Canned wine and smoked meat — weirdly it works
West Evanston · Evanston · Barbecue and Soul Food · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 13, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Soul & Smoke – Evanston’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
You're not walking into Soul & Smoke expecting a wine program — you're walking in for brisket. But crack open the online ordering menu and there's a short row of single-serve cans waiting for you, which is exactly the right format for a counter-service BBQ joint that doesn't take reservations. It's not trying to be a wine bar, and that honesty is weirdly refreshing.
The list is lean — we're talking six to ten SKUs, anchored by Nomadica's 250 mL cans out of California's Central Coast and Paso Robles. There's a Rosé, a Sauvignon Blanc, and a Pinot Noir in the rotation, which covers the bases without any real ambition. The most interesting wrinkle is Brooks Winery out of Oregon, which has shown up for special wine dinner events — a genuinely good producer that suggests someone in this operation actually cares. But day-to-day, the list doesn't reflect that curiosity.
The entire wine program essentially functions as by-the-glass since everything is sold in single-serve 250 mL cans. That's actually smart for a casual counter-service environment — no oxidation, no waste, no pretense. Three options (Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir) is thin, but it's enough to match the moment.
Nomadica Rosé 2024, Central Coast (250 mL can) — $12
At the lower end of their can pricing, the Central Coast Rosé is the move here. It's the format that makes the most sense with smoked meat, it's approachable, and it doesn't ask too much of anyone on a Tuesday lunch.
Brooks Winery wines (special wine dinner events)
Brooks out of Oregon's Willamette Valley makes genuinely compelling Pinot Noir and Riesling — and the fact that Soul & Smoke has brought them in for BBQ wine dinners is the most interesting thing about this wine program. Worth tracking their event calendar if you want to see what this kitchen can actually do with a real wine list.
Nomadica Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Paso Robles (250 mL can)
At $17.25 for a can you can find at Whole Foods for $8, the markup is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. It's a fine enough wine but Paso Robles isn't exactly the heartland of great Sauvignon Blanc, and you're paying a 115% premium for the convenience of not opening a bottle yourself.
Nomadica Rosé 2024, Central Coast + Smoked Prime Brisket
A dry, fruit-forward Central Coast Rosé has just enough acidity to cut through brisket fat without fighting the smoke. It's the pairing that requires the least thought and delivers the most satisfaction — which is exactly the energy of this restaurant.
The Bottom Line
Soul & Smoke isn't a wine destination and it doesn't pretend to be — but the can format is honest and functional, and the Brooks Winery collab hints at a kitchen with better taste than the everyday list suggests. Come for the brisket, grab a Rosé, don't stress the markup too hard.
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