These guys have been on our weekly lunch rotation for the last month, and i am SO HAPPY. 1 star off because: 1. Beans are rather bland (several times: not isolated experience) 2. Last time I had their brisket it was not fatty and very dry. That said 5 stars for: 1, Their AMAZING mac and cheese. 2. That their brisket and pulled pork are usually SO GOOD. 3. Their sauce, which is GOLD. read more

The beef brisket platter was very good and probably some of the best I have had, especially in the Midwest. I had the North Carolina barbecue sauce and it did not overpower the smoky meat flavor. The North Carolina sauce is vinegar based. As far as lunch service goes, the operation runs smoothly. I was in and out the door in about 20 minutes. read more

Brisket and mac and cheese are a must for me at this place. Doesn't matter if it's in a salad, by itself, or in a sandwich. I think those are the two best items here. I've also met the owner before and he is a really nice, down to earth guy. By far the best BBQ available in the Loop. read more

If you're expecting Texas BBQ, lower your expectation. Yes, this is great BBQ for the loop - because it's the only BBQ in the loop. Cornbread is a must. Not very consistent. read more

Not sure how someone couldnt give 5 stars if they went to Blackwood BBQ. There is nothing like this in the loop and for that matter in the city. I had the pulled pork, memphis style and I love it. I thought the portion size was just perfect. I didnt feel hungry nor did I feel like I had overeaten. I thought the sauce was spicy and had great flavor. Because I like to eat, I had all three sides. The cornbread was moist and had great flavor...quite possibly the best cornbread I have ever had. The mac & cheese was really great as well. My only complaint was that I wish I could have had a bigger bowl. That was solved when I ordered some to take with me. The baked beans were very good but once you have the cornbread and mac & cheese there was not any room for other sides. Lastly, the staff was extremely helpful and friendly. They seemed very eager to connect with the customers in order to cure any issues and obtain feedback. If you love BBQ, this place is a must! read more

I received a nice note the Director of Operations that acknowledge my less than ideal experience and that it was pretty busy morning. I received this note almost immediately and I appreciated the promptness. I have been twice since and had a much better result. I noticed that they did have ropes set up for a queue in case things got busy - so not only does Blackwood notice my earlier review, they acted on it. I am a big fan of Blackwood and I am chalking my earlier experience as a one-off event. read more

Smoked sausage was great with the spicy Kansas sauce, cornbread was amazing as well. Although the Mac n cheese was a bit hard and dry, good place. I Would come back. read more

For a loop lunch spot this food is delicious. They have an array of BBQ sauces to choose from in a chipolte-esque set up where you add ingredients and sauces to whatever entree you order. For a quick and go BBQ place, this place is fabulous (but do not expect some good sit-down BBQ). One thing they have that would be amazing where ever you got it was the baked macaroni and cheese, with a crusty bread crumb top and creamy macaroni and cheese base- it is unbeatable. read more

The best beef brisket I've had in a VERY long time!!!! I came at about an hour before they closed. I was a little concerned that I was going to get the leftover scraps of what was left but I received fresh tasty barbecue goodness. The staff were pleasant and informative. I had questions about the sauces being that this was my first time.. I did end up getting the Chicago style sauce which was tasty. The only reason why I have this place 4 stars instead of 5 is because the side of macaroni and cheese did seem a little dry and I can only assume that's because it was the last for the day. I'm sure it's awesome when it's fresh!!! read more

I had the brisket platter. The meat was tough...so much so that it gave me a stomach ache. I stopped eating it mid way through because it was no longer edible. The mac and cheese was decent (that topping was a turnoff). The sauce was good. I actually think the meat would've been much better if it were cooked for a longer period of time. This type of bbq requires low and slow, which was lacking here. I won't be back. Still on the hunt for a good bbq place in the city. read more

Wow!!! This place is fantastic. Had the brisket sandwich with a side of slaw and all the flavors are just divine! Will be frequenting much more often! read more

Oh we welcome you bbq joint to the loop! My coworker and I have been hearing our boss rant about bbq for a bit and thought that this would be perfect for Boss' Day. Oh how fitting it was. We tried to get there before the noon time rush, and there was a small line. The nice thing is that the line goes pretty quick, and the staff has a good assembly line going, except the cashier must have phased out a bit forgetting my lemonade so I had to ask her to about it. I got the beef brisket and was able to try the Kansas City bbq sauce and the South Carolina Surprisingly I liked the SC better than the KC. I was trying to be good listening to the voice inside my head that was telling me to go with the baked beans for the protein and it being healthier than the mac and cheese carb option, but the gluttonous me won and I got the mac and cheese and coleslaw. Both were pretty delicious. They need sweet tea and some desserts and then it would be perfect. I was saying afterwards how some peach cobbler or bread pudding would have totally made my day. read more

Great food and great customer service! I had the tacos and I wanted to go back for more!! I would recommend anybody to go

This is one of my favorite breakfast spots in Chicago. The brisket hash over eggs/potatoes is something special. BBQ to start the day isn't for everyone... But give it a try. read more

I just recently started working in the Loop and barbecue soon found itself on my brain. I had heard good things about the newly minted Blackwood and was eager to check it out. It's a small place and you will easily find yourself in an out-the-door line if you're there anytime around lunch hour on a weekday. Alas I've been back three times for the Loop's best Q and some of the finest brisket (comparing with Smoque, Lillie's, etc.) I've had anywhere in Chicagoland. I love that you can order a platter as just plain meats, a sandwich or a salad. Kinda Chipotle style as you walk through the line, but the quality is still personal and top-notch. The brisket salad, surprisingly enough, is my favorite choice and will help you feel a little less guilty about a slightly gluttonous meal...because you remembered to eat your greens and all. read more

there was a huge line, but it moved fast. pulled pork sandwich was delicious, though the bread was bagged bread, i think toasting it would have made it better. the cole slaw addition is a must. i tried the cornbread, mac&cheese, and beans. the beans were the best, unique and flavorful. the other sides were pretty good. read more

Blackwood BBQ - Pulled pork, mac & cheese, cornbread, beans are covered with foil - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was really disappointed at the brisket. I have been to Blackwood before and the brisket was always tender with a good smoke flavor. Today it was tough, dry and had no flavor at all. if not for the Chicago Sauce, I probably would have thrown out the brisket. Also the side of coleslaw was miniscule! I will probably not go back--instead I am going to Smoque--bigger portions, lower price and more tender and flavorful! read more

4 of us got take out for lunch. I had the brisket with the mustard q sauce and Mac n cheese, it was fantastic. The others had pulled pork, brisket, and Mac n cheese, put it this way, today we enacted Blackwood Thursdays on the job. Can't wait until next week! read more

For one of those office lunches that I am periodically forced to attend, we ordered Blackwood BBQ. I had the pork salad, which was good. But several people ordered brisket and it was really fatty. They also forgot our cornbread. The mac & cheese was good but not earth shattering. read more

Went at 1:45 so not much of a wait. Had a chicken salad with Chicago and St. Louis BBQ sauce. Nice amount of chicken (no fatty pieces), filled me up and was about $8 with tax. Close to my office so I'm sure to add this to my rotation. read more

I came here for lunch the other day with some coworkers. I had the salad and it was just OK. No avocado which for a BBQ salad is kind of odd- its basically just pulled chicken or pork with a few veggies. Next time I'll do the platter but I would come back here for a great salad if they added more ingredients down the line! read more

I've been twice. The brisket is some of the best i've add in the city. They recently started asking which cut you want...medium, lean or fatty. So awesome. The fact that you can watch them cut you your meat is great. I get the chicago sauce and the north carolina sauce. Both are really good. All the sides i've had are excellent including slaw, mac, beans (chucks of meat mm). Lemonade was excellent as well. As for the prices, I think they are average. Brisket, two sauces, slaw, mac, bean for $10.30. Chicken was moist but nothing that wowed me. I'll go back and try the pork soon. I do wish they had a combo of all their meats then I would have given 5 stars. Menu is extremely simple, just how it should be. Don't expect to eat in there, the place is pretty small but who cares the food is great. read more

The brisket is phenomenal. The bread is substantive and complementary. Coleslaw was crisp and tangy, and the cornbread was delicious, specked with pieces of real fresh corn. But the baked beans are really perplexing and you should go and skip them if you're expecting anything rich or deeply flavored. I imagine it has to be some style of making baked beans that I'm not familiar with, but they come in a thin, watery sauce along with pieces of bell peppers. Either way I wasn't expecting it, and you'll be better off getting one of the other better sides. read more

Pulled pork sandwich was excellent and the Mac and cheese with the crispy top is wonderful. I'll definitely be coming back to try more of the menu read more

Stopped by for a very late lunch, needed something quick and this was in the back of the building I was visiting. Didn't have any sides available but what do you expect when you get there 30mins till closing. Got a pulled pork salad with everything. Had a hard time choosing the sauce but went with the North Carolina. It was so good! Would be nice if we had one of these in NYC, preferably by my office. Just wish the portion was larger. read more

Awesome service, very knowledgable, gave good recommendations. The sauces are incredibly good! Get more than one sauce on your meat selection for a mix of flavors. Staff were very friendly. They even do good salads for those doing low carb or keto diets. Definitely A+! read more

I'm a Tennessean who is picky about barbecue. I am thrilled that I live only 3-4 blocks from some of the best BBQ that I've experienced anywhere! My partner got the brisket salad and loved it. I got the chicken platter with slaw and mac-n-cheese, and couldn't be happier. The employee (I didn't get his name) recommended mixing the Alabama and South Carolina sauces, and it was amazing! Quick, friendly service at fantastic prices ... We WILL return! read more

"Chipotle" assembly line style BBQ. I'm used to portions being bigger for BBQ, but I guess...for being in the city, it's not too bad? I would rather chipotle it. Got the platter of pulled pork with Kansas City style sauce. The meat itself did not wow me. Tried the brisket and thought it was just right on the tenderness. However, in regards to the meat's standalone "smokiness" and flavors , I was not impressed at all. Sauce clearly saves the package IMO. Standout items to me were the Mac and cheese with crumbs and baked beans. read more

I can't believe this place has flown under my radar for so long! Wow is all I have to say. I've been to a few other places for BBQ but Blackwood gets it right the first time. I ordered the beef brisket sandwich and it was very tasty. Just the right amount of salty, savory, charred goodness. The bun was also just right. Cole Slaw, good. Corn bread, just right, not too sweet. Service is quick considering I had to stand in line outside at peak lunch hour, but the line went very quickly. Overall, I will definitely add this to my weekly spots to hit while at the office. read more

Great service - everyone is nice and helpful! Food is just ok.

Great lunch experience. When my friend and I walked in, we got a resounding greeting from everyone. Once they knew we were new, they started piling samples in front of us to have us try. We settled on a brisket platter w/ a side of slaw, mac n chz, and corn bread (on them). The brisket was tender - equal part fat & lean. The mac was had a crusty top with an ooie gooie filling (wish there was more). Yummy crunchy apple based slaw. And the white choc macadamia was the perfect ending. read more

Amazing, amazing, amazing! I was visiting over the weekend from Boston...didn't expect to be eating bbq in Chicago but I am so glad I did! The line was pretty long but we went towards lunch time so it was expected. Don't let the line stop you from waiting it moves quick and you get your food right away. I went with the 'smokey woo woo' which came with two dog and was AMAZING! I'm craving this as I'm tying this...please open one in Boston! read more

Their online ordering was a complete joke (last time I used it). The order was placed and I got a confirmation e-mail, but got to the place ten minutes late to find that my order was not even received. To top it off, it took then another ten minutes before they even started to make my order. In the end, what I got was not impressive. I guess my standards were a lot higher and I think this place is busy because there are not really many other options. Most of my co-workers like this place, but different strokes for different folks. read more

Massive portions at an amazing price. Your choice of numerous delicious barbecue sauces. Homemade Mac n cheese and cornbread on the side. This place is a downtown lunchtime hike run! read more

OMG SO GOOD. If you want BBQ in the loop, this is the place for you. Friendly staff, quick service, and delicious food. I split the pulled pork with chicago sauce and brisket with kansas city sauce. Both were amazing, the brisket melts in your mouth and is out of this world! read more

Excellent lunch spot in the Loop. Nothing too fancy, just a quick in and out place that serves great food. Have had the brisket (melt in your mouth tender) and the pulled pork (giant serving) so far along with the beans, cornbread and mac-n-cheese. While the sides are a bit small, the sauces are on point, the service is both quick and friendly, the prices are downright affordable considering other options in the area. Looking forward to many a return visit. read more

yummm yum yummy yum yum! I had the brisket with Kansas City Sauce and OMG I can't stop making noises while I eat. Caveat, I don't eat much BBQ so I am by no means an expert, but this is friggin delicious! Ten bucks approximately, totally worth it. The line was pretty long but it moves super fast, so be patient. You will be happy. I might ask for an extra side of sauce next time, but really, the brisket is still juicy and smoky. It's the kind of thing you eat slowly and savor each bite. Which cause you to eat less, which causes you to lose weight, which is a win win! read more

Umm think Chipotle, but cheaper and BBQ. The South Carolina sauce is great and platters under $8.00??? Apparently there is a god. Side note, this place gets really really busy, come before the lunch hour rush or afterwards, or be prepared to wait in a line literally outside the door. read more

Good stuff. Meat was good(had the Brisket platter), portions were right on, quick service, clean and good value. Adding this to my rotation. Platters great if you are trying to reduce carb intake. read more

Outstanding barbecue and sides. They smoke it right on the premises and have brisket, pulled pork and chicken available, either standalone or as part of a salad of sandwich. Five very different delicious BBQ sauces available, from sweet to hot to vinegary. The sides are fabulous, my favorites are the mac & cheese, beans and cornbread. Homemade lemonade is the topper. Fast service which is good because the line usually goes well out the door at lunchtime. read more