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    Lem's Bar-B-Q

    3.5 (566 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Lem's Bar-B-Q Photos

    Business Info

    LEM'S BAR-B-Q ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Lem's Bar-B-Q

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    Reviews With Photos

    Rib Tips from the catering menu ($85)
    Shanda D.

    I placed a catering order for New Year's Eve (NYE). The catering order process follows: - you physically wait in line to place a catering order. - catering orders must be placed and paid for at least 24 hours in advance. - when picking up, you don't stand in-line again. You go to the backdoor and ring the bell at your agreed to date and time. - I ordered the rib tips ($85) and ribs ($130). Pics attached. I separated each item into 2 separate pans to put half in the refrigerator. The pics give you an idea of how much it is. Great value and the food was amazing. P.S.: On NYE, The line was the longest I've ever seen it. This was the way to go and I froze some for later. Edited to add: catering items are ala carte (no fries). Also, I got both items with no sauce. They typically come drenched in sauce. Paid $9 for a quart of sauce on the side -- not everyone in my crew wanted sauce.

    49.50 for ok food
    Paula W.

    Overall good food especially the wings and tips BUT the sauce is not good at all. This spot gets 2 stars for the nasty attitude of the older lady working in this place. That attitude is unnecessary! I would never go back and stand in line where customers are so disrespected. Also what is this stupid rule about not standing to close to the windows to order, the workers were literally yelling at a customer because he was to close to the bullet proof glass! There are to many worthwhile spots in the area to stop here!

    Lisa P.

    Lem's has been a true South Side staple in the community for years. I am proud they earned the highly coveted James Beard Award. From the look of the line, I am not the only one. It was really nice to stand in line for an hour and five minutes said no one ever! But, it was nice talking to the police officers in front of me and the city workers behind me. The conversation made the cold a little more bearable. When you made it around the corner, there was a nice heat lamp waiting to warm you. I knew exactly what I was ordering, one large rib tip combo that came with a hot link and fries. One JBL Special, includes two rib bones, rib tips, one hot link, two wings and fries. One order of six wings with fries. Everything came with bread and was drenched in a cajun barbecue sauce. The hot links were dry and some of the tips were dry. But, overall the food had a nice flavor.

    Exterior
    Anurag T.

    This place is awesome Note there are negative reviews but when you have 40-50 people line up everyday for BBQ, are the negative reviews accurate or one offs? Overall (A) This place has awesome food and is a community staple. I can see why they won a James Beard award. My kids loved the bbq. I have a daughter who is picky about eating meat and loved it. The other is a meat connoisseur and loved it. Value (A) The prices seem expensive but you get a ton of food. We paid $110 and will probably get 8 maybe 10 meals out of it. 3 people ate twice yesterday and we have a ton of leftovers for today. Service (A-) The service takes a while. Just plan to wait 1-hour to 90 minutes when you get in line. I got there at 11:23 for a noon opening and food around 12:35. They are super busy so they don't have time to be patient. Plus you have plenty of time to make a selection and ask people in line on what to do when you enter. They are not rude or disrespectful they are just super swamped and busy and trying to keep things moving. While there they accommodated someone who "cut in line" to get a bottle of sauce she forgot. The one polity accommodated her request and asked that she ask all of us waiting for permission to cut in line Food (A+) We got Rib Tips, Ribs, Chicken wing,sausage, fries and coleslaw. All items were excellent. Get the coleslaw as a side - well worth it. I don't know how else to explain things - everything was excellent and we couldn't stop eating. Tips - When you go get a lot of food. Like for days so you don't have to wait in line again - The JBL special is a great value and well worth it - Line starts around an hour prior to open - Basically pick out what you want, five people allowed inside at once. They will call on you and you place your order. When your food is ready you pay by cash or cc. They need to keep things orderly since there are so many people and the food is always fresh - there is no seating so you have to go home and eat or eat in your car. - the sauce is excellent and I should have gotten an extra bottle - they keep things simple and old school here. No call ahead orders or any of that nonsense. Come and stand in line like everyone else and get your food. - the plain white bread is magic when soaked in some sauce - great compliment I like this place a lot and will pick up from here a few times a year. We live in the burbs but will have to make a special trip for it. I don't have that many pics of the food since we ate in our car.

    Scraps my dog enjoyed!

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    1 of the best ever ribs I've had tbh, had to go back the next day to have some on my 10 hour drive- it's that GREAT!

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    2 years ago

    Great BBQ...ole school pit with the best sauce... except a long line but worth the wait......

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    1 year ago

    The ribs were burnt and the owner was rude. They did not put enough sauce on the ribs so they were dry. I will not be returning.

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    2 years ago

    Bbq rib tips are always on point. Service is quick, as there is only a pick spot no sit in.

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    Still taste good. But If them hot links get any smaller they're gonna have to change the name to hot weiners instead of hot links.

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    Page 4 of 15

    Ask the Community - Lem's Bar-B-Q

    Why not turkey tips and links yet? Please please please start selling them.

    Unlikely to happen. They take a lot of pride in keeping the menu and cooking method the same. The pork tips have a cool story behind them. Also, they cook hot and fast. That wouldn't work with turkey tips.

    Does anyone else feel like they should expand the order area so we are not cramped in the door?

    Get in Get Out The Ribs are Good They stay warm all the way Home and I drive FRom Lansing?

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    Green Street Smoked Meats - Sliced Brisket, Macaroni Salad, Cole Slaw, complimentary white bread, Cornbread with Honey Butter

    Green Street Smoked Meats

    4.4(2.4k reviews)
    8.8 miWest Loop, Near West Side
    $$

    food was very good, whole group felt a little robbed for the portion sizes though, $36 for the…read moreposted picture, friend got 3 skinny ribs and a large slice of cornbread for $25. The Star seems to be the sides, which, while still quite expensive, are all very filling and come in similar or more weight than the meats. Service was nice and ambiance was great, but not nearly enough to make up for the expected quantity.

    BABY WHEN I TELL YOU THIS RIGHT HEREEE!!!! This was the best barbecue I've had in years. I thought…read moreMr.Tendernism was in the back grilling. TOO GOOD. We ordered the brisket, baked beans , and ribs. The brisket was juicy and tender. It was delicious!!!! I do wish it was more hot temperature wise. The brisket got cold quick. The ribs were my favorite! I wish we got three orders of them. They were perfectly tender filled with flavor. The char on them had the perfect smoky touch. The baked beans were delicious, they weren't too sweet but they were filled with a slight sweet note that I believe comes from the pork bits in it. So good! We enjoyed our food with the spicy barbecue sauce. I highly recommend that barbecue sauce! Total we spent for all that was around $55. To drink I had the bourbon sweet tea. The bartender was a bit rude. I feel like my drink could've been made with more love but it did the job. My drink costed about $17 I will be coming here again. There was ample enough seating. It's beautiful coming here at night. From the scenery inside you'll feel like you're in a movie. This experience fully blew my mind.

    Photos
    Green Street Smoked Meats - Photo from the bar

    Photo from the bar

    Green Street Smoked Meats - Chopped Brisket Hot Link Pork Ribs smoked turkey Elote Style Corn Baked Beans

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

    Green Street Smoked Meats - Inside

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    Inside

    Offset BBQ - St Louis Style Ribs - Half Rack Elote Cornbread (2 pieces)

    Offset BBQ

    4.7(304 reviews)
    11.5 miHumboldt Park, West Town
    $$

    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
    Offset BBQ
    Offset BBQ - 12pc Offset Wings with Chicago White Sauce (side)

    12pc Offset Wings with Chicago White Sauce (side)

    Offset BBQ - Looking out at California.

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    Looking out at California.

    Chubby Cattle

    Chubby Cattle

    4.5(482 reviews)
    6.7 miChinatown
    $$$$

    Such an amazing spot - especially for people who eat halal! The service was impeccable! Our server,…read morejewelry, checked on us multiple times throughout our reservation and helped us with all the questions we had. She went above and beyond for us and made our experience so memorable!

    Kari's Rating 9.5/10…read more Got seated right away and Justin our server was so incredibly personal and knowledgeable about the food, sauces, sides and drinks. He was so helpful as it was my out of state friend's first time there and I so appreciated his patience as the ordering process here can be extremely overwhelming. As he gave us the run down on the three dining tiers available, we were brought seaweed salad and kimchi as well as a fresh salad and come cheese corn. We decided on the gold tier as it was a good middle point in both quality and spending! I can't believe there were unlimited drinks downstairs as well as two types of milk tea and chocolate and vanilla soft serve. I actually ended up making a milk tea shake which was incredibly refreshing with the heat of the grill and the smokiness of the meat. We ordered so many rounds of meat that I couldn't keep up with them all so I just posted a lot of pictures (see below.) I've come here a few times before, but this time felt so much more personal things to our server as well as getting there before the big lunch rush. Someone give Justin a raise as he was buzzing around to the tables around us each giving them a personalized experience as well! This is definitely one of my favorite places in Chinatown to come if you're looking for food that is both high-quality and for a good price! Definitely order the lamb chop -it's spicy and smoky all at once and since there is a bone in it, it was extra juicy! 12/10 will be coming back.

    Photos
    Chubby Cattle - BYOB

    BYOB

    Chubby Cattle
    Chubby Cattle - Sides (tempura, loaded fries, dumplings)

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    Sides (tempura, loaded fries, dumplings)

    3 Little Pigs Chi

    3 Little Pigs Chi

    4.6(396 reviews)
    13.9 miIrving Park

    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?

    When I researched food spots to hit up on my visit to Chicago, I stumbled upon 3 Little Pigs and…read morewas really looking forward to this spot. Came here on a Thursday afternoon. The place is inside another store which threw me off since I watched YouTube vid of this place and had a different vibe. Placed my order in a kiosk and waited for my order. Sat at a table with a swing. The place didn't smell like bbq food which makes me think that the food is not made at the store itself... ended up ordering the BBQ Pork Char siu ($11.95) which was luke warm and was ok. Also got the salt and pepper chicken box ($12.95) which was also luke warm and the rice was dry and not hot... Maybe this was an off day or the food was premade and just heated up but I was def disappointed. Or maybe I had high expectations prior... If I visit Chicago again, I might try the other location, if they make the food on premise.

    Photos
    3 Little Pigs Chi
    3 Little Pigs Chi - BBQ pork w egg rice box with egg fried rice upgrade

    BBQ pork w egg rice box with egg fried rice upgrade

    3 Little Pigs Chi - Full order bbq pork

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    Full order bbq pork

    Blackwood BBQ - Crispy Juicy Chicken Sandwich and waffle fries  They will see me a second time

    Blackwood BBQ

    4.1(408 reviews)
    8.9 miThe Loop
    $$

    My meal here was surprisingly tasty for a chain BBQ place…read more The lunch special was great. $12.99 for a pulled pork sandwich, side, and drink. That is essentially unbeatable downtown. The pork was juicy and the KC style bbq sauce was good (other options were Chicago, Memphis, Carolina(?)). The mac and cheese was really tasty, I found myself scraping the bowl for more. It had a really nice crust on top. The service was quick and friendly.

    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.

    Photos
    Blackwood BBQ - Menu

    Menu

    Blackwood BBQ - Salad option

    Salad option

    Blackwood BBQ - Half a dozen sauce regions!

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    Half a dozen sauce regions!

    Soul & Smoke Avondale - Brisket Sandwich

    Soul & Smoke Avondale

    3.7(116 reviews)
    13.0 miAvondale
    $$

    While visiting Roscoe Village we went out for lunch. We had several items and they were all very…read moregood. The side sampler was a lot of food. Portion sizes were generous. There are a couple of ways to order. There is a kiosk or a QR code to order and pay or if you are using the "InKind" app you will order from the counter. Once ordered there is table delivery. The counter staff was very helpful. There is a large comfortable indoor seating area and also outside seating both with views of the North Branch of the Chicago River. Tips I recommend the In Kind app and so does Soul & Smoke. If you're in a group share to experience the various offerings.

    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

    Photos
    Soul & Smoke Avondale
    Soul & Smoke Avondale - SMOKED PRIME BRISKET,  SMOKED DUROC RIB TIPS, & SIGNATURE MAC CHEESE

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

    Soul & Smoke Avondale - MEAT SAMPLER

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    MEAT SAMPLER

    Chicago q - Happy Birthday, Kate

    Chicago q

    4.0(2.1k reviews)
    10.1 miNear North Side
    $$

    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

    Consistently great barbecue, the beef ribs are a standout as is the whole shoulder. The service is…read moreefficient and the menu has great sides, if you have vegetarians unfortunately this isn't the place if they want more than the coleslaw and cornbread (both are great). The restaurant is in a historic building area on Dearborn, its upscale barbecue but not stuffy

    Photos
    Chicago q - BBQ done with style

    BBQ done with style

    Chicago q
    Chicago q

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    Carson's

    Carson's

    4.1(472 reviews)
    9.2 miNear North Side
    $$$

    Loved the bar over looking the Riverwalk. Enjoyed the foos very much. Great service, nice people…read more Will return if I go back to Chicago

    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
    Carson's
    Carson's
    Carson's - Starters: Mediterranean shrimp 17

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    Starters: Mediterranean shrimp 17

    Lem's Bar-B-Q - bbq - Updated September 2026

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