What are the best pork dishes in Chicago?

Based on diner recommendations, the best pork dish in Chicago is at Big Jones. We compared 37 restaurants serving pork dishes.

How much do pork dishes cost in Chicago?

Pork dish prices in Chicago range from $3.50 to $600.00 across 37 restaurants.

Best Pork Dishes in Chicago

37 restaurants compared

Price range: $3.50 – $600.00

Avg recommendation: 90%

Top 5 Pork Dishes in Chicago (Quick Answer)

Based on diner recommendations across 37 restaurants:

Gumbo Ya-Ya at Big Jones, $16.00 (Andersonville)
Taco de Guisado at Don Pedro Carnitas, $3.50 (Pilsen)
House-Made Charcuterie Plate at Moody Tongue Brewing Company, $18.00 (South Loop)
Spicy Buffalo Ribs at The Gage, $18.00 (Loop)
Sausage Links (Hot Links) at Honey 1 BBQ, $13.99 (Bronzeville)

Scroll down for detailed comparisons, prices, and diner tips for each restaurant.

All 37 Pork Dishes

Gumbo Ya-Ya

Big Jones

Andersonville·$$

$16.00

Dark Cajun roux, housemade sausage, chicken, and pork in a spiced broth.

Tip: Gumbo is filling and warming—a complete meal on its own with the rice.

Taco de Guisado

Don Pedro Carnitas

Pilsen·$

$3.50

Slow-stewed meat in a seasoned sauce, served Monday-Friday only.

Tip: The guisado is only on weekday mornings—come before 1pm if you want to try it, as it often sells out.

House-Made Charcuterie Plate

Moody Tongue Brewing Company

South Loop·$$$$

$18.00

Cured and charcuterie meats produced in-house or from local producers.

Tip: Pair this with the house lager or a sour beer — ask the bartender for their recommendation based on the day's offerings.

Spicy Buffalo Ribs

The Gage

Loop·$$

$18.00

House ribs with spicy buffalo sauce and balsamic BBQ finish.

Tip: Order a few of these as shareable appetizers. The buffalo-balsamic combo is more interesting than standard wings.

Sausage Links (Hot Links)

Honey 1 BBQ

Bronzeville·$

$13.99

Smoked sausage with a spicy kick and a hickory char.

Tip: Hot links pair perfectly with the fries—order them together.

Housemade Charcuterie Board

The Publican

Fulton Market·$$$

$26.00

Selection of house-cured and smoked meats, seasonal vegetables, and bread.

Tip: Order the charcuterie board family-style to share and explore different preparations.

Pulled Pork

Smoque BBQ

Irving Park·$$

$11.00

Tender, smoky pork shoulder served warm, pairs well with the house sauces.

Tip: Pulled pork feeds more people for the money than ribs—good for groups.

Chicharrones

Don Pedro Carnitas

Pilsen·$

$4.00

Fried pork rinds, lightly salted and served fresh.

Tip: Chicharrones come automatically with your carnitas order—use them to scoop extra salsa or eat straight as a snack.

Nose-to-Tail Charcuterie

The Bristol

Bucktown·$$$

$26.00

House-cured and prepared meats and offal arranged on a board.

Tip: Pair the charcuterie with a craft beer from the rotating list — The Bristol celebrates beer as a serious dining beverage.

#10

Whole Roasted Suckling Pig

The Publican

Fulton Market·$$$

$600.00

Whole roasted suckling pig with seasonal sides and sauce, family-style service.

Tip: Perfect for large celebrations—the whole pig serves 8-10 and makes a statement.

#11

Bucket of Tips

Lem's Bar-B-Q

Chatham·$

$30.00

Large-format rib tips order for sharing or serious appetite.

Tip: Pre-order a bucket if you're feeding a group—walk-in availability varies.

#12

Slab of Ribs

Lem's Bar-B-Q

Chatham·$

$25.00

A full slab of spareribs smoked over charcoal.

Tip: One slab feeds 2-3 people if you add sides—don't underestimate how much meat is here.

#13

Flat Iron Steak with Braised Iberico Pork Belly

ESMÉ

Lincoln Park·$$$$

Precisely cooked beef with cured Spanish pork belly.

Tip: Request your steak cooked to temperature preference when booking — Chef Tomaska respects individual preferences.

#14

Hot Links

Lem's Bar-B-Q

Chatham·$

$9.75

Smoked sausage with spice and char.

Tip: Hot links pair well with the tips—order both if you're sharing.

#15

Pupusas with Cochinita Pibil

Atelier

Lincoln Square·$$$$

Thick corn tortillas filled with slow-cooked Yucatecan pork and local supporting vegetables.

Tip: This course shows Chef Kawcak's playful side — beloved comfort food refined with precision and quality sourcing.

#16

Taco de Chorizo

La Chaparrita Taqueria

Little Village·$

$10.99

Fresh chorizo with onion and cilantro on housemade broth-dipped tortilla.

Tip: The chorizo is moderately spiced and seasoned deeply—eat five or six to let the flavors build across the meal.

#17

House Poutine

The Gage

Loop·$$

$16.00

Hand-cut fries with cider-braised pork shoulder, pork gravy, and cheese curds.

Tip: Order this as a shareable side or light meal. The cider-braised pork makes it more refined than standard poutine. Pairs well with a craft lager.

#18

Stewed Pork Shank

Longman & Eagle

Logan Square·$$

$19.00

Slow-braised pork shank with root vegetables and rich sauce.

Tip: Call ahead to make sure the shank is available—it's not always on the menu and sometimes sells out early.

#1996% recommend

Carnitas by the Pound

Don Pedro Carnitas

Pilsen·$

$11.99

Slow-cooked pork shoulder served by the pound with a choice of meat ratio.

Tip: Order a half pound for a solo lunch—it feeds one person and costs around $6. Full pound feeds two hungry people.

#2096% recommend

Small Rib Tips

Lem's Bar-B-Q

Chatham·$

$12.25

The cut that made Chicago barbecue famous, smoked until they shred.

Tip: Order the small and large together to compare—most people say the larger is better value if you're hungry.

#2196% recommend

Burger with Bacon and Egg

Au Cheval

West Loop·$$

$16.00

The signature burger topped with thick-cut peppered bacon and a sunny-side-up fried egg.

Tip: This version is filling and rich — perfect if you're willing to wait and want to indulge.

#2294% recommend

Large Rib Tips

Lem's Bar-B-Q

Chatham·$

$14.75

A bigger portion of the signature tips with the same vinegary smoke.

Tip: One large tips order is filling enough for lunch if you add a drink—no need for a second side.

#2392% recommend

Rib Tips

Honey 1 BBQ

Bronzeville·$

$14.99

Hickory-smoked short rib ends with the restaurant's signature honey-forward sauce.

Tip: The sauce coats everything beautifully—don't ask for extra sauce, you won't need it.

#2491% recommend

Akahoshi Miso Ramen

Akahoshi Ramen

Logan Square·$$

$30.00

Sapporo-style miso broth with homemade crinkly noodles, pork chashu, beansprouts, and lard.

Tip: Start with the miso. It's what the restaurant is known for, and the broth is the soul of the experience.

#2591% recommend

St. Louis Style Ribs

Smoque BBQ

Irving Park·$$

$13.00

Memphis-style dry rub ribs, smoked over oak and applewood until tender.

Tip: Get a half slab each and share two sides—ribs and brisket is the dream team combo.

#2691% recommend

Milk-Braised Pork Shoulder

The Purple Pig

River North·$$$

$22.00

Slow-braised pork shoulder in milk with vegetables and aromatics, served with mashed potatoes.

Tip: This dish is comfort food refined — order it if you want something rich and satisfying.

#2791% recommend

Pork Shank

Tzuco

River North·$$$$

$48.00

Braised in pineapple vinegar, cinnamon, and guajillo peppers, wrapped in banana leaves.

Tip: The flavors are bold and the cooking is slow — this is comfort food refined.

#2891% recommend

Ragù alla Napoletana

Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio

West Loop·$$$

$32.00

Generous platter with tomato-braised pork shank, soppressata meatballs, and hand-rolled fusilli.

Tip: Order the ragù alla napoletana family-style and share with the table—portions are generous.

#2990% recommend

Crispy Pig Ears

The Purple Pig

River North·$$$

$14.00

Fried pig ears with kale, egg yolk, and pickled banana peppers.

Tip: Don't be intimidated by 'pig ears' — the preparation is so good that meat skeptics often become fans.

#3090% recommend

Taco de Pastor

La Chaparrita Taqueria

Little Village·$

$10.99

Marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit with pineapple, onion, and cilantro.

Tip: Try both carne asada and pastor in one visit—the contrast between the two preparations shows the kitchen's range.

#3190% recommend

Tlacoyo de Cochinita Pibil

Xocome Antojeria

Archer Heights·$$

$10.99

Griddled masa oval topped with slow-braised pork, crema, salsa, and fresh vegetables.

Tip: Start with a tlacoyo using blue masa if you want to taste the corn character—it's nuttier and shows the housemade quality clearly.

#3288% recommend

Rib Platter

Honey 1 BBQ

Bronzeville·$

$17.99

Full slab of hickory-smoked ribs served with fries and slaw.

Tip: Get 2–3 of these if you're feeding more than two people—portions are generous but they disappear fast.

#3386% recommend

Street Tacos (Al Pastor)

Federales

Logan Square·$$

$4.00

Traditional al pastor tacos with marinated pork, onion, cilantro, and lime.

Tip: Tacos are sized for sharing—order 3-4 different types and pass them around the table.

#3486% recommend

Tantanmen (Soupless)

Akahoshi Ramen

Logan Square·$$

$28.00

Soupless ramen with spicy Sichuan peppercorn broth, extra-thick noodles, ground pork, and sesame.

Tip: This dish has real heat from Sichuan peppercorns—the sensation is numbing, not burning. Ask the chef if you want to adjust the spice level.

#3586% recommend

Pork Sandwich with Rapini and Giardiniera

Reno

Logan Square·$$

$14.00

Slow-roasted pork on a bagel with rapini, giardiniera, peperoncini, bagel crumbs, and marinara.

Tip: This sandwich is lunch-only. Don't expect to find it on the dinner menu.

#3685% recommend

Rigatoni Carbonara

Reno

Logan Square·$$

$14.00

Fresh rigatoni with pancetta, guanciale, bone marrow, and egg yolk.

Tip: The carbonara is substantial—share if eating with others, or plan to take half home.

#3782% recommend

Tamarind Glazed Pork Taco

Antique Taco

Wicker Park·$

$9.00

Adobo-rubbed, tamarind-glazed pork with bacon, spinach, avocado, and queso.

Tip: The balance of sweet tamarind against the rich pork is what makes this memorable — pair with a margarita.