When it comes to summer dining, there are few things as quintessential as barbecue. This revered American pastime is at its craveable peak in July, as patriotism and pulled pork go hand-in-hand. We may not be in North Carolina, Memphis, or deep Texas, but Chicago is not lax in the barbecue department. In fact, the city is chock full of exceptional regional ’cue. In honor of patriotic meaty appetites, here’s a roundup of some of the best barbecue restaurants in Chicago and some of their can’t-miss specialties.

If you should find yourself in, say, Boston and craving a meatloaf cupcake (or eight, rather), The Meatloaf Bakery has you covered. The niche Lincoln Park meat-bakery has taken flight with national shipping, making it that much easier to consume handheld meatloaves anywhere in the continental United States.

There’s nothing like a good cookout to celebrate summer in the city. Curated by Bub City, Windy City Smokeout is poised for a return run July 11 through July 13, marking its second annual summer festival bringing together country music, beer, and barbecue aplenty.