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    17th Street Barbecue

    3.9 (261 reviews)
    ModerateBarbeque, American
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    17th Street Barbecue Photos

    17TH STREET BARBECUE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - 17th Street Barbecue

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    Reviews With Photos

    Signature 17ST Potato
    Ember W.

    Stopped here on a road trip from STL and was blown away--the baked potato was hands down the best I've ever had! My dad and I sat at the bar, and the service couldn't have been better. The whole place had such a chill and welcoming vibe, which made it easy to relax and enjoy our meal. We even picked up some of their "magic dust" seasoning to take home--can't wait to use it! Definitely worth a stop!

    Outside
    Tim M.

    Stopped in for lunch while passing through. The location is a ways from the interstate, and well worth the trek! The placed is filled with bbq memorabilia on the walls, and the wonderful wood decor makes for a comfortable and charming atmosphere. Recommend sitting in the back room at a booth if available rather than the bar area. It's a little quieter back there. There's also outdoor seating. Our server, Kaden, was excellent, friendly, and knowledgeable about the food and its history. The food was absolutely amazing. The ribs were tender, smoky and flavorful. The pulled pork was moist, lightly seasoned, and a little tangy. The brisket was well seasoned and tender. The wings were moist, tender and tasty! The sides were equally outstanding. The collards were chock full of flavor and delicious. Some of the best I've ever had. The vinegar coleslaw was unique and wonderful. I could drink the coleslaw dressing like a cocktail, and I kind of did. The baked beans were sweet and tangy, also delicious. The sauces were a great complement to the meats. Highly recommend. Worth the trip.

    The championship combo with collards and beans plus a pork steak and Half Smoked Chicken
    Steve W.

    I would leave a zero if I could. The Legend, Mr. Mills, would be so disappointed as was I by the quality of the food I was served. I ordered the championship combo and added a pork steak and half chicken so I'd get a shot at every meat on the menu. I also got collard greens and green beans as my sides. The platter at a glance looked fine but the first thing I noticed was the odd color of the collard greens. I tried those first and I've never spit anything out at a restaurant before but these went right into a napkin. They were sickly sweet and just tasted off. Gross. The ribs and chicken were obviously yesterdays leftovers reheated. The pulled pork had fat and gristle throughout. I had to use a steak knife to cut the pork steak. In St. Louis we use a fork on our tender pork steaks. The brisket had little flavor but was tender and moist. The only thing truly edible on the entire tray was the sausage. It was actually good. I will say the service while slow was friendly. I payed my bill and left knowing I'll never go back and feeling bad because I know Mr. Mills would never let things be this way were he alive.

    Dry meat
    Vasily K.

    Maybe I've been spoiled with good BBQ in the South, but I'm not much of a fan of this beloved barbecue joint. The building was easy to find from the signage. The interior was clean and what you would expect. The staff was warm and accommodating. I had really high hopes that the food would match. It's much drier than you would expect. The brisket was flavorful from the rub but broke in shards. Maybe that is the style here but it wasn't very nice. The pork was far beyond needing to be changed out in whatever is used for storage because of the dryness. Worst of all, I've never known pulled pork to be unseasoned. The sauces were okay. The fries were delicious and piping hot. The coleslaw could have been amazing but had bell peppers thrown in for some reason. Maybe I was wrong for visiting on a Monday, but with this many awards, I would expect to be knocked off my feet any time.

    Rhett B.

    I had seen for many years on Thrillist that this was one of the BBQ joints in America that you had to try. Expectations were high and they nailed it! When I walked in, the hostess immediately took me to a board that asked, "Where I was from?" Of course, I had to say Roll Tide and tell them I came all the way from Alabama to try their BBQ. Then proceeded to tell them I just drove two hours from Kentucky. There is also a book that you can write in about your experience and the hostess said the staff reads it in the afternoon when they are slow to build morale. First things first....I was afraid with this being Illinois my sweet tea would be the Yankee variety, but it was actually really good sweet tea. I asked my server if this was the only time I ever ate here, what should I eat? He really recommended the wings. It's not my usual go to at a BBQ joint, but he persuaded me when he told me the ribs were from yesterday and ribs are better later in the afternoon. The magazine, Food and Wine, ranked the wings among their top ten in America. They might be right. The wings were smoked then grilled, but what was the most impressive aspect of them was the consistency. There wasn't one side that was chewy and the other side rock hard. It was the same consistent taste throughout and the spicy buffalo sauce didn't overpower the wings. And if you truly want to make them magical, add that magic dust they have on the table. It really elevated the wings to another level. Everything is a la carte here so I ordered a 1/4 pound of pork and brisket with a side of potato salad and beans. The brisket was better than the pork as it was moist and flavorful. The pork was chipped but it was a little dry, but still good. The potato salad was the baked potato type with the magic dust on top. The beans were amazing! They were really sweet and I would rate them among the best I've ever had. There are four sauces - original, a little kick, red, and hog wash. The original was a very mild sauce that I think might have been more of a mustard base and the Little Kick was the spicy version. The Hog Wash was a flavorful North Carolina style vinegar that went well with the pork. My favorite sauce out of them was the Red. It seemed to be a mix of ketchup and vinegar but it had apples as an ingredient. Definitely the more unique sauce out of the group. 17th Street was definitely about the experience. The BBQ was fantastic, especially the wings, beans and brisket. It was worth the two hour drive I made.

    Menu
    Chris D.

    Place is incredible! Highly recommend. If not in the area, then plan a trip! Great food! Great people! The potato salad was the best I've had. The beans and brisket was very good. I'll be back many more times!

    Kim K.

    This is a solid bbq place! Staff was friendly. The place was packed after the Xmas tree lighting ceremony. They have a for pit by the outside seating going that smells like the smoke they flavor their food with. My daughter ordered wings which were AMAZING! Plenty of meat on them. Rich, smoky flavor. Just delicious! I ordered the nachos with pulled chicken. They weren't terrible. Chicken was cut and not pulled, but as far as bbq nachos go, I've had better. They were out of flatware so i was offered the smallest plasticware which was just hard to with. I had the 17th St beer on tap. I enjoyed it. Could have been a little more carbonated, but it still went down smooth. I had to wipe the sauces down myself as they were really sticky. I'm still a bit over cautious with the whole Covid19 thing and feel little things like wiping down the things people touch in between guests is important. But hey.. that's just me :/ I love the atmosphere. The smell is delightful. I hope to come back and try the brisket next time (they were out this night). Although someone who told me about the place thought the process were high, i felt they were pretty on par with all the bbq places I've been to. So go enjoy! This place is yum.

    Bread Pudding

    The service was amazing. The food was delicious! A great historic place to visit if you are in Illinois or driving through.

    Bread Pudding

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    4 months ago

    When I found 17th Street, I quit BBQing and left it to the experts. Best ribs I've had.

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    5 months ago

    Always great service and food! Love the signature potato and the bread pudding. 5/5 always love going there.

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    2 years ago

    Food. Stop. Serving overcooked cold food. Eliminate the charge for water. It's tap water for Christ sake.

    Business owner information

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    Amy M.

    I think you must have the wrong restaurant? We don't charge for water.

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    3 years ago

    Awesome wings! Service was quick, nice outdoor seating. Will definitely be back, especially with such great prices.

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - 17th Street Barbecue

    Pat's BBQ & Catering - The Sampler combo plate

    Pat's BBQ & Catering

    4.8(33 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $

    Popped in for Thurs lunch favoring Pat's with fewer but better ratings and less expensive option in…read moreMurphysboro. First time...so went withh the sampler at $18 and most of their meats are included except the pork steak (makes sense to me since that's usually a separate feature in these parts along with Kentucky). It was three of us and we were given the heads up that the sampler can feed two. Figured we could start with that and order more. The order was a very generous helping of two large rib tips, two pork rib bones, two wing pieces, and pulled chicken, pork, and chopped brisket. Our choice of two sides were slaw and mac & cheese. Three buns were thrown in given the three of us in the party (thanks for the flex). Local bottled Big Muddy root beer is the same $1.50 as the can sodas in the case and it is made with honey and cane sugar. Of the things I tried, I thought the rib tips were excellent - smoked pink and moist - got a meaty piece with only a small piece of cartilage. The chopped brisket isn't my thing - I prefer sliced. My daughter said the ribs were great (figured would be as good as the tips). The wings I believe were smoked too rather than grilled and the taste from the rub/marinade wasn't something I was familiar with. Tender and not dry. Pulled pork and chicken were solid. We still had leftovers - so I'll get my chance to try the ribs and focus on the flavor of the wing. Will have to get the pork steak next time and order plates next time focusing on our faves. Roomy dining area with some tables near the windows. It was getting warm out there so having plenty of indoor seating on a quieter Thursday lunch was welcome over overflow seating outside at the covered picnic tables.

    I live in the Midwest, in a small city. Our BBQ places are easy to find: look for a big, shouty…read moresign; the owner's $120,000 extended F250 taking up a space right in front of the door; and an ambiance that includes corrugated steel walls, self-consciously Texas-y lamps over closely huddled booths, and servers all wearing the same hat and shirt. Oh - and the food is usually fine, except no fried okra. Pat's is not in a city. It's outside a small southern Illinois town. Pretty far outside, in fact, which is where true BBQ is supposed to be located. The parking lot is gravel. The only pickups there belong to customers, and their worth is more in the range of $12,000, except to their owners, who use them as trucks. And the sign is a sign. It tells you where you are. Oh, wait - there are BBQ competition trophies in the entryway. Stand and marvel. There are more inside. Marvel more. Because other than these and some pics of family and locals and celebrities I didn't recognize on the walls, that's about it for decoration. Stare at the menu, menu board and signs. Pay attention to the happy person behind the counter when she tells you what they're out of, because the best BBQ places are out of something you want. Note the teasing banter between local customers and the kitchen staff, because everyone knows someone back there. And order. We got the pulled pork plate. My sister got potato salad and green beans. I got the fries. I got the local(?) root beer. They don't do fried okra, but this IS the Midwest. It all came to our table in a reasonable amount of time. The BBQ sauce came in a cup on the side. Ketchup was brought to us. So why only four stars? Everything was perfect, right? And prizewinning? Yeah, but BBQ is personal. Everyone has an opinion. I lived in northern Alabama, which styles itself as BBQ Country. As does Texas and Kansas City and Memphis and everywhere. Pat's, much beloved by regulars for its mild smokiness, juicy juicy soft texture and other features, seemed a bit too mild and even soggy to me. I know - I have no taste. And it was good. Just not five stars great. And not enough sauce in the container, though I could have gotten up to ask for more. And the potato salad was fine and the fries a little too starchy, but only a little. That said, the beans were the wonderful dark green juicy soft salty ones that are too ... wonderful. Get those. The root beer, brewed with honey, y'all, was the best ever. Get that, too. The dessert was what they were out of, dang it! Overall the experience was just great. Someplace to go back to. And you should go there.

    Photos
    Pat's BBQ & Catering - Winner, winner!

    Winner, winner!

    Pat's BBQ & Catering - Large Barbecue smoked pork nachos and a Big Muddy Rootbeer Mmmmm

    Large Barbecue smoked pork nachos and a Big Muddy Rootbeer Mmmmm

    Pat's BBQ & Catering - Seriously delicious root beer. With honey!

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    Seriously delicious root beer. With honey!

    Big Nate's BBQ - Homemade Chicago Italian Sausage

    Big Nate's BBQ

    3.7(3 reviews)
    6.4 mi

    Excellent BBQ! Place was busy at lunchtime when I visited. Took a few minutes to obtain my to-go…read moreorder, but worth the wait.

    This is probably the WORST food I've ever eaten.So sad this is what was once Tom's has become!…read moreTonight was "pasta night". Funny it's supposed to be a BBQ place and there was no bbq. I think Nate and Michelle should stick to running a food truck! Out of everything, pasta was worse than Fazolis, the "fillet" was a cheap frozen pre grill marked steak folded in half to look like a filet, out of asparagus, side was frozen french fries, salad was floating in dressing. Had 3 servers, was told people were walking out so guess that should have been our clue to run for the exit as well! Michelle spilled a drink on my friend's phone, no apologies, I had sweet tea, Michelle sits the pitcher down and says "there's the pitcher". Michelle brings my friend a refill and slams her soda down. No apologies or nothing! I'm sure this place will be going bankrupt soon and back to the food truck big Nate will be going to! We did have lots of laughs because we've all never been somewhere so terrible! As we're walking out Michelle says "be careful don't let grandma fall", the woman she's referring to was highly offended because she's not a grandma! A frozen dinner or McDonald's would be better than this place. Some are food truck people some are restaurant people, we clearly know what kind of people Michelle and Nate are.

    Photos
    Big Nate's BBQ - Our New Menu

    Our New Menu

    Big Nate's BBQ - Chelle's Cheeseburger in Paradise

    Chelle's Cheeseburger in Paradise

    Big Nate's BBQ

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    17th Street Barbecue - bbq - Updated May 2026

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