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Had a great meal at Smoque today, and asked Barry point-blank when the next Smoque/Cemitas collabo would be.....he said some time in the next month or two, but that they hadn't nailed down a date yet.

Mr. Maki and I went to Smoque this afternoon; it was the first time we'd dined there since they catered our wedding almost 2 years ago. The woman at the register who took our order recognized us- she was one of the servers that lovely night. She said we had one of the nicest weddings she'd ever been present at and was glad to see us; we told her our guests said we had the best food they'd ever had at a wedding.

We were seated at a table next to the people who were in line behind us. It looked like a couple about our age and the husband's father, who seemed to be in from out of town. We overheard him raving about how Famous Dave's is the pinnacle of BBQ for him. Our orders came up at the same time and I overheard the guy tell the guy at the counter that he was going to be comparing them to Famous Dave's. The counter guy gave him a confident, "Okay! Great!"

The guy tasted the beans, said they were "killer" and upon his first bite of the ribs, said, "Well, Famous Dave's may lose this contest."

Well, duh....

I have never been to Smoque. My husband and I tried to go once years ago after they first opened but didn't because of the crowds (Not one to stand in ridiculous lines for food) but after reading this thread about a month ago, we put it on our list to hit. But that's irrelavant. I just wanted to add that although I have never been to Smoque I don't know how that guy could even think about comparing Smoque to Famous Dave's. I have a friend who raves about Famous Dave's and when she took me a couple of years ago I thought it was a waste of money. Bland and generic does not even accurately describe it, although utter crap might. Though I'd never been to Smoque, even I know these two places are on completely different levels. Yep major eye roll. Is there also an emo icon for sigh?

I can't really think of one thing the Smoque does not do way better than Famous Dave's. I consider FD;s in the same way I think of Russells BBQ. They use BBQ in their name, but they do not deliver the real goods.

From Cemitas Puebla's facebook page:



I'm annoyed because Tuesdays are the one evening I can't ever make it!

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Anthony Bourdain on Barack Obama: "He's from Chicago, so he knows what good food is."

The funny thing was that he had a southern accent. He must have been from Florida, or something though, because I know there's good BBQ in the other southern states.

You should really try to get there, though! We went at about 2:45 on Saturday (and it was nice weather) and there was maybe three people ahead of us.

Famous Dave's is a mega-chain with locations all over, though few in the south. Being shocked that someone would compare Smoque to Famous Dave's is like being shocked that someone likes Macaroni Grill, Chili's, etc. Easy target to make fun of.

Bread pudding.

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LAZ
Dining Chicago
Index to LTHForum Recipes, 2004-2008

Does Smoque do bread pudding? I only recall a peach cobbler on the dessert menu.

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Local Beet

I wouldn't say I was shocked to hear someone say it...I was more afraid he could hear my eyes rolling next to him.

No, they don't. I'm sure it would be better than Famous Dave's if they did, though!

Yes, it is definately on our list of places to go so hopefully we will get a chance to hit up Smoque sometime soon. Never ever setting foot inside a Famous Dave's ever again even if they were giving out free samples at the door.

I enjoy Smoque, and get there pretty often. Brisket sandwich with a side of fries and a sausage link, the quality continues. I would add updates, but there is no more data I can offer.

I just fear this thread may have "jumped the shark" when back to back posts include a restaurant comparison from a person who hasn't eaten at one of the restaurants, and a restaurant comparison between a hypothetical menu item Smoque doesn't make.

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Today I caught that fish again, that lovely silver prince of fishes,
And once again he offered me, if I would only set him free—
Any one of a number of wonderful wishes... He was delicious! - Shel Silverstein

LOL, gotta agree.

=R=

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I just wanna live until I gotta die. I know I ain't perfect but God knows I try. --Todd Snider

Twitter: ronniesuburban

No worries. It's what we do.

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Food & Flowers: Andre Jordan's sweet doodle for a cold winter's day; diary of an unhappy restaurateur, circa 1881; winter project - try a terrarium

We should probably be discussing Smoque's hypothetical bourbon chicken.

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-Josh

An amuse bouche at breakfast is called a Bloody Mary - Scott Manlin

Currently at Cemitas Puebla, there is a banner hung low on the counter stating:
"Cemitas night at Smoque!"
Where we will be making the
"Brisket Cemita"
Come & Enjoy One!!!
Tues May 15 from 5-9pm
Smoque BBQ
3800 N Pulaski

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I did absolutely nothing and it was everything I thought it could be.

Is there any chance of the brisket cemita still being available around 8 pm? That's the earliest I could get over there. In the previous event did it sell out early?

A carry-out lunch from Smoque last week for our office made me a bit of hero with out-of-town visitors who'd never had it . . . and my workmates, as well. St. Louis ribs and brisket were downright spectacular. The ribs had a perfect crusty bark and the unctuous, fatty meat tugged away from the bone beautifully. The perfect slices of brisket were also stellar. It was moist, smokey and tender and had a great bark as well. But hell, everything was sensational, including the chicken, Mikeksa sausages and pulled pork. Baked beans were as good as ever, as were the cornbread and mac & cheese. Even the fries were great after a 15-minute ride back to the office (though, they were even better in the car on our ride back to the office ). Once I learned that we had visitors coming for lunch, I knew just want I wanted to feed them. Not only was it a fantastic lunch, Smoque made me look damned good.

=R=

_________________
I just wanna live until I gotta die. I know I ain't perfect but God knows I try. --Todd Snider

Twitter: ronniesuburban

I really enjoyed my lunch from Smoque the other day. Spareribs were the highlight. Nice smoke and pork flavor and a perfect texture. I had the chili for the first time and really liked it. The only disappointment was the brisket, which both my wife and I found to be pretty devoid of any flavor (except for the bark).