Bub City

3.7 (1.3k reviews)

ModerateBarbeque, Bars, Music Venues

Open • 11:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)

Updated 2 months ago

Add Review

Call

Directions

Website

Order Bub City Takeout or Delivery

Order Takeout or Delivery

Bub City Photos

Bub City - Brisket Burnt Ends - Available Friday - Sunday Only - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Inside - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

+1197

Bub City - Jell-O shots - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Business Info

Health Information

View Health Score

Bub City menu photos

See all

BUB CITY ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?

Inside

269 Photos

Outside

44 Photos

Live music

Casual

Classy

Loud

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Bub City

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.

Start your review...

Browse more easily on the app

Reviews With Photos

Joey L.

Came here on a Saturday night just before the band was going to play, the atmosphere was great and can guess it would be even better with the live music, we got seated right away. There were a lot of TVs to watch on. For food, I got the pork shoulder pulled pork plate, and the food came right away, in about 5 minutes which I wasn't expecting. So the service is super fast. The pulled pork was super tasty especially with some bbq poured over it, some of the best I've had in Chicago so far. Highly recommend this place for a lovely atmosphere and definitely try to come when there is a band

Parker G.

I love Bub City DOWN!!! One of my favorite places for bites, drinks, and hanging out in the River North Area! We were staying nearby while in Chicago, so it was one of our first stops of our stay for dinner and some drinks. The Mac N Cheese with pulled pork added to it HITS! Soooo silky smooth, creamy, delicious, and a great contrast in textures between the cheesy mac and the pulled pork. The drinks here are also tasty and strong! We stopped by a few more times during our stay to hang out and grab a drink. It's also very easy to order and service is always prompt. We also returned just before heading to the airport for returning to LA and got their All-American Burger and more of the delectably delicious Mac N Cheese!! Neither disappointed and totally hit the spot! I absolutely recommend this spot to anyone looking in the River North area of Chicago.

Stacie J.

Came across Bub City via DoorDash and glad I did! The tater tots were crispy and the hamburger was seasoned very well. I appreciate that they took the time to package my order so items didn't shift and not one spill of my Oreo milkshake. My friend loves burgers so when she comes to town will make a stop to check out the location. Definitely a return customer!

Sydney H.

Not only is Bub City one of my favorite bars in Chicago, I recently discovered they have great food too!!!!! The chicken sandwich was amazing and huge, plenty to share. We also tried the nachos and coleslaw which we didn't love as much as the sandwich, but they were still good. The atmosphere on the inside is the classic all american country vibe - the perfect place to whip out your cowboy boots!!! We went for happy hour / dinner, but they have live music most nights starting later (around 9 or 10 I think), so would be a great place for a late dinner and then stay for the live music when it turns into more of a bar. I have loved this bar for awhile, I'm so glad I discovered their good food too!!!!

Back Porch Tea & Easy Peasy Lemonade (a mix of both)

Arielle J.

After stopping by finishing a happy hour nearby, I was left feeling underwhelmed by the service. Unfortunately our bartender almost felt like he did not want to be bothered. However, the drink I had was very good. The interior has a rustic vibe. I had a drink that was a mix between the Back Porch Tea & Easy Peasy Lemonade. It was good mix and strong! Just how I like my drinks. Due to the service, I would be reluctant to visit again.

Brisket Burnt Ends - Available Friday - Sunday Only $24.95 side Cole Slaw

Joelle M.

Not impressed: service was on point and tv's had MLB and minor league and there was country music playing. Wisconsin old fashion -very good. Strawberry margarita spritz-super mix flavor not strawberry flavor ( mixed w/water to finish) Burnt ends -decent, 4-5 chunks, bbq sauce should complement meat and served on the side. Cole slaw plus some other side should be included ( 1/2 cup of something). Mac n cheese was good , too much for 1 serving good for (2). Added 4.95 chopped brisket, 2 slices on top w/out bbq sauce . Skillet cornbread n whipped honey butter was the best thing ordered. Literally melts in your mouth when sliced in half and added butter. $86 + $15 tip. Our most expensive meal this weekend and just ok bbq.

Brunch drinks menu, featuring happy hour

Molly M.

I've been to Bub City between five and 10 times over the past 5 to 10 years. I've never had a bad experience. Most recently I came here for brunch. I ordered a bloody Mary, fried pickles, and the hub 51 nachos. My friend had a bloody Mary as well and the pastrami hash. All the food was fantastic, and the brunch happy hour six dollar drinks are such an amazing deal. The standout part of our experience was our server, who was so incredibly pleasant and sweet and helpful. Wish I could remember her name but she was awesome. Bob city is a solid place for food or drinks or live music. Very fun and cute atmosphere too. Highly recommend.

Kari O.

Foods pretty good, American food. The staff is attentive and sweet. It does get loud in the evening. The burger used to be on a happy hour deal but the drinks are strong and cold. The black porch tea and the lemonade vodka are both delicious and on the sweeter side. The tenders were pretty standard and fries are good. Unfortunately one time my father got food poisoning here which is why I'm giving 4 stars. Happens everywhere I understand but was sad it happened when we were all downtown.

Kiaya S.

Sarah was our phenomenal waitress! This place has pretty good food, great service and a gorgeous patio area that is dog friendly ( and Cooper approved)! We got a maple shot, delicious, burnt ends ( wouldn't get these again if you've had the real thing from Texas), the fried pickles and ranch were phenomenal and the pancake was amazing!!!! The margs are strong and amazing!!! Will go back again and again

Amy D.

The women's bathroom stall is really something... All that aside, Bub City is pure energy! A country bar with live music and a vibe you won't find anywhere else in the area. Whether you're dancing near the stage or just soaking in the scene, Bub City is just fun for a night out! -AT

Deedrah B.

Fun, vibrant, lively spot! I came here with a few coworkers to continue our happy hour festivities. We actually were planning to do karaoke here but we got the nights mixed up unfortunately. We ended up stayiing for a round anyway and I don't regret it! We sat at a large booth semi-tucked away but still facing the rest of the venue. I really enjoyed the ambiance, volume, and decorations here. Our server was very friendly and took our order right away. I was a little disappointed to see they only had canned wine, but when I asked, she said they did have prosecco by the glass, which definitely came in clutch for me! My colleagues got an assortment of seltzers and beer, and we did end up doing a lemon drop shot together. One of them also ordered a side of mac and cheese, which was massive and we were easily able to share that. It was also delicious, super cheesy, came out piping hot - definitely not the boxed Kraft nonsense you give to your kids! I had a great time here and can only imagine how much fun karaoke would be- they did have a live band on the night that we went, and that was still great entertainment!

Vincent Y.

Solid Hickory Smoked chicken wings. They were hot and crispy. The service at the bar was great. I really liked the Barrels of Whiskey flight they had. Also live karaoke on a Wednesday night is cool.

Brisket Burnt Ends - Available Friday - Sunday Only

See all

Jamie A.

6 months ago

Awful, we made a reservation 8 days ahead of time. Ended up being the same time as the Bears/Packers playoff game. When we got there they told us they couldn't honor our reservation because no one was getting up to leave. They offered us nothing in return. Ridiculous, does a reservation mean nothing? They should have had a time limit for seating oT else left a table for those who had reservations. They've lost me as a customer. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Thanh T.

Elite 24

962

350

3 years ago

Pork ribs were fall off the bone. Sandwich was fantastic. But that coleslaw side was tiny! Literally just a dollop! Tator tots leave a lot to be desired -- do not recommend. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Arun D.

Elite 26

124

2 years ago

Used to come here whenever I visited Chicago when I lived in Michigan. The bbq was always mouthwatering. Tender, juicy, flavorful, and delicious. And the vibe is awesome. Feels like an old school country bar with a modern twist. Well, returned during my current trip to Chicago to see if I'd still like it after living in Texas the past four years and trying lots of yummy Texas barbecue. It's still just as good as I remember, and could compete with the barbecue in Texas no doubt! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Antonette B.

202

1013

2 years ago

Food is excellent- Must try waffle fries & hickory smoked naked, chicken wings. Service- at the bar with Rafael- awesome!!! Thank you. Ambiance- perfect!!! Pic's included below read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Mayuri A.

Elite 26

535

491

1556

2 years ago

Bub city is your friendly neighborhood sports bar. They have tons of seating so you always end up finding a table. The service is great! Servers are nice and friendly, always mention the specials to you and take your feedback into consideration. They also have live performances. One time we had a band that covered Def Leppard and we had a great time ! Loved hearing by then play my favorite Def Leppard song 'pour some sugar on me'. One time they also had a limited edition pistachio beer which I really loved. Such a chill fun bar to go to when you don't want to dress up too much and have a good time. read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 2

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Adrienne N.

Elite 26

289

359

3 years ago

Stopped in on our way back to the hotel and grabbed a beer. It was a Wednesday so it was karaoke night and it was a fun night. No cover! Bartenders were nice. No complaints otherwise but we didn't order food. The vibes were fun! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Brittany H.

1 year ago

We went to bub city for dinner and I thought the wings would be good since they are 'award winning'. These wings were the smallest wings I've ever seen. read more

Bub City - "Award Award"-Winning Chicken Wings - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Adrian R.

1 year ago

If you want wayyyy better wings that are a little less expensive check out house of wings by Fullerton and Clark. read more

Bub City - Award winning chicken wings - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Sara E.

477

3 years ago

I've been here a number of times and have loved every experience prior. I dig the sports bar meets a little country like ambiance and the staff has always been kind. Prior to this experience I'd just come here to drink and grab some side dishes here and there. I gave this a 4/5 based on bar crawl vibes not dining. This was the first time id actually eaten here and I was sadly disappointed. The BBQ was dry and left me with a BBQ shaped hole in my heart. Luckily the mac and cheese was solid and we destroyed that. If you come to eat, I'd recommend sticking with the basics. To me this isn't your go to spot for mindblowing BBQ. DONT GET the tropicooler. Complete rip and didn't even get the job done if you know what I mean. And yes, we knew we were taking a risk ordering it, but went all in on trying new things. Wish I'd known the price before ordering it. Hahah 60 bucks could have gotten me a lot farther just sticking to our normal beer and tequila shot routine here. read more

Bub City - TROPICOOLER - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Mac n cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Hye Jin S.

2 years ago

This brisket was best in my life. I ordered fatty and lean meat half and half because I was not sure if it was too dry or not. I should just order lean meat because the meat was so soft, and I didn't need fatty part eventually. The portion of food was just ok for me, but it didn't make me full enough, I wanted to eat more brisket. . My server Travers was also awesome kind. I would like to go back soon. read more

Bub City - 18hr Smoked Prime Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Inside the restaurant, It looks like more pub than restaurant - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Kyle K.

Elite 26

2 years ago

Great place to watch sporting events and to catch some live music. Bourbon collection is off the chains, if you want to try some things that fall into the hard to find or unicorn categories. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Athena B.

Elite 26

268

1019

3 years ago

Came here to watch some March madness games and it was the perfect vibe. Good BBQ, plenty of TVs, and a great live band. read more

Bub City - Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Angela W.

Elite 26

237

914

3 years ago

Fun place for a quick bite and drinks! Karaoke on Wednesday nights.... Country music playing read more

Bub City - Half eaten nachos - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Bar - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

De'Anna W.

Elite 26

515

591

2277

5 years ago

Great service, delicious (hot) food and a cute street dining set up. I ordered a side of Mac and added chicken tenders to it which was an amazing decision. You can also add pulled pork or brisket. Although a side item, the portion size was really big. My friend got fried pickles and waffle cheese fries. Everything was piping hot, cooked to perfection, had a great taste and we had plenty to share/ take home. Our waitress was great and attentive. *They add a 5% Covid surcharge to every bill but it goes towards paying for their PPE so I didn't mind the extra charge. You can ask to have it removed if you choose. read more

Bub City - Side of Mac add chicken tenders . - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 3

Oh no 0

Karley M.

Elite 26

162

741

1401

3 years ago

Review based on drinks only. We sat in the bar and the bartender was super friendly, attentive and quick. We enjoyed a few beers and the cool ambience was perfect for a rest after some shipping, very laid back. Bartender said the BBQ was really good so we would try that next time! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Emily K.

11 months ago

The live music is great and it has amazing vibes. Good hang and very lively. I saw the simple remedy there and had a lovely evening

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

B S.

188

249

2 years ago

If you want great atmosphere, great service, and rockin good music with just ok food to come with your buddies this is definitely your place. If you're looking for good BBQ then go to Carson's instead. This place hits it out of the park on everything but the food. The price for what you get, flavor etc are all off. We got the brisket patty melt, pro tip get it with bacon and grilled peppers. It was a good dish, nothing memorable but it was good. We also got the brisket plate, which comes with no sides. The brisket wasn't great and for the price this is disappointing. Especially when at Carolina I can get a half chicken, half rack of ribs and 2 sides for $12 more. All in all it's a fun time here. It just really depends on what you're looking for. read more

Bub City - Waffle fry side - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Brisket plate (not great small portion for price) - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Brisket Patty Melt (good, add bacon and grilled peppers!) - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Katie E.

Elite 26

906

403

651

5 years ago

I haven't eaten at Bub City in years, so the roomies and I decided to order some dinner here for delivery on Sunday night. We all ended up getting the 3 piece chicken tenders, with different sides. The chicken tenders themselves... were SO sad. These things look more like nuggets than chicken fingers(?). For the price we paid I expected these to be pretty great. We were all so, so disappointed. We paid $16.50 for three chicken tenders. Not even including the tax, service fee, delivery fee, and the tip. SIXTEEN DOLLARS FOR CHICKEN NUGGETS. Insanity. I was willing to pay that under the assumption I wouldn't still be hungry after my meal, and that it was going to be a decent size. But nope.. As you can see from the photo, they were the TINIEST fingers I've ever gotten. And this wasn't just a 'bad batch'...... all three of our meals were this size. They came with waffle fries that weren't advertised on the menu so it was a nice surprise, but they were really soggy by the time they got here. Most likely the result of being delivered, so no fault on Bub City. For sides, we got fried pickles, brussel sprouts and coleslaw. I only had the fried pickles which were fine, no different than the ones you can get anywhere. My roommates did not like the coleslaw or brussels, but I did not try those. Honestly..... for almost 17 bucks for 3 tiny chicken fingers, it was not worth it. I don't see us ordering from Bub City again unfortunately. Our bill in total was $105 for 3, three piece chicken fingers and three sides. I'd be willing to pay that price if the size was worth it, and they 100% were not. read more

Bub City - Tiny chicken tenders- $16.50 for three of these?! - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - This was the size for the Chicken Tender Basket - 3 tiny fingers for $16.50?! Not worth it. - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Helpful 3

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Brian V.

217

2 years ago

This really cool place was packed the night we stopped by for a drink. We requested outdoor seating and were seated immediately. They had live music vibrant feel and great service. We did not eat but drinks were cold and good. read more

Bub City - Store Front. - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jacob A.

2 years ago

As a Texan, there's always a special place for BBQ in my heart and Bub City was no exception entering my arteries with the best of them. The cornbread is some of the best I've had; watch out for the hint of spice it possesses. The tenders are thick and juicy and the brisket is cooked to perfection. I added pulled pork to my Mac n Cheese, but in my opinion it's better without the added sweet BBQ sauce. There is outside seating, not the comfiest but it's very dog friendly. As you can see our pup ate at the table. Inside looked like a hoot as well with Karaoke Wednesday evenings. Our server was kind, but there was noticeably less consideration for the outside guest. I would come back because the American flag on the grilled cheese makes me feel extra patriotic, the brisket inside the sandwich makes me wiggle my toes, and the entire place makes me want to karaoke some Luke Bryan. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Alicia B.

Elite 25

269

234

134

4 years ago

I spent a few days at a conference in Chicago and popped into Bub City for a drink. It was definitely an interesting ambiance - like a honky tonk dive bar that was once really cool got passed down to the owner's pretentious son and they covered it in fairy lights and made it instagrammable. I grew up in WV - I love a good country bar so I enjoyed it! They did play good music. And they have a fantastic bourbon selection and really good bourbon cocktails. But they also have Jell-O shots??? Put on your Gucci shirt and cowboy boots and you'll fit right in! read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 1

Cassie K.

Elite 26

217

4 years ago

We came here for dinner one night for my friend's bachelorette party and had a great time! Not only was the food delicious and filling, but our server was sooo nice and the live music was a ton of fun it did get a little too crowded after dinner when most of the crowd was coming in for the band, but it was still a lot of fun! read more

Bub City - Brisket Mac n Cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Rachel K.

196

4 years ago

I came here for a late lunch on my birthday with some friends, so it was pretty much a guarantee that we were getting drinks. Actually, more like a drink. Except this wasn't just any drink -- this was a BUCKET. It's delicious and contains whiskey, so it's basically a sure fire way to get the party started. To go with the drink, we got the buffalo bites. I expected your average boneless Buffalo chicken wings, but these were pretty good. The perfect combo with a drink to watch a sporting event or just to chill with friends. It's a great environment for a dinner pregame or a fun vibe. read more

Bub City - Back Porch Tea - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - General Joe's Buffalo Bites - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Helpful 3

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

CJ M.

Elite 26

559

405

4 years ago

Karaoke with a country feel! I have been here every trip to chicago. Each time is different yet the same... bad karaoke, slow service and a loud atmosphere. This place is what it is and is enjoyed for it. **good iced tea! read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Paige K.

Elite 26

158

610

1971

6 years ago

In all honesty, I usually don't visit 3 star restaurants unless it's a personal recommendation but we have Bub City a chance because we had LEYE birthday dollars to use and I must say I was impressed! We did take out and everything was packaged well. We ordered the chicken bites, the smoked platter, fried pickles and brussel sprouts. It was a great price for a side of Brussels and they were very tasty! 8/10. The fried pickles were meh... I wouldn't get the again. The platter - pork was good! Brisket had a great smoke flavor but a few pieces were a little dry. I didn't try the ribs but my husband said they were good and the coleslaw was good. My fav were the chicken bites! I'm usually disappointed in these kind of things but they were super tasty! Had a crispy nice coating but not too thick, each piece had a nice big chunk of white meat chicken inside. Would def get again! read more

Bub City - A little of everything from the Pitmaster Combo Plate and chicken General Joe's Buffalo Bites - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Baby Back Ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Pitmaster Combo Plate - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Sauce galore - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - All the sauces - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Ashlee B.

1 year ago

Mmm their chicken sandwich was really good and so was the Mac & cheese. Brisket sandwich was also awesome. Food & music is great

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Christina F.

2 years ago

Oh my'lanta!! I had been going to bbq places for some time and this has been the first place that has achieved my own personal blessing from everything to juicy and falling off the bone ribs to the exquisite bbq sauce they had on it read more

Bub City - BBQ Ribs and Original Mac 'n' Cheesy - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - BBQ Ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Original Mac 'n' Cheesy - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Nick P.

2 years ago

OMG. I Love this bar! Great everything! Starting with Matti at check in with such kindness. Great friendly responsive service by our server Emma and manager Tobias. They suggested a good bourbon and found a great one in high west rye! So good! We love their wedge salad as a great starter but go for the incredible ribs and brisket. The bands are always great and fun. The vibe at this bar is so great and positive. We drove in from the burbs to come here and stay downtown since we really do enjoy their bourbon selection and know driving home is not an option! We can't wait to go back! read more

Bub City - Leslie and me - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Yummy rye! - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Business owner information

Cameron T.

Hey Nick, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to acknowledge…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Meia S.

Elite 26

370

4 years ago

Soak up what is left of the summer on the outdoor patio and stay awhile to have some barbecue! Weather it's brisket, ribs, pulled pork, etc they have the meats that you want! Don't forget the cornbread skillet with honey Tabasco butter, you can literally just order that and be happy. Like waffle fries and tots? Go ahead and order away! How about fried pickles? That's on the menu too! They have a good selection of beers and cocktails as well! read more

Bub City - Skillet Corn Bread and Loaded Bacon Tots - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Outdoor Seating - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Southwest Chopped - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Chopped Brisket Sandwich with Waffle Fries - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jason D.

4 years ago

Overall impression: 2/5. Won't be coming back. Was let down by this place for a number of reasons, but I'll start with the positives. The atmosphere was fun and lively. Packed house and everyone's having a good time. Food and drink orders came our quickly and our server Emma was great! My biggest issue was that one of the managers (you can see him walking around in the background with a white shirt and black hat) there was being SO rude about changing one of the TV's that had golf playing (at 9:30pm) to the NBA Finals. Instead, he said "all the TV's have been accounted for". And clearly a whole section was empty in front of the TV that was playing GOLF... on a Friday night. And our group asked a few times, but he was rude each time. He's the main reason I won't be coming back. FOOD: The food came out quickly (15-20 min for a group of 5) and was done well. In fact, the meat fell right off the bones on the ribs. However, nothing they brought out really tasted like good southern BBQ. I kept trying different dishes hoping they'd be eventually taste better, but instead, it was all pretty bland and the meat tasted lower quality than most of the other BBQ places I've had in Chicago. DRINKS: The beers were great, but the mixed drinks were pretty bad. We ordered margaritas and mexican mules and they tasted like cleaning solution and lighter fluid. I personally wouldn't purchase mixed drinks or cocktails here, unless you prepare for disappointment. read more

Bub City - manager who didn't want to put the NBA Finals on the TV on a Friday night. Instead golf... for 2 whole empty booths and no one watching. - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jose C.

Elite 26

3722

1544

6778

6 years ago

I will admit I was very hesitant in actually coming here. I mean I already have my favorite bbq in the city so why try a new place right? Well I'm glad I did give Bub City a chance. Don't get me wrong, their food is still overpriced, but at least it was good. My wife ordered their brisket sandwich. You get this fatty brisket that was somewhat chopped. The brisket tasted good but was somewhat dried. And since it was shredded, you couldn't really feel if it was tender, but it was a little on the dry side. Sliced is the best way to cut brisket. It is a small sandwich and I although good tasting, I don't think it's worth what they're charging. I ordered their brisket nachos. These nachos were very tasty. They come loaded with brisket, and their atomic cheese, sour cream and jalapeños. They were also served with a side guacamole and salsa. Tip..(save the guac and salsa till the very end where you get a lot of plain chips.) The atomic cheese really made this dish. It had a perfect kick to it and tasted so good with the jalapeños and some brisket. This dish is very filling and worth the money. Like other reviews have stated, this is a country music playing restaurant. The interior is spacious and can get full quickly, even on a weekday during lunch. I wouldn't mind returning and getting some beer with those nachos. read more

Bub City - Chopped Brisket Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - BBQ Brisket Nachos - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Helpful 5

Thanks 0

Love this 4

Oh no 0

Andra T.

Elite 26

484

3 years ago

It's a nice place for an entertaining night with live music ,drinks and food.The service was fine.And the band " free country boys" was very fun too bad the sound was so great. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Matthew B.

217

200

331

3 years ago

Really fun and easy place to go with your family or just by yourself. Great apps. Really great bourbon selection. Fast and friendly service, and the bbq is really good. Very laid back setting with lots of sports on. read more

Bub City - Chicago Style Baby Back Ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Brisket Nachos Bub Grande - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Trucker Snack - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Elle Z.

Elite 26

165

946

4 years ago

I am pretty late writing this review. Okay, I forgot to write it. I met one of my friends here for dinner, and what a great atmosphere. One of the things I genuinely love about Lettuce Entertain You restaurants is the many different atmospheres. It's like choosing at DisneyWorld. Different moods get different dining options. My friend had a taste for bbq, so off to Bub we go. I had never been there before. I got their brisket. It was insanely good! I was thrilled with the flavor and the softness of the meat. My friend ordered the brisket mac and cheese and said it was delicious! The country music atmosphere is not normally my "thang" but it was certainly fun. Our staff was a good time, too! I definitely will go back this summer. Sorry, no photos on this trip. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Amber S.

107

2 years ago

We really enjoyed the drinks, food, setting and service! The cornbread skillet is so good and my kids loved the Mac and cheese!

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Melissa L.

Elite 26

129

396

5 years ago

A great barbecue place and bar! Exactly what I imagine Nashville bbq joints to look like, Bub City had a fun atmosphere and a stage for live music. The ribs were tasty and the chicken tenders were actually super moist! They were out of fries, but the tots were dressed to impress. Brussel sprouts were also a nice, simple, well done side. We would go back! Service was a little slow, but it had started getting pretty busy approaching 8pm. read more

Bub City - Exterior - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Chicken tender basket with dipping sauces, fried pickles, side of brussel sprouts, half slab of Charcoal-Smoked St Louis Ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Shawn K.

202

1 year ago

Located jn The River North neighborhood of Chicago, Bub City is a lively country bar with live music. Good food. Good service. Prime location. 5 out of 5 stars. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Lakisha C.

Elite 26

124

136

472

7 years ago

One of my favorite places in River North! I loved brunch at Bub City and would highly recommend it! The service was great, and having the outdoor seating option along with good live music to add to the atmosphere makes it an ideal pick for a place to hang out for a while, enjoy the company and have some phenomenal food. Try the chicken and cheese biscuit, sticky buns and the white sangria! read more

Bub City - Fried Chicken & Cheese Biscuit - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Cinnamon Sticky Buns - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Sangria pitcher - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Helpful 3

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Natasha K.

Elite 25

144

196

216

4 years ago

Stopped in at Bub City after a recommendation from our friendly hotel bartender. He told my husband this was the place to be for bourbon. Husband was very happy (spent a lot of money on bourbon). The food for me was 4 star (certainly not fancy) but everything else was a 5- so 5 star it is! Waitress was very knowledgeable on drinks, quick and courteous. Loved dining by the open windows on a beautiful Chicago day! read more

Bub City - Grapefruit Moscow mule cheers - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Stephanie S.

Elite 26

353

389

2190

7 years ago

We ordered for a lunch meeting and got the blackened salmon with slaw and pickled cucumbers. I loved everything and would reorder. Likes: - Salmon was tender, fresh, and flavorful - Pickled cucumbers are similar to the ones my mom makes - sweet and vinegary Dislikes: - Portion size was filling but not big especially for $18 pre-tax read more

Bub City - Blackened salmon with pickles and tartar sauce - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bub City - Slaw and blackened salmon with pickles and tartar sauce - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Back

Page 2 of 33

435 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60654
Near North Side
Directions
(312) 610-4200
Call Now
Order Takeout
Start Order
Visit Website
https://www.bub-city.com

View offerings

Hours

What time does Bub City open?

Bub City opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Bub City close?

Bub City closes at 1:00 AM (Next day) on Monday, Tuesday and Sunday.Bub City closes at 2:00 AM (Next day) on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Tue, Sun 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM (Next day)Wed-Sat 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM (Next day)

Payment methods

Does Bub City take Bitcoin?

No, Bub City does not take Bitcoin.

Does Bub City take credit cards?

Yes, Bub City takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Bub City have catering options?

Yes, Bub City does have catering options.

Does Bub City have a happy hour?

Yes, Bub City has a happy hour.

Does Bub City serve alcohol?

Yes, Bub City serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does Bub City have TVs?

Yes, Bub City has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Bub City have bike parking?

Yes, Bub City has bike parking.

Does Bub City have outdoor seating?

Yes, Bub City has outdoor seating options.

Does Bub City have parking?

Yes, Bub City has parking options. Street Parking, Valet Parking

Other Amenities

Does Bub City allow outdoor smoking?

Yes, Bub City allows outdoor smoking.

Does Bub City have free WiFi?

Yes, Bub City has free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

Bub City Reviews in Other Languages

Spanish
1 Review

Ask the Community - Bub City

Does the music play all evening?

Tonight the band goes on at 11pm till 2:30am. Hope this is helpful… Read more

View 1 more answer

Are there TV's to watch the BEARS game?

Yes great place to watch a game

View 3 more answers

Is there live music everyday or every weekend?

Hey Mysel, thanks for reaching out! We pretty much have live music every night. You can check out our live music calendar on our website. Every Tuesday we do live band karaoke which is always a lot of fun!

View question details

Hi do you have gluten free options?

Hey Wendi, we sure do! We have some dishes that are already gluten free as well as some items that can be slightly modified to accommodate a gluten allergy. Please just alert your server of your allergy when you come in and they will walk you… Read more

View question details

Is there any outdoor seating?

Hey Anna, There sure is. We have a great patio out front!

View question details

Do you have to be 21 to go here?

Hey Wendi, thanks for reaching out. We are all ages until 10pm, then we become 21+.

View 1 more answer

View All 9 Questions

Review Highlights - Bub City

“I'm not a super big fan of country music but even if you arent, the food is so worth it.”

Mentioned in 99 reviews

You might also consider

Green Street Smoked Meats

Not sure what else to say than.. food is good. Just…read morefantastic! Closes thing to the Texas .. Chicago jalapeño poppers were my favorite. Meat is always fresh and good here! Counter boys were lil mean but who cares!

Attached to Sawada Coffee, I was surprised to see a BBQ joint located inside! As lunch time started…read moreapproaching, I noticed more and more people standing in line for Green Street. This prompted me to go check out what was on the menu. When I was greeted by someone to order, it seemed like they were a bit impatient or a bit annoyed that I was between two entrees. I understand that businesses get busy, but it is always important to treat everyone with respect! That being said, I ordered the brisket sandwich and it was great! The potato salad as a side was the perfect pair. Portion sizes were great and overall a good experience! I would go again to try some of the other options.

Photos

Line to order + Menu

Chopped Brisket Hot Link Pork Ribs smoked turkey Elote Style Corn Baked Beans

See all

Inside

Smoque BBQ

Food is so delicious ! Love the brisket! Service was…read moreoutstanding ! It is nice & cozy inside & parking was easy! I'm definitely going back soon

I've recently started lifting heavy, and on a Friday night was looking for a high protein…read moreindulgence. La Brasa Roja is a go-to, but my friend wasn't in the mood to share and an entire chicken just for me was not happening. In a search for chicken dishes in the area, I came across Smoque and came to Yelp to get a sense of it. Only to discover my own review, from 14 years ago. I did not remember this place and certainly did not remember coming here, at all. But I figured my 4 star review from the Obama years must certainly be 5 stars for 2026, since restaurants are so inconsistent lately. I was right. The half chicken was smoked *perfectly.* It was fatty and crispy, but it was not doused in oil the way so many restaurants do these days. And even if you remove the skin from your chicken, the flesh itself was tender but firm and flavorful - even the breast. Plus, if you have leftovers, it reheats very well and kept its crispiness and moisture. This time they did have St Louis ribs, of which we bought a sampler. I'm not a pork person these days (I don't digest it well) but I had a bit and it was great. Too bad I forgot about this place relatively close to me. I would have purchased a lot of smoked chicken here over the years. But I look forward to making their chicken a staple of mine. The prices are super competitive, too, especially for the quality.

Photos

Michelin Recommend Smoque BBQ 3800 N Pulaski Rd,Chicago, IL This Place is Smoking Hot! Low and Slow! BBQ Heaven! Brisket is The Best.Cool!

Brisket & pulled pork combination platter

See all

Burnt ends yumminess!

Offset BBQ

This is my favorite restaurant in the city. Service is great. They play good music. It's a bunch…read moreof people. They remember my name and treat me like I'm their friend. It's nice to have a place like that to go to. It's also a nice low key date spot. The garlic buffalo sauce is incredible. The half chicken is awesome as is the brisket. Try the waffle fries yum!!

I've been craving some MEAT for a while, and after reading Sam C.'s review, I was sold - I grabbed…read moremy keys and made my way over! When I find myself thinking of a return trip while still there, you know for sure Offset BBQ delivers! I ordered the All Beef Platter, and got the Brisket Chili (upgrade) as my side. The sausage was fantastic! It had a snap which made all the Chicago Hot Dogs within a 20 mile radius jealous. Inside was a maximally savory, salty but not over-salted filling. The kind of meat that needs no sauce. Then comes the brisket! A lovely piece of meat that was so tender, looking at it and licking my lips caused the meat to start falling apart. I also loved that it was a good balance of meaty and fatty bits. However, there is a small 'but' here. For my taste, the brisket needed a very light sprinkle of salt. No matter, with the help of the sauces the brisket leveled up enough to take on any boss battle thrown at it. Speaking of sauces: The KC Style and Hawaiian were both good. Both were sweet, and had some tang, though, it seemed the KC had a slight edge in the bold department between the two. A sauce I loved though was the Chicago White, a fantastic Horseradish and Mustard sauce that was unique, interesting, savory, fresh, and a little spicy. The kind of sauce I want to buy a container of and take home! For my side, I upgraded to the bowl of brisket chili. I loved this so much, I may just order this as a main on a return visit. The chili did not at all skimp on the meat, which was tender and flavorful. The use of beans, corn, and veggies were there to help accent everything else, and were themselves cooked perfectly. Kudos also for the inclusion of a couple pickled jalapeno slices. My heat tolerance may be too high to feel a burn, but the crispness of acid did wonders! The included coleslaw was one thing I did not love. I appreciated that they were not heavy handed on the mayo, and the dressing overall was light in quantity and consistency. However, the cabbage was sliced as if by a sleep deprived stagiaire who has yet to master knife skills. The slicing was terribly inconsistent, with some pieces being way too large. For dessert, I ordered the Blueberry Handpie. This was so much better than expected! The crust was flaky and wonderful, and the filling had plentiful sweet blueberries. This dish also excelled in its execution. The cast iron pan kept the pie warm, and the ice cream was such that didn't melt right away. I also loved that the blueberries weren't screaming hot and exploding with lava. When it comes to the service, the bar-server was fantastic. She was kind, friendly, and attentive. Food came out pretty fast, too, considering how fresh everything was. Finally, while I did not make laps around the entire establishment, the vibe has just the right intersection between BBQ and Rock & Roll, with the music playing at the perfect volume to be appreciated while being not at all intrusive. Final verdict: There are many who sing the praises of Smoque BBQ, which is a great spot. However, between the two, I prefer Offset. Other than a sloppy-chopped Coleslaw, the experience was fantastic not only in the food, but in the execution and the thought put into the experience.

Photos

12pc Offset Wings with Chicago White Sauce (side)

See all

Looking out at California.

Chubby Cattle

A lot of the menu items were unavailable during our visit. Out of all the dessert options, only one…read morewas available, and only two soups were being served. Some of the rice bowl options were also unavailable, which further limited the selection. Our favorite item is the Wagyu short rib plate, but we noticed that toward the end of service, it seemed to be mixed with regular beef. The texture was noticeably tougher, and we could definitely tell the difference. It was a bit disappointing since the Wagyu is usually one of the highlights of our visit. That said, our server, Zaid, was great. He was attentive, friendly, and provided excellent service throughout our meal.

Overall, the service was really good. The flavors were delicious. I didn't like how cramped and hot…read morethe area was and it felt like no AC was in the place. This reminded me of sitting outdoor in China and grilling skewers, super fun time. It's like prob $1-2/per stick of protein or whatever you choose to eat. The meat cooks pretty fast, water is self served. You can order drinks and they'll bring it to you. One great thing is: their bathrooms have Emesis / vomit bags if you need it. I've never seen that in another restaurant, so that's def v good to have. The service and people were all super nice, so patient, and so helpful with the whole process. Good food overall!

Photos

BYOB

See all

Sides (tempura, loaded fries, dumplings)

3 Little Pigs Chi

4.6

(396 reviews)

6.2 mi

Being my first time in Chicago, I definitely had to try 3LP as it was highly recommended by all my…read morefriends. And boy, my mouth is still watering from the thought of the salt and pepper fried chicken sandwich! Juicy, crispy and huge-- I devoured it so quickly after taking that first bite that I didn't even have time to let the camera eat first. Best fried chicken sandwich handsdown! The bbq pork was also another standout with its sweet and tender goodness! And can we talk about how cute the takeout bag is?

Combo Box - BBQ Pork, Salt & Pepper Chicken, Veggie Fried Rice…read more Really tasty combo box. Proper taste and texture on fried rice. BBQ Pork was saucier and sweeter than traditional version but still good. Both pork and chicken were flavorful and tender. I like that they used chicken thighs. I would return to try more of the menu. Carry out only.

Photos

BBQ pork w egg rice box with egg fried rice upgrade

See all

Full order bbq pork

Aloha Hawaiian BBQ

4.8

(29 reviews)

4.3 mi

I love going to Hawaiian spots, but they're usually hard to come around; therefore, I gave Aloha…read moreHawaiian BBQ a chance and absolutely loved the food. We got the pork katsu, shrimp, and fried chicken plates. The katsu was very crispy and paired well with a nice tangy sauce. The shrimp was banging and paired so well with the lemon and rice. And lastly, the fried chicken (chicken karaage) was so crispy and juicy but had such good flavor to it. The rice and mac paired so well with the proteins too. The service was nice; they have a kiosk where you order all your food and then a robot brings your food to the table. The ambiance had a nice Hawaiian decor to it and was full of color. Additionally, there's a decent amount of seating if you want to eat there. I'd definitely come back again and give this place a try.

I am extremely happy to find another Hawaiian restaurant near me and it's not a wannabe like H*B*…read more We came on a weekend during dinner and there was a mild rush in and out of pick up orders and people dining in. We grabbed a menu as we had some time to review their offerings before the last person in our group arrived. When it was time to order, we went for variety and got Kaleb, garlic chicken / lemongrass pork and the Hawaiian breakfast. We ordered enough to receive 2 spam musubis. Everyone was happy with their food and compared it to another well known Hawaiian place in the city - but here with better prices! We had plenty leftover for our party of 3 and pretty much could fill up 1 container! We will definitely be back and look forward to trying other items!

Photos

Loco Moco

See all

Blackwood BBQ

I've had the full spectrum of BBQ from mind-blowingly incredible to places I send people I don't…read morelike. I am pleased to report that Blackwood BBQ is somewhere between "good" and "very good". It won't knock your socks off, but it is nowhere close to "bad." It's perfect for what it is, that being: a spot for a bite during the lunch hour. On both visits, I ordered the two meat platter, with brisket and sausage. Both were flavorful and savory, with the brisket being balanced in terms of meaty vs fatty (as requested). Now, that said, the prices at Blackwood are on the high side. On the one hand, I know the price of a pound of ground beef is greater than the minimum wage (as of this writing). However, I also can't help but feel the punch to the wallet when two meats and one side, where one of those is brisket, and a soda comes to somewhere between $20-25 (I think it's close to $25, but don't want to misspeak). Half a pound of meat is not a lot, making the wallet punch even worse. Then there comes the service. Most of the folks working here are professional and welcome. There is this one person, though, whose level of gruffness seems a bit high. It wasn't so much a lack of pleasantries for the sake of efficiency as it was annoyance that customers exist? Final verdict: If you're working in the loop, and craving BBQ, Blackwood is a rock-solid spot, but the high prices mean it likely isn't practical for a regular spot. If it's a weekend, there are better options out there.

I have fond memories of Blackwood from the pre-Covid days but today's experience shattered them. I…read moreordered the lunch special, barbecued pork sandwich with a side and drink. The sandwich had ok flavor but seemed at least 1/3 fat and skin. The cornbread was as dry as the Atacma desert with no butter offered or in sight. They have good iced tea, though, polite, friendly staff, and good music, though. They have limited seating at this location.

Photos

Salad option

See all

Half a dozen sauce regions!

Soul & Smoke Avondale

I discovered Soul & Smoke Avondale via Google after searching for good black-owned businesses to…read moresupport on Juneteenth. Soul & Smoke was one of six top black-owned spots to support. This women-led restaurant in Chicago is renowned for its mouthwatering barbecue, brisket, and soul food sides, making it the ideal spot for a meal on Juneteenth. Once I realized it was the closest to me and offered a plant-based option, I knew exactly where I wanted to order from. I ended up ordering the smokey joe sandwich (vegan sloppy joe sandwich), with a side of mac + cheese, and a sprecher soda. Whether I'm using Grubhub or Uber Eats, I love ordering online because it's so convenient. I also want to praise my delivery driver for arriving at a reasonable time with my order and meeting me right in front of my residence. Grateful to have had a smooth online ordering experience because the likelihood of me ordering online again is very high. As for my order, my first response after my first bite of the vegan sloppy joe was, "Mmm, that is good!" If you are a foodie like me, then you know what the next few minutes--or, better yet, seconds--consisted of. Yes, I pretty much devoured that vegan sloppy joe, leaving nothing behind but what was left on my fingertips. The last time I had a vegan sloppy Joe was a few years ago in celebration of my birthday, and trust me, it wasn't as good as this one at Soul & Smoke. It could easily be confused with real meat if you aren't aware that it is vegan. I saved the side order for last, which was that delicious-looking mac and cheese. Mmm... "Oh my God!" was my initial response after my first forkful, which was lightly seasoned with a delightful taste. I must say it was the perfect side for the vegan sloppy joe. After my last bites, I had the slightest grin on my face, and the only thing on my mind was that I will definitely have it again in the future. The sprecher soda - cherry cola was the perfect complement to my meal. Introduced to me by Soul & Smoke, I am so pleased with this award-winning craft soda from Milwaukee's oldest craft brewery that I will be on the lookout for it in the future. I would gladly order from Soul & Smoke Avondale again, whether online or whenever I am in the area. With that, I am happy to share my endorsement of it with you all here on Yelp. Ambiance: 4/5 | Service: 5/5 | Food: 5/5 ~ You Are Your Choices. ~ Thomas G

I was in the neighborhood and saw the reviews, I was kinda lost looking for this place where I…read morewalked in to a private lot and was able to see a small sign outside. Walked to the other side of the building and saw the store front. There was no one inside sitting so my original thought was it was closed but someone popped out inside the kiosk. I had a taste for ribs, but he only had rib tips. I ordered 1 pound of that, 3 sides which was garlic mash, chicken gumbo and slaw - total was $40. The ribs are moist and great, gumbo was very salty and mash was tasty. I have to come back when they have more items to buy.

Photos

SMOKED PRIME BRISKET, SMOKED DUROC RIB TIPS, & SIGNATURE MAC CHEESE

See all

MEAT SAMPLER

Chicago q

Food: one of the most consistent BBQ restaurants in Chicago! The food is flavorful, moist, and well…read moreseasoned. Oh, I almost forgot to mention the Sunday Brunch...OMGGGG. Go there once and you'll make a Sunday ritual for the boys and the girlies especially during football season . Afterwards, enjoy a nice cigar from next door. Service: The service is amazing! I've been a patron for over 15 years. Even after relocating to Virginia, returning to Chicago twice a year, I dine here at least twice per visit and bring my husband's favorite back each time. Everyone is always smiling, very knowledgeable of the menu and the "Master Bartenders" make the best cocktails. They are extremely knowledgeable of their extensive bourbon collection. Honestly, one would assumed they worked for a distillery. Its so great to see staff help and support one another. In addition, they immediately acknowledge customers when come into the restaurant. They make me and my bestie feel right at home. Ambiance: The Ambiance is inviting, comfortable, and more importantly, you'll feel right at home. The summer outdoor seating makes you feel like you're at the best backyard BBQ you'll never want to end. It's important to recognize a good business who deserves to be in business. I can't wait to return for some good ole lip smacking BBQ

New year, new goals, new perspective, new creations, and a brand-new start! We touched down in…read moreChi-Town to freezing cold weather and were so thankful and grateful to find a spot close to our hotel, and it surely did not disappoint! Thank you for the homey welcome and superb service during the holidays. Everything came out hot and delicious, and we truly appreciate the time you took to be attentive to our needs. Thank you for working the extra hours during the holidays, and a special thank-you to the kitchen for preparing the food quickly and beautifully. The BBQ ribs, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and mashed potatoes were all done very well- filling and absolutely delicious. Everything was on point and more!! Thank you so very much!

Photos

BBQ done with style

See all

Carson's

This is a remarkable experience with excellent service from Mariano and stunningly delicious…read morefood!!! Pork chops are GINORMOUS, the ribs good and the chicken spectacular! Sit in the south dining room so you have a view of the River!!!!

I have been dining at Carson's restaurant for over 30 years, but after my experience last night, I…read morewill be looking for a new barbecue spot. Up until four years ago, I used to visit at least five or six times every single year. Last night was my first time back since then, and I was deeply disappointed by how much the standards have slipped. The entire evening felt incredibly rushed. The person taking our order seemed to be in a massive hurry, acting short and dismissive with us. To make matters worse, an automatic gratuity was added to the bill. While I understand this is becoming a common industry practice, a gratuity should ultimately be an option based on service. The server did mention at the end that we could have it removed if we wanted to, but customers shouldn't be forced into that awkward position in the first place. Unfortunately, the quality of the food has also gone downhill. I always used to order the ribs and frequently took extra food home because it was so good. Last night, the food left a lot to be desired. The barbecue simply isn't what it once was. When my uncle graduated in the 90s we went to your previous downtown location.He loved the restaurant as well; the food, the exceptional service, and the warm atmosphere. I went there year after year. While I respect that they have managed to stay in business for 30 years, there were just too many issues with both the service and the food for me to return.

Photos

See all

Starters: Mediterranean shrimp 17

Thompson Farm

U pick strawberries were a blast. The strawberries were red and juicy. Lots of strawberries to…read morechoose from.

Beautiful huge sunflower farms & pumpkins in the fall. Have got to catch the sunflowers at peak to…read moresee large blooms. Not when I was there. Great friendly service. Worth a visit. Bees around but dress the right colors, don't swat or move abruptly, leave them alone and they will give you the same respect.

Photos

Family photos in the pumpkin field at Thompson Farm in Bristol, WI.

See all

Merrillville Farms

5/5 Awesome experience! Ginger (owner) was super friendly, talkative, and kind! Got taken on a…read moresurprise date here by my gf and had a great time! We came at 4 pm on a Tuesday - literally nobody else on the farm, had it completely to ourselves! We got our buckets from her and got sent off to pick blueberries! Lots of bushes, beautiful farm, cool chickens (a lot of them, off to the side of the field), cute cat, bee hives off to the side, old machinery - honestly just a gorgeous setting. Highly recommend as a date idea, or just to go for fun! Affordable, and very tasty blueberries (and shamrocks )

Always a pleasant visit Everyone is very kind and always a good selection! I usually take my…read moreGrandchildren and it encourages them to try new things!

Photos

Blueberries

See all

Chickens

Tacos Y Tamales Festival

3.2

(13 reviews)

2.3 mi

2025 Review! Same Fest, New Location! Tacos & Tamales Fest…read moreis now on Blue Island Ave between Wolcott & Ashland. Their new location is so much better to space out the crowd, offer better street parking/access to public transportation, and allows for more vendors! They had the similar mix of local businesses, corporate freebies, artist tents, and (3) music stages; but, I'm already looking forward to seeing how they continue to grow next year.

I usually skip food festivals because I hate crowds, but this is one I'd been looking forward to…read morefor weeks. I don't eat good tamales very often and it was very convenient to have one location with all of the local venders so that I could try multiple restaurants at once. -Narrowing down which restaurant was my favorite to avoid future disappointments. Hands down, Yvolina's was my favorite. The chicharron tamale with green mole sauce was still in my mind when I woke up this morning. But sadly, I had to eat a grapefruit instead. ::sad face:: They run about $10 each, but are very large. I did also enjoy Yvolina's Chicken Tinga tamale, but the chicharron is the one I'd go back for. Didn't love the churros from Xurro, but I'm a pastry chef and make churros quite often. Maybe I just prefer my own. I ordered the churro s'more and wouldn't order again. It was all way too dry. Not enough chocolate either. There were many kinds of venders. If tamales aren't your thing, you aren't out of luck. With tacos, tortas, burritos, quesadillas etc.. sold up and down the streets, there's something for everybody. My only regret was not ordering the street corn that everyone seemed to me walking around eating. As much of a pain it was to be raining, it was the perfect time to go. The crowds were very minimal. It was still a lively bunch though. Many people dancing in the streets as the music blasted in the air. I very much enjoyed my evening and will definitely return next year. Parking is a bit of a beast. Prepare to have to park a bit far and walk.

Photos

See all

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

81 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Kailley L.

172

13 years ago

For full review and plenty of photos, please go here: http://www.kailleyskitchen.com/2013/04/07/bub-city-classy-country-cookin/ Chicago" and "downhome southern fare" are hardly synonymous, but Lettuce Entertain You's new kid on the River North block manages to pull a small helping of hillbilly heaven into one of the most trafficked neighborhoods east of I-90 and north of the Chicago River. Devoid of the pretentiousness many of the L.E.Y. restaurants tote, Bub City offers a family-friendly environment, a laid back attitude, and great food to [cowboy] boot. When you walk inside, you're met with a large bulletin board covered in colorful flyers advertising Bub City's Tuesday night live band karaoke and upcoming stage acts. Joe's on Weed Street may still reign supreme as the city's hottest country venue, but Bub City seeks to stay right on its heels, pushing an inviting atmosphere that would put Joe's austere sports bar vibe to shame. You know you've struck gold when you find a restaurant with TWO bars: a whiskey bar and an everything else bar. Saddle up, urban cowboy, and drink a little drink (but don't smoke a little smoke, because it's illegal here) Bub City's menu is all kinds of deep fried and barbecued goodness that lies right on the hostile border of refined and barbaric. In keeping with my ontological theory that all humans MUST succumb to the seductive powers of fried pickles before they die, I suggest you start your gut-bustin' meal with a basket of fried pickles. Coated in a seasoned cornmeal batter and fried to a lust-worthy golden hue, Bub City's fried pickles help provide your life with a little more meaning. The only thing that could make them better is substituting a homemade chipotle ranch dipping sauce for the decidedly average ranch you're given. If your arteries are telling you "no, baby, no" but your figurative heart is saying "yes" to a deep fried second course, order the fried chicken. Or better yet, chicken and waffles with a side of jalapeno-bacon honey. Zac Brown has since had to amend his song in order to pay homage to this superior manifestation of the country classic. If that doesn't entice, you, I sure hope the barbecued pulled pork sandwich does. A whiffle ball sized scoop of slow cooked meat is nestled between the top and bottom of a buttery grilled bun and may require the assistance of a fork[lift]. Tag team it with some of the tangiest cole slaw you'll ever try, more pickles, and a heap of perfectly-salted waffle fries, and you'll be boot-scootin'-boogiein' your way in slow motion to a horizontal state on your couch. Food comas are so underrated. Moral of the story: Bub City delivers a delightfully polished-yet-kitschy country experience all wrapped up in a plaid flannel bow. read more

Tony B.

13 years ago

A big American flag made of semi-crushed Bud Light cans behind the bar pretty much sums up the Bub City theme. Interesting idea cheesily executed with sub par food but nice service. I try to like risk taking concepts and a country BBQ joint in HubYup land is certainly that. When I walked in the first time (nighttime) Bub City struck me as one of those "fish out of water" movie or TV premises. Hey let's put a bunch of River Northers in a country bar and see what happens. What happens is since it's Lettuce they try to pretend it's the place to be but seem completely awkward, similar to if someone dropped a Naha into Oklahoma City. Came back again on a Sunday daytime to eat and saw people I never knew existed in that area, many older people and families. It was busy both times, I will give them that, and the place seems to be doing consistently well. There is a fun factor, but it's taken over the top into cheese with overwritten "clever" quotes on the walls everywhere and a cowboy manniquen peeing in the ladies room to scare the women (OK that was pretty funny). You never get away from the "corporate concept" feeling similar to a Joe's Crabshack or Hooters. However those places have better food. Sorry to say almost all the food was subpar especially the ribs. Drinks were OK but nothing special. Another wall of whiskey the world does not need. Service was the high point very friendly and efficient, credit for both stars in this rating. Non stop slick country videos rather than the more interesting rootsy stuff reminded me of the boring Kenny Chesney concert I walked out at Soldier Field. "Say it loud, I'm white and I'm proud" - that's I Love This Bar's turf don't try to outdo Toby Keith on Hubbard guys. Karaoke is part of the theme which does not help I'm sure. 'Murica comes to downtown - can I get a hell no? read more

Sandra F.

309

12 years ago

Came here on a Thursday for after work cocktails and meal. I made a reservation because I expected it to be packed. It was a smart move because it was indeed packed. I arrived on time for my 7pm reservation and saw a couple of tables my size open and cleared. However, the host still made me wait over 20 minutes. Was finally seated at 7:20. Our server was prompt and made sure we got drinks right away as we got seated. Wish their was a bigger cocktail selection. I ended up going with the frozen hurricane, super yummy and strong! We had the BBQ pulled pork and 8 buck cluck (which was amazing!) I was pleasantly surprised that our food and drinks came out super fast with how busy it was. A band was warming up and we managed to get a little preview of wagon wheel which was great! One thing that was a real turnoff was how packed and close the tables were to the very full bar. At one point, I had a random girl who was having drinks at the bar rest her beer several times on my table while I was eating and she even took it further and put her belongings on the chair right next to mine. I thought I was getting punk'd. Our server quickly noticed how uncomfortable the situation was and politely asked the random to remove her stuff from our table. 30% tip for you! Overall, come for the food, have a drink or two but be prepared for lack of personal space. read more

Sarah P.

152

8 years ago

Great music, great staff, but bad management. First a dunk old guy in a leather jacket from the 60s dumps a beer down my friends off the shoulder shirt then tells her things i can't write on yelp. He tries to pick a fight but we brush him off. We tell a bouncer and bartender that he's wasted and needs to be cut off since he's picking fights. The bartenders keep serving him. Old drunk leather jacket loser continues to get bombed as his friend with no arms (I wish I could make this up) drops glass alcoholic beverages on the ground upwards of three times. Night progresses... band is back on... we continue to dance, laugh, and enjoy our time. Old drunk losers go through our jackets and start eating our IL Porchellino leftovers! How savage can you be? You're 40+! Where's your day job? We pulled our container from one of the drunk losers as he pulls it from our coats. Then the old drunk losers start the fight they've all been trying to start all night. Of course, the guy with no arms is swinging his sleeves and getting in everyone's face. SMH. The kicker? We all are asked to leave. Even the girls who weren't near these losers. The bouncer won't even look at our receipts to prove the food is ours. If you want good music, just buy a SW ticket to Nashville. Don't waste your time here. read more

Danny W.

Elite 21

4851

2242

3409

13 years ago

If you don't like country music then you're obviously not going to enjoy this place. If you do like country music you may find yourself annoyed with how jam packed it gets. It's a brand new bar with a different concept than anything else in River North, so there's literally a line around the block most nights. When you do finally get in they completely overcrowd it and the staff can be less than stellar due to the high volume. (I've had messed up drink orders and an overcharged CC) That being said, if you can make it in early enough to get a seat and not completely crammed next to wanna-be cowboys I bet it's a completely different experience. The staff and music are fun, the food has got to be good (it is a Lettuce establishment), and it's canned beer casual which can be hard to find in this neighborhood. My experience has been based off two pretty packed nights so they certainly weren't on their A-game service wise, but I'll definitely hit em up again. Yeah...it's the new spot in town so you want to hit up the newest scene without having to dress like a scene-ster (and you don't mind waiting in a huge line) it's definitely worth checking out. read more

Mark F.

138

7 years ago

Bub City is great place to hang out not only with your friends but also with your colleagues and family. They have live karaoke band and their song was so wonderful to listen. We went last night together with my friends and the atmosphere there was so good and the waitress and staff in the restaurant was very accommodating. We ordered Catered Double- Barrel Burgers; they have 10 pieces burger in one serving and the meat was blended by cheese and we love it. We also ordered drinks which you can select 125 different drinks from different distillers and requested a song to the band. Bub City is open every day from 11 am to 2 am, but on Saturday and Wednesday they open from 10am to 3am and 12 am. The time is perfect to have some fun with your friends, co-workers and family. The good thing at Bub City Restaurant is you can bring your kids and they can choose what they are going to order. Also, their facilities are convenient enough to the customer. I recommend you to taste one of their menus which are the Buffalo Tots and to go their 10pm because that's the start of their live country band. read more

Gina M.

Elite 20

393

267

1540

8 years ago

Such a fun River North bar! I came here with a large group on a Saturday night for a bachelorette party, and at most other bars, the employees just ignore big groups. You're probably one of 1,000 groups trying to find seating and order drinks. But here, the manager was so sweet, found us a table, and brought us a round of shots. We also ordered a giant plastic cowboy hat filled with Deep Eddy grapefruit vodka and grapefruit soda, along with some fresh citrus. I was surprised to find that it was actually a decent cocktail for being served in a giant plastic hat! They have live music most nights too, which is why we went there in the first place, but the band didn't come on until 11 that evening so we didn't get to experience that. The manager really tried to get us to stay and wait for the music, but in classic bachelorette party fashion, we felt the need to run around town a bit more. The next time I'm in Chicago, I would definitely like to stop back to experience some of the live music. read more

Jordan M.

998

8 years ago

Absolutely disgusted. I had dinner here with my best friend a few weeks back and I was eating their chicken tenders, but as I took a bit the tender ripped and was hanging by a hair that I had to pull out of my mouth. They did apologize which is a given. What really set me back was when he said we will take the chicken tender off your bill and charged us for everything else. Like dude I just had someone's random hair hanging out of my mouth... they then walk out with cookies and ice cream without even asking if we want desert thinking they can us happy with that. I wouldn't take another thing from your kitchen... at all! The bill should have been taken care of in my eyes, just so disgusting. Think of chicken dangling from a strand of hair 10 inches below your mouth .. that means it was in the batter and cross contamination of what that chicken was fried in... read more

Brianna N.

Elite 25

135

2 years ago

We were really looking forward to trying a new BBQ spot in the city, but unfortunately, our experience didn't meet our expectations. Maybe it was just an off day, but the service was quite slow and waited about 15 minutes before our server took our drink order. We wondered if the restaurant had more of a bar vibe, but since many guests were eating, we were surprised by the delays, especially since it wasn't overly crowded. We ordered the meat platter, which was decent but not remarkable. The pork was a bit drier than we hoped, even with the sauce, and the ribs were just okay. We also ordered the tater tots, but they were a bit underwhelming. Some were soggy unless you managed to pick the best ones. Overall, it was a mixed experience, and we hope to return on a better day. read more

Robin C.

1103

13 years ago

Went here yesterday for lunch and I would have to say I would def come back. We order the fried pickles and torpedo's (stuffed jalapeno's) to start. They were just pretty standard for what you would expect. I did also get a cup of chili which was really awesome, highly recommend that. For my meal I had the burnt ends...wow. They were awesome! It says on the menu while supplies last, and I can see why. I almost ordered some to take home. I also ordered the Mexican Firing Squad drink. Holy cow was that strong. It was lunch so I only drank half of it, but it was awesome. I can see how those would get your night started right very easily. I really really liked the design of the place also. Great bbq down town, check it out! read more

Lindsey S.

9 years ago

My friend and I dined here on a Friday night. The host told us our table was being cleared for us outside and next thing we knew they were seating another party at our table.... This is not the end of the world but we both work in the restaurant/ hospitality industry and just laughed/ brushed off the mistake. What we couldn't brush off was our server at the end of our meal handed the table next to us our check with our credit cards inside them. Thank goodness they were nice people and asked us if these were our cards...... I love the food and drinks here but we left so confused and upset with our service, especially giving some complete stranger our credit cards.... read more

Andrew O.

8 years ago

I thought it was really good. Food was great and our server was hardworking. She worked out a gift card issue when we settled up that put a smile on the wife's face. Not easy to do. I got the 3 meat sampler that could have fed the whole family. Hot link was great, brisket was fantastic, ribs maybe like a 6/10, and sides were delicious. My daughter got the smoked wings--great flavor. Only issue was the concert (or sound check) next door at joes. The bass literally shook the place as if we were being bombed. Maybe at 9 at night I understand but 4 in the afternoon?? And it wasn't just for a few minutes...more like half of our meal. Even so, I'd still go back. read more

Anthony B.

10 years ago

Been here for 50 minutes now and still don't have any food on the table. At first I thought it was because they're backed and the kitchen is backed up, but now looking at the people sitting next to us settling their check when they sat down 10 minutes after us, I'm becoming to realize it's just the service. My guess is that they simply forgot to put our order in. Asked for the manager and the best I got was: "Ours takes longer to cook."... This is a wing place, so I don't quite see how our wings take longer then their burger... But ok... Food came out and manager came out to apologize and took care of the bill... Mistakes happen;) read more

Kate S.

13 years ago

What can I say ... I love southern food and BBQ ... but I just wasn't impressed with this place. The food was decent, but the music is insanely loud (not really what one might expect at 7pm), and it was ALL country music, which I detest. The waiter was very friendly and nice, but service was extremely slow. In fact, they brought my husband's food and our side out first ... and he had to go and ask for them to deliver my food. All in all, the ambiance was lacking - and it was frustrating to feel like we had to chase our food down on a Saturday night out. read more

Alison S.

13 years ago

I wish there was the option to give 0 stars. I went to meet a friend who was in from out of town and the bouncer was emotionally abusive. He must be extremely insecure with his manhood. Either that or he failed out of the police academy and is now abusing his "power" as a bouncer at a restaurant! Also, why was there a line about 45 minutes to get into a restaurant? I have never in my life been treated so horribly by staff at a restaurant. And from the reviews of the food, luckily I won't be missing anything by never stepping foot in that place. read more

Mehran F.

Elite 22

810

421

4 years ago

SUGAR CITY. The BBQs masked under a sh*t load of sugar and cheap honey and malt and God knows what that their very sweet brownie and ice cream were less sweet than the BBQ sampler i had. None of the meats were good. The sauce was awful. The nachos and such stuff were better. Service by Katherine and Rodriguez (sp?) was fabulous. I still had a good time with friends. If Green St. Smokehouse is a 10/10, this one is a 2/2 at best. Sorry Lettuce people, i appreciate all your work. This one is just not up to par to your other restaurants. read more

Michael T.

12 years ago

Live Music on Sunday's for Brunch which is always great! Best Rib Tips (BBQ food) in the River North area. This spot is super fun and unique for the middle of RN. The bloody mary bar is probably the best in the city that I have tried. I see a lot of people on yelp complaining about how loud the music is, but isn't that how it is everywhere now a days? I don't think you can go wrong with anything that you order but I do suggest meat! (Obviosuly) If you are stopping by for a drink, I think you will have a great experience as well! read more

R P.

13 years ago

I think it is worth posting that Bub City employees were trying to steal a cell phone. As soon as I departed the restaurant and realized my phone was not with me, I called to see if they had it. After putting me on hold they said no. I got home and tracked my iPhone back to Bub City. I walked in asking again if they had it, still said no, but then I showed them my friends phone tracking the lost phone at Bub City.....all of a sudden the phone came up 2 seconds later. Not a good way to operate, shady business! read more

Susan P.

11 years ago

My son took us here for dinner and told us the barbecue was fantastic. He was absolutely correct. The atmosphere was wonderful and sometimes they have country western entertainers. We had the barbecue sandwich and my son has the barbecue brisket. Our sides were baked beans and turnip greens. The sides are big enough to share. Everything was delicious and the brisket was very tender. The waitress we had was excellent, she kept coming back to check on us. All I can say is YUMMY! read more

Lizzy R.

10 years ago

For a country / bbq place I was sort of let down. The bbq would be better called an attempt from a northern company to do southern bbq. Everything tasted over cooked and there wasn't a choice of sauces. The food is also priced very high for the amount of food you get. I wouldn't come back here it at all. It felt like a rip off. The best thing about Bub's is their live music and the decor. I love the american flag with the tin cans behind the bar. read more

See more unrecommended reviews

Bub City - bbq - Updated July 2026

People who viewed Bub City also viewed

Jefferson Tap & Grille

380 reviews

West Loop, Near West Side

The VIG West Loop

56 reviews

Fulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side

The Green Door Tavern

550 reviews

River North, Near North Side

MONEYGUN

372 reviews

West Loop, Near West Side

The Kerryman

556 reviews

Near North Side

Pippin's Tavern

467 reviews

Near North Side

Hubbard Inn

313 reviews

River North, Near North Side

IO Godfrey

721 reviews

River North, Near North Side

$$$

Benchmark Chicago

640 reviews

Old Town, Near North Side

Monk's Pub

589 reviews

The Loop

Bub City

Order Bub City Takeout or Delivery

Bub City Photos

Business Info

Bub City menu photos

BUB CITY ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Bub City

Reviews With Photos

More info about Bub City

Payment methods

Food & Alcohol

Indoor Amenities

Outdoor Amenities

Other Amenities

Bub City Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Bub City

Review Highlights - Bub City

You might also consider

More businesses like Bub City

Green Street Smoked Meats

Smoque BBQ

Offset BBQ

Chubby Cattle

3 Little Pigs Chi

Aloha Hawaiian BBQ

Blackwood BBQ

Soul & Smoke Avondale

Chicago q

Carson's

Trending businesses in Bub City's area

Thompson Farm

Merrillville Farms

Tacos Y Tamales Festival

81 Bub City reviews that are not currently recommended

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

81 reviews that are not currently recommended

Bub City - bbq - Updated July 2026

Best of Chicago

People found Bub City by searching for…

Trending Searches in Chicago, IL

Browse Nearby

Reviews from Bub City

Browse Brands

Related Searches in Chicago, IL

Browse Articles

People who viewed Bub City also viewed