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During the day
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The tulips are in bloom, Chicagoans are riding bikes, and that tell tale “grill” smell is in the air. Spring is here, and for me that means barbeque. One of my favorite places to go for barbeque is
Smoke Daddy in the heart of Wicker Park.
Smoke
Daddy opened in the summer of 1994 and quickly cultivated a following.
My dining partner, Chrissie, and I met up at 6:00 on a Friday night and, fearing rain, decided to dine inside rather than risking alfresco in the quaint street side dining area. The indoor ambience is relaxed and welcoming with a slight retro twist. There are tile checkerboard floors, wooden chairs and a long bar lined with diner-style backless stools. The wall opposite the bar has a length of booths that, because of their one-foot platform, feel really cozy. The walls are covered in autographed pictures various celebrities, beer and spirit signs, and occasional quirky signs or accolades. For the sports fan there are three flat screens, all playing the latest sporting events. Behind the bar a case displays
Smoke Daddy’s famous sauces and their first cookbook titled Killer Ribs, all of which are for sale.
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Pictures inside Smoke Daddy
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We weren’t waiting more than a few minutes before they seated us at a table right by the bar. Our server greeted us quickly she gave us our menus and efficiently took our order. Wanting to try as much as we could but still wanting to be able to walk out of the restaurant, Chrissie and I settled on the
Smoke Daddy Rib Sampler the perfect way to try each of the slow-smoked ribs that are offered. You get generous portions of baby back ribs, rib tips, and spare ribs all for $21. 95; for $4.95 more we added a quarter of a chicken.
Smoke Daddy’s rib dinners all come with two sides, and we chose corn bread and sweet potato fries. While the two sides are included in the rib dinners, none of the sides are more than $3.50, so feel free to indulge.
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The Smoke Daddy Sampler
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If ribs aren’t your thing,
Smoke Daddy offers pulled pork, chicken, or brisket sandwiches or burgers ranging in price from $7.50 to $9.50; this price includes one side. If you are looking for something a little lighter, try a Daddy’s House Salad: mixed greens, apples, walnuts, and blue cheese topped with raisins makes a great starter or light entrée – $8.00.
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Good enough to eat
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Once we ordered our meals and drinks (Corona for her and a hard cider for me), we prepared to wait – after all it was Friday night and at 6:00 pm the place was already busy. Not even 10 minutes passed before we had all of our order in front of us. Our server explained the three different sauces offered at the table: Mustard BBQ, Molasses BBQ, and Mojo. Mojo is the sauce used on all the meats when cooked, but the others are so good they are a must try. On a side note the platter Chrissy and I shared was plenty for us with enough left to each take home a healthy sample to our significant others. You must, must save room for desert. At a place known for its dinners, I can say I would come back over and over just for the southern fried apple pie…think funnel cake folded over fresh baked cinnamon apples– $5.50.
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Inviting at night
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There is a small platform stage where local musicians play the blues every night of the week. There's not a bad seat in the house to see and hear the tunes, and late-night crowds hang out for the no-cover charge show.
773-772-MOJO
1804 W. Division Street Chicago, IL 60622
www.thesmokedaddy.com
Dine-in and Carryout hours:
Sunday - Wednesday 11:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Thursday - Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Want Daddy at home? Smoke Daddy delivers orders over $50.00.
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