Big Joe's Backyard BBQ Gives Back

It seems like every time I open up my Facebook page, I see Joe Barry from Big Joe’s Backyard BBQ doing something amazing to help out our community and the neighboring communities; and I, for one, think we need more folks like Joe Barry in this world.

I first met Joe a few short weeks ago when I asked him to help me out with a fundraiser I had set up to feed the “forgotten” Covid departments at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn; and he graciously signed on to help me out, as he has done and is still doing for countless other charities throughout Oak Lawn, the neighboring suburbs, and Chicago. can honestly say as soon as you meet Joe, you can’t help but feel like you’ve known him forever.

Joe has really come a long way since he first started working in restaurants at the age of 16. He has created his own unique BBQ sauce that has won him many BBQ competitions throughout Chicago. His signature sauce is currently out of stock, but a new shipment will be arriving sometime next week, and you can purchase your bottles at the restaurant or online. In addition to catering everyday events, Joe has also catered enormous events like LakeShake in Chicago feeding thousands of people a day, and he currently holds one of three permanent vendor spots at Northerly Island. But Joe’s big claim to fame was when his restaurant, Big Joe’s Backyard BBQ, was featured on Chicago’s Best TV Show in February of 2019, which aired on WGN.

Since the pandemic has started, Joe has catered over 1,000 meals to our hardworking police and firefighters of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, Christ Hospital, Little Company of Mary Hospital, and Ronald McDonald House just to name a few. In addition to that, Joe has been giving away free meals since the week of St. Patrick’s Day to anyone in the community who needs it no questions asked. Joe has given the community so much, and I think it’s time the community gives back to him.

He has been hard at work with the owner of TC’s Pub to make the establishment more family friendly. The taller tables will be replaced with shorter ones so that folks of all ages can sit comfortably while enjoying their meals. The restaurant will also now be offering fundraisers for schools, churches, sports teams, etc., which is an exciting new addition that I’m really looking forward to. Don’t forget to tell your PTAs, your churches, your sports teams, etc. to do their fundraisers with Big Joe’s Backyard BBQ.

For those of you who have never eaten at Big Joe’s Backyard BBQ, which is now located inside TC’s Pub at 9700 South Cicero, you are missing out on a culinary delight! Joe’s Special Menu changes weekly, but you can rest assured that everything you order will be out of this world delicious. But don’t take my word for it or the word of the judges of those BBQ competitions or even the word of Chicago’s Best TV Show. Go find out for yourselves. Your tastebuds will thank you!

If you would like to help Joe continue to do his amazing charity work, donations can be made directly to his Venmo account at Joe-Barry-4. Any amount helps, and it all goes towards feeding those less fortunate.

If hosting a fundraiser for your school, church, sports team, etc., is something you would like more information on, please contact Joe Barry at BigJoesBackyardBBQ@gmail.com.

If you would like to place an order for curbside pickup or delivery, please call 708-425-4252; and for catering, please call 708-932-1540. You will not be disappointed!