Louis ribs were just ok, nothing special. They were cooked unevenly; the side with the thicker bones was not cooked long enough, and the meat was tough and chewy and did not want to come off the bone. The side with the smaller bones, on the contrary, was cooked like St. Louis ribs should be cooked and were tender, and just released from the bone with a little tug. The ribs also lacked flavor. They either went easy with the rub they use, or purposely left out flavor. I understand that the 3 BBQ sauces are on the table are to be used (and were good) but ribs on their own should taste good; season them better or develop a better bark! The brisket was the shining star of the group. It was tender, moist, and sliced just right. It also was a bit under seasoned, but was great with all the sauces. It was so good actually that I had to eat it piece by piece as I did not think the sandwich gave the brisket justice. This I can recommend. The pulled pork was of the most delicate texture, and literally fell apart on its own, BUT had absolutely no flavor. The rub was also meager on this, but I was just astounded as to how flavorless the meat was. I would not recommend the pulled pork at all. Mashed potatoes were very bland as well, and did not have a pleasing texture. It was lumpy, but not in the good way. Lastly the corn bread muffins...what can one say about the muffins? I do not know if I just was particularly "lucky" in my visit, but the muffins were either bad, or a day or two old. They were super crumbly and fell apart as I was trying to eat them. They did have corn kernels inside (which is good) but they completely fell apart. Overall I would not recommend this place. If you do end up going to Honky Tonk definitely try the brisket. Do not waste your time on the pulled pork. *Their "sweet tea" is Nestea type sweet tea. Big disgrace for a southern style BBQ place.
(2)
Allison A.
This is my favorite bbq in the city. My only complaint is that the sides are so small for the price. It has a nice relaxed atmosphere and live bands on certain nights. The bar selection is great and if you haven't, TRY THE BACON CANDY!
(4)
Maureen S.
The service here is kind of weird- the waitstaff seems understaffed on hopping weekend nights, but this place absolutely makes up for it. The ambiance is incredible- the bizarre baroque and retro art collection would make anybody drool, and the live performances of down-home, wailing bluegrassy folkies on weekends are a big treat. Their beer selection is a bit small, but decent enough. The crown jewel, though, is the incredible offerings of BBQ sauces in a variety of flavors and uses, and you just can't top their collard greens and mac and cheese!
(4)
Jeff G.
this was very good. had the sampler platter thing and all was very good: brisket, sausage, chicken. the hostess was a bit flaky - we put our name on the list said it would be 15 min and then about 20 min later i asked her what she thought and she said maybe another 15 min wait for a table.
(4)
Lauren T.
I'm reading all these bad reviews and I'm not sure why. They are a little pricey, but it's worth it. The ribs are AMAZING. I think they use all natural ingredients too. The people who own it are really nice. They are super laid back which is why I think they may have gotten some bad reviews. This isn't your typical rib joint...it's MORE. Try the ribs here...I'm pretty sure they got voted number one in the city for ribs last year. You have to get the fried green tomatoes.
(5)
Theresa K.
Wait was terrible food could be much better...complete lack of management. Not impressed. No discount/apology from management. Would not go back. Food was average. I smoke a brisket better than this place. Greens were not good. Beans and cornbread were the best. I don't understand the hype of this place.
(1)
Jim B.
THIS IS THE BEST BBQ EVER!!!! I love this place!!!! The favors of the rub were outstanding, it was actually the first time I ever wanted to eat my ribs with NO sauce!!! There was SOOO much flavor. I also tried the brisket, it was out of this world!!! The sauces they have on the table are delicious, especially the mustard type sauce. This is a great place. I drove 20 miles to try this and it sure won't be the last time either!!! By the way, a few days later I tried Smoque, it was good but not the delicious flavors that this place has. The BBQ,smoke flavors were the best I have ever had!!! Hope you try this based on my review. ENJOY!!
(5)
Christine W.
We went with friends who had seen Honky Tonk BBQ featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. We had two southern boys in the crowd and we received two thumbs up for very good (not the best they have ever had) but respectable, especially for up north :) Very eclectic place with tons of charm located in the Pilsen neighborhood. Easy to get a cab to the place a bit tough getting one out. So the #12 bus will be your friend to get back to Michigan Avenue if you are an out-of-towner. The bus travels right in front of the place (look for the bus stop). Check bus schedules though since they change routes often.
(4)
Dan N.
Willie is amazing, a true Chicago treasure. Real BBQ featureing award winning Pork. Its so great the Chicago features several great BBQ places now, and Honky Tonk is right up with the best anywhere
(5)
Gefilte P.
I was salivating for crisp, pungent, rim-burnt, delicious rib tips--as they should be--and got mushy blobs of fat that needed plenty of sauce to be at all tasty. Instead of white bread they were on a sturdy sandwich roll which was too hard to soak up sauce, and no human would eat rib tips as a sandwich. The fried green tomatoes were also lackluster, bland.
(2)
Deglazer Z.
Sad to give this a 3. Had take-out in the form of a half-slab of ribs and a few hot links. Tangy sauce was quite good, but the ribs lacked smoke flavor and spice. Hot links were better, but still not up to my gold standard, Uncle John's. I liked the vibe of the place, so will probably try it again,... but they will really need to deliver.
(3)
Ashley K.
My fiance and I went here for dinner a few weeks ago because my friends and I had been discussing a trip to Memphis for BBQ and I was craving it. I was hesitant based on the reviews on here, as it seemed like this place is really hit or miss. But I've been to Smoque and I don't love Smoque, plus it's much further away from my place, so I thought we would give this a try. We loved it from start to finish. The atmosphere was very Wild, Wild West without being overly cheesy. I got such a kick out of it, and the cowboy circling the restaurant playing the banjo who drank a glass of wine every time he had a break. I don't know why I was so amused by the wine, but I was. FI got a beer that he had been wanting to try (their beer selection is quite good) and I had a pear cider. We ordered the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer, which were good but suffered from overly watery tomatoes so that after the first, crispy bite, the remainder ended up slightly soggy on the bottom. The breading was great, but I was slightly confused about why they were served with cocktail sauce. I much preferred a combination of the three bbq sauces on the table. For our entrees, FI ordered the bbq pork and a side of chili. I had the bbq brisket and mac and cheese. The bbq pork was big chunks of pork, not stringy pieces like you normally see, and did not have any sauce on it, just a really delicious dry rub. It was moist and juicy and something I would love to eat again. I only had a bite of the chili and thought it was good, but not the best I've had. My bbq brisket was delicious. Also moist and juicy and had clearly been smoked, so I'm not sure what you people are talking about when you question whether Honky Tonk actually smokes its bbq. It also came with only the dry rub, so that I could put bbq sauce on to suit my own pleasure. I really prefer this because my personal preference was a combination of all three sauces and I'm glad that they didn't pick just one for me. I loved the brisket. A+ all around. The mac and cheese was fine but I think that next time I would order a different side. With all the food we ordered, it sat pretty heavy for me and wasn't enough of a stand out for me to stop eating my brisket sandwich. We ate way more than we needed to, and were entirely too full for dessert. Next time I come here, I'm saving room for banana pudding though. Until we meet again Honky Tonk, I'll be dreaming of your brisket.
(4)
Ronda J.
I rarely take the time to write a review. It just seemed necessary since I rely so heavily on reviews and these reviews do not reflect my experience. As a Texan living in Chicago I am always on the look out for good BBQ. My husband told me about this place which is moments from our house and we were sooooo excited. I checked out the site and saw the awards they had won and was very hopeful. We had the brisket Dinky Dunkers and Brisket sandwich as well as the Pulled Pork sandwich mac 'n cheese and peach cobbler. The brisket was nicely smoked but I don't think any type of rub was used. There didn't seem to really be any seasoning so you NEEDED the sauce. The sauce saved it. To me the test of a good brisket is the lack of need for sauce. The Mac'n Cheese was really good. Unfortunately, the experience was was brought down completely by an awful attempt at Peach Cobbler. It was Uncooked Dough and a few peaches. We threw most of it away. I won't mind traveling to Smoque for good barbeque and great peach cobbler.
(2)
Hank R.
I'm from North Carolina and I will personally say this BBQ is a close second. Best I've had in Chicago. We will be back!
(5)
Sarah S.
This place was just that.. OK. I got super excited when I first heard about it and the rave reviews.. well it was over priced and didn't have much taste. What a disappointment. Tried it after the hype had worn off.. it was a tad better, but cold sauces on hot food is rarely a good idea... and they do NOT take credit cards... so bring a wad of cash with ya Save it for better places..
(3)
Ro L.
Loved the food and service. Our party had 6 people and every server and bus boy greeted us as we came in. We ordered quite a bit from the menu, the corn muffins,2 kinds of ribs, rib tips, chicken, mac and cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, greens and candied yams . We shared/tried almost everything and it was all delicious. For dessert we also shared the sweet potato pie, peach cobbler and pound cake. The pound cake was the surprising favorite with the bourbon butterscotch sauce. Everything was great and we will definitely be back!
(5)
Kathryn M.
Well, this is where I spent my New Year. A small, but decent balloon drop, live band, and a bartender that served everyone, not just her regulars made for a very welcome 2011. The stage, towards the back of the place was kickin. I know it was a special occasion, but the crowd was friendly and hip, not minding my crazy dancing at all. The girls room (can't speak for the boys) was clean and maintained. After reading these reviews I would be interested in seeing the dining experience and the brisket of this place. Happy New Year !
(3)
Ashley W.
I went and had the ribs and chicken combo and was so surprised at how subpar the BBQ sauce an meat was. Thats it. Service was fine; beer and decor nice but food way overrated. Sorry to be a downer everyone!
(2)
Joel G.
I would give this restaurant a good rating but they keep running out of food. Don't rely on anything being on the menu.... And they cop an attitude when you question it.
(1)
Pattie S.
The sides were great but all the meat was so dry. Also there was a hair in my mashed potatoes. I get it...sometimes it happens but the meat just killed it for me. First time they opened it was great and now not so much. Baby back ribs I literally broke apart and they sounded like styrofoam. I try to give everything a chance so I have gone back a few times but really every time after the first has sucked. I don't get it everyone else's pic looks juicy but then I order it and it as hard as a rock. The taste of the ribs were good but they were so hard and there was barely any meat on them. It's almost as if they had been sitting out then thrown into the microwave. My kids had the pulled pork sandwich and no matter how much bbq they added they still said it was so dry. When we first walked in no one even acknowledged us and it was empty! The waiter was really nice and helpful but I really only enjoyed the appetizers and the sides. That sucks tremendously because it's a bbq place but...oh well. Oh and as cute as the high Chairs are, they're not very safe. My kid just pushed the tray right off and there was no belt on it. So disappointed I really wanted to take my godmother out to a good bbq before she left town again. I want to say I'll give it another try but this has been our third time there and no improvement. I do like to support local business so I am sad but this is the second time they serve me dry meat.
(2)
Rob N.
I showed up for a couch surfing meet so there was a total of 7 of us. I split the sampler ($32) with a friend It came with a pulled pork sandwhich (4/5) you put the sweet sauce on the burger and it was tasted and nice and soft ribs (3/5) the ribs were good but I felt were a little too charred Sausage (3/5) it was alright I don't know how to describe it Chicken (4/5) The chicken was awesome nice grilled and not too dry Beans (5/5) Awesome I think I'm missing something else, but the vibe of the place was simple and there was a blues band playing (I personally didn't want music but it was a good feel) Place is awesome and it doesn't hurt your wallet B++++++ would do business again
(4)
Vince L.
Great food, intelligent service. Try he cobbler!
(4)
Kristina V.
Ribs were chewy and not tasty. I've eaten BBQ all my life and this was very disappointing. I would not order the Mac & cheese. It was just off. The best thing here was the ice cold Lone Star beer!
(2)
Maggie M.
Just fantastic all around. Great drinks- try the Moonshine cocktail. Mouth watering food- I recommend the Brisket, and I'm usually a pulled pork gal. Live music with a southern twang, friendly and attentive staff. I can't speak more highly of this BBQ joint, it's just perfect. They also have Trivia nights, I think Tuesdays. Not a bad place to come just for drinks either!
(5)
Tim E.
I was here last Sunday. My first impression was that they were a little unorganized. My girlfriend and I waited at the front door with another couple for a few minutes before we asked someone if we were supposed to seat yourself. We had a tough time finding a table because we were meeting some of our other friends and there was 7 of us all together. The front half of the place was jam packed with people, so we settled on sitting in the back. While we were waiting we checked out the bar and got pretty fast service for how busy it was. We both settled on the moonshine drink, I cant exactly remember what it was called. We listened to the band play while we waited for everyone to arrive. I am a sucker for live music and this band did not disappoint. I couldn't tell you one song they played, but they sure played the hell out of them. So once we all got settled in we ended up sitting in the back room. A little disappointing because the atmosphere in the back was not nearly as cool as the front, but what can you do when you have 7 people. So we ordered our food, we got the sampler platter. It was amazing. Little bit of everything they do, plus it makes great leftovers (I am eating some right now). The service was pretty much what I expected. Not overwhelmingly attentive but they were pretty busy, so its excusable. The one thing I really dislike that they did here, gratuity was included. I know a lot of places it's just policy or whatever, but I really don't like to be forced into tipping. But oh well, I would've tipped more than 18% so its really the servers loss. Overall I had a very pleasant experience at Honky Tonk, and I will be back soon, probably will a small group though! I was really in-between 3 and 4 stars, but I think the live music really put it over the edge for me and tipped it to the 4 star scale. Keep it up Honky Tonk BBQ!
(4)
Margaret P.
Tonight was my first visit, and I'll definitely be back. My friend and I split the bacon candy appetizer; it was delicious and salty and sweet and just the right amount of chew. Definitely recommended if you like bacon (and who doesn't?) For dinner I had the platter with both meats (pork and brisket) and a side of candied yams. The yams were a little oversweetened for my taste, but they were cooked perfectly, and you get an appropriate portion size. The brisket was a little "flaky" for lack of a better word, but not dry; and the pulled pork was that right balance of moist without being greasy. I had the mustard BBQ sauce on the pork, and the less sweet red BBQ sauce on the brisket (I didn't see labeling on the sauce bottles to indicate the style). Portion size on the meats is very generous; I eat a lot of meat on principal (Paleo eater) and I still brought home most of the pork. One thing I would have left off: the seasoned salt they dust the meat with. The meat was delicious enough to not need additional salt. My friend got a mixed drink with absinthe and local root beer, and I had a sip. It was verrrrry anise flavored and I wasn't a fan. Also they use paper straws, which are great for the environment, but my friend's straw collapsed halfway through the meal. Another nice touch was the live music. I'd call it "Dixieland jazz" if I had to define it, and I said to my friend that it was like waking down Main Street in Disneyland. It gave a nice, uptempo feeling to the evening. Service was nice and fairly attentive, despite it being dinner hour and pretty busy. I look forward to going back.
(4)
Jean K.
Love me some great BBQ!...and art!...and live music!! So when you combine all 3 of these together...you know I'm a fan!! Was greeted right away...and sat within a few minutes. Pretty simple place. Saloon'ish with the modernization of art. Thursdays feature live music - and that old rocking horse!! Loved it! had one!! Was enjoying myself even before the drinks arrived. Good drinks on tap. Did love the unique selections...although we played it safe and stuck with good ol'beer. Food was either hit or miss - although nothing was terrible. Wanted to try it all...so me and my hubby went with the platter which offered a good sampling of everything. His mom and our son went with the brisket. Cornbread...greens...mac and cheese...we had all the fixings for a gorge out! The best food we sampled was the brisket. And this is coming from someone who does not really like brisket! But, it was delic!! So good...I wanted more!! Even better topped off with their mustard sauce! Corn bread was the 2nd runner up...followed in by their chicken and pulled pork. Sausage had a good grilled flavor, but was a little on the greasy side, which would really upset my belly later on. Had really wanted to try out the bacon candy! But, will save that for the next time around...because - we will be back! Trying that Fungi Sammie too - looked tasty!!
(4)
Lola M.
can i be perfectly honest here? this is my favorite bar in all of Chicago. yep, #1. the grub is solid. the drinks are delicious - per example, Honky Tonk's version of a Manhattan is made of angel tears, house cured cherries and a splendid over-sized ice cube the size of a billiard ball. the bands that play here are unique and a roarin' good time. bring yer little lady and swing her round, fellas!
(5)
AK D.
What a bummer. We came in here to grab some drinks and food before a concert next door. We sat at the bar at 7pm on a Thursday and couldn't not have received more attitude from the bartender. Rolling eyes and some serious shade for every question we asked. Which was a shame because the food came out timely and hot from a friendly runner. The Mac and Cheese was tasty and the mixed platter was good. I can't say the quality of the BBQ was great. I wouldn't go out of my way to order the brisket or the pork again. No smoke taste at all and the brisket was not tender. Again not terrible but meh. We liked the drinks when we could get the attention of the bartender standing 3 feet away not making eye contact like it was a bet. So points for Mac and Cheese, bacon candy, and cocktails.
(1)
Jim K.
Went here on a Sat night. The place was chaos (and not in the fun way). There was no one to seat us, yet they were kicking people out of sits for "reservations." That didn't even bother me; it was the fact that there was no one to direct traffic at the front of the house. It was insanely disorganized. The service was average, and certainly not anything to write home about. Had an "Old Fashioned" which was quite good. Took sips of other's drinks, and everything seemed pretty tasty. From a food standpoint, the Candied Bacon was tasty, and is recommended for anyone who's never had sugar topped bacon. I tried the pull pork, but was not horribly impressed. The sauces were average (I preferred the vinegar based BBQ sauce). Over all, I wasn't very impressed with my visit to The Honky Tonk. I really want to try it again, but, frankly, there are better BBQ joints, bars, and live venues that will always take precedence.
(2)
Beatriz T.
Was slumming in the Pilsen area last Saturday night on our way to DeColores for some Mexican food when we passed by Honky Tonk and I heard very excited "awwwww that place is the shit" from the back seat of the car. We pulled over, had a pow wow, busted a U-eyyyyyy and were on our way. BBQ it was. I absolutely loved the decor...I am plotting ways to break in and steal the huge Frida Kahlo portrait they have when you walk in the door. Italian Job anybody??? Rockabilly Bands playing while we ate! Yes! I'm a huge rockabilly/pin up girl fan. Started with the Bacon N Brew which was fine by me. Candied Bacon is never a bad idea,,neither is beer for that matter. Had fried green tomatoes and Mac n Cheese for apps. Both were so/so, Have had better. Ordered the sampler platter for my main course. Holy Shit that's a lot of food. Huge Portions Great Service Delicious Cornbread. Ribs were delicious. Coleslaw was awesome with hints of cilantro. Banana Pudding was very good and I don't usually order desserts. The sauces are delicious, especially that mustard sauce. I don't know what's in it, but I would have loved to take the bottle. (I seem to want to steal a lot of shit from here...don't mind me Honky Tonk...I won't steal your sauces or painting....honestly.) All I know is I got home and put on my stretchy pants and the next thing I knew there was drool on my shoulder. ITIS! To sum this up....I would come back to eat or just to have some drinks and listen to some bands. My experience was great here.
(4)
Evelyn M.
2 of my friends and I met here for dinner. Appetizer: BACON CANDY we had to order it. Thick, chewy, caramelized bacon- yummm! We ordered pulled pork sandwiche and the beef brisket... AMAZING! Just as tasty as the mac and cheese, garlic mashed potatoes and the fungi that very well complemented our sandwiches. I ordered B&E Moonshine, and it was delicious. Overall, our experience was great. Staff very friendly and the atmosphere was fun and pleasant!
(5)
Talin H.
This is clearly a Pilsen establishment that contributes to the trend of the slowly but surely gentrifying neighborhood. You know how it is: first the hipsters come in, then cool restaurants, and then apartment prices slowly start to increase. But I digress. The food here was very good. I loved that they had a variety of regional housemade BBQ sauces to try, which is the benefit of being in the midwest, where we don't really stake a claim to any specific method of barbecue or sauce. I also loved that they had a variety platter which included a little bit of the all of the meats they have on hand. The chicken was one of the best barbecue chickens I've ever had - smoky and juicy. I will say that the whole bacon and PBR thing is really just a gimmick, but bacon gimmicks go a long way these days. I would definitely go back, and if I lived anywhere near here, I would eat here often!
(4)
Anastasia A.
I really wanted to like it...I had heard great things about the place for months and I finally made my way there. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. I order the rib tips with mac and cheese. My companion had the brisket. The food was so heavily spiced with pepper that it over powered the meat and the mac and cheese taste. The tips were dry and pasta not well cooked. The overall serviced were pleasant. I just wish the food would have lived up to our expectations.
(1)
Devon W.
I LOVE the Honky Tonk BBQ. They may not win the best BBQ in America each year, or have a travelling team of bearded men and women smoking meats at county fairs, but they do have a lovely location, fun venue for bands, tasty food, and a general good ambiance. I have started making this my go-to place for trivia on Wednesday nights (8:30pm). Trivia is free, and you can get all the beer/food/bacon candy you want as you're playing. Since I am now there regularly, I will add to this post as I try new things. So far my favorite menu item is the basket of rib tips. These are always seasoned wonderfully and cooked to perfection. Whenever I'm there I try to order something else, but my little tastebuds and growling stomach get the better of me and I end up ordering the rib tips... again... and again. If you're there with some newbies, be sure to get the bacon candy. It's a real belt-loosener, but so delicious you have to try it at least once. If (for whatever reason) you're the only one ready for a taste, you can get one THICK slice with a beer for $5. Two of those and you've got yourself a meal.
(4)
Stephanie S.
I got takeout here last night: the pork sandwich and mac and cheese. It was OK. I'd go back, but it wasn't the best BBQ I've ever had. The sandwich was huge. The pork was sliced and I prefer chopped. The sauce was on the better side of OK but nothing to write home about. The bread was a garlicky ciabatta, and I really liked the soft chewiness of it. The macaroni was just OK. It had the consistency of being made the day before, refrigerated overnight and heated up again. When I got there, workers were standing on the stoop and seemed surprised that I wanted to go inside and order something. I think they had been open for an hour already and didn't have their cash register set up to take my payment, so I used a credit card. The girl who took my order seemed slightly annoyed and was pretty unfriendly. I couldn't help but think that she was looking down her nose at me because I'm not as tattooed and ironic as she is. I'm definitely willing to come sit down one evening with my husband to try out something else, maybe the bacon candy, and enjoy the ambiance.
(3)
Daniel S.
My favorite place for BBQ in the city, I've been here countless times and have tried literally everything, the brisket and pork are the best meats, rib tips are good and you get a lot, ribs were just ok, the sausage links were really good, the mac and cheese is great, the banana pudding the best ive ever had, the empanadas were solid, the bacon candy is delicious, all their pies and ice cream are good too, nice beer and drink selection as well, reasonably priced and you get a good deal for your money, i can't recommend it enough
(5)
Chris M.
For starters, maybe you like beer. Maybe you don't. But you have to give it to HTBBQ for creating the Bacon & Brew. A pint of Old Style (because it's ironical to like cheap beer, or something) and a slice of thick, candied bacon laying on top of the glass. Crazy, right?! And fantastic! If I have one minor quibble, it would be that I wish that the meat had a little more flavor. And we tried a variety of things, including the St. Louis ribs, rib tips and pulled pork. I thought it was somewhat on the bland side (More rub? More smoke?), but I'm a bit of a smoke-aholic when it comes to BBQ'ed meats, so maybe that's good news for your taste buds. Anyhow, a fine, casual dining experience, nice side dishes and great sauces. Try it! If you can find a parking spot. MUAHAHAHA....
(4)
Holly W.
My Husband and I are restaurant owners in the South Loop. We are huge lovers of BBQ and decided to order a handful of menu offerings for carry out after they had placed an order at our restaurant. I sure am glad we did because we found our new FAVORITE bbq spot here in Chicago. As BBQ connoisseurs know, it is unusual to find a place that nails both the meats as well as those tasty, tasty side dishes. We ordered several meats but the Smoked Chicken was absolutely magical, perfection. I loved all of the sauces but the tangy one reminds me of a favorite from back home so I ate the heck out of that one. Another stand out for me was the Southern Style Greens- Salty, a bit spicy, and delicious. The last thing I want to comment on is the Banana Bread Pudding. I will admit I have always been afraid to try bread pudding and being honest, I licked the lid as I removed it not knowing exactly what it was... UM YUM! No one else was allowed near the container of Banana Bread Pudding. We will definitely be back to sit at the bar for a few and listen to the live bands!
(5)
Abraham D.
Please note that as past restaurant and business owner for 10 years, I have higher expectations on food and service so I tend to notice things that regular clients don't. My wife wanted to have some BBQ ribs so we decided to go to Honky Tonk on Pilsen. I am by no means a BBQ nut but have to say that this place left something to be desired. It was really a problem finding parking on the street; finally, after 20 minutes going around the blocks, we found a spot about a block away. The place was almost full (St. Patrick's Day celebration?), we were not greeted and after finding the hostess, she directs us to find a table ourselves, finally, we found a boot close to the stage; the place was a little chilly for me (and I like cold weather), the menu was the placemat and we had our first disappointment, no backed potatoes anywhere. My wife was really looking to have a nice hot baked potato with the ribs. My wife ordered half baby back ribs and this was served with slaw and pretzel roll and she asked a side of garlic mashed potatoes; I ordered empanadas and a pulled pork sandwich. Wife ordered a coke (it was from a fountain machine not can or bottle) and I stayed with the glass of water after tasting the coke. The ribs were cold and not fall off the bone tender, we had to send them back to be reheated, also they were a little too dry and bland at best, I'm confident I can make a better rib. The slaw was much too fresh (raw) for my taste and not creamy enough and the garlic mash potatoes, well, my wife kept tasting the garlic after midnight. The empanadas were great but needed a bit more cheese and the corn sauce dressing was good. The pulled pork sandwich was ok but it had no trimmings, I had to steal some slaw from my wife to put some color and taste to my sandwich. I tried the 3 different types of sauces and they were ok, but they were obviously store bought. Total bill about $40, a little pricy for the quality of food but the service was good. They had live music but I recommend not sitting close to the stage if you want to have a conversation. Honky Tonk is marked as to be in the top BBQ places in Chicago but they will have to do more to get me back here again...
(2)
Merrill O.
Just two words. Candied. Bacon. Probably the closest thing to bar grub perfection that I have ever tasted. And just 5 bucks will get you a thick crispy slab of said sweet perfection AND a pint of Old Style. Seriously....what are you waiting for? Get to Honky Tonk BBQ....sit at the bar....and order up a slice of heaven. And if Joe happens to be your bartender, your night is off to a darn good start!
(4)
Heather L.
Wow, this is the epitome of a hipster hang-out. Everyone dresses like they just had an Up-and-Coming interview with Pitchfork. The decor is quite ambivalent, a little bit of haphazard vintage, grunge Americana, dive-bar lighting, and yeap... animal head trophies. No matter. We are serious diners, and we wanted to get our BBQ on. The cocktails were bleh, but at $7-8, it was a cheap bleh. We also had the Bacon & Brew, which was a slab of candied bacon balanced on a glass of Old Style: Beer, meat, grease, sugar and butter? That's not even fighting fair. The sauces were our favorite part of the dinner. There were three smoky and bold selections in squirt bottles that we tried putting on everything: One mustard-based, one ketchup-based, and a Carolina-esque. Their cornbread, lentil soup and chili were all very well done. The chili was probably the best I have had in awhile, with large chunks of meat and topped with a generous helping of mac and cheese. That said, the meats themselves were a bit lacking. The brisket we got was a big disappointment: Fleeting smokiness, quite cold, and very dry. We might stick to the sandwiches and chili next time.
(3)
Tyler F.
The food was great but the service was horrible. It's shame we had to pay 20% gratuity because she could barely speak in coherent sentence and looked like she was rolling on something. I would go back for the food only.
(3)
Jason F.
I love this place! I love to come on Sundays when they have a 1920s style jazz band playing there. The band is awesome, and you even get some people dressed up in the 20s garb that come there to dance. It's just a really cool atmosphere. As far as food goes, I like the brisket a lot. Some of the other things I tried, like the chicken, were not all that impressive. I didn't care for the mac and cheese when I first had it, but then I ordered chili mac and that was so good! They also serve candied bacon with beer, and that stuff is amazing. This is a cool place with a lot of character.
(5)
Tony E.
I'm reviewing as a musician and a customer. Our group played here this weekend, and Honky Tonk treated us very well. They do business with musicians the way it should be done. Band gets paid and fed, no cover and they draw their own customers because they make good food and book good music. Although it's kind of a cramped set up to play as a full band, it's a fun place to play. It's divey. They were also cool with us doing a raffle to support homeless veterans. Actually, the bartenders bought so many tickets, they walked away with half the prizes! They'd get 5 stars if they tightened up some of their internal communication/administration. Foodwise, I had the brisket sandwich with mac and cheese. Really good! Beer selection is also great. They have a bacon and brew with a slice of caramelized bacon that is the size of a 2x4. 'Nuff said.
(4)
Lauren D.
This is a meat-eaters paradise serving up Memphis-style bar-b-que cuisine with their award-winning pulled pork and is a Chicago championship-BBQ eatery. From St. Louis spares to baby backs to the big beef short ribs, they are dishing up super-slow cooked barbecue with three signature sauces, which are absolutely finger-suckin' good! Also, sample the bacon candy or try their beef brisket sandwiches, and bold slabs of dry-rub St. Louis ribs. I always get the brisket sandwich, but have also tried the pulled pork (both are worthy of five stars). My husband always orders the ribs and they are worthy of five stars. Believe it or not, they also have vegetarian offerings here. If you enjoy "live" music this is a must for music lovers. Honky Tonk was rated as one of the top 10 bars in Chicago and one of the top five for "live" music. If you are a die-hard bar-b-que fanatic, get your ass over to this place. This restaurant has a wonderful selection of meats with a great vibe. It is filled with loud conversation and music. What kind of people come here? All ages, but mostly it is filled with college students from nearby University of Illinois and the young 20-something singles. I noticed a few in their early 30's with young kids (about 10-12 years of age). The restaurant is located in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, where most of the restaurants are "mom and pop" operations. You don't expect to see this kind of restaurant in Pilsen, and albiet, it is located in an unusual location. Hey, it works for them. If you cook it good, they will come! Parking is street only, and since this is a very popular Chicago restaurant it can be a challenge to find a legal parking spot on a Friday or Saturday night. I rate it with four stars, because service is not fantastic here (though it is friendly). Their sides are very, very small but the meat makes up for the small side portions. Also, seeing a "live" band here can be hit or miss -- you are lucky if you can get in here to listen to the music. Arrive super early if you plan to stay for the "live" music! If you don't mind being in a very crowded bar, elbow to elbow, listening to live music, check it out!
(4)
Anne M.
Overall good. Some things I really enjoyed and some things I didn't. I really wanted to LOVE the place but I wasn't blown away. Not really sure how to rate this place. I gave a 4 because of the atmosphere, a few items we liked, and the potential the place has. I had the St. Louis ribs with coleslaw, candied yams and cornbread. My Husband had the brisket with mac & cheese and had a Bacon & Brew. I'm not super familiar with rib styles so I wasn't sure what to expect. I asked the difference between the baby back and St. Louis style and the server said that the baby back ribs have more fat on them. The ribs were a dry rub they were okay but not something I would order again. Life is too short to eat just okay items when dining out. I was expecting the typical messy ribs with falling off the bone meat but these ribs were a little bland and reminded me of beef jerky. I loved the candied yams and cornbread. The coleslaw was too vinegar-y to me, it was nice and fresh but I prefer a mayonnaise base. My Husband really loved his brisket (he is a brisket connoisseur) and he said the mac was not great. Favorite thing we tried: the Bacon & Brew it was awesome, The atmosphere is really cool, it has this vintage-y Mexican/bar style inside. The service was at best.... weird. Only our server looked us in the eye and she definitely did not have a friendly demeanor, she was very matter of fact. We had several people here and there. One to take our drink order, one to bring our dishes, and then our main server. I would go again if I was in the area but I wouldn't make it a regular outing.
(4)
John F.
The place is just great. Get the BBQ platter. It has everything you could want. It's enough food to feed two, and possibly 3 people. The ribs leave a tad bit to be desired. But the pulled pork, and the brisket is outstanding. Live music gives a cool touch. The atmosphere is hipster-ish, without being too pretentious. I've brought my kids there, and it's totally cool for them as well. Parking is a pain, but it's all worth it.
(5)
Eric A.
Awesome BBQ. Great drinks. Good service and live music. Can't really say much more. People come from all over the city to get the bacon and brew. Candied bacon served with a glass of old style beer for 5 dollars? Awesome. Honestly I hate old style. But for 5 dollars it's hard to complain.
(5)
Christina B.
Awesome restaurant! My boyfriend and I were going to the sox game and wanted to grab a bite to eat before we went. Found the Honky Tonk BBQ on google, and so glad we came here. The decor was super cute, the wait staff was very friendly. We ordered the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer, and I got the pulled pork sandwich and mac and cheese, he got the ribs/half chicken/greens/coleslaw. I ate a little something of everything (aside from the chicken) and it was all delicious. I absolutely want to come back here again. I loved the atmosphere, and would like to go back when a band is playing. I would definitely recommend Honky Tonk to anyone who likes good BBQ.
(5)
Warrior W.
I like this place. The music is cool and something a little different. They make some classic drinks and have a decent beer list so no complaints there. You can kind of treat this place like two sides really. The front is the busier-hip-drinking crowd and the back has the eaters. The food is pretty decent with the cornbread and mac and cheese being the standouts. The pork is a "B" and the brisket is a "D" i would say (they don't cook nearly as long as one should and lines of fat on there). I haven't had the chicken yet but since chicken is easier and takes less time, i have a hunch it will be better than the other meats. I will definitely be coming back over and over since friends just moved in the area.
(4)
Laura A.
I was here on a random weekday night for a drink. My drink was strong and really good. My brother and I also ordered the candied bacon ( having no idea what to expect) it was nasty and we sent it back. We proceeded to order a brisket and a pork slider. Both were great, but the pork was def better. I'll be back on a weekend night for the experience
(4)
Eric K.
The best St Louis style ribs i've had in the city of Chicago hands down. Awesome atmosphere, especially on Sunday nights with the live music.
(5)
Jamie H.
Well, I moved to Pilsen and people keep raving about Honky Tonky so seeing as though it's been about 3 years since I've been here I figured I'd give it another shot. The place is about as different from what it once was as you can get. We came in about 10 mins before they stopped serving food and there were 8 of us so kind of obnoxious, yes, but 8 people = bigger tip. Well, we got some incredibly rude service we were basically shoved up and told to pay now because the waitress was off. I get it, you want to go, at least half of us have or do work int he service industry all you had to do was polity tell us that and we'd have settled up right then and there. So, terrible service but the food was better than the last time. We got a few sample platters. I'm sure I'll be back because it's so close; I just hope the service is better next time!
(3)
Dale J.
Great place. BBQ is outstanding, good beer choices, banana pudding, great service!!!
(5)
Jimmy J.
Beyond underwhelming. If you know anything about quality bbq, this place is lousy. Their sauces totally sucked. Zero flavor. We tried whole smoked chicken, back ribs, brisket. All served cold No flavor. No seasoning. And when sauces suck, you're in trouble. We came here because it was featured by Guy Fieri. This was a huge disappointment. Our experience at the Famous Dave's chain blew this away. Im in the business and hate bashing a place to this degree but their meats had zero flavor, temps were cold and a bottle of Open Pit would have been better than what they had on table. Lastly, while their menu says ribs come with slaw (sucked too) and corn bread, I got slaw and a dinner roll. A weak operation. It has been my experience that all famous bbq places are more hype than hope. This place is biggest example. Service was also lackluster. Go to the hood and get real bbq. This isnt good bbq. Not even close.
(1)
Julieta C.
They have a Cool and comfy bar! I only had time for a drink although I wish I would have had some extra time to order from their menu.The bartender not only introduced himself but truly was attentive to his customers. That's true customer service! The food smelled delicious!
(4)
Cindy M.
This place is AMAZING! I love BBQ ribs and these are quite delicious. They have a variety if BBQ sauces for the ribs, I prefer the sweet BBQ. Their Mac and cheese is also delicious. By far the best experience of BBQ in Chicago. The atmosphere is nice, front or backside seating. They have their own unique style of decorating, artwork hangs in the walls, and there's usually a live band playing. I would definitely recommend to those who love ribs!
(5)
Jeff Q.
Stopped in after a Sox game for a bachelor party dinner...had the plate of brisket, pulled pork and hot link and it was awesome...I coulda done just a plate of the hot links, no joke...not an over powering smoke flavor which ruins the flavor of the meat at some places but it was right on....a couple buddies had the rib tips and they loved them and it was definitely a healthy portion...I had the greens as a side which were very good too...I dig mine with a sweet heat kinda flavor and it was very good...dug the service too, very accommodating for a group of 10...thanks!!
(4)
Vina O.
I've been eating here since I moved to Chicago three years ago and I've enjoyed it every time! Although the bread roll and the coleslaw are pretty blah, the St. Louis ribs are top notch every time! Besides, who really comes to a BBQ joint for the bread roll and coleslaw...? I haven't tried the infamous Smoque, but I'm not willing to drive almost 10 miles just for some BBQ when Honky Tonk is less than a mile away. Stick to the St. Louis ribs, I think they're better than the baby back. I like to mix all the sauces together (sweet BBQ, tangy BBQ, and garlic mustard) and dip my meat in it!
(4)
Toni B.
The hubby and I came here with some friends, which I was very excited for since we both love BBQ! Please note: Their food is meant to be on the dryer side so that you can put as much or little sauce as youd like on them on your own. When we walked into the restuarant, the hubby and I waited by what we thought was the hostess stand for 5 minutes before another group coming in and seating themselves..so we figured wed do the same! We ended up find the couple we were meeting in the back area. The food is pretty decent. My hubby and our friend ordered the bacon candy..and according to the hubs, it was the best food he's ever eaten (I guess better then my spinach lasagna!). I ordred the chicken sandwhich and the hubby ordred the ribs. We are more fans of meat being marinated in sauce, but it was pretty decent. The mac and cheese was good as well! Check it out if you want to try a new BBQ joint in that neck of the woods!
(3)
Patrick B.
This is my favorite bar in Chicago. I haven't had their food, but I love the bar. Their signature cocktails are incredible, the bartenders are excellent, and the atmosphere can't be beat. Great live music, trivia nights, and all around good times to be had. The "Bacon and Brew" deal is by far the best drink deal you can find in the city. $5 for a THICK slice of candied bacon and a pint of Old Style. Heaven.
(5)
Christy D.
I really wanted to love this place after hearing about their great barbeque and live country music but was extremely disappointed. The hostess and our waitress were both unfriendly and almost rude. Our waitress didn't smile once and didn't tell us anything about the menu. We ordered our cocktails and the woman next to me ordered the same thing. When we got our drinks they were completely different. Mine was bourbon on the rocks and not a cocktail. When I asked her about it she told me that it was a cocktail and when I explained that the woman next to me had the same thing she told me they were different glasses but the same drink even though the other drink had cherries in it. She said "what do you want me to bring you cherries? It's the same cocktail just different glasses and yours doesn't have cherries." Um, ok. The couple sharing the table with us were very nice and helpful and they suggested the sausage which was wonderful with the mustard sauce, a must have. The brisket had absolutely no flavor at all and so I drowned it in barbeque sauce. The sauce was fine but nothing spectacular and frankly I wanted good tasting brisket not sauce. The mac and cheese was just okay. After our meal we listed to Sarah and the Tall Boys play which was great and why I gave this 2 stars. Without the live music I would have only given them 1.
(2)
Allison R.
I was in Chicago for a long weekend and at the suggestion of a local checked this place out for their bbq, tunes and fun atmosphere. It's a no-frills place that is out of this world!! I had the pulled pork sandwhich and my friend had the smoked chicken sandwhich. Both were fantastic. They have a really large selection of whiskey including some more hard-to-find varieties/brands and had a good beer list too! While we didn't order any side dishes I definitely would next time as the tables around us with sides looked really really tasty! The services was great - friendly but not hawking around our table and never made us feel rushed. It was a really cool and fun place. Low-key with great food!
(4)
Mindy M.
Great drinks, Great service, Candied. Bacon. Can a place get any better? Other than the great food, they have amazing live music, great trivia nights. Favorite bar in the area.
(5)
Serena Y.
Well went back to give it a 2nd chance after 3 yrs and it still SUCKS! BBQ was cold...Sent it back...came back a little warmer :-( Server was nice.. No complaints there.... The collard greens were the best thing we had..disappointed really thought it would be better than the first time.... Guess we will be driving to Smoque if we crave BBQ!
(1)
K B.
***I'm down-grading to 4 stars, even though this is still based on the bacon primarily. I'm only rating this place 5 stars for you to go in and do the following: 1. Enjoy the music. 2. Order the Candied Bacon. 3. Order a nice Craft Beer. No guarantees on anything else.
(4)
Rob I.
Love this place! Pork is king! Pulled pork, ribs are great! Love the brisket as well, wish they offered burnt end!! Love the atmosphere and bar is great! Great drinks and just a go to place for great music, food, and drink! Pilsen gem!
(4)
Tom S.
Candied Bacon....need I say more.
(5)
BELLE T.
I loved the candied bacon, but I thought the ribs were dry. Dry ribs = no bueno.
(2)
Jami S.
Honestly I hate to say it but not a fan of this place. We went on a Saturday right when it opened. My friends were dying to try and I think they enjoyed it a lot more then I did being they are big guys who love ribs. The service was great, the review is def not based on that. However, the restaurant smelled like a combination of BBQ & urine & there were full on drug (prob meth) addicts sitting across from us. It was really gross watching them. It's not the fault of Honky I guess but it ruined my dinner. The brisket probably was the best thing & the cornbread. Ribs were okay. The decor is cool. Though, I would 100% say Chicago Q is better. Sorry Honky but I won't be back.
(2)
Ellen M.
I was quite surprised to see that HKB had an average 3.5 star review. Whatever. I love it to bits. I've been five times and haven't had a bad meal yet. Many reviewers commented on the hipster scene. Let's get something straight right now: I don't give a rat's mama's expletive-not-uttered who else is dining. No one has ever disturbed me to the point of caring. But I digress. Me, man, man's parents, two sampler platters, tons of leftovers. Their ribs and brisket are lovely, but I'm truly impressed when the chicken leaves an impression. Delicious, delightful service from pretty, tatted gals, good selection of beers. Change back on a hundred. What's not to love? In any case, I also recommend the fried green tomatoes as a starter. Dry rub.
(5)
Brian B.
As a long time BBQ fan, this place is tops. Their homemade sauces are out of this world, and the way everything is slow smoked with just the right amount of spice is mouth-watering-delicious! Every time I have friends in from out of town I take them here. The cool 1920's vibe to the place and their classic bar with the live bands is just so darn cool! Not to mention the staff with their wicked tattoos. What a real gem! Everything is delicious, but my favorites are the chicken and ribs and pulled pork and mushrooms and baked beans. Get the sampler platter, you can't go wrong. WOW! SO GOOD!
(5)
Elizabeth E.
The best brisket I have ever had. I am a HUGE BBQ fan & this place did not disappoint. Everything I tasted was amazing, mac & cheese, mushrooms, chicken, hot links. The icing on the cake was the out of this world banana cream desert! I cannot wait to go back. Great food, great atmosphere & great friendly service! Could not ask for a better night out!
(5)
Stet D.
This is place definitely has some of the best bbq in Chicago. I decided to check it out after reading an article about it online. I ordered take out and lady who took my order and payment was really friendly. I ordered the St. Louis style ribs, and they were phenomenal! Before I even opened my bag with my meal, I could smell the smokiness. When I took my first bite, I thought I had died and went to heaven..lol. These were some of the best ribs that I had even tasted. They were not only smoky, but they were a little sweet. Anytime that I am in the area, I will come back though.
(5)
Max T.
My first visit to Honky Tonk definitely won't be my last. I was actually headed elsewhere for dinner when I passed the Q place and wondered what it was. Just up the block I pulled over and demanded an executive decision of where we were going and next thing you know I couldn't even remember where we were going originally. I give Honky Tonk 4 stars since I'm still out looking for my best BBQ in Chicago and I still haven't found it. Not to say that Honky Tonk wasn't good, because it was very good. They even have an edge with the venue/ bar, its just that I'm on a BBQ mission lately. We started with some bacon and brews which were okay. For apps we had fried green tomatos and mac and cheese. No complaints. But the feast came with the entree. A $32 sample platter that could feed a family. Pulled pork, brisket, half chicken, hotlinks, rib rack, bread, cole slaw and baked beans. Pretty much everything was on point. My only criticism would be the beans and cole slaw. The beans just were not up to par with any baked beans that should be served with BBQ. The cole slaw was good but in my opinion should be chopped more fine. I recommend the sample platter though to everyone. We actually also stayed for zerts which is rare and they were all so good too. None better than the banana pudding. Get it. Now. We also ordered the bourbon pound cake and peach cobbler. Watch the bourbon, its tasty, and the cobbler is served nice and hot. Both paired with vanilla ice cream. I wish I still had my leftovers. Aside from the food what puts Honky Tonk over is the place itself. I am a die hard Crybaby fan and we walked in to a live Rockabilly band and also got the table right by the stage. Entertainment indeed. I had a great Saturday night with ribs and rockabilly. This place is cool too it seems even if you aren't coming to eat since there is still the bar vibe happening. There are also so many wall treatments and pictures to take in that one visit isn't enough. Especially the huge Frida you see upon entering. I need to find the best BBQ so I can come back.
(4)
Emily D.
I saw this place on tv and had to try! Can't figure out all the hype, however after reading some of the other reviews, it looks like I may have went on a "bad day" people say this place is hit or miss. Well...WE MISSED! Based on take out... 1) Food was ready fast (positive) 2) Was missing an item from our order, of course didnt find out until we got home. 3) When I took out containers of food they were noticably light! I had the pulled pork it was ok, but a little amount on a mound of bread. Its like the bun makes it look bigger. I didnt eat bun and just ate meat and it was a very very small portion. My friend had the brisket and was also disppointed with size. I looked at it and was turned off because it looked very fatty. The macaroni & muffin was good. My friend was actually mad he spent $35 on our dinner and felt that if we would have gone to another BBQ place it would have tasted better and the serving size would have been better. I'd be curious to know the serving size of meat and if they weigh out servings each time. We love BBQ but would never recommend or spend our money at this place! After dinner, we were actually so disappointed and irritatted we looked on yelp for other places to try because this place didn't live up to our expecations AT ALL. Wouldn't return.
(2)
Junchen F.
Viking Rib is totally worth the 21 dollars. The rib is nicely done and so huge! It goes extremely well with the hot source and it is a shame they do not compliment such amazing work with homemade special source. The rib tip is also great. Considering the price tag, it is as good as it gets.
(5)
Jennifer K.
I've been here 3 times, but the quality declined with each visit and I don't foresee returning. The first visit was amazing: the pulled pork sandwich was perfect, huge portion, delicious meat. I had never had a vinegar based coleslaw (as opposed to mayo based) before, and loved it. My boyfriend had the beef brisket, which was good but totally trumped by the pulled pork. On my 2nd and 3rd visits, the pulled pork portion got smaller and more fatty/gristly each time, however the coleslaw remained awesome. Really cool decor: beautiful old-timey wooden bar, great paintings hanging all over. Hipper-than-thou clientele for sure: tattoo here, tattoo there, tattoo everywhere. :) Not sure what happened, but I wish the quality of the food had been more consistent.
(3)
Sarah S.
The food is good, the service and music is great. The only thing that is a problem for me is it smells like mildew or something else gross in this place.
(3)
Erick H.
A friend has been bugging me for quite some time to try Honky Tonk BBQ, so my wife and I decided to make the 30+ mile drive to check it out. We were seated quickly, and started with a bowl of the Brisket Chili. I would have been fine with just that. It was the most flavorful thing we had all night, and was delicious. Big chunks of brisket, very few beans, and even my wife loved it. Our meal came very fast, and we started to eat. It was pretty good. We had a half-rack of St Louis ribs, and Brisket. The ribs were good, not quite enough smoke for me, but they were good. The brisket was well cooked, and quite good. Was it the best 'que I have had? No, but it is better than most. The sides were good, but not spectacular. Slaw was just okay, a bit too sweet for me. The Mac 'n Cheese was good and cheesy. For desert we had the Salty Pig. Too much Bacon Candy. I would have preferred the ice cream, nuts, chocolate and whip cream without the Bacon Candy. So, will I be back? Could be, but I won't make a special trip.
(4)
Brian B.
This place does a pretty great job of mixing a hip artsy feel with good southern style bbq. Starting with the bacon candy is pretty intense so you might actually want to save it for dessert. But it was pretty dang good. had the three meat plate with pork, brisket and a hot link. Both the pork and brisket were moist and each had a beautiful smoke ring that really indicates that it was cooked right. I was on a mission for some peach cobbler since it's not a popular dish in Chicago, and to be honest, they missed the mark on this one. Okay let's talk sauces- the mustard one is great. The sweet one was a little too sweet for me and tasted JUST like chic fill a bbq sauce, so just decide how you feel about chic fill a sauce, and there ya go. The vinegar sauce was decent. My wife is making me add in here that she was not impressed by any of the sauces, as she prefers a spicy bbq sauce. All in all, if you want pretty good meat, go to Honky Tonk. If you want the whole bbq experience, go to Texas.
(4)
Leo V.
The food was horrible!!! They didn't even have smoked chicken because the lady said the smoker broke but they had smoked ribs!! Don't make sense... I had the Texas brisquet chili which was horrible!! Then I got the pulled pork and brisquet which was extremely dry and flavorless even tho they put all that dry rub on it...and their BBQ sauce is ok which I gave the one star..will never be eating their again.....
(1)
Howard L.
Honky Tonk BBQ is a neat place, but bottom line from our visit is that the food is so-so. From a non-descript entrance at corner of 18th and Racine, one surprisingly finds inside a western saloon bar, and a couple of nicely and interestingly decorated dining rooms (numerous paintings and western paraphernalia). We had a half slab of St Louis ribs, a couple of Dinky Dunkers (half-sized pulled pork and beef bnsket sandwiches), hot link, and mac n cheese. The bread was cold and hard. The ribs were fatty and a bit undercooked, and lacked flavor, except for what BBQ sauce you wanted to put on it. The sandwich meat was ok, with the pulled pork more flavorful and juicy than the brisket. All portions were on smaller size also. Server and others were friendly and attentive. All told, I'd say 2.5-3 stars, and I wouldn't go out of my way to come here for the food. I would say it's worth at least one visit for the quaint dining environment, and I would return if we happened to be nearby and wanted BBQ. Some have compared this place to Smoque, which picqued my interest, but Smoque is in a league of it's own on the BBQ food quality. There's no BYOB anymore here, and they do now accept credit cards.
(3)
Alex D.
I came here very excited, in particular for the deep fried sweet potatoe pie, so I'll start there. It was bland with very little flavor. Worse, it was frozen in the middle! And the marshmallow that comes on the side is not melted, rather, it was cold but tasted burnt....as the waiter pointed out, its more ornament. I was looking forward to the whole experience and was sorely let down. Now service. The service was terrible. We were put into the back and the waiter probably came by 3 times on his own (order, food, check). I had to flag down waitstaff to order dessert. She never asked how everything was, nor was she particularly friendly. I had to pay a 20% tip because there were 6 of us, and I expect more than the bare minimum. Side dishes. Mashed potatoes were okay. They were good or bad, just meh. The Mac and cheese was terrible. It tasted like I was eating nothing. After a few bites, I just stopped eating (oh they wouldn't let me replace it). BBQ. The BBQ was pretty good. It was probably worth 4 starts on its own. I got the brisket and pulled pork. The only downside was that the BBQ sauce is on the table, so its cold. WARNING: they do not take more than 2 credit cards, which is extremely inconvenient and cheap. Each of us spent over 30 dollars; the least they can do is let us all pay by credit card (they dont likely because they dont want to pay the credit card fees). Overall I wasn't impressed and I will not be going back. OH, also its extremely loud because their is a sub par live band playing. I prefer conversation to loud music at dinner, but maybe thats just me.
(2)
Jaime C.
I was driving down 18 st so I decided to pay them a visit. It was my first time here but I've read some reviews on yelp so I kind of knew what to expect. The place is nice and welcoming the decor is different from what I seen before in a BBQ restaurant but I liked it. I thought the live country music was awesome! The service is attentive but in my opinion a bit slow. This isn't the best BBQ in The city but is good enough, candied bacon a must!!! if you're in the neighborhood I suggest you give them a try.....live music, good BBQ decent selection of draft beer???? I would definitely come back.
(4)
Lisa H.
One of Guy Fieri's locations on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. About a 4 block walk from the L-train. We got the sampler, and my favorite thing we had was the ribs, because they just broke apart so easily. The corn bread muffins were pretty good, I just didn't like the corn kernels. We also had chicken, sausage, cole slaw, and two mini sandwiches one brisket and one pulled pork. I enjoyed the pulled pork sandwich, especially with the 3 different sauces the staff provides you with. The sampler was a good option to try everything I just wish the sausages were 2 different kinds. Also, instead of the coleslaw I would have like mashed potatoes, the cole slaw just didn't do anything for me. I would have liked to try the homemade pie, but we were pretty full. Recommendations - turn on the lights! It was so dark in there. And the live music only wen until 9...I thought it would have at least gone till 10, especially since we got dinner at 8:30.
(3)
TB H.
Hands down best #Manhattan since #Blue 13 closed. Don't mess around just order the sampler platter it's BBQ and your not here to diet. Taste 10x better the next day. Leftovers are king
(5)
Chad D.
I've been to Honky Tonk BBQ twice and each time it is an absolute delight. The ambiance is excellent. They have weird southern and country decor. After a half hour in the restaurant you forget you are in Chicago! The waitstaff is incredibly knowledgable and helpful. They can describe the menu and how the food is prepared in detail. The BBQ is very good as are the sauces on the table. The ribs are excellent as are the hot links. I know they do the ribs in house but the hot links are sourced out. Fine by me. The music is not too loud and adds to the great atmosphere. This is a fun place to hang out or take a date for something a little different. I recommend stopping in and giving it a try. I will be back.
(4)
Chika S.
The minute I walked in I knew I loved this place. Quirky eclectic folk art (if you know Lucky Platter in Evanston, imagine that with a Western theme), and a long vintage bar leading to a stage in the back of the room... a perfect place for sipping whiskey after a hard day of work. Alas, no whiskey this visit... I happened to be there mid-day with a huge group of family (3 kids under 10). We were seated quickly in the back room, surrounded by other families with smaller children. We felt very at home. Service was a little slow, but they were also very patient and attentive once our order was taken. We ordered the sampler and it was excellent. In my informal 3 generation family survey, the brisket was the favorite. My daughter normally doesn't like brisket and she liked it. Sauces were interesting and varied. Sides were fresh and yummy. Mac and cheese was a hit for all ages... mild and creamy and delicious. The highlight of the meal was deserts... we got 3 to share and they were all so good we wished we had saved more room. Peach Cobbler and Pound cake were delicious. My mouth just started watering remembering how good they were. Looking at the full drink menu and reviews, I need to go back soon with NO KIDS on a night with music and a designated driver!
(5)
Diana G.
Some of the stuff were hit and miss for me. We ordered the sampler platter, full slab baby back ribs, extra hot link, garlic mashed potatoes, peach cobbler and banana pudding. I liked the chicken - moist and good. The hot links were good - hot and not dried out like some places. Garlic mashed potatoes was ok. Ribs were a bit disappointing. Pulled pork and brisket was ok, but not really memorable. Beans were eh. Cole slaw was yuck - sour and weird tasting to me. Peach cobbler was sweet. Banana pudding was sweeeeeeet. I'm not a big dessert eater, but if you like sweet then you would probably like these. Service was ok. This lady was nice and gave my niece some blueberries. Our server was ok, but she did forget our glass of milk. I don't think I would come back often, but give it a try!
(3)
Julie C.
First impressions are important. The four of us were greeted and advised to take a seat by a very nice waitperson. The decor was great/fun (I could've done without the animal-head perched over the bar staring at us but fixed that by sitting with my back to it); warm simplicity at it's finest. Our waitperson Chelsea was absolutely delightful. Appetizer's of "Bacon Candy" and Fried Green tomatoes were served in a very decent amount of time. Bacon was different and good-tasting; fried green tomatoes had a nice coating but were served room temperature (they're suppose to be hot) and the tomatoes had not been drained long enough so they were very watery and could've been cut thicker (the frying tends to shrink). Then came our dishes. My husband's and brother's rib tips, while flavorful when an unburned section could be located (rib tips are small) were, well, burnt. The pulled pork (on my pulled-pork sandwich) was delicious but the ciabatta bun was waay too large for the amount of pork offered (which was a perfect amount) and the texture of the bun was akin to wet paper mache. As soon as I picked it up, a quarter of the bread tore away and the rest of my attempts to eat the "sandwich" were discarded; I just used a fork to eat the meat. The side of cole slaw was literally shredded cabbage in a bowl; ZERO base; no mayo, no vinegar, nothing. We ordered dessert (two peach cobblers and a banana pudding). The peach cobbler was so scalding hot, it melted the ball of vanilla ice cream in under a minute (I'm sure it didn't help that I resembled a floor fan in my attempt to cool the cobbler so I could actually get a bite before the ice cream melted, splashing bits of rapidly deteriorating ice cream on the table). My brother's banana pudding was watery but unsure he actually noticed as every bite of pudding was accompanied by whip cream which covered the pudding in what appeared to be an amount equivalent to half-a-can of Reddi Whip. Chicago has a fantastic array of barbeque places; unfortunately, I won't be returning to Honky Tonk.
(2)
Andrew P.
What's up with all the mediocre reviews?!? As a resident of the South Loop, I am SO GLAD that Honky Tonk BBQ is just a short drive away. Over the years, Honky Tonk has transformed into a hipster joint (with a full bar and live music on most nights), but the food has gotten better and better. I'm a big fan of the rib tips, and my wife usually orders the fried green tomatoes and mac n cheese. They have decent beer options (and Old Style on tap the last time I was there) and the live music is always a bit eccentric but very good. It's a HUGE place so you are usually seated right away. The service has always been excellent and street parking is doable with a little bit of patience. You simply cannot find another BBQ restaurant in this part of town. And even if there are a lot of hipsters in there, why hate on hipsters?!? You're probably a hipster, too. :)
(4)
Darren F.
always down to try a restaurant known for their BBQ and i been eyeing this place for a while.. finally got a chance to try it! ordered the bacon candy, beef brisket sandwich, rib tips, hot links, and also got a filbertis black cherry soda... the bacon candy has a sweet coating on a thick slice of bacon and it was really good! so flavorful! the beef brisket sandwich was just OK.. not really special... the rib tips was just decent.. they cut it up in big chunks and i find it to be a little too dry.. the hot links was pretty good... the filbertis soda wasn't my cup of tea.. i didn't really like it.. they have a few different choices of sauce to choose from and most of them are great... i will be back to try other food in the menu!
(3)
Cristie F.
Even with a raging stomach ache and a bout of nausea, I was still able to chow down on some BBQ, enjoy it, and wished I could eat more. ((Impressive for not feeling well, huh??)) On our way to check out an upcoming business on the south side, my bf and I stopped in Honky Tonk to get a quick bite of some BBQ eats. This place has clearly a lot more to offer than just some good grub, so I was disappointed we weren't able to see live music, or take the time to grab a seat at the bar and shoot back some whiskey. The decor and atmosphere really sets the stage for that - I felt like I was in a vintage saloon. :::Grub::: - Fried Green Tomatoes// Perfectly cooked with just the right amount of fried goodness - Mac n' Chese// Creamy, cheesy, crispy on top. Perfection. - Rib tips// Delish. Especially when smothered with their BBQ sauce. Sadly, that's all we had. If my appetite had been screaming for more, I would have gladly indulged in some Dinky Dunkers, some Baby Back Ribs, Hot Links or their Texas Brisket Chili. I suppose that means I'll just have to go back, right?? Service was also fantastic. Fast and friendly. Just how I like it. Our server was also happy to provide numerous recommendations. I look forward to my return ((sans the nausea & ailments)) to further indulge and be gluttonous in some Honkey Tonk BBQ!
(4)
Melanie S.
Okay, I'm not a gin-soaked bar-room queen from Memphis, so perhaps I'm not a true Honky Tonk Woman in every sense, but I liked this place just fine. Met a friend here for dinner on a Sunday night and it was remarkably easy to get a table (contrary to what I've heard about Friday and Saturday nights). We're both true-blue fans of Smoque, but it never hurts to give another place a try. In other words, I didn't have to put up some kind of a fight. The front area was teeming with kids, so we headed to the much quieter back room to enjoy our 'que. I ordered the sweet tea, and thankfully it was quite drinkable (which isn't always the case for me); it was sweet but still tasted like tea and not just sugar. We both ordered ribs (St. Louis for my friend and baby back for me), a side of macaroni and cheese, and also a half chicken. I was a little bummed that they don't offer fries (just mashed potatoes) because that's the perfect accompaniment in my book, but I got over it. The food came out quickly and it's dry-rubbed. The server explained their three barbecue sauces --a sweeter one, a tangy, more vinegar-y one, and a garlic mustard. I pretended I was Goldilocks and mixed all three until it was "just right," and then slathered it liberally over everything. I liked that there was still some tug on the ribs and the skin on the chicken was nice and crispy. I've had better mac 'n cheese; theirs wasn't very creamy or cheesy. But overall, everything was very enjoyable. I'm saving my biggest praise for dessert: peach cobbler. I don't know if they used fresh peaches or not, but it really didn't matter as it was delicious. The crust was flaky and buttery, the peaches tender, and the filling had a nice note of cinnamon. It was my perfect peach cobbler. It didn't even need the generous scoop of vanilla ice cream that came on the side. Service was amiable and efficient. I would definitely go back. No Honky Tonk Blues for me. 3.5 stars.
(4)
David T.
Place is getting bad. Ordered carry out/ate-in about dozen times last 3 years. Obviously it was good in the beginning but the last three visits in the last six months have been awful. In last nights carry out order the brisket was soggy grey as though they steamed it instead of smoking it. No flavor outside of the one teaspoon size burnt end piece they threw in which really seemed out of place with the rest of the meat. I wish I took a pic. There was no smoke ring on any of the meats and it was chewy in an overcooked way. I also ordered ribs which were under-cooked and cold. Really really disappointed. Cool place, nice vibe but they can't smoke meats well anymore. Honestly I hope they get their act back together.
(1)
atrack b.
I'm not gonna lie. When I moved to Pilsen, I was desperate for tips, found this place, and was happy for a while. I've had some time to think and to be completely offended by a barbecue place that doesn't serve fries. I mean c'mon. This place does have tasty meats, but for the money I can get better tips, some links, AND fries for half the price. Guess I'm just gonna have to drive my lazy ass to the South Side.
(3)
Sandra M.
Pilsen is changing...for the better. We didn't have places like this when we lived here!! The beef brisket, pulled pork, and ribs were all delicious and enjoyed by my family, including a very picky nine year old. What made the evening really nice and memorable was the band. I felt like we were on vacation somewhere down south. I never noticed the huge, wooden bar until this visit. it is beautiful.
(4)
Andy P.
My gf and I have been wanting to go to this place for about a year now but have never gotten the chance. We finally go today and it did not disappoint. We got there and were seated quickly (nice!). My gf ordered the deluxe platter (pork) with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. I ordered the deluxe platter (brisket) with a side of mac and cheese. Both orders came with a hot link and corned bread. The hot link and corned bread was freaking delicious. I thought the garlic mashed potatoes and mac and cheese were just so-so but my gf liked both of them. The actual meat itself (pork and brisket), I thought it was a tad on the dry side but when you add sauce to it (there were 3 different kinds of sauces on the table) it made it better. So we had all that for $40 with tip. Not bad. For the amount of food, I'd say that was a solid deal. The table next to us ordered a sampling platter and it looked delicious. We are definitely ordering that next time. All in all, I'd say that this was a pretty good place. Good food for a good price. The only knock on it is that the meat was a tad dry. Other than that, this is a great place.
(4)
Kayla A.
Ordered takeout from this place a couple times. We always get the same stuff, the viking beef short ribs and the full spread baby back ribs. I really can't say anything bad about this place. If you are looking for a good bbq, either you make it by yourself or just order one from this place.
(4)
Bobs C.
I like honky Tonk a lot it's just really basic. The BBQ itself is above average and the sauces are absolutely amazing. I love their Old fashions. The fried green tomatoes are my favorite appetizer options. The beef brisket is what I order all the time and wish they gave a bigger portion. My favorite deserts are the Banana pudding and peach cobbler. The scene is cool and low key for the most part. The band is awesome even though the noise can be annoying at times.
(3)
Beth M.
BBQ joints are not typically known for their vegan food, but Honky Tonk has some delicious options. The portobello sandwich is juicy and full of flavour. The marinade is superb - it reminds me of French dip sandwiches - and baby lettuces top it off. The black eyed peas and one other side dish (I believe it was the greens) are also vegan. It can get pretty packed, and live bands add to the ambient noise. But it's a fun place to go with a small group.
(4)
Vanessa H.
My husband was craving BBQ and we decided to check this out as it was featured on some reputable Chicago blogs. It was easy to find and street parking was readily available- it was a Sunday evening. We weren't sure if it was a family-friendly restaurant because it looks like a bar. We had a two-year old with us and didn't want to be in someone's angry tweet. I asked a waitress before letting in the rest of the troops. We were brought water promptly and tasted the sauces in the meantime. There was not much of a variety, just three sauces on the table. There was a garlic mustard (not my cup of tea) as well as two sweet sauces. One of the sweet sauces lacked seasoning- big time. While the initial taste is sweet, it definitely leaves a bland aftertaste. The other sauce was also sweet with much better flavor, so that's what we went with. While it was the best sauce on the table, it is just ok overall. Not terrible, but also not the best sauce I've ever had. I like mine to have a subtle kick of heat, and none of the sauces had any heat. I can go on and on about the sauces- let's face it, the BBQ sauce will make or break a BBQ restaurant. Our waitress was super attentive, but not in an annoying way. She cleaned up the table and refilled our water constantly, but never interrupted our meal to do so. We ordered candied bacon, half a pound of rib tips and half of slab of baby back ribs. I WILL preface this by saying we are NOT huge pork eaters- we try to eat lean meat and *gasp* turkey bacon when possible. But when the husband craves, we do it. The rib tips were alright, slightly charred, but still tender. My husband said that his ribs had a better dry rub than my tips. (He ate both, I was stuffed.) My full pound rib tips came with a half of a bun and coleslaw. I told them to hold the 'slaw, and was disappointed with my half a hamburger bun. No garlic bread? I ordered a small side of the mac-n-cheese. The cheese came with a bread crumbs, which provided a nice bite. But after a while, it had a weird taste. Maybe it was one of the types of cheese they use? (The menu claims it is made with five different cheeses.) My husband ordered the garlic mashed potatoes- which again- lacked some seasoning. I think it might have just been salt and pepper. Strong garlic taste- which I love- but also bland. The candied bacon was $8 for 3 slices, although they were some pretty darn thick slices of bacon. Also- I HAVE NEVER TASTED CANDIED BACON. I've heard all the raves on it, but again, this was just okay. Sweet, but super greasy. I had to take it apart to find the meat because my 2 year-old choked on the candied bacon fat. I'm giving this place a 3 because I thought the atmosphere was cool- trendy but with an old school Chicago feel to it. We sat next to a small stage, which means there must be live music there. There is a fully-stocked bar as well, and the staff was very personable and friendly. Overall, food was ok. I was expecting something more for a place that has all these amazing reviews and has been featured on the Food Network.
(3)
John J.
REALLY good beef brisket sandwiches. Flavorful and ample. The mac and cheese was delicious as well. I did the mac and cheese a disservice because I was too busy eating my sandwich. My mac and cheese was cold by the time I got to it. My fault. Still is was well made. My brother wanted a burger and fries and was disappointed that he could not. However, as soon as he took one bite of the pulled pork sandwich...thumbs up all the way! When we're back in Chicago - we are going back!
(4)
Sean B.
"Honey, watch out for my oxygen tank. Upon second thought, you can sit down on it -- if I can watch." A delightful middle aged or older woman with a thick drawl proceeds to hit on me, as I sit down to the end of a birthday table, which seems to happen more and more now that I wear suspenders and got a new haircut. "I'm from West Virginia and I married my daughter off to a Lesbian. Gay is A-OK with me! You wouldn't believe how they act in West Virginia." The guy across the table from me interrupts "I'm from West Virginia." There are lots of weird paintings in this place. A drag queen viva mural, a piece made out of yard sticks (with the Elston yard stick repeated). Hundreds of animals and portraits, lots of weird flair on the wall (animal skeletons anyone?). Plenty to look at. There is even interesting art in the bathroom. That lady leaves and the next group of two hispanic ladies also hit on me. I was beginning to see a theme here. Then the waitress, bringing out some of our sides, leans in and spilled some greens juice on my white pants. Poo on me for wearing white pants to a BBQ joint. Nevertheless, an attractive woman who worked for the place shows up out of nowhere within seconds with soda water and a lemon, rubs my knee rather vigorously, and gets the stain out. Then the waitress brings me CANDY BACON which is the most amazing bacon I've ever had. Complex hints of smoky flavor and a sweet draw and I quickly forgot that my knee was wet, fondled by a staff member, and had hispanic ladies giggling at and with me. The live musicians were honky tonking, and it was clear they'd intentionally detuned the piano to sound more honky. It felt like a combination of dancing, living, joy, and I was only one milk stout in and didn't care that my pants were recovering from a waitress spill (they handled this about as well as humanly possible given the circumstances). The clarinet player was especially awesome in timbre, nuance, and improvisational ability. They had a tuba player which is rare for such an ensemble. The HOT LINKS are awesome here, spicy finish on the sausage. The MUSHROOMS WITH A GARLIC SAUCE are slippery but delicious. The spare rib tips are awesome. The corn muffins could use a little more whipped butter (or a butter side) but the quality of them is very high and I like the square wrap they come in. Now I'm going to try scrubbing the shirt I messed up the other day with the soda water and lemon. It is amazing there was no hint of stain on my pants when I got home.
(4)
Todd E.
The service was great the food very poor, brisket very dry no flavor the ribs were very dry no taste beans terrible, coleslaw terrible. The corn bread was good though but I don't think you want to go to a restraint for the corn bread. Sorry won't be back way better places for Bar B Que in the city Bathroom was filthy
(1)
Beast B.
Over hyped & over rated!! We went with high expectations after seeing it featured on the food network & felt disappointed. It was merely ok/average. The ribs were tough & far from tender & juicy, pulled pork sandwich lacked flavor & seasoning. Chicken was ok, mash potatoes & mac n cheese was good. Soda was flat, like drinking cola water. That was our first & last visit, there's better place's in Chicago.
(2)
Jelena Z.
Honky Tonk, you were someone great. But after earning local fame on Check Please, you slowly let it go to your head. I understood when you went from BYO to full bar, because you're a business and businesses run on money not table-hoggin' guests. Hell, I even admit I was one of those guests. When you started the Saloon Stage and began booking regional acts, I regularly drove 9 miles instead of hanging in my own 'hood on Saturday nights. I brazenly deemed your pulled pork sandwich "the best" and advised many to go and experience it. You were just that good. Then you raised your prices. Understandable, as you really jazzed up the joint and food costs are on the rise. But your quality starting suffering - that pulled pork sandwich I could always count on being spectacular became an inconsistent gamble. Sometimes, like when I showed up at opening time, the meat was hot, fresh, just perfect. Other times, the meat was lukewarm and fatty and the bread fall-apart soggy. Why? I've enjoyed many good nights here over the years, and hope you give your service and food the revamp it deserves, just as you did to your venue. I'm sill holding out hope. Love, The Duchess
(3)
Johnny T.
I said it was a one-time thing and I should have left it at that. The years have not been kind to our steamy tryst, Honky Tonk. This was a lesson in "You can't go home again" and when I say something, I need to mean it. I fully realize that in the three years it's been since I last set foot in your doorway, things have changed. You've enjoyed mucho success. The dining room is crowded. The physical space has doubled. I am pleased to see you doing well. But, I was not pleased with: - the non-existent service. More than once, I asked my dining partner if the restaurant was self-service. From the time we sat to the time we left, we saw our waitress four times. No bueno. We had to ask for napkins -- at a BBQ place -- because we weren't given any (or silverware). Eh? I had to ask for my soda (when my food came) and it was brought over by a bus boy. She never asked how our food was, if we needed/wanted anything, if we had a pulse. Who/how do I tip for being ignored and not waited on? I definitely got the impression that I and my business were after-thoughts. - the speed with which we were rushed in and out. As I mentioned, I received my food before I received my beverage. Odd. Add to the oddness, I received my food pretty quickly after ordering. I fully realize that BBQ can sit in warming bins as it (in busy restaurants) has been smoked/bbqed/whatever hours previously. But if it takes more time to press a lever and fill a glass with carbonated beverage than to put a plate of food in front of me and there are no golden arches in sight... that gives me some pause. This added to the wham/bam service we received. - the food I ate. My bbq was nauseatingly fatty. Once I stripped away the globs of congealed goo from my sandwich, I had a third less food. The bread fell apart (like last time) as I ate and getting through the sandwich was more chore than joy. I get paid to do chores, not the other way around. The mac & cheese was substantial but rather tasteless. I enjoyed the cornbread. The price for two people was not insignificant and I was galled to pay it given the experience. Waiting for my change (oh yes, this tip would be parsed out with exact precision) took almost as long as the dining-in experience and came with about as much care. This really is the last time.
(2)
Natasha H.
Came in here last night. The place was freezing. Our server was rude, and her service was horrible. After our food arrived, she never did come over to the table to see how everything was going. I wanted to order something else, and after waiting for her for 20 minutes. I flagged down one of the busboys. She finally comes by and notices an extra cup of mashed potatoes sitting on the table, she raises her eyebrows and says "Oh did you get that from one of the busboys, I need to know so I can add that to your bill" I wasn't trying to get away with free food, but the tone when she said this came off as very rude. Especially seeing as she didn't come by at all to see how we were enjoying our food but noticed the second when something new appeared on the table. I ordered the garlic mashed potatoes and pulled pork sandwich and that alone is the only reason that I would consider returning.
(2)
Alan D.
Took the wife and two kids here after we were told this was the place to eat BBQ in Chi Town. We are from Nashville and know BBQ. Loved the brisket sandwich! Loved the pork sandwich! Both very tender! Three sauces and all were fantastic. Liked the mustard sauce the best! Server and staff were VERY friendly, not sure where the bad reviews came on that. The band that played was a jazz trio and BADASS is all I can say! And it was FREE! Only minor negatives is the food was a little on the Luke warm side and there was no kid menu (which made an expensive meal even though we ate sandwiches! Kids (10-12) LOVED the place (decor and food)!
(5)
Allie H.
Phenomenal spot for good music and a great vibe, definitely worth heading to Pilsen to hear a band you like and give the BBQ a shot. Minus two stars: a) if you offer classic cocktails, do them well; the negroni is pretty much lighter fuel and the old-fashioned only slightly less heavy-handed, and b) the brisket and pork are just fine, maybe good in Chicago, but as a girl raised in NC's BBQ mecca, plenty of room to improve the flavor of (including sauces) both, as well as the sides (it's easy to make a killer coleslaw, so go for it). Service is generally nice, crowd is pretty mixed.
(3)
Christy Q.
Now I will start with- I am not a pit master. HOWEVER, I do not understand the high ratings for this place. All I can think is people are rating them high on the entertaiment aspect of this restaurant rather than the bbq. And also, perhaps people just dump enough bbq sauce on the meat served here so that they aren't tasting the actual meat itself. Because honestly, the bbq was pretty cruddy. When we got to the restaurant we didn't realize they don't open the kitchen till 4pm, so we wound up being their first customers of the day. Everytime in my life that I've ever walked into a bbq restaurant, even a suburban chain restaurant, the first thing I noticed was the lucious smoked smell. This place smelled disgusting. We smelled no food. Not even stale beer. I thought it stunk like cigarettes- in fact I could have sworn people in the kitchen must have been smoking because it smelled so bad. Another person in my group thought it smelled like urine, and another thought mold. None of these is what you want a restaurant to smell like. So right off the bat our senses were assulted with stink. Not good. In fact, it smelled so bad (and no NOT of anything smokey) that I asked if they do the smoking of the meats here on site or elsewhere? They claim they do the smoking here on site. Could have fooled me! Our waitress was nice, but when we asked her about their bbq she said its the best in Chicago. I asked where else she gets her bbq from and she admitted this is the only bbq shes ever had in Chicago. Oookkkkk.... The guys ordered the brisket and us ladies got pulled pork. The pulled pork was really really fatty. And absolutely NO smokey taste or smell in the meat. None. I had to resort to drowning the meat in bbq sauce. The brisket was dry and tasteless. There was NO smoke flavor or smell in the stuff. The guys were really dissapointed. We even asked our waitress if the brisket was perhaps from the day before, and just reheated and served to us. She swore up and down that it was fresh brisket . If that's the case then I will absolutely not be returning. It was REALLY bad. The waitress reported our comments back to the cook and he sent out a new, fresh platter of brisket for the guys. They said it was better- more moist, but really it tasted like they just tossed some chicken stock on the stuff. They said even that batch, though better than the one the restaurant originally served them, wasn't good enough to ever return... especially with places like Smoque and Chicago Q in the city. We asked a second time if the original brisket was perhaps from the day before and they swore again that both batches were made today. The waitress finally admitted their meat can be pretty hit or miss. I guess we hit them on a miss knd of day. The next day we took our business back to Smoque for an amazing meal of meat. And ps- after eating at Smoque my fingers smelled like smoke for two days. That's how you do bbq!
(1)
Vada P.
Never had a bad meal or experience here, but the brisket is just a nose hair below that of Smoque. Still, the bar and the atmosphere are great. The fried green tomatoes are excellent, as is the mustard-y sauce that they have on the table. The chicken, believe it or not, is mouth-watering.
(5)
Brett F.
I've got a Honky Tonk Badonkadonk! It's just what happens here, you start eating a little bit of 'Que and before you know it, you just can't stop. Open mouth, expand buttocks. From the out-fucking-standing Bacon Candy to the succulent Beef Brisket, Honky Tonk has got magnificent meat on lock down. Absolutely loved their Sampler Platter which was more than enough for three lovely ladies a-sharing and provided us the opportunity to try a gaggle of goods. We downed: a Half Spread of Ribs, Half Smoked Chicken, a Pork Dinky Dunker (like a pulled pork slider), a Brisket Dinky Dunker (second verse, same as the first), a Hot Link, Fresh Slaw, Beans and two Corn Muffins. With the exception of the ribs which were sadly a wee bit dry, everything was exceptional. Ever heard a Croatian, a Russian and a Korean moan in unison? Yep, 'twas that good. In addition to the super tasty BBQ eats, at HTB you also get the benefit of an absolutely adorable and charming decor - think backwoods bar meets chic lodge - in addition to awesome - and very theme apropos - live music nightly. Fab fun for all! Good service, great food and, duh, bacon candy... get there and get your badonkadonk on, it's worth it.
(4)
Eric G.
Came here on a weekend, was pretty crowded.But luckily got a table within 15 mins. Had empanadas for an appetizer which was quite good. Ordered a pulled pork sandwich meat was cooked good and not to dry. Also The mac n cheese and corn bread are great!! Overall it was good. I definitely would come back and try more on the menu. The decor is amazing, and they have a nice bar with great craft beers! Good spot in Pilsen if your tired of Mexican food lol
(4)
Alex M.
It took me four months of living in Pilsen but I finally made it to this bar. Everything you've heard is true. The BBQ is delicious (well, the non-meaty BBQ sure is but I bet the meaty kind is pretty great too). They have musicians in all the time (playing great music) and their trivia night is pretty damn fun as well. Cheap drinks and a great atmosphere.
(5)
Big D.
the food is ok but needs love to go into the Ribs and Chicken. Your better going off to SMOQUE. The thing that sucks is the portions. I cannot stress that enough, small portions for price. The peach cobbler is not as good as SMOQUE but they tried here, but no luck.
(2)
Scott A.
Live country music = good. BYOB = also good. Pulled pork = slap my ass and call me Susan good. My friend and I attempted to split the sampler platter with a fried green tomato app. We were unsuccessful. It was the greatest failure in my life. Everything was above average, with the ribs being the low spot but still very tasty, the brisket full of smoke and bold meaty flavor, and the pulled pork melted in my mouth like an M&M on a hot summer day. Upon my triumphant return I will be ordering the pulled pork along with another order of fried green tomatoes and as many of those corn muffins that I am able to fill into the remaining space in my fundus.
(5)
Basil T.
Delicious BBQ and live music = good times!
(4)
Brad C.
Good but not great, unbelievable isn't a word I would use to describe Honky Tonk. I loved the atmosphere more than the food. Honky Tonk has a really cool homey feel, it just feels like you're sitting in someone's house (maybe an artist friends house cause of all the painting on the walls). They also have a live band and surprisingly they sounded pretty good. For dinner I ordered the pulled pork sandwich, it was good but it was kind of dry and had too much bread for me. If it wasn't for the great sauces on the table it would of been a sad dinner. The mustard sauce was my favorite one of the three. I was able to try the brisket sandwich and thought it had a lot more flavor then mine. For a side I went with the Mac & Cheese, sadly is was really runny, I saw someone with an order of mashed potatoes and those looked way better. For $2 I wanted a larger portion and something better. I say skip the sides when you come here they are not worth the extra $2 for such a tiny helping. Maybe I just ordered the wrong things that night. I might be back in the future sometime but since the hours here are sort of a pain I'm not sure I'll be back anytime soon.
I have been here several (3) times, and I have to give the place 2 stars overall for some things: 1) dry or fatty meat--really a Crime in barbecue. Barbecue is a method that for even not great meat, I mean it originally was food for poorer folks and they didn;t have great Cuts, yet barbecue is awesome...you can make it taste great by how you store and prepare it. No excuse for the poor preparaton of meat here. 2) service is not great...there are often not enough servers on 3) maybe the building needs a good clean, but I have several times smelled smoke pretty strongly in the place which just is hard to get used to if one is trying to eat. The price is affordable, only saving grace but I rather pay more for better food and less attitude.
(2)
Quijote D.
Beware of the20% tip added to larger groups. Not equal to 20% service. Food quality is excellent and live jazz music is a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend.
(4)
James C.
Went here on a whim right before the kitchen closed and ordered the pulled pork sandwich with some mac and cheese. Full disclosure: this isn't like your traditional pulled pork, guys. It's not that chopped up stuff swimming in barbecue sauce. It's a lot more similar to carnitas. If you have some preconceived notion that a pulled pork must come a certain way, you aren't going to like it (as some of the folks have noted). I thought it was fantastic and it was big enough for me to take some home. The mac and cheese was also great with some nice flavors (not a garlic powder bomb, good God...). In short, I would come back.
(4)
Yaniv K.
I had the pork + brisket combo thinking it was enough for two, as the waitress promised. Turns out it's only enough for one person. The meat was a bit dry and insipid, but the macaroni and cheese and the cornbread were fantastic. If you're really craving BBQ food, I would suggest other places in the city. But if you find yourself in Pilsen and can't wait, then this place does it.
(3)
Carol K.
Honky Tonk has been on my list to try since before it got popular on Check Please! and I've just been waiting for the fever to settle down before checking it out for myself. The space is simple- outfitted like an improvised art gallery or coffee house with huge paintings on the wall and wooden tables and chairs. We were there on a weeknight and there was even some entertainment with a guitar player crooning out tunes which was a nice touch to the place. We ordered a couple of slabs of ribs, and two sides- the mac and cheese and some cornbread. Surprising for us was that there was not the BBQ standard of Beef Brisket on the menu (unless you wanted it pulled on a sandwich). The ribs were delicious. Meaty with that crisp outside that shows that they are slow cooked and not boiled like some places. I loved that they come plain and you have a choice of three sauces to tempt your taste buds. The sides were only so- so. The corn muffin was a little dry and stale, and the mac and cheese tasted like noodles with Velveeta on top so you may want to try something else when you go. But the real winner? The peach cobbler! OMG! It was like I was sitting at my grandma's table and she had just pulled this from her oven. Hot, sweet and doughy- this was an unexpected surprise to end our meal. Service is utilitarian so know that you take your bill to the counter in the front room to pay- and bring CASH as they don't take plastic. The place is BYOB so don't forget to grab some beers before coming. And if you drive- parking is fairly easy (depending on the night you go) on this stretch of 18th. Honky Tonk isn't fancy. It's quirkiness is just a part of it's charm (check out the pig lamp and you'll know what I mean) But it serves up some pretty good ribs and in my book- that's all a rib place should do.
(4)
Tracey H.
The food is nothing to write home about whatsoever, save that pound cake which is to die for. They understaff their floor and it can be hard to get good service. Not exciting or innovative BBQ, but really packed, presumabley because it does, indeed, have a really fun atmosphere. If you go, go for the music and the beer, maybe eat dessert, but skip the BBQ.
(2)
Jedd J.
Oops, review snafu - accidentally filed this review under Honey 1 BBQ. Sorry Honey 1. I'll try you soon. About Honky Tonk BBQ... Terrible dining experience. The pork and beans were cold and flavorless. The "chili" was a scalding bowl of shaved beef in terribly salty gravy, lacking any hint of tomato, sweet, smoke, pepper, or spice. The "pulled" pork sandwich consisted of huge chunks of flayed meat on a lousy roll, and something was wrong with the flavor. Of the three BBQ sauces, only the "spicy" was edible. We did not finish any of it and quickly left. The only positive note - good live music by a two piece band consisting of a hollow body guitar and upright bass.
(1)
Jennifer G.
I so wanted to love this place. After watching triple D and hearing the Memphis in May awards, I thought this place was going to knock my socks off. Not so much! First, no self respecting bbq joint should list sweet tea and serve me Lipton brisk. That is so wrong. Second, bbq should not be served on ciabatta rolls. BBQ and ciabatta just don't jive. Third, the sides were really lacking. The beans were bland, the black eyed peas were flavorless and the mac and cheese was average. 3 sandwiches and a side each, $51.00.... Aside from all of the failures in the food department, the place was really cute and the service was pretty good.
(2)
Matthew B.
This is the worst food I've had in Chicago, ever. My companion and I walked into Honky Tonk and were immediately put off by the smell - I knew the meat wasn't smoked upon walking in because when you smoke your meat on the premises your restaurant smells smokey - Honky Tonk smells soapy. I have eaten over 300 meals out in the past 2 years, Honky Talk is the worst of 300 by FAR, and I have eaten in some bad places in 2 years - like places you dont eat sober bad, like Bacci pizza bad. I wish there was a way to give zero stars, thats how bad this meal was. What was wrong with it: 1)BBQ is smoked - Honky Talks meat is boiled. At SOME point this meat may have been in a smoker, but I doubt it. When I asked the waitress how long they smoked their meat for, she said "Oh, hours...and hours...overnight." She LIED right to my face. If they were running a smoker for 12-18s in the building it would smell of smoke - it doesn't. I would question if the meat is smoked at ALL. When I pressed her for what kind of smoker they used, she didn't know. The correct answer would have been a Southern Pride wall unit - which is what a good BBQ place would have. Hell, at this point I would have taken a glass smoker. Supposedly the owner is a competition pitmaster - that is BULLSHIT because we get to point #2... 2)The sauce is HORRIBLE. They have three abominations "Tangy" "Sweet" and "Garlic(?) Mustard". They are ALL bad, they all have the distinct taste of being watered down, and they have the mouthfeel of using too much sugar or corn syrup. Nothing could help the boiled bland meat, but good sauce would have been better. These sauces were ALL worse than Kraft BBQ sauce. 3)The Mashed potatoes are cheap. They are either a mix or they are watering them down to save on using milk as a binder. They have practically no butter in them. They were terrible. I knew as soon as I saw them that they would be bad. 4)The rolls that the sandwiches are on are horrible. They are dried out and obviously store bought. Im sorry that anyone thinks that this is even PASSABLE FOOD, let alone passable BBQ. F-
(1)
Bertel J.
First of all, I'm a rib snob. B., I live for BBQ III., bad ribs should be punishable by deportation (jail time would need to be supported by tax monies) With that said, all employees & owners should be on their way out of the country...period!
(1)
Lauren G.
Great ambiance. Great food. There's even a cluster of hippie/country boys who sit at a table with cowboy hats on and cowboy attire. Felt like I was in a saloon just because they were there. LOL. But the food was fabulous. Cornbread, pulled pork, mac and cheese and coleslaw. DELICIOUS!
(5)
Eric L.
Another Chicago BBQ failure. 4 for atmosphere, but 2 for food. This place just oozes cool, hipster BBQ joint, but the BBQ is weaksauce. ribs: dry brisket: great texture, but needs to be smokier. almost entirely unseasoned, if you told me this was made in the oven, i'd believe you. pulled pork: uninspired sausage: probably not made in house, but severely overseasoned (there were several different links, one was overly salty, even for sausage, and the other was just boring) smoked chicken: dry and the skin was like leather cole slaw: dressing wasn't thick enough to stick to the cabbage the thing that saved this from being 1.5 stars was their bacon and brew. I didn't even have it, but my dinner companion ordered it and said the bacon was outstanding, and it was tantalizing enough that I will actually return to Honky Tonk just to try it, despite how unimpressive the rest of the menu was.
(2)
Kymberly J.
beware: CASH ONLY! I think they should tell you this before you order. The atmosphere is pretty cool. The entry way is a lovely view of the kitchen (not sure if I like that idea) and the hostess stand. I felt like I was walking into someone's home. Then the dining area is white walls covered with a hodge podge of mostly bad paintings but it works. It's a strange ecletic mix in this super high ceiling room. In the back is the bar which looks and feels completely different from the dining room. It's dark and narrow. Sometime in February they will be getting their liquor license so until then BYOB! So on to the food. It wasnt the greatest ever but it wasnt the worst ever. The ribs and the mac and cheese were served a little on the warm side but none the less tasty. Three sauces to choose from, one of which was a mustard sauce - an interesting option but nothing I would slather over my entire slab. They have a salad called "what your girl friend would order salad" with field greens (and arugala...oh how I heart the arugala!) seasonal berries (fresh) walnuts, jicima and goat cheese served with an awesome tangy dressing.
(3)
Selena L.
After hearing numerous rave reviews, my boyfriend and I decided to check it out for ourselves. To say we were bamboozled by the reviews would be an understatement. The clear sign we ignored: the place smelled more like a barnyard with NO scent of smokey bbq goodness anywhere. Too bad we didn't read fellow Yelpers reviews before we went.
(1)
Christine K.
The best thing about this barbecue place was the cornbread. That pretty much sums up the food here. Based on other Yelp reviews, I ordered the fried green tomatoes and the delux platter with brisket, hot link, corn bread, and one side (greens). The brisket was dry and flavorless. The sauces were pretty good (sweet, tangy, mustard garlic), so it wasn't as bad once it was drowned in sauce. The corn bread was moist and I actually liked the hot link quite a bit. It was much better than the brisket. The greens were bland. When we asked for bread, they brought out stale dinner rolls, which was quite a disappointment. The fried green tomatoes were heavily breaded, which was fine but the breading could not hold onto the wet tomatoes and would slip off at the touch of a fork. The tomatoes also completely lacked in the tartness that makes fried green tomatoes so delicious, but that might just have been our tomato. Our main server was nice, but some of the people there are horribly rude. I would have been willing to return for the cornbread and hot links, but I probably won't because the rude workers there make the thought of going back extremely distasteful. In sum, go somewhere else.
(1)
Custom M.
BEST RIB TIPS IN TOWN! BEST BBQ SAUCE. I have never gone a on a crowded day. I doubt I ever will. Rib tips combined with the Mac N Cheese and corn bread. Oral orgasm!!! Can't really complain about the service or venue. Worth the money and travel for me.
(4)
Elisa E.
Beautiful bar, great band, solid (if not spectacular) BBQ. I had the brisket sandwich, and it was tender and juicy. I asked for horseradish and received a grape-sized mound of the condiment in a paper cup. Were they running out? Was the waitress afraid I couldn't handle it? Child, I'm German-American; I was weaned on horseradish. I had a major case of entree-envy for my dining companion's rib tips; they were burnt/fatty/delicious on their own, no sauce needed. But, there probably won't be a redo, or at least not involving my automobile. I parked in a legal spot on 18th, east of Racine, and was later extensively keyed by some neighborhood asshat. The friend who invited me to dinner is from Pilsen, and a second generation Mexican-American. He explained that the restaurant was probably too expensive for most of the working-class people in the neighborhood, and was full of outsiders. I can't think of any other plausible reason why someone would do this, except to "teach" a lesson to one of the restaurant patrons.
(3)
Keeping it real b.
I HAVE TO SAY A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!!!!!.... After seeing this place hosted on a episode of Drive In, Dinners and DIves and it was getting some crazy hype, I was extremely excited to try another good BBQ joint with an atmosphere. After my fiance and I had talked about visiting this restaraunt for a few months we had decided to give it a shot on a Saturaday Night. We arrived at the restaraunt at 9:00, understanding that there may be a slight wait. The host had said that it would be around a 45 min wait, so we had decided to fight our way through a small crowd for standing room only to enjoy a couple of beers. Beer list was different, but in a good way to help branch you from your routine beverage of choice. Bartenders were very pleasent and responsive, crowd was pollite and the band was very entertaining keeping the wait less painful.... After 30 min. a table had opened up and we were on our way with high hopes for a tastey BBQ. We were seated in the dinning room with great atmosphere filled with unique paintings and various kitchen furniture giving a great southern, backyard kinda feeling. Unfortunately, this is were it all then began to go downhill. We were sat at 9:30 pm when the waitress took our first drink order. Took over 15 minutes for her to return with out drinks. She then took our dinner order, we ordered the Sampler Platter which had great variation, (Chkn, Ribs, Sausage Link, Sliders, corn bread beand and slaw) and also a side of rib tips. Was very excited to get a taste of what was so hyped up on the tv show D.D.D.. After an hour of being sat and very little attention from the service and visually seeing the food not moving out of the kitchen and serving other tables, we had actually spoke to another waitress to see what was going on with our order and to speak to a manager. Being an hour later, there is no reason while at a "Restaraunt' there is no reason not to have some sort of a FOOD item sitting in front of you. I dont think that is asking for much. The response we recieved from one waitress was, "Cant you see we are Busy". Well no kidding, now my intellegence were just insulted. Busy or not, there was no food moving out of the kitchen and the fact is it has been an Hour waiting for what is usually all PRE COOKED food that just gets warmed up and platted when it comes to BBQ joints. No excuse for it, but we still made the best of the moment. When the food finally arrived, it had a nice presentation, but you could see that ALL the meats were dried out, over cooked and just brittle like saw dust.... COME ON MAN!!!! This is suppose to carry a reputation for GOOD BBQ.... I would love to know how many returning customers they have. I would guess not many. Brisket was well dried out, chicken was petrified, half slab of ribs tasted as they were cooked 3 times over, coleslaw had little to bad taste to it, beans were out of a can and the only thing that was moist was the sausage due to its casing and the ability to cook those fresh... All in all, I would say the food was far from good BBQ and even further from being FRESH. The sauces on the table had a good flare to them, nice variety and good way to help the meats slide down. Rib tips werent bad, but definitly nothing to go back to or refer a friend to. Prices were good, drinks were good, like the atmosphere and the manager was nice enough to comp the drinks and take $10 bucks off to ease the pain slightly. All in All Honky Tonk - I give you a BIG ONE STAR - --- have to say, very disappointed with the quality of food and wait time. Definitly in need for the owner and manager to review the flow process and ability to get the food out quicker. Customers will be happier, the tableswould also turn faster making it happier for the guests not to have to wait as long, the waitress happier getting more tables = more tips and bottom line, making the owner a happy person to serve more tables = more food = happier customers = returning customers = and referalls from customers = alot more $$$$$ for HONKY TONK..... Have to say, wont be back anytime soon - I GOT the HONKY TONK BLUES!!!
(1)
Kristina D.
Two words. Bacon Candy. Yes. Bacon Candy. The evening we went with friends there was no live music but some nice funk and R&B playing. We were given our choice of seating and our sassy server (who I hope forgives me for not remembering his name) promptly came to our table to ask us about drinks. I had the Lonely Presbyterian. Actually, I had two. Then we opened with an order of the Fried Green Tomatoes and Bacon Candy. Fried Green Tomatoes were pretty good, could have used just a bit more kick. But the bacon candy. All I have to say is it was gone in seconds and that everything is better with bacon. Just delicious. I then had the half spread of the baby back ribs, mac and cheese and cornbread muffin. The muffin was okay, too sweet for me but that's a matter of personal preference. The ribs were great although I like a little more kick and the mac and cheese, although rather nontraditional with the white cheddar, was delicious. I'll definitely be returning. They don't do delivery but they cater and have a calendar of music events on their site.
(4)
robert a.
HOLY BBQ Go here eat drink listen nothing more needs to be said.
(5)
Leticia L.
The first night we moved back to Pilsen my husband and I decided to try this place. We were starving and the open doors were inviting us in. I was pleasantly surprised. We found a seat in front and our waiter was quick and attentive. I tried the brisket with mac and cheese. Both were divine. I also loved the corn bread. Our second visit was also great, we ordered the half chicken, with a large mac and cheese and the garlic mashed potatoes. I must say I was not disappointed. The chicken fell off the bone and melted in my mouth like butter. It was another great meal!
(5)
Tera D.
Honky Tonk is an interesting little place. Very neighborhood, regular customer feel. I got the distinct impression that when they didn't recognize us they assumed we came in because of Check Please. Which is true. In my opinion, the meat was better cooked than most I've ever tried. Pulled pork, brisket and ribs were all uber tender and perfect. The flavor wasn't as strong as other places though, so that was a bummer. As for the sauces, I thought the only one that stood out was the garlic mustard one, which was tangy and fabulous. For side dishes we had mac n' cheese and pork and beans. Both were only ok compared to other BBQ places I've been. Glad I went, and would go back if I lived close, but probably won't make the trek to Pilsen for it a second time.
(3)
Kc B.
This place is a crap-hole. We had a large party. They sat us down and mentioned several minutes later that they were out of most meat items on their menu. Seriously? It was a Saturday night. What kind of moron doesn't order enough meat for a Saturday night crowd at a BBQ joint?
(1)
Jozo B.
My friends talked about this place all day on a wasted Sunday. I didn't believe what they were saying, but sure enough they were so right. The pulled pork sandwich was simply amazing. I mean melt in you mouth flavor, and the sauces made every bite a different flavor sensation. The brisket chili was super hearty, thick, and plain awesome. Definitely, met all my expectations and then some.
(5)
Xriz H.
Did Helcky's finally reopen in Chicago? Quite possibly, but this place did not have that signature "Burnt Bologna" smell that is easy associated with the local Evanston hero. Honky Tonk earns a solid three stars and not for the food. If you like food with a lot of flavor, that smokey BBQ taste and sauces that range from smokey sweet to spicy, this is not the place. I would consider this a place suitable for the BBQ inept. I think the most exotic they get with the seasoning is perhaps Iodized Salt. I do like the no substitute rule, as it makes the ready made plates come out in lightening fast speed, nothing low and slow about this place. The decor is nice, give you that feeling of "hey this place might just be good"... but it is not. Good beer selection and the waitstaff has all the right stuff (tattoos, piercing, blank stares, beauty pageant personality etc...). I will warn whoever dares go there. Never Ever Ever take the left overs home, they will make your car, bus, fixie whatever you are in stink like hell! I think the food is already half decomposed when it come out on the plate! That being said, 3 stars...and not for the food!!! 1 Star for nice Decor 1 Star for nice beer choices 1 Star for friendly people No Stars for the food, cause it is not good food, sorry Mr. Tonk please work on the recipes.
(3)
Maja B.
I don't know why I was convinced for a long time it was called Willy's Honkey Tonk BBQ. I guess cuz my friend Phil who introduced me to the joint upon my move to Pilsen 7-8 months ago is good friends with the strange but genius owner, Willy. This place has been around for a minute. A good 8-9 years ago when I was still an innocent northsider I use to hear tales of a mystic place on 18th street where they threw wild parties with live feral animals like ocelots or was that eatacidalot? Or what was that wild cat called that one can train and house? Anyway these parties are no longer. Soon enough Willy and his wife opened a BBQ joint. A BBQ joint in the middle of Raza territory on 18th street, called "Honkey Tonk BBQ" haha you must be kidding right? Well you best believe that the BBQ was so good that it won the hearts of the locals and many others who regularly flock to the spot from all over Chicago. Let's talk meat. There is a sandwich at Willy's, ha there I go again with the Willy's, simply called the "Pulled Pork Sandwhich". And it is pork shoulder with a lil rub, on a bun. Sounds kinda boring right? But oh the flavor, oh the tender, the juicy, the JESUS BUDDHA MOSES whatever you believe in... It is the BEST freaking pork not just pulled pork but I proclaim the BEST pork sandwich in Chicago. We're talking "3rd place Trophy from the World Championship Memphis-in-May Competition, the largest pork competition in the world." -http://honkytonkbbqchicago.com The world has spoken, the world of pork. And that is quite the achievement for a Chicago sandwich, it use to be $7 now it has gone up to $7.75. Prices have gone up I'll admit, it's a little eh, but it's a tough economy and understandably prices are going up everywhere. They also added a Fried Green Tomato Bacon and Garlic Mayo sandwich I tried. Not too impressed with this one, it was mostly fried green tomato couldn't really taste the bacon, the Garlic mayo was good but again it all overpowered the meat. The Banana pudding though, dear god, try the Banana pudding, you'll thank me you did! The atmosphere is kinda bizzare, it's like they took every crappy painting from like 1940-1975 and hung em all side by side literally lining the walls, the worst part? It actually works! They're adjacent to the most beautiful wooden bar in Chicago (this is cuz the space use to be the Slovanian cultural club, yeah us eastern-europeans got this design thing down ;) The drinks are pretty good they have A Bloody Maria served with Tequila instead of Vodka and both the Mary (w/Vodka) and Maria come with a bullet sized high life to balance out the spicy Bloody. Amazing hangover cure potential unless you end up knocking back a few more and then busting some moves to the always rocking western country swing and rockabilly sounds. I never even liked this music until I heard it at Willy's Honkey Tonk BBQ. Have you not been yet? Why the hell not, go! Go now!!!!!!
(4)
Remesis G.
Great food, great service, great hours!!! The price is awesome too. I love this hidden gem in Pilsen. One of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. On certain days of the week, they have live music which is a bonus when your're eating. Will come back over and over again.
(5)
Michael L.
Disappointed! I had a craving for ribs and Honky Tonk is pretty close to the house. I'd been there a few years ago and liked it, so I thought this was a no-brainer. We waited about 10 minutes for a table which I didn't think was bad for a Friday night. Things started out well with an order of bacon candy. I think it's baked bacon with brown sugar and maybe molasses. Yum! If we stopped eating at this point the review would be 5-stars! I ordered a full slab, in anticipation of tasty leftovers, and a side of mac & cheese. I have to agree with a previous reviewer that said the ends were over-cooked and the middle was ok. Don't get me wrong, I love the bark on good bbq, but these ribs were just dry. Another mark of good bbq is that it doesn't need sauce, the sauce just enhances the experience. This meat demanded sauce! I do have to say that the mustard sauce was good and I don't really like mustard. Service was quick and friendly, but couldn't make up for the over-cooked meat! I will not be back again.
(2)
Ed C.
Honkey Tonk BBQ is a very fun place. Great signature cocktails, music, atmosphere, service....and really lame BBQ. I am glad I went. Pilsen is a fun neighborhood that I don't visit enough. It's too bad the food wasn't very good, because I want a reason to come back. I am a sauce guy and that is the one part they did above average...but it wasn't great. All of us there were big BBQ fans and we split bacon candy, 2 platters and 2 pulled pork sandwiches. All of the meat seemed well prepared...very moist and great texture...just super bland. The ribs were the most tasteless I have ever had. Just no flavor. The same can be said for the brisket and chicken. The pulled pork had some nice bites and the links were very good with their mustard garlic sauce ( That sauce was pretty solid) The beans were not bbq style at all. The fried green tomatoes were very good. Go for the drinks and snack on the bacon, tomatoes and banana pudding, but this is not an even average BBQ spot.
(2)
Michael M.
Really good bbq brisket. Fun atmosphere. Hard to get a cab in the area.
(4)
Lisa B.
HONKY TONK BADONKADONK! No this place isn't owned by Trace Adkins, but it does have that down home, country, southern hospitality feel. Its really eclectic and funky with great art on the walls and totally mismatched seating. Loved it. The food and drink was just as comforting and interesting as the decor. I must say, the house-made bourbon soaked maraschino cherries were killer. I contemplated asking for a whole bowl of them. I had the deluxe plate with the pulled pork, mac and cheese, hot link, and cornbread. Pulled pork was great, so tender, great smokey flavor. The mac could have been a little creamier, but it had good flavor and I loved the breadcrumbs on top. Hot link was tasty, nice spicy kick to it. LOVED the cornbread, it was sweet and savory while moist and delicious. Husband ordered the viking beef short ribs, which are only available on weekends, so we thought they'd be awesome... they were, eh, very Viking-esque. They were huge, short ribs smoked, until tender. While they feel off the bone, they were really fatty and we weren't overly impressed with them. The coleslaw that accompanied them was too dry - needed more vinegar and oil. Loved having three different BBQ sauces on the table so i could try them all with my meat. My favorite was the mustard one, great tang! We ended our meal with some killer peach cobbler - served nice and hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! great way to end the meal - we'll definitely be back.
(4)
Matt M.
What Honky Tonk BBQ has with atmosphere in spades it's lacking in quality BBQ. The restaurant has a great environment with vintage decorations, a full bar and a reasonable beer list. We went based on their consistent comparisons to Smoque, which can be best compared to the big brother who actually knows what he's doing. Honky Tonk serves their meat without sauce, which is to say you add the BBQ yourself. This wouldn't be a big problem normally, as their sauces are undoubtedly above average though not exceptional in any way, shape, or form. The issue is that all moisture has been smoked from the meat, and the flavor with it to boot. I sampled the chicken, pork, and brisket, and each was nothing to write home about. I also tried the ribs, which were not only dry, but burned. Thankfully a down-home bluegrass band started playing adjacent to our table, distracting me from the dry, flavorless meat and poor cornbread. The mashed potatoes, however, were great. If you're looking for a late-night hangout with live southern music and a nice looking carved barback with the option for some decent food, this is the place.
(3)
leslie m.
Honky Tonk I was scared to try you, scared that you would not be as good as Smoque and more like that Five place on Taylor but I am so happy that I did. -Easy seating that doesn't make you feel rushed-CHECK -Choice of sauces right on the table to please everyone-CHECK -Cornbread and Mac n cheese that are Tha bomb-CHECK -Alcohol-CHECK -Nice assortment of BBQ dishes and combos that are juicy, tender and delicious-CHECK -Easy street parking and friendly service-CHECK Honky tonk, I think I love you
(5)
Michele D.
Brought a girlfriend from Austin Texas in to show her how we do BBQ in Chicago...she LOVED it! Flavorful pull pork and ribs, melt in your mouth brisket, and scrumptious Mac and cheese! (oh and the sauces...!!!!!) Texas ain't got nothin' over HTBBQ. We even enjoyed some country music and two steppin'. (with no cover for music) Oh and the sweetest wait staff and bartenders. The owners even come up and chat you up. Felt so warm and welcomed. Great energy in the room. We posted FB photos and all our Austin friends couldn't believe it. Now that it's warming up in Chicago they're making there way up here to taste a little Texas in Chicago!
(5)
Rebekah S.
The atmosphere and live music is a bonus to some of the best damn bbq I have ever had. The staff and owner make you feel like family. Try to visit if you can. The prices are very reasonable. Thanks for making my daughters bday awesome!!!!
(5)
Mindy S.
Three times is not the charm. I think the greatest way to honor an animal is to make it tasty (and give it a great life, obvi) I don't know what HT BBQ is doing to their animals, but it's not good. The brisket is dry and I'm not sure how to describe the pulled pork other than :( Completely pass up the beans too, bleh. I couldn't recommend a single thing from HT, other than it's a great atmosphere to grab a drink and live performers were wonderful last (Thursday) night. Their display of art is marvelous too. My only recommendation would be to go to a place that knows how to handle their smokers. Check my reviews/lists for my favs, it's definitely not this place.
(2)
Patrick S.
The layout of the place gives you a number of options depending on the occasion or setting you are so inclined towards. Upon entering you notice what appears to be a fully stocked bar to your left. The front is very dimly lit, equipped with seemingly date appropriate seating opposite of the bar. If you venture deeper into the establishment you will discover another room towards the back. It has a very homey, family oriented vibe to it. Join-able tables to accommodate larger parties, and booths along the back wall. Some..eclectic, artwork and decor adorn the walls somehow make it feel like a mess hall or cafeteria of some sort. A word of caution to the booth goers..be weary of the hung artwork overhead as there is a slight possibly of acquainting yourself upclose and personally. Only a mere freak occurrence, Im sure. But I felt it worth mentioning as I found it humorous that I heard a large thud emanating from behind me. Something had fallen straight onto the table in one of the booths where a women had been sitting. She didnt seem to be startled at all..which makes me suspect this happens more times than you would think. While Im way off topic, I might as well mention that I used "appears to be" and "seemly" to describe the bar and front seating only because I opted towards the back room seating. So I would not know firsthand. Upon entry, there isnt actually anyone to greet you so if you come in for the first time you would probably think twice to what you are supposed to do. Me and a friend approached a server at the tail end of the bar who informed us to sit where we deemed fit, not her words mind you. So we chose the brighter lit room for a less..questionable, for lack of better word, dining experience. Two guys eating at a dimly lit table in a bar just doesnt look right..if you get my drift. Anyhow...Im here to speak of such things as BBQ! Dry rubbed, cured, and fine smoked meats! I speak of choice cuts of marbled slabs of animal carcass fit as offerings to the gods! Apologies, but coming to places like this, I cannot understand how anyone could deny such carnivorous urges. Regardless...onto the food at hand. I was looking to sample some of the menu since it is impossible to taste the extent of the menu unless youre there with a full party. So I decided on the rib tips with a side of garlic mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. Little did I know, I was in for the biggest rib tips Ive ever encountered. These tips are ENORMOUS. Regardless of the caps, the font size isnt appropriate enough to describe the size of them. Not to mention Ive never had rib tips in its pure, unadulterated, un-sauced, dry rubbed form. Each and every bite of these gave off an overwhelming amount of smokey richness that I almost wish eased off towards the end; but it was unrelenting. There was 3 sauces on the table. The bigger of the 3 which was more of the sweeter style bbq, a smaller tangier bbq, and a mustard that was slighty sweet but more dijon-ey. I went with a 70%sweet-30%tang mix. I look forward to trying several other entries in the menu which will call for an update to my review. Hopefully a more, on topic offering. Im especially tempted toward the viking short ribs that I contemplated over briefly. Its only offered fri-sat. You could never go wrong with limited time items.
(5)
Jacob L.
By far the best BBQ I've had for the longest time. The ribs were sooo good and the sauces they had were yummy. It is nicely decorated and the live music is fun to have around. I will be coming in here again with some friends to show them how great this place really is!
(5)
Derrick T.
13 hour day at work... I"m starving. Roommate calls, time to try a new place! Some BBQ sounds good, and I've had this on my list for about two weeks. Time to check it out! Packed to the brim on a Thursday night. The fact that it had just got reviewed on Check Please probably did quite the boost on business. Found a seat with 10 minutes, table for two, good band kickin it in the background with some southern music. We order up the Sampler Platter to give it all a try. Here's our thoughts: Half chicken: Tasty skin. Definitely smoked well. The breast is ridiculously tender and juicy, which means the dark meat is even more so. Never had chicken breast that tender before at a BBQ joint. Ever. Pulled Pork: A little dry, but the flavor was plentiful. Served with an artisan-like roll. Dryness likely due to the lack of sauce, but good nonetheless! Brisket: Tender, juicy, a little bit of fat cut into each piece. This was some excellent brisket! Half slab ribs: Crunchy smoked exterior, with soft tender juicy interior meat. Smoked for 4+ hours according to the owner, and it shows. While the meat was not completely fall off the bone, you can taste the flavors from the applewood and the spice rub used in creating the crunchy exterior. Excellent. Links: Tasty, flavorful, simple. I'm not a links kinda guy, but these were good nonetheless. Corn Bread: Bits of corn, soft and flavorful. This is some excellent cornbread, ladies and gentlemen. Slaw: Average slaw to me. Flavor was right, texture was right, but nothing phenomenal about it. Rightly so, as slaw is a side IHMO. Baked Beans: Tasty, but definitely not the memory of the meal. Platter was priced at $30, and my roommate and I ate well. If you're a BBQ fan, I suggest you stop in for the ribs and brisket. But honestly, I think the platter is probably an excellent way to go. Verdict? I'll be going back. There was an intriguing dessert menu that neither of us were able to really take part in due to the size of the platter... but we'll be back... don't you worry.
(5)
Junior D.
Another disappointing BBQ experience, Whats with all the hype? I wanted to like Honky Tonk I really did.. I walked in to some live music with a violin player jamming some country tunes with a decent singer... Lets start off with the Pros. Nice decor, great Live music, Pulled Pork, Bacon Candy...your order actually comes out quick after waiting so long for the waitress to take your order. Cons. Slow service, tough rib tips, fatty and chewy brisket.. We waited too long just to pay and get out of this place because our waitress would disappear for a while. this is one of those places where I couldn't wait to visit and like Chuck's BBQ was really disappointing.. I am willing to come back just for the pulled pork but nothing fancy here in my opinion.. Lets hope Smoque doesn't disappoint me in my quest for most hyped BBQ on YELP thats actually good.....
(2)
Josh Y.
When my wife told me some friends of hers had showed her a new BBQ place AND it was just down the road from our house, I got pretty excited. OK i was ecstatic! Good BBQ? Only 4 blocks away? Beach body smeach body... I'm there! As you can see, I couldn't wait to try this place out, but alas all good feelings must come to an end. Location = Awesome. Food = Downright mediocre. I tried the St. Louis ribs, and the Brisket sandwich. Also the Fried Green Tomatoes. The ribs were pretty dry, and the sauce was just ok. The Brisket sandwich was decent (better than the ribs) but still lacked the chops to live up to all the hype I'd heard about this place. The Fried Green Tomatoes... well those were spot on and amazing... just like the movie... that i've never seen... ever... shut up. Listen, I don't want to get all high horsey about the "Best BBQ" places. I'm giving these guys three stars because i think they're decent, but I've been spoiled. All my uncles ribs (minus Uncle Gerald) blow this place out of the water. G&W in the south burbs, Fat Willy's & Smoque up north all go pretty hard, and I just expected much more than I got with Honky Tonk. Not gonna sweat it. Will definitely be back. It's right down the block, and the beer selection alone is worth the price of admission. Try the fried green tomatoes, and empanadas. Ok i'm done now. Try this place for yourself, you might love it.
(3)
Ry O.
My girlfriend insists that I have not experienced Pilsen until I've sucked the BBQ off of some BBQ and then demolished a pot pie, mac n cheese (yes, "n" is too a word), corn bread, and some cheese cake. I insist that she's gross and I will never suck BBQ off of BBQ, so I ordered some brisket and sucked the horseradish off that instead. I think she had me eat some other stuff too, but I was a little dizzy after devouring something that resembled my forearm. She's right though, this place is amazing, with live music, cheap beer, and people you haven't seen in forever randomly sitting at the end of the bar. ... On a related note, the Federal Government last week issued a report recommending that Americans consume less food (much to the chagrin of the food lobbyists), and I subsequently issued a middle finger recommending that they more frequently shovel the sidewalks on my route to Honky Tonk BBQ, buy me a bigger chair with some pockets on the side, and figure out how to put a subsidy on sides of white cheddar mac n cheese. (also, for the record, I don't think my girlfriend is gross... I've never seen someone eat a pot pie so delicately.)
(5)
FoodLover Z.
Good bbq by Chicago standards. They have live music on some of the days and trivia night on others. I've had better bbq even in Chicago, hence the rating of 3 stars.
(3)
KChicagoan S.
yuuuuuuuum this place is good - legit BBQ with a great atmosphere. This place is in an unassuming building on 18th street just west of Halsted. The thing that has me (and my husband) coming back again and again is the pulled pork - it is delicious. Everything they do at Honky Tonk is dry-rub BBQ so you put on your own sauce. Honestly, you don't really even need the sauce because the meat is soooo tender and juicy. I've also had the ribs and while they were very good, nothing beats the pulled pork in my book. The spicy mustard sauce, cibatta bread, a side of mac n' cheese and I'm in a food coma like no other. The prices are fair, the waitstaff is friendly and low-key and if you're lucky, someone will be playing the banjo and singing twangy bluegrass music (idk what nights of the week this happens). This is the best BBQ I've had in the city of Chicago - check it out!
(5)
Julian F.
Oh man oh man....this place was rad. I'll admit I was here under strange circumstances in that I'm a vegetarian and I was with two other vegetarians and we had all just stuffed our faces at Chicago Diner. I'm not going to explain why we ended up in this situation because you don't care--all I'll say is that we actually had options (fried green tomatoes, mushrooms, etc) and they tasted great. I was telling the booker/sound guy Daniel that in my past carnivore life, I would have laid waste to the Honky Tonk BBQ. Had I not been so full, I would have considered a rack of ribs last night as they're cooked the way I used to like them: less of a dripping off the bone style and more carefully spiced. Aside from the food, the Honky Tonk seems to have hung pretty much every ugly painting ever made on its walls. Additionally, they boast an eclectic collection of live music, strong drinks, and damnit, it just smells awesome in there. ***NOTE: THERE IS A SUPER COOL METAL CHICK IN THE KITCHEN!***
(5)
JP P.
Yeesh, so-called BBQ "experts" have to be one of the most irritating, fussy groups of people out there -- and then they get on Yelp. The worst food you've ever had in Chicago? Honky Tonk boils their meat? Seriously? Have you met pitmaster Willie? You can smell the smoke on him a mile down the street. While it's by no means perfect (the "Best BBQ Joint in Chicago" debate will be an eternal one) -- it's pretty darn decent. In my opinion, it IS some of the best BBQ'd pork you'll get in the city. It's unfortunate consistency seems to be a problem at HT, but I guess I've lucked out each time I've been there ... But hey, if the BBQ-loving fusspots of Chicago won't be returning, that's cool with me -- just means more room for me and my pals to enjoy a night of BBQ, beer and some excellent live music.
(4)
Angela S.
The candied bacon is the best bacon I've ever tasted. The mac and cheese is a bit too garlicky. The desserts are amazing!
(3)
Mike K.
I suddenly had a hankering for barbecue on a lazy summer Sunday afternoon and started perusing Yelp for the best option that was reasonably close. Smoque and Brand were the two places that came up that I really wanted to try, but due to proximity and hunger they lost out to Honky Tonk, which is only about a 10-minute drive from me. First, Honky Tonk is kind of in the hood. I find their location to be "interesting" and rather incongruous. Perhaps they threw darts at a map or maybe dropped a little barbecue sauce on a map to choose the location? Splat! Racine and 18th, it is! Anyway, after reading several of Tony K.'s reviews, I realize I know nothing about barbecue, so you'll have to take this review with a grain of salt. I ordered takeout, so I cannot comment as to the dine-in experience. They do have a bar and a small stage for music, but the interior of the place is gritty. I got a bit concerned about the food when I saw the interior. So I ordered two of the dinky dunks, with a side of mashed potatoes (duh) and a side of macaroni and cheese. I figured I'd get the dinky dunks to try both the brisket and the pork. Both were very smoky and tasty with the added barbecue sauce from the side. I did have to pick a bit of fat off of the brisket, but afterward it was tasty. As for the sides, I would advise against ordering these, as you only get a mini Chinese takeout container for $3.50 and they're just not very good. I was there at 4 p.m. on a Sunday, so maybe they just weren't very fresh at the time. Both were bland city. I would recommend going strictly with meat at Honky Tonk. Four stars. I'll likely be back sometime.
(4)
chris g.
I'm really starting to like the Pilsen neighborhood. Mexican food brought me here but now you have options. Pilsen has several options for libations as well. So now you can make a whole night out of your visit. Some suggestions are Simones & the one of the classic dive bars, Skylark. But this visit Was for BBQ at Honky Tonk. It draws a good crowd but luckily the joint is big. The servings of meat & sides are not the largest but they are good. Get a combo & try several meats.
(4)
Esther S.
MEAT. MEAT I got the personal platter (12.50) with beef brisket and mac & cheese. Some strips of meat were more tender and some were a bit dry. Smother it with some BBQ sauce and it's all good. I wish the beef came out smoking hot, but it was just warm enough. The mac & cheese side was delicious. The dinner roll was like the stale kind you buy at Jewel. I usually devour carbs, but I didn't finish the roll here. My bf got the personal platter delux (14.50) with the pork and mashed potatoes. The pork was tender and flavorful!! LOVED it. The mashed potatoes were standard. His platter came with a tasty hot link and forgettable corn bread muffin. QUICK TIP: You add your own BBQ sauce here. Also, Order the PORK!! Overall, I enjoyed my meal (my bf loved his), but just wished the food came out pipin' hot- the way I like my BBQ!
(3)
Zach T.
This is a Good one. I saw it on one of the food network shows, and finally made it there. It deserves as much press as Smoque gets... it's just as good. I went there with a large party for my sister's birthday. I ordered the sampler platter for $30 and it fed my wife and I and our 2 kids. Their brisket and pulled pork mini-sandwiches are awesome. I'd say their brisket is better than Smoque's; It's pure dynamite. Their ribs are great. The sauces on the table are excellent. The sampler platter also comes with a half a smoked chicken--WOW. The one thing I still drool over, though, is the banana pudding. I would never have thought to order it, but thanks to you guys on Yelp, I did. When I win the lottery, I'm going to have a bathroom like Francis in Pee Wee's Big Adventure. The tub will be filled with this banana pudding.
(5)
Ashley P.
We had our wedding reception here and the food was FANTASTIC and the owners were amazing to work with. BBQ so amazing that it converted one of our vegetarian friends.
(5)
Erin L.
There was a time when I think I ordered that dang Fungi Sandwich every day for a week! SO GOOD! And I think I could bathe in the mustard bbq sauce... Mmmm! The corn bread is also freakin' awesome. Wine's good too. I like the decor, the staff is friendly and, although I haven't experienced it yet, I appreciate that they have live music.
(4)
Kara T.
We have been going to Honkey Tonk for awhile now and have never been disappointed. The staff is great and friendly. Cheap Beer, Mid-Range Priced BBQ, Live Music (can be loud at times) and Easy Parking- you cant beat it! While the Rib Tips could have been left with more meat, we always go for the SAMPLER PLATTER- $30.00. Its plenty to share with two people and you get a tasting of everything. Make sure you get the Mustard Sauce--- the best! Sampler Platter- Boyfriend Salad- Mustard Sauce- Two Old Styles and its a great date night for around $50.00.
(4)
Rafael H.
I stumbled upon this BBQ joint with some friends. The food here is awesome. I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of homemade mac and cheese. The sandwich was delicious and the mac and cheese had real cheese (not from a box!). I tried the brisket sandwich but I preferred the pulled pork. Their BBQ sauces are great, ranging from tangy to sweet and spicy. Last time I went, their live music was great. They had a guy playing the violin, and another guy playing the guitar and singing. Good saloon tunes. Finally, try the bacon candy. It's bacon made into candy. That's the only way I can explain it. Trust me... it's good.
(4)
Ann S.
The chicken is amazing- the Viking Rib was not so great. I love the music and the staff, the food is a bit touch-n-go. I wanna 5 star this place...
(4)
Michelle L.
I had a wonderful time at Honky Tonk. My friends and I always pass by it but never actually went in, until today. It's a busy restaurant but we didn't wait long for seating. The staff was very friendly. The pork was very tender and the sauce was delicious. There was even a live folk band playing!! Over all I had a great experience!
(4)
Denise H.
If it were possible to rate this place zero stars I would. Unfortunately I had a $10 off coupon for Honky Tonk so a friend and I decided to venture to Pilsen for bbq......huge mistake. I'm not certain why so many people rate this place greater than one star other than they may be a fan of the live Honky Tonk music because the food is god awful. So we order the st. louie and baby back ribs in addition to the brisket and mac & cheese. The st. loiue ribs were not good or great but edible; however, I couldn't even stomach the bb ribs. The mac & cheese was lackluster but I expected this from a place named Honky Tonk. The worse offender though, was the brisket. Absolutely no flavor cooked into it, it was lukewarm and the rub was sprinkled on the top of the meat as opposed to being marinated prior too cooking.....just god awful. Just to make ourselves feel better and get that taste out of our mouths, we ended up going to smoque for "real" bbq.
(1)
Solomohn E.
To me, Smoque definitely has better bbq. However, HTB's atmosphere (or shall I say ambiance) is hard to beat. My husband and I visited this evening for our wedding anniversary and it was just what I needed...decent food, fun drinks, great live music, a cute environment, and a whole lot of personality.
(4)
KELLIE K.
Willie and Beth welcomed us into their home. Or at least that's what it felt like. I can't even find words to properly describe the pulled pork. AWESOME is all that comes out. Then again, my mouth may be full of pulled pork, and my brain full of beer and vinegar, so that's all I can muster. Treat yourself a bit and spilt up your pork among both tangy and sweet sauces put on the table. It'll give your mouth a joyride you won't soon forget. A large group of us were easily accommodated and they brought out a big bucket with ice for all the beer. That was a nice, homestyle touch that made it feel like we were in their backyard, just waiting for the goods to come off the grill. Add to that some live banjo-playing musicians, and it was a real hootenanny! I'll reserve a 5th star for my next visit and it's not a large group for a birthday party. Willie, keep that fire going and don't let me down!
(4)
J. F.
It's a solid Three Stars. The rub thing is OK. Tasty, but not exciting. I forget which sides we had. . .but I'd go back! I liked my server, the service, and the ambience. The food was GOOD. Just GOOD. But GOOD counts, too, right?
(3)
Moe f.
Great bar and fantastic music! Hit this joint up on Saturday night and only waited 20 minutes. They have lone star, Dixie, and tall boy PBR's cheap. The bacon candy was everything it sounds like. They were already out of brisket so got a huge slab of St. Louis ribs that were quite tasty. Pulled pork was OK. Baked beans rocked. And the old fashioned was fantabulous. I was wearing my western shirt and a guy from the first band thought I was playing in the next band(I was flattered). All in all, a great spot for food and some drinks.
(4)
A. J.
PAcked when I went. Live band, kind've kitchy. Excellent Spread. split the smaller sampler with my gf and left stuffed. Decent price.
(4)
Michael S.
From the street festival circuit, to bricks and mortar, Honky Tonk is still a pleaser. Then again, if it's smoked BBQ, I will admit that I have somewhat of an addiction. I have been wanting to write a review for this place for a long time, but because the last time I was there was literally when it opened (and Yelping was still a yet to be discovered pleasure), I held off until....now! Bottom line....while not super smokey, the back ribs were quite good, and if you are in the neighborhood, definitely worth investigating (if the previous 200+ positive reviews hadn't already told you that). The sauce they sent along on my take out seems like it has a good dose of liquid smoke in it as well (of which I'm a fan). Otherwise, they were the type of ribs that do NOT fall of the bone (bonus), and their pink and moist (ha) presentation, were the first signs of a cared for product. If I may pull one element from the initial visit, their pecan pie is reputed to be "one of the best." If I'm in the area, I'm happy to stop in again for a return visit, but, I will say that if I'm on the north side, Smoque is where I will seek out 5 stars.
(4)
Ale M.
So the husband and I decided to try a different restaurant in our new neighborhood and I'm glad we came here. It was a Sunday evening and as we were walking in there was a band setting up...which was such a treat to hear a live jazz band while having dinner! There is no host at the entrance so you can sit where ever you please. We sat at a table across from the bar because we wanted to hear the live music. Our waitress was super friendly, attentive and knowledgeable with the menu items. We had the St. Louis ribs because they were out of the baby back ribs, which were pretty good and fell off the bone! We had fried green tomatoes, mac and cheese which both were super yummy. My only complaint would be the mash potatoes, they were bland and tasted like they were made from a box of instant mash potatoes (not impressed.) Overall I was very pleased with the food and service and we will definitely be back. I'm not a drinker but my husband is and he was pleased with the cocktails as well!
(4)
julie q.
Went back last night and ate some good stuff. Pulled pork dunkys...sooooo soooo good. Beef brisket was a bit "beefy" and fatty for my liking. Mac n Chz was heavenly!!!!! I agree with a few other yelpers - when you pay $20 for a full slab of ribs, the least they could do is give you cornbread instead of a stupid dinner roll. Other than that...I love the food here and the atmosphere even more.
(4)
Joshua N.
Honky Tonk BBQ would be my favorite BBQ place in town if Smoque didn't exist. They one amazing hot link! I recommend going with a few friends so you can share the BBQ sampler platter. I love how it looks small and run down from the outside, but once you walk through the door you realize that it is a gigantic, nice looking restaurant. Well worth the trip south.
(4)
Amy T.
I stumbled upon this place looking for a bar for 16 de septiembre. its no cantina, but i loved it the second I walked in. The mood and lighting is gorgeous at night. There was live music from two hombres playing a mandolin and a harmonica. my pulled pork sandwich, mac n cheese, and lonestar beer were exactly what i needed! i just moved from texas, and i felt right at home, coulda fulled me i was back in austin. definitely going back again. and again. i only wish they had shiner bock on their beer list!!
(5)
Chris V.
I was nervous about this place because of all of the up and down reviews. Some people love it., some people hate it. Let's be real hear. This place definitely does not deserve 1 star. For those of you who rated this place with only 1 star, shame on you. The ambiance alone brings this place to at least 2 stars. Classic setting with great jazz music. Totally different than anything I have seen in Chicago. The food was good- nothing mind blowing, but good. The mac & cheese was delicious- and I am a M&C snob. The brisket was good (not dry at all like Christne K. said - in fact don't listen to anything she said). The sauces at this place were great... especially the spicy mustard sauce. A must try. I took 2 stars off of my rating because we had some major service problems. First off, our waters were not filled up the entire meal. I mean, not once. That's a huge problem when you are eating BBQ. It's the first rule in providing excellent service- fill up waiters! Secondly, they brought out our food, and the food runner admitted he dropped my pulled pork sandwich, so he said he would bring me another. It never came, so 30 minutes later I flagged down our waitress and let her know. She brought it out and took it off the bill... which was ok I guess. I haven't eaten the sandwich yet, but it looks good. We also ordered a couple beers, which took at least 25 minutes to get to our table. I would try this place again. Though the restaurant was not too busy, maybe I just caught the service on a bad day. All in all- 3 out of five, great ambiance, ok food, less than par service, with a hipster vibe.
(3)
Gamaliel E.
Please only read the bad reviews......I don't want everyone to know how great this place really is! I'd hate to have to wait in line to get into the place. I've been here a few times and can tell you that Willy does his BBQ right. I've had both the baby back ribs, and St.Louis style ribs. I'd have to say I preferred the baby back ribs. I love that the ribs aren't covered in BBQ sauce....you get to decide which sauce you prefer at the table. I like to switch between sauces since its so hard to decide which one is better. My friend ordered the brisket sandwich and loved it. His girlfriend ordered the chicken..which looked sexy. Yeah, i said it...the chicken looked sexy. The staff is nice...and the live music is awesome. Oh yeah...to top it off its BYOB. You can't beat that with a bat. The interior has personality to it...just like the neighborhood it resides in. This place will be on Check Please! in no time.
(5)
Carly G.
Finally tried out HT tonight. So happy I have a BBQ place near me. My favs are Fat Willy's and Smoque, but HT now has a place in my heart. We ordered the Sampler Platter so we could try a little bit of everything, as well as an order of Bacon Candy. I love Bacon, love it, and this was a twist on it that took me a little to warm up too. Its confusing only because I was unsure about whether it belonged as a desert or an appetizer, or not at all. I have to try it again when in the mood I guess. The Sampler Platter was great. Sausage juicy, corn bread fresh and hot with real corn in it, beans were tasty, chicken fresh, pulled pork smoky, ribs meaty. The only think I would pass on was the Brisket, it was a little fatty. I loved the coleslaw. I am not a coleslaw person, however this was great. I loved the fact they put parsley in it. Great touch. Overall Tasty food, very affordable and neat atmosphere. I will return.
(4)
Suzanne B.
So, the BBQ wasn't perfect but the whole night was just really nice. I went with a bunch of co-workers for happy hour. I tried all three of their bourbon cocktails on the specialty list & I was very happy with them- especially the Old Fashioned. The food was decent & reasonably priced. I had the fried green tomatoes which were very tasty, but the sauce with them was just ketchup with horseradish?? We also had the mac & cheese which was good but not anything special & not nearly as good as my own homemade mac & cheese. I also tried others' pulled pork sandwiches & brisket sandwich. They were both very tender & tasty, but needed some extra sauce --which is provided on the table. Our server was really nice, competent & the room was comfy & fun. Definitely another happy hour or two could happen here & I would be pleased.
(3)
Deepak N.
Friendly hip staff. Live music (which im not a fan of - not their fault). Mac n cheese chili was amazing. Bbq platter was avg. Spicy sausage = amazing. Chicken and other items = dry. I guess you would go here more for the drinks and music rather than the food.
(2)
P S.
My friend and I ventured down to Pilsen to test out one of the newest BBQ joints in the city with great anticipation. The space is beautiful. It feels and smells just like your favorite neighborhood bbq joint. Smokey, woody, old-timey. The kitchen is huge and open for viewing from the order counter. There are two rooms, a smaller one and a large one that hosts the live music they sometimes have. The prices are about right, $7 for brisket, for example. It's BYOB with a $1 surcharge per person, but they also have cans of Cokes and the like for order. The nearest liquor store is two blocks down, by the way. We ordered a smattering of goods. Brisket, mac & cheese, slaw, pulled pork sliders (two per order), a half rack of baby back ribs and garlic bread. First thing we dove into were the sliders, which were so tender but we noticed right away lacked smoke. In fact, all of the meat lacked smoke. No smoke ring, very little smoke flavor. The ribs were a little bit tough, but the rub was delicious - still though, not very smoky. The two sauces on the table were quite similar, though one was a little more zingy than the other. Both had the consistency of ketchup, so don't go looking for the vinegary, looser Carolina sauce because you won't find it. The garlic bread was awesome, but I could make it myself. Mac & cheese good, but nothing outstanding about it. The brisket was so tender and delicious, but again, no smoke. The sandwiches are served on untoasted Ciabatta bread which we found unfortunately overwhelmed the meat and didn't add to the flavor. They should at least toast the bread, if not swap it for a basic bun, we thought. Overall Honkey Tonk was good, but not great. If they could smoke their meats a little longer and allow the flavor to permeate I think the impact could be great - but for now, it's solidly average or slightly above average. I'll be returning to see how they change over time, but for now I don't think it's a personal destination.
(3)
Maggie R.
So I had heard many things about this restaurants, mostly from those who, I would say, are not BBQ enthusiasts/foodies which I consider myself to be. Here are the reasons why I rated so low. 1)They don't have parking, yes, I know it's Chicago but it's a hassel to get decent parking around there. 2)My boyfriend and I had never been to Honky Tonk so we did not know if we would be seated or if we could do so ourselves. We stood around the entrance looking around for a sign that said "sit yourselves" or someone to direct us for about a minute until we asked if we could sit wherever, which the waitress said we could. 3) As far as I know, there is only one restroom for the whole restaurant, correct me if I'm wrong but the one I went to was unisex. 4) We picked a booth ( I do like the seat arrangements) and waited another 5 mins. before we got our waiter. (It was not busy at all, there were 3 other parties of around 3-6 in the second room). We finally got our order in and did not wait long. 5) Reason for my super-low rating is because our waiter sucked!!! He came three times the whole hour and half that we were there. Once to greet/place our order, the other to bring food, and the last one to bring our check and that only happened because we flagged him down. My boyfriend asked for more water and I had asked for another lemonade when he brought our food and we never saw him until we flagged him down for our check. 6) The food was OK, nothing great, especially for a BBQ fanatic like myself. I expected so much more from this place and was very dissapointed. My boyfriend ordered the rib tips and was dissatisfied with how much fat they had, so much that he just stopped eating them and just ate the corn. I got a pulled pork sandwich and I've had better. 7) Sauces- they have 3 different sauces; Original, Tangy, and Garlic. I thought they would have a spicy or sweet sauce but nothing like that. Overall, super dissapointment. I def. will not be returning and I will stick to my other BBQ joints that I already love. If you want to try a really good BBBBQ rest., you should make the drive to downtown La Grange to Q-BBQ, their meat is always so tender, great atmosphere plus not to mention the downtown is spectacular.
(1)
Jackie B.
I do need to add that Honky Tonk is no longer BYOB (tear, tear)! I still love it though. Try their chili - I promise you will not be disappointed. I have Honky Tonk chili cravings.... There is a full bar now and they accept credit card which makes the full bar a little friendlier. This is a must-go for any of our out of town guests. Love having it in the neighborhood!
(5)
Kevin H.
Simply the best bbq I've ever had. Light on the sauce, which I prefer. The meat was outstanding. The sausage was mind-blowing. Pass on all sides. Update: after more experiences here, the consistency of the BBQ can vary
(4)
Jennifer C.
I am shocked by all of the positive reviews, this is by far the worst BBQ both my husband and I have ever had in our lives. When I first walked in and sat down I noticed my seat was dirty. The floor also had not been swept recently. The water tasted absolutely disgusting, I don't know how you can get tap water to taste that bad but it was not at all a good look. My husband and I got the sampler platter and the only edible thing on there really was the corn muffins. The meat was very fattening and flavorless, the sauces were mediocre, the beans were not seasoned and would have been better if they were from a can. We talked to the waitress about how unhappy we were with our meal and we did not have to pay for it so from a customer service standpoint it was ok, but we definitely will not be back.
(1)
April L.
I used to go here all the time, and I miss it. Need to go back soon. Their cornbread is wonderful as is their mac and cheese. Brisket is a little too tough for me, but the pulled pork on ciabatta is awesome. Their garlic aioli sauce (maybe a south carolina mustard sauce?) is off-the-hook. The banada pudding is incredible, and I don't even like banana pudding. I appreciate that the cornbread isn't as greasy as Smoke Daddy (whose food I essentially hate), but has as much moistness and flavor. Love the friendly staff, too! And I like that they let you add your own sauces instead of assuming they know which one you'll like.
(5)
Rebecca D.
Very good BBQ. Dry rub with sauce on the side. Atmosphere was hipster-urban country-latino/pilsen a refreshingly diverse mix. Live music was nice, but not too loud to talk to the people you came with. Street parking was easy, even on a Sat night. They don't take reservations unless your party is over 6 people, but we didn't have to wait.
(4)
Sarah P.
I finally went to Honky Tonk last weekend. The first thing that drew me to this place was the live music. There was a really fun country band that played. We ordered the sampler platter. Now, there were only two of this so it was kind of a ridiculous amount of food for two girls. The platter included sausage, chicken, brisket, pulled pork, corn bread, beans and coleslaw. Everything was delicious. We also ordered mac and cheese, which was really tasty. When I go back I will probably just get a meat dish and side of mac and cheese. My favorite bbq place is Smoque, but Honky Tonk is a nice change because of their full bar and live music. After we ate, we sat at the bar and had a drink and listened to the music for a while longer. Will definitely go back for the food and the live music!
(4)
Dexter L.
Great bbq. Excellent smoke and good sauces that all come on the side like they should. Dinners are fairly priced but some of the appetizers are too expensive. The candy bacon is a real trip. This is a great place to go before or after a Sox game.
(5)
Nicholas T.
While walking the dogs, I caught the smell of a neighbors BBQ and that's all it took to get my family to visit the Honky Tonk. This is another Chicago restaurant featured in DDD (Diner's, Drive-ins, and Dives) and it lives up to its reputation. The atmosphere was perfect for my tastes. Saloon style restaurant with live music and a huge bar. Tonight wasn't a drinking night but from what I saw, the beer selection is fairly large and they have Rogue Dead Guy on tap. The restaurant is covered wall to wall with paintings to create that old museum look. Very reminiscent of some of my favorite places to eat back in my hometown of Columbus, OH at the Short North. The food was fantastic. It's rare when every single thing you order is good. I had a half slab of St. Louis style ribs with a corn bread muffin. We also ordered fried green tomatoes and mac n cheese to share. The BBQ is done very well here with distinct smoke lines and a rub that makes the meat perfect to eat without the need for a sauce. Honky Tonk does provide a vinegar based sauce and a sweet sauce for you to use on your food. Both are excellent but the vinegar based sauce gets my nod. The fried green tomatoes are a little heavy on the breading side but its not enough to ruin the sourness of the green tomato. No complaints with the mac n cheese either. The dish has a very sharp cheddar taste to it. It's not the best I've ever had (Hoggy's in OH still wins that honor) but it's close. Service was good with a little bit of a long wait for the food but our patience was rewarded. I feel bad for the vegetarians who are missing out on this gem of a BBQ joint.
(4)
Joseph L.
Pulled pork sandwich. Corn bread muffins. Mac & cheese.
(5)
Kimberly K.
There is a lot of hype about this place and I think it lives up to it! We had the sampler platter, mac & cheese, fried green tomatoes, and banana pudding. All of our items were damn good. The pulled pork was moist and juicy, the chicken and ribs were both falling off the bone tender, and the sauces were great! The garlic mustard sauce was really good, but I think I preferred the bbq vinegar. I mixed them and that was quite tasty. The mac & cheese is some of the best I've had. The banana pudding was also quite good. Definitely save room. The decor is definitely kitschy, but really fun as well. GO THERE.
(5)
Patty S.
We went there on a Sat night at 7:30p (prime dinner time) and found a table right away. They also had live music which was a nice touch. The restaurant consists of 3 separate dining areas - each with it's own feel. We were brought water right away and the menus are on the table. My favorite part is that they actually serve drinks! They have this bourbon lemonade drink that was absolutely delicious. It wasn't overpowering, but definitely did it job! As we were walking towards our table, we saw this huge platter of food being placed next to a table next to us and my mouth started to water. Come to find out, it was the sampler platter which in my opinion is the best way to order. It's got a bit of everything on it - what's not to like? On this gigantic plate, it's got brisket, pulled pork, ribs, smoked chicken, links, and corn bread. There are also 3 sauces on the side for your choosing (my favorite dipping sauce was the mustard based one). I really enjoyed the lightness of the smoke flavor. There are some places where the smoke is just over-powering and I can't taste the meat at all. It's not that way at Honky Tonk. The brisket was tender, pull pork was flavorful, the links had a nice smokey and a bit spicy kick to it, and the chicken was not dry at all! I must say my least favorite was the ribs. Not sure what it was about it, but I thought it was off. I will most definitely be back. I think I may have found my new favorite bbq place in the city!
(4)
Lindsay R.
Love the food, love the giant portions, love the staff, love the decor. Location is a bit hard to get too if you don't drive but its worth the effort. I will have to say the Banana Pudding is BY FAR the best pudding/dessert I've every tasted. The sauces are amazing and I like being able to put my sauce on because I don't eat spicy stuff so I got to choose another option. I like this place so much I choose this as my Birthday dinner place....so....its that high on my scale.
(5)
Van P.
I had ribs at Honky Tonk BBQ (here) and at Robinson's in Lincoln Park ON THE SAME DAY BECAUSE I LOVE RIBS and I gotta say these ribs were superior. More specifically, they have two types of ribs (baby back and St. Louis) and I of course got both and both are excellent! The BBQ sauce selection that is on the table covers a broad range of flavors and the ribs come seasoned but not slathered in sauce, giving you the consumer complete control.
(5)
H L.
Service...excellent. Friendly waitstaff. Never had to wait too long for anything. Hot link was excellent. Pulled pork was good. Sliced brisket was very good. Spare rib was a little dry for my taste although my friend loved it. There were three sauces which complemented the food very well. I want to return to try their beef ribs that are offered only on fri and sat.
(4)
Ben A.
I'm a huge fan of this place. We are finding more and more excuses to go here as time goes by. Here's what I like about Honky Tonk: - Fantastic Pulled Pork Sandwich on a Ciabatta roll (They recently won an award in the Memphis BBQ cookoff for this item) - 3 tasty barbeque sauces at the table to flavor your food with - Great pork and beans and corn muffins - Some excellent beers on their beer list including (Stone's Arrogant Bastard and Porter, Two Brother's French Country Ale, Konig Pilsener, etc.) - Wonderful and friendly waitresses and waiters. Great service. - Cool art on the walls. The owner has a spare room full of paintings and they rotate them out every so often. They have live country music on some nights. I'm not particularly into that, but some people might be. The beer list, also while not particularly extensive, has some real winners on the list. I also can't stress enough how nice it is to get a bomber of Arrogant Bastard for $9. Go a few blocks down to Simone's and that same beer is $16!! If its your first time at Honky Tonk's and you're with someone else, I highly recommend trying the sampler platter. It's $30, and offers a half slab of ribs, a half smoked chicken, two "dinky dunkers": one pork and one brisket, a hot link , cole slaw, and two corn muffins. This is a good gambit of what they offer and will give you a chance to try everything and figure out what you like the best. I thought the ribs and chicken were decent, but liked the pulled pork the best. Also FYI, their BBQ is more of a memphis style dry rub, so if you like your BBQ well sauced, you'll have to do it to your preference at the table. All 3 sauces are pretty tasty! Whether to grab a beer and hang out or grab dinner with friends, this place is a winner.
(5)
Elaine A.
Great food and such a fun atmosphere! The bar is so beautiful, and the live music added to the experience. The pulled pork and beef brisket sandwiches are absolutely delicious. The meat is so tender, juicy and full of flavor! It practically melts in your mouth. The ciabatta bread is a nice compliment. The sides are also just as delicious. Definitely loved the mac n cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, and corn bread. Can't wait for my next BBQ fix!
(4)
Khadijah L.
Wow.. really not what I expected it to be. For many months I've heard nothing but raves for Honky Tonk BBQ, but I thought to myself, its BBQ! and I don't eat pork so the idea of BBQ is just 2nd choice for me personally. On my recent visit... 1. OH MY. what a beautiful interior!-- a food establishment rarely induces this reaction. It is very pretty inside. Not what I had expected from a BBQ place. 2. OH MY. The mashed potatoes are too awesome. For my main fare I ordered the beef brisket sandwich, as my BF recommends, and it smells really great (the dry rub spices). Now, I don't like the taste of beef so much, unless its soaked in a lot of juice and gravy. So this tastes very beefy to me and I would probably not get it again. I rather liked the BBQ chicken better. It has a great crispy outer skin and very moist inside. However, for the best roast chicken in the world, see this review: yelp.com/biz/rosa-de-lim… Save room for dessert because the peach cobbler is absolutely stellar!! I could just come here and eat 20 peach cobblers and forgo the BBQ altogether and die happy.
(4)
Nathan W.
Addmitedly, I've been wanting to come here since I first heard about it on Check, Please! but hadn't had the occasion to for the longest time. We showed up right before dinner was starting, I guess they close between lunch and dinner sessions. Anyways, there are two things that I love about this place, their BBQ sauces and the lovely rockabilly girl at the counter with the bob hairstyle, candy-apple red lips and great tattoos. I split a sampler platter with my friend and the standouts were the chicken which was perfectly tender and I also really liked the cornbread that was also cooked to perfection. Our ~12 or so ribs were on the tough side and hard to eat. The decor is unique and feels like you are transported to a piecemeal texas roadhouse if I do say so myself. I have to say, I think I'm buying an A La Card set next year after the great deal we got here.
(4)
Jen T.
A BBQ place that vegetarians can get into? totally awesome! I went to meet up with some friends who were in the area and who wanted pulled pork and rib tips or whatever. I was a little wary, but I'm so glad I gave it a chance! Between the delicious mac & cheese, cornbread muffins, and the annoyingly named but excellent "what your girlfriend wants" salad w/jicama, goat cheese, and blackberries, I was in hog heaven. They do have a vegetarian sandwich although it seems oddly fancy and un-BBQ, but I would love it if they ever felt like experimenting with a fake meat, old fashioned style BBQ sandwich -- they have (obviously) wonderful sauces!
(4)
Six B.
love the meat, hate all the bread! lots of old timey live music that is FUN!
(3)
Joe H.
I love BBQ and had heard that this was a must have in Chicago. I ventured over to Pilson for a birthday party and got some Honky Tonk. First off, as a Bar this place rocks! The bar tender was nice and there were two bands. Both of them were awesome, I will be back here drinking for sure. On to the food... I got some brisket and my GF got the pulled pork. I liked my brisket sandwich but my GF was not all that impressed with her pulled pork. The sauces were pretty good, and The mac & Cheese was ok. All in all I probably be more likely to come back to drink than to eat. But that being said I will definitely go back to try the "texas brisket chili with mac", my mouth is watering just typing that. I also intend on trying some ribs. I say give it a try if you like yourself some BBQ.
(4)
Devin B.
We were at the art institute so pretty much a straight shot out from roosevelt. Got the "Viking" and the sampler (see photos). Both were really good and actually bbq'd not boiled. So far I would say only smoque would be better or comparable out of the ribs I have tried here. If you go early it is actually a really good place to take kids their noise gets drowned out by the general din. Our waitress Mona was really sweet and helpful and checked in several times never leaving us wanting anything. Oh yeah the funky decorations and odd oil paintings really add to the atmosphere.
(5)
J.M S.
Fun atmosphere and tasty food if you're in the area.
(4)
Escape C.
Absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Honky Tonk BBQ!!! This place is low-key, yet still lively and fun with an interestingly eclectic atmosphere. Remember people this is BBQ, a place to go to get down and dirty in the meat....it's not trying to be a "fine dining" establishment. One should know going in this is Memphis style bbq, aka cooked and served dry with sauce on the side. So if you like your meats cooked while drenched in sauce, this ain't your place. If you loved perfectly smoked meats that are so flavorful they don't even need the sauce, then Honky Tonk delivers! The pulled pork is award winning, smokey melt in your mouth, pure deliciousness. One of the best pulled porks I have had. The whole chicken is moist and tender, and just falls off the bones. I love their spicy sauce as well, especially with the chicken. This place is the real deal. If you want good bbq, look no further!!
(5)
Alex E.
Do not order the baby back ribs or chili. The ribs were too dry and the chili was just plain awful. However, I would go back there for drinks and appetizers. The fried green tomatoes are delicious! They had a dj on friday night playing reggae music. Nice chill place overall though - nice atmosphere.
(3)
Edgar D.
Stopped by here a few days ago and enjoyed a nice dinner. Even though Chuck's on 79th seems to get more fanfare, I have to admit that culinarily this place is much better. I would give them another star but the host was less than attentive when we arrived. As we walked in and asked for a table he cut us off to attended to someone else that showed up after we arrived. The dinner made up for it as I had the fried green tomato sliders which were tasty. My wife ordered small sides to mix it up. When we came here before we had their version of a sampler and it was more like a last supper. As much as we tried, between my wife and I we couldn't finish it. Some of the best 'Cue on the south side and like Schwarzenegger said "I'll be back."
(3)
Katie H.
1) It's not BYOB anymore - they now have a full bar and 2) cash only Okay, now that's out of the way - hot damn that was good. Two "dinky dunkers" of pulled pork plus a shared side of mac n cheese was enough to fill me to bursting and the BBQ sauce was so good I seriously could have drunk it right from the bottle. Expect a wait (we waited about 20 minutes at 9pm on a Saturday) and expect some amazing BBQ.
(5)
David R.
Wow, somehow this place lived up to my high expectations. That's rare. It wasn't quite perfect, but I'm rounding them up to five stars based on some intangibles such as the company and the experience: I simply had a hell of a great time. BYO doesn't usually entice me because I tend not to drink with dinner, but barbecue is the perfect cuisine to accompany with beer, and since I was having a small gathering, two six-packs suited us just fine. They brought an ice container for us to chill the stuff. How cool is that! I also liked the tag-team servicing; it helped contribute to the casual but welcoming vibe that was perfect for the occasion. I love the interior, although hard to describe. It's a little arty but very fun. Of course we mostly came for the food, which was excellent. On the first bite of my brisket sandwich, I called out to deities in which I don't even believe; by the third bite, I was weeping and speaking in tongues. Honestly, I didn't know whether to devour this sandwich or make love to it. Best brisket on earth. No sauce needed, but try it with the garlic/mustard for a bite or two. The brisket was the highlight, and the sandwich is plenty big for a full meal, but there was plenty o' gluttonizing left to do: Baby back ribs: Not quite as tender and fall-off-the-bone as I like, but solid (B) Pulled pork: They should call this "semi-pulled pork" because it is still in big chunks mostly. It works--I like the extra heft, and the meat is very, very good (A-) Beef chili: A bowl of savory fucking amazingness (A) Macaroni and cheese: A little boring; oddly, a light-contrasting option to all the meats, since they don't smother it in cheese as most places do (B) Cole slaw: Good to have something cool and light-ish, but this could use more zing (B) Corn muffin: Fluffy! (B+) Garlic/mustard sauce: Excellent, and went PERFECTLY on the brisket (A) Tangy bbq sauce: Very, very good, perhaps a bit more vinegary and less smoky than I like; went very well with the pork items (A-) Sweet bbq sauce: The weak link of the sauce trio (C) Banana pudding: I don't even have the words. I thought that I was full and could only eat a bite or two of dessert. Wrong! Nearly licked the bowl. (A) Hell, I even loved the plain roll that came with my rib dinner (different from the ciabatta on which the sandwiches are served). Hmm, anything else to say? Probably not. Awesome grub; fun, friendly place...a compelling, independent reason to trek down to Pilsen.
(5)
Isabel G.
This is where I go after a long hard day and I want to treat myself to some brisket sandwiches. I get the Dinky Dunkers, both brisket. So heavenly good and afterwards top the meal off with banana pudding. You MUST try the banana pudding. I'm not much for pudding but this is pure heaven. Atmosphere is really charming, staff are friendly and attentive, and the place is just great. Sometimes it's crowded though I've never had to wait for a seat. They added more space which is just as great at the first room. Great BBQ, abundant art on the walls (my favorite piece is the Frida mural), friendly staff. Love it.
(5)
DeaconMSA W.
I tried the St. Louis style ribs and the BBQ chicken. Both were very good. We also had some macaroni & cheese. At the end of our meal, a staff member (maybe the owner) came by and suggested we try the banana pudding for dessert. He offered to pay for it if we didn't like it. Needless to say it was as good as promised. Service was great as well. FYI, this is BYOB
(4)
Dusty K.
Believe it or not, Honky Tonk was my first BBQ experience. **A small mob forms in the distance and a grizzly man approaches** Grizzly Man: "Are you telling me you never had Southern BBQ?" Me: "Yes, this was my first BBQ experience" Grizzly Man: "Son, you couldn't spot a great BBQ place if it fell out of the sky, landed on your nose, and did a little boogie!" **The crowd cheers it's approval** Ok, before you get on my case about...well about "that"...I want to say 2 quick things. First, I fully anticipate visiting places like Memphis, Kansas City, North Carolina, and the like over my lifetime to experience great BBQ. And second, I still know the difference between great food and bland food since my mouth is a fully functioning mouth quite capable of all it's mouthy duties. I loved Honky Tonk. The waitress we had was very upbeat and I felt she enjoyed working there. That's something you don't get very often these days. I also loved the 2 piece folk/blues music group that started playing at 7 PM the night we went. It definitely added that extra something to complete our experience. I ordered the half slab of the St. Louis cut ribs and split the brisket sandwich with my brother. The ribs were good but the brisket was delicious - an amazing smoky flavor. Also, I believe the owner won 3rd place at Memphis in May for his pulled pork. Next time I will be ordering that along with the beef ribs. The mac and cheese was okay but everyone seemed to really enjoy the banana pudding dessert. Give Honky Tonk a try. Even if you haven't been down South this place will provide a taste of something special a little North of BBQ country. Last note - cash only and BYOB!
(4)
Happy Mama M.
This place is GREAT!!!! I am getting a little worried that Im getting addicted. I love the salad!! Its a fun atmosphere and great food. What else could you ask for? Oh, they have a bar too!
(5)
Cara N.
I'm glad we waited until the post-Check Please frenzy blew over. This is definitely a ma and pa establishment. Pa even made a visit to our table to ask us how our meal was. We ordered the fried green tomatoes which were delicious. My hubby ordered the ribs and even though I haven't eaten pork in years, they were especially tempting! I had the beef brisket and loved it. Sometimes the beef options at BBQ joints are iffy, but Honky Tonk's brisket was outstanding. I haven't been there on a weekend yet, but I hear it gets pretty crowded. I'd like to check out the live music sometime and fill my belly with their awesome bbq!
(5)
Michelle N.
Dry, smoky ribs. Yes, that's the style, but I prefer a moister meat. Good sauce options. Yummy, but overpriced empenadas--$10 for three pieces. Terrific bar, ambiance--a real honky tonk joint. Fun beer with candied bacon. Indifferent service.
(2)
Jon P.
I've been on a BBQ roll lately, though not deliberately. After a long BBQ drought, suddenly I've been finding myself at a ton of BBQ places lately, which is fine by me. Before going here, I had never heard of it and had no expectations at all. That all changed once I pulled up to the building--its brick facade is gaudily painted black with red and yellow signage all over it. Interesting... I'm listening... Things were even more interesting inside. Its broken up into 3 sections: a small entrance/takeout area, a dining room and a bar. All serve their purpose. Since we were dining-in, we were seated in the dining room. What a weird room. With a mishmash of different chairs, tables, benches, doors, paintings and pictures everywhere, to say the room has an eclectic feel is a huge understatement. Ultimately, I don't know if I liked it, but hey, at least I'm talking about it? On to the food experience. The waitress was quick and attentive. Since I've been on a ribs kick and have had good luck with them lately, I decided to give them a go (half slab) with some mashed potatoes and a beer. Both of my friends ordered pulled pork sandwiches. After ordering, we must have gotten our food within 5 minutes. Fast is great, but sometimes food can come too fast. That's how I felt this time. That coupled with the fact that ribs can be eaten really quickly, I felt like I was done with my meal before I started. Overall though, I enjoyed my ribs. I don't say that often, so that alone says something about this place. I didn't come away loving it though. Everything came and went too fast. I really need to go again to get a better feel for everything.
(3)
Melody L.
This place has great ambiance! A group of us went there on a Friday night. It's a great place for groups. They don't take reservations for groups under 6 or 8 (I don't remember) but if you show up a bit early, you shouldn't have a problem getting a seat. The food is good. I got the ribs, which were great. If you like your ribs to be fall off the bone, this is not the place for you. I like sauce, so it's great they have three sauces on the table. The sides are good, but the yams were a bit too sweet for me. My son loved the mac & cheese and garlic mash. I tasted the pulled pork, which I thought looked like brisket, but it was tasty. The peach cobbler was fantastic. Service was friendly. As the night went on, our server didn't rush us out. We had a nice leisurely dinner. It was enjoyed by all. Parking is not that easy, went around the block a couple of times. I hope to be back soon, but would like to try other BBQ places to compare!
(4)
Shauna B.
Look, I'm just gonna say this: you can be too upscale for your own good. I mean, WHO really wants their pulled pork served on ciabatta? Gimme a cheap white hamburger bun any day of the week and keep your hard fancy-pants fight'cha-back bread to yourself. And I can't help adding this: when I pay $5 for fried green tomatoes and get a whole 4 slices in my order, it awakens all the math skills I thought I had forgotten after fifth grade. How much did you have to pay for that tomato that just one slice of it should cost me $1.25? You were robbed. I think I was, too.
(2)
Colleen R.
Honky Tonk may not be the best BBQ in the city (ahem, Smoque), but its atmosphere is so welcoming and lively that I think it truly deserves 5 stars for the experience. Don't get me wrong -- the food is delicious. We sampled a variety of tasty goodies, from pork and brisket sliders to St. Louis-style ribs to the root beer float. The BBQ was juicy, tender and subtly smoky. No complaints there. Even when we didn't have food in front of us, though, Honky Tonk was a fun place to hang out. We chilled at the bar before our meal and listened to the live music playing while wetting our whistles, and once we were seated, the tunes wafting through the door to the large dining room kept the mood going. And our server was darling. While this place might not be a great place for quiet conversation, it's sure to perk you up for a night out on the town. On top of everything else -- they take A La Cards, and with the discount it's really a steal.
(5)
ZZ K.
We went here after seeing them on Check Please and we weren't the only ones! We went on Sat (they don't open until 4pm). We got there early so we waited outside for about 20 minutes and were the first ones to place our to-go order (we opted to eat at home). Since this was our first time there we opted for the sampler (which has chicken, pulled pork, ribs, hot links (sausage) and beef brisket, plus corn muffin, slaw and beans. We also got an extra order of the brisket and pork on the ciabatta rolls (Dinky Dunkers). We waited inside while they put our order together and even walked around the restaurant - including the soon to be bar area. The place is certainly eclectic (including the umm...interesting bathroom). The staff was very friendly and we had cups of water while we waited - the bus boy there was super nice. They have music there in the evenings (probably only on the weekend), but we didn't stick around - I'm sure its great. My BF couldn't even wait until we got home and started rummaging through the bags right when we got in the car! We had a few bites and tore into the bags when we got home. The ribs, pork and brisket were great (in that order). The sauce that came with (the sweeter one) was really good, as was the coleslaw and corn muffin. We also had mashed potatoes and they were nice and creamy. The beans were by far the worst thing we got. The chicken was tasty and moist, and the hot links sausage was also pretty good but a bit on the spicy side. My BF has been craving some more of this deliciousness and I'm sure we'll be back soon. This place was very good and I would rank it up there with Smoke. Give em a try y'all! lol
(5)
Alf O.
This place is amazing!!! The owners are such nice people, and Willie is a certified bbq champion. The food here is unbelievable, the decor is beautiful, and throw in some live music to make this place a very memorable experience. One of Chicago's treasures.
(5)
Elizabeth T.
I find myself again wishing I could go with half-stars on here. I'd give Honky Tonk a solid 3.5 if I could. The sauces are quite possibly the best i have had in the city. So, so good. The meat from the ribs pulled right off the bone, which was awesome. The mac and cheese is yummy, location is great and decor wonderful. I do wish they offered beverages other than soda and water, but it IS BYOB, so I guess that's a mild complaint. Service is so-so and the chicken, while "okay" by my finace's standards, was a tad on the dry side. Overall, though--good stuff. Give em a try! Waaaay better than some other so-called BBQ joints in this town!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Music : Live Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Raquel D.
Holy smokey BBQ! This place is insanely good...and dangerous. Living so close, I am really mad at myself for not coming sooner - esp when it was BYOB. Shame on me. Hubby and I demolished the sampler platter - half slab of ribs, half roasted chicken, one pulled pork dinky dunk and one brisket one, beans, slaw and garlic mashed potatoes - oh and two huge suasage links. Add three beers and a peach cobbler to the mix and we're officially oinkers. YOWZA! Everything was soooo good, but my fav has to be the pulled pork, sausage (which is unusal, but these links are PACKED with flavor) and garlic potatoes. And the peach cobbler is heavenly. This meal literally TKO us out - we went into food coma instantly once we got home and I floated into a dreamland filled with happy ppl with pork bellies to match mine, eating peach cobbler. True story. My next meal here will only include my top three - living this close is def no bueno for my waistline...
(4)K T Y.
Agree with jami s's review..this place smells like urine. Maybe there was a plumbing problem that day. Just surprised that no one else mentioned the bathroom smell.. On to the food, it was decent. That's it..just decent. St. Louis ribs and brisket just tasted like cooked meat i.e. not much flavor. mac n cheese was very good. Service was very nice.
(3)Vannee G.
There brisket sandwich very good but their was no smoke. Their BLT is very very tasty.
(3)Tamikca R.
Went here last night with my hubby for our 15th anniversary. Food was amazing, music grown and sexy a lil loud but that's ok my hubby and I are a "Lil loud" So we totally fit in. The bacon candy beer combo was awesome!!! I will go back again..
(5)Tami S.
Took a friend here last Saturday around 10:40pm after I told her about Honky Tonk. I wanted to try the fried green tomatoes and grab a drink. We sat their about 5 mins before being acknowledged only to be told there was NO FOOD... they ran out. Really? All your food is gone? The snide waitress didn't even bother to ask what we were ordering or if we wanted drinks. Apparently there is a dance party that takes place at around 11:30 and they wanted to prepare for it. Me nor my friend seemed to be the type that would be welcomed (although I actually like honky tonk). Last year when I came I had a pleasant experience and the food was good. I WILL NOT COME BACK. Good service goes a long way. While their BBQ is good it isn't the best. The statement we have no food seemed ridiculous. I
(1)Jennifer R.
Ran out of mashed potatoes on a Saturday night, unacceptable.
(1)Jennifer I.
After eating at Honky Tonk BBQ, I have to wonder if Trace Adkins used this place as inspiration for his hit song, Honky Tonk Badonkadonk. There is some good food to be had here, kids...I'm pretty sure my dining companion and I left some behind. We enjoyed ribs (St. Louis and baby back), chicken, mac and cheese, and peach cobbler. The meat is served dry....you add your own sauce, which is on the table (3 varieties). We were happy with everything....especially the peach cobbler. If you like peach cobbler, you have to come here, even if it's just for that. After stuffing my face like I had not eaten in a week, I rolled on home, knowing every calorie and fat gram was worth it. As a bonus, my butt is now a little more comfortable to sit on. Imagine that! Shut my mouth, slap your grandma There outta be a law Get the Sheriff on the phone Lord have mercy, how's she even get them britches on That Honky Tonk Badonkadonk
(4)Jill J.
Currently my FAVE place in the city. *Gluten free friendly *Yummy sauces on the table *Candied bacon appetizers (MMMMMM) *Paper Straws *Cool art on the walls *Great music *Live bands at night *Booze soaked cherries in the drinks *Really, really good drinks *Real corn bread I'm too full right now to write out paragraphs. But really, you should go. It's not fancy, the service isn't 5 stars but the total experience is. It gets busy and when it's busy the service is slow. I've been lucky and gotten in and out right before busy times in the past. I'm a fan.
(5)Joanne N.
This place was great. I am never in the Pilsen area and was a little hesitant to head in, but I was so pleased once we were there! My boyfriend and I went in to pick up some BBQ after a trip to Target in the south loop. The woman who took our carry-out order was so nice and even brought our food out to us while we waited at the bar. My boyfriend never tips on carry-out orders (a thing of his), but he tipped her! At the bar, I ordered a water while we waited and he had a coke, and the sweet bartender didn't even charge us. When we got home, the food was absolutely fantastic!! The candied bacon was the best thing I have had in a long time. And, the ribs were delicious and tender. I had the pulled pork and was definitely satisfied, although it was huge. We also split a corn muffin, yum!! Overall, this place has excellent service as far as I can tell as well as some kick-ass BBQ. Go go go!!!
(5)Ray W.
Simply great barbecue. Service was lacking but that tells you how great the food was for me to give it such a high review
(4)Paula P.
I just got home from eating there with a friend. The whole way home we talked about how the peach cobbler tasted like ass. It smelled horrible too. We first got the bacon candy, and it was phenomenal so we got excited for the rest of the food. Next we got the sampler, and the only thing that tasted O.K. was the corn muffins...and I guess the brisket. All the meat was generally dry, and their house-made sauces were good but nothing special. If you know whats good for you...do not get the peach cobbler. Our waitress was really cool, and fast. I also ordered a gin and tonic and it was decent. Again...the peach cobbler is going to haunt me forever.
(2)Robert Y.
Our first time experience here was a huge disappointment! Honky Tonk's big shtick is bbq that is slow smoked up to 15 hours with a special dry rub and served dry (sauce on the side only) and it was what enticed us to go there. My wife and I usually prefer the "pure" smoke & rub taste of a sauce-less smoked piece of meat because good bbq should stand on it's own...no sauce needed to taste truly good. We split an order of St. Louis and short ribs between us and what a disappointment! The meats were tasteless, smokeless, lukewarm and very dry. The three different style sauces on the table were okay but had no real zing or bite...a commercial bottled sauce would have been better. At one point I asked one of the wait staff if they had anything with a little heat in it and the only thing they could offer was a bottle of Tabasco, which he forgot to bring. The coleslaw tasted neither sweet or vinegary; it was, like the meat, bland. Don't expect to find traditional bbq side staples like French fries or green beans here, because they don't have it. On the bright side, the mac and cheese and deserts were good. We were disappointed with the drinks as well. My wife's wine was okay, but my scotch and my friend's vodka was tiny (probably exactly measured 1.5 shots) and warm; they were poured in tiny glasses with barely enough room for a couple of ice cubes. My friend's wife ordered a Martini and it was served in one of the smallest Martini glasses that we've every seen. Ah the music. We could not tell of the band was good or not because of the rooms terrible acoustics; it very difficult to distinguish between the vocals and music from the band or conversation of your dining companions. The room's mixture of reflective hard floors, hard wall surfaces and a metal ceiling makes you feel that you are in a loud muddled sounding boom box. Sorry, I cannot recommend this place, especially if you are a true bbq aficionado for you will be very disappointed!
(2)Jason W.
I am a big BBQ fan. I think this place is better than Smoque, Smoke Daddy's, Lilly's Q, etc. This place rocks. I will get into the ambiance first. This place is a throw back Western dining hall/saloon. It is soo cool! The walls are filled with old cowboy/western/southern paintings and knickknacks. They have wooden tables with straight back wooden chairs. The setting is complete with the piano and old man crooning away. (He has a really high voice and sings like a woman, but you get used to it after a song or two.) Now the Meat!! The serve candy bacon. I hadn't ever heard of candy bacon before, but I now know that when i die, I want to meet my maker with a handful of candy bacon. That might help him overlook my multitude of indiscretions. Anyway. Candy bacon is thick cut bacon cooked in molasses. It could not taste better. The rib tips were great, a giant portion for $9.00 The smoked chicken was wonderful, as was the pulled pork. The brisket was a little dry but still pretty tasty. Anyway, if you want to go to feel like you went back in time to an old west town, and you have a hankerin' for some tasty meats, this is the place! Cheap cold beer too!
(5)E W.
great service, cool atmosphere & good crowd. Not the best BBQ in the city but worth a try!
(3)Laura E.
I never know what to except of places where all the servers seem required to have tattoos/piercings, but this place is pretty good if you like meat (and I do). The meat and their sauces have awesome flavor. The pork platter is awesome. I really like the garlic mustard sauce or whatever it is. Definitely a foodgasm experience -- I should really come here sometime when I have hardcore pms. Whatever you do though, do not order the house wine -- it's awful and tastes like vinegar. Probably definitely more of a beer place, though I unfortunately can't drink beer. Drinks seem really pricey. As far as sides, I've tried the portabello mushroom side and the southern style (collard) greens. Portabello mushrooms were way too oily, though I should mention I"m not really a mushroom fan (though I try occasionally). The southern style greens are good though and I'm not a huge collard green fan. I must just not cook them in enough grease or something. I also tried their one signature dessert to try the bacon candy. I was okay, but not really mind blowing. I think bacon is awesome, but I think the weird cultural obsession with it has gone way too far sometimes.
(4)Sammy T.
This place is lovely. It combines bbq, hipsters, art and alcohol, what's not to love? Plans were made to do bar trivia with friends when I came into town. When I arrived I was told we were going for BBQ. BBQ in Chicago? In March? Huh? We arrive and the space in the front part was full. Alot of people turn out for the trivia which is pretty cool. The back room was not even occupied and they broadcast the questions over the speak system so we didn't miss a thing, but judging peoples facial hair and sartorial choices. I had the 2 lil sandwiches I think they are called squealers or dippers (shrug). They were tasty one was beef and one was pork and you could tell it was real bbq and not some faux smoked jive. The sauces they offer aren't your typical bbq sauce and I liked the tangy one especially. I even put it on my garlic mashed potatoes. My drink of choice was the charlie temple which was ketel one vodka, sprite and homemade spiced cherry syrup. YUM-O!!! I had several and soon was unable to read the trivia question sheet. Oops. I will be back of course since it was fun, and especially because my team won.
(4)Julie A.
Great place! And they're getting the liquor license in two weeks! My husband and I had a great time - the band was amazing, and a perfect accompaniment to our luscious pork, beef, mac + cheese, cornbread muffins, fried green tomatoes and banana pudding. Wow. We ate a lot. And enjoyed every bite.
(5)Pascal M.
I stared at the stars for 10 minutes before I gave 2. I don't know how to explain it. I never thought I could review a bbq establishment under 3. My friend and I biked to this place, had a beer outside while we waited for them to open. With a decent buzz going, I was eager to try this place. I had seen them on Check Please and had heard some good tips about the place from fellow food enthusiasts. Plus, the owner/chef won 3rd place at Memphis in May for his pulled pork. That's pretty damn impressive in the bbq world. All that blew my mind was the mac and cheese (had to order an extra serving) and the ribs. I still believe we caught them at a bad time and perhaps they gave us left overs from the night before. The brisket and pulled pork were dryer than the Sahara. I'm going to give it another go in the near future to hopefully change my review.
(2)Ted C.
I went for dinner last night w/ a few work associates, because HTBBQ got good reviews. Our Italian friend had never had BBQ, so we had to show him what it was all about. I'll have to agree w/ a few other Yelpers, and say that this place was just OK. The service was very good, but the food was middle of the road. I always use ribs as a comparison, for good BBQ. HTBBQ's ribs were just average. I typically like my ribs a little more tender, and seasoned better. HTBBQ's were overly smoked, and you had to really rely on the sauces to add depth to the ribs. The Candy Bacon was interesting, and pretty good. They taste like taking cold bacon beef jerky, and dipping it in very sweet maple syrup. We finished the meal w/ the Salty Pig....disgusting. Vanilla ice cream, chunks of bacon, walnuts, and hot fudge. The chunks of bacon completely overpowered the dish, and had WAY too much salt. Definitely a pass on this dish.. Overall, I would probably return, and try something different.
(3)Bettina S.
This place is fantastic. My friends and I have a little BYOB club, and we decided to try this place just in time; before they get a bar next week :) The food was good, and filling as BBQ should be. The tangy sauce was my favorite, and I was given a little bit to take home with my doggy bag. I love the ambiance. The walls are covered in colorful interesting paintings, but then the tables and chairs are simple wood, giving it a very country feel. The banjo player helped that as well. I'll definitely go back even after it is no longer BYOB.
(5)Daniel M.
Calling this a dive bar is extremely misleading. It's a huge restaurant and I regularly see families with kids there. The barbecue is good, the portions are large, and they have great live music. The whiskey selection is extensive but a bit overpriced. I have fairly exacting standards for barbecue which is the main reason they didn't get the fifth star from me.
(4)Jennifer E.
Two words: Bacon Candy. That is all.
(5)Karen N.
Their take out option is truly great! We called ahead to order, then went to pick it up 30 minutes later. Shesam! It became a big BBQ party at home! Be sure to get lots of sauce. The mac and cheese(not mushy anymore) and hot links(more heat) have gotten better too. Way to go!
(3)Daniela R.
I'm not impressed. I definitely had better. Food arrived at our table cold, very cold. Brisket was so fatty and chewy couldn't eat. I liked the Mac and Cheese, really good.
(2)Grant W.
First heard of this place from Food Network's DDD a couple of years ago, and I must say I think this place is very underrated. First and foremost, their pulled pork sandwich is the best in Chicago, hands down. They know what they are doing with their dry rub and "q" / smoking techniques. Brisket is solid, but ribs were just so-so. Sides are really good and fresh.
(4)Scott M.
I'm a HUGE fan of Honky Tonk. If it were possible to give 4.5 stars, I would. The atmosphere is awesome. There is a ton of artwork and trinkets all around to keep your eyes busy for multiple visits. At first, I wasn't sure what to call the decor but it's grown on me and I really think it's perfect for the neighborhood. The tables are older and all different. I think it gives it a "at home" kind of feel. The service has always been great. I recall a few times where I would have liked to have seen a check-in or a check more quickly, but things happen and it definitely was not an extreme amount of time. They are always smiling and very friendly, I'll take that kind of service any day! The food, oh, the food! DELICIOUS BBQ. The best I've had in Chicago. I've tried the bacon candy was addicting! The pulled pork, which I normally don't eat was so tender and full of flavor. I'm a ribs guy. I've tried the baby back and St. Louis style and prefer the baby back although they were both really good. They come with a dry rub and I had to keep reminding myself to use the sauces, because the ribs are awesome without the sauce. They do have 3 sauces available. I haven't tried the mustard based one, but the other 2 are great! They don't have a HUGE beer list, but they do offer something for everyone from PBR and Old Style to Belhaven Scottish Ale (one of my favorites and not commonly found in restaurants. They also have a lot of live music and trivia, so be sure to sign up for the email list. They don't annoy you with SPAM and it's nice to see what's going on. All this being said, I would take off a half star because the bathrooms could use some updating and I wish they had longer hours! If you haven't already, CHECK THIS PLACE OUT!
(4)Colleen C.
My magical BBQ food baby was conceived at Honky Tonk BBQ. He's got a preference for old-school country, lip smackin' good food, and cute blonde waitresses. He was happy last night. I'm callin' HTBBQ: the "barbecure." For anything that ails you... HOLY MOTHER OF BARBECUE: A full slab of ribs. Dismantled effectively. Pulled pork sandwich...great sauces at the table, bustin' with pork! Sides: greens (soaked in pork juice!), mac 'n cheese, candied yams, and one delicious, moist, sinful corn muffin. Dessert: ZOMG. Banana bread pudding, sweet potato pie & peach cobbler. Unlike Simone's (down the street), Honky Tonk BBQ fills a niche...a need, without proving garish, or stepping on anyone's toes. It's authentic, the owners are genuine, the service is sweet, the food fantastic, the setting original, and the concept: traditional. It works well into the Pilsen-fold, without disturbing the delicate mix of cultures, histories and values. Because, let's face it...ANYONE can value good damn BBQ in a non-stuffy setting. A few things to note: 1. Cash ONLY. 2. BYOB. 3. They do not have straws. But, they do have great Diet Coke. I'll live. 4. They do not have take-out containers. So eat up! 5. Closed on Mondays. 6. They do not take reservations. 7. They are SUPER busy on the weekends. I will certainly have Peach Cobbler finding me in my dreams, I am sure. I am planning a future return with my father and brothers in tow, because this is a "sure-as-shit" pleaser for any man in your life that LOVES to eat, LOVES meat, and LOVES to eat with their hands. Ain't no frou-frou food up in here...you can bet on it! Endearing. It's a new favorite.
(5)Sam C.
Had just about everything on the menu and it was all that the then some. I will be going back soon! Try the Bacon Candy, Fried green Tomatos, Mac & Cheese and any of the soild smoked BBQ items.
(4)Will V.
Some of the previous Honky Tonk reviewers seem to be a little bit confused about different styles of BBQ. Honky Tonk seems to me to be a Texas-style BBQ, which implies smoking with none or minimal seasoning, served dry at the table. I ordered the St. Louis ribs, a "cup" of Texas-style brisket chili, and my dinner date ordered the pulled pork sandwich. The St. Louis ribs were a lean, not quite fall off the bone tender (but certainly not tough), and had a good smoky flavor. They were everything St. Louis ribs are supposed to be, and I love ribs. The "cup" of Texas-style brisket chili was awesome with great chunks of brisket, and wonderful flavor, but I thought the name was a little misleading, it is not really a Texas style chili. It was very good, nonetheless. The "cup" of chili at Honky Tonk is not really fit for a side dish, though, as it is massive, probably larger than most restaurants' bowls of chili. The "bowl" of chili I observed at another table was more like a trough. No skimping on the chili portions. The pulled pork was a little easy on the smoky flavor, but more than made up for it with its tenderness, easily the most tender pulled pork I have ever had. Comparisons to butter come to mind. The sauces at the table were not really my favorites, but the mustard garlic BBQ sauce was quite nice. I would like to have seen a spicy BBQ sauce, and definitely a light vinegar-based BBQ sauce. But I guess it is called Honky Tonk. The sides were delightful, the cornbread was tasty (did not come easily out of the cupcake wrapper though) and the mashed potatoes were amazingly good (take that David Burke's Primehouse). A few caveats... you'll likely have to wait, we waited for about 30 minutes for a table for two, had to end up sharing a 6-top with another couple. I'm easy, that's no big deal. BYOB, no cork fee, my favorite kind. Honky Tonk is cash only. People with disabilities affecting mobility will probably have a tough time at Honky Tonk, there is no wheelchair ramp, only a steep but short flight of steps to the door. Ambiance was amazing, everything you'd expect an artsy Pilsen BBQ joint to have. The service was excellent and friendly. Yes, I am a fan. I'm a *big* fan. I'll be back!
(4)Sarah M.
It's kind of a weird vibe when you go in. You're not really sure what to do and, at least when I was there, there didn't seem to be much staff. But whatever, everyone seemed to be engrossed in their own thing so we sat down and ordered. I had the pulled pork, which is a go-to in most BBQ joints and I was not disappointed. The brisket looked good too, but I didn't get to try it because it was basically swallowed whole by one of my dining mates. Next time...
(4)Beth C.
My brother and I had been talking about going to Honky Tonk for months now. I am so glad we finally went. It seriously changed my life. I've never been much of a BBQ fan, but I couldn't stop eating. Every savory bite got better and better as we devoured the sample platter. It could probably feed 3 people, but we couldn't stop! The corn bread muffins were tasty, the hot links are juicy, the roasted chicken was delectable, the ribs perfection and the pulled pork was out of this world. We seriously left in a euphoria and have been grinning about it for the past hour. Not only to I recommend Honky Tonk BBQ but I insist! Go! Get the candied beer in an Old Style. Game changer!!!!!
(5)Angie M.
I love a man who takes pride in his meat. And that man, my friends, is Willie Wagner, owner of Honky Tonk BBQ. Thanks to our very own Carol J., who organized a dinner for about 25 Yelpers, I had the opportunity to embrace my meat-loving side and go hog wild on the awesome BBQ served up at Honky Tonk. Truth? The restaurant itself is nothing fancy. The outside is a completely nondescript storefront on 18th Street in Pilsen. The inside is simply decorated with long, wooden tables, white walls and a few, um, colorful, paintings. But really, you're not coming to Honky Tonk BBQ for the decor. You're coming for the food! We had a special, family style dinner preset for us, which was great because we were able to try so many different meats, sides and desserts. So here we go, BBQ lovers: Appetizers: Fried green tomatoes, mushrooms with roasted garlic and bread served with mustard sauce and ketchup & horseradish. The tomatoes had the perfect amount of thick breading to give them a nice crunch, the mushrooms were perfectly sauteed and the mustard sauce was out of this world! Sides: We were served coleslaw, candied yams, greens and beets. I'm going to be honest... I only ate the coleslaw because I wanted to focus my attention on the meat-a-polooza that was headed my way, but what I can say is that the slaw was the best I've had in my entire life. More vinegar than mayo and a touch of cilantro made it incredible. And now, the meat. Willie told us that he's the ONLY BBQ joint in Chicago that doesn't use any kind of gas to cook his BBQ. Not knowing a damn thing about cooking BBQ, I took his word to mean that's a good thing. A good thing, indeed! All the meat comes to you sans BBQ sauce so you can pick your choice of Honky Tonk's 3 sauces, Chicago Sweet, Memphis Vinegar or Carolina Mustard Garlic. I found that mixing the 3 gave me the best flavor. First out were the pork baby back ribs and pork St. Louis ribs. I'm normally really picky about ribs and don't like to order them at restaurants because they never live up to my expectations, but these ribs did me proud! I especially enjoyed the leaner St. Louis ribs. They were a bit firmer than the baby back, but had excellent flavor. Next came the beef brisket, beef spare ribs and pulled BBQ pork. The brisket was super tender and the spare ribs were huge and so moist that the meat actually fell off the bone when I picked it up. And the pork? While I'm sure it's fabulous every day, Willie smoked a special pork shoulder for us that was injected with extra flavor and seasonings. It was just... amazing. Still have room for dessert? Let's hope so! We received a sampling of the banana pudding (complete with whipped cream and vanilla wafers), sweet potato pie and incredible peach cobbler. I love that Willie told me that cobbler was so good due to the landslide of butter in it. Gotta respect the honesty! So after all was said and done, our carnivorous group waddled out of Honky Tonk BBQ with full bellies and memories of some of the best meat to ever cross our lips. That sounds perverted, but I don't care.
(5)shaun M.
*Update* I came back to Honkey Tonk and was very disappointed. First of all, they are no longer BYOB... I think was a poor decision on their part but oh well. Second of all we got the viking ribs but they were probably 50% fat. When you pay 18 bucks for ribs there should not be that much fat on them. I do have to give them credit though, I still like their hot links and cornbread. Their beef brisket sandwich was good but not the best I ever had. Probably the best thing about this place is their sauces, they have a very tasty mustard sauce.
(3)Henry A.
This place is really cool. I love the chill atmosphere and live music on the weekends. Coming here with some friends, bringing some good beer (it's BYOB), listening to bluegrass and enjoying some great bbq makes a damn near perfect evening. After my wife and I first came here, we went back every week for the next month and it has definitely become a solid pick on our restaurant rotation list. You can end up having to wait for a table for a long time if you don't come early. With BYOB and live music, there is no reason for people leave and free up a table after they are done eating. This is what makes this place special though. Ok, the food: The pulled pork sandwich is the way to go. It is ridiculously good. The ribs, both St. Louis style and baby back, are pretty good, but not amazing. You also can't miss the sides, especially the pork and beans and the candied yams - skip the mac and cheese and the coleslaw though. I haven't tried the other meats on the menu yet, but after I've had the pulled pork, I just can't see myself ordering anything else from here.
(5)Patrick R.
I would like to give this 2.5 stars to be fair. I was pretty excited about trying Honky Tonk, so I loaded up with some micro brews and headed down to Pilsen with a couple friends. I would have liked to have seen a pulled pork plate, or a brisket plate. Some BBQ classics were not present on the menu. It took us quite some time after seating to be approached by a waitress, there seemed to be some confusion over who had our table. Both myself, and one of my friends ordered the Dinky Dunkers pulled pork/ Brisket mini sandwiches, my other friend ordered a half slab of baby backs. The sandwiches were okay. Texture was pretty good but the meat did not have a lot of flavor. I had to put on quite a bit of bbq sauce to get flavor out of the meat. This is Memphis style, where's the spicy dry rub? Maybe a cider injection in the pork? The smoke alone did not do enough. The $3.50 Mac-N-Cheese was pretty pathetic. No flavor, over cooked, tiny portion for the price. Maybe I hit Honky Tonk on a bad night, so I will give it another try. If they fail to impress me I think my BBQ Bucks are better spent at Fat Willy's or Smoque.
(2)Vivian Y.
I'm sorry Honky Tonk, I'm downgrading you. I sort of wish you'd just stick to BBQ and smoking things because the other items need work. Though your bbq is still good, something changed with your sauce. It didn't hit the spot like it did the last 5-6 times when I ate your food. Did you change your recipe? I remember when you served up at the Zoppe Circus event, I couldn't get enough of your sweet BBQ sauce. I remember when I bought takeout to eat it at Lush, that I loved your BBQ sauce. I loved it when I came in on a busy Saturday night a few months back. Even when I have movie nights in with my husband and we got delivery, I loved your BBQ sauce. WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SAUCE? I just didn't love it on my last visit. I still think your sides are a rip off. and your coleslaw is tasteless (add a little pickle juice and sugar to your recipe!). The fried green tomatoes were terrible. Sorry...but that batter is way thick. BUT, you do have the best pulled pork in Chicago. I love them dunkers. Your ribs are pretty good and tender. I'm still a fan because you're so close and easily accessible. I've also learned to avoid you on weekends and stick to early evenings during the weekday. But I wanna know - WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SAUCE?
(4)KM M.
This place is so great, and I'm not just saying that b/c of the picture of "W" they have on the door with a sign that says "Kick Here." Strolled in for a late dinner on a Saturday night, luckily, there were seats available. I'm not typically a fan of "Country" music but the live band they had was a lot of fun to listen to and I found myself toe-tapping throughout my meal. Definitely on the loud side in there, so don't go there for a romantic date unless you're more interested in looking at your date than listening to them. As many others have said, this place is BYOB which is such a great feature - I like beer with BBQ and being able to bring my beer of choice makes me happy. I ordered the dinky dunkers - one of each. I think I liked the brisket one better, but they were both good, so I'll call it a tie. I loved having 3 sauce options at the table... I kept switching up sauces between bites. They're all different and delicious (2 BBQ and 1 Mustard-type sauce). Also ordered 3 sides, Garlic Mashed, Mac & Cheese and Coleslaw... loved the Mac & Cheese and Mashed, liked the coleslaw, felt like it could use a bit more dressing though. The sides are true side-order size, not appetizer size, so that's why they're so fairly priced. I did not get dessert, although now I regret not trying the Peach Cobbler. I had my heart set on Apple, but I know I'll be back so I'll save room for dessert on my next visit. Met the owner on our way out and he was really friendly and seemed liked he genuinely cared about our feedback and thoughts. I enjoy places where the owner is working and out in the open to talk to. Great food and atmosphere... looking forward to going back with a larger group so I can try the sampler platter!
(5)Stan W.
Wow, what is wrong with you people? I thought it was an interesting place but the food was bland as hell. I got the sampler: didn't seem like they used any seasoning at all on the ribs - chicken was cooked perfectly but again, no flavor or much of a hint of seasoning - couldn't really tell the difference between the brisket or the pulled pork other than the texture. Had to douse it all in sauce to even taste anything. Corn muffin was pretty bad too. You can't just smoke things plain without any seasoning and leave some sauces on the table calling it good BBQ. Service was great while I was there, and it seems to be a fine neighborhood place with good atmosphere and a lot of charm. But the food itself was beyond bland. I've been to most of the BBQ/rib places in the city (smoque, fat willys, smoke daddy, honey1, twin anchors) and this place is dead last in my book. No reason for me to ever go back. I just don't get it.
(2)Jessica M.
I will say at the outset that my friends and I went the week after it was on Check Please. Honky Tonk did not seem ready for the business. When we got there at 6:00, there was an hour wait. It was extremely crowded inside so we waited an hour or maybe a little more outside in the cold. When we were seated, the service was slow and not too friendly (except for our busboy who was great). The food was ok, but nowhere near as good as Fat Willy's or Smoque. And it was cold. So yeah. Never going back. Honky Tonk can kiss my Badonkadonk.
(1)Alexander W.
Wow. I was in the same group as Jacob R. and Ginger W., so no need repeating the points they made -- I'll merely confirm that everything stated was spot-on (though I believe the waitress's final comment was "this meal's been irritating for all of us." So sorry to irritate you, Madame Beer-Spiller). I'll limit myself to five additional points: (1) The Honky Tonk Apologists on Yelp seem to think that the only reason I had a bad experience is because of the "Check Please! lemmings." I'm not sure how TV viewers can be blamed for a pulled pork sandwich that came straight out of a goddamn fridge. If Honky Tonk BBQ can't handle a crowd -- and they can't -- perhaps they shouldn't have agreed to the televised promotion. (2) I noticed that half the people in the restaurant seemed to know the owners/staff personally. This, to me, helps explain the inflated Yelp average. I also think that the relatively limited number of dining options in Pilsen might be playing a part, as it's getting a location/convenience bonus. After all, if there's only one donut shop in your town, it may SEEM like they're best donuts on the planet. (3) Dylan D. says, "It's BBQ, folks. It is what it is. If you come here expecting fine dining, look elsewhere." Uh, okay, except that I wasn't asking for cloth napkins or kobe beef -- I just wanted food that was warm and available. I received neither (see below). (4) As Jacob/Ginger mentioned, by the time we got a table there were only 5 dishes left (and one of those was garlic bread). Okay. You ran out of food. Fine. But what I don't understand is WHY WE WERE SEATED IN THE FIRST PLACE. We were practically standing in the kitchen waiting for the table -- why not say, "Hey, guys, sorry, but we just ran out of EVERYTHING. Might wanna go somewhere else while places are still open?" (5) I could see dismissing our negative reviews as "one bad experience." The long wait, dickish staff, spilled beer, cold food, no food, hellish musician, etc. That's fine, except that even the WARM food was not good. I'd be willing to brave the longest lines and the worst service if the food was worthwhile, but it just wasn't. They could probably get away with it if this was the only BBQ joint in town, but unfortunately this is Chicago. You have options! Go somewhere else!
(1)adam C.
Wonderful st louis ribs. Great people. If I had to find a gripe, its that there isn't much on the menu for a vegetarian.
(5)char y.
BBQ is okay here. Had the slab of ribs with mac and cheese. My ribs seem to have been in the smoker for way to long since it was dried out. Also ordered the rib tips which was juicy and a great portion. There aren't to many BBQ in the neighborhood especially in Pilsen so it's a great addition to the area. The restaurant is located in what looks like an old bar. It had that old smell to the place once you walk in but after you sit there for a few minutes, you won't notice it anymore.
(3)Jose H.
I'm really surprised at all the positive reviews. My food was absolutely nothing to write home about. The brisket and the pork had no smoke flavor and the rub was bland. I do have to mention the service was very good, cheery, fast and helpful. The music was also top-notch.
(2)Kathleen K.
My roommate and I randomly found Honky Tonk yesterday after accidentally making a wrong turn. As it was 6ish we decided to stop in and have some dinner as we had both heard good reviews. The restaurant itself is interesting to look at as it is completely cowboy-ed out. It has a nice and very casual atmosphere. Service was excellent. Our waitress, whose name escapes me now, was really helpful. She made several recommendations but they had all sounded so good we had trouble deciding - so my roommate and I decided to go all out and order the sampler platter which comes with: -half spread of ribs -half smoked chicken -two dinky dinks (pork/brisket) -two hot links -fresh coleslaw, beans w/pork and 2 corn muffins So before you call us fatties, let it be known that the food was good and totally worth the calories. I have to agree with previous yelpers as I was a little disappointed that the ribs were not falling off the bone, but you could definitely taste the smokey flavor and rub Honky Tonk applies. The ribs/meat does not come slathered in sauce (it doesn't come with sauce on it at all), which I LOVED. There are 3 homemade sauces that Honky Tonk has on each of their tables: a sweeter sauce, a tangier sauce and a honey mustard-garlic sauce (great for chicken!). The pork and beef brisket were awesome. When I come back I will more than likely order one as my main entree. Mac & cheese was delish and topped with breadcrumbs. They have VERY limited healthy options on their menu, but then again we are talking about a BBQ place... They have a stage for live performers. When we finished our meal an act was prepping to go on. The space was small so it may get a little loud? I don't know. But I would be willing to return when there was live music just to check it out. It was a good BBQ and I will probably be returning. So the reason for 3 stars? By no means was our experience bad, but I wasn't blown away either. For good BBQ though, this place will satisfy.
(3)Efrain C.
You can't go wrong with the pulled pork anytime here. I usually ask for some bark, some white meat, and some pink meat from the picnic ham portion of the shoulder in my sandwich. The beef brisket has the right amount of smoke that I like too. This time of year, the chicken pot pie is like cocaine to me. i had an apple cobbler there one night that was stunning. Honky Tonk is also my favorite hangout in Pilsen. Some great country western music acts come through here. I have seen all my favorite local bands play here which is amazing.
(5)perry f.
Don't you guys know your supposed to check out the restaurant before its on Check Please? Lemmings please stay away, I need lots of elbow room when I devour a slab and multiple sides and sling a half dozen wine bottles onto the table. Hell this was always an industry ( restaurant, music) Hide Out. If BBQ isn't your religion.... us old customers arent missionaries looking for converts. If you feel the spirit of Hank Sr. and The Man in Black, and you appreciate naturally raised meat slow cooked by a master like ol' Willy, well I don't have to tell ya, your already here.
(5)Ryan M.
What this restaurant has going for it makes this place worth making your way there. First, the barbeque is fantastic, We got a full slab of baby back ribs, cooked perfectly, juicy and tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. We also had an order of garlic mashed potatoes (which were absolutely perfect) and a cornbread muffin (which was also delicious). The ambiance was also worth the trip. There was a country music guitar player crooning (and not too loud, just right). The waitresses were attentive and pleasant, and the other dinner guests were all polite (one even gave us the remaining wine from their bottle as they were leaving, thank god for the BYOB). The only downside to this was the fact that the restaurant is in a place where there isn't a lot of taxi traffic and the bus doesn't run past six pm on the weekend. That means you may be walking down the street for quite some time in a less than great area before a bus or taxi comes by. Don't get me wrong, at no time did I feel my safety was threatened, but when we go again, it'll be in the daytime. For all the positives and the one single negative, I say that this is a great place to go for barbeque.
(4)Allison M.
The barbecue is okay. I prefer juicier, tender ribs and brisket. I can never complain about the sides. I LOVE the sides :)
(3)Mark S.
Even for us Northsiders, with the great food, friendly staff & eclectic art, this place is worth the trip to Pilson. Their new, expanded space feels hip, spacious and welcoming. I'll definitely be back!
(5)Leigh R.
I had to try this place to compare it to Smoque. It is better than Smoque in my humble opinion. This had less of a "fast-food joint" feel and the food was better. I love how they don't drown the food in BBQ sauce, they let you do it yourself. On the table are three types of BBQ sauces and if you're a condiment lover then you'll love trying all three! Becasue of that I also felt like this was "heathlier" than Smoque because I didn't eat pounds of sauce and have it all over my fingers. I had the pulled-pork, my husband had the brisket and my father in law had the baby-back ribs. The pulled pork sandwhich was really good but I was so full a 1/4 the way into it and I didn't even bother eating the bread. I wish they had an option to not have a sandwhich. My husbands brisket sandwhich was the best - real tender, shredded and tasty. I didn't try the ribs but my father in law said they were a bit cold which was very disappointing. The taste was still great on the ribs so of course he ate them all up regardless. Sides: The mac and cheese is a sure winner! The boys enjoyed a side or corn bread as well. Dessert - yes after all that BBQ we shared two MOUTH WATERING desserts! Who would have thunk? The banana pudding was freaking amazing and the peach cobbler (I think) was hot and delicious. The sauces - their house is the best in my opinion but I thoroughly enjoyed all three...not goin lie this was a very pleasent dining experience. Atmosphere - interesting art work on the walls - entrance is kinda scary - but overall very nice. I hear they have live music on the weekends. I would think it could get really loud since the room isn't that big and the acoustics would really vibrate throughout the hard-wood floor room. It is BYOB so don't forget your own beer and/or wine! We didn't bother - just had water and sodas.
(4)P O.
I did not want to agree with the other comments on here and really tried to have a good experience but it was a complete waste of time and money. After a day of shopping and fun in the city, I took my 18yo daughter here on Friday night, 3/16/12. I've tried plenty of restaurants that have mixed reviews and they worked out well so after looking at the reviews here I decided to give it a try anyway. First we were carded as we approached the front door, that should have tipped me off to the type of environment I was entering. I let him know that we were just coming for food, I had no idea that it was "Rockabilly" night which is a mood killer for me anyway. I should have cut my losses right then but when we were immediately ushered glasses of water, I thought, hmmm maybe its ok. WRONG! I ordered a pulled pork sandwich, sides of greens, mac & cheese, and garlic mashed potatoes, my daughter had the dinky dunkers, and like a fool I immediately put in an order for the sampler platter and rib tips to take home to the rest of the family. All of the meat was dry, another commenter said the bbq sauce was watery - CORRECT! The greens had am odd tangy flavor, the mash tasted like it was old and out of a box, and the mac and cheese was lackluster and looked prettier than it tasted. We nibbled and brought the rest home and no one else liked any of it either. Chicago has many great places to eat, especially for BBQ. I am not afraid of adventure, it's an hour drive for me to go into the city so when I do, I expect good food for my time and money. I tend to stay away from places where its obvious that the bulk of their revenue is made from the bar - I shouldv'e paid better attention, they stop serving food at 11pm yet are open till 2am. The food tasted old and reheated, this was proven when we unwrapped the foil packets that the sampler was wrapped in and the char marks inside let you know that it had been stored and heated in that foil. There's nothing there to make me go back or to advise anyone else to even give it a try. We also tried the peach cobbler, it had been nuked by Chef "Mic(rowave)", was unevenly heated and a crust which might have been good otherwise was soggy and disgusting. As for the service, that cup of water we had when we first sat down was the only one we ever saw, no refills were ever given. I saw the server randomly sit at people tables as she took their orders around us (I hate that.) During my 85 minute stay too long, most of it was spent waiting 20 minutes to order, and at the end 20 minutes for her to pick up my payment even though I had my card ready as she walked by several times. To top it off, my daughter said from what she saw going on, we got the best treatment. DO NOT waste your time. Money can be earned again when lost, time cannot. There are chains with better ribs. I'm not a dog, I like my meat to fall off the bone so I don't have to wrestle with it. And this was no trip to FLAVORTOWN!
(1)Neha S.
This place has good food, and as a vegetarian I like a bbq place where I can get a good meal. They have a great salad that's enough for a meal. I also like the fried green tomatoes and the portabello sandwich. I've been here twice on a Friday night and love the live music I've heard both times. Great local country artists...not pop country, real, artistic country music. It's a nice place for a chilled out meal.
(4)Fuffie G.
I had been wanting to try this place for the longest time and yesterday i finally got my chance. i absolutely love the vibe of the restaurant. walking up the steps to a black building makes you feel as if you are going somewhere forbidden. the old building with the kitchy artwork on the wall, the smell of the barbeque and music playing lets you know you are going somewhere unique. We got there about 8:30 on saturday night, put our name down and were seated in less than 10 minutes. the pulled pork was wonderful...definitely better than the brisket...the brisket was good, but i have had better. the sides were okay. cole slaw, not memorable, mashed potatoes had great flavor but they were cold...the beans were delicious. the best was the hidden surprise in the banana pudding for dessert. OMG...that's all i need to say...OMG. save room. the only buzz kill to the night was our surly waitress. shouldn't it be a requirement that you should have a personality?? she's the only reason this review did not get 4 stars. i am looking forward to going back to try the other things on the menu.
(3)Milan P.
Meh poor service, combined with meat that's too dry = bad ribs experience. I am not sure why but every ribs place I've been to in Chicago is actually pretty bad (except Smoque). I won't really comment too much on the service, because it really was more managements fault for not having enough servers, rather than our server who had like 20 tables. We started out with some bacon candy (Ordered bacon and brew $5 beer and bacon candy), it was awesome as always. As a matter of fact this keeps us coming back! We also ordered the sampler platter, and everything from the brisket to the ribs to the chicken were way to dry. The mac and cheese side was ok, and the yams were good until I realized it seemed like they poured a syrup over it to make it taste better (not very tasteful of an idea). In any event, this place does have some pretty cool live music, and the prices aren't bad. So it wasn't an overall terrible experience, especially if you compare it to other chicago bbq restaurants (excluding smoque).
(2)Leslie D.
The beer was cold! But so was the food. Not too good. The bbq needs a lot of sauce (which was tasty), but it is nothing special. The mac and cheese was great!
(2)Len L.
They have platter's of various smoked meat, a smorgasborg of smoky delights. You get a selection of home-made sauces (hot, mild and honey mustard) on the side with every order. Located in the heart of Pilsen, this place feels like a old barn with trinkets of the past. Along the walls are pictures with history of BBQ. If your lucky, you may see celebrities eating at this place. On that day, I saw Bill Maher (Comedian and host of Real Time with Bill Maher series).
(3)F D.
Saw this on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. The barbeque ribs were just ok. My companion had the beef short rib, which was very disappointing since it was mostly fat. I've had much better at Smoque.
(2)monique t.
When I first walked up the stairs and opened the dooor, it looked like someones apartment. I just saw a clear view of a kitchen. So, I ran down the stairs and around the corner before someone called the police on me and arrest me for tress passing. I called my friend and asked where do i enter the restaurant? She said come up the stairs and come right on in. And so I did! As i proceeded in the waitress came behind me and closed the door. My first reaction was that it looked like an apartment. and our table was in the living room. Its a very small space with a few tables. we we were seated in the living room with a clear view of the staff's back room or kitchen I think. I saw staff's coats,umbrellas, and other personal items. The bathroom is conviently located in the living room/ seating area. gross. the food was good, but ive had better. I had the baby back ribs with mac and cheese and mash potatoes. The baby back ribs were ok. My friend had the pot pie which was loaded with 2 cans of peas, she said it was ok.Every one else at my table had the baby back ribs or the St. louis ribs and they felt it was so so. Although, i wouldnt go to this restaurant again i do think that the service was awesome. they were very attentive and hospitable. Everyone was very pleasant. Oh yea its a b.y.o.b .. but to bad i wont be bringing my booze there!
(2)Mark K.
Good BBQ. If you like the dry rub style you will like this place. if you are looking for bbq sauce dripping off you might not. I like both styles. No complaints from me.
(4)Jason F.
A prereq to reading this is that I have a crush on a waitress that works there. There...I said it. I haven't been able to get LL Cool J 's "Around the way girl." out of my head since I left. I digress..... A friend and I split the sampler and had a side of mac'n cheese. It was all very good. The meat was moist and had good texture. What I mean by that is that it was crunchy but not overly burnt. The meat came without sauce which made it nice to be able to distribute the sauce as you like. They have three varieties to choose from: Regular, spicy, and a garlic mustard. Personally, I feel like any time you mix pasta with cheese you get a 90% so it's really hard to mess it up. The pasta they used was really good and the cheese blend was also good, but the amount was not worth the price. I would still give it a 94% though. What I liked best about Honky Tonk was the atmosphere. I sat at the bar in front of the stage and listened to some great live music. It wasn't so loud that I couldn't have a conversation and it provided a very enjoyable atmosphere. I am excited to go back when they get a liquor licenses. If you owners are reading this, get some Sioux City Sarsaparilla on the menu, would be a great fit. Word.....
(4)P S.
Best. BBQ. In the CITY!!! (and possibly in the whole inflationary multiverse.) Also, the servers are charming and extremely attractive. I will just come out and admit that I have had sexy dreams about the candied bacon. It is unbelievable. I have never had a bad bite there!
(5)Ashley M.
The sauces and pulled pork is just a bit better than the Smoke Daddy. I'm happy they expanded the place and that there's a bit bigger dance space for enjoying the live music. Carry out is always fast and so is the service eating in. The mac and cheese is a must-get!
(4)Abby T.
Been to HT bbq twice. I really like the artwork on the walls although some of it does not mesh well w/ the rest of the dining room's motif. I also like the tables and chairs w/ a country feel to them. The front door even has a rickety screen door!! Totally country up in this joint. And lots of pig knick knacks everywhere. The first time was on a weeknight and the service good. Next visit was on a Friday....it was pretty busy and our table was obviously overlooked. The food here is mediocre....but that's coming from someone who doesn't like the memphis/dry rub style of bee-bee-cue. The sides are also just average at best. I will come back bc my friends love the BYOB and the beef brisket. Also, props for the occassional live entertainment!
(3)Esther Y.
This should be a 2.5. It's very middle ground. First, I got kind of irritated b/c I called ahead, but the number gives you another number. I called both and they both went to voice mail. When I got to the restaurant, they say on their menu "call ahead" umm yeah, tried that...you didn't answer. Fine. Moving on. Got there...cash only. I don't know how I missed that....so had to scrounge around for cash. Ordered 4 brisket sandwiches, 1/2 slab of baby back ribs, 2 sides of mac & cheese, 2 sides of mashed, 4 corn breads and was told the cole slaw would come on the side with the ribs. The food was ready within 15 min, so that was a plus. Then we were on our way. Got home and there was no cole slaw...boo. Then we dug in. The general consensus with the brisket was that it was cut too thick, hard to eat in the bread (b/c it kept sliding out) and that it was too fatty. Also, everyone didn't like the french bread roll that the brisket came on. I had a bite of the brisket and thought it was good, but thought Smoque's brisket was infinitely better. I had the 1/2 slab of the baby back ribs and thought there was WAY too much fat. Like others said, their sweet and hot bbq sauces are good and it's nice to switch back and forth. As for the sides, mac & cheese was ehhh, but the mashed were good. I think the favorite thing for everyone was the corn bread. It was nice and buttery with corn pieces in it. It was a fine, i guess, but I'd probably never go again. I would rather travel further to Smoque for better sides and less fatty meat.
(2)Carlos P.
I believe I have just found the best 'Q joint in the city, hands down. One evening in mid-August I took my parents here. They were amused and delighted by the art on the walls in the big dining room. The food took a little while to get there, but you know what is said about good things. We opted for the ample BBQ sampler. For $30 you get a little of everything: pulled pork, hot links, ribs, chicken, cornbread, beans, vinegar slaw. I tell you, we walked away quite satisfied. On my first visit for a Burning Man meet & greet, I got the sampler platter which ended up feeding me & my friend with very little left over. I got a little crazy and ordered the pecan pie for everyone -- damn good pie, I must say! Now I gather from some more recent reviews that they're slipping up a bit -- is that so? They might have fallen victim to the "Check Please" effect. In any case, the owners are a friendly, approachable bunch. May have to take it up with them.
(5)roberto a.
After a failed attempt to eat here last Friday, my college friends and I made a second successful attempt to grab dinner last night. What a difference a week makes. Last week when we came, there was a large crowd on the sidewalk waiting by the door, and when we entered inside, the staff apologized, telling us that the wait was going to exceed their closing time, and they had stopped carryout orders for the night just to keep up with the people that were there already. When we arrived this week, there were a few people outside smoking, which alarmed us at first, but after asking if they were waiting for tables, it turns out they were killing time waiting for their takeout orders. The place was busy, but not overly packed. Our waitress was awesome, as she pretty much made our decision to order the St Louis Ribs over the baby backs. She looked at us and said that for five hungry guys, only the St Louis Ribs would satisfy us. Case closed. We placed orders for full slabs and sides. Our ribs arrived with full slabs laying diagonally across large square plates. I had ordered a side of creamy mac-n-cheese, which arrived in a smaller than expected bowl, yet had a very pleasing, larger than expected taste. With the exception of the corn bread muffins, which were huge, the sides didn't lend themselves to sharing. Each slab is served with a side of slaw. But this is a rib place, so lets get down to the business of ribs. Initial Observations: A fairly large slab served dry, with visible amounts of dry rub on the meat. You will need a fork and knife to cut the slab into a manageable size to hold. Although the meat does not fall off the bone when grasping with your teeth, it actually requires a small tug, the meat does not taste dry or tough, and it only requires a decent amount of chewing to unlock the smoked and rubbed in taste. From this point, it is up to your personal preferences to determine how much sauce, if any, to pour on the ribs. Two sauces are available at the table, a thick, sweet sauce, or one that is smoky and tangy. Salt and pepper are available, but were not needed. I personally like a more smoky tangy taste and found that a light mixture (you don't need to drown it!!!) of both sauces, with more smoky/tangy poured on, then spread randomly with a fork, gave the best overall flavor. Yes, I used 1/3 of my slab to figure out the optimal mixture. As for eating the ribs without any sauce, I tried two ribs worth, but concluded that that these ribs go better with sauce. The ambiance. Country and Western. For the latter part of our time there, a country band was playing in the next dining area. They alternated between country/western, and what sounded like rock-a-billy. A female sung cover of "Folsom Prison Blues" did justice to man in black himself. Word of advice- now that winter has set in, you may want to avoid the tables nearest the entrance door. Each time someone came or left, we were blasted by a cold gust of wind. And sometimes people would forget to completely close one or both doors on the way out, which would cause them to blow open on the next gust of wind. Oh yeah, and bring cash, because this is a cash only operation. Pros: Yum. No-nonsense full size slab of ribs ready to go. A decor that makes you forget that you are in Pilsen (well at least the Mexican side of Pilsen, because with the artwork displayed on the wall, you're reminded of the artsy side of Pilsen). A hub for some country and western acts as fliers for upcoming band acts seem to indicate. Cons: Cash only, with its recent appearance on Check Please!, you have to wonder what has changed before and after its moment of fame. Closes early 9:30, can get crowded. To sum it up: Gotta consider placing in an order after work...I'm only 10 minutes away.
(4)Philip D.
Ok, so I just tried this place out last week for the first time, so I have no old school memories to compare to. However, I did enjoy good service, my beer didn't sit even a quarter empty before being asked for another, and my brisket dinner was excellent. On top of that the music was top notch and free..a three piece jazz band that night, so enjoyable I took my girlfriend there just 4 days later and had an equally good time. Dixie style band on Sundays is a must see, especially the drum kit which is from the early 1800's.
(5)J J.
So myself and a friend decide to go here on a whim because we didnt feel like driving all the way up north to Smoque. Needless to say we should have went with out first thought, but we were being adventurous and decided to explore. The atmosphere is exactly what the name of the place states. So not feeling too outta place we take a seat at the bar. (Why do they have a bar and don't have anything on tap?) We order a 1/2 slab of baby backs, 1/2 slab of St. Louis ribs, the sliced brisket dink dunkers or some goofy name stuff, and the mac and cheese. After talking to the bartender who was bragging on how great the food was and basically telling us that Smoque had nothing on this place, we were excited to get our food. After the first bite into my the St. Louis ribs I new we made a mistake. I thought ribs were supposed to have a smokey flavor, and they were dry. We didn't even finish the baby backs or the cold, dry azz no flavor brisket. Seriously how do you serve cold bbq? Really? You mean it didn't just come outta the smoker. How do you go to a rib joint and not want to finish off all the ribs or at least take home leftovers? But the worst thing of all is they didn't offer me a moist toilette. That's just a no-no with me at rib joints. LOL!!!!! So you'll never guess what we did after leaving this place. Yep! We drove up north to Smoque and got a 1/2 slab of St. Louis ribs and a taste of sliced brisket just to satisfy our insatiable craving for BBQ. Then and only they were we truly satisfied. Won't return for the food or the music.
(1)Double L.
No real reason to pile on here. Coleslaw was lacking either more vinegar or mayo or maybe a little bit of both. Mac'n'Cheese was awesome along with the corn muffins. Beans were just o.k.. All their sauces are really tasty. We got the sampler and I really enjoyed everything especially the snausage. Thought it was great value as well and enjoy the BYOB. Didn't notice a $1 charge as other people have mentioned. RrL
(4)Christine W.
We went with friends who had seen Honky Tonk BBQ featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. We had two southern boys in the crowd and we received two thumbs up for very good (not the best they have ever had) but respectable, especially for up north :) Very eclectic place with tons of charm located in the Pilsen neighborhood. Easy to get a cab to the place a bit tough getting one out. So the #12 bus will be your friend to get back to Michigan Avenue if you are an out-of-towner. The bus travels right in front of the place (look for the bus stop). Check bus schedules though since they change routes often.
(4)Benji R.
I read the reviews, I saw it on TV; I knew what to expect. I was very disappointed. I went there at about 5:45 pm on a Friday, and they were not busy, though as we were ending dinner the rush started to come in. While I cannot speak for dishes which I did not eat I can tell you about the St. Louis ribs, the beef brisket sandwich, pulled pork dinky dunkers, the mashed potatoes, and the corn bread muffins. St. Louis ribs were just ok, nothing special. They were cooked unevenly; the side with the thicker bones was not cooked long enough, and the meat was tough and chewy and did not want to come off the bone. The side with the smaller bones, on the contrary, was cooked like St. Louis ribs should be cooked and were tender, and just released from the bone with a little tug. The ribs also lacked flavor. They either went easy with the rub they use, or purposely left out flavor. I understand that the 3 BBQ sauces are on the table are to be used (and were good) but ribs on their own should taste good; season them better or develop a better bark! The brisket was the shining star of the group. It was tender, moist, and sliced just right. It also was a bit under seasoned, but was great with all the sauces. It was so good actually that I had to eat it piece by piece as I did not think the sandwich gave the brisket justice. This I can recommend. The pulled pork was of the most delicate texture, and literally fell apart on its own, BUT had absolutely no flavor. The rub was also meager on this, but I was just astounded as to how flavorless the meat was. I would not recommend the pulled pork at all. Mashed potatoes were very bland as well, and did not have a pleasing texture. It was lumpy, but not in the good way. Lastly the corn bread muffins...what can one say about the muffins? I do not know if I just was particularly "lucky" in my visit, but the muffins were either bad, or a day or two old. They were super crumbly and fell apart as I was trying to eat them. They did have corn kernels inside (which is good) but they completely fell apart. Overall I would not recommend this place. If you do end up going to Honky Tonk definitely try the brisket. Do not waste your time on the pulled pork. *Their "sweet tea" is Nestea type sweet tea. Big disgrace for a southern style BBQ place.
(2)Allison A.
This is my favorite bbq in the city. My only complaint is that the sides are so small for the price. It has a nice relaxed atmosphere and live bands on certain nights. The bar selection is great and if you haven't, TRY THE BACON CANDY!
(4)Maureen S.
The service here is kind of weird- the waitstaff seems understaffed on hopping weekend nights, but this place absolutely makes up for it. The ambiance is incredible- the bizarre baroque and retro art collection would make anybody drool, and the live performances of down-home, wailing bluegrassy folkies on weekends are a big treat. Their beer selection is a bit small, but decent enough. The crown jewel, though, is the incredible offerings of BBQ sauces in a variety of flavors and uses, and you just can't top their collard greens and mac and cheese!
(4)Jeff G.
this was very good. had the sampler platter thing and all was very good: brisket, sausage, chicken. the hostess was a bit flaky - we put our name on the list said it would be 15 min and then about 20 min later i asked her what she thought and she said maybe another 15 min wait for a table.
(4)Alex K.
Ok the place keeps getting better and better every time we go there!! Our waitress was awesome and told us they were short staffed but was super amazing dealing with it which just makes everything kind of happy. We ordered just ribs... and they were great! They were hot and there were good meat on them. They have 3 sauces which is awesome. Really tasty. Don't get mashed potatoes, it tasted worse than the betty crocker boxed instant ones. Really bad. I learned a bit about ribs recently and it still had that membrane on it which seems all the recipes said to take off so made for some slight chewyness. I think because they only use rub and little sauce it makes it for dryer ribs but it's only my opinion since it seems there are 2 different types - made with rub or made with sauce. I prefer sauce. They have awesome selection of booze and pear cider was amazing. We saw hipsters, locals, families, people in their 50s, 20s etc all eating and enjoying together. It was really awesome to see and I am glad that their food gets better for us everytime we go there!
(4)Michael H.
Can't believe this place isn't rated higher. The food here is awesome! The pulled pork is my favorite... so delicious, you don't even need to add sauce... but still do it, it's damn tasty. I dream about the mac and cheese, and the banana pudding is a great way to end the meal. All this good food, and free live music... I'll take it.
(4)Lauren T.
I'm reading all these bad reviews and I'm not sure why. They are a little pricey, but it's worth it. The ribs are AMAZING. I think they use all natural ingredients too. The people who own it are really nice. They are super laid back which is why I think they may have gotten some bad reviews. This isn't your typical rib joint...it's MORE. Try the ribs here...I'm pretty sure they got voted number one in the city for ribs last year. You have to get the fried green tomatoes.
(5)Theresa K.
Wait was terrible food could be much better...complete lack of management. Not impressed. No discount/apology from management. Would not go back. Food was average. I smoke a brisket better than this place. Greens were not good. Beans and cornbread were the best. I don't understand the hype of this place.
(1)Jim B.
THIS IS THE BEST BBQ EVER!!!! I love this place!!!! The favors of the rub were outstanding, it was actually the first time I ever wanted to eat my ribs with NO sauce!!! There was SOOO much flavor. I also tried the brisket, it was out of this world!!! The sauces they have on the table are delicious, especially the mustard type sauce. This is a great place. I drove 20 miles to try this and it sure won't be the last time either!!! By the way, a few days later I tried Smoque, it was good but not the delicious flavors that this place has. The BBQ,smoke flavors were the best I have ever had!!! Hope you try this based on my review. ENJOY!!
(5)Ashley K.
My fiance and I went here for dinner a few weeks ago because my friends and I had been discussing a trip to Memphis for BBQ and I was craving it. I was hesitant based on the reviews on here, as it seemed like this place is really hit or miss. But I've been to Smoque and I don't love Smoque, plus it's much further away from my place, so I thought we would give this a try. We loved it from start to finish. The atmosphere was very Wild, Wild West without being overly cheesy. I got such a kick out of it, and the cowboy circling the restaurant playing the banjo who drank a glass of wine every time he had a break. I don't know why I was so amused by the wine, but I was. FI got a beer that he had been wanting to try (their beer selection is quite good) and I had a pear cider. We ordered the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer, which were good but suffered from overly watery tomatoes so that after the first, crispy bite, the remainder ended up slightly soggy on the bottom. The breading was great, but I was slightly confused about why they were served with cocktail sauce. I much preferred a combination of the three bbq sauces on the table. For our entrees, FI ordered the bbq pork and a side of chili. I had the bbq brisket and mac and cheese. The bbq pork was big chunks of pork, not stringy pieces like you normally see, and did not have any sauce on it, just a really delicious dry rub. It was moist and juicy and something I would love to eat again. I only had a bite of the chili and thought it was good, but not the best I've had. My bbq brisket was delicious. Also moist and juicy and had clearly been smoked, so I'm not sure what you people are talking about when you question whether Honky Tonk actually smokes its bbq. It also came with only the dry rub, so that I could put bbq sauce on to suit my own pleasure. I really prefer this because my personal preference was a combination of all three sauces and I'm glad that they didn't pick just one for me. I loved the brisket. A+ all around. The mac and cheese was fine but I think that next time I would order a different side. With all the food we ordered, it sat pretty heavy for me and wasn't enough of a stand out for me to stop eating my brisket sandwich. We ate way more than we needed to, and were entirely too full for dessert. Next time I come here, I'm saving room for banana pudding though. Until we meet again Honky Tonk, I'll be dreaming of your brisket.
(4)Ronda J.
I rarely take the time to write a review. It just seemed necessary since I rely so heavily on reviews and these reviews do not reflect my experience. As a Texan living in Chicago I am always on the look out for good BBQ. My husband told me about this place which is moments from our house and we were sooooo excited. I checked out the site and saw the awards they had won and was very hopeful. We had the brisket Dinky Dunkers and Brisket sandwich as well as the Pulled Pork sandwich mac 'n cheese and peach cobbler. The brisket was nicely smoked but I don't think any type of rub was used. There didn't seem to really be any seasoning so you NEEDED the sauce. The sauce saved it. To me the test of a good brisket is the lack of need for sauce. The Mac'n Cheese was really good. Unfortunately, the experience was was brought down completely by an awful attempt at Peach Cobbler. It was Uncooked Dough and a few peaches. We threw most of it away. I won't mind traveling to Smoque for good barbeque and great peach cobbler.
(2)Hank R.
I'm from North Carolina and I will personally say this BBQ is a close second. Best I've had in Chicago. We will be back!
(5)Dan N.
Willie is amazing, a true Chicago treasure. Real BBQ featureing award winning Pork. Its so great the Chicago features several great BBQ places now, and Honky Tonk is right up with the best anywhere
(5)Gefilte P.
I was salivating for crisp, pungent, rim-burnt, delicious rib tips--as they should be--and got mushy blobs of fat that needed plenty of sauce to be at all tasty. Instead of white bread they were on a sturdy sandwich roll which was too hard to soak up sauce, and no human would eat rib tips as a sandwich. The fried green tomatoes were also lackluster, bland.
(2)Deglazer Z.
Sad to give this a 3. Had take-out in the form of a half-slab of ribs and a few hot links. Tangy sauce was quite good, but the ribs lacked smoke flavor and spice. Hot links were better, but still not up to my gold standard, Uncle John's. I liked the vibe of the place, so will probably try it again,... but they will really need to deliver.
(3)Sarah S.
This place was just that.. OK. I got super excited when I first heard about it and the rave reviews.. well it was over priced and didn't have much taste. What a disappointment. Tried it after the hype had worn off.. it was a tad better, but cold sauces on hot food is rarely a good idea... and they do NOT take credit cards... so bring a wad of cash with ya Save it for better places..
(3)Ro L.
Loved the food and service. Our party had 6 people and every server and bus boy greeted us as we came in. We ordered quite a bit from the menu, the corn muffins,2 kinds of ribs, rib tips, chicken, mac and cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, greens and candied yams . We shared/tried almost everything and it was all delicious. For dessert we also shared the sweet potato pie, peach cobbler and pound cake. The pound cake was the surprising favorite with the bourbon butterscotch sauce. Everything was great and we will definitely be back!
(5)Kathryn M.
Well, this is where I spent my New Year. A small, but decent balloon drop, live band, and a bartender that served everyone, not just her regulars made for a very welcome 2011. The stage, towards the back of the place was kickin. I know it was a special occasion, but the crowd was friendly and hip, not minding my crazy dancing at all. The girls room (can't speak for the boys) was clean and maintained. After reading these reviews I would be interested in seeing the dining experience and the brisket of this place. Happy New Year !
(3)Sia M.
Hands down the BEST pulled pork sandwich you will ever sink your teeth into! However, a bit pricey so I only indulge on special occasions. Location is convenient in that it's easy to locate, but parking is horrendous no matter the time of day.
(4)Ben A.
The meat is all really fatty and not the best. The sauces are pretty good. Excellent sides and bread. Live music adds a lot to the atmosphere. The pulled pork sandwich is the best deal for the money. Skip the Viking Short Ribs.
(3)Will R.
One of my favorite restaurants in the city. The BBQ is hands down some of the finest I've had - and I'm from the south. It's certainly no-frills here with racks of ribs arriving on paper plates, but what it lacks in amenities the place makes up for with incredible BBQ and great entertainment. The Northside Southpaws play bluegrass on Friday night and really put on a terrific show. Service is a little confused at times. It's not always clear if you should order at the counter or not. They didn't have wine glasses once when we showed up and we wound up drinking hooch out of some weird goblet things they came up. Stuff like that doesn't faze me, but someone looking for five-star service should go elsewhere. The husband and wife owners are always around and really treat you like family. The restaurant is clean and bright and features two different sit-down dinning areas. The larger of the two is where the band plays. It's setup a little weird and when it get's crowded there isn't much to do other than to hug the wall and listen to the band. Full racks will run you around $18.00. That's typical for BBQ ribs and there are cheaper items on the menu. I really like the pulled pork BBQ sandwich when I'm feeling to cheap to splurge on ribs.
(5)Lily L.
I had heard several Pilsenites raving about this place for a while, so I was very disappointed when I finally visited. The sauce was bland, the portions too small for the price, the mac & cheese and mashed potatoes tasted straight out of a box, the BBQ only average. The pulled pork was good, but not great, the desert plain. The staff was friendly, and the ambiance welcoming. Family friendly, I wouldn't mind taking my children here. I'm glad I've dinned at Honky Tonk once, just to say I've checked it out for myself. But I probably wouldn't crave a second visit.
(2)Rachel P.
Went there to see a friend's band play, they were great, but the food and menu left a lot to be desired. I was excited to got since the restaurant was featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, however, the pork was not pulled, so it had lots of chunks, and there were lots of fat hunks in my sandwich. The flavor was okay, nothing special and the sauces were fine. We ordered the mac and cheese and coleslaw as sides. The coleslaw was pretty good, but the mac and cheese came out warm/cold so it didn't taste that good. The menu overall was lacking too. They did not have any appetizers that could be split among 4-5 people, like chips and chili, salsa, nacho, artichoke dip etc. All of the apps we 3-4 pieces. I may go back to see my friend's band play again, but I know for sure that I will be eating before.
(1)Matt P.
Great place ... most BBQ places I've been to in the city kind of ape you in their prices, but all you need to do at Honky Tonk is get the sampler for $30, and you're well on your way. It's a pretty great place. The ambiance is really cool, because it's built like you're in this wooden smoke shack (hilariously enough in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood). Our server was super nice, and really helpful. I think Honky Tonk is only second to Fat Willies, but definitely better than Smoque.
(4)Kairo C.
ever since i have been here i have been eager to come back. for starters you walk inside and immediately felt transported to Texas: the smell of REAL bbq, the live country/folk/rockabilly music, bars and booths and tables laced with regulars, kitschy local art, shiner or lonestar beer, a menu showcasing slabs, pulls, and briskets of meats, fried green tomatoes, black eyed peas, cornbread and peach cobbler.... nom nom nom! in an area engulfed in mexican flairs, this place stands out as a flaming minority with an expression to be heard. i had (OK don't laugh)... the special goat cheese salad with garlic soy dressing and bbq pulled chicken added on top... WOW, not your classic choice but the salad was GREAT and the pulled chicken was GRAND! i still get cravings for this salad. i tried... the beef brisket of my girlfriends. she is a rare beef eater and was convinced by the waitress to go for the beef brisket.... she tried but retreated to the comforts of lighter fare... the waitress offered with sweetness and smiles (at least in front of us!) to replace the plate with pulled chicken sammie... all of it was good in my opinion! the fun part was dressing hunks of meat with one of 3 of their house made sauces: a tangy, a sweet, a traditional bbq sauce. unlike most slimy bbq i am accustomed to, here the meat is rubbed and smoked and it comes out tender - you dress as you please. the quality meat can stand alone, but the marriage of tastes with the sauces is certainly a match made in heaven. left to conquer... candied bacon, fried green tomatoes, mac n cheese, beef short ribs, smoked sausage, pulled pork (yes i will not discriminate against pork here)...mmmMMMmmm like i said, since i've been here i've been already itching to come back.
(5)Immer R.
Go to this place. Now! What are you waiting for...go! Mmm, Mmm, Mmm! I had the St. Louis Ribs with a side of corn bread and cole slaw. Both the sweet and spicy sauces were delicious. The interior of this place is exactly what you want if you are looking for excellent BBQ. Nothing fancy, which means they spend most of their time making sure what come out of the kitchen is finger licking good. This place is BYOB for $1/person. BTW the best thing to do when you get there is to go to the counter and ask them if you can sit anywhere...they'll tell you yes and hand you some menus...find a table, sit, and the wait staff will be around in a few minutes to take your order.
(4)Nick Y.
Surprised to see some of the lower ratings on this place, its a GEM of the city. Tough to spot from the street and an awkward climb up some stairs to the front door, but cozy as can be once inside. The food was fantastic, great, smoky BBQ with great sauces, sides and dessert. BYOB is always a great bonus and the Friday night bluegrass live music was an incredible add-on. Recommend this to any/everyone, our 4 person group was raving throughout the experience. Check it out, great neighborhood, great food, great service, great atmosphere. Honky Tonk - A+
(5)Paul K.
We had a meeting of the Chicago Carnivore Club here and Willie could not have been more accommodating! The sides and entrees were fabulous and service was good. Highly recommended for a casual/ funky evening!
(5)james j.
A friend of mine and I ate here on a Saturday afternoon, we were greeted quickly at the door and we found an empty table at the back room. The first thing i noticed was an overwhelming smell of vinegar, which permeated the entire place. Upon sitting down, we unwrapped our silverware to find 2 knives & 1 fork with crusty food bits on them...we asked the waiter for more, when those came only 1 our of 4 had food on it, not an impressive start. Our food came quickly, but that's because it was COLD!!! My friend got 1/2 rack St.Louis Ribs & I got the Rib Tips..both were barely room temperature and needed to have been cooked for at least 1 hour more. While I cannot claim to be an expert in BBQ, I usually think that it should take less chewing effort than a well done steak; sadly our ribs were very chewy. We also had the mac n cheese whose sauce had an off-putting sandy texture which was a result of using cheddar that hadn't been properly incorporated into the base bechamel sauce. So for $52 with tip we got undercooked chewy ribs, gross mac n cheese, in a stinky restaurant..
(1)Jonah B.
Love it, great service, great barbeque, great candied bacon. I've been there many times. The decor and ambience are inviting, homey, and western style. Great accompanying music in the evening. We love it so much we had our wedding reception there and it never fails to impress friend and family.
(5)Michael B.
I try to make it to Honky Tonk a couple times a month. The food is amazing, the staff are always friendly and there is a variety of live music just about every night on stage. Some food favorites: - Green BLT (Fried green tomato, bacon, lettuce, tomato, spicy garlicy mayo) order it with the goat cheese rounds on top. - Smoked Chicken sandwich on garlic bread - Brisket & Pulled Pork sandwiches (get the dinky dunkers and have a smaller version of each) - Black eyed peas - Bacon Candy. Mmmmm... Drink favorites: - Honky Tonk Old Fashioned - Smoked Snapper Bloody Mary - a delicious gin based bloody mary (the "smoked snapper" is referring to the smoked hot link garnish) - A well stocked whisky/rye/bourbon/scotch shelf Say hi to the owners while you are there. Willy will be somewhere drinking a Heineken.
(5)Brian B.
I'm normally not a fan of mustard-based sauces, but the golden sauce here really nails it. The other sauces are good too. The ribs have a very smoky character, and I also recommend the beef brisket. Try the candied bacon too for a treat. The desserts are also very good.
(5)Joshua C.
Came here last night to see the deadstring brothers. Loved the atmposhere and was able to get seats to enjoy some good music, cheap drinks and some good que. One of my new favorite bars in Chicago despite being a hike from the northside. Ps just try the candied bacon...trust me
(5)Brandon K.
Went there last night for a friends birthday. BYOB made me happy. So did the two guys playing sort of old-time bluegrassy tunes on the mandolin and acoustic guitar. They sounded great. But the food... OK, i've had the pulled pork sandwiches take out on many occasions, so I'm definitely a fan. Had the brisket sandwich last night, and it was pretty solid too. The homemade sauce was yummy indeed. However, I do have a few complaints. It was basically luke warm when they served it to me. The garlic mashed potato portion were harldly garlicky, and definitely small. Especially for the 3.50 they charge for it. I mean, it's mashed potatoes, you got slop that shit on. Why hold back? I was excited to try the cornbread. I don't consider myself a connoisseur of much, but when it comes to cornbread, my palate is quite discerning. Sorry, HTBBQ, it really didn't do it for me. The waitress talked a big game about the chicken, but my friend felt let down in the end. Good vibe of a place tho, even if the rock ' n' roll flames on the outside are a little misleading.
(3)Heidi O.
I really really love this place. I don't go as much as I use to due to lack of time, but I use to eat here at least once a week. The staff is really nice, but genuinely nice, not "I want a good tip" nice. Now that they have a bar and accept credit cards (yay!) this business is going to keep growing. I've never been disappointed in anything I've ever ordered here, and some of the things on the menu seem to continue to improve. I am embarassingly notorious here for my love of the chicken pot pie, which is occassionally on special, but so good I wish they had a call list to tell me when it was going to be on the menu. I've had the recent specials a number of times the last couple of months. The fried goat cheese salad is really good, and the candied bacon is ridiculous. candy. bacon. bacon. How could that not be good? The corn muffins are really yummy. Good mashed potatoes. Obviously, delicious bbq. But the thing that makes this place great I think is that I can bring my vegetarian friends here, and they are more satisfied with the options than with other places in the neighborhood like Skylark. The music here is awesome if you have any taste whatsoever. Now please make me a chicken pot pie.
(5)Susan L.
This place has got to be kidding. Ribs were meatless. It had a smokey taste that was too overwelming and ribs were oversmoked to complete dryness. Ribs were not passable to eat alone in of itself so you must use the BBQ sauce as an add on. Pulled pork and briskets are only okay. Side dishes of macaroni and cheese, mushrooms, yams are better tasting than the ribs. Mac n cheese was definitely good.. However, when I come to a BBQ place, I expect great ribs!! Very disappointing food. Never coming back
(1)Kirsten F.
Great BBQ and great atmosphere. From the moment you walk in you feel like you are stepping back in time. The food is fantastic,my favorite is the pulled pork sandwich paired with a Lone Star. Also, the portobello mushroom melts in your mouth. All of the ribs were yummy, especially with the sweet sauce. The bar looks like an old western saloon and a vintage arm wrestling machine adds to the ambiance. The decor is a delight for the eyes of all ages. Unique paintings and folk art make Honky Tonk BBQ a feast for the eyes too. Be sure to end with the Banana Cream Pudding -- nilla wafers, drowning in vanilla pudding and whipped cream, just like my grandma used to make. Super-delish.
(5)Kika K.
I have been in BBQ withdrawal since living here, so when I heard this had Memphis style BBQ, I grabbed some friends and came as quick as I could. While close, it's not Memphis style. It's still pretty good though. The place seems small, but I think there's another room they had closed off. There's a huge banner over the entrance, so you can't mistake it. It's very casual, and I think the wait staff seemed a little confused when we sat down. Maybe we were supposed to go up to the front to order? They have a decent menu selection. In addition to the pulled pork, I ordered the salad and it was delicious. There's also specials written on a chalkboard next to the register which looked pretty good. I was a little hesitant when I found out there would be a guitar/country singer. That is NOT Memphis style at all. I thought it would be horribly cheesy, and since I hate country music, I thought my ears would hurt the whole time. I was mistaken. The guitar player is very cute, and he grew on me after a couple minutes. Also, this place is BYOB, so grab a couple beers before you come (it's $1/person). It's also cash only, so stop by an ATM.
(4)Joshua R.
The banana pudding with nilla wafers is the best. The atmosphere, awesome. The BBQ is fantastic.
(5)Martha Z.
No more BYO, they got their liquor license.
(4)Tina D.
My BF and I decided to try this spot after watching Chicago's Best. Now I am really going to try this place again. I really wanted to LOVE everything but didnt. The fried green tomatoes were not what they were cracked up to be, although the dipping sauce def plus. The mac and cheese was overcooked and not very flavorful. The chicken was pretty good. Overall, it was a nicely priced. i would love to go back and listen to the live music on the weekend and i will give the food another chance.
(3)Michelle L.
I thouroughly enjoyed my visit to Honkey Tonk. We recieved wonderful service, and had delicious bbq. Our table ordered the Brisket, the Pulled Pork, the short rib special, Mac and Cheese and "What your girlfriend wants Salad". They were all exceptional. Willy makes it all himself. Even the hot sauce is a wonderful house blend. Also, the salad is perfect for hesitant veggie eaters. (not to mention... be sure to indulge in the mac and cheese. it is not to be missed.) Note: there is no Sweet Baby Ray's Q sauce, as another critic wrongfully mentioned. Also, there are windows! The sauces are on the table, it is nice that you dont have to ask for a side of extra sauce, if you are like me. This way, you get to choose which sauce to put on your sandwhiches. Your enthusiastic host is worth the visit. Keep it up. I cant wait to visit on a friday or saturday for the music.
(5)Neil R.
This is not your typical restuarant. First off the neighborhood, as Nancy said there were shots fired fairly close to the restuarant and cops were called on the scene. The door seemed very secure and solid so we were safe in the premises that have no windows? What type of restuarant has 0 windows? I don't recall any windows. There was a cowboy walking around singing in the restuarant in his flannels, cowboy boots and gallon hat. At least he sang happy birthday to the birthday boy. BYOB. I think we brought too much liqour. I believe we had a party of 20 or so and not everyone was drinking, primarily the birthday boy who couldn't hit the toilet bowl. The interior and exterior are awful. I would not recommend this place. Any other restuarant would be just as great. Best part about it was the BYOB. Now to the food. My friend and I shared the food and he ordered EVERYTHING. half slab of St Louis ribs and half of baby back ribs. Somewhat dry. Nothing special, they used sweet baby rays BBQ sauce which I love. The garlic mash potatoes were too buttery. The garlic bread was ok. Beef Brisket was decent once you pile on a lot of BBQ sauce. Pulled Pork, I couldn't even touch. Macaroni and Cheese was awful. Corn Bread was great but I only had a bite.
(2)Sara M.
Who ever thought a restaurant could make you addicted and utterly obsessed with coleslaw?? Random, I know. There is truly something magical about it. I was never even a huge fan of coleslaw UNTIL I put that forkful of crunchy, sugary-tart, creamy glorious-ness in my mouth. More on the magical coleslaw later and let's talk about how I arrived to have this obsession. I would always drive past Honky Tonk on my way from UIC to Bridgeport - and every time I would see that crazy piece of art that sits on the corner of 18th and Racine - I would say to myself "...I need to try that place one of these days". Then I happened to be watching Check Please one day and I saw Honkey Tonk featured on the show - and my thought was cemented - I need to go to this place. So I go... and what the hell in wrong with this place making food so good? The first time I went I ordered - Pulled Pork Sandwich with a side of Coleslaw and Mac & Cheese... and now have been back MANY times and I still order the same thing every time. I can't help myself. Why fix something that isn't broke, non? I went to school for engineering so my composition skills are poor - but let me see if I can layout and describe the meal that I would pick if I was on death row. FIRST! You have to start out with a frosty bottle of Two Brothers Domain Dupage French Country Ale. Because 1. it's delicious. and 2. because you should always support local beer companies . Sorry Goose Island - it was a good run - but with AB owning you now 312 just won't have the same feel. THEN! Fried. Green. Tomatoes. Do I partly order them because it reminds of the movie with the Grandma from Batteries Not Included that I used to watch every Sunday on WGN growing up? Sure... I am nostalgic. I can't help it. The fact that they are breaded morsels of fresh green tomatoes doesn't hurt either - they must coat them in some kind of corn meal - because I love that the breading doesn't fall off right away - which is REALLY hard to do with Fried Green Tomatoes. NEXT! Pulled Pork Sandwich. Always. And. Forever. They break the Kaiser bun mold by putting the sandwich on the softest hoagie bread I have ever had. The pulled pork and the bread just melt into each other. I then take my coleslaw side and put in on my sandwich and give a squirt of that famous mustard they have sitting on the table- while giggling with excitement because I know the flavor explosion that is coming my way. If you do this, when you take a bite you get the ridiculously soft pork that has been waiting for you all day long coupled with the sweet-tangy crunch of the coleslaw. After you have had this combination - you will never be able to go back to eating pulled pork without the slaw ever again. The vinegar-based coleslaw is super fresh - sweet - yet you get this fresh bursts of a peppery flavor at the same time. It's so good, it hurts. I take turns between sandwich bites for the Mac & Cheese and it definitely feels like I am breaking a 10th commandment with each bite. It's sinfully good - especially when you are washing it down with a Two Brothers. The music is always great in the background - adding to your southern experience - and the service is always decent. No Soup Nazi-esque service like the kind you get at Smoque. Get your Midwest panties out of a bunch if you feel like you are waiting too long for your food - the place is always slammed and your meat has been cooking for 12 hours so you can wait another 10 or 15 min. The bill is always a joy to read too - my husband and I would be able to make it out of there for under $25 between us if we didn't have all those Two Brother beers... but even then I don't think we have ever spent over $50 bucks for all the times we have been there. Did I mention that I have to take 1/2 my sandwich home because it's so huge I can't finish it? It's just as delicious the next day too. Who wants to eat the ultimate BBQ delicious-ness on a budget? Ummm... I do. This is why I go to Honkey Tonk.
(5)MaryAnne M.
Me "Would it be in poor form to take my bra off? Since I am so stuffed and my bra seems to be suffocating me?" Fellow diners: "Yes" Me: "Fine. Bra stays on. Dammit." This review is some time in the making and I think I just recently recovered from the meat sweats I encountered. Carol J put together this bbqapalooza. Let's start with the entertainment. Yes, entertainment. A rockabilly guitar type singer. Fun. With out going too much into the menu this is what stood out: Starters: Fried green tomatoes, mushrooms with roasted garlic and bread, candied yams, greens and beets I LOVE yams. Especially since I typically have to wait until fall for them. And beets? I can eat them all day. On to the good stuff: Beef brisket, beef spare ribs and pulled BBQ pork, Pork baby back ribs and pork St. Louis ribs. It was soo much food. And soo good. (See above bra/meat sweats comment.) I just kept eating it like I was trying to prove something. Dessert: Sweet potato pie and peach cobbler. The peach cobbler being the stand out here. The owner Willie Wagner was so nice and attentive to our group. Summary: Get down to Pilsen.
(5)Gina T.
We decided to try this restaurant after seeing it on Drive ins, Diners, and Dives on the Food Network. The atmosphere definitely deserves 5 stars as does the BYOB status. Our waitress was nice and service was fast. We had the sampler platter... our favorites were the pork, cornbread, beans, brisket, and peach cobbler. The ribs were a bit dry and scarce on the meat, and the chicken was too moist. We will be back for the pork, peach cobbler and live music.
(4)David W.
BBQ, BYOB, Pislen? I'm intrigued. In an unassuming store front on 18th street in the heart of Pilsen has bloomed Honky Tonk Barbeque. A simple no frills BBQ joint that has a menu filled with meat and a dining room filled with live music. The entrance to the Honky Tonk is dark black (is there any other kinda black?) and we didn't know if we were walking into the restaurant or into somebody's apartment. We guessed right. However throughout the night would be diners would open up the mail slot and peek through to hedge their bets. Standing in the middle of the Honky Tonk was a man dressed in red. Red shirt, red pants, red shoes, and yes even a red belt. This man also was wielding a guitar and singing both American and Spanish cowboy classics. It couldn't have been more perfect. You order from the counter in the front directly underneath the "Order Here" sign. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich, side of beans & pork, side of coleslaw, and to finish her off some nana pudding. The pork was moist, tender, and seasoned well. It was served on a ciabatta roll which was a pleasant surprise and added a layer of complexity to the simple sandwich. The beans and coleslaw were both delicious. The nana pudding was good, but nothing like my grams used to make. Jeff ordered a full slab of baby backs (they were out of the st. Louis) and housed them down. I think he liked them. Mike ordered the brisket and found it to be a bit on the fatty side, but said it tasted good. Both ordered the corn bread and wouldn't stop telling me how good it was. Neither offered to share! The space itself is.........shitty. I mean it's a BBQ place. You wouldn't want it any other way. The service is......shitty. I mean it's a BBQ place. You wouldn't want it any other way. Despite that, the Honky Tonk has something about it that you just can't help but find endearing. I'm not sure if it was the Pinot we drank, the neighbors we chatted with, the songs we sang, or the pork we put down but we loved this place. I will definitely be heading back. 1 Pulled Pork Sandwich 1 Slab of Ribs 1 Brisket Sandwich 2 Orders of Corn Bread 2 Orders of Beans 1 Order of Slaw ------------------------------------- $40
(4)Constance R.
Honky Tonk is one of my favorite places in the city for these reasons: great music (from blues to jazz to honky-tonk country, I've always enjoyed whatever band they bring in), delicious beer (they must go through a lot of Allagash because it always tastes so fresh and delicious here), AWESOME greens (soooooo gooooood -- they're southern style), and a fun atmosphere. ****I have heard they don't always have the greens, but they have had them every time I've gone. Aside from the greens, my favorite things here are the hot links, the beef brisket sandwich, and the green BLT sandwich (green because it has fried green tomatoes on it). The BLT comes on these fat little buns and I wish it came on regular bread, but other than that it's delicious. If you are a vegetarian but you like comfort food, you can still find a good meal here (plenty of sides, but trust me the greens are the best side -- they may be cooked with meat, though, so you might want to ask). They also have a portabella sandwich that is pretty good, and I bet you could order the green BLT sandwich without the bacon.
(5)Hans H.
Let me preface this by saying that I generally hate pulled pork. US pork is all grain fed and dry and tasteless as eating twine, unless it's marinated to high heaven. Pulled pork to me is like eating ordinary chicken breast put through a dryer. Slather on the sauce just to make it go down... I love Honky tonk's pulled pork. I don't even need their sauce, but the combination of the spicy and sweet sauce on the roll just makes it even better. Perfect combination of spices in the pork, and it just goes down moist and smooth, like a big chunk of dark meat. I had the pork & beans and slaw as sides, and they were both excellent (the beans comes with a big chunk of pulled pork in it too!). The slaw is definitely not the creamy kind, but more vinegar and tartness which is much more to my taste. I've had better beef brisket than from here, however. Try Smoque, up north for the best beef brisket I've ever had. Don't expect to be waited on here too attentively. The food is the focus. Highly recommended!
(5)John S.
WOW! Amazing...great place! I will be a regular. I had the beef brisket sandwich (with a side of real horseradish to spread). This stuff is great! The sauces are excellent (one won third place at a big time BBQ contest). I also had the fried green tomatoes (excellent!) and sampled the mac and cheese (5 cheeses...good/decent...but I am a stickler with mac & cheese and the cheesier/creamier the better). We arrived on Fri night at 7 and by 7:30, it was jumpin. The music is what you would find at a Honky Tonk in Nashville. Artwork fills the walls...givin it that southern country flair. There is nothing like this in Chicago...it's an original. I applaud them for the originality and the food is seriously worth a trip down to Pilsen. The bar has a good line of draft beers/cocktails....even the cherry's they drop in some of the cocktails have a unique taste as they are marinated....they've thought of everything! This one is easy....5 stars.
(5)Connie M.
Honestly, I had only a 2-star experience, but I can't be that harsh on an earnest attempt at BBQ. Maybe my crap meal was a fluke; the owner and master-griller was away at some BBQ contest. So maybe usually it's better. Ergo, 3 stars. I went on a weeknight--no live music, and realistically, there should be no excuses about the lack of service. I waited 30 minutes for a lukewarm, dry brisket. All the sauce in the world couldn't help this brisket. I'm sorry. Seasoned leather is still leather. My garlic mashed potatoes were oddly buttery but not particularly seasoned (like good ol' salt and pepper). They seemed hastily made. It all just seemed half-assed. I'd give it another shot--as long as I have a 6-pack handy...
(3)Mika J.
As if the name alone wasn't bad enough...the bbq at Honky Tonk is as authentic as Kenny Roger's face! Since Brisket isn't my "thang", I can't speak on that, but as someone who knows her Southern cuisine, please trust me when I say, the ribs here taste nothing like the coveted delicacy Memphis and KC natives call BBQ. The sauce was boring and the meat lacked real flavor, smelling ALOT smokier than it tasted...how does that happen? (Two stars for the staff who on the whole were pretty friendly.)
(2)Rob P.
It's all about the meat. Owner/meat-meister Willie Wagner (who stopped by our table) is as compulsive about buying the right cuts of beef and pork as we are eating it. And it shows. The delectable hi-protein sampler platter offers an ideal cross section of what the laid back Pilsen joint has to offer. The plate offers tender meaty bites, not too aggressively seasoned, yet each with a distinctive flavor. From there you have the option of going whole hog (or cow) with a full order of brisket, ribs, pulled pork, links or any of the other menu items. Three BBQ sauces (all great) on the table allow you to mix and match to taste. The space, its walls covered with American art (from mid 19th century Romantic prints to contemporary outsider kitsch), is a combination of store fronts, with its focal dining room being an old neighborhood bar. Seating is an anti-trendy odds and ends collection of comfy tables and chairs. Service is casual, but very friendly and efficient. And the bathrooms are kept clean (remember, the cleanliness of the kitchen is directly proportional to the cleanliness of the johns). And you can't beat the price. My group of five hungry bloat-seeking men filled up for about $20 a head (including tax and tip). Can't wait to go back.
(5)Ben C.
This place is amazing! I can't wait to go for the first time, some day. If Dave realizes he hasn't eaten lunch at like 3pm, he will hold out and go to Honky Tonk at 4pm! Jamie says sandwiches are $6. Guess I'll just have to see!
(4)Katie T.
Honk-y-tonk...honk-y-tonk. I absolutely loved this place! Went on a Saturday and had to wait 20 minutes which is fine because it gave us a chance to get our buzz on at the bar. Plus, there was live blues music to enjoy! And of course, we were able to take a look at what people were ordering. We had to get the sampler platter since it was our first time there, seemed like the right choice as every table around us did the same. We got a half slab of the St. Louis ribs, half a roasted chicken, two dreamy sausages, 2 samples of the brisket sandwich, beans and coleslaw. We also ordered the garlic mashed potatoes (shhhh). Oh! and 2 cornbread muffins. All of the meat was tender and dry rubbed to perfection. The chicken had an amazing smoked flavor and the 3 sauces they put on the table were all amazing. I love to mix em together! I will be back again and again. It's in walking distance from my boy's house so - again and again!
(5)harry l.
Having eaten here numerous times before, as well as several take out orders in the bag, I decided to suggest this for our office dinner. The food was great, as always. There were a few minor glitches (ran out of a few items, and forgot to pack one item)--but it was the last order of the night--and a big order, at that. Beth delivered our missing item very promptly, and included a few goodies, as well. Great food, great service! Would def recommend.
(4)Molly S.
Great little gem to have in Pilsen which is basically a Mexican and pizza kind of neighborhood (not that there's anything wrong with that). But, Honky Tonk's brisket will definitely fill the need for some good barbecue. St. Loius ribs were good too - plus two sauces to choose from. I haven't tried everything and think the service is still figuring itself out (i.e. "Am I a full-service restaurant or a take-and-go ribs joint?), but I'll be back.
(4)Andrew B.
Tried the pulled pork, spare ribs, and hot link, no sides. Service was good, and the place smelled properly smoky. The owner was walking around, chatting with customers. Seemed like a pretty friendly place. Parking was a pain in the butt, but that's not Honky Tonk's fault. The "championship" pulled pork was just OK. It was tender and juicy, but didn't have the crispy bits of bark that I love in pulled pork to break up the texture. The rub was grainy and bland -- like Lawry's seasoning salt with a few extra spices thrown in. It came on a huge ciabatta bun that actually was pretty good. It was rather chewy for a sandwich bun, but I ended up dipping big hunks of it in the different sauces. The hot link was good. Like a high-quality piece of sausage cooked over a backyard grill. Doesn't stand up to the quality of the better links in the city (Honey1, Smoque, UJ's), but certainly head and shoulders above the crappy kielbasa that passes for hot link at some places. The spares were the standout. Although the rub was once again a bit off-putting, the meat was tender and flavorful, perched on the bones in a thick, fat sheet. A decent amount of bark added a nice textural contrast. I could take or leave the other dishes, but I would order this again. Three sauces supplied: sweet, tangy, and mustard. Sweet and tangy were both insanely sweet, with the tangy adding a little bit of spice. Mediocre. The mustard was my favorite, with a very viscous texture for the style. Bright and vinegary with a good amount of spicy kick, it went well with the pulled pork.
(3)Manny G.
Worst BBQ ever. I know Chicago is not known for BBQ, but this BBQ is honestly the worst that I've ever had. Don't know where all the hype is coming from. I would rate it a zero if I could.
(1)Noah C.
Overall this was a good place for BBQ. My wife, daughter and I shared the sampler platter and enjoyed everything on the plate! Great smokey BBQ flavor and nice portions for the price. I was not thrilled with the service, a little indifferent. Almost like they were "too cool" for us. Another thing about the experience, the room was freezing!! They were aware of it and tried to do what they could but it was almost unbearable. Lastly, they only take cash. Things could have been a lot worse but they could have been a lot better. The food was worth it but I think I might pass next time.
(3)Tony S.
I was told about this place from a friend and have been wanting to try it. it is now my new faborite place. First of all you walk in and it just reminds me of a restaurant you would find driving down a turn pike in texas. Everything looked fantastic, so me and my good friend Angie wanted to try everything and went with the everything platter for only $30.00. We had tons of food that was great and were absolutley stuffed aftrer that. But we were both craving some chocolate. So the waitress suggested the chocolate cheese cake. "oh my god". Hands down the best cheesecake i have ever had. I definatley look forward to going back there and telling soeim friends about it. It was great. Tony
(5)Rachel H.
My companion and I had a few things to celebrate, and I had put Honky Tonk at the top of my "To Eat" list after I saw their Halloween sign with a skeleton eating some ribs. Har har har. After ordering at the counter, which is built into a facade that looks like a fake barn of some type, we settled into our table in a little nook where I could feel comfortable squeezing the BBQ sauce bottles while making little fart sounds with my mouth. Shockingly I didn't create a BBQ sauce murder scene. Luckily for my companion our food arrived before I could embarrass myself too badly. Damn. I got the half chicken which was dry rubbed with spices and very smoky. When I saw that bird there was a part of me that said "How the Hell will I eat all that?" When I finished the bird, the part of me with no dignity or willpower whatsoever said "I should have gotten the whole chicken." My companion enjoyed his St. Louis style ribs and both of our entrees came with a tangy coleslaw that seemed like it had apple in it. We also both got the roasted portobella mushrooms which was one of their specials and they were delicious. I would definitely come back to check out a pulled pork sandwich or some live Honky Tonk on the weekends. Either that or I'll order the whole chicken and go home and eat it where nobody else can judge my pigginess. Oh and speaking of pigginess, right by the tip bucket there's a plastic mother pig feeding its babies and it has a disturbing number of little plastic nipples. 15, and yes, I counted.
(4)Buzz and Poxie C.
Great BBQ. Saw it on the Food Network and decided to try it.
(4)Becca A.
Honkeytonk BBQ is so damn good! I had the pleasure of going out to eat with two hungry boys so I got to try (basically) everything on the menu that my little heart could handle. I personally ordered the "what your girlfriend wants" salad, served with fresh mixed baby greens, berries, jicama and nuts (drizzled with real olive oil) while the boys got a pulled pork sandwich, brisket and a full rack o ribs (who am I fooling? You know I helped devour that pile of meat! Put it straight up on my salad). The ribs were amazing, dry rubbed and falling off the bone tender. We actually had to order more they disappeared so fast! The brisket was juicy, not at all dry and full of beefy goodness. Though I tend not to be a pork fan, the pork was scrumptious! Super tender, not greasy like I've had before. We also had some sauteed mushrooms which rounded out the meatfulness of our meal. For dessert, we enjoyed a couple slices of pie from local pastry chef Stacey (wish I could remember her last name) which were superb! I liked the pecan pie best but the sweet potato was also delish. Not too sweet and very fresh tasting. A few days later, I went back for more brisket and surprise! It was even better then the first time. The decor is cool, the staff is laid back and friendly. Honkeytonk BBQ is a Pilsen treasure trove of yum! UPDATE, 5/21/08: I just heard through a friend that Honkey Tonk BBQ took 3rd in the national Memphis in May BBQ competition!!
(5)Sherri S.
Seriously BBQ??? I saw this place on diners, drive ins and dives and it sounded spectacular. How could Guy be wrong he did recommend Smoque BBQ which is spectacular BBQ. So my husband and son drove 1 hour last night to this joint and we walked in and the place reeked of mold that should have been my first clue to turn around and go somewhere else. We sat down and ordered off the menu that had a list of country BBQ items. We ordered smoked pork and chicken, fried green tomatoes and garlic bread. I was looking forward to ordering dessert too. We got our food the chicken was dry as can be, the pork had very little smoke flavor and the tomatoes were dripping with grease. I would give this restaurant at best 1 star. If you really want excellent BBQ go to Smoque BBQ. The flavor is out of this world so smoky and moist this place is an absolute dump. I would have been better off at McDonald's.
(1)Gloria E.
I really wasn't too fond of HT BBQ. I was so excited to finally try it long after seeing it on Check Please! I lived in Pilsen at the time and this was the last place in Pilsen I got around to trying. Perhaps they have good and bad days or a few *off* slabs, but I was not impressed or even satisfied with it. Service was good, but my ribs were dry as hell. I thought 'maybe this is what southern bbq is all about and it's just me.' Then again, I AM from the south (kind of... So. Fla), but I came with a friend, and he's from Texas. So, if I don't count as being Southern, he for sure does. Neither of us was happy about our food. I got their beef ribs and I think he ordered the St Louis Ribs. We shared. Both our ribs were super dry (nothing falling off the bones), and the sauces were okay, but it just couldn't coat the ribs. They were too dry. It would basically slide right off and by the end, my plate had lots of sauce, and my ribs had very little sauce. The best thing about my experience was the cornbread, and in a BBQ joint, that just shouldn't be the case. On top of all that, it's kind of pricey. I mean ribs are always kind of pricey, but they're also usually pretty good, and these were not good for the price. I don't think I'll be back.
(2)Christine M.
Oh, wow. My cousin loves this place and has been trying to get us to go there for ages. We made reservations a week ago for tonight, and last night it's on Check, Please! We knew that it was going to be crowded. We didn't expect them to be totally out of ribs. All we were able to order was pulled pork or the beef brisket. They did have all of the sides, except mashed potatoes. The food, it was just ok. It wasn't great, it was barley good. It didn't have much of a smokey taste at all. I was unimpressed with the sides, as well. The service was slow, but the place was PACKED, so that is understandable. This sounds silly, but there was only a single bathroom in the whole place! We were in the second room, and our table was directly in front of the live music. We wanted to talk, and that made it near impossible.
(2)Karl Z.
OK, I went again and this time had the rib tips. They're a HUGE step up from the brisket and pulled pork, the service was also significantly better, though it was much quieter. I still need to go a couple more times to see if that holds up, but I'll at least give them another try now.
(3)Bryan M.
All around an amazing experience. Nice atmosphere, excellent food and great live honkey tonk music
(5)Jean C.
Ah-mazing. After reading review after review, I thought it was time to check this place out. I came here last night with my husband and his best friend and we already knew prior to coming here what we were going to order. The sampler platter. It's a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. Honestly, I think it could have fed the three of us just fine, but the boys wanted more ribs. And they were quite tasty. They had a great smokey flavor that was just right. The sausage links were awesome as well as the corn bread. The cole slaw had cilantro in it. A big no-no in my book. After I picked it out, it tasted good. The chicken was probably my least favorite meat on the plate. It was good but just average compared to everything else on the platter. I was unable to try the brisket only because the guys got to it first. No problem though. I definitely got my fill. There were three different BBQ sauces and all of them were delicious. It was fun experimenting which sauce went best with which meat. Next time we go (and according to my husband we are going all the time) I would like to try the sides and dessert. A few dessert plates walked past our table and they looked divine. This place is so cool. The ambiance is so laid back and the decorations really give it a nice charm. There was a duo playing music last night and that was great! I'm not really a fan of the country style music but I was last night! It's BYOB and cash only. This place is definitely worth a trip. We were lucky that we didn't have to wait last night! I can't wait to go back for round two!
(5)Char Y.
Much better! We saw it on DDD and decided to give it a second try. The st louis ribs were WOW, juicy and flavorful through out. The brisket and the pulled pork were tender and juicy as well. I am definitely impressed, and will go back again.
(4)Rene H.
Excellent service. Cocktails are strong. Great sauces. Food is between good & great, depends what you order. Live band is awesome.
(4)Jerry E.
A little too much fat. Rip tips and pork are good. No parking unless your feeding the meters.
(3)joe b.
I tried the baby back last night. it was very disappointing as it was served cold and dry. If you are expecting fall off the bone bbq, this is not the place for you. the meat is very dry. what i saw on tv that a lot of spices were used to make the dry rub was not evident on what i had last night. not a bit of moisture on th bb back. The pulled pork sandwich is just ok. just smother it with their bbq sauce. but it is not something you will go back there for. it is just not award winning for us. we didnt bother to order anything after these. the ambiance was ok. servers were friendly and nice.
(1)Brad F.
Came here the other night and had the baby back ribs and mannnnn were they fantastic, I work right and the area and wish they were open for lunch. I had a side of mac and cheese and the corn bread was awesome. I thought it was cool that Guy Fieri was here from the food network.
(5)Sagar N.
Having partially grown up in Austin, TX - I can say I have some legitimacy in critiquing barbecue. Of course, I know I am biased towards that amazing Texan style of bbq: moist brisket, smoky sausage, gasoline fumes, ahhh... But I digress.. Living in Chicago has made me aware that in this city of never-ending food variety, one thing that is missing is solid barbecue. In my search for legit bbq in the Chi, I stumbled upon Honky Tonk, and felt the only word that can describe it is: surprising. Surprising, that a BBQ joint sprouted up in the middle of Pilsen. Surprising, that this place also has line dancing weekly with live music. Aaand, most of all, surprising that it has some decent food. I went at an inopportune time (11a on a saturday) because my schedule didn't permit otherwise, but went with the brisket and some sausage. Although, I can't say that it competes with the best I've had in Texas, it is pretty decent 'cue, made the right way, and with a good complimentary sauce. The only thing lacking was the slaw, which I can admit I'm pretty particular about. Overall, for the ambiance, the quality, and the surprise factor this place is a great find! However, I am still looking for that little bit of Texas in Chicago... Solid 3.5
(3)Nicole R.
Love it... Great Food, Great Music, Awesome Atmosphere!
(5)Ron J.
i really dont know who reviewed this place before or if it has changed as one reviewer had said. i want the last 2 hours of my life back. worst bbq i have had in a long time. ALL the meat: brisket, st louis and baby back ribs and the pulled pork are boiled. Very little smoke flavor if any. The sides were good, i had fried green tomatoes and corn bread. The space is cool with good live music. Those are the only redeeming qualities. With so many great bbq places in Chicago Smoque, Lillys and Pork Shopee, don not waste your time at this place.
(1)Russ S.
Excellent barbecue!!!!! And every year they have a pig roast for the community in Pilsen. So good!
(4)Mayari G.
A friend and I went to Honky Tonk and ordered the BBQ sampler platter (i despise the word sampler). Anyway, it was so tasty and varied that you honestly felt like they were separate items - not just a mass of BBQ - we should have brought 3 more people b/c we had tons of left overs but will definitely be back. The decor is not theme-driven but feels like an empty barn within a Pilsen building which is exactly what it is - it's great.
(4)Lauren R.
The pork was delicious! Loses a star for not being a BYOB anymore. Really enjoyed their sauces as well as sides (the cornbread is so good!).
(4)T C.
I live down the street from Honky Tonk and was really excited when it opened. There isn't much like it around Pilsen. Traveling for great bbq isn't a horrible thing, but it's much nicer to have a local place. The first time I ordered at Honky Tonk the food was delicious. Each time since then; it's been hit or miss. It seems that every time I've ordered take out, something has been wrong with the order. Whether the size was incorrect or something was missing, there's always something to complain about. The food has fallen off since it first opened; and that's disappointing because (as many have said) it's a really chill place to catch great music and a good vibe. (cheap beers, too. It's got a laid back, dive bar feel without the dive) I wonder if the fall off is because it's a larger place than it was when it first opened or because (now that there's live music, a bar, etc) the focus on good food has been lost. Whatever the case may be, my ribs last night were way overcooked, (the foil even smelled overcooked) and there was hardly any rub/flavor to them. After a few tries, I passed on eating them, and there's nothing more disappointing than looking forward to rib night and not getting it. The people who work there, while friendly, aren't too bright. It seems like most of the mistakes that are made are because of total forgetfulness. (Somehow they remembered to wear their cool hipster mustache but forgot how to make food taste good.) Honky Tonk could be, and once was, a great place to get bbq. Their bbq is different than other places in the city, and if done correctly, I'd eat there often. (more often than one should, actually) But until then, no thanks. I'd rather make the trek to another spot.
(2)kirstjen l.
When you open the door, the scent of smoked pork engulfs you. Best pulled pork ever! Good sauce. Great baby back ribs! This is a real "hole in the wall" BBQ joint. Great friendly service, great prices. I will definitely be back! They also had some funky guy playing guitar & singing old Hank Sr, Johnny Cash, etc & dressed to the hilt in hillbilly finery. Wow!! They are open at 4pm, Tues-Sat.
(5)Van D.
Tried this place for the first time last Fri night. Food was great. Tried the sampler platter which had ribs, chicken, brisket, pulled pork, sausage, beans, cole slaw, and cornbread. I am big rib guy and very much liked their ribs. They have sauce on the table but these ribs were made with a dry rub. Usually don't order brisket, pulled pork, or chicken but was very impressed with flavor and juiciness of their meats. Sides were average. Good selection of bottled beers. Atmosphere is definitely different. Funky art work and furniture in the back room and more of bar atmosphere in the front room. (If you ever wondered where your family's dining room table from the 80s is, check the back room)
(4)Gerty L.
Honestly, there's better BBQ out there than what was served at Honky Tonk. We tried the Baby Back Ribs, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Brisket Sandwich, Mac and Cheese, Grilled Portabella, Mashed Potatoes and Beans. We found the meats pretty tasteless and dry. The portabella -- charred to the point that we can only taste the bitterness. Without the bbq sauces, the meats tasted quite bland. We were really hoping for some finger-lickin' stuff. It was really disappointing experience for an establishment claiming to place 3rd at a well-known BBQ Championship event.
(1)Aurore L.
The other night I was lucky enough to be transported in a world of fantasy. Of the cinematic kind since it was the (almost Homeric) one of "Oh Brother Where are Thou?" Unlucky for me - George Clooney was not in sight but the three bluegrass musicians who were singing on their banjos (lefty style- yay!!!) did a pretty impressive job. I just had to close my eyes to be in a mystic South I have never set foot in. Nobody's perfect. Honky Tonk didn't disappoint. We shared a large sampling platter of meaty goodies and I loved every bite of it. The sausage oddly enough was my hands down favorite. But everything has already been said about all the sticky messy yumminess of the place....you really just have to go and see for yourself. And enjoy the love. And no - there is not only Mexican food in Pilsen. For a matter of fact, HKBBQ is just across the street from a Chinese place. If you find George Clooney though - with or without banjo - please let me know. Always on the hunt.
(4)Elizabeth V.
Came here with some friends a few nights ago. My boyfriend and I shared a full slab of ribs, mac and cheese and a corn muffin. The food tasted good and enjoyed it since I was hungry. I would like go back and try the pulled pork which according to some reviews is the thing to get. The space is big and they had live music which was enjoyable.
(3)John B.
This was the first stop on my week of eating until my innards exploded, and what a start. Carol J and pitmaster Willie Wagner put together a prixy fixy dinner that gave us a chance to try everything on the menu for 25 bucks. Well maybe not everything, but that's what it felt like. First, the apps. Fried green tomatoes -- crispy, crunchy coating, creamy tomatoey goodness on the inside, that's eating. I had to have a second, in spite of trying to save room for the meat. Garlic portabella mushrooms with garlic toast and a honey mustard sauce. Oh my. Then the meat, in shifts, with sides. First up, baby back ribs. Oh yeah. These pulled off the bone, but didn't fall off the bone, the sign of a good long smoking without the dastardly par-boiling that some placed employ. Rubbed but not sauced, because the sauce is on the table and it just burns on the grill anyway. Three sauces -- one sweeter, one spicier, and one mustard-based -- let you serve up the meat as you like it. Along with the ribs, we had sweet potatoes, collard and mustard greens, pickled beets, and cole slaw. I didn't get to the slaw because I was so taken with the greens. And the sweets -- melt in your mouth goodness. Of course, the pool of butter and brown sugar might have had something to do with that. But wait, there's more! A second platter of meat, with beef ribs, brisket, and pork shoulder. The clear favorite here was the beef ribs -- burnished brown, meltingly tender, with just enough fat to keep it all moist. The pulled pork was excellent, too, but I was fixated on the short ribs. The brisket was the least interesting, although it did make the best leftovers the next day. Probably because of the extra fat. Willie serves up the brisket as a sandwich, with horseradish on a ciabatta roll, and that would be a very different animal. And then, when you think you're going to burst -- dessert! Cobbler, banana pudding, and sweet potato pie. Who knew banana pudding could be such a treat. This was the dessert in which I had the least interest, and yet it turned out to be my favorite. This is the kind of place you'd walk right by, if you didn't know what was inside. Even when you get inside, it's not that impressive. But then the food comes out, and oh mama. That's what we're here for.
(5)trieu n.
i went to honky tonk with a few friends for a delicious weeknight dinner, and that's exactly what i got. unfortunately, they were all out of brisket, so 3 of us had pulled pork and the other 2 split a full slab of st. louis style ribs. we also had corn muffins, a family order of mac n cheese, and large candied yams. we all needed to be rolled out of the restaurant...bu in the best way. the pulled pork is everything i wanted and more: huge chunks of moist pork, perfectly smoked with slightly burnt/crisp ends. excellent. the sweet bbq sauce was very popular at our table. i wasn't a huge fan of the vinegar bbq sauce or the mustard sauce...but that's more personal preference. my friends enjoyed their ribs immensely and polished off the entire slab. the dry rub had a good flavor and the meat was perfectly cooked. our sides were HUGE. we thought that between the 4 mac n cheese eaters, we ought to go with the family size. when the bowl came out, it looked tiny and i didn't think there would be enough; however, after we started eating, we noticed that this was a magic bowl of mac n cheese because even though we were taking huge spoonfuls of big spiral macaroni, more kept appearing in the bowl. don't let the small bowl deceive you. the candied yams were also good...soft but not mushy and just the perfect amount of sweetness. i am deducting one star for the service. the restaurant was only slightly busy and we hardly ever saw our waitress. i hate to deduct a star because she was very friendly...but we had to go a very long time without drink refills. also, we were looking for her for at least 10 minutes to bring out butter for the cornbread. it might have been an off night for her...but what could have been a 60 minute meal...turned into almost a 2 hour meal. also, another waitress went to clear our table, but did not ask us if we were done eating. she piled the bowl of mac n cheese and yams on top of one another before we had time to tell her that we were still picking at it. it was pretty heartbreaking. the service should deter me from coming back, but i really like barbecue...and a bbq joint that is a short ride away is hard to come by. so i'll be back...and hope for better service.
(4)Douglas M.
This is the best BBQ I've ever had. I've also not had hot links as good as these since my German grandfather passed away.
(5)Jake B.
Great food and atmosphere as long as it's not super crowded. And even when it is super crowded, it's still great food.
(4)Blythe Z.
this place rocks - i'm hoked. candied bacon - so good only need a bite or two very rich. my husband and I tried the sampler - we even had leftovers! My favorite is the hot links - so so good - mac and cheese is a close second though. a great place to bring in friends from out of town - really great staff too!
(5)Frankie B.
The quality of the food was good. The beans were awesome, the mac-n-cheese was rad.. I just think it's a bit too pricey and the portion size for the sides are too small. Grew up around the corner from here and am glad they are here in Pilsen. Staff is nice enough, but I have to ding them for the portion sizes.
(3)Carol J.
This place blows. YOU HEARD ME. MOVE ALONG. NOTHING TO SEE HERE! It blows every bbq joint in town away. I am just hoping people won't read past my opening statement and ignore the star rating. I was introduced to Honky Tonk at the rib-a-que at Moonshine and had the pleasure of gorging on ribs right off the smoking/grilling contraption. It was no surprise to me that Willy and Honky Tonk won the judges choice award against some pretty stiff competition. Actually, no one else came close. So I thought I would give them a try in their restaurant/carry out location on a cold Saturday night in January and headed down to Pilsen with a friend, well aware of the unfortunate presence on Check Please (those who know me know how I feel about that show and the lemmings, I mean people, who are influenced by it...but I digress.) When I called, Beth, one of the owners frankly told me the wait was gonna be long and I was cool with that. Upon arrival at the homey, chill, BYOB place I was greeted by a mob of people, the taunting smell of smoking bbq and totally awesome vibe. Yeah people were pissing and moaning about the wait, but hey, Check Please! Fine with me. I had no place to be. While waiting, totally cool people offered us extra chairs at their table, Kurt the artist offered a couple of random St, Pauli Girls and gave us a 5 cent tour and a history of the art displayed throughout. We made friends with some cute, older Gold Coast couples who learned about it you know where....and just hung out and chatted. Then Willy came out of the kitchen and whispered that they were running low on ribs. Some folks were aghast! NO. But I was cool because I watched him work a grill one day from 6 am till 6 pm and I know how much time it takes to turn out product like that. Those tender morsels are lovingly smoked for hours and I also know that no restaurant owner has a crystal ball. What happened next is like a movie. And kind of how going with the flow can work to your advantage. I casually mention that I'm cool with whatever bbq delight will be left if and when we get seated and my date mentions brisket as his preference. Minutes later a cafeteria tray with heaping hunks of smokey brisket and pulled pork is enroute to us in the corner where we were sitting drinking the artist's generously donated beers and a glass of BYO wine. The cute little server goes and gets us a tv tray table, brings condiments. Macaroni and cheese (sinfully rich and creamy) lands between the two mounds of meat and crusty bread. Willy apologizes profusely for the fact that he was almost out of ribs. I mean seriously, I felt like I was in someones home and they were going out of their way to make me welcome. After we finished, we went into the main dining room to listen to the talented one man band and bond with our new found friends from the waiting room. Everyone in the room was having a finger licking, lip smacking great time. Except one table of lemmings who were being rude and condescending to the server, but that's someone elses review to write. We asked to peek at dessert menu and despite being so full, settled on a Banana Bread Pudding/Moon Pie and a decadent chocolate mousse cake. Random staff came over and said hello. Young kids from the neighborhood, a cool chick waitress, the owners kids, who were bussing tables. I saw the Pissers and the Moaners making friends with the tables next to them. The music was countryish and the room was homey and warm with random chairs and tables. We learned this was a former Wood Workers Union Hall that Beth and Willy bought to open up this little piece of heaven. We were offered a tour of the gymnasium on the top floor but were too full to hike up the stairs. It turns out that this actually is their home. No surprise there. Awesome bbq, they even have "pain in the pork butt" vegetarian options, delicious sides. Sweet, warm service, low key chill atmosphere and amazing desserts. PLEASE DON'T RUIN IT PEOPLE!
(5)Susan K.
The entryway can make it look a little foreboding, like you're entering some speakeasy or the alley door to some club or restaurant kitchen. (who else has a solid metal door as their main entrance ?!) Inside its cute, simple, and casual. There's a window right at the front for carryout (yay! convenience, smart thinking) and another room off to the side where you can sit and eat and there's live music to entertain you. I am a vegetarian, so you must be wondering what there is for me to eat at a BBQ restaurant? Answer: Plenty, if you love mushrooms, which I do. I ordered a portabello mushroom sandwich which was great , I loved the different sauces they had, the garlic mashed potatoes were good, and there were still several other sides I didn't try right then and there that I bet would have also been good choices. Sometimes, even though you want to go out with someone, you just want a break from having to be witty, scintillating, and fun. This place took that pressure off me by providing musical entertainment to distract both me and my date. This would be a great place to go if you are tired and you want to just spend time in someones company and let someone else take care of the impressing.
(4)Allison B.
I was a disappointed. Heard great reviews, but it just didn't live up to them. The candied bacon was good, but I've had better bbq overall.
(2)Thomas B.
Delicious BBQ and so authentic, even down to the three types of sauce supplied with your meal. I ate in the older dining room, not new edition with full bar and blue grass bands every night. Get the beef brisket sandwhich, so good. Also got a side of hot links which were very spicy yet just right. And a BBQ place with vegetarian options. Only down fall was the staff is kind of stand offish, well they are very helpful when serving but kind of take their time and disappear for long periods of time. Otherwise no complaints.
(4)Chris A.
Very good BBQ and a good way to start a night out in Pilsen. The candied bacon was really the only thing I was crazy about, but everything else is solid...and I think our group literally tried everything. It's not BYO anymore which is disappointing, but it is still a great BBQ spot.
(4)T J.
I struggled between a 2 and a 3 on this one, honestly I say 2.5. Saw it on Triple D, wanted to give it a try with the BF. I've definitely had better bbq. I knew I was in trouble when I couldn't pull my baby back ribs apart and had to grab a knife. They weren't tender at all like I'd hoped. Cole slaw was pretty vinegary, mac and cheese was okay. The highlight of my meal was the pear cider from the bar, I'll be looking for that at Binnys. BF had the brisket and devoured it, but he wasn't impressed with his mashed potatoes. I do think we'll go back because we really liked the vibe, live music, and overall space. I'm thinking maybe they just pulled my ribs a bit early from the pit, maybe it was an off night. I'll check out the pulled pork or the brisket next time per the other reviews. The place has potential, I think you just gotta know what's good.
(2)Dave O.
One sentence review: If you want decent-to-good BBQ for a GOOD price, come to Honky Tonk BBQ. I went to this place for the first time tonight with my girlfriend and 2 other friends. As soon as we walked in, a pungent aroma hit us-- and it wasn't smoked meat. It smelled like must, like 'old people' as my friend said, like the marsupial house at a zoo. Fortunately, the smell either fades away quick or your mind gets used to it and it's not so in your face after awhile. I really enjoyed the feel of the place. It was like walking in to a saloon from a country-western flick. We didn't go into the second dining room so I can't say much for the decor for that room. Our server was friendly but was a little on the untimely side. The appetizers were good-- empanadas, candied bacon (yea, fat kid delight), and fried green tomatoes. The empanadas were tasty, but nothing to write home about. The candied bacon was clearly the star of the show-- thick cut, cooked perfectly, and candied in brown sugar. Amazing. The friend green tomatoes we good; once again, nothing to write home about. A note about the empanadas: you only get 3 of them so it's not good for a group. We cut them up in half to share with the 4 of us. I have an opinion about barbeque places I should share as well. If you're going to open a BBQ place, you damn well should be able to cook good ribs. If you can't do that, don't even try. So it's fair to say that the ribs were good. You should also be able to make outstanding brisket. Since it was only served as a sandwich, I didn't order that as well. I had the St. Louis style ribs and 2 others had baby-back-- consensus was, St. Louis as all around better. The 4th person had a pulled pork sandwich and loved it. The mac and cheese was outstanding-- I would go back there just to order the 'family size' side of it for just my meal. It was that good. The corn bread muffins are awesome as well. The biggest draw back was that we waited just over 45 minutes for our entrees. I'm not sure if that the norm here, but that kind of wait isn't suitable for a Friday night when there's maybe 12 people seated. One serious upside was pricing. $10 for a half slab of St. Louis style ribs w/ slaw (which was delicious, not too much mayo) and biscuit (corn bread is sold as a side, not as a given with meals). $3.50 for a side (a small portion though) of mac and cheese. Overall, we left satisfied. Definitely worth checking out. There was a live band, or should I say, live music since it was 2 guitarists. They were talented, but I'm not sure everyone enjoys blue grass. Oh, and as my friend pointed out, it's like hipster nation there.
(3)Amanda S.
I live about 25 steps away from here, so I thought it only fitting to make this my first review. Honkey Tonk is some of the best BBQ in Chicago, with a great vibe, reasonable prices, and BYOB to boot. Very good desserts and some delicious sides as well, which now come in much bigger portions. The live music on the weekends is awesome, and service is very friendly. The only thing that could be improved is if/when they accept credit cards...
(4)Devin C.
I've eaten here once or twice and enjoy the food, but I'm more into the bar. I drink here a few times a month, and it's always a barnburner. The staff is super friendly and they make a helluva Bloody Mary. The environment inside alone is totally worth it.
(5)J M.
Decent BBQ, great Mac n' Cheese. Overpriced and really just not that good. Service was super snotty and slow. Ok place if you lived in the neighborhood. Definitely not a destination spot.
(2)Neal K.
I've only been to Honky Tonk twice, but it's easily one of my favorite BBQ joints in the city. As far as the food goes, it's solid. Right up there with Fat Willy's, Smoke Daddy, and Honey 1 in my hood. Great choice to leave the meats dry rubbed with no sauce so you can add 1 of their 3 tasty choices as you please. I like the feel of this place. There's a lot of love in the wait staff and the owner, and plenty of local flavor as far as the Pilsen art scene goes all over the walls. 2 lefties hammering on the mandolins is a real treat. Cobbler was good. BYOB with BBQ is a winning combination. If you're a northsider/NW like me it's definitely worth a ride down to Pilsen to meet any of your more geographically inconvenient friends. Not sure about putting the pulled pork on ciabbatta though. Maybe a grilled Texas Toast?
(4)Brian S.
I reserve 5 stars for the truly exceptional ... but this place is pretty awesome. The food is great (loved the fried green tomatoes) and the BBQ brisket. And the drinks are creative and well prepared. The music is a great thing too: My favorite thing about it is that my son (3 yrs) loves it... they have an old mechanical horse that (sometimes) works... and he loves getting up on it and dancing around to the music.
(4)shirley m.
Saw this place on Check Please a while back and ordered carry out after a loooong day at work. Ordered the sampler platter, ribs were tender and moist, they use a dry rub and it has a REALLY smoky flavor (too smoky for some of us , perfect for the rest of us) the sausage (good! 2pcs) came mild and spicy, the platter included pulled pork and brisket sandwich bites, smoked chicken (moist and smoky) and sides. Mac and cheese is has a sharp cheese flavor, included beans and cornbread which was a hit with our group. This place is good if you like a lot of smoke and your BBQ sauce on the vinegar-y side!
(3)Riley H.
I like to think I am a master with BBQ since I dis grow up in Memphis! So here is the break down... For an app we got fried green tomatoes and they were some of the best id ever had. For our meal my wife and i split a rack of ribs, brisket sandwich, and the homeade mac n cheese. The ribs were descent dry rib but nothing too exciting, they had ok flavor but the meat wasn't very moist and quite frankly there wasn't much meat on the bones! Now, the brisket sandwich was amazing and I put some of there homeade garlic mustard BBQ sauce on it, it was to die for! That sauce was very unique and flavorful! The Mac and cheese was very good as well and I would probably order the same next time I go minus ribs( and get an extra sandwich to go for the next day!) great restaraunt and atmosphere I will go back!
(4)Carl S.
Award winner... hell they have the trophy to prove it. Pulled Pork is the BEST. Ribs, both St. Louis and Baby Back are wonderful. The brisket has an awesome smoke ring. You have to try the Mac and Cheese and the Corn Bread. Save room for the Banana Pudding.
(5)Martha E.
Don't go to Hony Tonk BBQ. Got it? I don't want you to go and make me have long waits because I love this place with its lovely, quirky artwork, low-key, unprentious vibe, awesome live music and...oh yeah...delicious Memphis BBQ. And if you ignore my pleas and wind up going, don't order the moist pulled pork, hearty black eyed peas nor the creamy mac n'cheese because I don't want them running out by the time I get there. Got that? *pause* See you there.
(4)Sven K.
Me and 6 of my friends went to Honky Tonk and had a very mixed experience. The Good: - Everybody enjoyed their sides (mac and cheese - yum!), the pulled pork (although I thought it was not exceptional, some dry pieces), the sausage links, the corn muffins (although I remember them being better), and the atmosphere. The Bad: - The green BLT (no flavor, not enough bacon), the dry brisket. We did not go for the ribs in the first place since they are not worthwhile - see other reviews on yelp. We also tried to order appetizers - the empanadas. Our waitress told us that we would get 6. When we got them, there were 3 small ones on a plate, and they could have been from Sam's Club. For $8 (!) We pointed it out to her, and she just told us that we could get another order (duh!), which we politely refused. We said that either we would return them or she could get us another complimentary order. She then proceeded to get the manager (!?), who also suggested that we get another order - and in a very annoyed way. When we refused, she just took the empanadas away and took off, without comment. This is best described as "resting on your laurels" when your business is probably going well. In the end we did not get charged for a dish, which was a welcome mistake on their part. Karma is a b*tch. Bottom line is that Honky Tonk is overrated, and you better know what to get ahead of time, so as not be disappointed.
(3)Mike L.
Solid 4 stars. Went here for a quick lunch and had a brisket sandwich. The rub they used was awesome, loved it. It was also pretty darn big as well, nothing like getting stuffed off a great $8 sandwich. I love that they put no sauce on it, but the sauce at the table was great as well. Tried some pulled pork from the person I was with and thought it was great too. I have seriously been considering going back there for dinner, but I wont hurt my waste line that much in a day. Cant wait to go back and try there sampler platter
(4)kinke s.
love this place!!!
(4)ELLIE M.
First off let me tell you how much I enjoyed this place.The wait staff makes you feel you feel very comfortable they have live music in the back round and the pulled pork sandwich is AWESOME . Not only that the have a dry rub rib and if you like it it wet (as most of you do) they have like 3 different bbq sauces on the table you can try .I really liked this joint and if your not to far from the Pilsen area you should definetly check it out!!!!!!
(5)Jonathan W.
1) Overrated. 2) Super meh...
(2)Don R.
I was really looking forward to some great BBQ from all the hype on this place, but sadly I was dissapointed. The sauces were good but not outstanding. The babyback ribs lacked any distinct flavor. I am sure these ribs were not boiled first, but that is how they tasted. The pulled pork was much the same. I expected some big smoke flavor, but the pork was bland. The fried green tomatoes were mush and very greasy. I am a big fan of Triple D and have been to many of the restaurants that are featured on the show and this was by far the biggest let down. In my opinion, if you are looking for great BBQ in Chicago head to Smoque on the north side.
(2)Alan S.
A carnivores carnival! This place has excellent BBQ!! The pulled pork sandwich is a must; throw away the bread, you don't need that, and anyway you'll have more space for the ribs, or even the "Viking" ribs which are huge and moist and delicious! Everyone knows the BBQ is good here but I was amazed at the Bannana pudding, it's great, and people I was with raved about the sweet potato pie and a peach cobbler.... I don't know if these are always on the menu but save a bit of space for them! The place is straightforward; good music, plain tables, get's a bit loud and crowded, but what do you expect if it's this good?
(4)natalie p.
I have not eaten in their restaurant, but I just came from a Pig Roast they catered and the pig was perfect. The owner and his wife are very nice and interesting people. I think the restaurant just opened, and they may also deliver soon. Will update review after I eat there. Oh yeah, and they do catering!
(4)Chris P.
I love Honky Tonk BBQ! It's sad to read so many negative reviews, but on the other hand maybe it means there will be an open table for me to enjoy some great q and music as well.
(4)Lezah G.
I rank this 5 stars in terms of ambience and music. It is a family place, a place for dates, a place for groups. It can be all things to all people. I love the old artifacts from the past and the old fashioned fixtures and mixmatched chairs. The people there were all very nice, but were they efficient? No...we barely saw our server and had to wait forever between getting seated, getting water, getting our orders taken,etc. Then nobody came to fill out our water glasses or see if we wanted anything. We both had brisket sandwiches which were delicious but our sides were not. Someone's hand slipped with the vinegar bottle and the slaw and the beans were inedibe and left uneaten. The server had no reaction when we told her about this. Afterwards we heard the band the Possum Hollow Boys perform. I give them 5 stars .As for the restaurant, whether or not I return will depend on what bands they have there. To me it is not worth a trip to Pilsen if there is not a good band playing!
(3)Juliet H.
They're main entrance is a bit random, but they're most likely open. It is very lively in there. Their food? Eh...not the best. Their service? Eh..could be better. Just didn't really enjoy their food too much. I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was dry and not enough sauce. My theory with pulled pork sandwiches...if you have to add more sauce, it's not good enough.
(3)Ryan P.
Amazing!! At my table there was pot pie, pulled pork sandwich, st. louis ribs, mac and cheese, sweet yams, and fried green tomatoes. AMAZING!!! We had desert, peach cobbler and chocolate cake - ehh. But back to the main food, amazing.
(5)Jennifer B.
Walking into Honky Tonk BBQ is like walking into a tattoo- a big, bright red and orange flame tattoo that surrounds the metal door. Stepping inside, you realize it's more like having dinner in your funky country aunt's dining room. Honky Tonk has strange hours- 4-9:30 on Tuesday-Saturday only- but making the trek is definitely worth it. First, the BBQ! My dining partners salivated over the $30 giant combo platter. Two people split it and a bowl of the chili and still had leftovers at the end of the meal. Another friend got the pulled pork sandwich and coleslaw to similar acclaim. I, the resident vegetarian, had an unexpectedly awesome meal of the "What Your Girlfriend Wants Salad" (true in this case!), the mac n cheese, the candied yams on special that night, and the cornbread muffin. The three housemade BBQ sauces on the table were the best part of the meal- one was sweet, one tangy, and one spicy mustard! Someone at the table was explaining the difference between Memphis-style and other-style BBQ, one being dry and one smothered in sauce, and the meat here is definitely the dry style, so you can add as much of your own sauce as you want. The restaurant is also BYOB, so bring some cold beers to go along with the food! Extra bonus shoutout to the Northside Southpaws who perform at Honky Tonk every Friday night. The music was fantastic and fit in perfectly with the food and the atmosphere. This alone makes the restaurant worth visiting for any fans of folk, bluegrass, and other mandolin/guitar based music.
(4)TRose H.
Went because of the reviews...Food was bland. There are soo many better BBQ places in Chicago. Won't go back
(2)david o.
Great atmosphere - the band was amazing and the service was Awesome. Food was fantastic also - the artwork hanging up in the restaurant was such a Great surprise!
(5)E.P M.
Had better. I have when they opened up in 2007 me and my girlfriend were there, the brick of cornbread came wrapped up looking like a bulls head with a slab of butter on top. The chicken was juicy and flavorful...sadly unlike most things according to my girlfriend who recently had went with family...it has not aged well. I'm leaving it at that. I'm gonna be nice.
(2)Sep E.
I really wanted to love this place, especially after seeing it on TV, but this was perhaps one of the worse dining experience in my life. So bad that is prompted me to write my first Yelp review. So, I started off the Friday night with a suggestion to my boyfriend that we check out the BBQ joint we saw on TV. Little did we know that would wind up being our entire evening. We waited for more than 2 hours after initially being told it would take only one hour to be seated. After being seated, the food did not come out for one hour. Shouldn't BBQ already be made and ready to be slapped on a plate when ordered? Apparently, not here. The management in this place is awful and clearly not equipped to deal with a heavy dinner crowd. Smoque handles large crowds far better and in a far friendlier manner. I felt sorry for people with takeout orders who waited more than one hour! I would have been okay with the wait if the food was good, but it was, at best mediocre. I went specifically for the beef spare ribs and they were out (shocker). So, I went with the beef and chicken options. The chicken was dried out and flavorless, and the brisket was flavorless too and served on bread that was not right for BBQ. The black eyed peas were tasty, but the other sides just okay. The mashed potatoes needed major seasoning and someone clearly did not taste them before sending them out. Fried green tomatoes were unimpressive - sorta like a fried mushroom with that weird mystery bread crumb coating. So, bottom line - I am headed to Smoque next time I get the crazy idea to go to a BBQ joint on a Friday night.
(1)Diana S.
Cheap tasty bbq joints are great! This place wasn't fancy at all. There is no air conditioning which was really killing us the day we went there, so we got take out instead. The main room was really humid and smelled like a dirty wet dog...eww. Not very appetizing. However, I can overlook all of that. We got a full slab of ribs and the rib tips. The sauces that came with were tasty. The ribs were so smoky...yum! The rib tips could have been a bit more tender and I wish they were cut parallel to the bone. It would have been easier to eat. Overall the food is pretty good. Next time we'll get delivery from there.
(3)Ryan W.
I enjoy good BBQ and I've been hearing about Honky Tonk BBQ for some time. I happened to be in the neighborhood today and decided to give Honky Tonk a try. I suggest you stay away. The service was terrible. We waited over an hour for our food, which came out wrong, cold and tasteless. THe best part about the meal was the mac and cheese, which was fantastic. The brisket was horrible no matter how much BBQ sauce I dosed it with. After we got the check (and waited for about 10 minutes for someone to work the register) we both started feeling sick to our stomachs on the ride home. Not worth the trip, wait or cost.
(1)Tommy A.
Probably would go 4.5 if I could, this is a good place. I need to start off by saying I don't think Memphis dry rub bbq is my favorite type, Carolina style, and Texas beef brisket are 2 styles I prefer. With that said I'll try to be objective and the dry rub on the ribs and chicken especially, are very good. Went with a group of 4 plus a kid that likes to eat, we split the large sampler and this allowed us to get a little taste of everything. Not sure if anything stood out too much, but all around solid, with maybe the exception of the brisket. I thought the brisket was kind of mediocre. I liked the sauces, the mustard one is especially interesting and good. Prices are fair, maybe a touch high, but on par with most BBQ places. The vibe in there is fun. Like old saloon, meets Jersey diner with fun new age kind of Western paintings on the wall. Looks like it might get more lively at night, but certainly somewhere kids can eat before too late. So overall, give it a try. Chicken, ribs, pulled pork, pretty good. Hot link is decent not great, brisket I'd skip.............. Oops, holy crap, I almost forgot to mention the bacon candy, this is awesome! I must try.
(4)Julie S.
This southerner was pleasantly surprised by Honky Tonk BBQ. After having Fat Willies - I thought I was destined to never have good BBQ again... but Honky Tonk is a welcome addition to my rotation. We did the sampler and a few additional items - favorites were the brisket, pulled pork, and the chicken. The Mac and Cheese was good - but not the best I have ever had..... I will definitely come back!
(4)Julia H.
I've been here three times in the past week. I dream about it at night. I may be in love. Bad atmosphere? Wrong. I liked the artwork and Johnny Cash is always a good listen. Bad service? Maybe. The owners are friendly and talkative but the server seemed bored. I don't blame her though because I think she is there every night. Bad neighborhood? Pshaw. Just trust me, this place is delicious. Don't go to a BBQ place in Pilsen expecting stellar service. Go expecting good food, good prices, and a friendly atmosphere.
(5)Christopher H.
This place is really good. They're mac & cheese and corn bread are awesome. I usually get the St. Louis Ribs. The food is excellent w/ just the dry rub, but the sauces are really good too. It's reasonably priced & I love the space, very saloon-y feel to it. I've been back a couple of times & will continue to go back, service is timely & friendly. Better than Lillies Q, not as good as Smoque.
(4)Ruth G.
The bbq was pretty good, but not quite on the same level as smoque daddy, or smoque... (but almost there). The portions are pretty big, and the homemade apple pie was tasty (but not quite memorable). The atmosphere is pretty fun, which adds an extra level of enjoyment. It's decorated like a barn and there is some live music at times. So, pretty solid if you are in the neighborhood.
(3)Debbie E.
A solid 3 stars. I've had better and I've had worse. We had the sampler platter and the rib tips. The sampler platter is a pretty good value at $30. You could easily feed 3-4 people. Everything was quite tasty. The rub and the char on the meat was good enough that you could choose to go without sauce. Ribs were not dry and came off the bone easily. The pulled pork was really moist. The brisket had good flavor, but was a little too fatty. Hot links had skin that "popped" when you bit into it and had a nice kick. The ribs tips were plentiful and delicious. The chicken wasn't bad, but slightly overcooked. We had gotten there early... around 5:30 before it got crowded. One of the biggest downsides of the place is that when you first walk in, you get an overwhelming whiff of stale cigarettes and beer. Although, the bar is in the front of the place. Maybe the back room smells better. Will be back there because it's close to home, but wouldn't make a special trip there. Too many better barbecue places in Chicago for that.
(3)Craig C.
The food at Honky Tonk BBQ is delicious....plain and simple. The Beef Brisquet sandwich is my favorite with melt-in-your mouth meat...doesn't even need sauce, on a wonderful roll; the sweet potato side dish was to die for. And the country music that played the last couple of times I was there was energetic, listenable, and provided a great backdrop to the food. The restaurant itself is developing a better ambiance than it had originally, and the service is getting much better. Don't expect the smooth gentility of Carson's, but it's much better, for example, than Leon's on the south side. I'd compare the place to Smoke Daddy both in terms of the food and the environment.
(5)Erica M.
NEVER AGAIN Honkey Tonk! I came back after a really terrible experience figuring that maybe they had an off-night when we ordered from there a few months ago. After the long walk over from 18th Street Pink line I placed my order: half slab of baby back ribs; pulled pork sandwich, side hot link and mac and cheese. First of all, for $4 the mac and cheese portion is a joke. But I guess it doesn't matter much since it's just bland overcooked noodles with a very stingy cheese-like sauce. Never trust white mac & cheese; mac & cheese should be a nice deep orangey color. This pulled pork sandwich is atrocious. Huge chunks of barely tender meat. If you pull the pork it should look shredded, but it seems the pork hasn't been cooked long enough, hence the gross chunks of meat that have no flavor!!! Again, the baby back ribs don't seem like they've been cooked long enough either. The meat is still pink and there's none of the fall of the bone goodness that I shelled out $11 for. Where's the smoked goodness that marks southern bbq. I mean even liquid smoke would've added a bit more authenticity. The hot links were enjoyable, reasonably priced but even that couldn't save this meal. NEVER AGAIN!!! I don't know who in the hell gives this place great reviews-they've obviously never tasted real bbq. I'm so disappointed, I could just cry...
(1)Nancy H.
Interesting neighborhood. Cops were called to this area last Saturday night because there were gunshots heard, and my friends saw sketchy people running for their lives. I guess the front door should have been a big clue; it's a gated screen door covering a tall, black door that makes you feel like you're walking into a boarded up house instead of a restaurant. Atmosphere isn't great, but the smell of BBQ smoke welcomes you as soon as you walk in. Food wasn't great either, nothing has BBQ sauce on it; instead you squirt some on yourself. The menu is limited to pork sandwiches ($6-8), a brisket sandwich ($8), and baby back or St. Louis style ribs (full slab for $20). Sides are extra ($1.50 - $2.50). Service was great, though - they are so friendly here, and there was a country singer on his guitar who walks around the restaurant singing and playing music. Lastly, it's BYOB with no corkage fee, but we abused their policy, and the owner charged us $20 for the mess in the bathroom.. oops!
(2)Zenia R.
one: i love saying the name, two: i don't have to travel to luling, texas for mouth watering brisket, three: there's live blue grass and the most amazing ipod play list jamming. that's more than enough for me to reserve a spot for honky tonk on my top favorites places to dine and chill in the city.
(4)Martha S.
Having just returned from St. Louis and still not having my fill of ribs, I decided to head out to the first place in Chicago with 'dry rub' ribs. Honky Tonk BBQ summoned me. Went on a Sunday evening, found parking half a block away, which is a luxury in the city. Walked in and found seating with no problem and suddenly, the place started hopping. There was live music, which was nice for a change for a Sunday night dinner. My son had the pulled pork sandwich he loved and finished. My daughter ordered the vegitarian sandwich with fried green tomatoes and goat cheese, which was actually two small sandwiches. She loved it, but didn't finish because she tried some of my half slab. We had the basked of 4 corn muffins, which were moist and delicious. We shared baked beans with pork, which were not amazing-just good. The coleslaw that came with my 1/2 slab was good and the mac n cheese was delicious, with real cheese. Yum! I'd go here again, with friends and have a few drinks with my food. Didn't know this place was so close to home. Now that I do, I will head out here more often.
(4)annie r.
ok. i'm stupid. ignore my previous review. this place is my jam and i would eat here everyday if my jeans allowed it.
(5)Mike H.
I'm glad a friend of mine told me about this place b/c I'll definitely visit this BBQ joint again in the future. It's true that the restaurant number I found to order ahead so I could carry-out apparently was the cell phone number of the owner. However, as part of the voicemail, I heard that they have live music on Friday and Saturday evenings so I decided to dine-in instead, and I'm glad I did. It's also a BYOB restaurant with a $1/person corkage fee. The restaurant has two different areas. One is the main room and is connected to the other room (where the live music was playing) by a doorway. FYI - it's difficult to do anything but eat b/c of the music in the connecting room when there's live music. The party of four I was a part of had to wait about 15 mins before a table opened up for us on a Friday evening. There is no A/C which can definitely be an issue during the summer (it was already a little warm on a late Sept evening). The menu was simple and short but there are a few vegetarian options. Personally, I'd recommend the pulled pork and peach cobbler. I also liked the chicken and baby back ribs. If you're looking for brisket, go to Smoque BBQ. Do not get the chili - it wasn't any good. As far as the sauces, I preferred the the sweeter sauce which I was told was Sweet Baby Ray's. The hot sauce wasn't really hot, it was more tangy.
(4)January C.
I came here last night for the first time. I had read good things but was a little skeptical of a BBQ joint in Pilsen. I looked through the menu and was very pleased by the offerings and the prices. Sometimes BBQ can be a little on the expensive side but I felt like everthing was reasonably priced. I was very excited to see they make a Carolina mustard sauce! I ordered a half slab of St. Louis style ribs, macaroni and cheese, and yams. The ribs were awesome! The mustard sauce was amazing! The spicy sauce was most welcome, given all the nasty sweet sauces offered in this city. The macaroni and cheese was very cheesy and good. I've had better yams. The ribs came with a roll and coleslaw; both were great. The coleslaw was fresh tasting, not drowned in mayo, and the roll had a nice garlic salt application on top. I ate the leftovers for lunch today and the meat fell right off the bone. It was just as delicious today as it was last night. I got my food for carry-out but while I was waiting, I checked out the place and thought the country-influenced paintings and honky tonk music really created an appropriate atmosphere. I think its cool that it's BYOB. I don't think it's cool that it's cash only, but I will just have to remember that. Hands down, this is the best BBQ I've eaten in Chicago and it even rivals Arthur Bryant's in Kansas City!
(5)Nora B.
Yummy.... I have to declare that I am NOT a meat eater. I did have the BBQ chicken and it was amazingly delicious as were all of the sides, mac& cheese& garlic mashed and the sauce options at the table only added to the flavor, but were not even necessary! I was with a bunch of meat lovers and they were all impressed. My man friend had the ribs and raved about how they fell off the bone, which is good in the rib world, I am told... The service was good and the atmosphere was great, live music and all!!! Save room for the banana pudding if you can.
(4)J J.
We were pretty disappointed since we were excited that we found this place - maybe we have been spoiled by all the Texas and Memphis BBQ we have had. Menu was limited and most of the meat selections were sandwiches. I tried the mini sandwiches but the meat was dry - definitely needed BBQ sauce for added flavor. Service was good but nothing outstanding... not a horrible experience but I will try other places next time
(2)Jeanne C.
My friends and I got Honky Tonk carry out: one brisket sandwich, two orders of dinky dunkers (one pork/one brisket), corn bread, mac&cheese, and coleslaw. I liked it a lot. My co-eaters weren't quite as big of fans. The brisket and pork were both super tender and I really liked the sauce. The mac&cheese wasn't very cheesy and was sort of dry. The corn muffin was delicious, though I am a sucker for corn bread. My one friend (who is from Oklahoma) did not finish her dinky dunkers saying "it just wasn't like in the south." Good, solid bbq. But it didn't rock my world.
(4)Jason M.
The food is here is always solid. They now have a full bar too making the whole experience complete. I did think it was weird though when I saw two baby-boomer couples come in and order a bottle of Merlot. What the f?!!! Who does that?
(5)Jeremy V.
Let me tell you about how Honky Talk used to be. It used to be friendly staff greet you at the door, prompt service, and really good food. Sadly that's not the case any more. I walk in tonight with myself and two others. We didn't get greeted right away, and when we finally did, it was a server(let's call him Glasses, didn't give his name) told us about 30-35 minute wait, which is perfectly fine. After waiting another 5 minutes later, Red Pants(a buser/food runner, again, didn't give his name) asked us to wait by the bar which is perfectly fine. After moving over, he sits the party which was ahead of us to their table(6-top) and then seats a party of 2 that arrived way after us at a table my party could have easily sat us plus one other. One of my friends decided to confront Red Pants about this, who seemed quite confused about it and was willing to move the table he just sat and ask them to get up. At that point we had enough of the rude, unwelcoming service at this establishment and decided to take our business elsewhere. It's a shame, at one time this place was a good spot to drive down and grab a good drink, have some great food, and enjoy the atmosphere that this bar/restaurant offered. Now, not so much. I won't be going back and I will not recommend this place to anyone anymore. TL:DR: Horrible service, head elsewhere.
(1)Judy R.
I haven't been to the restaurant but the restaurant came to me via Fooda in the lobby of the building where I work. I had a brisket sandwich and mashed potatoes. Wow. The brisket was tender and melted in my mouth. The mashed potatoes were scrumptious and oddly addictive. Definitely checking this place out when I am in Pilsen so that I can up this to a 5 star review. Happy eating.
(4)Erika C.
I've been to many BBQ places and although this place was not too bad, it wasn't great either. The service was absolutely horrible. Probably the worst service I've had in a very long time. The food was just decent, nothing to brag about. The bar was very cool & hip. I wouldn't go back. There's a lot of other places in the city with better tasting mac & cheese, beef brisket and with better service. Luckily I had great company, made the horrible experience worth being there.
(2)Sandra C.
Nice place music was good! No one greeted us at door walked to bar because we didn't know where to go for a table! Drinks great before we could order the lady comes up to bar and said we are out of every meat but pulled pork sandwich really!! How's that!! So we left no food my hubby grabbed a sandwich to go! He's is better! Maybe next visit we'll go before our movie!
(2)Jonna N.
This place just seemed too surreal to be in Pilsen. It was like walking into another world - a pretty awesome world. I shared The Sampler with a friend. It consisted of two sausage links, two dinky dunkers (one pork and one beef brisket), side of cole slaw, side of beans, half smoked chicken, two corn muffins and half a rack of ribs. The chicken was so moist. The rib meat came off of the bones. The beef brisket came apart nicely. The sausages were a bit spicy and grilled nicely. I'm not the biggest fan of beans, but these beans were good. I wasn't a big fan of the cole slaw though. It seemed like they got a bag of lettuce that you get in salad bags and added too much vinegar to it. It wasn't my cup of tea. I think aside from the food being awesome, the thing that made Honky Tonk BBQ seem surreal was the live country/folk music. The dim lighting helped to set the mood. Overall, it was a pretty good dining experience.
(5)Stephanie W.
Live music and good bbq. My absolute favorite is the candied bacon. It is a must when you go there to get it.
(4)randy j.
Honky Tonk (definition) A loud, rowdy bar that plays 'honky tonk' country music (or sometimes Hot Jazz). Typically full of drunken dancing hillbillies having a good ole' time. You have been warned.
(5)J. Chuck K.
Awesome band. The usual awesome layout and menu, but extremely poor service this time around. From the moment we were seated we knew it was going to be a battle all night for drinks. Any time we wanted to order something we had to flag our waitress down, and when our drinks arrived they came with an extra side of "F you" personality. At times she would only take the order of the person who flagged her down and quickly ignore the rest of the table and walk off. Our experience finally ended when she flat out refused to take our order and told us to go to the bar. A waitress passing up at least a $5 tip is a first for me. If you can tolerate poor service, come eat some BBQ, drink some $3 Lone Star beer and listen to some rockabilly music.
(2)Bertha M.
I just LOVE coming here on Sundays. Enjoy some amazing BBQ (their pulled pork is my usual) while listening to the Fat Babies. Mind you, I'm not a fan of loud music while eating but the music they play is wonderful. There's always a group of customers that are there in dressed in '20's/'30's attire and they just makes me feel like I went back time. Seriously, one of my favorite spots in the city.
(5)Allen F.
The salads are great, service is super friendly, and bacon candy is BOMB. SO GOOD!
(4)Lindsey C.
The atmosphere is great, cocktails are strong, but the meats come out cold. We watched 3 tables of 2 served their food before we ever ordered (also table of 2). The sides are the best thing here. GREAT candied bacon, Mac and cheese, pretzel roll and cornbread. The pork is far better than the brisket (very fatty and hard to choke down cold).
(2)F. C.
Great dry rub St,Lois style Ribs the candy bacon is also tasty .
(5)Jessica H.
Bacon & Brew is amazing! Their cole slaw is the jam. Music is just a little loud for conversation!
(4)Megan S.
To be fair, I have visited Honky Tonk on several occasions to try and conceive what is with all the hype that is built up for this establishment. As a disclosure, I am not a food critic nor a "foodie," I'm just your average American girl with a respect for things well made. How do I begin... First of all, despite what many have claimed about Honky Tonk, I find the place to be rather grimy. Grease seems to linger in the air and when combined with unwashed floor grit, the whole restaurant feels stuffy and out-dated. Oddly, some people seem to care for this feel, I do not. Not in a place that serves food. I've tried several of their meats; I am unimpressed to say the least. Honky Tonk cold smokes their meats and oddly enough, serves the food cold. Like day old, stagnant, luke warm. Anyone that knows anything about true barbecue, knows that good barbecue does not need "barbecue sauce." I have observed the majority of paying customers in this joint smothering their chicken and pulled pork sandwiches with barbecue sauce... And laughing, carrying on with their day. Shameful. Their prices are beyond ludicrous for their sub-par cooking-- 7$ for seven SLICES of fried tomatoes!! Ha! Just... Awful. Anyways, I did enjoy the bands and ensembles that came through during my visits, and the guys behind the bar are great... Just not great enough for me to return. Ever. If you want decent barbecue try County BBQ, off Taylor street. That place gives you more bang for you buck with good food and less plaid shirts... Oh God, the sea of plaid shirts at Honky Tonk... I still have nightmares. (Hipsters, just remember that you are still in El Barrio).
(1)Dermite S.
Had a delicious dinner tonight thanks to Honky Tonk and our sweet server Emily. She was on it, from suggestions to service; didn't bat an eye and just smiled when the BBQ "pros" at our table proceeded to heckle her about the menu. This place never disappoints, and is made all the more charming with fun staff, decor and Outstanding live music! electric blues kept the crowd lively during our visit. Management clearly knows what they are doing, this place is a Pilsen institution. Try anything pork, it's award winning. Great Mac n cheese, don't miss the girlfriend salad, fried green tomatoes, and banana pudding. Love the group dining experience to try out more food than anyone should consume alone. They have a solid bar with a quality beer selection and charming tenders, Joe makes a mean moonshine.
(5)Rott G.
Stopped in last night for dinner. Food and service was wonderful.
(5)Chuck T.
Local hangout for very solid KC-style BBQ, music and beer. Love their brisket and smoky links! Place is usually packed, so head to the bar, grab a seat when you can, down a cold one and enjoy some of the best local CW music in the region! while waiting for a delicious meal!
(4)Kellie M.
We went on the Sunday before Memorial Day 2014 to see the band, Fat Babies, and had never been to the Honky Tonk BBQ. I have to rate this as two separate situations and they are both very mixed: THE FOOD/RESTAURANT: Amazing food. Service: Meh. The fact that you have to wait around the front until a table leaves and pay attention to find your own table even though they have someone that sorta seems like a hostess but not really because sometimes she's seating people and sometimes she disappears is a little annoying. Once you actually sit down and are served, it's a nice atmosphere. Our waitress was kind and helpful I will note that originally, we walked in and sat at a table that was not near the band at all (in fact it was in another room very far from the band) but when we decided we really wanted to be closer to the band, we went back to the front of the restaurant to wait for a new table. I went out of my way to look for our original waitress (who didn't actually serve us anything, just went to get us menus) and she was a total bitch about it. I went out of my way to find her and tell her we were moving and why and I apologized and she didn't even answer me. New waitress: way better. The food is good. We had the bacon candy for starters which was not out-of-your-mind good but good. I had a pulled pork sandwich and my date had a beef brisket. They were both really good. For sides, we had the mac and cheese - a little too peppery but still okay and candied yams which were awesome. The large was too large for us but we took about one serving of each side home. We each had two drinks: one Pimm's cup which was AMAZING..THE BEST I EVER HAD. and second drink called a Lazy Protestant or something like that. Meh. Dessert was strawberry shortcake which we instantly regretted ordering but we ate it anyway because, hey, it's dessert. THE RESTAURANT AS A VENUE: For this band: HORRIBLE! The band started playing right as we sat down to eat so by mid appetizer, several 20-something swing dancers were in our way and, well, pretty much in everyone's way. By the time we got to dessert, the restaurant had moved 2 tables so the 12 couples of swing dancers could do their thing, however, it WAS STILL TOO SMALL OF AN AREA FOR THEM TO BE DANCING. The restaurant should be aware of this. What's worse is that I didn't see any of them order food (maybe a drink or two for a couple of them). They just showed up to dance. I get that they wanted to have fun but my god, at the expense of the comfort of paying customers?? The two tables next to us were FORCED to sit on benches staring at the dancers because their tables were MOVED!! What the hell? While we attempted to look past the dancers, we tried to enjoy the last few numbers of the band and eat our dessert. My date got stepped on, kicked and yes, SWEATED on while we were eating. What's worse is that these self-absorbed hipster assholes didn't even pay attention to anyone around them. They danced into a bus boy with plates, a runner with trays of food and a customer trying to go to the bathroom. It was ridiculous. Needless to say, it's hard to like this place with that type of experience we had. We will go to see Fat Babies somewhere else and there are plenty of other BBQ places in Chicago that aren't as clueless as Honky Tonk BBQ. I think this place needs to make up its mind - is it a restaurant or a dance venue because it sucks as both.
(2)Ed B.
Awesome BBQ. Highly recommend that everyone should try it. The Brisket was perfect!
(5)Jonathan C.
So I went with the Mrs and a couple friends this past Friday night. Its been a few years since I was in Pilsen as from 2010-2012 I was living in Australia and then moved to the northern burbs of Chicago in 2012. Anyways, I was excited to go back to Pilsen as I thought it was a really cool neighborhood back in 2009. Now it seems like the Mexicans have all but moved out and the hipster/artsy/not quite yuppy crowd has moved in. I've got nothing against that, because I have plenty of great Mexican food by my house and I was not going to make a trip all the way to Pilsen for Neuvo Leon or another amazing Mexican place that is just too far of a trip from my house. So we enter this place. I am a fan of the decor. My wife mentioned it reminded her of her Grandfather's house (he lives on a ranch outside of Ponca City, Oklahoma). So the decor really works for a BBQ place. I like the trays. I love the fact that they have good beers on tap. The music, oh the music was great. There was one band that was twangy and two guitars and later there was a blues band. The second band actually got lots of people up and dancing. So Jon, why only 3 stars for a place that has so much going for it?!?!? The service of the waitress was absolute crap. I understand that they are busy, but that is no excuse. They may need to have more servers, they may need better servers, I do not know. But she stops by and we say we need a minute or two to decide what to order. It took a good 10 minutes before she showed up again and that is only because I called her over while she was walking by. However, once we got the check, she was extremely quick to show up and pick up the credit card. And the food, well that was lacking. They were out of bacon candy, baby back ribs, sweet potato pie, and another item I cannot remember. Boo what kind of place is missing so many of their key items? Maybe if they were able to keep in stock their popular/good items my food review would be higher. The Texas chili had beans!!!!! WTF that is not Texas Chili. The brisket chunks were meaty goodness, but the beans and spice was not what I expected. There was more cumin, garlic, onion powder, and salt flavor than chili pepper flavor. We got a sampler platter and the beef ribs. The brisket was a little fatty and possibly should have been smoked/cooked longer to let all the fat render. The chicken was dry. The pulled pork was solid and the hot links were probably the highlight of the meal. The beef ribs were huge, ala Flintstones opening sequence. They were definitely not ribs you can eat with your hands. It was more entertaining than anything else. I think next time I'm in Pilsen I will definitely go somewhere else for food as I'm passing too many better BBQ joints on way to Pilsen.
(3)Cloey S.
I eat here several times a year with family. This is the best BBQ around with a handful of sauces to choose from. They even have candied bacon! I am always happy to see the local art hanging all over the walls and I enjoy the live music. I would suggest you try this place out if you're ever in the area. Always great service and they have a full bar.
(5)Adi R.
Quirky place with a different country/swing band playing every night. Food and drinks are decent but I would recommend going just for the experience.
(4)Vince L.
Great food, intelligent service. Try he cobbler!
(4)Tameka A.
I went for my birthday, and since was also our first time there we really ordered a large amount of food to ummmm (taste) lol. We ordered candied bacon, black eyed peas, corn muffins, a sampler platter which had ( 1/2 rack of baby back ribs, 1/2 chicken, pulled pork, brisket, hot links, cole slaw, baked beans and I could be missing something, lol) we also ordered candied yams, mac & cheese, 1/2 rack of St. Louis ribs, a Bloody Mary to die for and the peach cobbler. Now to the tasty bits, all the sides were really good, which the exception of the candied yams they were ok. I find that the ribs were great, the chicken was average as always in a BBQ joint. There links surpassed my expectations, the brisket good but the pulled pork was atrocious ( dry, boring and tasteless) . Where they really shine is in customer service, they are really attentive. They walk the floor making sure if need anything and are quick with the service they provide. My server was a really sweet young lady and even still we really enjoyed the atmosphere. Also try the candied bacon and the Bloody Mary it's a meal in and of itself!!
(4)Anna P.
Honky Tonk has a really great vibe, perfect for noshing on BBQ. It is dim and noisy (in a good way!) and they have live music almost every night. If you go at peak times, be prepared to wait. We tried the fried green tomatoes, brisket, pulled pork, ribs, mac n cheese, coleslaw, and vegetarian beans. Everything was good, although I did not think that the ribs lived up to the hype. The best thing we tried was probably the peach cobbler for dessert! Definitely a must-try for BBQ lovers.
(3)Ashley W.
I went and had the ribs and chicken combo and was so surprised at how subpar the BBQ sauce an meat was. Thats it. Service was fine; beer and decor nice but food way overrated. Sorry to be a downer everyone!
(2)Joel G.
I would give this restaurant a good rating but they keep running out of food. Don't rely on anything being on the menu.... And they cop an attitude when you question it.
(1)Diaz M.
Ummm, nice attempt but no cigar! Smells good, but taste very bland. Had the Ribs, BLAND! Had the pulled pork, BLAND had the cole slaw, I'm not a fan of cilantro in my cole slaw! It overpowered the vinegar and mayo based sauce, please take that out. The people who like this BBQ have no idea what good BBQ tastes like. If you put a dry-rub with some Salt(s), paprika, dry mustard, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, garlic, onion powder, rubbed in with soy sauce...then we can talk. OOPS, I just gave away a rub recipe. PLEASE USE IT! However the service was very nice! :) Not a fan, I'm sorry guys!
(1)Kristina V.
Ribs were chewy and not tasty. I've eaten BBQ all my life and this was very disappointing. I would not order the Mac & cheese. It was just off. The best thing here was the ice cold Lone Star beer!
(2)Maggie M.
Just fantastic all around. Great drinks- try the Moonshine cocktail. Mouth watering food- I recommend the Brisket, and I'm usually a pulled pork gal. Live music with a southern twang, friendly and attentive staff. I can't speak more highly of this BBQ joint, it's just perfect. They also have Trivia nights, I think Tuesdays. Not a bad place to come just for drinks either!
(5)Pattie S.
The sides were great but all the meat was so dry. Also there was a hair in my mashed potatoes. I get it...sometimes it happens but the meat just killed it for me. First time they opened it was great and now not so much. Baby back ribs I literally broke apart and they sounded like styrofoam. I try to give everything a chance so I have gone back a few times but really every time after the first has sucked. I don't get it everyone else's pic looks juicy but then I order it and it as hard as a rock. The taste of the ribs were good but they were so hard and there was barely any meat on them. It's almost as if they had been sitting out then thrown into the microwave. My kids had the pulled pork sandwich and no matter how much bbq they added they still said it was so dry. When we first walked in no one even acknowledged us and it was empty! The waiter was really nice and helpful but I really only enjoyed the appetizers and the sides. That sucks tremendously because it's a bbq place but...oh well. Oh and as cute as the high Chairs are, they're not very safe. My kid just pushed the tray right off and there was no belt on it. So disappointed I really wanted to take my godmother out to a good bbq before she left town again. I want to say I'll give it another try but this has been our third time there and no improvement. I do like to support local business so I am sad but this is the second time they serve me dry meat.
(2)Rob N.
I showed up for a couch surfing meet so there was a total of 7 of us. I split the sampler ($32) with a friend It came with a pulled pork sandwhich (4/5) you put the sweet sauce on the burger and it was tasted and nice and soft ribs (3/5) the ribs were good but I felt were a little too charred Sausage (3/5) it was alright I don't know how to describe it Chicken (4/5) The chicken was awesome nice grilled and not too dry Beans (5/5) Awesome I think I'm missing something else, but the vibe of the place was simple and there was a blues band playing (I personally didn't want music but it was a good feel) Place is awesome and it doesn't hurt your wallet B++++++ would do business again
(4)Merrill O.
Just two words. Candied. Bacon. Probably the closest thing to bar grub perfection that I have ever tasted. And just 5 bucks will get you a thick crispy slab of said sweet perfection AND a pint of Old Style. Seriously....what are you waiting for? Get to Honky Tonk BBQ....sit at the bar....and order up a slice of heaven. And if Joe happens to be your bartender, your night is off to a darn good start!
(4)Eric A.
Awesome BBQ. Great drinks. Good service and live music. Can't really say much more. People come from all over the city to get the bacon and brew. Candied bacon served with a glass of old style beer for 5 dollars? Awesome. Honestly I hate old style. But for 5 dollars it's hard to complain.
(5)Tim E.
I was here last Sunday. My first impression was that they were a little unorganized. My girlfriend and I waited at the front door with another couple for a few minutes before we asked someone if we were supposed to seat yourself. We had a tough time finding a table because we were meeting some of our other friends and there was 7 of us all together. The front half of the place was jam packed with people, so we settled on sitting in the back. While we were waiting we checked out the bar and got pretty fast service for how busy it was. We both settled on the moonshine drink, I cant exactly remember what it was called. We listened to the band play while we waited for everyone to arrive. I am a sucker for live music and this band did not disappoint. I couldn't tell you one song they played, but they sure played the hell out of them. So once we all got settled in we ended up sitting in the back room. A little disappointing because the atmosphere in the back was not nearly as cool as the front, but what can you do when you have 7 people. So we ordered our food, we got the sampler platter. It was amazing. Little bit of everything they do, plus it makes great leftovers (I am eating some right now). The service was pretty much what I expected. Not overwhelmingly attentive but they were pretty busy, so its excusable. The one thing I really dislike that they did here, gratuity was included. I know a lot of places it's just policy or whatever, but I really don't like to be forced into tipping. But oh well, I would've tipped more than 18% so its really the servers loss. Overall I had a very pleasant experience at Honky Tonk, and I will be back soon, probably will a small group though! I was really in-between 3 and 4 stars, but I think the live music really put it over the edge for me and tipped it to the 4 star scale. Keep it up Honky Tonk BBQ!
(4)Margaret P.
Tonight was my first visit, and I'll definitely be back. My friend and I split the bacon candy appetizer; it was delicious and salty and sweet and just the right amount of chew. Definitely recommended if you like bacon (and who doesn't?) For dinner I had the platter with both meats (pork and brisket) and a side of candied yams. The yams were a little oversweetened for my taste, but they were cooked perfectly, and you get an appropriate portion size. The brisket was a little "flaky" for lack of a better word, but not dry; and the pulled pork was that right balance of moist without being greasy. I had the mustard BBQ sauce on the pork, and the less sweet red BBQ sauce on the brisket (I didn't see labeling on the sauce bottles to indicate the style). Portion size on the meats is very generous; I eat a lot of meat on principal (Paleo eater) and I still brought home most of the pork. One thing I would have left off: the seasoned salt they dust the meat with. The meat was delicious enough to not need additional salt. My friend got a mixed drink with absinthe and local root beer, and I had a sip. It was verrrrry anise flavored and I wasn't a fan. Also they use paper straws, which are great for the environment, but my friend's straw collapsed halfway through the meal. Another nice touch was the live music. I'd call it "Dixieland jazz" if I had to define it, and I said to my friend that it was like waking down Main Street in Disneyland. It gave a nice, uptempo feeling to the evening. Service was nice and fairly attentive, despite it being dinner hour and pretty busy. I look forward to going back.
(4)Jean K.
Love me some great BBQ!...and art!...and live music!! So when you combine all 3 of these together...you know I'm a fan!! Was greeted right away...and sat within a few minutes. Pretty simple place. Saloon'ish with the modernization of art. Thursdays feature live music - and that old rocking horse!! Loved it! had one!! Was enjoying myself even before the drinks arrived. Good drinks on tap. Did love the unique selections...although we played it safe and stuck with good ol'beer. Food was either hit or miss - although nothing was terrible. Wanted to try it all...so me and my hubby went with the platter which offered a good sampling of everything. His mom and our son went with the brisket. Cornbread...greens...mac and cheese...we had all the fixings for a gorge out! The best food we sampled was the brisket. And this is coming from someone who does not really like brisket! But, it was delic!! So good...I wanted more!! Even better topped off with their mustard sauce! Corn bread was the 2nd runner up...followed in by their chicken and pulled pork. Sausage had a good grilled flavor, but was a little on the greasy side, which would really upset my belly later on. Had really wanted to try out the bacon candy! But, will save that for the next time around...because - we will be back! Trying that Fungi Sammie too - looked tasty!!
(4)Lola M.
can i be perfectly honest here? this is my favorite bar in all of Chicago. yep, #1. the grub is solid. the drinks are delicious - per example, Honky Tonk's version of a Manhattan is made of angel tears, house cured cherries and a splendid over-sized ice cube the size of a billiard ball. the bands that play here are unique and a roarin' good time. bring yer little lady and swing her round, fellas!
(5)AK D.
What a bummer. We came in here to grab some drinks and food before a concert next door. We sat at the bar at 7pm on a Thursday and couldn't not have received more attitude from the bartender. Rolling eyes and some serious shade for every question we asked. Which was a shame because the food came out timely and hot from a friendly runner. The Mac and Cheese was tasty and the mixed platter was good. I can't say the quality of the BBQ was great. I wouldn't go out of my way to order the brisket or the pork again. No smoke taste at all and the brisket was not tender. Again not terrible but meh. We liked the drinks when we could get the attention of the bartender standing 3 feet away not making eye contact like it was a bet. So points for Mac and Cheese, bacon candy, and cocktails.
(1)Jim K.
Went here on a Sat night. The place was chaos (and not in the fun way). There was no one to seat us, yet they were kicking people out of sits for "reservations." That didn't even bother me; it was the fact that there was no one to direct traffic at the front of the house. It was insanely disorganized. The service was average, and certainly not anything to write home about. Had an "Old Fashioned" which was quite good. Took sips of other's drinks, and everything seemed pretty tasty. From a food standpoint, the Candied Bacon was tasty, and is recommended for anyone who's never had sugar topped bacon. I tried the pull pork, but was not horribly impressed. The sauces were average (I preferred the vinegar based BBQ sauce). Over all, I wasn't very impressed with my visit to The Honky Tonk. I really want to try it again, but, frankly, there are better BBQ joints, bars, and live venues that will always take precedence.
(2)Beatriz T.
Was slumming in the Pilsen area last Saturday night on our way to DeColores for some Mexican food when we passed by Honky Tonk and I heard very excited "awwwww that place is the shit" from the back seat of the car. We pulled over, had a pow wow, busted a U-eyyyyyy and were on our way. BBQ it was. I absolutely loved the decor...I am plotting ways to break in and steal the huge Frida Kahlo portrait they have when you walk in the door. Italian Job anybody??? Rockabilly Bands playing while we ate! Yes! I'm a huge rockabilly/pin up girl fan. Started with the Bacon N Brew which was fine by me. Candied Bacon is never a bad idea,,neither is beer for that matter. Had fried green tomatoes and Mac n Cheese for apps. Both were so/so, Have had better. Ordered the sampler platter for my main course. Holy Shit that's a lot of food. Huge Portions Great Service Delicious Cornbread. Ribs were delicious. Coleslaw was awesome with hints of cilantro. Banana Pudding was very good and I don't usually order desserts. The sauces are delicious, especially that mustard sauce. I don't know what's in it, but I would have loved to take the bottle. (I seem to want to steal a lot of shit from here...don't mind me Honky Tonk...I won't steal your sauces or painting....honestly.) All I know is I got home and put on my stretchy pants and the next thing I knew there was drool on my shoulder. ITIS! To sum this up....I would come back to eat or just to have some drinks and listen to some bands. My experience was great here.
(4)Evelyn M.
2 of my friends and I met here for dinner. Appetizer: BACON CANDY we had to order it. Thick, chewy, caramelized bacon- yummm! We ordered pulled pork sandwiche and the beef brisket... AMAZING! Just as tasty as the mac and cheese, garlic mashed potatoes and the fungi that very well complemented our sandwiches. I ordered B&E Moonshine, and it was delicious. Overall, our experience was great. Staff very friendly and the atmosphere was fun and pleasant!
(5)Talin H.
This is clearly a Pilsen establishment that contributes to the trend of the slowly but surely gentrifying neighborhood. You know how it is: first the hipsters come in, then cool restaurants, and then apartment prices slowly start to increase. But I digress. The food here was very good. I loved that they had a variety of regional housemade BBQ sauces to try, which is the benefit of being in the midwest, where we don't really stake a claim to any specific method of barbecue or sauce. I also loved that they had a variety platter which included a little bit of the all of the meats they have on hand. The chicken was one of the best barbecue chickens I've ever had - smoky and juicy. I will say that the whole bacon and PBR thing is really just a gimmick, but bacon gimmicks go a long way these days. I would definitely go back, and if I lived anywhere near here, I would eat here often!
(4)Anastasia A.
I really wanted to like it...I had heard great things about the place for months and I finally made my way there. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. I order the rib tips with mac and cheese. My companion had the brisket. The food was so heavily spiced with pepper that it over powered the meat and the mac and cheese taste. The tips were dry and pasta not well cooked. The overall serviced were pleasant. I just wish the food would have lived up to our expectations.
(1)Devon W.
I LOVE the Honky Tonk BBQ. They may not win the best BBQ in America each year, or have a travelling team of bearded men and women smoking meats at county fairs, but they do have a lovely location, fun venue for bands, tasty food, and a general good ambiance. I have started making this my go-to place for trivia on Wednesday nights (8:30pm). Trivia is free, and you can get all the beer/food/bacon candy you want as you're playing. Since I am now there regularly, I will add to this post as I try new things. So far my favorite menu item is the basket of rib tips. These are always seasoned wonderfully and cooked to perfection. Whenever I'm there I try to order something else, but my little tastebuds and growling stomach get the better of me and I end up ordering the rib tips... again... and again. If you're there with some newbies, be sure to get the bacon candy. It's a real belt-loosener, but so delicious you have to try it at least once. If (for whatever reason) you're the only one ready for a taste, you can get one THICK slice with a beer for $5. Two of those and you've got yourself a meal.
(4)Stephanie S.
I got takeout here last night: the pork sandwich and mac and cheese. It was OK. I'd go back, but it wasn't the best BBQ I've ever had. The sandwich was huge. The pork was sliced and I prefer chopped. The sauce was on the better side of OK but nothing to write home about. The bread was a garlicky ciabatta, and I really liked the soft chewiness of it. The macaroni was just OK. It had the consistency of being made the day before, refrigerated overnight and heated up again. When I got there, workers were standing on the stoop and seemed surprised that I wanted to go inside and order something. I think they had been open for an hour already and didn't have their cash register set up to take my payment, so I used a credit card. The girl who took my order seemed slightly annoyed and was pretty unfriendly. I couldn't help but think that she was looking down her nose at me because I'm not as tattooed and ironic as she is. I'm definitely willing to come sit down one evening with my husband to try out something else, maybe the bacon candy, and enjoy the ambiance.
(3)Daniel S.
My favorite place for BBQ in the city, I've been here countless times and have tried literally everything, the brisket and pork are the best meats, rib tips are good and you get a lot, ribs were just ok, the sausage links were really good, the mac and cheese is great, the banana pudding the best ive ever had, the empanadas were solid, the bacon candy is delicious, all their pies and ice cream are good too, nice beer and drink selection as well, reasonably priced and you get a good deal for your money, i can't recommend it enough
(5)Chris M.
For starters, maybe you like beer. Maybe you don't. But you have to give it to HTBBQ for creating the Bacon & Brew. A pint of Old Style (because it's ironical to like cheap beer, or something) and a slice of thick, candied bacon laying on top of the glass. Crazy, right?! And fantastic! If I have one minor quibble, it would be that I wish that the meat had a little more flavor. And we tried a variety of things, including the St. Louis ribs, rib tips and pulled pork. I thought it was somewhat on the bland side (More rub? More smoke?), but I'm a bit of a smoke-aholic when it comes to BBQ'ed meats, so maybe that's good news for your taste buds. Anyhow, a fine, casual dining experience, nice side dishes and great sauces. Try it! If you can find a parking spot. MUAHAHAHA....
(4)Holly W.
My Husband and I are restaurant owners in the South Loop. We are huge lovers of BBQ and decided to order a handful of menu offerings for carry out after they had placed an order at our restaurant. I sure am glad we did because we found our new FAVORITE bbq spot here in Chicago. As BBQ connoisseurs know, it is unusual to find a place that nails both the meats as well as those tasty, tasty side dishes. We ordered several meats but the Smoked Chicken was absolutely magical, perfection. I loved all of the sauces but the tangy one reminds me of a favorite from back home so I ate the heck out of that one. Another stand out for me was the Southern Style Greens- Salty, a bit spicy, and delicious. The last thing I want to comment on is the Banana Bread Pudding. I will admit I have always been afraid to try bread pudding and being honest, I licked the lid as I removed it not knowing exactly what it was... UM YUM! No one else was allowed near the container of Banana Bread Pudding. We will definitely be back to sit at the bar for a few and listen to the live bands!
(5)Abraham D.
Please note that as past restaurant and business owner for 10 years, I have higher expectations on food and service so I tend to notice things that regular clients don't. My wife wanted to have some BBQ ribs so we decided to go to Honky Tonk on Pilsen. I am by no means a BBQ nut but have to say that this place left something to be desired. It was really a problem finding parking on the street; finally, after 20 minutes going around the blocks, we found a spot about a block away. The place was almost full (St. Patrick's Day celebration?), we were not greeted and after finding the hostess, she directs us to find a table ourselves, finally, we found a boot close to the stage; the place was a little chilly for me (and I like cold weather), the menu was the placemat and we had our first disappointment, no backed potatoes anywhere. My wife was really looking to have a nice hot baked potato with the ribs. My wife ordered half baby back ribs and this was served with slaw and pretzel roll and she asked a side of garlic mashed potatoes; I ordered empanadas and a pulled pork sandwich. Wife ordered a coke (it was from a fountain machine not can or bottle) and I stayed with the glass of water after tasting the coke. The ribs were cold and not fall off the bone tender, we had to send them back to be reheated, also they were a little too dry and bland at best, I'm confident I can make a better rib. The slaw was much too fresh (raw) for my taste and not creamy enough and the garlic mash potatoes, well, my wife kept tasting the garlic after midnight. The empanadas were great but needed a bit more cheese and the corn sauce dressing was good. The pulled pork sandwich was ok but it had no trimmings, I had to steal some slaw from my wife to put some color and taste to my sandwich. I tried the 3 different types of sauces and they were ok, but they were obviously store bought. Total bill about $40, a little pricy for the quality of food but the service was good. They had live music but I recommend not sitting close to the stage if you want to have a conversation. Honky Tonk is marked as to be in the top BBQ places in Chicago but they will have to do more to get me back here again...
(2)Heather L.
Wow, this is the epitome of a hipster hang-out. Everyone dresses like they just had an Up-and-Coming interview with Pitchfork. The decor is quite ambivalent, a little bit of haphazard vintage, grunge Americana, dive-bar lighting, and yeap... animal head trophies. No matter. We are serious diners, and we wanted to get our BBQ on. The cocktails were bleh, but at $7-8, it was a cheap bleh. We also had the Bacon & Brew, which was a slab of candied bacon balanced on a glass of Old Style: Beer, meat, grease, sugar and butter? That's not even fighting fair. The sauces were our favorite part of the dinner. There were three smoky and bold selections in squirt bottles that we tried putting on everything: One mustard-based, one ketchup-based, and a Carolina-esque. Their cornbread, lentil soup and chili were all very well done. The chili was probably the best I have had in awhile, with large chunks of meat and topped with a generous helping of mac and cheese. That said, the meats themselves were a bit lacking. The brisket we got was a big disappointment: Fleeting smokiness, quite cold, and very dry. We might stick to the sandwiches and chili next time.
(3)Tyler F.
The food was great but the service was horrible. It's shame we had to pay 20% gratuity because she could barely speak in coherent sentence and looked like she was rolling on something. I would go back for the food only.
(3)Lauren D.
This is a meat-eaters paradise serving up Memphis-style bar-b-que cuisine with their award-winning pulled pork and is a Chicago championship-BBQ eatery. From St. Louis spares to baby backs to the big beef short ribs, they are dishing up super-slow cooked barbecue with three signature sauces, which are absolutely finger-suckin' good! Also, sample the bacon candy or try their beef brisket sandwiches, and bold slabs of dry-rub St. Louis ribs. I always get the brisket sandwich, but have also tried the pulled pork (both are worthy of five stars). My husband always orders the ribs and they are worthy of five stars. Believe it or not, they also have vegetarian offerings here. If you enjoy "live" music this is a must for music lovers. Honky Tonk was rated as one of the top 10 bars in Chicago and one of the top five for "live" music. If you are a die-hard bar-b-que fanatic, get your ass over to this place. This restaurant has a wonderful selection of meats with a great vibe. It is filled with loud conversation and music. What kind of people come here? All ages, but mostly it is filled with college students from nearby University of Illinois and the young 20-something singles. I noticed a few in their early 30's with young kids (about 10-12 years of age). The restaurant is located in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, where most of the restaurants are "mom and pop" operations. You don't expect to see this kind of restaurant in Pilsen, and albiet, it is located in an unusual location. Hey, it works for them. If you cook it good, they will come! Parking is street only, and since this is a very popular Chicago restaurant it can be a challenge to find a legal parking spot on a Friday or Saturday night. I rate it with four stars, because service is not fantastic here (though it is friendly). Their sides are very, very small but the meat makes up for the small side portions. Also, seeing a "live" band here can be hit or miss -- you are lucky if you can get in here to listen to the music. Arrive super early if you plan to stay for the "live" music! If you don't mind being in a very crowded bar, elbow to elbow, listening to live music, check it out!
(4)Anne M.
Overall good. Some things I really enjoyed and some things I didn't. I really wanted to LOVE the place but I wasn't blown away. Not really sure how to rate this place. I gave a 4 because of the atmosphere, a few items we liked, and the potential the place has. I had the St. Louis ribs with coleslaw, candied yams and cornbread. My Husband had the brisket with mac & cheese and had a Bacon & Brew. I'm not super familiar with rib styles so I wasn't sure what to expect. I asked the difference between the baby back and St. Louis style and the server said that the baby back ribs have more fat on them. The ribs were a dry rub they were okay but not something I would order again. Life is too short to eat just okay items when dining out. I was expecting the typical messy ribs with falling off the bone meat but these ribs were a little bland and reminded me of beef jerky. I loved the candied yams and cornbread. The coleslaw was too vinegar-y to me, it was nice and fresh but I prefer a mayonnaise base. My Husband really loved his brisket (he is a brisket connoisseur) and he said the mac was not great. Favorite thing we tried: the Bacon & Brew it was awesome, The atmosphere is really cool, it has this vintage-y Mexican/bar style inside. The service was at best.... weird. Only our server looked us in the eye and she definitely did not have a friendly demeanor, she was very matter of fact. We had several people here and there. One to take our drink order, one to bring our dishes, and then our main server. I would go again if I was in the area but I wouldn't make it a regular outing.
(4)Jason F.
I love this place! I love to come on Sundays when they have a 1920s style jazz band playing there. The band is awesome, and you even get some people dressed up in the 20s garb that come there to dance. It's just a really cool atmosphere. As far as food goes, I like the brisket a lot. Some of the other things I tried, like the chicken, were not all that impressive. I didn't care for the mac and cheese when I first had it, but then I ordered chili mac and that was so good! They also serve candied bacon with beer, and that stuff is amazing. This is a cool place with a lot of character.
(5)Tony E.
I'm reviewing as a musician and a customer. Our group played here this weekend, and Honky Tonk treated us very well. They do business with musicians the way it should be done. Band gets paid and fed, no cover and they draw their own customers because they make good food and book good music. Although it's kind of a cramped set up to play as a full band, it's a fun place to play. It's divey. They were also cool with us doing a raffle to support homeless veterans. Actually, the bartenders bought so many tickets, they walked away with half the prizes! They'd get 5 stars if they tightened up some of their internal communication/administration. Foodwise, I had the brisket sandwich with mac and cheese. Really good! Beer selection is also great. They have a bacon and brew with a slice of caramelized bacon that is the size of a 2x4. 'Nuff said.
(4)John F.
The place is just great. Get the BBQ platter. It has everything you could want. It's enough food to feed two, and possibly 3 people. The ribs leave a tad bit to be desired. But the pulled pork, and the brisket is outstanding. Live music gives a cool touch. The atmosphere is hipster-ish, without being too pretentious. I've brought my kids there, and it's totally cool for them as well. Parking is a pain, but it's all worth it.
(5)Christina B.
Awesome restaurant! My boyfriend and I were going to the sox game and wanted to grab a bite to eat before we went. Found the Honky Tonk BBQ on google, and so glad we came here. The decor was super cute, the wait staff was very friendly. We ordered the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer, and I got the pulled pork sandwich and mac and cheese, he got the ribs/half chicken/greens/coleslaw. I ate a little something of everything (aside from the chicken) and it was all delicious. I absolutely want to come back here again. I loved the atmosphere, and would like to go back when a band is playing. I would definitely recommend Honky Tonk to anyone who likes good BBQ.
(5)Warrior W.
I like this place. The music is cool and something a little different. They make some classic drinks and have a decent beer list so no complaints there. You can kind of treat this place like two sides really. The front is the busier-hip-drinking crowd and the back has the eaters. The food is pretty decent with the cornbread and mac and cheese being the standouts. The pork is a "B" and the brisket is a "D" i would say (they don't cook nearly as long as one should and lines of fat on there). I haven't had the chicken yet but since chicken is easier and takes less time, i have a hunch it will be better than the other meats. I will definitely be coming back over and over since friends just moved in the area.
(4)Laura A.
I was here on a random weekday night for a drink. My drink was strong and really good. My brother and I also ordered the candied bacon ( having no idea what to expect) it was nasty and we sent it back. We proceeded to order a brisket and a pork slider. Both were great, but the pork was def better. I'll be back on a weekend night for the experience
(4)Jamie H.
Well, I moved to Pilsen and people keep raving about Honky Tonky so seeing as though it's been about 3 years since I've been here I figured I'd give it another shot. The place is about as different from what it once was as you can get. We came in about 10 mins before they stopped serving food and there were 8 of us so kind of obnoxious, yes, but 8 people = bigger tip. Well, we got some incredibly rude service we were basically shoved up and told to pay now because the waitress was off. I get it, you want to go, at least half of us have or do work int he service industry all you had to do was polity tell us that and we'd have settled up right then and there. So, terrible service but the food was better than the last time. We got a few sample platters. I'm sure I'll be back because it's so close; I just hope the service is better next time!
(3)Dale J.
Great place. BBQ is outstanding, good beer choices, banana pudding, great service!!!
(5)Jimmy J.
Beyond underwhelming. If you know anything about quality bbq, this place is lousy. Their sauces totally sucked. Zero flavor. We tried whole smoked chicken, back ribs, brisket. All served cold No flavor. No seasoning. And when sauces suck, you're in trouble. We came here because it was featured by Guy Fieri. This was a huge disappointment. Our experience at the Famous Dave's chain blew this away. Im in the business and hate bashing a place to this degree but their meats had zero flavor, temps were cold and a bottle of Open Pit would have been better than what they had on table. Lastly, while their menu says ribs come with slaw (sucked too) and corn bread, I got slaw and a dinner roll. A weak operation. It has been my experience that all famous bbq places are more hype than hope. This place is biggest example. Service was also lackluster. Go to the hood and get real bbq. This isnt good bbq. Not even close.
(1)Julieta C.
They have a Cool and comfy bar! I only had time for a drink although I wish I would have had some extra time to order from their menu.The bartender not only introduced himself but truly was attentive to his customers. That's true customer service! The food smelled delicious!
(4)Cindy M.
This place is AMAZING! I love BBQ ribs and these are quite delicious. They have a variety if BBQ sauces for the ribs, I prefer the sweet BBQ. Their Mac and cheese is also delicious. By far the best experience of BBQ in Chicago. The atmosphere is nice, front or backside seating. They have their own unique style of decorating, artwork hangs in the walls, and there's usually a live band playing. I would definitely recommend to those who love ribs!
(5)Jeff Q.
Stopped in after a Sox game for a bachelor party dinner...had the plate of brisket, pulled pork and hot link and it was awesome...I coulda done just a plate of the hot links, no joke...not an over powering smoke flavor which ruins the flavor of the meat at some places but it was right on....a couple buddies had the rib tips and they loved them and it was definitely a healthy portion...I had the greens as a side which were very good too...I dig mine with a sweet heat kinda flavor and it was very good...dug the service too, very accommodating for a group of 10...thanks!!
(4)Eric K.
The best St Louis style ribs i've had in the city of Chicago hands down. Awesome atmosphere, especially on Sunday nights with the live music.
(5)Vina O.
I've been eating here since I moved to Chicago three years ago and I've enjoyed it every time! Although the bread roll and the coleslaw are pretty blah, the St. Louis ribs are top notch every time! Besides, who really comes to a BBQ joint for the bread roll and coleslaw...? I haven't tried the infamous Smoque, but I'm not willing to drive almost 10 miles just for some BBQ when Honky Tonk is less than a mile away. Stick to the St. Louis ribs, I think they're better than the baby back. I like to mix all the sauces together (sweet BBQ, tangy BBQ, and garlic mustard) and dip my meat in it!
(4)Toni B.
The hubby and I came here with some friends, which I was very excited for since we both love BBQ! Please note: Their food is meant to be on the dryer side so that you can put as much or little sauce as youd like on them on your own. When we walked into the restuarant, the hubby and I waited by what we thought was the hostess stand for 5 minutes before another group coming in and seating themselves..so we figured wed do the same! We ended up find the couple we were meeting in the back area. The food is pretty decent. My hubby and our friend ordered the bacon candy..and according to the hubs, it was the best food he's ever eaten (I guess better then my spinach lasagna!). I ordred the chicken sandwhich and the hubby ordred the ribs. We are more fans of meat being marinated in sauce, but it was pretty decent. The mac and cheese was good as well! Check it out if you want to try a new BBQ joint in that neck of the woods!
(3)Patrick B.
This is my favorite bar in Chicago. I haven't had their food, but I love the bar. Their signature cocktails are incredible, the bartenders are excellent, and the atmosphere can't be beat. Great live music, trivia nights, and all around good times to be had. The "Bacon and Brew" deal is by far the best drink deal you can find in the city. $5 for a THICK slice of candied bacon and a pint of Old Style. Heaven.
(5)Christy D.
I really wanted to love this place after hearing about their great barbeque and live country music but was extremely disappointed. The hostess and our waitress were both unfriendly and almost rude. Our waitress didn't smile once and didn't tell us anything about the menu. We ordered our cocktails and the woman next to me ordered the same thing. When we got our drinks they were completely different. Mine was bourbon on the rocks and not a cocktail. When I asked her about it she told me that it was a cocktail and when I explained that the woman next to me had the same thing she told me they were different glasses but the same drink even though the other drink had cherries in it. She said "what do you want me to bring you cherries? It's the same cocktail just different glasses and yours doesn't have cherries." Um, ok. The couple sharing the table with us were very nice and helpful and they suggested the sausage which was wonderful with the mustard sauce, a must have. The brisket had absolutely no flavor at all and so I drowned it in barbeque sauce. The sauce was fine but nothing spectacular and frankly I wanted good tasting brisket not sauce. The mac and cheese was just okay. After our meal we listed to Sarah and the Tall Boys play which was great and why I gave this 2 stars. Without the live music I would have only given them 1.
(2)Allison R.
I was in Chicago for a long weekend and at the suggestion of a local checked this place out for their bbq, tunes and fun atmosphere. It's a no-frills place that is out of this world!! I had the pulled pork sandwhich and my friend had the smoked chicken sandwhich. Both were fantastic. They have a really large selection of whiskey including some more hard-to-find varieties/brands and had a good beer list too! While we didn't order any side dishes I definitely would next time as the tables around us with sides looked really really tasty! The services was great - friendly but not hawking around our table and never made us feel rushed. It was a really cool and fun place. Low-key with great food!
(4)Mindy M.
Great drinks, Great service, Candied. Bacon. Can a place get any better? Other than the great food, they have amazing live music, great trivia nights. Favorite bar in the area.
(5)Serena Y.
Well went back to give it a 2nd chance after 3 yrs and it still SUCKS! BBQ was cold...Sent it back...came back a little warmer :-( Server was nice.. No complaints there.... The collard greens were the best thing we had..disappointed really thought it would be better than the first time.... Guess we will be driving to Smoque if we crave BBQ!
(1)K B.
***I'm down-grading to 4 stars, even though this is still based on the bacon primarily. I'm only rating this place 5 stars for you to go in and do the following: 1. Enjoy the music. 2. Order the Candied Bacon. 3. Order a nice Craft Beer. No guarantees on anything else.
(4)Rob I.
Love this place! Pork is king! Pulled pork, ribs are great! Love the brisket as well, wish they offered burnt end!! Love the atmosphere and bar is great! Great drinks and just a go to place for great music, food, and drink! Pilsen gem!
(4)Tom S.
Candied Bacon....need I say more.
(5)BELLE T.
I loved the candied bacon, but I thought the ribs were dry. Dry ribs = no bueno.
(2)Jami S.
Honestly I hate to say it but not a fan of this place. We went on a Saturday right when it opened. My friends were dying to try and I think they enjoyed it a lot more then I did being they are big guys who love ribs. The service was great, the review is def not based on that. However, the restaurant smelled like a combination of BBQ & urine & there were full on drug (prob meth) addicts sitting across from us. It was really gross watching them. It's not the fault of Honky I guess but it ruined my dinner. The brisket probably was the best thing & the cornbread. Ribs were okay. The decor is cool. Though, I would 100% say Chicago Q is better. Sorry Honky but I won't be back.
(2)Ellen M.
I was quite surprised to see that HKB had an average 3.5 star review. Whatever. I love it to bits. I've been five times and haven't had a bad meal yet. Many reviewers commented on the hipster scene. Let's get something straight right now: I don't give a rat's mama's expletive-not-uttered who else is dining. No one has ever disturbed me to the point of caring. But I digress. Me, man, man's parents, two sampler platters, tons of leftovers. Their ribs and brisket are lovely, but I'm truly impressed when the chicken leaves an impression. Delicious, delightful service from pretty, tatted gals, good selection of beers. Change back on a hundred. What's not to love? In any case, I also recommend the fried green tomatoes as a starter. Dry rub.
(5)Brian B.
As a long time BBQ fan, this place is tops. Their homemade sauces are out of this world, and the way everything is slow smoked with just the right amount of spice is mouth-watering-delicious! Every time I have friends in from out of town I take them here. The cool 1920's vibe to the place and their classic bar with the live bands is just so darn cool! Not to mention the staff with their wicked tattoos. What a real gem! Everything is delicious, but my favorites are the chicken and ribs and pulled pork and mushrooms and baked beans. Get the sampler platter, you can't go wrong. WOW! SO GOOD!
(5)Elizabeth E.
The best brisket I have ever had. I am a HUGE BBQ fan & this place did not disappoint. Everything I tasted was amazing, mac & cheese, mushrooms, chicken, hot links. The icing on the cake was the out of this world banana cream desert! I cannot wait to go back. Great food, great atmosphere & great friendly service! Could not ask for a better night out!
(5)Stet D.
This is place definitely has some of the best bbq in Chicago. I decided to check it out after reading an article about it online. I ordered take out and lady who took my order and payment was really friendly. I ordered the St. Louis style ribs, and they were phenomenal! Before I even opened my bag with my meal, I could smell the smokiness. When I took my first bite, I thought I had died and went to heaven..lol. These were some of the best ribs that I had even tasted. They were not only smoky, but they were a little sweet. Anytime that I am in the area, I will come back though.
(5)Jennifer K.
I've been here 3 times, but the quality declined with each visit and I don't foresee returning. The first visit was amazing: the pulled pork sandwich was perfect, huge portion, delicious meat. I had never had a vinegar based coleslaw (as opposed to mayo based) before, and loved it. My boyfriend had the beef brisket, which was good but totally trumped by the pulled pork. On my 2nd and 3rd visits, the pulled pork portion got smaller and more fatty/gristly each time, however the coleslaw remained awesome. Really cool decor: beautiful old-timey wooden bar, great paintings hanging all over. Hipper-than-thou clientele for sure: tattoo here, tattoo there, tattoo everywhere. :) Not sure what happened, but I wish the quality of the food had been more consistent.
(3)Sarah S.
The food is good, the service and music is great. The only thing that is a problem for me is it smells like mildew or something else gross in this place.
(3)Max T.
My first visit to Honky Tonk definitely won't be my last. I was actually headed elsewhere for dinner when I passed the Q place and wondered what it was. Just up the block I pulled over and demanded an executive decision of where we were going and next thing you know I couldn't even remember where we were going originally. I give Honky Tonk 4 stars since I'm still out looking for my best BBQ in Chicago and I still haven't found it. Not to say that Honky Tonk wasn't good, because it was very good. They even have an edge with the venue/ bar, its just that I'm on a BBQ mission lately. We started with some bacon and brews which were okay. For apps we had fried green tomatos and mac and cheese. No complaints. But the feast came with the entree. A $32 sample platter that could feed a family. Pulled pork, brisket, half chicken, hotlinks, rib rack, bread, cole slaw and baked beans. Pretty much everything was on point. My only criticism would be the beans and cole slaw. The beans just were not up to par with any baked beans that should be served with BBQ. The cole slaw was good but in my opinion should be chopped more fine. I recommend the sample platter though to everyone. We actually also stayed for zerts which is rare and they were all so good too. None better than the banana pudding. Get it. Now. We also ordered the bourbon pound cake and peach cobbler. Watch the bourbon, its tasty, and the cobbler is served nice and hot. Both paired with vanilla ice cream. I wish I still had my leftovers. Aside from the food what puts Honky Tonk over is the place itself. I am a die hard Crybaby fan and we walked in to a live Rockabilly band and also got the table right by the stage. Entertainment indeed. I had a great Saturday night with ribs and rockabilly. This place is cool too it seems even if you aren't coming to eat since there is still the bar vibe happening. There are also so many wall treatments and pictures to take in that one visit isn't enough. Especially the huge Frida you see upon entering. I need to find the best BBQ so I can come back.
(4)Emily D.
I saw this place on tv and had to try! Can't figure out all the hype, however after reading some of the other reviews, it looks like I may have went on a "bad day" people say this place is hit or miss. Well...WE MISSED! Based on take out... 1) Food was ready fast (positive) 2) Was missing an item from our order, of course didnt find out until we got home. 3) When I took out containers of food they were noticably light! I had the pulled pork it was ok, but a little amount on a mound of bread. Its like the bun makes it look bigger. I didnt eat bun and just ate meat and it was a very very small portion. My friend had the brisket and was also disppointed with size. I looked at it and was turned off because it looked very fatty. The macaroni & muffin was good. My friend was actually mad he spent $35 on our dinner and felt that if we would have gone to another BBQ place it would have tasted better and the serving size would have been better. I'd be curious to know the serving size of meat and if they weigh out servings each time. We love BBQ but would never recommend or spend our money at this place! After dinner, we were actually so disappointed and irritatted we looked on yelp for other places to try because this place didn't live up to our expecations AT ALL. Wouldn't return.
(2)Junchen F.
Viking Rib is totally worth the 21 dollars. The rib is nicely done and so huge! It goes extremely well with the hot source and it is a shame they do not compliment such amazing work with homemade special source. The rib tip is also great. Considering the price tag, it is as good as it gets.
(5)Erick H.
A friend has been bugging me for quite some time to try Honky Tonk BBQ, so my wife and I decided to make the 30+ mile drive to check it out. We were seated quickly, and started with a bowl of the Brisket Chili. I would have been fine with just that. It was the most flavorful thing we had all night, and was delicious. Big chunks of brisket, very few beans, and even my wife loved it. Our meal came very fast, and we started to eat. It was pretty good. We had a half-rack of St Louis ribs, and Brisket. The ribs were good, not quite enough smoke for me, but they were good. The brisket was well cooked, and quite good. Was it the best 'que I have had? No, but it is better than most. The sides were good, but not spectacular. Slaw was just okay, a bit too sweet for me. The Mac 'n Cheese was good and cheesy. For desert we had the Salty Pig. Too much Bacon Candy. I would have preferred the ice cream, nuts, chocolate and whip cream without the Bacon Candy. So, will I be back? Could be, but I won't make a special trip.
(4)Brian B.
This place does a pretty great job of mixing a hip artsy feel with good southern style bbq. Starting with the bacon candy is pretty intense so you might actually want to save it for dessert. But it was pretty dang good. had the three meat plate with pork, brisket and a hot link. Both the pork and brisket were moist and each had a beautiful smoke ring that really indicates that it was cooked right. I was on a mission for some peach cobbler since it's not a popular dish in Chicago, and to be honest, they missed the mark on this one. Okay let's talk sauces- the mustard one is great. The sweet one was a little too sweet for me and tasted JUST like chic fill a bbq sauce, so just decide how you feel about chic fill a sauce, and there ya go. The vinegar sauce was decent. My wife is making me add in here that she was not impressed by any of the sauces, as she prefers a spicy bbq sauce. All in all, if you want pretty good meat, go to Honky Tonk. If you want the whole bbq experience, go to Texas.
(4)Leo V.
The food was horrible!!! They didn't even have smoked chicken because the lady said the smoker broke but they had smoked ribs!! Don't make sense... I had the Texas brisquet chili which was horrible!! Then I got the pulled pork and brisquet which was extremely dry and flavorless even tho they put all that dry rub on it...and their BBQ sauce is ok which I gave the one star..will never be eating their again.....
(1)Sandra M.
Pilsen is changing...for the better. We didn't have places like this when we lived here!! The beef brisket, pulled pork, and ribs were all delicious and enjoyed by my family, including a very picky nine year old. What made the evening really nice and memorable was the band. I felt like we were on vacation somewhere down south. I never noticed the huge, wooden bar until this visit. it is beautiful.
(4)Howard L.
Honky Tonk BBQ is a neat place, but bottom line from our visit is that the food is so-so. From a non-descript entrance at corner of 18th and Racine, one surprisingly finds inside a western saloon bar, and a couple of nicely and interestingly decorated dining rooms (numerous paintings and western paraphernalia). We had a half slab of St Louis ribs, a couple of Dinky Dunkers (half-sized pulled pork and beef bnsket sandwiches), hot link, and mac n cheese. The bread was cold and hard. The ribs were fatty and a bit undercooked, and lacked flavor, except for what BBQ sauce you wanted to put on it. The sandwich meat was ok, with the pulled pork more flavorful and juicy than the brisket. All portions were on smaller size also. Server and others were friendly and attentive. All told, I'd say 2.5-3 stars, and I wouldn't go out of my way to come here for the food. I would say it's worth at least one visit for the quaint dining environment, and I would return if we happened to be nearby and wanted BBQ. Some have compared this place to Smoque, which picqued my interest, but Smoque is in a league of it's own on the BBQ food quality. There's no BYOB anymore here, and they do now accept credit cards.
(3)Alex D.
I came here very excited, in particular for the deep fried sweet potatoe pie, so I'll start there. It was bland with very little flavor. Worse, it was frozen in the middle! And the marshmallow that comes on the side is not melted, rather, it was cold but tasted burnt....as the waiter pointed out, its more ornament. I was looking forward to the whole experience and was sorely let down. Now service. The service was terrible. We were put into the back and the waiter probably came by 3 times on his own (order, food, check). I had to flag down waitstaff to order dessert. She never asked how everything was, nor was she particularly friendly. I had to pay a 20% tip because there were 6 of us, and I expect more than the bare minimum. Side dishes. Mashed potatoes were okay. They were good or bad, just meh. The Mac and cheese was terrible. It tasted like I was eating nothing. After a few bites, I just stopped eating (oh they wouldn't let me replace it). BBQ. The BBQ was pretty good. It was probably worth 4 starts on its own. I got the brisket and pulled pork. The only downside was that the BBQ sauce is on the table, so its cold. WARNING: they do not take more than 2 credit cards, which is extremely inconvenient and cheap. Each of us spent over 30 dollars; the least they can do is let us all pay by credit card (they dont likely because they dont want to pay the credit card fees). Overall I wasn't impressed and I will not be going back. OH, also its extremely loud because their is a sub par live band playing. I prefer conversation to loud music at dinner, but maybe thats just me.
(2)Jaime C.
I was driving down 18 st so I decided to pay them a visit. It was my first time here but I've read some reviews on yelp so I kind of knew what to expect. The place is nice and welcoming the decor is different from what I seen before in a BBQ restaurant but I liked it. I thought the live country music was awesome! The service is attentive but in my opinion a bit slow. This isn't the best BBQ in The city but is good enough, candied bacon a must!!! if you're in the neighborhood I suggest you give them a try.....live music, good BBQ decent selection of draft beer???? I would definitely come back.
(4)Lisa H.
One of Guy Fieri's locations on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. About a 4 block walk from the L-train. We got the sampler, and my favorite thing we had was the ribs, because they just broke apart so easily. The corn bread muffins were pretty good, I just didn't like the corn kernels. We also had chicken, sausage, cole slaw, and two mini sandwiches one brisket and one pulled pork. I enjoyed the pulled pork sandwich, especially with the 3 different sauces the staff provides you with. The sampler was a good option to try everything I just wish the sausages were 2 different kinds. Also, instead of the coleslaw I would have like mashed potatoes, the cole slaw just didn't do anything for me. I would have liked to try the homemade pie, but we were pretty full. Recommendations - turn on the lights! It was so dark in there. And the live music only wen until 9...I thought it would have at least gone till 10, especially since we got dinner at 8:30.
(3)TB H.
Hands down best #Manhattan since #Blue 13 closed. Don't mess around just order the sampler platter it's BBQ and your not here to diet. Taste 10x better the next day. Leftovers are king
(5)Chad D.
I've been to Honky Tonk BBQ twice and each time it is an absolute delight. The ambiance is excellent. They have weird southern and country decor. After a half hour in the restaurant you forget you are in Chicago! The waitstaff is incredibly knowledgable and helpful. They can describe the menu and how the food is prepared in detail. The BBQ is very good as are the sauces on the table. The ribs are excellent as are the hot links. I know they do the ribs in house but the hot links are sourced out. Fine by me. The music is not too loud and adds to the great atmosphere. This is a fun place to hang out or take a date for something a little different. I recommend stopping in and giving it a try. I will be back.
(4)Chika S.
The minute I walked in I knew I loved this place. Quirky eclectic folk art (if you know Lucky Platter in Evanston, imagine that with a Western theme), and a long vintage bar leading to a stage in the back of the room... a perfect place for sipping whiskey after a hard day of work. Alas, no whiskey this visit... I happened to be there mid-day with a huge group of family (3 kids under 10). We were seated quickly in the back room, surrounded by other families with smaller children. We felt very at home. Service was a little slow, but they were also very patient and attentive once our order was taken. We ordered the sampler and it was excellent. In my informal 3 generation family survey, the brisket was the favorite. My daughter normally doesn't like brisket and she liked it. Sauces were interesting and varied. Sides were fresh and yummy. Mac and cheese was a hit for all ages... mild and creamy and delicious. The highlight of the meal was deserts... we got 3 to share and they were all so good we wished we had saved more room. Peach Cobbler and Pound cake were delicious. My mouth just started watering remembering how good they were. Looking at the full drink menu and reviews, I need to go back soon with NO KIDS on a night with music and a designated driver!
(5)Diana G.
Some of the stuff were hit and miss for me. We ordered the sampler platter, full slab baby back ribs, extra hot link, garlic mashed potatoes, peach cobbler and banana pudding. I liked the chicken - moist and good. The hot links were good - hot and not dried out like some places. Garlic mashed potatoes was ok. Ribs were a bit disappointing. Pulled pork and brisket was ok, but not really memorable. Beans were eh. Cole slaw was yuck - sour and weird tasting to me. Peach cobbler was sweet. Banana pudding was sweeeeeeet. I'm not a big dessert eater, but if you like sweet then you would probably like these. Service was ok. This lady was nice and gave my niece some blueberries. Our server was ok, but she did forget our glass of milk. I don't think I would come back often, but give it a try!
(3)Julie C.
First impressions are important. The four of us were greeted and advised to take a seat by a very nice waitperson. The decor was great/fun (I could've done without the animal-head perched over the bar staring at us but fixed that by sitting with my back to it); warm simplicity at it's finest. Our waitperson Chelsea was absolutely delightful. Appetizer's of "Bacon Candy" and Fried Green tomatoes were served in a very decent amount of time. Bacon was different and good-tasting; fried green tomatoes had a nice coating but were served room temperature (they're suppose to be hot) and the tomatoes had not been drained long enough so they were very watery and could've been cut thicker (the frying tends to shrink). Then came our dishes. My husband's and brother's rib tips, while flavorful when an unburned section could be located (rib tips are small) were, well, burnt. The pulled pork (on my pulled-pork sandwich) was delicious but the ciabatta bun was waay too large for the amount of pork offered (which was a perfect amount) and the texture of the bun was akin to wet paper mache. As soon as I picked it up, a quarter of the bread tore away and the rest of my attempts to eat the "sandwich" were discarded; I just used a fork to eat the meat. The side of cole slaw was literally shredded cabbage in a bowl; ZERO base; no mayo, no vinegar, nothing. We ordered dessert (two peach cobblers and a banana pudding). The peach cobbler was so scalding hot, it melted the ball of vanilla ice cream in under a minute (I'm sure it didn't help that I resembled a floor fan in my attempt to cool the cobbler so I could actually get a bite before the ice cream melted, splashing bits of rapidly deteriorating ice cream on the table). My brother's banana pudding was watery but unsure he actually noticed as every bite of pudding was accompanied by whip cream which covered the pudding in what appeared to be an amount equivalent to half-a-can of Reddi Whip. Chicago has a fantastic array of barbeque places; unfortunately, I won't be returning to Honky Tonk.
(2)Scott A.
Live country music = good. BYOB = also good. Pulled pork = slap my ass and call me Susan good. My friend and I attempted to split the sampler platter with a fried green tomato app. We were unsuccessful. It was the greatest failure in my life. Everything was above average, with the ribs being the low spot but still very tasty, the brisket full of smoke and bold meaty flavor, and the pulled pork melted in my mouth like an M&M on a hot summer day. Upon my triumphant return I will be ordering the pulled pork along with another order of fried green tomatoes and as many of those corn muffins that I am able to fill into the remaining space in my fundus.
(5)Andrew P.
What's up with all the mediocre reviews?!? As a resident of the South Loop, I am SO GLAD that Honky Tonk BBQ is just a short drive away. Over the years, Honky Tonk has transformed into a hipster joint (with a full bar and live music on most nights), but the food has gotten better and better. I'm a big fan of the rib tips, and my wife usually orders the fried green tomatoes and mac n cheese. They have decent beer options (and Old Style on tap the last time I was there) and the live music is always a bit eccentric but very good. It's a HUGE place so you are usually seated right away. The service has always been excellent and street parking is doable with a little bit of patience. You simply cannot find another BBQ restaurant in this part of town. And even if there are a lot of hipsters in there, why hate on hipsters?!? You're probably a hipster, too. :)
(4)Darren F.
always down to try a restaurant known for their BBQ and i been eyeing this place for a while.. finally got a chance to try it! ordered the bacon candy, beef brisket sandwich, rib tips, hot links, and also got a filbertis black cherry soda... the bacon candy has a sweet coating on a thick slice of bacon and it was really good! so flavorful! the beef brisket sandwich was just OK.. not really special... the rib tips was just decent.. they cut it up in big chunks and i find it to be a little too dry.. the hot links was pretty good... the filbertis soda wasn't my cup of tea.. i didn't really like it.. they have a few different choices of sauce to choose from and most of them are great... i will be back to try other food in the menu!
(3)Cristie F.
Even with a raging stomach ache and a bout of nausea, I was still able to chow down on some BBQ, enjoy it, and wished I could eat more. ((Impressive for not feeling well, huh??)) On our way to check out an upcoming business on the south side, my bf and I stopped in Honky Tonk to get a quick bite of some BBQ eats. This place has clearly a lot more to offer than just some good grub, so I was disappointed we weren't able to see live music, or take the time to grab a seat at the bar and shoot back some whiskey. The decor and atmosphere really sets the stage for that - I felt like I was in a vintage saloon. :::Grub::: - Fried Green Tomatoes// Perfectly cooked with just the right amount of fried goodness - Mac n' Chese// Creamy, cheesy, crispy on top. Perfection. - Rib tips// Delish. Especially when smothered with their BBQ sauce. Sadly, that's all we had. If my appetite had been screaming for more, I would have gladly indulged in some Dinky Dunkers, some Baby Back Ribs, Hot Links or their Texas Brisket Chili. I suppose that means I'll just have to go back, right?? Service was also fantastic. Fast and friendly. Just how I like it. Our server was also happy to provide numerous recommendations. I look forward to my return ((sans the nausea & ailments)) to further indulge and be gluttonous in some Honkey Tonk BBQ!
(4)Melanie S.
Okay, I'm not a gin-soaked bar-room queen from Memphis, so perhaps I'm not a true Honky Tonk Woman in every sense, but I liked this place just fine. Met a friend here for dinner on a Sunday night and it was remarkably easy to get a table (contrary to what I've heard about Friday and Saturday nights). We're both true-blue fans of Smoque, but it never hurts to give another place a try. In other words, I didn't have to put up some kind of a fight. The front area was teeming with kids, so we headed to the much quieter back room to enjoy our 'que. I ordered the sweet tea, and thankfully it was quite drinkable (which isn't always the case for me); it was sweet but still tasted like tea and not just sugar. We both ordered ribs (St. Louis for my friend and baby back for me), a side of macaroni and cheese, and also a half chicken. I was a little bummed that they don't offer fries (just mashed potatoes) because that's the perfect accompaniment in my book, but I got over it. The food came out quickly and it's dry-rubbed. The server explained their three barbecue sauces --a sweeter one, a tangy, more vinegar-y one, and a garlic mustard. I pretended I was Goldilocks and mixed all three until it was "just right," and then slathered it liberally over everything. I liked that there was still some tug on the ribs and the skin on the chicken was nice and crispy. I've had better mac 'n cheese; theirs wasn't very creamy or cheesy. But overall, everything was very enjoyable. I'm saving my biggest praise for dessert: peach cobbler. I don't know if they used fresh peaches or not, but it really didn't matter as it was delicious. The crust was flaky and buttery, the peaches tender, and the filling had a nice note of cinnamon. It was my perfect peach cobbler. It didn't even need the generous scoop of vanilla ice cream that came on the side. Service was amiable and efficient. I would definitely go back. No Honky Tonk Blues for me. 3.5 stars.
(4)David T.
Place is getting bad. Ordered carry out/ate-in about dozen times last 3 years. Obviously it was good in the beginning but the last three visits in the last six months have been awful. In last nights carry out order the brisket was soggy grey as though they steamed it instead of smoking it. No flavor outside of the one teaspoon size burnt end piece they threw in which really seemed out of place with the rest of the meat. I wish I took a pic. There was no smoke ring on any of the meats and it was chewy in an overcooked way. I also ordered ribs which were under-cooked and cold. Really really disappointed. Cool place, nice vibe but they can't smoke meats well anymore. Honestly I hope they get their act back together.
(1)Andy P.
My gf and I have been wanting to go to this place for about a year now but have never gotten the chance. We finally go today and it did not disappoint. We got there and were seated quickly (nice!). My gf ordered the deluxe platter (pork) with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. I ordered the deluxe platter (brisket) with a side of mac and cheese. Both orders came with a hot link and corned bread. The hot link and corned bread was freaking delicious. I thought the garlic mashed potatoes and mac and cheese were just so-so but my gf liked both of them. The actual meat itself (pork and brisket), I thought it was a tad on the dry side but when you add sauce to it (there were 3 different kinds of sauces on the table) it made it better. So we had all that for $40 with tip. Not bad. For the amount of food, I'd say that was a solid deal. The table next to us ordered a sampling platter and it looked delicious. We are definitely ordering that next time. All in all, I'd say that this was a pretty good place. Good food for a good price. The only knock on it is that the meat was a tad dry. Other than that, this is a great place.
(4)Kayla A.
Ordered takeout from this place a couple times. We always get the same stuff, the viking beef short ribs and the full spread baby back ribs. I really can't say anything bad about this place. If you are looking for a good bbq, either you make it by yourself or just order one from this place.
(4)Bobs C.
I like honky Tonk a lot it's just really basic. The BBQ itself is above average and the sauces are absolutely amazing. I love their Old fashions. The fried green tomatoes are my favorite appetizer options. The beef brisket is what I order all the time and wish they gave a bigger portion. My favorite deserts are the Banana pudding and peach cobbler. The scene is cool and low key for the most part. The band is awesome even though the noise can be annoying at times.
(3)Beth M.
BBQ joints are not typically known for their vegan food, but Honky Tonk has some delicious options. The portobello sandwich is juicy and full of flavour. The marinade is superb - it reminds me of French dip sandwiches - and baby lettuces top it off. The black eyed peas and one other side dish (I believe it was the greens) are also vegan. It can get pretty packed, and live bands add to the ambient noise. But it's a fun place to go with a small group.
(4)John J.
REALLY good beef brisket sandwiches. Flavorful and ample. The mac and cheese was delicious as well. I did the mac and cheese a disservice because I was too busy eating my sandwich. My mac and cheese was cold by the time I got to it. My fault. Still is was well made. My brother wanted a burger and fries and was disappointed that he could not. However, as soon as he took one bite of the pulled pork sandwich...thumbs up all the way! When we're back in Chicago - we are going back!
(4)atrack b.
I'm not gonna lie. When I moved to Pilsen, I was desperate for tips, found this place, and was happy for a while. I've had some time to think and to be completely offended by a barbecue place that doesn't serve fries. I mean c'mon. This place does have tasty meats, but for the money I can get better tips, some links, AND fries for half the price. Guess I'm just gonna have to drive my lazy ass to the South Side.
(3)Vanessa H.
My husband was craving BBQ and we decided to check this out as it was featured on some reputable Chicago blogs. It was easy to find and street parking was readily available- it was a Sunday evening. We weren't sure if it was a family-friendly restaurant because it looks like a bar. We had a two-year old with us and didn't want to be in someone's angry tweet. I asked a waitress before letting in the rest of the troops. We were brought water promptly and tasted the sauces in the meantime. There was not much of a variety, just three sauces on the table. There was a garlic mustard (not my cup of tea) as well as two sweet sauces. One of the sweet sauces lacked seasoning- big time. While the initial taste is sweet, it definitely leaves a bland aftertaste. The other sauce was also sweet with much better flavor, so that's what we went with. While it was the best sauce on the table, it is just ok overall. Not terrible, but also not the best sauce I've ever had. I like mine to have a subtle kick of heat, and none of the sauces had any heat. I can go on and on about the sauces- let's face it, the BBQ sauce will make or break a BBQ restaurant. Our waitress was super attentive, but not in an annoying way. She cleaned up the table and refilled our water constantly, but never interrupted our meal to do so. We ordered candied bacon, half a pound of rib tips and half of slab of baby back ribs. I WILL preface this by saying we are NOT huge pork eaters- we try to eat lean meat and *gasp* turkey bacon when possible. But when the husband craves, we do it. The rib tips were alright, slightly charred, but still tender. My husband said that his ribs had a better dry rub than my tips. (He ate both, I was stuffed.) My full pound rib tips came with a half of a bun and coleslaw. I told them to hold the 'slaw, and was disappointed with my half a hamburger bun. No garlic bread? I ordered a small side of the mac-n-cheese. The cheese came with a bread crumbs, which provided a nice bite. But after a while, it had a weird taste. Maybe it was one of the types of cheese they use? (The menu claims it is made with five different cheeses.) My husband ordered the garlic mashed potatoes- which again- lacked some seasoning. I think it might have just been salt and pepper. Strong garlic taste- which I love- but also bland. The candied bacon was $8 for 3 slices, although they were some pretty darn thick slices of bacon. Also- I HAVE NEVER TASTED CANDIED BACON. I've heard all the raves on it, but again, this was just okay. Sweet, but super greasy. I had to take it apart to find the meat because my 2 year-old choked on the candied bacon fat. I'm giving this place a 3 because I thought the atmosphere was cool- trendy but with an old school Chicago feel to it. We sat next to a small stage, which means there must be live music there. There is a fully-stocked bar as well, and the staff was very personable and friendly. Overall, food was ok. I was expecting something more for a place that has all these amazing reviews and has been featured on the Food Network.
(3)Remesis G.
Great food, great service, great hours!!! The price is awesome too. I love this hidden gem in Pilsen. One of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. On certain days of the week, they have live music which is a bonus when your're eating. Will come back over and over again.
(5)Sean B.
"Honey, watch out for my oxygen tank. Upon second thought, you can sit down on it -- if I can watch." A delightful middle aged or older woman with a thick drawl proceeds to hit on me, as I sit down to the end of a birthday table, which seems to happen more and more now that I wear suspenders and got a new haircut. "I'm from West Virginia and I married my daughter off to a Lesbian. Gay is A-OK with me! You wouldn't believe how they act in West Virginia." The guy across the table from me interrupts "I'm from West Virginia." There are lots of weird paintings in this place. A drag queen viva mural, a piece made out of yard sticks (with the Elston yard stick repeated). Hundreds of animals and portraits, lots of weird flair on the wall (animal skeletons anyone?). Plenty to look at. There is even interesting art in the bathroom. That lady leaves and the next group of two hispanic ladies also hit on me. I was beginning to see a theme here. Then the waitress, bringing out some of our sides, leans in and spilled some greens juice on my white pants. Poo on me for wearing white pants to a BBQ joint. Nevertheless, an attractive woman who worked for the place shows up out of nowhere within seconds with soda water and a lemon, rubs my knee rather vigorously, and gets the stain out. Then the waitress brings me CANDY BACON which is the most amazing bacon I've ever had. Complex hints of smoky flavor and a sweet draw and I quickly forgot that my knee was wet, fondled by a staff member, and had hispanic ladies giggling at and with me. The live musicians were honky tonking, and it was clear they'd intentionally detuned the piano to sound more honky. It felt like a combination of dancing, living, joy, and I was only one milk stout in and didn't care that my pants were recovering from a waitress spill (they handled this about as well as humanly possible given the circumstances). The clarinet player was especially awesome in timbre, nuance, and improvisational ability. They had a tuba player which is rare for such an ensemble. The HOT LINKS are awesome here, spicy finish on the sausage. The MUSHROOMS WITH A GARLIC SAUCE are slippery but delicious. The spare rib tips are awesome. The corn muffins could use a little more whipped butter (or a butter side) but the quality of them is very high and I like the square wrap they come in. Now I'm going to try scrubbing the shirt I messed up the other day with the soda water and lemon. It is amazing there was no hint of stain on my pants when I got home.
(4)Todd E.
The service was great the food very poor, brisket very dry no flavor the ribs were very dry no taste beans terrible, coleslaw terrible. The corn bread was good though but I don't think you want to go to a restraint for the corn bread. Sorry won't be back way better places for Bar B Que in the city Bathroom was filthy
(1)Beast B.
Over hyped & over rated!! We went with high expectations after seeing it featured on the food network & felt disappointed. It was merely ok/average. The ribs were tough & far from tender & juicy, pulled pork sandwich lacked flavor & seasoning. Chicken was ok, mash potatoes & mac n cheese was good. Soda was flat, like drinking cola water. That was our first & last visit, there's better place's in Chicago.
(2)Jelena Z.
Honky Tonk, you were someone great. But after earning local fame on Check Please, you slowly let it go to your head. I understood when you went from BYO to full bar, because you're a business and businesses run on money not table-hoggin' guests. Hell, I even admit I was one of those guests. When you started the Saloon Stage and began booking regional acts, I regularly drove 9 miles instead of hanging in my own 'hood on Saturday nights. I brazenly deemed your pulled pork sandwich "the best" and advised many to go and experience it. You were just that good. Then you raised your prices. Understandable, as you really jazzed up the joint and food costs are on the rise. But your quality starting suffering - that pulled pork sandwich I could always count on being spectacular became an inconsistent gamble. Sometimes, like when I showed up at opening time, the meat was hot, fresh, just perfect. Other times, the meat was lukewarm and fatty and the bread fall-apart soggy. Why? I've enjoyed many good nights here over the years, and hope you give your service and food the revamp it deserves, just as you did to your venue. I'm sill holding out hope. Love, The Duchess
(3)Johnny T.
I said it was a one-time thing and I should have left it at that. The years have not been kind to our steamy tryst, Honky Tonk. This was a lesson in "You can't go home again" and when I say something, I need to mean it. I fully realize that in the three years it's been since I last set foot in your doorway, things have changed. You've enjoyed mucho success. The dining room is crowded. The physical space has doubled. I am pleased to see you doing well. But, I was not pleased with: - the non-existent service. More than once, I asked my dining partner if the restaurant was self-service. From the time we sat to the time we left, we saw our waitress four times. No bueno. We had to ask for napkins -- at a BBQ place -- because we weren't given any (or silverware). Eh? I had to ask for my soda (when my food came) and it was brought over by a bus boy. She never asked how our food was, if we needed/wanted anything, if we had a pulse. Who/how do I tip for being ignored and not waited on? I definitely got the impression that I and my business were after-thoughts. - the speed with which we were rushed in and out. As I mentioned, I received my food before I received my beverage. Odd. Add to the oddness, I received my food pretty quickly after ordering. I fully realize that BBQ can sit in warming bins as it (in busy restaurants) has been smoked/bbqed/whatever hours previously. But if it takes more time to press a lever and fill a glass with carbonated beverage than to put a plate of food in front of me and there are no golden arches in sight... that gives me some pause. This added to the wham/bam service we received. - the food I ate. My bbq was nauseatingly fatty. Once I stripped away the globs of congealed goo from my sandwich, I had a third less food. The bread fell apart (like last time) as I ate and getting through the sandwich was more chore than joy. I get paid to do chores, not the other way around. The mac & cheese was substantial but rather tasteless. I enjoyed the cornbread. The price for two people was not insignificant and I was galled to pay it given the experience. Waiting for my change (oh yes, this tip would be parsed out with exact precision) took almost as long as the dining-in experience and came with about as much care. This really is the last time.
(2)Natasha H.
Came in here last night. The place was freezing. Our server was rude, and her service was horrible. After our food arrived, she never did come over to the table to see how everything was going. I wanted to order something else, and after waiting for her for 20 minutes. I flagged down one of the busboys. She finally comes by and notices an extra cup of mashed potatoes sitting on the table, she raises her eyebrows and says "Oh did you get that from one of the busboys, I need to know so I can add that to your bill" I wasn't trying to get away with free food, but the tone when she said this came off as very rude. Especially seeing as she didn't come by at all to see how we were enjoying our food but noticed the second when something new appeared on the table. I ordered the garlic mashed potatoes and pulled pork sandwich and that alone is the only reason that I would consider returning.
(2)Alan D.
Took the wife and two kids here after we were told this was the place to eat BBQ in Chi Town. We are from Nashville and know BBQ. Loved the brisket sandwich! Loved the pork sandwich! Both very tender! Three sauces and all were fantastic. Liked the mustard sauce the best! Server and staff were VERY friendly, not sure where the bad reviews came on that. The band that played was a jazz trio and BADASS is all I can say! And it was FREE! Only minor negatives is the food was a little on the Luke warm side and there was no kid menu (which made an expensive meal even though we ate sandwiches! Kids (10-12) LOVED the place (decor and food)!
(5)Allie H.
Phenomenal spot for good music and a great vibe, definitely worth heading to Pilsen to hear a band you like and give the BBQ a shot. Minus two stars: a) if you offer classic cocktails, do them well; the negroni is pretty much lighter fuel and the old-fashioned only slightly less heavy-handed, and b) the brisket and pork are just fine, maybe good in Chicago, but as a girl raised in NC's BBQ mecca, plenty of room to improve the flavor of (including sauces) both, as well as the sides (it's easy to make a killer coleslaw, so go for it). Service is generally nice, crowd is pretty mixed.
(3)Todd H.
Decent food--not spectacular. Candy bacon was a hit. Corn muffins were weak; beans were nothing special. I did expect a bit more in terms of food excitement. The service was solid. Now: On to the urine smell. Yes--absolutely. No mistaking it. Something ain't right. Half of the restaurant was closed--with fans blowing. If I was on a date, we would not have stayed--no how, no way. Because I was with a bunch of guys, they didn't care. Live entertainment was a nice touch.
(2)ANDREA g.
Went out tonight looking for some good peach cobbler, and ended up finding amazing BBQ! Great music, even if you don't like honky tonk, live music is always a plus. Great atmosphere and beautiful bar! Boyfriend and I split the pulled pork on cibatta sandwich and mac and cheese. The bread was soft and fresh, the pork was juicy and tender! mac and cheese was home made!! and amazing, i wanted to lick the bowl clean!!! Peach cobbler was a 7 out of ten. We have been spoiled by some amazing cobbler, so we hold them to a high standard. The ice cream was super rich and creamy, the crust on the cobbler was to doughy for us we prefer a crunchy crust, but it wasn't bad, just not amazing. We will be heading back though, service with a smile and great food.... SOLD!
(5)Christy Q.
Now I will start with- I am not a pit master. HOWEVER, I do not understand the high ratings for this place. All I can think is people are rating them high on the entertaiment aspect of this restaurant rather than the bbq. And also, perhaps people just dump enough bbq sauce on the meat served here so that they aren't tasting the actual meat itself. Because honestly, the bbq was pretty cruddy. When we got to the restaurant we didn't realize they don't open the kitchen till 4pm, so we wound up being their first customers of the day. Everytime in my life that I've ever walked into a bbq restaurant, even a suburban chain restaurant, the first thing I noticed was the lucious smoked smell. This place smelled disgusting. We smelled no food. Not even stale beer. I thought it stunk like cigarettes- in fact I could have sworn people in the kitchen must have been smoking because it smelled so bad. Another person in my group thought it smelled like urine, and another thought mold. None of these is what you want a restaurant to smell like. So right off the bat our senses were assulted with stink. Not good. In fact, it smelled so bad (and no NOT of anything smokey) that I asked if they do the smoking of the meats here on site or elsewhere? They claim they do the smoking here on site. Could have fooled me! Our waitress was nice, but when we asked her about their bbq she said its the best in Chicago. I asked where else she gets her bbq from and she admitted this is the only bbq shes ever had in Chicago. Oookkkkk.... The guys ordered the brisket and us ladies got pulled pork. The pulled pork was really really fatty. And absolutely NO smokey taste or smell in the meat. None. I had to resort to drowning the meat in bbq sauce. The brisket was dry and tasteless. There was NO smoke flavor or smell in the stuff. The guys were really dissapointed. We even asked our waitress if the brisket was perhaps from the day before, and just reheated and served to us. She swore up and down that it was fresh brisket . If that's the case then I will absolutely not be returning. It was REALLY bad. The waitress reported our comments back to the cook and he sent out a new, fresh platter of brisket for the guys. They said it was better- more moist, but really it tasted like they just tossed some chicken stock on the stuff. They said even that batch, though better than the one the restaurant originally served them, wasn't good enough to ever return... especially with places like Smoque and Chicago Q in the city. We asked a second time if the original brisket was perhaps from the day before and they swore again that both batches were made today. The waitress finally admitted their meat can be pretty hit or miss. I guess we hit them on a miss knd of day. The next day we took our business back to Smoque for an amazing meal of meat. And ps- after eating at Smoque my fingers smelled like smoke for two days. That's how you do bbq!
(1)Vada P.
Never had a bad meal or experience here, but the brisket is just a nose hair below that of Smoque. Still, the bar and the atmosphere are great. The fried green tomatoes are excellent, as is the mustard-y sauce that they have on the table. The chicken, believe it or not, is mouth-watering.
(5)Brett F.
I've got a Honky Tonk Badonkadonk! It's just what happens here, you start eating a little bit of 'Que and before you know it, you just can't stop. Open mouth, expand buttocks. From the out-fucking-standing Bacon Candy to the succulent Beef Brisket, Honky Tonk has got magnificent meat on lock down. Absolutely loved their Sampler Platter which was more than enough for three lovely ladies a-sharing and provided us the opportunity to try a gaggle of goods. We downed: a Half Spread of Ribs, Half Smoked Chicken, a Pork Dinky Dunker (like a pulled pork slider), a Brisket Dinky Dunker (second verse, same as the first), a Hot Link, Fresh Slaw, Beans and two Corn Muffins. With the exception of the ribs which were sadly a wee bit dry, everything was exceptional. Ever heard a Croatian, a Russian and a Korean moan in unison? Yep, 'twas that good. In addition to the super tasty BBQ eats, at HTB you also get the benefit of an absolutely adorable and charming decor - think backwoods bar meets chic lodge - in addition to awesome - and very theme apropos - live music nightly. Fab fun for all! Good service, great food and, duh, bacon candy... get there and get your badonkadonk on, it's worth it.
(4)Eric G.
Came here on a weekend, was pretty crowded.But luckily got a table within 15 mins. Had empanadas for an appetizer which was quite good. Ordered a pulled pork sandwich meat was cooked good and not to dry. Also The mac n cheese and corn bread are great!! Overall it was good. I definitely would come back and try more on the menu. The decor is amazing, and they have a nice bar with great craft beers! Good spot in Pilsen if your tired of Mexican food lol
(4)Alex M.
It took me four months of living in Pilsen but I finally made it to this bar. Everything you've heard is true. The BBQ is delicious (well, the non-meaty BBQ sure is but I bet the meaty kind is pretty great too). They have musicians in all the time (playing great music) and their trivia night is pretty damn fun as well. Cheap drinks and a great atmosphere.
(5)Big D.
the food is ok but needs love to go into the Ribs and Chicken. Your better going off to SMOQUE. The thing that sucks is the portions. I cannot stress that enough, small portions for price. The peach cobbler is not as good as SMOQUE but they tried here, but no luck.
(2)James C.
Went here on a whim right before the kitchen closed and ordered the pulled pork sandwich with some mac and cheese. Full disclosure: this isn't like your traditional pulled pork, guys. It's not that chopped up stuff swimming in barbecue sauce. It's a lot more similar to carnitas. If you have some preconceived notion that a pulled pork must come a certain way, you aren't going to like it (as some of the folks have noted). I thought it was fantastic and it was big enough for me to take some home. The mac and cheese was also great with some nice flavors (not a garlic powder bomb, good God...). In short, I would come back.
(4)Yaniv K.
I had the pork + brisket combo thinking it was enough for two, as the waitress promised. Turns out it's only enough for one person. The meat was a bit dry and insipid, but the macaroni and cheese and the cornbread were fantastic. If you're really craving BBQ food, I would suggest other places in the city. But if you find yourself in Pilsen and can't wait, then this place does it.
(3)Brad C.
Good but not great, unbelievable isn't a word I would use to describe Honky Tonk. I loved the atmosphere more than the food. Honky Tonk has a really cool homey feel, it just feels like you're sitting in someone's house (maybe an artist friends house cause of all the painting on the walls). They also have a live band and surprisingly they sounded pretty good. For dinner I ordered the pulled pork sandwich, it was good but it was kind of dry and had too much bread for me. If it wasn't for the great sauces on the table it would of been a sad dinner. The mustard sauce was my favorite one of the three. I was able to try the brisket sandwich and thought it had a lot more flavor then mine. For a side I went with the Mac & Cheese, sadly is was really runny, I saw someone with an order of mashed potatoes and those looked way better. For $2 I wanted a larger portion and something better. I say skip the sides when you come here they are not worth the extra $2 for such a tiny helping. Maybe I just ordered the wrong things that night. I might be back in the future sometime but since the hours here are sort of a pain I'm not sure I'll be back anytime soon.
(4)Keisha K.
I have lived a block away from here for over 6 years now. I was so excited then they opened because it was not another taco hut or tortilla factory, cuz lord knows there are way too many places in the area for that already. Anywho, I've had Willy's award winning offerings at a couple Chicago street Fests before but I have never been wowed, so I never had any interest in going to his new brick and mortar locale. Last night a friend and I decided to stop on by for our foodie dinner outing. So.... We walked into the newer part of the restaurant where the bar and larger eating area is was built. I remember when it used to be the flower shop. The décor was nice. Very honky tonk with everything covered in wood and big booths and tons of paintings. The lightning was nice and dim and there was plenty of seating. No one met us at the door so we weren't sure if we should continue to stand there looking like fools or just take a seat at one of the tables. Me being the ignorant black man, I got sick of waiting and dove into a booth. A waitress came over shortly and brought over some waters and we browsed the menus. She was very friendly and rather funny. Hilarious actually. We had browsed the menu while waiting so we pretty much knew what we wanted. I did have a question about this strange Bacon Candy I saw on the menu. She explained it as being bacon dipped in toffee. YUM!! I'll have one full order thank you!! I also ordered the huge combination sampler that was $30. It included 2 hot links, half a slab of ribs, a pulled pork sandwich, half of a chicken, a beef brisket sandwich, cole slaw and 2 corn muffins. I also ordered a side of their mac & cheese. My dining companion ordered the pulled pork sandwich. Hey, what can I say...I like to eat. Don't judge!! The bacon candy came out and we began to nibble on that. It was AWESOME!! WHO KNEW!! It was bacon dipped into some sweet hard candy or something. We devoured it. Our cholesterol and blood sugar levels went sky high but so what. That's what health insurance is for!! Shortly afterwards my HUGE platter of meats and his modest sandwich plate arrived. My $30 platter was packed with food. It was sinful and I was happy. I began tasting the different items while spreading butter all over my corn muffins..... Rib: DRY!!!!! No flavor at ALL. Half Chicken: DRY!!!!! No Flavor. Pulled Pork Sandwich: Not as dry, but no flavor. Beef Brisket sandwich: The best item on the platter. The meat was super tender but very little smoke flavor. I had to drown it in the bbq sauce. Hot Link: Not so hot. Very mild in flavor and heat. Slaw: GROSS!!!!! Beans: YUCK!! Corn Muffins: Pretty good. More like a corn cake. Very light and I liked it. Mac & Cheese: I did not like this. At all. The sauce was too soupy. For dessert we spilt The Salty Pig which was vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, walnuts and crumbled bacon candy. It wasn't horrible, but I'd never order it again. I'd just rather have the bacon candy by itself. All in all, I'll probably never recommend this place to my friends who have a hankering for BBQ. We're particularly particular about our BBQ. It's strange that I've never even noticed that the area never smells like meat smoking. The Mexican chicken joint down the street charcoal grills their chickens and they have the entire block smelling like it, and you can see the smoke billowing out when they are grilling. I would expect the same from Honky Tonk if they did in fact smoke their meats in-house. Thanks to the other reviewer who pointed that out. I didn't see a smoke ring on any of the meats on my plate either. I'd only walk over for carryout for the beef brisket sandwich. They did an awesome job with that. I just ordered a case of Salt Lick BBQ sauce from Austin, Texas that I plan to drench Honky Tonk's beef brisket sandwiches in. For my BBQ needs, I'll still head to my favorite spot on 43rd and Wabash. Alice's does a great job and you can watch the meat as it smokes. You just have to be brave to go in that area, because it is scary looking. I do have to say the waitress was great! She was personable and a lot of fun. She's an actress and works one or two days, according to her. We did have to look for her towards the end of the meal because she disappeared, but her personality was great. She's a jewel!!!
(1)Katherine M.
I have been here several (3) times, and I have to give the place 2 stars overall for some things: 1) dry or fatty meat--really a Crime in barbecue. Barbecue is a method that for even not great meat, I mean it originally was food for poorer folks and they didn;t have great Cuts, yet barbecue is awesome...you can make it taste great by how you store and prepare it. No excuse for the poor preparaton of meat here. 2) service is not great...there are often not enough servers on 3) maybe the building needs a good clean, but I have several times smelled smoke pretty strongly in the place which just is hard to get used to if one is trying to eat. The price is affordable, only saving grace but I rather pay more for better food and less attitude.
(2)Quijote D.
Beware of the20% tip added to larger groups. Not equal to 20% service. Food quality is excellent and live jazz music is a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend.
(4)Carol K.
Honky Tonk has been on my list to try since before it got popular on Check Please! and I've just been waiting for the fever to settle down before checking it out for myself. The space is simple- outfitted like an improvised art gallery or coffee house with huge paintings on the wall and wooden tables and chairs. We were there on a weeknight and there was even some entertainment with a guitar player crooning out tunes which was a nice touch to the place. We ordered a couple of slabs of ribs, and two sides- the mac and cheese and some cornbread. Surprising for us was that there was not the BBQ standard of Beef Brisket on the menu (unless you wanted it pulled on a sandwich). The ribs were delicious. Meaty with that crisp outside that shows that they are slow cooked and not boiled like some places. I loved that they come plain and you have a choice of three sauces to tempt your taste buds. The sides were only so- so. The corn muffin was a little dry and stale, and the mac and cheese tasted like noodles with Velveeta on top so you may want to try something else when you go. But the real winner? The peach cobbler! OMG! It was like I was sitting at my grandma's table and she had just pulled this from her oven. Hot, sweet and doughy- this was an unexpected surprise to end our meal. Service is utilitarian so know that you take your bill to the counter in the front room to pay- and bring CASH as they don't take plastic. The place is BYOB so don't forget to grab some beers before coming. And if you drive- parking is fairly easy (depending on the night you go) on this stretch of 18th. Honky Tonk isn't fancy. It's quirkiness is just a part of it's charm (check out the pig lamp and you'll know what I mean) But it serves up some pretty good ribs and in my book- that's all a rib place should do.
(4)Tracey H.
The food is nothing to write home about whatsoever, save that pound cake which is to die for. They understaff their floor and it can be hard to get good service. Not exciting or innovative BBQ, but really packed, presumabley because it does, indeed, have a really fun atmosphere. If you go, go for the music and the beer, maybe eat dessert, but skip the BBQ.
(2)Jedd J.
Oops, review snafu - accidentally filed this review under Honey 1 BBQ. Sorry Honey 1. I'll try you soon. About Honky Tonk BBQ... Terrible dining experience. The pork and beans were cold and flavorless. The "chili" was a scalding bowl of shaved beef in terribly salty gravy, lacking any hint of tomato, sweet, smoke, pepper, or spice. The "pulled" pork sandwich consisted of huge chunks of flayed meat on a lousy roll, and something was wrong with the flavor. Of the three BBQ sauces, only the "spicy" was edible. We did not finish any of it and quickly left. The only positive note - good live music by a two piece band consisting of a hollow body guitar and upright bass.
(1)Jennifer G.
I so wanted to love this place. After watching triple D and hearing the Memphis in May awards, I thought this place was going to knock my socks off. Not so much! First, no self respecting bbq joint should list sweet tea and serve me Lipton brisk. That is so wrong. Second, bbq should not be served on ciabatta rolls. BBQ and ciabatta just don't jive. Third, the sides were really lacking. The beans were bland, the black eyed peas were flavorless and the mac and cheese was average. 3 sandwiches and a side each, $51.00.... Aside from all of the failures in the food department, the place was really cute and the service was pretty good.
(2)Matthew B.
This is the worst food I've had in Chicago, ever. My companion and I walked into Honky Tonk and were immediately put off by the smell - I knew the meat wasn't smoked upon walking in because when you smoke your meat on the premises your restaurant smells smokey - Honky Tonk smells soapy. I have eaten over 300 meals out in the past 2 years, Honky Talk is the worst of 300 by FAR, and I have eaten in some bad places in 2 years - like places you dont eat sober bad, like Bacci pizza bad. I wish there was a way to give zero stars, thats how bad this meal was. What was wrong with it: 1)BBQ is smoked - Honky Talks meat is boiled. At SOME point this meat may have been in a smoker, but I doubt it. When I asked the waitress how long they smoked their meat for, she said "Oh, hours...and hours...overnight." She LIED right to my face. If they were running a smoker for 12-18s in the building it would smell of smoke - it doesn't. I would question if the meat is smoked at ALL. When I pressed her for what kind of smoker they used, she didn't know. The correct answer would have been a Southern Pride wall unit - which is what a good BBQ place would have. Hell, at this point I would have taken a glass smoker. Supposedly the owner is a competition pitmaster - that is BULLSHIT because we get to point #2... 2)The sauce is HORRIBLE. They have three abominations "Tangy" "Sweet" and "Garlic(?) Mustard". They are ALL bad, they all have the distinct taste of being watered down, and they have the mouthfeel of using too much sugar or corn syrup. Nothing could help the boiled bland meat, but good sauce would have been better. These sauces were ALL worse than Kraft BBQ sauce. 3)The Mashed potatoes are cheap. They are either a mix or they are watering them down to save on using milk as a binder. They have practically no butter in them. They were terrible. I knew as soon as I saw them that they would be bad. 4)The rolls that the sandwiches are on are horrible. They are dried out and obviously store bought. Im sorry that anyone thinks that this is even PASSABLE FOOD, let alone passable BBQ. F-
(1)Bertel J.
First of all, I'm a rib snob. B., I live for BBQ III., bad ribs should be punishable by deportation (jail time would need to be supported by tax monies) With that said, all employees & owners should be on their way out of the country...period!
(1)Lauren G.
Great ambiance. Great food. There's even a cluster of hippie/country boys who sit at a table with cowboy hats on and cowboy attire. Felt like I was in a saloon just because they were there. LOL. But the food was fabulous. Cornbread, pulled pork, mac and cheese and coleslaw. DELICIOUS!
(5)Eric L.
Another Chicago BBQ failure. 4 for atmosphere, but 2 for food. This place just oozes cool, hipster BBQ joint, but the BBQ is weaksauce. ribs: dry brisket: great texture, but needs to be smokier. almost entirely unseasoned, if you told me this was made in the oven, i'd believe you. pulled pork: uninspired sausage: probably not made in house, but severely overseasoned (there were several different links, one was overly salty, even for sausage, and the other was just boring) smoked chicken: dry and the skin was like leather cole slaw: dressing wasn't thick enough to stick to the cabbage the thing that saved this from being 1.5 stars was their bacon and brew. I didn't even have it, but my dinner companion ordered it and said the bacon was outstanding, and it was tantalizing enough that I will actually return to Honky Tonk just to try it, despite how unimpressive the rest of the menu was.
(2)Kymberly J.
beware: CASH ONLY! I think they should tell you this before you order. The atmosphere is pretty cool. The entry way is a lovely view of the kitchen (not sure if I like that idea) and the hostess stand. I felt like I was walking into someone's home. Then the dining area is white walls covered with a hodge podge of mostly bad paintings but it works. It's a strange ecletic mix in this super high ceiling room. In the back is the bar which looks and feels completely different from the dining room. It's dark and narrow. Sometime in February they will be getting their liquor license so until then BYOB! So on to the food. It wasnt the greatest ever but it wasnt the worst ever. The ribs and the mac and cheese were served a little on the warm side but none the less tasty. Three sauces to choose from, one of which was a mustard sauce - an interesting option but nothing I would slather over my entire slab. They have a salad called "what your girl friend would order salad" with field greens (and arugala...oh how I heart the arugala!) seasonal berries (fresh) walnuts, jicima and goat cheese served with an awesome tangy dressing.
(3)Selena L.
After hearing numerous rave reviews, my boyfriend and I decided to check it out for ourselves. To say we were bamboozled by the reviews would be an understatement. The clear sign we ignored: the place smelled more like a barnyard with NO scent of smokey bbq goodness anywhere. Too bad we didn't read fellow Yelpers reviews before we went.
(1)Christine K.
The best thing about this barbecue place was the cornbread. That pretty much sums up the food here. Based on other Yelp reviews, I ordered the fried green tomatoes and the delux platter with brisket, hot link, corn bread, and one side (greens). The brisket was dry and flavorless. The sauces were pretty good (sweet, tangy, mustard garlic), so it wasn't as bad once it was drowned in sauce. The corn bread was moist and I actually liked the hot link quite a bit. It was much better than the brisket. The greens were bland. When we asked for bread, they brought out stale dinner rolls, which was quite a disappointment. The fried green tomatoes were heavily breaded, which was fine but the breading could not hold onto the wet tomatoes and would slip off at the touch of a fork. The tomatoes also completely lacked in the tartness that makes fried green tomatoes so delicious, but that might just have been our tomato. Our main server was nice, but some of the people there are horribly rude. I would have been willing to return for the cornbread and hot links, but I probably won't because the rude workers there make the thought of going back extremely distasteful. In sum, go somewhere else.
(1)Jessie Elizabeth J.
The Honky Tonk BBQ is a lively and colorful restaurant with good bbq, great sauces, and great entertainment. I recommend the sausage links which are flavorful and juicy, as well as the bbq pork- melt in your mouth good. Avoid the baked beans which are regularly unercooked and served in a watery base, and the chicken/ribs are cooked long before the night shift so they can be dry. We ordered the sample platter and had enough food for 2 people for 3 meals :]
(4)Vishal P.
Came here bc I lived near by not knowing what to expect from looking at outside of the building but inside is a whole new world literally....this what u call a hidden gem. Reminded me of mom pops bbq place from south. Ordered ribs and slaw with beer garnished with BACON CANDY! Just writing this review the next day making me hungry again. I would def go back order same thing...ribs, slaw, beer w/ bacon candy! I would maybe give it 4 stars bc it's so busy and limited seating but that wouldn't be fair....
(5)Liz T.
Honky Tonk is a-okay--for average, not awesome. I got the green tomato BLT, which should actually be called the fried green BLT for "fried green (bacon lettuce) tomato" because it's two fried green tomato patties in slider buns! Genius, brilliant brilliant idea, but delivery fell just a little flat. The fry batter was average--on the onion ring batter spectrum rather than the country fried chicken spectrum. I think it should be the latter. The $2 extra goat cheese is goat cheese crumble in a little cup? Not a goat cheese spread on the actual sandwich, which I thought was a little strange and over-priced. The mac and cheese is unique. It definitely has a sour spank and spice that makes me think of "buffalo mac and cheese," but I'm not sure it actually has buffalo sauce in it. It's definitely different. The maple syrup encrusted bacon is decent, too, but doesn't come out piping hot. It's a little cold and dry on presentation, more like a maple syrup glazed beef jerky. I'm also a sweet tea snob, and their sweet tea tastes like Nestea... not sure if they just need to buy some better tea or what. But definitely on the cheap tea side, which... come on, this ain't no honky tonk! Oh... wait... Overall, I would go back for late night dive food, but it's not like Green Street. Green Street is definitely on a different caliber of high quality, fresh preparation and presentation. Honky Tonk really is... maybe just more like a honky tonk.
(3)Carol M.
VERY NICE .... atmosphere was very enjoyable .... loved the music / band was great! Dancing was added plus! FOOD WAS A+ .... a MUST TRY is the SUPER-SIZE SAMPLER PLATTER! **Huge sampling of Dry-Rubbed Ribs / BBQ Chicken (loved the smoke) / Smoked Links / Cole Slaw / Sky-High Stacked Pulled Pork Sammies (they didn't last long on our table of 2 men 3 women). Corn-Muffin was to die for --- yummmmmm! ALSO TRIED .... RIB TIPS --- portion was more than enough to share --- loved them! *try sweet BBQ sauce as side splash!! ....MAC & CHEEZZEEEE --- my grand-daughters favorite!! .... BRISKET --- was fabulous!! ONLY DISAPPOINTMENT .... the beans never showed up on our platter!! YES --- I'L BE BACK
(5)Michael C.
Honky Tonk is a solid bbq place in the Pilsen area. My coworkers come here every Wednesday for Trivia night, so I decided to come join them yesterday. The restaurant is dark and really long, with a center stage for live music and where trivia announcing takes place. I came here quite hungry and ordered a whole order of smoked chicken. The chicken was moist, and the skin was nice and crispy. Each half chicken was placed upon half a hamburger bun, which I though was kind of odd considering there would be no way to eat it like sandwich (bone and all). What was odd about their dishes is that none of the smoked meats or sandwiches come with a side. What??? And in order to get a side, you'd have to cough up 3.50 for the regular size which stinks. They should at least offer a side at discount if you order one of those meal plates. Sadly, this is not the case. Trivia was really fun though. They have some crazy hard questions that require knowledge of current events, with a pretty big focus on literature and geography. Bring your worldly friends and you might stand a chance!
(3)Gem S.
Boot, Scoot & Boogie! If you're in the mood for some BBQ & country, saddle up & go to the Honkey Tonk BBQ in Chicago, IL. Honkey Tonk is a low-key, casual/divey, neighborhood bar that serves up an appetizing menu of BBQ, brews & specialty house drinks. I guess it has a more countryish theme than your average Chicago bar cuz it's called "Honkey Tonk," serves Q & country-sounding, specialty drinks & plays music that's not hip-hop, pop, rock or alternative. But that's about as country as it gets at HT cuz you're more likely to find neighborhood locals & a crowd o'hipsters rather than any cowboys. HT is no-frills & is dark with a bar & wooden booths & has a small stage for live bands. Nothing at HT really screams "honkey tonk" to me but perhaps the menu gives it southern cred! HT has a whole gamut of traditional BBQ offerings: ribs, brisket, pulled pork, BBQ chicken, sausage & the like. BBQ is my least fave food group to be honest & I really only like ribs from 1 place in Chi & 1 place in Memphis. But I was hungry so I tried food here for the first time on my last visit & got the "Girlfriend Salad." It's mixed greens with goat cheese, jicama, berries, walnuts, HT house dressing for $8 & I added BBQ chicken for $5. The salad was a big portion with ample fresh goodies & I think the chef placed a whole damn chicken on top! The chicky was very juicy & flavorful like a dry-smoked, BBQ seasoned kinda chick not drenched in BBQ sauce, thank goodness! Giddy-up! I'd eat this GF again, this was surprisingly one of the best chicken salads I've ate in awhile! The sides are a la carte so I got the small side of portobello mushrooms ($3.50) cuz I can't ever pass up a gemmy bowl o'shrooms! These guys were big & sautéed to a crisp literally, the edges were a lil too crunchy for my preference. Good flava but ease up on the char-effect perhaps?! I also added on 1 corn muffin for $1.50. Presentation was cute but muffie was kinda cold. Kudos for bakin' it with real corn pieces inside though, was probably betta/fresha earlier that night but still tasty. I can't vouch for the ribs or other Q options at HT but based on my gemmy, BBQ chick-GF salad, I'd wager the other stuff is good too. FYI: If you're a fan of all things bacon, you're in for a treat cuz HT is known for its specialty starter, bacon candy. For $11 ya get a plate o'cut-up, caramelized, fried, crunchy bacon strips. I've tried it & I'm not a fan but lotsa peeps go hog wild over this shit! HT has gotta a good selection of beer on tap & cool countryish, house drinks & lotsa liquor. I usually just go straight vodka but I did taste the "Moonshine" house cocktail ($8): It's bourbon, Veev Acai spirit, lemonade & house-made cherry. It's too sweet for my bitta blood, but I'm sure it'd only take a couple o'these & I'd be a Mello-Yello! Last HT provides free, live musical entertainment for its patrons. The time lapse between my previous visits to HT & my most recent one has been quite awhile but if my memory serves me right, I believe there were blues-country, hillbilly rock genre kinda bands performing on past occasions. I can't be 100% certain since every time I've been to HT it's been quite late & drinkin' straight vodka tends to blur the memory. But on my last to visit to HT, a jazz band was undeniably performing & not the cool, bluesy kinda jazz rather the "I feel like I'm stuck on a GD, packed elevator & I wanna effin' hang myself kinda jazz!" But ya can't always get what ya want! So if you're in the mood for something a lil off the beatin' path or are cravin' some Q & live music in a low-key/neighborhood kinda joint, I recommend boot-scootin' into the Honkey Tonk BBQ in Chicago! A lotta peeps are supes cray about HT & would prob give it a 4 or 5, but I'm not really into C&W & am usually just ridin' bitch when I wind up here. HT isn't really one of my fave watering holes in Chicago but y'all might FUC luv it & I still think it's a pretty cool place to get some Q, brews & if you're lucky hear a lil blues!
(3)Micha N.
Okay, so this is Chicago and not Texas, so I didn't walk in here expecting an actual Honky Tonk like some folks, but I was looking for good food. We started off with the fried green tomatoes, which were lightly fried and delicious with the garlic mustard. For our meals, my husband got one of the meat platters (brisket with mashed potatoes and cornbread) and I got the chili with mac and cheese. We were both pleased with our meals. The meat was moist and flavorful, the potatoes were creamy, and the mac and cheese complemented the chili well. My husband tried all of the sauces (tangy tomato, sweet tomato, and garlic mustard) and liked them all. So, we were looking for good food and we got it. We'll definitely be back.
(4)Art M.
Cool spot in Pilsen. I had some appetizers and a beer with a friend. Everything was excellent. Good videos. Plenty of room. Nice hang out. I had fun and the prices weren't outrageous.
(5)Shereene M.
Bacon Candy- must get enough for at least half a piece for everyone, we had a piece for everyone and I was in love but felt like it was crazy Sampler- crazy huge. Wasn't crazy about the chicken but the ribs and hot links were delish One of the salads- meh, could have passed on it I wanted all of the sweets but didn't have any space. We all left with some leftovers! The live music is cool but the service isn't that great. I don't think I'll be back but glad we checked it out.
(3)Marilynn P.
Came here a few months ago with a few friends. I just remember the bacon candy was the bomb dot com- seriously, so delicious. The sampler was huge and the ribs were on point. I even thought the salad was good the next day for lunch. If I'm in the area, I'd come back for some BBQ.
(4)Tracy J.
I had high hopes, the smell outside is awesome. I wandered in before concert at Thalia Hall. Asked my server if the tips or the brisket was best, he suggested tips, which i love.....done correctly. They were dry and tough...a bit overdone to say the least. They wouldnt tear apart...very much like low grade jerky. The sides of greens and garlic mashed were really good so i might suggest keeping the cook of those and getting a new meat chef. Overall, id say half the tips were edible, the rest, would be suitable for my pooch, if I had one, and i was mad at him. Service was good..but I wont be back..my suggestion is the cook should travel the US to find the true potential of smoked meats, because this example was not it. Pass
(2)Irene H.
Go on a Sunday night at 8pm to hear the band, Fat Babies. Bacon Candy is a must-try and the Texas Brisket Chili topped with Mac n' Cheese is my favorite thing on the menu. Also, the banana pudding is absolutely delicious, to quote our waitress "it's like crack!"
(4)JS T.
This review is solely for their catering service- disregard if you're not planning a wedding or event. My two dear friends got married at Colby Barn in Grayslake and and asked me to coordinate their reception. Beth was the person I worked with most. In terms of professionalism, problem solving, and flexibility, I cannot say enough good things about the team they sent. Not only were they efficient and attentive, they went beyond the expectations of a caterer. When the car full of decorations arrived an hour late (leaving only an hour to decorate from scratch) they all pitched in to help. They decorated the tables, and Beth was in the kitchen cutting and arranging flowers with us. I wouldn't have survived without them. They were constantly asking what else they could do to help out. In terms of the food, I can't totally speak to the quality because I was the last table to eat, so the chicken was a little dried out. However, the BBQ sauce, candied bacon, and Mac and cheese were yummy.
(4)Brent W.
Waitstaff grumpy, irritated, and poor drink menu. After returning to this favorite spot of mine where I love to listen to music, I was suprised by the waitstaff and poor training to maintain a professional attitude through the night. Not only would the bar staff bring out the incorrect drinks, they were upset when you didn't take the incorrect order. The food cam out quickly, but when we would try to enjoy the music dancing, the waitstaff was less than patient. The drink menu has two choices: sugary drinks or bitter drinks. They seem to not know how to balance any cocktail. I know it's a bbq themed bar with 'vintage' inspired drinks, but even bathtub gin didn't taste that bad. Finally trying to wrap up the evening trying to sort out the check, they refused to split the tab and put someone's bar tab on our tables tab after being asked not to. I will not be returning.
(1)Stephanie M.
I enjoyed our dining. The decor gave us lots to talk about. Our waitress was awesome. The food was good. My family member that is a vegetarian had things to choose from. Perfect fit for a chill/relaxing evening.
(3)Charlie C.
I think that this is a 3-4 star place. But I am bordering on 3 for a few reasons. (Side note, my meal was a 4). I was with a friend there- their ribs were quite fatty and cooked to non-precision. The music in the front room was good, but the volume was blaring so loud that I could not think while making my order. We went to the eccentric back room and enjoyed the experience much- MUCH more. I had pulled pork- it was terrific. The mac 'n cheese. My god its rich and wonderful. So... the food was good on my end. The atmosphere once escaped form that dreadful noise was great- and my co-diners meal was "meh." I would go back.
(3)Rachel P.
They list about half a dozen appetizers, but they are all smoke and mirrors for the one true appetizer: BACON CANDY. Order it. Order another to go. Thick, chewy, sweet, bacony - just yum! The meats are also smoky and good, if a touch heavy-handed on the black pepper for my taste (maybe this is Chicago-style?), as well as tasty mac and cheese and garlic mashed potatoes. The no substitution rule also kinda sucks if you don't like coleslaw, like me, but overall a good meal. I'm not sure which band was playing the night we went, but I really enjoyed the old jazz/big band sound more than I thought I might, and would definitely go back for both the food and the music again.
(4)Kevin D.
The girlfriend and I were in town from the Twin Cities for a little vacation and sightseeing. After a long and humid day, we were ready to end the night with a nice dinner. I used an app that finds restaurants that were featured on the Food Network and found Honky Tonk BBQ. After a longish bus ride from Willis Tower, we made it to the neighborhood. It's located in what seems to be an up and coming area. As we walked toward the restaurant, we were beckoned by the sound of live 1920s jazz music. The door was propped open and we could hear that a good time was to be had inside. We entered the bar which was packed and very loud with the music and customers. The bar is smallish with very loud acoustics. The large sound system could have definitely been turned down by 20%. Aside from the noise, the ambiance was excellent and very cool. The band was great. The bar was dimly lit, full of random photos and oil paintings, and a beautiful old wooden bar. Unfortunately, it was also swelteringly hot inside. It appeared that the bar was being cooled by window unit air conditioners that were clearly inadequate for the room. Everyone I saw in the bar, ourselves included, was noticeably sweaty. We were unable to find any staff initially but knew we wanted to stay despite the heat and noise. This was an authentically cool Chicago bar. Eventually we sat ourselves at an unbussed table and a friendly waitress later came to clear the table and serve us. We both ordered pulled pork sandwiches and an order of the garlic mashed potatoes. My girlfriend ordered a gin and tonic. When the food arrived we were very pleasantly surprised. While many other pulled pork sandwiches served at other restaurants tend to be greasy, runny, and sloppy to eat, this one was nice and tender but dry; perfect to add their house made BBQ sauce. They had both a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. Both were excellent. I preferred the tangy even though I'm generally averse to spicy foods and sauces. The girlfriend enjoyed her G and T's though they were slow to be refilled. The garlic mashed potatoes were not runny like some restaurant mashed potatoes and they appeared to be made from scratch. We both thought the meal was delicious and particularly enjoyed their sauces. Even with the oppressive heat and loud noise and so-so service, the food and ambiance were both so great that we will definitely be back next time we're in town.
(4)Taylor T.
Honky Tonk created the best wedding weekend ever! Karie and Willie go above and beyond to ensure amazing customer service. All of our guests raved about the food!!! And when the day started out it with a crazy thunderstorm, Karie stepped up to help make sure our day was still perfect. Perfect venue, amazing food, and excellent waitstaff!!
(5)R R.
This is a great option for a vegetarian and a meat eater seeking good BBQ. The meat eater had the rib tips with vinegar based slaw and loved every bite. He even said it was better than the BBQ that I brought back from the heart of Texas! Wow! The veggie eater had the Green tomato BLT with portobello mushroom substituting for the bacon with a side of Mac and cheese. It was amazing and I loved it so much that I saved half of it to have again the next day. A must for any veggie lover. We concluded with peach cobbler and banana pudding. Both of which were fabulous. Add this place as a mmajor local must do in the Pilsen area! In a word- YUM! NOTE: They have live music most nights so be ready for some music while dining. Also there are lots of meters street parking in the area. Chitown Veg Gal
(4)Lisa H.
To me, walking in here felt like walking into a random local country joint on a road trip, which I kind of liked. There were an assortment of random photos on the walls, and it looks like there was live music on some days, but we didn't come on one of those days (or at the right time). Wanted to come to try the barbecue. We ended up getting the sampler platter, which includes ribs, 1/2 smoked chicken, 2 dinky dunkers (pork and brisket sliders), 2 hot links, beans, coleslaw, and corn muffins. I know, ambitious for 2 people. The hot links and the dunkers were delicious. I was a fan of the BBQ sauce as well. I usually don't like cornbread at all, but my boyfriend thought it was one of the most delicious things he had there. The ribs were a little dry and overdone, and I didn't enjoy they as much as I could have. The chicken was similar. The service was a little slow, but not too bad. For drinks, they had an Old Style beer that came with candied bacon which I was tempted to try, but ultimately decided against. Maybe next time.
(3)Amy H.
Right when you walk through the door, you are in a different world. A lot of people are dancing and there is live music. We sat at a table near the front of the restaurant and it was packed. I was so hungry from walking there that I ordered a Portabella mushroom burger and their Mac and Cheese. The food was the best. It was a juicy mushroom with arugula and goat cheese. The Mac and Cheese had a nice crust on the top. OMG YUM! I'm drooling just thinking about it.
(5)Sharita R.
I sampled some rib tips from this restaurant at the Pilsen Food Truck Social. They were okay, but the meat didn't have much flavor to it. I did like the Carolina mustard sauce they had out. It made it a bit better, but I've honestly had better ribs and better sauces from other restaurants. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here.
(3)Julie T.
The food is amazing! Fried Green Tomatoes, candy bacon topped off with a mason jar of moonshine! It a gotta go place when we are in Chicago!
(5)Jennie C.
Dusek's quoted an hour long wait for a weekday so here I am at Honky Tonk BBQ, which turned out to be a pleasant alternative. It was bright and a lot quieter, so you can actually carry out a conversation. We had the 1/2 chicken, brisket deluxe plate, fried green tomatoes and extra corn muffins. The tomatoes came out piping hot but not greasy at all. Loved the corn muffins. And the brisket was melt-in-mouth tender. Only letdown was the coleslaw, which wasn't very flavorful. Prices are right and service was great too. How could I have not tried this place earlier?!
(4)Bianca R.
Trying to book the outdoor venue months in advance was like pulling teeth with Karie. I later found out after several calls and emails that they are booked until next summer but they could squeeze my son's baptism luncheon in for a couple hours. I'm guessing before another "booked party" or maybe they were holding out for a wedding or larger event. They also wouldn't be able to do the whole hog but could offer pulled pork sandwiches. No thanks. Either way, the whole ordeal of having to chase Karie for an answer was draining. Maybe they'll hire someone who can handle event coordinating a little better...
(1)Hilary K.
Honky tonk is my ride and die place in Pilsen. My dad and I stumbled upon it several years ago On Wednesday night and immediately when I walked in, I knew this place would be awesome. Since then, we have probably gone there 50+ times, celebrated birthdays and good company. The atmosphere is well worth the visit, and the food just makes everything right. Beware, they do not take reservations - only for groups of 10 or more. And boy this place gets crowded. The pulled pork and smoked chicken is absolutely fantastic. I feel that the servings are generous and if you're with a group, ordering a lot of sides can make it really fun. Love the whiskey drinks and I can't wait to make it back there soon.
(5)Erika G.
Oh, YES! Pleasantly crowded, noisy, fun place. Rib tips and brisket with tangy Carolina barbeque sauce. YES. The meat was delicious, and the cole slaw was pretty great too. The band! They've been here for seven years, and I ran into a friend - the fingerstyle guitar player - that I'd not seen in about that long. Great fun! Cool place, lively and fun. Our waiter was great - totally recommend this place in getting-hipper-all-the-time Pilsen.
(4)Mark H.
Sounds of jazz fills the air. The smell of BBQ is everywhere. Can this place be the perfect spot for a casual yet romantic getaway supper? Perhaps. But...whatever it is, Honky Tonk BBQ, albeit its young age however has quickly become a Pilsen restaurant landmark. Went on a Monday night to listen to a group called Fat Babies, a local jazz band featuring 1920s music. Tried their sampler to get a wide range of meat. The BBQ sauce was very tangy. The ribs were nice and firm. I enjoyed the links. Full of spice and rich in flavor. The chicken was nice and moist. Overall a great dish for two. I even had their candy bacon. Now this is an acquired taste for me. Tons of sugar infused into a thick slice of bacon is great with a cold beer. This is cool place. If you're into trying something different from that downtown restaurant def put this on your list of must trys.
(5)David W.
GO FIR THE BEEF BRISKET ON THE SANDWICH MENU!!! $9.50 Worth every penny. You literally pay for the quality and get your money's worth!!!! Also you go in and self serve yourself to any seat.
(5)Cindy V.
Gentrification at its finest!!! If u want a real gentrification experience go to the honky tonk and u will surely get it! It's filled w hipsters who are taking over Pilsen and their wealthy parents who are visiting them. It was pretty sad to sit there and experience that when all we wanted was some barbecue, which by the way was mediocre at best. The food took about 30 minutes to reach us and when it did it was cold:( yes cold Mac n cheese how can that happen? Well maybe it was bc our waitress kept gazing out the window instead of checking to see if our food was ready. It was really disappointing, if u want good barbecue I recommend husky hog on 31st st as it's delicious!! The only good thing here was the candy bacon, but I would never go back again :(
(1)Tim B.
Well, I've given them a fair shake many times, and the experience and food just seems to be getting worse. I'm in the neighborhood, and I call in an order- the Fried Green Tomatoes, a large side of macaroni and cheese, and an order of the Dinky Dunkers, both of which I wished to be Brisket (Important fact for later). They tell me about fifteen to twenty minutes. Sure. I walk on over there, wander through to the back, and they get my bag together, put in a big ol shopping bag with handles. Total comes out, $35. Did I order something else and forget it? I don't know. I pay, check the bag, seems like everything's there, go home to eat. When I get home, I open the bag, and there were two orders of brisket sandwiches, which of course explains the extra upcharge. I'll eat them, whatever. It might have been my mistake in not articulating my order properly. I hand over the Fried green tomatoes to my lady friend, who looks at them, all burnt like, takes a bite, shakes her head, and tries another one. Just as bad. No seasoning, and they're using red tomatoes. Oh, what's that on the side? It comes with cocktail sauce? At a BBQ joint? What? Strike 2. If they're serving a large side of Macaroni in a pint container and filling it up 2/3 of the way, I'm not getting it again. I've been here before, and the food has been average, especially the meats. Smoke them correctly, slice your brisket thinner, pull the pork to order so it stays more moist, and either trim the gristle or learn how to make burnt ends. It's obscene. The entertainment is nice. I'm glad they have that going for them, because the drinks can't cover up for how poor the food is, and it's only getting worse. Sorry, guys. Gotta go.
(2)Cicele B.
The Good: The overall atmosphere of this place is really cool, and inviting. We sat at the bar so, I can't speak of the service from the waitstaff but the bartenders were very attentive. The live music hadn't started while we were there, but I can imagine that that would up the "down home" feel. Finally, the bacon candy... Amazing! Three strips of super thick sugared bacon, um yes please and thank you! The Bad: The food, part one. Our food was cold. Now I know they have a special smoke method that they use, but I still feel like the food should be hot upon delivery. The hot link was spicy, but lacked snap. In general, we were disappointed. The Ugly: The food, part two. Those. Damn. Southern. Greens. In a word, yuck. Perhaps, the worst I've ever had in my life. I am not exaggerating, or trying to be a jerk, they were just bad. I want to give this place another try, so we will be back. I'm just gonna stay away from the green leafy vegetables.
(2)Eric R.
I really used to like this place. Went here when I was in the area after a game because I wanted some bbq and I used to frequent when I lived in the area. Pulled pork is nowhere near as good as it used to be, dry and flavorless. Candy bacon has become way to expensive. 4$ a slice? Really?? Service is still great tho :-) Thanks for being friendly, not always easy to do at 10p. I'm just not feeling it anymore. Work on your jive.
(3)Sherry Y.
Came here for The Fat Babies just this past Sunday. To see them for free was worth it enough, but the atmosphere here is so friendly. You can strike up a conversation with anyone at the bar and feel absolutely relaxed. Not to mention, even if you can't grab a seat when it's crowded, the bartender will still find you a menu and mix you a drink as quick as they can. I had an old fashioned that was just sweet enough with the perfect amount of fruit to libation ratio. Tip well, for my friend says once you get to know a bartender, they'll mix you a drink in advance. Great music, cozy room for dancing. I'll update later on the food, but it looked fantastic.
(5)Melissa G.
A friend of mine brought me here because he saw it on Triple D (Diners, Drive-ins and Dives) and let me tell you this Kansas City BBQ joint does NOT disappoint!!! Everything was tasty, from the delicious platter of ribs to the jalapeno cornbread. They even feature live music from various local bands, which is always a fun compliment to a casual meal. Also, let me just say that I'm not a huge beer connoisseur, but their Bacon & Brew is definitely worth a try. Did I mention the bacon was candied??? TO-die.... Fun Fact: They have Free Trivia on Wednesday nights starting at 9P (or at least they used to), which is always a ton of fun. I brought my coworkers up here for some trivia and we actually took home first prize which ended up being $25 off our bill (a drop in the bucket, but the thrill of victory made it all worth it!)
(4)Matthew R.
I started with the bacon and brew. I wasn't that impressed with the bacon candy but it was a nice little snack I guess. I had the rib tips for dinner which were great. They were a little on the dry side but had a nice dry rub and were smoked well. The portion size was huge and I could only finish about half. The mac and cheese was great, the coleslaw was so so, and the corn muffins were alright. The choice of sauces were decent though I would have liked to see a spicy one. I'm a big banana pudding fan and this one was pretty good though it seemed like 80% cookies an 20% pudding. Service was fairly quick once we got seated and overall it was a good experience. I would recommend this place to friends looking for some decent BBQ.
(4)Brent B.
First time I've ever been to a BBQ restaurant that cold smokes their meats. From the baby back ribs to the dry and cold brisket and pulled pork I would have thought maybe it was yesterday's left overs, but no.... We got there at 4 when they opened and everything should have been fresh off the smoker, right? Luckily the hot link was quit tasty and I saw a glimmer of hope but than I was corrected when the candied piece of leather was harder to choke down than my $70 unsatisfactory meal. I wish it would have worked out like I planned.
(2)mark l.
We give up.
(1)Jennifer Craig A.
after reading reviews this was on our must try list. food was not good at all, brisket was mushy and fatty. hubby had 1/2 slab baby back. he felt they were a bit overdone but I liked. the slaw was strong vinegar based and mac/chz was riotoni with cheese. had chili for appetizrr, very tasty but served plain. our drinks came with food. server was pleasant but really slow
(3)Anthony G.
We are easy to please low maintenance, stopped in a few weeks ago. Don't think I've ever given a negative review. Walked in from a night of perfect weather, but was basically greeted by a bartender that was somewhere between grumpy and indifferent, who took his time to take our order. We had hoped the food would be better when we were finally seated, but it was also disappointing and unfortunately all the BBQ meats we tried were dry, a little bland, and tasted all similar to each other (we had the sampler). We tried to enjoy the night, but about 30 minutes into our dinner, but a woman who appeared to be the owner started nastily yelling at someone else, not far from our table. All in all, the restaurant was kind of a downer.
(2)Mike H.
Threw on my boots and plaid shirt, and headed down to Pilsen for some bacon, beer, and ribs. The bar itself was pretty cool, and I could see it being a fun time at night when there is live music. Unfortunately, the food was a little underwhelming. We got there right at 4 when they opened and first thing we ordered was the bacon and brew, which is a pint of Old Style and a stick of candied bacon. Although a little bit tough, it thought it was pretty good. You really can't go wrong with bacon and cheap beer. As for the main course, we ordered a rack of baby back ribs, and a platter of brisket and pulled pork, with sides of mac and cheese and corn bread. I thought we were going to be in for a treat being that we were one of the first people to arrive, but when the food came, we were left a little dissapointed. The meat itself was dry and really not even hot. The ribs were meaty, but weren't fall off the bone delicious. I really liked the mac and cheese, and the cornbread was amazing. All in all it was a cool place to check out if you're nearby looking for some good beer choices and live music, but I wouldn't make the drive again for the BBQ.
(3)Michelangelo V.
Honest review bad food do not trust the positive reviews i saw this on drivers dine in n drives so i was so excited to eat here one of the biggiest disappointments ever i ordered the chili pulled pork brisket sandwhich mac n cheeze ribs n candy bacon the only thing that was good was the pulled pork n brisket but they were cold n u could tell were extremely old the mac n cheeze tasted like crappy kfc stuff the chili had no flavor like was mostly broth n tomato then the candy bacon do not order it it was so cold/ old / dry it was like really crappy beef jerky n there was only 3 pieces for 11 dollars thats crazy then the ribs were extremely dry n flavorless n they were extremely small the service is really bad like they forget what u order dont get u anything n leave n never come back so u have to sit there and wait for them also the place smells trust me if u want the best barbeque in chicago thats cheap with huge portions go to hogwild
(1)C W.
*** Vegetarian review Odd fact: vegetarians like bbq spots. Seriously, we do. There's always lots of veggie sides to make meals out of. What's different about this spot: the fried green tomato veggie slider entrée is awesome. What I wish was better: better, less syrupy gin cocktail selection. Atmosphere: back room = a feeling of being a guest at someone's kitchen table. Front bar area: live music, dimly lit, high-end/dive vibe.
(5)Denise P.
I looked to ddd for some spots to check out on my visit to chicago.....and i almost didn't try this one, but fortunately some friends wanted to eat and when I mentioned it ....they were in. WoW!! I'm so glad we did! Delicious bbq - the garlic mustard was a nice addition to the savory food. I'M ALSO RECOMMENDING THE BANANA PUDDING....BEYOND Yummy!!!!...I'm not even a banana fan, but it was decadent and heavenly...truely. the wait staff was matter of fact, but attentive and never left us looking around for them. If you want good ol timey tunes and southern bbq charm with the savory food to back it up then come here on your visit or for a night out! Love you honky tonk!!....and of course your scrumptious bananna pudding ;)
(5)Jennifer S.
Honky Tonk beats other BBQ joints hands-down because of its unique atmosphere and the amazing food and drinks. When you walk through the door you are immediately taken in by the eclectic art collection that hangs frame to frame over every foot of this huge space. Honky Tonk's owner shared with me that all the art belongs to one collector and that he won't sell any of the pieces, but is open to the occasional trade. I don't know why, but I find that charming. They have the best old fashioned in the city and they make their own black cherry garnish which ferments in another liquor for months before it makes its' way to the bottom of your glass. The bacon candy is amazing and defies accurate description. All I can say is "You gotta try it." I also love the novelty of the bacon candy being served with a Miller High Life pony! As for the BBQ... the brisket is fantastic and the St. Louis style ribs are some of the best I've had outside of MO. There's life music 3 or 4 nights a week and the bands are always great. It can get a little loud, but the back dining room is a good buffer for the noise. They also have a take out counter and you can't miss the entrance as it's painted with flames. I've been to Honky Tonk more than a dozen times and the experience is always consistently great. the only mild negative worth mentioning is that there is a slight odor (maybe from the sewage drains?) in the ladie's and I assume the men's room.
(5)Rachel R.
The food was amazing. We went on a night with a live band and had a great time. The service was more than I expected for the hood it was in. Friendly staff who wanted to help and take care of you. Something you don't see often.The food came out fast and HOT! Ordered the St.Louis half rack of ribs, slaw and a side of Mac & Cheese. I may be 135 pounds, but I can normally eat what is placed in front me. Not this night. It was a lot of food on the plate. The ribs had more meet than what you would normally see. What a bonus. The meat fell off the bone and into my mouth. They have three different BBQ sauces on the table. It made it hard to use just one. Hence it is on the table. It makes it easy to bit what ever you want when it's on the table. Thus making my ribs tastin like sweetness or hot and spicy. I look forward to coming back and enjoying the brisket.
(4)jim s.
They never disappoint. Food is terrific, had the girlfriend salad last night with brisket, great sauce. I have never experienced a nicer, friendlier, sincere wait staff/bartender crew. Been there several times, same consistent attitude. Crowd is eclectic which I love. Music always outstanding, last night the Fat Babies for father's day. Oh, almost forgot.....3 dollar PBRs VT 4 bucks...c'mon this place is the best
(5)Crystal F.
Just had the chili via their stand from fooda at my office building downtown. Opened it up and ate some of it -- only to realize that it was mostly fatty liquid, with no beans and the chunks of meat swimming in this fat/liquid. Seems they don't skim the fat (at all) when making the chili -- and the server scooped my portion straight from the top. All fat from which my tender stomach hasn't recovered. I went down to explain, trying to be nice by avoiding the words fat and grease. She just gave me another *half* order and told me I could mix it with the other chili I had in my left hand, which I was hoping she would take back. That was really enough discussion for me. I had to bring it back to my office to dispose of it and go to Mac Kelly's and get a banana and strawberries for when I feel better. You'd think they'd know not to ladle it from the top.
(2)Kristen L.
The first time we visited, it was bustling--there was a live band and not an empty seat in the house. As busy as they were, the service was still great. This time around, not so much. Visited Honky Tonk on a slow, Easter Sunday evening at around 6:30pm. Sat down, took a look at the menu and decided to split the sample platter (a mix of chicken, hot links, a small brisket sandwich, a small pulled pork sandwich, half slab of ribs, and two corn bread muffins) between the bf and I, all for the price of $32. As we were waiting, I decided to go wash my hands. Only needing to wash my hands, I figured, "Eh. I don't need to lock the door..I'll only be in here for 30 seconds." Literally 10 seconds after I walk in, a server comes barging in. Granted, it was my fault for not locking the door, but do people not knock these days? Plus she didn't even give a common courtesy "sorry" before closing the door, just an "oh." Did I look at her, shake my head, and give her a dirty look as I exited? Damn straight, I did. The food itself didn't take long to come out--about a 10 minute wait from ordering to table. The sample platter is definitely more than enough food for 2 people, but everything was insanely dry--as if it was sitting under a heat light for a long time. I understand it was probably a slower day for them and a lot of the food has to be made beforehand because it is a BBQ place after all, but yikes. After giving us our food, our server says he'll be back with plates. Five minutes later and no plates, the bf asks a different server who brings us plates and apologizes on the other server's behalf. After we start munching, another server comes by and asks how we're doing. We tell her we're good and she goes on her way. And that was the last we ever saw of a server. I finished my water about half way through the meal and the first time around the servers were great about coming around more than once and filling up waters. Which is funny considering the fact that the place was pretty empty and all the servers were standing around talking to each other. Overall experience including food, service, and ambiance were much better the first time around when it was packed to the brim. Really disappointed that it wasn't as good as we remembered it.
(1)Heather D.
Do you want to have a mouth orgasm where the brisket just melts in your mouth from deliciousness? COME HERE! (no pun intended) I had seen this place on TV as a great BBQ joint and the boyfriend and I were looking for something different for dinner. It's hard to miss this place in the day, easy at night, because the entire outside of the building is black. But once you step in, it's like you entered a different world of Chicago. The building itself has a vintage interior, and the walls are sprinkled with paintings, which is fitting since you're in the Pilsen arts district. Our hostess and waitress were very friendly and said we came just in time for the band. BBQ and Honky Tonk? Yes Please!! We got the Fried Green Tomatoes for an appetizer which the breading was delicious! My boyfriend ordered the Delux and I ordered the Platter. All of the food was great. I leaned more towards the Tangy sauce, and my boyfriend was torn between the sweet and the mustard. (at some point he said "screw it" and mixed the two together) Our only complaint, which resulted in a loss of the star was we had ordered dessert and waited for 15 mins to find out the kitchen missed our ticket. Our waitress was kind enough to give us dessert on the house, not the ones we ordered, but we weren't trying to be shitty because it was a free dessert. I would've much rather preferred the ones we ordered though as I wasn't a fan of the ones we were given. All in all we like it here, the atmosphere is cozy, people are friendly, and the food is delicious! Don't let our dessert mishap deter you from checking this place out, because they really do have some delicious BBQ!!!
(4)Claudia S.
I go back and forth with Honky Tonk. The brisket sandwich and pulled pork are quite good, but the rib tips are overpriced and not very meaty. I know, they're rib tips, but I've definitely had better. The mac & cheese is flavorless and the empanadas are, different. Love the fried green tomatoes & cornbread muffins though, so really it can just be hit or miss when it comes to sides. When they're not good, you'll definitely feel like you wasted money though. The beer selection is small, the wine selection is decent & the liquor selection looks adequate. Honky Tonk is close, which is why it's a nice option to have, but definitely check your order if you do takeout. They have a tendency to mess them up. The staff, however, I like and when I come here alone I've always met friendly people, so, it's good for some pleasant conversation. They have a trivia night, live music & cheap beer, which seems to be what people in the neighborhood like, so they're fitting into this gentrifying neighborhood exactly as they planned, I assume. I avoided this place for awhile for many reasons, but when it's actually open (that's another issue), I like it.
(3)Gracie G.
Living in Pilsen practically all my life and now that the HonkyTonk is actually in Pilsen is Great!! I love their pull pork sandwiches, sweet bacon to die for and the band's that play every Friday it's Great! To see the neighborhood change with good food and entertainment is a plus for me..
(5)Kimberly M.
I came here with a group of coworkers mostly for the music, but they happened to be hungry too. We waited about an hour for a table, which was fine because we got to enjoy some fantastic live music from The Fat Babies while we waited. Let me tell you, the bar area was nothing short of a party during that first hour. We loved it! We were seated shortly before the end of the first set. Food was okay. Nothing spectacular, but surprisingly good BBQ for Chicago. The reason I docked two stars from this review was the service. It took over an hour just to have our plates removed and checks finalized. We watched the band eat their food and then missed the ENTIRE second set during the time we were waiting to wrap things up. Lessons learned: come here to drink, party, and listen to live music. That's all.
(3)Jessica M.
From Chicago's Magnificent Mile to Honky Tonk's magnificent meat! Get your butt to Pilsen NOW! Our party of eight arrived on a Friday evening slightly before 8pm for a friend's birthday. Long and behold, a large table was ready for us despite not having reservations. We were meant to be! We ordered the bacon candy, Texas brisket chili, and THREE sampler platters. The bacon candy came in three strips. Very tasty but it was a wee bit tough. The brisket chili was hearty and delicious with plenty of brisket and beans to go around. As for the sampler platter, we downed everything: spread of ribs, smoked chicken, pork dinky dunkers, brisket dinky dunkers, hot links, fresh slaw, beans, and corn muffins. The ribs were a bit dry but everything else got our table of Asians licking plates and fingers! Excuse us, but it was that good. Our waitress was also a sweetheart and played along with our surprise. She brought out a generous slice of chocolate mousse cake with a lit candy for our birthday girl. Parking was less than difficult. We were able to find a spot two blocks away after circling the area for 10 minutes. Will I be back? DUH! OF COURSE!
(4)Lisette D.
I always have a good time at honky tonk! The ribs are great and I recommend the Mac and cheese. The beer selection is smaller than expected, but with craft beer you don't always see on tap, like allagash white. I got an Ace pear cider that complimented the ribs nicely. The only downside was the coleslaw, which was underdressed and a bit too earthy. The bacon candy was a delicious start and the live music was a great end! I highly recommend taking your meat eating friends here!
(4)Brian C.
There's a saying about an amazing restaurant with great food, friendly service, wonderful atmosphere and greasy salt shakers; the only thing you tell people about are the salt shakers. Happy to report the salt shakers here are clean. Can't say enough great things about this place from the diverse live music to the barbecue that rivals anything I've experienced since leaving Texas. The waitstaff was informative, fast and folksy! Did I mention how tasty the good is? And affordable. Two words; "candy bacon." Honky Tonk puts Pilsen on the map!
(5)Helen P.
Aye.. . Kinda disappointed. Was recommended highly by my chef and food snob friends. Food cold . .all of it. Great taste to baby back.ribs just wish it was not cold. Even mac and cheese was cold how u mess that up beyond me. Waitress awesome Heather was her name. Great drinks great atmosphere. .will give it one more shot other wise off my list and county bbq still #1.
(2)Raul I.
I'm a regular here every Wednesday for Pub Trivia. Yes, it is a "thing", and yes I DO come with other friends just for trivia. I don't just sit at the bar by myself thinking I'm the next Alex Trebek. The added bonus to trivia and let's be honest, the centerpiece to this place is the BACON. You heard me, this place is part of the bacon revolution, and you've come to the right place if you're looking to get your fill of it. I of course am referring to their plate of bacon. yes a plate, of just bacon. But no grocery store style bacon. THICK, LONG, SMOLDERING, bacon. I normally start out the night with a Bacon & Brew which consists of a pint of PBR & a SLAB of bacon laid across the top of it. Did I forget to mention that this bacon is caramelized. Yes, sweet and salty goodness on top of cheap beer. No complaints here. I follow my dinner (bacon & brew is really like a dinner) with a few Honky Tonk Old Fashioned drinks. Perfect blend of bourbon, vermouth, and it has a cherry. Love it. Of course everyone comes here for the BBQ. And that is just as delicious. Meal-wise I like to order the Pulled Pork sandwich. Tender smoked meat and you have your choice of BBQ sauces on the table. Ranging from sweet, to spicy, to tarty. I recommend you mix them all in. Voila! My go to side here is the mac & cheese. To die for! You HAVE to try it. Really, don't leave without it. My favorite waitress is Isabel (I hope I got that right). She's awesome. Doesn't disturb while we're discussing the answer to the trivia question and always stays on top of our drink orders :-) So if you haven't noticed yet based on my review. The place is awesome, so go check it out.
(5)Tamir G.
Great BBQ joint. Come for the live music if you don't feel like talking to people in your party.... Doesn't have to be a bad thing. Focus on the ribs instead. The ribs come dry with a perfect rub and plenty of sauce to pour over the meet. Rib tips is the way to go. Large portions. Beans with pork are amazing. I would pass on the corn bread. The candy bacon is a cool appetizer.
(4)Mark G.
Between Pollo Express and Honky Tonk, 18th Street is always smellin' like a summertime barbecue. It makes me want to drink a 40 and watch girls play volleyball topless. I struggled with whether to give them 3 or 4 stars. "Omgerd wish we could give half stars durr hurr!" If you've made a list of places to try because you want to capture the essence of barbecue in Chicago, I would place Honky Tonk in the bottom half of said list. There's other places you can get more bang for your buck and more impressive taste. But when you do make it here, I would recommend the rib tips and the side of garlic mashed potatoes. Not a bad place to have nearby if you're craving barbecue, but I wouldn't blow anyone for a free meal from here.
(3)Alexis E.
spicy sausages were amazing, and i had the sampler. I would go back just for the sausage.
(4)C P.
The restaurant is conveniently located in Pilsen and is easy to reach. The drinks were good but, watered. The BBQ was over cooked and rubbery. It didn't have much flavor and the baked beans were disgusting. The muffins were cold and the service was mediocre. I would pass if you are looking for real BBQ.
(2)Sarah C.
Go Sunday Nights! The Fat Baby's are FAB-U-LOUS! So, okay, proclaimer: I am a BBQ snob. My first job was at a BBQ joint in the south. I got to learn a lot - rub, sides, etc. When I wasn't waitressing I was getting to help cook. I have some pretty high standards. Honky Tonk was alright on the BBQ side. I wasn't floored by it. It's pretty sweet, but it's not greasy like I've found a lot up here. I'm not going to ramble - so I'll leave it at being pretty good. The sides were so-so. I know a lot of people have said that the mac and cheese is awesome. Maybe it was an off night for them, because what I had was a 5/10 at best. I did see this fun thing called the bacon and blue - a PBR with a strip of candied bacon. Apparently everyone knew something I didn't because lots of people got them. I loved the band. I mean, I really loved the band. They're a 1930s style swing band and they look like it. It's like all those guys were supposed to be in this band. SO much fun!!
(3)Denae H.
Honky Tonk BBQ is so worth the drive. Their BBQ is expertly prepared with 3 choices of sauces. We enjoyed the Sampler Platter with smoked chicken pork and brisket. Ribs 2 hot links 2 corn muffins beans and Cole slaw. The links are made in house and the mustard sauce makes a perfect pair. The ribs chicken pork and brisket are tender and flavorful. The sauces only enhance the flavors The restaurant also features live music on the weekend a fun tasty experience
(5)Brian L.
Great place in Pilsen for some piggies! Stopped in here when passing through town as reccomended by a friend (and whom I ate/drank with). Server was friendly, food was good (though I just ate at Kumas not long before and only are half a strip of bacon) it my friend says the food was bomb! Cool enviornment in the middle of Pilsen. They had live music when we were there. Sweet!
(4)Kat A.
Came in here on a Saturday night. The place was pretty busy (possible because they had live music). We were seated within half an hour as promised. The waitress and bus boys were extremely slow the whole time. We started off with the candied bacon. I've seen this item more often on menus recently so I thought I'd give it a try. It was pretty good actually. Then I had a half slab of the St. Louis ribs which came with a dinner roll and coleslaw. My friend ordered the pulled pork and brisket platter which also came with a dinner roll and a side. We got the pork beans and mac n cheese for additional sides. None of the food (besides the candied bacon) had much flavor. I wasn't sure what BBQ sauces were what...the one I liked was mustard colored. Basically I had to drown the meats in the sauce to enjoy it. The mac n cheese's noodles were overcooked and bland. The pork beans had a strange flavor. I was highly disappointed because this restaurant was featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives!
(2)Peter G.
We happened in on a Friday night and were pleasantly surprised with live music and great food. I highly recommend the greens and brisket.
(4)Kellie V.
Horrible. They boast bacon and beer as a specialty, however they were out of bacon. Come on!
(1)Custom M.
BEST RIB TIPS IN TOWN! BEST BBQ SAUCE. I have never gone a on a crowded day. I doubt I ever will. Rib tips combined with the Mac N Cheese and corn bread. Oral orgasm!!! Can't really complain about the service or venue. Worth the money and travel for me.
(4)Elisa E.
Beautiful bar, great band, solid (if not spectacular) BBQ. I had the brisket sandwich, and it was tender and juicy. I asked for horseradish and received a grape-sized mound of the condiment in a paper cup. Were they running out? Was the waitress afraid I couldn't handle it? Child, I'm German-American; I was weaned on horseradish. I had a major case of entree-envy for my dining companion's rib tips; they were burnt/fatty/delicious on their own, no sauce needed. But, there probably won't be a redo, or at least not involving my automobile. I parked in a legal spot on 18th, east of Racine, and was later extensively keyed by some neighborhood asshat. The friend who invited me to dinner is from Pilsen, and a second generation Mexican-American. He explained that the restaurant was probably too expensive for most of the working-class people in the neighborhood, and was full of outsiders. I can't think of any other plausible reason why someone would do this, except to "teach" a lesson to one of the restaurant patrons.
(3)Keeping it real b.
I HAVE TO SAY A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!!!!!.... After seeing this place hosted on a episode of Drive In, Dinners and DIves and it was getting some crazy hype, I was extremely excited to try another good BBQ joint with an atmosphere. After my fiance and I had talked about visiting this restaraunt for a few months we had decided to give it a shot on a Saturaday Night. We arrived at the restaraunt at 9:00, understanding that there may be a slight wait. The host had said that it would be around a 45 min wait, so we had decided to fight our way through a small crowd for standing room only to enjoy a couple of beers. Beer list was different, but in a good way to help branch you from your routine beverage of choice. Bartenders were very pleasent and responsive, crowd was pollite and the band was very entertaining keeping the wait less painful.... After 30 min. a table had opened up and we were on our way with high hopes for a tastey BBQ. We were seated in the dinning room with great atmosphere filled with unique paintings and various kitchen furniture giving a great southern, backyard kinda feeling. Unfortunately, this is were it all then began to go downhill. We were sat at 9:30 pm when the waitress took our first drink order. Took over 15 minutes for her to return with out drinks. She then took our dinner order, we ordered the Sampler Platter which had great variation, (Chkn, Ribs, Sausage Link, Sliders, corn bread beand and slaw) and also a side of rib tips. Was very excited to get a taste of what was so hyped up on the tv show D.D.D.. After an hour of being sat and very little attention from the service and visually seeing the food not moving out of the kitchen and serving other tables, we had actually spoke to another waitress to see what was going on with our order and to speak to a manager. Being an hour later, there is no reason while at a "Restaraunt' there is no reason not to have some sort of a FOOD item sitting in front of you. I dont think that is asking for much. The response we recieved from one waitress was, "Cant you see we are Busy". Well no kidding, now my intellegence were just insulted. Busy or not, there was no food moving out of the kitchen and the fact is it has been an Hour waiting for what is usually all PRE COOKED food that just gets warmed up and platted when it comes to BBQ joints. No excuse for it, but we still made the best of the moment. When the food finally arrived, it had a nice presentation, but you could see that ALL the meats were dried out, over cooked and just brittle like saw dust.... COME ON MAN!!!! This is suppose to carry a reputation for GOOD BBQ.... I would love to know how many returning customers they have. I would guess not many. Brisket was well dried out, chicken was petrified, half slab of ribs tasted as they were cooked 3 times over, coleslaw had little to bad taste to it, beans were out of a can and the only thing that was moist was the sausage due to its casing and the ability to cook those fresh... All in all, I would say the food was far from good BBQ and even further from being FRESH. The sauces on the table had a good flare to them, nice variety and good way to help the meats slide down. Rib tips werent bad, but definitly nothing to go back to or refer a friend to. Prices were good, drinks were good, like the atmosphere and the manager was nice enough to comp the drinks and take $10 bucks off to ease the pain slightly. All in All Honky Tonk - I give you a BIG ONE STAR - --- have to say, very disappointed with the quality of food and wait time. Definitly in need for the owner and manager to review the flow process and ability to get the food out quicker. Customers will be happier, the tableswould also turn faster making it happier for the guests not to have to wait as long, the waitress happier getting more tables = more tips and bottom line, making the owner a happy person to serve more tables = more food = happier customers = returning customers = and referalls from customers = alot more $$$$$ for HONKY TONK..... Have to say, wont be back anytime soon - I GOT the HONKY TONK BLUES!!!
(1)Kristina D.
Two words. Bacon Candy. Yes. Bacon Candy. The evening we went with friends there was no live music but some nice funk and R&B playing. We were given our choice of seating and our sassy server (who I hope forgives me for not remembering his name) promptly came to our table to ask us about drinks. I had the Lonely Presbyterian. Actually, I had two. Then we opened with an order of the Fried Green Tomatoes and Bacon Candy. Fried Green Tomatoes were pretty good, could have used just a bit more kick. But the bacon candy. All I have to say is it was gone in seconds and that everything is better with bacon. Just delicious. I then had the half spread of the baby back ribs, mac and cheese and cornbread muffin. The muffin was okay, too sweet for me but that's a matter of personal preference. The ribs were great although I like a little more kick and the mac and cheese, although rather nontraditional with the white cheddar, was delicious. I'll definitely be returning. They don't do delivery but they cater and have a calendar of music events on their site.
(4)robert a.
HOLY BBQ Go here eat drink listen nothing more needs to be said.
(5)Leticia L.
The first night we moved back to Pilsen my husband and I decided to try this place. We were starving and the open doors were inviting us in. I was pleasantly surprised. We found a seat in front and our waiter was quick and attentive. I tried the brisket with mac and cheese. Both were divine. I also loved the corn bread. Our second visit was also great, we ordered the half chicken, with a large mac and cheese and the garlic mashed potatoes. I must say I was not disappointed. The chicken fell off the bone and melted in my mouth like butter. It was another great meal!
(5)Tera D.
Honky Tonk is an interesting little place. Very neighborhood, regular customer feel. I got the distinct impression that when they didn't recognize us they assumed we came in because of Check Please. Which is true. In my opinion, the meat was better cooked than most I've ever tried. Pulled pork, brisket and ribs were all uber tender and perfect. The flavor wasn't as strong as other places though, so that was a bummer. As for the sauces, I thought the only one that stood out was the garlic mustard one, which was tangy and fabulous. For side dishes we had mac n' cheese and pork and beans. Both were only ok compared to other BBQ places I've been. Glad I went, and would go back if I lived close, but probably won't make the trek to Pilsen for it a second time.
(3)Kc B.
This place is a crap-hole. We had a large party. They sat us down and mentioned several minutes later that they were out of most meat items on their menu. Seriously? It was a Saturday night. What kind of moron doesn't order enough meat for a Saturday night crowd at a BBQ joint?
(1)Jozo B.
My friends talked about this place all day on a wasted Sunday. I didn't believe what they were saying, but sure enough they were so right. The pulled pork sandwich was simply amazing. I mean melt in you mouth flavor, and the sauces made every bite a different flavor sensation. The brisket chili was super hearty, thick, and plain awesome. Definitely, met all my expectations and then some.
(5)Xriz H.
Did Helcky's finally reopen in Chicago? Quite possibly, but this place did not have that signature "Burnt Bologna" smell that is easy associated with the local Evanston hero. Honky Tonk earns a solid three stars and not for the food. If you like food with a lot of flavor, that smokey BBQ taste and sauces that range from smokey sweet to spicy, this is not the place. I would consider this a place suitable for the BBQ inept. I think the most exotic they get with the seasoning is perhaps Iodized Salt. I do like the no substitute rule, as it makes the ready made plates come out in lightening fast speed, nothing low and slow about this place. The decor is nice, give you that feeling of "hey this place might just be good"... but it is not. Good beer selection and the waitstaff has all the right stuff (tattoos, piercing, blank stares, beauty pageant personality etc...). I will warn whoever dares go there. Never Ever Ever take the left overs home, they will make your car, bus, fixie whatever you are in stink like hell! I think the food is already half decomposed when it come out on the plate! That being said, 3 stars...and not for the food!!! 1 Star for nice Decor 1 Star for nice beer choices 1 Star for friendly people No Stars for the food, cause it is not good food, sorry Mr. Tonk please work on the recipes.
(3)Maja B.
I don't know why I was convinced for a long time it was called Willy's Honkey Tonk BBQ. I guess cuz my friend Phil who introduced me to the joint upon my move to Pilsen 7-8 months ago is good friends with the strange but genius owner, Willy. This place has been around for a minute. A good 8-9 years ago when I was still an innocent northsider I use to hear tales of a mystic place on 18th street where they threw wild parties with live feral animals like ocelots or was that eatacidalot? Or what was that wild cat called that one can train and house? Anyway these parties are no longer. Soon enough Willy and his wife opened a BBQ joint. A BBQ joint in the middle of Raza territory on 18th street, called "Honkey Tonk BBQ" haha you must be kidding right? Well you best believe that the BBQ was so good that it won the hearts of the locals and many others who regularly flock to the spot from all over Chicago. Let's talk meat. There is a sandwich at Willy's, ha there I go again with the Willy's, simply called the "Pulled Pork Sandwhich". And it is pork shoulder with a lil rub, on a bun. Sounds kinda boring right? But oh the flavor, oh the tender, the juicy, the JESUS BUDDHA MOSES whatever you believe in... It is the BEST freaking pork not just pulled pork but I proclaim the BEST pork sandwich in Chicago. We're talking "3rd place Trophy from the World Championship Memphis-in-May Competition, the largest pork competition in the world." -http://honkytonkbbqchicago.com The world has spoken, the world of pork. And that is quite the achievement for a Chicago sandwich, it use to be $7 now it has gone up to $7.75. Prices have gone up I'll admit, it's a little eh, but it's a tough economy and understandably prices are going up everywhere. They also added a Fried Green Tomato Bacon and Garlic Mayo sandwich I tried. Not too impressed with this one, it was mostly fried green tomato couldn't really taste the bacon, the Garlic mayo was good but again it all overpowered the meat. The Banana pudding though, dear god, try the Banana pudding, you'll thank me you did! The atmosphere is kinda bizzare, it's like they took every crappy painting from like 1940-1975 and hung em all side by side literally lining the walls, the worst part? It actually works! They're adjacent to the most beautiful wooden bar in Chicago (this is cuz the space use to be the Slovanian cultural club, yeah us eastern-europeans got this design thing down ;) The drinks are pretty good they have A Bloody Maria served with Tequila instead of Vodka and both the Mary (w/Vodka) and Maria come with a bullet sized high life to balance out the spicy Bloody. Amazing hangover cure potential unless you end up knocking back a few more and then busting some moves to the always rocking western country swing and rockabilly sounds. I never even liked this music until I heard it at Willy's Honkey Tonk BBQ. Have you not been yet? Why the hell not, go! Go now!!!!!!
(4)Michael L.
Disappointed! I had a craving for ribs and Honky Tonk is pretty close to the house. I'd been there a few years ago and liked it, so I thought this was a no-brainer. We waited about 10 minutes for a table which I didn't think was bad for a Friday night. Things started out well with an order of bacon candy. I think it's baked bacon with brown sugar and maybe molasses. Yum! If we stopped eating at this point the review would be 5-stars! I ordered a full slab, in anticipation of tasty leftovers, and a side of mac & cheese. I have to agree with a previous reviewer that said the ends were over-cooked and the middle was ok. Don't get me wrong, I love the bark on good bbq, but these ribs were just dry. Another mark of good bbq is that it doesn't need sauce, the sauce just enhances the experience. This meat demanded sauce! I do have to say that the mustard sauce was good and I don't really like mustard. Service was quick and friendly, but couldn't make up for the over-cooked meat! I will not be back again.
(2)Ed C.
Honkey Tonk BBQ is a very fun place. Great signature cocktails, music, atmosphere, service....and really lame BBQ. I am glad I went. Pilsen is a fun neighborhood that I don't visit enough. It's too bad the food wasn't very good, because I want a reason to come back. I am a sauce guy and that is the one part they did above average...but it wasn't great. All of us there were big BBQ fans and we split bacon candy, 2 platters and 2 pulled pork sandwiches. All of the meat seemed well prepared...very moist and great texture...just super bland. The ribs were the most tasteless I have ever had. Just no flavor. The same can be said for the brisket and chicken. The pulled pork had some nice bites and the links were very good with their mustard garlic sauce ( That sauce was pretty solid) The beans were not bbq style at all. The fried green tomatoes were very good. Go for the drinks and snack on the bacon, tomatoes and banana pudding, but this is not an even average BBQ spot.
(2)Michael M.
Really good bbq brisket. Fun atmosphere. Hard to get a cab in the area.
(4)Lisa B.
HONKY TONK BADONKADONK! No this place isn't owned by Trace Adkins, but it does have that down home, country, southern hospitality feel. Its really eclectic and funky with great art on the walls and totally mismatched seating. Loved it. The food and drink was just as comforting and interesting as the decor. I must say, the house-made bourbon soaked maraschino cherries were killer. I contemplated asking for a whole bowl of them. I had the deluxe plate with the pulled pork, mac and cheese, hot link, and cornbread. Pulled pork was great, so tender, great smokey flavor. The mac could have been a little creamier, but it had good flavor and I loved the breadcrumbs on top. Hot link was tasty, nice spicy kick to it. LOVED the cornbread, it was sweet and savory while moist and delicious. Husband ordered the viking beef short ribs, which are only available on weekends, so we thought they'd be awesome... they were, eh, very Viking-esque. They were huge, short ribs smoked, until tender. While they feel off the bone, they were really fatty and we weren't overly impressed with them. The coleslaw that accompanied them was too dry - needed more vinegar and oil. Loved having three different BBQ sauces on the table so i could try them all with my meat. My favorite was the mustard one, great tang! We ended our meal with some killer peach cobbler - served nice and hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! great way to end the meal - we'll definitely be back.
(4)Matt M.
What Honky Tonk BBQ has with atmosphere in spades it's lacking in quality BBQ. The restaurant has a great environment with vintage decorations, a full bar and a reasonable beer list. We went based on their consistent comparisons to Smoque, which can be best compared to the big brother who actually knows what he's doing. Honky Tonk serves their meat without sauce, which is to say you add the BBQ yourself. This wouldn't be a big problem normally, as their sauces are undoubtedly above average though not exceptional in any way, shape, or form. The issue is that all moisture has been smoked from the meat, and the flavor with it to boot. I sampled the chicken, pork, and brisket, and each was nothing to write home about. I also tried the ribs, which were not only dry, but burned. Thankfully a down-home bluegrass band started playing adjacent to our table, distracting me from the dry, flavorless meat and poor cornbread. The mashed potatoes, however, were great. If you're looking for a late-night hangout with live southern music and a nice looking carved barback with the option for some decent food, this is the place.
(3)leslie m.
Honky Tonk I was scared to try you, scared that you would not be as good as Smoque and more like that Five place on Taylor but I am so happy that I did. -Easy seating that doesn't make you feel rushed-CHECK -Choice of sauces right on the table to please everyone-CHECK -Cornbread and Mac n cheese that are Tha bomb-CHECK -Alcohol-CHECK -Nice assortment of BBQ dishes and combos that are juicy, tender and delicious-CHECK -Easy street parking and friendly service-CHECK Honky tonk, I think I love you
(5)Michele D.
Brought a girlfriend from Austin Texas in to show her how we do BBQ in Chicago...she LOVED it! Flavorful pull pork and ribs, melt in your mouth brisket, and scrumptious Mac and cheese! (oh and the sauces...!!!!!) Texas ain't got nothin' over HTBBQ. We even enjoyed some country music and two steppin'. (with no cover for music) Oh and the sweetest wait staff and bartenders. The owners even come up and chat you up. Felt so warm and welcomed. Great energy in the room. We posted FB photos and all our Austin friends couldn't believe it. Now that it's warming up in Chicago they're making there way up here to taste a little Texas in Chicago!
(5)Rebekah S.
The atmosphere and live music is a bonus to some of the best damn bbq I have ever had. The staff and owner make you feel like family. Try to visit if you can. The prices are very reasonable. Thanks for making my daughters bday awesome!!!!
(5)Mindy S.
Three times is not the charm. I think the greatest way to honor an animal is to make it tasty (and give it a great life, obvi) I don't know what HT BBQ is doing to their animals, but it's not good. The brisket is dry and I'm not sure how to describe the pulled pork other than :( Completely pass up the beans too, bleh. I couldn't recommend a single thing from HT, other than it's a great atmosphere to grab a drink and live performers were wonderful last (Thursday) night. Their display of art is marvelous too. My only recommendation would be to go to a place that knows how to handle their smokers. Check my reviews/lists for my favs, it's definitely not this place.
(2)Patrick S.
The layout of the place gives you a number of options depending on the occasion or setting you are so inclined towards. Upon entering you notice what appears to be a fully stocked bar to your left. The front is very dimly lit, equipped with seemingly date appropriate seating opposite of the bar. If you venture deeper into the establishment you will discover another room towards the back. It has a very homey, family oriented vibe to it. Join-able tables to accommodate larger parties, and booths along the back wall. Some..eclectic, artwork and decor adorn the walls somehow make it feel like a mess hall or cafeteria of some sort. A word of caution to the booth goers..be weary of the hung artwork overhead as there is a slight possibly of acquainting yourself upclose and personally. Only a mere freak occurrence, Im sure. But I felt it worth mentioning as I found it humorous that I heard a large thud emanating from behind me. Something had fallen straight onto the table in one of the booths where a women had been sitting. She didnt seem to be startled at all..which makes me suspect this happens more times than you would think. While Im way off topic, I might as well mention that I used "appears to be" and "seemly" to describe the bar and front seating only because I opted towards the back room seating. So I would not know firsthand. Upon entry, there isnt actually anyone to greet you so if you come in for the first time you would probably think twice to what you are supposed to do. Me and a friend approached a server at the tail end of the bar who informed us to sit where we deemed fit, not her words mind you. So we chose the brighter lit room for a less..questionable, for lack of better word, dining experience. Two guys eating at a dimly lit table in a bar just doesnt look right..if you get my drift. Anyhow...Im here to speak of such things as BBQ! Dry rubbed, cured, and fine smoked meats! I speak of choice cuts of marbled slabs of animal carcass fit as offerings to the gods! Apologies, but coming to places like this, I cannot understand how anyone could deny such carnivorous urges. Regardless...onto the food at hand. I was looking to sample some of the menu since it is impossible to taste the extent of the menu unless youre there with a full party. So I decided on the rib tips with a side of garlic mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. Little did I know, I was in for the biggest rib tips Ive ever encountered. These tips are ENORMOUS. Regardless of the caps, the font size isnt appropriate enough to describe the size of them. Not to mention Ive never had rib tips in its pure, unadulterated, un-sauced, dry rubbed form. Each and every bite of these gave off an overwhelming amount of smokey richness that I almost wish eased off towards the end; but it was unrelenting. There was 3 sauces on the table. The bigger of the 3 which was more of the sweeter style bbq, a smaller tangier bbq, and a mustard that was slighty sweet but more dijon-ey. I went with a 70%sweet-30%tang mix. I look forward to trying several other entries in the menu which will call for an update to my review. Hopefully a more, on topic offering. Im especially tempted toward the viking short ribs that I contemplated over briefly. Its only offered fri-sat. You could never go wrong with limited time items.
(5)Jacob L.
By far the best BBQ I've had for the longest time. The ribs were sooo good and the sauces they had were yummy. It is nicely decorated and the live music is fun to have around. I will be coming in here again with some friends to show them how great this place really is!
(5)Derrick T.
13 hour day at work... I"m starving. Roommate calls, time to try a new place! Some BBQ sounds good, and I've had this on my list for about two weeks. Time to check it out! Packed to the brim on a Thursday night. The fact that it had just got reviewed on Check Please probably did quite the boost on business. Found a seat with 10 minutes, table for two, good band kickin it in the background with some southern music. We order up the Sampler Platter to give it all a try. Here's our thoughts: Half chicken: Tasty skin. Definitely smoked well. The breast is ridiculously tender and juicy, which means the dark meat is even more so. Never had chicken breast that tender before at a BBQ joint. Ever. Pulled Pork: A little dry, but the flavor was plentiful. Served with an artisan-like roll. Dryness likely due to the lack of sauce, but good nonetheless! Brisket: Tender, juicy, a little bit of fat cut into each piece. This was some excellent brisket! Half slab ribs: Crunchy smoked exterior, with soft tender juicy interior meat. Smoked for 4+ hours according to the owner, and it shows. While the meat was not completely fall off the bone, you can taste the flavors from the applewood and the spice rub used in creating the crunchy exterior. Excellent. Links: Tasty, flavorful, simple. I'm not a links kinda guy, but these were good nonetheless. Corn Bread: Bits of corn, soft and flavorful. This is some excellent cornbread, ladies and gentlemen. Slaw: Average slaw to me. Flavor was right, texture was right, but nothing phenomenal about it. Rightly so, as slaw is a side IHMO. Baked Beans: Tasty, but definitely not the memory of the meal. Platter was priced at $30, and my roommate and I ate well. If you're a BBQ fan, I suggest you stop in for the ribs and brisket. But honestly, I think the platter is probably an excellent way to go. Verdict? I'll be going back. There was an intriguing dessert menu that neither of us were able to really take part in due to the size of the platter... but we'll be back... don't you worry.
(5)Junior D.
Another disappointing BBQ experience, Whats with all the hype? I wanted to like Honky Tonk I really did.. I walked in to some live music with a violin player jamming some country tunes with a decent singer... Lets start off with the Pros. Nice decor, great Live music, Pulled Pork, Bacon Candy...your order actually comes out quick after waiting so long for the waitress to take your order. Cons. Slow service, tough rib tips, fatty and chewy brisket.. We waited too long just to pay and get out of this place because our waitress would disappear for a while. this is one of those places where I couldn't wait to visit and like Chuck's BBQ was really disappointing.. I am willing to come back just for the pulled pork but nothing fancy here in my opinion.. Lets hope Smoque doesn't disappoint me in my quest for most hyped BBQ on YELP thats actually good.....
(2)Josh Y.
When my wife told me some friends of hers had showed her a new BBQ place AND it was just down the road from our house, I got pretty excited. OK i was ecstatic! Good BBQ? Only 4 blocks away? Beach body smeach body... I'm there! As you can see, I couldn't wait to try this place out, but alas all good feelings must come to an end. Location = Awesome. Food = Downright mediocre. I tried the St. Louis ribs, and the Brisket sandwich. Also the Fried Green Tomatoes. The ribs were pretty dry, and the sauce was just ok. The Brisket sandwich was decent (better than the ribs) but still lacked the chops to live up to all the hype I'd heard about this place. The Fried Green Tomatoes... well those were spot on and amazing... just like the movie... that i've never seen... ever... shut up. Listen, I don't want to get all high horsey about the "Best BBQ" places. I'm giving these guys three stars because i think they're decent, but I've been spoiled. All my uncles ribs (minus Uncle Gerald) blow this place out of the water. G&W in the south burbs, Fat Willy's & Smoque up north all go pretty hard, and I just expected much more than I got with Honky Tonk. Not gonna sweat it. Will definitely be back. It's right down the block, and the beer selection alone is worth the price of admission. Try the fried green tomatoes, and empanadas. Ok i'm done now. Try this place for yourself, you might love it.
(3)Ry O.
My girlfriend insists that I have not experienced Pilsen until I've sucked the BBQ off of some BBQ and then demolished a pot pie, mac n cheese (yes, "n" is too a word), corn bread, and some cheese cake. I insist that she's gross and I will never suck BBQ off of BBQ, so I ordered some brisket and sucked the horseradish off that instead. I think she had me eat some other stuff too, but I was a little dizzy after devouring something that resembled my forearm. She's right though, this place is amazing, with live music, cheap beer, and people you haven't seen in forever randomly sitting at the end of the bar. ... On a related note, the Federal Government last week issued a report recommending that Americans consume less food (much to the chagrin of the food lobbyists), and I subsequently issued a middle finger recommending that they more frequently shovel the sidewalks on my route to Honky Tonk BBQ, buy me a bigger chair with some pockets on the side, and figure out how to put a subsidy on sides of white cheddar mac n cheese. (also, for the record, I don't think my girlfriend is gross... I've never seen someone eat a pot pie so delicately.)
(5)FoodLover Z.
Good bbq by Chicago standards. They have live music on some of the days and trivia night on others. I've had better bbq even in Chicago, hence the rating of 3 stars.
(3)KChicagoan S.
yuuuuuuuum this place is good - legit BBQ with a great atmosphere. This place is in an unassuming building on 18th street just west of Halsted. The thing that has me (and my husband) coming back again and again is the pulled pork - it is delicious. Everything they do at Honky Tonk is dry-rub BBQ so you put on your own sauce. Honestly, you don't really even need the sauce because the meat is soooo tender and juicy. I've also had the ribs and while they were very good, nothing beats the pulled pork in my book. The spicy mustard sauce, cibatta bread, a side of mac n' cheese and I'm in a food coma like no other. The prices are fair, the waitstaff is friendly and low-key and if you're lucky, someone will be playing the banjo and singing twangy bluegrass music (idk what nights of the week this happens). This is the best BBQ I've had in the city of Chicago - check it out!
(5)Julian F.
Oh man oh man....this place was rad. I'll admit I was here under strange circumstances in that I'm a vegetarian and I was with two other vegetarians and we had all just stuffed our faces at Chicago Diner. I'm not going to explain why we ended up in this situation because you don't care--all I'll say is that we actually had options (fried green tomatoes, mushrooms, etc) and they tasted great. I was telling the booker/sound guy Daniel that in my past carnivore life, I would have laid waste to the Honky Tonk BBQ. Had I not been so full, I would have considered a rack of ribs last night as they're cooked the way I used to like them: less of a dripping off the bone style and more carefully spiced. Aside from the food, the Honky Tonk seems to have hung pretty much every ugly painting ever made on its walls. Additionally, they boast an eclectic collection of live music, strong drinks, and damnit, it just smells awesome in there. ***NOTE: THERE IS A SUPER COOL METAL CHICK IN THE KITCHEN!***
(5)JP P.
Yeesh, so-called BBQ "experts" have to be one of the most irritating, fussy groups of people out there -- and then they get on Yelp. The worst food you've ever had in Chicago? Honky Tonk boils their meat? Seriously? Have you met pitmaster Willie? You can smell the smoke on him a mile down the street. While it's by no means perfect (the "Best BBQ Joint in Chicago" debate will be an eternal one) -- it's pretty darn decent. In my opinion, it IS some of the best BBQ'd pork you'll get in the city. It's unfortunate consistency seems to be a problem at HT, but I guess I've lucked out each time I've been there ... But hey, if the BBQ-loving fusspots of Chicago won't be returning, that's cool with me -- just means more room for me and my pals to enjoy a night of BBQ, beer and some excellent live music.
(4)Angela S.
The candied bacon is the best bacon I've ever tasted. The mac and cheese is a bit too garlicky. The desserts are amazing!
(3)Mike K.
I suddenly had a hankering for barbecue on a lazy summer Sunday afternoon and started perusing Yelp for the best option that was reasonably close. Smoque and Brand were the two places that came up that I really wanted to try, but due to proximity and hunger they lost out to Honky Tonk, which is only about a 10-minute drive from me. First, Honky Tonk is kind of in the hood. I find their location to be "interesting" and rather incongruous. Perhaps they threw darts at a map or maybe dropped a little barbecue sauce on a map to choose the location? Splat! Racine and 18th, it is! Anyway, after reading several of Tony K.'s reviews, I realize I know nothing about barbecue, so you'll have to take this review with a grain of salt. I ordered takeout, so I cannot comment as to the dine-in experience. They do have a bar and a small stage for music, but the interior of the place is gritty. I got a bit concerned about the food when I saw the interior. So I ordered two of the dinky dunks, with a side of mashed potatoes (duh) and a side of macaroni and cheese. I figured I'd get the dinky dunks to try both the brisket and the pork. Both were very smoky and tasty with the added barbecue sauce from the side. I did have to pick a bit of fat off of the brisket, but afterward it was tasty. As for the sides, I would advise against ordering these, as you only get a mini Chinese takeout container for $3.50 and they're just not very good. I was there at 4 p.m. on a Sunday, so maybe they just weren't very fresh at the time. Both were bland city. I would recommend going strictly with meat at Honky Tonk. Four stars. I'll likely be back sometime.
(4)chris g.
I'm really starting to like the Pilsen neighborhood. Mexican food brought me here but now you have options. Pilsen has several options for libations as well. So now you can make a whole night out of your visit. Some suggestions are Simones & the one of the classic dive bars, Skylark. But this visit Was for BBQ at Honky Tonk. It draws a good crowd but luckily the joint is big. The servings of meat & sides are not the largest but they are good. Get a combo & try several meats.
(4)Esther S.
MEAT. MEAT I got the personal platter (12.50) with beef brisket and mac & cheese. Some strips of meat were more tender and some were a bit dry. Smother it with some BBQ sauce and it's all good. I wish the beef came out smoking hot, but it was just warm enough. The mac & cheese side was delicious. The dinner roll was like the stale kind you buy at Jewel. I usually devour carbs, but I didn't finish the roll here. My bf got the personal platter delux (14.50) with the pork and mashed potatoes. The pork was tender and flavorful!! LOVED it. The mashed potatoes were standard. His platter came with a tasty hot link and forgettable corn bread muffin. QUICK TIP: You add your own BBQ sauce here. Also, Order the PORK!! Overall, I enjoyed my meal (my bf loved his), but just wished the food came out pipin' hot- the way I like my BBQ!
(3)Zach T.
This is a Good one. I saw it on one of the food network shows, and finally made it there. It deserves as much press as Smoque gets... it's just as good. I went there with a large party for my sister's birthday. I ordered the sampler platter for $30 and it fed my wife and I and our 2 kids. Their brisket and pulled pork mini-sandwiches are awesome. I'd say their brisket is better than Smoque's; It's pure dynamite. Their ribs are great. The sauces on the table are excellent. The sampler platter also comes with a half a smoked chicken--WOW. The one thing I still drool over, though, is the banana pudding. I would never have thought to order it, but thanks to you guys on Yelp, I did. When I win the lottery, I'm going to have a bathroom like Francis in Pee Wee's Big Adventure. The tub will be filled with this banana pudding.
(5)Ashley P.
We had our wedding reception here and the food was FANTASTIC and the owners were amazing to work with. BBQ so amazing that it converted one of our vegetarian friends.
(5)Erin L.
There was a time when I think I ordered that dang Fungi Sandwich every day for a week! SO GOOD! And I think I could bathe in the mustard bbq sauce... Mmmm! The corn bread is also freakin' awesome. Wine's good too. I like the decor, the staff is friendly and, although I haven't experienced it yet, I appreciate that they have live music.
(4)Kara T.
We have been going to Honkey Tonk for awhile now and have never been disappointed. The staff is great and friendly. Cheap Beer, Mid-Range Priced BBQ, Live Music (can be loud at times) and Easy Parking- you cant beat it! While the Rib Tips could have been left with more meat, we always go for the SAMPLER PLATTER- $30.00. Its plenty to share with two people and you get a tasting of everything. Make sure you get the Mustard Sauce--- the best! Sampler Platter- Boyfriend Salad- Mustard Sauce- Two Old Styles and its a great date night for around $50.00.
(4)Rafael H.
I stumbled upon this BBQ joint with some friends. The food here is awesome. I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of homemade mac and cheese. The sandwich was delicious and the mac and cheese had real cheese (not from a box!). I tried the brisket sandwich but I preferred the pulled pork. Their BBQ sauces are great, ranging from tangy to sweet and spicy. Last time I went, their live music was great. They had a guy playing the violin, and another guy playing the guitar and singing. Good saloon tunes. Finally, try the bacon candy. It's bacon made into candy. That's the only way I can explain it. Trust me... it's good.
(4)Ann S.
The chicken is amazing- the Viking Rib was not so great. I love the music and the staff, the food is a bit touch-n-go. I wanna 5 star this place...
(4)Michelle L.
I had a wonderful time at Honky Tonk. My friends and I always pass by it but never actually went in, until today. It's a busy restaurant but we didn't wait long for seating. The staff was very friendly. The pork was very tender and the sauce was delicious. There was even a live folk band playing!! Over all I had a great experience!
(4)Denise H.
If it were possible to rate this place zero stars I would. Unfortunately I had a $10 off coupon for Honky Tonk so a friend and I decided to venture to Pilsen for bbq......huge mistake. I'm not certain why so many people rate this place greater than one star other than they may be a fan of the live Honky Tonk music because the food is god awful. So we order the st. louie and baby back ribs in addition to the brisket and mac & cheese. The st. loiue ribs were not good or great but edible; however, I couldn't even stomach the bb ribs. The mac & cheese was lackluster but I expected this from a place named Honky Tonk. The worse offender though, was the brisket. Absolutely no flavor cooked into it, it was lukewarm and the rub was sprinkled on the top of the meat as opposed to being marinated prior too cooking.....just god awful. Just to make ourselves feel better and get that taste out of our mouths, we ended up going to smoque for "real" bbq.
(1)Solomohn E.
To me, Smoque definitely has better bbq. However, HTB's atmosphere (or shall I say ambiance) is hard to beat. My husband and I visited this evening for our wedding anniversary and it was just what I needed...decent food, fun drinks, great live music, a cute environment, and a whole lot of personality.
(4)KELLIE K.
Willie and Beth welcomed us into their home. Or at least that's what it felt like. I can't even find words to properly describe the pulled pork. AWESOME is all that comes out. Then again, my mouth may be full of pulled pork, and my brain full of beer and vinegar, so that's all I can muster. Treat yourself a bit and spilt up your pork among both tangy and sweet sauces put on the table. It'll give your mouth a joyride you won't soon forget. A large group of us were easily accommodated and they brought out a big bucket with ice for all the beer. That was a nice, homestyle touch that made it feel like we were in their backyard, just waiting for the goods to come off the grill. Add to that some live banjo-playing musicians, and it was a real hootenanny! I'll reserve a 5th star for my next visit and it's not a large group for a birthday party. Willie, keep that fire going and don't let me down!
(4)J. F.
It's a solid Three Stars. The rub thing is OK. Tasty, but not exciting. I forget which sides we had. . .but I'd go back! I liked my server, the service, and the ambience. The food was GOOD. Just GOOD. But GOOD counts, too, right?
(3)Moe f.
Great bar and fantastic music! Hit this joint up on Saturday night and only waited 20 minutes. They have lone star, Dixie, and tall boy PBR's cheap. The bacon candy was everything it sounds like. They were already out of brisket so got a huge slab of St. Louis ribs that were quite tasty. Pulled pork was OK. Baked beans rocked. And the old fashioned was fantabulous. I was wearing my western shirt and a guy from the first band thought I was playing in the next band(I was flattered). All in all, a great spot for food and some drinks.
(4)A. J.
PAcked when I went. Live band, kind've kitchy. Excellent Spread. split the smaller sampler with my gf and left stuffed. Decent price.
(4)Michael S.
From the street festival circuit, to bricks and mortar, Honky Tonk is still a pleaser. Then again, if it's smoked BBQ, I will admit that I have somewhat of an addiction. I have been wanting to write a review for this place for a long time, but because the last time I was there was literally when it opened (and Yelping was still a yet to be discovered pleasure), I held off until....now! Bottom line....while not super smokey, the back ribs were quite good, and if you are in the neighborhood, definitely worth investigating (if the previous 200+ positive reviews hadn't already told you that). The sauce they sent along on my take out seems like it has a good dose of liquid smoke in it as well (of which I'm a fan). Otherwise, they were the type of ribs that do NOT fall of the bone (bonus), and their pink and moist (ha) presentation, were the first signs of a cared for product. If I may pull one element from the initial visit, their pecan pie is reputed to be "one of the best." If I'm in the area, I'm happy to stop in again for a return visit, but, I will say that if I'm on the north side, Smoque is where I will seek out 5 stars.
(4)Ale M.
So the husband and I decided to try a different restaurant in our new neighborhood and I'm glad we came here. It was a Sunday evening and as we were walking in there was a band setting up...which was such a treat to hear a live jazz band while having dinner! There is no host at the entrance so you can sit where ever you please. We sat at a table across from the bar because we wanted to hear the live music. Our waitress was super friendly, attentive and knowledgeable with the menu items. We had the St. Louis ribs because they were out of the baby back ribs, which were pretty good and fell off the bone! We had fried green tomatoes, mac and cheese which both were super yummy. My only complaint would be the mash potatoes, they were bland and tasted like they were made from a box of instant mash potatoes (not impressed.) Overall I was very pleased with the food and service and we will definitely be back. I'm not a drinker but my husband is and he was pleased with the cocktails as well!
(4)julie q.
Went back last night and ate some good stuff. Pulled pork dunkys...sooooo soooo good. Beef brisket was a bit "beefy" and fatty for my liking. Mac n Chz was heavenly!!!!! I agree with a few other yelpers - when you pay $20 for a full slab of ribs, the least they could do is give you cornbread instead of a stupid dinner roll. Other than that...I love the food here and the atmosphere even more.
(4)Joshua N.
Honky Tonk BBQ would be my favorite BBQ place in town if Smoque didn't exist. They one amazing hot link! I recommend going with a few friends so you can share the BBQ sampler platter. I love how it looks small and run down from the outside, but once you walk through the door you realize that it is a gigantic, nice looking restaurant. Well worth the trip south.
(4)Amy T.
I stumbled upon this place looking for a bar for 16 de septiembre. its no cantina, but i loved it the second I walked in. The mood and lighting is gorgeous at night. There was live music from two hombres playing a mandolin and a harmonica. my pulled pork sandwich, mac n cheese, and lonestar beer were exactly what i needed! i just moved from texas, and i felt right at home, coulda fulled me i was back in austin. definitely going back again. and again. i only wish they had shiner bock on their beer list!!
(5)Chris V.
I was nervous about this place because of all of the up and down reviews. Some people love it., some people hate it. Let's be real hear. This place definitely does not deserve 1 star. For those of you who rated this place with only 1 star, shame on you. The ambiance alone brings this place to at least 2 stars. Classic setting with great jazz music. Totally different than anything I have seen in Chicago. The food was good- nothing mind blowing, but good. The mac & cheese was delicious- and I am a M&C snob. The brisket was good (not dry at all like Christne K. said - in fact don't listen to anything she said). The sauces at this place were great... especially the spicy mustard sauce. A must try. I took 2 stars off of my rating because we had some major service problems. First off, our waters were not filled up the entire meal. I mean, not once. That's a huge problem when you are eating BBQ. It's the first rule in providing excellent service- fill up waiters! Secondly, they brought out our food, and the food runner admitted he dropped my pulled pork sandwich, so he said he would bring me another. It never came, so 30 minutes later I flagged down our waitress and let her know. She brought it out and took it off the bill... which was ok I guess. I haven't eaten the sandwich yet, but it looks good. We also ordered a couple beers, which took at least 25 minutes to get to our table. I would try this place again. Though the restaurant was not too busy, maybe I just caught the service on a bad day. All in all- 3 out of five, great ambiance, ok food, less than par service, with a hipster vibe.
(3)Gamaliel E.
Please only read the bad reviews......I don't want everyone to know how great this place really is! I'd hate to have to wait in line to get into the place. I've been here a few times and can tell you that Willy does his BBQ right. I've had both the baby back ribs, and St.Louis style ribs. I'd have to say I preferred the baby back ribs. I love that the ribs aren't covered in BBQ sauce....you get to decide which sauce you prefer at the table. I like to switch between sauces since its so hard to decide which one is better. My friend ordered the brisket sandwich and loved it. His girlfriend ordered the chicken..which looked sexy. Yeah, i said it...the chicken looked sexy. The staff is nice...and the live music is awesome. Oh yeah...to top it off its BYOB. You can't beat that with a bat. The interior has personality to it...just like the neighborhood it resides in. This place will be on Check Please! in no time.
(5)Carly G.
Finally tried out HT tonight. So happy I have a BBQ place near me. My favs are Fat Willy's and Smoque, but HT now has a place in my heart. We ordered the Sampler Platter so we could try a little bit of everything, as well as an order of Bacon Candy. I love Bacon, love it, and this was a twist on it that took me a little to warm up too. Its confusing only because I was unsure about whether it belonged as a desert or an appetizer, or not at all. I have to try it again when in the mood I guess. The Sampler Platter was great. Sausage juicy, corn bread fresh and hot with real corn in it, beans were tasty, chicken fresh, pulled pork smoky, ribs meaty. The only think I would pass on was the Brisket, it was a little fatty. I loved the coleslaw. I am not a coleslaw person, however this was great. I loved the fact they put parsley in it. Great touch. Overall Tasty food, very affordable and neat atmosphere. I will return.
(4)Suzanne B.
So, the BBQ wasn't perfect but the whole night was just really nice. I went with a bunch of co-workers for happy hour. I tried all three of their bourbon cocktails on the specialty list & I was very happy with them- especially the Old Fashioned. The food was decent & reasonably priced. I had the fried green tomatoes which were very tasty, but the sauce with them was just ketchup with horseradish?? We also had the mac & cheese which was good but not anything special & not nearly as good as my own homemade mac & cheese. I also tried others' pulled pork sandwiches & brisket sandwich. They were both very tender & tasty, but needed some extra sauce --which is provided on the table. Our server was really nice, competent & the room was comfy & fun. Definitely another happy hour or two could happen here & I would be pleased.
(3)Deepak N.
Friendly hip staff. Live music (which im not a fan of - not their fault). Mac n cheese chili was amazing. Bbq platter was avg. Spicy sausage = amazing. Chicken and other items = dry. I guess you would go here more for the drinks and music rather than the food.
(2)P S.
My friend and I ventured down to Pilsen to test out one of the newest BBQ joints in the city with great anticipation. The space is beautiful. It feels and smells just like your favorite neighborhood bbq joint. Smokey, woody, old-timey. The kitchen is huge and open for viewing from the order counter. There are two rooms, a smaller one and a large one that hosts the live music they sometimes have. The prices are about right, $7 for brisket, for example. It's BYOB with a $1 surcharge per person, but they also have cans of Cokes and the like for order. The nearest liquor store is two blocks down, by the way. We ordered a smattering of goods. Brisket, mac & cheese, slaw, pulled pork sliders (two per order), a half rack of baby back ribs and garlic bread. First thing we dove into were the sliders, which were so tender but we noticed right away lacked smoke. In fact, all of the meat lacked smoke. No smoke ring, very little smoke flavor. The ribs were a little bit tough, but the rub was delicious - still though, not very smoky. The two sauces on the table were quite similar, though one was a little more zingy than the other. Both had the consistency of ketchup, so don't go looking for the vinegary, looser Carolina sauce because you won't find it. The garlic bread was awesome, but I could make it myself. Mac & cheese good, but nothing outstanding about it. The brisket was so tender and delicious, but again, no smoke. The sandwiches are served on untoasted Ciabatta bread which we found unfortunately overwhelmed the meat and didn't add to the flavor. They should at least toast the bread, if not swap it for a basic bun, we thought. Overall Honkey Tonk was good, but not great. If they could smoke their meats a little longer and allow the flavor to permeate I think the impact could be great - but for now, it's solidly average or slightly above average. I'll be returning to see how they change over time, but for now I don't think it's a personal destination.
(3)Maggie R.
So I had heard many things about this restaurants, mostly from those who, I would say, are not BBQ enthusiasts/foodies which I consider myself to be. Here are the reasons why I rated so low. 1)They don't have parking, yes, I know it's Chicago but it's a hassel to get decent parking around there. 2)My boyfriend and I had never been to Honky Tonk so we did not know if we would be seated or if we could do so ourselves. We stood around the entrance looking around for a sign that said "sit yourselves" or someone to direct us for about a minute until we asked if we could sit wherever, which the waitress said we could. 3) As far as I know, there is only one restroom for the whole restaurant, correct me if I'm wrong but the one I went to was unisex. 4) We picked a booth ( I do like the seat arrangements) and waited another 5 mins. before we got our waiter. (It was not busy at all, there were 3 other parties of around 3-6 in the second room). We finally got our order in and did not wait long. 5) Reason for my super-low rating is because our waiter sucked!!! He came three times the whole hour and half that we were there. Once to greet/place our order, the other to bring food, and the last one to bring our check and that only happened because we flagged him down. My boyfriend asked for more water and I had asked for another lemonade when he brought our food and we never saw him until we flagged him down for our check. 6) The food was OK, nothing great, especially for a BBQ fanatic like myself. I expected so much more from this place and was very dissapointed. My boyfriend ordered the rib tips and was dissatisfied with how much fat they had, so much that he just stopped eating them and just ate the corn. I got a pulled pork sandwich and I've had better. 7) Sauces- they have 3 different sauces; Original, Tangy, and Garlic. I thought they would have a spicy or sweet sauce but nothing like that. Overall, super dissapointment. I def. will not be returning and I will stick to my other BBQ joints that I already love. If you want to try a really good BBBBQ rest., you should make the drive to downtown La Grange to Q-BBQ, their meat is always so tender, great atmosphere plus not to mention the downtown is spectacular.
(1)Jackie B.
I do need to add that Honky Tonk is no longer BYOB (tear, tear)! I still love it though. Try their chili - I promise you will not be disappointed. I have Honky Tonk chili cravings.... There is a full bar now and they accept credit card which makes the full bar a little friendlier. This is a must-go for any of our out of town guests. Love having it in the neighborhood!
(5)Kevin H.
Simply the best bbq I've ever had. Light on the sauce, which I prefer. The meat was outstanding. The sausage was mind-blowing. Pass on all sides. Update: after more experiences here, the consistency of the BBQ can vary
(4)Jennifer C.
I am shocked by all of the positive reviews, this is by far the worst BBQ both my husband and I have ever had in our lives. When I first walked in and sat down I noticed my seat was dirty. The floor also had not been swept recently. The water tasted absolutely disgusting, I don't know how you can get tap water to taste that bad but it was not at all a good look. My husband and I got the sampler platter and the only edible thing on there really was the corn muffins. The meat was very fattening and flavorless, the sauces were mediocre, the beans were not seasoned and would have been better if they were from a can. We talked to the waitress about how unhappy we were with our meal and we did not have to pay for it so from a customer service standpoint it was ok, but we definitely will not be back.
(1)April L.
I used to go here all the time, and I miss it. Need to go back soon. Their cornbread is wonderful as is their mac and cheese. Brisket is a little too tough for me, but the pulled pork on ciabatta is awesome. Their garlic aioli sauce (maybe a south carolina mustard sauce?) is off-the-hook. The banada pudding is incredible, and I don't even like banana pudding. I appreciate that the cornbread isn't as greasy as Smoke Daddy (whose food I essentially hate), but has as much moistness and flavor. Love the friendly staff, too! And I like that they let you add your own sauces instead of assuming they know which one you'll like.
(5)Rebecca D.
Very good BBQ. Dry rub with sauce on the side. Atmosphere was hipster-urban country-latino/pilsen a refreshingly diverse mix. Live music was nice, but not too loud to talk to the people you came with. Street parking was easy, even on a Sat night. They don't take reservations unless your party is over 6 people, but we didn't have to wait.
(4)Sarah P.
I finally went to Honky Tonk last weekend. The first thing that drew me to this place was the live music. There was a really fun country band that played. We ordered the sampler platter. Now, there were only two of this so it was kind of a ridiculous amount of food for two girls. The platter included sausage, chicken, brisket, pulled pork, corn bread, beans and coleslaw. Everything was delicious. We also ordered mac and cheese, which was really tasty. When I go back I will probably just get a meat dish and side of mac and cheese. My favorite bbq place is Smoque, but Honky Tonk is a nice change because of their full bar and live music. After we ate, we sat at the bar and had a drink and listened to the music for a while longer. Will definitely go back for the food and the live music!
(4)Dexter L.
Great bbq. Excellent smoke and good sauces that all come on the side like they should. Dinners are fairly priced but some of the appetizers are too expensive. The candy bacon is a real trip. This is a great place to go before or after a Sox game.
(5)Nicholas T.
While walking the dogs, I caught the smell of a neighbors BBQ and that's all it took to get my family to visit the Honky Tonk. This is another Chicago restaurant featured in DDD (Diner's, Drive-ins, and Dives) and it lives up to its reputation. The atmosphere was perfect for my tastes. Saloon style restaurant with live music and a huge bar. Tonight wasn't a drinking night but from what I saw, the beer selection is fairly large and they have Rogue Dead Guy on tap. The restaurant is covered wall to wall with paintings to create that old museum look. Very reminiscent of some of my favorite places to eat back in my hometown of Columbus, OH at the Short North. The food was fantastic. It's rare when every single thing you order is good. I had a half slab of St. Louis style ribs with a corn bread muffin. We also ordered fried green tomatoes and mac n cheese to share. The BBQ is done very well here with distinct smoke lines and a rub that makes the meat perfect to eat without the need for a sauce. Honky Tonk does provide a vinegar based sauce and a sweet sauce for you to use on your food. Both are excellent but the vinegar based sauce gets my nod. The fried green tomatoes are a little heavy on the breading side but its not enough to ruin the sourness of the green tomato. No complaints with the mac n cheese either. The dish has a very sharp cheddar taste to it. It's not the best I've ever had (Hoggy's in OH still wins that honor) but it's close. Service was good with a little bit of a long wait for the food but our patience was rewarded. I feel bad for the vegetarians who are missing out on this gem of a BBQ joint.
(4)Joseph L.
Pulled pork sandwich. Corn bread muffins. Mac & cheese.
(5)Kimberly K.
There is a lot of hype about this place and I think it lives up to it! We had the sampler platter, mac & cheese, fried green tomatoes, and banana pudding. All of our items were damn good. The pulled pork was moist and juicy, the chicken and ribs were both falling off the bone tender, and the sauces were great! The garlic mustard sauce was really good, but I think I preferred the bbq vinegar. I mixed them and that was quite tasty. The mac & cheese is some of the best I've had. The banana pudding was also quite good. Definitely save room. The decor is definitely kitschy, but really fun as well. GO THERE.
(5)Patty S.
We went there on a Sat night at 7:30p (prime dinner time) and found a table right away. They also had live music which was a nice touch. The restaurant consists of 3 separate dining areas - each with it's own feel. We were brought water right away and the menus are on the table. My favorite part is that they actually serve drinks! They have this bourbon lemonade drink that was absolutely delicious. It wasn't overpowering, but definitely did it job! As we were walking towards our table, we saw this huge platter of food being placed next to a table next to us and my mouth started to water. Come to find out, it was the sampler platter which in my opinion is the best way to order. It's got a bit of everything on it - what's not to like? On this gigantic plate, it's got brisket, pulled pork, ribs, smoked chicken, links, and corn bread. There are also 3 sauces on the side for your choosing (my favorite dipping sauce was the mustard based one). I really enjoyed the lightness of the smoke flavor. There are some places where the smoke is just over-powering and I can't taste the meat at all. It's not that way at Honky Tonk. The brisket was tender, pull pork was flavorful, the links had a nice smokey and a bit spicy kick to it, and the chicken was not dry at all! I must say my least favorite was the ribs. Not sure what it was about it, but I thought it was off. I will most definitely be back. I think I may have found my new favorite bbq place in the city!
(4)Lindsay R.
Love the food, love the giant portions, love the staff, love the decor. Location is a bit hard to get too if you don't drive but its worth the effort. I will have to say the Banana Pudding is BY FAR the best pudding/dessert I've every tasted. The sauces are amazing and I like being able to put my sauce on because I don't eat spicy stuff so I got to choose another option. I like this place so much I choose this as my Birthday dinner place....so....its that high on my scale.
(5)Van P.
I had ribs at Honky Tonk BBQ (here) and at Robinson's in Lincoln Park ON THE SAME DAY BECAUSE I LOVE RIBS and I gotta say these ribs were superior. More specifically, they have two types of ribs (baby back and St. Louis) and I of course got both and both are excellent! The BBQ sauce selection that is on the table covers a broad range of flavors and the ribs come seasoned but not slathered in sauce, giving you the consumer complete control.
(5)H L.
Service...excellent. Friendly waitstaff. Never had to wait too long for anything. Hot link was excellent. Pulled pork was good. Sliced brisket was very good. Spare rib was a little dry for my taste although my friend loved it. There were three sauces which complemented the food very well. I want to return to try their beef ribs that are offered only on fri and sat.
(4)Ben A.
I'm a huge fan of this place. We are finding more and more excuses to go here as time goes by. Here's what I like about Honky Tonk: - Fantastic Pulled Pork Sandwich on a Ciabatta roll (They recently won an award in the Memphis BBQ cookoff for this item) - 3 tasty barbeque sauces at the table to flavor your food with - Great pork and beans and corn muffins - Some excellent beers on their beer list including (Stone's Arrogant Bastard and Porter, Two Brother's French Country Ale, Konig Pilsener, etc.) - Wonderful and friendly waitresses and waiters. Great service. - Cool art on the walls. The owner has a spare room full of paintings and they rotate them out every so often. They have live country music on some nights. I'm not particularly into that, but some people might be. The beer list, also while not particularly extensive, has some real winners on the list. I also can't stress enough how nice it is to get a bomber of Arrogant Bastard for $9. Go a few blocks down to Simone's and that same beer is $16!! If its your first time at Honky Tonk's and you're with someone else, I highly recommend trying the sampler platter. It's $30, and offers a half slab of ribs, a half smoked chicken, two "dinky dunkers": one pork and one brisket, a hot link , cole slaw, and two corn muffins. This is a good gambit of what they offer and will give you a chance to try everything and figure out what you like the best. I thought the ribs and chicken were decent, but liked the pulled pork the best. Also FYI, their BBQ is more of a memphis style dry rub, so if you like your BBQ well sauced, you'll have to do it to your preference at the table. All 3 sauces are pretty tasty! Whether to grab a beer and hang out or grab dinner with friends, this place is a winner.
(5)Elaine A.
Great food and such a fun atmosphere! The bar is so beautiful, and the live music added to the experience. The pulled pork and beef brisket sandwiches are absolutely delicious. The meat is so tender, juicy and full of flavor! It practically melts in your mouth. The ciabatta bread is a nice compliment. The sides are also just as delicious. Definitely loved the mac n cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, and corn bread. Can't wait for my next BBQ fix!
(4)Khadijah L.
Wow.. really not what I expected it to be. For many months I've heard nothing but raves for Honky Tonk BBQ, but I thought to myself, its BBQ! and I don't eat pork so the idea of BBQ is just 2nd choice for me personally. On my recent visit... 1. OH MY. what a beautiful interior!-- a food establishment rarely induces this reaction. It is very pretty inside. Not what I had expected from a BBQ place. 2. OH MY. The mashed potatoes are too awesome. For my main fare I ordered the beef brisket sandwich, as my BF recommends, and it smells really great (the dry rub spices). Now, I don't like the taste of beef so much, unless its soaked in a lot of juice and gravy. So this tastes very beefy to me and I would probably not get it again. I rather liked the BBQ chicken better. It has a great crispy outer skin and very moist inside. However, for the best roast chicken in the world, see this review: yelp.com/biz/rosa-de-lim… Save room for dessert because the peach cobbler is absolutely stellar!! I could just come here and eat 20 peach cobblers and forgo the BBQ altogether and die happy.
(4)Nathan W.
Addmitedly, I've been wanting to come here since I first heard about it on Check, Please! but hadn't had the occasion to for the longest time. We showed up right before dinner was starting, I guess they close between lunch and dinner sessions. Anyways, there are two things that I love about this place, their BBQ sauces and the lovely rockabilly girl at the counter with the bob hairstyle, candy-apple red lips and great tattoos. I split a sampler platter with my friend and the standouts were the chicken which was perfectly tender and I also really liked the cornbread that was also cooked to perfection. Our ~12 or so ribs were on the tough side and hard to eat. The decor is unique and feels like you are transported to a piecemeal texas roadhouse if I do say so myself. I have to say, I think I'm buying an A La Card set next year after the great deal we got here.
(4)Jen T.
A BBQ place that vegetarians can get into? totally awesome! I went to meet up with some friends who were in the area and who wanted pulled pork and rib tips or whatever. I was a little wary, but I'm so glad I gave it a chance! Between the delicious mac & cheese, cornbread muffins, and the annoyingly named but excellent "what your girlfriend wants" salad w/jicama, goat cheese, and blackberries, I was in hog heaven. They do have a vegetarian sandwich although it seems oddly fancy and un-BBQ, but I would love it if they ever felt like experimenting with a fake meat, old fashioned style BBQ sandwich -- they have (obviously) wonderful sauces!
(4)Six B.
love the meat, hate all the bread! lots of old timey live music that is FUN!
(3)Joe H.
I love BBQ and had heard that this was a must have in Chicago. I ventured over to Pilson for a birthday party and got some Honky Tonk. First off, as a Bar this place rocks! The bar tender was nice and there were two bands. Both of them were awesome, I will be back here drinking for sure. On to the food... I got some brisket and my GF got the pulled pork. I liked my brisket sandwich but my GF was not all that impressed with her pulled pork. The sauces were pretty good, and The mac & Cheese was ok. All in all I probably be more likely to come back to drink than to eat. But that being said I will definitely go back to try the "texas brisket chili with mac", my mouth is watering just typing that. I also intend on trying some ribs. I say give it a try if you like yourself some BBQ.
(4)Devin B.
We were at the art institute so pretty much a straight shot out from roosevelt. Got the "Viking" and the sampler (see photos). Both were really good and actually bbq'd not boiled. So far I would say only smoque would be better or comparable out of the ribs I have tried here. If you go early it is actually a really good place to take kids their noise gets drowned out by the general din. Our waitress Mona was really sweet and helpful and checked in several times never leaving us wanting anything. Oh yeah the funky decorations and odd oil paintings really add to the atmosphere.
(5)J.M S.
Fun atmosphere and tasty food if you're in the area.
(4)Escape C.
Absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Honky Tonk BBQ!!! This place is low-key, yet still lively and fun with an interestingly eclectic atmosphere. Remember people this is BBQ, a place to go to get down and dirty in the meat....it's not trying to be a "fine dining" establishment. One should know going in this is Memphis style bbq, aka cooked and served dry with sauce on the side. So if you like your meats cooked while drenched in sauce, this ain't your place. If you loved perfectly smoked meats that are so flavorful they don't even need the sauce, then Honky Tonk delivers! The pulled pork is award winning, smokey melt in your mouth, pure deliciousness. One of the best pulled porks I have had. The whole chicken is moist and tender, and just falls off the bones. I love their spicy sauce as well, especially with the chicken. This place is the real deal. If you want good bbq, look no further!!
(5)Alex E.
Do not order the baby back ribs or chili. The ribs were too dry and the chili was just plain awful. However, I would go back there for drinks and appetizers. The fried green tomatoes are delicious! They had a dj on friday night playing reggae music. Nice chill place overall though - nice atmosphere.
(3)Edgar D.
Stopped by here a few days ago and enjoyed a nice dinner. Even though Chuck's on 79th seems to get more fanfare, I have to admit that culinarily this place is much better. I would give them another star but the host was less than attentive when we arrived. As we walked in and asked for a table he cut us off to attended to someone else that showed up after we arrived. The dinner made up for it as I had the fried green tomato sliders which were tasty. My wife ordered small sides to mix it up. When we came here before we had their version of a sampler and it was more like a last supper. As much as we tried, between my wife and I we couldn't finish it. Some of the best 'Cue on the south side and like Schwarzenegger said "I'll be back."
(3)Katie H.
1) It's not BYOB anymore - they now have a full bar and 2) cash only Okay, now that's out of the way - hot damn that was good. Two "dinky dunkers" of pulled pork plus a shared side of mac n cheese was enough to fill me to bursting and the BBQ sauce was so good I seriously could have drunk it right from the bottle. Expect a wait (we waited about 20 minutes at 9pm on a Saturday) and expect some amazing BBQ.
(5)David R.
Wow, somehow this place lived up to my high expectations. That's rare. It wasn't quite perfect, but I'm rounding them up to five stars based on some intangibles such as the company and the experience: I simply had a hell of a great time. BYO doesn't usually entice me because I tend not to drink with dinner, but barbecue is the perfect cuisine to accompany with beer, and since I was having a small gathering, two six-packs suited us just fine. They brought an ice container for us to chill the stuff. How cool is that! I also liked the tag-team servicing; it helped contribute to the casual but welcoming vibe that was perfect for the occasion. I love the interior, although hard to describe. It's a little arty but very fun. Of course we mostly came for the food, which was excellent. On the first bite of my brisket sandwich, I called out to deities in which I don't even believe; by the third bite, I was weeping and speaking in tongues. Honestly, I didn't know whether to devour this sandwich or make love to it. Best brisket on earth. No sauce needed, but try it with the garlic/mustard for a bite or two. The brisket was the highlight, and the sandwich is plenty big for a full meal, but there was plenty o' gluttonizing left to do: Baby back ribs: Not quite as tender and fall-off-the-bone as I like, but solid (B) Pulled pork: They should call this "semi-pulled pork" because it is still in big chunks mostly. It works--I like the extra heft, and the meat is very, very good (A-) Beef chili: A bowl of savory fucking amazingness (A) Macaroni and cheese: A little boring; oddly, a light-contrasting option to all the meats, since they don't smother it in cheese as most places do (B) Cole slaw: Good to have something cool and light-ish, but this could use more zing (B) Corn muffin: Fluffy! (B+) Garlic/mustard sauce: Excellent, and went PERFECTLY on the brisket (A) Tangy bbq sauce: Very, very good, perhaps a bit more vinegary and less smoky than I like; went very well with the pork items (A-) Sweet bbq sauce: The weak link of the sauce trio (C) Banana pudding: I don't even have the words. I thought that I was full and could only eat a bite or two of dessert. Wrong! Nearly licked the bowl. (A) Hell, I even loved the plain roll that came with my rib dinner (different from the ciabatta on which the sandwiches are served). Hmm, anything else to say? Probably not. Awesome grub; fun, friendly place...a compelling, independent reason to trek down to Pilsen.
(5)Isabel G.
This is where I go after a long hard day and I want to treat myself to some brisket sandwiches. I get the Dinky Dunkers, both brisket. So heavenly good and afterwards top the meal off with banana pudding. You MUST try the banana pudding. I'm not much for pudding but this is pure heaven. Atmosphere is really charming, staff are friendly and attentive, and the place is just great. Sometimes it's crowded though I've never had to wait for a seat. They added more space which is just as great at the first room. Great BBQ, abundant art on the walls (my favorite piece is the Frida mural), friendly staff. Love it.
(5)DeaconMSA W.
I tried the St. Louis style ribs and the BBQ chicken. Both were very good. We also had some macaroni & cheese. At the end of our meal, a staff member (maybe the owner) came by and suggested we try the banana pudding for dessert. He offered to pay for it if we didn't like it. Needless to say it was as good as promised. Service was great as well. FYI, this is BYOB
(4)Dusty K.
Believe it or not, Honky Tonk was my first BBQ experience. **A small mob forms in the distance and a grizzly man approaches** Grizzly Man: "Are you telling me you never had Southern BBQ?" Me: "Yes, this was my first BBQ experience" Grizzly Man: "Son, you couldn't spot a great BBQ place if it fell out of the sky, landed on your nose, and did a little boogie!" **The crowd cheers it's approval** Ok, before you get on my case about...well about "that"...I want to say 2 quick things. First, I fully anticipate visiting places like Memphis, Kansas City, North Carolina, and the like over my lifetime to experience great BBQ. And second, I still know the difference between great food and bland food since my mouth is a fully functioning mouth quite capable of all it's mouthy duties. I loved Honky Tonk. The waitress we had was very upbeat and I felt she enjoyed working there. That's something you don't get very often these days. I also loved the 2 piece folk/blues music group that started playing at 7 PM the night we went. It definitely added that extra something to complete our experience. I ordered the half slab of the St. Louis cut ribs and split the brisket sandwich with my brother. The ribs were good but the brisket was delicious - an amazing smoky flavor. Also, I believe the owner won 3rd place at Memphis in May for his pulled pork. Next time I will be ordering that along with the beef ribs. The mac and cheese was okay but everyone seemed to really enjoy the banana pudding dessert. Give Honky Tonk a try. Even if you haven't been down South this place will provide a taste of something special a little North of BBQ country. Last note - cash only and BYOB!
(4)Happy Mama M.
This place is GREAT!!!! I am getting a little worried that Im getting addicted. I love the salad!! Its a fun atmosphere and great food. What else could you ask for? Oh, they have a bar too!
(5)Cara N.
I'm glad we waited until the post-Check Please frenzy blew over. This is definitely a ma and pa establishment. Pa even made a visit to our table to ask us how our meal was. We ordered the fried green tomatoes which were delicious. My hubby ordered the ribs and even though I haven't eaten pork in years, they were especially tempting! I had the beef brisket and loved it. Sometimes the beef options at BBQ joints are iffy, but Honky Tonk's brisket was outstanding. I haven't been there on a weekend yet, but I hear it gets pretty crowded. I'd like to check out the live music sometime and fill my belly with their awesome bbq!
(5)Michelle N.
Dry, smoky ribs. Yes, that's the style, but I prefer a moister meat. Good sauce options. Yummy, but overpriced empenadas--$10 for three pieces. Terrific bar, ambiance--a real honky tonk joint. Fun beer with candied bacon. Indifferent service.
(2)Jon P.
I've been on a BBQ roll lately, though not deliberately. After a long BBQ drought, suddenly I've been finding myself at a ton of BBQ places lately, which is fine by me. Before going here, I had never heard of it and had no expectations at all. That all changed once I pulled up to the building--its brick facade is gaudily painted black with red and yellow signage all over it. Interesting... I'm listening... Things were even more interesting inside. Its broken up into 3 sections: a small entrance/takeout area, a dining room and a bar. All serve their purpose. Since we were dining-in, we were seated in the dining room. What a weird room. With a mishmash of different chairs, tables, benches, doors, paintings and pictures everywhere, to say the room has an eclectic feel is a huge understatement. Ultimately, I don't know if I liked it, but hey, at least I'm talking about it? On to the food experience. The waitress was quick and attentive. Since I've been on a ribs kick and have had good luck with them lately, I decided to give them a go (half slab) with some mashed potatoes and a beer. Both of my friends ordered pulled pork sandwiches. After ordering, we must have gotten our food within 5 minutes. Fast is great, but sometimes food can come too fast. That's how I felt this time. That coupled with the fact that ribs can be eaten really quickly, I felt like I was done with my meal before I started. Overall though, I enjoyed my ribs. I don't say that often, so that alone says something about this place. I didn't come away loving it though. Everything came and went too fast. I really need to go again to get a better feel for everything.
(3)Melody L.
This place has great ambiance! A group of us went there on a Friday night. It's a great place for groups. They don't take reservations for groups under 6 or 8 (I don't remember) but if you show up a bit early, you shouldn't have a problem getting a seat. The food is good. I got the ribs, which were great. If you like your ribs to be fall off the bone, this is not the place for you. I like sauce, so it's great they have three sauces on the table. The sides are good, but the yams were a bit too sweet for me. My son loved the mac & cheese and garlic mash. I tasted the pulled pork, which I thought looked like brisket, but it was tasty. The peach cobbler was fantastic. Service was friendly. As the night went on, our server didn't rush us out. We had a nice leisurely dinner. It was enjoyed by all. Parking is not that easy, went around the block a couple of times. I hope to be back soon, but would like to try other BBQ places to compare!
(4)Shauna B.
Look, I'm just gonna say this: you can be too upscale for your own good. I mean, WHO really wants their pulled pork served on ciabatta? Gimme a cheap white hamburger bun any day of the week and keep your hard fancy-pants fight'cha-back bread to yourself. And I can't help adding this: when I pay $5 for fried green tomatoes and get a whole 4 slices in my order, it awakens all the math skills I thought I had forgotten after fifth grade. How much did you have to pay for that tomato that just one slice of it should cost me $1.25? You were robbed. I think I was, too.
(2)Basil T.
Delicious BBQ and live music = good times!
(4)Colleen R.
Honky Tonk may not be the best BBQ in the city (ahem, Smoque), but its atmosphere is so welcoming and lively that I think it truly deserves 5 stars for the experience. Don't get me wrong -- the food is delicious. We sampled a variety of tasty goodies, from pork and brisket sliders to St. Louis-style ribs to the root beer float. The BBQ was juicy, tender and subtly smoky. No complaints there. Even when we didn't have food in front of us, though, Honky Tonk was a fun place to hang out. We chilled at the bar before our meal and listened to the live music playing while wetting our whistles, and once we were seated, the tunes wafting through the door to the large dining room kept the mood going. And our server was darling. While this place might not be a great place for quiet conversation, it's sure to perk you up for a night out on the town. On top of everything else -- they take A La Cards, and with the discount it's really a steal.
(5)ZZ K.
We went here after seeing them on Check Please and we weren't the only ones! We went on Sat (they don't open until 4pm). We got there early so we waited outside for about 20 minutes and were the first ones to place our to-go order (we opted to eat at home). Since this was our first time there we opted for the sampler (which has chicken, pulled pork, ribs, hot links (sausage) and beef brisket, plus corn muffin, slaw and beans. We also got an extra order of the brisket and pork on the ciabatta rolls (Dinky Dunkers). We waited inside while they put our order together and even walked around the restaurant - including the soon to be bar area. The place is certainly eclectic (including the umm...interesting bathroom). The staff was very friendly and we had cups of water while we waited - the bus boy there was super nice. They have music there in the evenings (probably only on the weekend), but we didn't stick around - I'm sure its great. My BF couldn't even wait until we got home and started rummaging through the bags right when we got in the car! We had a few bites and tore into the bags when we got home. The ribs, pork and brisket were great (in that order). The sauce that came with (the sweeter one) was really good, as was the coleslaw and corn muffin. We also had mashed potatoes and they were nice and creamy. The beans were by far the worst thing we got. The chicken was tasty and moist, and the hot links sausage was also pretty good but a bit on the spicy side. My BF has been craving some more of this deliciousness and I'm sure we'll be back soon. This place was very good and I would rank it up there with Smoke. Give em a try y'all! lol
(5)Alf O.
This place is amazing!!! The owners are such nice people, and Willie is a certified bbq champion. The food here is unbelievable, the decor is beautiful, and throw in some live music to make this place a very memorable experience. One of Chicago's treasures.
(5)Elizabeth T.
I find myself again wishing I could go with half-stars on here. I'd give Honky Tonk a solid 3.5 if I could. The sauces are quite possibly the best i have had in the city. So, so good. The meat from the ribs pulled right off the bone, which was awesome. The mac and cheese is yummy, location is great and decor wonderful. I do wish they offered beverages other than soda and water, but it IS BYOB, so I guess that's a mild complaint. Service is so-so and the chicken, while "okay" by my finace's standards, was a tad on the dry side. Overall, though--good stuff. Give em a try! Waaaay better than some other so-called BBQ joints in this town!
(3)Jerome H.
I was SO disappointed in this place, I was just starting to use Yelp when I ran across this place with "amazing authentic BBQ in Pilsen." I have lived here for a while and have to say almost any deviation from charbroiled chicken and Mexican fare is welcomed. But in this case, I was so disappointed. I could have driven to the south side and had some real BBQ and not this sub-par excuse for ribs. Here are the issues: I. WTF, you don't trim the ribs? The membrane on the slab we ordered was still in tact--is this some delicacy where the chef was from? II. Hot Links? YOU WISH! They tasted like frozen and thawed cheap Moo and Oink links. III. The bread was harder than it was for me to believe this place won an award at a BBQ contest. It's hard to screw up ribs, but if you are interested in a method, call or visit this place.
(1)Michael H.
I was here for a party and was lucky enough to sample everything. The pulled pork was incredibly tender; the ribs were a little dry; the sausage and brisket were wonderful; and the mac and cheese was perfect. Nice ambiance in Pilsen (of all places). The bar area is comfortable and the dining area was decorated by paintings seemingly hoisted from garage sales and flea markets in the area. I expect this place to be reviewed on Chicago's Best shortly.
(5)Lori B.
We went to Honky Tonk last night for dinner, fantastic! The St. Louis ribs were the best we've ever had! The beef brisket & pulled pork sandwich's were good, but the ciabatta was to much bread. Mac & cheese was outstanding, the beans were ok, slaw was good, & the cornbread was good (a little dry). We will definitely be back for full slabs of ribs!!
(4)Varsha L.
Went here Sun June 6th,2010 the decor was cool, food was okay, I didnt really try any of the meat items so cannot really comment on that, the fungi sandwich was very bland and a lot of mushrooms, the ciabiata roll it came on was good, greasy and delicious... mashed potatoes were good, I would prob not go back but the husband might want to... I should have got the salad or the empanadas on special...maybe I ordered the wrong thing?
(2)Chris M.
I saw this place on Check Please a few months back and was intrigued. I am always looking for a good barbecue spot and from the review, this place looked good. My girlfriend lives down on the south side and it is nice to find good food options around there. We got take out from here a few weeks back and I think it lived up to the hype. I had the Pulled Pork Sandwich, she had the Funghi Sandwich and we split a side of Mac and Cheese. My only complaint is that I could have used an extra side of BBQ sauce. The portions were huge, the food was tasty and the ciabatta roll on the pulled pork sandwich really hit the spot. My girlfriend is a vegetarian and I really liked the fact that they had a couple of options for her which is rare at a BBQ place. The next time I go, we are definitely going to dine-in, take advantage of the BYOB and chow down on some ribs or the sampler platter.
(4)Carri A.
5 stars for a BBQ place from a Texan vegetarian (a rare breed)? Yup, it's true! So I did not partake in what smelled like some kick ass barbequed meat, but my carnivore friends will testify under the strictest of oaths to its tenderness and overall deliciousness. I will, though, go on for days about the non-meat fare, which there is plenty of. My table ordered several family-sized sides including the phenomenal fried green tomatoes, superb mac & cheese, mashed potatoes and portabello mushrooms. I ordered the Funghi Sandwich and was very pleased with it. (The ciabatta was stellar.) To sum this up quick, the food is amazing. AMAZING/FANTASTIC/DELICIOUS/etc... Also, they have three bottles of different sauces for your dipping and saucing needs - all are spectacular but I kind of want to take a bath in the mustard-based one. It's that good. The service was prompt, friendly and professional. The prices are extremely fair. The decor is so adorable and interesting, even in the bathroom! And it looks like they have some live music at times (we missed out during our meal) but the set up is so cute. I really have nothing bad to say about this place, other than I wish it was closer to me. But thats also a one-way ticket to being 400 pounds. So a blessing in disguise. They can handle big groups and have a super friendly, relaxed vibe about the place. Almost like going home...
(5)Michael T.
Yay! I'm a fan. I learned about HTBBQ from Diners Drive-Ins and Dives (thank God Guy Fieri seems to have a culinary chub for Chicago - he's introduced me to tons of places) and incented a group of exTREMEly reticent gays to leave the cocoon of Boystown for the 3 day journey to Pilsner.. err, Pilsen. Once there, all the terror of driving on LSD without stopping at the Mag Mile soon evaporated - the food was freakin' GOOD. I have learned to appreciate the quirky service cultures associated with 'dives' in exchange for food that will work me over. The ribs? Amazing. Pulled pork? Ditto. Chicken? Why bother with chicken in a BBQ joint!? Also noteworthy was the "OMG! No seriously, OMG!" quality of the banana pudding. It's not something I eat often, but this is what you want it to taste like when you do. Even had some 'Nilla wafers, just like mom used to bake. Get over that it has a practically-in-Indiana location and give it a try.. totally worth it.
(4)Poof A.
The chance to give this gem the stellar review it deserves was one of the reasons I finally caved and joined Yelp (yep, I've been leeching off others' reviews for a while now...) It's not always easy to please a vegetarian and a BBQ fiend in one place. Honky Tonk more than succeeds! BF had the pulled pork sandwich- he swears that the dry rub was so good that it didn't even require the delicious sauces that he put on, and having it on ciabatta was "the icing on the cake" (seriously. his words.) I had the 'what your girlfriend wants' salad (how did they know?!) Delicious, fresh, generous amounts of goat cheese, and really good dressing served on the side. We split the mac and cheese (great, love the crust on top!); a corn muffin (dig the kernels inside); and the coleslaw (note: it's the vinegary kind, not the creamy kind- consider yourselves warned!). Washed it down with ice cold root beer, but the place is also BYOB and there was a liquor store down the block. Our server was lovely and attentive but not overbearing, and the decor in this place is so cute- love how all the tables and chairs are different! We will definitely be making the trip in the future.
(5)NARDO Q.
Before I begin let me say this: Before you are done reading this review, you will have said "Saay whaat?!" to yourself. Three times, I have gone to his place. 1. They took forever and a half to take our order, bring our food and the service was horrible. It was a group of three who went and all three were not satisfied with the service and, to top it off, the food tasted a bit "food truckish." Not to mention really greasy! 2. Against my wishes, my family decided to take my brother there for his birthday - off we went. Again, the service was horrible and everyone else seemed to be getting their things before us. We paid no mind to it and kept enjoying the time we were spending together. The food, once again, nothing impressing that I can't get a local trucker stop or small BBQ joint. 3. AGAIN, against my wished, a group of friends wanted to try this place - I had been drinking and didn't put up much of a fight. BOY DID I GET MAD, when we were waiting to be seated and a group came in 5 minutes after us and were sat before us. Okay, understandable - maybe they were waiting and stepped out, maybe they had reservation - a lot of factors can come into play. Then another group was sat before us. Okay, I had enough. I went to ask someone what was going on, in my calm drunken voice I said, "Well WTF, two groups were sat down before us and we were here first - I don't mean to be rude but thats F'ed up!" They assured us we were next and sure enough 10 minutes after my little conversation we were seated. Now we waited, and waited. Finally someone came asked what we wanted - order was put it. Waited and waited. Went to the washroom. Waited and waited. Finally food came - EVERYTHING WAS WRONG! So we went some stuff back and other cr4p wasn't messed up too bad so that was kept - plus we were all starving at this point. And again, we waited and waited. Food came out, everything seemed alright. Check came and we were being charged for everything that was made!! (Saay Whaat?!) So of course I said, "You must be crazier than a fish with titties to think I'm going to pay for that." It was fixed, and we paid - NO TIP FOR YOU! After telling my experience to a few people they told me similar - with a few exceptions. Here is my conclusion (AND BY NO MEANS AM I SAYING ITS FACT), I believe these guys are racist. Both groups that were sat before us were white, everyone around us was white (or some type of hipster thing) - my friends all agreed they felt like if they were put "in the dark corner of the bar" (Simpsons reference), except for my white friends. Man, I'm sorry but this place is no good for me and my brown/black people, save some time and money and hit up a taco joint.
(1)M. V.
My favorite pulled pork sandwich in Chicago! Add the homemade yellow sauce & its perfection!! I enjoy the mac & cheese & cornbread as sides. Mmmmmm, Honky Tonk does carryout too.
(5)doug k.
Excellent brisket with fun, young predomo Latino crowd....decent live music. Pilsen shld be on every tourists visit list.
(4)Zoran O.
Brisket is out of this world - with their hot sauce - the best I've had outside of the obvious BBQ US cities like Austin, Kansas or East coast. I was very happily surprised bumping into after going there for a birthday celebration and some music. The space is really cozy and casual - as it should be for a meat consuming joint. Really nice and genuine addition to the Chicago's small and tight circle of proper BBQ joints. Looking forward to trying other items on the menu very soon!
(5)Jessica Z.
Honky Tonk is the the reason (besides bacon) I will never be able to stop eating pork. (insert 5 stars for pulled pork here!) The location and atmosphere- unique, laid back, real tonky! (insert 5 stars here). The sides- I do really like some of the side dishes, but some could be improved (insert 4 stars here). A little sadness that they are no longer BYOB; however now they are open late (kitchen closes at 11pm still) (insert 4 stars here). A new southside dining institution: insert 5 stars here! What Smoque is to brisket, Honky Tonk is to pulled pork. I think you go to each of these places for different reasons. Overall, a solid 4.5 stars. If you like pork, you MUST go. You can bring your vegetarian friends too, they have a few options for them.
(4)Pizz o.
Place has really great BBQ. I had pulled pork and it was amazing. Dad had ribs he liked them and so did I. Cole slaw was good. Server was so nice and helpful. Chili left a bit to be desired.
(4)Frank L.
Checked out Honky Tonk BBY the other night and was sadly disappointed. My sister and I shared a half slab of st. louis style ribs, baby back ribs, cornbread muffines and some mac & cheese. I had a sweet tea with the meal. There was no noticeable difference between the baby back and the st. louis style ribs. neither had much flavor without the tableside sauces. (a sweet, a tangy, and a garlic sauce. The sweet seemed to go best with the ribs). The most disappointing thing about the ribs were that you really had to gnaw on the bones to get the meat off. I want my ribs to be "fall off the bone" tender, and this certainly did not meet the standard. I'll concede that someone else might enjoy ribs with a little "game" to them, but I want them to fall apart on the touch/clamp of my teeth. The cornbread muffins are great - definitely order some to pair with your meal (although a half slab does come with a dinner roll and cole slaw that is a bit to vinegar-y.). Mac and cheese was topped with something crunchy, which gave it some texture. The mac and cheese was good - another item you should complement your meal with. I had to do a double take with the sweet tea. There was SO much lemon flavor that i thought I mistakenly ordered a lemonade. Gotta mention the decor too - there is nothing pretentious about this place. during our meal, a couple of guys in cowboy hats played on a semi-stage next to the bar. You feel like you're walking into a saloon from the old west, yet modernized with flat-screen TV's and other modern day amenities. Overall I cannot recommend Honky Tonk BBQ given my taste for super succulent meat on the bone. A big helping of Honky Tonk BBQ for those: who who want a little cowboy flair to go with their bbq. Save your ride for another rodeo: if you're looking for fall-off-the-bone style ribs especially with a little more seasoning to the meat (i.e. before you have to add extra sauce)
(3)Bradley R.
I owe the yelp world a huge apology. I was going through my reviews and I realized I had not submitted one for honkey tonk. My wife and I went there on a cold November Friday night in 2012. The place is super easy to find even for a true suburbanite like myself. Parking was about a half block down so it wasn't to bad either. We waited maybe five minutes to be seated in the main area near the bar. I cant recall what we had for a round of drinks but it didn't piss me off so it must have been OK. I do recall having the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer and being very pleased with them. We had a variety of meats which we both enjoyed for entrees as well as the sides. All of their meats were super tender and well smoked and didn't taste like they had been sitting in a warming oven for the past eight hours like some place that I wont mention their names with a Q in it. The thing I remember the most however was the hot link. I told my wife it was the most incredible sausage I had ever had and she says I raved about it for at least a month. There was a live soloist playing while we ate but the room wasn't to loud for us to talk which we used to do back than. Overall it was a great experience and I hope to get back here one day again.
(4)Christopher G.
Fun spot, cute waitress, but the worst BBQ I've ever had. No smokey flavor to be found. Sauces lacked any special character. They bussed our food off the table with such speed without even asking (turn those tables). Oh, and we drove all that way to try this and they're out of baby backs at 8pm. Not good first impression. I'll stick to Smoke Daddy, baby.
(1)Deez N.
pretty solid for bbq. the smokiness definitely comes out. I have been on a binge of bbq recently and I found honky tonk to be pretty decent. The brisket sandwich was my favorite here. I recently reviewed the places Q, Smoque, Fat Willys, and Smoke Daddy. All in all, the brisket sandwich here is what to come for, however, i liked the sliced brisket at Smoque the best. In terms of ribs, I prefer Q, even though its a bit pricier.
(3)Radish E.
If you're craving some smoked meat, this place will not disappoint. I stick with the pulled pork, which comes piled high on some nice ciabatta. They do take out, but I recommend eating in so you can have your fill of the sauces on the table, all of which are tasty. I love sopping up the sauce with chunks of the bread. The side items aren't a very good value because you get such a small portion. Don't worry, the entree is plenty of food so you don't need any sides. They have some interesting artwork on the walls to check out while you're waiting for your food.
(5)Courtney K.
I absolutely love Honky Tonk BBQ. It is nearby to my apartment, which makes it a great destination for a bike ride around Pilsen. The atmosphere of the restaurant is awesome, and sends me straight back to an old saloon I once visited in South Dakota (vague as hell, right? at least it's a fond memory.) Every time I have been there, there has been live music which really adds to the upbeat mood of the place. I love the dim lighting, the incredibly friendly service, and the pleasant waiting time. The rib tips are always juicy and tasty, and the sauces that are available to mix and match are DELICIOUS. The portions of the sides are also perfect. Please do not miss out on the macaroni and cheese as it is the best I have ever had in my life. Seriously. It is also great that a meal for two can be eaten without making your stomach drop in a bad way when you are handed the bill. Honky Tonk may be a little bit off the beaten path, but that does not mean that it should be overlooked.
(5)Nisa D.
We went in on a Tuesday night, we didn't wait long for seating. The staff was very friendly in funky kind of way. The pork was very tender and the sauce was delicious i love that you get to pick your sauce and put as much as you want on your meat. This time we got the rib tips and they were delish also we got the family size mac n cheese we just love mac n cheese.Over all I had a great experience!
(4)Erica T.
Honky Tonk? (Live bluegrass music playing...) Check. BBQ? (Extensive menu of pulled pork, ribs, smoked chicken, etc. etc. etc.) Check. The name pretty much says it all. OK, well maybe not - here are my two cents: They have an eclectic beer selection - bottles, no beer on tap. The Mac&Cheese was delish - reminded me of my recent trip to N. Carolina. Peach cobbler - best ever! I didn't have BBQ because I had a late lunch that day, so I can't really truly judge, but I sampled a piece of pulled pork - not your typical in that it was dry and not pulled apart, but cut into pieces - but the flavor was pretty good, and there are sauces on the table to smother your meat in.
(4)Y B.
My husband discovered this place a few years ago while repairing their dsl services and decided to bring us here. LOVE the rib tips. Most tender pieces you can try anywhere. Mixed dining crowd and eclectic dining setting makes it homely. I would go back anytime.
(4)Nikki C.
when the owner, sous chef and family put out their best to host a bunch of big drinking and big eating peeps from yelp it all leads to a bunch of meat comas and the need for sweatpants the next few hours if not days. slow smoked meats, home made sauces, and voice quieting sides led to a meat orgy of mega-orgasmic proportions. the place is clean and cozy, live music adding to the circus and smiling and way cute waitresses adding to the mo' bettas. yes, they have me hooked to return and try to repeat the experience. just need to wait awhile until this vytorin restores my HDL levels back to human safe levels. dats good stuffs! loved the sweet potatoes, the ribs, the pulled pork, the peach cobbler, the brisket, the beets, the byob and the love of meat felt around the room.
(5)Carolynne M.
OK, OK, OK, sorry about my April Fool's prank (cough, not really), but here is the REAL and TRUE review that I promised! Oh, uh, first up KUDOS to Carol J, who obviously put a lot of thought and preparation into last nights event and oh my word... This place is UNBELIEVABLE! The only words I can use to describe it would be meat, meat, sauce, and meat! Don't go if you know whats good for you! Seriously, you will have to be rolled out of this place at the end and since there are some hard concrete steps outside, thats gonna hurt! I really don't want to go into too much detail about it (oh, OK if you insist!) Let's just say my all day fasting yesterday in anticipation of that dinner was... completely necessary! *groan* So, just when you think the meat has your full attention, there are these side dishes - one better than the other! Fried green tomatoes, sweet potatoes, coleslaw. Oh man. Not even one tiny thing to complain about. What the heck! Well, I guess there is a good reason this place won at the Memphis BBQ competition! I have never been so full & happy since my last foray into the world of gluttony that is the Wisconsin State Fair. Sweeeeeet. Oh and by the way, this is no joke. If you like BBQ you need to get your butt down to Pilsen, ASAP.
(5)QB Chicago B.
So we were in the mood for some BBQ and heard from a friend that this would be the place, closest to us & should try. Well....it was a'ight....nothing special...just a'ight. The meat had great flavor & was very tender. (baby back ribs) But it was the sauce that got my panties in a bunch. Usually it's the meat that gives you the problem but here, it was the sauce! I tried all 3 that they offered and they progressively got worse. And how does fries not come with BBQ is beyond me but whateves...we tried the Mac...it too was just a'ight. Many southern offerings but none taste quit southern...nothing was horrible but all missing a lil....southern comfort. The fried green tomatoes, candied bacon (my love requested them warm...how they come cold is a wonder...mos def should revamp to serve warm...they smelled sooooo good after they were heated and everyone around us kept asking what the hell we were eating that smelled so yummy), yams...all just a'ight. Wanted desert really bad but after the meal, we decided not to chance it. So to sum it up, in a pinch, want to listen to some live dixie...fall thru...if you want a great southern BBQ meal, keep heading south...pass Pilsen.
(3)link b.
lovely bar...very old. Nicely decorated. Good for pilsen.
(3)Kameko G.
One star is too much for this place. The food was not edible. I bought 2 orders of Viking Short Ribs and you could not even cut the meat there was so much fat. I was so disappointed. Worst food experience ever!!! $50.00 down the drain. Do not go there!!!!
(1)Diana R.
Thanks to Carol J for putting a great event together. All you can eat for $25.... I'm still full. Highlights: Pulled pork..... OMFG, I am never eating pulled pork anywhere else. Also, candied yams and coleslaw. yeah i said coleslaw, it was damn good. Dessert banana pudding.... i think I took the most from the whole table. oops! Also, I like that the owner came by and talked to us for a little bit, he was very relaxed and friendly, made the experience even better.
(5)Marc B.
I'm a total BBQ fan and, to be fair, a bit of a snob. I have strong opinions on the different styles of BBQ (Memphis, Texas, KC, Carolina) and even technique preferences within these styles. So with all the attention Honky Tonk BBQ is getting in Pilsen, I had to go. Full disclosure: Several jobs back, I worked for Honky Tonk BBQ's owner, Willie Wagner, at a printing company his family owned. So when I saw that Willie had left the printing business and gone on the competition BBQ circuit, won some prizes and then opened a restaurant, I was both surprised and intrigued. Gotta say, Willie and his wife Beth have a knack for great BBQ. It is probably the best in the city, outside of maybe a few tiny places on the far South Side from my youth that may or may not even be open any more. Willie does Memphis-style BBQ (my favorite of the four styles) and offers two cuts of ribs, brisket, pulled pork, chicken and sausage. We tried the St. Louis style ribs and the brisket sandwiches as well as the fried green tomato appetizer and the mac and cheese. The brisket was just perfect, lots of smoke and tender meat that still had enough chewiness. Whatever rub he is using works well - and this is where I think Memphis technique is just so much better than the spare Texas style. Put Honky Tonk's brisket against Smoque's (the critic's fave on the North Side which specializes in Texas style BBQ) and there is no comparison - Willie's is just a more interesting, complex take. The ribs were quite good, although not in the class of the brisket. Smoke was perfect as well and I do like the rub quite a bit. But what I typically like about ordering and grilling the St. Louis cut is it gives you more meat to play with. And the cut we had at Honky Tonk were a bit more spare than I'm used to. The end result was a texture more like you get with baby back ribs. Again, nothing wrong with the technique - I just think a meatier slab would be much better. The fried green tomatoes were crunchy and good and the mac and cheese solid - but the meat was clearly the star. We will for sure go back, this is a must stop if you love BBQ. Important note: Honky Tonk only takes cash. Make sure you stop at an ATM on the way.
(4)Fay E.
Came here with a group on a Sunday night to celebrate a friend's birthday. We got there pretty late, considering they close at 8pm. But you wouldn't have known it by the service at all. The servers were awesome, so nice, hung out and joked with us, and let us take our time. They didn't rush us at all, even though we stayed well past closing. I wanted to really love the food, but unfortunately, I didn't. We ordered the Sampler Platter, 1/2 slab of baby back ribs, mac n' cheese, beans with pork, sweet potatoes, peach cobbler and pecan pie. I love dry rub ribs and will always compare them all to the ones I've had in Memphis. But I didn't think these had much flavor at all, neither did the chicken. The chicken actually looked a little unappetizing because of the light color of the skin. You definitely needed to use the sauces on the table on everything. The sauces were pretty good though. The sides and desserts were just okay. Nothing really stood out here, which is sad, considering I've heard so much hype on various TV shows.
(2)Damon M.
GREAT BBQ! I would consider myself somewhat of a wannabe BBQ connoisseur. The "wannabe" comes from lack of an official title. I have traveled all over this great land and have tasted all types of barbecue. Honky Tonk is absolutely top notch. Definitely have to try the split Dinky Dunkers to get a good sampling of the pork and brisket. I would advise against smothering in one of the EXCELLENT 3 table sauce options right off the bat, but rather pace your self and throw in some sauce variety with each bite. Like I said, each sauce is excellent and unique. The sides we had are also phenomenal. Mac 'n Cheese, garlic mashed, and slaw. make sure to note, these are individual sides, not sharing apps. Maybe because I'm a hog and everything was so good that I didn't want to share, but that is neither here nor there. Possibly the best feature of this amazing restaurant is that it's BYO. WHY O WHY can't all restaurants adopt this amazing trend??? The decor is fantastic - always something to look at. Really great artwork adorn the walls with everything from Dean in Giant, to Dorothy in Wizard, to a Fridaesque mural, to one of the crazier paintings that you could stare at for 20 minutes and still find something new. The music is great. I definitely do not consider myself a country music fan, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the band channeling Hank Williams throughout their set. You just can't help the toe from tapping along. We also had the opportunity to meet Willie, the Tonk's gracious and passionate owner. You could tell from the look in his eye that he knows good barbecue. Not just "knows" like knows a recipe or two... I'm saying he "knows" in the way where the gods of barbecue come to him at night and whisper in his ear. Possibly the greatest feature of this incredible spot is the one you notice as you leave, but is a quick reminder that you will be back very soon. I am speaking of the "kick here" sign on the back of the entry door. I highly enjoyed kicking there, and look forward to go back to the Tonk soon, just so I can leave and kick again - Don't know what I'm talking about? You better head on over to find out.
(5)Edward L.
Oh A La Card. You've provided me with such insight into an otherwise insurmountable culinary journey. I went to Honky Tonk BBQ at the behest of an oft-unused A La Card. Being a native Texan I'm a little wary about barbecue especially in Illinois. Honky Tonk is a pretty tasty place but nothing extraordinarily write-home about (especially to a mom that still lives in Texas). Good: Service was pretty good. The place was pretty empty for a Sunday at around 8 pm there was one other dining table. Food came out quickly. Most of the food was pretty good. The hot link was especially tasty and the brisket was moist and flavorful without feeling too fatty. The sauces were pretty standard vinegar-based "tangy" and "sweet". The sweet was the better of the two -- offering a thick, rich, brown sugary sweetness. The tangy was just a thinner version with more vinegar to stretch it out. My favorite part was the peach cobbler. Warm and gooey without the processed peach taste and a scoop of severely rich ice cream on top. Not so good: The ribs were dry and light on the meat. The sides (beans and coleslaw) were forgettable. It's also a restaurant/bar so there were many people talking obnoxiously loud at the bar about topics that were not too appetizing. Also, the straws were inexplicably made of cardboard (or a cardboard-like material) that was odd but did result in a nice conversation piece. Bottom Line: Good (not great) option for smoked meats in Pilsen.
(3)Dee M.
Friends of ours mentioned this place and loved the food. I saw this place showcased on Metro Mix so I was confident that with a recommendation it would be fine. Let's look at how things really played out. FIRST Time- Big football game day, Sunday- Call in the order, ask if they deliver, they said, not today, okay, we pick it up, Good food, links were awesome, potatoes have actual garlic in them, mac and cheese was okay. SECOND Time- Call at about noon- asked if they delivered because I wanted to place my order before leaving the office. They tell me, not sure, call back at 3 pm, okay I did, do you deliver? Uhhhhhh, no. OKAY, place the order anyway and pick up on the way home from work. THIRD time- big game night- call to order, they tell us ...wait for it............. we ran out of food. WHAT??!!!!! AUGH!!!! Drove past their place and low and behold!!!!! Their signs says, you guessed it.......WE DELIVER.........oh, really? My gripe with this place is that they are still unsure how to run a business. There is no consistency. Unpredictable. Delivery or not...food or not. If we order from here again, we will have a plan B...it's disappointing. Get your stuff together people. Your food is good but like some good friends, you just can't be counted on. Sorry
(3)Ginger W.
I saw this place on Check Please and decided to give it a try. We showed up at 8:15 on Saturday night and stood in an overly crowded room until we were finally seated at 9:45. There were a couple of tables in the middle of this room with people eating. One table finished and I heard him ask the waitress if she needed the table, and she said NO!! So this guy just sits and hangs out while several other people had to stand around waiting. They also had a couple sitting at a table for four while a table for 2 sat empty. No one asked them to move to a different table for more room, so we just stood there hoping we would be seated soon. Around 9:00 the owner came by to tell us they were "low on ribs". Okay, there's still a lot of other things on the menu so no problem. When we were finally seated, the unapologetic waitress tells us "your only options left are pulled pork, beef ribs, garlic bread, and macaroni and cheese". EVERY other item was GONE. They had told us early they were low on ribs, no one mentioned they were running out of all the food they had on the menu. The waitress then tells us "you are lucky to get the beef ribs. We usually run out of those by 7:00". Really? Well then why the fuck don't you get some more?! Or at least let people know if they come in after 7 then the kitchen won't have anymore food left!! We should have just left but for some stupid reason we stayed. Half of us went with pulled pork, the other half ordered the beef ribs. When their so called award winning pulled pork arrived, it was cold and bland. Someone asked us how things were, so we told them the sandwiches were cold. They microwaved them and returned them to us but they still weren't any good. Later they did make an effort and brought us out a cold half slab of the st. louis ribs (I thought they were OUT??) and they were not good either. When the waitress brought our check, she said she didn't charge us a corkage fee since "there's no point irritating you with the charge" and walked off. I know it's not her fault for the majority of the problems but she was kind of a shit to us about everything. Seriously, one of the worst places I've been to in Chicago.
(1)Kevin L.
I stopped by the other week and I'll give it a high "SPF" rating( Service, Price and flavor). We walked in and were giving a genuine greeting, not just one of those walmart greetings. The decor made you feel like you were not in the city. Very down to earth country feel, especially with the live music. The servers were really friendly and upbeat. they answered all our question, gave good suggestion and never lead us wrong. they made sure we had everything we needed and check up on us. The half chicken was very nice, juicey, and season very well. The st. louis and baby back ribs were very yummy. Their house sauces were not to my liking but they were not back, I just like bbq sauce to be a little smokier. But the best part of my dinning experience there was the Mac N Cheese. Three cheese mac with bread crumbs, wow, I not going to describe it just go get it if you are around the area. This place is worth your time and money.
(5)Windy R.
Walked in and there was nobody at the bar or even in the front room to direct us. We didn't know if it was seat yourself or not. Decided to pick a table and sit down which as it turns out is how it works. Took another 7 or 8 minutes for a waitress to show up at our table. Service was very slow although the waitress, food runner, etc were all friendly enough. Food was average at best. There was a lot of fat on my pulled pork. You have to add your own sauce so there isn't much flavor on the meat without the sauce. The bun it comes in is so large it falls apart. The bun was seasoned and was tasty but overwhelms the meat. We also had ribs and mac and cheese. The ribs were extremely dry and overcooked with little taste. The mac and cheese was good. We hated the cole slaw. Nobody at my table would eat it after one bite. Another gripe was that they don't have an option for french fries as a side. We like fries with our BBQ and that was not an option. There is also no kid's menu and the menu is not kid friendly except for the mac and cheese. We won't be back. There are other much better BBQ options in the city.
(2)W Q.
Lesson learned--never let a rockabilly make your ribs. They were so fatty and gross they ended up barfed up into a pile of snow. The pulled pork was fatty as well, plus bland. Good meat shouldn't take more than a little squirt squirty of bbq sauce but I had to drench mine just to get some flavor.
(1)brian d.
great food, great room, great service and awesome music!
(4)H S.
Pulled pork sandwich is as good as it gets and they don't skimp out on the pork. The ribs are excellent as well. Worth a try!
(4)Mark L.
I have to admit up front that I love ribs from Gale St Inn, and that's the standard that I compare other rib joints to. I realize that ribs from places like Honky Tonk, are deep smoked for a long time, and are usually not as tender as Gale St. That being said, I still like to try new places for BBQ. I had high hopes for HT, but was let down from the moment we walked through the door. We waited at the front, where one would expect a hostess to be. We waited and waited, all the while staff kept walking past us without asking if we had been taken care of. After around 10 minutes of the uneasiness of just standing there, I asked if we were supposed to talk to someone about a table, or if it was self-service seating. The waitress said she would try to find a table for us. She did find one and said she'd clear it off for us. Once again we found ourselves just standing there, as the waitress never returned. Luckily someone else took it upon them self to prep the table. Not a great start, but a good meal could easily erase the bad start. I ordered a slab of baby backs, and my wife asked for a pulled pork sandwich, along with a large mac n' cheese as an appetizer. We waited at least 30 minutes before the waitress came and told us there was a delay due to a 'technical issue' in the kitchen. Eventually, the meal came, appetizer and dinners together. The mac was more like mac and no cheese. Very poorly made and bland tasting. The real disappointment was the ribs. I have smoked ribs in my Weber a few times, and these were identical to mine. Not tender, but chewy and a little tough, with very little meat. Maybe they order a cheaper cut to keep their price down? I did like the flavor of the dry rub they use, and the sauces on the table were pretty good also. My wife liked her pulled pork sandwich and the sauces also. I expected that 'award winning' ribs would be better than what I could make at home, but I guess not. After we were done, I asked the waitress if they had any wet naps, a standard item at BBQ joints. She returned with 2 paper towels, one with water and one dry. Not what I really asked for..... The best part of the evening was the price, very reasonable at $35 for the both of us. If it wouldn't have been for the price, I would have given them 1 star. I wasn't crazy about the neighborhood, safety-wise. As soon as we parked, a tattooed gang-banger wanna be was eying our car. I couldn't get that image out of my mind during the dinner. The car was intact, so no harm done. Also, there were a lot of people walking in the front door, and wandering around trying to get seated. They need a designated greeting area for a hostess. I like to give a restaurant at least a couple of tries before I write them off, so we will be going back, maybe I'll try the St. Louis ribs and a different side.
(2)gary g.
i am not really a big fan of BBQ food but this place is great. i go here with a friend of mine and we order the same thing everytime. i get the ribtips and she gets the brisket sandwich. i would like to try something else and i know i wouldnt be disappointed but its hard to pass up the ribtips. its a dry rub on the ribs so you dont get dirty while you eat. there is a few choices of BBQ sauce that you can add on the table. its a good place to go have a few beers with your buddies but i like to watch ESPN or a game if im drinking and i dont remember seeing tvs there. all in all though i strongly recommend.
(4)B. L.
I love this place! It has an awesome casual & fun ambiance, with live music and awesome art work covering the walls, but best of all the food is delicious and really, really affordable. I'm going to become a regular here in no time.
(5)Mina G.
My husband and I had dinner at Honky Tonk tonight because we have been hearing rave reviews about it. Including an interview some time back on NPR about the BBQ sauce. Then we saw that it was featured on Check Please and we figured we better hurry and see what all the rage is about. We were lucky to beat the dinner rush, we got there about six and left about an hour later when the crowds were arriving. I got the baby back ribs--this one was a clear winner--it was like summer in my mouth. My husband got the pulled pork sandwich and we both agreed that it was pretty mediocre. The BBQ sauces were pretty awesome and that made the pulled pork bearable. The sides are a tad bit on the modest side especially when you factor in the price. There was nothing spectacular about them. The cornbread muffins were baked too long and blackened towards the bottom, dry and bland. (The Jiffy box mix turns out a more delectable batch.) The mac n cheese was nothing to run home about and we suspect the pork and beans were from a can. The cole slaw was nothing inspiring. The stingy sides were for good reason, it meant plenty of room for desert. We shared a Banana Pudding dish. And that was a clear winner, it was sweet, creamy, and pretty heavenly. The decor was pretty eclectic and kitschy. I didn't mind the ceramic pigs, or the print of Johnny Cash or the HUGE Marcos Raya wall mural. What could have improved my experience would have been comfortable seating. The theater seats lining their west dining room wall did not make for the most comfortable seating but it was one of our only options since the other smaller tables with two regular chairs were taken and we didn't exactly want to take up a table for a party of six. Is the stage area for the live music really necessary? Bathroom was clean but out of tp...ahem, luckily I was only in there to wash my hands before dinner and there were plenty of paper towels. The waitress and busboy should switch jobs. He needs a promotion and she needs a demotion. Her service was dry and she seemed confused but the busboy was super nice, friendly and knowledgeable--he volunteered to share the specials and encouraged us to save room for desert, she seemed to just want to turn the table and collect her tip. We were a little slow to order but the food arrived quickly. We will probably only return for takeout (and that's because we finally have a decent BBQ place close to us.) We will stick to the meats and deserts.
(3)Sean C.
this place is freakin great.......twe tried the pulled pork, baby back ribs, and the rib tips.....all good, the fried green tomatoes and mac and cheese were silly good. when you do try this place, you CANNOT leave without having desert, because it is really the icing on the cake.we had tried the banana bread pudding, and the peach cobbler, and I was shaking my head with every bite. the live music and good service made the experience that much better.
(5)Jen M.
This is my new favorite spot in Chicago. I visited in January during a blizzard with a large group and Honky Tonk was full of life. The ambiance was fun and upbeat and there just happened to be live music that night! We brought a few bottles of wine & beer since it's a BYOB and the staff was accommodating. They gave us buckets of ice to put our beer in and provided a bottle opener. The service is great - friendly, helpful and down to earth. All the sides are delicious. We tried almost everyone and I would recommend the pork & beans, mac & cheese and mashed potatoes. The pulled pork sandwich is smoky and tender. The BBQ sauces are great, I used both on my sandwich. I ended up coming back 2 weeks later and tried the chili which is very hearty and flavorful. I went home full, tipsy and very satisfied.
(5)Abbey H.
I've lived across the street from Honky Tonk for a couple years now and when it was just the restaurant, I'll admit that I wasn't really all that interested. As a vegetarian, a place with "BBQ" in the title doesn't really pique my interest (though there are a couple vegetarian entrees on the menu and some tasty sides-- Fried Green Tomatos? Yes please!). But the new bar that they've opened has quickly become a solid reason for me to never to move out of the neighborhood. It's so wonderfully laid back, dark but not too dark, great live music, never empty but never too crowded, lots of funky things to look at on the walls and the most gorgeous old bar I've ever seen. We were told the building used to be a union hall and the bar was brought down from the second floor piece by piece. I can't imagine what a hassle that was, but it was totally worth it. Plus, the drinks are cheap, the staff is friendly and you can almost always get a comfy booth to sit at-- what more could you ask for?
(5)A M.
I am a fan of the brisket and their desserts. It's close to the house and good. Can't ask for any better. And if you go on a certain day, they had 2 guys playing the youkalaylees. It's a neat place. Def have to check out.
(4)Tom A.
I saw this restaurant on the PBS, "Check Please" program. They raved about the place and I went there with high expectations. My advice is don't believe the hype. The restaurant is located in the rejuvenated Pilsen area. The restaurant is housed in a beat-up building that was formerly the home of a bar. I went there on a Saturday night and the place was very crowded (Check Please was repeated the previous night). The restaurant is in dire need of repair and...well, furniture. I felt like I was eating in a Thrift store. Service was very slow. While waiting, I had a conversation with an older man at the next table. He was eating a slab of St. Louis ribs. I asked him how the ribs were and he said he has had "much better ribs, all across Chicago." I dismissed his opinion, until I received my food. I ordered their baby backs and my companion had a pulled pork sandy. Both were devoid of taste and barely adequate. Both dishes were dry and tasteless. The sides of slaw, mac and cheese and green fried tomatoes were adequate. The mac and cheese looked like it came right out of the box from Kraft. The slaw is of the vinegar variety. The green fried tomatoes were nothing to write home about. They offer you a choice of three BBQ sauces, all of which were unremarkable The restaurant is BYOB. This is always a great deal, which allows you to buy alcohol at less than half price. However, I would recommend Smoque as an example of what a great BYOB BBQ restaurant could be! Don't believe the hype!
(1)Beer H.
I am so glad that I finally went to Honky Tonk! I could not be happier with my experience! My wife and I went after work this past week. We got there a little late, and there were only a few other tables. However, I am sure this place is booming on Friday and Saturday nights. Our server was very attentive, and our food was out in a flash. I ordered the St Louis style ribs, they were very very very good! I was going to bring half for lunch the next day, but I ended up just finishing them off! My wife got the pulled pork sandwich. Not only was it some of the best looking pork I have ever seen, it tasted great! Nice smoke ring on both the ribs and pork. The mustard sauce was exactly what should be served with St. Louis style ribs if you ask me, so that was a nice addition! They do not serve alcohol, but they are BYOB. They do charge a dollar per person if you bring your own alcohol, but that is nothing! I don't think they even charged us. You can tell that they really care about their product. I will be going here for a long time! I can't wait to goo back!!!!!!!
(5)Jason T.
This is an odd area for a BBQ place. You may only want to carry enough money to pay for your food around this place. The food was just ok. For all the hype that surrounds this place, it wasn't all that. I got the brisket sandwich. It was pretty dry. My friend got the half slab of ribs which barely had any meat on them. The menu is pretty pricey. However, The best thing on the menu is the hot links. The staff was ok and the place was clean. Parking was not good, you will probably have to get a meter. If you live more that 15 minutes away or you are not in the area, don't make a special trip.
(3)Donald R.
We tried Hony Tonk last night at the recommendation of a good friend who lives just down the street from it in Pilsen. We love BBQ and were thrilled to check this one out. We had also not eaten since breakfast and were eager to get our food on. Since many reviewers have already detailed the layout of the place, I won't dwell on that, other than to say the area where you wait for your table is welcoming, but not comfortable. I ordered the baby back ribs, my partner and our buddy ordered the St. Louis ribs. We also tried several sides. The center section of the baby back ribs were meaty and tender, but the only burst of flavor was found in a piece of fat on the back. The meat was tender, but bland. The ends of the rack were dry, to the point of being like jerky. Reviews from our table of the St. Louis ribs were mixed (we brought home quite a few meat laden bones for our dogs). Sides were greatly disappointing too. The pork with beans serving size was embarrassingly small. Seriously...there were maybe 6 tablespoons of beans or less and not a trace of pork. Not one. The seasoning was also heavy handed and did not taste like it had been simmered, but rather added just before serving. The corn muffins (a favorite food of mine) were dry and rather dull. I tried two of them and neither tasted anything like the other. One tasted like the batter had not been mixed well. They were large. That's the best I can say about them. Banana Pudding dessert was delicious, as was the chocolate cheesecake. Service was quite nice. The young man that served us was attentive, personable, and knew his stuff. The bill for 3 came to $68, before tip. Cash only. It was good to get out and try something new, as always. But when we crave BBQ, we'll still want to head to Smoque.
(2)P C.
very good and nice people, and nice atmosphere. TOTAL PACKAGE
(4)cory a.
As a Texan in Chicago, I will tell you straight up that this is great bbq and deserving of the awards it has won. The meat comes sauceless, Memphis style, so you can add your own to your specifications. And the sauces, by the way, are made on the premesis - a bottle of sweet and a bottle of spicy is at your table. The pulled pork is without question my fav, with the brisket a close second. I also strongly recommend the mac n' cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, and the desserts. They also feature some great local country bands on the weekends, which adds to the down-home folk-art ambiance. Right now the place is cash only and BYOB. They've recently expanded into a second dining room/bar, and they are working on a liquor license. I'd say the prices are on-par with similar places in Chicago.
(5)Lauren B.
If craving meat, this place is perfect. I've twice ordered carryout and the service was really quick. The dining area has a laid-back casual vibe, and I believe that it is byob. The menu is rather limited, but both the pulled-pork sandwich and the brisket that I have tried are delicious.
(4)Fredo M.
I have lived in Texas and have traveled to St. Louis and Memphis many times. When I read some of the reviews it is funny how some people don't know a damn thing about BBQ and just make themselves look like idiots, there are many styles of BBQ.I was here when this place first opened and yes it is small and it makes it worse when a bunch inconsiderate people sit around drinking long after their meals due to it being B.Y.O.B. Anyway the food was great not the best BBQ I have ever had but it was very tasty and authentic. This place seems to be doing well and I believe that it is time to expand this the dinning area and change the location of the restrooms.
(4)Tom B.
For those of you who've been to Texas - for a baseline - I'm a huge fan of Rudy's. Anyways, on to Honky Tonk. I was with a group of 6. We were in the dining room at a circular table, perfect for a social group. Nothing special, some cool artwork, some weird. Honestly, who cares, its BBQ, not a high end establishment. It was hot and steamy in there, kind of added to the experience, though I couldn't wait to turn the AC on. We ordered texas brisket chili, mac&cheese, black eyed peas and 2 specials - fried green tomatoes and empanadas. All were very good - favorite was the chili. Perfect for a cold day in chicago, can't wait to visit in the winter and get a huge bowl. For dinners, people ordered ribs, bbq pork sandwiches and the brisket sandwich. All received good reviews - my brisket sandwich was great. I combined a few bbq sauces and the sourdough? bun was a great treat. All in all, left very full and very satisfied. Definitely will return.
(4)Barry G.
I wanted to rate this place on its food alone, without the taint of atmosphere. I got a sampler to go, with a side of mac'n'cheese. I consider myself a hard critic of barbecue. I've had lots of it, some great, some terrible. I prefer pork over beef. I am not a fan of chicken except when fried or in paprikash. I dream of one day being Abe Froman, the sausage king of Chicago. With all of that laid out on the table, with my preferences and prejudices out in the open, here is my rating of the sampler, in order of bad to good. Spare ribs, brisket, pulled pork, back ribs, hot links, chicken. I don't know what what they season their meats with, if anything at all. Everything was bland but with a pleasant but faint smoke aroma. The spare ribs were moist but too lean, and generally didn't taste like much. The brisket was bland and too dry and lean, with a slightly smokier aroma. The pulled pork was bland but with a nice smoke and a little bit of desired fat. The back ribs were nicely done, but bland. The hot links were spot on, but it's hard to screw up a sausage. The surprising winner was the chicken, which was nicely seasoned, beautifully smoked, perfectly fatty, moist breast. I loved it, and may I remind you, I think chicken is booooring. The sauce was nice, a lingering ring of vinegar brought much needed life to the otherwise bland four-legged meats. The cornbread was meh. The mac'n'cheese was not worth $3.50. The cole slaw one-sided, too celeryseedy. The bread was too chewy without a nice crust. At $30, this sampler isn't cheap, and the place doesn't take credit cards. Bring a pile of cash if you're buying for a group. I'll go back a second time, but if things aren't very different, I'll have to say this one isn't worth a third time.
(2)andrea l.
Wow. This place has delicious food, which is good because there isn't really any other BBQ around. I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was awesome. I like when BBQ places let me put my own sauce on, but sometimes the unsauced meat looks pretty gross. This pork was definitely an exception, the meat looked amazing- and it was! All the sauces taste good, so I mixed them all together and it was really tasty. I had the mac n cheese which was pretty good as well. My husband had the st. louis style ribs and he LOVED them, which is hard to do b/c he is extremely picky, he believes these to be better than smoque's. We got to hear an explanation from a lady who I believe is an owner about why st. louis is so much better. You can tell she is passionate about ribs and the proof is in how awesome everything there tastes. We will be going back to try the brisket hopefully soon! Beyond the delicious and fairly priced food, the service was excellent. My new fave BBQ spot
(5)Mark T.
I probably should have gone for the pulled pork, since that is what they got the trophy for at BBQ competition, but I'm a sucker for brisket, and theirs is supposed to be good, so I had to try it - along with a sausage. The sausage was very greasy, and had decent Texas style flavor, although a long way from the best I've had. The mustard BBQ sauce went well with the sausage. The bread on the brisket sandwich was a little crumbly and eventually fell apart, but had a good taste to go with the brisket. The brisket was also greasy and was also a little crumbly. I would rate the BBQ as acceptable, but not great. The place was so dark, it was hard to see my food, but I didn't need to see the dessert. The banana pudding was very, very good! Because it had about 2 inches of whipped cream on top, and vanilla wafers embedded along with pieces of banana, the pudding was closer to a banana cream pie than a pudding. I probably wouldn't go back for the BBQ, but I would definitely go back for the banana pudding.
(3)Aron P.
Best brisket around. Ribs r to die for.
(5)Andy M.
I used to live within a mile of Honky Tonk BBQ. For that reason, I probably gave this place a few more chances than I would have otherwise. The first time I ordered from here, I had the St. Louis ribs, which were pretty bland and overcooked on the ends. None of their sauces were particularly good either, which might explain why they only give them to you on the side. I tried the chili on my second visit, which tasted okay, though was aesthetically extremely unappealing. The color of it was surprisingly dark and there were pools of oil separation that didn't mix into the chili no matter how much I stirred it. On my last visit, I tried the viking beef short ribs, which just flat-out sucked. It was way overpriced, alarmingly fatty and mostly flavorless. Do not get this. I would have appreciated a decent BBQ place close to home, but after a while, I had to give up on Honky Tonk. All the atmosphere in the world doesn't matter if your food is substandard. I've tried a handful of BBQ places in Chicago, and honestly, I don't know of a place I was more disappointed in than Honky Tonk.
(2)Rochelle W.
Overall, the food was delicious and the decor was great as well. The only downside was the wait for a table and the amount of waiting space available. I think we had about a 45 min wait, where I was able to squeeze into a seat at the bar while my boyfriend had to stand behind me and dodge passing servers and other patrons. They had a live country violinist performing, which was entertaining. While we waited we were able to get 4 beers for 10$ which was a good price in my opinion... When our name was called we got a seat in the back dining room. It had a feel of a house in the old south or something, with dishes and pictures and random memorabilia on the wall (think cracker barrel style). Anyway, I got the rib tips, and my bf got the hot link sandwich. I REALLY wanted to try the fried green tomatoes but I remembered I had some homemade ones leftover at my place and opted out. The ribs were VERY tender and the variety of sauces they had were great! My bf enjoyed his sandwich as well, but the highlight was the mac and cheese. Boy was it cheesy, gooey, thick and topped with breadcrumbs....everything i was looking for.... Our total bill was around 30 for the food and drinks. I cant wait to return! (Minus the long uncomfortable wait)
(4)Jeff H.
Hipsters serving BBQ. Our server acted like she was annoyed by us from the get go but manager was very nice. Food had good flavor, but came out room temp. Did like the jazz band that played and the decor was nice.
(3)Jennifer S.
Best barbecue I've had in Chicago. My friend and I ordered the brisket and pulled pork platter to share, which came with one side. We chose mashed potatoes and also ordered fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. The meat was delicious. Loved the barbecue sauces too. The portions were generous. I like the atmosphere with the mirrored bar and live music. Next time, I'll have try different sides and appetizers. I thought the mashed potatoes were too garlicky and their texture felt as if they were from a box. The batter on the fried green tomatoes was too thick- it should just be a thin coating and crispy. And the sauce on the tomatoes tasted like cocktail sauce- strange. But having spent a lot of my life in the deep South, I will say the barbecue is the best I've had in Chicago, which was a nice treat for me.
(4)Lulu R.
I know I am a statistic that gives into fantastic review of places on Yelp and visits them. Its me. Guilty as charged. We share this giant bbq platter that had everything bbq under the sun. It had a pulled pork sandwich which I added the slaw on top of to complete the "pulled pork experience". They had homemade sausages which thier homemade mustard bbq suace was perfect for, brisket perfectly cooked and sliced, and smoked chicken. I really couldn't complain about the food. The server was hard to catch due to the overflow of customers steadily piling in. The walls are like some sort of art show. Some of the paintings are hideous but ...hey this isnt my spot. Real hipster kind of place. Reminded me of wicker park. The place smelled real old though...kind of like moldy wood. It was really loud and we couldnt have too much conversation. The bbq was good though. So its and eye for an eye.
(4)Britney R.
I live 3 blocks away and had not only seen the place 100x but had heard people talk about it several times. I mean, it was on DD&D. So we decided to check it out last weekend. We ordered the bacon candy, which was good, but nothing spectacular. I ordered the pulled pork and baked beans. My bf ordered the brisket and mac n cheese. The beans were completely bland (this is after they bought greens instead of beans). The pulled pork was just ok. The brisket was good and the Mac and cheese was also good. But overall, it was pretty average. Our server was pretty blah and didn't really make the experience much better. I'd like to say I'll be back for the live music, but their drinks/specials are not even that good so... Meh
(2)Michael P.
I'm reading the other reviews thinking of what to put and I'm reading that they won a prize for their pulled pork? So when I asked the waitress the house special, why did she say the brisket? Anyway, I got five slices of brisket on a huge bun - there was not enough brisket for a regular sized sandwich (a rip-off right there) and then they compound it by making it look even smaller on this huge bun. It was all bun. Didn't taste good either, and to be honest, the BBQ sauces tasted off as well. Also got the black-eyed peas. Now, I make BEP at home and they're pretty good - as in, I can eat a pound of them at one sitting. These? Ate two bites - one to try, the second to confirm that they didn't taste any good. Too much pepper or something. Ate a bit of Flowers' veggie sandwich, not good at all - had a funny taste to it. Last, is everyone in Pilsen high and angry? Even had a problem with some pigeons. Not coming back. Save your Q for someplace better. One flag. More flags, more fun!
(1)David C.
Ahhhh go here, worth ..... Just tried this place out randomly since its somewhat close to my place and wow what a joint. Live music starting at 8, great BBQ, great apps, nice ambiance, people are friendly, service is great! It works. Pleasantly surprised 10/10 would bang!
(5)Mr. P.
I have been wanting to come here for years after seeing them on Check Please many years ago. Since they have never been open for lunch, it has been challenging to get here but I finally made it out here last night. Based on currently reviews here that I decided to read AFTER dining there, something has gone very wrong with the food here recently. On a side note, I know my BBQ to a high degree and have experienced even disappointing BBQ places in Chicagoland better than Honky Tonk. I'll just get right to the food: We started with a cup of steak chili. It was not bad, but it reminded me of Chunky Soup sirloin steak chili with more spices and ingredients added to it. I asked the waitress if she recommend the Viking Short Ribs - they SOUNDED amazing and they are only available on Friday and Saturday. They were as pricy as a full slab of ribs - but I have had some great short ribs before at other places (not BBQ, but braised). The waitress said she definitely recommended them. My girlfriend ordered the pulled pork sandwich, and we shared a side of garlic mashed. Viking Short Ribs: It looked wonderful until I cut into it. It was huge but 15% of it was edible meat, the rest was gobs and gobs of fat. The thin layer of meat that was on the surface did not taste good, had little flavor and I had to use the mustard BBQ sauce to make it edible. We complained at the end of our meal that it was inedible and it was mostly fat... I tore it apart looking for meat to eat with no success. She came back and told us "the cow was fatty, sometimes the cow is fatty, I'm very sorry." Hmmm blame the cow! She brought us a free banana pudding dessert which we really didn't want or ask for because we were so disappointed in everything, we ate it anyway and couldn't wait to get out of there. Pulled pork sandwich: Not smokey, little flavor, fatty, NOT PULLED - it was large chunks of pork that had to be cut up with a knife, it was not tender and did not come apart easily. Fat pieces were evident - the fat should have melted off in the BBQ process. Bread on both dishes: Dry, stale, inedible. Coleslaw: Dry, no flavor, no vinegar... maybe it was hiding at the bottom of the dish but it tasted to dry and bland, we were done with it immediately - it tasted like dry salad. Garlic mashed: Very whipped potatoes, with a piece of garlic clove on top. I couldn't taste the garlic very much in the potatoes - they were whipped so fine I almost thought they were boxed mashed potatoes but I found a small chunk of potato in them once in a great while. Sorry Honky Tonk, we shall not be returning. :-( first visit VERY BAD.
(1)Natalie L.
Loved the atmosphere here. Service was good and the prices were reasonable. But I did not care for my pulled pork sandwich. I did not care for the bread and the pork was dry. The mac and cheese was fantastic and everyone else at our table liked their bbq platters. So it seemed like I ordered the wrong thing.
(3)Jennifer K.
Two thumbs down for Honky Tonk. Reasons being: 1) Terrible customer service. Servers being unfriendly is one of the main reasons I'm not coming back. 2) The food is just OK. Yea, it's good, but I've had better. 3) The music is great; just too loud. Plus's 1) The decor is fantastic. 2) The prices on the food is affordable.
(2)Cristina T.
Honky Tonk had been on my Chicago BBQ bucket list for a while, and after I moved pretty close to it, it was only a matter of time before I tried it. We ordered carry out from there on Friday and it only took about 15 minutes to be ready. I loved the interior of the restaurant. It was spacious and there was live music. Definitely would love to come back to watch a band. We ordered the sampler platter and a side order of mac and cheese. Definitely waaaay too much for 2 people, but at least we had plenty of leftovers. The chicken was very moist and delicious as was the brisket. I loved the pulled pork but unfortunately the bf finished off the majority of it. As for the ribs, our 1/2 rack was really small and hardly had any meat. Mac and Cheese was divine. I loved the corkscrew noodles and the white cheese sauce. The coleslaw was also light and refreshing. As for the cornbread? I love all types of cornbread and this one was a unique one. Tasted more like a corn fritter and had big pieces of corn in it. Yummy. Overall, I think I would go back to Honky Tonk more for the atmosphere than the food. There are some standout items, but I will still be on my quest for great BBQ in Chicago.
(4)Jarrod R.
I would give this place three and half stars if that were an option, but can't quite justify four. On a side note, if you are from out of town and taking a cab here make sure you specify the address as S. Racine because as it turns out, N. Racine is nowhere close. After an 86 mile, three hour cab ride (ok slight exaggeration), I was starving in the literal sense and figuratively with anticipation. By the way, you know the cab fare is going to hurt when you've had to stop for gas twice. The location...on S. Racine...as it turns out, is an older building in a slightly shady looking area of town. With that said, when it comes to great BBQ I learned to absolutely never question either. As for the food, I started with a cup of the brisket chili and I will never forget it. This was the first time I've ever seen brisket in chili and it was incredible. The chili was very flavorful with just the right kick of spice and laden with tender chunks of savory brisket. I would definitely go back just for the chili. Another thing the Honky Tonk is doing well is their cornbread. This was a grandma needs to check on her recipe because she's got real competition with this one, kind of good. Unfortunately it was the main course that took this review from a solid four to a three for me. If you've ever read any of my previous BBQ reviews you can probably guess I went with the brisket and in this case, the brisket sandwich. Right off the bat I notice that the brisket is very heavily seasoned, as in on top and after the fact. I am all for a precooked rub, but am not accustomed to seeing legitimate brisket requiring seasoning on top. However the real issue for me was just the immense amount of fat and gristle that was left on the sliced brisket. What can I say, I like my women thick and my brisket thin. It's one thing if it's sliced brisket on a plate where it can easily be trimmed, but not easily option when it's already lathered in sauce and on a sandwich. I am not completely sold on the idea of brisket on seasoned ciabatta bun (as you'll find here) either. Maybe it's just the traditionalist in me, but I prefer my BBQ on plain white sliced bread or a bun. Aside from the food I really liked the unique decor from another era and was especially fond of the painting of Hank Williams Sr. The service here was outstanding and all of the servers were very friendly and attentive. Lastly, the live music was a nice touch and really rounded out the BBQ experience and honky tonk feel.
(3)Eric R.
We had a great time here. There was a live band playing the rock and roll classics, and the BBQ is legit! If it's your first time there the sample platter is the way to go.
(5)Brad S.
A friend and I went after the first round of NFL games a couple Sundays ago and I have to say...AMAZING BBQ!!!! I highly recommend starting (or finishing) with the CANDY BACON!!!! Absolutely....absolutely phenomenal! I ordered the 2 meat combo w/ a hot link and was thoroughly amazed! Only thing I wish they had was a spicy/hot bbq sauce, though I admit I didn't ask if they did. The service was great, we got there right when they opened on a Sunday and got our food relatively quick. Reasonably priced and completely worth it!
(4)Jessica V.
I've came here about four times in the past year.... I really liked it but this last time was bad..... There was 7 of us I bragged about honky tonk a lot to my friends and was let down...... The brisket sandwich was ok but the pulled pork was a joke..... One of my friends got burnt ends and the bread is horrible..... I will not come back because I do not support restaurants that done make things better.... U guys have to do something about ur ciabatta bread..... Guy From food network brought me to this place but again every time it getting worse... Thanks.
(2)James T.
I usually get carry out since it is so close to my apartment. Pretty good BBQ. The brisket and pulled pork meat are tender. The links are good, nothing unique but they are enjoyable. The chili is delicious, comes with huge chunks of meat. The causes I tried were their tangy and sweet. The tangy sauce was meh, but the sweet sauce was damn good. Overall friendly service, large space for groups, and there were times they had my carryout order done within 10 minutes. The prices are comparable to other bbq places like smoque or lillies cues. The 3 stars is for the food. The bbq is pretty good, but I wasn't blown away. That is not a bad thing though. Honky Tonk is a friendly place with a lot of options, so check it out for yourself.
(3)Justin B.
Honky Tonk } Smoque } Pork Shoppe After finally making a trek down to Honky Tonk after what seemed like months on end, I must admit, I am definitely impressed! Walking into the joint I immediately felt I was in for quite a food experience. Just looking at the menu had me jumping in my seat. Bacon candy!? A variety of whiskey cocktails!? Be still my swine beating heart. I opted to go w the brisket sandwich, mac n cheese, garlic mash, and a hot link on the side. The hot link was phenomenal, the garlic mash very light and creamy, the mac n cheese creamy and flavorful, and the brisket...wow. Soft, meaty, succulent pieces of meat piled onto a ciabatta roll...heaven on a bun. I managed to snag a few rib tips from my buddy who went with me and I must admit, they have some beastly sized rib tips! I will definitely be going back here to try the ribs, there was so much on the menu that jumped out at me but I knew not to overload myself. I recommend going with a few of your friends to take advantage of the portion size! Hats off to Honky Tonk!
(5)John M.
Twice I have come here in my search for the perfect beef brisket in Chicago. Twice I was compelled to send the brisket back to get it heated up. In this case, two strikes and you are out. If I wanted cold beef I would go to the deli and order it. I am afraid this place will never live up to it's potential. I don't see it being around too much longer. Too bad. Chicago could have really used another decent place for beef brisket.
(1)Armand K.
Walk in, immediately your mind travels... This place is huge, that art is as eclectic as it gets, and the smell is so incredible it could be a menu item. Okay, now I'm hungry, but wait a beer would be nice. As if your mind was read, a pint of Old Style and a piece of bacon candy for $5, where am I again, because I already don't want to leave. Before I go further, what's bacon candy? A thick cut piece of bacon smoked in maple syrup and crusted with brown sugar. More simply put; amazing. Okay so where were we; beer, check. Appetizer, check. Now for the main course, a sizable half rack of baby back ribs. Smoked for hours, as tender as a beef stew, with a bark like a great oak. On it's own they're good, but after tinkering with the three house sauces (sweet BBQ, tangy BBQ, and garlic mustard) you really have something worth writing home about. Before we finished our meal, a nice added touch was the live pianist. I personally felt like a not so well-dressed cast member dining in a saloon of the Boardwalk Empire stage set. Make your way to the West side and check this place out, 4.5 stars.
(4)Jackie O.
I remember the first time I went here, before there was a snazzy bar. The food was decent, the service was slow as molasses, and the band was great. I couldn't justify a 30min. drive cross-city when I could hit up some great places in my neck of the woods. Now I have that reason, and it is BACON CANDY. They caramelize brown sugar, and then soak bacon in it and let it cool. Crunchy bacon candy. At least, I think that's how it's made. I have no idea. If you have 2-3 people, the $30 sampler patter is the way to go. It comes with pulled pork, brisket, hot links, ribs, chicken, slaw, beans, cornbread... etc. Between two people, we had leftovers. For booze, their bourbon cocktails are well crafted. I had moonshiner's lemonade (but I switched out Maker's for Buillet). If I remember right, and I probably don't, it had Acai berry liquor, bitters, lemonade, and a bourbon soaked cherry.
(5)Juli A.
Damn good BBQ in a neighborhood known for anything but. I remember the first time I ordered and the owner's wife delivered my dinner. They know how to BBQ and while delivery was awesome, I rather prefer dining in.
(4)Raul Z.
I thought it was great good food good beer terrific music live band and not so expensive for two people drinks and food $ 30.00 a person...
(4)Emily C.
Yee-haw. Honky Tonk is famous for their brisket -- stick to it. It was by far the best of all of their meats. I also loved the mac and cheese, which had a sharp cheddary flavor and a hardened parmesan crust. They also have a full bar. Honky Tonk has a large interior and is a great spot for groups. When I went they had live country folk music, which really added to the country-style ambiance. The barbeque is not on the same level as, say, Smoque, but the dining experience is far nicer. In short, go here for ambiance and brisket. Oh, and Pilsen, if that's your thing.
(3)Yesy D.
What can I say I love this place! It's a little pricey but I love the location, atmosphere and of course the food. They have the best beef brisket I've ever tasted and the live music adds to the experience. We've always had great luck with the waiters. Special side note: If you are a garlic lover, you will LOVE the garlic mashed potatoes.
(4)Mandy A.
Came here on a random, rainy Saturday night with the husband and it was, as they say, all that. Had to wait a bit but we grabbed some beers and listened to the live jazz duo. Decor is cool and vintage and farm-y and weird. Lots of portraits of awkward individuals. Once we were seated we decided on the candy bacon as an appetizer. I mean, have you ever eaten bacon with a fork and knife before? You know it's going to kind of be good and make you want to throw up at the same time. The candy glaze and the salt fat made a good combo but holy mother that was like the equivalent of a whole package of bacon from the store. What a way to start it off. We split their sampler platter since we figured it was the best of everything and oh, it was. Ribs, delicious. Pulled pork and brisket sliders, both delicious. Hot links, I don't even consider myself a big sausage fan and these too were delicious. BBQ chicken, yep. Corn bread muffins, hell yes. Skipped the beans because beans are gross. I asked my husband which was his favorite and he couldn't decide. I asked which was his least favorite and he couldn't decide. Hence, everything is awesome. Pretty cheap overall, about $70-ish with a couple drinks. Pretty great date night.
(5)Josan K.
Not the best, not the cheapest, not the greatest. It's decent, but better options for the money. The ambiance is great. Live music, great decor. Helpful, good servers. Candied bacon and beer special is plus!
(3)Michael R.
we own a uber busy venue on Randolph street and I only mention that because we are a food and beverage biased destination. The visit to honky tonk was a total sensory 5 star experience. I will leave the irritating details to the yelpers that feel they are food critics,and probably have not even lived long enough to have any caveat to comment.I do not know how anyone could think other than I do...I always am amazed at the less well traveled and seasoned diner denegrating a genious and well poised establishement.Wait did I just review Yelp reviewers??? :LOL OMG my BFFs
(5)Kat M.
Did you hear the one about the vegetarian who went to the barbeque joint? She had a surprisingly good meal! Normally, I don't seek out such places, but I have married into a pork-loving family, so Father's Day Dinner found me at the Honky Tonk Barbeque seated at a table with several pounds of smoked meat. All in all the experience was not as traumatic as one would think. They don't take reservations for parties smaller than ten, so we had a bit of a wait when we got there at five. That was okay. There was ample room at the bar. Their cocktail list is kinda fun. Nothing that blew me away, but I did enjoy the bourbon-soaked cherries that garnish many a drink. So we sat a bit, enjoying our drinks and listening to a fellow crooning cowboy music (quite a pleasant voice, by the way). And after about 20 minutes, they had a table for us. In-laws ordered many great slabs of meat. I can't say too much about it. They seemed to enjoy it. Everyone was pretty happy when all was done. And I was happy, too. The thing I like about Honky Tonk is that the vegetarian menu does not seem like an afterthought. There's some good stuff there! Most of the sides are veggie. Think traditional comfort food: Mac and Cheese, Candied Yams, Black-eyed peas... You get the picture. The salads are well done. I enjoyed the "Girlfriend Salad" - jicama, blueberries and goat cheese. I also enjoyed the fact that they had a menu item called the Girlfriend Salad! Corn bread muffins are warm and yummy. The "Green BLT" features a tasty fried green tomato, and vegetarians can substitute a Portobello mushroom for the bacon. Great sandwich! I recommend slathering on the garlic mustard sauce. For dessert we shared some peach cobbler and banana pudding - yes, with Nilla Wafers. Both quite good. The place itself is kitschy-cool: amateur artist oil-paintings line the walls. There's live music. Service was a bit on the slow side, but very pleasant. I wouldn't hesitate to go back. In summary: If you are a vegetarian looking to find areas of compromise with the carnivores you love, you'd do well to check out this place. Odds are you will all go home happy.
(4)John I.
Love the Honky Tonk! Great, authentic, small-time live music, excellent Q, delicious cocktails, and though I'm weary now of the exuberance about bacon everywhere, the candied bacon with a beer back sure is sweet. The pulled pork is savory; the brisket is especially good with horseradish and the links hit the smokey spot. The standard sauce is a bit boring, but the "spicy" is tasty (though not really spicy), and the mustard sauce would do the Colonel in the Clue board game right.
(4)Paty S.
I'll just keep my visits here strictly at the bar. Food was bland. Sure, maybe because you need to add the BBQ sauce, but even the BBQ sauce was bland. Doused my pulled pork sandwich and still lacked flavor. When I think BBQ, I can taste the smoked flavor of the meat. Nope, not this time. My husband's chicken was dry also flavorless. I won't even mention that it still had a feather in it. I've been here before for drinks at the bar. I was hoping to be wowed by the food. Unfortunately, it was quite unsatisfying to say the least.
(2)Anthony R.
Went here on a Friday night, called in beforehand and they said it wasn't too busy, got there 5 minutes later and the place was packed. Sat in the corner so the service was shit, but the food arrived fairly quickly. It has a country/rockabilly ambience which I really liked and they had live music when I went there. As for the food, I've had better and I've had worse. I ordered the sampler platter which had a bit of everything. The ribs and chicken were very dry. The brisket, pulled pork, and hot link were all delicious. The slaw wasnt anything special, but the beans were really tasty. The corn muffin was probably my favorite thing on the platter, which is kind of sad for BBQ joint. I'm only giving Honky Tonk 3 stars because it's a quantity over quality place. I was very surprised at how reasonable the check was for the amount of food you get, but that's not always good thing. If you want better BBQ, go to Fat Willy's.
(3)Kellie G.
The ribs were just ok. The service was great, loved the live music. Although I was just stopping through it seemed like a great late night hang out with friends
(3)Rockie N.
Candied bacon. Its good... but be careful how much you eat, or you may become full before the rest of your meal arrives! I split ribs with my buddy. They were fall-off-the bone perfect. The crunch of the edges made for a great texture. I barely even used the BBQ sauces! My sides were just okay. The slaw was nothing to write home about, and the cornbread was alright. The atmosphere is great! We dug the fact that there was a live old-man-jazz band. It reminded us that we were in Chicago! Great service. Great drinks. Decent BBQ. I would totally hang out here if I lived near!
(3)Alejandro H.
Great pulled pork and even better rib tips. They have a very wide beer selection and great music on Fridays, although I'm not sure if they have that any other day. I would have preferred to sit in the front as it seemed to have a better atmosphere but didn't bother me too much to sit in the back, I guess I'll just have to get there sooner.
(4)Shelley D.
This place was great. The atmosphere is really laid back. We got the bacon candy and the empanadas and both were pretty good. We had ribs, coleslaw, mac and cheese, pulled pork, ribs, and the brisket. Everything was great and the sauces were all pretty interesting and good. We ended the night with the banana pudding and the peach cobbler. The peach cobbler was okay but the banana pudding was probably the best part of the night. Not too sweet or too much pudding, just the right amount of everything. We would highly recommend this place!
(4)Jonathan S.
Loving hearing @aaronGetsug play his sax with #LateNightBait
(4)Aimee M.
What I miss most about living in Texas is the BBQ. Particularly warm days dining outside having good BBQ and an ice-cold beer. *Sigh. Honky Tonk did a great job filling that void when I was craving good BBQ. The hubs and I love that even serve Lone Star Beer. There are other beer choices (PBR, Two Brothers, just to name some) but I like to keep it simple when I have BBQ--Miller is just fine by me. The sampler platter is a good place to start if you're unsure of what to try and perfect when you want to share. The BBQ is served sans sauce, but if you feel the need to add some, there are three different ones already on the table. Here's my breakdown: Pulled pork--delicious. Smoky flavor and so tender. Almost don't need to add any sauce. This is my favorite. Chicken--oh so tender and juicy Baby back Ribs--just ok. They seem kinda small and didn't have much meat on them, but the flavor was very good. Sausage--great smoky peppery flavor, a little spicy but not overly so. Brisket--this was good. Very tender. But if you're a fan of TX brisket (the Holy Grail of BBQ in TX) you might feel it's just not the same. But don't skip it, it's very good. Corn muffins--the hubs and I fought over who got the bigger one--yeah, it is that good it made us act like children. Service is friendly throughout. I love the decor and atmosphere. There's a gorgeous dark wood, western style bar--I almost felt like we were in a saloon. Live music on the weekends make it even more fun to visit!
(4)Zach J.
Alright everybody relax! I see bad reviews talking about how dry this stuff is etc....you are not from South Carolina, Kansas City, or Memphis and neither is this place. You are no expert and neither are they. My review is based upon the fact that Chicago is not a BBQ city and never has been, but this place comes the closest you can get to the real deal from the south. You have to have a knack for BBQ to eat here and enjoy it plus you have to realize that you are in CHICAGO not SOUTH CAROLINA, it will not be as good but really good for Chicago. I found the hot links to be the best thing on the menu I still think about those juicy little pieces of meat and I have not eatin here in nearly a year! The service is excellent and friendly and the rest of the dishes were fantastic. The mac and cheese was delicious, and did I recommend the hot links? Oh yes I did, because they are awesome! Please review with a clear mind understand that Chicago is NOT known for BBQ. Just like do you think it would be fair of me to go down to Memphis and trash on every pizza place about how crappy their pizza is? No, it would not be fair because it would be Memphis they don't know squat about pizza.
(5)J J.
Great place. Fantastic food. Very well priced. Service is very friendly. Might even have Willie Owner/Cook/BBQ Professional stop by your table and say hello. I like Sweet Baby Ray's and Smoque but Honky Tonk doesn't suffer from the commercial and "sterile Chicago restaurant scene. BYOB makes the place feel more like a country family BBQ than a stuffy franchise. 1$ surcharge per person for BYOB. Very reasonable. Hope to have my Birthday party here next year!
(5)Allen P.
When you've got SmokeDaddy or Smoque within close driving distance, you can't help but compare. I'm sure HT BBQ cringes when they read about comparisons because based on the atmosphere/ambiance of each location, these are all very different. HTBBQ takes the cake as far as making you feel welcome to be there. Service/staff was great and on top of everything. I had my 2 year old son and no one in my party ordered alcohol (apparent no-no's when dining out on a Saturday night) and the service was awesome. Live music made it a great atmosphere. We ordered just about everything on the menu: Candy Bacon: Good. Like when you dip your bacon in maple syrup. It's cold though and I guess I was expecting it to be warm. Mac & Cheese: a must order, solid Candied Yams: also very good if you like candied yams, not too sweet Garlic Mashed Patatoes: good flavor, but came out kind of cold, must not get ordered a lot because it must have just been reheated Corn Muffin: I thought it was a little dry, others liked it Dinner roll: didn't eat it, cheap and not warm Cole slaw: not good at all, didn't eat it, and I like cole slaw Hot link: delicious, a must get if you're into sausages pulled pork: IMO the best offering on the menu St. Louis ribs: well cooked, best rib option but underwelming Baby Back ribs: bland, well cooked (as in falling off the bone) All the meat needed to be smothered in house sauce to have any real flavor and the house sauces were a-ok at best. It wasn't like a "get me some more of that sauce!" type of thing, but it did the job. If you want a comfortable atmosphere, live music, great service and decent food, this is your place. If you need to be blown away by the food and that's mostly what matters to you, this is not your place.
(3)Luan N.
Don't tell my gut, My honky tonky gut I just don't think he'd understand and if you tell my gut My honky tonky gut He might just blow up and kill this man Tell him what? That Honky Tonk won 3rd place in the Memphis world BBQ championship because over-hype can kill. Does it live up to the distinction? I guess you could say that. My only complaints were that the portion of 1/2 spread of baby back ribs seemed a bit small, I wished they could open up the bar area for more seating, and the front entrance is a bit scary. P.S. sorry for the Billy Ray Cyrus, that song just went viral in my head when I was in there.
(4)Joe P.
The Candied Bacon is worth going a second time for and the brisket is so tender you just want more. I would advise you go in a group so everyone can get something different and share otherwise you might be missing out on something. They don't even get upset when you start a sauce war at your table.
(4)Veronica S.
Have eaten here five times. Really good rib tips, mac and cheese, and peach cobbler, but it takes forever to get the food even if you arrive and order just as they open their doors. Plus last time we were there the air conditioning was broken and it smelled like a backed-up sewer. It's a bit of a hike for us and we have much better BBQ nearer to home. Most likely will not be back.
(3)Cisco D.
My 90 Day Challenge is in Jeopardy with this BBQ that is F I R E !!!! Honky Tonking and stuffing my face off is where it's at !!!!
(5)Andres D.
After watching the Honky Tonk BBQ youtube video of Diners, Drive-in & Dives. I just knew I had to visit this place for some dry rub style ribs cooked over a wood burning flame. My group of 3 attacked the sample platter first with the half slab of baby back ribs. Absolutely superb and the bbq sauce on the table was all the ammo I needed to reach my barbeque utopia. Next we ordered the rib tips plus half slab of st louis ribs. The rib tips were a winner and the st louis were a bit fatty but good, still suggest the baby back instead. The homemade mac n' cheese with bread crumbs and corn muffin was the best I ever had! Although I could have done without the coleslaw..that part was disappointing and I love coleslaw. By the way, they have a full bar now.
(4)Jacob J.
What you should know about Honky Tonk BBQ: BYOB. At the time I dined here it was Cash only (At the time I wrote this review it was cash only, I've been told that since late Jan 2010 they now accept cards, I'm not sure and it's wise to call ahead). Their barbecue is different than most of the BBQ you get most anywhere else in Chicago. It's perfectly cooked meats served plain. You then choose from three sauces (offered on every table) and cover it as much as you like. Their sauces come in; something like a peppery or hickory flavor, honey mustard and a sweet and tangy type. For most that are used to having prepared meats served with sauce applied while cooking, it's a lot different since the sauces are at room temperature. I prefer barbecue with sauce applied while cooking, burnt on, soaking in it, smoked, whichever. I visited with two other guys, one got the pulled pork sandwich, the other the brisket sandwich and myself with rib tips and 2 dinky dunkers of brisket and pulled pork. The brisket was dry and the buddy that ordered that sandwich was not satisfied. The other one with the pulled pork wasn't satisfied either. I thought my dinky dunker pulled pork was fine, once I doused it in sauce. Btw, dinky dunker is just a cute name for mini sandwich, there's nothing extra special about it. The bread was an Artisan sandwich bread, soft on the inside with an almost crisp crust. The rib tips were pretty good served plain over a soggy piece of garlic bread. I took some of my food to go. On day 2 I threw everything into a wok with barbecue sauce, a bit of mango, hot spices and sizzled them all together. I took that soggy garlic bread and toasted it till it became a crisp wafer. Having that bread extra crispy with BBQ'd leftovers was bangin! Oh yea, I also got a corn bread muffin which was sweet to the taste and it contained bits of creamed corn (I'm guessing); which was a nice surprise. If going, I'd suggest going with a group, getting a bunch of food to share like their sampler platter and a few different sides. This way you may still have space for dessert! Pluses.. sweet staff and service with a smile. Our waitress came over often to check up on us and an older lady (maybe the owner) came over just to thanks us for visiting and remind us that they are there to help, that was cool. If hitting the Honky Tonk on a weekend, finding street parking can be a headache and time consuming task but, they are open till 11pm, so there's still time.
(3)mark l.
We give up.
(1)Sia M.
Hands down the BEST pulled pork sandwich you will ever sink your teeth into! However, a bit pricey so I only indulge on special occasions. Location is convenient in that it's easy to locate, but parking is horrendous no matter the time of day.
(4)Ben A.
The meat is all really fatty and not the best. The sauces are pretty good. Excellent sides and bread. Live music adds a lot to the atmosphere. The pulled pork sandwich is the best deal for the money. Skip the Viking Short Ribs.
(3)Will R.
One of my favorite restaurants in the city. The BBQ is hands down some of the finest I've had - and I'm from the south. It's certainly no-frills here with racks of ribs arriving on paper plates, but what it lacks in amenities the place makes up for with incredible BBQ and great entertainment. The Northside Southpaws play bluegrass on Friday night and really put on a terrific show. Service is a little confused at times. It's not always clear if you should order at the counter or not. They didn't have wine glasses once when we showed up and we wound up drinking hooch out of some weird goblet things they came up. Stuff like that doesn't faze me, but someone looking for five-star service should go elsewhere. The husband and wife owners are always around and really treat you like family. The restaurant is clean and bright and features two different sit-down dinning areas. The larger of the two is where the band plays. It's setup a little weird and when it get's crowded there isn't much to do other than to hug the wall and listen to the band. Full racks will run you around $18.00. That's typical for BBQ ribs and there are cheaper items on the menu. I really like the pulled pork BBQ sandwich when I'm feeling to cheap to splurge on ribs.
(5)Lily L.
I had heard several Pilsenites raving about this place for a while, so I was very disappointed when I finally visited. The sauce was bland, the portions too small for the price, the mac & cheese and mashed potatoes tasted straight out of a box, the BBQ only average. The pulled pork was good, but not great, the desert plain. The staff was friendly, and the ambiance welcoming. Family friendly, I wouldn't mind taking my children here. I'm glad I've dinned at Honky Tonk once, just to say I've checked it out for myself. But I probably wouldn't crave a second visit.
(2)Rachel P.
Went there to see a friend's band play, they were great, but the food and menu left a lot to be desired. I was excited to got since the restaurant was featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, however, the pork was not pulled, so it had lots of chunks, and there were lots of fat hunks in my sandwich. The flavor was okay, nothing special and the sauces were fine. We ordered the mac and cheese and coleslaw as sides. The coleslaw was pretty good, but the mac and cheese came out warm/cold so it didn't taste that good. The menu overall was lacking too. They did not have any appetizers that could be split among 4-5 people, like chips and chili, salsa, nacho, artichoke dip etc. All of the apps we 3-4 pieces. I may go back to see my friend's band play again, but I know for sure that I will be eating before.
(1)Matt P.
Great place ... most BBQ places I've been to in the city kind of ape you in their prices, but all you need to do at Honky Tonk is get the sampler for $30, and you're well on your way. It's a pretty great place. The ambiance is really cool, because it's built like you're in this wooden smoke shack (hilariously enough in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood). Our server was super nice, and really helpful. I think Honky Tonk is only second to Fat Willies, but definitely better than Smoque.
(4)Nick Y.
Surprised to see some of the lower ratings on this place, its a GEM of the city. Tough to spot from the street and an awkward climb up some stairs to the front door, but cozy as can be once inside. The food was fantastic, great, smoky BBQ with great sauces, sides and dessert. BYOB is always a great bonus and the Friday night bluegrass live music was an incredible add-on. Recommend this to any/everyone, our 4 person group was raving throughout the experience. Check it out, great neighborhood, great food, great service, great atmosphere. Honky Tonk - A+
(5)Paul K.
We had a meeting of the Chicago Carnivore Club here and Willie could not have been more accommodating! The sides and entrees were fabulous and service was good. Highly recommended for a casual/ funky evening!
(5)Brandon K.
Went there last night for a friends birthday. BYOB made me happy. So did the two guys playing sort of old-time bluegrassy tunes on the mandolin and acoustic guitar. They sounded great. But the food... OK, i've had the pulled pork sandwiches take out on many occasions, so I'm definitely a fan. Had the brisket sandwich last night, and it was pretty solid too. The homemade sauce was yummy indeed. However, I do have a few complaints. It was basically luke warm when they served it to me. The garlic mashed potato portion were harldly garlicky, and definitely small. Especially for the 3.50 they charge for it. I mean, it's mashed potatoes, you got slop that shit on. Why hold back? I was excited to try the cornbread. I don't consider myself a connoisseur of much, but when it comes to cornbread, my palate is quite discerning. Sorry, HTBBQ, it really didn't do it for me. The waitress talked a big game about the chicken, but my friend felt let down in the end. Good vibe of a place tho, even if the rock ' n' roll flames on the outside are a little misleading.
(3)Heidi O.
I really really love this place. I don't go as much as I use to due to lack of time, but I use to eat here at least once a week. The staff is really nice, but genuinely nice, not "I want a good tip" nice. Now that they have a bar and accept credit cards (yay!) this business is going to keep growing. I've never been disappointed in anything I've ever ordered here, and some of the things on the menu seem to continue to improve. I am embarassingly notorious here for my love of the chicken pot pie, which is occassionally on special, but so good I wish they had a call list to tell me when it was going to be on the menu. I've had the recent specials a number of times the last couple of months. The fried goat cheese salad is really good, and the candied bacon is ridiculous. candy. bacon. bacon. How could that not be good? The corn muffins are really yummy. Good mashed potatoes. Obviously, delicious bbq. But the thing that makes this place great I think is that I can bring my vegetarian friends here, and they are more satisfied with the options than with other places in the neighborhood like Skylark. The music here is awesome if you have any taste whatsoever. Now please make me a chicken pot pie.
(5)Susan L.
This place has got to be kidding. Ribs were meatless. It had a smokey taste that was too overwelming and ribs were oversmoked to complete dryness. Ribs were not passable to eat alone in of itself so you must use the BBQ sauce as an add on. Pulled pork and briskets are only okay. Side dishes of macaroni and cheese, mushrooms, yams are better tasting than the ribs. Mac n cheese was definitely good.. However, when I come to a BBQ place, I expect great ribs!! Very disappointing food. Never coming back
(1)Kirsten F.
Great BBQ and great atmosphere. From the moment you walk in you feel like you are stepping back in time. The food is fantastic,my favorite is the pulled pork sandwich paired with a Lone Star. Also, the portobello mushroom melts in your mouth. All of the ribs were yummy, especially with the sweet sauce. The bar looks like an old western saloon and a vintage arm wrestling machine adds to the ambiance. The decor is a delight for the eyes of all ages. Unique paintings and folk art make Honky Tonk BBQ a feast for the eyes too. Be sure to end with the Banana Cream Pudding -- nilla wafers, drowning in vanilla pudding and whipped cream, just like my grandma used to make. Super-delish.
(5)Kika K.
I have been in BBQ withdrawal since living here, so when I heard this had Memphis style BBQ, I grabbed some friends and came as quick as I could. While close, it's not Memphis style. It's still pretty good though. The place seems small, but I think there's another room they had closed off. There's a huge banner over the entrance, so you can't mistake it. It's very casual, and I think the wait staff seemed a little confused when we sat down. Maybe we were supposed to go up to the front to order? They have a decent menu selection. In addition to the pulled pork, I ordered the salad and it was delicious. There's also specials written on a chalkboard next to the register which looked pretty good. I was a little hesitant when I found out there would be a guitar/country singer. That is NOT Memphis style at all. I thought it would be horribly cheesy, and since I hate country music, I thought my ears would hurt the whole time. I was mistaken. The guitar player is very cute, and he grew on me after a couple minutes. Also, this place is BYOB, so grab a couple beers before you come (it's $1/person). It's also cash only, so stop by an ATM.
(4)Joshua R.
The banana pudding with nilla wafers is the best. The atmosphere, awesome. The BBQ is fantastic.
(5)Martha Z.
No more BYO, they got their liquor license.
(4)Tina D.
My BF and I decided to try this spot after watching Chicago's Best. Now I am really going to try this place again. I really wanted to LOVE everything but didnt. The fried green tomatoes were not what they were cracked up to be, although the dipping sauce def plus. The mac and cheese was overcooked and not very flavorful. The chicken was pretty good. Overall, it was a nicely priced. i would love to go back and listen to the live music on the weekend and i will give the food another chance.
(3)Michelle L.
I thouroughly enjoyed my visit to Honkey Tonk. We recieved wonderful service, and had delicious bbq. Our table ordered the Brisket, the Pulled Pork, the short rib special, Mac and Cheese and "What your girlfriend wants Salad". They were all exceptional. Willy makes it all himself. Even the hot sauce is a wonderful house blend. Also, the salad is perfect for hesitant veggie eaters. (not to mention... be sure to indulge in the mac and cheese. it is not to be missed.) Note: there is no Sweet Baby Ray's Q sauce, as another critic wrongfully mentioned. Also, there are windows! The sauces are on the table, it is nice that you dont have to ask for a side of extra sauce, if you are like me. This way, you get to choose which sauce to put on your sandwhiches. Your enthusiastic host is worth the visit. Keep it up. I cant wait to visit on a friday or saturday for the music.
(5)Neil R.
This is not your typical restuarant. First off the neighborhood, as Nancy said there were shots fired fairly close to the restuarant and cops were called on the scene. The door seemed very secure and solid so we were safe in the premises that have no windows? What type of restuarant has 0 windows? I don't recall any windows. There was a cowboy walking around singing in the restuarant in his flannels, cowboy boots and gallon hat. At least he sang happy birthday to the birthday boy. BYOB. I think we brought too much liqour. I believe we had a party of 20 or so and not everyone was drinking, primarily the birthday boy who couldn't hit the toilet bowl. The interior and exterior are awful. I would not recommend this place. Any other restuarant would be just as great. Best part about it was the BYOB. Now to the food. My friend and I shared the food and he ordered EVERYTHING. half slab of St Louis ribs and half of baby back ribs. Somewhat dry. Nothing special, they used sweet baby rays BBQ sauce which I love. The garlic mash potatoes were too buttery. The garlic bread was ok. Beef Brisket was decent once you pile on a lot of BBQ sauce. Pulled Pork, I couldn't even touch. Macaroni and Cheese was awful. Corn Bread was great but I only had a bite.
(2)Sara M.
Who ever thought a restaurant could make you addicted and utterly obsessed with coleslaw?? Random, I know. There is truly something magical about it. I was never even a huge fan of coleslaw UNTIL I put that forkful of crunchy, sugary-tart, creamy glorious-ness in my mouth. More on the magical coleslaw later and let's talk about how I arrived to have this obsession. I would always drive past Honky Tonk on my way from UIC to Bridgeport - and every time I would see that crazy piece of art that sits on the corner of 18th and Racine - I would say to myself "...I need to try that place one of these days". Then I happened to be watching Check Please one day and I saw Honkey Tonk featured on the show - and my thought was cemented - I need to go to this place. So I go... and what the hell in wrong with this place making food so good? The first time I went I ordered - Pulled Pork Sandwich with a side of Coleslaw and Mac & Cheese... and now have been back MANY times and I still order the same thing every time. I can't help myself. Why fix something that isn't broke, non? I went to school for engineering so my composition skills are poor - but let me see if I can layout and describe the meal that I would pick if I was on death row. FIRST! You have to start out with a frosty bottle of Two Brothers Domain Dupage French Country Ale. Because 1. it's delicious. and 2. because you should always support local beer companies . Sorry Goose Island - it was a good run - but with AB owning you now 312 just won't have the same feel. THEN! Fried. Green. Tomatoes. Do I partly order them because it reminds of the movie with the Grandma from Batteries Not Included that I used to watch every Sunday on WGN growing up? Sure... I am nostalgic. I can't help it. The fact that they are breaded morsels of fresh green tomatoes doesn't hurt either - they must coat them in some kind of corn meal - because I love that the breading doesn't fall off right away - which is REALLY hard to do with Fried Green Tomatoes. NEXT! Pulled Pork Sandwich. Always. And. Forever. They break the Kaiser bun mold by putting the sandwich on the softest hoagie bread I have ever had. The pulled pork and the bread just melt into each other. I then take my coleslaw side and put in on my sandwich and give a squirt of that famous mustard they have sitting on the table- while giggling with excitement because I know the flavor explosion that is coming my way. If you do this, when you take a bite you get the ridiculously soft pork that has been waiting for you all day long coupled with the sweet-tangy crunch of the coleslaw. After you have had this combination - you will never be able to go back to eating pulled pork without the slaw ever again. The vinegar-based coleslaw is super fresh - sweet - yet you get this fresh bursts of a peppery flavor at the same time. It's so good, it hurts. I take turns between sandwich bites for the Mac & Cheese and it definitely feels like I am breaking a 10th commandment with each bite. It's sinfully good - especially when you are washing it down with a Two Brothers. The music is always great in the background - adding to your southern experience - and the service is always decent. No Soup Nazi-esque service like the kind you get at Smoque. Get your Midwest panties out of a bunch if you feel like you are waiting too long for your food - the place is always slammed and your meat has been cooking for 12 hours so you can wait another 10 or 15 min. The bill is always a joy to read too - my husband and I would be able to make it out of there for under $25 between us if we didn't have all those Two Brother beers... but even then I don't think we have ever spent over $50 bucks for all the times we have been there. Did I mention that I have to take 1/2 my sandwich home because it's so huge I can't finish it? It's just as delicious the next day too. Who wants to eat the ultimate BBQ delicious-ness on a budget? Ummm... I do. This is why I go to Honkey Tonk.
(5)MaryAnne M.
Me "Would it be in poor form to take my bra off? Since I am so stuffed and my bra seems to be suffocating me?" Fellow diners: "Yes" Me: "Fine. Bra stays on. Dammit." This review is some time in the making and I think I just recently recovered from the meat sweats I encountered. Carol J put together this bbqapalooza. Let's start with the entertainment. Yes, entertainment. A rockabilly guitar type singer. Fun. With out going too much into the menu this is what stood out: Starters: Fried green tomatoes, mushrooms with roasted garlic and bread, candied yams, greens and beets I LOVE yams. Especially since I typically have to wait until fall for them. And beets? I can eat them all day. On to the good stuff: Beef brisket, beef spare ribs and pulled BBQ pork, Pork baby back ribs and pork St. Louis ribs. It was soo much food. And soo good. (See above bra/meat sweats comment.) I just kept eating it like I was trying to prove something. Dessert: Sweet potato pie and peach cobbler. The peach cobbler being the stand out here. The owner Willie Wagner was so nice and attentive to our group. Summary: Get down to Pilsen.
(5)Mika J.
As if the name alone wasn't bad enough...the bbq at Honky Tonk is as authentic as Kenny Roger's face! Since Brisket isn't my "thang", I can't speak on that, but as someone who knows her Southern cuisine, please trust me when I say, the ribs here taste nothing like the coveted delicacy Memphis and KC natives call BBQ. The sauce was boring and the meat lacked real flavor, smelling ALOT smokier than it tasted...how does that happen? (Two stars for the staff who on the whole were pretty friendly.)
(2)Jonathan W.
1) Overrated. 2) Super meh...
(2)David W.
BBQ, BYOB, Pislen? I'm intrigued. In an unassuming store front on 18th street in the heart of Pilsen has bloomed Honky Tonk Barbeque. A simple no frills BBQ joint that has a menu filled with meat and a dining room filled with live music. The entrance to the Honky Tonk is dark black (is there any other kinda black?) and we didn't know if we were walking into the restaurant or into somebody's apartment. We guessed right. However throughout the night would be diners would open up the mail slot and peek through to hedge their bets. Standing in the middle of the Honky Tonk was a man dressed in red. Red shirt, red pants, red shoes, and yes even a red belt. This man also was wielding a guitar and singing both American and Spanish cowboy classics. It couldn't have been more perfect. You order from the counter in the front directly underneath the "Order Here" sign. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich, side of beans & pork, side of coleslaw, and to finish her off some nana pudding. The pork was moist, tender, and seasoned well. It was served on a ciabatta roll which was a pleasant surprise and added a layer of complexity to the simple sandwich. The beans and coleslaw were both delicious. The nana pudding was good, but nothing like my grams used to make. Jeff ordered a full slab of baby backs (they were out of the st. Louis) and housed them down. I think he liked them. Mike ordered the brisket and found it to be a bit on the fatty side, but said it tasted good. Both ordered the corn bread and wouldn't stop telling me how good it was. Neither offered to share! The space itself is.........shitty. I mean it's a BBQ place. You wouldn't want it any other way. The service is......shitty. I mean it's a BBQ place. You wouldn't want it any other way. Despite that, the Honky Tonk has something about it that you just can't help but find endearing. I'm not sure if it was the Pinot we drank, the neighbors we chatted with, the songs we sang, or the pork we put down but we loved this place. I will definitely be heading back. 1 Pulled Pork Sandwich 1 Slab of Ribs 1 Brisket Sandwich 2 Orders of Corn Bread 2 Orders of Beans 1 Order of Slaw ------------------------------------- $40
(4)Constance R.
Honky Tonk is one of my favorite places in the city for these reasons: great music (from blues to jazz to honky-tonk country, I've always enjoyed whatever band they bring in), delicious beer (they must go through a lot of Allagash because it always tastes so fresh and delicious here), AWESOME greens (soooooo gooooood -- they're southern style), and a fun atmosphere. ****I have heard they don't always have the greens, but they have had them every time I've gone. Aside from the greens, my favorite things here are the hot links, the beef brisket sandwich, and the green BLT sandwich (green because it has fried green tomatoes on it). The BLT comes on these fat little buns and I wish it came on regular bread, but other than that it's delicious. If you are a vegetarian but you like comfort food, you can still find a good meal here (plenty of sides, but trust me the greens are the best side -- they may be cooked with meat, though, so you might want to ask). They also have a portabella sandwich that is pretty good, and I bet you could order the green BLT sandwich without the bacon.
(5)Hans H.
Let me preface this by saying that I generally hate pulled pork. US pork is all grain fed and dry and tasteless as eating twine, unless it's marinated to high heaven. Pulled pork to me is like eating ordinary chicken breast put through a dryer. Slather on the sauce just to make it go down... I love Honky tonk's pulled pork. I don't even need their sauce, but the combination of the spicy and sweet sauce on the roll just makes it even better. Perfect combination of spices in the pork, and it just goes down moist and smooth, like a big chunk of dark meat. I had the pork & beans and slaw as sides, and they were both excellent (the beans comes with a big chunk of pulled pork in it too!). The slaw is definitely not the creamy kind, but more vinegar and tartness which is much more to my taste. I've had better beef brisket than from here, however. Try Smoque, up north for the best beef brisket I've ever had. Don't expect to be waited on here too attentively. The food is the focus. Highly recommended!
(5)John S.
WOW! Amazing...great place! I will be a regular. I had the beef brisket sandwich (with a side of real horseradish to spread). This stuff is great! The sauces are excellent (one won third place at a big time BBQ contest). I also had the fried green tomatoes (excellent!) and sampled the mac and cheese (5 cheeses...good/decent...but I am a stickler with mac & cheese and the cheesier/creamier the better). We arrived on Fri night at 7 and by 7:30, it was jumpin. The music is what you would find at a Honky Tonk in Nashville. Artwork fills the walls...givin it that southern country flair. There is nothing like this in Chicago...it's an original. I applaud them for the originality and the food is seriously worth a trip down to Pilsen. The bar has a good line of draft beers/cocktails....even the cherry's they drop in some of the cocktails have a unique taste as they are marinated....they've thought of everything! This one is easy....5 stars.
(5)Connie M.
Honestly, I had only a 2-star experience, but I can't be that harsh on an earnest attempt at BBQ. Maybe my crap meal was a fluke; the owner and master-griller was away at some BBQ contest. So maybe usually it's better. Ergo, 3 stars. I went on a weeknight--no live music, and realistically, there should be no excuses about the lack of service. I waited 30 minutes for a lukewarm, dry brisket. All the sauce in the world couldn't help this brisket. I'm sorry. Seasoned leather is still leather. My garlic mashed potatoes were oddly buttery but not particularly seasoned (like good ol' salt and pepper). They seemed hastily made. It all just seemed half-assed. I'd give it another shot--as long as I have a 6-pack handy...
(3)Gerty L.
Honestly, there's better BBQ out there than what was served at Honky Tonk. We tried the Baby Back Ribs, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Brisket Sandwich, Mac and Cheese, Grilled Portabella, Mashed Potatoes and Beans. We found the meats pretty tasteless and dry. The portabella -- charred to the point that we can only taste the bitterness. Without the bbq sauces, the meats tasted quite bland. We were really hoping for some finger-lickin' stuff. It was really disappointing experience for an establishment claiming to place 3rd at a well-known BBQ Championship event.
(1)Rob P.
It's all about the meat. Owner/meat-meister Willie Wagner (who stopped by our table) is as compulsive about buying the right cuts of beef and pork as we are eating it. And it shows. The delectable hi-protein sampler platter offers an ideal cross section of what the laid back Pilsen joint has to offer. The plate offers tender meaty bites, not too aggressively seasoned, yet each with a distinctive flavor. From there you have the option of going whole hog (or cow) with a full order of brisket, ribs, pulled pork, links or any of the other menu items. Three BBQ sauces (all great) on the table allow you to mix and match to taste. The space, its walls covered with American art (from mid 19th century Romantic prints to contemporary outsider kitsch), is a combination of store fronts, with its focal dining room being an old neighborhood bar. Seating is an anti-trendy odds and ends collection of comfy tables and chairs. Service is casual, but very friendly and efficient. And the bathrooms are kept clean (remember, the cleanliness of the kitchen is directly proportional to the cleanliness of the johns). And you can't beat the price. My group of five hungry bloat-seeking men filled up for about $20 a head (including tax and tip). Can't wait to go back.
(5)Ben C.
This place is amazing! I can't wait to go for the first time, some day. If Dave realizes he hasn't eaten lunch at like 3pm, he will hold out and go to Honky Tonk at 4pm! Jamie says sandwiches are $6. Guess I'll just have to see!
(4)Katie T.
Honk-y-tonk...honk-y-tonk. I absolutely loved this place! Went on a Saturday and had to wait 20 minutes which is fine because it gave us a chance to get our buzz on at the bar. Plus, there was live blues music to enjoy! And of course, we were able to take a look at what people were ordering. We had to get the sampler platter since it was our first time there, seemed like the right choice as every table around us did the same. We got a half slab of the St. Louis ribs, half a roasted chicken, two dreamy sausages, 2 samples of the brisket sandwich, beans and coleslaw. We also ordered the garlic mashed potatoes (shhhh). Oh! and 2 cornbread muffins. All of the meat was tender and dry rubbed to perfection. The chicken had an amazing smoked flavor and the 3 sauces they put on the table were all amazing. I love to mix em together! I will be back again and again. It's in walking distance from my boy's house so - again and again!
(5)harry l.
Having eaten here numerous times before, as well as several take out orders in the bag, I decided to suggest this for our office dinner. The food was great, as always. There were a few minor glitches (ran out of a few items, and forgot to pack one item)--but it was the last order of the night--and a big order, at that. Beth delivered our missing item very promptly, and included a few goodies, as well. Great food, great service! Would def recommend.
(4)Molly S.
Great little gem to have in Pilsen which is basically a Mexican and pizza kind of neighborhood (not that there's anything wrong with that). But, Honky Tonk's brisket will definitely fill the need for some good barbecue. St. Loius ribs were good too - plus two sauces to choose from. I haven't tried everything and think the service is still figuring itself out (i.e. "Am I a full-service restaurant or a take-and-go ribs joint?), but I'll be back.
(4)Andrew B.
Tried the pulled pork, spare ribs, and hot link, no sides. Service was good, and the place smelled properly smoky. The owner was walking around, chatting with customers. Seemed like a pretty friendly place. Parking was a pain in the butt, but that's not Honky Tonk's fault. The "championship" pulled pork was just OK. It was tender and juicy, but didn't have the crispy bits of bark that I love in pulled pork to break up the texture. The rub was grainy and bland -- like Lawry's seasoning salt with a few extra spices thrown in. It came on a huge ciabatta bun that actually was pretty good. It was rather chewy for a sandwich bun, but I ended up dipping big hunks of it in the different sauces. The hot link was good. Like a high-quality piece of sausage cooked over a backyard grill. Doesn't stand up to the quality of the better links in the city (Honey1, Smoque, UJ's), but certainly head and shoulders above the crappy kielbasa that passes for hot link at some places. The spares were the standout. Although the rub was once again a bit off-putting, the meat was tender and flavorful, perched on the bones in a thick, fat sheet. A decent amount of bark added a nice textural contrast. I could take or leave the other dishes, but I would order this again. Three sauces supplied: sweet, tangy, and mustard. Sweet and tangy were both insanely sweet, with the tangy adding a little bit of spice. Mediocre. The mustard was my favorite, with a very viscous texture for the style. Bright and vinegary with a good amount of spicy kick, it went well with the pulled pork.
(3)Manny G.
Worst BBQ ever. I know Chicago is not known for BBQ, but this BBQ is honestly the worst that I've ever had. Don't know where all the hype is coming from. I would rate it a zero if I could.
(1)Noah C.
Overall this was a good place for BBQ. My wife, daughter and I shared the sampler platter and enjoyed everything on the plate! Great smokey BBQ flavor and nice portions for the price. I was not thrilled with the service, a little indifferent. Almost like they were "too cool" for us. Another thing about the experience, the room was freezing!! They were aware of it and tried to do what they could but it was almost unbearable. Lastly, they only take cash. Things could have been a lot worse but they could have been a lot better. The food was worth it but I think I might pass next time.
(3)Tony S.
I was told about this place from a friend and have been wanting to try it. it is now my new faborite place. First of all you walk in and it just reminds me of a restaurant you would find driving down a turn pike in texas. Everything looked fantastic, so me and my good friend Angie wanted to try everything and went with the everything platter for only $30.00. We had tons of food that was great and were absolutley stuffed aftrer that. But we were both craving some chocolate. So the waitress suggested the chocolate cheese cake. "oh my god". Hands down the best cheesecake i have ever had. I definatley look forward to going back there and telling soeim friends about it. It was great. Tony
(5)Rachel H.
My companion and I had a few things to celebrate, and I had put Honky Tonk at the top of my "To Eat" list after I saw their Halloween sign with a skeleton eating some ribs. Har har har. After ordering at the counter, which is built into a facade that looks like a fake barn of some type, we settled into our table in a little nook where I could feel comfortable squeezing the BBQ sauce bottles while making little fart sounds with my mouth. Shockingly I didn't create a BBQ sauce murder scene. Luckily for my companion our food arrived before I could embarrass myself too badly. Damn. I got the half chicken which was dry rubbed with spices and very smoky. When I saw that bird there was a part of me that said "How the Hell will I eat all that?" When I finished the bird, the part of me with no dignity or willpower whatsoever said "I should have gotten the whole chicken." My companion enjoyed his St. Louis style ribs and both of our entrees came with a tangy coleslaw that seemed like it had apple in it. We also both got the roasted portobella mushrooms which was one of their specials and they were delicious. I would definitely come back to check out a pulled pork sandwich or some live Honky Tonk on the weekends. Either that or I'll order the whole chicken and go home and eat it where nobody else can judge my pigginess. Oh and speaking of pigginess, right by the tip bucket there's a plastic mother pig feeding its babies and it has a disturbing number of little plastic nipples. 15, and yes, I counted.
(4)Buzz and Poxie C.
Great BBQ. Saw it on the Food Network and decided to try it.
(4)Becca A.
Honkeytonk BBQ is so damn good! I had the pleasure of going out to eat with two hungry boys so I got to try (basically) everything on the menu that my little heart could handle. I personally ordered the "what your girlfriend wants" salad, served with fresh mixed baby greens, berries, jicama and nuts (drizzled with real olive oil) while the boys got a pulled pork sandwich, brisket and a full rack o ribs (who am I fooling? You know I helped devour that pile of meat! Put it straight up on my salad). The ribs were amazing, dry rubbed and falling off the bone tender. We actually had to order more they disappeared so fast! The brisket was juicy, not at all dry and full of beefy goodness. Though I tend not to be a pork fan, the pork was scrumptious! Super tender, not greasy like I've had before. We also had some sauteed mushrooms which rounded out the meatfulness of our meal. For dessert, we enjoyed a couple slices of pie from local pastry chef Stacey (wish I could remember her last name) which were superb! I liked the pecan pie best but the sweet potato was also delish. Not too sweet and very fresh tasting. A few days later, I went back for more brisket and surprise! It was even better then the first time. The decor is cool, the staff is laid back and friendly. Honkeytonk BBQ is a Pilsen treasure trove of yum! UPDATE, 5/21/08: I just heard through a friend that Honkey Tonk BBQ took 3rd in the national Memphis in May BBQ competition!!
(5)Sherri S.
Seriously BBQ??? I saw this place on diners, drive ins and dives and it sounded spectacular. How could Guy be wrong he did recommend Smoque BBQ which is spectacular BBQ. So my husband and son drove 1 hour last night to this joint and we walked in and the place reeked of mold that should have been my first clue to turn around and go somewhere else. We sat down and ordered off the menu that had a list of country BBQ items. We ordered smoked pork and chicken, fried green tomatoes and garlic bread. I was looking forward to ordering dessert too. We got our food the chicken was dry as can be, the pork had very little smoke flavor and the tomatoes were dripping with grease. I would give this restaurant at best 1 star. If you really want excellent BBQ go to Smoque BBQ. The flavor is out of this world so smoky and moist this place is an absolute dump. I would have been better off at McDonald's.
(1)Gloria E.
I really wasn't too fond of HT BBQ. I was so excited to finally try it long after seeing it on Check Please! I lived in Pilsen at the time and this was the last place in Pilsen I got around to trying. Perhaps they have good and bad days or a few *off* slabs, but I was not impressed or even satisfied with it. Service was good, but my ribs were dry as hell. I thought 'maybe this is what southern bbq is all about and it's just me.' Then again, I AM from the south (kind of... So. Fla), but I came with a friend, and he's from Texas. So, if I don't count as being Southern, he for sure does. Neither of us was happy about our food. I got their beef ribs and I think he ordered the St Louis Ribs. We shared. Both our ribs were super dry (nothing falling off the bones), and the sauces were okay, but it just couldn't coat the ribs. They were too dry. It would basically slide right off and by the end, my plate had lots of sauce, and my ribs had very little sauce. The best thing about my experience was the cornbread, and in a BBQ joint, that just shouldn't be the case. On top of all that, it's kind of pricey. I mean ribs are always kind of pricey, but they're also usually pretty good, and these were not good for the price. I don't think I'll be back.
(2)Christine M.
Oh, wow. My cousin loves this place and has been trying to get us to go there for ages. We made reservations a week ago for tonight, and last night it's on Check, Please! We knew that it was going to be crowded. We didn't expect them to be totally out of ribs. All we were able to order was pulled pork or the beef brisket. They did have all of the sides, except mashed potatoes. The food, it was just ok. It wasn't great, it was barley good. It didn't have much of a smokey taste at all. I was unimpressed with the sides, as well. The service was slow, but the place was PACKED, so that is understandable. This sounds silly, but there was only a single bathroom in the whole place! We were in the second room, and our table was directly in front of the live music. We wanted to talk, and that made it near impossible.
(2)Karl Z.
OK, I went again and this time had the rib tips. They're a HUGE step up from the brisket and pulled pork, the service was also significantly better, though it was much quieter. I still need to go a couple more times to see if that holds up, but I'll at least give them another try now.
(3)Bryan M.
All around an amazing experience. Nice atmosphere, excellent food and great live honkey tonk music
(5)Jean C.
Ah-mazing. After reading review after review, I thought it was time to check this place out. I came here last night with my husband and his best friend and we already knew prior to coming here what we were going to order. The sampler platter. It's a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. Honestly, I think it could have fed the three of us just fine, but the boys wanted more ribs. And they were quite tasty. They had a great smokey flavor that was just right. The sausage links were awesome as well as the corn bread. The cole slaw had cilantro in it. A big no-no in my book. After I picked it out, it tasted good. The chicken was probably my least favorite meat on the plate. It was good but just average compared to everything else on the platter. I was unable to try the brisket only because the guys got to it first. No problem though. I definitely got my fill. There were three different BBQ sauces and all of them were delicious. It was fun experimenting which sauce went best with which meat. Next time we go (and according to my husband we are going all the time) I would like to try the sides and dessert. A few dessert plates walked past our table and they looked divine. This place is so cool. The ambiance is so laid back and the decorations really give it a nice charm. There was a duo playing music last night and that was great! I'm not really a fan of the country style music but I was last night! It's BYOB and cash only. This place is definitely worth a trip. We were lucky that we didn't have to wait last night! I can't wait to go back for round two!
(5)Char Y.
Much better! We saw it on DDD and decided to give it a second try. The st louis ribs were WOW, juicy and flavorful through out. The brisket and the pulled pork were tender and juicy as well. I am definitely impressed, and will go back again.
(4)Rene H.
Excellent service. Cocktails are strong. Great sauces. Food is between good & great, depends what you order. Live band is awesome.
(4)Jerry E.
A little too much fat. Rip tips and pork are good. No parking unless your feeding the meters.
(3)joe b.
I tried the baby back last night. it was very disappointing as it was served cold and dry. If you are expecting fall off the bone bbq, this is not the place for you. the meat is very dry. what i saw on tv that a lot of spices were used to make the dry rub was not evident on what i had last night. not a bit of moisture on th bb back. The pulled pork sandwich is just ok. just smother it with their bbq sauce. but it is not something you will go back there for. it is just not award winning for us. we didnt bother to order anything after these. the ambiance was ok. servers were friendly and nice.
(1)Brad F.
Came here the other night and had the baby back ribs and mannnnn were they fantastic, I work right and the area and wish they were open for lunch. I had a side of mac and cheese and the corn bread was awesome. I thought it was cool that Guy Fieri was here from the food network.
(5)Sagar N.
Having partially grown up in Austin, TX - I can say I have some legitimacy in critiquing barbecue. Of course, I know I am biased towards that amazing Texan style of bbq: moist brisket, smoky sausage, gasoline fumes, ahhh... But I digress.. Living in Chicago has made me aware that in this city of never-ending food variety, one thing that is missing is solid barbecue. In my search for legit bbq in the Chi, I stumbled upon Honky Tonk, and felt the only word that can describe it is: surprising. Surprising, that a BBQ joint sprouted up in the middle of Pilsen. Surprising, that this place also has line dancing weekly with live music. Aaand, most of all, surprising that it has some decent food. I went at an inopportune time (11a on a saturday) because my schedule didn't permit otherwise, but went with the brisket and some sausage. Although, I can't say that it competes with the best I've had in Texas, it is pretty decent 'cue, made the right way, and with a good complimentary sauce. The only thing lacking was the slaw, which I can admit I'm pretty particular about. Overall, for the ambiance, the quality, and the surprise factor this place is a great find! However, I am still looking for that little bit of Texas in Chicago... Solid 3.5
(3)Nicole R.
Love it... Great Food, Great Music, Awesome Atmosphere!
(5)Ron J.
i really dont know who reviewed this place before or if it has changed as one reviewer had said. i want the last 2 hours of my life back. worst bbq i have had in a long time. ALL the meat: brisket, st louis and baby back ribs and the pulled pork are boiled. Very little smoke flavor if any. The sides were good, i had fried green tomatoes and corn bread. The space is cool with good live music. Those are the only redeeming qualities. With so many great bbq places in Chicago Smoque, Lillys and Pork Shopee, don not waste your time at this place.
(1)Russ S.
Excellent barbecue!!!!! And every year they have a pig roast for the community in Pilsen. So good!
(4)T C.
I live down the street from Honky Tonk and was really excited when it opened. There isn't much like it around Pilsen. Traveling for great bbq isn't a horrible thing, but it's much nicer to have a local place. The first time I ordered at Honky Tonk the food was delicious. Each time since then; it's been hit or miss. It seems that every time I've ordered take out, something has been wrong with the order. Whether the size was incorrect or something was missing, there's always something to complain about. The food has fallen off since it first opened; and that's disappointing because (as many have said) it's a really chill place to catch great music and a good vibe. (cheap beers, too. It's got a laid back, dive bar feel without the dive) I wonder if the fall off is because it's a larger place than it was when it first opened or because (now that there's live music, a bar, etc) the focus on good food has been lost. Whatever the case may be, my ribs last night were way overcooked, (the foil even smelled overcooked) and there was hardly any rub/flavor to them. After a few tries, I passed on eating them, and there's nothing more disappointing than looking forward to rib night and not getting it. The people who work there, while friendly, aren't too bright. It seems like most of the mistakes that are made are because of total forgetfulness. (Somehow they remembered to wear their cool hipster mustache but forgot how to make food taste good.) Honky Tonk could be, and once was, a great place to get bbq. Their bbq is different than other places in the city, and if done correctly, I'd eat there often. (more often than one should, actually) But until then, no thanks. I'd rather make the trek to another spot.
(2)kirstjen l.
When you open the door, the scent of smoked pork engulfs you. Best pulled pork ever! Good sauce. Great baby back ribs! This is a real "hole in the wall" BBQ joint. Great friendly service, great prices. I will definitely be back! They also had some funky guy playing guitar & singing old Hank Sr, Johnny Cash, etc & dressed to the hilt in hillbilly finery. Wow!! They are open at 4pm, Tues-Sat.
(5)Van D.
Tried this place for the first time last Fri night. Food was great. Tried the sampler platter which had ribs, chicken, brisket, pulled pork, sausage, beans, cole slaw, and cornbread. I am big rib guy and very much liked their ribs. They have sauce on the table but these ribs were made with a dry rub. Usually don't order brisket, pulled pork, or chicken but was very impressed with flavor and juiciness of their meats. Sides were average. Good selection of bottled beers. Atmosphere is definitely different. Funky art work and furniture in the back room and more of bar atmosphere in the front room. (If you ever wondered where your family's dining room table from the 80s is, check the back room)
(4)Mayari G.
A friend and I went to Honky Tonk and ordered the BBQ sampler platter (i despise the word sampler). Anyway, it was so tasty and varied that you honestly felt like they were separate items - not just a mass of BBQ - we should have brought 3 more people b/c we had tons of left overs but will definitely be back. The decor is not theme-driven but feels like an empty barn within a Pilsen building which is exactly what it is - it's great.
(4)Lauren R.
The pork was delicious! Loses a star for not being a BYOB anymore. Really enjoyed their sauces as well as sides (the cornbread is so good!).
(4)Aurore L.
The other night I was lucky enough to be transported in a world of fantasy. Of the cinematic kind since it was the (almost Homeric) one of "Oh Brother Where are Thou?" Unlucky for me - George Clooney was not in sight but the three bluegrass musicians who were singing on their banjos (lefty style- yay!!!) did a pretty impressive job. I just had to close my eyes to be in a mystic South I have never set foot in. Nobody's perfect. Honky Tonk didn't disappoint. We shared a large sampling platter of meaty goodies and I loved every bite of it. The sausage oddly enough was my hands down favorite. But everything has already been said about all the sticky messy yumminess of the place....you really just have to go and see for yourself. And enjoy the love. And no - there is not only Mexican food in Pilsen. For a matter of fact, HKBBQ is just across the street from a Chinese place. If you find George Clooney though - with or without banjo - please let me know. Always on the hunt.
(4)Elizabeth V.
Came here with some friends a few nights ago. My boyfriend and I shared a full slab of ribs, mac and cheese and a corn muffin. The food tasted good and enjoyed it since I was hungry. I would like go back and try the pulled pork which according to some reviews is the thing to get. The space is big and they had live music which was enjoyable.
(3)John B.
This was the first stop on my week of eating until my innards exploded, and what a start. Carol J and pitmaster Willie Wagner put together a prixy fixy dinner that gave us a chance to try everything on the menu for 25 bucks. Well maybe not everything, but that's what it felt like. First, the apps. Fried green tomatoes -- crispy, crunchy coating, creamy tomatoey goodness on the inside, that's eating. I had to have a second, in spite of trying to save room for the meat. Garlic portabella mushrooms with garlic toast and a honey mustard sauce. Oh my. Then the meat, in shifts, with sides. First up, baby back ribs. Oh yeah. These pulled off the bone, but didn't fall off the bone, the sign of a good long smoking without the dastardly par-boiling that some placed employ. Rubbed but not sauced, because the sauce is on the table and it just burns on the grill anyway. Three sauces -- one sweeter, one spicier, and one mustard-based -- let you serve up the meat as you like it. Along with the ribs, we had sweet potatoes, collard and mustard greens, pickled beets, and cole slaw. I didn't get to the slaw because I was so taken with the greens. And the sweets -- melt in your mouth goodness. Of course, the pool of butter and brown sugar might have had something to do with that. But wait, there's more! A second platter of meat, with beef ribs, brisket, and pork shoulder. The clear favorite here was the beef ribs -- burnished brown, meltingly tender, with just enough fat to keep it all moist. The pulled pork was excellent, too, but I was fixated on the short ribs. The brisket was the least interesting, although it did make the best leftovers the next day. Probably because of the extra fat. Willie serves up the brisket as a sandwich, with horseradish on a ciabatta roll, and that would be a very different animal. And then, when you think you're going to burst -- dessert! Cobbler, banana pudding, and sweet potato pie. Who knew banana pudding could be such a treat. This was the dessert in which I had the least interest, and yet it turned out to be my favorite. This is the kind of place you'd walk right by, if you didn't know what was inside. Even when you get inside, it's not that impressive. But then the food comes out, and oh mama. That's what we're here for.
(5)trieu n.
i went to honky tonk with a few friends for a delicious weeknight dinner, and that's exactly what i got. unfortunately, they were all out of brisket, so 3 of us had pulled pork and the other 2 split a full slab of st. louis style ribs. we also had corn muffins, a family order of mac n cheese, and large candied yams. we all needed to be rolled out of the restaurant...bu in the best way. the pulled pork is everything i wanted and more: huge chunks of moist pork, perfectly smoked with slightly burnt/crisp ends. excellent. the sweet bbq sauce was very popular at our table. i wasn't a huge fan of the vinegar bbq sauce or the mustard sauce...but that's more personal preference. my friends enjoyed their ribs immensely and polished off the entire slab. the dry rub had a good flavor and the meat was perfectly cooked. our sides were HUGE. we thought that between the 4 mac n cheese eaters, we ought to go with the family size. when the bowl came out, it looked tiny and i didn't think there would be enough; however, after we started eating, we noticed that this was a magic bowl of mac n cheese because even though we were taking huge spoonfuls of big spiral macaroni, more kept appearing in the bowl. don't let the small bowl deceive you. the candied yams were also good...soft but not mushy and just the perfect amount of sweetness. i am deducting one star for the service. the restaurant was only slightly busy and we hardly ever saw our waitress. i hate to deduct a star because she was very friendly...but we had to go a very long time without drink refills. also, we were looking for her for at least 10 minutes to bring out butter for the cornbread. it might have been an off night for her...but what could have been a 60 minute meal...turned into almost a 2 hour meal. also, another waitress went to clear our table, but did not ask us if we were done eating. she piled the bowl of mac n cheese and yams on top of one another before we had time to tell her that we were still picking at it. it was pretty heartbreaking. the service should deter me from coming back, but i really like barbecue...and a bbq joint that is a short ride away is hard to come by. so i'll be back...and hope for better service.
(4)Douglas M.
This is the best BBQ I've ever had. I've also not had hot links as good as these since my German grandfather passed away.
(5)Jake B.
Great food and atmosphere as long as it's not super crowded. And even when it is super crowded, it's still great food.
(4)Blythe Z.
this place rocks - i'm hoked. candied bacon - so good only need a bite or two very rich. my husband and I tried the sampler - we even had leftovers! My favorite is the hot links - so so good - mac and cheese is a close second though. a great place to bring in friends from out of town - really great staff too!
(5)Frankie B.
The quality of the food was good. The beans were awesome, the mac-n-cheese was rad.. I just think it's a bit too pricey and the portion size for the sides are too small. Grew up around the corner from here and am glad they are here in Pilsen. Staff is nice enough, but I have to ding them for the portion sizes.
(3)Carol J.
This place blows. YOU HEARD ME. MOVE ALONG. NOTHING TO SEE HERE! It blows every bbq joint in town away. I am just hoping people won't read past my opening statement and ignore the star rating. I was introduced to Honky Tonk at the rib-a-que at Moonshine and had the pleasure of gorging on ribs right off the smoking/grilling contraption. It was no surprise to me that Willy and Honky Tonk won the judges choice award against some pretty stiff competition. Actually, no one else came close. So I thought I would give them a try in their restaurant/carry out location on a cold Saturday night in January and headed down to Pilsen with a friend, well aware of the unfortunate presence on Check Please (those who know me know how I feel about that show and the lemmings, I mean people, who are influenced by it...but I digress.) When I called, Beth, one of the owners frankly told me the wait was gonna be long and I was cool with that. Upon arrival at the homey, chill, BYOB place I was greeted by a mob of people, the taunting smell of smoking bbq and totally awesome vibe. Yeah people were pissing and moaning about the wait, but hey, Check Please! Fine with me. I had no place to be. While waiting, totally cool people offered us extra chairs at their table, Kurt the artist offered a couple of random St, Pauli Girls and gave us a 5 cent tour and a history of the art displayed throughout. We made friends with some cute, older Gold Coast couples who learned about it you know where....and just hung out and chatted. Then Willy came out of the kitchen and whispered that they were running low on ribs. Some folks were aghast! NO. But I was cool because I watched him work a grill one day from 6 am till 6 pm and I know how much time it takes to turn out product like that. Those tender morsels are lovingly smoked for hours and I also know that no restaurant owner has a crystal ball. What happened next is like a movie. And kind of how going with the flow can work to your advantage. I casually mention that I'm cool with whatever bbq delight will be left if and when we get seated and my date mentions brisket as his preference. Minutes later a cafeteria tray with heaping hunks of smokey brisket and pulled pork is enroute to us in the corner where we were sitting drinking the artist's generously donated beers and a glass of BYO wine. The cute little server goes and gets us a tv tray table, brings condiments. Macaroni and cheese (sinfully rich and creamy) lands between the two mounds of meat and crusty bread. Willy apologizes profusely for the fact that he was almost out of ribs. I mean seriously, I felt like I was in someones home and they were going out of their way to make me welcome. After we finished, we went into the main dining room to listen to the talented one man band and bond with our new found friends from the waiting room. Everyone in the room was having a finger licking, lip smacking great time. Except one table of lemmings who were being rude and condescending to the server, but that's someone elses review to write. We asked to peek at dessert menu and despite being so full, settled on a Banana Bread Pudding/Moon Pie and a decadent chocolate mousse cake. Random staff came over and said hello. Young kids from the neighborhood, a cool chick waitress, the owners kids, who were bussing tables. I saw the Pissers and the Moaners making friends with the tables next to them. The music was countryish and the room was homey and warm with random chairs and tables. We learned this was a former Wood Workers Union Hall that Beth and Willy bought to open up this little piece of heaven. We were offered a tour of the gymnasium on the top floor but were too full to hike up the stairs. It turns out that this actually is their home. No surprise there. Awesome bbq, they even have "pain in the pork butt" vegetarian options, delicious sides. Sweet, warm service, low key chill atmosphere and amazing desserts. PLEASE DON'T RUIN IT PEOPLE!
(5)Susan K.
The entryway can make it look a little foreboding, like you're entering some speakeasy or the alley door to some club or restaurant kitchen. (who else has a solid metal door as their main entrance ?!) Inside its cute, simple, and casual. There's a window right at the front for carryout (yay! convenience, smart thinking) and another room off to the side where you can sit and eat and there's live music to entertain you. I am a vegetarian, so you must be wondering what there is for me to eat at a BBQ restaurant? Answer: Plenty, if you love mushrooms, which I do. I ordered a portabello mushroom sandwich which was great , I loved the different sauces they had, the garlic mashed potatoes were good, and there were still several other sides I didn't try right then and there that I bet would have also been good choices. Sometimes, even though you want to go out with someone, you just want a break from having to be witty, scintillating, and fun. This place took that pressure off me by providing musical entertainment to distract both me and my date. This would be a great place to go if you are tired and you want to just spend time in someones company and let someone else take care of the impressing.
(4)Allison B.
I was a disappointed. Heard great reviews, but it just didn't live up to them. The candied bacon was good, but I've had better bbq overall.
(2)Thomas B.
Delicious BBQ and so authentic, even down to the three types of sauce supplied with your meal. I ate in the older dining room, not new edition with full bar and blue grass bands every night. Get the beef brisket sandwhich, so good. Also got a side of hot links which were very spicy yet just right. And a BBQ place with vegetarian options. Only down fall was the staff is kind of stand offish, well they are very helpful when serving but kind of take their time and disappear for long periods of time. Otherwise no complaints.
(4)Chris A.
Very good BBQ and a good way to start a night out in Pilsen. The candied bacon was really the only thing I was crazy about, but everything else is solid...and I think our group literally tried everything. It's not BYO anymore which is disappointing, but it is still a great BBQ spot.
(4)T J.
I struggled between a 2 and a 3 on this one, honestly I say 2.5. Saw it on Triple D, wanted to give it a try with the BF. I've definitely had better bbq. I knew I was in trouble when I couldn't pull my baby back ribs apart and had to grab a knife. They weren't tender at all like I'd hoped. Cole slaw was pretty vinegary, mac and cheese was okay. The highlight of my meal was the pear cider from the bar, I'll be looking for that at Binnys. BF had the brisket and devoured it, but he wasn't impressed with his mashed potatoes. I do think we'll go back because we really liked the vibe, live music, and overall space. I'm thinking maybe they just pulled my ribs a bit early from the pit, maybe it was an off night. I'll check out the pulled pork or the brisket next time per the other reviews. The place has potential, I think you just gotta know what's good.
(2)Gina T.
We decided to try this restaurant after seeing it on Drive ins, Diners, and Dives on the Food Network. The atmosphere definitely deserves 5 stars as does the BYOB status. Our waitress was nice and service was fast. We had the sampler platter... our favorites were the pork, cornbread, beans, brisket, and peach cobbler. The ribs were a bit dry and scarce on the meat, and the chicken was too moist. We will be back for the pork, peach cobbler and live music.
(4)Dave O.
One sentence review: If you want decent-to-good BBQ for a GOOD price, come to Honky Tonk BBQ. I went to this place for the first time tonight with my girlfriend and 2 other friends. As soon as we walked in, a pungent aroma hit us-- and it wasn't smoked meat. It smelled like must, like 'old people' as my friend said, like the marsupial house at a zoo. Fortunately, the smell either fades away quick or your mind gets used to it and it's not so in your face after awhile. I really enjoyed the feel of the place. It was like walking in to a saloon from a country-western flick. We didn't go into the second dining room so I can't say much for the decor for that room. Our server was friendly but was a little on the untimely side. The appetizers were good-- empanadas, candied bacon (yea, fat kid delight), and fried green tomatoes. The empanadas were tasty, but nothing to write home about. The candied bacon was clearly the star of the show-- thick cut, cooked perfectly, and candied in brown sugar. Amazing. The friend green tomatoes we good; once again, nothing to write home about. A note about the empanadas: you only get 3 of them so it's not good for a group. We cut them up in half to share with the 4 of us. I have an opinion about barbeque places I should share as well. If you're going to open a BBQ place, you damn well should be able to cook good ribs. If you can't do that, don't even try. So it's fair to say that the ribs were good. You should also be able to make outstanding brisket. Since it was only served as a sandwich, I didn't order that as well. I had the St. Louis style ribs and 2 others had baby-back-- consensus was, St. Louis as all around better. The 4th person had a pulled pork sandwich and loved it. The mac and cheese was outstanding-- I would go back there just to order the 'family size' side of it for just my meal. It was that good. The corn bread muffins are awesome as well. The biggest draw back was that we waited just over 45 minutes for our entrees. I'm not sure if that the norm here, but that kind of wait isn't suitable for a Friday night when there's maybe 12 people seated. One serious upside was pricing. $10 for a half slab of St. Louis style ribs w/ slaw (which was delicious, not too much mayo) and biscuit (corn bread is sold as a side, not as a given with meals). $3.50 for a side (a small portion though) of mac and cheese. Overall, we left satisfied. Definitely worth checking out. There was a live band, or should I say, live music since it was 2 guitarists. They were talented, but I'm not sure everyone enjoys blue grass. Oh, and as my friend pointed out, it's like hipster nation there.
(3)Amanda S.
I live about 25 steps away from here, so I thought it only fitting to make this my first review. Honkey Tonk is some of the best BBQ in Chicago, with a great vibe, reasonable prices, and BYOB to boot. Very good desserts and some delicious sides as well, which now come in much bigger portions. The live music on the weekends is awesome, and service is very friendly. The only thing that could be improved is if/when they accept credit cards...
(4)Devin C.
I've eaten here once or twice and enjoy the food, but I'm more into the bar. I drink here a few times a month, and it's always a barnburner. The staff is super friendly and they make a helluva Bloody Mary. The environment inside alone is totally worth it.
(5)J M.
Decent BBQ, great Mac n' Cheese. Overpriced and really just not that good. Service was super snotty and slow. Ok place if you lived in the neighborhood. Definitely not a destination spot.
(2)Neal K.
I've only been to Honky Tonk twice, but it's easily one of my favorite BBQ joints in the city. As far as the food goes, it's solid. Right up there with Fat Willy's, Smoke Daddy, and Honey 1 in my hood. Great choice to leave the meats dry rubbed with no sauce so you can add 1 of their 3 tasty choices as you please. I like the feel of this place. There's a lot of love in the wait staff and the owner, and plenty of local flavor as far as the Pilsen art scene goes all over the walls. 2 lefties hammering on the mandolins is a real treat. Cobbler was good. BYOB with BBQ is a winning combination. If you're a northsider/NW like me it's definitely worth a ride down to Pilsen to meet any of your more geographically inconvenient friends. Not sure about putting the pulled pork on ciabbatta though. Maybe a grilled Texas Toast?
(4)Brian S.
I reserve 5 stars for the truly exceptional ... but this place is pretty awesome. The food is great (loved the fried green tomatoes) and the BBQ brisket. And the drinks are creative and well prepared. The music is a great thing too: My favorite thing about it is that my son (3 yrs) loves it... they have an old mechanical horse that (sometimes) works... and he loves getting up on it and dancing around to the music.
(4)shirley m.
Saw this place on Check Please a while back and ordered carry out after a loooong day at work. Ordered the sampler platter, ribs were tender and moist, they use a dry rub and it has a REALLY smoky flavor (too smoky for some of us , perfect for the rest of us) the sausage (good! 2pcs) came mild and spicy, the platter included pulled pork and brisket sandwich bites, smoked chicken (moist and smoky) and sides. Mac and cheese is has a sharp cheese flavor, included beans and cornbread which was a hit with our group. This place is good if you like a lot of smoke and your BBQ sauce on the vinegar-y side!
(3)Riley H.
I like to think I am a master with BBQ since I dis grow up in Memphis! So here is the break down... For an app we got fried green tomatoes and they were some of the best id ever had. For our meal my wife and i split a rack of ribs, brisket sandwich, and the homeade mac n cheese. The ribs were descent dry rib but nothing too exciting, they had ok flavor but the meat wasn't very moist and quite frankly there wasn't much meat on the bones! Now, the brisket sandwich was amazing and I put some of there homeade garlic mustard BBQ sauce on it, it was to die for! That sauce was very unique and flavorful! The Mac and cheese was very good as well and I would probably order the same next time I go minus ribs( and get an extra sandwich to go for the next day!) great restaraunt and atmosphere I will go back!
(4)Carl S.
Award winner... hell they have the trophy to prove it. Pulled Pork is the BEST. Ribs, both St. Louis and Baby Back are wonderful. The brisket has an awesome smoke ring. You have to try the Mac and Cheese and the Corn Bread. Save room for the Banana Pudding.
(5)Martha E.
Don't go to Hony Tonk BBQ. Got it? I don't want you to go and make me have long waits because I love this place with its lovely, quirky artwork, low-key, unprentious vibe, awesome live music and...oh yeah...delicious Memphis BBQ. And if you ignore my pleas and wind up going, don't order the moist pulled pork, hearty black eyed peas nor the creamy mac n'cheese because I don't want them running out by the time I get there. Got that? *pause* See you there.
(4)Sven K.
Me and 6 of my friends went to Honky Tonk and had a very mixed experience. The Good: - Everybody enjoyed their sides (mac and cheese - yum!), the pulled pork (although I thought it was not exceptional, some dry pieces), the sausage links, the corn muffins (although I remember them being better), and the atmosphere. The Bad: - The green BLT (no flavor, not enough bacon), the dry brisket. We did not go for the ribs in the first place since they are not worthwhile - see other reviews on yelp. We also tried to order appetizers - the empanadas. Our waitress told us that we would get 6. When we got them, there were 3 small ones on a plate, and they could have been from Sam's Club. For $8 (!) We pointed it out to her, and she just told us that we could get another order (duh!), which we politely refused. We said that either we would return them or she could get us another complimentary order. She then proceeded to get the manager (!?), who also suggested that we get another order - and in a very annoyed way. When we refused, she just took the empanadas away and took off, without comment. This is best described as "resting on your laurels" when your business is probably going well. In the end we did not get charged for a dish, which was a welcome mistake on their part. Karma is a b*tch. Bottom line is that Honky Tonk is overrated, and you better know what to get ahead of time, so as not be disappointed.
(3)Mike L.
Solid 4 stars. Went here for a quick lunch and had a brisket sandwich. The rub they used was awesome, loved it. It was also pretty darn big as well, nothing like getting stuffed off a great $8 sandwich. I love that they put no sauce on it, but the sauce at the table was great as well. Tried some pulled pork from the person I was with and thought it was great too. I have seriously been considering going back there for dinner, but I wont hurt my waste line that much in a day. Cant wait to go back and try there sampler platter
(4)kinke s.
love this place!!!
(4)ELLIE M.
First off let me tell you how much I enjoyed this place.The wait staff makes you feel you feel very comfortable they have live music in the back round and the pulled pork sandwich is AWESOME . Not only that the have a dry rub rib and if you like it it wet (as most of you do) they have like 3 different bbq sauces on the table you can try .I really liked this joint and if your not to far from the Pilsen area you should definetly check it out!!!!!!
(5)Don R.
I was really looking forward to some great BBQ from all the hype on this place, but sadly I was dissapointed. The sauces were good but not outstanding. The babyback ribs lacked any distinct flavor. I am sure these ribs were not boiled first, but that is how they tasted. The pulled pork was much the same. I expected some big smoke flavor, but the pork was bland. The fried green tomatoes were mush and very greasy. I am a big fan of Triple D and have been to many of the restaurants that are featured on the show and this was by far the biggest let down. In my opinion, if you are looking for great BBQ in Chicago head to Smoque on the north side.
(2)Alan S.
A carnivores carnival! This place has excellent BBQ!! The pulled pork sandwich is a must; throw away the bread, you don't need that, and anyway you'll have more space for the ribs, or even the "Viking" ribs which are huge and moist and delicious! Everyone knows the BBQ is good here but I was amazed at the Bannana pudding, it's great, and people I was with raved about the sweet potato pie and a peach cobbler.... I don't know if these are always on the menu but save a bit of space for them! The place is straightforward; good music, plain tables, get's a bit loud and crowded, but what do you expect if it's this good?
(4)natalie p.
I have not eaten in their restaurant, but I just came from a Pig Roast they catered and the pig was perfect. The owner and his wife are very nice and interesting people. I think the restaurant just opened, and they may also deliver soon. Will update review after I eat there. Oh yeah, and they do catering!
(4)Chris P.
I love Honky Tonk BBQ! It's sad to read so many negative reviews, but on the other hand maybe it means there will be an open table for me to enjoy some great q and music as well.
(4)Lezah G.
I rank this 5 stars in terms of ambience and music. It is a family place, a place for dates, a place for groups. It can be all things to all people. I love the old artifacts from the past and the old fashioned fixtures and mixmatched chairs. The people there were all very nice, but were they efficient? No...we barely saw our server and had to wait forever between getting seated, getting water, getting our orders taken,etc. Then nobody came to fill out our water glasses or see if we wanted anything. We both had brisket sandwiches which were delicious but our sides were not. Someone's hand slipped with the vinegar bottle and the slaw and the beans were inedibe and left uneaten. The server had no reaction when we told her about this. Afterwards we heard the band the Possum Hollow Boys perform. I give them 5 stars .As for the restaurant, whether or not I return will depend on what bands they have there. To me it is not worth a trip to Pilsen if there is not a good band playing!
(3)Juliet H.
They're main entrance is a bit random, but they're most likely open. It is very lively in there. Their food? Eh...not the best. Their service? Eh..could be better. Just didn't really enjoy their food too much. I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was dry and not enough sauce. My theory with pulled pork sandwiches...if you have to add more sauce, it's not good enough.
(3)Ryan P.
Amazing!! At my table there was pot pie, pulled pork sandwich, st. louis ribs, mac and cheese, sweet yams, and fried green tomatoes. AMAZING!!! We had desert, peach cobbler and chocolate cake - ehh. But back to the main food, amazing.
(5)Jennifer B.
Walking into Honky Tonk BBQ is like walking into a tattoo- a big, bright red and orange flame tattoo that surrounds the metal door. Stepping inside, you realize it's more like having dinner in your funky country aunt's dining room. Honky Tonk has strange hours- 4-9:30 on Tuesday-Saturday only- but making the trek is definitely worth it. First, the BBQ! My dining partners salivated over the $30 giant combo platter. Two people split it and a bowl of the chili and still had leftovers at the end of the meal. Another friend got the pulled pork sandwich and coleslaw to similar acclaim. I, the resident vegetarian, had an unexpectedly awesome meal of the "What Your Girlfriend Wants Salad" (true in this case!), the mac n cheese, the candied yams on special that night, and the cornbread muffin. The three housemade BBQ sauces on the table were the best part of the meal- one was sweet, one tangy, and one spicy mustard! Someone at the table was explaining the difference between Memphis-style and other-style BBQ, one being dry and one smothered in sauce, and the meat here is definitely the dry style, so you can add as much of your own sauce as you want. The restaurant is also BYOB, so bring some cold beers to go along with the food! Extra bonus shoutout to the Northside Southpaws who perform at Honky Tonk every Friday night. The music was fantastic and fit in perfectly with the food and the atmosphere. This alone makes the restaurant worth visiting for any fans of folk, bluegrass, and other mandolin/guitar based music.
(4)TRose H.
Went because of the reviews...Food was bland. There are soo many better BBQ places in Chicago. Won't go back
(2)david o.
Great atmosphere - the band was amazing and the service was Awesome. Food was fantastic also - the artwork hanging up in the restaurant was such a Great surprise!
(5)E.P M.
Had better. I have when they opened up in 2007 me and my girlfriend were there, the brick of cornbread came wrapped up looking like a bulls head with a slab of butter on top. The chicken was juicy and flavorful...sadly unlike most things according to my girlfriend who recently had went with family...it has not aged well. I'm leaving it at that. I'm gonna be nice.
(2)Sep E.
I really wanted to love this place, especially after seeing it on TV, but this was perhaps one of the worse dining experience in my life. So bad that is prompted me to write my first Yelp review. So, I started off the Friday night with a suggestion to my boyfriend that we check out the BBQ joint we saw on TV. Little did we know that would wind up being our entire evening. We waited for more than 2 hours after initially being told it would take only one hour to be seated. After being seated, the food did not come out for one hour. Shouldn't BBQ already be made and ready to be slapped on a plate when ordered? Apparently, not here. The management in this place is awful and clearly not equipped to deal with a heavy dinner crowd. Smoque handles large crowds far better and in a far friendlier manner. I felt sorry for people with takeout orders who waited more than one hour! I would have been okay with the wait if the food was good, but it was, at best mediocre. I went specifically for the beef spare ribs and they were out (shocker). So, I went with the beef and chicken options. The chicken was dried out and flavorless, and the brisket was flavorless too and served on bread that was not right for BBQ. The black eyed peas were tasty, but the other sides just okay. The mashed potatoes needed major seasoning and someone clearly did not taste them before sending them out. Fried green tomatoes were unimpressive - sorta like a fried mushroom with that weird mystery bread crumb coating. So, bottom line - I am headed to Smoque next time I get the crazy idea to go to a BBQ joint on a Friday night.
(1)Diana S.
Cheap tasty bbq joints are great! This place wasn't fancy at all. There is no air conditioning which was really killing us the day we went there, so we got take out instead. The main room was really humid and smelled like a dirty wet dog...eww. Not very appetizing. However, I can overlook all of that. We got a full slab of ribs and the rib tips. The sauces that came with were tasty. The ribs were so smoky...yum! The rib tips could have been a bit more tender and I wish they were cut parallel to the bone. It would have been easier to eat. Overall the food is pretty good. Next time we'll get delivery from there.
(3)Ryan W.
I enjoy good BBQ and I've been hearing about Honky Tonk BBQ for some time. I happened to be in the neighborhood today and decided to give Honky Tonk a try. I suggest you stay away. The service was terrible. We waited over an hour for our food, which came out wrong, cold and tasteless. THe best part about the meal was the mac and cheese, which was fantastic. The brisket was horrible no matter how much BBQ sauce I dosed it with. After we got the check (and waited for about 10 minutes for someone to work the register) we both started feeling sick to our stomachs on the ride home. Not worth the trip, wait or cost.
(1)Tommy A.
Probably would go 4.5 if I could, this is a good place. I need to start off by saying I don't think Memphis dry rub bbq is my favorite type, Carolina style, and Texas beef brisket are 2 styles I prefer. With that said I'll try to be objective and the dry rub on the ribs and chicken especially, are very good. Went with a group of 4 plus a kid that likes to eat, we split the large sampler and this allowed us to get a little taste of everything. Not sure if anything stood out too much, but all around solid, with maybe the exception of the brisket. I thought the brisket was kind of mediocre. I liked the sauces, the mustard one is especially interesting and good. Prices are fair, maybe a touch high, but on par with most BBQ places. The vibe in there is fun. Like old saloon, meets Jersey diner with fun new age kind of Western paintings on the wall. Looks like it might get more lively at night, but certainly somewhere kids can eat before too late. So overall, give it a try. Chicken, ribs, pulled pork, pretty good. Hot link is decent not great, brisket I'd skip.............. Oops, holy crap, I almost forgot to mention the bacon candy, this is awesome! I must try.
(4)Julie S.
This southerner was pleasantly surprised by Honky Tonk BBQ. After having Fat Willies - I thought I was destined to never have good BBQ again... but Honky Tonk is a welcome addition to my rotation. We did the sampler and a few additional items - favorites were the brisket, pulled pork, and the chicken. The Mac and Cheese was good - but not the best I have ever had..... I will definitely come back!
(4)Julia H.
I've been here three times in the past week. I dream about it at night. I may be in love. Bad atmosphere? Wrong. I liked the artwork and Johnny Cash is always a good listen. Bad service? Maybe. The owners are friendly and talkative but the server seemed bored. I don't blame her though because I think she is there every night. Bad neighborhood? Pshaw. Just trust me, this place is delicious. Don't go to a BBQ place in Pilsen expecting stellar service. Go expecting good food, good prices, and a friendly atmosphere.
(5)Christopher H.
This place is really good. They're mac & cheese and corn bread are awesome. I usually get the St. Louis Ribs. The food is excellent w/ just the dry rub, but the sauces are really good too. It's reasonably priced & I love the space, very saloon-y feel to it. I've been back a couple of times & will continue to go back, service is timely & friendly. Better than Lillies Q, not as good as Smoque.
(4)Ruth G.
The bbq was pretty good, but not quite on the same level as smoque daddy, or smoque... (but almost there). The portions are pretty big, and the homemade apple pie was tasty (but not quite memorable). The atmosphere is pretty fun, which adds an extra level of enjoyment. It's decorated like a barn and there is some live music at times. So, pretty solid if you are in the neighborhood.
(3)Debbie E.
A solid 3 stars. I've had better and I've had worse. We had the sampler platter and the rib tips. The sampler platter is a pretty good value at $30. You could easily feed 3-4 people. Everything was quite tasty. The rub and the char on the meat was good enough that you could choose to go without sauce. Ribs were not dry and came off the bone easily. The pulled pork was really moist. The brisket had good flavor, but was a little too fatty. Hot links had skin that "popped" when you bit into it and had a nice kick. The ribs tips were plentiful and delicious. The chicken wasn't bad, but slightly overcooked. We had gotten there early... around 5:30 before it got crowded. One of the biggest downsides of the place is that when you first walk in, you get an overwhelming whiff of stale cigarettes and beer. Although, the bar is in the front of the place. Maybe the back room smells better. Will be back there because it's close to home, but wouldn't make a special trip there. Too many better barbecue places in Chicago for that.
(3)Craig C.
The food at Honky Tonk BBQ is delicious....plain and simple. The Beef Brisquet sandwich is my favorite with melt-in-your mouth meat...doesn't even need sauce, on a wonderful roll; the sweet potato side dish was to die for. And the country music that played the last couple of times I was there was energetic, listenable, and provided a great backdrop to the food. The restaurant itself is developing a better ambiance than it had originally, and the service is getting much better. Don't expect the smooth gentility of Carson's, but it's much better, for example, than Leon's on the south side. I'd compare the place to Smoke Daddy both in terms of the food and the environment.
(5)Erica M.
NEVER AGAIN Honkey Tonk! I came back after a really terrible experience figuring that maybe they had an off-night when we ordered from there a few months ago. After the long walk over from 18th Street Pink line I placed my order: half slab of baby back ribs; pulled pork sandwich, side hot link and mac and cheese. First of all, for $4 the mac and cheese portion is a joke. But I guess it doesn't matter much since it's just bland overcooked noodles with a very stingy cheese-like sauce. Never trust white mac & cheese; mac & cheese should be a nice deep orangey color. This pulled pork sandwich is atrocious. Huge chunks of barely tender meat. If you pull the pork it should look shredded, but it seems the pork hasn't been cooked long enough, hence the gross chunks of meat that have no flavor!!! Again, the baby back ribs don't seem like they've been cooked long enough either. The meat is still pink and there's none of the fall of the bone goodness that I shelled out $11 for. Where's the smoked goodness that marks southern bbq. I mean even liquid smoke would've added a bit more authenticity. The hot links were enjoyable, reasonably priced but even that couldn't save this meal. NEVER AGAIN!!! I don't know who in the hell gives this place great reviews-they've obviously never tasted real bbq. I'm so disappointed, I could just cry...
(1)Nancy H.
Interesting neighborhood. Cops were called to this area last Saturday night because there were gunshots heard, and my friends saw sketchy people running for their lives. I guess the front door should have been a big clue; it's a gated screen door covering a tall, black door that makes you feel like you're walking into a boarded up house instead of a restaurant. Atmosphere isn't great, but the smell of BBQ smoke welcomes you as soon as you walk in. Food wasn't great either, nothing has BBQ sauce on it; instead you squirt some on yourself. The menu is limited to pork sandwiches ($6-8), a brisket sandwich ($8), and baby back or St. Louis style ribs (full slab for $20). Sides are extra ($1.50 - $2.50). Service was great, though - they are so friendly here, and there was a country singer on his guitar who walks around the restaurant singing and playing music. Lastly, it's BYOB with no corkage fee, but we abused their policy, and the owner charged us $20 for the mess in the bathroom.. oops!
(2)Zenia R.
one: i love saying the name, two: i don't have to travel to luling, texas for mouth watering brisket, three: there's live blue grass and the most amazing ipod play list jamming. that's more than enough for me to reserve a spot for honky tonk on my top favorites places to dine and chill in the city.
(4)Martha S.
Having just returned from St. Louis and still not having my fill of ribs, I decided to head out to the first place in Chicago with 'dry rub' ribs. Honky Tonk BBQ summoned me. Went on a Sunday evening, found parking half a block away, which is a luxury in the city. Walked in and found seating with no problem and suddenly, the place started hopping. There was live music, which was nice for a change for a Sunday night dinner. My son had the pulled pork sandwich he loved and finished. My daughter ordered the vegitarian sandwich with fried green tomatoes and goat cheese, which was actually two small sandwiches. She loved it, but didn't finish because she tried some of my half slab. We had the basked of 4 corn muffins, which were moist and delicious. We shared baked beans with pork, which were not amazing-just good. The coleslaw that came with my 1/2 slab was good and the mac n cheese was delicious, with real cheese. Yum! I'd go here again, with friends and have a few drinks with my food. Didn't know this place was so close to home. Now that I do, I will head out here more often.
(4)annie r.
ok. i'm stupid. ignore my previous review. this place is my jam and i would eat here everyday if my jeans allowed it.
(5)Mike H.
I'm glad a friend of mine told me about this place b/c I'll definitely visit this BBQ joint again in the future. It's true that the restaurant number I found to order ahead so I could carry-out apparently was the cell phone number of the owner. However, as part of the voicemail, I heard that they have live music on Friday and Saturday evenings so I decided to dine-in instead, and I'm glad I did. It's also a BYOB restaurant with a $1/person corkage fee. The restaurant has two different areas. One is the main room and is connected to the other room (where the live music was playing) by a doorway. FYI - it's difficult to do anything but eat b/c of the music in the connecting room when there's live music. The party of four I was a part of had to wait about 15 mins before a table opened up for us on a Friday evening. There is no A/C which can definitely be an issue during the summer (it was already a little warm on a late Sept evening). The menu was simple and short but there are a few vegetarian options. Personally, I'd recommend the pulled pork and peach cobbler. I also liked the chicken and baby back ribs. If you're looking for brisket, go to Smoque BBQ. Do not get the chili - it wasn't any good. As far as the sauces, I preferred the the sweeter sauce which I was told was Sweet Baby Ray's. The hot sauce wasn't really hot, it was more tangy.
(4)January C.
I came here last night for the first time. I had read good things but was a little skeptical of a BBQ joint in Pilsen. I looked through the menu and was very pleased by the offerings and the prices. Sometimes BBQ can be a little on the expensive side but I felt like everthing was reasonably priced. I was very excited to see they make a Carolina mustard sauce! I ordered a half slab of St. Louis style ribs, macaroni and cheese, and yams. The ribs were awesome! The mustard sauce was amazing! The spicy sauce was most welcome, given all the nasty sweet sauces offered in this city. The macaroni and cheese was very cheesy and good. I've had better yams. The ribs came with a roll and coleslaw; both were great. The coleslaw was fresh tasting, not drowned in mayo, and the roll had a nice garlic salt application on top. I ate the leftovers for lunch today and the meat fell right off the bone. It was just as delicious today as it was last night. I got my food for carry-out but while I was waiting, I checked out the place and thought the country-influenced paintings and honky tonk music really created an appropriate atmosphere. I think its cool that it's BYOB. I don't think it's cool that it's cash only, but I will just have to remember that. Hands down, this is the best BBQ I've eaten in Chicago and it even rivals Arthur Bryant's in Kansas City!
(5)Todd H.
Decent food--not spectacular. Candy bacon was a hit. Corn muffins were weak; beans were nothing special. I did expect a bit more in terms of food excitement. The service was solid. Now: On to the urine smell. Yes--absolutely. No mistaking it. Something ain't right. Half of the restaurant was closed--with fans blowing. If I was on a date, we would not have stayed--no how, no way. Because I was with a bunch of guys, they didn't care. Live entertainment was a nice touch.
(2)Jerome H.
I was SO disappointed in this place, I was just starting to use Yelp when I ran across this place with "amazing authentic BBQ in Pilsen." I have lived here for a while and have to say almost any deviation from charbroiled chicken and Mexican fare is welcomed. But in this case, I was so disappointed. I could have driven to the south side and had some real BBQ and not this sub-par excuse for ribs. Here are the issues: I. WTF, you don't trim the ribs? The membrane on the slab we ordered was still in tact--is this some delicacy where the chef was from? II. Hot Links? YOU WISH! They tasted like frozen and thawed cheap Moo and Oink links. III. The bread was harder than it was for me to believe this place won an award at a BBQ contest. It's hard to screw up ribs, but if you are interested in a method, call or visit this place.
(1)Michael H.
I was here for a party and was lucky enough to sample everything. The pulled pork was incredibly tender; the ribs were a little dry; the sausage and brisket were wonderful; and the mac and cheese was perfect. Nice ambiance in Pilsen (of all places). The bar area is comfortable and the dining area was decorated by paintings seemingly hoisted from garage sales and flea markets in the area. I expect this place to be reviewed on Chicago's Best shortly.
(5)Lori B.
We went to Honky Tonk last night for dinner, fantastic! The St. Louis ribs were the best we've ever had! The beef brisket & pulled pork sandwich's were good, but the ciabatta was to much bread. Mac & cheese was outstanding, the beans were ok, slaw was good, & the cornbread was good (a little dry). We will definitely be back for full slabs of ribs!!
(4)Varsha L.
Went here Sun June 6th,2010 the decor was cool, food was okay, I didnt really try any of the meat items so cannot really comment on that, the fungi sandwich was very bland and a lot of mushrooms, the ciabiata roll it came on was good, greasy and delicious... mashed potatoes were good, I would prob not go back but the husband might want to... I should have got the salad or the empanadas on special...maybe I ordered the wrong thing?
(2)Chris M.
I saw this place on Check Please a few months back and was intrigued. I am always looking for a good barbecue spot and from the review, this place looked good. My girlfriend lives down on the south side and it is nice to find good food options around there. We got take out from here a few weeks back and I think it lived up to the hype. I had the Pulled Pork Sandwich, she had the Funghi Sandwich and we split a side of Mac and Cheese. My only complaint is that I could have used an extra side of BBQ sauce. The portions were huge, the food was tasty and the ciabatta roll on the pulled pork sandwich really hit the spot. My girlfriend is a vegetarian and I really liked the fact that they had a couple of options for her which is rare at a BBQ place. The next time I go, we are definitely going to dine-in, take advantage of the BYOB and chow down on some ribs or the sampler platter.
(4)ANDREA g.
Went out tonight looking for some good peach cobbler, and ended up finding amazing BBQ! Great music, even if you don't like honky tonk, live music is always a plus. Great atmosphere and beautiful bar! Boyfriend and I split the pulled pork on cibatta sandwich and mac and cheese. The bread was soft and fresh, the pork was juicy and tender! mac and cheese was home made!! and amazing, i wanted to lick the bowl clean!!! Peach cobbler was a 7 out of ten. We have been spoiled by some amazing cobbler, so we hold them to a high standard. The ice cream was super rich and creamy, the crust on the cobbler was to doughy for us we prefer a crunchy crust, but it wasn't bad, just not amazing. We will be heading back though, service with a smile and great food.... SOLD!
(5)Carri A.
5 stars for a BBQ place from a Texan vegetarian (a rare breed)? Yup, it's true! So I did not partake in what smelled like some kick ass barbequed meat, but my carnivore friends will testify under the strictest of oaths to its tenderness and overall deliciousness. I will, though, go on for days about the non-meat fare, which there is plenty of. My table ordered several family-sized sides including the phenomenal fried green tomatoes, superb mac & cheese, mashed potatoes and portabello mushrooms. I ordered the Funghi Sandwich and was very pleased with it. (The ciabatta was stellar.) To sum this up quick, the food is amazing. AMAZING/FANTASTIC/DELICIOUS/etc... Also, they have three bottles of different sauces for your dipping and saucing needs - all are spectacular but I kind of want to take a bath in the mustard-based one. It's that good. The service was prompt, friendly and professional. The prices are extremely fair. The decor is so adorable and interesting, even in the bathroom! And it looks like they have some live music at times (we missed out during our meal) but the set up is so cute. I really have nothing bad to say about this place, other than I wish it was closer to me. But thats also a one-way ticket to being 400 pounds. So a blessing in disguise. They can handle big groups and have a super friendly, relaxed vibe about the place. Almost like going home...
(5)J J.
We were pretty disappointed since we were excited that we found this place - maybe we have been spoiled by all the Texas and Memphis BBQ we have had. Menu was limited and most of the meat selections were sandwiches. I tried the mini sandwiches but the meat was dry - definitely needed BBQ sauce for added flavor. Service was good but nothing outstanding... not a horrible experience but I will try other places next time
(2)Jeanne C.
My friends and I got Honky Tonk carry out: one brisket sandwich, two orders of dinky dunkers (one pork/one brisket), corn bread, mac&cheese, and coleslaw. I liked it a lot. My co-eaters weren't quite as big of fans. The brisket and pork were both super tender and I really liked the sauce. The mac&cheese wasn't very cheesy and was sort of dry. The corn muffin was delicious, though I am a sucker for corn bread. My one friend (who is from Oklahoma) did not finish her dinky dunkers saying "it just wasn't like in the south." Good, solid bbq. But it didn't rock my world.
(4)NARDO Q.
Before I begin let me say this: Before you are done reading this review, you will have said "Saay whaat?!" to yourself. Three times, I have gone to his place. 1. They took forever and a half to take our order, bring our food and the service was horrible. It was a group of three who went and all three were not satisfied with the service and, to top it off, the food tasted a bit "food truckish." Not to mention really greasy! 2. Against my wishes, my family decided to take my brother there for his birthday - off we went. Again, the service was horrible and everyone else seemed to be getting their things before us. We paid no mind to it and kept enjoying the time we were spending together. The food, once again, nothing impressing that I can't get a local trucker stop or small BBQ joint. 3. AGAIN, against my wished, a group of friends wanted to try this place - I had been drinking and didn't put up much of a fight. BOY DID I GET MAD, when we were waiting to be seated and a group came in 5 minutes after us and were sat before us. Okay, understandable - maybe they were waiting and stepped out, maybe they had reservation - a lot of factors can come into play. Then another group was sat before us. Okay, I had enough. I went to ask someone what was going on, in my calm drunken voice I said, "Well WTF, two groups were sat down before us and we were here first - I don't mean to be rude but thats F'ed up!" They assured us we were next and sure enough 10 minutes after my little conversation we were seated. Now we waited, and waited. Finally someone came asked what we wanted - order was put it. Waited and waited. Went to the washroom. Waited and waited. Finally food came - EVERYTHING WAS WRONG! So we went some stuff back and other cr4p wasn't messed up too bad so that was kept - plus we were all starving at this point. And again, we waited and waited. Food came out, everything seemed alright. Check came and we were being charged for everything that was made!! (Saay Whaat?!) So of course I said, "You must be crazier than a fish with titties to think I'm going to pay for that." It was fixed, and we paid - NO TIP FOR YOU! After telling my experience to a few people they told me similar - with a few exceptions. Here is my conclusion (AND BY NO MEANS AM I SAYING ITS FACT), I believe these guys are racist. Both groups that were sat before us were white, everyone around us was white (or some type of hipster thing) - my friends all agreed they felt like if they were put "in the dark corner of the bar" (Simpsons reference), except for my white friends. Man, I'm sorry but this place is no good for me and my brown/black people, save some time and money and hit up a taco joint.
(1)M. V.
My favorite pulled pork sandwich in Chicago! Add the homemade yellow sauce & its perfection!! I enjoy the mac & cheese & cornbread as sides. Mmmmmm, Honky Tonk does carryout too.
(5)Michael T.
Yay! I'm a fan. I learned about HTBBQ from Diners Drive-Ins and Dives (thank God Guy Fieri seems to have a culinary chub for Chicago - he's introduced me to tons of places) and incented a group of exTREMEly reticent gays to leave the cocoon of Boystown for the 3 day journey to Pilsner.. err, Pilsen. Once there, all the terror of driving on LSD without stopping at the Mag Mile soon evaporated - the food was freakin' GOOD. I have learned to appreciate the quirky service cultures associated with 'dives' in exchange for food that will work me over. The ribs? Amazing. Pulled pork? Ditto. Chicken? Why bother with chicken in a BBQ joint!? Also noteworthy was the "OMG! No seriously, OMG!" quality of the banana pudding. It's not something I eat often, but this is what you want it to taste like when you do. Even had some 'Nilla wafers, just like mom used to bake. Get over that it has a practically-in-Indiana location and give it a try.. totally worth it.
(4)Poof A.
The chance to give this gem the stellar review it deserves was one of the reasons I finally caved and joined Yelp (yep, I've been leeching off others' reviews for a while now...) It's not always easy to please a vegetarian and a BBQ fiend in one place. Honky Tonk more than succeeds! BF had the pulled pork sandwich- he swears that the dry rub was so good that it didn't even require the delicious sauces that he put on, and having it on ciabatta was "the icing on the cake" (seriously. his words.) I had the 'what your girlfriend wants' salad (how did they know?!) Delicious, fresh, generous amounts of goat cheese, and really good dressing served on the side. We split the mac and cheese (great, love the crust on top!); a corn muffin (dig the kernels inside); and the coleslaw (note: it's the vinegary kind, not the creamy kind- consider yourselves warned!). Washed it down with ice cold root beer, but the place is also BYOB and there was a liquor store down the block. Our server was lovely and attentive but not overbearing, and the decor in this place is so cute- love how all the tables and chairs are different! We will definitely be making the trip in the future.
(5)doug k.
Excellent brisket with fun, young predomo Latino crowd....decent live music. Pilsen shld be on every tourists visit list.
(4)Zoran O.
Brisket is out of this world - with their hot sauce - the best I've had outside of the obvious BBQ US cities like Austin, Kansas or East coast. I was very happily surprised bumping into after going there for a birthday celebration and some music. The space is really cozy and casual - as it should be for a meat consuming joint. Really nice and genuine addition to the Chicago's small and tight circle of proper BBQ joints. Looking forward to trying other items on the menu very soon!
(5)Jessica Z.
Honky Tonk is the the reason (besides bacon) I will never be able to stop eating pork. (insert 5 stars for pulled pork here!) The location and atmosphere- unique, laid back, real tonky! (insert 5 stars here). The sides- I do really like some of the side dishes, but some could be improved (insert 4 stars here). A little sadness that they are no longer BYOB; however now they are open late (kitchen closes at 11pm still) (insert 4 stars here). A new southside dining institution: insert 5 stars here! What Smoque is to brisket, Honky Tonk is to pulled pork. I think you go to each of these places for different reasons. Overall, a solid 4.5 stars. If you like pork, you MUST go. You can bring your vegetarian friends too, they have a few options for them.
(4)Pizz o.
Place has really great BBQ. I had pulled pork and it was amazing. Dad had ribs he liked them and so did I. Cole slaw was good. Server was so nice and helpful. Chili left a bit to be desired.
(4)Frank L.
Checked out Honky Tonk BBY the other night and was sadly disappointed. My sister and I shared a half slab of st. louis style ribs, baby back ribs, cornbread muffines and some mac & cheese. I had a sweet tea with the meal. There was no noticeable difference between the baby back and the st. louis style ribs. neither had much flavor without the tableside sauces. (a sweet, a tangy, and a garlic sauce. The sweet seemed to go best with the ribs). The most disappointing thing about the ribs were that you really had to gnaw on the bones to get the meat off. I want my ribs to be "fall off the bone" tender, and this certainly did not meet the standard. I'll concede that someone else might enjoy ribs with a little "game" to them, but I want them to fall apart on the touch/clamp of my teeth. The cornbread muffins are great - definitely order some to pair with your meal (although a half slab does come with a dinner roll and cole slaw that is a bit to vinegar-y.). Mac and cheese was topped with something crunchy, which gave it some texture. The mac and cheese was good - another item you should complement your meal with. I had to do a double take with the sweet tea. There was SO much lemon flavor that i thought I mistakenly ordered a lemonade. Gotta mention the decor too - there is nothing pretentious about this place. during our meal, a couple of guys in cowboy hats played on a semi-stage next to the bar. You feel like you're walking into a saloon from the old west, yet modernized with flat-screen TV's and other modern day amenities. Overall I cannot recommend Honky Tonk BBQ given my taste for super succulent meat on the bone. A big helping of Honky Tonk BBQ for those: who who want a little cowboy flair to go with their bbq. Save your ride for another rodeo: if you're looking for fall-off-the-bone style ribs especially with a little more seasoning to the meat (i.e. before you have to add extra sauce)
(3)Bradley R.
I owe the yelp world a huge apology. I was going through my reviews and I realized I had not submitted one for honkey tonk. My wife and I went there on a cold November Friday night in 2012. The place is super easy to find even for a true suburbanite like myself. Parking was about a half block down so it wasn't to bad either. We waited maybe five minutes to be seated in the main area near the bar. I cant recall what we had for a round of drinks but it didn't piss me off so it must have been OK. I do recall having the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer and being very pleased with them. We had a variety of meats which we both enjoyed for entrees as well as the sides. All of their meats were super tender and well smoked and didn't taste like they had been sitting in a warming oven for the past eight hours like some place that I wont mention their names with a Q in it. The thing I remember the most however was the hot link. I told my wife it was the most incredible sausage I had ever had and she says I raved about it for at least a month. There was a live soloist playing while we ate but the room wasn't to loud for us to talk which we used to do back than. Overall it was a great experience and I hope to get back here one day again.
(4)Christopher G.
Fun spot, cute waitress, but the worst BBQ I've ever had. No smokey flavor to be found. Sauces lacked any special character. They bussed our food off the table with such speed without even asking (turn those tables). Oh, and we drove all that way to try this and they're out of baby backs at 8pm. Not good first impression. I'll stick to Smoke Daddy, baby.
(1)Deez N.
pretty solid for bbq. the smokiness definitely comes out. I have been on a binge of bbq recently and I found honky tonk to be pretty decent. The brisket sandwich was my favorite here. I recently reviewed the places Q, Smoque, Fat Willys, and Smoke Daddy. All in all, the brisket sandwich here is what to come for, however, i liked the sliced brisket at Smoque the best. In terms of ribs, I prefer Q, even though its a bit pricier.
(3)Radish E.
If you're craving some smoked meat, this place will not disappoint. I stick with the pulled pork, which comes piled high on some nice ciabatta. They do take out, but I recommend eating in so you can have your fill of the sauces on the table, all of which are tasty. I love sopping up the sauce with chunks of the bread. The side items aren't a very good value because you get such a small portion. Don't worry, the entree is plenty of food so you don't need any sides. They have some interesting artwork on the walls to check out while you're waiting for your food.
(5)Courtney K.
I absolutely love Honky Tonk BBQ. It is nearby to my apartment, which makes it a great destination for a bike ride around Pilsen. The atmosphere of the restaurant is awesome, and sends me straight back to an old saloon I once visited in South Dakota (vague as hell, right? at least it's a fond memory.) Every time I have been there, there has been live music which really adds to the upbeat mood of the place. I love the dim lighting, the incredibly friendly service, and the pleasant waiting time. The rib tips are always juicy and tasty, and the sauces that are available to mix and match are DELICIOUS. The portions of the sides are also perfect. Please do not miss out on the macaroni and cheese as it is the best I have ever had in my life. Seriously. It is also great that a meal for two can be eaten without making your stomach drop in a bad way when you are handed the bill. Honky Tonk may be a little bit off the beaten path, but that does not mean that it should be overlooked.
(5)Nisa D.
We went in on a Tuesday night, we didn't wait long for seating. The staff was very friendly in funky kind of way. The pork was very tender and the sauce was delicious i love that you get to pick your sauce and put as much as you want on your meat. This time we got the rib tips and they were delish also we got the family size mac n cheese we just love mac n cheese.Over all I had a great experience!
(4)Erica T.
Honky Tonk? (Live bluegrass music playing...) Check. BBQ? (Extensive menu of pulled pork, ribs, smoked chicken, etc. etc. etc.) Check. The name pretty much says it all. OK, well maybe not - here are my two cents: They have an eclectic beer selection - bottles, no beer on tap. The Mac&Cheese was delish - reminded me of my recent trip to N. Carolina. Peach cobbler - best ever! I didn't have BBQ because I had a late lunch that day, so I can't really truly judge, but I sampled a piece of pulled pork - not your typical in that it was dry and not pulled apart, but cut into pieces - but the flavor was pretty good, and there are sauces on the table to smother your meat in.
(4)Y B.
My husband discovered this place a few years ago while repairing their dsl services and decided to bring us here. LOVE the rib tips. Most tender pieces you can try anywhere. Mixed dining crowd and eclectic dining setting makes it homely. I would go back anytime.
(4)Nikki C.
when the owner, sous chef and family put out their best to host a bunch of big drinking and big eating peeps from yelp it all leads to a bunch of meat comas and the need for sweatpants the next few hours if not days. slow smoked meats, home made sauces, and voice quieting sides led to a meat orgy of mega-orgasmic proportions. the place is clean and cozy, live music adding to the circus and smiling and way cute waitresses adding to the mo' bettas. yes, they have me hooked to return and try to repeat the experience. just need to wait awhile until this vytorin restores my HDL levels back to human safe levels. dats good stuffs! loved the sweet potatoes, the ribs, the pulled pork, the peach cobbler, the brisket, the beets, the byob and the love of meat felt around the room.
(5)Carolynne M.
OK, OK, OK, sorry about my April Fool's prank (cough, not really), but here is the REAL and TRUE review that I promised! Oh, uh, first up KUDOS to Carol J, who obviously put a lot of thought and preparation into last nights event and oh my word... This place is UNBELIEVABLE! The only words I can use to describe it would be meat, meat, sauce, and meat! Don't go if you know whats good for you! Seriously, you will have to be rolled out of this place at the end and since there are some hard concrete steps outside, thats gonna hurt! I really don't want to go into too much detail about it (oh, OK if you insist!) Let's just say my all day fasting yesterday in anticipation of that dinner was... completely necessary! *groan* So, just when you think the meat has your full attention, there are these side dishes - one better than the other! Fried green tomatoes, sweet potatoes, coleslaw. Oh man. Not even one tiny thing to complain about. What the heck! Well, I guess there is a good reason this place won at the Memphis BBQ competition! I have never been so full & happy since my last foray into the world of gluttony that is the Wisconsin State Fair. Sweeeeeet. Oh and by the way, this is no joke. If you like BBQ you need to get your butt down to Pilsen, ASAP.
(5)QB Chicago B.
So we were in the mood for some BBQ and heard from a friend that this would be the place, closest to us & should try. Well....it was a'ight....nothing special...just a'ight. The meat had great flavor & was very tender. (baby back ribs) But it was the sauce that got my panties in a bunch. Usually it's the meat that gives you the problem but here, it was the sauce! I tried all 3 that they offered and they progressively got worse. And how does fries not come with BBQ is beyond me but whateves...we tried the Mac...it too was just a'ight. Many southern offerings but none taste quit southern...nothing was horrible but all missing a lil....southern comfort. The fried green tomatoes, candied bacon (my love requested them warm...how they come cold is a wonder...mos def should revamp to serve warm...they smelled sooooo good after they were heated and everyone around us kept asking what the hell we were eating that smelled so yummy), yams...all just a'ight. Wanted desert really bad but after the meal, we decided not to chance it. So to sum it up, in a pinch, want to listen to some live dixie...fall thru...if you want a great southern BBQ meal, keep heading south...pass Pilsen.
(3)link b.
lovely bar...very old. Nicely decorated. Good for pilsen.
(3)Kameko G.
One star is too much for this place. The food was not edible. I bought 2 orders of Viking Short Ribs and you could not even cut the meat there was so much fat. I was so disappointed. Worst food experience ever!!! $50.00 down the drain. Do not go there!!!!
(1)Diana R.
Thanks to Carol J for putting a great event together. All you can eat for $25.... I'm still full. Highlights: Pulled pork..... OMFG, I am never eating pulled pork anywhere else. Also, candied yams and coleslaw. yeah i said coleslaw, it was damn good. Dessert banana pudding.... i think I took the most from the whole table. oops! Also, I like that the owner came by and talked to us for a little bit, he was very relaxed and friendly, made the experience even better.
(5)Marc B.
I'm a total BBQ fan and, to be fair, a bit of a snob. I have strong opinions on the different styles of BBQ (Memphis, Texas, KC, Carolina) and even technique preferences within these styles. So with all the attention Honky Tonk BBQ is getting in Pilsen, I had to go. Full disclosure: Several jobs back, I worked for Honky Tonk BBQ's owner, Willie Wagner, at a printing company his family owned. So when I saw that Willie had left the printing business and gone on the competition BBQ circuit, won some prizes and then opened a restaurant, I was both surprised and intrigued. Gotta say, Willie and his wife Beth have a knack for great BBQ. It is probably the best in the city, outside of maybe a few tiny places on the far South Side from my youth that may or may not even be open any more. Willie does Memphis-style BBQ (my favorite of the four styles) and offers two cuts of ribs, brisket, pulled pork, chicken and sausage. We tried the St. Louis style ribs and the brisket sandwiches as well as the fried green tomato appetizer and the mac and cheese. The brisket was just perfect, lots of smoke and tender meat that still had enough chewiness. Whatever rub he is using works well - and this is where I think Memphis technique is just so much better than the spare Texas style. Put Honky Tonk's brisket against Smoque's (the critic's fave on the North Side which specializes in Texas style BBQ) and there is no comparison - Willie's is just a more interesting, complex take. The ribs were quite good, although not in the class of the brisket. Smoke was perfect as well and I do like the rub quite a bit. But what I typically like about ordering and grilling the St. Louis cut is it gives you more meat to play with. And the cut we had at Honky Tonk were a bit more spare than I'm used to. The end result was a texture more like you get with baby back ribs. Again, nothing wrong with the technique - I just think a meatier slab would be much better. The fried green tomatoes were crunchy and good and the mac and cheese solid - but the meat was clearly the star. We will for sure go back, this is a must stop if you love BBQ. Important note: Honky Tonk only takes cash. Make sure you stop at an ATM on the way.
(4)Fay E.
Came here with a group on a Sunday night to celebrate a friend's birthday. We got there pretty late, considering they close at 8pm. But you wouldn't have known it by the service at all. The servers were awesome, so nice, hung out and joked with us, and let us take our time. They didn't rush us at all, even though we stayed well past closing. I wanted to really love the food, but unfortunately, I didn't. We ordered the Sampler Platter, 1/2 slab of baby back ribs, mac n' cheese, beans with pork, sweet potatoes, peach cobbler and pecan pie. I love dry rub ribs and will always compare them all to the ones I've had in Memphis. But I didn't think these had much flavor at all, neither did the chicken. The chicken actually looked a little unappetizing because of the light color of the skin. You definitely needed to use the sauces on the table on everything. The sauces were pretty good though. The sides and desserts were just okay. Nothing really stood out here, which is sad, considering I've heard so much hype on various TV shows.
(2)Damon M.
GREAT BBQ! I would consider myself somewhat of a wannabe BBQ connoisseur. The "wannabe" comes from lack of an official title. I have traveled all over this great land and have tasted all types of barbecue. Honky Tonk is absolutely top notch. Definitely have to try the split Dinky Dunkers to get a good sampling of the pork and brisket. I would advise against smothering in one of the EXCELLENT 3 table sauce options right off the bat, but rather pace your self and throw in some sauce variety with each bite. Like I said, each sauce is excellent and unique. The sides we had are also phenomenal. Mac 'n Cheese, garlic mashed, and slaw. make sure to note, these are individual sides, not sharing apps. Maybe because I'm a hog and everything was so good that I didn't want to share, but that is neither here nor there. Possibly the best feature of this amazing restaurant is that it's BYO. WHY O WHY can't all restaurants adopt this amazing trend??? The decor is fantastic - always something to look at. Really great artwork adorn the walls with everything from Dean in Giant, to Dorothy in Wizard, to a Fridaesque mural, to one of the crazier paintings that you could stare at for 20 minutes and still find something new. The music is great. I definitely do not consider myself a country music fan, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the band channeling Hank Williams throughout their set. You just can't help the toe from tapping along. We also had the opportunity to meet Willie, the Tonk's gracious and passionate owner. You could tell from the look in his eye that he knows good barbecue. Not just "knows" like knows a recipe or two... I'm saying he "knows" in the way where the gods of barbecue come to him at night and whisper in his ear. Possibly the greatest feature of this incredible spot is the one you notice as you leave, but is a quick reminder that you will be back very soon. I am speaking of the "kick here" sign on the back of the entry door. I highly enjoyed kicking there, and look forward to go back to the Tonk soon, just so I can leave and kick again - Don't know what I'm talking about? You better head on over to find out.
(5)Edward L.
Oh A La Card. You've provided me with such insight into an otherwise insurmountable culinary journey. I went to Honky Tonk BBQ at the behest of an oft-unused A La Card. Being a native Texan I'm a little wary about barbecue especially in Illinois. Honky Tonk is a pretty tasty place but nothing extraordinarily write-home about (especially to a mom that still lives in Texas). Good: Service was pretty good. The place was pretty empty for a Sunday at around 8 pm there was one other dining table. Food came out quickly. Most of the food was pretty good. The hot link was especially tasty and the brisket was moist and flavorful without feeling too fatty. The sauces were pretty standard vinegar-based "tangy" and "sweet". The sweet was the better of the two -- offering a thick, rich, brown sugary sweetness. The tangy was just a thinner version with more vinegar to stretch it out. My favorite part was the peach cobbler. Warm and gooey without the processed peach taste and a scoop of severely rich ice cream on top. Not so good: The ribs were dry and light on the meat. The sides (beans and coleslaw) were forgettable. It's also a restaurant/bar so there were many people talking obnoxiously loud at the bar about topics that were not too appetizing. Also, the straws were inexplicably made of cardboard (or a cardboard-like material) that was odd but did result in a nice conversation piece. Bottom Line: Good (not great) option for smoked meats in Pilsen.
(3)Dee M.
Friends of ours mentioned this place and loved the food. I saw this place showcased on Metro Mix so I was confident that with a recommendation it would be fine. Let's look at how things really played out. FIRST Time- Big football game day, Sunday- Call in the order, ask if they deliver, they said, not today, okay, we pick it up, Good food, links were awesome, potatoes have actual garlic in them, mac and cheese was okay. SECOND Time- Call at about noon- asked if they delivered because I wanted to place my order before leaving the office. They tell me, not sure, call back at 3 pm, okay I did, do you deliver? Uhhhhhh, no. OKAY, place the order anyway and pick up on the way home from work. THIRD time- big game night- call to order, they tell us ...wait for it............. we ran out of food. WHAT??!!!!! AUGH!!!! Drove past their place and low and behold!!!!! Their signs says, you guessed it.......WE DELIVER.........oh, really? My gripe with this place is that they are still unsure how to run a business. There is no consistency. Unpredictable. Delivery or not...food or not. If we order from here again, we will have a plan B...it's disappointing. Get your stuff together people. Your food is good but like some good friends, you just can't be counted on. Sorry
(3)Ginger W.
I saw this place on Check Please and decided to give it a try. We showed up at 8:15 on Saturday night and stood in an overly crowded room until we were finally seated at 9:45. There were a couple of tables in the middle of this room with people eating. One table finished and I heard him ask the waitress if she needed the table, and she said NO!! So this guy just sits and hangs out while several other people had to stand around waiting. They also had a couple sitting at a table for four while a table for 2 sat empty. No one asked them to move to a different table for more room, so we just stood there hoping we would be seated soon. Around 9:00 the owner came by to tell us they were "low on ribs". Okay, there's still a lot of other things on the menu so no problem. When we were finally seated, the unapologetic waitress tells us "your only options left are pulled pork, beef ribs, garlic bread, and macaroni and cheese". EVERY other item was GONE. They had told us early they were low on ribs, no one mentioned they were running out of all the food they had on the menu. The waitress then tells us "you are lucky to get the beef ribs. We usually run out of those by 7:00". Really? Well then why the fuck don't you get some more?! Or at least let people know if they come in after 7 then the kitchen won't have anymore food left!! We should have just left but for some stupid reason we stayed. Half of us went with pulled pork, the other half ordered the beef ribs. When their so called award winning pulled pork arrived, it was cold and bland. Someone asked us how things were, so we told them the sandwiches were cold. They microwaved them and returned them to us but they still weren't any good. Later they did make an effort and brought us out a cold half slab of the st. louis ribs (I thought they were OUT??) and they were not good either. When the waitress brought our check, she said she didn't charge us a corkage fee since "there's no point irritating you with the charge" and walked off. I know it's not her fault for the majority of the problems but she was kind of a shit to us about everything. Seriously, one of the worst places I've been to in Chicago.
(1)Kevin L.
I stopped by the other week and I'll give it a high "SPF" rating( Service, Price and flavor). We walked in and were giving a genuine greeting, not just one of those walmart greetings. The decor made you feel like you were not in the city. Very down to earth country feel, especially with the live music. The servers were really friendly and upbeat. they answered all our question, gave good suggestion and never lead us wrong. they made sure we had everything we needed and check up on us. The half chicken was very nice, juicey, and season very well. The st. louis and baby back ribs were very yummy. Their house sauces were not to my liking but they were not back, I just like bbq sauce to be a little smokier. But the best part of my dinning experience there was the Mac N Cheese. Three cheese mac with bread crumbs, wow, I not going to describe it just go get it if you are around the area. This place is worth your time and money.
(5)Windy R.
Walked in and there was nobody at the bar or even in the front room to direct us. We didn't know if it was seat yourself or not. Decided to pick a table and sit down which as it turns out is how it works. Took another 7 or 8 minutes for a waitress to show up at our table. Service was very slow although the waitress, food runner, etc were all friendly enough. Food was average at best. There was a lot of fat on my pulled pork. You have to add your own sauce so there isn't much flavor on the meat without the sauce. The bun it comes in is so large it falls apart. The bun was seasoned and was tasty but overwhelms the meat. We also had ribs and mac and cheese. The ribs were extremely dry and overcooked with little taste. The mac and cheese was good. We hated the cole slaw. Nobody at my table would eat it after one bite. Another gripe was that they don't have an option for french fries as a side. We like fries with our BBQ and that was not an option. There is also no kid's menu and the menu is not kid friendly except for the mac and cheese. We won't be back. There are other much better BBQ options in the city.
(2)W Q.
Lesson learned--never let a rockabilly make your ribs. They were so fatty and gross they ended up barfed up into a pile of snow. The pulled pork was fatty as well, plus bland. Good meat shouldn't take more than a little squirt squirty of bbq sauce but I had to drench mine just to get some flavor.
(1)brian d.
great food, great room, great service and awesome music!
(4)H S.
Pulled pork sandwich is as good as it gets and they don't skimp out on the pork. The ribs are excellent as well. Worth a try!
(4)Mark L.
I have to admit up front that I love ribs from Gale St Inn, and that's the standard that I compare other rib joints to. I realize that ribs from places like Honky Tonk, are deep smoked for a long time, and are usually not as tender as Gale St. That being said, I still like to try new places for BBQ. I had high hopes for HT, but was let down from the moment we walked through the door. We waited at the front, where one would expect a hostess to be. We waited and waited, all the while staff kept walking past us without asking if we had been taken care of. After around 10 minutes of the uneasiness of just standing there, I asked if we were supposed to talk to someone about a table, or if it was self-service seating. The waitress said she would try to find a table for us. She did find one and said she'd clear it off for us. Once again we found ourselves just standing there, as the waitress never returned. Luckily someone else took it upon them self to prep the table. Not a great start, but a good meal could easily erase the bad start. I ordered a slab of baby backs, and my wife asked for a pulled pork sandwich, along with a large mac n' cheese as an appetizer. We waited at least 30 minutes before the waitress came and told us there was a delay due to a 'technical issue' in the kitchen. Eventually, the meal came, appetizer and dinners together. The mac was more like mac and no cheese. Very poorly made and bland tasting. The real disappointment was the ribs. I have smoked ribs in my Weber a few times, and these were identical to mine. Not tender, but chewy and a little tough, with very little meat. Maybe they order a cheaper cut to keep their price down? I did like the flavor of the dry rub they use, and the sauces on the table were pretty good also. My wife liked her pulled pork sandwich and the sauces also. I expected that 'award winning' ribs would be better than what I could make at home, but I guess not. After we were done, I asked the waitress if they had any wet naps, a standard item at BBQ joints. She returned with 2 paper towels, one with water and one dry. Not what I really asked for..... The best part of the evening was the price, very reasonable at $35 for the both of us. If it wouldn't have been for the price, I would have given them 1 star. I wasn't crazy about the neighborhood, safety-wise. As soon as we parked, a tattooed gang-banger wanna be was eying our car. I couldn't get that image out of my mind during the dinner. The car was intact, so no harm done. Also, there were a lot of people walking in the front door, and wandering around trying to get seated. They need a designated greeting area for a hostess. I like to give a restaurant at least a couple of tries before I write them off, so we will be going back, maybe I'll try the St. Louis ribs and a different side.
(2)gary g.
i am not really a big fan of BBQ food but this place is great. i go here with a friend of mine and we order the same thing everytime. i get the ribtips and she gets the brisket sandwich. i would like to try something else and i know i wouldnt be disappointed but its hard to pass up the ribtips. its a dry rub on the ribs so you dont get dirty while you eat. there is a few choices of BBQ sauce that you can add on the table. its a good place to go have a few beers with your buddies but i like to watch ESPN or a game if im drinking and i dont remember seeing tvs there. all in all though i strongly recommend.
(4)B. L.
I love this place! It has an awesome casual & fun ambiance, with live music and awesome art work covering the walls, but best of all the food is delicious and really, really affordable. I'm going to become a regular here in no time.
(5)Mina G.
My husband and I had dinner at Honky Tonk tonight because we have been hearing rave reviews about it. Including an interview some time back on NPR about the BBQ sauce. Then we saw that it was featured on Check Please and we figured we better hurry and see what all the rage is about. We were lucky to beat the dinner rush, we got there about six and left about an hour later when the crowds were arriving. I got the baby back ribs--this one was a clear winner--it was like summer in my mouth. My husband got the pulled pork sandwich and we both agreed that it was pretty mediocre. The BBQ sauces were pretty awesome and that made the pulled pork bearable. The sides are a tad bit on the modest side especially when you factor in the price. There was nothing spectacular about them. The cornbread muffins were baked too long and blackened towards the bottom, dry and bland. (The Jiffy box mix turns out a more delectable batch.) The mac n cheese was nothing to run home about and we suspect the pork and beans were from a can. The cole slaw was nothing inspiring. The stingy sides were for good reason, it meant plenty of room for desert. We shared a Banana Pudding dish. And that was a clear winner, it was sweet, creamy, and pretty heavenly. The decor was pretty eclectic and kitschy. I didn't mind the ceramic pigs, or the print of Johnny Cash or the HUGE Marcos Raya wall mural. What could have improved my experience would have been comfortable seating. The theater seats lining their west dining room wall did not make for the most comfortable seating but it was one of our only options since the other smaller tables with two regular chairs were taken and we didn't exactly want to take up a table for a party of six. Is the stage area for the live music really necessary? Bathroom was clean but out of tp...ahem, luckily I was only in there to wash my hands before dinner and there were plenty of paper towels. The waitress and busboy should switch jobs. He needs a promotion and she needs a demotion. Her service was dry and she seemed confused but the busboy was super nice, friendly and knowledgeable--he volunteered to share the specials and encouraged us to save room for desert, she seemed to just want to turn the table and collect her tip. We were a little slow to order but the food arrived quickly. We will probably only return for takeout (and that's because we finally have a decent BBQ place close to us.) We will stick to the meats and deserts.
(3)Sean C.
this place is freakin great.......twe tried the pulled pork, baby back ribs, and the rib tips.....all good, the fried green tomatoes and mac and cheese were silly good. when you do try this place, you CANNOT leave without having desert, because it is really the icing on the cake.we had tried the banana bread pudding, and the peach cobbler, and I was shaking my head with every bite. the live music and good service made the experience that much better.
(5)Jen M.
This is my new favorite spot in Chicago. I visited in January during a blizzard with a large group and Honky Tonk was full of life. The ambiance was fun and upbeat and there just happened to be live music that night! We brought a few bottles of wine & beer since it's a BYOB and the staff was accommodating. They gave us buckets of ice to put our beer in and provided a bottle opener. The service is great - friendly, helpful and down to earth. All the sides are delicious. We tried almost everyone and I would recommend the pork & beans, mac & cheese and mashed potatoes. The pulled pork sandwich is smoky and tender. The BBQ sauces are great, I used both on my sandwich. I ended up coming back 2 weeks later and tried the chili which is very hearty and flavorful. I went home full, tipsy and very satisfied.
(5)Abbey H.
I've lived across the street from Honky Tonk for a couple years now and when it was just the restaurant, I'll admit that I wasn't really all that interested. As a vegetarian, a place with "BBQ" in the title doesn't really pique my interest (though there are a couple vegetarian entrees on the menu and some tasty sides-- Fried Green Tomatos? Yes please!). But the new bar that they've opened has quickly become a solid reason for me to never to move out of the neighborhood. It's so wonderfully laid back, dark but not too dark, great live music, never empty but never too crowded, lots of funky things to look at on the walls and the most gorgeous old bar I've ever seen. We were told the building used to be a union hall and the bar was brought down from the second floor piece by piece. I can't imagine what a hassle that was, but it was totally worth it. Plus, the drinks are cheap, the staff is friendly and you can almost always get a comfy booth to sit at-- what more could you ask for?
(5)A M.
I am a fan of the brisket and their desserts. It's close to the house and good. Can't ask for any better. And if you go on a certain day, they had 2 guys playing the youkalaylees. It's a neat place. Def have to check out.
(4)Tom A.
I saw this restaurant on the PBS, "Check Please" program. They raved about the place and I went there with high expectations. My advice is don't believe the hype. The restaurant is located in the rejuvenated Pilsen area. The restaurant is housed in a beat-up building that was formerly the home of a bar. I went there on a Saturday night and the place was very crowded (Check Please was repeated the previous night). The restaurant is in dire need of repair and...well, furniture. I felt like I was eating in a Thrift store. Service was very slow. While waiting, I had a conversation with an older man at the next table. He was eating a slab of St. Louis ribs. I asked him how the ribs were and he said he has had "much better ribs, all across Chicago." I dismissed his opinion, until I received my food. I ordered their baby backs and my companion had a pulled pork sandy. Both were devoid of taste and barely adequate. Both dishes were dry and tasteless. The sides of slaw, mac and cheese and green fried tomatoes were adequate. The mac and cheese looked like it came right out of the box from Kraft. The slaw is of the vinegar variety. The green fried tomatoes were nothing to write home about. They offer you a choice of three BBQ sauces, all of which were unremarkable The restaurant is BYOB. This is always a great deal, which allows you to buy alcohol at less than half price. However, I would recommend Smoque as an example of what a great BYOB BBQ restaurant could be! Don't believe the hype!
(1)Beer H.
I am so glad that I finally went to Honky Tonk! I could not be happier with my experience! My wife and I went after work this past week. We got there a little late, and there were only a few other tables. However, I am sure this place is booming on Friday and Saturday nights. Our server was very attentive, and our food was out in a flash. I ordered the St Louis style ribs, they were very very very good! I was going to bring half for lunch the next day, but I ended up just finishing them off! My wife got the pulled pork sandwich. Not only was it some of the best looking pork I have ever seen, it tasted great! Nice smoke ring on both the ribs and pork. The mustard sauce was exactly what should be served with St. Louis style ribs if you ask me, so that was a nice addition! They do not serve alcohol, but they are BYOB. They do charge a dollar per person if you bring your own alcohol, but that is nothing! I don't think they even charged us. You can tell that they really care about their product. I will be going here for a long time! I can't wait to goo back!!!!!!!
(5)Jason T.
This is an odd area for a BBQ place. You may only want to carry enough money to pay for your food around this place. The food was just ok. For all the hype that surrounds this place, it wasn't all that. I got the brisket sandwich. It was pretty dry. My friend got the half slab of ribs which barely had any meat on them. The menu is pretty pricey. However, The best thing on the menu is the hot links. The staff was ok and the place was clean. Parking was not good, you will probably have to get a meter. If you live more that 15 minutes away or you are not in the area, don't make a special trip.
(3)Donald R.
We tried Hony Tonk last night at the recommendation of a good friend who lives just down the street from it in Pilsen. We love BBQ and were thrilled to check this one out. We had also not eaten since breakfast and were eager to get our food on. Since many reviewers have already detailed the layout of the place, I won't dwell on that, other than to say the area where you wait for your table is welcoming, but not comfortable. I ordered the baby back ribs, my partner and our buddy ordered the St. Louis ribs. We also tried several sides. The center section of the baby back ribs were meaty and tender, but the only burst of flavor was found in a piece of fat on the back. The meat was tender, but bland. The ends of the rack were dry, to the point of being like jerky. Reviews from our table of the St. Louis ribs were mixed (we brought home quite a few meat laden bones for our dogs). Sides were greatly disappointing too. The pork with beans serving size was embarrassingly small. Seriously...there were maybe 6 tablespoons of beans or less and not a trace of pork. Not one. The seasoning was also heavy handed and did not taste like it had been simmered, but rather added just before serving. The corn muffins (a favorite food of mine) were dry and rather dull. I tried two of them and neither tasted anything like the other. One tasted like the batter had not been mixed well. They were large. That's the best I can say about them. Banana Pudding dessert was delicious, as was the chocolate cheesecake. Service was quite nice. The young man that served us was attentive, personable, and knew his stuff. The bill for 3 came to $68, before tip. Cash only. It was good to get out and try something new, as always. But when we crave BBQ, we'll still want to head to Smoque.
(2)P C.
very good and nice people, and nice atmosphere. TOTAL PACKAGE
(4)cory a.
As a Texan in Chicago, I will tell you straight up that this is great bbq and deserving of the awards it has won. The meat comes sauceless, Memphis style, so you can add your own to your specifications. And the sauces, by the way, are made on the premesis - a bottle of sweet and a bottle of spicy is at your table. The pulled pork is without question my fav, with the brisket a close second. I also strongly recommend the mac n' cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, and the desserts. They also feature some great local country bands on the weekends, which adds to the down-home folk-art ambiance. Right now the place is cash only and BYOB. They've recently expanded into a second dining room/bar, and they are working on a liquor license. I'd say the prices are on-par with similar places in Chicago.
(5)Lauren B.
If craving meat, this place is perfect. I've twice ordered carryout and the service was really quick. The dining area has a laid-back casual vibe, and I believe that it is byob. The menu is rather limited, but both the pulled-pork sandwich and the brisket that I have tried are delicious.
(4)Fredo M.
I have lived in Texas and have traveled to St. Louis and Memphis many times. When I read some of the reviews it is funny how some people don't know a damn thing about BBQ and just make themselves look like idiots, there are many styles of BBQ.I was here when this place first opened and yes it is small and it makes it worse when a bunch inconsiderate people sit around drinking long after their meals due to it being B.Y.O.B. Anyway the food was great not the best BBQ I have ever had but it was very tasty and authentic. This place seems to be doing well and I believe that it is time to expand this the dinning area and change the location of the restrooms.
(4)Tom B.
For those of you who've been to Texas - for a baseline - I'm a huge fan of Rudy's. Anyways, on to Honky Tonk. I was with a group of 6. We were in the dining room at a circular table, perfect for a social group. Nothing special, some cool artwork, some weird. Honestly, who cares, its BBQ, not a high end establishment. It was hot and steamy in there, kind of added to the experience, though I couldn't wait to turn the AC on. We ordered texas brisket chili, mac&cheese, black eyed peas and 2 specials - fried green tomatoes and empanadas. All were very good - favorite was the chili. Perfect for a cold day in chicago, can't wait to visit in the winter and get a huge bowl. For dinners, people ordered ribs, bbq pork sandwiches and the brisket sandwich. All received good reviews - my brisket sandwich was great. I combined a few bbq sauces and the sourdough? bun was a great treat. All in all, left very full and very satisfied. Definitely will return.
(4)Barry G.
I wanted to rate this place on its food alone, without the taint of atmosphere. I got a sampler to go, with a side of mac'n'cheese. I consider myself a hard critic of barbecue. I've had lots of it, some great, some terrible. I prefer pork over beef. I am not a fan of chicken except when fried or in paprikash. I dream of one day being Abe Froman, the sausage king of Chicago. With all of that laid out on the table, with my preferences and prejudices out in the open, here is my rating of the sampler, in order of bad to good. Spare ribs, brisket, pulled pork, back ribs, hot links, chicken. I don't know what what they season their meats with, if anything at all. Everything was bland but with a pleasant but faint smoke aroma. The spare ribs were moist but too lean, and generally didn't taste like much. The brisket was bland and too dry and lean, with a slightly smokier aroma. The pulled pork was bland but with a nice smoke and a little bit of desired fat. The back ribs were nicely done, but bland. The hot links were spot on, but it's hard to screw up a sausage. The surprising winner was the chicken, which was nicely seasoned, beautifully smoked, perfectly fatty, moist breast. I loved it, and may I remind you, I think chicken is booooring. The sauce was nice, a lingering ring of vinegar brought much needed life to the otherwise bland four-legged meats. The cornbread was meh. The mac'n'cheese was not worth $3.50. The cole slaw one-sided, too celeryseedy. The bread was too chewy without a nice crust. At $30, this sampler isn't cheap, and the place doesn't take credit cards. Bring a pile of cash if you're buying for a group. I'll go back a second time, but if things aren't very different, I'll have to say this one isn't worth a third time.
(2)andrea l.
Wow. This place has delicious food, which is good because there isn't really any other BBQ around. I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was awesome. I like when BBQ places let me put my own sauce on, but sometimes the unsauced meat looks pretty gross. This pork was definitely an exception, the meat looked amazing- and it was! All the sauces taste good, so I mixed them all together and it was really tasty. I had the mac n cheese which was pretty good as well. My husband had the st. louis style ribs and he LOVED them, which is hard to do b/c he is extremely picky, he believes these to be better than smoque's. We got to hear an explanation from a lady who I believe is an owner about why st. louis is so much better. You can tell she is passionate about ribs and the proof is in how awesome everything there tastes. We will be going back to try the brisket hopefully soon! Beyond the delicious and fairly priced food, the service was excellent. My new fave BBQ spot
(5)Mark T.
I probably should have gone for the pulled pork, since that is what they got the trophy for at BBQ competition, but I'm a sucker for brisket, and theirs is supposed to be good, so I had to try it - along with a sausage. The sausage was very greasy, and had decent Texas style flavor, although a long way from the best I've had. The mustard BBQ sauce went well with the sausage. The bread on the brisket sandwich was a little crumbly and eventually fell apart, but had a good taste to go with the brisket. The brisket was also greasy and was also a little crumbly. I would rate the BBQ as acceptable, but not great. The place was so dark, it was hard to see my food, but I didn't need to see the dessert. The banana pudding was very, very good! Because it had about 2 inches of whipped cream on top, and vanilla wafers embedded along with pieces of banana, the pudding was closer to a banana cream pie than a pudding. I probably wouldn't go back for the BBQ, but I would definitely go back for the banana pudding.
(3)Jason M.
The food is here is always solid. They now have a full bar too making the whole experience complete. I did think it was weird though when I saw two baby-boomer couples come in and order a bottle of Merlot. What the f?!!! Who does that?
(5)Jessie Elizabeth J.
The Honky Tonk BBQ is a lively and colorful restaurant with good bbq, great sauces, and great entertainment. I recommend the sausage links which are flavorful and juicy, as well as the bbq pork- melt in your mouth good. Avoid the baked beans which are regularly unercooked and served in a watery base, and the chicken/ribs are cooked long before the night shift so they can be dry. We ordered the sample platter and had enough food for 2 people for 3 meals :]
(4)Irene H.
Go on a Sunday night at 8pm to hear the band, Fat Babies. Bacon Candy is a must-try and the Texas Brisket Chili topped with Mac n' Cheese is my favorite thing on the menu. Also, the banana pudding is absolutely delicious, to quote our waitress "it's like crack!"
(4)Liz T.
Honky Tonk is a-okay--for average, not awesome. I got the green tomato BLT, which should actually be called the fried green BLT for "fried green (bacon lettuce) tomato" because it's two fried green tomato patties in slider buns! Genius, brilliant brilliant idea, but delivery fell just a little flat. The fry batter was average--on the onion ring batter spectrum rather than the country fried chicken spectrum. I think it should be the latter. The $2 extra goat cheese is goat cheese crumble in a little cup? Not a goat cheese spread on the actual sandwich, which I thought was a little strange and over-priced. The mac and cheese is unique. It definitely has a sour spank and spice that makes me think of "buffalo mac and cheese," but I'm not sure it actually has buffalo sauce in it. It's definitely different. The maple syrup encrusted bacon is decent, too, but doesn't come out piping hot. It's a little cold and dry on presentation, more like a maple syrup glazed beef jerky. I'm also a sweet tea snob, and their sweet tea tastes like Nestea... not sure if they just need to buy some better tea or what. But definitely on the cheap tea side, which... come on, this ain't no honky tonk! Oh... wait... Overall, I would go back for late night dive food, but it's not like Green Street. Green Street is definitely on a different caliber of high quality, fresh preparation and presentation. Honky Tonk really is... maybe just more like a honky tonk.
(3)Carol M.
VERY NICE .... atmosphere was very enjoyable .... loved the music / band was great! Dancing was added plus! FOOD WAS A+ .... a MUST TRY is the SUPER-SIZE SAMPLER PLATTER! **Huge sampling of Dry-Rubbed Ribs / BBQ Chicken (loved the smoke) / Smoked Links / Cole Slaw / Sky-High Stacked Pulled Pork Sammies (they didn't last long on our table of 2 men 3 women). Corn-Muffin was to die for --- yummmmmm! ALSO TRIED .... RIB TIPS --- portion was more than enough to share --- loved them! *try sweet BBQ sauce as side splash!! ....MAC & CHEEZZEEEE --- my grand-daughters favorite!! .... BRISKET --- was fabulous!! ONLY DISAPPOINTMENT .... the beans never showed up on our platter!! YES --- I'L BE BACK
(5)Michael C.
Honky Tonk is a solid bbq place in the Pilsen area. My coworkers come here every Wednesday for Trivia night, so I decided to come join them yesterday. The restaurant is dark and really long, with a center stage for live music and where trivia announcing takes place. I came here quite hungry and ordered a whole order of smoked chicken. The chicken was moist, and the skin was nice and crispy. Each half chicken was placed upon half a hamburger bun, which I though was kind of odd considering there would be no way to eat it like sandwich (bone and all). What was odd about their dishes is that none of the smoked meats or sandwiches come with a side. What??? And in order to get a side, you'd have to cough up 3.50 for the regular size which stinks. They should at least offer a side at discount if you order one of those meal plates. Sadly, this is not the case. Trivia was really fun though. They have some crazy hard questions that require knowledge of current events, with a pretty big focus on literature and geography. Bring your worldly friends and you might stand a chance!
(3)Gem S.
Boot, Scoot & Boogie! If you're in the mood for some BBQ & country, saddle up & go to the Honkey Tonk BBQ in Chicago, IL. Honkey Tonk is a low-key, casual/divey, neighborhood bar that serves up an appetizing menu of BBQ, brews & specialty house drinks. I guess it has a more countryish theme than your average Chicago bar cuz it's called "Honkey Tonk," serves Q & country-sounding, specialty drinks & plays music that's not hip-hop, pop, rock or alternative. But that's about as country as it gets at HT cuz you're more likely to find neighborhood locals & a crowd o'hipsters rather than any cowboys. HT is no-frills & is dark with a bar & wooden booths & has a small stage for live bands. Nothing at HT really screams "honkey tonk" to me but perhaps the menu gives it southern cred! HT has a whole gamut of traditional BBQ offerings: ribs, brisket, pulled pork, BBQ chicken, sausage & the like. BBQ is my least fave food group to be honest & I really only like ribs from 1 place in Chi & 1 place in Memphis. But I was hungry so I tried food here for the first time on my last visit & got the "Girlfriend Salad." It's mixed greens with goat cheese, jicama, berries, walnuts, HT house dressing for $8 & I added BBQ chicken for $5. The salad was a big portion with ample fresh goodies & I think the chef placed a whole damn chicken on top! The chicky was very juicy & flavorful like a dry-smoked, BBQ seasoned kinda chick not drenched in BBQ sauce, thank goodness! Giddy-up! I'd eat this GF again, this was surprisingly one of the best chicken salads I've ate in awhile! The sides are a la carte so I got the small side of portobello mushrooms ($3.50) cuz I can't ever pass up a gemmy bowl o'shrooms! These guys were big & sautéed to a crisp literally, the edges were a lil too crunchy for my preference. Good flava but ease up on the char-effect perhaps?! I also added on 1 corn muffin for $1.50. Presentation was cute but muffie was kinda cold. Kudos for bakin' it with real corn pieces inside though, was probably betta/fresha earlier that night but still tasty. I can't vouch for the ribs or other Q options at HT but based on my gemmy, BBQ chick-GF salad, I'd wager the other stuff is good too. FYI: If you're a fan of all things bacon, you're in for a treat cuz HT is known for its specialty starter, bacon candy. For $11 ya get a plate o'cut-up, caramelized, fried, crunchy bacon strips. I've tried it & I'm not a fan but lotsa peeps go hog wild over this shit! HT has gotta a good selection of beer on tap & cool countryish, house drinks & lotsa liquor. I usually just go straight vodka but I did taste the "Moonshine" house cocktail ($8): It's bourbon, Veev Acai spirit, lemonade & house-made cherry. It's too sweet for my bitta blood, but I'm sure it'd only take a couple o'these & I'd be a Mello-Yello! Last HT provides free, live musical entertainment for its patrons. The time lapse between my previous visits to HT & my most recent one has been quite awhile but if my memory serves me right, I believe there were blues-country, hillbilly rock genre kinda bands performing on past occasions. I can't be 100% certain since every time I've been to HT it's been quite late & drinkin' straight vodka tends to blur the memory. But on my last to visit to HT, a jazz band was undeniably performing & not the cool, bluesy kinda jazz rather the "I feel like I'm stuck on a GD, packed elevator & I wanna effin' hang myself kinda jazz!" But ya can't always get what ya want! So if you're in the mood for something a lil off the beatin' path or are cravin' some Q & live music in a low-key/neighborhood kinda joint, I recommend boot-scootin' into the Honkey Tonk BBQ in Chicago! A lotta peeps are supes cray about HT & would prob give it a 4 or 5, but I'm not really into C&W & am usually just ridin' bitch when I wind up here. HT isn't really one of my fave watering holes in Chicago but y'all might FUC luv it & I still think it's a pretty cool place to get some Q, brews & if you're lucky hear a lil blues!
(3)Micha N.
Okay, so this is Chicago and not Texas, so I didn't walk in here expecting an actual Honky Tonk like some folks, but I was looking for good food. We started off with the fried green tomatoes, which were lightly fried and delicious with the garlic mustard. For our meals, my husband got one of the meat platters (brisket with mashed potatoes and cornbread) and I got the chili with mac and cheese. We were both pleased with our meals. The meat was moist and flavorful, the potatoes were creamy, and the mac and cheese complemented the chili well. My husband tried all of the sauces (tangy tomato, sweet tomato, and garlic mustard) and liked them all. So, we were looking for good food and we got it. We'll definitely be back.
(4)Art M.
Cool spot in Pilsen. I had some appetizers and a beer with a friend. Everything was excellent. Good videos. Plenty of room. Nice hang out. I had fun and the prices weren't outrageous.
(5)Shereene M.
Bacon Candy- must get enough for at least half a piece for everyone, we had a piece for everyone and I was in love but felt like it was crazy Sampler- crazy huge. Wasn't crazy about the chicken but the ribs and hot links were delish One of the salads- meh, could have passed on it I wanted all of the sweets but didn't have any space. We all left with some leftovers! The live music is cool but the service isn't that great. I don't think I'll be back but glad we checked it out.
(3)Marilynn P.
Came here a few months ago with a few friends. I just remember the bacon candy was the bomb dot com- seriously, so delicious. The sampler was huge and the ribs were on point. I even thought the salad was good the next day for lunch. If I'm in the area, I'd come back for some BBQ.
(4)Tracy J.
I had high hopes, the smell outside is awesome. I wandered in before concert at Thalia Hall. Asked my server if the tips or the brisket was best, he suggested tips, which i love.....done correctly. They were dry and tough...a bit overdone to say the least. They wouldnt tear apart...very much like low grade jerky. The sides of greens and garlic mashed were really good so i might suggest keeping the cook of those and getting a new meat chef. Overall, id say half the tips were edible, the rest, would be suitable for my pooch, if I had one, and i was mad at him. Service was good..but I wont be back..my suggestion is the cook should travel the US to find the true potential of smoked meats, because this example was not it. Pass
(2)Vishal P.
Came here bc I lived near by not knowing what to expect from looking at outside of the building but inside is a whole new world literally....this what u call a hidden gem. Reminded me of mom pops bbq place from south. Ordered ribs and slaw with beer garnished with BACON CANDY! Just writing this review the next day making me hungry again. I would def go back order same thing...ribs, slaw, beer w/ bacon candy! I would maybe give it 4 stars bc it's so busy and limited seating but that wouldn't be fair....
(5)JS T.
This review is solely for their catering service- disregard if you're not planning a wedding or event. My two dear friends got married at Colby Barn in Grayslake and and asked me to coordinate their reception. Beth was the person I worked with most. In terms of professionalism, problem solving, and flexibility, I cannot say enough good things about the team they sent. Not only were they efficient and attentive, they went beyond the expectations of a caterer. When the car full of decorations arrived an hour late (leaving only an hour to decorate from scratch) they all pitched in to help. They decorated the tables, and Beth was in the kitchen cutting and arranging flowers with us. I wouldn't have survived without them. They were constantly asking what else they could do to help out. In terms of the food, I can't totally speak to the quality because I was the last table to eat, so the chicken was a little dried out. However, the BBQ sauce, candied bacon, and Mac and cheese were yummy.
(4)Brent W.
Waitstaff grumpy, irritated, and poor drink menu. After returning to this favorite spot of mine where I love to listen to music, I was suprised by the waitstaff and poor training to maintain a professional attitude through the night. Not only would the bar staff bring out the incorrect drinks, they were upset when you didn't take the incorrect order. The food cam out quickly, but when we would try to enjoy the music dancing, the waitstaff was less than patient. The drink menu has two choices: sugary drinks or bitter drinks. They seem to not know how to balance any cocktail. I know it's a bbq themed bar with 'vintage' inspired drinks, but even bathtub gin didn't taste that bad. Finally trying to wrap up the evening trying to sort out the check, they refused to split the tab and put someone's bar tab on our tables tab after being asked not to. I will not be returning.
(1)Stephanie M.
I enjoyed our dining. The decor gave us lots to talk about. Our waitress was awesome. The food was good. My family member that is a vegetarian had things to choose from. Perfect fit for a chill/relaxing evening.
(3)Charlie C.
I think that this is a 3-4 star place. But I am bordering on 3 for a few reasons. (Side note, my meal was a 4). I was with a friend there- their ribs were quite fatty and cooked to non-precision. The music in the front room was good, but the volume was blaring so loud that I could not think while making my order. We went to the eccentric back room and enjoyed the experience much- MUCH more. I had pulled pork- it was terrific. The mac 'n cheese. My god its rich and wonderful. So... the food was good on my end. The atmosphere once escaped form that dreadful noise was great- and my co-diners meal was "meh." I would go back.
(3)Rachel P.
They list about half a dozen appetizers, but they are all smoke and mirrors for the one true appetizer: BACON CANDY. Order it. Order another to go. Thick, chewy, sweet, bacony - just yum! The meats are also smoky and good, if a touch heavy-handed on the black pepper for my taste (maybe this is Chicago-style?), as well as tasty mac and cheese and garlic mashed potatoes. The no substitution rule also kinda sucks if you don't like coleslaw, like me, but overall a good meal. I'm not sure which band was playing the night we went, but I really enjoyed the old jazz/big band sound more than I thought I might, and would definitely go back for both the food and the music again.
(4)Kevin D.
The girlfriend and I were in town from the Twin Cities for a little vacation and sightseeing. After a long and humid day, we were ready to end the night with a nice dinner. I used an app that finds restaurants that were featured on the Food Network and found Honky Tonk BBQ. After a longish bus ride from Willis Tower, we made it to the neighborhood. It's located in what seems to be an up and coming area. As we walked toward the restaurant, we were beckoned by the sound of live 1920s jazz music. The door was propped open and we could hear that a good time was to be had inside. We entered the bar which was packed and very loud with the music and customers. The bar is smallish with very loud acoustics. The large sound system could have definitely been turned down by 20%. Aside from the noise, the ambiance was excellent and very cool. The band was great. The bar was dimly lit, full of random photos and oil paintings, and a beautiful old wooden bar. Unfortunately, it was also swelteringly hot inside. It appeared that the bar was being cooled by window unit air conditioners that were clearly inadequate for the room. Everyone I saw in the bar, ourselves included, was noticeably sweaty. We were unable to find any staff initially but knew we wanted to stay despite the heat and noise. This was an authentically cool Chicago bar. Eventually we sat ourselves at an unbussed table and a friendly waitress later came to clear the table and serve us. We both ordered pulled pork sandwiches and an order of the garlic mashed potatoes. My girlfriend ordered a gin and tonic. When the food arrived we were very pleasantly surprised. While many other pulled pork sandwiches served at other restaurants tend to be greasy, runny, and sloppy to eat, this one was nice and tender but dry; perfect to add their house made BBQ sauce. They had both a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. Both were excellent. I preferred the tangy even though I'm generally averse to spicy foods and sauces. The girlfriend enjoyed her G and T's though they were slow to be refilled. The garlic mashed potatoes were not runny like some restaurant mashed potatoes and they appeared to be made from scratch. We both thought the meal was delicious and particularly enjoyed their sauces. Even with the oppressive heat and loud noise and so-so service, the food and ambiance were both so great that we will definitely be back next time we're in town.
(4)Taylor T.
Honky Tonk created the best wedding weekend ever! Karie and Willie go above and beyond to ensure amazing customer service. All of our guests raved about the food!!! And when the day started out it with a crazy thunderstorm, Karie stepped up to help make sure our day was still perfect. Perfect venue, amazing food, and excellent waitstaff!!
(5)R R.
This is a great option for a vegetarian and a meat eater seeking good BBQ. The meat eater had the rib tips with vinegar based slaw and loved every bite. He even said it was better than the BBQ that I brought back from the heart of Texas! Wow! The veggie eater had the Green tomato BLT with portobello mushroom substituting for the bacon with a side of Mac and cheese. It was amazing and I loved it so much that I saved half of it to have again the next day. A must for any veggie lover. We concluded with peach cobbler and banana pudding. Both of which were fabulous. Add this place as a mmajor local must do in the Pilsen area! In a word- YUM! NOTE: They have live music most nights so be ready for some music while dining. Also there are lots of meters street parking in the area. Chitown Veg Gal
(4)Lisa H.
To me, walking in here felt like walking into a random local country joint on a road trip, which I kind of liked. There were an assortment of random photos on the walls, and it looks like there was live music on some days, but we didn't come on one of those days (or at the right time). Wanted to come to try the barbecue. We ended up getting the sampler platter, which includes ribs, 1/2 smoked chicken, 2 dinky dunkers (pork and brisket sliders), 2 hot links, beans, coleslaw, and corn muffins. I know, ambitious for 2 people. The hot links and the dunkers were delicious. I was a fan of the BBQ sauce as well. I usually don't like cornbread at all, but my boyfriend thought it was one of the most delicious things he had there. The ribs were a little dry and overdone, and I didn't enjoy they as much as I could have. The chicken was similar. The service was a little slow, but not too bad. For drinks, they had an Old Style beer that came with candied bacon which I was tempted to try, but ultimately decided against. Maybe next time.
(3)Amy H.
Right when you walk through the door, you are in a different world. A lot of people are dancing and there is live music. We sat at a table near the front of the restaurant and it was packed. I was so hungry from walking there that I ordered a Portabella mushroom burger and their Mac and Cheese. The food was the best. It was a juicy mushroom with arugula and goat cheese. The Mac and Cheese had a nice crust on the top. OMG YUM! I'm drooling just thinking about it.
(5)Sharita R.
I sampled some rib tips from this restaurant at the Pilsen Food Truck Social. They were okay, but the meat didn't have much flavor to it. I did like the Carolina mustard sauce they had out. It made it a bit better, but I've honestly had better ribs and better sauces from other restaurants. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here.
(3)Julie T.
The food is amazing! Fried Green Tomatoes, candy bacon topped off with a mason jar of moonshine! It a gotta go place when we are in Chicago!
(5)Jennie C.
Dusek's quoted an hour long wait for a weekday so here I am at Honky Tonk BBQ, which turned out to be a pleasant alternative. It was bright and a lot quieter, so you can actually carry out a conversation. We had the 1/2 chicken, brisket deluxe plate, fried green tomatoes and extra corn muffins. The tomatoes came out piping hot but not greasy at all. Loved the corn muffins. And the brisket was melt-in-mouth tender. Only letdown was the coleslaw, which wasn't very flavorful. Prices are right and service was great too. How could I have not tried this place earlier?!
(4)Bianca R.
Trying to book the outdoor venue months in advance was like pulling teeth with Karie. I later found out after several calls and emails that they are booked until next summer but they could squeeze my son's baptism luncheon in for a couple hours. I'm guessing before another "booked party" or maybe they were holding out for a wedding or larger event. They also wouldn't be able to do the whole hog but could offer pulled pork sandwiches. No thanks. Either way, the whole ordeal of having to chase Karie for an answer was draining. Maybe they'll hire someone who can handle event coordinating a little better...
(1)Hilary K.
Honky tonk is my ride and die place in Pilsen. My dad and I stumbled upon it several years ago On Wednesday night and immediately when I walked in, I knew this place would be awesome. Since then, we have probably gone there 50+ times, celebrated birthdays and good company. The atmosphere is well worth the visit, and the food just makes everything right. Beware, they do not take reservations - only for groups of 10 or more. And boy this place gets crowded. The pulled pork and smoked chicken is absolutely fantastic. I feel that the servings are generous and if you're with a group, ordering a lot of sides can make it really fun. Love the whiskey drinks and I can't wait to make it back there soon.
(5)Erika G.
Oh, YES! Pleasantly crowded, noisy, fun place. Rib tips and brisket with tangy Carolina barbeque sauce. YES. The meat was delicious, and the cole slaw was pretty great too. The band! They've been here for seven years, and I ran into a friend - the fingerstyle guitar player - that I'd not seen in about that long. Great fun! Cool place, lively and fun. Our waiter was great - totally recommend this place in getting-hipper-all-the-time Pilsen.
(4)Mark H.
Sounds of jazz fills the air. The smell of BBQ is everywhere. Can this place be the perfect spot for a casual yet romantic getaway supper? Perhaps. But...whatever it is, Honky Tonk BBQ, albeit its young age however has quickly become a Pilsen restaurant landmark. Went on a Monday night to listen to a group called Fat Babies, a local jazz band featuring 1920s music. Tried their sampler to get a wide range of meat. The BBQ sauce was very tangy. The ribs were nice and firm. I enjoyed the links. Full of spice and rich in flavor. The chicken was nice and moist. Overall a great dish for two. I even had their candy bacon. Now this is an acquired taste for me. Tons of sugar infused into a thick slice of bacon is great with a cold beer. This is cool place. If you're into trying something different from that downtown restaurant def put this on your list of must trys.
(5)David W.
GO FIR THE BEEF BRISKET ON THE SANDWICH MENU!!! $9.50 Worth every penny. You literally pay for the quality and get your money's worth!!!! Also you go in and self serve yourself to any seat.
(5)Cindy V.
Gentrification at its finest!!! If u want a real gentrification experience go to the honky tonk and u will surely get it! It's filled w hipsters who are taking over Pilsen and their wealthy parents who are visiting them. It was pretty sad to sit there and experience that when all we wanted was some barbecue, which by the way was mediocre at best. The food took about 30 minutes to reach us and when it did it was cold:( yes cold Mac n cheese how can that happen? Well maybe it was bc our waitress kept gazing out the window instead of checking to see if our food was ready. It was really disappointing, if u want good barbecue I recommend husky hog on 31st st as it's delicious!! The only good thing here was the candy bacon, but I would never go back again :(
(1)Tim B.
Well, I've given them a fair shake many times, and the experience and food just seems to be getting worse. I'm in the neighborhood, and I call in an order- the Fried Green Tomatoes, a large side of macaroni and cheese, and an order of the Dinky Dunkers, both of which I wished to be Brisket (Important fact for later). They tell me about fifteen to twenty minutes. Sure. I walk on over there, wander through to the back, and they get my bag together, put in a big ol shopping bag with handles. Total comes out, $35. Did I order something else and forget it? I don't know. I pay, check the bag, seems like everything's there, go home to eat. When I get home, I open the bag, and there were two orders of brisket sandwiches, which of course explains the extra upcharge. I'll eat them, whatever. It might have been my mistake in not articulating my order properly. I hand over the Fried green tomatoes to my lady friend, who looks at them, all burnt like, takes a bite, shakes her head, and tries another one. Just as bad. No seasoning, and they're using red tomatoes. Oh, what's that on the side? It comes with cocktail sauce? At a BBQ joint? What? Strike 2. If they're serving a large side of Macaroni in a pint container and filling it up 2/3 of the way, I'm not getting it again. I've been here before, and the food has been average, especially the meats. Smoke them correctly, slice your brisket thinner, pull the pork to order so it stays more moist, and either trim the gristle or learn how to make burnt ends. It's obscene. The entertainment is nice. I'm glad they have that going for them, because the drinks can't cover up for how poor the food is, and it's only getting worse. Sorry, guys. Gotta go.
(2)Cicele B.
The Good: The overall atmosphere of this place is really cool, and inviting. We sat at the bar so, I can't speak of the service from the waitstaff but the bartenders were very attentive. The live music hadn't started while we were there, but I can imagine that that would up the "down home" feel. Finally, the bacon candy... Amazing! Three strips of super thick sugared bacon, um yes please and thank you! The Bad: The food, part one. Our food was cold. Now I know they have a special smoke method that they use, but I still feel like the food should be hot upon delivery. The hot link was spicy, but lacked snap. In general, we were disappointed. The Ugly: The food, part two. Those. Damn. Southern. Greens. In a word, yuck. Perhaps, the worst I've ever had in my life. I am not exaggerating, or trying to be a jerk, they were just bad. I want to give this place another try, so we will be back. I'm just gonna stay away from the green leafy vegetables.
(2)Eric R.
I really used to like this place. Went here when I was in the area after a game because I wanted some bbq and I used to frequent when I lived in the area. Pulled pork is nowhere near as good as it used to be, dry and flavorless. Candy bacon has become way to expensive. 4$ a slice? Really?? Service is still great tho :-) Thanks for being friendly, not always easy to do at 10p. I'm just not feeling it anymore. Work on your jive.
(3)Sherry Y.
Came here for The Fat Babies just this past Sunday. To see them for free was worth it enough, but the atmosphere here is so friendly. You can strike up a conversation with anyone at the bar and feel absolutely relaxed. Not to mention, even if you can't grab a seat when it's crowded, the bartender will still find you a menu and mix you a drink as quick as they can. I had an old fashioned that was just sweet enough with the perfect amount of fruit to libation ratio. Tip well, for my friend says once you get to know a bartender, they'll mix you a drink in advance. Great music, cozy room for dancing. I'll update later on the food, but it looked fantastic.
(5)Melissa G.
A friend of mine brought me here because he saw it on Triple D (Diners, Drive-ins and Dives) and let me tell you this Kansas City BBQ joint does NOT disappoint!!! Everything was tasty, from the delicious platter of ribs to the jalapeno cornbread. They even feature live music from various local bands, which is always a fun compliment to a casual meal. Also, let me just say that I'm not a huge beer connoisseur, but their Bacon & Brew is definitely worth a try. Did I mention the bacon was candied??? TO-die.... Fun Fact: They have Free Trivia on Wednesday nights starting at 9P (or at least they used to), which is always a ton of fun. I brought my coworkers up here for some trivia and we actually took home first prize which ended up being $25 off our bill (a drop in the bucket, but the thrill of victory made it all worth it!)
(4)Matthew R.
I started with the bacon and brew. I wasn't that impressed with the bacon candy but it was a nice little snack I guess. I had the rib tips for dinner which were great. They were a little on the dry side but had a nice dry rub and were smoked well. The portion size was huge and I could only finish about half. The mac and cheese was great, the coleslaw was so so, and the corn muffins were alright. The choice of sauces were decent though I would have liked to see a spicy one. I'm a big banana pudding fan and this one was pretty good though it seemed like 80% cookies an 20% pudding. Service was fairly quick once we got seated and overall it was a good experience. I would recommend this place to friends looking for some decent BBQ.
(4)Brent B.
First time I've ever been to a BBQ restaurant that cold smokes their meats. From the baby back ribs to the dry and cold brisket and pulled pork I would have thought maybe it was yesterday's left overs, but no.... We got there at 4 when they opened and everything should have been fresh off the smoker, right? Luckily the hot link was quit tasty and I saw a glimmer of hope but than I was corrected when the candied piece of leather was harder to choke down than my $70 unsatisfactory meal. I wish it would have worked out like I planned.
(2)Anthony G.
We are easy to please low maintenance, stopped in a few weeks ago. Don't think I've ever given a negative review. Walked in from a night of perfect weather, but was basically greeted by a bartender that was somewhere between grumpy and indifferent, who took his time to take our order. We had hoped the food would be better when we were finally seated, but it was also disappointing and unfortunately all the BBQ meats we tried were dry, a little bland, and tasted all similar to each other (we had the sampler). We tried to enjoy the night, but about 30 minutes into our dinner, but a woman who appeared to be the owner started nastily yelling at someone else, not far from our table. All in all, the restaurant was kind of a downer.
(2)Mike H.
Threw on my boots and plaid shirt, and headed down to Pilsen for some bacon, beer, and ribs. The bar itself was pretty cool, and I could see it being a fun time at night when there is live music. Unfortunately, the food was a little underwhelming. We got there right at 4 when they opened and first thing we ordered was the bacon and brew, which is a pint of Old Style and a stick of candied bacon. Although a little bit tough, it thought it was pretty good. You really can't go wrong with bacon and cheap beer. As for the main course, we ordered a rack of baby back ribs, and a platter of brisket and pulled pork, with sides of mac and cheese and corn bread. I thought we were going to be in for a treat being that we were one of the first people to arrive, but when the food came, we were left a little dissapointed. The meat itself was dry and really not even hot. The ribs were meaty, but weren't fall off the bone delicious. I really liked the mac and cheese, and the cornbread was amazing. All in all it was a cool place to check out if you're nearby looking for some good beer choices and live music, but I wouldn't make the drive again for the BBQ.
(3)Michelangelo V.
Honest review bad food do not trust the positive reviews i saw this on drivers dine in n drives so i was so excited to eat here one of the biggiest disappointments ever i ordered the chili pulled pork brisket sandwhich mac n cheeze ribs n candy bacon the only thing that was good was the pulled pork n brisket but they were cold n u could tell were extremely old the mac n cheeze tasted like crappy kfc stuff the chili had no flavor like was mostly broth n tomato then the candy bacon do not order it it was so cold/ old / dry it was like really crappy beef jerky n there was only 3 pieces for 11 dollars thats crazy then the ribs were extremely dry n flavorless n they were extremely small the service is really bad like they forget what u order dont get u anything n leave n never come back so u have to sit there and wait for them also the place smells trust me if u want the best barbeque in chicago thats cheap with huge portions go to hogwild
(1)Jennifer Craig A.
after reading reviews this was on our must try list. food was not good at all, brisket was mushy and fatty. hubby had 1/2 slab baby back. he felt they were a bit overdone but I liked. the slaw was strong vinegar based and mac/chz was riotoni with cheese. had chili for appetizrr, very tasty but served plain. our drinks came with food. server was pleasant but really slow
(3)Denise P.
I looked to ddd for some spots to check out on my visit to chicago.....and i almost didn't try this one, but fortunately some friends wanted to eat and when I mentioned it ....they were in. WoW!! I'm so glad we did! Delicious bbq - the garlic mustard was a nice addition to the savory food. I'M ALSO RECOMMENDING THE BANANA PUDDING....BEYOND Yummy!!!!...I'm not even a banana fan, but it was decadent and heavenly...truely. the wait staff was matter of fact, but attentive and never left us looking around for them. If you want good ol timey tunes and southern bbq charm with the savory food to back it up then come here on your visit or for a night out! Love you honky tonk!!....and of course your scrumptious bananna pudding ;)
(5)Jennifer S.
Honky Tonk beats other BBQ joints hands-down because of its unique atmosphere and the amazing food and drinks. When you walk through the door you are immediately taken in by the eclectic art collection that hangs frame to frame over every foot of this huge space. Honky Tonk's owner shared with me that all the art belongs to one collector and that he won't sell any of the pieces, but is open to the occasional trade. I don't know why, but I find that charming. They have the best old fashioned in the city and they make their own black cherry garnish which ferments in another liquor for months before it makes its' way to the bottom of your glass. The bacon candy is amazing and defies accurate description. All I can say is "You gotta try it." I also love the novelty of the bacon candy being served with a Miller High Life pony! As for the BBQ... the brisket is fantastic and the St. Louis style ribs are some of the best I've had outside of MO. There's life music 3 or 4 nights a week and the bands are always great. It can get a little loud, but the back dining room is a good buffer for the noise. They also have a take out counter and you can't miss the entrance as it's painted with flames. I've been to Honky Tonk more than a dozen times and the experience is always consistently great. the only mild negative worth mentioning is that there is a slight odor (maybe from the sewage drains?) in the ladie's and I assume the men's room.
(5)Rachel R.
The food was amazing. We went on a night with a live band and had a great time. The service was more than I expected for the hood it was in. Friendly staff who wanted to help and take care of you. Something you don't see often.The food came out fast and HOT! Ordered the St.Louis half rack of ribs, slaw and a side of Mac & Cheese. I may be 135 pounds, but I can normally eat what is placed in front me. Not this night. It was a lot of food on the plate. The ribs had more meet than what you would normally see. What a bonus. The meat fell off the bone and into my mouth. They have three different BBQ sauces on the table. It made it hard to use just one. Hence it is on the table. It makes it easy to bit what ever you want when it's on the table. Thus making my ribs tastin like sweetness or hot and spicy. I look forward to coming back and enjoying the brisket.
(4)jim s.
They never disappoint. Food is terrific, had the girlfriend salad last night with brisket, great sauce. I have never experienced a nicer, friendlier, sincere wait staff/bartender crew. Been there several times, same consistent attitude. Crowd is eclectic which I love. Music always outstanding, last night the Fat Babies for father's day. Oh, almost forgot.....3 dollar PBRs VT 4 bucks...c'mon this place is the best
(5)Crystal F.
Just had the chili via their stand from fooda at my office building downtown. Opened it up and ate some of it -- only to realize that it was mostly fatty liquid, with no beans and the chunks of meat swimming in this fat/liquid. Seems they don't skim the fat (at all) when making the chili -- and the server scooped my portion straight from the top. All fat from which my tender stomach hasn't recovered. I went down to explain, trying to be nice by avoiding the words fat and grease. She just gave me another *half* order and told me I could mix it with the other chili I had in my left hand, which I was hoping she would take back. That was really enough discussion for me. I had to bring it back to my office to dispose of it and go to Mac Kelly's and get a banana and strawberries for when I feel better. You'd think they'd know not to ladle it from the top.
(2)Kristen L.
The first time we visited, it was bustling--there was a live band and not an empty seat in the house. As busy as they were, the service was still great. This time around, not so much. Visited Honky Tonk on a slow, Easter Sunday evening at around 6:30pm. Sat down, took a look at the menu and decided to split the sample platter (a mix of chicken, hot links, a small brisket sandwich, a small pulled pork sandwich, half slab of ribs, and two corn bread muffins) between the bf and I, all for the price of $32. As we were waiting, I decided to go wash my hands. Only needing to wash my hands, I figured, "Eh. I don't need to lock the door..I'll only be in here for 30 seconds." Literally 10 seconds after I walk in, a server comes barging in. Granted, it was my fault for not locking the door, but do people not knock these days? Plus she didn't even give a common courtesy "sorry" before closing the door, just an "oh." Did I look at her, shake my head, and give her a dirty look as I exited? Damn straight, I did. The food itself didn't take long to come out--about a 10 minute wait from ordering to table. The sample platter is definitely more than enough food for 2 people, but everything was insanely dry--as if it was sitting under a heat light for a long time. I understand it was probably a slower day for them and a lot of the food has to be made beforehand because it is a BBQ place after all, but yikes. After giving us our food, our server says he'll be back with plates. Five minutes later and no plates, the bf asks a different server who brings us plates and apologizes on the other server's behalf. After we start munching, another server comes by and asks how we're doing. We tell her we're good and she goes on her way. And that was the last we ever saw of a server. I finished my water about half way through the meal and the first time around the servers were great about coming around more than once and filling up waters. Which is funny considering the fact that the place was pretty empty and all the servers were standing around talking to each other. Overall experience including food, service, and ambiance were much better the first time around when it was packed to the brim. Really disappointed that it wasn't as good as we remembered it.
(1)Heather D.
Do you want to have a mouth orgasm where the brisket just melts in your mouth from deliciousness? COME HERE! (no pun intended) I had seen this place on TV as a great BBQ joint and the boyfriend and I were looking for something different for dinner. It's hard to miss this place in the day, easy at night, because the entire outside of the building is black. But once you step in, it's like you entered a different world of Chicago. The building itself has a vintage interior, and the walls are sprinkled with paintings, which is fitting since you're in the Pilsen arts district. Our hostess and waitress were very friendly and said we came just in time for the band. BBQ and Honky Tonk? Yes Please!! We got the Fried Green Tomatoes for an appetizer which the breading was delicious! My boyfriend ordered the Delux and I ordered the Platter. All of the food was great. I leaned more towards the Tangy sauce, and my boyfriend was torn between the sweet and the mustard. (at some point he said "screw it" and mixed the two together) Our only complaint, which resulted in a loss of the star was we had ordered dessert and waited for 15 mins to find out the kitchen missed our ticket. Our waitress was kind enough to give us dessert on the house, not the ones we ordered, but we weren't trying to be shitty because it was a free dessert. I would've much rather preferred the ones we ordered though as I wasn't a fan of the ones we were given. All in all we like it here, the atmosphere is cozy, people are friendly, and the food is delicious! Don't let our dessert mishap deter you from checking this place out, because they really do have some delicious BBQ!!!
(4)Claudia S.
I go back and forth with Honky Tonk. The brisket sandwich and pulled pork are quite good, but the rib tips are overpriced and not very meaty. I know, they're rib tips, but I've definitely had better. The mac & cheese is flavorless and the empanadas are, different. Love the fried green tomatoes & cornbread muffins though, so really it can just be hit or miss when it comes to sides. When they're not good, you'll definitely feel like you wasted money though. The beer selection is small, the wine selection is decent & the liquor selection looks adequate. Honky Tonk is close, which is why it's a nice option to have, but definitely check your order if you do takeout. They have a tendency to mess them up. The staff, however, I like and when I come here alone I've always met friendly people, so, it's good for some pleasant conversation. They have a trivia night, live music & cheap beer, which seems to be what people in the neighborhood like, so they're fitting into this gentrifying neighborhood exactly as they planned, I assume. I avoided this place for awhile for many reasons, but when it's actually open (that's another issue), I like it.
(3)Gracie G.
Living in Pilsen practically all my life and now that the HonkyTonk is actually in Pilsen is Great!! I love their pull pork sandwiches, sweet bacon to die for and the band's that play every Friday it's Great! To see the neighborhood change with good food and entertainment is a plus for me..
(5)Kimberly M.
I came here with a group of coworkers mostly for the music, but they happened to be hungry too. We waited about an hour for a table, which was fine because we got to enjoy some fantastic live music from The Fat Babies while we waited. Let me tell you, the bar area was nothing short of a party during that first hour. We loved it! We were seated shortly before the end of the first set. Food was okay. Nothing spectacular, but surprisingly good BBQ for Chicago. The reason I docked two stars from this review was the service. It took over an hour just to have our plates removed and checks finalized. We watched the band eat their food and then missed the ENTIRE second set during the time we were waiting to wrap things up. Lessons learned: come here to drink, party, and listen to live music. That's all.
(3)Jessica M.
From Chicago's Magnificent Mile to Honky Tonk's magnificent meat! Get your butt to Pilsen NOW! Our party of eight arrived on a Friday evening slightly before 8pm for a friend's birthday. Long and behold, a large table was ready for us despite not having reservations. We were meant to be! We ordered the bacon candy, Texas brisket chili, and THREE sampler platters. The bacon candy came in three strips. Very tasty but it was a wee bit tough. The brisket chili was hearty and delicious with plenty of brisket and beans to go around. As for the sampler platter, we downed everything: spread of ribs, smoked chicken, pork dinky dunkers, brisket dinky dunkers, hot links, fresh slaw, beans, and corn muffins. The ribs were a bit dry but everything else got our table of Asians licking plates and fingers! Excuse us, but it was that good. Our waitress was also a sweetheart and played along with our surprise. She brought out a generous slice of chocolate mousse cake with a lit candy for our birthday girl. Parking was less than difficult. We were able to find a spot two blocks away after circling the area for 10 minutes. Will I be back? DUH! OF COURSE!
(4)Lisette D.
I always have a good time at honky tonk! The ribs are great and I recommend the Mac and cheese. The beer selection is smaller than expected, but with craft beer you don't always see on tap, like allagash white. I got an Ace pear cider that complimented the ribs nicely. The only downside was the coleslaw, which was underdressed and a bit too earthy. The bacon candy was a delicious start and the live music was a great end! I highly recommend taking your meat eating friends here!
(4)C W.
*** Vegetarian review Odd fact: vegetarians like bbq spots. Seriously, we do. There's always lots of veggie sides to make meals out of. What's different about this spot: the fried green tomato veggie slider entrée is awesome. What I wish was better: better, less syrupy gin cocktail selection. Atmosphere: back room = a feeling of being a guest at someone's kitchen table. Front bar area: live music, dimly lit, high-end/dive vibe.
(5)Raul I.
I'm a regular here every Wednesday for Pub Trivia. Yes, it is a "thing", and yes I DO come with other friends just for trivia. I don't just sit at the bar by myself thinking I'm the next Alex Trebek. The added bonus to trivia and let's be honest, the centerpiece to this place is the BACON. You heard me, this place is part of the bacon revolution, and you've come to the right place if you're looking to get your fill of it. I of course am referring to their plate of bacon. yes a plate, of just bacon. But no grocery store style bacon. THICK, LONG, SMOLDERING, bacon. I normally start out the night with a Bacon & Brew which consists of a pint of PBR & a SLAB of bacon laid across the top of it. Did I forget to mention that this bacon is caramelized. Yes, sweet and salty goodness on top of cheap beer. No complaints here. I follow my dinner (bacon & brew is really like a dinner) with a few Honky Tonk Old Fashioned drinks. Perfect blend of bourbon, vermouth, and it has a cherry. Love it. Of course everyone comes here for the BBQ. And that is just as delicious. Meal-wise I like to order the Pulled Pork sandwich. Tender smoked meat and you have your choice of BBQ sauces on the table. Ranging from sweet, to spicy, to tarty. I recommend you mix them all in. Voila! My go to side here is the mac & cheese. To die for! You HAVE to try it. Really, don't leave without it. My favorite waitress is Isabel (I hope I got that right). She's awesome. Doesn't disturb while we're discussing the answer to the trivia question and always stays on top of our drink orders :-) So if you haven't noticed yet based on my review. The place is awesome, so go check it out.
(5)Tamir G.
Great BBQ joint. Come for the live music if you don't feel like talking to people in your party.... Doesn't have to be a bad thing. Focus on the ribs instead. The ribs come dry with a perfect rub and plenty of sauce to pour over the meet. Rib tips is the way to go. Large portions. Beans with pork are amazing. I would pass on the corn bread. The candy bacon is a cool appetizer.
(4)Mark G.
Between Pollo Express and Honky Tonk, 18th Street is always smellin' like a summertime barbecue. It makes me want to drink a 40 and watch girls play volleyball topless. I struggled with whether to give them 3 or 4 stars. "Omgerd wish we could give half stars durr hurr!" If you've made a list of places to try because you want to capture the essence of barbecue in Chicago, I would place Honky Tonk in the bottom half of said list. There's other places you can get more bang for your buck and more impressive taste. But when you do make it here, I would recommend the rib tips and the side of garlic mashed potatoes. Not a bad place to have nearby if you're craving barbecue, but I wouldn't blow anyone for a free meal from here.
(3)Alexis E.
spicy sausages were amazing, and i had the sampler. I would go back just for the sausage.
(4)C P.
The restaurant is conveniently located in Pilsen and is easy to reach. The drinks were good but, watered. The BBQ was over cooked and rubbery. It didn't have much flavor and the baked beans were disgusting. The muffins were cold and the service was mediocre. I would pass if you are looking for real BBQ.
(2)Sarah C.
Go Sunday Nights! The Fat Baby's are FAB-U-LOUS! So, okay, proclaimer: I am a BBQ snob. My first job was at a BBQ joint in the south. I got to learn a lot - rub, sides, etc. When I wasn't waitressing I was getting to help cook. I have some pretty high standards. Honky Tonk was alright on the BBQ side. I wasn't floored by it. It's pretty sweet, but it's not greasy like I've found a lot up here. I'm not going to ramble - so I'll leave it at being pretty good. The sides were so-so. I know a lot of people have said that the mac and cheese is awesome. Maybe it was an off night for them, because what I had was a 5/10 at best. I did see this fun thing called the bacon and blue - a PBR with a strip of candied bacon. Apparently everyone knew something I didn't because lots of people got them. I loved the band. I mean, I really loved the band. They're a 1930s style swing band and they look like it. It's like all those guys were supposed to be in this band. SO much fun!!
(3)Denae H.
Honky Tonk BBQ is so worth the drive. Their BBQ is expertly prepared with 3 choices of sauces. We enjoyed the Sampler Platter with smoked chicken pork and brisket. Ribs 2 hot links 2 corn muffins beans and Cole slaw. The links are made in house and the mustard sauce makes a perfect pair. The ribs chicken pork and brisket are tender and flavorful. The sauces only enhance the flavors The restaurant also features live music on the weekend a fun tasty experience
(5)Brian L.
Great place in Pilsen for some piggies! Stopped in here when passing through town as reccomended by a friend (and whom I ate/drank with). Server was friendly, food was good (though I just ate at Kumas not long before and only are half a strip of bacon) it my friend says the food was bomb! Cool enviornment in the middle of Pilsen. They had live music when we were there. Sweet!
(4)Kat A.
Came in here on a Saturday night. The place was pretty busy (possible because they had live music). We were seated within half an hour as promised. The waitress and bus boys were extremely slow the whole time. We started off with the candied bacon. I've seen this item more often on menus recently so I thought I'd give it a try. It was pretty good actually. Then I had a half slab of the St. Louis ribs which came with a dinner roll and coleslaw. My friend ordered the pulled pork and brisket platter which also came with a dinner roll and a side. We got the pork beans and mac n cheese for additional sides. None of the food (besides the candied bacon) had much flavor. I wasn't sure what BBQ sauces were what...the one I liked was mustard colored. Basically I had to drown the meats in the sauce to enjoy it. The mac n cheese's noodles were overcooked and bland. The pork beans had a strange flavor. I was highly disappointed because this restaurant was featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives!
(2)Peter G.
We happened in on a Friday night and were pleasantly surprised with live music and great food. I highly recommend the greens and brisket.
(4)Brian C.
There's a saying about an amazing restaurant with great food, friendly service, wonderful atmosphere and greasy salt shakers; the only thing you tell people about are the salt shakers. Happy to report the salt shakers here are clean. Can't say enough great things about this place from the diverse live music to the barbecue that rivals anything I've experienced since leaving Texas. The waitstaff was informative, fast and folksy! Did I mention how tasty the good is? And affordable. Two words; "candy bacon." Honky Tonk puts Pilsen on the map!
(5)Helen P.
Aye.. . Kinda disappointed. Was recommended highly by my chef and food snob friends. Food cold . .all of it. Great taste to baby back.ribs just wish it was not cold. Even mac and cheese was cold how u mess that up beyond me. Waitress awesome Heather was her name. Great drinks great atmosphere. .will give it one more shot other wise off my list and county bbq still #1.
(2)Kellie V.
Horrible. They boast bacon and beer as a specialty, however they were out of bacon. Come on!
(1)Jeremy V.
Let me tell you about how Honky Talk used to be. It used to be friendly staff greet you at the door, prompt service, and really good food. Sadly that's not the case any more. I walk in tonight with myself and two others. We didn't get greeted right away, and when we finally did, it was a server(let's call him Glasses, didn't give his name) told us about 30-35 minute wait, which is perfectly fine. After waiting another 5 minutes later, Red Pants(a buser/food runner, again, didn't give his name) asked us to wait by the bar which is perfectly fine. After moving over, he sits the party which was ahead of us to their table(6-top) and then seats a party of 2 that arrived way after us at a table my party could have easily sat us plus one other. One of my friends decided to confront Red Pants about this, who seemed quite confused about it and was willing to move the table he just sat and ask them to get up. At that point we had enough of the rude, unwelcoming service at this establishment and decided to take our business elsewhere. It's a shame, at one time this place was a good spot to drive down and grab a good drink, have some great food, and enjoy the atmosphere that this bar/restaurant offered. Now, not so much. I won't be going back and I will not recommend this place to anyone anymore. TL:DR: Horrible service, head elsewhere.
(1)Judy R.
I haven't been to the restaurant but the restaurant came to me via Fooda in the lobby of the building where I work. I had a brisket sandwich and mashed potatoes. Wow. The brisket was tender and melted in my mouth. The mashed potatoes were scrumptious and oddly addictive. Definitely checking this place out when I am in Pilsen so that I can up this to a 5 star review. Happy eating.
(4)Erika C.
I've been to many BBQ places and although this place was not too bad, it wasn't great either. The service was absolutely horrible. Probably the worst service I've had in a very long time. The food was just decent, nothing to brag about. The bar was very cool & hip. I wouldn't go back. There's a lot of other places in the city with better tasting mac & cheese, beef brisket and with better service. Luckily I had great company, made the horrible experience worth being there.
(2)Sandra C.
Nice place music was good! No one greeted us at door walked to bar because we didn't know where to go for a table! Drinks great before we could order the lady comes up to bar and said we are out of every meat but pulled pork sandwich really!! How's that!! So we left no food my hubby grabbed a sandwich to go! He's is better! Maybe next visit we'll go before our movie!
(2)Jonna N.
This place just seemed too surreal to be in Pilsen. It was like walking into another world - a pretty awesome world. I shared The Sampler with a friend. It consisted of two sausage links, two dinky dunkers (one pork and one beef brisket), side of cole slaw, side of beans, half smoked chicken, two corn muffins and half a rack of ribs. The chicken was so moist. The rib meat came off of the bones. The beef brisket came apart nicely. The sausages were a bit spicy and grilled nicely. I'm not the biggest fan of beans, but these beans were good. I wasn't a big fan of the cole slaw though. It seemed like they got a bag of lettuce that you get in salad bags and added too much vinegar to it. It wasn't my cup of tea. I think aside from the food being awesome, the thing that made Honky Tonk BBQ seem surreal was the live country/folk music. The dim lighting helped to set the mood. Overall, it was a pretty good dining experience.
(5)Stephanie W.
Live music and good bbq. My absolute favorite is the candied bacon. It is a must when you go there to get it.
(4)randy j.
Honky Tonk (definition) A loud, rowdy bar that plays 'honky tonk' country music (or sometimes Hot Jazz). Typically full of drunken dancing hillbillies having a good ole' time. You have been warned.
(5)J. Chuck K.
Awesome band. The usual awesome layout and menu, but extremely poor service this time around. From the moment we were seated we knew it was going to be a battle all night for drinks. Any time we wanted to order something we had to flag our waitress down, and when our drinks arrived they came with an extra side of "F you" personality. At times she would only take the order of the person who flagged her down and quickly ignore the rest of the table and walk off. Our experience finally ended when she flat out refused to take our order and told us to go to the bar. A waitress passing up at least a $5 tip is a first for me. If you can tolerate poor service, come eat some BBQ, drink some $3 Lone Star beer and listen to some rockabilly music.
(2)Bertha M.
I just LOVE coming here on Sundays. Enjoy some amazing BBQ (their pulled pork is my usual) while listening to the Fat Babies. Mind you, I'm not a fan of loud music while eating but the music they play is wonderful. There's always a group of customers that are there in dressed in '20's/'30's attire and they just makes me feel like I went back time. Seriously, one of my favorite spots in the city.
(5)Allen F.
The salads are great, service is super friendly, and bacon candy is BOMB. SO GOOD!
(4)Lindsey C.
The atmosphere is great, cocktails are strong, but the meats come out cold. We watched 3 tables of 2 served their food before we ever ordered (also table of 2). The sides are the best thing here. GREAT candied bacon, Mac and cheese, pretzel roll and cornbread. The pork is far better than the brisket (very fatty and hard to choke down cold).
(2)F. C.
Great dry rub St,Lois style Ribs the candy bacon is also tasty .
(5)Jessica H.
Bacon & Brew is amazing! Their cole slaw is the jam. Music is just a little loud for conversation!
(4)Megan S.
To be fair, I have visited Honky Tonk on several occasions to try and conceive what is with all the hype that is built up for this establishment. As a disclosure, I am not a food critic nor a "foodie," I'm just your average American girl with a respect for things well made. How do I begin... First of all, despite what many have claimed about Honky Tonk, I find the place to be rather grimy. Grease seems to linger in the air and when combined with unwashed floor grit, the whole restaurant feels stuffy and out-dated. Oddly, some people seem to care for this feel, I do not. Not in a place that serves food. I've tried several of their meats; I am unimpressed to say the least. Honky Tonk cold smokes their meats and oddly enough, serves the food cold. Like day old, stagnant, luke warm. Anyone that knows anything about true barbecue, knows that good barbecue does not need "barbecue sauce." I have observed the majority of paying customers in this joint smothering their chicken and pulled pork sandwiches with barbecue sauce... And laughing, carrying on with their day. Shameful. Their prices are beyond ludicrous for their sub-par cooking-- 7$ for seven SLICES of fried tomatoes!! Ha! Just... Awful. Anyways, I did enjoy the bands and ensembles that came through during my visits, and the guys behind the bar are great... Just not great enough for me to return. Ever. If you want decent barbecue try County BBQ, off Taylor street. That place gives you more bang for you buck with good food and less plaid shirts... Oh God, the sea of plaid shirts at Honky Tonk... I still have nightmares. (Hipsters, just remember that you are still in El Barrio).
(1)Diaz M.
Ummm, nice attempt but no cigar! Smells good, but taste very bland. Had the Ribs, BLAND! Had the pulled pork, BLAND had the cole slaw, I'm not a fan of cilantro in my cole slaw! It overpowered the vinegar and mayo based sauce, please take that out. The people who like this BBQ have no idea what good BBQ tastes like. If you put a dry-rub with some Salt(s), paprika, dry mustard, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, garlic, onion powder, rubbed in with soy sauce...then we can talk. OOPS, I just gave away a rub recipe. PLEASE USE IT! However the service was very nice! :) Not a fan, I'm sorry guys!
(1)Kellie M.
We went on the Sunday before Memorial Day 2014 to see the band, Fat Babies, and had never been to the Honky Tonk BBQ. I have to rate this as two separate situations and they are both very mixed: THE FOOD/RESTAURANT: Amazing food. Service: Meh. The fact that you have to wait around the front until a table leaves and pay attention to find your own table even though they have someone that sorta seems like a hostess but not really because sometimes she's seating people and sometimes she disappears is a little annoying. Once you actually sit down and are served, it's a nice atmosphere. Our waitress was kind and helpful I will note that originally, we walked in and sat at a table that was not near the band at all (in fact it was in another room very far from the band) but when we decided we really wanted to be closer to the band, we went back to the front of the restaurant to wait for a new table. I went out of my way to look for our original waitress (who didn't actually serve us anything, just went to get us menus) and she was a total bitch about it. I went out of my way to find her and tell her we were moving and why and I apologized and she didn't even answer me. New waitress: way better. The food is good. We had the bacon candy for starters which was not out-of-your-mind good but good. I had a pulled pork sandwich and my date had a beef brisket. They were both really good. For sides, we had the mac and cheese - a little too peppery but still okay and candied yams which were awesome. The large was too large for us but we took about one serving of each side home. We each had two drinks: one Pimm's cup which was AMAZING..THE BEST I EVER HAD. and second drink called a Lazy Protestant or something like that. Meh. Dessert was strawberry shortcake which we instantly regretted ordering but we ate it anyway because, hey, it's dessert. THE RESTAURANT AS A VENUE: For this band: HORRIBLE! The band started playing right as we sat down to eat so by mid appetizer, several 20-something swing dancers were in our way and, well, pretty much in everyone's way. By the time we got to dessert, the restaurant had moved 2 tables so the 12 couples of swing dancers could do their thing, however, it WAS STILL TOO SMALL OF AN AREA FOR THEM TO BE DANCING. The restaurant should be aware of this. What's worse is that I didn't see any of them order food (maybe a drink or two for a couple of them). They just showed up to dance. I get that they wanted to have fun but my god, at the expense of the comfort of paying customers?? The two tables next to us were FORCED to sit on benches staring at the dancers because their tables were MOVED!! What the hell? While we attempted to look past the dancers, we tried to enjoy the last few numbers of the band and eat our dessert. My date got stepped on, kicked and yes, SWEATED on while we were eating. What's worse is that these self-absorbed hipster assholes didn't even pay attention to anyone around them. They danced into a bus boy with plates, a runner with trays of food and a customer trying to go to the bathroom. It was ridiculous. Needless to say, it's hard to like this place with that type of experience we had. We will go to see Fat Babies somewhere else and there are plenty of other BBQ places in Chicago that aren't as clueless as Honky Tonk BBQ. I think this place needs to make up its mind - is it a restaurant or a dance venue because it sucks as both.
(2)Ed B.
Awesome BBQ. Highly recommend that everyone should try it. The Brisket was perfect!
(5)Kairo C.
ever since i have been here i have been eager to come back. for starters you walk inside and immediately felt transported to Texas: the smell of REAL bbq, the live country/folk/rockabilly music, bars and booths and tables laced with regulars, kitschy local art, shiner or lonestar beer, a menu showcasing slabs, pulls, and briskets of meats, fried green tomatoes, black eyed peas, cornbread and peach cobbler.... nom nom nom! in an area engulfed in mexican flairs, this place stands out as a flaming minority with an expression to be heard. i had (OK don't laugh)... the special goat cheese salad with garlic soy dressing and bbq pulled chicken added on top... WOW, not your classic choice but the salad was GREAT and the pulled chicken was GRAND! i still get cravings for this salad. i tried... the beef brisket of my girlfriends. she is a rare beef eater and was convinced by the waitress to go for the beef brisket.... she tried but retreated to the comforts of lighter fare... the waitress offered with sweetness and smiles (at least in front of us!) to replace the plate with pulled chicken sammie... all of it was good in my opinion! the fun part was dressing hunks of meat with one of 3 of their house made sauces: a tangy, a sweet, a traditional bbq sauce. unlike most slimy bbq i am accustomed to, here the meat is rubbed and smoked and it comes out tender - you dress as you please. the quality meat can stand alone, but the marriage of tastes with the sauces is certainly a match made in heaven. left to conquer... candied bacon, fried green tomatoes, mac n cheese, beef short ribs, smoked sausage, pulled pork (yes i will not discriminate against pork here)...mmmMMMmmm like i said, since i've been here i've been already itching to come back.
(5)Immer R.
Go to this place. Now! What are you waiting for...go! Mmm, Mmm, Mmm! I had the St. Louis Ribs with a side of corn bread and cole slaw. Both the sweet and spicy sauces were delicious. The interior of this place is exactly what you want if you are looking for excellent BBQ. Nothing fancy, which means they spend most of their time making sure what come out of the kitchen is finger licking good. This place is BYOB for $1/person. BTW the best thing to do when you get there is to go to the counter and ask them if you can sit anywhere...they'll tell you yes and hand you some menus...find a table, sit, and the wait staff will be around in a few minutes to take your order.
(4)Jonathan C.
So I went with the Mrs and a couple friends this past Friday night. Its been a few years since I was in Pilsen as from 2010-2012 I was living in Australia and then moved to the northern burbs of Chicago in 2012. Anyways, I was excited to go back to Pilsen as I thought it was a really cool neighborhood back in 2009. Now it seems like the Mexicans have all but moved out and the hipster/artsy/not quite yuppy crowd has moved in. I've got nothing against that, because I have plenty of great Mexican food by my house and I was not going to make a trip all the way to Pilsen for Neuvo Leon or another amazing Mexican place that is just too far of a trip from my house. So we enter this place. I am a fan of the decor. My wife mentioned it reminded her of her Grandfather's house (he lives on a ranch outside of Ponca City, Oklahoma). So the decor really works for a BBQ place. I like the trays. I love the fact that they have good beers on tap. The music, oh the music was great. There was one band that was twangy and two guitars and later there was a blues band. The second band actually got lots of people up and dancing. So Jon, why only 3 stars for a place that has so much going for it?!?!? The service of the waitress was absolute crap. I understand that they are busy, but that is no excuse. They may need to have more servers, they may need better servers, I do not know. But she stops by and we say we need a minute or two to decide what to order. It took a good 10 minutes before she showed up again and that is only because I called her over while she was walking by. However, once we got the check, she was extremely quick to show up and pick up the credit card. And the food, well that was lacking. They were out of bacon candy, baby back ribs, sweet potato pie, and another item I cannot remember. Boo what kind of place is missing so many of their key items? Maybe if they were able to keep in stock their popular/good items my food review would be higher. The Texas chili had beans!!!!! WTF that is not Texas Chili. The brisket chunks were meaty goodness, but the beans and spice was not what I expected. There was more cumin, garlic, onion powder, and salt flavor than chili pepper flavor. We got a sampler platter and the beef ribs. The brisket was a little fatty and possibly should have been smoked/cooked longer to let all the fat render. The chicken was dry. The pulled pork was solid and the hot links were probably the highlight of the meal. The beef ribs were huge, ala Flintstones opening sequence. They were definitely not ribs you can eat with your hands. It was more entertaining than anything else. I think next time I'm in Pilsen I will definitely go somewhere else for food as I'm passing too many better BBQ joints on way to Pilsen.
(3)Cloey S.
I eat here several times a year with family. This is the best BBQ around with a handful of sauces to choose from. They even have candied bacon! I am always happy to see the local art hanging all over the walls and I enjoy the live music. I would suggest you try this place out if you're ever in the area. Always great service and they have a full bar.
(5)Adi R.
Quirky place with a different country/swing band playing every night. Food and drinks are decent but I would recommend going just for the experience.
(4)Dermite S.
Had a delicious dinner tonight thanks to Honky Tonk and our sweet server Emily. She was on it, from suggestions to service; didn't bat an eye and just smiled when the BBQ "pros" at our table proceeded to heckle her about the menu. This place never disappoints, and is made all the more charming with fun staff, decor and Outstanding live music! electric blues kept the crowd lively during our visit. Management clearly knows what they are doing, this place is a Pilsen institution. Try anything pork, it's award winning. Great Mac n cheese, don't miss the girlfriend salad, fried green tomatoes, and banana pudding. Love the group dining experience to try out more food than anyone should consume alone. They have a solid bar with a quality beer selection and charming tenders, Joe makes a mean moonshine.
(5)Rott G.
Stopped in last night for dinner. Food and service was wonderful.
(5)Chuck T.
Local hangout for very solid KC-style BBQ, music and beer. Love their brisket and smoky links! Place is usually packed, so head to the bar, grab a seat when you can, down a cold one and enjoy some of the best local CW music in the region! while waiting for a delicious meal!
(4)Tameka A.
I went for my birthday, and since was also our first time there we really ordered a large amount of food to ummmm (taste) lol. We ordered candied bacon, black eyed peas, corn muffins, a sampler platter which had ( 1/2 rack of baby back ribs, 1/2 chicken, pulled pork, brisket, hot links, cole slaw, baked beans and I could be missing something, lol) we also ordered candied yams, mac & cheese, 1/2 rack of St. Louis ribs, a Bloody Mary to die for and the peach cobbler. Now to the tasty bits, all the sides were really good, which the exception of the candied yams they were ok. I find that the ribs were great, the chicken was average as always in a BBQ joint. There links surpassed my expectations, the brisket good but the pulled pork was atrocious ( dry, boring and tasteless) . Where they really shine is in customer service, they are really attentive. They walk the floor making sure if need anything and are quick with the service they provide. My server was a really sweet young lady and even still we really enjoyed the atmosphere. Also try the candied bacon and the Bloody Mary it's a meal in and of itself!!
(4)Anna P.
Honky Tonk has a really great vibe, perfect for noshing on BBQ. It is dim and noisy (in a good way!) and they have live music almost every night. If you go at peak times, be prepared to wait. We tried the fried green tomatoes, brisket, pulled pork, ribs, mac n cheese, coleslaw, and vegetarian beans. Everything was good, although I did not think that the ribs lived up to the hype. The best thing we tried was probably the peach cobbler for dessert! Definitely a must-try for BBQ lovers.
(3)Nora B.
Yummy.... I have to declare that I am NOT a meat eater. I did have the BBQ chicken and it was amazingly delicious as were all of the sides, mac& cheese& garlic mashed and the sauce options at the table only added to the flavor, but were not even necessary! I was with a bunch of meat lovers and they were all impressed. My man friend had the ribs and raved about how they fell off the bone, which is good in the rib world, I am told... The service was good and the atmosphere was great, live music and all!!! Save room for the banana pudding if you can.
(4)Aron P.
Best brisket around. Ribs r to die for.
(5)james j.
A friend of mine and I ate here on a Saturday afternoon, we were greeted quickly at the door and we found an empty table at the back room. The first thing i noticed was an overwhelming smell of vinegar, which permeated the entire place. Upon sitting down, we unwrapped our silverware to find 2 knives & 1 fork with crusty food bits on them...we asked the waiter for more, when those came only 1 our of 4 had food on it, not an impressive start. Our food came quickly, but that's because it was COLD!!! My friend got 1/2 rack St.Louis Ribs & I got the Rib Tips..both were barely room temperature and needed to have been cooked for at least 1 hour more. While I cannot claim to be an expert in BBQ, I usually think that it should take less chewing effort than a well done steak; sadly our ribs were very chewy. We also had the mac n cheese whose sauce had an off-putting sandy texture which was a result of using cheddar that hadn't been properly incorporated into the base bechamel sauce. So for $52 with tip we got undercooked chewy ribs, gross mac n cheese, in a stinky restaurant..
(1)Jonah B.
Love it, great service, great barbeque, great candied bacon. I've been there many times. The decor and ambience are inviting, homey, and western style. Great accompanying music in the evening. We love it so much we had our wedding reception there and it never fails to impress friend and family.
(5)Michael B.
I try to make it to Honky Tonk a couple times a month. The food is amazing, the staff are always friendly and there is a variety of live music just about every night on stage. Some food favorites: - Green BLT (Fried green tomato, bacon, lettuce, tomato, spicy garlicy mayo) order it with the goat cheese rounds on top. - Smoked Chicken sandwich on garlic bread - Brisket & Pulled Pork sandwiches (get the dinky dunkers and have a smaller version of each) - Black eyed peas - Bacon Candy. Mmmmm... Drink favorites: - Honky Tonk Old Fashioned - Smoked Snapper Bloody Mary - a delicious gin based bloody mary (the "smoked snapper" is referring to the smoked hot link garnish) - A well stocked whisky/rye/bourbon/scotch shelf Say hi to the owners while you are there. Willy will be somewhere drinking a Heineken.
(5)Brian B.
I'm normally not a fan of mustard-based sauces, but the golden sauce here really nails it. The other sauces are good too. The ribs have a very smoky character, and I also recommend the beef brisket. Try the candied bacon too for a treat. The desserts are also very good.
(5)Joshua C.
Came here last night to see the deadstring brothers. Loved the atmposhere and was able to get seats to enjoy some good music, cheap drinks and some good que. One of my new favorite bars in Chicago despite being a hike from the northside. Ps just try the candied bacon...trust me
(5)Andy M.
I used to live within a mile of Honky Tonk BBQ. For that reason, I probably gave this place a few more chances than I would have otherwise. The first time I ordered from here, I had the St. Louis ribs, which were pretty bland and overcooked on the ends. None of their sauces were particularly good either, which might explain why they only give them to you on the side. I tried the chili on my second visit, which tasted okay, though was aesthetically extremely unappealing. The color of it was surprisingly dark and there were pools of oil separation that didn't mix into the chili no matter how much I stirred it. On my last visit, I tried the viking beef short ribs, which just flat-out sucked. It was way overpriced, alarmingly fatty and mostly flavorless. Do not get this. I would have appreciated a decent BBQ place close to home, but after a while, I had to give up on Honky Tonk. All the atmosphere in the world doesn't matter if your food is substandard. I've tried a handful of BBQ places in Chicago, and honestly, I don't know of a place I was more disappointed in than Honky Tonk.
(2)Rochelle W.
Overall, the food was delicious and the decor was great as well. The only downside was the wait for a table and the amount of waiting space available. I think we had about a 45 min wait, where I was able to squeeze into a seat at the bar while my boyfriend had to stand behind me and dodge passing servers and other patrons. They had a live country violinist performing, which was entertaining. While we waited we were able to get 4 beers for 10$ which was a good price in my opinion... When our name was called we got a seat in the back dining room. It had a feel of a house in the old south or something, with dishes and pictures and random memorabilia on the wall (think cracker barrel style). Anyway, I got the rib tips, and my bf got the hot link sandwich. I REALLY wanted to try the fried green tomatoes but I remembered I had some homemade ones leftover at my place and opted out. The ribs were VERY tender and the variety of sauces they had were great! My bf enjoyed his sandwich as well, but the highlight was the mac and cheese. Boy was it cheesy, gooey, thick and topped with breadcrumbs....everything i was looking for.... Our total bill was around 30 for the food and drinks. I cant wait to return! (Minus the long uncomfortable wait)
(4)Jeff H.
Hipsters serving BBQ. Our server acted like she was annoyed by us from the get go but manager was very nice. Food had good flavor, but came out room temp. Did like the jazz band that played and the decor was nice.
(3)Jennifer S.
Best barbecue I've had in Chicago. My friend and I ordered the brisket and pulled pork platter to share, which came with one side. We chose mashed potatoes and also ordered fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. The meat was delicious. Loved the barbecue sauces too. The portions were generous. I like the atmosphere with the mirrored bar and live music. Next time, I'll have try different sides and appetizers. I thought the mashed potatoes were too garlicky and their texture felt as if they were from a box. The batter on the fried green tomatoes was too thick- it should just be a thin coating and crispy. And the sauce on the tomatoes tasted like cocktail sauce- strange. But having spent a lot of my life in the deep South, I will say the barbecue is the best I've had in Chicago, which was a nice treat for me.
(4)Lulu R.
I know I am a statistic that gives into fantastic review of places on Yelp and visits them. Its me. Guilty as charged. We share this giant bbq platter that had everything bbq under the sun. It had a pulled pork sandwich which I added the slaw on top of to complete the "pulled pork experience". They had homemade sausages which thier homemade mustard bbq suace was perfect for, brisket perfectly cooked and sliced, and smoked chicken. I really couldn't complain about the food. The server was hard to catch due to the overflow of customers steadily piling in. The walls are like some sort of art show. Some of the paintings are hideous but ...hey this isnt my spot. Real hipster kind of place. Reminded me of wicker park. The place smelled real old though...kind of like moldy wood. It was really loud and we couldnt have too much conversation. The bbq was good though. So its and eye for an eye.
(4)Britney R.
I live 3 blocks away and had not only seen the place 100x but had heard people talk about it several times. I mean, it was on DD&D. So we decided to check it out last weekend. We ordered the bacon candy, which was good, but nothing spectacular. I ordered the pulled pork and baked beans. My bf ordered the brisket and mac n cheese. The beans were completely bland (this is after they bought greens instead of beans). The pulled pork was just ok. The brisket was good and the Mac and cheese was also good. But overall, it was pretty average. Our server was pretty blah and didn't really make the experience much better. I'd like to say I'll be back for the live music, but their drinks/specials are not even that good so... Meh
(2)Michael P.
I'm reading the other reviews thinking of what to put and I'm reading that they won a prize for their pulled pork? So when I asked the waitress the house special, why did she say the brisket? Anyway, I got five slices of brisket on a huge bun - there was not enough brisket for a regular sized sandwich (a rip-off right there) and then they compound it by making it look even smaller on this huge bun. It was all bun. Didn't taste good either, and to be honest, the BBQ sauces tasted off as well. Also got the black-eyed peas. Now, I make BEP at home and they're pretty good - as in, I can eat a pound of them at one sitting. These? Ate two bites - one to try, the second to confirm that they didn't taste any good. Too much pepper or something. Ate a bit of Flowers' veggie sandwich, not good at all - had a funny taste to it. Last, is everyone in Pilsen high and angry? Even had a problem with some pigeons. Not coming back. Save your Q for someplace better. One flag. More flags, more fun!
(1)David C.
Ahhhh go here, worth ..... Just tried this place out randomly since its somewhat close to my place and wow what a joint. Live music starting at 8, great BBQ, great apps, nice ambiance, people are friendly, service is great! It works. Pleasantly surprised 10/10 would bang!
(5)Mr. P.
I have been wanting to come here for years after seeing them on Check Please many years ago. Since they have never been open for lunch, it has been challenging to get here but I finally made it out here last night. Based on currently reviews here that I decided to read AFTER dining there, something has gone very wrong with the food here recently. On a side note, I know my BBQ to a high degree and have experienced even disappointing BBQ places in Chicagoland better than Honky Tonk. I'll just get right to the food: We started with a cup of steak chili. It was not bad, but it reminded me of Chunky Soup sirloin steak chili with more spices and ingredients added to it. I asked the waitress if she recommend the Viking Short Ribs - they SOUNDED amazing and they are only available on Friday and Saturday. They were as pricy as a full slab of ribs - but I have had some great short ribs before at other places (not BBQ, but braised). The waitress said she definitely recommended them. My girlfriend ordered the pulled pork sandwich, and we shared a side of garlic mashed. Viking Short Ribs: It looked wonderful until I cut into it. It was huge but 15% of it was edible meat, the rest was gobs and gobs of fat. The thin layer of meat that was on the surface did not taste good, had little flavor and I had to use the mustard BBQ sauce to make it edible. We complained at the end of our meal that it was inedible and it was mostly fat... I tore it apart looking for meat to eat with no success. She came back and told us "the cow was fatty, sometimes the cow is fatty, I'm very sorry." Hmmm blame the cow! She brought us a free banana pudding dessert which we really didn't want or ask for because we were so disappointed in everything, we ate it anyway and couldn't wait to get out of there. Pulled pork sandwich: Not smokey, little flavor, fatty, NOT PULLED - it was large chunks of pork that had to be cut up with a knife, it was not tender and did not come apart easily. Fat pieces were evident - the fat should have melted off in the BBQ process. Bread on both dishes: Dry, stale, inedible. Coleslaw: Dry, no flavor, no vinegar... maybe it was hiding at the bottom of the dish but it tasted to dry and bland, we were done with it immediately - it tasted like dry salad. Garlic mashed: Very whipped potatoes, with a piece of garlic clove on top. I couldn't taste the garlic very much in the potatoes - they were whipped so fine I almost thought they were boxed mashed potatoes but I found a small chunk of potato in them once in a great while. Sorry Honky Tonk, we shall not be returning. :-( first visit VERY BAD.
(1)Natalie L.
Loved the atmosphere here. Service was good and the prices were reasonable. But I did not care for my pulled pork sandwich. I did not care for the bread and the pork was dry. The mac and cheese was fantastic and everyone else at our table liked their bbq platters. So it seemed like I ordered the wrong thing.
(3)Jennifer K.
Two thumbs down for Honky Tonk. Reasons being: 1) Terrible customer service. Servers being unfriendly is one of the main reasons I'm not coming back. 2) The food is just OK. Yea, it's good, but I've had better. 3) The music is great; just too loud. Plus's 1) The decor is fantastic. 2) The prices on the food is affordable.
(2)Cristina T.
Honky Tonk had been on my Chicago BBQ bucket list for a while, and after I moved pretty close to it, it was only a matter of time before I tried it. We ordered carry out from there on Friday and it only took about 15 minutes to be ready. I loved the interior of the restaurant. It was spacious and there was live music. Definitely would love to come back to watch a band. We ordered the sampler platter and a side order of mac and cheese. Definitely waaaay too much for 2 people, but at least we had plenty of leftovers. The chicken was very moist and delicious as was the brisket. I loved the pulled pork but unfortunately the bf finished off the majority of it. As for the ribs, our 1/2 rack was really small and hardly had any meat. Mac and Cheese was divine. I loved the corkscrew noodles and the white cheese sauce. The coleslaw was also light and refreshing. As for the cornbread? I love all types of cornbread and this one was a unique one. Tasted more like a corn fritter and had big pieces of corn in it. Yummy. Overall, I think I would go back to Honky Tonk more for the atmosphere than the food. There are some standout items, but I will still be on my quest for great BBQ in Chicago.
(4)Jarrod R.
I would give this place three and half stars if that were an option, but can't quite justify four. On a side note, if you are from out of town and taking a cab here make sure you specify the address as S. Racine because as it turns out, N. Racine is nowhere close. After an 86 mile, three hour cab ride (ok slight exaggeration), I was starving in the literal sense and figuratively with anticipation. By the way, you know the cab fare is going to hurt when you've had to stop for gas twice. The location...on S. Racine...as it turns out, is an older building in a slightly shady looking area of town. With that said, when it comes to great BBQ I learned to absolutely never question either. As for the food, I started with a cup of the brisket chili and I will never forget it. This was the first time I've ever seen brisket in chili and it was incredible. The chili was very flavorful with just the right kick of spice and laden with tender chunks of savory brisket. I would definitely go back just for the chili. Another thing the Honky Tonk is doing well is their cornbread. This was a grandma needs to check on her recipe because she's got real competition with this one, kind of good. Unfortunately it was the main course that took this review from a solid four to a three for me. If you've ever read any of my previous BBQ reviews you can probably guess I went with the brisket and in this case, the brisket sandwich. Right off the bat I notice that the brisket is very heavily seasoned, as in on top and after the fact. I am all for a precooked rub, but am not accustomed to seeing legitimate brisket requiring seasoning on top. However the real issue for me was just the immense amount of fat and gristle that was left on the sliced brisket. What can I say, I like my women thick and my brisket thin. It's one thing if it's sliced brisket on a plate where it can easily be trimmed, but not easily option when it's already lathered in sauce and on a sandwich. I am not completely sold on the idea of brisket on seasoned ciabatta bun (as you'll find here) either. Maybe it's just the traditionalist in me, but I prefer my BBQ on plain white sliced bread or a bun. Aside from the food I really liked the unique decor from another era and was especially fond of the painting of Hank Williams Sr. The service here was outstanding and all of the servers were very friendly and attentive. Lastly, the live music was a nice touch and really rounded out the BBQ experience and honky tonk feel.
(3)Eric R.
We had a great time here. There was a live band playing the rock and roll classics, and the BBQ is legit! If it's your first time there the sample platter is the way to go.
(5)Brad S.
A friend and I went after the first round of NFL games a couple Sundays ago and I have to say...AMAZING BBQ!!!! I highly recommend starting (or finishing) with the CANDY BACON!!!! Absolutely....absolutely phenomenal! I ordered the 2 meat combo w/ a hot link and was thoroughly amazed! Only thing I wish they had was a spicy/hot bbq sauce, though I admit I didn't ask if they did. The service was great, we got there right when they opened on a Sunday and got our food relatively quick. Reasonably priced and completely worth it!
(4)Jessica V.
I've came here about four times in the past year.... I really liked it but this last time was bad..... There was 7 of us I bragged about honky tonk a lot to my friends and was let down...... The brisket sandwich was ok but the pulled pork was a joke..... One of my friends got burnt ends and the bread is horrible..... I will not come back because I do not support restaurants that done make things better.... U guys have to do something about ur ciabatta bread..... Guy From food network brought me to this place but again every time it getting worse... Thanks.
(2)James T.
I usually get carry out since it is so close to my apartment. Pretty good BBQ. The brisket and pulled pork meat are tender. The links are good, nothing unique but they are enjoyable. The chili is delicious, comes with huge chunks of meat. The causes I tried were their tangy and sweet. The tangy sauce was meh, but the sweet sauce was damn good. Overall friendly service, large space for groups, and there were times they had my carryout order done within 10 minutes. The prices are comparable to other bbq places like smoque or lillies cues. The 3 stars is for the food. The bbq is pretty good, but I wasn't blown away. That is not a bad thing though. Honky Tonk is a friendly place with a lot of options, so check it out for yourself.
(3)Justin B.
Honky Tonk } Smoque } Pork Shoppe After finally making a trek down to Honky Tonk after what seemed like months on end, I must admit, I am definitely impressed! Walking into the joint I immediately felt I was in for quite a food experience. Just looking at the menu had me jumping in my seat. Bacon candy!? A variety of whiskey cocktails!? Be still my swine beating heart. I opted to go w the brisket sandwich, mac n cheese, garlic mash, and a hot link on the side. The hot link was phenomenal, the garlic mash very light and creamy, the mac n cheese creamy and flavorful, and the brisket...wow. Soft, meaty, succulent pieces of meat piled onto a ciabatta roll...heaven on a bun. I managed to snag a few rib tips from my buddy who went with me and I must admit, they have some beastly sized rib tips! I will definitely be going back here to try the ribs, there was so much on the menu that jumped out at me but I knew not to overload myself. I recommend going with a few of your friends to take advantage of the portion size! Hats off to Honky Tonk!
(5)John M.
Twice I have come here in my search for the perfect beef brisket in Chicago. Twice I was compelled to send the brisket back to get it heated up. In this case, two strikes and you are out. If I wanted cold beef I would go to the deli and order it. I am afraid this place will never live up to it's potential. I don't see it being around too much longer. Too bad. Chicago could have really used another decent place for beef brisket.
(1)Armand K.
Walk in, immediately your mind travels... This place is huge, that art is as eclectic as it gets, and the smell is so incredible it could be a menu item. Okay, now I'm hungry, but wait a beer would be nice. As if your mind was read, a pint of Old Style and a piece of bacon candy for $5, where am I again, because I already don't want to leave. Before I go further, what's bacon candy? A thick cut piece of bacon smoked in maple syrup and crusted with brown sugar. More simply put; amazing. Okay so where were we; beer, check. Appetizer, check. Now for the main course, a sizable half rack of baby back ribs. Smoked for hours, as tender as a beef stew, with a bark like a great oak. On it's own they're good, but after tinkering with the three house sauces (sweet BBQ, tangy BBQ, and garlic mustard) you really have something worth writing home about. Before we finished our meal, a nice added touch was the live pianist. I personally felt like a not so well-dressed cast member dining in a saloon of the Boardwalk Empire stage set. Make your way to the West side and check this place out, 4.5 stars.
(4)Jackie O.
I remember the first time I went here, before there was a snazzy bar. The food was decent, the service was slow as molasses, and the band was great. I couldn't justify a 30min. drive cross-city when I could hit up some great places in my neck of the woods. Now I have that reason, and it is BACON CANDY. They caramelize brown sugar, and then soak bacon in it and let it cool. Crunchy bacon candy. At least, I think that's how it's made. I have no idea. If you have 2-3 people, the $30 sampler patter is the way to go. It comes with pulled pork, brisket, hot links, ribs, chicken, slaw, beans, cornbread... etc. Between two people, we had leftovers. For booze, their bourbon cocktails are well crafted. I had moonshiner's lemonade (but I switched out Maker's for Buillet). If I remember right, and I probably don't, it had Acai berry liquor, bitters, lemonade, and a bourbon soaked cherry.
(5)Juli A.
Damn good BBQ in a neighborhood known for anything but. I remember the first time I ordered and the owner's wife delivered my dinner. They know how to BBQ and while delivery was awesome, I rather prefer dining in.
(4)Raul Z.
I thought it was great good food good beer terrific music live band and not so expensive for two people drinks and food $ 30.00 a person...
(4)Emily C.
Yee-haw. Honky Tonk is famous for their brisket -- stick to it. It was by far the best of all of their meats. I also loved the mac and cheese, which had a sharp cheddary flavor and a hardened parmesan crust. They also have a full bar. Honky Tonk has a large interior and is a great spot for groups. When I went they had live country folk music, which really added to the country-style ambiance. The barbeque is not on the same level as, say, Smoque, but the dining experience is far nicer. In short, go here for ambiance and brisket. Oh, and Pilsen, if that's your thing.
(3)Yesy D.
What can I say I love this place! It's a little pricey but I love the location, atmosphere and of course the food. They have the best beef brisket I've ever tasted and the live music adds to the experience. We've always had great luck with the waiters. Special side note: If you are a garlic lover, you will LOVE the garlic mashed potatoes.
(4)Mandy A.
Came here on a random, rainy Saturday night with the husband and it was, as they say, all that. Had to wait a bit but we grabbed some beers and listened to the live jazz duo. Decor is cool and vintage and farm-y and weird. Lots of portraits of awkward individuals. Once we were seated we decided on the candy bacon as an appetizer. I mean, have you ever eaten bacon with a fork and knife before? You know it's going to kind of be good and make you want to throw up at the same time. The candy glaze and the salt fat made a good combo but holy mother that was like the equivalent of a whole package of bacon from the store. What a way to start it off. We split their sampler platter since we figured it was the best of everything and oh, it was. Ribs, delicious. Pulled pork and brisket sliders, both delicious. Hot links, I don't even consider myself a big sausage fan and these too were delicious. BBQ chicken, yep. Corn bread muffins, hell yes. Skipped the beans because beans are gross. I asked my husband which was his favorite and he couldn't decide. I asked which was his least favorite and he couldn't decide. Hence, everything is awesome. Pretty cheap overall, about $70-ish with a couple drinks. Pretty great date night.
(5)Josan K.
Not the best, not the cheapest, not the greatest. It's decent, but better options for the money. The ambiance is great. Live music, great decor. Helpful, good servers. Candied bacon and beer special is plus!
(3)Michael R.
we own a uber busy venue on Randolph street and I only mention that because we are a food and beverage biased destination. The visit to honky tonk was a total sensory 5 star experience. I will leave the irritating details to the yelpers that feel they are food critics,and probably have not even lived long enough to have any caveat to comment.I do not know how anyone could think other than I do...I always am amazed at the less well traveled and seasoned diner denegrating a genious and well poised establishement.Wait did I just review Yelp reviewers??? :LOL OMG my BFFs
(5)Kat M.
Did you hear the one about the vegetarian who went to the barbeque joint? She had a surprisingly good meal! Normally, I don't seek out such places, but I have married into a pork-loving family, so Father's Day Dinner found me at the Honky Tonk Barbeque seated at a table with several pounds of smoked meat. All in all the experience was not as traumatic as one would think. They don't take reservations for parties smaller than ten, so we had a bit of a wait when we got there at five. That was okay. There was ample room at the bar. Their cocktail list is kinda fun. Nothing that blew me away, but I did enjoy the bourbon-soaked cherries that garnish many a drink. So we sat a bit, enjoying our drinks and listening to a fellow crooning cowboy music (quite a pleasant voice, by the way). And after about 20 minutes, they had a table for us. In-laws ordered many great slabs of meat. I can't say too much about it. They seemed to enjoy it. Everyone was pretty happy when all was done. And I was happy, too. The thing I like about Honky Tonk is that the vegetarian menu does not seem like an afterthought. There's some good stuff there! Most of the sides are veggie. Think traditional comfort food: Mac and Cheese, Candied Yams, Black-eyed peas... You get the picture. The salads are well done. I enjoyed the "Girlfriend Salad" - jicama, blueberries and goat cheese. I also enjoyed the fact that they had a menu item called the Girlfriend Salad! Corn bread muffins are warm and yummy. The "Green BLT" features a tasty fried green tomato, and vegetarians can substitute a Portobello mushroom for the bacon. Great sandwich! I recommend slathering on the garlic mustard sauce. For dessert we shared some peach cobbler and banana pudding - yes, with Nilla Wafers. Both quite good. The place itself is kitschy-cool: amateur artist oil-paintings line the walls. There's live music. Service was a bit on the slow side, but very pleasant. I wouldn't hesitate to go back. In summary: If you are a vegetarian looking to find areas of compromise with the carnivores you love, you'd do well to check out this place. Odds are you will all go home happy.
(4)John I.
Love the Honky Tonk! Great, authentic, small-time live music, excellent Q, delicious cocktails, and though I'm weary now of the exuberance about bacon everywhere, the candied bacon with a beer back sure is sweet. The pulled pork is savory; the brisket is especially good with horseradish and the links hit the smokey spot. The standard sauce is a bit boring, but the "spicy" is tasty (though not really spicy), and the mustard sauce would do the Colonel in the Clue board game right.
(4)Paty S.
I'll just keep my visits here strictly at the bar. Food was bland. Sure, maybe because you need to add the BBQ sauce, but even the BBQ sauce was bland. Doused my pulled pork sandwich and still lacked flavor. When I think BBQ, I can taste the smoked flavor of the meat. Nope, not this time. My husband's chicken was dry also flavorless. I won't even mention that it still had a feather in it. I've been here before for drinks at the bar. I was hoping to be wowed by the food. Unfortunately, it was quite unsatisfying to say the least.
(2)Anthony R.
Went here on a Friday night, called in beforehand and they said it wasn't too busy, got there 5 minutes later and the place was packed. Sat in the corner so the service was shit, but the food arrived fairly quickly. It has a country/rockabilly ambience which I really liked and they had live music when I went there. As for the food, I've had better and I've had worse. I ordered the sampler platter which had a bit of everything. The ribs and chicken were very dry. The brisket, pulled pork, and hot link were all delicious. The slaw wasnt anything special, but the beans were really tasty. The corn muffin was probably my favorite thing on the platter, which is kind of sad for BBQ joint. I'm only giving Honky Tonk 3 stars because it's a quantity over quality place. I was very surprised at how reasonable the check was for the amount of food you get, but that's not always good thing. If you want better BBQ, go to Fat Willy's.
(3)Kellie G.
The ribs were just ok. The service was great, loved the live music. Although I was just stopping through it seemed like a great late night hang out with friends
(3)Rockie N.
Candied bacon. Its good... but be careful how much you eat, or you may become full before the rest of your meal arrives! I split ribs with my buddy. They were fall-off-the bone perfect. The crunch of the edges made for a great texture. I barely even used the BBQ sauces! My sides were just okay. The slaw was nothing to write home about, and the cornbread was alright. The atmosphere is great! We dug the fact that there was a live old-man-jazz band. It reminded us that we were in Chicago! Great service. Great drinks. Decent BBQ. I would totally hang out here if I lived near!
(3)Alejandro H.
Great pulled pork and even better rib tips. They have a very wide beer selection and great music on Fridays, although I'm not sure if they have that any other day. I would have preferred to sit in the front as it seemed to have a better atmosphere but didn't bother me too much to sit in the back, I guess I'll just have to get there sooner.
(4)Shelley D.
This place was great. The atmosphere is really laid back. We got the bacon candy and the empanadas and both were pretty good. We had ribs, coleslaw, mac and cheese, pulled pork, ribs, and the brisket. Everything was great and the sauces were all pretty interesting and good. We ended the night with the banana pudding and the peach cobbler. The peach cobbler was okay but the banana pudding was probably the best part of the night. Not too sweet or too much pudding, just the right amount of everything. We would highly recommend this place!
(4)Jonathan S.
Loving hearing @aaronGetsug play his sax with #LateNightBait
(4)Aimee M.
What I miss most about living in Texas is the BBQ. Particularly warm days dining outside having good BBQ and an ice-cold beer. *Sigh. Honky Tonk did a great job filling that void when I was craving good BBQ. The hubs and I love that even serve Lone Star Beer. There are other beer choices (PBR, Two Brothers, just to name some) but I like to keep it simple when I have BBQ--Miller is just fine by me. The sampler platter is a good place to start if you're unsure of what to try and perfect when you want to share. The BBQ is served sans sauce, but if you feel the need to add some, there are three different ones already on the table. Here's my breakdown: Pulled pork--delicious. Smoky flavor and so tender. Almost don't need to add any sauce. This is my favorite. Chicken--oh so tender and juicy Baby back Ribs--just ok. They seem kinda small and didn't have much meat on them, but the flavor was very good. Sausage--great smoky peppery flavor, a little spicy but not overly so. Brisket--this was good. Very tender. But if you're a fan of TX brisket (the Holy Grail of BBQ in TX) you might feel it's just not the same. But don't skip it, it's very good. Corn muffins--the hubs and I fought over who got the bigger one--yeah, it is that good it made us act like children. Service is friendly throughout. I love the decor and atmosphere. There's a gorgeous dark wood, western style bar--I almost felt like we were in a saloon. Live music on the weekends make it even more fun to visit!
(4)Zach J.
Alright everybody relax! I see bad reviews talking about how dry this stuff is etc....you are not from South Carolina, Kansas City, or Memphis and neither is this place. You are no expert and neither are they. My review is based upon the fact that Chicago is not a BBQ city and never has been, but this place comes the closest you can get to the real deal from the south. You have to have a knack for BBQ to eat here and enjoy it plus you have to realize that you are in CHICAGO not SOUTH CAROLINA, it will not be as good but really good for Chicago. I found the hot links to be the best thing on the menu I still think about those juicy little pieces of meat and I have not eatin here in nearly a year! The service is excellent and friendly and the rest of the dishes were fantastic. The mac and cheese was delicious, and did I recommend the hot links? Oh yes I did, because they are awesome! Please review with a clear mind understand that Chicago is NOT known for BBQ. Just like do you think it would be fair of me to go down to Memphis and trash on every pizza place about how crappy their pizza is? No, it would not be fair because it would be Memphis they don't know squat about pizza.
(5)Ray W.
Simply great barbecue. Service was lacking but that tells you how great the food was for me to give it such a high review
(4)Karen N.
Their take out option is truly great! We called ahead to order, then went to pick it up 30 minutes later. Shesam! It became a big BBQ party at home! Be sure to get lots of sauce. The mac and cheese(not mushy anymore) and hot links(more heat) have gotten better too. Way to go!
(3)Daniela R.
I'm not impressed. I definitely had better. Food arrived at our table cold, very cold. Brisket was so fatty and chewy couldn't eat. I liked the Mac and Cheese, really good.
(2)Allen P.
When you've got SmokeDaddy or Smoque within close driving distance, you can't help but compare. I'm sure HT BBQ cringes when they read about comparisons because based on the atmosphere/ambiance of each location, these are all very different. HTBBQ takes the cake as far as making you feel welcome to be there. Service/staff was great and on top of everything. I had my 2 year old son and no one in my party ordered alcohol (apparent no-no's when dining out on a Saturday night) and the service was awesome. Live music made it a great atmosphere. We ordered just about everything on the menu: Candy Bacon: Good. Like when you dip your bacon in maple syrup. It's cold though and I guess I was expecting it to be warm. Mac & Cheese: a must order, solid Candied Yams: also very good if you like candied yams, not too sweet Garlic Mashed Patatoes: good flavor, but came out kind of cold, must not get ordered a lot because it must have just been reheated Corn Muffin: I thought it was a little dry, others liked it Dinner roll: didn't eat it, cheap and not warm Cole slaw: not good at all, didn't eat it, and I like cole slaw Hot link: delicious, a must get if you're into sausages pulled pork: IMO the best offering on the menu St. Louis ribs: well cooked, best rib option but underwelming Baby Back ribs: bland, well cooked (as in falling off the bone) All the meat needed to be smothered in house sauce to have any real flavor and the house sauces were a-ok at best. It wasn't like a "get me some more of that sauce!" type of thing, but it did the job. If you want a comfortable atmosphere, live music, great service and decent food, this is your place. If you need to be blown away by the food and that's mostly what matters to you, this is not your place.
(3)Luan N.
Don't tell my gut, My honky tonky gut I just don't think he'd understand and if you tell my gut My honky tonky gut He might just blow up and kill this man Tell him what? That Honky Tonk won 3rd place in the Memphis world BBQ championship because over-hype can kill. Does it live up to the distinction? I guess you could say that. My only complaints were that the portion of 1/2 spread of baby back ribs seemed a bit small, I wished they could open up the bar area for more seating, and the front entrance is a bit scary. P.S. sorry for the Billy Ray Cyrus, that song just went viral in my head when I was in there.
(4)Joe P.
The Candied Bacon is worth going a second time for and the brisket is so tender you just want more. I would advise you go in a group so everyone can get something different and share otherwise you might be missing out on something. They don't even get upset when you start a sauce war at your table.
(4)Veronica S.
Have eaten here five times. Really good rib tips, mac and cheese, and peach cobbler, but it takes forever to get the food even if you arrive and order just as they open their doors. Plus last time we were there the air conditioning was broken and it smelled like a backed-up sewer. It's a bit of a hike for us and we have much better BBQ nearer to home. Most likely will not be back.
(3)Cisco D.
My 90 Day Challenge is in Jeopardy with this BBQ that is F I R E !!!! Honky Tonking and stuffing my face off is where it's at !!!!
(5)Andres D.
After watching the Honky Tonk BBQ youtube video of Diners, Drive-in & Dives. I just knew I had to visit this place for some dry rub style ribs cooked over a wood burning flame. My group of 3 attacked the sample platter first with the half slab of baby back ribs. Absolutely superb and the bbq sauce on the table was all the ammo I needed to reach my barbeque utopia. Next we ordered the rib tips plus half slab of st louis ribs. The rib tips were a winner and the st louis were a bit fatty but good, still suggest the baby back instead. The homemade mac n' cheese with bread crumbs and corn muffin was the best I ever had! Although I could have done without the coleslaw..that part was disappointing and I love coleslaw. By the way, they have a full bar now.
(4)Jacob J.
What you should know about Honky Tonk BBQ: BYOB. At the time I dined here it was Cash only (At the time I wrote this review it was cash only, I've been told that since late Jan 2010 they now accept cards, I'm not sure and it's wise to call ahead). Their barbecue is different than most of the BBQ you get most anywhere else in Chicago. It's perfectly cooked meats served plain. You then choose from three sauces (offered on every table) and cover it as much as you like. Their sauces come in; something like a peppery or hickory flavor, honey mustard and a sweet and tangy type. For most that are used to having prepared meats served with sauce applied while cooking, it's a lot different since the sauces are at room temperature. I prefer barbecue with sauce applied while cooking, burnt on, soaking in it, smoked, whichever. I visited with two other guys, one got the pulled pork sandwich, the other the brisket sandwich and myself with rib tips and 2 dinky dunkers of brisket and pulled pork. The brisket was dry and the buddy that ordered that sandwich was not satisfied. The other one with the pulled pork wasn't satisfied either. I thought my dinky dunker pulled pork was fine, once I doused it in sauce. Btw, dinky dunker is just a cute name for mini sandwich, there's nothing extra special about it. The bread was an Artisan sandwich bread, soft on the inside with an almost crisp crust. The rib tips were pretty good served plain over a soggy piece of garlic bread. I took some of my food to go. On day 2 I threw everything into a wok with barbecue sauce, a bit of mango, hot spices and sizzled them all together. I took that soggy garlic bread and toasted it till it became a crisp wafer. Having that bread extra crispy with BBQ'd leftovers was bangin! Oh yea, I also got a corn bread muffin which was sweet to the taste and it contained bits of creamed corn (I'm guessing); which was a nice surprise. If going, I'd suggest going with a group, getting a bunch of food to share like their sampler platter and a few different sides. This way you may still have space for dessert! Pluses.. sweet staff and service with a smile. Our waitress came over often to check up on us and an older lady (maybe the owner) came over just to thanks us for visiting and remind us that they are there to help, that was cool. If hitting the Honky Tonk on a weekend, finding street parking can be a headache and time consuming task but, they are open till 11pm, so there's still time.
(3)Raquel D.
Holy smokey BBQ! This place is insanely good...and dangerous. Living so close, I am really mad at myself for not coming sooner - esp when it was BYOB. Shame on me. Hubby and I demolished the sampler platter - half slab of ribs, half roasted chicken, one pulled pork dinky dunk and one brisket one, beans, slaw and garlic mashed potatoes - oh and two huge suasage links. Add three beers and a peach cobbler to the mix and we're officially oinkers. YOWZA! Everything was soooo good, but my fav has to be the pulled pork, sausage (which is unusal, but these links are PACKED with flavor) and garlic potatoes. And the peach cobbler is heavenly. This meal literally TKO us out - we went into food coma instantly once we got home and I floated into a dreamland filled with happy ppl with pork bellies to match mine, eating peach cobbler. True story. My next meal here will only include my top three - living this close is def no bueno for my waistline...
(4)K T Y.
Agree with jami s's review..this place smells like urine. Maybe there was a plumbing problem that day. Just surprised that no one else mentioned the bathroom smell.. On to the food, it was decent. That's it..just decent. St. Louis ribs and brisket just tasted like cooked meat i.e. not much flavor. mac n cheese was very good. Service was very nice.
(3)Vannee G.
There brisket sandwich very good but their was no smoke. Their BLT is very very tasty.
(3)Tamikca R.
Went here last night with my hubby for our 15th anniversary. Food was amazing, music grown and sexy a lil loud but that's ok my hubby and I are a "Lil loud" So we totally fit in. The bacon candy beer combo was awesome!!! I will go back again..
(5)Tami S.
Took a friend here last Saturday around 10:40pm after I told her about Honky Tonk. I wanted to try the fried green tomatoes and grab a drink. We sat their about 5 mins before being acknowledged only to be told there was NO FOOD... they ran out. Really? All your food is gone? The snide waitress didn't even bother to ask what we were ordering or if we wanted drinks. Apparently there is a dance party that takes place at around 11:30 and they wanted to prepare for it. Me nor my friend seemed to be the type that would be welcomed (although I actually like honky tonk). Last year when I came I had a pleasant experience and the food was good. I WILL NOT COME BACK. Good service goes a long way. While their BBQ is good it isn't the best. The statement we have no food seemed ridiculous. I
(1)Jennifer R.
Ran out of mashed potatoes on a Saturday night, unacceptable.
(1)Jennifer I.
After eating at Honky Tonk BBQ, I have to wonder if Trace Adkins used this place as inspiration for his hit song, Honky Tonk Badonkadonk. There is some good food to be had here, kids...I'm pretty sure my dining companion and I left some behind. We enjoyed ribs (St. Louis and baby back), chicken, mac and cheese, and peach cobbler. The meat is served dry....you add your own sauce, which is on the table (3 varieties). We were happy with everything....especially the peach cobbler. If you like peach cobbler, you have to come here, even if it's just for that. After stuffing my face like I had not eaten in a week, I rolled on home, knowing every calorie and fat gram was worth it. As a bonus, my butt is now a little more comfortable to sit on. Imagine that! Shut my mouth, slap your grandma There outta be a law Get the Sheriff on the phone Lord have mercy, how's she even get them britches on That Honky Tonk Badonkadonk
(4)Jill J.
Currently my FAVE place in the city. *Gluten free friendly *Yummy sauces on the table *Candied bacon appetizers (MMMMMM) *Paper Straws *Cool art on the walls *Great music *Live bands at night *Booze soaked cherries in the drinks *Really, really good drinks *Real corn bread I'm too full right now to write out paragraphs. But really, you should go. It's not fancy, the service isn't 5 stars but the total experience is. It gets busy and when it's busy the service is slow. I've been lucky and gotten in and out right before busy times in the past. I'm a fan.
(5)Joanne N.
This place was great. I am never in the Pilsen area and was a little hesitant to head in, but I was so pleased once we were there! My boyfriend and I went in to pick up some BBQ after a trip to Target in the south loop. The woman who took our carry-out order was so nice and even brought our food out to us while we waited at the bar. My boyfriend never tips on carry-out orders (a thing of his), but he tipped her! At the bar, I ordered a water while we waited and he had a coke, and the sweet bartender didn't even charge us. When we got home, the food was absolutely fantastic!! The candied bacon was the best thing I have had in a long time. And, the ribs were delicious and tender. I had the pulled pork and was definitely satisfied, although it was huge. We also split a corn muffin, yum!! Overall, this place has excellent service as far as I can tell as well as some kick-ass BBQ. Go go go!!!
(5)Grant W.
First heard of this place from Food Network's DDD a couple of years ago, and I must say I think this place is very underrated. First and foremost, their pulled pork sandwich is the best in Chicago, hands down. They know what they are doing with their dry rub and "q" / smoking techniques. Brisket is solid, but ribs were just so-so. Sides are really good and fresh.
(4)Paula P.
I just got home from eating there with a friend. The whole way home we talked about how the peach cobbler tasted like ass. It smelled horrible too. We first got the bacon candy, and it was phenomenal so we got excited for the rest of the food. Next we got the sampler, and the only thing that tasted O.K. was the corn muffins...and I guess the brisket. All the meat was generally dry, and their house-made sauces were good but nothing special. If you know whats good for you...do not get the peach cobbler. Our waitress was really cool, and fast. I also ordered a gin and tonic and it was decent. Again...the peach cobbler is going to haunt me forever.
(2)Robert Y.
Our first time experience here was a huge disappointment! Honky Tonk's big shtick is bbq that is slow smoked up to 15 hours with a special dry rub and served dry (sauce on the side only) and it was what enticed us to go there. My wife and I usually prefer the "pure" smoke & rub taste of a sauce-less smoked piece of meat because good bbq should stand on it's own...no sauce needed to taste truly good. We split an order of St. Louis and short ribs between us and what a disappointment! The meats were tasteless, smokeless, lukewarm and very dry. The three different style sauces on the table were okay but had no real zing or bite...a commercial bottled sauce would have been better. At one point I asked one of the wait staff if they had anything with a little heat in it and the only thing they could offer was a bottle of Tabasco, which he forgot to bring. The coleslaw tasted neither sweet or vinegary; it was, like the meat, bland. Don't expect to find traditional bbq side staples like French fries or green beans here, because they don't have it. On the bright side, the mac and cheese and deserts were good. We were disappointed with the drinks as well. My wife's wine was okay, but my scotch and my friend's vodka was tiny (probably exactly measured 1.5 shots) and warm; they were poured in tiny glasses with barely enough room for a couple of ice cubes. My friend's wife ordered a Martini and it was served in one of the smallest Martini glasses that we've every seen. Ah the music. We could not tell of the band was good or not because of the rooms terrible acoustics; it very difficult to distinguish between the vocals and music from the band or conversation of your dining companions. The room's mixture of reflective hard floors, hard wall surfaces and a metal ceiling makes you feel that you are in a loud muddled sounding boom box. Sorry, I cannot recommend this place, especially if you are a true bbq aficionado for you will be very disappointed!
(2)Jason W.
I am a big BBQ fan. I think this place is better than Smoque, Smoke Daddy's, Lilly's Q, etc. This place rocks. I will get into the ambiance first. This place is a throw back Western dining hall/saloon. It is soo cool! The walls are filled with old cowboy/western/southern paintings and knickknacks. They have wooden tables with straight back wooden chairs. The setting is complete with the piano and old man crooning away. (He has a really high voice and sings like a woman, but you get used to it after a song or two.) Now the Meat!! The serve candy bacon. I hadn't ever heard of candy bacon before, but I now know that when i die, I want to meet my maker with a handful of candy bacon. That might help him overlook my multitude of indiscretions. Anyway. Candy bacon is thick cut bacon cooked in molasses. It could not taste better. The rib tips were great, a giant portion for $9.00 The smoked chicken was wonderful, as was the pulled pork. The brisket was a little dry but still pretty tasty. Anyway, if you want to go to feel like you went back in time to an old west town, and you have a hankerin' for some tasty meats, this is the place! Cheap cold beer too!
(5)E W.
great service, cool atmosphere & good crowd. Not the best BBQ in the city but worth a try!
(3)Laura E.
I never know what to except of places where all the servers seem required to have tattoos/piercings, but this place is pretty good if you like meat (and I do). The meat and their sauces have awesome flavor. The pork platter is awesome. I really like the garlic mustard sauce or whatever it is. Definitely a foodgasm experience -- I should really come here sometime when I have hardcore pms. Whatever you do though, do not order the house wine -- it's awful and tastes like vinegar. Probably definitely more of a beer place, though I unfortunately can't drink beer. Drinks seem really pricey. As far as sides, I've tried the portabello mushroom side and the southern style (collard) greens. Portabello mushrooms were way too oily, though I should mention I"m not really a mushroom fan (though I try occasionally). The southern style greens are good though and I'm not a huge collard green fan. I must just not cook them in enough grease or something. I also tried their one signature dessert to try the bacon candy. I was okay, but not really mind blowing. I think bacon is awesome, but I think the weird cultural obsession with it has gone way too far sometimes.
(4)Sammy T.
This place is lovely. It combines bbq, hipsters, art and alcohol, what's not to love? Plans were made to do bar trivia with friends when I came into town. When I arrived I was told we were going for BBQ. BBQ in Chicago? In March? Huh? We arrive and the space in the front part was full. Alot of people turn out for the trivia which is pretty cool. The back room was not even occupied and they broadcast the questions over the speak system so we didn't miss a thing, but judging peoples facial hair and sartorial choices. I had the 2 lil sandwiches I think they are called squealers or dippers (shrug). They were tasty one was beef and one was pork and you could tell it was real bbq and not some faux smoked jive. The sauces they offer aren't your typical bbq sauce and I liked the tangy one especially. I even put it on my garlic mashed potatoes. My drink of choice was the charlie temple which was ketel one vodka, sprite and homemade spiced cherry syrup. YUM-O!!! I had several and soon was unable to read the trivia question sheet. Oops. I will be back of course since it was fun, and especially because my team won.
(4)Julie A.
Great place! And they're getting the liquor license in two weeks! My husband and I had a great time - the band was amazing, and a perfect accompaniment to our luscious pork, beef, mac + cheese, cornbread muffins, fried green tomatoes and banana pudding. Wow. We ate a lot. And enjoyed every bite.
(5)Pascal M.
I stared at the stars for 10 minutes before I gave 2. I don't know how to explain it. I never thought I could review a bbq establishment under 3. My friend and I biked to this place, had a beer outside while we waited for them to open. With a decent buzz going, I was eager to try this place. I had seen them on Check Please and had heard some good tips about the place from fellow food enthusiasts. Plus, the owner/chef won 3rd place at Memphis in May for his pulled pork. That's pretty damn impressive in the bbq world. All that blew my mind was the mac and cheese (had to order an extra serving) and the ribs. I still believe we caught them at a bad time and perhaps they gave us left overs from the night before. The brisket and pulled pork were dryer than the Sahara. I'm going to give it another go in the near future to hopefully change my review.
(2)Ted C.
I went for dinner last night w/ a few work associates, because HTBBQ got good reviews. Our Italian friend had never had BBQ, so we had to show him what it was all about. I'll have to agree w/ a few other Yelpers, and say that this place was just OK. The service was very good, but the food was middle of the road. I always use ribs as a comparison, for good BBQ. HTBBQ's ribs were just average. I typically like my ribs a little more tender, and seasoned better. HTBBQ's were overly smoked, and you had to really rely on the sauces to add depth to the ribs. The Candy Bacon was interesting, and pretty good. They taste like taking cold bacon beef jerky, and dipping it in very sweet maple syrup. We finished the meal w/ the Salty Pig....disgusting. Vanilla ice cream, chunks of bacon, walnuts, and hot fudge. The chunks of bacon completely overpowered the dish, and had WAY too much salt. Definitely a pass on this dish.. Overall, I would probably return, and try something different.
(3)Bettina S.
This place is fantastic. My friends and I have a little BYOB club, and we decided to try this place just in time; before they get a bar next week :) The food was good, and filling as BBQ should be. The tangy sauce was my favorite, and I was given a little bit to take home with my doggy bag. I love the ambiance. The walls are covered in colorful interesting paintings, but then the tables and chairs are simple wood, giving it a very country feel. The banjo player helped that as well. I'll definitely go back even after it is no longer BYOB.
(5)Daniel M.
Calling this a dive bar is extremely misleading. It's a huge restaurant and I regularly see families with kids there. The barbecue is good, the portions are large, and they have great live music. The whiskey selection is extensive but a bit overpriced. I have fairly exacting standards for barbecue which is the main reason they didn't get the fifth star from me.
(4)Jennifer E.
Two words: Bacon Candy. That is all.
(5)shaun M.
*Update* I came back to Honkey Tonk and was very disappointed. First of all, they are no longer BYOB... I think was a poor decision on their part but oh well. Second of all we got the viking ribs but they were probably 50% fat. When you pay 18 bucks for ribs there should not be that much fat on them. I do have to give them credit though, I still like their hot links and cornbread. Their beef brisket sandwich was good but not the best I ever had. Probably the best thing about this place is their sauces, they have a very tasty mustard sauce.
(3)J J.
Great place. Fantastic food. Very well priced. Service is very friendly. Might even have Willie Owner/Cook/BBQ Professional stop by your table and say hello. I like Sweet Baby Ray's and Smoque but Honky Tonk doesn't suffer from the commercial and "sterile Chicago restaurant scene. BYOB makes the place feel more like a country family BBQ than a stuffy franchise. 1$ surcharge per person for BYOB. Very reasonable. Hope to have my Birthday party here next year!
(5)Scott M.
I'm a HUGE fan of Honky Tonk. If it were possible to give 4.5 stars, I would. The atmosphere is awesome. There is a ton of artwork and trinkets all around to keep your eyes busy for multiple visits. At first, I wasn't sure what to call the decor but it's grown on me and I really think it's perfect for the neighborhood. The tables are older and all different. I think it gives it a "at home" kind of feel. The service has always been great. I recall a few times where I would have liked to have seen a check-in or a check more quickly, but things happen and it definitely was not an extreme amount of time. They are always smiling and very friendly, I'll take that kind of service any day! The food, oh, the food! DELICIOUS BBQ. The best I've had in Chicago. I've tried the bacon candy was addicting! The pulled pork, which I normally don't eat was so tender and full of flavor. I'm a ribs guy. I've tried the baby back and St. Louis style and prefer the baby back although they were both really good. They come with a dry rub and I had to keep reminding myself to use the sauces, because the ribs are awesome without the sauce. They do have 3 sauces available. I haven't tried the mustard based one, but the other 2 are great! They don't have a HUGE beer list, but they do offer something for everyone from PBR and Old Style to Belhaven Scottish Ale (one of my favorites and not commonly found in restaurants. They also have a lot of live music and trivia, so be sure to sign up for the email list. They don't annoy you with SPAM and it's nice to see what's going on. All this being said, I would take off a half star because the bathrooms could use some updating and I wish they had longer hours! If you haven't already, CHECK THIS PLACE OUT!
(4)Colleen C.
My magical BBQ food baby was conceived at Honky Tonk BBQ. He's got a preference for old-school country, lip smackin' good food, and cute blonde waitresses. He was happy last night. I'm callin' HTBBQ: the "barbecure." For anything that ails you... HOLY MOTHER OF BARBECUE: A full slab of ribs. Dismantled effectively. Pulled pork sandwich...great sauces at the table, bustin' with pork! Sides: greens (soaked in pork juice!), mac 'n cheese, candied yams, and one delicious, moist, sinful corn muffin. Dessert: ZOMG. Banana bread pudding, sweet potato pie & peach cobbler. Unlike Simone's (down the street), Honky Tonk BBQ fills a niche...a need, without proving garish, or stepping on anyone's toes. It's authentic, the owners are genuine, the service is sweet, the food fantastic, the setting original, and the concept: traditional. It works well into the Pilsen-fold, without disturbing the delicate mix of cultures, histories and values. Because, let's face it...ANYONE can value good damn BBQ in a non-stuffy setting. A few things to note: 1. Cash ONLY. 2. BYOB. 3. They do not have straws. But, they do have great Diet Coke. I'll live. 4. They do not have take-out containers. So eat up! 5. Closed on Mondays. 6. They do not take reservations. 7. They are SUPER busy on the weekends. I will certainly have Peach Cobbler finding me in my dreams, I am sure. I am planning a future return with my father and brothers in tow, because this is a "sure-as-shit" pleaser for any man in your life that LOVES to eat, LOVES meat, and LOVES to eat with their hands. Ain't no frou-frou food up in here...you can bet on it! Endearing. It's a new favorite.
(5)Sam C.
Had just about everything on the menu and it was all that the then some. I will be going back soon! Try the Bacon Candy, Fried green Tomatos, Mac & Cheese and any of the soild smoked BBQ items.
(4)Will V.
Some of the previous Honky Tonk reviewers seem to be a little bit confused about different styles of BBQ. Honky Tonk seems to me to be a Texas-style BBQ, which implies smoking with none or minimal seasoning, served dry at the table. I ordered the St. Louis ribs, a "cup" of Texas-style brisket chili, and my dinner date ordered the pulled pork sandwich. The St. Louis ribs were a lean, not quite fall off the bone tender (but certainly not tough), and had a good smoky flavor. They were everything St. Louis ribs are supposed to be, and I love ribs. The "cup" of Texas-style brisket chili was awesome with great chunks of brisket, and wonderful flavor, but I thought the name was a little misleading, it is not really a Texas style chili. It was very good, nonetheless. The "cup" of chili at Honky Tonk is not really fit for a side dish, though, as it is massive, probably larger than most restaurants' bowls of chili. The "bowl" of chili I observed at another table was more like a trough. No skimping on the chili portions. The pulled pork was a little easy on the smoky flavor, but more than made up for it with its tenderness, easily the most tender pulled pork I have ever had. Comparisons to butter come to mind. The sauces at the table were not really my favorites, but the mustard garlic BBQ sauce was quite nice. I would like to have seen a spicy BBQ sauce, and definitely a light vinegar-based BBQ sauce. But I guess it is called Honky Tonk. The sides were delightful, the cornbread was tasty (did not come easily out of the cupcake wrapper though) and the mashed potatoes were amazingly good (take that David Burke's Primehouse). A few caveats... you'll likely have to wait, we waited for about 30 minutes for a table for two, had to end up sharing a 6-top with another couple. I'm easy, that's no big deal. BYOB, no cork fee, my favorite kind. Honky Tonk is cash only. People with disabilities affecting mobility will probably have a tough time at Honky Tonk, there is no wheelchair ramp, only a steep but short flight of steps to the door. Ambiance was amazing, everything you'd expect an artsy Pilsen BBQ joint to have. The service was excellent and friendly. Yes, I am a fan. I'm a *big* fan. I'll be back!
(4)Sarah M.
It's kind of a weird vibe when you go in. You're not really sure what to do and, at least when I was there, there didn't seem to be much staff. But whatever, everyone seemed to be engrossed in their own thing so we sat down and ordered. I had the pulled pork, which is a go-to in most BBQ joints and I was not disappointed. The brisket looked good too, but I didn't get to try it because it was basically swallowed whole by one of my dining mates. Next time...
(4)Beth C.
My brother and I had been talking about going to Honky Tonk for months now. I am so glad we finally went. It seriously changed my life. I've never been much of a BBQ fan, but I couldn't stop eating. Every savory bite got better and better as we devoured the sample platter. It could probably feed 3 people, but we couldn't stop! The corn bread muffins were tasty, the hot links are juicy, the roasted chicken was delectable, the ribs perfection and the pulled pork was out of this world. We seriously left in a euphoria and have been grinning about it for the past hour. Not only to I recommend Honky Tonk BBQ but I insist! Go! Get the candied beer in an Old Style. Game changer!!!!!
(5)Angie M.
I love a man who takes pride in his meat. And that man, my friends, is Willie Wagner, owner of Honky Tonk BBQ. Thanks to our very own Carol J., who organized a dinner for about 25 Yelpers, I had the opportunity to embrace my meat-loving side and go hog wild on the awesome BBQ served up at Honky Tonk. Truth? The restaurant itself is nothing fancy. The outside is a completely nondescript storefront on 18th Street in Pilsen. The inside is simply decorated with long, wooden tables, white walls and a few, um, colorful, paintings. But really, you're not coming to Honky Tonk BBQ for the decor. You're coming for the food! We had a special, family style dinner preset for us, which was great because we were able to try so many different meats, sides and desserts. So here we go, BBQ lovers: Appetizers: Fried green tomatoes, mushrooms with roasted garlic and bread served with mustard sauce and ketchup & horseradish. The tomatoes had the perfect amount of thick breading to give them a nice crunch, the mushrooms were perfectly sauteed and the mustard sauce was out of this world! Sides: We were served coleslaw, candied yams, greens and beets. I'm going to be honest... I only ate the coleslaw because I wanted to focus my attention on the meat-a-polooza that was headed my way, but what I can say is that the slaw was the best I've had in my entire life. More vinegar than mayo and a touch of cilantro made it incredible. And now, the meat. Willie told us that he's the ONLY BBQ joint in Chicago that doesn't use any kind of gas to cook his BBQ. Not knowing a damn thing about cooking BBQ, I took his word to mean that's a good thing. A good thing, indeed! All the meat comes to you sans BBQ sauce so you can pick your choice of Honky Tonk's 3 sauces, Chicago Sweet, Memphis Vinegar or Carolina Mustard Garlic. I found that mixing the 3 gave me the best flavor. First out were the pork baby back ribs and pork St. Louis ribs. I'm normally really picky about ribs and don't like to order them at restaurants because they never live up to my expectations, but these ribs did me proud! I especially enjoyed the leaner St. Louis ribs. They were a bit firmer than the baby back, but had excellent flavor. Next came the beef brisket, beef spare ribs and pulled BBQ pork. The brisket was super tender and the spare ribs were huge and so moist that the meat actually fell off the bone when I picked it up. And the pork? While I'm sure it's fabulous every day, Willie smoked a special pork shoulder for us that was injected with extra flavor and seasonings. It was just... amazing. Still have room for dessert? Let's hope so! We received a sampling of the banana pudding (complete with whipped cream and vanilla wafers), sweet potato pie and incredible peach cobbler. I love that Willie told me that cobbler was so good due to the landslide of butter in it. Gotta respect the honesty! So after all was said and done, our carnivorous group waddled out of Honky Tonk BBQ with full bellies and memories of some of the best meat to ever cross our lips. That sounds perverted, but I don't care.
(5)Jose H.
I'm really surprised at all the positive reviews. My food was absolutely nothing to write home about. The brisket and the pork had no smoke flavor and the rub was bland. I do have to mention the service was very good, cheery, fast and helpful. The music was also top-notch.
(2)Henry A.
This place is really cool. I love the chill atmosphere and live music on the weekends. Coming here with some friends, bringing some good beer (it's BYOB), listening to bluegrass and enjoying some great bbq makes a damn near perfect evening. After my wife and I first came here, we went back every week for the next month and it has definitely become a solid pick on our restaurant rotation list. You can end up having to wait for a table for a long time if you don't come early. With BYOB and live music, there is no reason for people leave and free up a table after they are done eating. This is what makes this place special though. Ok, the food: The pulled pork sandwich is the way to go. It is ridiculously good. The ribs, both St. Louis style and baby back, are pretty good, but not amazing. You also can't miss the sides, especially the pork and beans and the candied yams - skip the mac and cheese and the coleslaw though. I haven't tried the other meats on the menu yet, but after I've had the pulled pork, I just can't see myself ordering anything else from here.
(5)Patrick R.
I would like to give this 2.5 stars to be fair. I was pretty excited about trying Honky Tonk, so I loaded up with some micro brews and headed down to Pilsen with a couple friends. I would have liked to have seen a pulled pork plate, or a brisket plate. Some BBQ classics were not present on the menu. It took us quite some time after seating to be approached by a waitress, there seemed to be some confusion over who had our table. Both myself, and one of my friends ordered the Dinky Dunkers pulled pork/ Brisket mini sandwiches, my other friend ordered a half slab of baby backs. The sandwiches were okay. Texture was pretty good but the meat did not have a lot of flavor. I had to put on quite a bit of bbq sauce to get flavor out of the meat. This is Memphis style, where's the spicy dry rub? Maybe a cider injection in the pork? The smoke alone did not do enough. The $3.50 Mac-N-Cheese was pretty pathetic. No flavor, over cooked, tiny portion for the price. Maybe I hit Honky Tonk on a bad night, so I will give it another try. If they fail to impress me I think my BBQ Bucks are better spent at Fat Willy's or Smoque.
(2)Vivian Y.
I'm sorry Honky Tonk, I'm downgrading you. I sort of wish you'd just stick to BBQ and smoking things because the other items need work. Though your bbq is still good, something changed with your sauce. It didn't hit the spot like it did the last 5-6 times when I ate your food. Did you change your recipe? I remember when you served up at the Zoppe Circus event, I couldn't get enough of your sweet BBQ sauce. I remember when I bought takeout to eat it at Lush, that I loved your BBQ sauce. I loved it when I came in on a busy Saturday night a few months back. Even when I have movie nights in with my husband and we got delivery, I loved your BBQ sauce. WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SAUCE? I just didn't love it on my last visit. I still think your sides are a rip off. and your coleslaw is tasteless (add a little pickle juice and sugar to your recipe!). The fried green tomatoes were terrible. Sorry...but that batter is way thick. BUT, you do have the best pulled pork in Chicago. I love them dunkers. Your ribs are pretty good and tender. I'm still a fan because you're so close and easily accessible. I've also learned to avoid you on weekends and stick to early evenings during the weekday. But I wanna know - WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SAUCE?
(4)KM M.
This place is so great, and I'm not just saying that b/c of the picture of "W" they have on the door with a sign that says "Kick Here." Strolled in for a late dinner on a Saturday night, luckily, there were seats available. I'm not typically a fan of "Country" music but the live band they had was a lot of fun to listen to and I found myself toe-tapping throughout my meal. Definitely on the loud side in there, so don't go there for a romantic date unless you're more interested in looking at your date than listening to them. As many others have said, this place is BYOB which is such a great feature - I like beer with BBQ and being able to bring my beer of choice makes me happy. I ordered the dinky dunkers - one of each. I think I liked the brisket one better, but they were both good, so I'll call it a tie. I loved having 3 sauce options at the table... I kept switching up sauces between bites. They're all different and delicious (2 BBQ and 1 Mustard-type sauce). Also ordered 3 sides, Garlic Mashed, Mac & Cheese and Coleslaw... loved the Mac & Cheese and Mashed, liked the coleslaw, felt like it could use a bit more dressing though. The sides are true side-order size, not appetizer size, so that's why they're so fairly priced. I did not get dessert, although now I regret not trying the Peach Cobbler. I had my heart set on Apple, but I know I'll be back so I'll save room for dessert on my next visit. Met the owner on our way out and he was really friendly and seemed liked he genuinely cared about our feedback and thoughts. I enjoy places where the owner is working and out in the open to talk to. Great food and atmosphere... looking forward to going back with a larger group so I can try the sampler platter!
(5)Stan W.
Wow, what is wrong with you people? I thought it was an interesting place but the food was bland as hell. I got the sampler: didn't seem like they used any seasoning at all on the ribs - chicken was cooked perfectly but again, no flavor or much of a hint of seasoning - couldn't really tell the difference between the brisket or the pulled pork other than the texture. Had to douse it all in sauce to even taste anything. Corn muffin was pretty bad too. You can't just smoke things plain without any seasoning and leave some sauces on the table calling it good BBQ. Service was great while I was there, and it seems to be a fine neighborhood place with good atmosphere and a lot of charm. But the food itself was beyond bland. I've been to most of the BBQ/rib places in the city (smoque, fat willys, smoke daddy, honey1, twin anchors) and this place is dead last in my book. No reason for me to ever go back. I just don't get it.
(2)Jessica M.
I will say at the outset that my friends and I went the week after it was on Check Please. Honky Tonk did not seem ready for the business. When we got there at 6:00, there was an hour wait. It was extremely crowded inside so we waited an hour or maybe a little more outside in the cold. When we were seated, the service was slow and not too friendly (except for our busboy who was great). The food was ok, but nowhere near as good as Fat Willy's or Smoque. And it was cold. So yeah. Never going back. Honky Tonk can kiss my Badonkadonk.
(1)Alexander W.
Wow. I was in the same group as Jacob R. and Ginger W., so no need repeating the points they made -- I'll merely confirm that everything stated was spot-on (though I believe the waitress's final comment was "this meal's been irritating for all of us." So sorry to irritate you, Madame Beer-Spiller). I'll limit myself to five additional points: (1) The Honky Tonk Apologists on Yelp seem to think that the only reason I had a bad experience is because of the "Check Please! lemmings." I'm not sure how TV viewers can be blamed for a pulled pork sandwich that came straight out of a goddamn fridge. If Honky Tonk BBQ can't handle a crowd -- and they can't -- perhaps they shouldn't have agreed to the televised promotion. (2) I noticed that half the people in the restaurant seemed to know the owners/staff personally. This, to me, helps explain the inflated Yelp average. I also think that the relatively limited number of dining options in Pilsen might be playing a part, as it's getting a location/convenience bonus. After all, if there's only one donut shop in your town, it may SEEM like they're best donuts on the planet. (3) Dylan D. says, "It's BBQ, folks. It is what it is. If you come here expecting fine dining, look elsewhere." Uh, okay, except that I wasn't asking for cloth napkins or kobe beef -- I just wanted food that was warm and available. I received neither (see below). (4) As Jacob/Ginger mentioned, by the time we got a table there were only 5 dishes left (and one of those was garlic bread). Okay. You ran out of food. Fine. But what I don't understand is WHY WE WERE SEATED IN THE FIRST PLACE. We were practically standing in the kitchen waiting for the table -- why not say, "Hey, guys, sorry, but we just ran out of EVERYTHING. Might wanna go somewhere else while places are still open?" (5) I could see dismissing our negative reviews as "one bad experience." The long wait, dickish staff, spilled beer, cold food, no food, hellish musician, etc. That's fine, except that even the WARM food was not good. I'd be willing to brave the longest lines and the worst service if the food was worthwhile, but it just wasn't. They could probably get away with it if this was the only BBQ joint in town, but unfortunately this is Chicago. You have options! Go somewhere else!
(1)adam C.
Wonderful st louis ribs. Great people. If I had to find a gripe, its that there isn't much on the menu for a vegetarian.
(5)perry f.
Don't you guys know your supposed to check out the restaurant before its on Check Please? Lemmings please stay away, I need lots of elbow room when I devour a slab and multiple sides and sling a half dozen wine bottles onto the table. Hell this was always an industry ( restaurant, music) Hide Out. If BBQ isn't your religion.... us old customers arent missionaries looking for converts. If you feel the spirit of Hank Sr. and The Man in Black, and you appreciate naturally raised meat slow cooked by a master like ol' Willy, well I don't have to tell ya, your already here.
(5)char y.
BBQ is okay here. Had the slab of ribs with mac and cheese. My ribs seem to have been in the smoker for way to long since it was dried out. Also ordered the rib tips which was juicy and a great portion. There aren't to many BBQ in the neighborhood especially in Pilsen so it's a great addition to the area. The restaurant is located in what looks like an old bar. It had that old smell to the place once you walk in but after you sit there for a few minutes, you won't notice it anymore.
(3)Kathleen K.
My roommate and I randomly found Honky Tonk yesterday after accidentally making a wrong turn. As it was 6ish we decided to stop in and have some dinner as we had both heard good reviews. The restaurant itself is interesting to look at as it is completely cowboy-ed out. It has a nice and very casual atmosphere. Service was excellent. Our waitress, whose name escapes me now, was really helpful. She made several recommendations but they had all sounded so good we had trouble deciding - so my roommate and I decided to go all out and order the sampler platter which comes with: -half spread of ribs -half smoked chicken -two dinky dinks (pork/brisket) -two hot links -fresh coleslaw, beans w/pork and 2 corn muffins So before you call us fatties, let it be known that the food was good and totally worth the calories. I have to agree with previous yelpers as I was a little disappointed that the ribs were not falling off the bone, but you could definitely taste the smokey flavor and rub Honky Tonk applies. The ribs/meat does not come slathered in sauce (it doesn't come with sauce on it at all), which I LOVED. There are 3 homemade sauces that Honky Tonk has on each of their tables: a sweeter sauce, a tangier sauce and a honey mustard-garlic sauce (great for chicken!). The pork and beef brisket were awesome. When I come back I will more than likely order one as my main entree. Mac & cheese was delish and topped with breadcrumbs. They have VERY limited healthy options on their menu, but then again we are talking about a BBQ place... They have a stage for live performers. When we finished our meal an act was prepping to go on. The space was small so it may get a little loud? I don't know. But I would be willing to return when there was live music just to check it out. It was a good BBQ and I will probably be returning. So the reason for 3 stars? By no means was our experience bad, but I wasn't blown away either. For good BBQ though, this place will satisfy.
(3)Efrain C.
You can't go wrong with the pulled pork anytime here. I usually ask for some bark, some white meat, and some pink meat from the picnic ham portion of the shoulder in my sandwich. The beef brisket has the right amount of smoke that I like too. This time of year, the chicken pot pie is like cocaine to me. i had an apple cobbler there one night that was stunning. Honky Tonk is also my favorite hangout in Pilsen. Some great country western music acts come through here. I have seen all my favorite local bands play here which is amazing.
(5)Philip D.
Ok, so I just tried this place out last week for the first time, so I have no old school memories to compare to. However, I did enjoy good service, my beer didn't sit even a quarter empty before being asked for another, and my brisket dinner was excellent. On top of that the music was top notch and free..a three piece jazz band that night, so enjoyable I took my girlfriend there just 4 days later and had an equally good time. Dixie style band on Sundays is a must see, especially the drum kit which is from the early 1800's.
(5)Ryan M.
What this restaurant has going for it makes this place worth making your way there. First, the barbeque is fantastic, We got a full slab of baby back ribs, cooked perfectly, juicy and tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. We also had an order of garlic mashed potatoes (which were absolutely perfect) and a cornbread muffin (which was also delicious). The ambiance was also worth the trip. There was a country music guitar player crooning (and not too loud, just right). The waitresses were attentive and pleasant, and the other dinner guests were all polite (one even gave us the remaining wine from their bottle as they were leaving, thank god for the BYOB). The only downside to this was the fact that the restaurant is in a place where there isn't a lot of taxi traffic and the bus doesn't run past six pm on the weekend. That means you may be walking down the street for quite some time in a less than great area before a bus or taxi comes by. Don't get me wrong, at no time did I feel my safety was threatened, but when we go again, it'll be in the daytime. For all the positives and the one single negative, I say that this is a great place to go for barbeque.
(4)Allison M.
The barbecue is okay. I prefer juicier, tender ribs and brisket. I can never complain about the sides. I LOVE the sides :)
(3)Mark S.
Even for us Northsiders, with the great food, friendly staff & eclectic art, this place is worth the trip to Pilson. Their new, expanded space feels hip, spacious and welcoming. I'll definitely be back!
(5)Leigh R.
I had to try this place to compare it to Smoque. It is better than Smoque in my humble opinion. This had less of a "fast-food joint" feel and the food was better. I love how they don't drown the food in BBQ sauce, they let you do it yourself. On the table are three types of BBQ sauces and if you're a condiment lover then you'll love trying all three! Becasue of that I also felt like this was "heathlier" than Smoque because I didn't eat pounds of sauce and have it all over my fingers. I had the pulled-pork, my husband had the brisket and my father in law had the baby-back ribs. The pulled pork sandwhich was really good but I was so full a 1/4 the way into it and I didn't even bother eating the bread. I wish they had an option to not have a sandwhich. My husbands brisket sandwhich was the best - real tender, shredded and tasty. I didn't try the ribs but my father in law said they were a bit cold which was very disappointing. The taste was still great on the ribs so of course he ate them all up regardless. Sides: The mac and cheese is a sure winner! The boys enjoyed a side or corn bread as well. Dessert - yes after all that BBQ we shared two MOUTH WATERING desserts! Who would have thunk? The banana pudding was freaking amazing and the peach cobbler (I think) was hot and delicious. The sauces - their house is the best in my opinion but I thoroughly enjoyed all three...not goin lie this was a very pleasent dining experience. Atmosphere - interesting art work on the walls - entrance is kinda scary - but overall very nice. I hear they have live music on the weekends. I would think it could get really loud since the room isn't that big and the acoustics would really vibrate throughout the hard-wood floor room. It is BYOB so don't forget your own beer and/or wine! We didn't bother - just had water and sodas.
(4)P O.
I did not want to agree with the other comments on here and really tried to have a good experience but it was a complete waste of time and money. After a day of shopping and fun in the city, I took my 18yo daughter here on Friday night, 3/16/12. I've tried plenty of restaurants that have mixed reviews and they worked out well so after looking at the reviews here I decided to give it a try anyway. First we were carded as we approached the front door, that should have tipped me off to the type of environment I was entering. I let him know that we were just coming for food, I had no idea that it was "Rockabilly" night which is a mood killer for me anyway. I should have cut my losses right then but when we were immediately ushered glasses of water, I thought, hmmm maybe its ok. WRONG! I ordered a pulled pork sandwich, sides of greens, mac & cheese, and garlic mashed potatoes, my daughter had the dinky dunkers, and like a fool I immediately put in an order for the sampler platter and rib tips to take home to the rest of the family. All of the meat was dry, another commenter said the bbq sauce was watery - CORRECT! The greens had am odd tangy flavor, the mash tasted like it was old and out of a box, and the mac and cheese was lackluster and looked prettier than it tasted. We nibbled and brought the rest home and no one else liked any of it either. Chicago has many great places to eat, especially for BBQ. I am not afraid of adventure, it's an hour drive for me to go into the city so when I do, I expect good food for my time and money. I tend to stay away from places where its obvious that the bulk of their revenue is made from the bar - I shouldv'e paid better attention, they stop serving food at 11pm yet are open till 2am. The food tasted old and reheated, this was proven when we unwrapped the foil packets that the sampler was wrapped in and the char marks inside let you know that it had been stored and heated in that foil. There's nothing there to make me go back or to advise anyone else to even give it a try. We also tried the peach cobbler, it had been nuked by Chef "Mic(rowave)", was unevenly heated and a crust which might have been good otherwise was soggy and disgusting. As for the service, that cup of water we had when we first sat down was the only one we ever saw, no refills were ever given. I saw the server randomly sit at people tables as she took their orders around us (I hate that.) During my 85 minute stay too long, most of it was spent waiting 20 minutes to order, and at the end 20 minutes for her to pick up my payment even though I had my card ready as she walked by several times. To top it off, my daughter said from what she saw going on, we got the best treatment. DO NOT waste your time. Money can be earned again when lost, time cannot. There are chains with better ribs. I'm not a dog, I like my meat to fall off the bone so I don't have to wrestle with it. And this was no trip to FLAVORTOWN!
(1)Neha S.
This place has good food, and as a vegetarian I like a bbq place where I can get a good meal. They have a great salad that's enough for a meal. I also like the fried green tomatoes and the portabello sandwich. I've been here twice on a Friday night and love the live music I've heard both times. Great local country artists...not pop country, real, artistic country music. It's a nice place for a chilled out meal.
(4)Fuffie G.
I had been wanting to try this place for the longest time and yesterday i finally got my chance. i absolutely love the vibe of the restaurant. walking up the steps to a black building makes you feel as if you are going somewhere forbidden. the old building with the kitchy artwork on the wall, the smell of the barbeque and music playing lets you know you are going somewhere unique. We got there about 8:30 on saturday night, put our name down and were seated in less than 10 minutes. the pulled pork was wonderful...definitely better than the brisket...the brisket was good, but i have had better. the sides were okay. cole slaw, not memorable, mashed potatoes had great flavor but they were cold...the beans were delicious. the best was the hidden surprise in the banana pudding for dessert. OMG...that's all i need to say...OMG. save room. the only buzz kill to the night was our surly waitress. shouldn't it be a requirement that you should have a personality?? she's the only reason this review did not get 4 stars. i am looking forward to going back to try the other things on the menu.
(3)Milan P.
Meh poor service, combined with meat that's too dry = bad ribs experience. I am not sure why but every ribs place I've been to in Chicago is actually pretty bad (except Smoque). I won't really comment too much on the service, because it really was more managements fault for not having enough servers, rather than our server who had like 20 tables. We started out with some bacon candy (Ordered bacon and brew $5 beer and bacon candy), it was awesome as always. As a matter of fact this keeps us coming back! We also ordered the sampler platter, and everything from the brisket to the ribs to the chicken were way to dry. The mac and cheese side was ok, and the yams were good until I realized it seemed like they poured a syrup over it to make it taste better (not very tasteful of an idea). In any event, this place does have some pretty cool live music, and the prices aren't bad. So it wasn't an overall terrible experience, especially if you compare it to other chicago bbq restaurants (excluding smoque).
(2)Leslie D.
The beer was cold! But so was the food. Not too good. The bbq needs a lot of sauce (which was tasty), but it is nothing special. The mac and cheese was great!
(2)Len L.
They have platter's of various smoked meat, a smorgasborg of smoky delights. You get a selection of home-made sauces (hot, mild and honey mustard) on the side with every order. Located in the heart of Pilsen, this place feels like a old barn with trinkets of the past. Along the walls are pictures with history of BBQ. If your lucky, you may see celebrities eating at this place. On that day, I saw Bill Maher (Comedian and host of Real Time with Bill Maher series).
(3)F D.
Saw this on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. The barbeque ribs were just ok. My companion had the beef short rib, which was very disappointing since it was mostly fat. I've had much better at Smoque.
(2)monique t.
When I first walked up the stairs and opened the dooor, it looked like someones apartment. I just saw a clear view of a kitchen. So, I ran down the stairs and around the corner before someone called the police on me and arrest me for tress passing. I called my friend and asked where do i enter the restaurant? She said come up the stairs and come right on in. And so I did! As i proceeded in the waitress came behind me and closed the door. My first reaction was that it looked like an apartment. and our table was in the living room. Its a very small space with a few tables. we we were seated in the living room with a clear view of the staff's back room or kitchen I think. I saw staff's coats,umbrellas, and other personal items. The bathroom is conviently located in the living room/ seating area. gross. the food was good, but ive had better. I had the baby back ribs with mac and cheese and mash potatoes. The baby back ribs were ok. My friend had the pot pie which was loaded with 2 cans of peas, she said it was ok.Every one else at my table had the baby back ribs or the St. louis ribs and they felt it was so so. Although, i wouldnt go to this restaurant again i do think that the service was awesome. they were very attentive and hospitable. Everyone was very pleasant. Oh yea its a b.y.o.b .. but to bad i wont be bringing my booze there!
(2)Mark K.
Good BBQ. If you like the dry rub style you will like this place. if you are looking for bbq sauce dripping off you might not. I like both styles. No complaints from me.
(4)Jason F.
A prereq to reading this is that I have a crush on a waitress that works there. There...I said it. I haven't been able to get LL Cool J 's "Around the way girl." out of my head since I left. I digress..... A friend and I split the sampler and had a side of mac'n cheese. It was all very good. The meat was moist and had good texture. What I mean by that is that it was crunchy but not overly burnt. The meat came without sauce which made it nice to be able to distribute the sauce as you like. They have three varieties to choose from: Regular, spicy, and a garlic mustard. Personally, I feel like any time you mix pasta with cheese you get a 90% so it's really hard to mess it up. The pasta they used was really good and the cheese blend was also good, but the amount was not worth the price. I would still give it a 94% though. What I liked best about Honky Tonk was the atmosphere. I sat at the bar in front of the stage and listened to some great live music. It wasn't so loud that I couldn't have a conversation and it provided a very enjoyable atmosphere. I am excited to go back when they get a liquor licenses. If you owners are reading this, get some Sioux City Sarsaparilla on the menu, would be a great fit. Word.....
(4)P S.
Best. BBQ. In the CITY!!! (and possibly in the whole inflationary multiverse.) Also, the servers are charming and extremely attractive. I will just come out and admit that I have had sexy dreams about the candied bacon. It is unbelievable. I have never had a bad bite there!
(5)Ashley M.
The sauces and pulled pork is just a bit better than the Smoke Daddy. I'm happy they expanded the place and that there's a bit bigger dance space for enjoying the live music. Carry out is always fast and so is the service eating in. The mac and cheese is a must-get!
(4)Abby T.
Been to HT bbq twice. I really like the artwork on the walls although some of it does not mesh well w/ the rest of the dining room's motif. I also like the tables and chairs w/ a country feel to them. The front door even has a rickety screen door!! Totally country up in this joint. And lots of pig knick knacks everywhere. The first time was on a weeknight and the service good. Next visit was on a Friday....it was pretty busy and our table was obviously overlooked. The food here is mediocre....but that's coming from someone who doesn't like the memphis/dry rub style of bee-bee-cue. The sides are also just average at best. I will come back bc my friends love the BYOB and the beef brisket. Also, props for the occassional live entertainment!
(3)Esther Y.
This should be a 2.5. It's very middle ground. First, I got kind of irritated b/c I called ahead, but the number gives you another number. I called both and they both went to voice mail. When I got to the restaurant, they say on their menu "call ahead" umm yeah, tried that...you didn't answer. Fine. Moving on. Got there...cash only. I don't know how I missed that....so had to scrounge around for cash. Ordered 4 brisket sandwiches, 1/2 slab of baby back ribs, 2 sides of mac & cheese, 2 sides of mashed, 4 corn breads and was told the cole slaw would come on the side with the ribs. The food was ready within 15 min, so that was a plus. Then we were on our way. Got home and there was no cole slaw...boo. Then we dug in. The general consensus with the brisket was that it was cut too thick, hard to eat in the bread (b/c it kept sliding out) and that it was too fatty. Also, everyone didn't like the french bread roll that the brisket came on. I had a bite of the brisket and thought it was good, but thought Smoque's brisket was infinitely better. I had the 1/2 slab of the baby back ribs and thought there was WAY too much fat. Like others said, their sweet and hot bbq sauces are good and it's nice to switch back and forth. As for the sides, mac & cheese was ehhh, but the mashed were good. I think the favorite thing for everyone was the corn bread. It was nice and buttery with corn pieces in it. It was a fine, i guess, but I'd probably never go again. I would rather travel further to Smoque for better sides and less fatty meat.
(2)Carlos P.
I believe I have just found the best 'Q joint in the city, hands down. One evening in mid-August I took my parents here. They were amused and delighted by the art on the walls in the big dining room. The food took a little while to get there, but you know what is said about good things. We opted for the ample BBQ sampler. For $30 you get a little of everything: pulled pork, hot links, ribs, chicken, cornbread, beans, vinegar slaw. I tell you, we walked away quite satisfied. On my first visit for a Burning Man meet & greet, I got the sampler platter which ended up feeding me & my friend with very little left over. I got a little crazy and ordered the pecan pie for everyone -- damn good pie, I must say! Now I gather from some more recent reviews that they're slipping up a bit -- is that so? They might have fallen victim to the "Check Please" effect. In any case, the owners are a friendly, approachable bunch. May have to take it up with them.
(5)roberto a.
After a failed attempt to eat here last Friday, my college friends and I made a second successful attempt to grab dinner last night. What a difference a week makes. Last week when we came, there was a large crowd on the sidewalk waiting by the door, and when we entered inside, the staff apologized, telling us that the wait was going to exceed their closing time, and they had stopped carryout orders for the night just to keep up with the people that were there already. When we arrived this week, there were a few people outside smoking, which alarmed us at first, but after asking if they were waiting for tables, it turns out they were killing time waiting for their takeout orders. The place was busy, but not overly packed. Our waitress was awesome, as she pretty much made our decision to order the St Louis Ribs over the baby backs. She looked at us and said that for five hungry guys, only the St Louis Ribs would satisfy us. Case closed. We placed orders for full slabs and sides. Our ribs arrived with full slabs laying diagonally across large square plates. I had ordered a side of creamy mac-n-cheese, which arrived in a smaller than expected bowl, yet had a very pleasing, larger than expected taste. With the exception of the corn bread muffins, which were huge, the sides didn't lend themselves to sharing. Each slab is served with a side of slaw. But this is a rib place, so lets get down to the business of ribs. Initial Observations: A fairly large slab served dry, with visible amounts of dry rub on the meat. You will need a fork and knife to cut the slab into a manageable size to hold. Although the meat does not fall off the bone when grasping with your teeth, it actually requires a small tug, the meat does not taste dry or tough, and it only requires a decent amount of chewing to unlock the smoked and rubbed in taste. From this point, it is up to your personal preferences to determine how much sauce, if any, to pour on the ribs. Two sauces are available at the table, a thick, sweet sauce, or one that is smoky and tangy. Salt and pepper are available, but were not needed. I personally like a more smoky tangy taste and found that a light mixture (you don't need to drown it!!!) of both sauces, with more smoky/tangy poured on, then spread randomly with a fork, gave the best overall flavor. Yes, I used 1/3 of my slab to figure out the optimal mixture. As for eating the ribs without any sauce, I tried two ribs worth, but concluded that that these ribs go better with sauce. The ambiance. Country and Western. For the latter part of our time there, a country band was playing in the next dining area. They alternated between country/western, and what sounded like rock-a-billy. A female sung cover of "Folsom Prison Blues" did justice to man in black himself. Word of advice- now that winter has set in, you may want to avoid the tables nearest the entrance door. Each time someone came or left, we were blasted by a cold gust of wind. And sometimes people would forget to completely close one or both doors on the way out, which would cause them to blow open on the next gust of wind. Oh yeah, and bring cash, because this is a cash only operation. Pros: Yum. No-nonsense full size slab of ribs ready to go. A decor that makes you forget that you are in Pilsen (well at least the Mexican side of Pilsen, because with the artwork displayed on the wall, you're reminded of the artsy side of Pilsen). A hub for some country and western acts as fliers for upcoming band acts seem to indicate. Cons: Cash only, with its recent appearance on Check Please!, you have to wonder what has changed before and after its moment of fame. Closes early 9:30, can get crowded. To sum it up: Gotta consider placing in an order after work...I'm only 10 minutes away.
(4)J J.
So myself and a friend decide to go here on a whim because we didnt feel like driving all the way up north to Smoque. Needless to say we should have went with out first thought, but we were being adventurous and decided to explore. The atmosphere is exactly what the name of the place states. So not feeling too outta place we take a seat at the bar. (Why do they have a bar and don't have anything on tap?) We order a 1/2 slab of baby backs, 1/2 slab of St. Louis ribs, the sliced brisket dink dunkers or some goofy name stuff, and the mac and cheese. After talking to the bartender who was bragging on how great the food was and basically telling us that Smoque had nothing on this place, we were excited to get our food. After the first bite into my the St. Louis ribs I new we made a mistake. I thought ribs were supposed to have a smokey flavor, and they were dry. We didn't even finish the baby backs or the cold, dry azz no flavor brisket. Seriously how do you serve cold bbq? Really? You mean it didn't just come outta the smoker. How do you go to a rib joint and not want to finish off all the ribs or at least take home leftovers? But the worst thing of all is they didn't offer me a moist toilette. That's just a no-no with me at rib joints. LOL!!!!! So you'll never guess what we did after leaving this place. Yep! We drove up north to Smoque and got a 1/2 slab of St. Louis ribs and a taste of sliced brisket just to satisfy our insatiable craving for BBQ. Then and only they were we truly satisfied. Won't return for the food or the music.
(1)Double L.
No real reason to pile on here. Coleslaw was lacking either more vinegar or mayo or maybe a little bit of both. Mac'n'Cheese was awesome along with the corn muffins. Beans were just o.k.. All their sauces are really tasty. We got the sampler and I really enjoyed everything especially the snausage. Thought it was great value as well and enjoy the BYOB. Didn't notice a $1 charge as other people have mentioned. RrL
(4)Alex K.
Ok the place keeps getting better and better every time we go there!! Our waitress was awesome and told us they were short staffed but was super amazing dealing with it which just makes everything kind of happy. We ordered just ribs... and they were great! They were hot and there were good meat on them. They have 3 sauces which is awesome. Really tasty. Don't get mashed potatoes, it tasted worse than the betty crocker boxed instant ones. Really bad. I learned a bit about ribs recently and it still had that membrane on it which seems all the recipes said to take off so made for some slight chewyness. I think because they only use rub and little sauce it makes it for dryer ribs but it's only my opinion since it seems there are 2 different types - made with rub or made with sauce. I prefer sauce. They have awesome selection of booze and pear cider was amazing. We saw hipsters, locals, families, people in their 50s, 20s etc all eating and enjoying together. It was really awesome to see and I am glad that their food gets better for us everytime we go there!
(4)Michael H.
Can't believe this place isn't rated higher. The food here is awesome! The pulled pork is my favorite... so delicious, you don't even need to add sauce... but still do it, it's damn tasty. I dream about the mac and cheese, and the banana pudding is a great way to end the meal. All this good food, and free live music... I'll take it.
(4)Benji R.
I read the reviews, I saw it on TV; I knew what to expect. I was very disappointed. I went there at about 5:45 pm on a Friday, and they were not busy, though as we were ending dinner the rush started to come in. While I cannot speak for dishes which I did not eat I can tell you about the St. Louis ribs, the beef brisket sandwich, pulled pork dinky dunkers, the mashed potatoes, and the corn bread muffins. St. Louis ribs were just ok, nothing special. They were cooked unevenly; the side with the thicker bones was not cooked long enough, and the meat was tough and chewy and did not want to come off the bone. The side with the smaller bones, on the contrary, was cooked like St. Louis ribs should be cooked and were tender, and just released from the bone with a little tug. The ribs also lacked flavor. They either went easy with the rub they use, or purposely left out flavor. I understand that the 3 BBQ sauces are on the table are to be used (and were good) but ribs on their own should taste good; season them better or develop a better bark! The brisket was the shining star of the group. It was tender, moist, and sliced just right. It also was a bit under seasoned, but was great with all the sauces. It was so good actually that I had to eat it piece by piece as I did not think the sandwich gave the brisket justice. This I can recommend. The pulled pork was of the most delicate texture, and literally fell apart on its own, BUT had absolutely no flavor. The rub was also meager on this, but I was just astounded as to how flavorless the meat was. I would not recommend the pulled pork at all. Mashed potatoes were very bland as well, and did not have a pleasing texture. It was lumpy, but not in the good way. Lastly the corn bread muffins...what can one say about the muffins? I do not know if I just was particularly "lucky" in my visit, but the muffins were either bad, or a day or two old. They were super crumbly and fell apart as I was trying to eat them. They did have corn kernels inside (which is good) but they completely fell apart. Overall I would not recommend this place. If you do end up going to Honky Tonk definitely try the brisket. Do not waste your time on the pulled pork. *Their "sweet tea" is Nestea type sweet tea. Big disgrace for a southern style BBQ place.
(2)Allison A.
This is my favorite bbq in the city. My only complaint is that the sides are so small for the price. It has a nice relaxed atmosphere and live bands on certain nights. The bar selection is great and if you haven't, TRY THE BACON CANDY!
(4)Maureen S.
The service here is kind of weird- the waitstaff seems understaffed on hopping weekend nights, but this place absolutely makes up for it. The ambiance is incredible- the bizarre baroque and retro art collection would make anybody drool, and the live performances of down-home, wailing bluegrassy folkies on weekends are a big treat. Their beer selection is a bit small, but decent enough. The crown jewel, though, is the incredible offerings of BBQ sauces in a variety of flavors and uses, and you just can't top their collard greens and mac and cheese!
(4)Jeff G.
this was very good. had the sampler platter thing and all was very good: brisket, sausage, chicken. the hostess was a bit flaky - we put our name on the list said it would be 15 min and then about 20 min later i asked her what she thought and she said maybe another 15 min wait for a table.
(4)Lauren T.
I'm reading all these bad reviews and I'm not sure why. They are a little pricey, but it's worth it. The ribs are AMAZING. I think they use all natural ingredients too. The people who own it are really nice. They are super laid back which is why I think they may have gotten some bad reviews. This isn't your typical rib joint...it's MORE. Try the ribs here...I'm pretty sure they got voted number one in the city for ribs last year. You have to get the fried green tomatoes.
(5)Theresa K.
Wait was terrible food could be much better...complete lack of management. Not impressed. No discount/apology from management. Would not go back. Food was average. I smoke a brisket better than this place. Greens were not good. Beans and cornbread were the best. I don't understand the hype of this place.
(1)Jim B.
THIS IS THE BEST BBQ EVER!!!! I love this place!!!! The favors of the rub were outstanding, it was actually the first time I ever wanted to eat my ribs with NO sauce!!! There was SOOO much flavor. I also tried the brisket, it was out of this world!!! The sauces they have on the table are delicious, especially the mustard type sauce. This is a great place. I drove 20 miles to try this and it sure won't be the last time either!!! By the way, a few days later I tried Smoque, it was good but not the delicious flavors that this place has. The BBQ,smoke flavors were the best I have ever had!!! Hope you try this based on my review. ENJOY!!
(5)Christine W.
We went with friends who had seen Honky Tonk BBQ featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. We had two southern boys in the crowd and we received two thumbs up for very good (not the best they have ever had) but respectable, especially for up north :) Very eclectic place with tons of charm located in the Pilsen neighborhood. Easy to get a cab to the place a bit tough getting one out. So the #12 bus will be your friend to get back to Michigan Avenue if you are an out-of-towner. The bus travels right in front of the place (look for the bus stop). Check bus schedules though since they change routes often.
(4)Dan N.
Willie is amazing, a true Chicago treasure. Real BBQ featureing award winning Pork. Its so great the Chicago features several great BBQ places now, and Honky Tonk is right up with the best anywhere
(5)Gefilte P.
I was salivating for crisp, pungent, rim-burnt, delicious rib tips--as they should be--and got mushy blobs of fat that needed plenty of sauce to be at all tasty. Instead of white bread they were on a sturdy sandwich roll which was too hard to soak up sauce, and no human would eat rib tips as a sandwich. The fried green tomatoes were also lackluster, bland.
(2)Deglazer Z.
Sad to give this a 3. Had take-out in the form of a half-slab of ribs and a few hot links. Tangy sauce was quite good, but the ribs lacked smoke flavor and spice. Hot links were better, but still not up to my gold standard, Uncle John's. I liked the vibe of the place, so will probably try it again,... but they will really need to deliver.
(3)Ashley K.
My fiance and I went here for dinner a few weeks ago because my friends and I had been discussing a trip to Memphis for BBQ and I was craving it. I was hesitant based on the reviews on here, as it seemed like this place is really hit or miss. But I've been to Smoque and I don't love Smoque, plus it's much further away from my place, so I thought we would give this a try. We loved it from start to finish. The atmosphere was very Wild, Wild West without being overly cheesy. I got such a kick out of it, and the cowboy circling the restaurant playing the banjo who drank a glass of wine every time he had a break. I don't know why I was so amused by the wine, but I was. FI got a beer that he had been wanting to try (their beer selection is quite good) and I had a pear cider. We ordered the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer, which were good but suffered from overly watery tomatoes so that after the first, crispy bite, the remainder ended up slightly soggy on the bottom. The breading was great, but I was slightly confused about why they were served with cocktail sauce. I much preferred a combination of the three bbq sauces on the table. For our entrees, FI ordered the bbq pork and a side of chili. I had the bbq brisket and mac and cheese. The bbq pork was big chunks of pork, not stringy pieces like you normally see, and did not have any sauce on it, just a really delicious dry rub. It was moist and juicy and something I would love to eat again. I only had a bite of the chili and thought it was good, but not the best I've had. My bbq brisket was delicious. Also moist and juicy and had clearly been smoked, so I'm not sure what you people are talking about when you question whether Honky Tonk actually smokes its bbq. It also came with only the dry rub, so that I could put bbq sauce on to suit my own pleasure. I really prefer this because my personal preference was a combination of all three sauces and I'm glad that they didn't pick just one for me. I loved the brisket. A+ all around. The mac and cheese was fine but I think that next time I would order a different side. With all the food we ordered, it sat pretty heavy for me and wasn't enough of a stand out for me to stop eating my brisket sandwich. We ate way more than we needed to, and were entirely too full for dessert. Next time I come here, I'm saving room for banana pudding though. Until we meet again Honky Tonk, I'll be dreaming of your brisket.
(4)Ronda J.
I rarely take the time to write a review. It just seemed necessary since I rely so heavily on reviews and these reviews do not reflect my experience. As a Texan living in Chicago I am always on the look out for good BBQ. My husband told me about this place which is moments from our house and we were sooooo excited. I checked out the site and saw the awards they had won and was very hopeful. We had the brisket Dinky Dunkers and Brisket sandwich as well as the Pulled Pork sandwich mac 'n cheese and peach cobbler. The brisket was nicely smoked but I don't think any type of rub was used. There didn't seem to really be any seasoning so you NEEDED the sauce. The sauce saved it. To me the test of a good brisket is the lack of need for sauce. The Mac'n Cheese was really good. Unfortunately, the experience was was brought down completely by an awful attempt at Peach Cobbler. It was Uncooked Dough and a few peaches. We threw most of it away. I won't mind traveling to Smoque for good barbeque and great peach cobbler.
(2)Hank R.
I'm from North Carolina and I will personally say this BBQ is a close second. Best I've had in Chicago. We will be back!
(5)Sarah S.
This place was just that.. OK. I got super excited when I first heard about it and the rave reviews.. well it was over priced and didn't have much taste. What a disappointment. Tried it after the hype had worn off.. it was a tad better, but cold sauces on hot food is rarely a good idea... and they do NOT take credit cards... so bring a wad of cash with ya Save it for better places..
(3)Ro L.
Loved the food and service. Our party had 6 people and every server and bus boy greeted us as we came in. We ordered quite a bit from the menu, the corn muffins,2 kinds of ribs, rib tips, chicken, mac and cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, greens and candied yams . We shared/tried almost everything and it was all delicious. For dessert we also shared the sweet potato pie, peach cobbler and pound cake. The pound cake was the surprising favorite with the bourbon butterscotch sauce. Everything was great and we will definitely be back!
(5)Kathryn M.
Well, this is where I spent my New Year. A small, but decent balloon drop, live band, and a bartender that served everyone, not just her regulars made for a very welcome 2011. The stage, towards the back of the place was kickin. I know it was a special occasion, but the crowd was friendly and hip, not minding my crazy dancing at all. The girls room (can't speak for the boys) was clean and maintained. After reading these reviews I would be interested in seeing the dining experience and the brisket of this place. Happy New Year !
(3)Ashley W.
I went and had the ribs and chicken combo and was so surprised at how subpar the BBQ sauce an meat was. Thats it. Service was fine; beer and decor nice but food way overrated. Sorry to be a downer everyone!
(2)Joel G.
I would give this restaurant a good rating but they keep running out of food. Don't rely on anything being on the menu.... And they cop an attitude when you question it.
(1)Pattie S.
The sides were great but all the meat was so dry. Also there was a hair in my mashed potatoes. I get it...sometimes it happens but the meat just killed it for me. First time they opened it was great and now not so much. Baby back ribs I literally broke apart and they sounded like styrofoam. I try to give everything a chance so I have gone back a few times but really every time after the first has sucked. I don't get it everyone else's pic looks juicy but then I order it and it as hard as a rock. The taste of the ribs were good but they were so hard and there was barely any meat on them. It's almost as if they had been sitting out then thrown into the microwave. My kids had the pulled pork sandwich and no matter how much bbq they added they still said it was so dry. When we first walked in no one even acknowledged us and it was empty! The waiter was really nice and helpful but I really only enjoyed the appetizers and the sides. That sucks tremendously because it's a bbq place but...oh well. Oh and as cute as the high Chairs are, they're not very safe. My kid just pushed the tray right off and there was no belt on it. So disappointed I really wanted to take my godmother out to a good bbq before she left town again. I want to say I'll give it another try but this has been our third time there and no improvement. I do like to support local business so I am sad but this is the second time they serve me dry meat.
(2)Rob N.
I showed up for a couch surfing meet so there was a total of 7 of us. I split the sampler ($32) with a friend It came with a pulled pork sandwhich (4/5) you put the sweet sauce on the burger and it was tasted and nice and soft ribs (3/5) the ribs were good but I felt were a little too charred Sausage (3/5) it was alright I don't know how to describe it Chicken (4/5) The chicken was awesome nice grilled and not too dry Beans (5/5) Awesome I think I'm missing something else, but the vibe of the place was simple and there was a blues band playing (I personally didn't want music but it was a good feel) Place is awesome and it doesn't hurt your wallet B++++++ would do business again
(4)Vince L.
Great food, intelligent service. Try he cobbler!
(4)Kristina V.
Ribs were chewy and not tasty. I've eaten BBQ all my life and this was very disappointing. I would not order the Mac & cheese. It was just off. The best thing here was the ice cold Lone Star beer!
(2)Maggie M.
Just fantastic all around. Great drinks- try the Moonshine cocktail. Mouth watering food- I recommend the Brisket, and I'm usually a pulled pork gal. Live music with a southern twang, friendly and attentive staff. I can't speak more highly of this BBQ joint, it's just perfect. They also have Trivia nights, I think Tuesdays. Not a bad place to come just for drinks either!
(5)Tim E.
I was here last Sunday. My first impression was that they were a little unorganized. My girlfriend and I waited at the front door with another couple for a few minutes before we asked someone if we were supposed to seat yourself. We had a tough time finding a table because we were meeting some of our other friends and there was 7 of us all together. The front half of the place was jam packed with people, so we settled on sitting in the back. While we were waiting we checked out the bar and got pretty fast service for how busy it was. We both settled on the moonshine drink, I cant exactly remember what it was called. We listened to the band play while we waited for everyone to arrive. I am a sucker for live music and this band did not disappoint. I couldn't tell you one song they played, but they sure played the hell out of them. So once we all got settled in we ended up sitting in the back room. A little disappointing because the atmosphere in the back was not nearly as cool as the front, but what can you do when you have 7 people. So we ordered our food, we got the sampler platter. It was amazing. Little bit of everything they do, plus it makes great leftovers (I am eating some right now). The service was pretty much what I expected. Not overwhelmingly attentive but they were pretty busy, so its excusable. The one thing I really dislike that they did here, gratuity was included. I know a lot of places it's just policy or whatever, but I really don't like to be forced into tipping. But oh well, I would've tipped more than 18% so its really the servers loss. Overall I had a very pleasant experience at Honky Tonk, and I will be back soon, probably will a small group though! I was really in-between 3 and 4 stars, but I think the live music really put it over the edge for me and tipped it to the 4 star scale. Keep it up Honky Tonk BBQ!
(4)Margaret P.
Tonight was my first visit, and I'll definitely be back. My friend and I split the bacon candy appetizer; it was delicious and salty and sweet and just the right amount of chew. Definitely recommended if you like bacon (and who doesn't?) For dinner I had the platter with both meats (pork and brisket) and a side of candied yams. The yams were a little oversweetened for my taste, but they were cooked perfectly, and you get an appropriate portion size. The brisket was a little "flaky" for lack of a better word, but not dry; and the pulled pork was that right balance of moist without being greasy. I had the mustard BBQ sauce on the pork, and the less sweet red BBQ sauce on the brisket (I didn't see labeling on the sauce bottles to indicate the style). Portion size on the meats is very generous; I eat a lot of meat on principal (Paleo eater) and I still brought home most of the pork. One thing I would have left off: the seasoned salt they dust the meat with. The meat was delicious enough to not need additional salt. My friend got a mixed drink with absinthe and local root beer, and I had a sip. It was verrrrry anise flavored and I wasn't a fan. Also they use paper straws, which are great for the environment, but my friend's straw collapsed halfway through the meal. Another nice touch was the live music. I'd call it "Dixieland jazz" if I had to define it, and I said to my friend that it was like waking down Main Street in Disneyland. It gave a nice, uptempo feeling to the evening. Service was nice and fairly attentive, despite it being dinner hour and pretty busy. I look forward to going back.
(4)Jean K.
Love me some great BBQ!...and art!...and live music!! So when you combine all 3 of these together...you know I'm a fan!! Was greeted right away...and sat within a few minutes. Pretty simple place. Saloon'ish with the modernization of art. Thursdays feature live music - and that old rocking horse!! Loved it! had one!! Was enjoying myself even before the drinks arrived. Good drinks on tap. Did love the unique selections...although we played it safe and stuck with good ol'beer. Food was either hit or miss - although nothing was terrible. Wanted to try it all...so me and my hubby went with the platter which offered a good sampling of everything. His mom and our son went with the brisket. Cornbread...greens...mac and cheese...we had all the fixings for a gorge out! The best food we sampled was the brisket. And this is coming from someone who does not really like brisket! But, it was delic!! So good...I wanted more!! Even better topped off with their mustard sauce! Corn bread was the 2nd runner up...followed in by their chicken and pulled pork. Sausage had a good grilled flavor, but was a little on the greasy side, which would really upset my belly later on. Had really wanted to try out the bacon candy! But, will save that for the next time around...because - we will be back! Trying that Fungi Sammie too - looked tasty!!
(4)Lola M.
can i be perfectly honest here? this is my favorite bar in all of Chicago. yep, #1. the grub is solid. the drinks are delicious - per example, Honky Tonk's version of a Manhattan is made of angel tears, house cured cherries and a splendid over-sized ice cube the size of a billiard ball. the bands that play here are unique and a roarin' good time. bring yer little lady and swing her round, fellas!
(5)AK D.
What a bummer. We came in here to grab some drinks and food before a concert next door. We sat at the bar at 7pm on a Thursday and couldn't not have received more attitude from the bartender. Rolling eyes and some serious shade for every question we asked. Which was a shame because the food came out timely and hot from a friendly runner. The Mac and Cheese was tasty and the mixed platter was good. I can't say the quality of the BBQ was great. I wouldn't go out of my way to order the brisket or the pork again. No smoke taste at all and the brisket was not tender. Again not terrible but meh. We liked the drinks when we could get the attention of the bartender standing 3 feet away not making eye contact like it was a bet. So points for Mac and Cheese, bacon candy, and cocktails.
(1)Jim K.
Went here on a Sat night. The place was chaos (and not in the fun way). There was no one to seat us, yet they were kicking people out of sits for "reservations." That didn't even bother me; it was the fact that there was no one to direct traffic at the front of the house. It was insanely disorganized. The service was average, and certainly not anything to write home about. Had an "Old Fashioned" which was quite good. Took sips of other's drinks, and everything seemed pretty tasty. From a food standpoint, the Candied Bacon was tasty, and is recommended for anyone who's never had sugar topped bacon. I tried the pull pork, but was not horribly impressed. The sauces were average (I preferred the vinegar based BBQ sauce). Over all, I wasn't very impressed with my visit to The Honky Tonk. I really want to try it again, but, frankly, there are better BBQ joints, bars, and live venues that will always take precedence.
(2)Beatriz T.
Was slumming in the Pilsen area last Saturday night on our way to DeColores for some Mexican food when we passed by Honky Tonk and I heard very excited "awwwww that place is the shit" from the back seat of the car. We pulled over, had a pow wow, busted a U-eyyyyyy and were on our way. BBQ it was. I absolutely loved the decor...I am plotting ways to break in and steal the huge Frida Kahlo portrait they have when you walk in the door. Italian Job anybody??? Rockabilly Bands playing while we ate! Yes! I'm a huge rockabilly/pin up girl fan. Started with the Bacon N Brew which was fine by me. Candied Bacon is never a bad idea,,neither is beer for that matter. Had fried green tomatoes and Mac n Cheese for apps. Both were so/so, Have had better. Ordered the sampler platter for my main course. Holy Shit that's a lot of food. Huge Portions Great Service Delicious Cornbread. Ribs were delicious. Coleslaw was awesome with hints of cilantro. Banana Pudding was very good and I don't usually order desserts. The sauces are delicious, especially that mustard sauce. I don't know what's in it, but I would have loved to take the bottle. (I seem to want to steal a lot of shit from here...don't mind me Honky Tonk...I won't steal your sauces or painting....honestly.) All I know is I got home and put on my stretchy pants and the next thing I knew there was drool on my shoulder. ITIS! To sum this up....I would come back to eat or just to have some drinks and listen to some bands. My experience was great here.
(4)Evelyn M.
2 of my friends and I met here for dinner. Appetizer: BACON CANDY we had to order it. Thick, chewy, caramelized bacon- yummm! We ordered pulled pork sandwiche and the beef brisket... AMAZING! Just as tasty as the mac and cheese, garlic mashed potatoes and the fungi that very well complemented our sandwiches. I ordered B&E Moonshine, and it was delicious. Overall, our experience was great. Staff very friendly and the atmosphere was fun and pleasant!
(5)Talin H.
This is clearly a Pilsen establishment that contributes to the trend of the slowly but surely gentrifying neighborhood. You know how it is: first the hipsters come in, then cool restaurants, and then apartment prices slowly start to increase. But I digress. The food here was very good. I loved that they had a variety of regional housemade BBQ sauces to try, which is the benefit of being in the midwest, where we don't really stake a claim to any specific method of barbecue or sauce. I also loved that they had a variety platter which included a little bit of the all of the meats they have on hand. The chicken was one of the best barbecue chickens I've ever had - smoky and juicy. I will say that the whole bacon and PBR thing is really just a gimmick, but bacon gimmicks go a long way these days. I would definitely go back, and if I lived anywhere near here, I would eat here often!
(4)Anastasia A.
I really wanted to like it...I had heard great things about the place for months and I finally made my way there. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. I order the rib tips with mac and cheese. My companion had the brisket. The food was so heavily spiced with pepper that it over powered the meat and the mac and cheese taste. The tips were dry and pasta not well cooked. The overall serviced were pleasant. I just wish the food would have lived up to our expectations.
(1)Devon W.
I LOVE the Honky Tonk BBQ. They may not win the best BBQ in America each year, or have a travelling team of bearded men and women smoking meats at county fairs, but they do have a lovely location, fun venue for bands, tasty food, and a general good ambiance. I have started making this my go-to place for trivia on Wednesday nights (8:30pm). Trivia is free, and you can get all the beer/food/bacon candy you want as you're playing. Since I am now there regularly, I will add to this post as I try new things. So far my favorite menu item is the basket of rib tips. These are always seasoned wonderfully and cooked to perfection. Whenever I'm there I try to order something else, but my little tastebuds and growling stomach get the better of me and I end up ordering the rib tips... again... and again. If you're there with some newbies, be sure to get the bacon candy. It's a real belt-loosener, but so delicious you have to try it at least once. If (for whatever reason) you're the only one ready for a taste, you can get one THICK slice with a beer for $5. Two of those and you've got yourself a meal.
(4)Stephanie S.
I got takeout here last night: the pork sandwich and mac and cheese. It was OK. I'd go back, but it wasn't the best BBQ I've ever had. The sandwich was huge. The pork was sliced and I prefer chopped. The sauce was on the better side of OK but nothing to write home about. The bread was a garlicky ciabatta, and I really liked the soft chewiness of it. The macaroni was just OK. It had the consistency of being made the day before, refrigerated overnight and heated up again. When I got there, workers were standing on the stoop and seemed surprised that I wanted to go inside and order something. I think they had been open for an hour already and didn't have their cash register set up to take my payment, so I used a credit card. The girl who took my order seemed slightly annoyed and was pretty unfriendly. I couldn't help but think that she was looking down her nose at me because I'm not as tattooed and ironic as she is. I'm definitely willing to come sit down one evening with my husband to try out something else, maybe the bacon candy, and enjoy the ambiance.
(3)Daniel S.
My favorite place for BBQ in the city, I've been here countless times and have tried literally everything, the brisket and pork are the best meats, rib tips are good and you get a lot, ribs were just ok, the sausage links were really good, the mac and cheese is great, the banana pudding the best ive ever had, the empanadas were solid, the bacon candy is delicious, all their pies and ice cream are good too, nice beer and drink selection as well, reasonably priced and you get a good deal for your money, i can't recommend it enough
(5)Chris M.
For starters, maybe you like beer. Maybe you don't. But you have to give it to HTBBQ for creating the Bacon & Brew. A pint of Old Style (because it's ironical to like cheap beer, or something) and a slice of thick, candied bacon laying on top of the glass. Crazy, right?! And fantastic! If I have one minor quibble, it would be that I wish that the meat had a little more flavor. And we tried a variety of things, including the St. Louis ribs, rib tips and pulled pork. I thought it was somewhat on the bland side (More rub? More smoke?), but I'm a bit of a smoke-aholic when it comes to BBQ'ed meats, so maybe that's good news for your taste buds. Anyhow, a fine, casual dining experience, nice side dishes and great sauces. Try it! If you can find a parking spot. MUAHAHAHA....
(4)Holly W.
My Husband and I are restaurant owners in the South Loop. We are huge lovers of BBQ and decided to order a handful of menu offerings for carry out after they had placed an order at our restaurant. I sure am glad we did because we found our new FAVORITE bbq spot here in Chicago. As BBQ connoisseurs know, it is unusual to find a place that nails both the meats as well as those tasty, tasty side dishes. We ordered several meats but the Smoked Chicken was absolutely magical, perfection. I loved all of the sauces but the tangy one reminds me of a favorite from back home so I ate the heck out of that one. Another stand out for me was the Southern Style Greens- Salty, a bit spicy, and delicious. The last thing I want to comment on is the Banana Bread Pudding. I will admit I have always been afraid to try bread pudding and being honest, I licked the lid as I removed it not knowing exactly what it was... UM YUM! No one else was allowed near the container of Banana Bread Pudding. We will definitely be back to sit at the bar for a few and listen to the live bands!
(5)Abraham D.
Please note that as past restaurant and business owner for 10 years, I have higher expectations on food and service so I tend to notice things that regular clients don't. My wife wanted to have some BBQ ribs so we decided to go to Honky Tonk on Pilsen. I am by no means a BBQ nut but have to say that this place left something to be desired. It was really a problem finding parking on the street; finally, after 20 minutes going around the blocks, we found a spot about a block away. The place was almost full (St. Patrick's Day celebration?), we were not greeted and after finding the hostess, she directs us to find a table ourselves, finally, we found a boot close to the stage; the place was a little chilly for me (and I like cold weather), the menu was the placemat and we had our first disappointment, no backed potatoes anywhere. My wife was really looking to have a nice hot baked potato with the ribs. My wife ordered half baby back ribs and this was served with slaw and pretzel roll and she asked a side of garlic mashed potatoes; I ordered empanadas and a pulled pork sandwich. Wife ordered a coke (it was from a fountain machine not can or bottle) and I stayed with the glass of water after tasting the coke. The ribs were cold and not fall off the bone tender, we had to send them back to be reheated, also they were a little too dry and bland at best, I'm confident I can make a better rib. The slaw was much too fresh (raw) for my taste and not creamy enough and the garlic mash potatoes, well, my wife kept tasting the garlic after midnight. The empanadas were great but needed a bit more cheese and the corn sauce dressing was good. The pulled pork sandwich was ok but it had no trimmings, I had to steal some slaw from my wife to put some color and taste to my sandwich. I tried the 3 different types of sauces and they were ok, but they were obviously store bought. Total bill about $40, a little pricy for the quality of food but the service was good. They had live music but I recommend not sitting close to the stage if you want to have a conversation. Honky Tonk is marked as to be in the top BBQ places in Chicago but they will have to do more to get me back here again...
(2)Merrill O.
Just two words. Candied. Bacon. Probably the closest thing to bar grub perfection that I have ever tasted. And just 5 bucks will get you a thick crispy slab of said sweet perfection AND a pint of Old Style. Seriously....what are you waiting for? Get to Honky Tonk BBQ....sit at the bar....and order up a slice of heaven. And if Joe happens to be your bartender, your night is off to a darn good start!
(4)Heather L.
Wow, this is the epitome of a hipster hang-out. Everyone dresses like they just had an Up-and-Coming interview with Pitchfork. The decor is quite ambivalent, a little bit of haphazard vintage, grunge Americana, dive-bar lighting, and yeap... animal head trophies. No matter. We are serious diners, and we wanted to get our BBQ on. The cocktails were bleh, but at $7-8, it was a cheap bleh. We also had the Bacon & Brew, which was a slab of candied bacon balanced on a glass of Old Style: Beer, meat, grease, sugar and butter? That's not even fighting fair. The sauces were our favorite part of the dinner. There were three smoky and bold selections in squirt bottles that we tried putting on everything: One mustard-based, one ketchup-based, and a Carolina-esque. Their cornbread, lentil soup and chili were all very well done. The chili was probably the best I have had in awhile, with large chunks of meat and topped with a generous helping of mac and cheese. That said, the meats themselves were a bit lacking. The brisket we got was a big disappointment: Fleeting smokiness, quite cold, and very dry. We might stick to the sandwiches and chili next time.
(3)Tyler F.
The food was great but the service was horrible. It's shame we had to pay 20% gratuity because she could barely speak in coherent sentence and looked like she was rolling on something. I would go back for the food only.
(3)Jason F.
I love this place! I love to come on Sundays when they have a 1920s style jazz band playing there. The band is awesome, and you even get some people dressed up in the 20s garb that come there to dance. It's just a really cool atmosphere. As far as food goes, I like the brisket a lot. Some of the other things I tried, like the chicken, were not all that impressive. I didn't care for the mac and cheese when I first had it, but then I ordered chili mac and that was so good! They also serve candied bacon with beer, and that stuff is amazing. This is a cool place with a lot of character.
(5)Tony E.
I'm reviewing as a musician and a customer. Our group played here this weekend, and Honky Tonk treated us very well. They do business with musicians the way it should be done. Band gets paid and fed, no cover and they draw their own customers because they make good food and book good music. Although it's kind of a cramped set up to play as a full band, it's a fun place to play. It's divey. They were also cool with us doing a raffle to support homeless veterans. Actually, the bartenders bought so many tickets, they walked away with half the prizes! They'd get 5 stars if they tightened up some of their internal communication/administration. Foodwise, I had the brisket sandwich with mac and cheese. Really good! Beer selection is also great. They have a bacon and brew with a slice of caramelized bacon that is the size of a 2x4. 'Nuff said.
(4)Lauren D.
This is a meat-eaters paradise serving up Memphis-style bar-b-que cuisine with their award-winning pulled pork and is a Chicago championship-BBQ eatery. From St. Louis spares to baby backs to the big beef short ribs, they are dishing up super-slow cooked barbecue with three signature sauces, which are absolutely finger-suckin' good! Also, sample the bacon candy or try their beef brisket sandwiches, and bold slabs of dry-rub St. Louis ribs. I always get the brisket sandwich, but have also tried the pulled pork (both are worthy of five stars). My husband always orders the ribs and they are worthy of five stars. Believe it or not, they also have vegetarian offerings here. If you enjoy "live" music this is a must for music lovers. Honky Tonk was rated as one of the top 10 bars in Chicago and one of the top five for "live" music. If you are a die-hard bar-b-que fanatic, get your ass over to this place. This restaurant has a wonderful selection of meats with a great vibe. It is filled with loud conversation and music. What kind of people come here? All ages, but mostly it is filled with college students from nearby University of Illinois and the young 20-something singles. I noticed a few in their early 30's with young kids (about 10-12 years of age). The restaurant is located in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, where most of the restaurants are "mom and pop" operations. You don't expect to see this kind of restaurant in Pilsen, and albiet, it is located in an unusual location. Hey, it works for them. If you cook it good, they will come! Parking is street only, and since this is a very popular Chicago restaurant it can be a challenge to find a legal parking spot on a Friday or Saturday night. I rate it with four stars, because service is not fantastic here (though it is friendly). Their sides are very, very small but the meat makes up for the small side portions. Also, seeing a "live" band here can be hit or miss -- you are lucky if you can get in here to listen to the music. Arrive super early if you plan to stay for the "live" music! If you don't mind being in a very crowded bar, elbow to elbow, listening to live music, check it out!
(4)Anne M.
Overall good. Some things I really enjoyed and some things I didn't. I really wanted to LOVE the place but I wasn't blown away. Not really sure how to rate this place. I gave a 4 because of the atmosphere, a few items we liked, and the potential the place has. I had the St. Louis ribs with coleslaw, candied yams and cornbread. My Husband had the brisket with mac & cheese and had a Bacon & Brew. I'm not super familiar with rib styles so I wasn't sure what to expect. I asked the difference between the baby back and St. Louis style and the server said that the baby back ribs have more fat on them. The ribs were a dry rub they were okay but not something I would order again. Life is too short to eat just okay items when dining out. I was expecting the typical messy ribs with falling off the bone meat but these ribs were a little bland and reminded me of beef jerky. I loved the candied yams and cornbread. The coleslaw was too vinegar-y to me, it was nice and fresh but I prefer a mayonnaise base. My Husband really loved his brisket (he is a brisket connoisseur) and he said the mac was not great. Favorite thing we tried: the Bacon & Brew it was awesome, The atmosphere is really cool, it has this vintage-y Mexican/bar style inside. The service was at best.... weird. Only our server looked us in the eye and she definitely did not have a friendly demeanor, she was very matter of fact. We had several people here and there. One to take our drink order, one to bring our dishes, and then our main server. I would go again if I was in the area but I wouldn't make it a regular outing.
(4)John F.
The place is just great. Get the BBQ platter. It has everything you could want. It's enough food to feed two, and possibly 3 people. The ribs leave a tad bit to be desired. But the pulled pork, and the brisket is outstanding. Live music gives a cool touch. The atmosphere is hipster-ish, without being too pretentious. I've brought my kids there, and it's totally cool for them as well. Parking is a pain, but it's all worth it.
(5)Eric A.
Awesome BBQ. Great drinks. Good service and live music. Can't really say much more. People come from all over the city to get the bacon and brew. Candied bacon served with a glass of old style beer for 5 dollars? Awesome. Honestly I hate old style. But for 5 dollars it's hard to complain.
(5)Christina B.
Awesome restaurant! My boyfriend and I were going to the sox game and wanted to grab a bite to eat before we went. Found the Honky Tonk BBQ on google, and so glad we came here. The decor was super cute, the wait staff was very friendly. We ordered the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer, and I got the pulled pork sandwich and mac and cheese, he got the ribs/half chicken/greens/coleslaw. I ate a little something of everything (aside from the chicken) and it was all delicious. I absolutely want to come back here again. I loved the atmosphere, and would like to go back when a band is playing. I would definitely recommend Honky Tonk to anyone who likes good BBQ.
(5)Warrior W.
I like this place. The music is cool and something a little different. They make some classic drinks and have a decent beer list so no complaints there. You can kind of treat this place like two sides really. The front is the busier-hip-drinking crowd and the back has the eaters. The food is pretty decent with the cornbread and mac and cheese being the standouts. The pork is a "B" and the brisket is a "D" i would say (they don't cook nearly as long as one should and lines of fat on there). I haven't had the chicken yet but since chicken is easier and takes less time, i have a hunch it will be better than the other meats. I will definitely be coming back over and over since friends just moved in the area.
(4)Laura A.
I was here on a random weekday night for a drink. My drink was strong and really good. My brother and I also ordered the candied bacon ( having no idea what to expect) it was nasty and we sent it back. We proceeded to order a brisket and a pork slider. Both were great, but the pork was def better. I'll be back on a weekend night for the experience
(4)Eric K.
The best St Louis style ribs i've had in the city of Chicago hands down. Awesome atmosphere, especially on Sunday nights with the live music.
(5)Jamie H.
Well, I moved to Pilsen and people keep raving about Honky Tonky so seeing as though it's been about 3 years since I've been here I figured I'd give it another shot. The place is about as different from what it once was as you can get. We came in about 10 mins before they stopped serving food and there were 8 of us so kind of obnoxious, yes, but 8 people = bigger tip. Well, we got some incredibly rude service we were basically shoved up and told to pay now because the waitress was off. I get it, you want to go, at least half of us have or do work int he service industry all you had to do was polity tell us that and we'd have settled up right then and there. So, terrible service but the food was better than the last time. We got a few sample platters. I'm sure I'll be back because it's so close; I just hope the service is better next time!
(3)Dale J.
Great place. BBQ is outstanding, good beer choices, banana pudding, great service!!!
(5)Jimmy J.
Beyond underwhelming. If you know anything about quality bbq, this place is lousy. Their sauces totally sucked. Zero flavor. We tried whole smoked chicken, back ribs, brisket. All served cold No flavor. No seasoning. And when sauces suck, you're in trouble. We came here because it was featured by Guy Fieri. This was a huge disappointment. Our experience at the Famous Dave's chain blew this away. Im in the business and hate bashing a place to this degree but their meats had zero flavor, temps were cold and a bottle of Open Pit would have been better than what they had on table. Lastly, while their menu says ribs come with slaw (sucked too) and corn bread, I got slaw and a dinner roll. A weak operation. It has been my experience that all famous bbq places are more hype than hope. This place is biggest example. Service was also lackluster. Go to the hood and get real bbq. This isnt good bbq. Not even close.
(1)Julieta C.
They have a Cool and comfy bar! I only had time for a drink although I wish I would have had some extra time to order from their menu.The bartender not only introduced himself but truly was attentive to his customers. That's true customer service! The food smelled delicious!
(4)Cindy M.
This place is AMAZING! I love BBQ ribs and these are quite delicious. They have a variety if BBQ sauces for the ribs, I prefer the sweet BBQ. Their Mac and cheese is also delicious. By far the best experience of BBQ in Chicago. The atmosphere is nice, front or backside seating. They have their own unique style of decorating, artwork hangs in the walls, and there's usually a live band playing. I would definitely recommend to those who love ribs!
(5)Jeff Q.
Stopped in after a Sox game for a bachelor party dinner...had the plate of brisket, pulled pork and hot link and it was awesome...I coulda done just a plate of the hot links, no joke...not an over powering smoke flavor which ruins the flavor of the meat at some places but it was right on....a couple buddies had the rib tips and they loved them and it was definitely a healthy portion...I had the greens as a side which were very good too...I dig mine with a sweet heat kinda flavor and it was very good...dug the service too, very accommodating for a group of 10...thanks!!
(4)Vina O.
I've been eating here since I moved to Chicago three years ago and I've enjoyed it every time! Although the bread roll and the coleslaw are pretty blah, the St. Louis ribs are top notch every time! Besides, who really comes to a BBQ joint for the bread roll and coleslaw...? I haven't tried the infamous Smoque, but I'm not willing to drive almost 10 miles just for some BBQ when Honky Tonk is less than a mile away. Stick to the St. Louis ribs, I think they're better than the baby back. I like to mix all the sauces together (sweet BBQ, tangy BBQ, and garlic mustard) and dip my meat in it!
(4)Toni B.
The hubby and I came here with some friends, which I was very excited for since we both love BBQ! Please note: Their food is meant to be on the dryer side so that you can put as much or little sauce as youd like on them on your own. When we walked into the restuarant, the hubby and I waited by what we thought was the hostess stand for 5 minutes before another group coming in and seating themselves..so we figured wed do the same! We ended up find the couple we were meeting in the back area. The food is pretty decent. My hubby and our friend ordered the bacon candy..and according to the hubs, it was the best food he's ever eaten (I guess better then my spinach lasagna!). I ordred the chicken sandwhich and the hubby ordred the ribs. We are more fans of meat being marinated in sauce, but it was pretty decent. The mac and cheese was good as well! Check it out if you want to try a new BBQ joint in that neck of the woods!
(3)Patrick B.
This is my favorite bar in Chicago. I haven't had their food, but I love the bar. Their signature cocktails are incredible, the bartenders are excellent, and the atmosphere can't be beat. Great live music, trivia nights, and all around good times to be had. The "Bacon and Brew" deal is by far the best drink deal you can find in the city. $5 for a THICK slice of candied bacon and a pint of Old Style. Heaven.
(5)Christy D.
I really wanted to love this place after hearing about their great barbeque and live country music but was extremely disappointed. The hostess and our waitress were both unfriendly and almost rude. Our waitress didn't smile once and didn't tell us anything about the menu. We ordered our cocktails and the woman next to me ordered the same thing. When we got our drinks they were completely different. Mine was bourbon on the rocks and not a cocktail. When I asked her about it she told me that it was a cocktail and when I explained that the woman next to me had the same thing she told me they were different glasses but the same drink even though the other drink had cherries in it. She said "what do you want me to bring you cherries? It's the same cocktail just different glasses and yours doesn't have cherries." Um, ok. The couple sharing the table with us were very nice and helpful and they suggested the sausage which was wonderful with the mustard sauce, a must have. The brisket had absolutely no flavor at all and so I drowned it in barbeque sauce. The sauce was fine but nothing spectacular and frankly I wanted good tasting brisket not sauce. The mac and cheese was just okay. After our meal we listed to Sarah and the Tall Boys play which was great and why I gave this 2 stars. Without the live music I would have only given them 1.
(2)Allison R.
I was in Chicago for a long weekend and at the suggestion of a local checked this place out for their bbq, tunes and fun atmosphere. It's a no-frills place that is out of this world!! I had the pulled pork sandwhich and my friend had the smoked chicken sandwhich. Both were fantastic. They have a really large selection of whiskey including some more hard-to-find varieties/brands and had a good beer list too! While we didn't order any side dishes I definitely would next time as the tables around us with sides looked really really tasty! The services was great - friendly but not hawking around our table and never made us feel rushed. It was a really cool and fun place. Low-key with great food!
(4)Mindy M.
Great drinks, Great service, Candied. Bacon. Can a place get any better? Other than the great food, they have amazing live music, great trivia nights. Favorite bar in the area.
(5)Serena Y.
Well went back to give it a 2nd chance after 3 yrs and it still SUCKS! BBQ was cold...Sent it back...came back a little warmer :-( Server was nice.. No complaints there.... The collard greens were the best thing we had..disappointed really thought it would be better than the first time.... Guess we will be driving to Smoque if we crave BBQ!
(1)K B.
***I'm down-grading to 4 stars, even though this is still based on the bacon primarily. I'm only rating this place 5 stars for you to go in and do the following: 1. Enjoy the music. 2. Order the Candied Bacon. 3. Order a nice Craft Beer. No guarantees on anything else.
(4)Rob I.
Love this place! Pork is king! Pulled pork, ribs are great! Love the brisket as well, wish they offered burnt end!! Love the atmosphere and bar is great! Great drinks and just a go to place for great music, food, and drink! Pilsen gem!
(4)Tom S.
Candied Bacon....need I say more.
(5)BELLE T.
I loved the candied bacon, but I thought the ribs were dry. Dry ribs = no bueno.
(2)Jami S.
Honestly I hate to say it but not a fan of this place. We went on a Saturday right when it opened. My friends were dying to try and I think they enjoyed it a lot more then I did being they are big guys who love ribs. The service was great, the review is def not based on that. However, the restaurant smelled like a combination of BBQ & urine & there were full on drug (prob meth) addicts sitting across from us. It was really gross watching them. It's not the fault of Honky I guess but it ruined my dinner. The brisket probably was the best thing & the cornbread. Ribs were okay. The decor is cool. Though, I would 100% say Chicago Q is better. Sorry Honky but I won't be back.
(2)Ellen M.
I was quite surprised to see that HKB had an average 3.5 star review. Whatever. I love it to bits. I've been five times and haven't had a bad meal yet. Many reviewers commented on the hipster scene. Let's get something straight right now: I don't give a rat's mama's expletive-not-uttered who else is dining. No one has ever disturbed me to the point of caring. But I digress. Me, man, man's parents, two sampler platters, tons of leftovers. Their ribs and brisket are lovely, but I'm truly impressed when the chicken leaves an impression. Delicious, delightful service from pretty, tatted gals, good selection of beers. Change back on a hundred. What's not to love? In any case, I also recommend the fried green tomatoes as a starter. Dry rub.
(5)Brian B.
As a long time BBQ fan, this place is tops. Their homemade sauces are out of this world, and the way everything is slow smoked with just the right amount of spice is mouth-watering-delicious! Every time I have friends in from out of town I take them here. The cool 1920's vibe to the place and their classic bar with the live bands is just so darn cool! Not to mention the staff with their wicked tattoos. What a real gem! Everything is delicious, but my favorites are the chicken and ribs and pulled pork and mushrooms and baked beans. Get the sampler platter, you can't go wrong. WOW! SO GOOD!
(5)Elizabeth E.
The best brisket I have ever had. I am a HUGE BBQ fan & this place did not disappoint. Everything I tasted was amazing, mac & cheese, mushrooms, chicken, hot links. The icing on the cake was the out of this world banana cream desert! I cannot wait to go back. Great food, great atmosphere & great friendly service! Could not ask for a better night out!
(5)Stet D.
This is place definitely has some of the best bbq in Chicago. I decided to check it out after reading an article about it online. I ordered take out and lady who took my order and payment was really friendly. I ordered the St. Louis style ribs, and they were phenomenal! Before I even opened my bag with my meal, I could smell the smokiness. When I took my first bite, I thought I had died and went to heaven..lol. These were some of the best ribs that I had even tasted. They were not only smoky, but they were a little sweet. Anytime that I am in the area, I will come back though.
(5)Max T.
My first visit to Honky Tonk definitely won't be my last. I was actually headed elsewhere for dinner when I passed the Q place and wondered what it was. Just up the block I pulled over and demanded an executive decision of where we were going and next thing you know I couldn't even remember where we were going originally. I give Honky Tonk 4 stars since I'm still out looking for my best BBQ in Chicago and I still haven't found it. Not to say that Honky Tonk wasn't good, because it was very good. They even have an edge with the venue/ bar, its just that I'm on a BBQ mission lately. We started with some bacon and brews which were okay. For apps we had fried green tomatos and mac and cheese. No complaints. But the feast came with the entree. A $32 sample platter that could feed a family. Pulled pork, brisket, half chicken, hotlinks, rib rack, bread, cole slaw and baked beans. Pretty much everything was on point. My only criticism would be the beans and cole slaw. The beans just were not up to par with any baked beans that should be served with BBQ. The cole slaw was good but in my opinion should be chopped more fine. I recommend the sample platter though to everyone. We actually also stayed for zerts which is rare and they were all so good too. None better than the banana pudding. Get it. Now. We also ordered the bourbon pound cake and peach cobbler. Watch the bourbon, its tasty, and the cobbler is served nice and hot. Both paired with vanilla ice cream. I wish I still had my leftovers. Aside from the food what puts Honky Tonk over is the place itself. I am a die hard Crybaby fan and we walked in to a live Rockabilly band and also got the table right by the stage. Entertainment indeed. I had a great Saturday night with ribs and rockabilly. This place is cool too it seems even if you aren't coming to eat since there is still the bar vibe happening. There are also so many wall treatments and pictures to take in that one visit isn't enough. Especially the huge Frida you see upon entering. I need to find the best BBQ so I can come back.
(4)Emily D.
I saw this place on tv and had to try! Can't figure out all the hype, however after reading some of the other reviews, it looks like I may have went on a "bad day" people say this place is hit or miss. Well...WE MISSED! Based on take out... 1) Food was ready fast (positive) 2) Was missing an item from our order, of course didnt find out until we got home. 3) When I took out containers of food they were noticably light! I had the pulled pork it was ok, but a little amount on a mound of bread. Its like the bun makes it look bigger. I didnt eat bun and just ate meat and it was a very very small portion. My friend had the brisket and was also disppointed with size. I looked at it and was turned off because it looked very fatty. The macaroni & muffin was good. My friend was actually mad he spent $35 on our dinner and felt that if we would have gone to another BBQ place it would have tasted better and the serving size would have been better. I'd be curious to know the serving size of meat and if they weigh out servings each time. We love BBQ but would never recommend or spend our money at this place! After dinner, we were actually so disappointed and irritatted we looked on yelp for other places to try because this place didn't live up to our expecations AT ALL. Wouldn't return.
(2)Junchen F.
Viking Rib is totally worth the 21 dollars. The rib is nicely done and so huge! It goes extremely well with the hot source and it is a shame they do not compliment such amazing work with homemade special source. The rib tip is also great. Considering the price tag, it is as good as it gets.
(5)Jennifer K.
I've been here 3 times, but the quality declined with each visit and I don't foresee returning. The first visit was amazing: the pulled pork sandwich was perfect, huge portion, delicious meat. I had never had a vinegar based coleslaw (as opposed to mayo based) before, and loved it. My boyfriend had the beef brisket, which was good but totally trumped by the pulled pork. On my 2nd and 3rd visits, the pulled pork portion got smaller and more fatty/gristly each time, however the coleslaw remained awesome. Really cool decor: beautiful old-timey wooden bar, great paintings hanging all over. Hipper-than-thou clientele for sure: tattoo here, tattoo there, tattoo everywhere. :) Not sure what happened, but I wish the quality of the food had been more consistent.
(3)Sarah S.
The food is good, the service and music is great. The only thing that is a problem for me is it smells like mildew or something else gross in this place.
(3)Erick H.
A friend has been bugging me for quite some time to try Honky Tonk BBQ, so my wife and I decided to make the 30+ mile drive to check it out. We were seated quickly, and started with a bowl of the Brisket Chili. I would have been fine with just that. It was the most flavorful thing we had all night, and was delicious. Big chunks of brisket, very few beans, and even my wife loved it. Our meal came very fast, and we started to eat. It was pretty good. We had a half-rack of St Louis ribs, and Brisket. The ribs were good, not quite enough smoke for me, but they were good. The brisket was well cooked, and quite good. Was it the best 'que I have had? No, but it is better than most. The sides were good, but not spectacular. Slaw was just okay, a bit too sweet for me. The Mac 'n Cheese was good and cheesy. For desert we had the Salty Pig. Too much Bacon Candy. I would have preferred the ice cream, nuts, chocolate and whip cream without the Bacon Candy. So, will I be back? Could be, but I won't make a special trip.
(4)Brian B.
This place does a pretty great job of mixing a hip artsy feel with good southern style bbq. Starting with the bacon candy is pretty intense so you might actually want to save it for dessert. But it was pretty dang good. had the three meat plate with pork, brisket and a hot link. Both the pork and brisket were moist and each had a beautiful smoke ring that really indicates that it was cooked right. I was on a mission for some peach cobbler since it's not a popular dish in Chicago, and to be honest, they missed the mark on this one. Okay let's talk sauces- the mustard one is great. The sweet one was a little too sweet for me and tasted JUST like chic fill a bbq sauce, so just decide how you feel about chic fill a sauce, and there ya go. The vinegar sauce was decent. My wife is making me add in here that she was not impressed by any of the sauces, as she prefers a spicy bbq sauce. All in all, if you want pretty good meat, go to Honky Tonk. If you want the whole bbq experience, go to Texas.
(4)Leo V.
The food was horrible!!! They didn't even have smoked chicken because the lady said the smoker broke but they had smoked ribs!! Don't make sense... I had the Texas brisquet chili which was horrible!! Then I got the pulled pork and brisquet which was extremely dry and flavorless even tho they put all that dry rub on it...and their BBQ sauce is ok which I gave the one star..will never be eating their again.....
(1)Howard L.
Honky Tonk BBQ is a neat place, but bottom line from our visit is that the food is so-so. From a non-descript entrance at corner of 18th and Racine, one surprisingly finds inside a western saloon bar, and a couple of nicely and interestingly decorated dining rooms (numerous paintings and western paraphernalia). We had a half slab of St Louis ribs, a couple of Dinky Dunkers (half-sized pulled pork and beef bnsket sandwiches), hot link, and mac n cheese. The bread was cold and hard. The ribs were fatty and a bit undercooked, and lacked flavor, except for what BBQ sauce you wanted to put on it. The sandwich meat was ok, with the pulled pork more flavorful and juicy than the brisket. All portions were on smaller size also. Server and others were friendly and attentive. All told, I'd say 2.5-3 stars, and I wouldn't go out of my way to come here for the food. I would say it's worth at least one visit for the quaint dining environment, and I would return if we happened to be nearby and wanted BBQ. Some have compared this place to Smoque, which picqued my interest, but Smoque is in a league of it's own on the BBQ food quality. There's no BYOB anymore here, and they do now accept credit cards.
(3)Alex D.
I came here very excited, in particular for the deep fried sweet potatoe pie, so I'll start there. It was bland with very little flavor. Worse, it was frozen in the middle! And the marshmallow that comes on the side is not melted, rather, it was cold but tasted burnt....as the waiter pointed out, its more ornament. I was looking forward to the whole experience and was sorely let down. Now service. The service was terrible. We were put into the back and the waiter probably came by 3 times on his own (order, food, check). I had to flag down waitstaff to order dessert. She never asked how everything was, nor was she particularly friendly. I had to pay a 20% tip because there were 6 of us, and I expect more than the bare minimum. Side dishes. Mashed potatoes were okay. They were good or bad, just meh. The Mac and cheese was terrible. It tasted like I was eating nothing. After a few bites, I just stopped eating (oh they wouldn't let me replace it). BBQ. The BBQ was pretty good. It was probably worth 4 starts on its own. I got the brisket and pulled pork. The only downside was that the BBQ sauce is on the table, so its cold. WARNING: they do not take more than 2 credit cards, which is extremely inconvenient and cheap. Each of us spent over 30 dollars; the least they can do is let us all pay by credit card (they dont likely because they dont want to pay the credit card fees). Overall I wasn't impressed and I will not be going back. OH, also its extremely loud because their is a sub par live band playing. I prefer conversation to loud music at dinner, but maybe thats just me.
(2)Jaime C.
I was driving down 18 st so I decided to pay them a visit. It was my first time here but I've read some reviews on yelp so I kind of knew what to expect. The place is nice and welcoming the decor is different from what I seen before in a BBQ restaurant but I liked it. I thought the live country music was awesome! The service is attentive but in my opinion a bit slow. This isn't the best BBQ in The city but is good enough, candied bacon a must!!! if you're in the neighborhood I suggest you give them a try.....live music, good BBQ decent selection of draft beer???? I would definitely come back.
(4)Lisa H.
One of Guy Fieri's locations on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. About a 4 block walk from the L-train. We got the sampler, and my favorite thing we had was the ribs, because they just broke apart so easily. The corn bread muffins were pretty good, I just didn't like the corn kernels. We also had chicken, sausage, cole slaw, and two mini sandwiches one brisket and one pulled pork. I enjoyed the pulled pork sandwich, especially with the 3 different sauces the staff provides you with. The sampler was a good option to try everything I just wish the sausages were 2 different kinds. Also, instead of the coleslaw I would have like mashed potatoes, the cole slaw just didn't do anything for me. I would have liked to try the homemade pie, but we were pretty full. Recommendations - turn on the lights! It was so dark in there. And the live music only wen until 9...I thought it would have at least gone till 10, especially since we got dinner at 8:30.
(3)TB H.
Hands down best #Manhattan since #Blue 13 closed. Don't mess around just order the sampler platter it's BBQ and your not here to diet. Taste 10x better the next day. Leftovers are king
(5)Chad D.
I've been to Honky Tonk BBQ twice and each time it is an absolute delight. The ambiance is excellent. They have weird southern and country decor. After a half hour in the restaurant you forget you are in Chicago! The waitstaff is incredibly knowledgable and helpful. They can describe the menu and how the food is prepared in detail. The BBQ is very good as are the sauces on the table. The ribs are excellent as are the hot links. I know they do the ribs in house but the hot links are sourced out. Fine by me. The music is not too loud and adds to the great atmosphere. This is a fun place to hang out or take a date for something a little different. I recommend stopping in and giving it a try. I will be back.
(4)Chika S.
The minute I walked in I knew I loved this place. Quirky eclectic folk art (if you know Lucky Platter in Evanston, imagine that with a Western theme), and a long vintage bar leading to a stage in the back of the room... a perfect place for sipping whiskey after a hard day of work. Alas, no whiskey this visit... I happened to be there mid-day with a huge group of family (3 kids under 10). We were seated quickly in the back room, surrounded by other families with smaller children. We felt very at home. Service was a little slow, but they were also very patient and attentive once our order was taken. We ordered the sampler and it was excellent. In my informal 3 generation family survey, the brisket was the favorite. My daughter normally doesn't like brisket and she liked it. Sauces were interesting and varied. Sides were fresh and yummy. Mac and cheese was a hit for all ages... mild and creamy and delicious. The highlight of the meal was deserts... we got 3 to share and they were all so good we wished we had saved more room. Peach Cobbler and Pound cake were delicious. My mouth just started watering remembering how good they were. Looking at the full drink menu and reviews, I need to go back soon with NO KIDS on a night with music and a designated driver!
(5)Diana G.
Some of the stuff were hit and miss for me. We ordered the sampler platter, full slab baby back ribs, extra hot link, garlic mashed potatoes, peach cobbler and banana pudding. I liked the chicken - moist and good. The hot links were good - hot and not dried out like some places. Garlic mashed potatoes was ok. Ribs were a bit disappointing. Pulled pork and brisket was ok, but not really memorable. Beans were eh. Cole slaw was yuck - sour and weird tasting to me. Peach cobbler was sweet. Banana pudding was sweeeeeeet. I'm not a big dessert eater, but if you like sweet then you would probably like these. Service was ok. This lady was nice and gave my niece some blueberries. Our server was ok, but she did forget our glass of milk. I don't think I would come back often, but give it a try!
(3)Julie C.
First impressions are important. The four of us were greeted and advised to take a seat by a very nice waitperson. The decor was great/fun (I could've done without the animal-head perched over the bar staring at us but fixed that by sitting with my back to it); warm simplicity at it's finest. Our waitperson Chelsea was absolutely delightful. Appetizer's of "Bacon Candy" and Fried Green tomatoes were served in a very decent amount of time. Bacon was different and good-tasting; fried green tomatoes had a nice coating but were served room temperature (they're suppose to be hot) and the tomatoes had not been drained long enough so they were very watery and could've been cut thicker (the frying tends to shrink). Then came our dishes. My husband's and brother's rib tips, while flavorful when an unburned section could be located (rib tips are small) were, well, burnt. The pulled pork (on my pulled-pork sandwich) was delicious but the ciabatta bun was waay too large for the amount of pork offered (which was a perfect amount) and the texture of the bun was akin to wet paper mache. As soon as I picked it up, a quarter of the bread tore away and the rest of my attempts to eat the "sandwich" were discarded; I just used a fork to eat the meat. The side of cole slaw was literally shredded cabbage in a bowl; ZERO base; no mayo, no vinegar, nothing. We ordered dessert (two peach cobblers and a banana pudding). The peach cobbler was so scalding hot, it melted the ball of vanilla ice cream in under a minute (I'm sure it didn't help that I resembled a floor fan in my attempt to cool the cobbler so I could actually get a bite before the ice cream melted, splashing bits of rapidly deteriorating ice cream on the table). My brother's banana pudding was watery but unsure he actually noticed as every bite of pudding was accompanied by whip cream which covered the pudding in what appeared to be an amount equivalent to half-a-can of Reddi Whip. Chicago has a fantastic array of barbeque places; unfortunately, I won't be returning to Honky Tonk.
(2)Andrew P.
What's up with all the mediocre reviews?!? As a resident of the South Loop, I am SO GLAD that Honky Tonk BBQ is just a short drive away. Over the years, Honky Tonk has transformed into a hipster joint (with a full bar and live music on most nights), but the food has gotten better and better. I'm a big fan of the rib tips, and my wife usually orders the fried green tomatoes and mac n cheese. They have decent beer options (and Old Style on tap the last time I was there) and the live music is always a bit eccentric but very good. It's a HUGE place so you are usually seated right away. The service has always been excellent and street parking is doable with a little bit of patience. You simply cannot find another BBQ restaurant in this part of town. And even if there are a lot of hipsters in there, why hate on hipsters?!? You're probably a hipster, too. :)
(4)Darren F.
always down to try a restaurant known for their BBQ and i been eyeing this place for a while.. finally got a chance to try it! ordered the bacon candy, beef brisket sandwich, rib tips, hot links, and also got a filbertis black cherry soda... the bacon candy has a sweet coating on a thick slice of bacon and it was really good! so flavorful! the beef brisket sandwich was just OK.. not really special... the rib tips was just decent.. they cut it up in big chunks and i find it to be a little too dry.. the hot links was pretty good... the filbertis soda wasn't my cup of tea.. i didn't really like it.. they have a few different choices of sauce to choose from and most of them are great... i will be back to try other food in the menu!
(3)Cristie F.
Even with a raging stomach ache and a bout of nausea, I was still able to chow down on some BBQ, enjoy it, and wished I could eat more. ((Impressive for not feeling well, huh??)) On our way to check out an upcoming business on the south side, my bf and I stopped in Honky Tonk to get a quick bite of some BBQ eats. This place has clearly a lot more to offer than just some good grub, so I was disappointed we weren't able to see live music, or take the time to grab a seat at the bar and shoot back some whiskey. The decor and atmosphere really sets the stage for that - I felt like I was in a vintage saloon. :::Grub::: - Fried Green Tomatoes// Perfectly cooked with just the right amount of fried goodness - Mac n' Chese// Creamy, cheesy, crispy on top. Perfection. - Rib tips// Delish. Especially when smothered with their BBQ sauce. Sadly, that's all we had. If my appetite had been screaming for more, I would have gladly indulged in some Dinky Dunkers, some Baby Back Ribs, Hot Links or their Texas Brisket Chili. I suppose that means I'll just have to go back, right?? Service was also fantastic. Fast and friendly. Just how I like it. Our server was also happy to provide numerous recommendations. I look forward to my return ((sans the nausea & ailments)) to further indulge and be gluttonous in some Honkey Tonk BBQ!
(4)Melanie S.
Okay, I'm not a gin-soaked bar-room queen from Memphis, so perhaps I'm not a true Honky Tonk Woman in every sense, but I liked this place just fine. Met a friend here for dinner on a Sunday night and it was remarkably easy to get a table (contrary to what I've heard about Friday and Saturday nights). We're both true-blue fans of Smoque, but it never hurts to give another place a try. In other words, I didn't have to put up some kind of a fight. The front area was teeming with kids, so we headed to the much quieter back room to enjoy our 'que. I ordered the sweet tea, and thankfully it was quite drinkable (which isn't always the case for me); it was sweet but still tasted like tea and not just sugar. We both ordered ribs (St. Louis for my friend and baby back for me), a side of macaroni and cheese, and also a half chicken. I was a little bummed that they don't offer fries (just mashed potatoes) because that's the perfect accompaniment in my book, but I got over it. The food came out quickly and it's dry-rubbed. The server explained their three barbecue sauces --a sweeter one, a tangy, more vinegar-y one, and a garlic mustard. I pretended I was Goldilocks and mixed all three until it was "just right," and then slathered it liberally over everything. I liked that there was still some tug on the ribs and the skin on the chicken was nice and crispy. I've had better mac 'n cheese; theirs wasn't very creamy or cheesy. But overall, everything was very enjoyable. I'm saving my biggest praise for dessert: peach cobbler. I don't know if they used fresh peaches or not, but it really didn't matter as it was delicious. The crust was flaky and buttery, the peaches tender, and the filling had a nice note of cinnamon. It was my perfect peach cobbler. It didn't even need the generous scoop of vanilla ice cream that came on the side. Service was amiable and efficient. I would definitely go back. No Honky Tonk Blues for me. 3.5 stars.
(4)David T.
Place is getting bad. Ordered carry out/ate-in about dozen times last 3 years. Obviously it was good in the beginning but the last three visits in the last six months have been awful. In last nights carry out order the brisket was soggy grey as though they steamed it instead of smoking it. No flavor outside of the one teaspoon size burnt end piece they threw in which really seemed out of place with the rest of the meat. I wish I took a pic. There was no smoke ring on any of the meats and it was chewy in an overcooked way. I also ordered ribs which were under-cooked and cold. Really really disappointed. Cool place, nice vibe but they can't smoke meats well anymore. Honestly I hope they get their act back together.
(1)atrack b.
I'm not gonna lie. When I moved to Pilsen, I was desperate for tips, found this place, and was happy for a while. I've had some time to think and to be completely offended by a barbecue place that doesn't serve fries. I mean c'mon. This place does have tasty meats, but for the money I can get better tips, some links, AND fries for half the price. Guess I'm just gonna have to drive my lazy ass to the South Side.
(3)Sandra M.
Pilsen is changing...for the better. We didn't have places like this when we lived here!! The beef brisket, pulled pork, and ribs were all delicious and enjoyed by my family, including a very picky nine year old. What made the evening really nice and memorable was the band. I felt like we were on vacation somewhere down south. I never noticed the huge, wooden bar until this visit. it is beautiful.
(4)Andy P.
My gf and I have been wanting to go to this place for about a year now but have never gotten the chance. We finally go today and it did not disappoint. We got there and were seated quickly (nice!). My gf ordered the deluxe platter (pork) with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. I ordered the deluxe platter (brisket) with a side of mac and cheese. Both orders came with a hot link and corned bread. The hot link and corned bread was freaking delicious. I thought the garlic mashed potatoes and mac and cheese were just so-so but my gf liked both of them. The actual meat itself (pork and brisket), I thought it was a tad on the dry side but when you add sauce to it (there were 3 different kinds of sauces on the table) it made it better. So we had all that for $40 with tip. Not bad. For the amount of food, I'd say that was a solid deal. The table next to us ordered a sampling platter and it looked delicious. We are definitely ordering that next time. All in all, I'd say that this was a pretty good place. Good food for a good price. The only knock on it is that the meat was a tad dry. Other than that, this is a great place.
(4)Kayla A.
Ordered takeout from this place a couple times. We always get the same stuff, the viking beef short ribs and the full spread baby back ribs. I really can't say anything bad about this place. If you are looking for a good bbq, either you make it by yourself or just order one from this place.
(4)Bobs C.
I like honky Tonk a lot it's just really basic. The BBQ itself is above average and the sauces are absolutely amazing. I love their Old fashions. The fried green tomatoes are my favorite appetizer options. The beef brisket is what I order all the time and wish they gave a bigger portion. My favorite deserts are the Banana pudding and peach cobbler. The scene is cool and low key for the most part. The band is awesome even though the noise can be annoying at times.
(3)Beth M.
BBQ joints are not typically known for their vegan food, but Honky Tonk has some delicious options. The portobello sandwich is juicy and full of flavour. The marinade is superb - it reminds me of French dip sandwiches - and baby lettuces top it off. The black eyed peas and one other side dish (I believe it was the greens) are also vegan. It can get pretty packed, and live bands add to the ambient noise. But it's a fun place to go with a small group.
(4)Vanessa H.
My husband was craving BBQ and we decided to check this out as it was featured on some reputable Chicago blogs. It was easy to find and street parking was readily available- it was a Sunday evening. We weren't sure if it was a family-friendly restaurant because it looks like a bar. We had a two-year old with us and didn't want to be in someone's angry tweet. I asked a waitress before letting in the rest of the troops. We were brought water promptly and tasted the sauces in the meantime. There was not much of a variety, just three sauces on the table. There was a garlic mustard (not my cup of tea) as well as two sweet sauces. One of the sweet sauces lacked seasoning- big time. While the initial taste is sweet, it definitely leaves a bland aftertaste. The other sauce was also sweet with much better flavor, so that's what we went with. While it was the best sauce on the table, it is just ok overall. Not terrible, but also not the best sauce I've ever had. I like mine to have a subtle kick of heat, and none of the sauces had any heat. I can go on and on about the sauces- let's face it, the BBQ sauce will make or break a BBQ restaurant. Our waitress was super attentive, but not in an annoying way. She cleaned up the table and refilled our water constantly, but never interrupted our meal to do so. We ordered candied bacon, half a pound of rib tips and half of slab of baby back ribs. I WILL preface this by saying we are NOT huge pork eaters- we try to eat lean meat and *gasp* turkey bacon when possible. But when the husband craves, we do it. The rib tips were alright, slightly charred, but still tender. My husband said that his ribs had a better dry rub than my tips. (He ate both, I was stuffed.) My full pound rib tips came with a half of a bun and coleslaw. I told them to hold the 'slaw, and was disappointed with my half a hamburger bun. No garlic bread? I ordered a small side of the mac-n-cheese. The cheese came with a bread crumbs, which provided a nice bite. But after a while, it had a weird taste. Maybe it was one of the types of cheese they use? (The menu claims it is made with five different cheeses.) My husband ordered the garlic mashed potatoes- which again- lacked some seasoning. I think it might have just been salt and pepper. Strong garlic taste- which I love- but also bland. The candied bacon was $8 for 3 slices, although they were some pretty darn thick slices of bacon. Also- I HAVE NEVER TASTED CANDIED BACON. I've heard all the raves on it, but again, this was just okay. Sweet, but super greasy. I had to take it apart to find the meat because my 2 year-old choked on the candied bacon fat. I'm giving this place a 3 because I thought the atmosphere was cool- trendy but with an old school Chicago feel to it. We sat next to a small stage, which means there must be live music there. There is a fully-stocked bar as well, and the staff was very personable and friendly. Overall, food was ok. I was expecting something more for a place that has all these amazing reviews and has been featured on the Food Network.
(3)John J.
REALLY good beef brisket sandwiches. Flavorful and ample. The mac and cheese was delicious as well. I did the mac and cheese a disservice because I was too busy eating my sandwich. My mac and cheese was cold by the time I got to it. My fault. Still is was well made. My brother wanted a burger and fries and was disappointed that he could not. However, as soon as he took one bite of the pulled pork sandwich...thumbs up all the way! When we're back in Chicago - we are going back!
(4)Sean B.
"Honey, watch out for my oxygen tank. Upon second thought, you can sit down on it -- if I can watch." A delightful middle aged or older woman with a thick drawl proceeds to hit on me, as I sit down to the end of a birthday table, which seems to happen more and more now that I wear suspenders and got a new haircut. "I'm from West Virginia and I married my daughter off to a Lesbian. Gay is A-OK with me! You wouldn't believe how they act in West Virginia." The guy across the table from me interrupts "I'm from West Virginia." There are lots of weird paintings in this place. A drag queen viva mural, a piece made out of yard sticks (with the Elston yard stick repeated). Hundreds of animals and portraits, lots of weird flair on the wall (animal skeletons anyone?). Plenty to look at. There is even interesting art in the bathroom. That lady leaves and the next group of two hispanic ladies also hit on me. I was beginning to see a theme here. Then the waitress, bringing out some of our sides, leans in and spilled some greens juice on my white pants. Poo on me for wearing white pants to a BBQ joint. Nevertheless, an attractive woman who worked for the place shows up out of nowhere within seconds with soda water and a lemon, rubs my knee rather vigorously, and gets the stain out. Then the waitress brings me CANDY BACON which is the most amazing bacon I've ever had. Complex hints of smoky flavor and a sweet draw and I quickly forgot that my knee was wet, fondled by a staff member, and had hispanic ladies giggling at and with me. The live musicians were honky tonking, and it was clear they'd intentionally detuned the piano to sound more honky. It felt like a combination of dancing, living, joy, and I was only one milk stout in and didn't care that my pants were recovering from a waitress spill (they handled this about as well as humanly possible given the circumstances). The clarinet player was especially awesome in timbre, nuance, and improvisational ability. They had a tuba player which is rare for such an ensemble. The HOT LINKS are awesome here, spicy finish on the sausage. The MUSHROOMS WITH A GARLIC SAUCE are slippery but delicious. The spare rib tips are awesome. The corn muffins could use a little more whipped butter (or a butter side) but the quality of them is very high and I like the square wrap they come in. Now I'm going to try scrubbing the shirt I messed up the other day with the soda water and lemon. It is amazing there was no hint of stain on my pants when I got home.
(4)Todd E.
The service was great the food very poor, brisket very dry no flavor the ribs were very dry no taste beans terrible, coleslaw terrible. The corn bread was good though but I don't think you want to go to a restraint for the corn bread. Sorry won't be back way better places for Bar B Que in the city Bathroom was filthy
(1)Beast B.
Over hyped & over rated!! We went with high expectations after seeing it featured on the food network & felt disappointed. It was merely ok/average. The ribs were tough & far from tender & juicy, pulled pork sandwich lacked flavor & seasoning. Chicken was ok, mash potatoes & mac n cheese was good. Soda was flat, like drinking cola water. That was our first & last visit, there's better place's in Chicago.
(2)Jelena Z.
Honky Tonk, you were someone great. But after earning local fame on Check Please, you slowly let it go to your head. I understood when you went from BYO to full bar, because you're a business and businesses run on money not table-hoggin' guests. Hell, I even admit I was one of those guests. When you started the Saloon Stage and began booking regional acts, I regularly drove 9 miles instead of hanging in my own 'hood on Saturday nights. I brazenly deemed your pulled pork sandwich "the best" and advised many to go and experience it. You were just that good. Then you raised your prices. Understandable, as you really jazzed up the joint and food costs are on the rise. But your quality starting suffering - that pulled pork sandwich I could always count on being spectacular became an inconsistent gamble. Sometimes, like when I showed up at opening time, the meat was hot, fresh, just perfect. Other times, the meat was lukewarm and fatty and the bread fall-apart soggy. Why? I've enjoyed many good nights here over the years, and hope you give your service and food the revamp it deserves, just as you did to your venue. I'm sill holding out hope. Love, The Duchess
(3)Johnny T.
I said it was a one-time thing and I should have left it at that. The years have not been kind to our steamy tryst, Honky Tonk. This was a lesson in "You can't go home again" and when I say something, I need to mean it. I fully realize that in the three years it's been since I last set foot in your doorway, things have changed. You've enjoyed mucho success. The dining room is crowded. The physical space has doubled. I am pleased to see you doing well. But, I was not pleased with: - the non-existent service. More than once, I asked my dining partner if the restaurant was self-service. From the time we sat to the time we left, we saw our waitress four times. No bueno. We had to ask for napkins -- at a BBQ place -- because we weren't given any (or silverware). Eh? I had to ask for my soda (when my food came) and it was brought over by a bus boy. She never asked how our food was, if we needed/wanted anything, if we had a pulse. Who/how do I tip for being ignored and not waited on? I definitely got the impression that I and my business were after-thoughts. - the speed with which we were rushed in and out. As I mentioned, I received my food before I received my beverage. Odd. Add to the oddness, I received my food pretty quickly after ordering. I fully realize that BBQ can sit in warming bins as it (in busy restaurants) has been smoked/bbqed/whatever hours previously. But if it takes more time to press a lever and fill a glass with carbonated beverage than to put a plate of food in front of me and there are no golden arches in sight... that gives me some pause. This added to the wham/bam service we received. - the food I ate. My bbq was nauseatingly fatty. Once I stripped away the globs of congealed goo from my sandwich, I had a third less food. The bread fell apart (like last time) as I ate and getting through the sandwich was more chore than joy. I get paid to do chores, not the other way around. The mac & cheese was substantial but rather tasteless. I enjoyed the cornbread. The price for two people was not insignificant and I was galled to pay it given the experience. Waiting for my change (oh yes, this tip would be parsed out with exact precision) took almost as long as the dining-in experience and came with about as much care. This really is the last time.
(2)Natasha H.
Came in here last night. The place was freezing. Our server was rude, and her service was horrible. After our food arrived, she never did come over to the table to see how everything was going. I wanted to order something else, and after waiting for her for 20 minutes. I flagged down one of the busboys. She finally comes by and notices an extra cup of mashed potatoes sitting on the table, she raises her eyebrows and says "Oh did you get that from one of the busboys, I need to know so I can add that to your bill" I wasn't trying to get away with free food, but the tone when she said this came off as very rude. Especially seeing as she didn't come by at all to see how we were enjoying our food but noticed the second when something new appeared on the table. I ordered the garlic mashed potatoes and pulled pork sandwich and that alone is the only reason that I would consider returning.
(2)Alan D.
Took the wife and two kids here after we were told this was the place to eat BBQ in Chi Town. We are from Nashville and know BBQ. Loved the brisket sandwich! Loved the pork sandwich! Both very tender! Three sauces and all were fantastic. Liked the mustard sauce the best! Server and staff were VERY friendly, not sure where the bad reviews came on that. The band that played was a jazz trio and BADASS is all I can say! And it was FREE! Only minor negatives is the food was a little on the Luke warm side and there was no kid menu (which made an expensive meal even though we ate sandwiches! Kids (10-12) LOVED the place (decor and food)!
(5)Allie H.
Phenomenal spot for good music and a great vibe, definitely worth heading to Pilsen to hear a band you like and give the BBQ a shot. Minus two stars: a) if you offer classic cocktails, do them well; the negroni is pretty much lighter fuel and the old-fashioned only slightly less heavy-handed, and b) the brisket and pork are just fine, maybe good in Chicago, but as a girl raised in NC's BBQ mecca, plenty of room to improve the flavor of (including sauces) both, as well as the sides (it's easy to make a killer coleslaw, so go for it). Service is generally nice, crowd is pretty mixed.
(3)Christy Q.
Now I will start with- I am not a pit master. HOWEVER, I do not understand the high ratings for this place. All I can think is people are rating them high on the entertaiment aspect of this restaurant rather than the bbq. And also, perhaps people just dump enough bbq sauce on the meat served here so that they aren't tasting the actual meat itself. Because honestly, the bbq was pretty cruddy. When we got to the restaurant we didn't realize they don't open the kitchen till 4pm, so we wound up being their first customers of the day. Everytime in my life that I've ever walked into a bbq restaurant, even a suburban chain restaurant, the first thing I noticed was the lucious smoked smell. This place smelled disgusting. We smelled no food. Not even stale beer. I thought it stunk like cigarettes- in fact I could have sworn people in the kitchen must have been smoking because it smelled so bad. Another person in my group thought it smelled like urine, and another thought mold. None of these is what you want a restaurant to smell like. So right off the bat our senses were assulted with stink. Not good. In fact, it smelled so bad (and no NOT of anything smokey) that I asked if they do the smoking of the meats here on site or elsewhere? They claim they do the smoking here on site. Could have fooled me! Our waitress was nice, but when we asked her about their bbq she said its the best in Chicago. I asked where else she gets her bbq from and she admitted this is the only bbq shes ever had in Chicago. Oookkkkk.... The guys ordered the brisket and us ladies got pulled pork. The pulled pork was really really fatty. And absolutely NO smokey taste or smell in the meat. None. I had to resort to drowning the meat in bbq sauce. The brisket was dry and tasteless. There was NO smoke flavor or smell in the stuff. The guys were really dissapointed. We even asked our waitress if the brisket was perhaps from the day before, and just reheated and served to us. She swore up and down that it was fresh brisket . If that's the case then I will absolutely not be returning. It was REALLY bad. The waitress reported our comments back to the cook and he sent out a new, fresh platter of brisket for the guys. They said it was better- more moist, but really it tasted like they just tossed some chicken stock on the stuff. They said even that batch, though better than the one the restaurant originally served them, wasn't good enough to ever return... especially with places like Smoque and Chicago Q in the city. We asked a second time if the original brisket was perhaps from the day before and they swore again that both batches were made today. The waitress finally admitted their meat can be pretty hit or miss. I guess we hit them on a miss knd of day. The next day we took our business back to Smoque for an amazing meal of meat. And ps- after eating at Smoque my fingers smelled like smoke for two days. That's how you do bbq!
(1)Vada P.
Never had a bad meal or experience here, but the brisket is just a nose hair below that of Smoque. Still, the bar and the atmosphere are great. The fried green tomatoes are excellent, as is the mustard-y sauce that they have on the table. The chicken, believe it or not, is mouth-watering.
(5)Brett F.
I've got a Honky Tonk Badonkadonk! It's just what happens here, you start eating a little bit of 'Que and before you know it, you just can't stop. Open mouth, expand buttocks. From the out-fucking-standing Bacon Candy to the succulent Beef Brisket, Honky Tonk has got magnificent meat on lock down. Absolutely loved their Sampler Platter which was more than enough for three lovely ladies a-sharing and provided us the opportunity to try a gaggle of goods. We downed: a Half Spread of Ribs, Half Smoked Chicken, a Pork Dinky Dunker (like a pulled pork slider), a Brisket Dinky Dunker (second verse, same as the first), a Hot Link, Fresh Slaw, Beans and two Corn Muffins. With the exception of the ribs which were sadly a wee bit dry, everything was exceptional. Ever heard a Croatian, a Russian and a Korean moan in unison? Yep, 'twas that good. In addition to the super tasty BBQ eats, at HTB you also get the benefit of an absolutely adorable and charming decor - think backwoods bar meets chic lodge - in addition to awesome - and very theme apropos - live music nightly. Fab fun for all! Good service, great food and, duh, bacon candy... get there and get your badonkadonk on, it's worth it.
(4)Eric G.
Came here on a weekend, was pretty crowded.But luckily got a table within 15 mins. Had empanadas for an appetizer which was quite good. Ordered a pulled pork sandwich meat was cooked good and not to dry. Also The mac n cheese and corn bread are great!! Overall it was good. I definitely would come back and try more on the menu. The decor is amazing, and they have a nice bar with great craft beers! Good spot in Pilsen if your tired of Mexican food lol
(4)Alex M.
It took me four months of living in Pilsen but I finally made it to this bar. Everything you've heard is true. The BBQ is delicious (well, the non-meaty BBQ sure is but I bet the meaty kind is pretty great too). They have musicians in all the time (playing great music) and their trivia night is pretty damn fun as well. Cheap drinks and a great atmosphere.
(5)Big D.
the food is ok but needs love to go into the Ribs and Chicken. Your better going off to SMOQUE. The thing that sucks is the portions. I cannot stress that enough, small portions for price. The peach cobbler is not as good as SMOQUE but they tried here, but no luck.
(2)Scott A.
Live country music = good. BYOB = also good. Pulled pork = slap my ass and call me Susan good. My friend and I attempted to split the sampler platter with a fried green tomato app. We were unsuccessful. It was the greatest failure in my life. Everything was above average, with the ribs being the low spot but still very tasty, the brisket full of smoke and bold meaty flavor, and the pulled pork melted in my mouth like an M&M on a hot summer day. Upon my triumphant return I will be ordering the pulled pork along with another order of fried green tomatoes and as many of those corn muffins that I am able to fill into the remaining space in my fundus.
(5)Basil T.
Delicious BBQ and live music = good times!
(4)Brad C.
Good but not great, unbelievable isn't a word I would use to describe Honky Tonk. I loved the atmosphere more than the food. Honky Tonk has a really cool homey feel, it just feels like you're sitting in someone's house (maybe an artist friends house cause of all the painting on the walls). They also have a live band and surprisingly they sounded pretty good. For dinner I ordered the pulled pork sandwich, it was good but it was kind of dry and had too much bread for me. If it wasn't for the great sauces on the table it would of been a sad dinner. The mustard sauce was my favorite one of the three. I was able to try the brisket sandwich and thought it had a lot more flavor then mine. For a side I went with the Mac & Cheese, sadly is was really runny, I saw someone with an order of mashed potatoes and those looked way better. For $2 I wanted a larger portion and something better. I say skip the sides when you come here they are not worth the extra $2 for such a tiny helping. Maybe I just ordered the wrong things that night. I might be back in the future sometime but since the hours here are sort of a pain I'm not sure I'll be back anytime soon.
(4)Keisha K.
I have lived a block away from here for over 6 years now. I was so excited then they opened because it was not another taco hut or tortilla factory, cuz lord knows there are way too many places in the area for that already. Anywho, I've had Willy's award winning offerings at a couple Chicago street Fests before but I have never been wowed, so I never had any interest in going to his new brick and mortar locale. Last night a friend and I decided to stop on by for our foodie dinner outing. So.... We walked into the newer part of the restaurant where the bar and larger eating area is was built. I remember when it used to be the flower shop. The décor was nice. Very honky tonk with everything covered in wood and big booths and tons of paintings. The lightning was nice and dim and there was plenty of seating. No one met us at the door so we weren't sure if we should continue to stand there looking like fools or just take a seat at one of the tables. Me being the ignorant black man, I got sick of waiting and dove into a booth. A waitress came over shortly and brought over some waters and we browsed the menus. She was very friendly and rather funny. Hilarious actually. We had browsed the menu while waiting so we pretty much knew what we wanted. I did have a question about this strange Bacon Candy I saw on the menu. She explained it as being bacon dipped in toffee. YUM!! I'll have one full order thank you!! I also ordered the huge combination sampler that was $30. It included 2 hot links, half a slab of ribs, a pulled pork sandwich, half of a chicken, a beef brisket sandwich, cole slaw and 2 corn muffins. I also ordered a side of their mac & cheese. My dining companion ordered the pulled pork sandwich. Hey, what can I say...I like to eat. Don't judge!! The bacon candy came out and we began to nibble on that. It was AWESOME!! WHO KNEW!! It was bacon dipped into some sweet hard candy or something. We devoured it. Our cholesterol and blood sugar levels went sky high but so what. That's what health insurance is for!! Shortly afterwards my HUGE platter of meats and his modest sandwich plate arrived. My $30 platter was packed with food. It was sinful and I was happy. I began tasting the different items while spreading butter all over my corn muffins..... Rib: DRY!!!!! No flavor at ALL. Half Chicken: DRY!!!!! No Flavor. Pulled Pork Sandwich: Not as dry, but no flavor. Beef Brisket sandwich: The best item on the platter. The meat was super tender but very little smoke flavor. I had to drown it in the bbq sauce. Hot Link: Not so hot. Very mild in flavor and heat. Slaw: GROSS!!!!! Beans: YUCK!! Corn Muffins: Pretty good. More like a corn cake. Very light and I liked it. Mac & Cheese: I did not like this. At all. The sauce was too soupy. For dessert we spilt The Salty Pig which was vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, walnuts and crumbled bacon candy. It wasn't horrible, but I'd never order it again. I'd just rather have the bacon candy by itself. All in all, I'll probably never recommend this place to my friends who have a hankering for BBQ. We're particularly particular about our BBQ. It's strange that I've never even noticed that the area never smells like meat smoking. The Mexican chicken joint down the street charcoal grills their chickens and they have the entire block smelling like it, and you can see the smoke billowing out when they are grilling. I would expect the same from Honky Tonk if they did in fact smoke their meats in-house. Thanks to the other reviewer who pointed that out. I didn't see a smoke ring on any of the meats on my plate either. I'd only walk over for carryout for the beef brisket sandwich. They did an awesome job with that. I just ordered a case of Salt Lick BBQ sauce from Austin, Texas that I plan to drench Honky Tonk's beef brisket sandwiches in. For my BBQ needs, I'll still head to my favorite spot on 43rd and Wabash. Alice's does a great job and you can watch the meat as it smokes. You just have to be brave to go in that area, because it is scary looking. I do have to say the waitress was great! She was personable and a lot of fun. She's an actress and works one or two days, according to her. We did have to look for her towards the end of the meal because she disappeared, but her personality was great. She's a jewel!!!
(1)Katherine M.
I have been here several (3) times, and I have to give the place 2 stars overall for some things: 1) dry or fatty meat--really a Crime in barbecue. Barbecue is a method that for even not great meat, I mean it originally was food for poorer folks and they didn;t have great Cuts, yet barbecue is awesome...you can make it taste great by how you store and prepare it. No excuse for the poor preparaton of meat here. 2) service is not great...there are often not enough servers on 3) maybe the building needs a good clean, but I have several times smelled smoke pretty strongly in the place which just is hard to get used to if one is trying to eat. The price is affordable, only saving grace but I rather pay more for better food and less attitude.
(2)Quijote D.
Beware of the20% tip added to larger groups. Not equal to 20% service. Food quality is excellent and live jazz music is a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend.
(4)James C.
Went here on a whim right before the kitchen closed and ordered the pulled pork sandwich with some mac and cheese. Full disclosure: this isn't like your traditional pulled pork, guys. It's not that chopped up stuff swimming in barbecue sauce. It's a lot more similar to carnitas. If you have some preconceived notion that a pulled pork must come a certain way, you aren't going to like it (as some of the folks have noted). I thought it was fantastic and it was big enough for me to take some home. The mac and cheese was also great with some nice flavors (not a garlic powder bomb, good God...). In short, I would come back.
(4)Yaniv K.
I had the pork + brisket combo thinking it was enough for two, as the waitress promised. Turns out it's only enough for one person. The meat was a bit dry and insipid, but the macaroni and cheese and the cornbread were fantastic. If you're really craving BBQ food, I would suggest other places in the city. But if you find yourself in Pilsen and can't wait, then this place does it.
(3)Carol K.
Honky Tonk has been on my list to try since before it got popular on Check Please! and I've just been waiting for the fever to settle down before checking it out for myself. The space is simple- outfitted like an improvised art gallery or coffee house with huge paintings on the wall and wooden tables and chairs. We were there on a weeknight and there was even some entertainment with a guitar player crooning out tunes which was a nice touch to the place. We ordered a couple of slabs of ribs, and two sides- the mac and cheese and some cornbread. Surprising for us was that there was not the BBQ standard of Beef Brisket on the menu (unless you wanted it pulled on a sandwich). The ribs were delicious. Meaty with that crisp outside that shows that they are slow cooked and not boiled like some places. I loved that they come plain and you have a choice of three sauces to tempt your taste buds. The sides were only so- so. The corn muffin was a little dry and stale, and the mac and cheese tasted like noodles with Velveeta on top so you may want to try something else when you go. But the real winner? The peach cobbler! OMG! It was like I was sitting at my grandma's table and she had just pulled this from her oven. Hot, sweet and doughy- this was an unexpected surprise to end our meal. Service is utilitarian so know that you take your bill to the counter in the front room to pay- and bring CASH as they don't take plastic. The place is BYOB so don't forget to grab some beers before coming. And if you drive- parking is fairly easy (depending on the night you go) on this stretch of 18th. Honky Tonk isn't fancy. It's quirkiness is just a part of it's charm (check out the pig lamp and you'll know what I mean) But it serves up some pretty good ribs and in my book- that's all a rib place should do.
(4)Tracey H.
The food is nothing to write home about whatsoever, save that pound cake which is to die for. They understaff their floor and it can be hard to get good service. Not exciting or innovative BBQ, but really packed, presumabley because it does, indeed, have a really fun atmosphere. If you go, go for the music and the beer, maybe eat dessert, but skip the BBQ.
(2)Jedd J.
Oops, review snafu - accidentally filed this review under Honey 1 BBQ. Sorry Honey 1. I'll try you soon. About Honky Tonk BBQ... Terrible dining experience. The pork and beans were cold and flavorless. The "chili" was a scalding bowl of shaved beef in terribly salty gravy, lacking any hint of tomato, sweet, smoke, pepper, or spice. The "pulled" pork sandwich consisted of huge chunks of flayed meat on a lousy roll, and something was wrong with the flavor. Of the three BBQ sauces, only the "spicy" was edible. We did not finish any of it and quickly left. The only positive note - good live music by a two piece band consisting of a hollow body guitar and upright bass.
(1)Jennifer G.
I so wanted to love this place. After watching triple D and hearing the Memphis in May awards, I thought this place was going to knock my socks off. Not so much! First, no self respecting bbq joint should list sweet tea and serve me Lipton brisk. That is so wrong. Second, bbq should not be served on ciabatta rolls. BBQ and ciabatta just don't jive. Third, the sides were really lacking. The beans were bland, the black eyed peas were flavorless and the mac and cheese was average. 3 sandwiches and a side each, $51.00.... Aside from all of the failures in the food department, the place was really cute and the service was pretty good.
(2)Matthew B.
This is the worst food I've had in Chicago, ever. My companion and I walked into Honky Tonk and were immediately put off by the smell - I knew the meat wasn't smoked upon walking in because when you smoke your meat on the premises your restaurant smells smokey - Honky Tonk smells soapy. I have eaten over 300 meals out in the past 2 years, Honky Talk is the worst of 300 by FAR, and I have eaten in some bad places in 2 years - like places you dont eat sober bad, like Bacci pizza bad. I wish there was a way to give zero stars, thats how bad this meal was. What was wrong with it: 1)BBQ is smoked - Honky Talks meat is boiled. At SOME point this meat may have been in a smoker, but I doubt it. When I asked the waitress how long they smoked their meat for, she said "Oh, hours...and hours...overnight." She LIED right to my face. If they were running a smoker for 12-18s in the building it would smell of smoke - it doesn't. I would question if the meat is smoked at ALL. When I pressed her for what kind of smoker they used, she didn't know. The correct answer would have been a Southern Pride wall unit - which is what a good BBQ place would have. Hell, at this point I would have taken a glass smoker. Supposedly the owner is a competition pitmaster - that is BULLSHIT because we get to point #2... 2)The sauce is HORRIBLE. They have three abominations "Tangy" "Sweet" and "Garlic(?) Mustard". They are ALL bad, they all have the distinct taste of being watered down, and they have the mouthfeel of using too much sugar or corn syrup. Nothing could help the boiled bland meat, but good sauce would have been better. These sauces were ALL worse than Kraft BBQ sauce. 3)The Mashed potatoes are cheap. They are either a mix or they are watering them down to save on using milk as a binder. They have practically no butter in them. They were terrible. I knew as soon as I saw them that they would be bad. 4)The rolls that the sandwiches are on are horrible. They are dried out and obviously store bought. Im sorry that anyone thinks that this is even PASSABLE FOOD, let alone passable BBQ. F-
(1)Bertel J.
First of all, I'm a rib snob. B., I live for BBQ III., bad ribs should be punishable by deportation (jail time would need to be supported by tax monies) With that said, all employees & owners should be on their way out of the country...period!
(1)Lauren G.
Great ambiance. Great food. There's even a cluster of hippie/country boys who sit at a table with cowboy hats on and cowboy attire. Felt like I was in a saloon just because they were there. LOL. But the food was fabulous. Cornbread, pulled pork, mac and cheese and coleslaw. DELICIOUS!
(5)Eric L.
Another Chicago BBQ failure. 4 for atmosphere, but 2 for food. This place just oozes cool, hipster BBQ joint, but the BBQ is weaksauce. ribs: dry brisket: great texture, but needs to be smokier. almost entirely unseasoned, if you told me this was made in the oven, i'd believe you. pulled pork: uninspired sausage: probably not made in house, but severely overseasoned (there were several different links, one was overly salty, even for sausage, and the other was just boring) smoked chicken: dry and the skin was like leather cole slaw: dressing wasn't thick enough to stick to the cabbage the thing that saved this from being 1.5 stars was their bacon and brew. I didn't even have it, but my dinner companion ordered it and said the bacon was outstanding, and it was tantalizing enough that I will actually return to Honky Tonk just to try it, despite how unimpressive the rest of the menu was.
(2)Kymberly J.
beware: CASH ONLY! I think they should tell you this before you order. The atmosphere is pretty cool. The entry way is a lovely view of the kitchen (not sure if I like that idea) and the hostess stand. I felt like I was walking into someone's home. Then the dining area is white walls covered with a hodge podge of mostly bad paintings but it works. It's a strange ecletic mix in this super high ceiling room. In the back is the bar which looks and feels completely different from the dining room. It's dark and narrow. Sometime in February they will be getting their liquor license so until then BYOB! So on to the food. It wasnt the greatest ever but it wasnt the worst ever. The ribs and the mac and cheese were served a little on the warm side but none the less tasty. Three sauces to choose from, one of which was a mustard sauce - an interesting option but nothing I would slather over my entire slab. They have a salad called "what your girl friend would order salad" with field greens (and arugala...oh how I heart the arugala!) seasonal berries (fresh) walnuts, jicima and goat cheese served with an awesome tangy dressing.
(3)Selena L.
After hearing numerous rave reviews, my boyfriend and I decided to check it out for ourselves. To say we were bamboozled by the reviews would be an understatement. The clear sign we ignored: the place smelled more like a barnyard with NO scent of smokey bbq goodness anywhere. Too bad we didn't read fellow Yelpers reviews before we went.
(1)Christine K.
The best thing about this barbecue place was the cornbread. That pretty much sums up the food here. Based on other Yelp reviews, I ordered the fried green tomatoes and the delux platter with brisket, hot link, corn bread, and one side (greens). The brisket was dry and flavorless. The sauces were pretty good (sweet, tangy, mustard garlic), so it wasn't as bad once it was drowned in sauce. The corn bread was moist and I actually liked the hot link quite a bit. It was much better than the brisket. The greens were bland. When we asked for bread, they brought out stale dinner rolls, which was quite a disappointment. The fried green tomatoes were heavily breaded, which was fine but the breading could not hold onto the wet tomatoes and would slip off at the touch of a fork. The tomatoes also completely lacked in the tartness that makes fried green tomatoes so delicious, but that might just have been our tomato. Our main server was nice, but some of the people there are horribly rude. I would have been willing to return for the cornbread and hot links, but I probably won't because the rude workers there make the thought of going back extremely distasteful. In sum, go somewhere else.
(1)Custom M.
BEST RIB TIPS IN TOWN! BEST BBQ SAUCE. I have never gone a on a crowded day. I doubt I ever will. Rib tips combined with the Mac N Cheese and corn bread. Oral orgasm!!! Can't really complain about the service or venue. Worth the money and travel for me.
(4)Elisa E.
Beautiful bar, great band, solid (if not spectacular) BBQ. I had the brisket sandwich, and it was tender and juicy. I asked for horseradish and received a grape-sized mound of the condiment in a paper cup. Were they running out? Was the waitress afraid I couldn't handle it? Child, I'm German-American; I was weaned on horseradish. I had a major case of entree-envy for my dining companion's rib tips; they were burnt/fatty/delicious on their own, no sauce needed. But, there probably won't be a redo, or at least not involving my automobile. I parked in a legal spot on 18th, east of Racine, and was later extensively keyed by some neighborhood asshat. The friend who invited me to dinner is from Pilsen, and a second generation Mexican-American. He explained that the restaurant was probably too expensive for most of the working-class people in the neighborhood, and was full of outsiders. I can't think of any other plausible reason why someone would do this, except to "teach" a lesson to one of the restaurant patrons.
(3)Keeping it real b.
I HAVE TO SAY A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!!!!!.... After seeing this place hosted on a episode of Drive In, Dinners and DIves and it was getting some crazy hype, I was extremely excited to try another good BBQ joint with an atmosphere. After my fiance and I had talked about visiting this restaraunt for a few months we had decided to give it a shot on a Saturaday Night. We arrived at the restaraunt at 9:00, understanding that there may be a slight wait. The host had said that it would be around a 45 min wait, so we had decided to fight our way through a small crowd for standing room only to enjoy a couple of beers. Beer list was different, but in a good way to help branch you from your routine beverage of choice. Bartenders were very pleasent and responsive, crowd was pollite and the band was very entertaining keeping the wait less painful.... After 30 min. a table had opened up and we were on our way with high hopes for a tastey BBQ. We were seated in the dinning room with great atmosphere filled with unique paintings and various kitchen furniture giving a great southern, backyard kinda feeling. Unfortunately, this is were it all then began to go downhill. We were sat at 9:30 pm when the waitress took our first drink order. Took over 15 minutes for her to return with out drinks. She then took our dinner order, we ordered the Sampler Platter which had great variation, (Chkn, Ribs, Sausage Link, Sliders, corn bread beand and slaw) and also a side of rib tips. Was very excited to get a taste of what was so hyped up on the tv show D.D.D.. After an hour of being sat and very little attention from the service and visually seeing the food not moving out of the kitchen and serving other tables, we had actually spoke to another waitress to see what was going on with our order and to speak to a manager. Being an hour later, there is no reason while at a "Restaraunt' there is no reason not to have some sort of a FOOD item sitting in front of you. I dont think that is asking for much. The response we recieved from one waitress was, "Cant you see we are Busy". Well no kidding, now my intellegence were just insulted. Busy or not, there was no food moving out of the kitchen and the fact is it has been an Hour waiting for what is usually all PRE COOKED food that just gets warmed up and platted when it comes to BBQ joints. No excuse for it, but we still made the best of the moment. When the food finally arrived, it had a nice presentation, but you could see that ALL the meats were dried out, over cooked and just brittle like saw dust.... COME ON MAN!!!! This is suppose to carry a reputation for GOOD BBQ.... I would love to know how many returning customers they have. I would guess not many. Brisket was well dried out, chicken was petrified, half slab of ribs tasted as they were cooked 3 times over, coleslaw had little to bad taste to it, beans were out of a can and the only thing that was moist was the sausage due to its casing and the ability to cook those fresh... All in all, I would say the food was far from good BBQ and even further from being FRESH. The sauces on the table had a good flare to them, nice variety and good way to help the meats slide down. Rib tips werent bad, but definitly nothing to go back to or refer a friend to. Prices were good, drinks were good, like the atmosphere and the manager was nice enough to comp the drinks and take $10 bucks off to ease the pain slightly. All in All Honky Tonk - I give you a BIG ONE STAR - --- have to say, very disappointed with the quality of food and wait time. Definitly in need for the owner and manager to review the flow process and ability to get the food out quicker. Customers will be happier, the tableswould also turn faster making it happier for the guests not to have to wait as long, the waitress happier getting more tables = more tips and bottom line, making the owner a happy person to serve more tables = more food = happier customers = returning customers = and referalls from customers = alot more $$$$$ for HONKY TONK..... Have to say, wont be back anytime soon - I GOT the HONKY TONK BLUES!!!
(1)Kristina D.
Two words. Bacon Candy. Yes. Bacon Candy. The evening we went with friends there was no live music but some nice funk and R&B playing. We were given our choice of seating and our sassy server (who I hope forgives me for not remembering his name) promptly came to our table to ask us about drinks. I had the Lonely Presbyterian. Actually, I had two. Then we opened with an order of the Fried Green Tomatoes and Bacon Candy. Fried Green Tomatoes were pretty good, could have used just a bit more kick. But the bacon candy. All I have to say is it was gone in seconds and that everything is better with bacon. Just delicious. I then had the half spread of the baby back ribs, mac and cheese and cornbread muffin. The muffin was okay, too sweet for me but that's a matter of personal preference. The ribs were great although I like a little more kick and the mac and cheese, although rather nontraditional with the white cheddar, was delicious. I'll definitely be returning. They don't do delivery but they cater and have a calendar of music events on their site.
(4)robert a.
HOLY BBQ Go here eat drink listen nothing more needs to be said.
(5)Leticia L.
The first night we moved back to Pilsen my husband and I decided to try this place. We were starving and the open doors were inviting us in. I was pleasantly surprised. We found a seat in front and our waiter was quick and attentive. I tried the brisket with mac and cheese. Both were divine. I also loved the corn bread. Our second visit was also great, we ordered the half chicken, with a large mac and cheese and the garlic mashed potatoes. I must say I was not disappointed. The chicken fell off the bone and melted in my mouth like butter. It was another great meal!
(5)Tera D.
Honky Tonk is an interesting little place. Very neighborhood, regular customer feel. I got the distinct impression that when they didn't recognize us they assumed we came in because of Check Please. Which is true. In my opinion, the meat was better cooked than most I've ever tried. Pulled pork, brisket and ribs were all uber tender and perfect. The flavor wasn't as strong as other places though, so that was a bummer. As for the sauces, I thought the only one that stood out was the garlic mustard one, which was tangy and fabulous. For side dishes we had mac n' cheese and pork and beans. Both were only ok compared to other BBQ places I've been. Glad I went, and would go back if I lived close, but probably won't make the trek to Pilsen for it a second time.
(3)Kc B.
This place is a crap-hole. We had a large party. They sat us down and mentioned several minutes later that they were out of most meat items on their menu. Seriously? It was a Saturday night. What kind of moron doesn't order enough meat for a Saturday night crowd at a BBQ joint?
(1)Jozo B.
My friends talked about this place all day on a wasted Sunday. I didn't believe what they were saying, but sure enough they were so right. The pulled pork sandwich was simply amazing. I mean melt in you mouth flavor, and the sauces made every bite a different flavor sensation. The brisket chili was super hearty, thick, and plain awesome. Definitely, met all my expectations and then some.
(5)Xriz H.
Did Helcky's finally reopen in Chicago? Quite possibly, but this place did not have that signature "Burnt Bologna" smell that is easy associated with the local Evanston hero. Honky Tonk earns a solid three stars and not for the food. If you like food with a lot of flavor, that smokey BBQ taste and sauces that range from smokey sweet to spicy, this is not the place. I would consider this a place suitable for the BBQ inept. I think the most exotic they get with the seasoning is perhaps Iodized Salt. I do like the no substitute rule, as it makes the ready made plates come out in lightening fast speed, nothing low and slow about this place. The decor is nice, give you that feeling of "hey this place might just be good"... but it is not. Good beer selection and the waitstaff has all the right stuff (tattoos, piercing, blank stares, beauty pageant personality etc...). I will warn whoever dares go there. Never Ever Ever take the left overs home, they will make your car, bus, fixie whatever you are in stink like hell! I think the food is already half decomposed when it come out on the plate! That being said, 3 stars...and not for the food!!! 1 Star for nice Decor 1 Star for nice beer choices 1 Star for friendly people No Stars for the food, cause it is not good food, sorry Mr. Tonk please work on the recipes.
(3)Maja B.
I don't know why I was convinced for a long time it was called Willy's Honkey Tonk BBQ. I guess cuz my friend Phil who introduced me to the joint upon my move to Pilsen 7-8 months ago is good friends with the strange but genius owner, Willy. This place has been around for a minute. A good 8-9 years ago when I was still an innocent northsider I use to hear tales of a mystic place on 18th street where they threw wild parties with live feral animals like ocelots or was that eatacidalot? Or what was that wild cat called that one can train and house? Anyway these parties are no longer. Soon enough Willy and his wife opened a BBQ joint. A BBQ joint in the middle of Raza territory on 18th street, called "Honkey Tonk BBQ" haha you must be kidding right? Well you best believe that the BBQ was so good that it won the hearts of the locals and many others who regularly flock to the spot from all over Chicago. Let's talk meat. There is a sandwich at Willy's, ha there I go again with the Willy's, simply called the "Pulled Pork Sandwhich". And it is pork shoulder with a lil rub, on a bun. Sounds kinda boring right? But oh the flavor, oh the tender, the juicy, the JESUS BUDDHA MOSES whatever you believe in... It is the BEST freaking pork not just pulled pork but I proclaim the BEST pork sandwich in Chicago. We're talking "3rd place Trophy from the World Championship Memphis-in-May Competition, the largest pork competition in the world." -http://honkytonkbbqchicago.com The world has spoken, the world of pork. And that is quite the achievement for a Chicago sandwich, it use to be $7 now it has gone up to $7.75. Prices have gone up I'll admit, it's a little eh, but it's a tough economy and understandably prices are going up everywhere. They also added a Fried Green Tomato Bacon and Garlic Mayo sandwich I tried. Not too impressed with this one, it was mostly fried green tomato couldn't really taste the bacon, the Garlic mayo was good but again it all overpowered the meat. The Banana pudding though, dear god, try the Banana pudding, you'll thank me you did! The atmosphere is kinda bizzare, it's like they took every crappy painting from like 1940-1975 and hung em all side by side literally lining the walls, the worst part? It actually works! They're adjacent to the most beautiful wooden bar in Chicago (this is cuz the space use to be the Slovanian cultural club, yeah us eastern-europeans got this design thing down ;) The drinks are pretty good they have A Bloody Maria served with Tequila instead of Vodka and both the Mary (w/Vodka) and Maria come with a bullet sized high life to balance out the spicy Bloody. Amazing hangover cure potential unless you end up knocking back a few more and then busting some moves to the always rocking western country swing and rockabilly sounds. I never even liked this music until I heard it at Willy's Honkey Tonk BBQ. Have you not been yet? Why the hell not, go! Go now!!!!!!
(4)Remesis G.
Great food, great service, great hours!!! The price is awesome too. I love this hidden gem in Pilsen. One of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. On certain days of the week, they have live music which is a bonus when your're eating. Will come back over and over again.
(5)Michael L.
Disappointed! I had a craving for ribs and Honky Tonk is pretty close to the house. I'd been there a few years ago and liked it, so I thought this was a no-brainer. We waited about 10 minutes for a table which I didn't think was bad for a Friday night. Things started out well with an order of bacon candy. I think it's baked bacon with brown sugar and maybe molasses. Yum! If we stopped eating at this point the review would be 5-stars! I ordered a full slab, in anticipation of tasty leftovers, and a side of mac & cheese. I have to agree with a previous reviewer that said the ends were over-cooked and the middle was ok. Don't get me wrong, I love the bark on good bbq, but these ribs were just dry. Another mark of good bbq is that it doesn't need sauce, the sauce just enhances the experience. This meat demanded sauce! I do have to say that the mustard sauce was good and I don't really like mustard. Service was quick and friendly, but couldn't make up for the over-cooked meat! I will not be back again.
(2)Ed C.
Honkey Tonk BBQ is a very fun place. Great signature cocktails, music, atmosphere, service....and really lame BBQ. I am glad I went. Pilsen is a fun neighborhood that I don't visit enough. It's too bad the food wasn't very good, because I want a reason to come back. I am a sauce guy and that is the one part they did above average...but it wasn't great. All of us there were big BBQ fans and we split bacon candy, 2 platters and 2 pulled pork sandwiches. All of the meat seemed well prepared...very moist and great texture...just super bland. The ribs were the most tasteless I have ever had. Just no flavor. The same can be said for the brisket and chicken. The pulled pork had some nice bites and the links were very good with their mustard garlic sauce ( That sauce was pretty solid) The beans were not bbq style at all. The fried green tomatoes were very good. Go for the drinks and snack on the bacon, tomatoes and banana pudding, but this is not an even average BBQ spot.
(2)Michael M.
Really good bbq brisket. Fun atmosphere. Hard to get a cab in the area.
(4)Lisa B.
HONKY TONK BADONKADONK! No this place isn't owned by Trace Adkins, but it does have that down home, country, southern hospitality feel. Its really eclectic and funky with great art on the walls and totally mismatched seating. Loved it. The food and drink was just as comforting and interesting as the decor. I must say, the house-made bourbon soaked maraschino cherries were killer. I contemplated asking for a whole bowl of them. I had the deluxe plate with the pulled pork, mac and cheese, hot link, and cornbread. Pulled pork was great, so tender, great smokey flavor. The mac could have been a little creamier, but it had good flavor and I loved the breadcrumbs on top. Hot link was tasty, nice spicy kick to it. LOVED the cornbread, it was sweet and savory while moist and delicious. Husband ordered the viking beef short ribs, which are only available on weekends, so we thought they'd be awesome... they were, eh, very Viking-esque. They were huge, short ribs smoked, until tender. While they feel off the bone, they were really fatty and we weren't overly impressed with them. The coleslaw that accompanied them was too dry - needed more vinegar and oil. Loved having three different BBQ sauces on the table so i could try them all with my meat. My favorite was the mustard one, great tang! We ended our meal with some killer peach cobbler - served nice and hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! great way to end the meal - we'll definitely be back.
(4)Matt M.
What Honky Tonk BBQ has with atmosphere in spades it's lacking in quality BBQ. The restaurant has a great environment with vintage decorations, a full bar and a reasonable beer list. We went based on their consistent comparisons to Smoque, which can be best compared to the big brother who actually knows what he's doing. Honky Tonk serves their meat without sauce, which is to say you add the BBQ yourself. This wouldn't be a big problem normally, as their sauces are undoubtedly above average though not exceptional in any way, shape, or form. The issue is that all moisture has been smoked from the meat, and the flavor with it to boot. I sampled the chicken, pork, and brisket, and each was nothing to write home about. I also tried the ribs, which were not only dry, but burned. Thankfully a down-home bluegrass band started playing adjacent to our table, distracting me from the dry, flavorless meat and poor cornbread. The mashed potatoes, however, were great. If you're looking for a late-night hangout with live southern music and a nice looking carved barback with the option for some decent food, this is the place.
(3)leslie m.
Honky Tonk I was scared to try you, scared that you would not be as good as Smoque and more like that Five place on Taylor but I am so happy that I did. -Easy seating that doesn't make you feel rushed-CHECK -Choice of sauces right on the table to please everyone-CHECK -Cornbread and Mac n cheese that are Tha bomb-CHECK -Alcohol-CHECK -Nice assortment of BBQ dishes and combos that are juicy, tender and delicious-CHECK -Easy street parking and friendly service-CHECK Honky tonk, I think I love you
(5)Michele D.
Brought a girlfriend from Austin Texas in to show her how we do BBQ in Chicago...she LOVED it! Flavorful pull pork and ribs, melt in your mouth brisket, and scrumptious Mac and cheese! (oh and the sauces...!!!!!) Texas ain't got nothin' over HTBBQ. We even enjoyed some country music and two steppin'. (with no cover for music) Oh and the sweetest wait staff and bartenders. The owners even come up and chat you up. Felt so warm and welcomed. Great energy in the room. We posted FB photos and all our Austin friends couldn't believe it. Now that it's warming up in Chicago they're making there way up here to taste a little Texas in Chicago!
(5)Rebekah S.
The atmosphere and live music is a bonus to some of the best damn bbq I have ever had. The staff and owner make you feel like family. Try to visit if you can. The prices are very reasonable. Thanks for making my daughters bday awesome!!!!
(5)Mindy S.
Three times is not the charm. I think the greatest way to honor an animal is to make it tasty (and give it a great life, obvi) I don't know what HT BBQ is doing to their animals, but it's not good. The brisket is dry and I'm not sure how to describe the pulled pork other than :( Completely pass up the beans too, bleh. I couldn't recommend a single thing from HT, other than it's a great atmosphere to grab a drink and live performers were wonderful last (Thursday) night. Their display of art is marvelous too. My only recommendation would be to go to a place that knows how to handle their smokers. Check my reviews/lists for my favs, it's definitely not this place.
(2)Patrick S.
The layout of the place gives you a number of options depending on the occasion or setting you are so inclined towards. Upon entering you notice what appears to be a fully stocked bar to your left. The front is very dimly lit, equipped with seemingly date appropriate seating opposite of the bar. If you venture deeper into the establishment you will discover another room towards the back. It has a very homey, family oriented vibe to it. Join-able tables to accommodate larger parties, and booths along the back wall. Some..eclectic, artwork and decor adorn the walls somehow make it feel like a mess hall or cafeteria of some sort. A word of caution to the booth goers..be weary of the hung artwork overhead as there is a slight possibly of acquainting yourself upclose and personally. Only a mere freak occurrence, Im sure. But I felt it worth mentioning as I found it humorous that I heard a large thud emanating from behind me. Something had fallen straight onto the table in one of the booths where a women had been sitting. She didnt seem to be startled at all..which makes me suspect this happens more times than you would think. While Im way off topic, I might as well mention that I used "appears to be" and "seemly" to describe the bar and front seating only because I opted towards the back room seating. So I would not know firsthand. Upon entry, there isnt actually anyone to greet you so if you come in for the first time you would probably think twice to what you are supposed to do. Me and a friend approached a server at the tail end of the bar who informed us to sit where we deemed fit, not her words mind you. So we chose the brighter lit room for a less..questionable, for lack of better word, dining experience. Two guys eating at a dimly lit table in a bar just doesnt look right..if you get my drift. Anyhow...Im here to speak of such things as BBQ! Dry rubbed, cured, and fine smoked meats! I speak of choice cuts of marbled slabs of animal carcass fit as offerings to the gods! Apologies, but coming to places like this, I cannot understand how anyone could deny such carnivorous urges. Regardless...onto the food at hand. I was looking to sample some of the menu since it is impossible to taste the extent of the menu unless youre there with a full party. So I decided on the rib tips with a side of garlic mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. Little did I know, I was in for the biggest rib tips Ive ever encountered. These tips are ENORMOUS. Regardless of the caps, the font size isnt appropriate enough to describe the size of them. Not to mention Ive never had rib tips in its pure, unadulterated, un-sauced, dry rubbed form. Each and every bite of these gave off an overwhelming amount of smokey richness that I almost wish eased off towards the end; but it was unrelenting. There was 3 sauces on the table. The bigger of the 3 which was more of the sweeter style bbq, a smaller tangier bbq, and a mustard that was slighty sweet but more dijon-ey. I went with a 70%sweet-30%tang mix. I look forward to trying several other entries in the menu which will call for an update to my review. Hopefully a more, on topic offering. Im especially tempted toward the viking short ribs that I contemplated over briefly. Its only offered fri-sat. You could never go wrong with limited time items.
(5)Jacob L.
By far the best BBQ I've had for the longest time. The ribs were sooo good and the sauces they had were yummy. It is nicely decorated and the live music is fun to have around. I will be coming in here again with some friends to show them how great this place really is!
(5)Derrick T.
13 hour day at work... I"m starving. Roommate calls, time to try a new place! Some BBQ sounds good, and I've had this on my list for about two weeks. Time to check it out! Packed to the brim on a Thursday night. The fact that it had just got reviewed on Check Please probably did quite the boost on business. Found a seat with 10 minutes, table for two, good band kickin it in the background with some southern music. We order up the Sampler Platter to give it all a try. Here's our thoughts: Half chicken: Tasty skin. Definitely smoked well. The breast is ridiculously tender and juicy, which means the dark meat is even more so. Never had chicken breast that tender before at a BBQ joint. Ever. Pulled Pork: A little dry, but the flavor was plentiful. Served with an artisan-like roll. Dryness likely due to the lack of sauce, but good nonetheless! Brisket: Tender, juicy, a little bit of fat cut into each piece. This was some excellent brisket! Half slab ribs: Crunchy smoked exterior, with soft tender juicy interior meat. Smoked for 4+ hours according to the owner, and it shows. While the meat was not completely fall off the bone, you can taste the flavors from the applewood and the spice rub used in creating the crunchy exterior. Excellent. Links: Tasty, flavorful, simple. I'm not a links kinda guy, but these were good nonetheless. Corn Bread: Bits of corn, soft and flavorful. This is some excellent cornbread, ladies and gentlemen. Slaw: Average slaw to me. Flavor was right, texture was right, but nothing phenomenal about it. Rightly so, as slaw is a side IHMO. Baked Beans: Tasty, but definitely not the memory of the meal. Platter was priced at $30, and my roommate and I ate well. If you're a BBQ fan, I suggest you stop in for the ribs and brisket. But honestly, I think the platter is probably an excellent way to go. Verdict? I'll be going back. There was an intriguing dessert menu that neither of us were able to really take part in due to the size of the platter... but we'll be back... don't you worry.
(5)Junior D.
Another disappointing BBQ experience, Whats with all the hype? I wanted to like Honky Tonk I really did.. I walked in to some live music with a violin player jamming some country tunes with a decent singer... Lets start off with the Pros. Nice decor, great Live music, Pulled Pork, Bacon Candy...your order actually comes out quick after waiting so long for the waitress to take your order. Cons. Slow service, tough rib tips, fatty and chewy brisket.. We waited too long just to pay and get out of this place because our waitress would disappear for a while. this is one of those places where I couldn't wait to visit and like Chuck's BBQ was really disappointing.. I am willing to come back just for the pulled pork but nothing fancy here in my opinion.. Lets hope Smoque doesn't disappoint me in my quest for most hyped BBQ on YELP thats actually good.....
(2)Josh Y.
When my wife told me some friends of hers had showed her a new BBQ place AND it was just down the road from our house, I got pretty excited. OK i was ecstatic! Good BBQ? Only 4 blocks away? Beach body smeach body... I'm there! As you can see, I couldn't wait to try this place out, but alas all good feelings must come to an end. Location = Awesome. Food = Downright mediocre. I tried the St. Louis ribs, and the Brisket sandwich. Also the Fried Green Tomatoes. The ribs were pretty dry, and the sauce was just ok. The Brisket sandwich was decent (better than the ribs) but still lacked the chops to live up to all the hype I'd heard about this place. The Fried Green Tomatoes... well those were spot on and amazing... just like the movie... that i've never seen... ever... shut up. Listen, I don't want to get all high horsey about the "Best BBQ" places. I'm giving these guys three stars because i think they're decent, but I've been spoiled. All my uncles ribs (minus Uncle Gerald) blow this place out of the water. G&W in the south burbs, Fat Willy's & Smoque up north all go pretty hard, and I just expected much more than I got with Honky Tonk. Not gonna sweat it. Will definitely be back. It's right down the block, and the beer selection alone is worth the price of admission. Try the fried green tomatoes, and empanadas. Ok i'm done now. Try this place for yourself, you might love it.
(3)Ry O.
My girlfriend insists that I have not experienced Pilsen until I've sucked the BBQ off of some BBQ and then demolished a pot pie, mac n cheese (yes, "n" is too a word), corn bread, and some cheese cake. I insist that she's gross and I will never suck BBQ off of BBQ, so I ordered some brisket and sucked the horseradish off that instead. I think she had me eat some other stuff too, but I was a little dizzy after devouring something that resembled my forearm. She's right though, this place is amazing, with live music, cheap beer, and people you haven't seen in forever randomly sitting at the end of the bar. ... On a related note, the Federal Government last week issued a report recommending that Americans consume less food (much to the chagrin of the food lobbyists), and I subsequently issued a middle finger recommending that they more frequently shovel the sidewalks on my route to Honky Tonk BBQ, buy me a bigger chair with some pockets on the side, and figure out how to put a subsidy on sides of white cheddar mac n cheese. (also, for the record, I don't think my girlfriend is gross... I've never seen someone eat a pot pie so delicately.)
(5)FoodLover Z.
Good bbq by Chicago standards. They have live music on some of the days and trivia night on others. I've had better bbq even in Chicago, hence the rating of 3 stars.
(3)KChicagoan S.
yuuuuuuuum this place is good - legit BBQ with a great atmosphere. This place is in an unassuming building on 18th street just west of Halsted. The thing that has me (and my husband) coming back again and again is the pulled pork - it is delicious. Everything they do at Honky Tonk is dry-rub BBQ so you put on your own sauce. Honestly, you don't really even need the sauce because the meat is soooo tender and juicy. I've also had the ribs and while they were very good, nothing beats the pulled pork in my book. The spicy mustard sauce, cibatta bread, a side of mac n' cheese and I'm in a food coma like no other. The prices are fair, the waitstaff is friendly and low-key and if you're lucky, someone will be playing the banjo and singing twangy bluegrass music (idk what nights of the week this happens). This is the best BBQ I've had in the city of Chicago - check it out!
(5)Julian F.
Oh man oh man....this place was rad. I'll admit I was here under strange circumstances in that I'm a vegetarian and I was with two other vegetarians and we had all just stuffed our faces at Chicago Diner. I'm not going to explain why we ended up in this situation because you don't care--all I'll say is that we actually had options (fried green tomatoes, mushrooms, etc) and they tasted great. I was telling the booker/sound guy Daniel that in my past carnivore life, I would have laid waste to the Honky Tonk BBQ. Had I not been so full, I would have considered a rack of ribs last night as they're cooked the way I used to like them: less of a dripping off the bone style and more carefully spiced. Aside from the food, the Honky Tonk seems to have hung pretty much every ugly painting ever made on its walls. Additionally, they boast an eclectic collection of live music, strong drinks, and damnit, it just smells awesome in there. ***NOTE: THERE IS A SUPER COOL METAL CHICK IN THE KITCHEN!***
(5)JP P.
Yeesh, so-called BBQ "experts" have to be one of the most irritating, fussy groups of people out there -- and then they get on Yelp. The worst food you've ever had in Chicago? Honky Tonk boils their meat? Seriously? Have you met pitmaster Willie? You can smell the smoke on him a mile down the street. While it's by no means perfect (the "Best BBQ Joint in Chicago" debate will be an eternal one) -- it's pretty darn decent. In my opinion, it IS some of the best BBQ'd pork you'll get in the city. It's unfortunate consistency seems to be a problem at HT, but I guess I've lucked out each time I've been there ... But hey, if the BBQ-loving fusspots of Chicago won't be returning, that's cool with me -- just means more room for me and my pals to enjoy a night of BBQ, beer and some excellent live music.
(4)Angela S.
The candied bacon is the best bacon I've ever tasted. The mac and cheese is a bit too garlicky. The desserts are amazing!
(3)Mike K.
I suddenly had a hankering for barbecue on a lazy summer Sunday afternoon and started perusing Yelp for the best option that was reasonably close. Smoque and Brand were the two places that came up that I really wanted to try, but due to proximity and hunger they lost out to Honky Tonk, which is only about a 10-minute drive from me. First, Honky Tonk is kind of in the hood. I find their location to be "interesting" and rather incongruous. Perhaps they threw darts at a map or maybe dropped a little barbecue sauce on a map to choose the location? Splat! Racine and 18th, it is! Anyway, after reading several of Tony K.'s reviews, I realize I know nothing about barbecue, so you'll have to take this review with a grain of salt. I ordered takeout, so I cannot comment as to the dine-in experience. They do have a bar and a small stage for music, but the interior of the place is gritty. I got a bit concerned about the food when I saw the interior. So I ordered two of the dinky dunks, with a side of mashed potatoes (duh) and a side of macaroni and cheese. I figured I'd get the dinky dunks to try both the brisket and the pork. Both were very smoky and tasty with the added barbecue sauce from the side. I did have to pick a bit of fat off of the brisket, but afterward it was tasty. As for the sides, I would advise against ordering these, as you only get a mini Chinese takeout container for $3.50 and they're just not very good. I was there at 4 p.m. on a Sunday, so maybe they just weren't very fresh at the time. Both were bland city. I would recommend going strictly with meat at Honky Tonk. Four stars. I'll likely be back sometime.
(4)chris g.
I'm really starting to like the Pilsen neighborhood. Mexican food brought me here but now you have options. Pilsen has several options for libations as well. So now you can make a whole night out of your visit. Some suggestions are Simones & the one of the classic dive bars, Skylark. But this visit Was for BBQ at Honky Tonk. It draws a good crowd but luckily the joint is big. The servings of meat & sides are not the largest but they are good. Get a combo & try several meats.
(4)Esther S.
MEAT. MEAT I got the personal platter (12.50) with beef brisket and mac & cheese. Some strips of meat were more tender and some were a bit dry. Smother it with some BBQ sauce and it's all good. I wish the beef came out smoking hot, but it was just warm enough. The mac & cheese side was delicious. The dinner roll was like the stale kind you buy at Jewel. I usually devour carbs, but I didn't finish the roll here. My bf got the personal platter delux (14.50) with the pork and mashed potatoes. The pork was tender and flavorful!! LOVED it. The mashed potatoes were standard. His platter came with a tasty hot link and forgettable corn bread muffin. QUICK TIP: You add your own BBQ sauce here. Also, Order the PORK!! Overall, I enjoyed my meal (my bf loved his), but just wished the food came out pipin' hot- the way I like my BBQ!
(3)Zach T.
This is a Good one. I saw it on one of the food network shows, and finally made it there. It deserves as much press as Smoque gets... it's just as good. I went there with a large party for my sister's birthday. I ordered the sampler platter for $30 and it fed my wife and I and our 2 kids. Their brisket and pulled pork mini-sandwiches are awesome. I'd say their brisket is better than Smoque's; It's pure dynamite. Their ribs are great. The sauces on the table are excellent. The sampler platter also comes with a half a smoked chicken--WOW. The one thing I still drool over, though, is the banana pudding. I would never have thought to order it, but thanks to you guys on Yelp, I did. When I win the lottery, I'm going to have a bathroom like Francis in Pee Wee's Big Adventure. The tub will be filled with this banana pudding.
(5)Ashley P.
We had our wedding reception here and the food was FANTASTIC and the owners were amazing to work with. BBQ so amazing that it converted one of our vegetarian friends.
(5)Erin L.
There was a time when I think I ordered that dang Fungi Sandwich every day for a week! SO GOOD! And I think I could bathe in the mustard bbq sauce... Mmmm! The corn bread is also freakin' awesome. Wine's good too. I like the decor, the staff is friendly and, although I haven't experienced it yet, I appreciate that they have live music.
(4)Kara T.
We have been going to Honkey Tonk for awhile now and have never been disappointed. The staff is great and friendly. Cheap Beer, Mid-Range Priced BBQ, Live Music (can be loud at times) and Easy Parking- you cant beat it! While the Rib Tips could have been left with more meat, we always go for the SAMPLER PLATTER- $30.00. Its plenty to share with two people and you get a tasting of everything. Make sure you get the Mustard Sauce--- the best! Sampler Platter- Boyfriend Salad- Mustard Sauce- Two Old Styles and its a great date night for around $50.00.
(4)Rafael H.
I stumbled upon this BBQ joint with some friends. The food here is awesome. I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of homemade mac and cheese. The sandwich was delicious and the mac and cheese had real cheese (not from a box!). I tried the brisket sandwich but I preferred the pulled pork. Their BBQ sauces are great, ranging from tangy to sweet and spicy. Last time I went, their live music was great. They had a guy playing the violin, and another guy playing the guitar and singing. Good saloon tunes. Finally, try the bacon candy. It's bacon made into candy. That's the only way I can explain it. Trust me... it's good.
(4)Ann S.
The chicken is amazing- the Viking Rib was not so great. I love the music and the staff, the food is a bit touch-n-go. I wanna 5 star this place...
(4)Michelle L.
I had a wonderful time at Honky Tonk. My friends and I always pass by it but never actually went in, until today. It's a busy restaurant but we didn't wait long for seating. The staff was very friendly. The pork was very tender and the sauce was delicious. There was even a live folk band playing!! Over all I had a great experience!
(4)Denise H.
If it were possible to rate this place zero stars I would. Unfortunately I had a $10 off coupon for Honky Tonk so a friend and I decided to venture to Pilsen for bbq......huge mistake. I'm not certain why so many people rate this place greater than one star other than they may be a fan of the live Honky Tonk music because the food is god awful. So we order the st. louie and baby back ribs in addition to the brisket and mac & cheese. The st. loiue ribs were not good or great but edible; however, I couldn't even stomach the bb ribs. The mac & cheese was lackluster but I expected this from a place named Honky Tonk. The worse offender though, was the brisket. Absolutely no flavor cooked into it, it was lukewarm and the rub was sprinkled on the top of the meat as opposed to being marinated prior too cooking.....just god awful. Just to make ourselves feel better and get that taste out of our mouths, we ended up going to smoque for "real" bbq.
(1)Solomohn E.
To me, Smoque definitely has better bbq. However, HTB's atmosphere (or shall I say ambiance) is hard to beat. My husband and I visited this evening for our wedding anniversary and it was just what I needed...decent food, fun drinks, great live music, a cute environment, and a whole lot of personality.
(4)KELLIE K.
Willie and Beth welcomed us into their home. Or at least that's what it felt like. I can't even find words to properly describe the pulled pork. AWESOME is all that comes out. Then again, my mouth may be full of pulled pork, and my brain full of beer and vinegar, so that's all I can muster. Treat yourself a bit and spilt up your pork among both tangy and sweet sauces put on the table. It'll give your mouth a joyride you won't soon forget. A large group of us were easily accommodated and they brought out a big bucket with ice for all the beer. That was a nice, homestyle touch that made it feel like we were in their backyard, just waiting for the goods to come off the grill. Add to that some live banjo-playing musicians, and it was a real hootenanny! I'll reserve a 5th star for my next visit and it's not a large group for a birthday party. Willie, keep that fire going and don't let me down!
(4)J. F.
It's a solid Three Stars. The rub thing is OK. Tasty, but not exciting. I forget which sides we had. . .but I'd go back! I liked my server, the service, and the ambience. The food was GOOD. Just GOOD. But GOOD counts, too, right?
(3)Moe f.
Great bar and fantastic music! Hit this joint up on Saturday night and only waited 20 minutes. They have lone star, Dixie, and tall boy PBR's cheap. The bacon candy was everything it sounds like. They were already out of brisket so got a huge slab of St. Louis ribs that were quite tasty. Pulled pork was OK. Baked beans rocked. And the old fashioned was fantabulous. I was wearing my western shirt and a guy from the first band thought I was playing in the next band(I was flattered). All in all, a great spot for food and some drinks.
(4)A. J.
PAcked when I went. Live band, kind've kitchy. Excellent Spread. split the smaller sampler with my gf and left stuffed. Decent price.
(4)Michael S.
From the street festival circuit, to bricks and mortar, Honky Tonk is still a pleaser. Then again, if it's smoked BBQ, I will admit that I have somewhat of an addiction. I have been wanting to write a review for this place for a long time, but because the last time I was there was literally when it opened (and Yelping was still a yet to be discovered pleasure), I held off until....now! Bottom line....while not super smokey, the back ribs were quite good, and if you are in the neighborhood, definitely worth investigating (if the previous 200+ positive reviews hadn't already told you that). The sauce they sent along on my take out seems like it has a good dose of liquid smoke in it as well (of which I'm a fan). Otherwise, they were the type of ribs that do NOT fall of the bone (bonus), and their pink and moist (ha) presentation, were the first signs of a cared for product. If I may pull one element from the initial visit, their pecan pie is reputed to be "one of the best." If I'm in the area, I'm happy to stop in again for a return visit, but, I will say that if I'm on the north side, Smoque is where I will seek out 5 stars.
(4)Ale M.
So the husband and I decided to try a different restaurant in our new neighborhood and I'm glad we came here. It was a Sunday evening and as we were walking in there was a band setting up...which was such a treat to hear a live jazz band while having dinner! There is no host at the entrance so you can sit where ever you please. We sat at a table across from the bar because we wanted to hear the live music. Our waitress was super friendly, attentive and knowledgeable with the menu items. We had the St. Louis ribs because they were out of the baby back ribs, which were pretty good and fell off the bone! We had fried green tomatoes, mac and cheese which both were super yummy. My only complaint would be the mash potatoes, they were bland and tasted like they were made from a box of instant mash potatoes (not impressed.) Overall I was very pleased with the food and service and we will definitely be back. I'm not a drinker but my husband is and he was pleased with the cocktails as well!
(4)julie q.
Went back last night and ate some good stuff. Pulled pork dunkys...sooooo soooo good. Beef brisket was a bit "beefy" and fatty for my liking. Mac n Chz was heavenly!!!!! I agree with a few other yelpers - when you pay $20 for a full slab of ribs, the least they could do is give you cornbread instead of a stupid dinner roll. Other than that...I love the food here and the atmosphere even more.
(4)Joshua N.
Honky Tonk BBQ would be my favorite BBQ place in town if Smoque didn't exist. They one amazing hot link! I recommend going with a few friends so you can share the BBQ sampler platter. I love how it looks small and run down from the outside, but once you walk through the door you realize that it is a gigantic, nice looking restaurant. Well worth the trip south.
(4)Amy T.
I stumbled upon this place looking for a bar for 16 de septiembre. its no cantina, but i loved it the second I walked in. The mood and lighting is gorgeous at night. There was live music from two hombres playing a mandolin and a harmonica. my pulled pork sandwich, mac n cheese, and lonestar beer were exactly what i needed! i just moved from texas, and i felt right at home, coulda fulled me i was back in austin. definitely going back again. and again. i only wish they had shiner bock on their beer list!!
(5)Chris V.
I was nervous about this place because of all of the up and down reviews. Some people love it., some people hate it. Let's be real hear. This place definitely does not deserve 1 star. For those of you who rated this place with only 1 star, shame on you. The ambiance alone brings this place to at least 2 stars. Classic setting with great jazz music. Totally different than anything I have seen in Chicago. The food was good- nothing mind blowing, but good. The mac & cheese was delicious- and I am a M&C snob. The brisket was good (not dry at all like Christne K. said - in fact don't listen to anything she said). The sauces at this place were great... especially the spicy mustard sauce. A must try. I took 2 stars off of my rating because we had some major service problems. First off, our waters were not filled up the entire meal. I mean, not once. That's a huge problem when you are eating BBQ. It's the first rule in providing excellent service- fill up waiters! Secondly, they brought out our food, and the food runner admitted he dropped my pulled pork sandwich, so he said he would bring me another. It never came, so 30 minutes later I flagged down our waitress and let her know. She brought it out and took it off the bill... which was ok I guess. I haven't eaten the sandwich yet, but it looks good. We also ordered a couple beers, which took at least 25 minutes to get to our table. I would try this place again. Though the restaurant was not too busy, maybe I just caught the service on a bad day. All in all- 3 out of five, great ambiance, ok food, less than par service, with a hipster vibe.
(3)Gamaliel E.
Please only read the bad reviews......I don't want everyone to know how great this place really is! I'd hate to have to wait in line to get into the place. I've been here a few times and can tell you that Willy does his BBQ right. I've had both the baby back ribs, and St.Louis style ribs. I'd have to say I preferred the baby back ribs. I love that the ribs aren't covered in BBQ sauce....you get to decide which sauce you prefer at the table. I like to switch between sauces since its so hard to decide which one is better. My friend ordered the brisket sandwich and loved it. His girlfriend ordered the chicken..which looked sexy. Yeah, i said it...the chicken looked sexy. The staff is nice...and the live music is awesome. Oh yeah...to top it off its BYOB. You can't beat that with a bat. The interior has personality to it...just like the neighborhood it resides in. This place will be on Check Please! in no time.
(5)Carly G.
Finally tried out HT tonight. So happy I have a BBQ place near me. My favs are Fat Willy's and Smoque, but HT now has a place in my heart. We ordered the Sampler Platter so we could try a little bit of everything, as well as an order of Bacon Candy. I love Bacon, love it, and this was a twist on it that took me a little to warm up too. Its confusing only because I was unsure about whether it belonged as a desert or an appetizer, or not at all. I have to try it again when in the mood I guess. The Sampler Platter was great. Sausage juicy, corn bread fresh and hot with real corn in it, beans were tasty, chicken fresh, pulled pork smoky, ribs meaty. The only think I would pass on was the Brisket, it was a little fatty. I loved the coleslaw. I am not a coleslaw person, however this was great. I loved the fact they put parsley in it. Great touch. Overall Tasty food, very affordable and neat atmosphere. I will return.
(4)Suzanne B.
So, the BBQ wasn't perfect but the whole night was just really nice. I went with a bunch of co-workers for happy hour. I tried all three of their bourbon cocktails on the specialty list & I was very happy with them- especially the Old Fashioned. The food was decent & reasonably priced. I had the fried green tomatoes which were very tasty, but the sauce with them was just ketchup with horseradish?? We also had the mac & cheese which was good but not anything special & not nearly as good as my own homemade mac & cheese. I also tried others' pulled pork sandwiches & brisket sandwich. They were both very tender & tasty, but needed some extra sauce --which is provided on the table. Our server was really nice, competent & the room was comfy & fun. Definitely another happy hour or two could happen here & I would be pleased.
(3)Deepak N.
Friendly hip staff. Live music (which im not a fan of - not their fault). Mac n cheese chili was amazing. Bbq platter was avg. Spicy sausage = amazing. Chicken and other items = dry. I guess you would go here more for the drinks and music rather than the food.
(2)P S.
My friend and I ventured down to Pilsen to test out one of the newest BBQ joints in the city with great anticipation. The space is beautiful. It feels and smells just like your favorite neighborhood bbq joint. Smokey, woody, old-timey. The kitchen is huge and open for viewing from the order counter. There are two rooms, a smaller one and a large one that hosts the live music they sometimes have. The prices are about right, $7 for brisket, for example. It's BYOB with a $1 surcharge per person, but they also have cans of Cokes and the like for order. The nearest liquor store is two blocks down, by the way. We ordered a smattering of goods. Brisket, mac & cheese, slaw, pulled pork sliders (two per order), a half rack of baby back ribs and garlic bread. First thing we dove into were the sliders, which were so tender but we noticed right away lacked smoke. In fact, all of the meat lacked smoke. No smoke ring, very little smoke flavor. The ribs were a little bit tough, but the rub was delicious - still though, not very smoky. The two sauces on the table were quite similar, though one was a little more zingy than the other. Both had the consistency of ketchup, so don't go looking for the vinegary, looser Carolina sauce because you won't find it. The garlic bread was awesome, but I could make it myself. Mac & cheese good, but nothing outstanding about it. The brisket was so tender and delicious, but again, no smoke. The sandwiches are served on untoasted Ciabatta bread which we found unfortunately overwhelmed the meat and didn't add to the flavor. They should at least toast the bread, if not swap it for a basic bun, we thought. Overall Honkey Tonk was good, but not great. If they could smoke their meats a little longer and allow the flavor to permeate I think the impact could be great - but for now, it's solidly average or slightly above average. I'll be returning to see how they change over time, but for now I don't think it's a personal destination.
(3)Maggie R.
So I had heard many things about this restaurants, mostly from those who, I would say, are not BBQ enthusiasts/foodies which I consider myself to be. Here are the reasons why I rated so low. 1)They don't have parking, yes, I know it's Chicago but it's a hassel to get decent parking around there. 2)My boyfriend and I had never been to Honky Tonk so we did not know if we would be seated or if we could do so ourselves. We stood around the entrance looking around for a sign that said "sit yourselves" or someone to direct us for about a minute until we asked if we could sit wherever, which the waitress said we could. 3) As far as I know, there is only one restroom for the whole restaurant, correct me if I'm wrong but the one I went to was unisex. 4) We picked a booth ( I do like the seat arrangements) and waited another 5 mins. before we got our waiter. (It was not busy at all, there were 3 other parties of around 3-6 in the second room). We finally got our order in and did not wait long. 5) Reason for my super-low rating is because our waiter sucked!!! He came three times the whole hour and half that we were there. Once to greet/place our order, the other to bring food, and the last one to bring our check and that only happened because we flagged him down. My boyfriend asked for more water and I had asked for another lemonade when he brought our food and we never saw him until we flagged him down for our check. 6) The food was OK, nothing great, especially for a BBQ fanatic like myself. I expected so much more from this place and was very dissapointed. My boyfriend ordered the rib tips and was dissatisfied with how much fat they had, so much that he just stopped eating them and just ate the corn. I got a pulled pork sandwich and I've had better. 7) Sauces- they have 3 different sauces; Original, Tangy, and Garlic. I thought they would have a spicy or sweet sauce but nothing like that. Overall, super dissapointment. I def. will not be returning and I will stick to my other BBQ joints that I already love. If you want to try a really good BBBBQ rest., you should make the drive to downtown La Grange to Q-BBQ, their meat is always so tender, great atmosphere plus not to mention the downtown is spectacular.
(1)Jackie B.
I do need to add that Honky Tonk is no longer BYOB (tear, tear)! I still love it though. Try their chili - I promise you will not be disappointed. I have Honky Tonk chili cravings.... There is a full bar now and they accept credit card which makes the full bar a little friendlier. This is a must-go for any of our out of town guests. Love having it in the neighborhood!
(5)Kevin H.
Simply the best bbq I've ever had. Light on the sauce, which I prefer. The meat was outstanding. The sausage was mind-blowing. Pass on all sides. Update: after more experiences here, the consistency of the BBQ can vary
(4)Jennifer C.
I am shocked by all of the positive reviews, this is by far the worst BBQ both my husband and I have ever had in our lives. When I first walked in and sat down I noticed my seat was dirty. The floor also had not been swept recently. The water tasted absolutely disgusting, I don't know how you can get tap water to taste that bad but it was not at all a good look. My husband and I got the sampler platter and the only edible thing on there really was the corn muffins. The meat was very fattening and flavorless, the sauces were mediocre, the beans were not seasoned and would have been better if they were from a can. We talked to the waitress about how unhappy we were with our meal and we did not have to pay for it so from a customer service standpoint it was ok, but we definitely will not be back.
(1)April L.
I used to go here all the time, and I miss it. Need to go back soon. Their cornbread is wonderful as is their mac and cheese. Brisket is a little too tough for me, but the pulled pork on ciabatta is awesome. Their garlic aioli sauce (maybe a south carolina mustard sauce?) is off-the-hook. The banada pudding is incredible, and I don't even like banana pudding. I appreciate that the cornbread isn't as greasy as Smoke Daddy (whose food I essentially hate), but has as much moistness and flavor. Love the friendly staff, too! And I like that they let you add your own sauces instead of assuming they know which one you'll like.
(5)Rebecca D.
Very good BBQ. Dry rub with sauce on the side. Atmosphere was hipster-urban country-latino/pilsen a refreshingly diverse mix. Live music was nice, but not too loud to talk to the people you came with. Street parking was easy, even on a Sat night. They don't take reservations unless your party is over 6 people, but we didn't have to wait.
(4)Sarah P.
I finally went to Honky Tonk last weekend. The first thing that drew me to this place was the live music. There was a really fun country band that played. We ordered the sampler platter. Now, there were only two of this so it was kind of a ridiculous amount of food for two girls. The platter included sausage, chicken, brisket, pulled pork, corn bread, beans and coleslaw. Everything was delicious. We also ordered mac and cheese, which was really tasty. When I go back I will probably just get a meat dish and side of mac and cheese. My favorite bbq place is Smoque, but Honky Tonk is a nice change because of their full bar and live music. After we ate, we sat at the bar and had a drink and listened to the music for a while longer. Will definitely go back for the food and the live music!
(4)Dexter L.
Great bbq. Excellent smoke and good sauces that all come on the side like they should. Dinners are fairly priced but some of the appetizers are too expensive. The candy bacon is a real trip. This is a great place to go before or after a Sox game.
(5)Nicholas T.
While walking the dogs, I caught the smell of a neighbors BBQ and that's all it took to get my family to visit the Honky Tonk. This is another Chicago restaurant featured in DDD (Diner's, Drive-ins, and Dives) and it lives up to its reputation. The atmosphere was perfect for my tastes. Saloon style restaurant with live music and a huge bar. Tonight wasn't a drinking night but from what I saw, the beer selection is fairly large and they have Rogue Dead Guy on tap. The restaurant is covered wall to wall with paintings to create that old museum look. Very reminiscent of some of my favorite places to eat back in my hometown of Columbus, OH at the Short North. The food was fantastic. It's rare when every single thing you order is good. I had a half slab of St. Louis style ribs with a corn bread muffin. We also ordered fried green tomatoes and mac n cheese to share. The BBQ is done very well here with distinct smoke lines and a rub that makes the meat perfect to eat without the need for a sauce. Honky Tonk does provide a vinegar based sauce and a sweet sauce for you to use on your food. Both are excellent but the vinegar based sauce gets my nod. The fried green tomatoes are a little heavy on the breading side but its not enough to ruin the sourness of the green tomato. No complaints with the mac n cheese either. The dish has a very sharp cheddar taste to it. It's not the best I've ever had (Hoggy's in OH still wins that honor) but it's close. Service was good with a little bit of a long wait for the food but our patience was rewarded. I feel bad for the vegetarians who are missing out on this gem of a BBQ joint.
(4)Joseph L.
Pulled pork sandwich. Corn bread muffins. Mac & cheese.
(5)Kimberly K.
There is a lot of hype about this place and I think it lives up to it! We had the sampler platter, mac & cheese, fried green tomatoes, and banana pudding. All of our items were damn good. The pulled pork was moist and juicy, the chicken and ribs were both falling off the bone tender, and the sauces were great! The garlic mustard sauce was really good, but I think I preferred the bbq vinegar. I mixed them and that was quite tasty. The mac & cheese is some of the best I've had. The banana pudding was also quite good. Definitely save room. The decor is definitely kitschy, but really fun as well. GO THERE.
(5)Patty S.
We went there on a Sat night at 7:30p (prime dinner time) and found a table right away. They also had live music which was a nice touch. The restaurant consists of 3 separate dining areas - each with it's own feel. We were brought water right away and the menus are on the table. My favorite part is that they actually serve drinks! They have this bourbon lemonade drink that was absolutely delicious. It wasn't overpowering, but definitely did it job! As we were walking towards our table, we saw this huge platter of food being placed next to a table next to us and my mouth started to water. Come to find out, it was the sampler platter which in my opinion is the best way to order. It's got a bit of everything on it - what's not to like? On this gigantic plate, it's got brisket, pulled pork, ribs, smoked chicken, links, and corn bread. There are also 3 sauces on the side for your choosing (my favorite dipping sauce was the mustard based one). I really enjoyed the lightness of the smoke flavor. There are some places where the smoke is just over-powering and I can't taste the meat at all. It's not that way at Honky Tonk. The brisket was tender, pull pork was flavorful, the links had a nice smokey and a bit spicy kick to it, and the chicken was not dry at all! I must say my least favorite was the ribs. Not sure what it was about it, but I thought it was off. I will most definitely be back. I think I may have found my new favorite bbq place in the city!
(4)Lindsay R.
Love the food, love the giant portions, love the staff, love the decor. Location is a bit hard to get too if you don't drive but its worth the effort. I will have to say the Banana Pudding is BY FAR the best pudding/dessert I've every tasted. The sauces are amazing and I like being able to put my sauce on because I don't eat spicy stuff so I got to choose another option. I like this place so much I choose this as my Birthday dinner place....so....its that high on my scale.
(5)Van P.
I had ribs at Honky Tonk BBQ (here) and at Robinson's in Lincoln Park ON THE SAME DAY BECAUSE I LOVE RIBS and I gotta say these ribs were superior. More specifically, they have two types of ribs (baby back and St. Louis) and I of course got both and both are excellent! The BBQ sauce selection that is on the table covers a broad range of flavors and the ribs come seasoned but not slathered in sauce, giving you the consumer complete control.
(5)H L.
Service...excellent. Friendly waitstaff. Never had to wait too long for anything. Hot link was excellent. Pulled pork was good. Sliced brisket was very good. Spare rib was a little dry for my taste although my friend loved it. There were three sauces which complemented the food very well. I want to return to try their beef ribs that are offered only on fri and sat.
(4)Ben A.
I'm a huge fan of this place. We are finding more and more excuses to go here as time goes by. Here's what I like about Honky Tonk: - Fantastic Pulled Pork Sandwich on a Ciabatta roll (They recently won an award in the Memphis BBQ cookoff for this item) - 3 tasty barbeque sauces at the table to flavor your food with - Great pork and beans and corn muffins - Some excellent beers on their beer list including (Stone's Arrogant Bastard and Porter, Two Brother's French Country Ale, Konig Pilsener, etc.) - Wonderful and friendly waitresses and waiters. Great service. - Cool art on the walls. The owner has a spare room full of paintings and they rotate them out every so often. They have live country music on some nights. I'm not particularly into that, but some people might be. The beer list, also while not particularly extensive, has some real winners on the list. I also can't stress enough how nice it is to get a bomber of Arrogant Bastard for $9. Go a few blocks down to Simone's and that same beer is $16!! If its your first time at Honky Tonk's and you're with someone else, I highly recommend trying the sampler platter. It's $30, and offers a half slab of ribs, a half smoked chicken, two "dinky dunkers": one pork and one brisket, a hot link , cole slaw, and two corn muffins. This is a good gambit of what they offer and will give you a chance to try everything and figure out what you like the best. I thought the ribs and chicken were decent, but liked the pulled pork the best. Also FYI, their BBQ is more of a memphis style dry rub, so if you like your BBQ well sauced, you'll have to do it to your preference at the table. All 3 sauces are pretty tasty! Whether to grab a beer and hang out or grab dinner with friends, this place is a winner.
(5)Elaine A.
Great food and such a fun atmosphere! The bar is so beautiful, and the live music added to the experience. The pulled pork and beef brisket sandwiches are absolutely delicious. The meat is so tender, juicy and full of flavor! It practically melts in your mouth. The ciabatta bread is a nice compliment. The sides are also just as delicious. Definitely loved the mac n cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, and corn bread. Can't wait for my next BBQ fix!
(4)Khadijah L.
Wow.. really not what I expected it to be. For many months I've heard nothing but raves for Honky Tonk BBQ, but I thought to myself, its BBQ! and I don't eat pork so the idea of BBQ is just 2nd choice for me personally. On my recent visit... 1. OH MY. what a beautiful interior!-- a food establishment rarely induces this reaction. It is very pretty inside. Not what I had expected from a BBQ place. 2. OH MY. The mashed potatoes are too awesome. For my main fare I ordered the beef brisket sandwich, as my BF recommends, and it smells really great (the dry rub spices). Now, I don't like the taste of beef so much, unless its soaked in a lot of juice and gravy. So this tastes very beefy to me and I would probably not get it again. I rather liked the BBQ chicken better. It has a great crispy outer skin and very moist inside. However, for the best roast chicken in the world, see this review: yelp.com/biz/rosa-de-lim… Save room for dessert because the peach cobbler is absolutely stellar!! I could just come here and eat 20 peach cobblers and forgo the BBQ altogether and die happy.
(4)Nathan W.
Addmitedly, I've been wanting to come here since I first heard about it on Check, Please! but hadn't had the occasion to for the longest time. We showed up right before dinner was starting, I guess they close between lunch and dinner sessions. Anyways, there are two things that I love about this place, their BBQ sauces and the lovely rockabilly girl at the counter with the bob hairstyle, candy-apple red lips and great tattoos. I split a sampler platter with my friend and the standouts were the chicken which was perfectly tender and I also really liked the cornbread that was also cooked to perfection. Our ~12 or so ribs were on the tough side and hard to eat. The decor is unique and feels like you are transported to a piecemeal texas roadhouse if I do say so myself. I have to say, I think I'm buying an A La Card set next year after the great deal we got here.
(4)Jen T.
A BBQ place that vegetarians can get into? totally awesome! I went to meet up with some friends who were in the area and who wanted pulled pork and rib tips or whatever. I was a little wary, but I'm so glad I gave it a chance! Between the delicious mac & cheese, cornbread muffins, and the annoyingly named but excellent "what your girlfriend wants" salad w/jicama, goat cheese, and blackberries, I was in hog heaven. They do have a vegetarian sandwich although it seems oddly fancy and un-BBQ, but I would love it if they ever felt like experimenting with a fake meat, old fashioned style BBQ sandwich -- they have (obviously) wonderful sauces!
(4)Six B.
love the meat, hate all the bread! lots of old timey live music that is FUN!
(3)Joe H.
I love BBQ and had heard that this was a must have in Chicago. I ventured over to Pilson for a birthday party and got some Honky Tonk. First off, as a Bar this place rocks! The bar tender was nice and there were two bands. Both of them were awesome, I will be back here drinking for sure. On to the food... I got some brisket and my GF got the pulled pork. I liked my brisket sandwich but my GF was not all that impressed with her pulled pork. The sauces were pretty good, and The mac & Cheese was ok. All in all I probably be more likely to come back to drink than to eat. But that being said I will definitely go back to try the "texas brisket chili with mac", my mouth is watering just typing that. I also intend on trying some ribs. I say give it a try if you like yourself some BBQ.
(4)Devin B.
We were at the art institute so pretty much a straight shot out from roosevelt. Got the "Viking" and the sampler (see photos). Both were really good and actually bbq'd not boiled. So far I would say only smoque would be better or comparable out of the ribs I have tried here. If you go early it is actually a really good place to take kids their noise gets drowned out by the general din. Our waitress Mona was really sweet and helpful and checked in several times never leaving us wanting anything. Oh yeah the funky decorations and odd oil paintings really add to the atmosphere.
(5)J.M S.
Fun atmosphere and tasty food if you're in the area.
(4)Escape C.
Absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Honky Tonk BBQ!!! This place is low-key, yet still lively and fun with an interestingly eclectic atmosphere. Remember people this is BBQ, a place to go to get down and dirty in the meat....it's not trying to be a "fine dining" establishment. One should know going in this is Memphis style bbq, aka cooked and served dry with sauce on the side. So if you like your meats cooked while drenched in sauce, this ain't your place. If you loved perfectly smoked meats that are so flavorful they don't even need the sauce, then Honky Tonk delivers! The pulled pork is award winning, smokey melt in your mouth, pure deliciousness. One of the best pulled porks I have had. The whole chicken is moist and tender, and just falls off the bones. I love their spicy sauce as well, especially with the chicken. This place is the real deal. If you want good bbq, look no further!!
(5)Alex E.
Do not order the baby back ribs or chili. The ribs were too dry and the chili was just plain awful. However, I would go back there for drinks and appetizers. The fried green tomatoes are delicious! They had a dj on friday night playing reggae music. Nice chill place overall though - nice atmosphere.
(3)Edgar D.
Stopped by here a few days ago and enjoyed a nice dinner. Even though Chuck's on 79th seems to get more fanfare, I have to admit that culinarily this place is much better. I would give them another star but the host was less than attentive when we arrived. As we walked in and asked for a table he cut us off to attended to someone else that showed up after we arrived. The dinner made up for it as I had the fried green tomato sliders which were tasty. My wife ordered small sides to mix it up. When we came here before we had their version of a sampler and it was more like a last supper. As much as we tried, between my wife and I we couldn't finish it. Some of the best 'Cue on the south side and like Schwarzenegger said "I'll be back."
(3)Katie H.
1) It's not BYOB anymore - they now have a full bar and 2) cash only Okay, now that's out of the way - hot damn that was good. Two "dinky dunkers" of pulled pork plus a shared side of mac n cheese was enough to fill me to bursting and the BBQ sauce was so good I seriously could have drunk it right from the bottle. Expect a wait (we waited about 20 minutes at 9pm on a Saturday) and expect some amazing BBQ.
(5)David R.
Wow, somehow this place lived up to my high expectations. That's rare. It wasn't quite perfect, but I'm rounding them up to five stars based on some intangibles such as the company and the experience: I simply had a hell of a great time. BYO doesn't usually entice me because I tend not to drink with dinner, but barbecue is the perfect cuisine to accompany with beer, and since I was having a small gathering, two six-packs suited us just fine. They brought an ice container for us to chill the stuff. How cool is that! I also liked the tag-team servicing; it helped contribute to the casual but welcoming vibe that was perfect for the occasion. I love the interior, although hard to describe. It's a little arty but very fun. Of course we mostly came for the food, which was excellent. On the first bite of my brisket sandwich, I called out to deities in which I don't even believe; by the third bite, I was weeping and speaking in tongues. Honestly, I didn't know whether to devour this sandwich or make love to it. Best brisket on earth. No sauce needed, but try it with the garlic/mustard for a bite or two. The brisket was the highlight, and the sandwich is plenty big for a full meal, but there was plenty o' gluttonizing left to do: Baby back ribs: Not quite as tender and fall-off-the-bone as I like, but solid (B) Pulled pork: They should call this "semi-pulled pork" because it is still in big chunks mostly. It works--I like the extra heft, and the meat is very, very good (A-) Beef chili: A bowl of savory fucking amazingness (A) Macaroni and cheese: A little boring; oddly, a light-contrasting option to all the meats, since they don't smother it in cheese as most places do (B) Cole slaw: Good to have something cool and light-ish, but this could use more zing (B) Corn muffin: Fluffy! (B+) Garlic/mustard sauce: Excellent, and went PERFECTLY on the brisket (A) Tangy bbq sauce: Very, very good, perhaps a bit more vinegary and less smoky than I like; went very well with the pork items (A-) Sweet bbq sauce: The weak link of the sauce trio (C) Banana pudding: I don't even have the words. I thought that I was full and could only eat a bite or two of dessert. Wrong! Nearly licked the bowl. (A) Hell, I even loved the plain roll that came with my rib dinner (different from the ciabatta on which the sandwiches are served). Hmm, anything else to say? Probably not. Awesome grub; fun, friendly place...a compelling, independent reason to trek down to Pilsen.
(5)Isabel G.
This is where I go after a long hard day and I want to treat myself to some brisket sandwiches. I get the Dinky Dunkers, both brisket. So heavenly good and afterwards top the meal off with banana pudding. You MUST try the banana pudding. I'm not much for pudding but this is pure heaven. Atmosphere is really charming, staff are friendly and attentive, and the place is just great. Sometimes it's crowded though I've never had to wait for a seat. They added more space which is just as great at the first room. Great BBQ, abundant art on the walls (my favorite piece is the Frida mural), friendly staff. Love it.
(5)DeaconMSA W.
I tried the St. Louis style ribs and the BBQ chicken. Both were very good. We also had some macaroni & cheese. At the end of our meal, a staff member (maybe the owner) came by and suggested we try the banana pudding for dessert. He offered to pay for it if we didn't like it. Needless to say it was as good as promised. Service was great as well. FYI, this is BYOB
(4)Dusty K.
Believe it or not, Honky Tonk was my first BBQ experience. **A small mob forms in the distance and a grizzly man approaches** Grizzly Man: "Are you telling me you never had Southern BBQ?" Me: "Yes, this was my first BBQ experience" Grizzly Man: "Son, you couldn't spot a great BBQ place if it fell out of the sky, landed on your nose, and did a little boogie!" **The crowd cheers it's approval** Ok, before you get on my case about...well about "that"...I want to say 2 quick things. First, I fully anticipate visiting places like Memphis, Kansas City, North Carolina, and the like over my lifetime to experience great BBQ. And second, I still know the difference between great food and bland food since my mouth is a fully functioning mouth quite capable of all it's mouthy duties. I loved Honky Tonk. The waitress we had was very upbeat and I felt she enjoyed working there. That's something you don't get very often these days. I also loved the 2 piece folk/blues music group that started playing at 7 PM the night we went. It definitely added that extra something to complete our experience. I ordered the half slab of the St. Louis cut ribs and split the brisket sandwich with my brother. The ribs were good but the brisket was delicious - an amazing smoky flavor. Also, I believe the owner won 3rd place at Memphis in May for his pulled pork. Next time I will be ordering that along with the beef ribs. The mac and cheese was okay but everyone seemed to really enjoy the banana pudding dessert. Give Honky Tonk a try. Even if you haven't been down South this place will provide a taste of something special a little North of BBQ country. Last note - cash only and BYOB!
(4)Happy Mama M.
This place is GREAT!!!! I am getting a little worried that Im getting addicted. I love the salad!! Its a fun atmosphere and great food. What else could you ask for? Oh, they have a bar too!
(5)Cara N.
I'm glad we waited until the post-Check Please frenzy blew over. This is definitely a ma and pa establishment. Pa even made a visit to our table to ask us how our meal was. We ordered the fried green tomatoes which were delicious. My hubby ordered the ribs and even though I haven't eaten pork in years, they were especially tempting! I had the beef brisket and loved it. Sometimes the beef options at BBQ joints are iffy, but Honky Tonk's brisket was outstanding. I haven't been there on a weekend yet, but I hear it gets pretty crowded. I'd like to check out the live music sometime and fill my belly with their awesome bbq!
(5)Michelle N.
Dry, smoky ribs. Yes, that's the style, but I prefer a moister meat. Good sauce options. Yummy, but overpriced empenadas--$10 for three pieces. Terrific bar, ambiance--a real honky tonk joint. Fun beer with candied bacon. Indifferent service.
(2)Jon P.
I've been on a BBQ roll lately, though not deliberately. After a long BBQ drought, suddenly I've been finding myself at a ton of BBQ places lately, which is fine by me. Before going here, I had never heard of it and had no expectations at all. That all changed once I pulled up to the building--its brick facade is gaudily painted black with red and yellow signage all over it. Interesting... I'm listening... Things were even more interesting inside. Its broken up into 3 sections: a small entrance/takeout area, a dining room and a bar. All serve their purpose. Since we were dining-in, we were seated in the dining room. What a weird room. With a mishmash of different chairs, tables, benches, doors, paintings and pictures everywhere, to say the room has an eclectic feel is a huge understatement. Ultimately, I don't know if I liked it, but hey, at least I'm talking about it? On to the food experience. The waitress was quick and attentive. Since I've been on a ribs kick and have had good luck with them lately, I decided to give them a go (half slab) with some mashed potatoes and a beer. Both of my friends ordered pulled pork sandwiches. After ordering, we must have gotten our food within 5 minutes. Fast is great, but sometimes food can come too fast. That's how I felt this time. That coupled with the fact that ribs can be eaten really quickly, I felt like I was done with my meal before I started. Overall though, I enjoyed my ribs. I don't say that often, so that alone says something about this place. I didn't come away loving it though. Everything came and went too fast. I really need to go again to get a better feel for everything.
(3)Melody L.
This place has great ambiance! A group of us went there on a Friday night. It's a great place for groups. They don't take reservations for groups under 6 or 8 (I don't remember) but if you show up a bit early, you shouldn't have a problem getting a seat. The food is good. I got the ribs, which were great. If you like your ribs to be fall off the bone, this is not the place for you. I like sauce, so it's great they have three sauces on the table. The sides are good, but the yams were a bit too sweet for me. My son loved the mac & cheese and garlic mash. I tasted the pulled pork, which I thought looked like brisket, but it was tasty. The peach cobbler was fantastic. Service was friendly. As the night went on, our server didn't rush us out. We had a nice leisurely dinner. It was enjoyed by all. Parking is not that easy, went around the block a couple of times. I hope to be back soon, but would like to try other BBQ places to compare!
(4)Shauna B.
Look, I'm just gonna say this: you can be too upscale for your own good. I mean, WHO really wants their pulled pork served on ciabatta? Gimme a cheap white hamburger bun any day of the week and keep your hard fancy-pants fight'cha-back bread to yourself. And I can't help adding this: when I pay $5 for fried green tomatoes and get a whole 4 slices in my order, it awakens all the math skills I thought I had forgotten after fifth grade. How much did you have to pay for that tomato that just one slice of it should cost me $1.25? You were robbed. I think I was, too.
(2)Colleen R.
Honky Tonk may not be the best BBQ in the city (ahem, Smoque), but its atmosphere is so welcoming and lively that I think it truly deserves 5 stars for the experience. Don't get me wrong -- the food is delicious. We sampled a variety of tasty goodies, from pork and brisket sliders to St. Louis-style ribs to the root beer float. The BBQ was juicy, tender and subtly smoky. No complaints there. Even when we didn't have food in front of us, though, Honky Tonk was a fun place to hang out. We chilled at the bar before our meal and listened to the live music playing while wetting our whistles, and once we were seated, the tunes wafting through the door to the large dining room kept the mood going. And our server was darling. While this place might not be a great place for quiet conversation, it's sure to perk you up for a night out on the town. On top of everything else -- they take A La Cards, and with the discount it's really a steal.
(5)ZZ K.
We went here after seeing them on Check Please and we weren't the only ones! We went on Sat (they don't open until 4pm). We got there early so we waited outside for about 20 minutes and were the first ones to place our to-go order (we opted to eat at home). Since this was our first time there we opted for the sampler (which has chicken, pulled pork, ribs, hot links (sausage) and beef brisket, plus corn muffin, slaw and beans. We also got an extra order of the brisket and pork on the ciabatta rolls (Dinky Dunkers). We waited inside while they put our order together and even walked around the restaurant - including the soon to be bar area. The place is certainly eclectic (including the umm...interesting bathroom). The staff was very friendly and we had cups of water while we waited - the bus boy there was super nice. They have music there in the evenings (probably only on the weekend), but we didn't stick around - I'm sure its great. My BF couldn't even wait until we got home and started rummaging through the bags right when we got in the car! We had a few bites and tore into the bags when we got home. The ribs, pork and brisket were great (in that order). The sauce that came with (the sweeter one) was really good, as was the coleslaw and corn muffin. We also had mashed potatoes and they were nice and creamy. The beans were by far the worst thing we got. The chicken was tasty and moist, and the hot links sausage was also pretty good but a bit on the spicy side. My BF has been craving some more of this deliciousness and I'm sure we'll be back soon. This place was very good and I would rank it up there with Smoke. Give em a try y'all! lol
(5)Alf O.
This place is amazing!!! The owners are such nice people, and Willie is a certified bbq champion. The food here is unbelievable, the decor is beautiful, and throw in some live music to make this place a very memorable experience. One of Chicago's treasures.
(5)Elizabeth T.
I find myself again wishing I could go with half-stars on here. I'd give Honky Tonk a solid 3.5 if I could. The sauces are quite possibly the best i have had in the city. So, so good. The meat from the ribs pulled right off the bone, which was awesome. The mac and cheese is yummy, location is great and decor wonderful. I do wish they offered beverages other than soda and water, but it IS BYOB, so I guess that's a mild complaint. Service is so-so and the chicken, while "okay" by my finace's standards, was a tad on the dry side. Overall, though--good stuff. Give em a try! Waaaay better than some other so-called BBQ joints in this town!
(3)