John Reed, Kelly Reed, Steve Majerus | Joker's Cajun Smokehouse
JoKeR’s Cajun Smokehouse specializes in providing artisanal wood-smoked barbeque dishes from sustainable local farms. This includes hormone-free beef raised on open pastures from family-owned local providers.
The menu runs the gamut of barbeque, including baby back ribs, brisket, pulled pork, smoked turkey and more. The New Orleans influence can be found in entrees such as gumbo, jambalaya and red beans & rice, and a selection of po’ boys; with sides consisting of Southern staples like mac & cheese, collard greens and cornbread. JoKeR’s offers a professional and stress-free catering experience, with customizable menus, on-time delivery and set-up and clean-up services.
JoKeR’s takes its eye-catching lettering from the initials of the founders, John and Kelly Reed, who have 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry. Seeing a need for Cajun/Creole and Southern cuisine in Chicago, they opened JoKeR’s in a food court in 2018 and, three years later, opened a restaurant in Logan Square. Another industry veteran, Steve Majerus, joined the duo shortly thereafter. The owners are looking to expand, with more restaurants and food trucks planned for the future.