This was our first time going to Frankie's barbecue our first impression was not so good on the customer service the person who took our order was uninterested in our business I'm sorry that he hated his job but he shouldn't take it out on customers. After trying The brisket it tasted something that you would get from Sara Lee pre-cooked thin slices. The barbecue buffalo wings we're OK and the chicken sticks were freshly cooked those were OK but what hit it out of the park were the spare ribs and tips that's worth withstanding the negative attitude at the counter definitely will be back for ribs like everyone else comes back for. read more

I lived in South Bend from 1986 to 1988. As a single guy in my 20's I used to salivate thinking about Frankie's rib tips at about 4:00 every afternoon. I would drive there after work and pick up an order or regular sauce rib tip dinner to go. The plan was always no tips until I was home. But at stop lights I'd always dip into the container and by the time I was home my steering wheel was a gloppy mess of BBQ sauce. I still salivate about Frankie's tips. Now when I travel home to Michigan City, I will regularly take the 90 mile round trip to Frankie's on Circle Ave. for their tips. Back then I had every BBQ tip restaurant in town ranked and Frankie's was number one by an incredible margin over all the rest. read more

It was open this time instead of being closed like last time. Out of tips. Sign said 5:35 they would have more, asked as it was close to 6 with a roomful if people and was discouraged from ordering. Love their rib tips. Never seem to be able to get them though. Think I'm giving up on trying to get them. read more

The best ribs I have ever had. The one thing is you have to be prepared to get messy or you won't get to enjoy the ribs without getting sauce all over your fingers and face. Another thing is there isn't a ton of room to sit so I don't recommend staying if you bring a big group. But they bag up all orders so you can take out easy. As if they already had you covered. Once again. Hands down best ribs. If you aren't near by I can tell you. It is worth the drive. Load up some people. And get some FRANKIE'S! read more

Average. Obviously it tastes good (as all BBQ and ribs do), but there is nothing that stands out about it. The food is clearly straight from a Sysco trunk and nothing is done to give the food real personality (I think they use Open Pit). It is a pretty comfortable place inside. It is also a nice place to know on that part of town... But it is average. Also, I ordered fried mushrooms and fried mushrooms were left out of my order. Worse things have happened, but... I would have liked some mushrooms (even if they came from a Sysco truck). Where my mushrooms at, Frankie? read more

Ok BBQ, but not as good as the big boys in Chicago and other larger cities, but if you have to have some BBQ, go west on Washington till you smell the smoke. read more

Frankie's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

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Frankie's is good but they need help on Customer Service Etiquette Getting served burned tips don't help especially since it'll not cheap for a Tip Dinner. read more

I grew up In SB and started going to Frankie's in the Early 80's. Back in those days they were open till 5am on the weekends. I would usually go there after the bars closed at 3am on my way home after my gigs. I usually ordered the rib dinner w/sauce on the fries. Best que ever!! The tips are excellent as well. I have been living in Austin, TX for the last 26 years and still have cravings for Frankie"s!! I am glad that they are still in business. Highly recomended!! read more

Ive never been so mad...I waited in line for 40 minutes to place my order...then waited another 20 minutes for my food and then was told that they were out of pulled pork!! Why wasnt I told that when i placed my order?? HORRIBLE service...they don't give a DAMN about the customer..they need some new management. Will NEVER EVER GO THERE AGAIN!! read more

Frankies is always fire! I fact I'm heartbroken that they're closed today or we'd be eating rib tips for lunch.

I've loved Frankie's ever since I was a child. I couldn't wait to go there to get the tip dinner with there amazing fries. But over the years I have taken notice that whoever is currently manager is not doing as well as the manager that they had in the past. I understand that things change overtime, but it seems to me that the place lost its soul and love. It's almost as if the people who work there now only care about their paychecks and going home rather than loving to work there. Trust me when I say that this it is an AMAZING BBQ spot, but it's just not the same anymore... read more

Tried it for the first time today , unbelievably delicious. A lot of meat for such a good price and the smoke from the wood they use was very tasty. read more

Fast, friendly service, with excellent food! I ordered the mini tip meal and it was a very nice sized portion. The meat was very tender and juicy, and the sauce isn't overpowering. read more

I love food. It is so rare I find a food I dont like, especially if it's called barbeque. But, in this case I could barely eat the stuff. The sauce was thick like pancake syrup and was basically ketchup jacked up on 3 times too much vinegar and 2 times too much sugar, and just the right amount of spice. Seriously folks, this was like trying to eat steak with a mouth full of sweet-tarts. Yuck. Worse, everything was super smothered in the stuff. These overwhelming flavors left the meat flavorless, which is a shame because it looked so good. read more

Hadn't ordered since they were at South Bend Ave location. Excited to try for lunch today. Loved the idea of craft beer and barbecue, two of my favorite things. Ordered two dishes: Frankie's Platter (rib tips and chicken strips) and the half slab of ribs. Total of $45, approximately. A pricey lunch but it's been a rough week and I wanted leftovers for dinner. It was almost a total disappointment. The rib tips were the only palatable part of the meal. And for $18, they were a very small part of the meal. The chicken was frozen flash fried, essentially Tyson brand that you get at the grocery for a few bucks. The ribs were smoked: overly smoked. I love smoke. This was nauseating. The sauce was like bottom shelf grocery store. It was a bowl of sauce with ribs that were smoked dry and inedible. Faux-rib soup? No way. I gave it the two star rating because the tips were okay. I will never eat here again. Not only is it priced out of its market, but it is not good food. For the same price, the Prized Pig is appreciably better in all aspects. For a lower price, King Gyros is far better in quality of the ingredients (meat) and preparation. There is no rational reason why anyone should ever eat here unless you're feeling sadistic and charitable. read more

Came to Frankie's today after swearing I'd never come again after the last experience. On the last experience, the rib tips were so tough you couldn't chew through them. Thought I would give it another chance and today will be the last time. Entered Frankie's to place my order and was rudely "greeted" by "J" who rudely yelled at me throughout my ordering, insulted me in numerous occasions and ultimately yelled me to "go outside and wait for your number to be called." Have never dealt with a more rude, disrespectful or arrogant person, who subsequently is in customer service, in my life. Every person in the store commented on how rude he was to me as a customer and actually apologized for HIS inexcusable behavior. To add to insult, the rib tips were inedible. They were again tough and I could not chew through them. All 3 orders I bought were all 3 inedible. Terrible service, terrible food, terrible experience. Will never go back, which is sad because this is a business I frequent. I would definitely revisit who you place at your front counter because it is only hurting your business as a whole. read more

Stuck at airport went here based on Yelp reviews. Place absolutely deserted at 11:45 on a weekday and has seen better days. $10 min for C card charge. Had BBQ beef sandwich-- beef was actually decent but it was drowning in sauce. Wouldn't recommend this place. read more

Sauce is one of a kind , service and locations leave something to be desired

I'm visiting from California and this is the best bbq I've ever had. The sauce is amazing. I literally came to eat here three days in a row. I fell in love with the beef brisket sandwich. I also loved the rib tip and the catfish dinner. Great atmosphere with really nice friendly employees. Very clean. read more

Much to be desired. Used to be great food and service. Now it will take at least thirty minutes to get chicken strips, rib tips are tough and fatty, and the service is absolutely horrible. I will never visit this location again. I must say Edison road has much better staff but I'd rather eat ribs from the gyro place. read more

I have been going to Frankies since 1975, back in day when it was in an old brick building. The founders of Frankies knew how to treat customers. Unfortunately, Frankies service has hit a new low. Every time I go in......there is a wait on Rib Tips, but in most cases worth waiting for. Well, tonight like always no rib tips until 7:00PM. Myself and another person only ones in Frankies. Bald headed cook said, "First come first serve when tips are ready." That was a lie! Someone must have texted their buddies because rib tip orders started to get filled, and people walked in the door and was waved in front of us that had been waiting with patience. How insulting. I'll eat dirt off the floor before I ever step foot into Frankies again. read more

This is the BEST barbecue ever!!! I love Frankie's I live on the west coast now and can't find barbecue that compares every time I'm in town this is one of my first stops!!! Love it!!!! Gotta have the sauce on the fries!!! read more

Heard good things. Tried to go but couldn't find their hours anywhere...not on yelp not on their "website"....needless to say we drove down there while we were visiting South Bend only to find that they are CLOSED on SUNDAYS. Epic fail. Will try again the next time we visit maybe read more

Excellent ribs, sauce is phenomenal. Fries are always good. One of our favorite take out restaurants.

Best BBQ in South Bend. Depending on how busy they are, you might end up standing in line for a while at this location but it's worth the wait. Try the rib tip dinner. read more

Went there and they literally had nothing bbq ready. Umm I know it takes a while to cook but you have nothing to offer at dinner time ?? Your a bbq joint. Pretty unpleasant looking inside. Gross read more

One of the best BBQ joints around. A good place to go when you got those late night cravings. Expect to wait a little bit if you go there late. Even after 1am there will be a wait. It is worth it. Been going to this place since the 80's with my dad and hopefully it will stick around so I can take my kids here and not close up like the other places. read more

Fans of Barbeque... prepare for amazement. I'm not a big meat eater, but whenever I go home to visit family, I MUST eat here... The meat is always tender and juicy, the chicken is orgasmic, but my personal favorite are the ribs... oh they must be a sin to be that good!! They also have their own sauce... I have tasted nothing like it before. I have been going for YEARS and have never been disappointed. Its better than homemade. The atmosphere is clean and neat, and the staff is very personable and friendly. If you are in the South Bend area, EAT HERE!!! It isn't fancy but it is dang sure delicious!!! read more

Holy $#!+ yall if are in south bend and u don't eat here u have missed out on some of the best bbq I have tasted nuff said

My wife and I drove from downtown Indianapolis. We visited the location for some barbecue and encountered a locked door well before the time posted on the restaurant window. So we call the restaurant manager to explain the situation and they said they were backed up and had to leave sometime today. We like to patronize black businesses but sometimes we make it extremely difficult for us to do so. I hope Frankies is able to correct their customer service. read more

Not good experience last time I went here was about five years ago will try again in anothet five years

I grew up on Frankie's ... Used to go there when it was nothing but a small shack ... Lol no tvs just long lines ... Still love it and highly recommend it . read more

Love this place have been going here for years. Good team, very professional I would suggest this place to anyone looking for good bbq. Yum making my mouth water as I type this! read more

Tried placing a to go order and was told it would take an hour before it could be picked up. The person was VERY RUDE and told me it wasn't going to happen and to move on. I called as soon as they opened and was wanting to pick it up in 40 minutes was told no. VERY POOR customer service, we order from here often and I wont be ordering from them again. Perhaps they should come in earlier and start prepping so people can get a to go order in a timely manner. read more

Mini Tip meal is delicious. I could seriously drink their bbq sauce. There has been some times where I have gotten some fatty meat but they're usually consistent. read more

Recently, I left my wallet at Frankie's after ordering some food. During their cleanup of the dining room they found it, the owner personally drove it to my apartment building (the address on the license) after giving me my wallet with everything in it, he graciously would not accept any of my money as a "thank you". Not only is the staff exceptional from top to bottom, but their food is absolutely fantastic, truly worth stopping by and trying out the perfectly cooked ribs! read more

HORRIBLE!!!! I made a trip today and I must say that the service and food were HORRIBLE!!! The staff was horrible!!!! Extremely RUDE!!!! The rib tips (because they were sold out of Ribs before 5pm) not worth the trip!!! They were hard on the outside and rubbery/hard to chew! The sauce was salty!!! What a waste!!!! A MESS!!!! read more

Fast service and good crowd for a 2pm lunch stop. This is a real BBQ stop! I had the beef tips only because I heard 5 people in a row order it so figured that must be their specialty. They give a HUUUUUGE portion which was awesome and the tips were decent. I wouldn't suggest going for a nice dinner but it will suffice for a lunch time stop. read more

IF you know you're gonna be busy right out the gate why not prepare for the rush it's always a hr wait for meat to be done then the rushed cooked me is very tough to chew what a waste of my money . read more

Done quite a bit on traveling and I still have to say Frankies BBQ is the best BBQ I've ever had.