Jokers Cajun Smokehouse Reviews
Submitted by Edgar Torres on 08/03/2022
Edgar Torres 5 stars rating.
The burnt ends and fried pickles are excellent starters. The combination plate with 4 items did not miss. The brisket was excellent (and quite honestly the best I’ve ever had), the spare rib was smoky and flavorful, the chicken was moist and perfectly seasoned, and finally the pulled pork was juicy and left me out of room. The collard greens AND corn bread were fantastic. I will definitely be returning.
James Koehn 4 stars rating.
My dining companion had the brisket. He was not impressed. We both liked our sides. I liked my spare ribs. The sauces were good as well. My gumbo with shrimp was devine. I will go back.
Submitted by James Koehn on 08/28/2022
Lauren Barone 5 stars rating.
Went for dinner on a Friday and there was plenty of seating (let’s change that, people!). We ordered chicken tenders, hush puppies and burnt ends for apps and the tenders and the burnt ends were awesome! I liked the hush puppies but I think they may have had seafood in them, so that threw me. The jambalaya and the gumbo were soooooooo good. My bf got the 4 meat platter and it was good but it definitely didn’t beat the max and cheese with brisket that mg sister got of the fried shrimp po boy that I got! The bread on the po boy was so soft and good. The mashed potatoes with the gravy, oh my gos. Everyone agreed hands down our favorite. Wow. We would drink that gravy. Finally, the desserts.the caramel nut brownie cheesecake was amazing, honestly. The blueberry cobbler was good. The cocktails were ok & I don’t recommend the corn bread.
Submitted by Lauren Barone on 08/27/2022
Heather Shabander 5 stars rating.
Listen, I was sad when the previous bbq joint in this location closed. After trying Joker’s, I am happy to say that void is filled with EXCEEDING expectations.
We tried the burnt ends, pulled pork, spare ribs, chicken and brisket. Even after sitting for a bit at the table, the brisket and pulled pork did not dry out. Every bite was tender, juicy, and full of delicious smoky flavor.
For sides, you will not go wrong with the greens and cornbread. Also liked the slaw; it wasn’t overdressed and was super crispy.
Server was helpful & nice and the food wasn’t a long wait. I highly recommend coming in.
P.S. Google - why doesn’t this restaurant come up under the restaurants tab on maps? I had to zoom all the way in to find it. Let’s get some people in here! This food was delicious!
Submitted by Heather Shabander on 06/26/2022
Wayne Lowry 5 stars rating.
Prompt, excellent service. Excellent smoked meats. Sauce is better than what Fat Willys used to serve. Large portion sizes for sides (we had slaw, potato salad, and Mac and cheese). Food comes out quickly, so it's a great stop before you head across the street for a movie.
Submitted by Wayne Lowry on 06/08/2022
MEL SANCHEZ 2 stars rating.
Came here for an all you can eat crawfish boil with my wife and a friend. We're all here from the gulf coast so we were excited to get some proper crawfish.
We walked in, were seated in an oddly flowed dining area (honestly seems like a really annoying layout for service) tried to order Abita beers that they ended up being out of. The flavor on the crawfish wasn't bad per say, but I'm not sure who that boil was for other than other Midwesterners that at one point have had Cajun food.
Here's a note, our boils down south, people are typically at least having 2-4 lbs of crawfish each and that's if it's priced per pound, not to say you wouldn't be going harder if it were showing up to a AYCE boil.
The individual trays ( a first for me ????) had about a quarter pound of crawfish on em each and then enough sausage, potatoes, and corn to feed a whole family. I appreciate sides but at the end of the day, not what we came here for.
The crawfish were great size wise this season but the seasoning wasn't there. They should be spicy enough that you're at least calming down with your favorite easy beer, though we all reminisced about the many times we've had crawfish so hot it's starting to burn your cuticles and every cut you'd never known about and you just.keep.going. unfortunately just not the case here, but like I said, the flavor wasn't bad it just wasn't anything to write home about.
The staff seemed kind, though a bit thrown off. Not sure of they didn't have the proper equipment to do a boil, but we had to wait like 25 minutes usually between our quarter lb crawfish trays and it just really ruined the whole experience for us. I'm not sure we'll ever return, because although their menu looks good, it seems like from these other reviews, it may not be worth the effort.
Submitted by Mel Sanchez on 05/02/2022
Lisa Mergens BS, MA, RDH 1 stars rating.
Was really excited to try this place as I frequent New Orleans -sometimes monthly -and crave good Cajun food up North. Plus, it boasted itself as a smokehouse which put an interesting twist on it (love bbq!). That said, our party of 6 was collectively beyond disappointed. They were running a crawfish boil and when we called ahead we were told that the regular menu would be available. When we arrived, we were informed that many of their items were NOT available, and when I asked about certain dishes, I was told they “never carried that” (one ex.: boudin balls). Well, guess what? Their online menu and their in-house menu don’t vibe at all. I ordered burnt ends and gumbo along with some cornbread and pickled veggies. The rest of the table ordered various bbq items - pork, chicken, ribs as well as jambalaya. General consensus was that the meats lacked flavor and were super dry. The jambalaya (I tasted it) wanted to be good- had decent flavor- but was a sticky, globby mess and unappetizing. Creamed corn was anything but creamed and the corn bread itself was dry and flavorless. Now, the gumbo was good- very flavorful, not too soupy, and the addition of shrimp meant some nice charred little fellas on top the bowl. The waiter was nice enough but a bit brusque. The chef greeted us when we sat down and was sweet and friendly and when he came by to see how things were and we mentioned dry meats he commented that he’d “try to do better”. Applaud the idea of that but if you’re touting yourself as a bbq place, shouldn’t it just BE better always? Side note- my spicy margarita was on point, but that and the gumbo aren’t enough to convince me return when I can make both at home just as well. There are places I’ve gone and not enjoyed that I’d consider giving a second chance to. This isn’t one of them. If I can’t find a better Cajun/Creole place in Chicago I’ll just wait til my next trip to NOLA to enjoy that wonderful cuisine.
Submitted by Lisa Mergens Bs, Ma, Rdh on 05/02/2022
Alan C 5 stars rating.
Went to their all-you-can-eat crayfish boil today and it was a great time! Look at the photo of the hefty helping of crayfish that comes with corn, potatoes, and andouille sausage! The crawfish was extremely fresh and weren't over cooked! We had 3 trays each of crawfish! My only tip would be more seasoning in the boil water-the Chef came out to check on us and was only more than happy to give us more of his seasoning.
After talking to the chef, we found out his gumbo roux is a tan brown roux not burnt, and is thicker like a stew and less like a soup. We knew we had to have a bowl...and if you look at the photo, it is spot on! One of the best gumbo in the city! Peppery and hearty, the flavours of the "holy trinity" of gumbo making shine through the dish, and he finishes it with okra and a generous amount of the proteins (we had the chicken and andouille) and loved it!
The venue has a great covered outdoor patio which makes you feel like your in Lousiana at a crayfish boil eating outside and drinking a beer. The only bummer is that their pots are in their kitchen so you don't get to enjoy watching or smelling the boiling crawfish and spices of a typical crawfish boil outdoors. What lacks in getting to watch the boil, is made up with the fact that the chef came out to talk to each of the tables before it became crowded.
We had a blast and will be back soon for dinner service!
Submitted by Alan C on 05/01/2022
Demi Smith 4 stars rating.
The brisket is where it's at! I had the hush puppies and they were just too dry for my taste. I also ordered the beans and rice and unfortunately it had pork in it, but not listed on the menu(togo).... Mac& cheese was nice. For a non pork eater that's from the south there was a clear winner, and that was brisket. I'll go back for that.
Submitted by Demi Smith on 04/03/2022
Christine Collins 1 stars rating.
Prior to coming to the restaurant I reviewed the menu and it was amazing, so I was really excited about trying it out. My boyfriend had a slab of ribs (appeared to be two), greens, red beans and rice and he enjoyed everything. We started off with the smoked chicken which was prepared to perfection, but had 0 flavor. It tasted like card board. It was like eating a slice of cake with no sugar and icing on top. The sauces they give you only helped a little. I ordered the Jambalaya and the flavor was overwhelming, it didn't agree with my palate at all. I decided to try the shrimp po boy and the shrimp had a overwhelming season on it also, the shrimp were over cooked, and the bread was toasted too long. The service was good.
Submitted by Christine Collins on 04/02/2022
Gregory Martinez 5 stars rating.
My favorite BBQ dinner bar none, ever. These guys are bringing their A game, everyday. We went for dinner for two, and got a combo platter, some sides, and the wings. The chicken was some of the best I've every had, smoky and juicy, the brisket was fall apart tender, and I was literally able to pull the bones out of my ribs. For the sides, what I had was good, but the house pickles were the perfect tangy counterpoint to the meats. Planning on going back soon.
Submitted by Gregory Martinez on 03/27/2022
Kathie E 5 stars rating.
At last, real BBQ in Chicago. Over 2 visits we had baby back ribs, pulled pork, beef burnt ends and smoked wings. All were sublimely smoky. Gumbo, fries and red beans and rice were also terrific. My favorite sauce was the slightly sweet and spicy chipotle but they have a wide variety. Next time will try the étouffé and jambalaya.
Submitted by Kathie E on 03/20/2022
tony m 1 stars rating.
Let me start it off by ordering online and picking it up at the restaurant, which took 20 minutes at the location waiting (on a Sunday night) then speeding back to my office and open my "amazing brisket" to which I see an "amazing amount" of fries as well. What can I say I had better meal out of a shack on the side of an expressway. Bet your bottom dollar I will not be going back.
Submitted by Tony M on 03/06/2022
Nick Piepmeier (Pieps) 5 stars rating.
Even if you've been following the folks behind Joker's, you'll still be surprised at what they've come up with this time.
The amazing Cajun dishes that they've been serving up at the French Market (and at Local 22 before that) are here in force. Their gumbo is as good as or better than the best I've had in New Orleans.
But there's something new here: obscenely delicious barbecue. Most BBQ restaurants can hold their own in one or two kinds of meat; you're either a brisket place, or a pulled pork place, or a ribs place. Very few manage to do a respectable job at multiple meats. Joker's turns every meat it touches into delicious smoked gold.
You need to try their burnt ends. You need to try their pulled pork. Their smoked chicken is amazing, and that's something that's generally an afterthought anywhere else.
Get their collard greens - you won't be disappointed. And their homemade sauces and pickles are fantastic.
Honestly, you can't go wrong here. The folks behind this place are passionate about what they do, and have been doing it for a very long time, and it shows.
Submitted by Nick Piepmeier (pieps) on 02/26/2022
Evan Pederson 5 stars rating.
Ordered takeout and we really enjoyed it. The smoked wings were great and the pulled pork is excellent. Definitely recommend the Mac and cheese!
Submitted by Evan Pederson on 01/30/2022
