(GLEN CARBON, Ill.) — Back when I was on TV, we’d have a joke term we’d use ever now and then: “Smellivision.”
This was normally during our cooking segments where we either had some DELICIOUS food and it smelled wonderful in the kitch, OR some horrendous prank food that stunk up the place. We’d tell the audience “We know you can’t smell this at home, but …” and finish the sentence with whether it smelled amazing or horrible.
I experienced something similar with Edley’s Bar-B-Que (in a positive way). For years I’ve driven I-55 South to St. Louis from Peoria to visit family and friends. Over the last year or two, Edley’s Bar-B-Que graced drivers’ eyesight by purchasing a big ole billboard right alongside the interstate.
Probably a dozen times I turned to my wife and said “Hey, we should stop there sometime.”
“Yeah, maybe some other time!” She’d usually reply. Well, the stars aligned and the timing was right, because we all were equally hungry and Edley’s so happened to be on the way to where we were going.
So finally I got off the interstate a bit earlier than I normally would and we headed to Edley’s Bar-B-Que in Glen Carbon, Illinois (close to SIUE’s campus).
With a modern take on a Southern style restaurant, Edley’s was very trendy. You’d walk up to the counter and order, then a server would bring the food right out to you. It was a very simple process.
Starter:
The starter this go around was the star of the show. White BBQ smoked wings. Does the picture do these justice? Crispy, tender, melt in your mouth, I could go on. Amazing flavor. I usually would go normal BBQ sauce but I was feeling adventurous, and I’m glad I tried the White BBQ. Spicy wise they told me it was in the middle of their regular sauce and their “Walking Bird” wings, which were spicy.
My wife got the brisket nachos, which she really enjoyed. As you can see, there’s plenty of red tomatoes on there, and I don’t touch those things with a 10 foot pole. But I’m glad she liked it!
The mac n cheese was a hit with her and my son, too. She also got banana pudding which was incredible. It was thicker than most yet kept that amazing flavor.
Main Course:
1/2 rack of ribs a la carte. These were smoked, tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs. They were also meaty, which is always a plus.
If you’re in Southeast Illinois (near St. Louis, MO) you can visit Edley’s in Glen Carbon or O’Fallon. Otherwise, you’ll have to head to Tennessee! Edley’s is Volunteer State-based, mainly in Nashville. There is one in Franklin and another in Chattanooga.
I am very glad I stopped by Edley’s BBQ and we will definitely be back!
Matt Sheehan Official 