The 2022 Barrington High School Homecoming parade is tomorrow morning:
“The BHS Homecoming Parade gets underway at 10:15am on Saturday, Oct. 1. All participants will leave from the METRA Station and march down Main Street to BHS. Alumni floats line up behind all the high school student entries, with the exception of the 50th Reunion Class which will take their place in the front of the parade.”
Since resurfacing construction continues along the most of the parade route, trust us when we write there is little that cannot be accomplished in downtown Barrington before 9:00 AM. So, unless you’re participating in or viewing the festivities, we strongly suggest getting an early start tomorrow.
A list of 2022 Homecoming activities can be found here. Enjoy.
Buffalo Creek Brewing co-owners Josh Czarnik, left, and Mike Marr, right, pose with Alex Bersin during the brewpub’s 2019 Oktoberfest. The fest returns this weekend to the Long Grove brewery.
Goebbert’s Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 30 at Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch 40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington, goebbertspumpkinfarm.com. Both locations offer animals, corn stalk mazes, wagon rides, pig races, fall food, produce and more. South Barrington offers a duck derby, giraffe barn, a magic show, pony and camel rides, a pumpkin-eating dinosaur and a haunted house. Tickets are $18 on weekdays, $22 on weekends and holidays; $12 seniors; free for kids 2 and younger.
Randall Oaks Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sunday, Oct. 30, at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Weekend activities include pedal tractors, pumpkins for sale, and on weekends, hayrides for $3 and animal shows. $4.25 for residents, $5 for nonresidents, and free for kids 1 and younger and U.S. military with ID. dtpd.org/randall-oaks-zoo.
Buffalo Creek Brewing Oktoberfest: Noon to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, at Buffalo Creek Brewing, 360 Historical Lane, Long Grove. Family-friendly fest features traditional beer and food, Bavarian music, open-air performances, competitions and more both indoors and outdoors. Free admission. buffalocreekbrewing.com.
Bushel of Apples Fall Fest: 3-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, in Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Phase Three Brewing Company releases their Bushel of Apples collaboration with Affy Tapple. Family-friendly activities, live music, food trucks and a fall photo booth. $5 donation for a wristband and free entry for kids and those not drinking. Benefits Gigi’s Playhouse. (847) 749-6639, info@phasethreebrewing.com or phasethreebrewing.com.
Stories by the Campfire: 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, at Randall Oaks Park community shelter, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Cowboy Randy Erwin sings and tells stories of cowboy life and demonstrates rope tricks. Free. dtpd.org.
Algonquin Harvest Market: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Main Street Algonquin, 220 S. Main St., Algonquin. A wide variety of vendors including farm-fresh produce and crafts, food, entertainment, giveaways and more. Free admission. AlgonquinHarvestMarket.com.
Fall-A-Palooza: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Lions Park, 1200 Silver Lake Road, Cary. Annual Cary Park District event featuring hayrides, pony rides, petting zoo, crafts, pumpkin patch, DJ, Touch-A-Truck, trick-or-treat trail and more. $13 for kids 3 and older; free for adults and infants. carypark.com.
Northwest Celtic Fest: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Now Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. Celtic-themed event features family-friendly activities such as Celtic music, children’s games and activities, a Celtic Marketplace, animal meet-and-greet opportunities, Celtic-themed food and drinks and more. Free admission and parking. facebook.com/NWCelticFest.
Fishing Derby: 7:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, at Fabbrini Park, 1704 Glen Lake Road, Hoffman Estates. Bring poles for the annual catch-and-release fishing derby. Participants have three hours to catch as many fish as possible for awards and prizes. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Fishing rods can be borrowed for derby. Registration required. Fee per person. heparks.org.
Magnicity, the global operator and creator of innovative, experiential attractions high above notable cities, celebrates the grand opening of CloudBar on the 94th floor of the former John Hancock Center (875 N. Michigan Ave.). Situated over 1,000 feet above The Magnificent Mile at 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, the new concept bar unveiled reimagines how tourist destinations feature hyper-local artisans and food and beverage partnerships to magnify a city’s authentic best.
“We want each Magnicity location to act as a true city ambassador for our guests – encouraging exploration of the vibrant neighborhoods within our cities and forging new adventures and experiences. We are thrilled to introduce our brand-new bar concept with CloudBar,” says Alexia Vettier, CEO of Magnicity, a Paris-based company that owns and operates 360 CHICAGO and other Magnicity experiences in landmark locations around the world.
Expect sky-high style and an exclusive showcase of Chicago’s makers and artisans curated from the diverse communities admired in the city’s distinct neighborhoods.
The $2M+ renovation and opening of CloudBar represents the most recent of a ten-year, $14M investment strategy at 360 CHICAGO, all with a goal of centering authentic Chicago stories and experiences in every aspect of the guest journey.
Kids enjoy balancing apples on their heads at a previous Long Grove Apple Fest, which returns this weekend.
Goebbert’s Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Sept. 23-29, at Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch 40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington, goebbertspumpkinfarm.com. Animals, mazes, wagon rides, pig races, fall food and produce and more. Tickets are $18 on weekdays, $22 on weekends and holidays; $12 seniors; free for kids 2 and younger.
Long Grove Apple Fest: Noon to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. The 31st annual Apple Fest features apple treats, from apple cider doughnuts to apple wine to green apple cotton candy to apple tempura. Plus, live music, family activities, a carnival and more. Music from Pettykings at 6:30 p.m. and Hillbilly Rockstars at 9 p.m. Friday; 7th heaven at 5 p.m., The Gingers at 7 p.m. and Terrapin Flyer at 9 p.m. Saturday; and Sixteen Candles at 4 p.m. Sunday. $5; free for kids 11 and younger. longgrove.org/festivals/apple-fest.
East Dundee Oktoberfest: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, and 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at The Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. Food, drinks, scarecrow contest, beer stein-holding contest at 7 p.m. Saturday, inflatables, Touch-A-Truck, face painting and more. Live music from the Polkaholics at 5 p.m. and Radio Gaga at 8 p.m. Friday, and Wurst Case Scenario at 2:30 p.m., Million Mile Scream at 5 p.m. and The Spazmatics at 8 p.m. Saturday. Free. eastdundee.net.
Johnny Appleseed Festival: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Williams and Brink streets, Crystal Lake. Scarecrow-decorating contest, games, petting zoo, food vendors, craft fair, pumpkin train, kids’ activities, live music and more. downtowncl.org.
Randall Oaks Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Saturday, Sept. 24, through Sunday, Oct. 30, at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Pedal tractors, pumpkins for sale, and on weekends, hayrides for $3 and animal shows. $4.25 for residents, $5 for nonresidents, and free for kids 1 and younger and U.S. military with ID. dtpd.org/fall-festival-3/.
Art in the Barn: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24-25, on the grounds of Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, 450 W. Route 22, Barrington. Features more than 150 selected artists exhibiting works in acrylics, ceramics, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, oils, pastels, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolors, wood and more. Situated in the barns and tents throughout the property, the fest also features entertainment, food and more. $5; free for kids 11 and younger. artinthebarn-barrington.com.
Annual Fall Ski Jump Tournament: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24-25, at Norge Ski Club, 100 Ski Hill Road, Fox River Grove. The competition begins at noon both days. On Saturday, Junior Jumpers will compete off the smaller ramps. On Sunday, the “Top Guns” of the sport will leap from the 150-foot tower, attempting to fly more than 250 feet. Food and drinks will be available for purchase; no carry-ins, no dogs. Admission is $20; $15 if purchased before Saturday from local merchants; free for kids 12 and younger. norgeskiclub.com.
“The Barrington Wine Walk offers an opportunity to sample different wines while browsing the shops of the village’s downtown from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8.
Tickets, $30 per person, include access to a sample pour at each merchant location, souvenir wineglass, a map of the wine-tasting locations, and a list to check off each tasting sample. Participants must be 21 or older and present valid identification.
Check-in begins at 2 p.m. at Neoteca, 130 S. Hough St. in Barrington. Tickets are limited and sell out quickly; visit www.barringtonchamber.com.
Participating businesses include: Anderson’s Candy Shop, Angelina, Barrington Flower Shop, Barrington’s White House, Edyta Fine Art and Design, Estate Jewelers LTD, Fancy Art, N.F.P., Flesk Brewing Co., Kamala’s Own Perfumery, Kate Marker Home, Long & Co. Jewelers, M.J. Miller & Co., Inc., Marvin’s Toy Store, McGonigal’s Pub, Moretti’s Barrington, One Girl, Savvy Spirit Women’s Clothing & Accessories, Shirley’s Piano Bar, Skin Wellness by Renee, Tootsies Women’s & Children’s Shoes and Vin Chicago.
The event will be held rain or shine. Ticket sales are final and support small businesses in our community. All sampling must take place inside merchant locations. This event will be conducted with COVID-conscious safety measures in place, and by process of attending this event, participants are confirming they are free of COVID symptoms.
The event is sponsored by The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Barrington. For details, call (847) 381-2525 or visit www.BarringtonChamber.com.”
The Cool Car Show on Saturday and Sunday is part of the annual Dundee Heritage Fest in downtown East and West Dundee. – John Starks | Staff Photographer, 2017
Goebbert’s Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Monday, Oct. 31, at Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard, 40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Animals, mazes, wagon rides, pig races and more. Tickets are $18 on weekdays, $22 on weekends and holidays; $12 seniors; free for kids 2 and younger. goebbertspumpkinpatch.com.
Richardson Adventure Farm corn maze: 3-9 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, through Oct. 30, at Richardson Adventure Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove. The maze features 10.3 miles of trails across 28 acres. This year’s maze celebrates the history of James Bond and includes a 10-minute option (left turns only) and a 1.5-hour option. Also features a 50-foot observation tower, train rides, a carousel, wagon rides, a zip line, 150- and 100-foot slides, Zorbing, a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, pedal kart tracks, live music on weekends, a kiddie play area, jumping pillows, pig races, air cannons, a paintball shooting gallery, a craft beer tent, food trucks and 13 acres of sunflowers. $18, $16 for kids 3-12, and free for kids 2 and younger. richardsonfarm.com.
Rotary Club of Palatine Oktoberfest: 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, Sept. 16; noon to midnight Saturday, Sept. 17; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at Slade and Smith streets, Palatine. Authentic German food, beer and live entertainment. Highlights include a traditional keg-rolling ceremony to kick off Oktoberfest at 5 p.m. Friday. Family Day activities on Saturday afternoon. Music from The Polkaholics at 9 p.m. Friday, Phenix at 8 p.m. Saturday and 3:15 p.m. Sunday. palatinerotary.com/Oktoberfest.php.
Dundee Heritage Fest: 6-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, in downtown East and West Dundee. Annual festival with food and drinks, 5K at 8 a.m. Saturday; arts and crafts fair from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday along the riverwalk; Cool Car Show from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday along South 2nd Street; baggo tournament at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Grafelman Park; kids’ activities; and Dundee Lions pancake breakfast from 8-11 a.m. Sunday. Music stage downtown: The Student Body from 6-8 p.m. and Madison County from 9-11 p.m. Friday; Bishop Super Band from 1:30-2:30 p.m., Brandon Reisdorf Quartet from 3-4 p.m., The Sofa Kings from 6:30-8:30 p.m., and Hi Infidelity from 9-11 p.m. Saturday; and Starlites jazz combo from 8-9 a.m., Guy Meets Girl from 10-11 a.m., Doc Diamond from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Controlled Burn from 1-2:30 p.m. and The Lennys from 3-5 p.m. Sunday. wdundeeheritagefest.org.
Dundee Lions Heritage Fest 5K: 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Chip-timed 5K run and 1.6-mile walk from West Dundee south along the Fox River and returning to East Dundee. Proceeds support local charities and businesses, as well as fulfilling eyeglass needs for children in Community Unit District 300. $45 the day of. facebook.com/lionsheritagefest5k.
Heritage Fest Art & Craft Show: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at Third Street and Lincoln Avenue, West Dundee. The show features approximately 90 artisans offering art in a variety of media, including jewelry, floral, apparel, stained glass, fabric sculpture, paper crafts, metal art, primitive wood, soup and dip mixes, honey products, soap, tie-dye and baby items. artoftheheartland.com/heritagefest.html.
Hooved Animal Humane Society Fall Festival: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Hooved Animal Humane Society, 10804 McConnell Road, Woodstock. Features Dave Dalton and friends of the Woodstock School of Music, as well as Equestrian Drill Teams Stateline Spitfires and Stateline Hotshots Rodeo Team, plus the Millers Petting Zoo and other family activities. Suggested donation: $10. hahs.org.
Fall Caboose Days: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at the Fox River Trolley Museum, off Route 31, South Elgin. Ride with the conductor in the Big Red Caboose or with the engineer in the locomotive. $5-$8. foxtrolley.org/special-events.
Motor Monday: 5 p.m. to dusk Monday, Sept. 19, at The Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. Family-friendly cruise night with music, food and drinks. Open to cars and trucks, all makes and models. Free. eastdundee.net.
The 3rd Thursdays Art Night Out series at Barrington’s White House features a local artist exhibition with works for sale, complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. On Sept. 15, enjoy a curated collection from nationally acclaimed and Chicago-based artists from the Oil Painters of America, including Susan Plough, whose work is pictured here. – Courtesy of Village of Barrington
Submitted by village of Barrington
Over a year ago, Barrington’s White House and the Barrington Cultural Commission embarked upon several community “Listening Sessions” to hear more about the types of events residents would like to see at Barrington’s White House.
Its 2022–23 season reflects the input received — a wider variety of fine art and musical ensembles, as well as humanities events that will challenge attendees to learn, grow and understand.
This season also boasts free admission for patrons ages 18 and younger with a paid adult ticket. Visit barringtonswhitehouse.com/events for tickets, registration and additional information.
‘Astor Piazzolla @100’
The fall season of cultural events launches on Sunday, Sept. 11, with multi-Grammy Award nominee and world-renowned violinist Philippe Quint and accompanist Jun Cho. In “Astor Piazzolla @100,” Quint celebrates the 100th birthday of Argentinian composer and tango master Astor Piazzolla with a recital and multimedia presentation of Piazzolla’s work.
Artist exhibitions
The 3rd Thursdays Art Night Out series features a local artist exhibition with works for sale, complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. The event is free and happens every 3rd Thursday from 6-8 p.m.
Enjoy a curated collection from nationally acclaimed and Chicago-based artists from the Oil Painters of America on Sept. 15. Artists featured include Susan Plough, J. Russell Wells and Stuart Fullerton.
Painter Anita Maher and jewelry artist Lynn Rushing will present their joint exhibition on Oct. 20.
On Nov. 17, friends Judy Skulborstad, an impressionist artist, and Barb Rydz Ross, an abstract artist, will showcase a selection of interpretations of a similar subject/theme using their unique approaches.
Just as the artists of Paris have done for hundreds of years, local artists will paint “Plein Air” (outdoors in the open air) in Barrington from Sept. 30 to Oct. 8. Come into town to watch more than 30 artists from across the Chicago area as they paint local landmarks during the week. Then, meet the artists in person on Saturday, Oct. 8, as they receive their awards, as well as showcase and sell their newly created pieces at the reception that evening.
Grammy Award-winning Third Coast Percussion became the first percussion group to win in a chamber music category. Come see them play live in the intimate 3rd floor ballroom on Sunday, Oct. 16. This event will be presented in-person and virtually.
Storytellers
Professional storytellers Jim May and Megan Wells will join a group of local storytellers to entertain the audience on Friday, Oct. 21, with Halloween-inspired, adult-focused tales in the style of the Moth Radio Hour.
Jim is the artistic director of the Spring Grove Storytelling festival, known for its family-friendly, hilarious shows. Megan is a nationally recognized storyteller and will assist our local storytellers in preparing their spooky tales. This event will be presented in-person and virtually.
‘Stories of Survival’
This fall, Barrington’s White House is pleased to present an extraordinary collaboration with the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, made possible by partners Northern Trust and Kimberly Duchossois. “Stories of Survival” is a free, two-week exhibit and slate of events that showcases stories from the Holocaust and other genocides. This exhibit runs Oct. 25-Nov. 6.
One of the featured events in the series is an “Interview with Sam Harris,” local survivor of the Holocaust, on Tuesday, Oct. 25. Harris, one of the youngest recorded survivors of the concentration camps during the Holocaust, will sit down with Barrington resident and Courageous Conversations leader Jessica Green for an intimately personal interview that is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Harris will discuss his book, “Sammy, Child Survivor of the Holocaust.” This event will be presented in-person and virtually.
The “Stories of Survival” series is centered around an extremely powerful exhibit by the same name that features photographs and images of more than 36 personal artifacts brought to America as families fled persecution and war.
It includes moving stories of Chicago area survivors of the Holocaust and other genocides, as told through their everyday, personal belongings.
The exhibit allows the viewer to walk in a survivor’s shoes and experience, through their eyes, the strength and courage that was required to survive genocidal atrocities.
Get into the spooky spirit of Halloween Oct. 29 with a family-friendly chamber music concert from the Elgin Symphony Orchestra String Quartet. Through the generosity of the Barrington Area Community Foundation, this concert features chamber music players telling “stories” through Halloween-themed classical music in a way that makes the music relatable for audiences of all ages.
Courageous Conversations
Over the last three years, more than 1,000 people have gathered for Courageous Conversations at Barrington’s White House (and virtually) to learn and practice how to foster greater inclusion and belonging in our communities. Join them on Nov. 1, Dec. 14 and Jan. 11 as they explore how to nourish a culture of belonging.
Holiday offerings
Barrington’s White House has yearly holiday traditions, including the Holiday Open House and Visits with Santa on Dec. 3, a holiday concert with Bella Voce Camerata on Dec. 11 (presented in-person and virtually) and the Community Christmas Carol Sing-a-Long with Nancie Tobison on Dec. 18.
Start a new holiday tradition with the Inaugural Community Holiday Tea on Sunday, Dec. 4. Join for a city-inspired, sophisticated, adults-only afternoon tea with traditional offerings such as hot tea, scones, and finger sandwiches, as well as champagne, wine and more.
There is something for everyone at Barrington’s White House. Tickets and registration for all events can be found at barringtonswhitehouse.com/events.
Barrington’s White House is at 145 W. Main St., in the heart of downtown Barrington. Cultural programming at Barrington’s White House is underwritten, in part, by generous sponsors.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (CBS)– Thursday brought another step forward in the possibility that the Bears could leave Soldier Field and move to the suburbs.
The team hosted a meeting with the community in Arlington Heights Thursday night to talk about its ideas for redeveloping Arlington International Racecourse. The meeting was held in the gymnasium at John Hersey High School.
While fans got the chance to come face-to-face with the Bears front office, they weren’t allowed to address them directly at the meeting Thursday night. Instead, everyone was allowed to submit questions on cards.
The focus of the evening was more on the bigger picture of how the stadium project could transform Arlington heights.
The Bears laid out plans for their estimated $5 billion project just days after unveiling renderings of what their new Arlington Park home could look like.
“The Bears will seek no public funding for direct stadium structure,” said Bears Chairman George McCaskey.
But McCaskey said the team will need financial help to build out the entire site — which would include parks, fitness centers, hotels, housing, and a sports book for starters.
“We think development of the site – including a stadium – is a win for Bears fans, the Village of Arlington Heights, the surrounding communities, and the State of Illinois,” McCaskey said.
The Bears front office said they actually weren’t looking to leave Soldier Field. But with the closure of Arlington International Racecourse, leaders with Churchill Downs reached out to gauge the team’s interest.
“If we move forward, we have to get it right,” said Bears President and Chief Executive Officer Ted Phillips.
Phillips said the Bears are expected to close on the property in 2022 or 2023, but he stressed that even if the Bears close on the property, that does not mean they will develop it.
Eve Air Mobility’s developing Electric Takeoff and Landing Vehicle, as depicted in this rendering, is intended to provide air taxi service in the Chicago region within a few years. The company will use conventional helicopters for passenger flights testing the logistics of such service between Chicago and Schaumburg from Sept. 14 to 30. (Courtesy of village of Schaumburg)
Helistops in Schaumburg and Tinley Park will be used this month to test the logistics of potential air taxi routes to and from Chicago.
However, conventional helicopters will be used in the short term rather than the still-developing electric aircraft for which the tests are preparing.
Eve Air Mobility is behind the tests for the future use of Electric Takeoff and Landing Vehicles that use electric power to hover, take off and land vertically and are still awaiting approval by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The testing beginning next week will gather data on such factors as air traffic and infrastructure needs for the future vehicles, Schaumburg Transportation Director Karyn Robles said.
The company Blade Air Mobility Inc. will provide the helicopters for the tests.
Ground testing will take place on Monday, followed by 15-minute passenger flights at $150 per seat beginning Wednesday, Sept. 14, and continuing on weekdays through Friday, Sept. 30.
The Schaumburg Municipal Heliport is at 1050 American Lane, just west of Meacham Road and Woodfield Mall. The helicopter flights using that location will begin or end at Vertiport Chicago, 1339 S. Wood St., southwest of the intersection of Roosevelt Road and Ashland Avenue in the city.
Two of five nearby barbecue joints made the Chicago Tribune list:
Chicago Culinary Kitchen
St. Louis spare ribs at Chicago Culinary Kitchen in Palatine. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune)
Greg and Kristina Gaardbo launched Chicago Culinary Kitchen as a catering operation in 2016, but the response was so intense they decided to open a permanent restaurant. “I didn’t get into barbecue,” Greg Gaardbo said. “It got into me.”
Gaardbo is particularly proud of the brisket, which is seasoned with salt, pepper and espresso powder. After smoking for hours, the beef is wrapped in peach paper and brushed with tallow. The result is absurdly tender beef with just a hint of smoke in each bite. While I also loved the meaty spare ribs, part of the appeal of Chicago Culinary Kitchen is checking out the daily special, where you’ll find everything from smoked tri-tip sandwiches to Baltimore-style pit beef.
St. Louis ribs at Moontime Smokin’ Que in Crystal Lake. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune)
Heather and Joe Cummins knew they liked eating barbecue, but it wasn’t until they got married that they learned they loved cooking it. “We got a smoker as a wedding present in 2012, and then we realized we were using it three days a week,” Joe Cummins said. After practicing at home, Joe started smoking meat on Sundays at a bar he worked at, which started drawing big weekly crowds. The couple launched Moontime Smokin’ Que as a catering operation in 2017, before finally opening a permanent location near the Crystal Lake Metra train station last year.
All of the meat is cooked in one of two offset smokers from Primitive Pits fueled only by wood. While they wouldn’t have it any other way, this does require long days and nights. “I’m usually there at 10 p.m. or later to get things started,” Joe said. “It takes dedication.”
88 Railroad St., Unit A, Crystal Lake; 779-994-7119; moontimebbq.com
