Green Street Smoked Meats

I have been back here now several times. I really like it. The food is great and I really like the atmosphere. I do continue to think that the prices are high– I’m not sure what it is. Maybe its that its a la carte and by the pound etc. and maybe its just me– maybe I’m stuck in a kind of value meal mentality but I guess I want to get some ribs, some cole slaw, potato salad and a little sweet pickle with a Coke for around $ 15 — instead I end up with too much on the side and around a $ 30 bill. This isn’t really a complaint– I could share it and the price would go down, I could just get one side etc. but the great thing about this place is that its all really good stuff– truly– it tastes amazing. The people are friendly, serious about bbq and the place is fantastic.
I just need to make this a once in a while spot rather than a go to, regular spot because I can’t afford it as often as I would like.

Their sliced brisket and pork belly were amazing. For sides we went with the potato salad (definitely order this!) and the baked beans (also pretty tasty). I liked everything about this place. the food, the ambiance, the dining style (you walk up to the counter and they slice up your meat right in front of you, then you seat yourself)…the ONE thing I didn’t appreciate, this place is pretty pricey! Yes the quality of the meat is amazing, but prepare to spend about $ 60 for two people.

COST:
$ 10 – 15 (Various meats by the pound, you can get ½ or ¼ portions even)
About $ 5 sides (Get the broccoli salad!)
Having just checked out Smoque BBQ a few weeks ago, I thought this place couldn’t come close to that. Well sure enough, with some company and a few people, this actually worked out better.
I still prefer the brisket over at Smoque since they’re a little more well done, the brisket here is pretty good as well. The fats stay mostly intact and they’re very tender. The sauces are amazing as was the service.
The place is really nice. It’s got a casual/​divey theme going for it but it’s also VERY classy looking at the same time.
Great for big groups! Generous pours of alcohol as well. I will definitely be back!

BBQ should not require sauce. The brisket did not require sauce.
Thanks.

I was a little leery when this place was suggested, being that I am from Texas. However, I was pleasantly surprised. This place has a very cool atmosphere. Open seating. When we arrived we had a hard time finding a seat. Expected this being a Saturday night in downtown Chicago. So no big deal. The problem was they ran out of meat. This was at 6:15. I was so disappointed because I wanted to try the pulled pork. I ended up ordering chopped brisket and potato salad as my side. I do not regret this decision at all. It’s was awesome! I would for sure recommend checking this place out. Just be sure to get there earlier that 6:15 on Saturday :)

Treat yourself. The brisket is on point. Frito Pie for a little extra meat and some crunch. And the slaw’s perfectly pair as a refreshing little side.
If you’re feeling daring, try the pickle juice chasers with a shot of whiskey…
Great atmosphere, great beer selection, great music spun on vinyl.
Treat yourself.

Man, I love barbecue and Green Street smoked my expectations for the most part.
Belly up to the counter and order your meat by weight. Then your meat surgeon removes the proper item from its sleeping chamber and carves it right in front of you. They do have sandwiches and sides, but I chose to dive straight into the meat fiesta.
My selections…
* ½ lb. of ribs (which works out to 4 – 5 ribs) — Very meaty. Sometimes you get ribs that don’t have much meat on them, but Green Street packs on the pork. I do prefer the kind that fall off the bone, but these are not those kind. You’ll definitely have to bite down to free each morsel.
* ¼ lb. of sliced brisket. — Good, moist, tender. Solid flavor.
* ¼ lb. of sliced pork belly — Punch my ticket to paradise. This is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in Chicago! It’s like huge slabs of bacon-​y goodness, but so tender. Every bite was phenomenal. I’ve never seen sliced pork belly on a BBQ joint’s menu before, but I will never be able to shake the memory of this magnificent meat. Fantastic. Mouth-​watering. Flavor explosion.
* Apple crisp — Kind of a letdown. The crumbly oat-​y granola-​y goodness on top was dry and very difficult to penetrate. Made me miss my mom’s recipe…
One downside is the price. You will get hammered for this dining experience. It’s definitely a premium stop.
All the employees were very friendly and the atmosphere was warm with dim lighting and exposed brick and picnic table-​style seating.
I still think Q BBQ on Diversey is Chicago’s barbecue king, but Green Street makes a strong case as its prince.

Came here on a quiet Saturday afternoon. Always up for some good barbecue… The décor and seating was wonderfully rustic, not a tin panel out of place. I liked how they had their wood stacked behind a fence near the kitchen too. It’s too easy for a BBQ place to imply smokehouse while really just boiling, grilling and saucing them (I’m lookin’ at you, Hickory River and Portillos).
I got the pulled pork sandwich and my gal pal got a half slab of ribs. The pulled pork was quite good, the Cole slaw was tangy and delicious (not that creamy, diced monstrosity that cheap fried chicken joints have) and the bun that held it all down was good too. The ribs were good, you could definitely taste the dry rub, but they were nowhere near «falling off the bone» tender. A definite winner was the elote style corn. Man that was a fantastic side, rich and creamy.
Anyways, around 40 bucks per person for decent BBQ in Chicago gets a solid 4 stars. It’s good for what and where it is, but can’t compete with the tenderness and flavors from BBQ havens like St. Louis, Memphis or anywhere in Texas.

The food: ⁴⁄₅. I can’t call myself a BBQ connoisseur nor do I take it too seriously. However, I tried 3 kinds of their meats along with coleslaw and liked all of it. Their coleslaw doesn’t have any mayo in it, which I personally love. I’d come back to try their salmon too.
The service: ⁵⁄₅. I loved the ambiance there. It’s all large community tables with benches, you get in a long line that circles the bar where you can order drinks as you wait.
Overall: 4.5÷5. A cool BBQ spot to check out.

All I’m saying that it’s a good thing this place isn’t in my neighborhood because I would be at this place every week. Yum!

It’s cool bbq joint with some nice craft beers. Long picnic style tables offer communal seating. Don’t worry too much the tables are pretty big so you still have personal space. You order the food cafeteria style and plunk yourself down at a table or the bar. Some tvs on the wall plus 2 big projection screens for games. The food is pretty good but basically it’s a chill spot that’s not pretentious and the staff has always been helpful and energetic.

The prices are «expected» for BBQ, although for this cheapass, it’s rather pricey for me. Since visiting Austin last summer, I’ve been on a smoked brisket frenzy, and this place sells it by the pound. I got a 0.5 pound of brisket, which can with bread. Add a side of potato salad and you should be nice and full.
The brisket was smoked perfectly, with the right amount of fat and meat. Very flavorful. The potato salad was «meh», but seriously, I’m here for the meat! (that’s what she said)
The staff behind the counter were super friendly and funny.

Absolutely great! This place makes no effort to be anything other than *the* spot in Chicago for the tastiest meat. The pastrami is usually just carved and served, but its even better when you put it on a grilled roll and mix with the sides… and just about any side will do. Fritos and chili? Of course. Sausages are perfectly cooked with slightly crisp casings. Too good not to get at least one.
Ambiance is very cool – picnic tables that have ample supplies of much-​needed paper towels. A nice place to wind down with no faux chic attitude.
Highly recommend and will return. May even make a trip back from out of state!

Chicago has always been a big beef town, but also been a deep rooted drinking town. Aside from all the high end steakhouses, nothing says America more than a high end BBQ joint serving drinks.
First off it’s not too classy that they don’t have wine, but they only have a red and white. They aren’t too classy to not carry Shiner Bock, Banquet, but ARE classy enough to 12+ local or craft beers, even offering a Pitcher. The drinks aren’t super duper classy overall, but they do offering some classy ingredients, just not expertly made. How is it that the hard to find Mexican Fernet Valet is hard to find in Socal, but I see it here, of course I split the pitcher with a buddy.
The menu is as easy as it comes, order by the ½ pound, a half dozen available. And then items less than a dozen. 5 sandwiches, been ribs, chicken leg, and a frito pie.
The décor is kind of cool, more countryish than I had hoped, but it’s BBQ and more southern than I thought. Service is good, they know you’re here for a good time and to get dirty with industry.
Stay away from the pickles, they are overpriced and overbrined to properly go with BBQ, but on the sandwiches they are pretty good. Baked beans were bland, no heat or earthiness. Slaw is pretty classic as is the potato salad and highly recommended, I actually mixed the macaroni salad and thought if they only did this premade. You must order extra white bread.
They are progressive in offering salmon, bone in though, flakey, but bland. The chicken could use more marinade and more smoke. Minimal smoke ring. Brisket is fatty and tender, crusty with bark. Pulled pork is shredded a little too much and could use some finishing sauce. Pork ribs are money, not too sweet, but fall off the bone. Beef short ribs are tender and rich.
I love the butcher paper and heavy duty trays. The sweet BBQ sauce is better than the tangy-​er versions and goes great with all the meats, but best with to me brisket and the hotlinks, which coincidentally is the warren moon. I actually kind of like it on the pastrami too.
This is the hospitality group’s Hogsalt does an amazing job here with great staff, great vision and impeccable execution. Many top notch places rely solely on extraordinary food with Walmart level everything else, but not here. I have yet to not 5 star any of their projects. Similar to my hometowns Consortium Holdings in that regard.

So while in chicago for business, we had lunch. Took the customer to this gem of a spot. It’s down an alley of cobble stones between two buildings with plenty of seating. Get inside and see a very casual dining area & bar as well as where to order. We don’t hestitate to order some succulent meats! Ribs? Brisket Sausage Pork Belly Salmon oh yeah & some sides (corn, macaroni salad)
All the meats were great. Smoke flavor wasnt over done. I’m honestly not sure what was better, the pork belly pr the salmon! Both were a treat from the big smoker in the corner of the resturant. I didnt get enough… The greed monster came out. This carnivore will return. I left happy

I didn’t to eat here as I was just sent upstairs to wait on a seat for High Five Ramen. In the short time I was here, sipping on a super spicy michelada, this definitely seems like the place to grab some BBQ.
First, the décor of the restaurant is mesmerizing. The hanging lights, cool zombie figure elevated above the bar, and the beer sinks distinguish it from any of the bars I visited in the area. Aside from the décor, the excitement within the bar gives it a feel good ambiance.
I would love to have chance to try their BBQ while enjoying some drinks there, but I live in LA so who knows if that’ll ever happen. Wishful thinking…

Green Sreet Smoked Meats is a fairly accurate rendition of an Austin style BBQ joint.
Meats are sold by the half pound and include brisket (sliced or chopped), pulled pork and hot links. They also have pork or brisket sandwiches, salmon and sometimes chicken among a few other things. Sides include the classics like slaw, macaroni salad and beans.
It’s mega casual. Cafeteria style service, paper boats for the food, rolls of paper towels on the picnic tables and tubs full of bottled beer. You
Line up, place your order and find a seat at a bench either indoors or out. The space is raw and cavernous but it fits the bill perfectly. You have to walk down a cobblestone alley to find the entrance. It almost has a fake Disney themed feeling going on except that it’s mostly legit.
They have vinegar, sweet and spicy sauces should you want them but none of the meats require extra sauce.
The sandwiches are large while a half pound of ribs is only about 3. So your looking at a pound for a hungry adult or one sandwich. The quality is there and it’s all executed very well. It may not be 100% Texas authentic but it’s close and it tastes great.
It gets crowded at peak times and it is expensive. For a couple sandwiches, some drinks and a side you can hit $ 50 which seems a bit high.
All told though well worth a visit.

Came here on a Friday evening after putting my name on the High Five Ramen waitlist. It was a two to three hour wait, so there was plenty of time to grab some delicious smoked meats (pork ribs), elote («this corn is like an angel» — if you know what movie that’s from, you are awesome… but seriously, this corn was heavenly), and some beer (Revolution’s Rosa Hibiscus Ale was the choice of the evening). The pork ribs were cooked perfectly and were flavorful. I ate them just as they were and didn’t need to add any condiments. Meats are sold by the half pound, which is enough for two share as an appetizer while you’re waiting for ramen. The interior is rustic and has a hipster vibe, but it’s warm and inviting. The bartender was very friendly, and replaced my beer after a spider landed in it (not sure how that happened).
I will definitely return to try the pulled pork, smoked salmon, and some of the other sides (they all looked really good). Green Street Smoked Meats is really delicious and unpretentious. Just the way Texas style BBQ should be.

The human body is genetically predisposed to crave salt, fat and sugar. Biologically, we need the «big three» for many reasons.
Fats provide us energy, carry certain vitamins throughout our system, insulate us from cold. Certain fats help lower cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoproteins etc.
Sugar, ultimately converts to glucose which is the primary, most efficient and preferred energy source by our brain and thus why we’re always craving cookies, chocolate and other little treats. Our brain is always sending out SOS signals for us to feed the beast…, to the detriment of our waistlines and butts if we’re not careful and diligent.
Salt, contains sodium which regulates blood pressure, supports nervous system function, enable water retention, maintains electrolyte balance and prevents muscle cramping etc.
So where am I going with this? Stay with me.
There is something in the food industry called the «Bliss Point», the point at which salt, fat and sugar are scientifically perfectly combined to stimulate and achieve human craving for more. Try eating one Pringle, nacho, one piece of bacon, chocolate, Oreo etc.
Well, whether by accident, design, conspiracy or otherwise, Green Street came dangerously close to nailing my Bliss Point and sending me back for another round of some mighty fine bbq’d meat. But for the decent sized portions and the long line snaking through the joint to order, I may have inhaled my perfectly bbq’d pork ribs and gone back for some pulled pork or brisket. The Broccoli Salad, also contains the big three and was delicious. Don’t miss the sauces. My fave was the spicy bbq.
Great space and very nice friendly people working there. Good sized bar, Ok selection of beers and lesser selection of generic «sink beers» which you can grab when waiting on line.
Pseudo hipster West Loop crowd. Music is good and loud so you can’t really hang and talk, which maybe is by design as they need to keep turning the communal picnic table seating over to accommodate the crowd and demand.
I’m sure the place gets going pretty good later in the evening but, that’s for another review.

Yummy BBQ with an awesome venue.
Food is served cafeteria style. We came on a Friday night and the line took about 45 minutes to get through, but the nice thing is the line is situated around the bar, so you just hang out sip on beer/​cocktails as you inch closer to the prize! The line actually moves pretty quickly and waiting 45 min on a Friday at 7:30 doesn’t seem so bad in the West Loop. You really don’t notice the wait since it feels like you’re just hanging out in a bar.
As for the food, yum yum yum. We ordered the beef brisket (sliced), pork belly, pulled pork and the Hot Link. All of the meat was perfectly cooked and so well seasoned that it didn’t need any additional sauces. The pork belly dissolves in your mouth but isn’t too fatty either, which I think is perfect. I would recommend all those meats. For sides, we ordered the broccoli salad and the macaroni salad, which were both great additions to the meats. This easily fed three people and costed $ 67.
The location, ambience and style of the restaurant really brought it all together and I loved it. It has a rustic/​farmhouse type feeling with large picnic tables and string lighting from the ceilings. There is a lot of outdoor patio seating which is also lit by string lighting, making an awesome vibe, especially at night. It shares the back alleyway with RM Champagne salon, so it’s off the road and you can forget you’re in Chicago when you’re back there!
Next time I’m having a meat craving, you’ll know where to find me. Just bummed I only found it at the end of the summer when I have limited time to enjoy the patio!