Carrol Lou's Smokehouse

Discover Carrol Lou's Smokehouse Barbecue in Decatur, IL, offering mouthwatering smoked brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and more. Enjoy signature dishes like mac and cheese, rib tips, and peach bourbon beans in a welcoming atmosphere. Call +1 217-542-7275 today!

Welcome to Carrol Lou's Smokehouse

Experience the finest dining

Carrol Lou's Smokehouse
Carrol Lou's Smokehouse
Carrol Lou's Smokehouse
Carrol Lou's Smokehouse

Carrol Lou's Smokehouse offers a taste of authentic barbecue right in Decatur, Illinois. Located at 2612 N Martin Luther King Jr Dr, this establishment specializes in smoked meats infused with rich flavors. Locals rave about the brisket mac and cheese and the signature banjo sauce. The casual setting provides a welcoming atmosphere, perfect for families and friends to gather.

Whether seeking a hearty lunch or a satisfying dinner, Carrol Lou's guarantees delicious options that leave a lasting impression. This smokehouse becomes a community hub during peak lunch hours, creating vibrant conversations over plates of ribs and pulled pork.

This smokehouse stands out with an impressive menu comprising 74 dishes, ranging from classic sandwiches to specialty items. Highlights include the Hogzilla, Moink, and Nashville Hot. Diners can indulge in sides such as smoked peach bourbon beans or coleslaw. The options for sauces are extensive, featuring flavors like Carolina Red BBQ and Georgia Mustard, ensuring there’s something for everyone’s palate. Carrol Lou's also serves comfort desserts like banana pudding and cobbler, complementing the savory experience. With efficient service and a friendly staff, visitors can enjoy quick turnarounds, especially during the bustling lunch periods. The buzz of laughter and clinking of utensils creates an inviting environment for newcomers and regulars alike.

Location & Contact

The Setting

Address

2612 N Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Decatur, IL 62526, United States

Phone

+1 217-542-7275

Social Media

About

The Journey Behind the Flavor

Carrol Lou's Smokehouse
Carrol Lou's Smokehouse
Carrol Lou's Smokehouse
Carrol Lou's Smokehouse

Carrol Lou's Smokehouse proudly represents the heart of Decatur's growing culinary scene. Known for its robust smoke flavor, this barbecue restaurant attracts locals and visitors equally. The smokehouse embraces traditional barbecue techniques, showcasing meats slow-cooked to perfection for maximum flavor. Each dish speaks to a commitment to quality, freshness, and local ingredients when possible. Signature favorites, like rib tips and pulled pork, consistently shine on the menu, bringing in a diverse crowd eager to savor every bite. Frankly, the brisket mac and cheese is legendary, drawing even the strictest cheese lovers from miles around.

Founded with a vision of creating a friendly space for folks to enjoy hearty meals, Carrol Lou's serves as more than just a restaurant; it’s a community landmark. Inside, you’ll find a laid-back vibe, with walls adorned with local memorabilia, reinforcing connections to Decatur’s rich history. The busy lunch crowd often fills every seat by noon on Fridays, illustrating its popularity. To avoid the rush, many patrons recommend visiting during quieter hours, particularly on weekday evenings.

Each day brings unique offerings, from Loaded Baked Potatoes on Mondays to Pork Belly Burnt Ends on Fridays. This weekly specials calendar encourages repeat visits and delights diners wanting something new. Additionally, the smokehouse’s commitment to serving only the best shines through in every selection, paired with imaginative sides like Q Fries and cornbread squares.

Ultimately, Carrol Lou's Smokehouse represents a serving of comfort food that embraces community spirit while championing delicious, expertly prepared barbecue. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned regular, you’ll always find something to satisfy your cravings here.

Carrol Lou's Smokehouse

Carrol Lou's Smokehouse presents a warm and inviting exterior, making it hard to resist stepping inside. The rustic design, complete with a welcoming entrance, draws attention from both locals and passing travelers. Outdoor seating offers a chance to enjoy the fresh air while indulging in an impressive meal. Families can relish a comfortable evening outside, where laughter mixes with the tempting aroma of smoked meats wafting from the kitchen. The vibe is relaxed yet bustling, emphasizing a fun gathering place for friends or a quick bite for those on the go.

Work Hours

Reservations & Service Hours

  • SundayClosed
  • Monday11 AM-7 PM
  • Tuesday11 AM-7 PM
  • Wednesday11 AM-7 PM
  • Thursday11 AM-7 PM
  • Friday11 AM-7 PM
  • SaturdayClosed

Guestbook & Reviews

Customer Reviews

Pastrami was amazing. If I wasn't flying home I would have bought more to bring home. Super friendly staff. Burnt ends were also very good. Had the Perfect 9 and the Triple S sauces, both very good. P9 was best! Coleslaw was meh. Could have used more dressing.

J
Jamie D.

Best BBQ in town! The brisket and burnt ends are delicious! The French fries are crazy addicting good! The baked beans and mac n cheese both are awesome. I love all the food I have tried. Super nice people with delicious food! Highly recommend

r
r t.

Straight forward Smoked BBQ restaurant. While in line trying to figure out what to order John suggested one of the sandwiches, then Brian suggested another and Matt said you can't go wrong with Brisket... So we ordered all of it and some ribs, tips, wings, and nachos. Those three men were not wrong. Once we made it to Chicago our only regret was not ordering more. The meats were all tender and full of flavor. There are multiple sauce choices for the ribs but I can't say one is better than another. They were all good sauces. We made it at the right time just before the lunch rush. As we sat and ate, people continued to come and the line grew. The food was worth the wait and the drive from Chicago.

L
L. S.

Such a cool little bbq restaurant inside and old home. It has a really great charm about it. The owners were super friendly and the Reuben sandwich was fantastic pairing it with the cole slaw was out of this world goood, my wife loved the pulled pork and we both had the peach pit beans, I really loved them, but they were a bit sweet for my wife. I dug the old out of date windows, it took me back in time to my childhood homes and the stained glass with the sun shining through, perfect. The music selection was also great.

J
JJ

When entering Carrol Lou's Smokehouse, I was taken away to a southern state of mind by the atmosphere and character this old house contained. The menu is top-notch as are food portions. Even better is the overwhelming pitmaster smell and taste of the food. Plenty of rubs and sauce choices to please everyone!

M
Mark A.

After spending the day at the Decatur zoo, my partner and I googled "food near scolville zoo" and we found Carrol Lou's Smokehouse and decided to check it out. We were a little taken aback when we pulled up and it appeared to be someone's house with a parking lot. We looked uneasy at each other and decided, YOLO- let's try it! THANK GOD WE DID! Holy cow- the food is amazing!! We had no clue what to order and said it was our 1st time here. A customer chimed in and recommended the brisket horseshoe with the Monterey Jack cheese. I ended up getting the pony shoe instead (just a smaller portion but same toppings) Hands down, that was the BEsT brisket I have ever had. Incredible flavor and beyond tender. My Partner is an avid meat BQQ cooker and until Sunday I would say his meat is the best. Not anymore, Carrol Lou's is now #1. My partner got the pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw topping, he got the Carolina sauce on the side. The pulled pork was juicy and extremely tender. The sandwich had a massive about of meat on it. DELICIOUS!! For sides we got the brisket Mac and cheese (10/10) and the baked beans. The Beans are very unique with slices of peaches in them. They are very good, a tiny bit on the sweet side- but we both enjoyed them. When we left we got a peanut butter cookie and chocolate chip cookie. They are so moist, soft and flavorful absolutely recommend. This hidden gem in Decatur is incredible and we absolutely will not only be back, we will be telling everyone to go check them out! Keep up the great work Carrol Lou's Smokehouse- your food is amazing!!

A
Aj S.