Earl&#x27;s BBQ

Came to Do-Rite for breakfast one morning and had a great time…read more We got there around 9am and seemed to beat the line, but a lot of people showed up right after us so you may want to come early. Line moved pretty fast though. I got the bacon egg and cheese brioche sandwich and a hot coffee. The sandwich was incredible. Soft, fluffy eggs and the perfect amount of cheese. The coffee was also great - not too strong (which I like). Would definitely come back.

We went 3 times in the same day. Got 6 donuts, went back for 2 more, then went back for Buffalo…read morechicken sandwiches. We loved the vegan donuts which were great for my milk allergic son. The chicken was good especially with the sauce. Very busy place with a small footprint.

9.2 mi•River North, Near North Side

Inside on a Saturday noon 1/4/2025

Breakfast Sandwich - Vera Cruz

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Front Counter at Do-Rite

Doughnut Vault

4.3(1.2k reviews)

Geeeeez my sis *inhaled* the old fashioned donuts lol. She's a big fan of old fashioned donuts and…read moreclearly she enjoyed the ones that we got here. :p For me, they were a little too sweet (I have old AzN lady taste buds in which "not too sweet" is a strong compliment), but wow the crispiness for old fashioned donuts was on-point! The buttermilk one particularly gave county fair funnel cake vibes and the lemon poppyseed one reminded me a lot of a lemon bar lol verrry lemon-y (in an indulgent-good way). Friendly lady at the interior counter nook. We visited on a Monday at 9 am and there was no line at all.

Doughnut Vault exists in a weird limbo for me, because the donuts are excellent and the rotation of…read moredaily specials are fun. However, these donuts are pricey which to be fair they're based in River North. I also usually prefer the old fashioned donuts, because the filled donuts can be too sweet for me. Verdict: fun as a once in a while treat but not a regular stop for me along the way to the office.

Glazed vanilla

Vanilla Birthday Cake

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Firecakes Donuts

4.1(2k reviews)

9.3 mi•Near North Side

Delicious! Simple house made donuts, fresh espresso and hot chai were perfect. Firecakes offers…read moremultiple locations, with easy access throughout the city, open early and closing late, making it the perfect sweet treat all day long. The raspberry bold orange donut truly was fire, no premade compote here, fresh raspberry filling was a game changer. The cinnamon roll donut was decadent but totally worth it with all the walking you do as a tourist.

I think unfortunately people in Chicago might have never had a good donut in their lives. Firecakes…read morehas endless rave reviews, but the donuts I tried from here were borderline inedible. Horchata Donut: I don't know what the filling is here, but it was kind of oddly rancid / sour. No one in my group had more than a nibble. The fried dough in the Jelly Donut and the Cinnamon Sugar were both painfully dry, but the toppings themselves were fine. Glazed Cake Donut: This was the most palatable of the donuts we tried, but it's a very average cake donut. Kinda dry and Do-rite honestly does these way better.

Happy Birthday!

Vanilla Sprinkle Donut

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Stan's Donuts & Coffee

4.0(715 reviews)

9.8 mi•The Loop

I got a hash brown, donut and coffee and everything was amazing! staff was very friendly and it has…read morea very nice atmosphere

Another Michigan avenue staple that was packed on a Sunday morning with locals and tourists it…read moreseems. Be prepared to wait if you come during a busy time. All in all though waited 15-20 min for the coffee's while the crazy awesome donuts (Dough Boy Best & LeStan Croissant). Overall great start to our 17,000 step day as we needed the sugar & carbs to power us until lunch.

7.5 mi•Lincoln Park, DePaul

The vibes

Prickly pear refresher and almond cronut

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Brown Butter Glaze with Salted Caramel Drizzle

Beacon Doughnuts

4.7(306 reviews)

I've been seeing Beacon Doughnuts all over Instagram and finally decided to try it. It's tucked…read moreright in the middle of an alley, which makes it feel even more hidden, but don't let that fool you. This was one of the softest donuts I've had. The lady at the front was super nice and gave me some recommendations, and we ended up getting the Chocolate Glazed Brioche. And wow... this donut was huge. Super soft on the inside, almost pillowy, and covered in a thick layer of chocolate glaze. First bite, you get that rich chocolate flavor right away, smooth and sweet without tasting fake or overly sugary. The brioche itself had that buttery flavor to it, light but still filling. The texture was probably the best part. Soft center, slight chew from the brioche, and the glaze added just enough thickness on top to make every bite feel rich. Honestly, it was almost too much for one person, but in the best way possible. Definitely lived up to the hype for me.

I mean, it's the cutest!…read more "Hidden" in an alley in Lincoln Park. I love a good cake donut and this place is perfect. Lots of flavors/specialty donuts but not overwhelming like some other places. Will definitely come again!

8.7 mi•West Loop, Near West Side

Vanilla bean cronut

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Blueberry pancake

Voodoo Doughnut

4.0(201 reviews)

While strolling in the West Loop on my way to pick a different unhealthy bite I stumbled across…read moreVoodoo Doughnut. It's been well over a decade since trying for the first time in Seattle. Tbh I remember being disappointed because of the hype. Today I entered with tempered expectations. I tried the Old Fashioned doughnut and it was somewhere between solid and above average. I'll definitely stick with Do-Rite especially because they're a few blocks away and significantly better. If the job catered Voodoo I'd indulge, but considering I prefer a few other donut shops I won't make a special trip. Great service plus a respectable donut equals 3.51 stars.

I discovered this place over a decade ago in Portland OR. I am really excited when they decided to…read moreopen a location in Chicago. The donuts are amazing, unique and fun. It also doesn't hurt that they are open from 6am to Midnight - perfect for those sudden doughnut cravings! One thing that can be improved is how they handle big orders. I recently ordered over 5 dozen doughnuts and it came in 6 boxes and a small bag. First problem: they don't deliver. Second and bigger problem is that they don't pack big orders so you can carry them out. How the heck am I going to carry 6 boxes and a bag of donuts??? Maybe they want to keep their business "small". A simple brown bag or even something to tie the boxes together would have been very helpful.

Ring of fire

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Our doughnuts

Old Fashioned Donuts

4.7(563 reviews)

20.9 mi•Roseland

Wonderful establishment, Delicious food, Great hospitality , Staffing & service. This place has…read morebeen top-dog for yearssss , Best apple juice there is in life! The ambiance is great , some might say they need a makeover but I say it's an all-traditional Homey look. The family is well loved and respected , And they love their community. I'm greeted with more pleasure than the last each visit , As a matter of fact I'm going there now!

The best donuts Highly recommended Hot and fresh not like dunkin apple fritters are the bomb a…read moremust try

Classic glazed doughnut

Chocolate yeast glazed

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Old fashioned glazed. Yum

Firecakes Donuts

4.2(412 reviews)

7.6 mi•Lincoln Park

Let me start by saying that Firecakes on Clark, in Lincoln Park, is so much better than the one on…read moreHubbard, in the Loop. No offense, the reason I say that is because the employees at this Clark location are so friendly and chill. I like that type of service, don't you?? In comparison to Beacons, Stan's, Voodoo's, and Do-Rite's, I would also say that Firecakes is in the top three (3). They are less commercialized, less over the top, and the simplicity in the Tahitian Vanilla epitomizes this type of donut shop. They're a throwback to a classic neighborhood place to come to, for these treats. My favorites, in no particular order are: - Cannoli donut (4) - Birthday cake donut (5) - Apple fritter (2) - Tahitian Vanilla (number 1) - Cinnamon roll (3)...I decided to rank them... And that we have, we've come back at least 10 times and this is a quick drive on I-94 into the city or take Lake Shore Drive - just put the pedal to the metal and go and get a bunch. Eat them on the way back home, eat one in the garage before the garage door closes. Fire up the espresso machine, froth up that milk, cuz - we got Firecakes donuts y'all!!

A little disappointed. Arrived at 9:00. Buttermilk and buttermilk chocolate both tasted like day…read moreold baked goods. Were ok but I expected a wow experience and this was not it!

9.6 mi•Near North Side, River East

Firecakes

Chocolate

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Iced Chai Latte

Stan's Donuts & Coffee

4.1(344 reviews)

I stopped into Stan's Donuts & Coffee while walking around Chicago and immediately understood why…read morethere was a line the entire time I was there. The whole place smelled absolutely amazing the second I walked in. Since I was just ordering coffee, which I fully regret not getting a donut. I used the kiosk and my order came out quickly. I went with the brown butter latte, and it was super yummy with a flavor that stood out from a standard latte.

The coffee is absolutely delicious, the pretzel bagel is a must-try, and they have such unique and…read morecreative donut flavors. Everything tastes fresh and high quality. Definitely a go-to spot when you're craving something sweet (or savory) with great coffee to match.

@endoedibles on Instagram 03/22/2025

Cherry paczki

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2d Restaurant

4.0(434 reviews)

6.9 mi•Lakeview

Artwork, service and ambiance top notch! Highly recommend stop for some great photos and mochi…read moredonuts

High hopes since there needs to be more Taiwanese spots in Chicago! But disappointed by customer…read moreservice. My wife bought a donut here. and then when she attempted to take a photo of the interior, she was told that she wasn't allowed to take photos. Then, we when she asked to use the restroom, she was bluntly told, "You may not use the restroom," because she wasn't a "sit-down" customer. The manager didn't attempt to even smooth things over but instead robotically processed her refund on the donut. It was incredibly frustrating to support a local business as a paying customer and be denied a basic amenity over an arbitrary distinction. They're closed anyway, but not supporting their future endeavors because of their customer service.

Half A Dozen Donuts

Inside

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

20 reviews that are not currently recommended

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

William A.

10 years ago

FINALLY!! An Amazing BBQ place in my Neighborhood!! Of Course this is the 2nd day so things are going to be a little Crazy but our Rib Tips were Amazing!! The Honey BBQ was Awesome! There was a Cute Blonde Girl that checked up on us and even refilled our Sodas for us so we didnt have to get up. I think she said her name was Sharon. The Coleslaw was Perfect and the DONUTS!! OH MY GOODNESS! They were Heavenly!! I cant wait for them to start serving Breakfast and BEER!! All these Negative Comments need to at least come back one more time! And some people didnt even eat the food they said...so why leave a Review?? They Literally Just opened!! Keep up the Good Work Earl!! And Welcome to the Neighborhood!!! read more

Nick D.

2 years ago

Ordered it off of Grubhub, we've tried most of the other BBQ options near us, but we only recently discovered Earls. I ordered the Rib Tip dinner, it was my first time ever even having rib tips. I was blown away at how good they were! Super tender and smokey, ordered it with their Chicago Hot sauce and it continued to elevate the taste. Also they gave us a lot of food, and it was only the small plate! Not sure if it was a Grubhub glitch or they don't serve it online, but we couldn't find cornbread to order with it?? I feel like that's a neccesity at BBQ joints. Was definitely a red flag, but the perfect taste and quality of the meal made up for it. Will be back to try this in person one day. read more

Jack E.

151

10 years ago

My friend catered from this place a while back, I decided to go ahead and try it out again today. I ordered 3 different sandwiches, pork, chicken and brisket and boy was it worth it. The price is great ($7 for a sandwich with two sides) and everything tastes awesome. I would only wish they had bottled drinks for the road, but otherwise no complaints. The tall guy with the goatee and the short punk guy were very helpful and knowledgeable of the menu. But I like that everything is laid back and that it's chill. No frills about this place, just good BBQ, good people, and fast service! -------------------------- It's a shame that service and quality have gone down since. read more

Mary C.

10 years ago

Amazing brisket and mac 'n cheese, good fries when fresh and delicious donuts. I wanted to LOVE the biscuits and gravy, and was SUPER excited to try it, but it was a big let-down. The style is not what I think of when I think of biscuits and gravy, specifically the sausage, which was a little hot dog, Eckrich sausage-ish. I still might have been able to enjoy it if it weren't SO salty (too salty to eat) and the biscuits didn't just taste like flour...pastey, crumbly and flavorless. This place is still definitely worth a try... just not the biscuits and gravy. read more

Adam L.

10 years ago

We were driving by the other day and noticed line out the door so we skipped it the first time. We came in yesterday and Earl did not disappoint. Kids loved off the bone ribs. They were not too smokey but had a very pleasant flavor to them. We shared the platter with 4 items. Brisket was outstanding! Sides were ok but I am a big brisket guy and if the bbq place can nail down the brisket they can do anything. Keep it up guys! read more

Pete K.

9 years ago

This place is ok. The first couple of times i went there they got my order wrong, but they seem to have fixed that problem. Must have been the young kids working at the counter. Definitely ask for the dauce to be tossed into whatever you are having. Much tastier that way. The cole slaw and mac n cheese are pretty good. I prefer the rib tips or the bbq pulled pork. read more

Daniel J.

274

10 years ago

The food is amazing here! And so is the service. Couldn't be more satisfied with this place! I definitely recommend it. It's good and fast. Everything is good here, the ribs the burgers the shakes and even the donuts! Definitely coming back here soon! Well done read more

Rob S.

3 years ago

Not sure what happened, but this place used to be so good. Their prices have noticeably gone up and the quality has gone down. Not sure if there's a new owner, but whatever they were doing a few months to a year ago should come back. read more

Manny V.

7 years ago

I always come here to get the pulled pork and its so delicious i dont regret it. I love the fact that they have a drive thru it's so much easier and faster especially when you're super hungry! This is my late night cravings spot FYI read more

Brian C.

10 years ago

Big Fan, here. I love that there's a drive thru, but killer food! The food is fast, delicious, and it comes at a great price. It's a great addition to the neighborhood. The brisket and pulled pork are our family favorites! read more

Steven C.

9 years ago

Made it to Earl's for the first time today after hearing great reviews from food critics. It's the real real! Food is smoked perfectly. It's the boss. Love the convenience of a drive thru too. Big fan! read more

L A.

8 years ago

Finally came to check this out and giving it 4 stars because of their cleanliness. Food is fresh and delicious. Meat was tender. Good bbq. I will come back. read more

Artur W.

10 years ago

Everything we had was awesome! Ribs had a little bite and flavor was top notch. And those donuts, oh boy I ate 6 in no time. We will be back Earl! read more

Nick H.

8 years ago

Great food!! I got a pulled pork dish, it's so good i had to stop eating and thank you for making it, in this review. read more

Richie P.

10 years ago

Would love to give it one star so people won't come here and i wouldn't have to wait in line, but that's just wrong.

Junior C.

10 years ago

Great bbq! Enjoy the new spot in the hood! the bbq is great and the donuts is even better!

Pola B.

9 years ago

Amazing bbq and good customer service! Drive thru pretty fast and tasty sauces.

Jakeline J.

246

10 years ago

Amazing! Portions are of good size and everything is just very tasty!

Robert H.

9 years ago

one of the best Polish ive had in a long time ****

Frankie A.

10 years ago

didn't like the sauce, and ribs a bit dry

Earl's BBQ - donuts - Updated August 2026

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Stopped by for lunch. Walked in a check out the menu. The guy behind the counter greeted me and I…read moreordered the 2 hot dog special which comes with a can soda and fries. The restaurant had murals and a painting of Michael Jordon. When my order was ready, I had to give it to the cook because these dogs were dressed really nice. The hot dog looked like they are an 8/1 dog without a natural casing. They ate really beefy and paired nicely with the fresh topping. I also noticed that there wasn't one Vienna Beef sign in the restaurant, I should have asked what brand of hot dog they serve. The fries were a little overcooked but they were a larger crinkle cut than most other places. I had to make sure to dip them in ketchup. Overall for the price this is a great value.

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Who goes to a burger joint to get a hot dog? This guy…read more I've driven past this past a dozen or so times. So I pulled over to check out the menu. I used the link on Yelp and the menu price is severely outdated. Noticed that the had prices erased on the board instead as well. I order the 2 hot dog special, Chicago Style of course. The guy behind the counter was pleasant to deal with. As I waited the dining area was medium sized with a bull mural on the wall. The flavor was on point, but the bun was chewy. The tomatoes were diced which is a nice touch because it allows you to get some with every bite. No poppyseed bun or celery salt. The dog was good, not great. The fries were very good. I would good back to try the burger. I received my food, it looked great.

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The neon signs in the window grabbed my attention, Fresh cut fries and Vienna Beef hot dogs!!…read more I pulled in to their parking lot and went inside. The first thing I noticed, was how clean this place was. They guy behind the counter was really nice. I order the #1 which includes a hot dog, fresh cut fries and a fountain drink. The fresh cut fries are a thing of beauty. Crisp on the outside with a fluffy interior. The hot was good, but was missing celery salt for the Chicago Style dog. But everything was super fresh and the peppers had a nice kick without blowing your head off. They have an ice cream case inside the place as well. As I was walking out, I saw the burger on someone's plate and I really wanted one. I will have to go back to check out the burgers.

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