Smoke has more than one personality in Joliet. Around the city, barbecue can mean saucy rib tips piled into a takeout box, tender brisket sliced for a hearty dinner, pulled pork loaded onto a sandwich, or Korean-style meats sizzling with an entirely different mix of flavors.
That variety makes following a barbecue craving here especially interesting, since no two stops need to deliver the same experience. Some restaurants keep things casual and messy, while others offer a meal worth settling in for. These 6 Joliet spots show there is plenty of good barbecue waiting beyond the first familiar smokehouse.
1. JD’s BBQ
Big barbecue cravings call for a place that does not hold back, and JD’s BBQ fits that mood well. The menu leans into hearty, smoky comfort food, so this is the kind of stop to keep in mind when a light snack will not cut it.
Rib tips, hot links, wings, and brisket help set the tone right away. Those are the foods many people want when they are chasing bold smoke, savory bark, and the kind of meal that asks for extra napkins…