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    Woo Chon Restaurant

    4.1 (230 reviews)
    PriceyKorean, Barbeque
    Open 12:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    WOO CHON RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Woo Chon Restaurant

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    Reviews With Photos - Woo Chon Restaurant

    Kbbq
    Laurina Y.

    Great charcoal Korean bbq up north in Chicago! The galbi was marinated so deliciously and quite tender as well and we also got an assortment of beef and pork. The prices for the meat were a bit high, around $35 per order and soju was $15. Overall a bit expensive but it's hard to find good Korean bbq in Chicago!

    Jessica C.

    If you're craving authentic Korean BBQ in Chicago, Woo Chon is a must-visit. The experience is just as fun as it is delicious -- from sizzling meats on the grill to the occasional burst of fire that makes the meal feel like dinner and a show. The meat quality is fantastic -- tender, flavorful, and perfectly marbled. The beef practically melts in your mouth, while the pork belly crisps up beautifully on the grill. The side dishes round out the meal with that signature Korean balance of spice, tang, and crunch. The atmosphere is cozy but lively, making it a great spot for a casual night out with friends or family. Be ready to get a little smoky (and maybe even caught in a fire flare-up like we did ), but that's part of the charm of real Korean BBQ.

    Feels homey, the charcoal grills are simply better than the gas grills at other places... the cuts of meat here are high-quality, combined with great service.

    Fire pit
    Natalka K.

    First time having Korean bbq and wow! I've seen it on tv but never have experienced until now. Came with my friend and this was something. We had the pork belly and beef that we cooked on the grill over the bucket of coals that they bring out to your table. They brought out sides like kimchi, salad, broccoli, and other little dishes to accompany your meat. It was all delish! The waitress came over and started the grill for us and then it started filling up with more people coming, so we came at a good time. The restaurant itself had booths along the wall and tables by the windows that have the opening for the coals. Nice place!

    Jonathan Y.

    The space is dated and dingy. there is a small parking lot out back. Not a lot of customers though so plenty of space. The server was attentive, checking in periodically and taking care of the meat whenever she came by. Pricing was steep for the meats, but you get what you pay for and both the quantity and quality of the meat was very good. The soups and noodles were reasonably priced and tasted great. A great alternative, and in my opinion better choice than the competition nearby.

    Pork belly
    Stacey H.

    Tastes good but a bit pricey, though everything is shareable portions! If you order kbbq, it's cooked on a charcoal grill, which gives it more of a smoky flavor. The kalbi was great but I wouldn't order the pork belly again. I preferred this meal with rice and eating the meats with the kimchi that's included in the bonchon (small side dishes). Fast service and lots of standard bonchon dishes as well as salads. There are private booth areas which is nice. A typical family-owned Korean restaurant--authentic.

    We love a charcoal grill!
    Andrew P.

    Another KBBQ spot in Chicago marked off my list, and I am greatly surprised by the fantastic service, warm & welcoming staff, and the quality of the meat. It's definitely on the pricy end and it does seem like they've recently raised their prices, but who hasn't? Inflation is costing us all a lot to dine out now. I see this place as the kind I would come to maybe on a bi-monthly basis because for two people, with three orders of meat (tongue, ribs, and brisket) and two Soju bottles, it came out to $150 not including the tip. Totally worth it though if you're ready to spend that kind of money. The tongue here is DELICIOUS. Great quality, and it's hard to even find tongue at a KBBQ spot in the greater Chicago metropolitan area, so kudos to this restaurant for offering it. Also, you can NEVER go wrong with a charcoal fire to cook your KBBQ. It's the best way too cook this tasty meat. Just keep in mind that you will have to cook it quick and eat it kind of quick because you don't want the grill just chillin' with fire and getting burned quicker. The server who assisted us for most of our experience was extremely friendly, and we actually forgot a credit card in the bill, and she ran outside and knocked on our car door window across the street to return it to us. So sweet! If you're looking for great service and excellent meat quality, make your way to Woo Chon BBQ in Budlong Woods! Just expect to pay a pretty penny.

    Veggie pancake
    Cheryl W.

    Excellent Korean BBQ. The quality of meat and seasoning was all on point. I wish they had more banchan and wish the banchan was unlimited. The veggie pancake was crispy and had good flavor. I wish they had the seafood pancake available. The service was a bit rushed but it was nice the ladies there helped cook the meat.

    Galbi with assorted side dishes
    Emily M.

    If you're in the mood for Korean barbecue, make your way to Woo Chon. This is definitely a hidden gem. The food is amazing and better than other Korean barbecue that I've had nearby, and the prices are even better! My friends and I have been trying different Korean barbecues around Chicago and this is our (newly discovered) favorite! I've come here probably five times in the last two months with my friends and we've always tried something new each time. A favorite is the Goon Man Doo (dumplings). They've been flavorful each time and a great appetizer to start with before the meat, grill, and side dishes arrive at the table. My favorite meats to get on the grill are Galbi and the spicy pork belly. You can't go wrong with either! The side dishes were also delicious. Some of my favorite are their homemade salad, cucumbers with kimchi, and noodles. Also, always ask for sesame oil and salt to dip your meat in! Getting Korean barbecue is definitely an experience and Woo Chon is a very clean and friendly establishment. The servers were friendly and very attentive to our table, constantly making sure we were taken care of and happy with our meal. I am already looking forward to my next visit!

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    Hannah P.

    Thank you for being our loyal customer! Welcome to our neighborhood:)

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    3 years ago

    Service was fast, food was fresh. Family of five enjoyed the experience. My son really liked the kalbi.

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    5 years ago

    Absolutely phenomenal 10/10 this place is incredible. Please try the spicy chicken and the short rib

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    Smoque BBQ

    Smoque BBQ

    4.3
    (4.9k reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    I've recently started lifting heavy, and on a Friday night was looking for a high protein…read moreindulgence. La Brasa Roja is a go-to, but my friend wasn't in the mood to share and an entire chicken just for me was not happening. In a search for chicken dishes in the area, I came across Smoque and came to Yelp to get a sense of it. Only to discover my own review, from 14 years ago. I did not remember this place and certainly did not remember coming here, at all. But I figured my 4 star review from the Obama years must certainly be 5 stars for 2026, since restaurants are so inconsistent lately. I was right. The half chicken was smoked *perfectly.* It was fatty and crispy, but it was not doused in oil the way so many restaurants do these days. And even if you remove the skin from your chicken, the flesh itself was tender but firm and flavorful - even the breast. Plus, if you have leftovers, it reheats very well and kept its crispiness and moisture. This time they did have St Louis ribs, of which we bought a sampler. I'm not a pork person these days (I don't digest it well) but I had a bit and it was great. Too bad I forgot about this place relatively close to me. I would have purchased a lot of smoked chicken here over the years. But I look forward to making their chicken a staple of mine. The prices are super competitive, too, especially for the quality.

    Well the brisket and other BBQ was bland and cold .. the BBQ sauce was vingery i tried all the…read moreflavors so I didnt want to use that on top. The cornbread was just decent. Chili was meh fries were great oh over all was a dissatisfied customer but the service was very good. The lady at the front was very nice and accommodating when I mentioned the food was cold she got me warm food. Surprisingly the water was really good. Its more a cafeteria style seating was ok.

    Photos
    Michelin Recommend Smoque BBQ 3800 N Pulaski Rd,Chicago, IL This Place is Smoking Hot! Low and Slow! BBQ Heaven! Brisket is The Best.Cool!
    Michelin Recommend Smoque BBQ 3800 N Pulaski Rd,Chicago, IL This Place is Smoking Hot! Low and Slow! BBQ Heaven! Brisket is The Best.Cool!
    Brisket & pulled pork combination platter
    Brisket & pulled pork combination platter
    Burnt ends yumminess!

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    Burnt ends yumminess!
    Offset BBQ

    Offset BBQ

    4.7
    (302 reviews)
    5.1 mi
    $$

    I've been craving some MEAT for a while, and after reading Sam C.'s review, I was sold - I grabbed…read moremy keys and made my way over! When I find myself thinking of a return trip while still there, you know for sure Offset BBQ delivers! I ordered the All Beef Platter, and got the Brisket Chili (upgrade) as my side. The sausage was fantastic! It had a snap which made all the Chicago Hot Dogs within a 20 mile radius jealous. Inside was a maximally savory, salty but not over-salted filling. The kind of meat that needs no sauce. Then comes the brisket! A lovely piece of meat that was so tender, looking at it and licking my lips caused the meat to start falling apart. I also loved that it was a good balance of meaty and fatty bits. However, there is a small 'but' here. For my taste, the brisket needed a very light sprinkle of salt. No matter, with the help of the sauces the brisket leveled up enough to take on any boss battle thrown at it. Speaking of sauces: The KC Style and Hawaiian were both good. Both were sweet, and had some tang, though, it seemed the KC had a slight edge in the bold department between the two. A sauce I loved though was the Chicago White, a fantastic Horseradish and Mustard sauce that was unique, interesting, savory, fresh, and a little spicy. The kind of sauce I want to buy a container of and take home! For my side, I upgraded to the bowl of brisket chili. I loved this so much, I may just order this as a main on a return visit. The chili did not at all skimp on the meat, which was tender and flavorful. The use of beans, corn, and veggies were there to help accent everything else, and were themselves cooked perfectly. Kudos also for the inclusion of a couple pickled jalapeno slices. My heat tolerance may be too high to feel a burn, but the crispness of acid did wonders! The included coleslaw was one thing I did not love. I appreciated that they were not heavy handed on the mayo, and the dressing overall was light in quantity and consistency. However, the cabbage was sliced as if by a sleep deprived stagiaire who has yet to master knife skills. The slicing was terribly inconsistent, with some pieces being way too large. For dessert, I ordered the Blueberry Handpie. This was so much better than expected! The crust was flaky and wonderful, and the filling had plentiful sweet blueberries. This dish also excelled in its execution. The cast iron pan kept the pie warm, and the ice cream was such that didn't melt right away. I also loved that the blueberries weren't screaming hot and exploding with lava. When it comes to the service, the bar-server was fantastic. She was kind, friendly, and attentive. Food came out pretty fast, too, considering how fresh everything was. Finally, while I did not make laps around the entire establishment, the vibe has just the right intersection between BBQ and Rock & Roll, with the music playing at the perfect volume to be appreciated while being not at all intrusive. Final verdict: There are many who sing the praises of Smoque BBQ, which is a great spot. However, between the two, I prefer Offset. Other than a sloppy-chopped Coleslaw, the experience was fantastic not only in the food, but in the execution and the thought put into the experience.

    Alright, I don't usually do this. I'm not a Yelp or Google Review warrior, I'm not out here typing…read moreessays about every decent meal... but gotdamn, this place earned it. I've been meaning to get here for years, and we finally rolled in for lunch - and let me tell you, the hype in my head still wasn't enough. For context, I'm not just some random dude who likes ribs. I run a small side street BBQ pop-up on the South Side and I'm borderline obsessive about properly smoked meat - especially the kind that's gently smoked, where you taste the craft and not just a blast of soot and sauce. That balance is HARD. Most places (even the quote unquote "institutions" we all know) lean heavy on sauce to cover up over-smoked, tired meat. This spot? Absolutely not that. Offset BBQ in Humboldt Park is operating on a whole different level. This is thoughtful, patient, technique-driven barbecue - the kind pitmasters respect and regular people fall in love with without even knowing why it's better. I had the chance to meet Carlo Carani and Doug Pompa, and that alone made the visit special. Doug is the real-deal pitmaster - not flashy, not ego-driven, just a humble craftsman who clearly lives and breathes smoke. Both of them were welcoming, down-to-earth, and generous with their time. Doug even walked me through their smokers and process, which, as someone still climbing the BBQ learning curve, was like getting a backstage pass to a masterclass. No gatekeeping, no attitude - just passion and pride in doing things the right way. And the food backs it all up. The brisket? Tender, beautifully rendered, rich without being heavy. Pulled pork? Juicy, seasoned exactly right, smoke present but never overpowering. The pickled sides? Absolute game-changer - that bright acidity cutting through the richness like a perfect reset button between bites. They're not just doing traditional barbecue either - there's creativity on the menu that actually makes sense, not gimmicks. Add in a serious whiskey and bourbon lineup plus beer that pairs the way it should, and you're looking at a full experience, not just a tray of meat. This isn't just another BBQ joint. This is a Chicago barbecue institution in the making - if it isn't already. Do yourself a favor: run, don't walk. Whether you're a die-hard smoke nerd or just someone who loves good food, this place is the real deal. Maria's service is outstanding and you'd be remissed not to include her hospitality as a bright star to this BBQ institution's success. God bless this joint!

    Photos
    Offset BBQ
    12pc Offset Wings with Chicago White Sauce (side)
    12pc Offset Wings with Chicago White Sauce (side)
    Looking out at California.

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    Looking out at California.
    Aloha Hawaiian BBQ

    Aloha Hawaiian BBQ

    4.8
    (28 reviews)
    9.3 mi

    I love going to Hawaiian spots, but they're usually hard to come around; therefore, I gave Aloha…read moreHawaiian BBQ a chance and absolutely loved the food. We got the pork katsu, shrimp, and fried chicken plates. The katsu was very crispy and paired well with a nice tangy sauce. The shrimp was banging and paired so well with the lemon and rice. And lastly, the fried chicken (chicken karaage) was so crispy and juicy but had such good flavor to it. The rice and mac paired so well with the proteins too. The service was nice; they have a kiosk where you order all your food and then a robot brings your food to the table. The ambiance had a nice Hawaiian decor to it and was full of color. Additionally, there's a decent amount of seating if you want to eat there. I'd definitely come back again and give this place a try.

    I am extremely happy to find another Hawaiian restaurant near me and it's not a wannabe like H*B*…read more We came on a weekend during dinner and there was a mild rush in and out of pick up orders and people dining in. We grabbed a menu as we had some time to review their offerings before the last person in our group arrived. When it was time to order, we went for variety and got Kaleb, garlic chicken / lemongrass pork and the Hawaiian breakfast. We ordered enough to receive 2 spam musubis. Everyone was happy with their food and compared it to another well known Hawaiian place in the city - but here with better prices! We had plenty leftover for our party of 3 and pretty much could fill up 1 container! We will definitely be back and look forward to trying other items!

    Photos
    Aloha Hawaiian BBQ
    Loco Moco
    Loco Moco
    Aloha Hawaiian BBQ

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    Blackwood BBQ

    Blackwood BBQ

    4.1
    (406 reviews)
    7.7 mi
    $$

    My meal here was surprisingly tasty for a chain BBQ place…read more The lunch special was great. $12.99 for a pulled pork sandwich, side, and drink. That is essentially unbeatable downtown. The pork was juicy and the KC style bbq sauce was good (other options were Chicago, Memphis, Carolina(?)). The mac and cheese was really tasty, I found myself scraping the bowl for more. It had a really nice crust on top. The service was quick and friendly.

    I've had the full spectrum of BBQ from mind-blowingly incredible to places I send people I don't…read morelike. I am pleased to report that Blackwood BBQ is somewhere between "good" and "very good". It won't knock your socks off, but it is nowhere close to "bad." It's perfect for what it is, that being: a spot for a bite during the lunch hour. On both visits, I ordered the two meat platter, with brisket and sausage. Both were flavorful and savory, with the brisket being balanced in terms of meaty vs fatty (as requested). Now, that said, the prices at Blackwood are on the high side. On the one hand, I know the price of a pound of ground beef is greater than the minimum wage (as of this writing). However, I also can't help but feel the punch to the wallet when two meats and one side, where one of those is brisket, and a soda comes to somewhere between $20-25 (I think it's close to $25, but don't want to misspeak). Half a pound of meat is not a lot, making the wallet punch even worse. Then there comes the service. Most of the folks working here are professional and welcome. There is this one person, though, whose level of gruffness seems a bit high. It wasn't so much a lack of pleasantries for the sake of efficiency as it was annoyance that customers exist? Final verdict: If you're working in the loop, and craving BBQ, Blackwood is a rock-solid spot, but the high prices mean it likely isn't practical for a regular spot. If it's a weekend, there are better options out there.

    Photos
    Menu
    Menu
    Salad option
    Salad option
    Half a dozen sauce regions!

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    Half a dozen sauce regions!

    Woo Chon Restaurant - korean - Updated July 2026

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