You don't need to travel 17 hours south to Texas to get great smokehouse barbeque. You can get it at The Texan BBQ in downtown Algonquin.

In 1984, owners Glenn and Rochella Raddatz wanted to share the flavorful Texan BBQ they loved as they traveled along Texas roads. So they brought it north, giving McHenry county a casual place, to fill up on authentic smokehouse dishes, ranging from juicy ribs (ranking as some of the best in Chicago) that drip with tangy sauce and slide right off the bone to beef brisket, pork and chicken. It's available for carry out or dining in amongst the genuine Texan atmosphere that puts you smack dab in the heart of the Lone Star State's old style smokehouse and saloon decor, a tribute to the on-site smokehouse that the Raddatz’s brought to the Northwest suburbs over 20 years ago.

A lunch menu can be delivered to local businesses and is served daily between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., offering a combo choice of sandwich with small salad, beans or coleslaw. A dinner menu offers burgers (with a veggie option) and sandwiches—such as the bacon, cheese and tomato topped "Cowboy Beef" — that run between $5-$11; or ribs, full or half slab, at $10-$20. A Chuck Wagon catering service is also an option if you have office party or special occasion and need to add a little Texan flavor to the festivities.

It's a family affair, too. In 2002, the Raddatz's daughter Denise and her husband James Madden carried the tradition to the Western suburbs, opening a second location in Lombard.

And their slogan says it all: "Great Buckin' Barbeque," guaranteeing that you'll be licking your fingers and rubbing your belly when you roll out the door.

Centerstage Reviewer: Chris Catania