BBQ King Smokehouse Review

BBQ King Smokehouse in Woodstock, Illinois
Photo Credit: Ryan Magnuson/Mealtime With Mags

Starting a food blog is something I had been meaning to get to for some time. I have always loved sharing my food excursions with others and giving them recommendations to places where they will be able to enjoy a great meal, so this venture has allowed me to do just that. One of the best parts of this whole journey, as new as it is, is the recommendations I get from readers, who clue me in on some of their favorite spots. This very notion brings me to my latest review on BBQ King Smokehouse, a McHenry County BBQ joint that has digs in the downtown Woodstock area. This town favorite was brought to my attention by Nick Andrus, a former classmate of mine at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, who said it was his favorite local place for BBQ.

BBQ King opened up its downtown Woodstock location two years ago, but has been catering events and participating in BBQ competitions for nearly a decade. They pride themselves on serving up top quality BBQ and being an establishment where people love to stop in and stay for a while. The menu is full of great food choices, including a variety of top quality, natural wood and charcoal-smoked meats, available in a sandwich or platter option, burgers, signature sandwiches, signature dishes, like King Mac (Pulled pork served with their rich mac and cheese) starters, like BBQ Nachos or Woodstock Fries (fresh cut fries topped with your choice of meat, cheddar jack cheese, BBQ sauce, and ranch), and a number of sides. One can expect to spend about $10-$15 here on a meal, but trust me; it is worth every penny and you will leave feeling stuffed.

The Meats in the Pig Out Platter: Chopped Beef Brisket, Pulled Pork, and Smoked Sausage
Photo Credit: Ryan Magnuson/Mealtime With Mags

Having gone to school in Oklahoma for a period of time, I am fully versed in what the atmosphere of a real BBQ joint should look like. BBQ King fits the description and then some. It features a dark concrete floor, old signs lining the walls, wood tables, high ceilings, a chalk board menu, and that great smoky smell we all love. One of the coolest features of the restaurant is the bar, which stretches nearly the entire length of the place and is outfitted with big screen TV’s and a number of drink options. This is definitely the place to be for good food and a great night out.

This being my first trip to BBQ King, I felt the need to get my paws on as many menu items as I could. After scanning the menu, I opted for the Pig Out Platter, which gave me the choice of three meats, three sides, and included a drink for $19.50. For my meats, I went with chopped beef brisket, pulled pork, and smoked sausage, accompanying them with an order of fresh cut fries, two orders of mac and cheese, and a coke. Seconds after digging in, I could tell how much time and thought went into each thing I ordered. Each meat was excellent and had a great smoky flavor, but the smoked sausage was my favorite. It was thinly sliced and had a nice char on it, which went great with their sweet Carolina Gold sauce. The fresh cut fries were very good as well, but the mac and cheese was even better and unlike any I have ever tasted before. It was rich and cheesy, but had a spicy bite to it that offset the rich flavor very well.

After getting a box for the leftovers, yes there were leftovers, my mom and I just sat and talked, enjoying the establishment and all it had to offer. Being there felt as comfortable as home, which is why I will definitely be returning there in the future. I would like to thank Nick Andrus again for the great recommendation, and I look forward to sharing this special place with more people down the road. If you are looking for a great place to get food and relax, head to BBQ King Smokehouse at 125 E. Calhoun St. Woodstock, IL 60098. 

Ryan Magnuson is a Baseball/Food Writer from the Chicagoland Area