Smoke Daddy Sets Grand Opening to Showcase Large Addition

Construction is under way on a massive addition to a local barbecue hotspot and a grand opening date to showcase the new section has finally been set.

Smoke Daddy, 1804 W. Division St., is doubling its current 40 to 50 seat capacity with its new digs, scheduled to open April 18.

A primary, colorful wall inside the restaurant came down on Friday to unify it with the new construction.

"It's a growing area and the demand for seating was growing," the restaurant's manager, Carlo Carani, said. " … We'll have seven or eight large TVs and are adding four more drafts."

Those four will bring the bar's tap beer options to 14, Carani said. 

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The vacant space adjacent to Smoke Daddy used to be a patio. Renovating it comes with a $125,000 price tag, according to the business permit, which was issued in August 2012.

The restaurant has been featured on both on Check Please! and WGN Lunchbreak. It has remained open during construction. 

The only portion of the renovation visible on Thursday was a geometric, glass atrium. Plywood boards shielded passersby from the rest of the building.

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