The menu logo from Smokin' Joe's BBQ in Palos Park, IL on Chicago's south side
Good BBQ is so hard to find in Mid-Michigan. Not in Chicago. J hasn’t used any vacation days since starting her new job and since we wanted to go see my niece, she decided to take a few days off which would give us a chance to catch up with both of our families and a number of friends in Illinois. On our first night in town, we hung out at one of J’s friends in Crestwood. They have a little one of their own so carry-out is one of their best friends. We were hanging out in their living room when it started to get close to dinner time. I haven’t known these people all that long yet, but they knew BBQ was a good way to earn a special place in my heart.
Smokin’ Joe’s is a little carry-out place in Palos Park. I didn’t go pick up the food, but I’m told they’re in a strip mall. The joint is strictly carry-out and since that’s what we were looking for, Smokin’ Joe’s was a good fit. I didn’t want to eat ribs in front of people I still don’t know that well, so I ordered a pulled pork sandwich and fries. When we were all putting in our orders, J’s friend asked me if I wanted coleslaw on my pulled pork. Cole slaw? That’s something I’ve never encountered before. I know it’s a very Carolina concept and I see people doing it in the cooking shows I watch, but I’ve never actually eaten at a place that actually puts coleslaw on the sandwich. I wasn’t really wanting to try it so I asked to leave it off. J and her friend bothgot the pulled pork with the slaw and a side of jalapeno beans. Read the rest of this entry »
Mid-Michigan Dining 
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