The take
From the sourcesLocated in Wrigleyville near Wrigley Field, Old Crow Smokehouse specializes in meats slow-smoked over hickory, including brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and wings. Pitmaster Tony Scruggs leads the kitchen, which serves Southern-inspired sides, Nashville chicken, and brunch alongside craft cocktails. The venue is notable for its rooftop patio, live country music, and late-night events.
Strengths
- · Vibrant rooftop patio
- · Live country music venue
- · Heart of Wrigleyville
Caveats
- · High volume crowd noise
- · Closed Mon-Wed
Why you'd go here
From the sourcesVisit Old Crow Smokehouse for award-winning BBQ including tender brisket, ribs, smoked wings, and pulled pork. The restaurant offers a lively atmosphere with live music and a rooftop patio with views of Wrigleyville.
The story
From the businessOld Crow Smokehouse, located in Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood, is known for its award-winning BBQ and lively atmosphere. Pitmaster Tony Scruggs, a MasterChef Season 2 finalist, smokes meats low and slow over hickory wood. He uses his homemade BBQ sauce to create a distinct flavor profile. The restaurant combines a home-cooking aesthetic with a saloon-like vibe, offering BBQ, craft cocktails, and live music. It also features a rooftop patio with city views, especially popular on game days due to its proximity to Wrigley Field.
Watch
From the communityReddit threads
From the communityWhat Reddit says
From the communityComments mentioning Old Crow Smokehouse from r/chicago, r/chicagofood, r/bbq, and similar subs. Each is numbered / full links in the Sources block below.
I love Chubb and Garrett too! This season will be interesting with 5 QB’s on the roster, but since Watson is hurt it make it 4 that can actually play. I was gonna say, the Browns Backers meet at Old Crow Smokehouse for the games, and it’s a blast!
The article is essentially a paid-for puff piece about Sam Sanchez. He owns **Moe's Cantina Old Crow Smokehouse** tree House, Tunnel Chicago, Samco int. It also mentions Comité de 100, an organization used for lobbying.
I actually like Old Crow smokehouse right on Clark, but it's a big place that can be a (mob) scene right before a game. I love the smoked wings... everything else is pretty good. Not going to win a Michelin star but it's solid for being right there on the strip
Thursday night Live Band Karaoke w/ the best top 40 band in the city! Old Crow Smokehouse Wrigleyville. 9-midnight! Single ladies all over the place.
- Place on top of Chicago athletic place - forgot what it’s called. Cindy’s Rooftop (VERY GOOD ). - Pinstripes (terrible). - Rose Mary (good but not phenomenal). - Second City makes a great crispy Korean Fried Chicken sandwich. - Au Cheval (good but overhyped imo). - The Hoxton (AMAZING). - Bai Cafe (disgusting and pretty sure a crime ring operates out of there). - Cafe el Tapatio (bad, food is always cold). - Bitter Pops (terrible). - Red Hot Ranch (eh… sorry guys. I’m an In N Out fan). - Art of Pizza (lasagna special is amazing ) - Traspasada (terrible) - Burrito House (not bad actually, tacos were very good!) - the taco fest street fair on Southport and Roscoe last August had some of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had in my life, too bad that most of those
Old Crow Smokehouse in Wrigleyville is better than I expected
In Chicago, Moe's Cantina in River North and Wrigleyville; Old Crow Smokehouse, Wrigleyville, and Tree House Chicago in River North. Great large screens, food and drink. Details here: https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/march-madness-viewing-premier-chicago-hotspots-nodx
Old Crow Smokehouse in Wrigleyville has good ribs as well. Much better than Smoke Daddy.
Old Crow Smokehouse in Wrigley has deep fried turkeys for pick up.
Can't think of any one place in particular but Wrigley has some larger bars that will probably be dead. Maybe like Happy Camper or Old Crow Smokehouse.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/06/29/wrigleyville-bars-return-from-lockdown-with-long-lines-and-few-masks/ Mike, from Old Town, who did not want to share his last name, ordered a vodka Red Bull before getting back in line with friends at Old Crow Smokehouse’s curbside bar. He had just gotten back from a vacation in Dallas, Texas, with a friend, where he left a day early due to the spike in cases and the state’s rolling back on its openings. “[It feels] like I’m the problem,” he said with a nervous laugh as he talked about being out and about amid the pandemic.
Thanks, Mike from Old Town. ETA: [context](https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/06/29/wrigleyville-bars-return-from-lockdown-with-long-lines-and-few-masks/) > Mike, from Old Town, who did not want to share his last name, ordered a vodka Red Bull before getting back in line with friends at Old Crow Smokehouse’s curbside bar. He had just gotten back from a vacation in Dallas, Texas, with a friend, where he left a day early due to the spike in cases and the state’s rolling back on its openings. “[It feels] like I’m the problem,” he said with a nervous laugh as he talked about being out and about amid the pandemic.
>Mike, from Old Town, who did not want to share his last name, ordered a vodka Red Bull before getting back in line with friends at Old Crow Smokehouse’s curbside bar. He had just gotten back from a vacation in Dallas, Texas, with a friend, where he left a day early due to the spike in cases and the state’s rolling back on its openings. >“[It feels] like I’m the problem,” he said with a nervous laugh as he talked about being out and about amid the pandemic. Uhh yeah dude cause you are. You just returned from a vacation, which also happens to be a hotspot for the virus. You can't take two weeks off going out or at least get tested before going out again? What a piece of shit.
"Mike, from Old Town, who did not want to share his last name, ordered a vodka Red Bull before getting back in line with friends at Old Crow Smokehouse’s curbside bar. He had just gotten back from a vacation in Dallas, Texas, with a friend, where he left a day early due to the spike in cases and the state’s rolling back on its openings. "[It feels] like I’m the problem," he said with a nervous laugh as he talked about being out and about amid the pandemic." Fuck you, Mike
I just assume most of the people at Sluggers or Old Crow Smokehouse are suburban kids with fake IDs
I’ve got 2 tickets for donut fest @ Old Crow Smokehouse available! DM if interested.
Question for any restauranteurs/caterers out there.
Last night I was at a soft opening of an Old Crow smokehouse by my place. There’s 4 that I know of, 2 in Orange County CA and 2 in Chicago. Anyhow, it was around closing time and I was watching the cooks/pitmasters? prepare the next days briskets. They just pulled them out of the cryovacs, seasoned them and threw them into a large Southern Pride smoker @215 degrees without any trimming whatsoever. Is this the usual procedure when doing a large amount of briskets? I was under the impression that the hard fat won’t render. I’ve only done 5/6 myself in a pit barrel, always trimmed, so I’m not sure what would happen letting them smoke for 12/14+ hours.
There seem to be very little Chinese restaurants in downtown. Other than Lao Sze Chuan, I get take out from Chen's Chinese Kitchen all the time. Their setup is very strange as they are located in the basement of the Old Crow Smokehouse, and are strictly carry-out only. Food is pretty good though.
Lucky's is pretty good. It was featured on Man vs. Food. Old Crow Smokehouse is good too, but is a little pricey (like most BBQ places).
Former John Barleycorn in Schaumburg to become Old Crow Smokehouse
Former John Barleycorn in Schaumburg to become Old Crow Smokehouse
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]Old Crow Smokehouse / official website / menu, hours, descriptions
- [2]Google Maps listing for Old Crow Smokehouse / rating, reviews, address, hours
- [3]r/AskChicago comment by u/jackjack27 / May 2025
- [4]r/chicago comment by u/thesaddestpanda / Jan 2025
- [5]r/chicagofood comment by u/Blugrl21 / Jun 2024
- [6]r/AskChicago comment by u/Shinsult / May 2024
- [7]
- [8]
- [9]r/chicagofood comment by u/suethewifey / Mar 2024
- [10]
- [11]r/chicagofood comment by u/dancing26 / Nov 2021
- [12]r/chicago comment by u/sun-up-sun-down / Sep 2021
- [13]r/chicago comment by u/mattred33 / Jul 2020
- [14]r/chicago comment by u/britta-ed_it / Jul 2020
- [15]r/chicago comment by u/laughffyman / Jun 2020
- [16]r/chicago comment by u/scabbyslashmix / Jun 2020
- [17]r/chicago comment by u/hafez_rumi / Apr 2019
- [18]r/chicago comment by u/BugLyfe0228 / Apr 2019
- [19]
- [20]r/chicago comment by u/Junkbot / Mar 2017
- [21]r/chicago comment by u/Mr__Worldwide / Aug 2014
- [22]
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