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AUTHENTIC CHICAGO

BARBECUE

5th Ave Smokers is more than an eatery. We are a community that has opened our doors and hearts to share with you our love of marinade, smoked meat, and BBQ sauce. We work to epitomize what it means to serve good old-fashioned community BBQ, that is made with intention and love. Because at 5th Ave Smokers, you're more than a customer, you’re a community member.

A man checking a brisket to see if it is fully cooked

5TH AVE SMOKERS IS A SMALL BATCH SMOKERY.

We limit the number of items we make available on a weekly basis. We do this to ensure we can put intention, care and quality into our BBQ. We ask you keep the following in mind as you order:

  • We operate on a first ordered, first served basis. Once the item is gone, it’s gone.

  • We do not sell any items via walk up orders. Everything must be preordered on the website in the predetermined ordering time frame. 

  • Preordering begins on the website (5thavesmokers.com) Sunday at 9am and is open until Tuesday at 9pm (CST). 

  • The pickup location and information is sent via email after purchase has been made. All pickups must be made on the following Friday from 5:30pm to 8pm (CST). Unfortunately, if the items are not picked up in that timeframe, there are no refunds. 

  • It is up to the guest to provide adequate, correct, and valid contact information. The confirmation email is automatically sent to the email you provide at checkout. Please double check your contact information before finalizing the purchase.

AUTHENTIC CHICAGO

BARBECUE

5th Ave Smokers is more than an eatery. We are a community that has opened our doors and hearts to share with you our love of marinade, smoked meat, and BBQ sauce. We work to epitomize what it means to serve good old-fashioned community BBQ, that is made with intention and love. Because at 5th Ave Smokers, you're more than a customer, you’re a community member.

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A full slab of ribs on a tray

A full slab of spare ribs marinated in our signature rub.

a hand holding sliced brisket

A pound of beef brisket marinated in our signature wet rub.

a hand holding a basket of rib tips

1.5 pounds of rib tips marinated in our signature wet rub.

chicken leg quarter on a tray

A chicken leg quarter marinated in our signature wet rub.

A hand holding sliced brisket
Teens rolling a decorative barrel
People cooking a sauce
A man pouring honey into a glaze

THE 5TH AVE SMOKERS STORY

In 2019 a handful of educators discovered they had a few things in common: their love for educating children, their beliefs that strong people make strong communities, and their appreciation for the timeless art form which is smoked BBQ.

Their commitment to building stronger relationships with their students propelled these educators to implement a community-based BBQ apprenticeship program. Youth not only learned how to prepare smoked meat, rub and BBQ sauce—they also gained an appreciation for the acts of care and patience required when engaging in low and slow BBQ.

a young man making a sauce

For over a year, many days were dedicated to smoking meat behind an old school building located on the historic 5th Avenue on Chicago’s West Side. Spareribs, rib tips, chicken, pork loin and brisket were smoked from morning to sunset and offered (for free) to passersby and community members. For us putting in the time and effort to create quality BBQ was and still remains a labor of love. The pride we have in creating a signature BBQ taste that represents the community, inspired the name 5th Ave Smokers.

two people taking a break and having a conversation

What started as an after-school and summer educational program has evolved into a mechanism that provides employment for neighborhood youth. 100% of funds produced from 5th Ave will go towards initiatives that will benefit the residents of North Lawndale and West Garfield Park. We believe education is a tool for cultivating competence and confidence by way of creative/technical skill development. Youth that work for 5th Ave Smokers will develop skills in hospitality, business management, space design and of course culinary arts. We hope to equip youth with applicable skills that will allow them to contribute to the positive development of themselves and their community.

We don’t underplay the importance of thoughtfulness and intention when it comes to developing good food and good people. That’s why here, at 5th Ave, we do everything on purpose. We pride ourselves in putting people first and using BBQ as a tool to build relationships and community. So if you enjoy taking your time, meeting good people and engaging in good conversation, then come enjoy some BBQ – where the main ingredient is YOU!

THE 5TH AVE SMOKERS STORY

In 2019 a handful of educators discovered they had a few things in common: their love for educating children, their beliefs that strong people make strong communities, and their appreciation for the timeless artform which is smoked BBQ.

Their commitment to building stronger relationships with their students propelled these educators to implement a community-based BBQ apprenticeship program. Youth not only learned how to prepare smoked meat, rub and BBQ sauce—they also gained an appreciation for the acts of care and patience required when engaging in low and slow BBQ.

For over a year, many days were dedicated to smoking meat behind an old school building located on the historic 5th Avenue on Chicago’s West Side. Spareribs, rib tips, chicken, pork loin and brisket were smoked from morning to sunset and offered (for free) to passersby and community members. For us putting in the time and effort to create quality BBQ was and still remains a labor of love. The pride we have in creating a signature BBQ taste that represents the community, inspired the name 5th Ave Smokers.

What started as an after-school and summer educational program has evolved into a mechanism that provides employment for neighborhood youth. 100% of funds produced from 5th Ave will go towards initiatives that will benefit the residents of North Lawndale and West Garfield Park. We believe education is a tool for cultivating competence and confidence by way of creative/technical skill development. Youth that work for 5th Ave Smokers will develop skills in hospitality, business management, space design and of course culinary arts. We hope to equip youth with applicable skills that will allow them to contribute to the positive development of themselves and their community.

We don’t underplay the importance of thoughtfulness and intention when it comes to developing good food and good people. That’s why here, at 5th Ave, we do everything on purpose. We pride ourselves in putting people first and using BBQ as a tool to build relationships and community. So if you enjoy taking your time, meeting good people and engaging in good conversation, then come enjoy some BBQ – where the main ingredient is YOU!

WEST GARFIELD PARK, CHICAGO

5TH AVE SMOKERS

RIBS! TIPS! PARK!

A hand holding a basket of rib tips

West Garfield Park, Chicago

5TH AVE SMOKERS

RIBS! TIPS! PARK!

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