New Black-owned Bell Heir’s BBQ opening with brisket burgers, smothered turkey legs in Canaryville

One of the hottest trends in barbecue is coming to a new restaurant in Chicago.

Bell Heir’s BBQ, opening Friday in the Canaryville neighborhood, will indeed offer iconic Chicago-style rib tips as a signature dish, but Houston-style smoked turkey legs smothered in baked macaroni and cheese too.

The Black-owned business is a first for owner Tyris Bell, but he’s no novice in the restaurant industry: Bell helped open and manage the award-winning Luella’s Southern Kitchen in Lincoln Square for his brother, chef and owner Darnell Reed.

“I am such a lover of barbecue that when I decided to open my own restaurant, it was an easy decision to take my great-grandmother Luella’s wonderful recipes and serve them up to the many barbecue lovers in Chicago,” Bell said. “Luella was a major influence on our entire family. Her recipes and high standards of food preparation are what inspire me every day. My goal is that Bell Heir’s BBQ will rise above the crowd of Chicago barbecue joints and be considered one of the best.”

The late Luella Funches may have passed down her barbecue recipes, but her great-grandson hopes to make his own mark with a creative comfort food menu.

In addition to the macaroni-and-cheese-smothered turkey leg, Bell will have over-the-top burgers, nachos, pizza, fried chicken and more.

A barbecue brisket cheeseburger features two towering beef patties topped with brisket, on a base of fried pickles.

Nachos layer fried-to-order yellow and blue corn tortilla chips with brisket or pulled pork, plus melty cheese, pickled jalapeños and housemade barbecue sauce.

Sausage, pepperoni or brisket thin crust pizza will be available whole and by the slice.

The barbecue house sources its meat from Slagel Family Farm in Fairbury, Illinois — the same supplier used by many a fine-dining restaurant and steakhouse in Chicago.

Turkey legs may be best known in the city as an unlikely summer specialty at Taste of Chicago. The smothered sensation, typically called “stuffed” on menus, can also be found with extravagant toppings at TurkeyChop Gourmet Grill in Humboldt Park.

Bell Heir’s BBQ will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday. You can order in person, by phone or online for takeout or limited dine-in seating. Delivery will also be available.

704 W. 47th St., 773-420-3685, bellheirsbbq.com

lchu@chicagotribune.com

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