Looking ffor natural briquettes and wood in Bolingbrook, IL


 
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Joe Preiser

TVWBB Super Fan
While I'm waiting for my WSM to arrive from Amazon I'm gathering the other BBQ supplies I'll need. Up til now I've only had a Weber Genesis, but using a friend's home-built smoker has get my BBQ juices flowing.

I've read here that most people are happy with Kingsford. I'll probably start with that, but I was wondering if anybody in the Chicago west suburbs (or even in da City) could point me to sources of natural briquettes, and even decent sources for lump charcoal.

Also, I've been able to find hickory and mesquite chunks at Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Galyans, but would appreciate a local source for other smoking woods like cherry, apple, pecan, etc.

Thanks in advance.

Joe
 
Pretty bad to post to one's own thread, but a little searching on Google pointed me to a source that seems to fit the bill. It's a little far from the suburbs, but near one of my favorite hangouts, Goose Island. Price is supposedly right too.

Berger Brothers
1176 N Cherry Ave
Chicago, IL 6062
312-642-4238

The downside is they're only open to 4PM and not on weekends.

Schweppe's restaurant supply at North and Rte 53 appears to carry the Berger Bros brand, so I'll stop by there before treking into the city.

Joe
 
Joe
You were pretty specific in your post and one had an answer for you, be happy to post if you have a question related the cooker, technique or a recipe.
Jim
 
Joe,

I buy quite a bit of charcoal, wood chunks, etc form Berger Brothers. I drive over from South Bend and load up my Blazer with a variety of things from there.

While you are in the neighborhood go over to Peoria Packing at 1300 Lake St. Great pork products and prices. Butts, shoulders, ribs, hams, bacon, whatever cut you want is there. Cash only though. No credit cards of checks.

For great Polish Sausage go to Andy's Deli, 3055 N. Milwaukee.

Consider Moo and Oink meat markets. Multiple locations.

There's a guy who lurks here that has what we call the Chicago BBQ Tour list. It's the better places to get supplies in Chicago.
 
Bruce and Jim, thanks for the responses.

I know the subject line of my posting was quite specific, but I hoped someone on the board might be close to me who could help out. I did see postings from folks north of me in Arlington Hts., which is close to work, so thought others in the area could help.

As it turns out, I was searching old Netnews articles on Google and found the information I was looking for and thought I'd mention it to the group in case it helps other newbies in the area. It will be nice if I can find places closer to home, but I'm in Chicago often enough that I can plan side trips for supplies, especially when the prices are so good. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

One of the archived articles I came across on Google, was a posting from someone named Gary that had a fairly extensive list of Chicago BBQ suppliers. That might be the list you're referring to, Bruce. The posting was a year ago, but I recognize most of the names so think it may still fairly current.

Once again, thanks. I'm sure I'll have more questions once my WSM arrives and I get some food cooked on it.

Joe
 
Joe, I have made the trek into the city to visit Berger Brothers and am very satisfied with their products. Not a real fancy place, you stand in an 8x8 foot lobby and place your order though a security glass. They have samples of the other woods they carry which you can get in various piece sizes, depending on their inventories at the time.

Very good prices for lump charcoal. I bout 5 40 pound bags (private label for Royal Oak) and still have 2 full bags left, even after about 6 competitions.

While you are in the area, you need to check out Peoria Packing on 1100 West Lake Street. You think you are walking into a regular grocery store until you see the sign at the entrance requiring all customers to wear plastic gloves.

You'll understand why when you continue into what turns out to be a huge cooler with long stainless tables stacked high with all kinds of meat.

When I have the time to get down there, I can spend an hour going through and hand selecting my spares, butts, chicken, etc. Nothing is wrapped, you pick what you want and put it in a plastic bag.

Definitely worth the trip just for Peoria, but, combined with Berger, it makes a great day of BBQ shopping. Peoria is busy place--probably open later than Berger, so get your charcoal first.

Happy shopping and smoking

Dale
 
If you are around Peoria, I'm just north along the river road about 40 mile from Peoria.

I have more than enough hickory, a bit cherry and after this weekend when I trim the apple trees I can get you some apple. Not enough plumb to spare.

Across the river from Henry.
 
Dave, thanks for the offer.
I do occassionally head down to my parents' house which is near Starved Rock. That puts me closer to Peoria than Bolingbrook which is a little north of Joliet. I'll let you know the next time I'm heading that way to see if you'll be around and have any wood left.

Joe
 
I did trim the trees. The Mac's still need more but will wait for a hard freeze. I will make sure to set aside some apple and plumb wood.

I'm about 40 minutes from starved rock.
 
<One of the archived articles I came across on Google, was a posting from someone named Gary that had a fairly extensive list of Chicago BBQ suppliers. That might be the list you're referring to, Bruce. The posting was a year ago, but I recognize most of the names so think it may still fairly current>

You can take anything Gary says about Chicago to the bank. Gary and I are good friends and get together quite often. He knows Chicago and good food. I've been to several of the places on the list and would highly recommend them.

Bruce
 
Since you guys are saying such nice things about me, I will post the complete, and current, Chicago BBQ Tour list. I have added a few listings for dry aged prime meat, though I am hesitant to post those, just the mention of dry aged prime is enough to cause Bruce C to jump in the car and drive to Chicago. Actually, anytime I get together with Bruce is always a treat, …….dry aged prime, dry aged prime. <G>

By the way, did Bruce mention he smoked 574-lbs of brisket last weekend? That’s a heck of a lot of brisket.

Regards

Smoking in Chicago,
Gary

==
Peoria Packing
1300 W Lake Street
Chicago, IL 60607
312-738-1800
Ribs/Butt/Pork Shoulder/Chicken

Moo and Oink
4848 W Madison St
Chicago, IL 60644
773-473-4800
Multiple locations
Ribs/Butt/Pork Shoulder/Chicken

Berger Brother's Charcoal
1176 N Cherry Ave
Chicago, IL 6062
312-642-4238
Lump Charcoal

Chicago Firewood
1300 N Halsted (Rear Lot)
Chicago, Il
312-335-9696
Wood for Smoking

Ex-Cel Corned Beef
1009 W Lake St
Chicago, IL 60607
312-666-2535
Fresh Packer Cut Brisket/Corned Beef

Big Apple Market
2345 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60614
773-880-5800
Full Service Butcher
Prime Dry Aged Beef

Bornhofen's Meat Market
6155 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60660
773-764-0714
Full Service Butcher
Prime Dry Aged Beef

Paulina Market
3501 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
773-248-6272
Prime and Choice meats
German style sausage
Smoked meats
Full Service Butcher

Devon Avenue Meats
800 Devon Ave
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-825-0478
(Inside Morningfield’s grocery)
Full Service Butcher
Prime Dry Aged Beef

Fox and Obel
401 E. Illinois Street
Chicago, IL 60611
312-410-7301
Prime Dry Aged Beef
Full Service Butcher
Fresh duck, foie gras etc.

Http://www.penzeys.com
1138 Lake St
Oak Park, IL 60301
708-848-7772
Excellent selection of fresh spices

http://www.thespicehouse.com
The Spice House
1512 N Wells Street
Chicago, IL
773-274-0378

Northwestern Cutlery
http://northwesterncutlery.com
810 W Lake St
Chicago, IL 60607
312- 421-3666
Discount Brand Name Knives/Sharpening Service

Restaurant Supply Houses:
There are at least a dozen new and used restaurant equipment supply houses on Madison Street beginning at around Morgan, which is a few blocks west of Halsted, and run west for 5 or so blocks, I do not have a favorite among them.

Lake and Randolph Street, west of Halsted, both have many wholesale meat and produce, you would enjoy exploring the area.
 
Gary, thanks for the updated list. I know there are tons of places in Chicago that have stuff worth listing, but here's one you might want to add.

Joe's Market
4452 North Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 478-5443

Excellent sausage shop, especially dry cured Hungarian styles such as Czabai (sp?), a spicy pepperoni-like sausage, and prosciutta, a dry cured pork loin (it's not prosciutto, but still great).

Don't recall the hours, but definitely not open on Sundays.

Prices are reasonable too.

Joe (no relation)
 
Joe,

Thanks for the info, Joe's is a great place for sausage. I posted about Joe's back in 1998 to the newsgroup chi.eats, I am pretty tuned into the food scene in Chicago. <G>

Another sausage shop you might like is Andy's on Milwaukee Ave, great fresh polish sausage (Bruce Cook likes them as well) Andy's polish are good grilled or simmered with sauerkraut, but three or four hours on a smoker and they turn into magic. The Hot Links from Peoria Packing are also excellent after 4 hours on a smoker, though not all that good grilled or pan-fried.

Andy's is also the home to the best baloney for BBQ, I have bought up to 8-lb hunks, scored with a knife, slathered with cheap yellow mustard, coated with spicy dry rub and smoked, man o man, talk about good eating.

If you live in Bolingbrook and know about Joe’s it seems as if we may be kindred sprits. Next time we have a big BBQ bash you and your family may wish to join us. We just had a really great pig roast at The Goat Kings. 110-lb porker cooked on a cinderblock pit over wood burned to coals. Pure Piggy Perfection. I posted a few pics to alt.binaries.food, though they most likely are no longer available. If you would like to see a few pics I will be happy to send them to you direct.

Gee, if I keep posting at this rate, I won’t be a New Member any longer. I am #120, but don’t post often.

Enjoy,
Gary

Andy's Deli
3055 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
773-486-8160
(3055 N Milwaukee)
(1737 W Division St.)

Gary's chi.eats Joe's Sausage Post From 1998
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

 

Back
Top