The take
From the sourcesBro N-Laws BBQ is a community-focused establishment owned by Kenneth Johnson and Gary Smith that specializes in southern-style meats smoked with hardwood. The restaurant is particularly recognized for its BBQ chicken and what they describe as traditional Chicago-style ribs. Their operation includes on-site dining on Chicago Avenue along with catering services and delivery options.
Strengths
- · Award-winning BBQ chicken
- · Authentic Chicago south-side style ribs
- · Long-standing community staple
Caveats
- · Limited indoor seating common for area style
- · Mixed recent reviews on service speed
Why you'd go here
From the sourcesVisit Bro-N-Laws Bar-B-Que for what Thrillist rated as one of Chicago's top BBQ joints, known for its South Side-style BBQ and "Most Honest Chicago Ribs in Town."
The story
From the businessBro-N-Laws Bar-B-Que was founded by Mr. Ken and Mr. Gary, who were interviewed by Elliott Bambrough of Chicago's Best for their establishment. The interview covered the history of barbecue and how Ken Johnson and Gary Smith bring life and definition to the legacy of barbecue at Bro-N-Laws Bar-B-Que. Bambrough also explored the real story behind the flavor of their southern-style hardwood smoked meat. The restaurant has been recognized as one of the top BBQ Joints in Chicago by Thrillist and was featured in Chicago Magazine in August 2012. In September 2015, Chicago's Best also published a video covering their BBQ chicken.
What Reddit says
From the communityComments mentioning Bro N-Laws bbq from r/chicago, r/chicagofood, r/bbq, and similar subs. Each is numbered / full links in the Sources block below.
I can't speak to the creative opportunities - beyond the fact that as a non-creative, I really \*love\* hitting up the local spots for shows. I was born and raised in NW Indiana - and have lived in Chicago for 30 years now - and I say this solely as a patron? I've never felt cheated or like I'm missing out on any scene (friends in SoCal/NYC/etc). Chicago is sneaky good, to me - a fine place to hone your craft, with lots of really great places no matter your art. Others in the world can almost certainly give you better insight than I can. On the rest? I think Chicago is a very friendly place. Midwestern nice. Absolutely some "bro neighborhoods" - hey, I'm a "bro" and I live in Wrigleyville, but it's not \*that awful\*.... and there a lot of eclectic neighborhoods where I'm sure yo
The Florida brother basically confirmed that as well. He mentioned the other two are much closer. They talk daily vs maybe weekly with Florida bro. Also there was that news interview which showed Pope Leo had called the Chicago brother a few times after being named pope, and he immediately picked up when the Chicago bro called him back, and was on a flight to Rome the next day. Meanwhile Florida brother mentioned he hadn't been contacted at all yet by Pope Leo. We know from the Pope's twitter that he's critical of the current admin, though people should not expect him to be some sort of champion to the LGBT. People online talk about Francis and Leo as if they're guest starring on Rupaul's drag race. The pope being "woke" regarding LGBT doesn't mean he champions them, it mostly just mean
Hey bro. Just did my birthday solo in Chicago. I did 7 days and really enjoyed it because everyday there was something to get into. My first advice is to have $2K spending money, not including your hotel fee. With that much money you'll never have to check your account while you're there and that's one worry you won't have. My 2nd advice is to check all the Entertainment apps. Ticketmaster, resident advisor, dice, Eventbrite, ect... Look for events happening in Chicago during your stay. Plan your days around those events. I got lucky and the last day of my Trip there was a sailor moon live stage show. And on the 2nd day of my trip there was a new Japan wrestling show. When I booked my flight I had no idea these were even happening. It's a great city for events. My 3rd advi
I have no idea why.. bread is definitely part of it. But I also think some of it is culture. Don’t get me wrong, Chicago has the best Italian beef sandwiches I have ever had, and the Chicago dogs can never be duplicated anywhere else.. even the food at the Sox stadium is hands down superior to cubs food. (Go Sox). I have also found some excellent pizza that isn’t Chicago or Detroit style. (Shout out to bongiornos on wabash - the sauce is amazing). But it is kinda sad when you really want a grinder and jersey mikes is kinda the best option. I think it is a mix of bread and seasoning now that I think about it more. Even Indy has a better Jewish deli than anything I have found in Chicago (shout out to Shapiro’s - closest thing to Katz’s in NYC in the mid west). Bro bagels is pretty good bu
Bro it's Chicago Wear a jacket, it's fine
Bro your a mad human - to say Chicago has horrific Mexican food is baseless Carnitas- Urupan Asada- l patron, cantón regio Al pastor- rubis With many others
'They've got everlasting money, bro': Chicago Archdiocese alleges conspiracy to file false sex abuse claims against defrocked priest
Link to non-paywalled article: [https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2025/03/theyve-got-everlasting-money-bro-chicago-archdiocese-alleges-conspiracy-to-file-false-sex-abuse-claims-against-defrocked-priest/](https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2025/03/theyve-got-everlasting-money-bro-chicago-archdiocese-alleges-conspiracy-to-file-false-sex-abuse-claims-against-defrocked-priest/)
Idk probably the same idiots think Milwaukee is on the same level as Chicago and is a “rival” It’s like nah bro our rival is NYC
Bro was enjoying Chicago more than me
[deleted]
Sources
Everything on this page is pulled from the sources below: the restaurant's own website, its public Google listing, and Reddit threads. We don't invent details; if a source is missing, the claim isn't here either.
- [1]Bro N-Laws bbq / official website / menu, hours, descriptions
- [2]Google Maps listing for Bro N-Laws bbq / rating, reviews, address, hours
- [3]r/AskChicago comment by u/zonk84 / May 2025
- [4]r/chicago comment by u/enailcoilhelp / May 2025
- [5]r/AskChicago comment by u/National_Dig5600 / May 2025
- [6]r/AskChicago comment by u/DietznutzCA / May 2025
- [7]r/chicago comment by u/onemasterball / May 2025
- [8]r/chicagofood comment by u/NoMula4u / May 2025
- [9]
- [10]r/AskChicago comment by u/prollymaybenot / Mar 2025
- [11]
Found something off? Let us know.