mlm,

Seems a little empty, after 16 years, for me to offer condolences.  Instead I’ll express understanding for your long term feelings of grief and hope today is a better day for you.

On the Smoque front, again, what he said.

The owners really did their research before opening.  They traveled the country, visiting all the most respected ‘Que culture hot spots, including the Deep South, Texas, Kansas City, and Memphis, among others.  They kept their minds open and their mouths shut (a trait a few Roadfooders might want to adopt) and learned the craft well.  What they brought back to Chicago was a brand of BBQ that incorporated the best elements of all those Smoked Meat meccas.  Heck, they even import their Sausage from http://mikeska.com/whatsCookin.html Rudy Mikeska in Taylor, TX.

All of https://cdn2.nogarlicnoonions.com/images/thumbs/image.php/image_3cc9091c2146940778ab17544223c91d.jpg?width=2000&height=2000&image=/images/articles/2015-11/smoque-diner-chicago302015-11-06-04-01-53.jpg Smoque’s food is great, but they’ve built a loyal following on their https://www.google.com/search?q=smoque+bbq+brisket&safe=active&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjU8Jfyre7fAhUH0YMKHWsyDW8Q_AUIDygC&biw=1920&bih=925 Brisket.  It is consistently moist and flavorful, with just the right mount of delicious fat cap sitting on top.  If I’m in a “healthy” mood, I’ll go with their Chicken Salad.  It’s a massive base of Romaine topped with the juiciest smoked boneless-skinless chicken breast (in most cases, those last six words don’t even belong in the same sentence) I’ve ever had.  On top of that they scatter slow-roasted marinated tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion served with either the house vinaigrette ([strike]highly[/strike] strongly recommended) or ranch dressing.  One large salad will feed two.

The wedding reception CTD mention was my daughter’s (abe_froeman) and now son-in-law (Mr. Maki).  Smoque’s spread was met with overwhelming approval from both sides of the family and friends (of which, CTD was fortunate enough to be one).  Folks said it was the best wedding dinner they’d ever had.

Back to the fire, according to the article, the damage was minimal.  I don’t even think there were actual flames, just smoldering wood inside the walls.  The slow moving “fire” took hours before they even knew there was a problem.  See, that’s how good a ‘Que joint Smoque is: even the fire that closed them down was Low & Slow!

Again, sorry you’re experiencing so much grief and hope you’ll be feeling better soon.

Buddy

mlm – sorry to hear, that’s a plateload for sure!  Hoping the day improves and yep, I’d back Smoque as a recommendation.  

Does “Smoque” sound JUST a little pompous for a barbeque restaurant to anyone else or am I just being irritable today?….

Irritable…it’s a very good bbq restaurant with a nice selection of top shelf items.  

What he said.

Buddy

Does “Smoque” sound JUST a little pompous for a barbeque restaurant to anyone else or am I just being irritable today?….

Irritable…it’s a very good bbq restaurant with a nice selection of top shelf items.  

Good news of nothing major. And……before Screaming Sauteed Onion says it…”where there’s Smoque there’s fire” 

Does “Smoque” sound JUST a little pompous for a barbeque restaurant to anyone else or am I just being irritable today?….

Where there’s Smoque, there’s fire.

Thanks, guys. I know I’m distinctly crabby today and, seeing as how you all live in the area and have so much experience in restaurant dining, I’m glad to know it’s a good restaurant.

Some discerning Roadfooders may have even chosen it for their wedding reception….Even a “BBQ Expert”!!!

Wow. I definitely bow to y’alls judgement. Sorry. It blindsided me in the middle of the night last night that this is the anniversary of my mother’ death. Even after 16 years, there are times when it feels just as bad as it ever did. Plus, it’s cold and cloudy outside today. My feelings are looking for a target and “Smoque” was one of them. At least, I remembered to allow room for likely misjudgement.

Thank you, ChiTownDiner.

Thank you, BuddyRoadHouse.

Speaking of not being sure whether or not you smell smoke….  The other day at the grocery I began to smell something that seemed sort of like barbeque but also like something was getting too hot or beginning to burn. I went and spoke the store manager and it turned out that someone had accidently broken a “little bitty” bottle of liquid smoke and it was still perfuming the aisle even though they had cleaned it up! A ‘haunting’ scent for sure. I’ll have to be sure and never wear it as perfume![:0][:0][;)]