Windy City Smokeout Debuts ‘Beyond the Pit’ Culinary Series Presented by OpenTable

Windy City Smokeout has partnered with OpenTable to launch Beyond the Pit. Hosted at Bub City and on the festival grounds, this new series pairs the festival's country lineup with exclusive, chef-driven dining experiences. 

Available as exclusive add-ons for festival attendees, Beyond the Pit at Windy City Smokeout will deliver standalone culinary experiences with chefs, restaurants, and pitmasters. Featuring Chef Stephanie Izard, Katz’s Delicatessen, and Austin's LeRoy & Lewis Barbecue, events range from fusion feasts to exclusive book signings, offering a rare taste of the global flavors and techniques redefining modern BBQ. Events will take place at both Bub City and Windy City Smokeout. Tickets for Beyond the Pit’s sessions are available for pre-purchase only, and quantities are limited.

Beyond the Pit at Windy City Smokeout events include:

July 9 — Dinner with Thai Dang (Crying Tiger)

• Experience a Southeast Asian-inspired BBQ dinner led by Chef Thai Dang, Chef Partner of Lettuce Entertain You’s Crying Tiger, as he draws on his Vietnamese heritage, classical French training, and culinary style to create a one-night-only, open-fire dining experience. Guests will enjoy a multi-course menu that showcases the layered flavors of Southeast Asia and celebrates the best of BBQ at Windy City Smokeout.

July 10 — Dinner with Chef Stephanie Izard

• Dine with Chef Stephanie Izard, chef and owner of Girl & the Goat, in this culinary experience. Known for her globally inspired flavors, Stephanie will curate a special menu that brings her style to Windy City Smokeout. A rare chance to enjoy BBQ-adjacent cuisine from one of America’s chefs.

July 11 — Dinner with Pitmaster Evan LeRoy

• Join pitmaster Evan LeRoy of Austin’s LeRoy & Lewis for a chef-driven barbecue dinner at Windy City Smokeout's Pitmaster Lounge. This exclusive experience showcases Evan’s signature “new-school” Texas BBQ—thoughtfully sourced meats, techniques, and flavors that helped earn the restaurant a Michelin star and a spot on Texas Monthly’s Top 50 BBQ Joints. 

July 12 — A Taste of KG BBQ

• Join pitmaster Kareem El Ghayesh, owner of KG BBQ on site at Smokeout, as he fuses Egyptian flavors with Texas BBQ. 

Beyond the Pit at Bub City:

July 8-9 — Katz’s Deli Pop Up at Bub City - River North

• Katz’s Delicatessen from New York City returns for its second annual summer pop-up at Bub City, where guests can enjoy their Pastrami Sandwich, served with pickles, steak fries, and a choice of Dr. Brown’s Soda (Root Beer, Black Cherry, Cream Soda, or Cel-Ray), all while listening to live country music. This is a pre-purchase only event with limited quantities available.

July 10 — New School BBQ Book Signing with LeRoy & Lewis Barbecue

• Meet one of the voices in modern barbecue at this exclusive book signing and tasting with Evan LeRoy on site at Windy City Smokeout's Pitmaster Lounge. Guests will enjoy BBQ samples inspired by Evan’s new book while learning how LeRoy & Lewis helped redefine Texas BBQ through whole-animal cooking, creativity, and sustainability. 

Returning for its 13th year outside of the United Center from July 8–12, Windy City Smokeout will feature a roster of national music names and local favorites. The festival kicks off on Wednesday, July 8, with a performance by headliner Treaty Oak Revival. Before the full roster of pitmasters debuts on Thursday, fans can get a preview of the weekend's flavors from Bub City and festival newcomer Terry Black's Barbecue, along with exclusive Wednesday night guest appearances by Steel Belly BBQ (Algoma, WI) and Sanders BBQ Supply Co. (Chicago, IL). Other "Beyond BBQ" favorites available for the evening include Pizzeria Portofino, Summer House, Chipperbec Fries, Roadside Eats, and Bub City Burgers.The festival’s Thursday-Sunday schedule will welcome headliners Hootie & The Blowfish, Lainey Wilson, Jordan Davis, and Blake Shelton, along with more than 15 of country music’s rising stars. The full 2026 Windy City Smokeout music lineup, including single-day schedules, is available at www.windycitysmokeout.com.

Windy City Smokeout passes, and Wednesday night general admission and VIP are available to purchase at www.windycitysmokeout.com at the following rates (tax not included):

• Wednesday General Admission: $75
• Thursday General Admission: $84.99
• Friday General Admission: $89.99
• Saturday General Admission: $99.99
• Sunday General Admission: $84.99
• 4-Day General Admission: $299
• 4-Day VIP Admission: $1,251
• 4-Day Platinum Admission $2,251

Windy City Smokeout hours are Wednesday, July 8, from 4-10 p.m.; Thursday, July 9, from 2-10 p.m.; Friday, July 10, from 2-10 p.m.; Saturday, July 11, from 1-10 p.m.; and Sunday, July 12, from 1-10 p.m.

Tickets for Beyond the Pit are available at www.windycitysmokeout.com/beyondthepit. For more information, to sign up for the newsletter, or to join the mobile club, visit the Windy City Smokeout website.