Dig the Pig? See Who Pulls Off the Best Pork in Lincoln-Way

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It's National Barbecue Month, so we wanted to hit up a few area barbecue joints. Without many suggestions from readers, we sought out a couple good ones but realized that Simply Smokin' BBQ in Frankfort was closed.

Even so, we found a few great restaurants and settled on one very popular barbecue dish—pulled pork—which, when done well, can be the best kind of barbecue there is. The slow cooking can produce the perfect smoky flavor, and with the right sauce this sandwich can be a success. As usual, we tried the dish at one restaurant in Frankfort, Mokena and New Lenox.

, Mokena

Mindy’s has a nice atmosphere, with old memorabilia and music playing. It’s a fun place just off Interstate 80, and the barbecue isn’t that bad, either. Even though Mindy’s is known for its ribs more than pulled pork, I had high expectations because of the rib reputation and wasn’t disappointed.

Mindy’s was the priciest of the three I went to, but at $11.95 it was the most complete meal, coming with three sides (I chose fries, corn bread and corn on the cob). The pulled pork comes in a gigantic pile, no bun.

The good: A big heapin’ portion of BBQ that was moist throughout.

The bad: Overall, the flavor was just mediocre. It didn’t have the smoky flavor I love with barbecue, and the sauce was abundant but not memorable.

, New Lenox

The Irish Pig opened last year in New Lenox as a lunch-only spot operated by Connolly’s Catering. If Mindy’s is good for its nostalgic, Portillo’s-like atmosphere, the Irish Pig is an old school joint that smacks a pile of delicious, greasy food on your plate (or in your to-go bag; most business is carry out though there are a few stools inside) and says enjoy.

It’s also the cheapest option, at about $7 for a large pulled pork sandwich, fries (regular, garlic, sweet potato) and a pop. For a smaller portion of pork on the bun, it’s just $5.

The good: The place smells incredible and you can see the food being made in front of you. It’s got the perfect smoky taste and the sauce added a fantastic extra kick.

The bad: If you care about making a big mess, you might want to try the chili.

, Frankfort

Because Simply Smokin’ was closed, I scrambled to find another barbecue joint in Frankfort. Unfortunately, I landed at Jameson’s, which doesn’t specialize in this matchup and was clearly at a disadvantage.

I was interested in trying Jameson’s pulled pork because it came with a slice of mozzarella cheese and served on an Italian roll, though after eating the $9 sandwich (with a side of fries) I should have seen the Italian touches as a warning sign.

The good: Hard to find, though there were some tasty bites in the crease of the roll, where it seemed like the sauce was most prevalent and the cheese actually melted.

The bad: Just a cruddy sandwich. The roll was dry, the meat tasteless and the cheese and sauce barely noticeable.

THE WINNER: Irish Pig BBQ in New Lenox is a hidden gem located off Route 30. The flavor was the most dynamic of the three.

Looking for local eats? Do you disagree with our taster? Head  over to your local Patch Places food and dining directory. Find new spots, read reviews and even post a your own reviews on the profile pages.

• Frankfort establishments
• New Lenox establishments
• Mokena establishments

We're trying carrot cake next week, and we want your suggestions! Have a favorite dish in Frankfort, Mokena or New Lenox? Want us to be your guinea pig? Comment below for a chance to win a $50 gift card.