Mission BBQ

Great old school sub shop. Reminded me of the mom and pop sub shops I grew up with in Wisconsin…read more Had the classic sub. It's all about the bread and the bread was fanatics people working there were very friendly. Very tight but I would expect anything else from a place like this.

Best hoagies around. As good as anything from my hometown of Philly. Service is quick and friendly…read more It's my go to anytime I'm in Waukegan.

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How to continue the day

Potbelly

3.4(61 reviews)

0.4 mi

A classic Potbelly experience! I come in thinking I'm going to try something new every time and end…read moreup getting the classic wreck because it's so good. I honestly lived on Potbelly during my pregnancy, so much so I had to take a break post partum and finally had it again and it hit the spot. The staff was so friendly and efficient, the sandwich was exactly as I expected and you can't go wrong with their brownie cookie for a sweet treat!

We love this place. Fast service, polite and friendly staff. We have been going here for 7 yrs and…read morethen went back after a break of 3 yrs since we moved out of the area. The manager/owner still remembers us :) . Thanks!!

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McAlister's Deli

3.4(74 reviews)

0.2 mi

First time at MD's in a long time. Here are some of my thoughts:…read more -I wasn't sure what to expect, but when I looked at the menu, I was pleasantly surprised. -I ordered the pick two. I chose the "spuds" (twice baked potatoes), and southwest chicken & avocado salad. -The salad was not great--avocado was a bit mushy, the chile lime vinaigrette wasn't the best either. -The spuds were not what I normally think of as twice baked potatoes. The inside was more like mashed potatoes with gravy. I would not order this again. -It's a shame because the service was really good and friendly. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend.

What a delightful experience. First time in store - I've only ever had McAlister's Deli at events…read more The store was huge, tons of seating and a nice large enclosed conference room for private meetings. The staff was friendly and welcoming. I had questions about the menu that they happily answered. I ordered the 6" Italian sub to go and a bag of chips. It was about a 5-6 minute wait for my food to be prepared. The restaurant was quiet, with background music playing. My sub was excellent. Packed with flavor and stacked high with toppings. It felt like a generous portion of meats, toppings, etc. the greens and veggies were fresh and crisp. I don't know why I've waited so long to drop in, definitely will make a return trip soon!

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Mama K's Pizza and Grille

4.3(288 reviews)

1.6 mi

This is my second review of this place. Last time I gave it three stars. It was very floppy soggy…read morepizza. This time I give it one star. The lady that waited on us was very nice, but it's all about the pizza. It was still floppy and soggy, however, it was lukewarm at best. If you're selling slices, you can at least throw it in the oven for a few seconds to warm it up. It was flavorless almost had a weird taste to the crust. I took two bites and put it back on the counter and walked out. Never did that before in my life.

Tried the gyros salads for the first time last week. They were very good. Went back this week and…read morepaid for extra meat. 5.00 extra for each salad. That puts the salad at 17+ each. I get home and open the salads and the meat is the same as last week. I called was told the portions recently changed. In a week???? Our order was close to 90.00 and that's what I get-the portions changed in a week??? How about saying something when I order. We always try to eat local at our small businesses, it's important. I am disappointed to say the least.

"Slice of pizza"

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Seating outside

Jersey Mike's Subs

2.6(35 reviews)

0.2 mi

Mikes for sure knows what he's doing. mikes way left my grandson speechless and nothing better…read morecould fill him up, 10/10 additional review from my grandson posted below.

I love Jersey mikes, but this location- NO. I would give…read morenegative stars if I could & no this isn't a one time problem, I've given grace with this location- been here 3 different time MONTHS between and it's the same crappy service. You aren't greeted as you walk in and you feel as if you're a bother even coming into eat although im the reason they have a job.. no business means no money means no hours... regarding this most recent visit and the reason I've decided to finally leave a review is because I've just had it. Walked in and was not greeted (typical from last time) waited 5 min to even be helped or asked what I wanted mind you there was no one upfront of me and no one was doing anything...when they finally asked what I wanted I asked are they speaking to me? I was just double checking because I had no interaction prior... I was responded with a rude "yes what do u want". I ordered my subs and as we get to the toppings I say "mikes way" when asked for the toppings. The kid looked at me as if I was stupid. I said "everything" to be clear, and when I said "everything" I meant, everything, I even waved my hand to show the entire spread of things. They decided to only put lettuce, oil and vin, and tomato not even the mikes way. So I spoke up and said "no I meant everything" they looked and just slapped the rest of the toppings on there carelessly. There is more to add but I don't want to waste more of my time. Won't be paying here a visit anymore. I believe it's a management issue because everyone there is the exact same.

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Charleys Cheesesteaks

3.0(14 reviews)

0.4 mi

I ordered through UberEats even though I knew there would be a longer wait because I am far from…read morethe restaurant. I don't even know where to start! Even though it took 25 minutes to get my order, the food was still HOT! Not warm, but HOT! And the drink was cold and undiluted! What?! Now the quality. Y'all, nobody told me these cheesesteaks were going to be so freaking good and with a GOOD amount of meat! The bread was SOFT! The onions were caramelized with just enough crunch left to give them character, but not enough for them to be acrid and offputting. That's not cheap cheese on it either. Not paseurized processed cheese product crap, but REAL CHEESE! I wanna know where they get their jalapenos because I want some for cooking at home. No lie. I don't know what kind of oil and season are used for the fries, but I'll make the trip out to Gurnee Mills just for a load of their fries. You would think it's hard to mess up fries, but almost every eatery in the area does. They should send spies into Charleys to discover how to do better. I'm doubling down on cardio for the next few days just for today's lunch. Worth it.

Service was just meh. However, the Cheesesteak was below standards from other Charleys locations…read more Does not match the pictures they have posted on their walls. The serving of meat for the regular size sandwich was very minimal. Look at the picture attached. Most embarrassing cheesesteak ever made. If you enjoy overpaying for bread and less meat, this place is for you. Don't recommend this place at all. Hard pass.

All employees sitting on there phone instead of providing good customer service

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Portillo's Gurnee

2.8(550 reviews)

0.6 mi

Enjoying great food, including Chicago style hotdogs, on our visit. Also had great Italian beef…read moresandwiches and delicious desserts. Prices are reasonable especially compared to our hometown of San Diego. Service was fast. We will be back.

Stopped in after a movie for some dinner. The wait time wasn't too bad for me. I ordered a chili…read morecheese dog meal with cheese fries, a root beer and a to go order of a beef with two pieces of chocolate cake. My order was complete relatively quickly. Didn't much care for the cheese sauce open and all over items and inside of the bag. All napkins I grabbed was used to clean my hands and the other items wrappers in the bag. But my mom and sisters order was a whole other story. They ordered before me. They ordered two chicago sytle hot dog meals with onion rings and my sister stood there waiting for a good 15 minutes. Until my mom went up there. Like this order was easy enough, what happen. At one point my sister was the last person standing there. No one asked if she needed help or got her order. We all get busy, but ... Ultimately the food was delicious. The ambiance was nice. The facility was clean. Wish I could find the name of the young man who was the cashier for my order who also was cleaning up by the condiments and caring for the trash. He needs to be promoted to a lead!

Pickup @ Portillo's Gurnee . 6102 W Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL Hotdogs Beef Burgers Salads.Cool.

Plain spicy chicken.

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Buona

4.1(26 reviews)

1.0 mi

We had a pleasure of being served by young lady EVA. Hands down one of the best servers we have…read morehad. When we (my husband and I) arrived we placed an order EVA gave us our number and gestured that we can sit anywhere we chose. While we were waiting for our food I was quietly observing her, she wiped down all dining table, positioned them correctly, scooted all the chair in, picked up and discarded an empty cup sitting on counter, checked with the kitchen while keeping an eye on everyone coming in. This young lad is hard working, dedicated, striving to provide the highest quality of service with a smile. EVA you have my deepest gratitude for your dedication and service. God bless you young lady.

Tried Buona tonight. My first time so I was unfamiliar with the lingo for beef juicing. The cashier…read moreLina was very nice to explain the differences. She gave us a number and it didn't take long before it all arrived at our table. The beef was tender and slightly spicy. Not too hot, though. I had green peppers and they came in seasoned chunks which made it all very easy to handle and quite delicious. Onion rings and crinkle French fries were crunchy. As a former Chicagoan I was quite pleased. And a shout out for Lina, could be Lena. I was watching her take orders, delivered others outside, fixed the tables and chairs. She was doing it all. A terrific person to have on staff.

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The Fogcutter

4.4(251 reviews)

2.1 mi

Love this restaurant the food keeps you coming back service is always great!!! and everybody that…read moreworks there is always so friendly!!! I give it five stars I'd like to give more!!

There was one server for the bar and restaurant. Thought it might be a problem but he was amazing…read more My guess is he does 30,000 steps a day. They had a mix of restaurant and Togo orders and the kitchen kept things moving. The pizza looked amazing but we ordered sandwiches and wraps. All the meals were great. We did the garlic curds for an appetizer. Great size, and taste. With a great cheese pull. They had 7 tables I could see and the bar area. Was able to have a conversation while watching baseball on the screens. Will be back again for the nightly specials.

Take out - Friday lent special - Perch Dinner!!! YUM!!!

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Daily Specials

Lucky Penny's

3.8(5 reviews)

2.3 mi

We had a great time and were served fantastic sandwiches. We had a relatively large group and the…read moreservice was outstanding and very welcoming. We will definitely come back!

No greetings they are very rude and don't offer drinks or snacks…read moreWorst place ever Don't go in there Anyplace is better then this one

London Broil Beef and Blue

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Game Night

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18 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Binh L.

Elite 26

118

105

606

10 months ago

This place has been on my bucket list for a while, and I finally got the chance to check it out. We'd heard wonderful things, and it definitely lived up to the hype. From what I can remember (don't quote me on it), the family that owns Mission BBQ has a strong dedication to the military, with extended family serving, and it really shows. About 90% of the restaurant is decorated with actual photos, uniforms, and military memorabilia that have been donated--it gives the place a meaningful and unique vibe that feels both patriotic and welcoming. The moment you walk in, you're greeted with the mouthwatering smell of smoked meats that instantly makes your stomach growl. The counter-order setup is easy to navigate--you place your order, find a spot, and then listen for your name when it's ready. The staff is incredibly friendly, attentive, and genuinely seem to care about making your experience great, which makes the whole visit feel warm and personal. The food itself is outstanding. The smoked brisket is tender and juicy, the pulled pork has the perfect balance of smoky flavor and seasoning, and the ribs are fall-off-the-bone delicious. Every bite is packed with flavor, and you can tell they put real pride into every dish. The sides are just as impressive--creamy mac and cheese, tangy baked beans, and perfectly seasoned coleslaw round out the meal beautifully. The ambiance is casual but filled with character. The military photos and memorabilia give you plenty to look at while you enjoy your food, and there's a sense of community in the air, like you're part of something bigger than just a meal. Overall, Mission BBQ in Downers Grove is more than just a place to eat--it's an experience. Between the amazing food, the friendly staff, and the thoughtful decor honoring our military, it's easy to see why this place has such a strong following. I'll definitely be back, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for incredible BBQ in a welcoming, meaningful environment. read more

Jackie S.

187

5 years ago

We went into Red Robin and they said it was a 40 minute wait so we walked next door to find Mission BBQ and I'm so happy we did! All the decorations are military, police, and firefighting decor and being a NAVY wife and sister to military and police officers, I absolutely loved that. Now the food, the food was really good. The ribs fell right off the bone, the fries were perfectly seasoned, the Mac and cheese was perfect for my 1 year old, and the cornbread was super moist. When we were eating, Taylor kept walking by all the tables to make sure everything was good and she was so awesome to us! She found out we were military and made sure to take extra good care of us and give us our vip cards for when we return. So glad we stopped there, we were pleasantly surprised and will definitely be back. read more

Douglas C.

191

6 months ago

Camellia at Mission BBQ is absolutely outstanding! From the moment we sat down, her enthusiasm and positive energy set the tone for an incredible experience. She goes above and beyond with her service--engaging, attentive, and genuinely excited to make sure every guest is taken care of. What really stood out was the personal touch--she brought us a free sample of the cherry cheesecake, and wow... it was stellar! That kind of thoughtful gesture makes all the difference. You can tell Camellia is a true leader--she's not just serving tables, she's creating an atmosphere. Leadership even came by the table, which speaks volumes about the culture and pride in service at this location. Mission BBQ already has great food, but people like Camellia are what make it unforgettable. Highly recommend! read more

Abi B.

4 months ago

My friends and I visited Mission BBQ for the first time, and we couldn't have felt more welcome! From the moment we walked in, the staff treated us like regulars friendly, attentive, and genuinely excited to have us there specially mrs Rose. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the BBQ was incredible. It's rare to find a place that nails both great food and a truly welcoming vibe on a first visit. We'll definitely be back! thanks for the hospitality mission BQ! read more

Stephen C.

2 years ago

Over the top service. Celebrated the 101st Birthday of a WW2 Veteran and everyone who was present including birthday person and family were moved by the service and celebration Mission BBQ made happen. Big thanks to managers Joe and Emma for all their assistance and for the great food and hospitable atmosphere!!! read more

Kayla T.

4 years ago

Mission BBQ is absolutely amazing. The food is amazing, the staff is so friendly, the restaurant is extremely clean and well kept. I take my family there any time i can. This location in Gurnee is just awesome. I would rate it 6 stars out of 5 if that were possible read more

David L.

1 year ago

If you like gun ho military messaging in your dining experience then Mission BBQ is the place for you. As for the food, there's better bbq places to consider especially ones that don't hammer you over the head with that kind of jingoism. I'm not going back. read more

Tim R.

4 years ago

This place not only has great ribs but they donate a large amount of their profits to help veterans. A restaurant with a cause! I highly recommend this place if you are traveling to Chicago. read more

Kaarina N.

8 years ago

This place has amazing bbq, fantastic portions, and their mission is toward the men and women that serve. Thank you for opening and keep up the great work! I will be back! read more

Jen H.

7 years ago

The food is about as good as you'll get for a Gurnee bbq joint. The service is always great and the portions are generous. The brisket and pulled pork are our favorites. read more

Gigi D.

4 years ago

Seems like the quality of the food has gone down.went there a lot when it first opened but recently the food was only so- so.

Scott L.

8 years ago

Probably the best service I have ever had. They are very veteran friendly. I would give them 6 stars if I could.

Wendy A.

8 years ago

This was a great place for some BBQ even my young son was pleased!! Love the decor in the place as well!

Jake J.

6 years ago

Very impressed every time we eat here. Sauces are really good and the meat is definitely quality. read more

Eileen L.

153

8 years ago

The food is amazing and the service was great! We can't wait to go back! Best BBQ ever!

Mike P.

8 years ago

I mean, its a franchise, fast food BBQ joint, if that's what you're into, have at it.

Karen C.

3 years ago

Great food, decent prices. Love the fact they honor our military

Taja M.

8 years ago

The chicken is great! The mac is horrible unfortunately.

Mission BBQ - bbq - Updated September 2026

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Excellent service and great food! It was a clean restaurant, tons of TV's, we loved it!read more

Great food and service as always. This is a favorite bbq spot for the whole family. Highly…read morerecommend the Smokehouse Tacos!

Big Ed's BBQ

4.6

(887 reviews)

Always hits the spot! We used to frequent their old restaurant across the way and now that they've…read moreopened up their new location we had to check it out. The restaurant is so much bigger and livelier and were so excited to see all of their success. Definitely come early to be able to try their brisket and Tony Mac! You wont regret anything you try but those are defnitely our favorites. Oh and the ribs, if you're looking for the incredible smokey juicy flavor look no further. Any of their bbq sauces are great and pair well, but we highly recommend giving their original a go because of the perfect balance of sweet, savory, with a bit of a kick.

I am a HUGE fan of true barbecue and am also a restaurant owner from a restaurant family well known…read morein Chicagoland and it's suburbs for over 50 years. "Old School" customer service, Hospitality and appreciation for our customers is key and loyalty goes both ways friends. I was very interested to try the food here after trying a couple items that were served at a friend's party. I asked to say Hi to the owner as a entrepreneur myself. They said they would be out shortly at my request, being my first time and spending well over $300 to try some of their dishes I was extremely insulted to see that the owner never had the courtesy to say Hello as I waited. In my world, "old school" customer service is success because without customers you have nothing. I also believe that you should always remember where you came from. The food was very pricey for the Area and not worth the disrespect I felt. After this experience I'll stay with Hecky's in Evanston where we are recognized, greeted by name and given a positive everything when I walk in by the owners Daughter, Gigi...RIP Senior. Hecky's is located North Shore with more than fair prices, above par food and traditional style barbecue. Big Ed's is in Waukegan and we paid double plus for the food and a very poor customer service experience ‍ along with overpriced barbecue and sides. I got lots of sauce for not enough barbecue. If I could have cancelled I would have but it was the first time and the last time. I asked one last time "What happened to the owner who was supposedly was going to say Hello?" They said he left through the side door because he was busy. His picture is on a large sign outside and this man was at Aldi when I stopped for apples on the way back home to Arlington Heights. Go to Hecky's in Evanston, Smoque in Chicago, even Joe's Barbecue in Hillside. Good Luck Big Ed!!!

Honey Bay’s BBQ

3.6

(90 reviews)

We stopped by here on our way from the beach walking…read more This place is the real deal! The food tastes phenomenal and definitely homemade! The owners were very nice and laid back! My husband and I enjoyed everything! Collard greens,mac and cheese, catfish and wings! Next time we will take pictures of the food! The banana pudding made by his mother was like icing on the cake!!! Just delicious! We thank them all for their southern hospitality!!! We will definitely be returning!

I had a rib tip dinner, which came with 2 sides, and purchased an extra side of green beans (which…read morewas $6.99!!!!!!). My total was just over $30, which is absurd; particularly since the ribs were on the tougher side - almost as if they were reheated. While I love to support black owned businesses, and this one has a rich family origin story - I'm not sure I'll be returning with that price tag and experience.

Texas Roadhouse

3.2

(50 reviews)

Saturday at 12:20pm and was fortunate to get seated immediately…read more Normally we hit the Crystal Lake location but was in Gurnee. Same great food. Ribs were fall off the bone but just a tad dry. We asked for extra of the excellent sauce. Servicer was cheerful and attentive. No room for dessert.

The place was packed for a weekday, but our wait time was less than 10 minutes. The restaurant is…read morepretty spacious and there is also a waiting area. I got the spicy margarita. It wasn't too spicy and a balance amount of alcohol. All the appetizers were pretty solid. Nothing unique. Just good fried food with tasty dipping sauce. My prime rib was cooked preferably medium rare. I liked that there wasn't a lot of excess fat. The meat was super tender. Overall, we would come back.

Roost 59

4.1

(111 reviews)

They do not have consistent prices. Same exact meal was ordered 7 days apart but I have received…read moretwo different prices. I've been a customer over 15 years. This is literally absurd. Ofc the food is great but the consistency in price isn't there.

I love all their good! They have great selection and the fresh quality it there every time.read more

Juan's Chuck Wagon

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Been too long! They were really busy this Saturday morning. I don't deviate from my order here…read morebecause I cannot find this farm steak samwich outside of the area and theirs is the best! Great service and portions too The crowd here is largely Hispanic and I see a ton of chilaquiles being served in the morning

Came to Juan's chuck wagon for breakfast with a group of coworkers . They offer plenty of free…read moreparking. When you first walk in, there is a big room (as pictured). It wasn't being used. I think you can rent it out and have a party. The diner area also offered plenty of seating from booths, regular tables and bar seating . Our group of 5 sat at the bar area. They cook most of the food on a flat top right in front of us. It was amazing how fast and efficient. I ordered chilaquiles verdes o rojos with skit steak and rice and beans. I've only had chilaquiles one other time and it wasn't the that good. These were so good so much flavor and chips with still crunchy. Steak wasn't over cooked . Definitely would order again. The rice and beans taste like they were homemade. Service was great from our waitress to the food coming out pretty quick for the size of our party . Highly recommended.

Grayslake Dog n Suds Drive-In

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(117 reviews)

I cannot get enough of their creamy Root Beer. I will go out of my way for it. That alone is reason…read moreenough to go, but I also always crave their crinkle cut fries and a burger. Going to Dogs n Suds is a classic park and eat experience everyone should have if they're in the area. This location is newly built/renovated after a fire a year or two ago, but it's always been a great location. The staff is always friendly. They come straight out to your car, no buttons to press. And they come and check on you periodically to see if you need anything else.

We have been going to this establishment for many years as we love their Texas burgers,now mind you…read morewe take the 28 mile 49 minute trip from our home and back. My husband went there a few weeks ago and placed a $50 plus order brought it home and everything was burnt, due to the new charbroiled cooker. I got ahold of them and was told I would get a credit for the order I went to collect a new order and they wanted to give me a $10 credit? What? Then it went up to $20! So I took it from the manager got only 4 burgers nothing else was replaced in my order when my order came out and the young lady said,that'll be $8 and change more! What! Needless to say we won't be going back to that location. There's one in Ingleside not that much further. It's a shame that customer service isn't respectable and the customer gets treated like they're nothing. The managers are completely disrespectful and rude. We were once loyal customers for many years to that location but will be no more. It's all about quantity not quality any longer. Thank you Dog N' Suds for the many years of good treatment,good food up until now. I know that my words won't make a difference in this matter but in case you're thinking of going there,don't expect much courtesy.

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The food hit the spot a beautiful Chicago Dog, local business with outstanding service. We love…read moresupporting Small Business. Lets Eat!

Ordered take out Extra Meat Gyro Plate. Picked it up and only the Gyro was in the bag. Explained I…read moreordered the Extra Gyro plate. He made the fries that come with the meal and threw them in a separate bag with coleslaw. Took it home and there no extra gyro meat on the gyro and it was ordered for 2. I previously walked into this location requesting a Gyro plate and he explained they do not have such an item on the menu. This guy just refused to provide gyro plates when they are clearly on the menu. Besides all that, the food was tasteless and Cleary old. The tzatziki sauce was tasteless. Almost $19.00 in the garbage. I should have went to Sammies in Grayslake. They are always spot on. Will never go again

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Best burger in the county, but miss taco Tuesday, staff is friendly and happy, chicken is…read moredelicious, haven't had a bad meal there, a hidden gem

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