WINDY CITY SMOKEOUT REVEALS HEADLINING BARBECUE PITMASTER LINEUP AHEAD OF STAR-STUDDED RETURN TO CHICAGO JULY 10-13

2025 pitmaster lineup includes 22+ award-winning local and national barbecue talent

Windy City Smokeout, the nation’s premier outdoor country music and barbecue festival, is thrilled to reveal the initial lineup of pitmasters taking part in its star-studded return to Chicago’s iconic United Center this July 10-13, 2025. Led by James Beard and Michelin-recognized barbecue teams, Windy City Smokeout will showcase 22 of the most renowned pitmasters in the country, including acclaimed Chicago natives Barry Sorkin of Smoque BBQ and Dominique Leach of Lexington Betty Smokehouse.

Dubbed as one of the most hospitable music festivals in the country, Windy City Smokeout is dedicated to welcoming up-and-coming chef talent alongside celebrated pitmasters from the top regions of barbecue across the country, creating a central gathering place for old-and-new-age cooking styles to come together for one weekend. Bringing together every regional barbecue style under one roof, from classic Texas and Kansas City flavors to innovative techniques from Arizona’s Southwest, the festival gives guests the chance to dine with the nation’s finest.

The current barbecue pitmaster lineup includes: 

• Bub City (Chicago, IL)
• Chef Art Smith’s Reunion (Chicago, IL)
• Dayne’s Craft BBQ (Aledo, TX)
• Gene’s BBQ (Atlanta, GA)
• Green Street Smoked Meats (Chicago, IL)
• Heritage Barbecue (San Juan Capistrano, CA)
• Hogapalooza (Wayne, AR)
• Hoodoo Brown BBQ (Ridgefield, CT)
• Hurtado Barbecue (Arlington, TX)
• Joe’s KC BBQ (Kansas City, KS)
• Lexington Betty Smokehouse (Chicago, IL)
• Little Miss BBQ (Phoenix, AZ)
• Meat Mitch Barbecue (Leawood, KS)
• Operation BBQ Relief (Joplin, MO)
• Panther City BBQ (Fort Worth, TX)
• Pappy’s Smokehouse (St. Louis, MO)
• Pig Beach BBQ (Astoria, NY)
• Smoque BBQ (Chicago, IL)
• Soul & Smoke (Chicago, IL)
• Sugarfire Smoke House (St. Louis, MO)
• Ubons BBQ (Yazoo City, MS)
• Wright’s Barbecue (Johnson, AR)

Each featured BBQ vendor will be selling two items throughout the festival. Pitmasters will be spending the majority of their day at their booths, having the chance to interact with guests. General Admission tickets do not include the price of food.

Guests can round out the weekend-long festival with a selection of curated events, such as the “Biggest Happy Hour of the Summer” on Friday, July 11, and an epic “BBQ Brunch” on Sunday, July 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Sunday BBQ Brunch will include a variety of dishes from select Windy City pitmasters, a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, and bottomless mimosas. A 4-day or Sunday pass is required in addition to a BBQ Brunch ticket for entrance.

Windy City Smokeout takes place Thursday, July 10 from 2 PM – 10 PM; Friday, July 11 from 2 PM – 10 PM; Saturday, July 12 from 1 PM – 10 PM; and Sunday, July 13 from 1 PM – 10 PM. Passes and single day wristbands for the 2025 festival are available at www.windycitysmokeout.com.

For more information on Windy City Smokeout, be sure to follow on Instagram at @WindyCitySmokeout and TikTok at @WindyCitySmokeout.