LAKEVIEW — After a year, food will be served up again at 962 W. Belmont Ave. But instead of bagels, it'll be barbecue fresh from the smoker.
Blackwood BBQ will open Saturday at Belmont and Sheffield in the former Einstein Bros. bagel shop. Renovations on the third Blackwood BBQ began in October, including painting over Einstein's dark red exterior for a more neutral ivory facade.
Smoked for up to 15 hours, Blackwood BBQ's brisket is its pride and joy, along with pulled pork and chicken and six regional sauces. The meats can be ordered as sandwiches, salads or half-pound platters for $7.49-$9.99.
Blackwood BBQ specializes in house-smoked brisket, pulled pork and chicken served in a fast-casual style. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]
Blackwood BBQ takes its side dishes equally seriously, with a mac-and-cheese ($1.79) that takes four hours to make and uses extra sharp white, cheddar and aged Gruyere. Other side dishes include honey cheddar cornbread ($1.29), apple coleslaw ($1.29) and smokehouse beans ($1.79).
The Lakeview location will eventually expand to offer brunch dishes including briskets n' gravy, biscuit sandwiches and breakfast hash.
Beer could also be served with the food if Blackwood BBQ gets its incidental liquor license. Last week, Hawthorne Neighbors threw their support behind the proposal, which owners promised would be secondary to the food, as opposed to a full bar.
Blackwood BBQ is opening its third location at 962 W. Belmont Ave. on Saturday. [Provided/Blackwood BBQ]
Blackwood BBQ opened its first location in The Loop in 2013, followed by a second soon after. Calling Lakeview the "flagship location," Blackwood pitmaster Dylan Lipe said customers would get a chance to watch the smoker being loaded and the brisket carved to order.
Blackwood BBQ will open a fourth location soon in the Illinois Center, 233 N. Michigan Ave., partner Stephanie Simpson said.
"We believe there is a strong appetite for our barbecue," Simpson said. It "will continue to expand throughout Chicago."
The 50-seat restaurant will be open from 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and until midnight Fridays and Saturdays. It joins a bustling intersection where The House Cafe, Home Run Inn and Beef Shack have all opened in recent months.
Blackwood BBQ is opening its third location at 962 W. Belmont Ave. on Saturday. A fourth location planned for the Illinois Center Downtown will also open soon. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]
