At Chicageaux BBQ, we believe the best memories are made around great food.
Whether it’s a backyard celebration, a corporate event, a wedding, or a championship cook-off, food has a unique way of bringing people together. It starts conversations, creates connections, and becomes part of the stories people remember long after the event is over.
That’s the experience I set out to create every time I fire up the smoker.
I’m Dakari “Chef Chi” Akorede, founder of Chicageaux BBQ.
My journey started in Chicago, where I learned the value of hard work, bold flavors, and doing things the right way. It continued in New Orleans, where I fell in love with the culture, hospitality, and deep traditions that make food feel like family. Today, Atlanta serves as the home of Chicageaux BBQ, where those influences come together to create something uniquely my own.
The name Chicageaux reflects that journey. It’s a blend of Chicago and New Orleans, two cities that shaped not only how I cook, but who I am.
From the beginning, my goal was never to create “just another BBQ company.” I wanted to build a brand that people could trust. A brand known for exceptional flavor, attention to detail, and an experience that feels personal from the first bite to the last.
Every menu is built around that philosophy.
Some guests come for the classics: perfectly smoked brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and wings. Others come looking for something unexpected, like smoked oxtails, jerk-inspired creations, lamb lollipops, or chef-driven dishes that blend barbecue tradition with culinary creativity.
No matter what’s on the menu, the standard never changes.
The meat is treated with respect. The flavors are layered with purpose. The presentation matters. And every dish has to earn its place on the table.
That commitment has led to competition success, partnerships, catering events across the region, and national television exposure on Food Network’s BBQ Brawl. But the recognition isn’t what drives me.
What matters most is hearing someone take that first bite, stop for a second, smile, and immediately go back for another.
Because that’s what great barbecue is supposed to do.
Today, Chicageaux BBQ continues to grow, but the mission remains exactly the same as when it started:
Serve incredible food. Treat people right. Create memorable experiences. Leave every guest wishing they had room for one more bite.
Real Smoke. Real Flavor. Real People.
— Chef Chi
Founder & Pitmaster, Chicageaux
