Honey 1 BBQ has been open at their new location on Western for over six months now. The Chicago food-media shine has turned its collective eye towards newer, shinier offerings. I've been eating Honey 1's BBQ for a while now, and I take a basket of tips and links over a dinner at the latest small-plate-concept-restaurant of the month, on any night.
After re-locating last year from the Austin neighborhood to the edge of Bucktown, Robert Adams Sr. has been manning his aquarium-style smoker with the precision of a clock-maker. This isn't Chicago-style boil-and-bake "bbq", this is real BBQ: slow and low over real wood with real smoke.
Robert Adams Sr. at the Smoker
Honey 1 Rib Tip and Hot Link Combo (sauce on the side)
There's a lot more to enjoy on this menu like slabs of spare ribs (if the tips weren't enough), deep-fried chicken wings (using the full wing), smoked turkey legs, a newly-added pulled pork sandwich, fries, fried okra, and more. My usual order is a large combo (which comes with fries). If there are more people with me, I'll add some ribs and maybe some wings to that order. The wings are rocket-hot, right out of the fryer, beware.
Honey 1 is no-frills dining at it's finest. No utensils, nothing fancy. Robert Jr. runs the front operations while his father is manning the smoker, and he keeps the place moving smoothly in a friendly, welcoming manner.
So, why write about Honey 1 now? Because it shocks me that they're not packed to the rafters, people I meet still haven't heard of the place, and that other people are still telling me that Fat Willy's has the best BBQ in that area. (Fat Willy's is a nice place with some good items, but they're not even in the same league as the Adams family). This is the best BBQ on the north side of the city, by far, and among the best in town.
Summer is coming and in my mind summer = BBQ. Not just grilling, but real BBQ. If you haven't learned to do it yourself, get your tail over to Honey 1. This is one of those gems in town that should be chock full of people, and it isn't.
Honey 1
2241 N Western
Chicago, IL
773-227-5130
Street parking is generally available. No booze and not BYOB, so have some BBQ and then walk up to Quenchers or down to the Map Room afterwards (it makes for a nice one-two combo, trust me). Honey 1 will cater large amounts of BBQ for your parties.
Photos courtesy of Gary Wiviott.
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