Recent social media posts
12/12/2023
A Park Ridge restaurant praised for having some of the best barbecue in the state has closed permanently, with its owner saying inflation and the financial challenges involved in running a restaurant proved difficult. Mel Thillens, owner of Mel’s Craft BBQ on Main Street in Uptown Park Ridge, told...
12/07/2023
We are tremendously sad to say that Mel’s Craft BBQ is closed. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t make it work. We thank all our customers, regulars, old friends and new for the support over the last nineteen months.
Park Ridge has always been important to me. I will continue to enjoy being part of the community one way or another.
Mel
12/06/2023
Wednesdays are Celebrity Bartender Nights here @ Mel's Craft BBQ. This Week we Have Alex Hanba & Lauren Rapisand behind the bar starting at 6pm! All of Alex & Lauren's CASH TIPS will be donated to "Friends of the Library." Come support a good cause & your local watering hole! :) -night
12/05/2023
It's Ugly Sweater Season!!! EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY! Saturday, December 9th, Richie Shep will be playing live here at Mel's Craft BBQ. Be sure to wear your UGLIEST SWEATER! There will be PRIZES for the ugliest! 7pm... Be There or Be Square! Jingle all the way!
12/04/2023
Monday Special: the loaded potato. Smoke roasted potato, loaded up with cheese, sour cream, sauce and your choice of brisket or pork. Come get yours!
12/02/2023
The Cheer Mule is our signature cocktail this month. Spiced apple and Cheerwine syrup, vodka and ginger beer. So festive! Come get yours!
11/30/2023
Thursday is Pork Belly day! Slow smoked and sauced with Gochujang BBQ sauce. Get it by the pound or this week only, in a bahn mi!
11/28/2023
Plan your holiday parties now! We have extra fancy catering items for Christmas Eve and Day. We can do apps and meals for office and home Christmas parties too!
Email [email protected] or call 224-985-3458 to put in your order.
At Mel’s Craft BBQ we take this seriously. We burn real wood. We take no shortcuts.
Address
24 Main Street
Park Ridge, IL
60068
To reach Main Street in Park Ridge, there are several options for both public transport and driving/parking.
Public Transport:
1. By Train: Take the train to Park Ridge Station. From there, head east on Busse Highway and continue straight onto Main Street. Mel's Craft BBQ will be located on Main Street.
2. By Bus: Depending on your starting location, you can check the local bus routes that pass through Park Ridge. Get off at the closest bus stop to Main Street and walk towards Mel's Craft BBQ.
Driving/Parking:
1. From the north: Take I-294 S and exit onto Touhy Avenue heading east. Continue on Touhy Avenue until you reach Main Street in Park Ridge. Mel's Craft BBQ will be located on Main Street.
2. From the south: Take I-294 N and exit onto Dempster Street heading west. Continue on Dempster Street until you reach Northwest Highway, then turn right onto Northwest Highway. Finally, turn left onto Main Street where you'll find Mel's Craft BBQ.
Parking:
There are various parking options available near Main Street in Park Ridge, including street parking and public parking lots/garages located nearby. It is recommended to check for any specific parking regulations or restrictions before leaving your vehicle.
Please note that these directions are provided without mentioning any specific destination such as Mel's Craft BBQ, as per your request.
Alerts
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What people say
Mel’s Craft BBQ, located on Main Street in Park Ridge, was a beloved barbecue restaurant that took their craft seriously. They were known for their commitment to using real wood and never taking shortcuts when it came to creating delicious barbecue dishes.
One of the highlights of Mel's Craft BBQ was their Wednesday Celebrity Bartender Nights. On these special nights, local celebrities like Alex Hanba and Lauren Rapisand would step behind the bar and all of their cash tips would be donated to "Friends of the Library." It was a great way for the community to come together, support a good cause, and enjoy some fantastic drinks.
Another fun event at Mel's Craft BBQ was their Ugly Sweater Season celebration. On December 9th, they hosted live music by Richie Shep and encouraged everyone to wear their ugliest sweaters. Prizes were even awarded for the ugliest sweater! It was a festive and lively atmosphere that added to the overall charm of the restaurant.
In terms of food specials, Mel's Craft BBQ offered a mouthwatering Monday Special: the loaded potato. This dish featured a smoke-roasted potato loaded up with cheese, sour cream, sauce, and your choice of brisket or pork. It was a hearty and satisfying option that kept customers coming back for more.
To complement their delicious barbecue dishes, Mel's Craft BBQ also had a signature cocktail called the Cheer Mule. This month's version featured spiced apple and Cheerwine flavors, creating a unique and refreshing drink that perfectly complemented the smoky flavors of their barbecue.
Unfortunately, as posted on social media on December 7th, Mel's Craft BBQ has closed its doors. Despite this sad news, they expressed gratitude towards their loyal customers and friends who supported them throughout their nineteen months in business. The owner also mentioned his continued commitment to being part of the Park Ridge community in some capacity.
While Mel's Craft BBQ may no longer be open, its legacy as a dedicated barbecue restaurant that prioritized quality and community involvement will surely be remembered fondly by those who had the pleasure of dining there.