Black Dog Smoke & Ale House

The best brisket we have ever had. It was moist and full of flavor. I also had some delicious fried sweet potatoes. The Mac and Cheese was typical as were the BBQ beans. Great selection of draft beers. Friendly servers and a great atmosphere that is located in an old train station. They had some outdoor seating as well. I want to come back and try their other selections now.

Visited on a busy night during mom’s weekend. The hosts and all staff were exceptional and working together to offer great, speedy service. The atmosphere is nice - the high ceilings and the layout don’t overcrowd the space. Women’s bathrooms were clean but out of toilet paper - I alerted the host and have no doubt it was handled. My son and I both had the brisket sandwich, he had a side of mac and cheese, I had southwest potato salad. I also got the coleslaw topping for the brisket. We both had the Carolina Red barbecue sauce, and I also got the Georgia Peach. The brisket was delicious, well smoked and tender but not fatty. The potato salad was good but got have used a little more seasoning. The coleslaw was great - vinegary and crunchy. My favorite barbecue sauce was the Georgia Peach - it had a unique, spicy tang that complimented the brisket really well. My son’s Mac and cheese was also good, nice and creamy but maybe in need of a pinch of salt. I really enjoyed the food, environment and especially the fantastic service at Black Dog. I’d happily return to eat there again.

This is an awesome establishment in the Champaign/Urbana area. In regards to the amount of access one could have for BBQ, this is one of the best you'll find given the area. The servings are proper large and you get a really nice bang for your buck. The service was great and the staff was friendly which goes a very long way for me.

Excellent southern barbecue in a former train depot. The burnt ends and ribs are excellent as is the pulled pork. You can choose from a variety of sauces including Carolina style, Mustard base and Kansas City sweet and spicy sauce. The staff is incredibly friendly and accommodating.

We were beyond disappointed with the food at Black Dog Smoke and Ale House. The beef brisket was DRY, considering it cost $24 for a platter, which cost more than Texas and Kansas. The salmon was salty, and the chicken was good.

Black Dog Smoke & Ale House delivered an excellent barbecue experience overall. We were seated right away on a Sunday afternoon. We had good service throughout our meal. Another group came in as we were about to leave and had a dog with them. The server provided the dog with a dish for water. There was an excellent variety of beers and drinks. They also have daily food specials. Sunday they had Smoked Turkey as an option. For appetizers, the mac and cheese bites were a treat. Crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside, only wish there were more. The brisket and ribs were the standouts of the meal—perfectly smoked, tender, and flavorful. The sides, including the twice-baked potato casserole and pit beans, complemented the meats wonderfully. The twice-baked potato casserole was rich and creamy, while the pit beans offered a savory, smoky kick that tied the meal together beautifully. They had a good variety of sauces with different heat levels to choose from. We enjoyed all we tried. The only downside was the mac and cheese side we ordered for our little one. It didn’t quite hit the mark, it eemed as if the noodles were overcooked and not a cheesy flavor. She enjoyed the ribs tough. Overall, Black Dog is a must-visit spot for barbecue lovers in Central Illinois.

The jambalaya was out of this world. I could quite literally just eat a bucket of it. Comfort food at it's finest. I had the Rib tips with Carolina Red sauce and the Georgia peach sauce, both were quality additions to the meal. The tips were deliciously smoked and tender to the point there was very minimal cartilage to pick around and leaving nice meaty bites to enjoy. I was only slightly dissapointed in the corn bread because it crumbled too easily, but had a good flavor overall. I did find the prices to be a bit much, but given location and not having to drive south of the mason dixon to find quality southern style bbq fare it is to be expected. p.s. Great name!

The food and sauce were solid but the portion size had really gone down over the years. Also, expect very limited options if you try to dine here after 7 pm.

Came for the name (swifties know) and stayed for the great food!! I am not a BBQ fan because I don't eat red meat, but Black Dog was soooo good. I had the chicken and it was perfectly juicy, just a little smoky, and fell right off the bones. My husband also got the salmon and it was FANTASTIC and such a unique option at a BBQ joint. We also got the Sunday special jambalaya which was delicious. And the sauces, omg! I had the habanero and the hot Georgia peach sauce and both were amazing. I would have brought them home in bottles if I could. And that means a lot from someone who doesn't like barbecue!

Black Dog provides a wide range of Delicious food and Drinks. My To Go order pictured show cases the quality of meat and preparation that black dog provides. Mac and Cheese delivers a very creamy and rich texture, however lacks flavor 7/10 Their fresh baked, smoked sweet potato is a 10/10 Burnt ends are exceptionally Juicy , full of flavor , and tender enough to fall apart and melt in your mouth 10/10 1/4 slap of ribs : Juicy , Tenderness ,smoked to perfection, fall off the bone while delivering a beautiful smoky flavor.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of dining here for lunch as I was in the Champaign area. I had a pulled rib sandwich with potato salad and I've got to tell you it was mouth watering. The service was exceptional and the layout of the restaurant was awesome. It was my first time I'd ever been there and it won't be my last. Thanks guys See you soon

Consistent service and food! I love coming back to visit campus and stop in for lunch! The food is always so good especially the potato casserole and burnt ends! It's a chill vibe, no frills just great food.

Wow wow!! Such a cool place. N the area camping and found this place on Yelp. It's an older building completely redone. The service here is phenomenal and food is delivered quickly. Our chips came so fast with Smokey salsa. Delish! We both ordered combos. I ordered the catfish and the smoked salmon and my husband ordered the burnt ends in the brisket. The combo is the way to go and you get a lot of food. Be prepared to take some home.

What a great place to get something to eat before going to a Fighting Illini game. We came before a Purdue vs Illinois game and we didn't think this place would be so packed. They quoted us a 15 minute waiting period, but it was a lot faster than that. The staff here was great and our food came out super fast. My son ordered their Pulled Pork Sandwich and I ordered their Beef Brisket Sandwiches. I took a bite of the pulled pork sandwich and it was good. I did enjoy my beef brisket sandwich more though. You get four thick cut slices of a perfectly smoked brisket and then served with a side, cole slaw and your choice of bbq sauce. My son and I both chose their habanero bbq sauce. My son got fries and I went with their Mac and cheese. Both were ok, but nothing special. The sauce was amazing though, and with perfectly with the brisket. The price was pretty fair as well and will definitely be returning. I think my son and I have found our go to spot when heading down to Champaign.

I have been a die hard black dog fan since before the days they were downtown, but now that I can easily go downtown and get it, makes this place even better. Not only is the wait staff ALWAYS friends, and ALWAYS helpful, I love this location, it's easily accessible and I feel like we never wait long if we do have to wait a little. As for the food, it's always a win for me, it's seasoned well, it's quick coming out, it's fairly priced for BBQ, my only suggestion is sometimes you gotta get there a little earlier because they run out of burnt ends sometimes and that's always my first choice, the brisket is pretty amazing as well!

Just ok. We shared pulled pork, a hot sausage, and the brisket. Sides included mac & cheese, cole slaw, and corn bread. The meats didn't have a heavy smokey flavor. I like a heavy smokiness. The brisket was a little dry. I would have preferred more marbling same for the pulled pork. Also nothing special about the sides. It was an ok meal. Solid 3.

Would recommend coming sooner than 2 hours before closing as we missed a lot of food on the menu due to selling out, but that is the best indication of a place being stellar is selling out of their fresh food. The ordering drinks system was extremely confusing, but had a really great prickly pear margarita that was quite refreshing. We had a larger group and were accommodated so well by our incredible server and the kitchen! They save us two bowls of the brisket chili, thank goodness! I still really enjoyed what was left - the chicken wings were outstanding, the jackfruit pulled pork sandwich was VERY delicious, I loved the sausage queso. I loved that the slaw was more vinegar based because it cut that BBQ sauce so well! The potato salad was also a highlight. Great place doing a lot of great work with food and lovely people through and through!

I stopped by this place on the way as we passed by champagne, and it was pretty good. I had the burnt ends platter with some Mac and cheese and potato salad. The burnt ends were excellent, and being from Texas my bbq standards are very high. The mac and cheese was your average side, nothing to brag about nor hate, and the potato salad was in a similar boat. Got the habanero sauce with it, which was great, but the peach sauce wasn't my favorite. Service was lightening fast and friendly, and the ambiance was nice and southern style. Overall, definitely recommend trying it out, I just felt that it could use a bit more flavor in the sides and some bread with the platter.

Cute place in the old train station. Stopped in for a late lunch. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. Parking is in the lot vs the street which is nice. Our server was very friendly and excellent. They have a decent beer list for both draft and cans. One thing I liked about their menu is that the ones that were from Illinois were listed in one color, while the rest were in another. I had the pulled chicken sandwich with one side. Chicken was delicious. My friend got a platter with 2 different sides and I tried hers too. Limited vegetarian options, but there are some available.

I'm quite picky with my BBQ as I'm from the Kansas City area and saw the great Yelp reviews so thought I'd give it a try and very happy that I did. I placed a large order online that included two, three meat combos, both the red slaw, the summer slaw, green beans, corn, all of the sauces, and an appetizer of burnt ends. The meats we ordered were a quarter grass fed chicken, grass fed turkey, ribs, rib tips, and burnt ends. After placing and paying for the order, I had text notifications that the order would be ready for pickup in 30 minutes. I could have chosen delivery, but enjoyed the peaceful drive to the restaurant. It appeared that the building used to be the town train depot. I love old architecture and if I had more time in Champaign, I would like to dine inside. Very welcoming staff. Patrons were playing corn hole outside on the sidewalk and there were others dining outside on the covered patio as well as the tables inside. The food was packaged securely and the order was completely accurate and ready in the 30 minutes so I didn't have long of a wait. Back at the hotel, food was still hot. I liked how they wrapped and marked each meat individually as well as the large rectangular earth friendly containers. The hot Georgia peach sauce was my favorite as were the burnt ends and turkey. All of the meat was moist, smoked and flavorful. The green beans were unique to me as were the two slaws. The green beans looked like they were mixed with stewed tomatoes. The corn dish was tasty as well. The slaws weren't as sweet as what I am accustomed to, but I'm thankful for the opportunity to try different recipes. I would definitely return if traveling back in the area.

Very very quick service. Nice outdoor patio seating. The food was not bad but not a top bbq spot. The twice baked potato side was a smash hit.

Great place! The food came out quick and was hot! The BBQ queso was different but good. The brisket in it was soft and good! I usually do not like tortilla chips and dip but I like the bbq dust on the chips. I did not like the blooming tea, it tasted like medicine to me, but it was a pretty drink. The slushy drink was great. I could drink it with or without alcohol. It was refreshing. My sandwich was so good! The sauce came on the side and drizzling it over top myself made it not turn it into a soggy sandwich. The meat had a nice Smokey after taste! I loved the chili cheese fries! So good, I just wanted more jalapeño's! Definitely a nice place for some bbq! We were seated quickly and the waitress was helpful with giving information and recommendations for my first time coming. She explained the menu and gave us time to make decisions.

4.5 stars but only because the wait time. We regularly stop by when in Champaign-Urbana. The smoked chicken is my go to but the pulled pork and brisket are equally good! They have two slaws and I switch off based on the day as they are both good. I like the green beans as well. And I love the corn bread muffins. Sauces are many and I have taken to mixing. The peach and the Texas are my staples. I know that on game weekends it gets crazy but if you find yourself close by you need to stop for some really good bbq!

After going to this restaurant for about 10 more times I decide to add one star. Two reasons: first the service was always quick and welcoming. Even when the restaurant was fully seated I could get my dish in 15 min, and my server always kindly asked me about my dining experience, recommended and explained different kinds of food to me, and always inform me when a new server took his/her turns. Second, the food was simple and (in general) delicious and most have a generous serving size. Try the ribs or burnt ends, or smoked turkey if you want to consume less fat! However, their fish was so so. For the sides, their green beans and sweet potatoes are among the best I have ever had! Cannot wait to try more of their daily specials.

Great bbq, lots of gluten free menu items, great sauces. Not the biggest portion sizes but the quality is great and service is always quick.

I love coming here! It get really busy some nights so I would plan ahead. I love the burnt ends and rib tips with twice baked potato casserole (MUST GET) with Lexington dip. Amazing. Brought my parents here when they visited and everyone loved it. The service is exceptional and the food is great.

This used to be a 5 star spot but has gone downhill a but in the past couple years. It's probably 3.5 at the moment but trending towards 3 stars. Stopped in tonight and had burnt ends, beef ribs (special), pork spare ribs. The burnt ends have always been the famous item at Black Dog, but tonight they were full of unrendered fat (I understand there is more fat in burnt ends than the flat of the brisket but it shouldn't be gristly). The beef ribs were probably half fat and not too edible. The pork ribs were good but not amazing.

In my opinion this is the absolute best spot that is a must hit in Champaign, best bbq I have ever had. We were in town for work and after getting dinner here Monday night, we were back again Thursday night, habenero sauce was incredible 10/10

Been coming to Black Dog at least once a year for like 15 years - one of the OGs of Central IL barbecue! It's BBQ style has been influenced by those of Chicago (i.e. incl the ever popular burnt ends and rib tips) although they have a very strong all-around smoke game with the usual suspects brisket, pulled pork and chicken, sausage and ribs, I've learned that their recurring daily specials like the hard to find beef ribs (Thurs/Fridays), the succulent smoked turkey and baby backs on the weekends and the seasonal specials like the gumbo this time of year are enthusiastically recommended. And when it comes to the sides, they REALLY differentiate themselves. Anyone can throw cheese at some pasta to make a passable Mac-n-cheese, but not everyone makes green and baked beans as tasty as these and the hash brown casserole should not be missed. Factor in a thoughtful collection of craft beers and cocktails and ten different and mostly excellent BBQ sauces (incl both a mild and hot version of 'Georgia Peach' along with 'Alabama White' and the iconic 'Carolina Red'), there's something for everyone. And while the old original Urbana locale had SO MUCH character and charm, let's face it, it was cramped, especially the back tables and bathrooms. Thankfully the new location is MUCH more comfortable while still maintaining the frantically friendly service of a pleasingly crowded BBQ joint. Between Triptych brewery and Black Dog BBQ, we rarely need another reason to make the 50 minute drive to the C-U a couple times of year at a minimum. So should you.

I was impressed by the meat quality and how good the sides were. Quality- the beef brisket was cooked just right. It was a tad dry but you can taste the smoke, and each bite was flavorful because the sauce choice is excellent. The salmon was also cooked very well. No issues here but there's no seasoning or taste of smoking. My favorite was the potato casserole and old fashioned. The potato casserole was light yet hearty and I can taste pulled porked in it too. Really tasted like a good Shepards pie. Quantity- I thought meat quantity was acceptable. We could have gotten more for 22 bucks at most other places but for worse quality. The 2 sides more than made up for it. Price- worth it. Atmosphere- I like the atmosphere being by an abandoned train station. It made it feel homey Service- excellent service. The waiter was fast and professional

Have I not raved about this place before?! Started eating at the Urbana store several years ago. The newer Champaign site is spacious and comfortable. Wait staff is always friendly and attentive. My fav go-to is the brisket sandwich, along with the twice baked potato casserole. Husband prefers the traditional pulled pork sandwich. He always orders sweet potato fries with it. Carolina hot sauce Consistently delicious!!

Update: we went here again, Aug 18 2024 after moving our freshman into UofI. We arrived fairly late, about an hour before closing. They were out of most things - due to the move-in. They still managed to feed us salmon burgers (really good!), fries, their delicious cornbread - and, they had the BBQ Queso left as well. Even tapped another keg, of the beer we ordered that they'd just run out of. Amazing service - thinking this will be one of our go-to places when we visit campus.

Service was outstanding! The waiter greeted us with a smile, friendly and very attentive. Our waiter explains the menu in addition to explaining the base of the sauce from savory, sweet, vinegar, or mustard base, mild and hot. The food arrived expeditiously fast...within 10 mins for a table of 7. The mango rum drink not pictured was very sweet but tastes really good. The ranch is a must as it's made in-house. The decor was nice, relaxing, clean, and appealing for family, friends, or date night. Coming from Memphis, one of the best cities for barbeque, we were very impressed! They don't have a dessert menu but do provide free chocolate Mints. When you receive great service plus great food and great drinks, this is definitely a place to revisit!

Surprised with the solid no meat options! Catfish sandwich and green mixed salad with jackfruit were so good. We also had a a cup of chili and frito pie (fritos with chili and cheese). Texas chili is one if their signature items, for good reason. I was a bit disappointed that they were sold out of gumbo. I'll try again.

The hostess is one of those self officious nitwits who will seat you when your complete party is there. One of our party was late, so even though they had empty tables they made us stand for 15 minutes. I even tried to get them to seat a party of three. She tells me we had already said 4 so she wouldn't seat a party of three. Unnecessary lily ruining what should have been a nice experience.

Food was tasty. I enjoyed the whole meal. The beef was tender as a Mother's love and I loved the coleslaw sooo much. We had ordered for pickup and the food was delicious and plentiful. Thanks! Of course the ambience was not a factor as we ate all the delicious foods at my home.

Fantastic food and service , highly recommend! But make sure secure a reservation! We got lucky and walked in for lunch

While the area has many great qualities, what it lacks does not allow it to reach its true potential. On the basis of service this location offers great and welcoming service, well done on that. The area and visual of the location feel very much like a bbq spot, when I stepped in I was getting very excited and hopeful that the food would be wonderful; however the food was not the experience that I had hoped for. Ordered a two meat platter, and a one meat platter which all consisted of brisket, Turkey, pulled pork, Mac and cheese, coleslaw, beans, and corn bread, along with sweet tea to drink. The brisket was decent nothing spectacular but at least it was not outrageously dry, however the pork and Turkey were extremely dry, the Mac and cheese felt and tasted like box Mac and cheese, the coleslaw was interesting in flavor but not the greatest. On the positive end, the beans and cornbread both tasted great. But whenever 2/3 meats are bad, and 1/3 is decent for the price it is certainly not worth it. At least it filled me up. I will give this location another chance hopefully it was just an off day. Once again service was wonderful. Nothing wrong with this place but the food.

I'm at a loss for words. The kindness of complete strangers shows the bright side of the human experience. Today my family and myself decided to dine at black dog. We had a fantastic Meal. The bbq is really amazing. I set the bar high for bbq. The do make some great bbq. The service was friendly and the waiter was informative and helpful. My mother that was dining with the family always insists that o pay the bill. So I left the table to pay the bill. I was informed that the bill was covered by the owner. I'm humbled by the kindness of strangers. Thank you for the great meal. I highly recommend the black dog. Bbq is top notch.

Food was okay felt the brisket was dry. Same thing w the pulled chicken. The cornbread was really good as was the smoked sweet potato. For the reviews I saw prior to coming here it was a bit of a letdown. Maybe I just got them on an off day?

The food was ok. The burnt ends were kind of bland. The elote was really good. Service was ok.

Great local barbeque joint. Was in town for a game weekend, homecoming game actually, so it was crowded on a Friday night with a fairly big line. They do move things along and we were still seated in about 15 minutes or so. Not bad. Had the beef brisket with cornbread and mac n cheese. All were pretty darn good, the brisket was very flavorful and the sauces were a nice complement. Nice beer and drink selection as well. Good and efficient service by the waitress at a very busy place. Nice decor and ambiance in the old train station. Would definitely come back if in the area.

My company ordered catering from this restaurant for lunch. I'm a vegetarian, I was outvoted. The Impossible Burger was the only option there for me. This is how the burger showed up - a plain overcooked patty. If you're wondering about toppings on the side, there were none. Food arrived cold, but may not be the restaurant's fault.

This review only pertains to the beer and bar portion of the bar. We didn't try any food just needed somewhere to waste some time and get a drink. There was a long wait for the restaurant and you can't just grab seats at the bar so we ordered drinks on the console and waited for them to arrive. We just am sat outside since it was still nice out. They have plenty of parking and the place was packed on a Friday. Decent beer selection. Overall somewhere I would come back and try again and this time get some food.

We were passing through the area and decided to give this a try. I had the absolute best rib tips I had ever had. Smoky and tender... Just delicious. Can't wait to make my way back.

This place was recommended to me by a family member. Thank god they were able to remember the name of the place because it was delicious. Got a meat tray with two sides, and so did my partner. We had a feast. The chicken was cooked to perfection, crispy outside and a middle to that falls of the bone into to your mouth. Pork was good as well. A good selection of beers and friendly service makes this a worthwhile stop.

Brilliant as always! Hard to find better barbecue anywhere in the Midwest. The pulled pork is excellent, the burnt ends are a must and I've never had better smoked salmon. Always a nice beer selection too.

This is one my favorite restaurants in Champaign. The best smoke house, great service. Also have a great selection of beer.

I'm not what anyone would call a BBQ connoisseur, but I thought the food was great and the service provided by Ryan was outstanding. My husband said his brisket was very tender, and I enjoyed my smoked Turkey sandwich. We like mild sauce, and the Texas sauce and Georgia peach sauce were both mild but tasty. I had the smoked sweet potato as my side and it was very soft. We had chips and salsa as an appetizer, and added a second basket of chips for $1. The vibe of the restaurant is a great fit with the old train depot where it is housed. I would definitely stop here again on my way through town

My wife had smoked chicken. My daughter had a pulled pork sandwich. I had the burnt ends. My food was good. My wife and daughters food was dry and boring. No flavor the sides were great service and restaurant we great also.

I cant give them a proper review because when i got there around 830, they were pretty much out of everything. I was able to have the chicken, and it was good, but not what i had a taste for. Advice for anyone trying this place is to get there way earlier than i did.

We were seated around 7:30, and not surprisingly the brisket, burnt ends and daily special (gumbo) were already sold out. So, $35 + tip got us 3 appetizers (cornbread, brisket queso, and 6 wings (3 flats and 3 drummies), as well as a pulled pork sandwich with tiny cups of coleslaw and the Lexington style sauce. A side of fries accompanied the sandwich, and a refillable soft drink (Pepsi products) rounded out the order. The wings and pulled pork both featured outstanding smoke, while both remained moist and tender. The glaze on the wings packed a fair amount of heat, and the pork was top-notch both wet and dry. The brisket queso was interesting, and certainly deserves better than tortilla chips out of a store-bought bag. Only the cornbread disappointed, being as bland as it was dry. Looking forward to getting here early enough next time through town to sample the burnt ends.

I had had lunch at the bar for the first time at this establishment today. I had read about it and heard about it. I had just never taken the opportunity to try it. The ambience of the restaurant was very bright. The staff was very kind and attentive and knowledgeable about the menu and what to try. The green beans were some of the best I've ever had in my life. The sausage had the snap that you like especially after being smoked the brisket was moist and had a good smoking as you can see in the picture and the peach barbecue sauce is worth the price of admission. this is probably the best barbecue in Champaign and I have had barbecue all over the country being prior United States Army. Worth your time.

This place is a good time. Good beer list, there are more in the cooler - ask. Local folks that are putting out quality barbecue and are willing to serve. The brisket sandwhich and twice baked potatoes were excellent. Try the cowboy caviar. It's in the train depo, but don't let that deter You. Try it out and have a good time.

Road tripping from the burbs of Chicago down to Southern Illinois and stopped to grab some bbq for lunch. Place was packed for lunch so I was anticipating one hell of a bbq joint....but came up short for me. Here is why: Brisket Queso- nothing special, melted cheese with smoky brisket sounds amazing right? Well when I took my first bite it was a shoulder shrug with an eh, not bad. Combo Platter (choose 3)- went with the pulled pork, chicken bone in, and brisket. All were good but my favorite was pulled pork. Sides were Mac and cheese and corn bread. Also ordered the twice baked potatoe casserole bc I just needed to try it. And glad I did bc it was the best out of all three. The Mac and cheese I sent back bc it was so bland with a curdled texture, not bueno. Got normal fries instead and they were great! Corn bread was the worst corn bread I have ever had....so dry and crumbled to pieces when I tried to butter it. Thought the raisins inside would have made it moist, but no, not even the slightest bit.

One of the best American barbecue places in town! The Burnt End is juicy and soft (but might be a little greasy at the end). There're many sauce options. I also ordered a plate of chicken wings for appetizer, and satisfied with it. The service is very nice and friendly here, and the ambiance inside is also attractive!

If you like BBQ this is the place to go. Wonderful atmosphere, great service and amazing food. Try the pulled pork and add the loaded potato casserole. Several house made BBQ sauces to try. Ask for a sample of each.