Famed BBQ Champ Myron Mixon Opening 1st Restaurant in Chicago

While on the competitive barbecue circuit, Myron Mixon has earned the name "the winningest man in barbecue." Mixon will now see if the winning is contagious in Wrigleyville, as he plans on opening his first restaurant in June north of Wrigley Field. Mixon's Smoke Show Barbecue will showcase the meats from the host of TV's "BBQ Pitmasters," the reality show that airs on Destination America.

The restaurant would open at 3801 N. Clark St., across the street from the Metro in the former Piano Man space, reported DNAinfo. The space's designer, Frank Fontana, told the news publication that the 4,500-square-foot restaurant will seat 200. They want to make sure the space mixes southern hospitality while still catering to Wrigleyville.

Perhaps that conjures up visions of Bub City or The Country Club for many. Which makes sense, as Chicagoans may know Mixon from his appearances at the annual Windy City Smokeout, the festival that features barbecue and country music. Mixon, a Georgia native, doesn't have much praise for Chicago's barbecue scene, at least at first. He prefers meats with vinegar sauce and basic seasonings, but didn't reveal any details of his menu to DNAinfo.

The Wrigleyville restaurant could the first of a few for Mixon, who's also said that competition barbecue doesn't necessarily succeed in a restaurant setting, where pitmasters need to scale. Next month Chicago will find out if Mixon's Smoke Show Barbecue is an exception.

The unfinished insides of the restaurant. [Photo: Facebook]

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