Cherry Street Bar-B-Que

Its red neon sign shines like a beacon, as this 1920 building – which was once a bank – now sits proudly isolated in the middle of a massive waterfront construction project, but step inside and you immediately feel cocooned in its warm-heartedness. It was pitmaster Lawrence La Pianta who brought the barbecue traditions of the American South to Hogtown; after years of competing and judging with the Kansas City Barbeque Society circuit, he knows his way around a broad range of tastes ranging from Texas-style brisket to St. Louis-style ribs. Lightly charred wings and snappy, finely spiced sausage links are sleeper hits. Everything is smoked on the patio inside a redesigned shipping container. Stopping by on a weekend? Be aware that meats are likely to sell out.