Fall is the best time of year to enjoy the patios at Chicago restaurants. They aren't crowded and the weather is cool without being cold. This is the time of year when the tourists have left, and Chicagoans reclaim the city. Last week Charles and I finally went to The Smoke Daddy, one of Chicago's most well known barbecue restaurants. It was a perfect fall evening, and it was so nice to take a break from writing the cookbook.
To be honest, I was trying my best to be in date night mode, instead of blogger mode that evening. It is easy to get wrapped up by the constant buzzing from Instagram, Twitter, Gmail, and WordPress on my phone. It can be hard to get my undivided attention. I was trying to be a decent blogger while still being a decent date. Running into our friend, who sat at the next table, made it easy for me to sneak in a couple minutes of blogger time. I was trying to be quick, and for that reason, I didn't go into the restaurant! I can't tell you anything about the interior. I can tell you that there are two beautiful outdoor spaces, the sidewalk patio and the open bar area. Both were busy without being crowded and the atmosphere was very relaxing.
I can also let you know that the food is some of the best barbecue I have had in Chicago. Charles had the Louisiana style ribs which were fall off the bone tender. They practically melted in your mouth. You have a choice of three barbecue sauces, a sweet, a spicy and the traditional. I tend to like barbecue sauces that have vinegar, but these were quite good. Charles had smoked beans on the side, which is something I would have never picked, but now that I have tried them I would certainly order them again. They have a deep smokey flavor. It was a unique side dish that paired well with the ribs.
I had the pulled pork sandwich and a side of mac and cheese. It was a considerable amount of food, especially considering the fact that it cost less than $10. The pork sandwich was huge. The pork was shredded and drown in the traditional barbecue sauce. It was fantastic. The mac and cheese might be the best in Chicago. It was very creamy and obviously very cheesy. It is a great take on a classic homestyle mac and cheese. I highly recommend you try it.
The Smoke Daddy is located at 1804 W Division Street in Chicago. The atmosphere is casual and the food is inexpensive. The crowd was a mix of young professionals and families. It is a fun place for a date or dinner with friends.
