Pullman Food Hall Welcomes Lexington Betty’s Smokehouse

PULLMAN, IL — Residents packed Pullman’s One Eleven Food Hall on Saturday patiently waiting in long lines for smoked brisket, rib tips, pulled pork sandwiches and other smoked meats at the opening of Lexington Betty’s Smokehouse, the first barbecue restaurant to join the South Side’s first food hall and business incubator.

Lexington Betty’s replaces Exquisite to Go sandwich shop and joins Laine’s Bake Shop and Majani Soulful Vegan Cuisine to round out the space of Black-owned restaurants at 756 E. 111th St.

Bri Brown, an assistant manager at Laine’s Bake Shop summarized the sentiments of many in attendance, who not only bought barbecue while being entertained by a DJ playing House music, but also picked up items from the other two restaurants as well.

“It’s a little bit of everything for everybody,” Brown said. “You don’t have to be a vegan, you don’t have to just come for dessert, you can get everything you want in one space. Lexington Betty’s is an amazing addition and this (food hall) concept is definitely something the South Side needed.”

Alderman Anthony Beale (9th) agreed.

“You can see the excitement in the community for this. They’re excited about having a barbecue place here and it’s just an addition to all the great things happening in this neighborhood,” Beale said.

Beale said the food hall —located on what had been vacant industrial land — was an incubator for what he hopes will expand to brick and mortar restaurants to be built just west of the strip mall One Eleven Food Hall anchors.

“We want people to come and get familiar with all the restaurants so that we can eventually move them into their own storefront and get other start ups to move into the food hall,” Beale said.

Lexington Betty’s owner Dominique Leach said her goal was also to expand and make the South Side as familiar with her food as residents who support the West Side location at 6954 W. North Ave., and have supported the pop-up spots and food truck before her storefront opened a year ago. Leach said the concept honors her southern heritage through her grandmother Betty King, who hails from Lexington, Miss.

“I’m so happy to be here today and I’m overwhelmed with all the support and I can’t wait to do it over and over again. If McDonald’s did it, we can too,” Leach said.

Some patrons came three generations strong and carpooled with friends for the grand opening, sampling everything from a rib tip and andouille combo with seasoned fries, to fried turkey legs to the signature “Betty Special” - brisket and pulled pork accompanied by two sides. Patrons were treated to free rolled ice cream for their support.

Roseland-area resident Keya Williams, came to the opening with friends and her son Kyle, 7. As they waited for rolled ice cream, they said they would definitely be returning because the food was so good.

“We had a little bit of everything — turkey, chicken, greens, rib tips, sweet potatoes, mac n cheese and it was all delicious. I’m really glad this spot is here,” Williams said. “We will absolutely be back.”

Sabrina Miller is a veteran, award-winning journalist, communications consultant and Southeast Side resident who is excited to contribute stories about her favorite side of town.