Soul & Smoke Evanston

I joined my coworkers for lunch and opted for the Rib Tips accompanied by Mac & Cheese and Collard Greens. The meal was incredibly tasty, with the rib tips being juicy and even more flavorful when combined with the original sauce. The service was satisfying, and one of my coworkers praised the deliciousness of the hot links. I'm eager to return and give them a try.

I have had a lot of BBQ in my life, and man, this place blew me away. To start, the sausage had such a deep, smokey flavor to it. The caramelized onions, sauce, and bun… Wow. The hot link was so tender and juicy. The brisket was also delicious. We ordered lean and it came exactly as expected with little fat yet was still tender, juicy, and flavorful. I did not get the chance to take a picture of the other items I ordered, which were the slaw and cornbread. I have never been a fan of slaw in my life but the apple slaw was GOOD! The mix of cabbage, apples, and cranberries complimented each other perfectly. Last was the cornbread muffin that was delicious and moist with a perfect amount of sweetness. Yes, for anybody who is used to BBQ from the South (where I’m from) or other areas where it’s more common (cheaper), this is a little bit pricey. However, I think the price is for good reasons considering the taste, quality, and portion sizes. Highly recommend!!

Excellent, meaty, tender rib tips. Sauce ison the side, which is a plus in my book. Also worth noting, the pound I ordered did not have a lot of cartilage and gristle. This does not come with bread like it many other places, which is a good thing for me since I am gluten-free (GF). They do not serve french fries, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Instead, they have many different southern sides, such as mac & cheese and sweet potatoes. The staff were exceptionally helpful and cheery. The menu clearly highlights items that are gluten-free for anyone with dietary restrictions. The interior was under construction at the time of writing this review, but they have a handful of picnic bench-style tables so people can eat while their food is fresh. It was also very clean inside despite the remodeling. A big contrast compared to many places I have been to in Chicago’s south and west sides. The only downside was the price for some items. $6 for a side when you are dining alone for lunch or dinner can be a tad steep.