A Smokin’ Good Time in Chicago: Lexington Betty Smokehouse

If you’re out and about exploring in Chicago, you definitely want to see all the best sights and do all the most quintessentially Chicago activities. And that includes, of course, dining at some of their iconic Chicago-style restaurants. After all, so much of a place’s culture and community revolve around the type of food they make.

To get the full Chicago experience, you definitely have to treat yourself to some one-of-a-kind Chicago meals. After you’ve visited The Bean in Millennium Park, seen a game at Wrigley Field, and wandered through the Art Institute of Chicago, you absolutely must try Lexington Betty Smokehouse. Rated the “best BBQ in Chicago” by “Good Morning America,” Lexington Betty Smokehouse is a Black LGBTQ+ woman-owned ‘Chicago Style’ BBQ joint run by none other than famed Chicago pitmaster and Food Network Star, Dominique Leach. And it’s a can’t-miss barbeque experience.

A lot of love goes into this locally-owned BBQ spot. Lexington Betty Smokehouse is named for Leach’s grandmother, Betty King of Lexington, Mississippi, who, according to the Lexington Betty’s website, “filled the house with flavorful aromas of home-cooked meals” which would later inspire and flavor Leach’s own cooking. Leach’s cooking inspiration didn’t stop at fond childhood memories, however. She took her love for food, and perfected the art of cooking in some of the most prestigious kitchens in Chicago.

Leach is now a classically trained chef and a nationally recognized pitmaster. She learned to hone her skills under “the direction of chef icons such as James Beard award-winning owner/chef Tony Mantuano and Executive Chef Sarah Grueneberg (Monteverde) at Michelin starred Italian restaurant Spiaggia, as well as with award-winning author and chef Raghavan Lyer at The Art Institute Museum,” according to Lexington Betty’s website. Her passion and love, along with her dedication to the craft of cooking and her hard work are evident in every aspect of her restaurant. It’s part of what makes Lexington Betty Smokehouse such an unmissable Chicago experience.

After working in some of the most high-end and respected restaurants in the city, Leach branched out and created a catering company with her wife, Tanisha, in 2016. From there, they launched their food truck, which they named the iconic: Lexington Betty Smokehouse, and the beloved BBQ joint was born. It wasn’t until later that they got a full brick-and-mortar location for Lexington Betty in the Historic Pullman section of the city’s South Side, but by then, Leach’s soulful Chicago style BBQ was already a huge hit all over the city.

With so much talent and soul poured into her incredible menu, it’s not hard to believe that Leach’s food became truly famous throughout Chicago. According to Lexington Betty’s website, “Her expertise and soulful food would earn her a spot on The Food Network’s show ‘CHOPPED’ and as a judge/contestant on Food Network Canada ‘FIRE MASTERS,’ [as well as] recognition as the ‘Best Barbecue in Chicago’ by ‘Good Morning America.’” Leach’s “CHOPPED” episode was called “Playing with Fire,” and aired in 2021.

Lexington Betty Smokehouse has a mouth-watering menu that consists of deliciously unique Chicago style BBQ. You won’t be able to find BBQ this good anywhere else in Chicago! The menu consists of scrumptious starters like loaded nachos, loaded fries, and grilled jerk shrimp. Then, for the main course you can get a BBQ platter, with main options including brisket, smoked chicken, pulled pork, smoked chicken wings, brisket mac and cheese, or pulled pork mac and cheese. Top it off with a soulful side or two, like Lexington Betty’s collard greens, gouda mac and cheese, brisket baked beans, candy yams, seasoned fries, slaw, or corn muffin.

Not feeling a platter? That’s okay! Lexington Betty also has yummy sandwiches like the salmon burger, brisket sandwich or pulled pork sandwich and some incredibly delectable Wagyu dogs, like the original, if you want to go classic, or the Mexican style, with pico de gallo, avocado salsa, and jalapeños. You can also get a Wagyu steak dog Chicago style… it is Chicago after all! And if you’re vegan or vegetarian and this menu looks awfully meat-heavy to you, don’t worry. Lexington Betty Smokehouse has two delicious vegan options on their menu as well. And finish your meal with a little something sweet: a nice bowl of banana pudding.

LGBTQ+ travelers headed to spend some time in the Windy City can also feel good about getting a meal at a locally-owned shop that supports a fellow member of the LGBTQ+ community. Having the representation of an LGBTQ+ Black woman owning and running her own restaurant is crucial, especially today. Just like they note on Lexington Betty’s website, “Chef Leach and her wife’s hard work and persistence in a male-dominated industry have helped them to carve out a name for themselves in the culinary world in Chicago and beyond.” The couple’s hard work has truly earned them a spot among the great restaurant scene of Chicago.

If you’re planning a trip to Chicago and looking for amazing things to add to your Chicago Bucket list, make sure Lexington Betty Smokehouse has a spot at the top! Grab an absolutely delicious meal in Chicago and support local Black LGBTQ+ owned businesses while you’re at it by stopping at Lexington Betty Smokehouse. It’s a win-win!

Lexington Betty Smokehouse
756 E 111th St., Chicago, IL
Tuesday – Saturday: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Sunday: 12:00 AM to 6:00 PM

www.lexingtonbetty.com