Ordered wings and rib tips form post mates; super affordable and AMAZING and JUICY meat. Would recommend to any barbecue lover

by far the best bbq in all of chicago, including the north and west side. i only get the tips and links, and its some of the best tips and links you will ever have. i dont get sauce on it. i get the sauce on the side, but i barely ever use the sauce cause the taste of the meat alone is so addictive. i dont like that the put the meat over the fries, cause the fries get really greasy and drowned in sauce. they might as well not give you any fries at all. nonetheless, the meat is some of the most well prepared and seasoned meat you will ever taste. read more

A Chicago Legion. The Best. I've eaten here for over fifty years. Nothing compares. People come from all over the country to get a taste. A back in the day joint that won't disappoint. A tradition. read more

good chicago bbq, you wont find brisket or any beef here. strictly pork smothered in tangy vinegar sauce and huge portions. can be a bit of a hit or miss on consistency but overall great for food induced coma read more

Trash food is very nasty would never buy from here again bbq sauce taste just like vinegar.

Food was ok but sauce was overpowered with vinegar, I'll give it a try again, maybe next time no sauce

Just finished eating some Lem's Barbecue tips and hot links. I haven't had any of Lem's food for a while. But, they have not changed. You still get the same taste as always. Lem's Barbecue is okay. It's not the best, but it will satisfy your hunger. Or as they say, if you want ribs from the hood. So thumbs up for you, Lem!!! read more

I love their rib tips and the sauce is excellent (I always ask for extra). I recommend Lem's for this reason only as there is no atmosphere and customer service is limited. Bring your appetite and ask for extra sauce, you won't be disappointed. read more

I was expecting more from this place but it was still great barbecue. Ribs and rib-tips were great, a little too salty though. If you have leftovers, make sure to keep them. I felt like it tasted better the next day read more

I've been to Lem's several times and I don't have a single complaint. I usually have the rib tips and hot links. I grew up on the near north side of town. Our favorite BBQ spot was called Farmer Browns back in the day. Lem's is a good choice read more

I have eaten barbecue in almost every state in the country, and in all the great centers of barbecue: Texas, Missouri, the Carolinas, Tennessee, you get the idea. This is the best BBQ I have had in my life. It is the best ribs I've had in my life, and of course ribs are the best type of BBQ. Life-changing. It's impossible to describe that special smokiness, the texture, the addictiveness and of course that bed of fries saturated in grease and sauce. The hot links remain the best BBQ sausage I have ever had (sorry Texas). A smoke shrouded aquarium with large men armed with pitchforks. South Side BBQ, possibly the most underrated style of them all. But it's real. Thank you Lem's. You are literally the best there is. The best. read more

My daughter love this BBQ house, some days are better than others when it comes to tenderness of their ribs. I guess it depends on who's cooking on certain days. Overall I like the flavor of the bbq sauce and I like the mild links. read more

Best Ribs and Rib tips, plus Hot Links in the city! Mike P. stick to reviewing Famous Dave's if you think those are good ribs. read more

Best rib tips I've had. It would have earned 5-stars but we also ordered fried chicken and sides. Let's just say Lem's should stick to what they do best, rib tips. Sides taste store bought and the chicken was tasteless. Best advice: make sure you have LOTS of napkins and wet naps. They don't spare the sauce, AT ALL! If you don't like your fried chicken and fries covered with bbq sauce, make sure to ask for the sauce to be put on the side. read more

The Barbecue is great most days but the customer service sucks!!! Yesterday after work I decided to stop by my favorite BBQ joint to pick up some rib tips! The line was long but I was in expectation of the long wait! But what I wasn't prepared for was piss poor display of customer service from the cashier!! I've been a patron of Lem's for over 10 plus years & the two ladies (both sisters) are always beyond DISRESPECTFUL to the customers! The short sister was in a full fledge argument with another female customer because she's so nasty!!! The tall sister yelled at an older gentleman old enough to be her darn father! In all the time that I've been coming to this establishment, this is the way they behave. I've never seen them smile or have a kind word for anyone. It is my understanding that their father owned Lem's but it doesn't give them the right to behave so poorly to the people that keep them in business! So if you want some pretty decent BBQ & be treated like shit thennnnnnnnn head on over to Lem's BBQ on 75th Street right across from A & S Liquor store. read more

I would give Lem's 3.5 stars. I haven't been to the restaurant in at least 15 years. I love that the space is still small, it adds to the nostalgia of my childhood. This place gets a line early, but service is pretty quick. They don't skimp on portions and the food is always piping hot. I ordered the small rib tip/link combo. The tips were good, they could've been more tender, but tasty nonetheless. I was excited for the hot link but it was overcooked and dry. The sauce couldn't revive it or make it palatable. The menu is pretty straightforward basics of bbq- ribs, links, wings, fries, coleslaw. read more

I had not been to Lem's in about two years. Yesterday I went to see if any thing had changed. Well, I had a center cut and it was tough. I could tell that this meat had not been slow smoked for 12 hours like Memphis or Texas bbq. This was quick cooked over a high flame. There was no smoke flavor, no smoke ring and no flavor. It was fatty and tough like it was old meat. What a disappointment. But, it is so to find good bbq on the south side of Chicago. You will not find anything slow smoked with a smoke ring. When people do not know better, they will except this type of bbq as good. But, Lem's has got to do better than this. It may be another two years before I go back. read more

Best rib tips ever! Tried this after randomly looking for some BBQ on a Friday night and I must say we picked the right place!

So after a night out on the town with my dear old dad he recommended/demanded that we stop at lems on the way in. I declined his offer for an order of my own and said I would just try a bite of his. He had something called a small end. He let me try one of those smokey bones and it was darn tasty! So tasty that I ended up swinging back through there after I dropped him off for an order of my own! Service was okay. Seems they don't have much patience for newbies who don't know what they want. So here it is a week later and im finding myself actually craving Lems again. I guess it must be good! Lol read more

I have heard about this place for years. One night I decided to stop by because the reviews were great. Can not explain the disappointment experienced once I took a bite. Are you people serious? Have ever tasted good bbq before? The sauce was disgusting. I could not get past the first bite. It literally made me sick to my stomach. The sauce was watery and taste reminded me of the smell of vinegar. One thing I hate more than nasty food is spending my money on horrific food. read more

I went to lems sunday got jbl special do tender ribs hot link and chicken and ribs do good

My friend was over & recommended Lems raving about how good they were. I ordered a large combo tips &links..It was the worst I ever had. Plenty of food all burnt & overcooked .Waste of money. First &last time ever going there. read more

the ribss hunny is something to die for lbs it had this vinegar tang to it and the tips are big and tender. the mild sauce is amazing !

The service was pretty quick. I loved the fries under the rib tips. The food was great. I could make this a regular stop when I am in Chicago visiting. read more

Being new in Chicago I have had ribs at a few places downtown claiming to be the "best" rib places in Chicago and obviously that was not the case, in fact far from it. Someone told me about Lem's BBQ House and I decided you know what? I am going to get in a cab and go try them despite what people say about being in the south side of Chicago. I ordered the small ribs tips, a slab and 1 hot link with the sauce on the side, I always try the meat without any sauces just to see how good it really is. The ribs were tender and perfectly seasoned. The hot links were just as good. Lem's BBQ has the best ribs in town hands down! Since then I have been to Lem's several times. And it's always the same great tasting ribs, tips and links. I have not tried their chicken and shrimp but I will do so on my next visit. Live a little, drive to this location and try them, you will not be disappointed. The only thing I don't like about this location is the tight small space and not being able to sit down. It's a grab and go kind of a place. read more

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Lem's has been a family favorite since the early 1970's. I love the small end, tips and hot links. I usually buy the sauce to enhance my home-cooked meats. Lyn is doing an amazing job continuing the family tradition! I'm so sorry there's only ONE location. HINT! read more

Been eating Lem's as far as I can remember, and would never have a bad word to say. Been the best BBQ (other than my pops) to me for a LONG time. If you hit Chicago, you have to hit Lem's read more

Rib tips are always on point. Guys behind the glass are super sweet and effective. Love that they're still open by the time I'm home from work read more

Very popular spot! Super super tiny but that smoked meat is delicious. Not a fan of the sauce but the links are great too!

My parents ate Lem's when they were kids growing up in Chicago in the 60s, and I've been eating it since I was a baby. The sauce is truly one of a kind. I come here straight from the airport every time I visit! read more

Day 535: Lem's BBQ House: After I got a recreation of the dearly departed Ribs and Bibs' Rip Tips on the 2016 University of Chicago Scavenger Hunt list, my friend Joseph suggested that I should check out Lem's BBQ to fill the still aching niche in my heart. Actually, it was less of a "suggestion" and more of an "active demand", now that I come to think of it. But despite his proselytizing, it took a full year before we were able to get out there, mostly because I'm the worst friend. Ordering at Lem's is a bit of a disorientating experience. The waiting area is approximately 10 feet by 2.5 ft, or however wide the Dr. Pepper machine in the corner was. And while my experience with Harold's Chicken Shacks have led me to consider bulletproof glass only a minor trifle, I can't say that there wasn't something Soviet-era feeling about the cramped space and constant shouting of orders. But we got our food and made our way to Joseph's house for the taste test. The first good sign was the sound of the ribs. By that, I mean I had gotten a "small" rib tips and hot links combo with mild sauce (along with sides of coleslaw and potato salad), and still the bag made an audible THUMP as I dropped it on the table. You get a pretty big pile of meat for your buck, which you have to be in favor of. Then, we began eating, and the immediate silencing of our conversation was the second good sign: all talking stops when you have great ribs in front of you, and man these were great ribs. Messy without being greasy, with a sauce that had a nice kick of vinegar to balance out the sweetness. Going by ribs alone, definitely five stars. However, the fries that came with it tasted too underdone to really soak up the sauce, leaving the classic "wonder bread, fries, sauce, and coleslaw" sandwich a bit of a misfire. It's all a matter of priorities though, and if what you're looking for is good meat made well, Lem's is definitely the place for you. At this point, I helped Joseph drop a bed frame off his balcony. It was a good day. read more

Excellent food. The guys are cool when ordering. The older lady with glasses, is another story. She might need to consider retiring. Nasty attitude every time I've gone in there. I keep going because their tips and ribs are nice, tender and tasty! Stay above the grouch! read more

Food is good really liked the rib tips. It's messy so have lots of napkins/paper towels near and a bib.. lol

Had small tip it was OK, nothing to rave about. Sauce is ok. Hard to find parking mainly because of the bakery (Brown Sugar Bakery--delicious) and liquor store across the street. read more

very good rib tips and hot links. this is one place that stands behind what they serve. outstanding. motorcycle Vern from indiana read more

My late mother introduced me to Lem's as a young child. I'm still a big fan at almost 40. Large tip, chopped small and mild sauce, extra fries is my usual order. I can normally finish in 2-3 tries, that's how large the portion is. That said, there are a few things that you should understand.... --It's SMALL, maybe about 10 people at a time inside the small waiting area. --The area where it's located is a little scary if you're unfamiliar with that part of town. --The staff? Not very warm-and-fuzzy. Don't expect "Welcome to Lem's may I take your order?" It's more a like a pointed finger and a short sounding "What's your order?". I'd suggest that you know what you want before you even get there. --No, you can't call ahead and order. You'll wait, and you'll like it. The wait typically isn't long though. Now, if you can deal with these things, then the end result will be well worth the trouble. Enjoy! read more

So here's the deal. I'm very particular about my bbq. To be honest my dad's bbq is my all time favorite. However, he's getting older and doesn't pull out the grill as often as he use to, so i have to settle for the neighborhood rib shack. My issue is that the place is so small only maybe 7 people can fit inside and the others wait in line outside. I had my toddler with me, so I wasn't thrilled about waiting outside. Luckily the line was moving fast so I barely had time to second guess myself and leave. I normally get a tip and link combo. The hot links are so good and cooked on point, the tips are good too. On my latest visit i had the worse stomach ache that night, didn't really think it was the food but the next day i had leftovers and again horrible stomach ache. Not 100% sure if it was the food or just me trying to catch something, however i'm done with bbq for the season. Uncle John's BBQ in Homewood is much better, just a longer drive. read more

On my Top 5 list. Tell your order (rib tips, large) to the friendly guys behind the counter, salivate, buy a coke from the machine for 50 cents, read the poems praising the wonders of Lem's, then grab your food through the bulletproof rotating thing, and either eat at the counter outside or take it somewhere else (the lakefront at the 63rd street pier is my personal favorite.) Delicious, juicy, soaked in sauce meat, with fries and white bread. I hear that they sell other kinds of food, but why change perfection? You cannot go wrong. read more

South side BBQ classic. A Take out only kind of place, if you are any where near 75th and the Dan Ryan (just east MLK Dr) after 1 PM it is a great late lunch. Even better for dinner pick on the commute home. Open until 1 AM. Rib tips the are truly special. Ribs and hot links great as well. The potato salad are good solid sides, but is all able meat here. read more

we bought beef tips - juicy fatty and incredible ribs - ok, dry compare to the tips hot link - very crunchy, meaty and nicely seasoned will come back for the tips! read more