I was listening to a podcast today about BBQ on the south side of Chicago. Apparently, they're famous for rib tips, since there is a surplus of them. (Would I be so lucky!) More interestingly, they smoke their food indoors using an 'aquarium smoker' and a vent hood.
I've seen lots of pictures of different styles of smokers, but I've never seen an aquarium smoker! You learn something new every day.
This isn't the podcast I listened to, but it has pictures:
Link doesn't work but searching google goes to the exact link and it works.. keywords aquarium smoker and Chicago... wish they had a video I just don't do the whole podcast thing, a video with CC woulda been awesome
Chicago's barbecue heritage migrated from southern blacks of the Mississippi Delta, their unique Aquarium pit design. Rib tips and hot links are specialties.
The Chicago Tribune ran a feature about Chicago BBQ and it’s history. It was kind of a fascinating article and they talked about a place with this type of smoker in the city , Honey 1.
I’d never heard of it either. Or really knew what Chicago BBQ is, which centers around rib tips.
Rib tips are are kind of like hot dogs and pizza in Chicago. People have their favorite places usually depending on the neighborhood and usually are loyal to that place for life.
Rib tips are also sometimes street food. In a few neighborhoods at random times, local expert BBQers sell their fare on certain street corners. Sometimes you can smell their smoker (which is usually a 55 gallon drum barrel smoker) from blocks away. I saw them more often before Covid. When I see a homemade sign that says, "TIPS", I know exactly what that means and more often than not, I'll pick some up and bring them home.
Rib tips done well can be a real treat. You get a lot of meat for much cheaper than a full slab. I think mastering tips is harder than mastering full slab ribs.
I think I know what I'm going to bring home for dinner tomorrow.
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