I didn’t expect a barbecue spot in the West Loop to completely change my idea of brisket, but Green Street Smoked Meats does exactly that. The smell of smoke hits the sidewalk before the door, teasing hours spent over the pit and a team who knows exactly what they’re doing with every cut.
I’ve walked past a lot of barbecue joints in Illinois, but this one makes it clear that care, patience, and technique matter as much as seasoning.
I pop in for a weekday lunch and end up lingering, watching trays slide across counters, the chatter mixing with the smell of oak smoke. Dinner feels different, more of a small celebration with friends or even strangers sharing tables, sampling brisket that has clearly earned its reputation…