If you take a few bites of Soul & Smoke’s tender brisket (or really any of their BBQ offerings), it’s easy to see why they operate at numerous places throughout Chicago.
Since 2015, Chef D’Andre Carter and Heather Bublick, co-founders of Soul & Smoke, have made a name for themselves when it comes to finding the best BBQ in Chicago.
The award-winning BBQ spot has operated from a historic barn once owned by the Robinson Bus Company, one of the largest Black-owned transportation businesses in the nation. And now, after years in the making, the team has expanded within this historic building to create Soul & Smoke’s first full-service restaurant.
Soul & Smoke opens its long-awaited Evanston flagship
When it opens, the revamped space will offer two refined dining experiences that blend Soul & Smoke’s signature comfort food with Chef D’Andre’s fine dining background, inspired by his years at Chicago’s iconic Moto restaurant, where Carter and Bublick first met.
By day, the restaurant showcases its well-known BBQ favorites such as Smoked Duroc Rib Tips, Brisket by the pound, Smoked Pastrami, Hot Links, Mac and Cheese, Cornbread, and more, all part of an all-day menu that extends into the evening.
At night, diners can enjoy an elevated dining experience with dishes including:
- Moto Oxtail Cigar: Smoked Oxtail, Collard Greens, Sesame Seed Ash (inspired by Carter’s mentor, Homaro Cantu)
- Pastrami Cheek Burnt Ends
- Bang Bang BBQ Shrimp
- Oyster with Green Tomato Chow Chow
Traditional Southern sweet treats with a twist, such as Sky High Sweet Potato Pie, curated by Consulting Pastry Chef Casey Doody, provide the perfect ending to the meal.
When visitors step inside, they will be greeted by an open kitchen and a smoker room featuring handcrafted A.N. Bewley smokers—rare in the Midwest. This design offers guests a behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship and care that define Soul & Smoke.
The flagship restaurant will officially open on September 1st—so make sure to pull up a chair and stay awhile.
