Great ribs, wine list phoning it in
Downtown Peoria · Peoria · Barbecue
Reviewed July 7, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The Blue Duck is a riverfront smoke-and-whiskey joint, and the wine list makes absolutely no attempt to pretend otherwise. You flip past it looking for the bourbon section and land on eight or so familiar names that could have been pulled from a gas station end-cap. That's fine — this place knows what it is.
The list leans on Italy and California for cover, which is about as adventurous as it gets here. You've got a Moscato and a Pinot Grigio from Italian producers d'Altieri and Tiziano respectively, alongside a Decoy Chardonnay repping the California contingent. There's no real narrative to the selection — no through-line of region, style, or even food-friendliness to the menu. Gaps are everywhere: no red wine producers we can name, no rosé, nothing remotely funky or interesting. It's a list assembled to have a wine list.
Somewhere between six and ten pours are available by the glass in the $8–$9 range, which is genuinely accessible pricing for a sit-down spot. The problem isn't what you pay — it's what you get. When your glass options max out at Decoy Chardonnay, the ceiling is firmly in view.
Decoy Chardonnay — $9/glass
At $9 a glass, Decoy is a known commodity — Duckhorn's approachable California Chard line. It's not exciting, but it's consistent and priced fairly for a casual BBQ tavern. You know exactly what you're getting.
d'Altieri Moscato
Nobody orders Moscato at a BBQ joint, which is exactly why you should consider it. Sweet, low-alcohol, and ice cold? It actually cuts through smoky fat in a way a warm, oaky Chardonnay doesn't. Don't sleep on the weird match.
Tiziano Pinot Grigio
Tiziano is a volume-production brand built for grocery shelves, not wine lists. At a BBQ tavern with brisket on the menu, a neutral, watery Pinot Grigio is the least useful wine you could order. Grab a craft beer instead — this is their house.
Decoy Chardonnay + Pulled Pork
The buttery oak on Decoy Chardonnay softens the vinegar bite in pulled pork and plays off the natural sweetness of the smoke. It's not a sommelier's pairing — it's a practical one, and it works better than you'd expect from a $9 glass.
❌ The Bottom Line
Come to The Blue Duck for the ribs, the whiskey, and the riverfront view — not the wine list. If wine is your thing, order the Decoy and move on; if it's not, you're in the right place anyway.
Downtown · Peoria · Hotel Steakhouse
Oak & Prime is a reliable pour for a classic steakhouse night — safe, familiar, and priced accordingly steep. Don't come hunting for discovery, but know that the bones are solid if you stick to the right bottles.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Peoria · Peoria · Seafood
Red Lobster's wine list does exactly what corporate intended: give guests something recognizable to order without scaring anyone off. If you calibrate expectations accordingly — and let the Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling do the heavy lifting — you won't be miserable. But you won't be talking about the wine on the drive home either.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Peoria · Peoria · Steakhouse
LongHorn Peoria is a fine place to eat a steak; it is not a fine place to drink wine. Order a cocktail or a beer, enjoy your ribeye, and save the wine night for somewhere that actually cares.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Peoria · Peoria · Steakhouse
Jim's isn't trying to win a wine award, and it doesn't need to — the list is honest, fairly priced by steakhouse standards, and built to serve the room. If you're in Peoria and want a proper steak with a decent bottle, this is where you go.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Peoria · Peoria · Italian
Rizzi's is a perfectly nice neighborhood Italian spot, and we have no notes on the food — but the wine program is an afterthought with five California bottles and no pricing transparency. Order a cocktail or bring your own if corkage is an option.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Peoria Heights · Peoria · Euramerican Gastropub
The Publik House is a solid spot for a craft beer and a burger — but if wine is your thing, you'll be paying too much for too little. Order the beer.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Overland Park · Overland Park · Barbecue
Jack Stack isn't a wine destination, but it's not trying to be one — and within those limits, it does a respectable job. Stick to the lower half of the price range, order the Pinot or the Rosé, and let the smoked meat do the real work.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Hoboken Waterfront · Jersey City · Barbecue
House of 'Que is a genuinely fun spot for barbecue and live music — just don't come here expecting wine to be part of the experience. Order a beer, eat the brisket, and save your wine night for somewhere that cares.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Irvine Spectrum · Irvine · Barbecue
Wood Ranch isn't a wine destination, but it's not trying to be — it's a well-run BBQ chain that gives you enough decent California red to get through a plate of ribs without embarrassment. Grab the Rodney Strong, order the tri tip, and call it a win.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.