Go ‘Beyond the Pit’ With All-Star Chefs at Windy City Smokeout
OpenTable is bringing the heat with an all-new festival culinary experience
Windy City Smokeout is firing up an all-new festival experience for 2026: Introducing Beyond the Pit presented by OpenTable! Join us during Smokeout week, Wednesday, July 8 – Sunday, July 12, for an exclusive lineup of multi-course dinners and culinary events led by world-class chef talent, including Stephanie Izard (Girl & The Goat), Thai Dang (Crying Tiger), and Evan LeRoy (LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue).
Beyond the Pit is a modern barbecue showcase you won’t want to miss, from Southeast Asian-inspired open-fire cooking to legendary New York deli classics. Check out the schedule of events taking place on and off the festival grounds and secure your tickets now for these exclusive tastings, dinners, book signings, and more!
Please note: Events at Bub City require a Beyond the Pit ticket only. Events taking place inside the Windy City Smokeout grounds require a valid festival wristband plus a Beyond the Pit event ticket.
Learn more about Beyond the Pit presented by OpenTable.
Beyond the Pit at Bub City
Wednesday, July 8 – Thursday, July 9: Katz’s Delicatessen Pop-Up at Bub City – River North
Before the very first drop of barbecue sauce even hits a rib, Bub City in River North invites you to the second annual pop-up of the iconic Katz’s Delicatessen from New York City. From 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM guests can enjoy Katz’s iconic Pastrami Sandwich, served with pickles, steak fries, and choice of soda, all while listening to live country music. Tickets are $30 per person, plus tax (gratuity not included). It’s the ultimate combination of classic deli flavors, country vibes, and summer festival energy, and limited space is available, so book now!
Purchase tickets to Katz’s Delicatessen Pop-Up at Bub City – River North on July 8 – July 9
Friday, July 10: New School Barbecue Book Signing with Evan LeRoy at Bub City – River North
Pre-game your Friday Smokeout at Bub City and meet one of the most influential voices in modern BBQ at this exclusive book signing and meet and greet with acclaimed pitmaster Evan LeRoy. Guests will receive an L&L Burger straight from the legendary LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue menu in Austin, Texas, while learning how the restaurant helped redefine Texas BBQ through whole-animal cooking, creativity, and sustainability. Perfect for pitmasters, cookbook collectors, and BBQ obsessives alike. Tickets are $30 per person, plus tax (gratuity not included). (Be sure to add on a copy of New School Barbecue at checkout for $35 to get it signed by Evan himself!)
Purchase tickets to the New School Barbecue Book Signing with Evan LeRoy at Bub City – River North
Beyond the Pit at Windy City Smokeout
Thursday, July 9: Dinner with James Beard Finalist Thai Dang of Crying Tiger
Kick off Smokeout week with an unforgettable evening hosted by Chef Thai Dang, Chef Partner of Lettuce Entertain You’s acclaimed Crying Tiger. Experience a Southeast Asian-inspired BBQ dinner as Chef Dang draws on his Vietnamese heritage, classical French training, and nationally recognized culinary style to create a one-night-only, open-fire dining experience. Guests will enjoy a multi-course menu featuring layered spices, vibrant flavors and open-fire techniques that bring a fresh perspective to barbecue, with dishes including Prawn Toast, Sugarcane Beef, Papaya Salad, Crying Tiger Steak, and the Crying Tiger Signature 3D Tiger Head Dessert. Tickets are $100 per person, plus tax.**
Purchase tickets to Dinner with James Beard Finalist Thai Dang of Crying Tiger
Friday, July 10: Dinner with Chef Stephanie Izard at Windy City Smokeout
On Friday, July 10, spend the evening with James Beard Award-winning chef Stephanie Izard, the creative force behind Chicago favorite Girl & the Goat. Known for her globally inspired cooking and adventurous flavor combinations, Stephanie will bring her signature style to Windy City Smokeout with a special chef-driven menu. This is a rare opportunity to experience Stephanie’s playful, bold cuisine in a one-night-only BBQ-inspired setting. Tickets are $100 per person, plus tax.**
Purchase tickets to Dinner with Stephanie Izard at Windy City Smokeout
Saturday, July 11: Dinner with Pitmaster Evan LeRoy of LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue
Get ready for the ultimate live-fire feast with acclaimed pitmaster Evan LeRoy of Austin, Texas’ legendary LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue during an intimate, chef-driven dinner at Windy City Smokeout’s Pitmaster Lounge. Bringing their Michelin-starred, new-school Texas BBQ to Chicago, the menu for this exclusive dinner is inspired by the restaurant’s iconic Steak Dinner Experience—one of the hardest reservations to score in the country—masterfully combining the craft of slow-smoked barbecue with an elevated steakhouse ambiance. This is a must-attend evening for serious BBQ fans and culinary explorers alike. Tickets are $100 per person, plus tax.** Grab your spot before it’s gone!
Purchase tickets to Dinner with Evan LeRoy at Windy City Smokeout
Sunday, July 12: A Taste of KG BBQ at Windy City Smokeout
Meet Kareem El Ghayesh, the pitmaster behind KG BBQ, one of the world’s most exciting barbecue destinations. Bringing together his Egyptian heritage and Texas BBQ traditions, Kareem’s cooking delivers a bold fusion of flavors unlike anything else at Smokeout. Kareem is a James Beard Award semifinalist, a Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient, and a former contestant on Netflix’s Barbecue Showdown, and the menu for his dinner, which will include Hummus with Spiced Lamb, Pomegranate-Glazed Pork Ribs and Mediterranean Rice Baladi Salad, promises to be unlike anything else you’ll experience at Smokeout! Tickets are $100 per person, plus tax.**
Purchase tickets to Dinner with KG BBQ at Windy City Smokeout
**Tickets to Windy City Smokeout are required to attend this dining experience. If you already have a festival wristband for the corresponding event date, please select the “Dinner Experience Only” option below that does not include a festival wristband. If you do not have a festival wristband, you will be required to purchase one and your total will be $184.99 per person, plus tax.
More Smokeout Flavor Awaits
Returning for its 13th year outside the United Center from July 8–12, Windy City Smokeout will bring together an all-star lineup of country music, nationally recognized pitmasters, and Chicago’s favorite restaurants. This year’s festival features performances from headliners including Hootie & The Blowfish, Lainey Wilson, Jordan Davis, and Blake Shelton, plus more than 15 rising country stars.
Beyond the Pit experiences are available as add-ons for pre-purchase or on-site at Smokeout, pending availability, though space is limited. Festival admission is required, so secure your Smokeout wristbands and reserve your Beyond the Pit tickets today!
Tickets for Beyond the Pit are available now at www.windycitysmokeout.com/beyondthepit.
