We’re not hiring cooks. We’re hiring fast, focused kitchen pros who can keep up, stay sharp, and work clean.
At Smoque BBQ , our kitchen doesn't run like a traditional line. There’s no flame, no pans, and no artistic plating. What there is … is volume, precision, speed, and standards. Every station plays a critical part in making sure our food gets out fast, hot, consistent, and right. This is more of an assembly and quality control job than a “chef” gig — and it’s every bit as important.
We’re looking for full-time or part-time staff to join our kitchen team. Experience helps, but it’s not required. If you’re organized, reliable, and able to work in a fast-paced environment, we’ll train you.
What the Job Actually Is:Reading tickets and assembling customer orders — fast and accurately
Checking every item for quality, portioning, and temperature
Communicating constantly with the rest of the line to keep things moving
Keeping your station clean and stocked
Following food safety and sanitation protocols (no shortcuts, no excuses)
Supporting your team — and asking for help when you need it
You need to be on time, dependable, and available weekends — that’s when we’re slammed
Shifts run anytime between 11am and 10pm , Tuesday through Sunday
You’ll be on your feet, moving fast, for 4–10 hours per shift
You must be able to lift 50 pounds and handle a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
Fluent English is required for line communication
Food Handler Certification is a plus — if you don’t have it, you’ll need to get it after hire
People who move with purpose
People who pay attention to the details
People who don’t lose focus when it gets busy
People who take pride in doing it right , every single time
We’ve been serving up award-winning BBQ in Chicago’s Old Irving Park for over 18 years. We’re proud of the food we serve — and the people who help us serve it.
If that sounds like you, apply now. Let’s talk.
More detail about Smoque BBQ part of Smoque, please visit