Who wants BBQ?

When I saw the name Sweet Baby Ray's on one of the menu's back at the hotel, I knew it was vaguely familiar but I couldn't put my finger on it. I had never eaten there before but for some reason, I knew that name. Then it hit me... that's the name of the BBQ sauce I use at home. Could it be one of the same? Only one way to find out Sweet Baby Ray's was the choice for dinner that night, and as luck would have it, it wasn't far from the hotel we were staying at. Sweet Baby Ray's located at 249 E. Irving Park Rd, Wood Dale, IL is a small neighborhood restaurant. It's very rustic inside and their many different types of BBQ sauce are strategically placed so you don't miss them as you walk up to the counter. The bottles containing their sauces looked different than what I was accustom to seeing in the grocery store, so after asking a lot of questions to make they were one of the same (the restaurant & the BBQ sauce I buy in the supermarket), we met Baby Ray's nephew & partner Duce Raymond who explained why the bottles we were seeing looked different (that BBQ sauce was sold only at the restaurant), then showed us the BBQ sauce packaged in the bottles we were use to seeing (for sale in the supermarkets). Satisfied, we ordered.

I had Alabama smoked chicken with white gold BBQ sauce, coleslaw & corn bread. My friend dining with wanted to try a few things. She ordered hickory smoked pulled pork, sliced brisket, coleslaw, and baked beans. They had a variety of sauces (10 to be exact) & we both tried a few. The price was super reasonable, and the food was lip smacking, finger-licking good.

I noticed while eating, quite a few people were coming in for take out service. They also have a 32" TV showing you how they smoke their meat from start to finish. They also do catering. If you're ever in the neighborhood, hit the brakes if you see Sweet Baby Rays BBQ you wont regret it.