Restaurant

Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River

Name: Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River
Address: 3057 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL, 60618, US
Telephone: (773) 648-7610
Price range: value

Barbecue•Avondale•value

Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River is one of the best barbecue restaurants in Chicago for dinner, especially if you want a strong option in Avondale.

Soul & Smoke at Rockwell on the River isn't chasing prestige-barbecue status, and the Avondale crowd that keeps coming back on Tuesday nights seems to appreciate the honesty.

Editorial review•Dec 9, 2025

Soul & Smoke at Rockwell on the River isn't chasing prestige-barbecue status, and the Avondale crowd that keeps coming back on Tuesday nights seems to appreciate the honesty. Price level one, zero apology — the room is reportedly convivial and elbow-on-table casual, the kind of neighborhood spot where regulars have already figured out the value proposition and aren't interested in keeping it a secret. What separates it from the standard smokehouse, based on consistent diner feedback, is the range: low-and-slow anchors sharing a menu with Gulf-inflected plates, which is a harder balancing act than it sounds and, by most accounts, one the kitchen pulls off. The Prime Brisket Dinner is what the restaurant is known for — diners consistently point to the smoke ring and bark as the reason to make the trip, and it's the plate that shows up in nearly every recommendation. The Meat Sampler is the logical first move if you don't want to commit before you've done reconnaissance; it's reportedly the best way to orient yourself to the menu, and the Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage that arrives on that platter draws particular attention for balancing heat and richness without either element running away. On the Louisiana side of things, the Pulled Pork Po'Boy is described as barbecue-forward rather than a straight regional replica, and the Cajun Shrimp & Grits reads across reviews as a genuine cross-regional pairing rather than a kitchen novelty. Practical intel: portions at this price point are reportedly substantial, so skip building a meal around starters and go straight to the mains. Weekends draw a crowd, and early arrival is consistently recommended over waiting. The Meat Sampler is the right opening move — order it, share it, and use it to plan your return.

Carlos Mendez, Food & Drink Editor

Methodology•Chicago guides•Editorial team

Avondale dinner creative hidden gem

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Taste ID

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Rating (Google) 8.8

427 reviews

Chicago

At a glance

The fastest read on whether this place fits tonight.

8.8

Rating

Based on 427 reviews

Best used for

dinner and Avondale

Price and pace

Good value

Neighborhood

Avondale · 3057 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618, USA

Price

Good value

Google rating

8.8 from 427 reviews

Phone

(773) 648-7610

Watch

Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River on video

Video: IN CULINARY, INC. (third-party feature) · plays on YouTube

Short: Turano Baking Co. (third-party feature) · plays on YouTube

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What to order

Signature dishes at Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River

Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage

Heritage-bred, Midwest-raised pork blended with cheddar and jalapeño, grilled over charcoal

Meat Sampler

Brisket, pulled pork, rib tips, cheddar jalapeño link, and housemade pickles

Prime Brisket Dinner

Prime brisket, mac & cheese, collard greens, and brown butter cornbread muffin

Pulled Pork Po'Boy

Slow-smoked, heritage-bred pork layered with garlic mayo, BBQ sauce, and mild giardiniera on a toasted French roll

Cajun Shrimp & Grits

Argentinian Red shrimp in a smoky chicken andouille gravy over creamy heirloom stone ground grits

Why go

What makes Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River worth the move

Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River is a strong barbecue option in Avondale in Chicago when you want somewhere that already has a solid public track record. Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage and Meat Sampler also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 8.8 rating across 427 Google reviews.

What to know fast

Public rating

8.8 from 427 Google reviews

Best used for

dinner and Avondale

Style

Barbecue in Avondale

Spend

Good value

Best for

Avondale dinner creative hidden gem

Know before you go

Google rating: 8.8 from 427 reviews

Price point: value

Popular dishes: Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage, Meat Sampler, Prime Brisket Dinner

Website linked on this page

TastyPals Reviews

What diners are saying

0 diner reviews · reviewed by Carlos Mendez for Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River

Google snapshot

8.8 from 427 reviews

TastyPals notes

Editorial review by Carlos Mendez

Dhanteraz Indian Fusion occupies the former Savannah Supper Club space on West Roscoe Street, and the transformation matters: what was once a supper club is now one of Roscoe Village's most talked-about Indian kitchens, a BYOB spot where…

Plan the visit

Quick details

Visit Website Menu Directions

Address: 3057 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618, USA
Phone: (773) 648-7610
Price: value
TastyPals score: Coming soon
Google rating: 8.8 (427 reviews)
Cuisine: Barbecue
Neighborhood: Avondale

Restaurants in Avondale

Frequently asked questions

What cuisine does Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River serve?

Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River is a Barbecue restaurant located in Avondale, Chicago. Soul & Smoke at Rockwell on the River isn't chasing prestige-barbecue status, and the Avondale crowd that keeps coming back on Tuesday nights seems to appreciate the honesty.

What is Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River best for?

Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River is best for avondale, dinner, creative, hidden gem. Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River is a strong barbecue option in Avondale in Chicago when you want somewhere that already has a solid public track record. Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage and Meat Sampler also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 8.8 rating across 427 Google reviews.

How much does it cost to eat at Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River?

Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River is in the Good value price range (value). Google rating: 8.8 from 427 reviews

What should I order at Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River?

Start with Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage, Meat Sampler, Prime Brisket Dinner and Pulled Pork Po'Boy. These dishes are shown from TastyPals notes or restaurant data on this page.

Is Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River worth visiting?

Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River holds a 8.8 Google rating from 427 reviews. Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River is a strong barbecue option in Avondale in Chicago when you want somewhere that already has a solid public track record. Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage and Meat Sampler also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 8.8 rating across 427 Google reviews.

Where is Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River located?

Soul & Smoke - Avondale at Rockwell on the River is located at 3057 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618, USA. Directions are available via Google Maps.

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