Louisiana Barbeque In Joliet: 'Some People Call Me Pit Master'

JOLIET, IL — While Merichka's has been a restaurant landmark on Theodore Street since 1933 and Al's Steakhouse a staple on West Jefferson Street since 1959, over on Joliet's east side, Louisiana Barbeque has amassed a faithful following of customers for nearly a quarter of a century.

"We've been here 23 years," remarked Allan Washington.

Louisiana Barbeque is in the Sugar Creek plaza at 1220 Richards St., across from the former Certified Foods grocery store. Louisiana Barbeque has only two employees. Together, they have run the register, answered the phones, sliced and smoked the meats during Louisiana Barbeque's entire existence: husband and wife, Allan and Theresa Washington.

Since 2020, because of the deadly global pandemic, Louisiana Barbeque became exclusively a takeout restaurant. These days, Louisiana Barbeque is open from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The Washingtons close their restaurant the first Sunday of every month because that's when Mt. Olive Baptist Church has its communion service.

Allan Washington is a deacon and Theresa is a preacher at the Joliet church off Briggs Street, 1710 Carey St.

"We take walk-ins an hour before close," Allan Washington explained. "Basically, we run out of food on a daily basis."

When Joliet Patch asked Washington to name the most popular items on his menu, he replied, "Everything. Because all the meat is smoked."

Patch: "Do you start really early in the morning?"

"Yes, sir," Washington replied.

Washington said he often works "five to six hours before opening."

During Tuesday afternoon's interview, Washington was busy slicing two racks of ribs that were being turned into smoked rib tips for his customers.

Washington said the smoked rib tips are a customer pleaser, but, by no means are rib tips the only thing that sells well.

"The other food is still rocking," he explained. "We do hot links, brisket and pulled pork, racks of ribs, turkey tips.

"If a customer would come in here, they would tell you, all, because all the meat is smoked. They buy it all. All your smoked food sells."

Louisiana Barbeque even has a customer base in New York and Boston.

"We ship brisket to New York and Boston. They do order from time to time. We do the (Joliet) racetrack, ComEd and most of the plants on Interstate 55."

Customers of Louisiana Barbeque know that the restaurant's green wall is lined with photographs of famous Hollywood stars, including Will Smith and Jaleel White, best known for playing Steve Urkel. Many of the photographs are autographed, like ones signed by Brad Pitt, Chalize Theron and the late Bernie Mac.

By far, the Hollywood star with the most photos displayed inside Louisiana Barbeque is Matt Damon. That's because Washington's daughter, former Joliet resident Trinette Faint, worked as Damon's personal assistant for several years.

Although Allan Washington takes great pride and joy in his daughter's professional accomplishments, he does not want "to give out" too many stories about the Hollywood stars, singers and other celebrities he's met and dined with over the years.

On the other hand, he is not shy about answering questions about Louisiana Barbeque.

In April, he said he will turn 75 years old.

Regarding the future of Louisiana Barbeque, he takes it "one year at a time. I'm an old man now. I'm about ready to give it up now, because we're both already retirees," he remarked.

He's proud that so many members of his family have been successful on their own.

"They have their own careers, they all have degrees to do all kinds of things," Washington remarked. "I have a brother-in-law who's one of the top six chefs in Illinois. They don't need this at all."

During this week's interview that lasted roughly two hours, several customers came into Louisiana Barbeque to pick up their takeout order.

One young man, Solon, told Joliet Patch this was his first week trying Louisiana Barbeque, but the second day in a row he ordered here.

He works as a truck driver and trainer.

"It's definitely a good establishment," he said. "I will definitely be here as often as I can. Five stars all the way, and if I'm working in Joliet tomorrow, I will be back."

Another customer, Carmen Lockhart, said she's been a long-time customer of the Washingtons. When asked her favorite food, Lockhart answered, "Their tips. But I like them," she said. "They're sweet. They are kind, loving people, so yes, I love it here.

"They're normally very fast as well."

Given that the Will County Health Department conducts all the restaurant inspections across the county, Allan Washington said he's pleased that a number of employees "eat here too, and that's something you seldom see."

For Allan Washington, opening Louisiana Barbeque became a second career.

"I did environmental work and I retired," he explained. "As a young kid, I was always enjoying barbecuing. I thought it would be good for me to start here."

What makes Louisiana Barbeque stand out?

"The way the food tastes, the flavor," he said. "I'm bad at opening on time.

"We smoke brisket and pulled pork for 15 hours straight. I take my time. We don't use a meat cleaver. All of it is cut like that."

Because his wife works the register and takes most of the orders, Allan Washington does not keep track of how many customers visit on a daily basis. He's busy in the kitchen, preparing more food.

"In the afternoon, around 4 p.m., they start calling, and it gets really, really busy. If we put on 150 pounds (of meat), it goes. Everything we sell during the day is fresh, nothing old, because you can tell old food from fresh food."

Louisiana Barbeque on Joliet's east side has 280 Google Reviews, averaging 4.5 stars out of five.

Still, Allan Washington remains humble. He does not boast about his restaurant.

"There are a lot of good restaurants out there," he said.

Then, he paused, and remarked, "some people call me 'Pit Master.'"