Milt’s BBQ for the Perplexed is located in the trendy downtown neighborhood of Lakeview and just minutes from famous Wrigley Field. It has a casual modern décor, complete with green subway tiles and distressed wooden planks, and features outdoor seating in the warmer months. Jeff Aeder opened Milt’s BBQ in January 2013 with a vision transcending the notion of a regular restaurant. The place is named after the owner’s Uncle Milt, an uncle everyone has or wishes he had, jovial, unconventional and inventive, who can always be counted on to keep things interesting. The “perplexed” part is inspired by “The Guide for the Perplexed,” the famous 12th century philosophical work by Maimonides. Milt’s BBQ is not just a place for an elegantly casual meal, it is a gathering place, a “community center without the pool.” Milt’s aims to nourish not only the body but the mind, as they host speaker’s series and various events. But the most unique thing about Milt’s is that they donate 100% of their profit to charity to support their own programming and to contribute to multiple non-profit organizations. The terrific food and exemplary service earned Milt’s BBQ the titles of Best New BBQ by Time Out Chicago, one of the Best New Restaurants of 2013 by Chicago Magazine and UrbanSpoon, Joy of Kosher's Restaurant of the Year (2013) and a “Certificate of Excellence” by TripAdvisor.
Each day at Milt's, executive chef Bryan Gryka, a graduate of culinary school as well as law school, smokes the high-quality meats on-site until perfectly tender. Bryan’s rustic cooking style and his “addiction” to heat results in super-flavorful mouthwatering dishes. To get an idea, try their signature Milt Burger, a hamburger with chili, beef bacon, and fried onions. Another highly recommended dish that any barbecue lover will appreciate is their delectable Smoked Spare Ribs. Milt’s also serves a selection of sandwiches, with the house specialty being the Spare Rib Sandwich, with grilled onion, mushroom, pepper and BBQ aioli. Vegetarians coming to the restaurant won’t feel left out either, with offerings such as House-Made Veggie Burger, Smoked Seitan Sandwich and a number of salads. Treat yourself to one of their delicious homemade desserts such as Apple Cobbler and Chocolate Mousse topped with homemade spicy caramel.
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