Holy Smoque! Real BBQ is coming to The Cell

Holy Smoque! Real BBQ is coming to The Cell

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Sliced brisket sandwich from Smoque (photo by Joseph Storch)

In what some Northsiders will certainly view as treason, if not‚ culinary betrayal, the much-loved Smoque BBQ in Old Irving Park has partnered with Levy Restaurants, to bring their slow-smoked sliced brisket, pulled pork, baked beans and coleslaw to U.S. Cellular Field. Beginning next Tuesday, June 1, there will be a Smoque stand in the LG Skyline Club on the 300 level in right field.

“I’ve lived in the city a long time, and I think at the end of the day, we’re all Chicagoans,” said North Sider and Smoque co-owner Barry Sorkin. “Levy does the premium food service at The Cell, and they thought this would be‚ a good place to start.”

Smoque will have a‚ mobile kiosk at the stadium, so it’s not a permanent concession. Sorkin says they’re‚ constructing it just for use at‚ every home game. “We’re using this as a test,” he said. “We’ve never done this before.” Levy currently handles the premium food service at The Cell, while Sports Service handles the rest of the general concessions. The Chicago-based company handles all of the food service at Wrigley. Asked if Smoque might set up a similar kiosk at Clark and Addison, closer to his business, he sheepishly replied that for now, the plans are just to offer his meltingly‚ tender brisket to fans on the South Side.