At times, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as chowing down on some mouthwatering barbecue. Luckily, Illinois is filled with plenty of barbecue joints which can be found in the largest of cities and the smallest of towns. If you’re looking for some of the best bbq in Illinois, we have you covered on this road trip which will take you to seven hole-in-the-wall places located mainly around the central part of the state.
To help you on your way, use this interactive map. Feel free to rearrange the route, add stops, and customize it for your own needs.
Google Map
- Li’l Porgy’s Bar-B-Q, Champaign
Edvin Mertdogan/Google
Pinda Ho/Google If you love some good hickory-smoked barbecue, then you’ll love Li’l Porgy’s in the Champaign-Urbana area. The barbecue sauce is a secret recipe that alone will make you want to return to this joint again and again. The Mix sauce is a favorite among regular customers.
Visit the Li’l Porgy’s Bar-B-Q website and Facebook page for more information. 1917 W Springfield Ave, Champaign, IL 61821, USA
- Pauly’s BBQ, Arthur
Google Maps
Pauly’s BBQ/Facebook Located in heart of Illinois’ Amish Country in Arthur, Pauly’s BBQ has been open since 2010 and is best known for its ribs and pulled pork. The appetizers are quite incredible as well; you can get fried okra, fried corn nuggets, loaded tots, bbq nachos, and so much more. And if you like smoked chicken wings, they have those, too!
Visit the Pauly’s BBQ website and Facebook page for more information. 310 E Columbia St, Arthur, IL 61911, USA
- Hole In The Wall BBQ, Sullivan
Hole In The Wall BBQ/Facebook
Hole In The Wall BBQ/Facebook The name of this place says it all! Hole In The Wall BBQ is a local place that serves meats smoked in-house and offers local specialties like a horseshoe with pulled pork. You can even get tacos filled with shredded cheese, pulled pork, and coleslaw. Yum!
Visit the Hole In The Wall BBQ Facebook page for more information. 16 N Washington St, Sullivan, IL 61951, USA
- Kansas City Barbecue Pit, Decatur
Kansas City Barbecue Pit/Google
Kansas City Barbecue Pit/Facebook Serving Kansas City-style barbecue, this hole-in-the-wall restaurant is known best for its brisket and rib tips. Keep in mind that the portions are huge, so bring your appetite! Pictured here is the Monster Combo, a sandwich piled high with brisket, pork, and turkey.
Visit the Kansas City Barbecue Pit website and Facebook page for more information. 2645 N Oakland Ave, Decatur, IL 62526, USA
- Fatbacks BBQ, Quincy
Google Maps
Fatbacks BBQ/Facebook If you’re looking for Southern-style barbecue, Fatbacks in Quincy is the place to go. The owners have won numerous bbq competitions over the years and decided to open up their own restaurant in 2012. The meat, including brisket, ribs, turkey, chicken, and pork, is pit-smoked and the sides are as mouthwatering as the bbq. If you like the sauce, pick up a bottle of Fatbacks BBQ Sauce to take home with you!
Read our previous coverage to learn more about Fatbacks BBQ. 901 N 24th St, Quincy, IL 62301, USA
- Station 1883, Rushville
Station 1883/Facebook
Cary Miller/Google The newest barbecue joint on this list is Station 1883, which opened in October 2020 and its Pitmaster is a retired firefighter. Meat is smoked in the pit out back and all sauces are made from scratch. Add in exceptional service and it’s no wonder why it’s become a local favorite.
Visit the Station 1883 website and Facebook page for more information. 102 W Lafayette St, Rushville, IL 62681, USA
- Papa’s Bar & Grill, Monmouth
Google Maps
Papas Bar/Google The last stop on this hole-in-the-wall bbq restaurants road trip in Illinois is Papa’s Bar & Grill in Monmouth. While there is a wide variety of options on the menu from wraps and burgers to salads, tenderloins, and more, the bbq is what brings many through its doors. When you arrive, order the beef brisket which has been smoked for 12 hours and will melt in your mouth!
Visit the Papa’s Bar website and Facebook page for more information. 701 S Main St, Monmouth, IL 61462, USA
Google Map
Edvin Mertdogan/Google
Pinda Ho/Google
If you love some good hickory-smoked barbecue, then you’ll love Li’l Porgy’s in the Champaign-Urbana area. The barbecue sauce is a secret recipe that alone will make you want to return to this joint again and again. The Mix sauce is a favorite among regular customers.
Visit the Li’l Porgy’s Bar-B-Q website and Facebook page for more information.
1917 W Springfield Ave, Champaign, IL 61821, USA
Google Maps
Pauly’s BBQ/Facebook
Located in heart of Illinois’ Amish Country in Arthur, Pauly’s BBQ has been open since 2010 and is best known for its ribs and pulled pork. The appetizers are quite incredible as well; you can get fried okra, fried corn nuggets, loaded tots, bbq nachos, and so much more. And if you like smoked chicken wings, they have those, too!
Visit the Pauly’s BBQ website and Facebook page for more information.
310 E Columbia St, Arthur, IL 61911, USA
Hole In The Wall BBQ/Facebook
The name of this place says it all! Hole In The Wall BBQ is a local place that serves meats smoked in-house and offers local specialties like a horseshoe with pulled pork. You can even get tacos filled with shredded cheese, pulled pork, and coleslaw. Yum!
Visit the Hole In The Wall BBQ Facebook page for more information.
16 N Washington St, Sullivan, IL 61951, USA
Kansas City Barbecue Pit/Google
Kansas City Barbecue Pit/Facebook
Serving Kansas City-style barbecue, this hole-in-the-wall restaurant is known best for its brisket and rib tips. Keep in mind that the portions are huge, so bring your appetite! Pictured here is the Monster Combo, a sandwich piled high with brisket, pork, and turkey.
Visit the Kansas City Barbecue Pit website and Facebook page for more information.
2645 N Oakland Ave, Decatur, IL 62526, USA
Fatbacks BBQ/Facebook
If you’re looking for Southern-style barbecue, Fatbacks in Quincy is the place to go. The owners have won numerous bbq competitions over the years and decided to open up their own restaurant in 2012. The meat, including brisket, ribs, turkey, chicken, and pork, is pit-smoked and the sides are as mouthwatering as the bbq. If you like the sauce, pick up a bottle of Fatbacks BBQ Sauce to take home with you!
Read our previous coverage to learn more about Fatbacks BBQ.
901 N 24th St, Quincy, IL 62301, USA
Station 1883/Facebook
Cary Miller/Google
The newest barbecue joint on this list is Station 1883, which opened in October 2020 and its Pitmaster is a retired firefighter. Meat is smoked in the pit out back and all sauces are made from scratch. Add in exceptional service and it’s no wonder why it’s become a local favorite.
Visit the Station 1883 website and Facebook page for more information.
102 W Lafayette St, Rushville, IL 62681, USA
Papas Bar/Google
The last stop on this hole-in-the-wall bbq restaurants road trip in Illinois is Papa’s Bar & Grill in Monmouth. While there is a wide variety of options on the menu from wraps and burgers to salads, tenderloins, and more, the bbq is what brings many through its doors. When you arrive, order the beef brisket which has been smoked for 12 hours and will melt in your mouth!
Visit the Papa’s Bar website and Facebook page for more information.
701 S Main St, Monmouth, IL 61462, USA
What do you think of these places on this hole-in-the-wall bbq restaurants road trip? You may know of additional places with some of the best bbq in the state. If your favorite isn’t along this road trip, add it as a suggestion in the comments!
While the bbq road trip is savory, we have one that’s a bit sweeter – our Best Donut Shops In Illinois Road Trip!
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