WRIGLEYVILLE — A renowned celebrity pitmaster could be grilling up in Wrigleyville soon at a long-vacant corner just blocks from Wrigley Field.
Three-time world champion barbecue chef Myron Mixon is in talks to open a line of barbecue restaurants, with the first Smoke Show Barbecue going in 3801 N. Clark St., a source told DNAinfo Chicago.
The brash star of "BBQ Pitmasters" has 20 years of winning barbecue contests and almost 200 grand championships under his belt. He's often referred to as the "winningest man in barbecue" and began on "BBQ Pitmasters" as a competitor on the barbecue circuit before returning as a judge for the show's competitive game show reboot, now in its seventh season on Destination America.
Under the Jack's Old South brand (named for his father), Mixon runs a catering business in Georgia, along with a cooking school. He also has a cookbook and a line of smokers and grills.
In other words, this guy knows barbecue.
Developers have put an estimated $475,000 into basic building renovations since January, according to city permits. A second permit filed March 2 estimates another $90,000 in interior renovations for the first-floor restaurant.
Renovations have begun inside 3801 N. Clark St., where it's possible "Pitmasters" star Myron Mixon will partner on Smoke Show Barbecue. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]
The former Piano Man bar closed in 2014 and remained vacant until January, when Kudan Group sold the 4,500-square-foot space. It faces Uncommon Ground at Clark and Grace and will be down the street from MedMar dispensary, 3812 N. Clark St.
Mixon wouldn't be the first "BBQ Pitmasters" star to open shop in Chicago. Lee Ann Whippen, once a regular on the show with her Wood Chicks BBQ, is a partner in Chicago q at 1160 N. Dearborn.
Mixon's talent agent and Jack's Old South did not respond to a request for comment. Building owner Dwight Badger said he had no comment "at this time."
A public announcement of the partnership is expected in the next couple weeks, said the source, who is familiar with the negotiations but unable to comment publicly until the deal is finalized.
Earlier this year, a sign appeared at 3801 N. Clark St. announcing a restaurant called Smoke Show Barbecue. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]
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