Name: Moontime Smokin' Que
Address: 88 Railroad St Unit A, Crystal Lake, IL 60014, USA, Crystal Lake, IL, US
Telephone: +1 779-994-7119
Rating: 4.5

The take

From the sources

Moontime Smokin' Que in Crystal Lake specializes in wood-fired meats including Black Angus beef brisket, smoked beef tenderloin, and St. Louis ribs. They use two custom pits from Georgia-based Primitive Pits fueled by a locally sourced blend of hickory, oak, and cherry woods. The menu also features standard BBQ staples like pulled pork and pulled chicken.

Strengths

· Uses custom Primitive Pits
· Black Angus beef brisket
· Wood-fired with oak and hickory

Caveats

· Located in Illinois, not Texas
· Limited menu variety mentioned

Why you'd go here

From the sources

Visit Moontime Smokin' Que for wood-fired barbecue served in a full-service restaurant visit with fast and friendly service right next to the Crystal Lake train station.

The story

From the business

Moontime Smokin' Que specializes in wood-fired barbecue, smoking meats including Black Angus beef brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, smoked beef tenderloin, and St. Louis ribs. They use two custom pits from Primitive Pits in Georgia, with a local blend of hickory, oak, and cherry woods. They are known for offering a variety of smoked meats and simple BBQ sandwiches.

The menu

From the business

Pork ribs

Pork Ribs

Ribs served with cornbread muffins.

Sandwich / plate

Pulled Pork Sandwich

A sandwich with pulled pork and coleslaw.

Brisket Sandwich

A sandwich with sliced brisket, pickles, and pickled onions.

Brisket Grilled Cheese

A grilled cheese sandwich with brisket.

Sides

Mac and Cheese

Elbow macaroni baked in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce.

Coleslaw

Shredded green cabbage and carrots in a sweet and tangy dressing.

Cornbread Muffins

Golden-baked muffins made with cornmeal and a touch of sweetness.

Cucumber Salad

Sliced cucumbers, red onion, and dill in a vinegar dressing.

Baked Beans

Slow-cooked navy beans in a sweet and smoky molasses sauce.

What Reddit says

From the community

Comments mentioning Moontime Smokin' Que from r/chicago, r/chicagofood, r/bbq, and similar subs. Each is numbered / full links in the Sources block below.

[3]r/chicagofood

↑ 11

[https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-food-best-barbecue-in-suburbs-20220905-msrvop3ws5cm7ch7jzrrisrxdm-list.html](https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-food-best-barbecue-in-suburbs-20220905-msrvop3ws5cm7ch7jzrrisrxdm-list.html) Culinary Kitchen is definitely on the list. So is Station One Smokehouse, Soul & Smoke, Mel’s Craft Barbecue and Moontime Smokin’ Que. Since posting, I found Lucy's BBQ in northern Indiana, which I'd also include. https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-food-lucys-bbq-highland-indiana-tt-0315-20230315-nl2ysp4yivfsjc4wcbgb5cxbsi-story.html

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]
Moontime Smokin' Que / official website / menu, hours, descriptions
[2]
Google Maps listing for Moontime Smokin' Que / rating, reviews, address, hours
[3]
r/chicagofood comment by u/nkindelsperger / Apr 2023

Found something off? Let us know.