I've had some great dinners at Smokin' Woody's, which has relocated to an off the beaten path place. It was on Southport near Grace but had to move when the neighorhood got too trendy/expensive. As usual, the places that make the neighborhood have no business staying there. Smokin' Woody's in now on Lincoln about halfway between Irving and Montrose. I complained to Woody that since he doesn't have a hanging sign outside, it makes the place hard to spot. Its on the west side of Lincoln and has orange painted windows. If you approach from the north you'll see the "Woody Woodpecker"-like logo on the building, from the south you'll have to look carefully for the logo on the windows. Woody has some of the best Barbecue on the north side. He serves BBQ ribs, pork, and chicken with cole slaw and "Woody's Potatoes" - delicious boiled new red potatoes with skin on. The ribs are meaty and tender. The full slab is a large portion. The BBQ chicken is juicy and flavorful through and through. His barbecue sauce is tangy but not hot. The chili is some of teh best in town, very red and meatly, not hot at all. I throw in some of the Lousiana Red Sauce at the table. If some in your group don't want to have the red meat feast, he also has several salads on the menu. Last time I tried his deserts and had a great fresh Strawberry Nepolean. By the way, the logo shows "Smokin' Woody" with a cigarette hanging from his mouth. Don't be surprised if like I did, you come in when the place is empty and find the real Woody behind the counter with a cigarette hanging from his mouth. Give Smokin' Woody's a try! --Mike
Chicago, IL