Why do I do it. Why do I continuously bludgeon myself ordering barbecue with only halfway expectations so I can make false claims about how good the food is, and have an excuse to fall back on? I got this off of grub dash or whatever delivery service it's called. I really wanted barbecue, but I didn't expect to get mostly unpalatable, stringy meat substances. Before you guys read this & judge me, I do a LOT of smoking. I have some stuff I've smoked, in my profile. I have Backwoods Lil Chubby G2 competition reverse flow water smoker, smoked tons of meat and have been in competitions, so I know my stuff. This isn't my stuff. I ordered the three meat combo, with brisket, pulled pork and chicken. I'm not too sure where the brisket is? Was it that stringy beef meat stuff? I couldn't tell the difference between that or what the pork was supposed to be. The chicken is obvious, and while we're on the topic, the chicken is the only thing that had a distinguished flavor of smoke. As far as the other 2 meats, other than a hint of smoke, bland and flavorless. Meat portion size is insulting. I basically paid $30 for five sides and cornbread. Cornbread is actually really good. The highlight of the whole meal, and the only thing that I actually finished. I can't wholeheartedly say that the mac and cheese is made in house, nor the pasta or potato salad or beans for that matter, but I could be wrong (but I'm pretty sure I'm not, seeing the caliber of this food). I was reserving one star, out of consideration for this place, in case the brisket wasn't as tender as it should be, seeing how I had this delivered 11 miles away, but then again, I don't even know where the brisket was. If you're shredding or chopping your brisket (who does that!?), you need to close your doors, because it's obvious that you don't know how to smoke brisket. Brisket is meant to be sliced, not masked by chopping or shredding, then thrown in a steamer tray. I ate about half of it, and tossed the rest out. Headed to Denny's for another lackluster supper. Obviously the people on here raving about how good this place is, haven't had barbecue outside of famous Dave's, Dickies or some other low end franchise. Very disappointed, and waste of money. Sorry Ritchies.... Live and learn I guess. ***DISCLAIMER*** This pure, uncut, honest review is federally protected under Federal Law by way of Bill #EO14149. Removal or alteration of this review by Yelp and/or their affiliates without Expressed consent by it's author is strictly prohibited by FEDERAL law. VIolators will be prosecuted, and litigation imminent. read more

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I ordered a side of Corn bread, Baked Beans, and Banana Pudding...to make it simple: Corn bread: 7/10, needs more salt Baked Beans: 10/10 really yummy actually! Would come back just for that Banana Pudding: 1/10, Definitely need to find an actual recipe for BBQ (perhaps Texas style) Banana pudding instead of just spooning instant banana pudding with sliced banana and wafers in a cup. I was really disappointed by it, unfortunately. The service was friendly and nice! The dining area, albeit I didn't sit in for dining, seemed a bit sterile. I heard somewhere it's under new management so I'm hoping some things change. read more

Ritchie's Smokin' BBQ - "Banana Pudding" - Barbeque Near Me - Machesney Park, Illinois

First time having it! 10/10 for sure must try ! :) The food was absolutely amazing and the service was as well read more

Cornbread beans, excellent outstanding have had grilled cheese was very good. Have tried the cups also very good. Customer service was excellent. Online order was ready when I arrived. read more

Very delicious food! We had the bowls, brisket pizza, and both brisket and pulled pork tacos. The bowl is corn bread base with a layer of meat, a layer of beans, and a layer of cole slaw. Each section was delicious and spot on for Carolina BBQ. Together I loved the mix! My husband was on the fence, but he doesn't like his food to touch. Next time he will get a dinner plate. My daughter had the tacos and they were very accommodating for her allergies. Brisket Pizza-- so yummy, sweet BBQ sauce, cheese, and smoked brisket. Just a great sweet and salty combination. We will.definitely go back for more of this delicious food. read more

Ritchie's Smokin' BBQ - Brisket Pizza and a pulled pork taco - Barbeque Near Me - Machesney Park, Illinois

I do not even like barbecue, but I am OBSESSED with this place. I love their Carolina brisket sandwhich, the brisket tacos on Thursday, the brisket pizza is also really good, and their cheesecakes are good also. I highly recommend this place over Smokey bones or famous Dave's. This is the only palatable bbq I've ever had. Also, it's a locally owned business, so if you're in the mood for some delicious bbq and also like supporting small local businesses, this is the place for you. Also, if you're a race fan, there's a lot of cool racing pics inside, a very unique to the area restaurant. read more

If you have a lunch special it should be advertised on the menu like that. So people don't drive to your place for something you don't have. Drive there as one person not getting a full size pizza. And was told only until 1. Would not of wasted time driving there if the actually posted that on the menu read more

Ritchie's Smokin' BBQ - enu and prices - Barbeque Near Me - Machesney Park, Illinois

Our first visit to Ritchies was a call in order. We ordered the brisket nachos, a brisket sandwich, and a piece of cornbread. Part of the order was ready when we arrived, but they waited until we arrived to make the nachos so they didn't get soggy, which was a nice consideration. The people at the counter were super nice. We took the order home and I had a nacho with brisket on it. I thought the meat tasted tender and smoky. I noticed there was no barbecue sauce on it. My daughter said the nachos were on the bland side, and the cheese tasted "floury", not like nacho cheese. I had the cornbread and thought it was good. My husband ordered the brisket sandwich, and was not a fan, although he didn't give the details as to why. read more

Ritchie's Smokin' BBQ - he front of the restaurant - Barbeque Near Me - Machesney Park, Illinois

Barbecued brisket dinner with baked beans, Cole slaw, corn bread. Really good lunchtime treat and the corn bread was exceptionally good--there was real corn in it. I will be back. read more

Ritchie's Smokin' BBQ - Brisket, baked beans, Cole slaw and corn bread. - Barbeque Near Me - Machesney Park, Illinois

Outstanding. I've had it all. Brisket, pulled pork, etc. it's all fantastic. You've gotta try the cornbread. Also, the brisket pizza is out of this world! Very unique. read more

I have been a patron on Richies for three years. However, I understand they recently were bought out and it shows. After this last visit, I cannot guarantee I will continue supporting them. The meat was cold and they are very skimpy now in their portions. Definitely was not worth the $21 I spent for a two meat dinner. Not to mention, the brisket is not what it used to be and was no different than the pork in taste and consistency. read more

Been in the mood for bbq and last week went to Dickey's, what a mistake!! Then saw FB post on this place was super excited to try this out with the reviews, drove an hour to this place. WOW!!! WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT!!!! Ordered a brisket & pork sandwich paid an extra $2 for extra meat on both sandwiches ( hate to see a regular size sandwich .) The pork sandwich had about a 1/2 teaspoon of sauce so with that being said the pork was VERY bland. All out of sides. Has really good brand of bottled water though. MOST DEFINITELY WILL NOT BE RECOMMENDING THIS PLACE TO ANYONE NOR WILL WE GOING BACK!!! For what we paid....NOT WORTH THE MONEY, TIME OR GAS..... came back home and ate somewhere else. read more

I couldn't wait to have a barbecue place down the street Until I paid $10 for a brisket sandwich on a lonely crappy Bon are you kidding me $10 worth of brisket and you put it on a two cent BUN!!!?????? Are you kidding me already??? Went on Facebook and message the owner didn't seem to care he said they were $.35 buns $.35 bun with nine dollars worth of meat on it and believe me it wasn't that good either I agree with the other person were a total shameful waste in the restaurant that was there before was actually really good another waste read more

A 4.5 star, but I couldn't figure out how to do halves. When factoring price in, its amazing. I've left full, happy, and eager to return twice now without spending over $10. Thursday's have $2 BBQ tacos, which are a crazy deal. I'm full off of 2, and 3 will leave you stuffed. And the bbq meats are stellar. A favorite of mine for lunch. Reason for not a 5 star is that it feels like great food at an incredible price, but it's not somewhere I've gotta show all my pals who pass through the area. It's somewhere I go for lunch once a week. read more

This place is small not a lot of seating you order at counter they will bring it out to your table . They were very nice and attentive. Wife had pork sandwich I had the brisket sandwich both were good brisket sandwich could use a little more meat but it was good . Will go back. read more

We were referred by a couple of friends and then saw on Facebook friends raving about the brisket pizza and they were NOT wrong! It was delicious and left me feeling full after just 1 piece. Unfortunately Loves Park/Machesney park has a history if losing small restaurants so I hope this one sticks around because its delicious! read more

Awesome barbecue. I'd had takeout there, but I recently placed a large order with them for a party I was hosting. The food was amazing. The service is top notch. Ritchie and his crew are friendly and very responsive. Highly recommend giving them a try. read more

Been here a few times and everything (pulled pork, brisket, pizza, signature cup) I have had has been great. Cornbread is outta this world!

WOW WOW WOW! I had Richie's Smokin BBQ for the first time this past weekend, at a wedding. They catered the event . We had our option of pulled pork and brisket, cornbread and baked beans. I just had to review because this is the best barbecue around! Every single thing I tasted was delicious!! I highly recommend all of it. The corn bread is over the top great. Sweet, Moist and chunks of corn throughout. Both the pulled pork and the brisket were so tender and flavorful! The delicious sauce was just a bonus because they could easily stand alone. Baked beans were great. Not to runny and a delicious rich flavor. I would have ordered dinner from there on Monday because I was craving it again. They are only open Wednesday through Saturday at this point. Riches is on our dinner menu for tonight. Check it out you will not be disappointed. In my opinion better than Famous Dave's or Big Papa's or Smoky Bones and others! DON'T CHANGE A THING GREAT BBQ! read more