Why BBQ Lovers Across Illinois Line Up Before Sunrise At This Famous Spot
Some restaurants build a name slowly, but 17th Street Barbecue in Murphysboro has done it rack by rack, year after year, until the place became part of the local identity.
Smoke drifting from the pits signals a routine that starts long before the doors open, with meat tended patiently and without shortcuts.
In Illinois, serious barbecue fans speak of this place with the familiarity usually reserved for old landmarks. Murphysboro carries the title of Barbecue Capital of Illinois, and this restaurant stands at the center of that reputation.
SIU students, longtime regulars, and determined road-trippers keep showing up because the cooking stays consistent and unmistakably its own.
Strong customer ratings, a respected competition legacy, and the well-known Magic Dust rub all reinforce what the first bite makes clear: this is barbecue that earns loyalty the slow way.
Quick Snapshot
Name: 17th Street Barbecue
Type: Casual BBQ restaurant
Setting: Relaxed, Southern Illinois small-town dining with indoor and outdoor seating, pig-themed decor, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels more like a local gathering spot than a chain restaurant.
Location: 32 N 17th St, Murphysboro, IL 62966.
Phone: +1 618-684-3722.
Arrival Tip: The restaurant opens at 11 AM daily except Tuesday, with Sunday closing at 6 PM, Monday through Thursday at 7 PM, and Friday and Saturday at 8 PM. Because popular items like ribs can sell out, arriving early in the service window is always a smart move.
Portions: Generous. The menu includes combo platters, a five-meat sampler, loaded potatoes, and full slab options.
Because The Line Really Does Start Early
Showing up at 11 AM sharp to a BBQ restaurant might sound like overkill until you realize that smoked ribs, brisket, and other signature cuts are prepared in limited quantities each day.
Once they are gone, they are gone. That is not a marketing gimmick at 17th Street Barbecue.
It is the natural result of cooking low and slow the right way, which means the kitchen cannot simply fire up more product on demand.
Regulars who have visited multiple times know that arriving in the first hour of service gives you the best selection across the full menu.
Weekend visits especially benefit from an early arrival since Fridays and Saturdays draw larger crowds from across the region. The restaurant closes at 8 PM on those nights, but popular items can disappear well before then.
Best Move: Treat your visit like a reservation even without one. Plan to arrive between 11 AM and noon for the widest menu availability and the freshest pulls from the smoker. Calling ahead at +1 618-684-3722 is always a good idea.
Because It’s Treated Like A BBQ “Shrine,” Not Just A Restaurant
Walk through the door at 17th Street Barbecue and something shifts. The atmosphere carries a kind of earned confidence that only comes from decades of doing one thing exceptionally well.
The pig-themed decor, the competition trophies, the Magic Dust prominently displayed near the register. It all adds up to a space that feels like it knows exactly what it is.
Customers who have been coming here since the 1990s describe it as unchanged in the best possible way. One long-time visitor put it simply: there is no need to change perfection.
That kind of loyalty is not manufactured. It grows from consistent, honest cooking and a staff that genuinely takes pride in what they serve.
The owner has been spotted visiting tables, chatting with guests, and personally responding to online feedback. That level of hands-on care shapes the entire experience from the moment you are seated.
Why It Matters: A restaurant that treats its own legacy with this much respect tends to treat its guests the same way, and that is exactly what repeat visitors confirm time and again.
Because The Ribs Are A Slow-Cooked Event, Not Just A Menu Item
There is a moment when you cut into a properly smoked rib and the meat pulls away from the bone with just the right resistance.
Not fall-off-the-bone soft, but tender in a way that tells you something patient and deliberate happened in that smoker. That is exactly what reviewers describe when they talk about the ribs at 17th Street Barbecue.
The bark is smoky and deeply flavored from the restaurant’s famous Magic Dust rub. The interior of the meat carries a light pink hue, which signals a long, proper smoke.
Best Choices: Order the ribs with one of the four available sauces: Little Kick, Original, Apple City Red, and Hog Warsh. The Apple City Red has earned particular praise from regulars.
If you want the full picture, the five-meat combo lets you experience the ribs alongside brisket, pulled pork, sausage, and chicken in a single satisfying sitting.
Because The Pitmaster Legacy Keeps Drawing People Back
Few barbecue restaurants can point to a competition legacy that helped shape their national reputation the way 17th Street Barbecue can. 17th Street Barbecue can.
The restaurant is connected to the legacy of Mike Mills, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in American barbecue history.
His team went on to become three-time Grand Champions at the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, helping establish Murphysboro as a nationally respected barbecue destination.
That history is not just a fun fact printed on a menu. It is the foundation that explains why the cooking here operates at a different standard.
The techniques, the rubs, the smoke profiles. All of it traces back to a competitive pedigree that most restaurants simply do not have.
Insider Tip: Ask your server about the Magic Dust seasoning blend. It is available for purchase to take home.
Because Murphysboro Is Officially Illinois BBQ Country
Murphysboro, Illinois is home to one of the state’s most widely recognized barbecue restaurants. The town has fully leaned into its smoked-meat identity, and 17th Street Barbecue sits at the center of that reputation.
The restaurant’s own owner has publicly referenced Murphysboro as the official Barbecue Capital of Illinois, and the town has embraced that branding through local events like the Tastes of Murphysboro festival.
At local festivals and events, the restaurant has served creative specialties like barbecue parfaits layered with smoked meat and sides, reinforcing Murphysboro’s reputation as a destination for serious barbecue fans.
That kind of regional identity makes a visit here feel like more than a meal. It becomes a piece of Southern Illinois culture.
For road-trippers passing through on their way to Shawnee National Forest or the surrounding wine country, 17th Street Barbecue works as a natural anchor stop.
The town is small, the restaurant is easy to find, and the experience grounds the whole trip in something genuinely local and worth the detour.
Because It’s Also a “BBQ Trip” Hub, Not Just a Meal
A visit to 17th Street Barbecue often becomes the centerpiece of a Southern Illinois day trip rather than just a quick stop for lunch.
Travelers passing through the region frequently plan their routes around Murphysboro, pairing a barbecue stop with nearby outdoor destinations, wineries, or small-town exploring.
The restaurant’s long-standing reputation makes it feel like a true destination experience, the kind of place people talk about long after the drive home. For many visitors, the meal becomes the highlight that anchors the entire trip.
Who This Is Perfect For: BBQ travelers who plan meals as destination experiences. Families looking for generous portions at a fair price.
Anyone curious about competition-level smoked meat in a relaxed, no-pretense setting. First-time visitors to Southern Illinois who want a meal that feels rooted in the region.
Who Might Prefer Somewhere Else: Guests who prioritize trendy interiors or upscale plating over substance. Anyone expecting a fast-casual experience with no wait.
Those who prefer their BBQ very saucy by default may want to request extra sauce, since the kitchen lets the smoke and rub do the heavy lifting.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Absolutely. Consistently strong customer ratings and decades of barbecue tradition make 17th Street Barbecue one of the most reliable destination meals in Illinois.
Planning advice: Check current hours before you go since the schedule varies by day, and try to arrive early in the service window for the best selection. Ordering a sampler platter is a smart move on a first visit, and saving room for the banana pudding makes for a fitting finish.
For travelers willing to plan around great barbecue, this is the kind of place that easily lives up to its reputation.