I have now been here twice. Once on a Sunday evening, with a reservation. Once on a Tuesday without a reservation. My first experience was not bad. We were seated relatively quickly, got decent service, and the food was not bad. Overpriced, but not bad. My second experience here ensured that we will not be back. We showed up on a Tuesday evening, and the place was getting good business, but by no means was it packed. There were several open tables. The host told us rather curtly that they had some reservations that evening and could only seat us at the bar. He didn't even offer an estimate as to how long we would wait for a table. A bit confused, we sat at the bar. The bartender was ok, but not particularly friendly, and not at all attentive. We had a water glass stay empty for over five minutes without even so much as a glance. At one point she was pouring a drink for another customer, and dropped an ice cube in front of us. She just left it there to melt and create a big puddle right at our plates. Over the course of the evening, we kept an eye on the open tables, and from the time we sat down to the time we left, there were always at least two open tables where we easily could have sat. To add to that, the host kept seating people at the bar next to us, to the point that we had no elbow room to eat our food. The food was again so-so. Not bad, but overpriced. If for some reason you do come here, avoid the chicken tenders, they are huge and dry. Bottom line, unless you are a family of four who lives in Lakeview, keeps kosher, has a reservation, and money to burn on so-so food, find somewhere else to eat. read more

I have had the pleasure of eating at the pop up in nyc and boy was the good amazing . The brisket chili is a knockout . One of the best I've ever had . Thank u chef for coming to NYC . Please come again soon . read more

love this place! busy bistro that hits with you the smell of smoked meat when u walk in the door. i had the brisket chili and an order of buffalo wings at the bar while watching the football game. The chili was awesome and had I not been full would have ordered another bowl. great service, reasonably priced and a $10 cab ride from hotels on the golden mile. I'll be back the next time i'm in town. read more

If you keep kosher, I guess this is as good as you can expect from barbecue. But for the rest of us who are only Kosher-curious there are so many places in Chicago with better atmosphere and way better food. Nonetheless, if you do find yourself here, the brisket chili is very good. read more

I must say that many times I walked by Milt's and wondered what that place might be like...after all Kosher ribs are something you dont run into that often. We came in during the day, and i must say the place looks a bit spartan and boring in compare to its dazzling night look, not to speak of the fact that it was filthy. Denny's looks more interesting. We had the rack and it was OK, the stuff that came with it was nothing to rave about. Service was a bit sloppy and I must say that for the price I expected to have a "dining experience" instead of a feeding experience. The most annoying issue was that because it was 3PM or 4PM it was slow, so all the waiters decided to hold a "dish stand" by the bar talking quite loud and seeming extremely unrofessional. It's OK but I would look elsewhere as well there are many other places less expensive and much better food with better service. read more

we are from LA, where we have a huge assortment of great kosher restaurants, but Milts was out of this world. to start, the chili nachos, was HUGE, and the most delicious appetizer i've ever eaten. (although, did get some heartburn, but what do you expect with chili). the BBQ spareribs, something i've never had before, were absolutely delicious. also, the Korval Old Fashioned was a great cocktail. whenever i am back in Chicago, i will definitely make Milts, one of my do not miss dining experiences. to top it all off, to hear that the owner, is donating ALL profits to various community charities every month, was just something that put this place over the top. DO NOT MISS THIS EATING EXPERIENCE. read more

Best BBQ in the Chicago area that I've had. There's street parking often available. My son thought the brisket fries were a bit spicy, but I thought they were fine. My wife and daughter have remarked they feel they get less-than-optimal service when they come not wearing a skirt or covering their elbows. read more

The food was fabulous- the atmosphere is upbeat and energized and the customer service was outstanding. Definitely coming back.

I walked in one early Sunday evening a few weeks ago. The place was packed; thankfully, I was there to get take-out. I ordered 1/2 slab barbeque spare ribs and barbeque chicken combo with green beans and rice which was enough for two people. The ribs were dry and slightly overcooked and the taste was nothing to write home about. The chicken was slightly better -- less dry but also had very little flavor. I waited almost half an hour for my order. The bill came out to be around 50 bucks which left me very much "perplexed" considering that I came home to flavorless food, endured a long wait time, and spent over 50 bucks for a very forgetful experience. read more

Super wish that we could have a Milts in Bucktown/Wicker Park. Love love love but a little bit of a hike for us on this side of town.

Took us several tries over three months to even get someone to answer the phone (like a radio station - you have to keep calling back until the pick up as the voicemail states they will not take reservations unless you speak to them live) and then to get a reservation that wasn't after 8:30 pm, I was really looking forward to see why all the fuss. Greatly disappointed. EVERYTHING tasted smoked - which is not very palatable for someone who grew up kosher. Even the Buffalo Wings tasted smoked. The bill was humongous for what we got. Taboun, Mizrachi Grill and Shaevitz Grill are way tastier, less expensive, with friendlier staff and an easier time to get a table. Milt's Ribs were the same price as Shallots but Shallots is far superior in taste, quality and atmosphere. If it weren't for the non-profit nature of the business and therefore the good it does for the community, this would be a 0 star review read more

Let me start by saying that I am neither Kosher nor have I ever had Kosher food before. In truth, the idea of a hamburger or nachos without cheese seems very odd to me. My friend and I were just randomly checking out the menu on our way home for the night and we remarked about the fact that 100% of the proceeds of this restaurant go to charity. While we were initially a little put off by the pricing of their food (understanding that Kosher food would of course cost more), we both decided that we were more than willing to pay that much if it went to charity. We were about to go on our way when a man sitting on the patio chimed in that he thought the food was incredible. We chatted for awhile before finding out that he was actually the owner of Milts. Not only was he incredibly friendly and outgoing, but when he found out that neither of us had eaten (much) Kosher food before (my friend is Jewish but non-practicing) he insisted that we sit down and proceeded to bring us out a free plate of nachos. Nachos with no cheese and vegan sour cream? I was skeptical but THEY WERE INCREDIBLE! We couldn't eat enough. On top of that, the service was amazing. The owner had to leave shortly after he brought us our nachos, but the server and the bus boy were attentive and friendly (bringing us water and dinnerware) even though they knew we were eating for free. (don't worry, we left them a tip ;) ) I would recommend Milt's to anyone looking for delicious food, regardless if they want it Kosher or not. If we hadn't already had dinner, we would definitely had ordered more. I can't wait to go back and try something else! Super happy to have this restaurant in my neighborhood! read more

Had high hopes after I placed my order but after receiving a call that the meatloaf I ordered was off the menu I was disappointed with the food I received thru my grubhub delivery. I paid $60 for a."hot dog" that literally came plain on a bun. Plain. A turkey dinner that was stringy, a $4 "warm" cookie that would have cost 99 cents at 711 and chicken tenders that came with a sauce better known for fried shrimp. I was not impressed and upset I paid so much. I appreciate their fast service and the fact they called me right away to tell me that didn't have my menu selection but overall extremely disappointed with what I paid and the quality. Will not be reordering. read more

Best Kosher bbq (ok only) I have ever had. The burger my brother got was incredible. Juicy, flavorful, cooked perfectly. Staff was friendly, knowledgable, and helpful- and did you know they are a non-profit? They donate their profits each month to a different local charity. Must try: bbq aioli. Had a 312 and delicious hot dog and really enjoyed the ambiance. To anyone complaining about prices: kosher meet is expensive. I think having a place that appeals to young Jews that is hip and also draws a neighborhood crowd is really an amazing feat. Kol Hakavod. This place is a gem! read more

First of all, East Lakeview has never looked so Jewish. I'm surprised this is only one of few kosher restaurants in East Lakeview considering we have two synagogues East of Broadway and we draw hundreds of Jews to the neighborhood for services. The complimentary bread pickles served before dinner are so good I ordered a second plate. I recommend ordering the pulled chicken sandwich as an alternative to the traditional pulled pork most of us are familiar with. I tried the smoke-flavored vodka martini, and it really tasted like smoke! Come early because this place gets packed. You can also sit at the bar for faster service. Don't be surprised if the doors are closed after 3:30pm on Friday and all day Saturday in observance of the Sabbath. read more

Milt's provides an awesome relaxed but social atmosphere, and most importantly excellent food. I highly recommend the Milt's burger, I don't even know what was on top of it but it was awesome. The drinks were amazing- I tried them all, it was a fun night. Go there! Service was great too. Also try the fried okra- totally unique. read more

First the cons, because they're quick: Milts isn't cheap. But what kosher restaurant is? Vegan entrees are minimal, and my daughter didn't care for the sweet and salty seasoning on her seitan. Now the pros: Salmon was delicious. Fried Cauliflower bites were little warm clouds melting in my mouth. Pareve nachos didn't stay on the plate long, and I usually cannot abide fake sour cream. A rosemary ginger martini was perfect: flavorful and nothing like the cloyingly sweet libations I'm usually offered. Meat eaters were also happy. Many options to satisfy picky children. Service was swift, efficient, and unobtrusive. Even our non-kosher companions were impressed. The place was clean, and noise was kept to a dull roar. The game was on the tv without sound. A display case honoring Sandy Koulfax was a nice touch. The bathroom was clean. We were too stuffed for dessert. Milt's is da bomb. read more

Ok. Bland. But nice place. I'll go back, just not soon. Don't get chicken strips. Burger was good. Sides are good. Never had a drink but the bar looks nice. Strange hours, even if you know Jewish calendar. read more

Was so excited for a new BBQ place to open in Lakeview and Milts did not disappoint! Very comfortable feeling when you walk in, not too fancy yet still has the feel of being at a nice restaurant. Was lucky to grab a seat at the bar as we didn't make a reservation. Had the Milt's burger- fried onion, chili, and beef bacon along with a perfectly cooked burger. Lots of flavor, especially with the Carolina BBQ sauce they serve. Delicious sweet potato fries as well. Server was friendly and attentive refiling water and seeing if we were ok with other drinks. Have also tried the short ribs, highly recommended as well. Also is great that they are donating profits to local charities. Looking forward to a return visit! read more

I suppose if you need to eat at a kosher restaurant, Milt's is an OK option. However, as barbecue in Chicago goes, the food here was mid-level, not special, and it was ridiculously overpriced. read more

Great experience here. Wait staff was friendly and service was fast. Brisket sandwich was delicious. They give 3 bbq sauces to dip fries in included. Chocolate chip cookie was a bit more done than I like, but I like cookies undercooked, so on me for not asking for that. If I'm in Chicago again I will definitely come back!! read more

Incredible food. Some really amazing items on the menu. Really unique for a kosher restaurant. Don't miss it if you are in Chicago!

Amazing!! Staff is so welcoming and friendly. They accommodate to any need. Delicious food! They provide you with all the sauces so you can choose your favorite. All around awesome place- super delicious food and awesome service! read more

Oh Milt's....what would Temple Sholom do without you? Thank you for your extraordinary menu, the best BBQ in town, for being killer and kosher and existing around the corner from the temple. We were meant to be together. Love, Temple Sholom read more

Kosher food isn't just for MOT's but for anyone who likes food that has a humane and ethical pedigree and Milt's provides that experience along with a great meal. Don't be perplexed or otherwise swayed away because the only Jewish thing you've eaten is a bagel. For those unaccustomed to Kosher food, note that it costs more to produce as well as for the supervision to received accreditation as Kosher. The animal must be slaughtered in a very particular way and every single ingredient must be verified as fully Kosher and can have no pork or shellfish - and since this is a meat location, the items cannot come in contact with dairy. That's why it costs more. Being from Kansas City, I immediately chuckled at the Kansas City BBQ sauce I'll be the judge of that thank you and this isn't Oklahoma Joes. However, since I generally only eat Kosher meat, I've only had the sauces at Oklahoma Joes. If this place were in KC, it would do quite well and probably win our Kosher BBQ contest. This is Chicago, though and it's still darn good. I was walking in Boystown and saw a sukkah and was pleasantly surprised it was connected with a Kosher restaurant. Everyone raves about the pickles. These are the sweet "bread and butter" style rather than sour/garlic/dill style one expects at a NY style deli. Quite tasty but I did feel bad nudging for seconds and thirds. Service was polite and attentive and I was delighted to hear about the origin of the restaurant and that profits are returned to the community. Typically I look for vegetartian options at a restuarant and this place has several including a house made veggie burger and smoked seitan, but I opted for smoked chicken breast since it's a rare event for me to eat Kosher meat. The breast was smokey without being overpowering. It was subtle and the three different BBQ sauces were a tasty compliment. I went for the vinegar cole slaw and (tip here) put it on my sandwhich all NY style. Yummy. Fries were great and yippie I didn't have to worry about lard (lard has pork in it) although the portion was smaller than I expected. For those lactose-intolerant, no products served here come in contact with dariy, including the baked goods and ice "cream" they have for dessert (I asked--they are soy based) The rest of the table got Milt Burgers: standard burger along with friend onion strings, smoked beef (aka beef bacon) and some brisket chili. Beefy! And just a reminder, this is prepared to Kosher standards so it may be slightly different in taste and prep to what you are used to. It was still a great burger as judged by my beef eating pals. Juicy, which is actually difficult with Kosher prep, and satisfying and a darn good deal at $15.00 for Kosher burger with such topppings and fries. Classy atmosphere with tasteful digital art displays and the kicker is the cards on the table with pithy puns and riddles to feed your mind as well as your body. Don't miss the bathroom because they've got fun magnets asking you things to ponder such as "Why is abbreviation such a long word?" Cute. Also, so you don't wonder or commit a faux pas, the sink outside the bathroom with slices of bread is for those Jews who say a handwashing prayer before eating. Having bread there allows them to eat right after praying so they don't have to wait for their meal. Two minor complaints here Milts: 1) include the prayer and an explanation for a guest who might not know or those that might want to do the prayers but forgot them and 2) along those same lines where were the benchers with the blessings for afterwards? These are minor, and really only impacts those who would want to do the prayers but forgot how, but given how accessible you are it might be nice. Oh and include some yarmulkes too. I know I would have sat and prayed for sure. Frum take note: CRC certification is behind the bar and is up to date. I really suggested they need to put that in the window and at least my server agreed. I panicked after going to the bathroom because I expect that to be at the wash station. Because this is a certified Kosher restaurant, diners, especially those with children, must remember not to bring in any outside food or drink. That inlcudes snacks for the kids, even if those snacks are Kosher. This isn't a judgement against you but required to be in compliance with their certification authority. Also to comply with certification, they are closed Friday afternoons to Saturday nights for the Sabbath as well as many Jewish holidays. Call ahead or consult your local Rabbi regarding the yom tovs (holidays). A really great meal for anyone who enjoys barbeque and cares about the ethical eating. You don't have to be Jewish to love Milt's, but, as grandpa would say, it doesn't hurt. read more

Best kosher dining experience in the Chicago area. Great food, great service, nice beverage selection. Just leave time to find parking.

Milt's was very disappointing. The beef ribs were some of the worst I've tasted and I love beef ribs. What's worse is the dish was almost $30. As a BBQ lover this place really could improve. I understand they're kosher but you could still do great beef BBQ. At their price point their dishes are lacking. Also Keep in mind there's no pork dishes before you go. Service is good overall. Food is where they need improvement. read more

Went for the first time today after hearing great things. I ordered the bbq combo. My ribs were reheated and the outer layer was burnt and dry. Had to get to the center to really taste the meat and once I did, they were good. I had the fries, roasted green beans, and coleslaw - all were good. The smoked chicken was juicy and succulent. All in all, it was a good meal, I will go back and try something different as recommended by other reviews. read more

This place completely rocks. If you are going to Milts barbecue you might want to definitely consider asking for Ashley as she is going to be your best bet. More than just that what I have to say is that this place has the most amazing food that you can ever experience in the Empire Chicago. read more

BBQ Slider Sampler... Delicious. BBQ Brisket Sandwich... Unbelievable. Milt's was all that and a side of BBQ. My wife and I went around 3:30pm on July 4 and were seated immediately. However, I have a sneaking suspicion that this was the exception, not the rule. I would make a reservation next time, this place gives off too trendy of a vibe for there not to be a 2 hour wait. read more

Melt burger is terrific. Get bqg chicken wings. Topping things off with amazingly rich chocolate moose and glass of red Bon Ami put us in complete chocolate/BBQ bliss What else can you ask for. Ps Seating by the storefront windows is a lot of fun. read more

This is a great restaurant. I can't compare it to "BBQ Joints." That wouldn't be fair. It's expensive and doesn't have a homey, charming feel of a BBQ joint. BUT if you like meats you'll enjoy it. I've had the brisket, beef ribs, and chicken and they are all good. read more

The food and service is awesome Doug wad the best!!!, Anthony made real drink and perfect to order.

This neighborhood really needed good barbeque, and this place delivers. Relatively new, they are tightening up their sauces, but they are already pretty damn good. Also cool is that nonprofit, and all proceeds go to Nettlehurst school in the neighborhood. It IS kosher, so don't expect pork, (or cheese on your burger for that matter), but you won't miss it. The staff here is also nice as pie. Highly Highly recommended. read more

This place is a gem. Chicago has been in dire need of a kosher spot like this. The Milt burger is delectable. What's more - all the proceeds go to charity - how can you argue with that?? This place is definitely worth checking out - whether you keep kosher or not! read more

I'm so glad there's finally a kosher restaurant in Lakeview! I usually get the char burger or Milt's burger, which aren't that expensive especially considering they're kosher. The portion size is generous and definitely enough for a filling meal. I've enjoyed everything I've tried, but if you don't like smoky flavor you may want to ask your server for suggestions. A large portion of the menu is smoked (including the chicken in the chicken soup, the meat in the chili), which not everyone likes. The restaurant is almost always packed, so make a reservation if you can. Recently, I had reservations for a large group in the middle of the dinner rush and we were seated right away. I was very impressed with how attentive the server was, especially considering how many other tables she had. Overall, I've been very impressed with Milt's for dine in and carry out. I can't wait to go back! read more

Unique concept fills a niche area that's appreciated in Lakeview. But the keys to a successful restaurant are good food and a stress-free dining experience. I found neither at Milt's, and I left feeling quite perplexed. Brisket contained gristle. There is something going on with the acoustics here that results in an overwhelming cacophony of sound. My dining partner and I gave up screaming at each other across the table after a short time and ate our questionable meat in silence. I was ready to leave well before I was finished with my food. I think outdoor seating is the way to go, and I'd be willing to give the food a second chance. But lately I've been opting for pulled pork over the kosher stuff. read more

Food was delicious but portions of the sandwiches were small compared to the price. The cornbread was excellent, as was the brisket chili. Brownies were mediocre, but not deal breaking. read more

Excellent bbq restaurant! And it's a non-profit. Would be great if there were some more "light" side dishes and salads, though.

Delicious food, polite staff, & allergy friendly. Looking forward to coming back soon.