BBQ comes to Canaryville! Welcome Bell Heir Bar-B-Que!”

[rating=4] Carryout BBQ! I was pretty much raised on carryout food as back in my day there were no delivery services unless a restaurant offered their own. I recall Sally’s BBQ in Rogers park being one of those and of course Father & Son Pizza who pretty much “owned” the pizza business back in the 50’s. Now with Uber Eats and all the other services, those without a car can still get the pickup orders with someone else doing the “pickup”. Canaryville is an area just to the south of Bridgeport and right to the east of “Back of the Yards”- 47th and Halsted. People my age might recall the old Amphitheater where the Auto Show took place before McCormick Place. The “Stock Yards” were also in the immediate area.

The area is one of all ethnicities and has been missing some of the flavors that BBQ bring to the area. Now, there is a Bar-B-Que spot  called Bell Heir’s BBQ located at 704 West 47th Street. Owned by Tyris Bell, who helped start Luella’s Southern Kitchen on the North Side ,felt the time was right and the south side needed his family’s traditional flavors.

The restaurant is a carryout ( with delivery options) and will be open February 3rd. They will feature signature dishes including Rib Tips, Houston-style Barbecue, turkey legs, wings, burgers and of course meats ( ribs, brisket and more). It has been awhile since I went to a restaurant, picked up the food, took it home and plated it at my house. That is how we did restaurants during the Pandemic. We learned from that experience ( as we had no other choice) and today was like bringing back memories of those months.

There were some photos being taken by the Uber Eats people, which I will share with you so you can see how the meals look when being picked up.

Since they are not open yet, some of the menu items were not prepared today. We did enjoy one of their pizzas ( which of course is an added extra for a BBQ restaurant to offer) and I must say the thin pizza crust was truly delicious, not too thin and not “bread-like” ,reminding me of the old days at Father & Son Pizza.

Bell’s brisket and Mac’n’cheese with bacon bits is amazing! I am a mac’n’ cheese guy and could live on that platter, but my body would surely reject it after awhile. It is to me a treat and I will rank what Bell has created among the best I have ever had. In fact, the only reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is that it is a haul to get there . If I lived south where I could have been home and into my food within minutes, I would have been in heaven.

Jane and I also had the burger, which in reality is a “Brisket and Burger with fried pickles and fries. The fried pickles are another item that I love! Oh , well, I have reason to return to the south side. While Bell knows that BBQ brings people together, I will have to wait until my next visit to try the “rib tips” and the smoked turkey leg smothered with Mac’n’cheese ( mmm, my mouth is salivating already). The chicken wings were tasty and his BBQ sauce is perfect.  Note: these are all plated on our plates at home!

Pulled Pork and Brisket combos are readily available. By the way, the pizza is served whole or by the slice. BBQ Brisket pizza and either pepperoni or sausage. They also do Nachos ( brisket or pulled pork) featuring fried to order tortillas layered with cheese, jalapenos and homemade BBQ sauce. Side dishes are coleslaw, baked beans , the aforementioned fried pickles and Mac’n’cheese fries

Bell grew up where the family would dine as a unit and BBQ brought out the best of them. I still feel that a Sunday evening with family ( and no phones at the table) is the perfect way to end the week and get ready for the next one. The recipes that Bell Heir uses are old family ones and bring the flavors and the goodness of BBQ to the table. These are traditional recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation and now, with the opening of Bell Heir’s BBQ on 47th Street, onto you and me.

They are located at 704 West 47th Street ( just east of Halsted) and there is plenty of street parking. They do have a few tables inside, but this is a spot for picking up so you can share with your family. They are open from noon to 9 p.m. every day except Monday and Tuesday ( closed)!

The website is https://bellheirsbbq.com

phone number 773-420-3685  all major credit cards are accepted! In looking at the menu. I know that I will do an Arnold Schwarzenegger, so I will say, “I’ll be Back”.

These are items for the next visit: