FlyerTalk Forums - BBQ in Chicago

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SW, have you checked out Coleman's on the West Side?

Quote:

Originally posted by PrinzII:
SW, have you checked out Coleman's on the West Side?

nope, had not heard about it, should I?

Most definitely. Coleman's is a good BBQ joint.

SW, looks like I am going to get you out in the 100s because there are a ton of spots out this way.

I gave you some of my favorites. I do need to add a place on 95th slightly west of I-294 in Hickory Hills. I'll get you the info as soon as I can.

BTW, I am not a fan of Kenny's at all. Sauce tastes like catsup to me.

Quote:

Originally posted by Sweet Willie:
I was trying a Johnnie’s Italian beef in Elmwood Park when I drove north on Thatcher and bumped into Russell’s. Seeing as I was on a food quest today and I love BBQ, I stopped in.

Oh no, no, no... I'm so sorry about that. We tried Russell's years and years ago because my aunt lives at Narraganset and North, and it was pitiful.

Lately, I've been getting my fix at the Patio on Rt 83 and 75th Street in Darien, as that's close to my new residence. To me, it is not real BBQ, it is Greek Restaurant Owner BBQ. [Having come from a Greek Restaurant family, this is not a bad thing to me, but I realize it for what it is and is not.]

They do a good job with the chicken as long as you say you want it well done, and their ribs are above average and inexpensive. The pulled meat is so-so, and not plentiful enough on the combos.

Did you get a chance to try the places I listed, SW?

Quote:

Originally posted by PrinzII:
Did you get a chance to try the places I listed, SW?

not yet as I've started a new job and need to put much time to become knowledgeable about the products. I am outside sales though, so they are on my list and as I get around the Chicago area we will slowly and surely check them out. (but I will admit, I've got 30 other BBQ places I have yet to try as well http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdi...um/biggrin.gif )

SW, let me know. I don't mind chatting BBQ. http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdi...um/biggrin.gif

Quote:

Originally posted by PrinzII:
SW, let me know. I don't mind chatting BBQ. http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdi...um/biggrin.gif

You guys can chat while I do the eating. As a witness to many of our eating outings, as soon as the food comes out, the conversation pretty much stops for awhile. http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdi...orum/smile.gif

Turned a fellow salesperson onto Hillery's BBQ today. Too funny to see him dig into his meal with gusto only to get BBQ sauce all over his shirt and tie. Our client's gave him a hard time about it the rest of the afternoon.

Hillery's does a great BBQ pork shoulder, lots of good smoke flavor.

Hillery's Bar-B-Q
1617 14th Street
North Chicago, IL
847.473.1722

Any new developments other than Hillery's?

Lem's on State Street (around 59th) is now closed, a moment of silence please.......

Fortunately another location of Lems is open.

Lem's BBQ House
311 E 75th St
Chicago
773-994-2428
closed Tue

Quote:

Originally posted by PrinzII:
SW, have you checked out Coleman's on the West Side?

Tried the rib tips at Colemans No 1. Good smoke flavor, tender yet not mushy falling off the bone texture (which is NOT desirable with ribs IMO).

Was expecting a typical sweet BBQ sauce, but Colemans has a nice vinegar zip to it. Quite good with the tips.

Fries sucked but most do any almost any BBQ place.

Fried chicken wings were decent, would have been really good if mixed from the fryer with some hot sauce but I wanted to try the wing as is.

Colemans No 1 Hickory Bar B Q
555 N Cicero Ave
Chicago
773.626.9299
&
Colemans No 2 Hickory Bar B Q
5754 W Chicago Ave
Chicago
773.287.0363

Quote:

Originally posted by Sweet Willie:
Just ate at Famous Dave's BBQ in Addison, IL.
Dave's is located on Lake Street (rt.20) about 1/2 mile east of 355.

I did not realize that FD was a chain restaurant, but they have about 50 locations w/half those in MN and IL.

Tried the ribs, brisket and chopped pork.

The ribs were pork spareribs, not babybacks.
The meat fell off the bone and the sauce added was very little. All in all a very enjoyable rib.

The "Texas" beef brisket was smoked very well, but was not sliced properly (slightly forgivable as a brisket is not an easy thing to slice). The slices were thick and tender but were missing a certain something I could not put my tastebuds on. Still a good brisket.

The "Georgia" Chopped pork was very mediocre and the sauce that was applied was not good.
I would recommend sauce off and apply one of the 4 sauces provided at your table.

I like sauces of any kind and at your table are four: a sweet/spicy, a "Georgia" mustard (mustard/vinegary), a devil's (too much spice taste), and a house sauce (OK). My favorites were the sweet/spicy (on the brisket) and the "Georgia" mustard on the pork. The ribs I did not add any sauce to.

My two usual sides w/BBQ is coleslaw and potato salad. The slaw was fine, but the potato salad had celery added to it, which ruins it for me.

Overall, Famous Dave's was good. Best brisket so far in Chicagoland I've had.

Famous Daves in MSN is the site of my WORST BBQ EVER experience. I ordered a barbecued chicken sandwich, I got slimy pressed chicken loaf drowned in thin sauce with too much vinegar. Did I mention the stale white bread? YUCK!!!