I've enjoyed Milt's the past several times I have been in Chicago for work. While I would still give the food 5 stars, what's weighing on my review is the horrible customer service I experienced during my last visit. Unbeknownst to me, the restaurant was set to host a private event, and as such was closed to dine in patrons. There was no sign on the door indicating that they were closed (they actually did hang such a sign after I asked why they hadn't done so), and so as I entered the restaurant, my interaction with the host (Ray?) went something like this: Me: Entering the restaurant, with host staring at me, him not saying anything for about 15 seconds, "So do I just seat myself?" Host: "Actually, you don't sit anywhere." Me: "Pardon?" Host: "We're closed for a private event." Another 10 seconds of awkward silence. Me: "It would have been nice if you could have put that on your website." Host: "It's not my job." Another 10 seconds of him starring at me awkwardly. Me: "So... can I order carry out?" Host:"**Sigh**, Yeah, fine." I know it probably seems like I'm making a bigger deal out of it than it really was, but the employees attitude was oddly confrontational. And I don't think I'm expecting too much that a restaurant with a food truck with it's own twitter feed would be able to let its patrons know about a closure. read more

I've been to this restaurant twice and will not be back again. The food was inconsistent and the service was lackluster. First time I got the milts burger. Supposedly a half pound patty more like a quarter pounder. The chili on top was old. The wings were good, but small for something described as jumbo. My buddy got the beef sandwich and missed work the next day because of it. The next time I got the brisket chili, which was fabulous and half a brisket sandwich. The sandwich was fatty, bland and small. I ordered wings and they never came. I ordered sliders for my kids and the waiter forgot them and they came after the rest of the food. The fries are very good. WHAT BOTHERS ME MOST ABOUT MILTS IS THE MANAGER WHO THINKS HE'S GODS GIFT TO KOSHER FOOD. HE TALKS SMACK ABOUT HIS CUSTOMERS ON FACEBOOK. Not cool at all. read more

I'm rather torn here. On the one hand, I'm thrilled to a see a kosher place in Lakeview (yay!), and it's non-profit (double yay! Or is it double chai? ;-) ). The food was pretty darn good. I had the half chicken, and it was very tender and yummy. I liked the 3 sauce idea since it added a bit of variety. Our waitress was very nice and knowledgeable, and she gave us just the right amount of attention. Here's the part that rankles me, and it's enough of a problem to lower the stars a bit. The pair of us walked in early on a Sunday evening, and it was already crowded. They told us it would be a 15-20 minute wait. No problem. While we waited, these two older gentlemen walked in. They also didn't have a reservation, but didn't seem ok with the wait. They argued a bit with the hosts, though I wasn't really paying attention. Five minutes later, they were seated. Before us. I'm not sure if it was the arguing or the elderly nature of them that did it, but that really wasn't cool. If the hosts had asked us, we might have said yes it was fine to seat them ahead of us. But they didn't. And that really ticks me off. read more

For starters, it took our waiter forever to take our order. When we began ordering, two of the three items we ordered they either ran our of (at 1pm) or didn't offer anymore (outdated menu). So we had to look at the menu again and it took another 10 minutes for the waiter to return. Please note, there were about 4 other tables of people here so it was far from packed. Our waiter brought out the slider sampler and didn't explain what any of the sauces were. It was ok, but nothing I would return for (especially for $12). We ordered the brisket and chicken sandwiches and both were pretty boring. Their French fries are awful too. Way overfried and hard. The smashed potatoes are not mashed potatoes as we were told. Also not worth it. We were not given any additional sauce after getting sauce for our sliders and ran out before seeing our waiter. We continued to wait for our bill long after we finished eating. We then heard a waiter tell another patron that they were out of another menu item. Also, all of the workers kept joining each other in a group and gossiping instead of making sure patrons were taken care of. Really displeased with the service and the food taste given its prices. If you like bbq, go elsewhere. read more

Not much to say. Skip this place and head straight to Smoque. Trust me, worth the drive. Only 20 min on Irving Park. I cannot say how bad the customer service is. Also, who doesn't serve pulled pork at a BBQ restaurant. Overall, food is decent. Service is terrible. Again, I repeat, you want good BBQ, go to Smoque. I don't even want to describe the experience here. Not worth the effort. And yes, I know is a kosher spot. This is more about bad service than not having pork, which is essential to good BBQ. read more

My son & I were strolling south on Broadway with the intention of finding a pleasant place to land for a meal. I glanced across the street & saw "Barbeque for the Perplexed" & I was intrigued. We walked across the street to read their menu & at the bottom is the caveat, "We donate 100% of our profits to area charities" & I was hooked. So in we went. We were greeted by a gent so friendly & welcoming that I adored him on sight. The interior is classy dark woods, soft white walls, clean lines, comfortable furnishings & a well stocked understated bar. Their menu is a nice balance between reasonable lunch dishes & higher end entrees. Thick linen napkins, bright white rectangular stoneware & heavy utensils that rest securely in hand are tasteful touches. Our server was friendly, informed & gave us plenty of time to choose our dishes. He gave us knowledgeable suggestions & welcomed our plan to split both our dishes with each other. The beer list featured local microbreweries and some solid imports. From beginning to ending our experience & dishes were excellent. The only dish we shared that I might not get again was the brisket chili - the meat was tender but there wasn't enough sauce supporting the meat & beans. Complementary house made pickles & smoked buffalo chicken wings made for a great beginning. Our pulled chicken nearly melted in our mouths, sweet potato fries complemented by apple ketchup was a taste treat from barbeque heaven & a selection of three house made bbq sauces gave "pizzazz" to everything. Milt's Barbeque for the Perplexed is an outstanding new restaurant find. We enjoyed our meal immensely & will return. read more

Last night, Milt's second night in operation, I had reservations for two at 5:30 and arrived at 5:20. We were promptly seated and served to a classy plate of sliced pickles that had been prepped in a delicious brine-y vinegar solution. We were immediately given a simple yet modern bamboo clipboard with a heavy card-stock menu of food and slimmer-shaped drink menu. I started with a bourbon palmer, a delicious mix of Maker's Mark, iced tea and lemonade. My date had a glass of wine, the Lanzur shiraz. Both were delicious, and very quickly served. As an appetizer, we each got a small cup of smoked chicken and vegetable soup, which was very fresh and chunky- not those annoyingly thin slivers of chicken and sad, mushed veggies that some call soup. At the same time, it was portioned perfectly for $4: small, not over-filling and destined to ruin a meal. My date and I each had the smoked brisket, sliced. It was perfectly portioned as well: not too little, and not creating an unwieldy, 6" tall beef mountain. The bun itself was not too large either, meaning, in my mind, it didn't fill me up instead of the meat and sides. I had a vinegary style slaw and mashed potatoes. The slaw pile was a bit large for me, but my date totally devoured hers, the creamy style, which I am happy to report was not an overly-slimey mess. The presentation was classier than one might expect for BBQ. Imagine a white rectangular plate, about 16"x8". On the left side was a smaller white plate containing the slaw and covering 1/3 of the rectangle. In the middle was my brisket sandwich. The final 1/3 of the plate, inside their own smaller plate, were my potatoes. Overall, it made me slow down and really enjoy the meal. On a separate plate were three small square dishes of different BBQ sauces: a Kansas City, a spicy mustard, and a final one I cannot recall: something with a bit more traditional kick, less sweetness. My date had the beans, and she devoured them. I will be back very soon. read more

I like the food here, but it's not over the top amazing. I think if you want BBQ you can def get your fix by coming here. I don't think the menu is very creative though, and the sauces are just ok. But by no means is it bad, it's just not super flavorful in any of their items. The portions are also a little smaller than you would find at similar priced BBQ places. read more

TERRIBLE. WORST BBQ RESTAURANT I HAVE EVER BEEN TOO. -The place smelled bad. I should have listened to my nose and left. -Menu extremely overpriced. -They somehow screwed up fried okra. -Food comes with 3 BBQ sauces. They were simply not good. Its a BBQ resturant with bad BBQ sauce... -The ribs were inedible! I literally could not pull two bones apart. Dry and leathery were an understatement. I have never seen anything like this in my life. -Everything else was pretty much garbage too. The server offered a free dessert to make up for the $40 plate of ribs we did not take one bite of. I WOULD NOT GO TO THIS PLACE. IF YOU ARE READING THIS REVIEW...RUN!!!!!! read more

Wrigley BBQ down the street was packed so we stumbled upon Milt's. High marks on niche market, but "meh" marks on food. Server was excellent though! The host had a l'il too much attitude. We went on a Saturday night, which was a mistake since they don't even start the slow smokers on the Sabbath. So the saturday night menue was limited. Maybe try a weeknight, but def get reservations. We happened in at just the right time because the place was packed by 8:00. Food was okay. Sliced ribeye sandwich was mostly grilled onions and a bit of meat. How expensive would it have been if they provided a decent serving of ribeye?! The bottle of wine was good and relatively inexpensive by restaurant standards. It was a new expeience. Not sure I'd go back, at least not for the food quality. I'd probably trek to Smoque instead. Still, I really like the charity component of it. read more

We decided to try out Milt's due to the convenience factor and it's head-turning name. The service was fast, diligent and quite friendly both times we went. The three sauces were actually quite good. I fell madly in love with the Fried Okra appetizer. Combining the fried Okra with the sauces was a fantastic idea on my part. I don't recall what my girlfriend had when she went, but I recall a smoked Brisket sandwich one time and a pulled BBQ chicken sandwich the second time - both of which were very good. They were both hearty, well made, and delicious. They serve the fries in mini fry handles which I thought was a neat touch. All in all - a good place with a fun atmosphere. I enjoyed it and thought the service was great. I will definitely be making a third appearance and beyond. I'm very happy this place is within a block of where I live. read more

Called at 5pm for a 6pm reservation - 2 at the bar. Lady on the phone said that they were not accepting reservations, but we would have no problem. I also asked if they would have the blackhawk game on, she said no problem, just ask when we arrive. Arrived right at 6, put $5 in the meter and went inside to a nice crowd. Was told there would be an hour wait and that the owner was not allowing the TV's to be turned on tonight. read more

I've eaten here countless times for lunch and dinner, both alone, with friends and for pickup. This is the best restaurant in Chicago! Amazing food, some of the best I've ever eaten, great service, very comfortable and upscale atmosphere, and the sauces deserve special notice. I don't eat out often, but when I do, I go to Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed. read more

Great food, friendly and fast service! One of the few kosher places in Chicago, definitely a good spot

Delicious upscale kosher BBQ! Very clean, nice atmosphere, great service. Did I mention the food is delicious?

The food was pretty average BBQ, nothing particularly fantastic. Someone ordered a burger rare and it came out medium; I feel of too can't get a burger right, you should consider if being a chief is the right fit for you. The server was pleasant and made some really good recommendations. The cocktails were above average. The hostess was disorganized and forgot to write down our reservation. She initially didn't believe that we had a reservation, but then remembered us and found a place that our party could barely fit into. On the whole, there are better BBQ places in the area. Besides the novelty factor, there isn't much this place has going for it. read more

Milt's has been open for about a week or so. I ventured in there with my son one evening last week. Review is mine as well (as his): The complimentary pickles on the table (were awesome!). My son devoured most of them shortly after being seated, but the waitress was more than happy to bring out another serving for us. We started with their smoked bbq chicken wings. Holy moley, these were truly amazing!! There is no need to put any of their three sauces on them (KC-style, mustard, and a carolina-style). The wings stand on their own merit, and are worth the trip alone. I had the brisket sandwich, half sliced/ half chopped. I prefer the sliced version, as the chopped pieces tend to fall out of the bun. The brisket had a nice smokey flavor and was moist and tender. The bun could use a bit more inspiration, but that is nitpicking. Vinegary slaw was tasty, but my young companion preferred the creamy version. For dessert I recommend their apple crisps. Three warm two-bite apple pies in pastry puff served with a delicious vanilla ice cream. And, yes, it is Kosher. You would never know that walking in. So keep in mind that because kosher meats are expensive, the prices will be a bit higher than what you may expect to pay. But it is worth it! We will be back to try those mammoth beef ribs!! read more

I checked out this place for dinner the day after they opened. It was AWESOME. First things you see: the decor is very classy, and the bar looks serious (lots of different bottles, bartenders shaking fancy concoctions, etc) although I didn't order anything alcoholic on this trip. The place was busy, but allowed me to call ahead to put my name on the list so we were seated quickly. My dining partner and I both greatly enjoyed our meals, although my dining partner thought the brisket sandwich didn't have enough meat on it. On the other hand, my smoked chicken and vegetable soup was scrumptious, and my char burger was delicious, even without condiments. (Side note: kosher meat tastest waaay better than regular meat.) The fries left something to be desired - not crispy. Good, but not great on the fries. But the rest of it...yum!!! Then we went for it....chocolate chip cookie with ice cream. WOW. We couldn't even finish it, it was so outta this world good and big. Like, we both kept taking bites, grinning like idiots, slumping back into our seats, giggling, and going for more. And no, we were not on drugs...other than chocolate. Service was fine, although they're obviously working out some kinks - they neglected to serve us the trio of sauces they brought to other tables - but the servers were very helpful and nice. Prices seemed downright reasonable. I can't believe they can charge so little for kosher meat. I will definitely be back. read more

I can't tell you how disappointed I was at this place I heard nothing but good things but six of us went here for dinner and we all came out with the same experience dry overcooked over-seasoned meet that was overpriced and not a single person could finish their meal service was slow I was really hoping for a better experience than this. Save your money save and get kosher at Skokie read more

chicken pot pie is highly recommended! dont forget to try chili and chocolate mousse for dessert, very tasty! read more

Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed - Love the pickles - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here while visiting in Chicago, a definite must try! They have a ridiculously good burger! Had the mint mojito made very well! Great concept too, the owner donates his proceeds to charity. read more

There are not many kosher BBQ joints in this world. And this is one of the better ones I am told. We came here with a mixed group (some Jewish, some not). We all felt super welcomed. The place is buzzy. I like it. Unpretentious. We ordered a lot of everything. The BBQ was excellent. I had the beef ribs. Delicious, although well cooked. So if you struggle with your teeth, this is not the dish to order. It's also a dry ribs. Wine list was short, but varied enough and inexpensive. Definitely worth a visit. Especially if you keep Kosher. read more

I'm only leaving a review because I would've appreciated seeing a review of the BBQ Seitan Sandwich before ordering it. So here it is: It was not good. The seitan itself was fine, but it was a boring sandwich. Too smokey, too one-note. It needed something crisp and cool to balance it out...vegan coleslaw or something? The bun was flavorless, plain, generic, nothing special. Absolutely not worth $12. I've been wanting to try this place for a long time and was excited they had vegan options... but I don't recommend this boring, overpriced sandwich. Positive comments: The staff seemed very friendly, my pickup order was ready quickly, and I'm open to trying other vegan options on the menu to support a local biz. read more

After attending the Market Days festival, we wandered over to the main street for food and decided to give Milt's a try. We enjoyed the smoked brisket empanadas and some cocktails at the bar. Both were delicious. We ordered the slider sampler to go. They did not disappoint either. Will visit Milt's again next time we are in Chicago. read more

This is a nice place, especially as kosher places good. Sleek, modern with a menu that can even please a vegan with a real dish not just a weak salad. What perplexes me is the name, as I was well informed due to yelp and their website and knew exactly what we would all order before we sat down. BBQ brisket sandwiches and veggie burgers with some fried okra. To start the okra had a nice crunch from the cornmeal but it lacked flavor, perhaps some seasoning in the corn meal could remedy this. Maybe all of the flavor was left for my brisket because it was pretty soft, and loaded with slow smoked flavor, I felt the bun was just in my way so I put it aside and shoveled this deliciousness in to my mouth. My vegetarian wife opted for the veggie burger, i was pleased with the nice crust on it and moist filling, again some more flavor would have been nice but maybe I am just biased with my south west pallet when dinning in the mid west. Over a soild place and I will try the ribs for dinner next time I am in town. read more

This place is awesome--regardless of the fact that it is kosher-- it is just an awesome restaurant! Unfortunately we had terrible service. Went last night and enjoyed the braised ribs. Just wow. We got chicken tenders for an appetizer and these were definitely sub-par. Sides were great too. Vinegar coleslaw, baked beans and yummy fries.Their made-in-house pickles and sauces were spot on. I do have to say I knocked it down from 4 stars because we had terrible service. Our reservation was at 815 and we were not seated until 9. Didn't have our order taken till 9:20 and well we ate quite late. That being said, the ribs were so good I would still come back read more

Dined here on a recent weeknight with a friend; this is my 2nd time visiting and she's a regular customer. Service was quick, and our food was very tasty. I had the roasted chicken, which I found to be a bit dry, but it was very flavorful. My friend had the smoked brisket sandwich, which she said was delicious. I was most impressed by their barbecue sauce selection, and our waiter's impeccable knowledge of the menu, off the top of his head. We topped off the meal with their brownie a la mode, which was chocalatey goodness with non-dairy ice cream. Tasted just like dairy ice cream! The total bill, with 1 drink each came out to around $60, so a bit pricey for a dinner for two, but we will definitely return! read more

Best Kosher Barbeque ever ate- the ribs are amazing, starting with a bowl of Chilli. I come here every time i'm in Chicago and it beats all the kosher restaurants in nyc. waiters are friendly, chef is cordial as is the owner. an experience you must try in Chicago. Be careful, the portions are huge, don't over order!!! read more

I ordered the beef brisket sandwich, French Fries, creamy coleslaw and the cornbread. All excellent choices! The three sauces they offer with the meal each add a different taste that is excellent as well. I will definitely go back to this location. The employees were nice as well :) read more

Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed - Beef brisket, French fries, creamy coleslaw and cornbread. Yummmmm! - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I grew up in Chicago and now live in L.A., and the contrast between kosher restaurant options in both cities is glaring. While L.A. offers scores of delicious kosher dining options ranging between fancy and dive, Chicago has far fewer locations,most of them in West Rogers Park and Skokie, and many leave me unimpressed. Milt's defies the grain with a trendy spot in Lakeview. I brought my family here for the first time just last week, and we were quite impressed. While the menu is pricey, the food won't disappoint. Just ask for the "Milt Burger!" The indoor ambiance is classy, while outdoor seating is also available (seasonal), and the service is top-notch. I will definitely recommend this place to my friends, kosher and even non-kosher, whenever anyone visits Chitown! read more

Updating my review: After our disastrous last meal from Milt's, we decided to give them one last chance. Came out for dinner and to celebrate an exciting occasion. Firstly, the real manager, a broad guy who also coordinates event catering, was standing at the door upon our arrival. I knew this was a good sign, as the other manager seemingly ruined or last evening or here. Sure enough, everything was somewhat better. Our server (Renata? Not sure...) was AMAZING, she gave great food and drink recommendations and was exceedingly attentive. They had the SPARE RIB SANDWICHES (easily the best menu item) and the smokey gazpacho was decent. My Milt's Lemonade was delicious, refreshing and spunky, with the perfect liquor content! My companion had a nice Shiraz, mellow and flavorful. Glad we gave you guys another chance. read more

I never got the opportunity to eat here tonight Made a reservation and two couples who walked in without them after me were seated first after 18 min I gave up. I still want to try the food but it's not worth being treated rudely read more

Just ordered Milts for delivery. The store called me as soon as I placed my order via GrubHub, to let me know they actually don't have Bleu cheese dressing, because they are kosher. Thought that was very courteous of them. The food arrived promptly, and the driver was very friendly. I got the pulled chicken sandwich. This is on pretzel bread, and is topped with a LOAD of pulled chicken. Also comes with a side of fries. I also requested a side of BBQ. Delicious!! My girlfriend got chicken wings with BBQ, and said they were a little fatty, but the smoked flavor was nice. My friend got the seitan sandwich with fries, and liked it, a lot. Thought it was a great opportunity for vegetarians to get a barbecued sandwich while still eating vegetarian. Simple, doesn't need much else. Will definitely order again, and highly recommend!! read more

Great place! We made a reservation for 7 on a Saturday, and got our table right away, no waiting. We were greeted with a plate of bread and butter pickles which were DELICIOUS and immediately ordered drinks. I had a pomegranate mojito and the hubby had a gin gimlet, our friend had a "The dude." All were fantastic, and later in the meal I ordered an old fashioned with locally distilled bourbon. Delicious! We shared the chili nachos, and I had the chili with brisket for dinner with green beans on the side. Hubby got the Milt burger, as did my friend, and my other friend got the short ribs. Everything I ate was fantastic, but I'd go back for the chili! Our waitress was fantastic, knowledgeable, attentive, and looked like Starbuck from Battlestar Galactica! The last star would have been there, but the restaurant was FREEZING. I don't know if the heat was broken or what, but the whole place was frigid. The bathrooms were also very cool--magnetic paint with a ton of hilarious magnets on the walls! The green tile and the reclaimed barn wood on one of the walls was gorgeous. Very pretty restaurant. read more

I really like this place, very upscale, the owner is a decent human being who donates his profits to worth charities and has an excellent sense of humor (as you can see from the magnets aligning the walls with clever sayings and thoughts). I think the BBQ Seitan (vegetarians welcome) is excellent. read more

Their brisket is unbelievable- we love braising and smoking meat, and I can't get anything to taste as good as what they make at Milts. Smoked chicken is also awesome and it's such a treat not to have to cook. Thank you for doing what you do, so well. read more

Smoked wings are better than the other two kinds. Double meat on brisket is not necessary: it'll be too much meat for almost everyone.

The restaurant makes every effort to make sure you are made well aware that everything here is done in accordance with Kosher laws. There are certificates on the wall. A sign when you walk in etc. It's Kosher...Hooray! Maybe I'm making too big a deal about the Kosher thing...but vegetarians who make a big deal about their food choices rub me the wrong way too. Anyway, I live nearby and ordered some kosher chili to go. While I waited, I sat at the Kosher bar. Nice selection. Lots of nice beers and liquors. Including my favorite, (kosher) daisy cutter. The very nice host went and got the chili in 2 minutes flat. While I was waiting, I looked around at some of the dishes other people had ordered. Everything looked delicious. Plus, the presentation was impressive... white square plates/ fries in attractive wire baskets. Take note other BBQ places that go the cowboy chic route with butcher paper napkins, drinks in mason jars, and pitchforks as decoration and what not. The chili was good. A tad pricey at $9 but worth it. It wasn't buried with salt or fat or doused with BBQ sauce. You could taste the different ingredients. The brisket seemed like good quality to me. I liked it. I'll be back. I don't ever order cheese on my chili anyway. read more

The pickles are absolutely amazing. They should really just give buckets to each table so the staff doesn't have to keep going back to the kitchen to get more. Since they are dairy and gluten free they don't have too many choices for a vegetarian. Mainly just sides of potato or green beans or a salad. I had the brisket sandwich and it was darn tasty. I threw a bunch of their house bbq sauce on it and it only improved the taste. The downside to this place is that it is somewhat small. We were a party of 8 people and were at a table made for 6 at the most. The prices are on the higher side but you can justify it since there are not many kosher places to eat in chicago. read more

We went with a group of friends tonight. It was everyone's first visit. First impression: neat little place, very busy. We ordered a manhattan and a gin gimlet- both ok. We also got the chili nachos to start- pretty good with a generous portion of meat, but $13 for an appetizer so you expect a good portion. For dinner I ordered the pulled chicken sandwich (comes on pretzel roll) and my husband ordered the burger (comes on plain hamburger roll). For $12 and $15 respectively, all we got was fries on the side. Other side dishes were $1 extra to substitute for fries. Really, couldn't they throw some coleslaw in for free? Everything- service, food, drinks, was just alright. Prices were about $3-$4 too high across the board, and I include their drinks in that. read more