After a week of feasting on rib tips and hot links, one would think that the last thing I'd want to do is eat more barbecue. But I'm reasonably sure I will always make an exception for some tri-tip from Lillie's Q. More

Chicago now has barbecue to satisfy the cravings of the most judicious barbecue enthusiast—no matter what part of the country he or she is from. While we don't have the same kind of per capita concentration of some barbecue capitals, when I looked at the big barbecue categories (ribs, pulled pork, brisket), I found truly excellent examples of each. More

Far too many BBQ joints in the Chicago area don't even attempt to make brisket. But in North Chicago, which isn't exactly thought of as a barbecue hot spot, Big Ed's BBQ is putting out one of the best spreads of smoked meat around. And in addition to some of the best ribs and hot links you can find, Ed also delivers a brisket sandwich. More

A relative newcomer to the barbecue trail, Chicago's Smoque has quickly made a name for itself with meticulously studied barbecue staples. Believe the hype: The Irving Park smoke joint's beef brisket sandwich ($7.45), a standout in what is historically a pork rib town, is perfectly executed. More

If you're in the Windy City and in the barbecue mood, this is something to order by the bucket (and isn't that always fun?). Rib tips. They're one of the top sellers at Lem's Bar-B-Q and it's not difficult to understand why. Each tip points to a deep blend of flavors, merging the powerful tastes of charcoal and hickory smoke with the simple sweetness of pork. Lem's tangy, spicy barbecue sauce adds a molasses-colored kick before the tips find their way into a freshly popped paper bag. More

There are smokehouse inquisitors who would raise an eyebrow at Uncle John's Barbecue, a hole-in-the-wall, South Side smoke joint that serves its aquarium-smoked ribs and rib tips two ways: drowned in barbecue sauce, and drowned in spicy barbecue sauce. More

Note: Every week Nick Kindelsperger visits Chicago's best seatless eateries in Standing Room Only. Have at it, Nick! [Photographs: Nick Kindelsperger] Lem's Bar-B-Q 311 E. 75th Street, Chicago IL 60619 (map); 773-994-2428 The Short Order: Juicy ribs loaded with smoke.... More

Dry rub Memphis barbecue. [Flickr: orangachang / CC BY-SA 2.0] Memphis barbecue ain't all that. There, I said it. I expected and wanted Memphis barbecue to be the soul shaking, stomach sating, come-to-Jesus occasion everyone says it is. I... More

"From the sidewalk I saw the rectangular smoker that looked like, yes, an aquarium." Owner and aqua-smoker pitmaster Robert Adams (bottom right). [Photographs: Robyn Lee] We were just off the plane, we were hungry, and we were on our way... More

"There is no polite way to attack rib tips. Dig in with both hands and hope you have enough napkins." [Photographs: Nick Kindelsperger] Uncle John's Barbecue 337 E 69th Street, Chicago IL 60637 (map) 773-892-1233 The Short Order: Saucy and... More