Big Jeff has the most infectious, good energy! Please have him working the window more often. He took the time to chat with us about the food and even gave us mini ducks, which was such a fun touch. 10/10 as always, but he was definitely the cherry on top. read more

Excellent ribs and fried chicken, with a huge menu of southern bbq mains and sides. Friendly staff, also have a drive thru. You can smell the bbq from the parking lot which is how you know you're in a legit bbq spot. Inside they had lots of paper towels around, another pro move. Great music playing too. read more

We stopped here for dinner before returning our sailor to Great Lakes. It was the perfect meal! Everything we ordered from the ribs, brisket, and fried chicken was delicious! Yummy food and amazing service was a wonderful way to send our sailor back! Full tummy and happy. read more

I think I found my newest go to bbq/soul food restaurant! What I love about it is that it's kind of set up as a fast food restaurant where you get your food at the counter and then you can either dine in or carry out. For the amount of food that we ordered, our food came out pretty fast. I love the family friendly vibes upon entering. It took me a few minutes to decide what to order because everything looked so good and smelled so good! What sealed the deal though is when they gave me a few pieces of baby back ribs to sample. It was delicious and I wanted more of it. So we went with the family dinner platter that came with ribs and 2 sides and corn bread and pickles. We ordered sides of red beans & rice, Mac and cheese, and collard greens. Also an order of fried chicken. Everything was delicious down to the pickles!! I really really enjoyed my meal. There are plenty of other things I still need yo try in the menu, like the bacon burnt ends and Ribtips. So I can't wait to go back for those. The restaurant inside is on the smaller end. Our party consisted of 5 people total. I don't recommend bringing more than 5 to dinner as it might get a little tight. If they keep it up, they may need to expand cuz this food oh so good! read more

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I'm from San Diego CA traveling here to see my friend graduate from the Navy. The food tastes amazing!! It tastes like it was made with love. The service is incredible, I felt very welcomed. It must be the southern hospitality, I love it!! I ordered the 3 pieces of chicken for $5. As well as the Jambalaya, collard greens, Mac and cheese and the smothered cabbage. The food was affordable. All the food in the picture was about $45 with 2 drinks. We had a peach mango and a blue drink! So gas!! I forgot to mention the really good caramel cake we got. I forgot to take a picture but we also had their fried catfish too!! Everything was soooo good!! This spot is a must for BBQ and soul food. read more

Test Kitchen BBQ - 2 orders of 3 pieces for $5, smothered cabbage, jambalaya, collard greens, and some Mac and cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

Stopped at Test Kitchen BBQ today for lunch. It was my first visit. The staff was very welcoming, offering us samples of several of the meats being served. I was overwhelmed by the number of options on the menu, and also confused about the differences between the combos, boxes, plates. I went with the fried chicken, which was delicious. My dad had the BBQ pulled pork sandwich and collared greens and really enjoyed it. I got the biggest serving of fries with my chicken. I had a real problem with the ketchup they offer for fries, it's a no-name brand and it was gross. I'd like to go back and try the fried shrimp next time. (I'll take it to go, so I can have my home ketchup.) Definitely worth a visit! read more

Test Kitchen BBQ - Fried chicken combo with fries - Barbeque Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

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Been there twice now and seems like mostly regulars are coming in. Always a super friendly greeting when you walk in, and if it's your first time, well, "you're in need of a sample". Their brisket is perfectly jiggly-juicy so highly recommended! A big menu and haven't found anything I didn't love yet. read more

Test Kitchen BBQ - Rib tip L, corn pudding, black eyed peas, bourbon sauce, corn bread, and pickles! - Barbeque Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

I always drove by this place not knowing what it actually did, then I decided to take a look, best decision I ever made, had the catfish and livers with Mac and cheese and fried cabbage, cabbage tasted like my dad was in that kitchen, he was a great cook. Loved the food, my husband gave it two thumbs up. The young lady at the drive up window was sooooo nice!!!! We will be back!! read more

On June 4, my family and I arrived for my son's graduation from the Navy all he wanted was some barbecue. Test kitchen did not disappoint and we were met at this restaurant with kindness, love laughter, amazing decor, and to top it off 10 out of 10 food. Rib, tips, greens, mac & cheese, gizzards, cornbread yams, potato salad fried chicken Black Eyed Peas. You name it we ate it 10 out of 10. We enjoyed the food so much that we returned the next day. We gave a beautiful young lady a military graduation picture of my son. She informed us that she was gonna start a military wall for the graduation and name it after our son DeMarea. Oh let me tell you the kool-aid was fire. Let me tell you we were treated with class and respect and I will definitely be back. Thank you so much. Blessings to this restaurant. If you need some good barbecue go see test kitchen. Sending love from the Hopkins family from Victorville California read more

Test Kitchen BBQ - Rib, tips, greens, mac & cheese, gizzards, cornbread yams, potato salad fried chicken Black Eyed Peas. You name it we ate it 10 out of 10. - Barbeque Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

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Our 3rd time ordering for family events. Everything from fried & oven roasted chicken, brisket, ribs tips, mostaccoili, mashed potatoes, coleslaw & salad was so good! And the pickles! So yummy!! A hit every time. Great people to work with! Highly recommended. read more

I've never felt so welcomed at a restaurant! Big Jeff and the staff were unreal just like how good the BBQ is. I can safely ssay this has some of the best bbq and southern comfort food I've had! read more

The food is amazing! They're always coming up with a new twist on deserts... You can't go wrong with any of the choices it truly is southern style food with a touch of soul... read more

I don't even know where to begin... This place is off the chain... The service is quick. The food is simply scrumptious. Food with soul indeed!!! Now that my son is a sailor,I've got to come up with an excuse to come back here to Chicago! read more

Tonight was our first experience at Test Kitchen BBQ and while the menu is expansive and the staff was nice and friendly, the food was just ok. We ordered the Medium Turkey Plate ($11.99)with sides of Cole slaw and mashed potatoes and the Medium Brisket plate ($13.99) with sides of baked Mac n cheese and baked beans. We also ordered an extra small side of corn fritters. The brisket (we asked for lean) was quite fatty. In fact half of it was fat. The flavor of the meat didn't require bbq sauce so that's a plus...but when half the plate is fat, that's not appetizing. The baked beans were tasty. The Mac n cheese was pretty bland. The Turkey was moist and flavorful but also fatty. The mashed potatoes were excellent and the Cole slaw was pretty tasty. The corn fritters were really good. read more

Test Kitchen BBQ - Menu - Barbeque Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

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The food is delicious. The environment is welcoming. I've tried every dish, never disappointed. Please keep doing what you're doing, I'll be back next week! I didn't upload any pictures because... well, the food spoke for itself. read more

this is the absolute most phenomenal bbq i have had in the entire state of illinois!! jeff and his staff are outstanding, inviting, warm, and extremely personable! they make you feel like family!! and don't get me started on his very realistic pricing! not ridiculous like most bbq joints these days!!! i'm happy to pay for every morsel i get from jeff and his crew! their new bacon burnt ends (friday's only for now) will blow your socks off, as will everything else they make in house....all from scratch!!! you have got to try t.k.b!! i promise, you will not be disappointed!! read more

Flew in town for wife's siblings Navy graduation, and was hungry looking for a place to eat. Found this lovely place close by to the hotel. Stacy greeted us and we said it was our first time. She instantly offered samples of what meats there were available to help us make a decision. Not just Stacy, the whole staff was friendly. We got the rib-tip and brisket with sides of baked Mac and cheese, rice and beans, potato salad, and collard greens. Food was so good we finished everything. Definitely will stop by again when we are ever in town again. read more

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Test kitchen barbecue joint never disappoints food is always cooked with love and delicious .

The atmosphere, staff and food was great. We tried this place after my son's Navy boot camp graduation. Too many great choices

The Key Lime pie at TKB is incredible. Haven't had this pie since childhood. Yummy!!!!

I might not be an expert on barbecue but of the half dozen or so bbq places I've been to in the Lake County area, this place is bar far the best I've tried. I really think this place is truly legit. Most places have good or at least decent que. However, they tend to focus so much on their meat and sauces that all of their other food suffers. Like their sides for example... Well NOTHING at Test Kitchen BBQ suffers. Love is applied to every single food item they prepare. At least it was applied to everything I ordered. Their meat and sauces go without saying. I ordered brisket and pulled pork. Absolutely delicious. It was everything else that totally took my by surprise. Let's start with their fried chicken. The best anywhere in the county. The catfish was amazing. I thought $25 for 4 filets was a little pricey. However, the way they prepare it? You totally get your $'s worth. They cut it into strips and then bread and deep fry it. So 2 filets fills up an entire styrofoam container completely. 2 full dinner containers of catfish are totally worth $25. Now the sides. The red beans and rice were truly southern made with love. The mashed potatoes were outstanding. And their gravy is killer. The coleslaw was perfect. The only thing I didn't care for were the corn fritters. But that's just because I don't like corn fritters. My wife absolutely LOVED them. So if you haven't tried this place you absolutely MUST come here. Places like this need to succeed and flourish. They work hard at their job and deserve our patronage... Please Please please give em a shot. You won't be disappointed. I guarantee it. read more

this food is good. their deserts and all. this food is better than most. make take some time to get the food but it's worth it.

Food was so good! Service was amazing! Everyone there is so friendly. Especially Jeff, great character and super nice! I felt very comfortable and satisfied with my experience here at test kitchen bbq! 10/10 recommend! Jeff definitely deserves a raise! read more

Service was friendly and the place appeared clean. This place is operating with Browns's Chicken, which is what initially drew me in. I ordered 1/2 lb of fried mushrooms, a beef brisket sandwich, and a side of mac and cheese and a large lemonade. 28.00, which would have been fine if it was edible. It was not. The mushroom breading was not the usual breading they use and the shrooms taste just off. The Mac and cheese was flavorless, rubbery-1 tasted old af. The brisket sandwich was all gristle and fat . 28.00 in the garbage . I ate very little spit it out and threw the rest out-disgusting! read more

First timer. . Ordered the medium rib tips dinner and the rib tips were tender, well seasoned, and delicious. Somebody took the time to trim the fat because the tips are very meaty. You also get to choose from a variety of sauces. I went with mild sauce and it was a good choice, and really, the tips are good with or without sauce. The two sides were greens and red bean and rice. I was disappointed in the red beans and rice. They were a little soupy and bland. The greens were okay. I'll definitely be back. The service was good and the menu is expansive so definitely a lot more to try! read more

Food was excellent. Will go back. Great service. Shrimp special was awesome. Can't wait to go back and try the shrimp boil.

Only been here once, but was already planning my return after the first bite of my meal. Food was as amazing as it smells upon walking in. Service and staff was helpful, knowledgeable, and prompt. Although I did not dine in, atmosphere was real cozy, good music was playing. They've got a real big many, so should be something for everyone. Prices are good, especially considering how much food you get. My only gripe is their current hours! But outside of that, pretty impressed with the place & can't wait to come back. read more

Test Kitchen BBQ - Large Rib Dinner. Enough food for 2, but I was greedy! *oink* - Barbeque Near Me - Waukegan, Illinois

I ate here a lot when it was Browns and TKB. They have since shed the Browns but kept fried chicken on the menu. I was anxious to try it as the chicken was really good when it was Browns and they do so well with bbq. I had the 4 wing special and thought it was a good value. However, the chicken, while still good, was nothing special. The side of beans was really good and the service was great. read more

Everything we had tasted great and the service was top-notch. The brisket was fall apart tender and had a great smoke ring . Fried chicken was crispy and juicy. We kept the sides pretty straightforward. Baked beans were tasty and the mashed potatoes were spot on. Extra points for the homemade pickles. Pit Master Jeff, and his team were attentive and welcoming. We will be back again. read more

Well first of all, the brisket is god-tier. Tender. Delicious. Salty. Savory. Not covered up with BBQ sauce because it shines on its own. Many people have commented on the brisket. I'm that person who goes to a BBQ restaurant and get 6 different sides because I want to try the Mac n cheese, the beans , the corn bread, the peach cobbler, the Cole slaw. Well now I'm stuffed because I finished most of those sides instead of just tasting them. Particularly the cabbage was incredible. I tore through that AND drank the potlikker. The biscuits and cornbread were too good to eat 1/2. I did leave most of the mac n cheese, it was a plain recipe of melted cheese and noodles. Now I'm full to my eyebrows. There is an atmosphere in here of wonderful people who enjoy making wonderful food. Like, they're laughing together behind the counter while they serve the food and Chaka Kahn or Stevie wonder is bumping. I really like this place. read more

Ordered ahead for a small party this past Saturday. Their ribs are amazing! Just the right smoky flavor and fall off the bone tender. Four sauces to choose from - all good. Turkey tips were delicious as were burnt bacon ends. There are a variety of delish sides to choose from. We had corn fritters, black-eyed peas, candied sweet potatoes, fried cabbage, potato salad and coleslaw. The staff here are all friendly and courteous and knowledgeable. They even carried my food to the car for me. Already looking forward to our next visit. Well done, Test Kitchen BBQ read more

Everytime we drive from Kentucky we go straight there! They never disappoint! They're always amazing and great customer service! Turkey tips . He made some corn waffles to die for and gave us some to taste. Omg if I lived there i would have a big back Love this place! read more

This was our first time here. I had the pulled pork dinner. The meat was tender and the sides seemed homemade . I had coleslaw and my husband had sweet potatoes. Both were delicious. My husband had rib tips. The portions were large and yummy. read more

A friend told me about this restaurant. He raved about it. I tried it and I like this restaurant a lot. Rarely do you find a Soul Food, BBQ restaurant that has so many different foods that are prepared well and so agreeable to the Soul Food palate. Everything, Rib Tips, fried chicken, Collard greens, brisket, Potatoe salad, Coleslaw and especially the BBQ sauce are perfect. I talked to the owner. He revealed that he "tests" his food and makes sure it is just right for the soul food lover. Thus, the name "Test Kichen" Most restaurants prepare the food, put it out to the customers and hope they like it. This restaurants approach is working. Test then, deliver. I am a regular customer from now on! Love their food!! read more

Great customer service. Food was amazing great taste, definitely coming more often if you're in the area you should definitely stop by!

Got the brisket sandwich with a side of coleslaw. Brisket was mediocre and fatty. They add the sauce to the sandwich but I couldn't understand by sauce choices despite the woman repeating it a few times. I wish they would just put the sauces out and allow people to try the different sauces. Coleslaw was fine. A bit expensive for what you get. Would have been a more appropriate price point with two sides or a drink. They also need to lower the music volume. read more

Had gone there unexpectedly. However it was a wonderful surprise! All the food we ordered was very good--brisket, pork, turkey--including some southern sides. Great service and friendly. Granddaughter wants to go back soon. read more

Great friendly staff. we shared a sea food boil, brisk, and rib tips all tasted great.

Great food and polite staff, brisket and corn fritters were SO good. We'll be back for sure!!

This place is legit. Great BBQ at a great price. I stopped there on a whim and boy am I glad -- tender, lean and juicy brisket with your choice of 4 sources that are beyond good. I give this place 10 stars!!! read more