James Sanders Will Open BBQ Prime in Hyde Park
The restaurateur plans to launch his second barbecue concept this December in the former Promontory music venue.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Barbecue
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James Sanders is set to open his new restaurant, Sanders BBQ Prime, at 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. in December 2026. The new location will occupy the ground floor of the former Promontory music venue in Hyde Park.
Why it matters
The opening marks the return of a barbecue establishment to the neighborhood for the first time in over a dozen years. Its proximity to the Obama Presidential Center aims to serve both local residents and visitors to the area.
The new restaurant will accommodate approximately 130 people and plans to create 20 to 25 new jobs. This expansion follows the 2024 launch of the original Sanders BBQ Supply Co. in Beverly, which earned recognition as a James Beard Award semifinalist.
The players
James Sanders
He is the restaurateur behind Sanders BBQ Supply Co. and the upcoming Sanders BBQ Prime.
Illinois Restaurant Association
This organization represents and supports the interests of the restaurant industry throughout the state of Illinois.
Obama Presidential Center
This upcoming campus will house the library and archives of the 44th President of the United States.
The details
Sanders BBQ Prime features an open kitchen and a large bar that will serve craft cocktails, wine, and beer. The menu is designed to combine regional barbecue styles with elevated food offerings, filling a long-standing culinary void in the local Hyde Park community.
Timeline
The original Sanders BBQ Supply Co. opened in Beverly in 2024.
Chicago full-service restaurants lost 2,100 jobs during 2025.
A friends and family preview is scheduled for late November 2026.
The grand opening for Sanders BBQ Prime is expected in December 2026.
Culture Shift
The expansion into the former Promontory space reflects a broader effort to revitalize neighborhood dining corridors despite recent economic headwinds. This move positions the brand to capture increased foot traffic near the Obama Presidential Center while navigating the competitive landscape of the Chicago hospitality sector.
Residents of Hyde Park gain a new full-service dining option that creates 20 to 25 local employment opportunities. The arrival of the restaurant restores access to barbecue cuisine in a neighborhood that has gone over a dozen years without such a venue.
The takeaway
Expanding a restaurant during a period of regional industry contraction requires a clear strategy centered on location and unique culinary offerings. For residents, this launch provides a new gathering spot while highlighting the ongoing evolution of Hyde Park's commercial landscape.
What happens next
A friends and family preview event is set for late November 2026, followed by the expected grand opening in December 2026.
Further reading
For more on local dining, visit our Barbecue section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hyde Park Herald.
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