Christopher Peckat, the man behind
Purgatory Pizza and the shuttered Meritage Cafe & Wine Bar, opened this American smokehouse in the former Improv Kitchen address in Wrigleyville. Chow down on tender, smoked meats such as pulled pork, chicken and brisket, or baby back ribs, turkey legs and duck wings. Side items such as creamed spinach, baked beans, mac and cheese, and jalapeno-cheddar corn bread round out a hearty meal. The robust beer menu highlights around 200 American craft beers--Peckat hopes to bring the lineup closer to 300.
So what’s so risqué about the place? For one, the arty B-movies (like Russ Meyer’s "Faster Pussycat, Kill! Kill!") from Peckat's personal collection that are screened on 42-inch plasmas when the Cubs aren’t in action. And the walls are graced by 6-foot paintings of modern (read: tattoed) pin-up girl photos. Belly up to the bar for your 'cue, or park it at one of the stainless steel-clad high-top tables.
