Mount Prospect's Smokey Bones spotlights barbecue, beer

Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill, a chain of 66 barbecue spots, is in the process of expanding. Its new spot, which opened in Mount Prospect's Randhurst Village shopping center in July, boasts a contemporary feel and emphasis on craft beer that will serve as the model for the company moving forward.

Motif: While older Smokey Bones locations have a rustic vibe, the 6,200-square-foot Mount Prospect spot aims to feel more contemporary by incorporating stone into the design, placing metal grates between the big booths and dining room tables and using recessed ceilings to make the layout feel open. The bar area features 10 TVs showing sports and neon signs from the craft breweries whose beers you'll find on tap. There's another TV in the dining room, which is separated from the host stand and bar area by wood planks. Walls are lined with posters sharing quirky sayings dubbed “Boneisms.” Caged bulbs hang overhead along with large lamps decorated with images involving fire such as a grill and a flaming shot. There's plenty of additional seating available at the outdoor umbrella-topped tables.

Food: Smokey Bones offers a variety of combo platters that give you a great chance to tour their menu. The smoked wings were our favorite dish, very crispy and covered with just a bit of sauce. The ribs, smoked for 11 hours, were fall-off-the-bone tender. They're available in a variety of styles, but we were very happy with our server's recommendation to try them coated with a sweet brown sugar glaze. The barbecue chicken was also excellent, though the pulled pork was a bit on the dry side and the brisket could have used more flavor. You can try your meats with the restaurant's four barbecue sauces, which include tangy mustard and a chipotle sauce with plenty of kick. Side options include gooey mac and cheese and sweet barbecue beans served piping hot. If you can save room, Smokey Bones offers made-to-order doughnuts shaken up in a bag of cinnamon sugar tableside and served with a raspberry sauce that nicely cuts through their sweetness.

Liquid consumption: The Pineapple Express is one of the most popular cocktails, a blend of pineapple juice and coconut rum that tastes like a non-frozen piña colada garnished with pieces of pineapple dusted with brown sugar that melts into the foamy top. Craft beer has become a focus at all Smokey Bones locations, but it's even a bigger priority here, with 40 varieties available. If you're looking to try a few, order a bucket of four bottles for $14. Smokey Bones also plans to host periodic craft beer dinners, starting in October by pairing a five-course menu with brews from Stone Brewing Co.

Crowd: Smokey Bones has proved extremely popular, with waits of up to an hour on weekends. You'll find plenty of couples, small groups and families. Younger diners tend to hang out at the bar.

Service: Our server was fast and confident with recommendations. When he asked how we liked our drinks and I replied that the margarita was too sweet, he quickly offered to bring out something else.

Parking: There are plenty of spots in the mall's free lot.

Overall: Excellent barbecue has already won Smokey Bones a huge following that's only likely to grow.

Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill

164 Randhurst Village Drive, Mount Prospect, (847) 305-1799, <a href="http://smokeybones.com">smokeybones.com</a>

<b>Hours:</b> 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday