Smoke Daddy

Smoke Daddy Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant & décor: Long before the sister restaurant debuted in Wrigleyville, Smoke Daddy had been catering to Wicker Parkers since 1994. Booming business led to an expansion from a tight dining room to an expansive patio with outdoor heat lamps and flatscreens. A smaller front patio is popular with dog lovers. At night, a stage positioned at the main entrance shakes with blues bands evoking the soul of Chicago.

Likes: Smoked, flavorful meats and regular music on the roster.
Dislikes: The stage in the main dining room is tiny, but that adds to the charm.

Food & Drinks: Smoke Daddy takes its cues from Midwestern flavors, most notably, Kansas City, with its vinegar-based, note of celery seed sauces. Meat is smoked in-house over fruit woods such as apple and cherry. For a true sample, choose the tender chicken and ribs platter, which comes with two sides, from creamy mac 'n cheese to cornbread. A KC-style burnt ends sandwich is packed with juicy meat. Surprisingly, one of the stars isn't pure meat, but the Wrightwood salad, layer upon layer of rotisserie chicken, tomatoes, craisins, avocado, goat cheese, corn, almonds and cornbread croutons dressed in a citrus vinaigrette. For a sweet finish, go with the skillet cookie. The drinks menu favors craft beer, specialty cocktails and a slim California, European and New Zealand wine list.