Tour Hyde Park’s New Barbecue Spot Before Friday’s Opening

Before Jared Leonard introduced Chicagoans to his brand of Nashville hot chicken via his Budlong mini chain, Leonard ran a barbecue restaurant (Rubs Country Smokehouse) in Rogers Park. Earlier this year, Leonard renamed his restaurant BBQ Supply Co. and on Friday he’ll officially open a second location. This one’s inside the former Yusho space at 1301 E. 53rd St. in Hyde Park.

Leonard takes barbecue seriously, offering catering, pit master classes, and even getaways to Beloit, Wisconsin centered around smoked meats. Among those meats, BBQ Supply’s wagyu brisket has earned notoriety. A barbecue spot is big news in Hyde Park, a neighborhood whose residents still mourn the shutter of Ribs ‘N’ Bibs. That restaurant closed in 2014, and BBQ Supply is a three-minute walk west from there. There are 40 seats inside, plus space for another 24 on the patio. The restaurant also promises a “deep whisky program.”

When the original Rogers Park restaurant opened in 2010, it was more of a take-out spot. The Hyde Park location shows how Leonard has matured, and he’s attempting a supper club feel with natural wood and leather throughout. They built the butcher-block tables themselves. Yusho’s kitchen didn’t need much work except the addition of an Ole Hickory smoker. They also used 24-karat gold for the signage on the windows from local artist Brett Whiteacre. Take a look at what Yusho looked like when it opened in 2014.

BBQ Supply is part of Leonard’s growing restaurant group that includes The Budlong. Stone Soup Collective will also open a mini food hall in 2018 in Uptown. They plan on opening more South Side restaurants, according to a rep — partner and executive chef Dylan Lipe lives in Mount Greenwood with his family. But for now, check out photos of Hyde Park’s newest restaurant. BBQ Supply Co. opens on Friday.

Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Barry Brecheisen