We absolutely love Russell's Barbecue! I have been coming here since I was a child. My brothers always ordered burgers, my dad loved the pork sandwich, and I was obsessed with the Roast Beef sandwiches. You have to use the barbeque sauce... I mean one hand on your sandwich and one hand on the barbeque squeeze bottle. You need to squirt the sandwich before each bite... If it is not dripping your not using enough. Give it a try at least once. The fried mushrooms and onion rings were also a favorite when growing up. Now that my husband and I are trying to eat better... We get one meal with coleslaw and fries and one coleslaw with corn and we divide them up so we are not eating too many fries. They have fountain drinks and you fill your own cup. There is plenty of seating. Tbere is a covered indoor patio section and picnic tables out on the grass on the other side of the parking lot too. The bathrooms are cramped but at least they have bathrooms. They have video gaming machines, and lots of televisions with closed captions. They play oldies music loud enough that you don't hear the people at the next tables conversation. The dining room is very relaxing and service is fast and friendly. When you approach the ordering counter, you see the menu on the wall. You place your order and receive a number placque. They give you your drink cups as soon as you place your order and pay. I love that you can fill your own cups (free refills on fountain drinks too) They bring your order to the table. Tbere is a lot of paper waste, there should be a better way to serve the food but this has been working out well for them for many many years! If your planning on visiting Brookfield Zoo it is only about 5 miles from here and a great place to get some dinner and relax afterwards. They have kids meals, booster seats and high chairs. #KidFriendly read more

Russell's Barbecue - Roast beef sandwich combo meal - Barbeque Near Me - Elmwood Park, Illinois

I went in to recapture childhood memories. As the saying goes: "You CAN'T go home again." The quality of the ribs was poor. Reminded me of low budget Sonny's in the south. The service is quick and friendly. None of the employees seems to be overjoyed to be there. The dining area has not changed much over decades. It has a warm and homey feel. It is not SMOQUE! read more

I ordered a Philly steak sandwich. prior to this I lived in the east coast, home of the real Philly Steak. The sandwich was awful and the cheese didn't help. The tiny order of cole slaw was equally bad. I would not recommend this place to anyone. read more

So, we used to come here all the time with my family when we were younger for big family outings. April 1st would have been my grandma's 99th birthday. So to honor her I thought it would be sweet to bring my mom back here for lunch over the weekend. What a huge disappointment it turned out to be. The restaurant itself is fine I suppose, although you could tell the tables do not get wiped down very often. I'm almost scared to think of what I wiped off of the napkin dispenser. Fair warning to anyone who is not very steady when walking their floors are extremely slanted and there's not a whole lot to hold on to. They do have a warning for part of the dining room but only for part of it, and almost the entire place is slanted. The parking lot is very convoluted especially now that they've added a drive through which eliminated the handicap parking near the door. On a Saturday afternoon they had one food runner And two people at the counter. The prices are fine and pretty on point with what you'll find just about anywhere these days. As you'll see in the pictures the food looks fine, but at best is a six out of 10. Nothing had much flavor, you just taste the grill. At least with my burger, that's all I tasted. The macaroni and cheese at best is Kraft Deluxe and even that tastes better. Their in house barbecue sauce which used to be great, is extremely thin and tastes like watered down Sweet Baby Ray's. There were only three of us and we had to go back to the counter to get the rest of our order after it was partially delivered by the less than apathetic food runner. I dropped my fork and went back to get another one, only to discover that the fork section of the silverware was empty, I explained that to one of the also apathetic girls behind the counter, she asked how many I needed I said I only need one but it's empty at the self-serve counter. She just kind of looked at me like that was not her problem. Honestly the best part of the entire experience was that the breaded mushrooms were delightful. We had a very simple order I got a cheeseburger my father got a pork sandwich and my mother got a beef sandwich. They were both given pork sandwiches. I was not given my side of fries, and as I said only part of our order came out originally. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect three entrees to all be served at the same time. I think after today, we will hold on to the memories of a place we used to go. As I always say it is entirely up to you if you choose to go, I hope you have a better experience. read more

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I had hard great things about this place. So I wanted to try this place out, I called and ask if they deliver to my place I was told yes, so I placed my order $100 worth and I was charged a delivery service and about 1 hour and 15 minutes later I called back and was told my order can not be delivered and it's cold they said they would remake my order or refund me I wanted to give them the benefit of doubt I told them to add a dish that would cover the dilvary charge I go there pick up my order inside smelled like a nursing home I asked if my order was remade they said yes when I got home 10 minutes later and started to eat the food was worm and nasty my salad was worm I called bake and let them know I will never go there again I would never order from there I would give them no stars it was awful read more

I'm a little shocked by all the low to average ratings for Russell's. It's been a staple in this area forever. I had a very good experience. Is it the best bbq I've ever had? No. But it's pretty damn good. Their ribs are really solid and everyone working there is super nice and accommodating. Highly recommend getting the full slab. Falls right off the bone. What could be better is the consistency of sauces. The one they give in the little plastic container with your food is awesome. The one in the bottles, not good at all. Potato salad is solid but cold slaw is just average. Same with their apps...just your typical frozen apps reheated to molten lava...fine but could be better. So they can clean up a bit, but their name is barbecue, and THAT they nail pretty good. I'd recommend it! read more

Seriously wtf. Absolutely horrible. The bbq nachos could've been made by a pre teen. When asked what was on them the answer was everything except what would've made them bbq. The ribs dry and flavorless. Asked for sauce, which has horrible and they barely sauced them. Same goes for the rib tips. Macaroni and cheese and baked beans was more of a soup. I ordered a banana shake and it tasted like someone poured a ton of sugar in it. Instant diabetes. So disappointed. This place was on our list for quite some time. We won't be back. read more

Very disappointed. This place has always been known as a long-standing community restaurant..., one that people who moved away still talk about and ask about when they come back. Unfortunately, that reputation doesn't match the reality anymore. I now see why they only have a 3.0 rating...! My family had a craving for ribs. We usually go to a small hot dog stand, Mickey's on Harlem in Oak Park, because they honestly have some of the BEST ribs around. But we decided to give Russell's another shot after hearing they "upgraded" their ribs to be meatier. Big mistake. I spent nearly $90 for just 3 slabs of ribs, and when I got home and opened the container, I couldn't believe what I saw. The ribs were poorly prepared, sloppy, and honestly just unappetizing. For that kind of price, this is nowhere near acceptable. They're not even full slabs! You expect quality..., especially from a place with this kind of history. What makes it even more frustrating is where it seems the priorities are. They've clearly invested money into upgrading the bar area and gambling machines, but somehow the bathrooms are still absolutely disgusting. That says a lot about where the focus is..., and it's not on the food or overall customer experience. It's really a shame to see a place with such a strong legacy fall this far. If you had a choice, pass and take the the other option! read more

Russell's Barbecue - This was supposed to be a FULL SLAB of Ribs! VERY poor quality! - Barbeque Near Me - Elmwood Park, Illinois

Went to Russell's BBQ last night and have a suggestion for the next time you go there. Don't buy the "Eli's Cheesecake" for dessert - all you get is a pathetic little pre-packaged slice in a cellophane wrapper that contains only 3 ounces of actual cheesecake. Oh - and by the way - they charge $6.21 (including tax) - for those 3 ounces. read more

Got here right after work....HUNGRY!!! That said....noticed that the place is HUGE with sitting area everywhere....wow! Driven past here a lot and the lines are out the door....THAT SAID...A mainstay in Chgo is BBQ, Very competitive market. In other words you gotta bring it. Unfortunately we were not impressed. Maybe an off night? The meat was cooked wonderfully. Brisket was definitely smoked the pulled chicken wasn't dry. However, I believe the meat was lacking in seasoning. Even the sauce was not a "grabber" . Again all those people that sit out here...all of em can't be wrong right? Maybe I will try one more time..........maybe. :( read more

Russell's Barbecue - Pulled chicken and smoked brisket ...... - Barbeque Near Me - Elmwood Park, Illinois

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Been coming here for years and it is a classic! A super casual BBQ spot that is great for anyone. Plenty of room for bigger parties. No nonsense decor that is reminiscent of a Chicago family basement. The food options are plentiful, the ribs being part of what they are known for. I will say you need to go in knowing Chicago BBQ as its own unique genre of food. The flavor is all in their fantastic sauce! Strong in cinnamon and thin enough to spread around the plate. Always ask for extra sauce. The portions are generous and easy to share. There a few vegetarian friendly options, including their Mac and cheese. Ordering and receiving food is counter style, but food always comes out hot and fresh. Drinks are self service as well. When weather allows, there is outdoor seating that is dog friendly. Many happy returns to this nearly 100 year old spot! read more

Really disappointed in the sandwiches today. They weren't the thin shaved slices they used to be, but thick chunks and fatty pieces with gristle. I even had a piece of tendon in mine. We used to eat this all the time in my childhood and it definitely was not the same today. Very disappointed. read more

Worst Ribs I've tried! Dry and reheated. Meat was crunchy Bbq too watery. Never coming back read more

The food is top notch. Always has been since I was a young punk. Especially their original barbecue sauce, with its unique distinctive flavor, which is worth buying by the bottle. And definitely worth the trip and worth the price. No wonder this place has been around for nearly a century. read more

What is Happening to Russell's? Pains me so much to write this because I've been coming here for 50 years and Russell's is one of my favorite spots. However, today I had a pretty terrible food experience. My food came out cold. The bbq pork sandwich, the fries and the onion rings. I debated on returning it because I don't like to be difficult or make trouble. However, I went back and told them the story. I was met with total indifference but they took it back. Trouble was the returned product was not much better. I will say, the fries were hot this time. And that earns two stars. However, the sandwich was not, and I don't think they did anything with the onion rings. I say that because to begin with there were only three whole onion rings and about 15 partial onion rings. Exact same plate came out! What's happening, Russell's? I will give you another shot. Hope it is better next time. I'm the easiest guy to please. Just show me you're trying or at least that you care and I'll be happy. Unfortunately, none of that happened this time. Everyone has a bad day. Hope they can bounce back. If I was the manager I would want to know... read more

Russell's Barbecue - Cold onion rings - Barbeque Near Me - Elmwood Park, Illinois

My family has been going to Russell's since the 60s. The food we got today was complete and utter garbage. Fries were room temperature. Pork sandwich wasn't much hotter. The ribs were flat out disgusting. Hard on top falling off the bone which is never what I expected from Russell's. The sauce was the consistency of tap water. My father's probably spending in his grave but I can't imagine I would ever go back read more

Russell's Barbecue - Nasty ribs. - Barbeque Near Me - Elmwood Park, Illinois

Russell's has been around for decades a not much has changed over the years. There is still a line to place your order, they still bring your food to the table with a paper plate covering the food , the booths are still small and original and they clear your table. The BBQ sauce has not changed over the years. It is has a unique sweetness, and you they sell bottles of it . The meals come with one cold and hot side. My husband had the coleslaw and the portion was so small. He also had the corn on the cob, which also seemed smaller than I remembered. The sandwiches are a bit pricey for the size. They added a drive in and the evening we were here it had a steady flow of cars. We were here for a neighborhood reunuin and we had a section of the back room reserved which was nice. Russell's brings back many memories of times past, and it is remarkable how long they have been in business . Definately worth trying at least once. read more

I have been going here 45+ years and have never had a bad meal. My grandma told me she went here on dates! Always good! Uniques sauce! If you're not sure what to get : get the Beef sandwich , fries and coleslaw! Load the fries and sandwich in their BBQ sauce. Meat is tender and never fatty! read more

Russell's Barbecue - Beef sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Elmwood Park, Illinois

overpriced food. Barbecue sauce watered down. missing items n order. won't be returning.

Service was great. The food was not what i expected. I was hoping to experience some great juicy brisket and ribs. The realization that I was not going to have wood fired smoke food was disappointing. My search continues. read more

I'm giving this place a four star because they do have excellent softened serve ice cream. I tried their hamburger today and one out of 10, 10 Being the best. I give it a seven.. read more

I'm a bit confused by some of the reviews that state things have changed at Russell's (like the way the meat is or the BBQ sauce). I've been going since I was a baby (I'm now 50+). My parents and grandparents all went to Russell's. We don't live so close these days (1+ hr away), but still get out there a bit to fill the cravings. The way the meat is shaved and the (original) BBQ sauce is the same as it has ALWAYS been. It's always consistent. As for a comment about the floor being uneven? Neither myself nor my mother who uses a walking aid has ever noticed such a thing - regardless of room we're in. Now - I will say this - if you're expecting a 'normal BBQ joint' type of experience, Russell's may not be for you. That's not what it is. It definitely has its own way of doing things. Its own taste. But that's what's been so good for almost 100 years!!! However, they have recently added offerings to the menu to also appeal to that type of taste. New meats, new sides, new sauces. My opinion is you can find those things anywhere. But to enjoy some delicious nostalgia and great classics, try one of the original sandwiches (beef or pork), chicken, or ribs and douse it in that one-of-a-kind magical BBQ sauce. And don't skip fries - sop some sauce up with them too. Their coleslaw is as it has always been. Delicious with a generous sliced pickle to top it off. If you want to venture into newer offerings, do so. But if you want a similar nostalgic experience, it's not in newer sides and meals that weren't even on the menu in your childhood (which it seems like some people ordered while wondering why it wasn't the same). I think Russell's is staying true to their roots, while modernizing some additional offerings. I'm glad they're doing that and think they need to. But for me, I'm there for the classics. And I'm so glad they still exist. There's nothing comparable out there. And I've never found them to not be consistent in those areas. Kiddieland may be long gone - but I'm so glad the gem that Russell's is still exists in its original location (some other locations have come and gone over the years). I'm hoping it'll be there for new generations to continue to enjoy. read more

I love Russells. Very friendly staff, delicious food and the margaritas are amazing. This place has good vibes.

This was my first visit to Russell's after finding out about them from TikTok. I had the half ribs and shrimp combo with mac and cheese and potato salad and my boyfriend had the two meat plate (brisket and pulled pork) with fries and applesauce. At Russell's, you order at a counter, are given a number, and your food is brought out. When we ordered, the woman at the register asked if I wanted sauce on my ribs or on the side. I asked for both (who doesn't like extra sauce with ribs??) and I felt like that was a big ask. When our food was brought out, it was a big pile of covered over paper plates with everything underneath. Kind of mess when you have to lift everything up to see what goes to whom. Also, I feel like when you're paying $18-25 for a meal, you should at least get a plastic plate. Ribs and shrimp were good. The sides did not taste like homemade. Mac n cheese was like the stuff from KFC and the potato salad tasted like pre-made from a supplier. My boyfriend enjoyed his food and cup of chili. Sauces were kind of messy. Be careful with the bottle they bring to your table. It's very very thin sauce and if you're not careful, you can easy squirt sauce across the table. Bathrooms here need a lot of work...and a deep clean. Overall, the meat at Russell's is good. The rest is debatable. Maybe I'd come back but only if I was in the area. I wouldn't make a special trip here. read more

Ok, so I finally tried this place after years of wanting to do so. Over all it was Meh, very lack luster. I didn't feel hugely disappointed but definitely not repeating it. I had the rib tip dinner, simply put ok, so was the bbq sauce was weak in flavor. However, most of the sides were very good starting with he Mac and cheese, baked beans, fries, and cold pasta. It's a huge place with a lot of potential with a friendly staff. If they revamp their sauce and meats. I would be tempted to try it again. read more

Russell's Barbecue - Rib Tip Dinner - Barbeque Near Me - Elmwood Park, Illinois

Disgrace to BBQ sauce. Mac & cheese tasted like KFC but at least KFC BBQ sauce is better. Brisket was fire though (without the BBQ sauce ofc). read more

Russell's Barbecue - Receipt of order - Barbeque Near Me - Elmwood Park, Illinois

We have been to Russell's Barbecue quite a few times. We went all the time when I was young, my aunt Micki worked there for years at the original location. When they opened a location on Lagrange road in countryside, me and my mom visited a few times and the food was good. Sad to see that one recently closed. The service was good the ambiance was a typical bbq spot with tables and chairs and booths. We will always visit Russell's as long as it is around! read more

I went here the other day and ordered my food to go. The server took my food and walked around the whole restaurant with it out in the open. I asked for a refund because there's a virus going around and I just didn't want my food that was walked around the whole restaurant. They told me they would talk to the manager to get it remade. They took the same burger and put it in a box and let it sit in the back for 10 min when I got home the patty was hard. Didn't have fresh food .. I honestly think I was treated this way because of the color of my skin. And I also got two separate two go orders one bag they put in a white bag. But when they saw it was me they put my food in a brown bag. read more

Horrible! I went through the drive through and asked for 1 LARGE WATERMELON ITALIAN ICE. Easy, right??? And I got 1 large MANGO Italian ice, and a small watermelon and got charged over 25$!!! When I went into ask, 1, SO BUSY and crowded. 2 said "no backsies" so immature, DONT GO HERE. And When I started eating, the spoon cut the side of my lip open and started bleeding, a SPOON. read more

Russel's is a Chicago burbs icon. Since 1930 they been putting out some of the best BBQ, awesome apps (Rings, and BBQ Smoked Rib Tips) and classic sides (baked beans, Mac&Cheese)since I was just a little kid. So when I was traveling back to Chicago O'Hare from a weekend in Wisconsin and Russel's being only 7 miles from the airport it was a no brainer. It was like stepping back into time. Nothing had changed since I was a boy. Including the small, wooden booths! lol. But to my delight neither did the menu and delicious food. I went with the tried and true Shredded Beef BBQ with a side of fries and slaw. Such memories. The perfect meal to end the weekend with. Hopefully it won't be so long before I get back there again. read more

Great food, prices, and nice bar section in the back. Big menu with a variety of items and do occasionally offer specials

I used to eat here when I was a child. Since moving from Chicago I have been here a couple of times. Went here with my family a couple of weeks ago. Just like it was when I was a kid. The BBQ Beef sandwich was excellent. The BBQ sauce is unique and so good. Since it was near the end of the trip I save the extra sauce hey gave us and have been using it at home. Great old restaurant. read more

We've been coming to Russell's forever I think they've been around for 70 years this year we decided to spend Father's Day there were 6 of us including my two grandchildren and it was excellent. We had a couple of rib/ shrimp combos with baked potatoes and fries ribs are always moist fall off the bone their sauce is thin but excellent flavor also had a couple pulled pork sandwiches and chicken and ribs combo all cooked to perfection. They have beer and wine and some homemade desserts. Plenty of seating in and outside . Friendly helpful staff. Huge parking lot. Prices are reasonable considering what bbq is these days. The building is old and really hasn't changed in years that's the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars read more

It is a travesty that this is rated so low on Yelp. It is one of a kind (in a good way). Serving BBQ for almost 100 years, no frills, not pretentious, just delicious. I always get the shredded chicken sandwich on their wonderful soft bun and potato salad. Inside the dining area has original booths from the 30s. Outside there are picnic tables and it is dog friendly. A family tradition for us and a treasure for Chicagoland. read more

Okay, after my second visit to this establishment I will officially give them a resounding "MEH". The first one was okay and I thought it was just an off day. Today's meal was completely devoid of flavor. Even their famous sauce couldn't make it a WOW. The barbecued meat was okay, not dried out, but just no flavor. Three of us ate for 72.00. That's a lot of money for such a little bit of flavor. The place was clean and the service was fine, but the food was awfully disappointing. read more

There's a reason this place has managed to be in business since 1930: they serve great food and do a great job. I've been going there since childhood in the 1960s. I can't think of a single item on the menu that I don't like. Now, I bring my wife and kids there, and they love it just as much as I do. Beef sandwiches are the cornerstone of their business, but, they have tons of other stuff too. And, the soft-serve ice cream is second to none, far superior to what you'd get at some of the big brands everyone recognizes. Prices are reasonable, value is super high. I'm going back tomorrow, and felt like writing a review tonight. Seriously, they're coming up on 100 years in business, they know what they're doing. read more

Cool joint. Came here recently for a birthday luncheon. Usually, I have to wait until dinner to take down some beef, but a good workout and bike ride beforehand built up a hunger in me. When brisket is on the menu I usually dive in, but I had a spot for some all-beef Chicago hot dogs when I was here, and they didn't disappoint. I might even put them ahead of Portillo's..they were that good. The only other item that I had was their fries, which were a bit bland. I'd love to come back in and try the brisket next time, maybe even a couple other things. People are friendly and helpful here too. That always makes a difference. Cheers. read more

We haven't been here in years. It hasn't changed at all. The BBQ is worth the drive. #iraeats #iraeats1 read more

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A True Classic! Russell's BBQ in Elmwood Park is everything you want from a classic barbecue joint--simple, no-frills, and absolutely delicious. The smoky aroma hits you as soon as you walk in, and it only gets better from there. Their signature BBQ sauce is tangy and rich, the meats are perfectly smoked, and the portions are generous. I highly recommend the ham and Beef sandwiches and the ribs--they fall off the bone! The nostalgic atmosphere and friendly service give it that old-school charm that's hard to find these days. A must-visit if you're in the area! read more

First met up with this joint over 50 years ago, and have the fondest memories of filling up the old station wagon (6 kids and gasoline) and heading out to a fun bbq spot for the family. A lot has changed, of course. Still nice and easy to order from the counter service, then pick your seating in a retro atmosphere, with plenty of room for large groups. Enjoy a lean sandwich, fries, and baked beans that go down easy. Don't forget to try the vinegar based cole slaw... my fave, thank you very much! But, finally, don't expect smoky flavor from the meat - It's the sauce alone that allows the adjective of "barbecue" in name. Today, it is a long drive, but I'll still satisfy my craving and memory about once a year... : ) read more