Inside 'The Winningest Man In Barbecue's' First Restaurant, Opening Today in Chicago

The Cubs’ win on Wednesday night prevented their season from going up in smoke, but that doesn’t mean fans won’t see smoke billowing out of Wrigleyville tonight. After a couple of delays, Myron Mixon’s Smokeshow opens today, just a few blocks north of Wrigley Field at 3801 N. Clark St. This is the first restaurant for Mixon, a competitive barbecuer turned television host, and his group hopes to expand with locations across the country.

There’s two things that stick out inside the 5,400-square-foot space that has seating for 225. The restaurant is flanked by televisions. They’ve invested in 24, 60-inch 4K resolution screens, the next step above high definition. It’s really nice that sports fans will finally have a place where they won’t be ignored along Clark Street. Design wise, the spot will fit in with the glut of restaurant/bars near Addison and Clark.

But once visitors reach the rear of the restaurant, they’ll see a second bar where a trio of smokers reside. Mixon, ever the entrepreneur, also has lent his name to a line of smokers. If diners like what they taste, they could always order a smoker for home use.

Mixon’s barbecue offerings offer a combination of regional styles, and include his signature dish: Cupcake chicken. That's dry-rubbed chicken thighs in a cupcake mold.

Check out the photos below. Apparently today's opening is BYO, so plan accordingly.

Myron Mixon’s Smokeshow, 3801 N. Clark St., open daily at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. during Cubs home day games) until 2 a.m.; closes at 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Marc Much