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Ambiance: Bub City is a southern BBQ style restaurant resembling many restaurants from the south from the country music playing, to the sports TVs and very American theme'd decor. There's both indoor high top, a bar, booth, and outdoor seating to choose from with plenty of space between tables. Service: The servers were extremely nice greeting guests upon entry and engaging with the menu and any questions that may have been asked. The Brisket sandwich said sliced but they were able to do chopped instead without any upcharge which was extremely nice and substitute for the regular fries with another for a one dollar upcharge. Wait time: The wait time was not long at all between ordering and when the food arrived. Food: As a born and raised southerner, the barbecue was very flavorful and had a good mix of lean and fatty bits on the brisket in the sandwich with a hardy serving of meat. The sweet potato fries were some of the absolute best I have ever had at a restaurant with a crisp exterior and slightly soft interior flavorfully seasoned with a mixture of seasonings. Overall, bub city was a happy surprise to find in the Midwest bringing good flavored barbecue and a homey feeling outside of South and I'd recommend anyone to try it for some very solid Southern style brisket.
We come here often for work happy hours! Big fan of the HH food menu where everything is $5. I usually get fries and I think the plates are fun (ceramic but look like paper plates). If you're looking for a quick, cheap buzz, the Eazy Peazy Lemonade is a legend among my coworkers. Really packs a punch and goes down *ahem* eazy peazy! I can take or leave the theme (I used to live in nashville so it's a little nostalgic but I don't care for country music and country themes) but it's not too overwhelming, so it's still enjoyable! Staff is always very kind and great sports when we all come in so we really truly appreciate them!
Came here last night looking for some good BBQ in the city. Right off the back this place gets bonus points for all of the TV's and their sound system actually playing the broadcast instead on music. Our server was extremely nice and gave us the run down on what they are known for. We settled on the skillet cornbread, a chicken sando, ribs and brisket. We also got waffle fries and tots. That cornbread was the star of the night. Slightly sweet, piping hot and moist. It's served with honey butter too. 10/10. The next best was the chicken sandwich. It was a great size and the bacon was crispy, which is always a winner. Finally the ribs and brisket were good but not great. The sauce on the ribs were excellent but they were not very tender. They could have been wrapped for a good hour and they would have been perfect. The brisket was moist but just not quite to the tenderness you expect. Both the ribs and brisket were very salt forward so if you are watching your salt intake be aware of that. The sides were all great. The only deduction was that we found a piece of foil on the chicken sandwich. The manager came over and apologized and made everything right. Would I go back? Yes! Should you give it a try? Absolutely! There are a number of things I still want to try on the menu like their fajitas, burgers and tacos.
My favorite country bar in River North! The rainbow lights and live music instantly put you in a good mood. A big plus is their $5 happy hour. Always busy but service is fantastic and don't sacrifice quality for efficiency. The food is mainly bbq and always cooked to perfection. Highly recommend this place!
Bub City absolutely delivered. The nachos were the standout, loaded, packed with flavor, and honestly big enough to share between two people. We also ordered the sliders, and they were a solid choice with juicy patties and great flavor. If you're going with a friend, the nachos are a must-order. Great food, generous portions, and definitely worth coming back for.
Came here on a Saturday night just before the band was going to play, the atmosphere was great and can guess it would be even better with the live music, we got seated right away. There were a lot of TVs to watch on. For food, I got the pork shoulder pulled pork plate, and the food came right away, in about 5 minutes which I wasn't expecting. So the service is super fast. The pulled pork was super tasty especially with some bbq poured over it, some of the best I've had in Chicago so far. Highly recommend this place for a lovely atmosphere and definitely try to come when there is a band
I love Bub City DOWN!!! One of my favorite places for bites, drinks, and hanging out in the River North Area! We were staying nearby while in Chicago, so it was one of our first stops of our stay for dinner and some drinks. The Mac N Cheese with pulled pork added to it HITS! Soooo silky smooth, creamy, delicious, and a great contrast in textures between the cheesy mac and the pulled pork. The drinks here are also tasty and strong! We stopped by a few more times during our stay to hang out and grab a drink. It's also very easy to order and service is always prompt. We also returned just before heading to the airport for returning to LA and got their All-American Burger and more of the delectably delicious Mac N Cheese!! Neither disappointed and totally hit the spot! I absolutely recommend this spot to anyone looking in the River North area of Chicago.
Came across Bub City via DoorDash and glad I did! The tater tots were crispy and the hamburger was seasoned very well. I appreciate that they took the time to package my order so items didn't shift and not one spill of my Oreo milkshake. My friend loves burgers so when she comes to town will make a stop to check out the location. Definitely a return customer!
Not only is Bub City one of my favorite bars in Chicago, I recently discovered they have great food too!!!!! The chicken sandwich was amazing and huge, plenty to share. We also tried the nachos and coleslaw which we didn't love as much as the sandwich, but they were still good. The atmosphere on the inside is the classic all american country vibe - the perfect place to whip out your cowboy boots!!! We went for happy hour / dinner, but they have live music most nights starting later (around 9 or 10 I think), so would be a great place for a late dinner and then stay for the live music when it turns into more of a bar. I have loved this bar for awhile, I'm so glad I discovered their good food too!!!!
After stopping by finishing a happy hour nearby, I was left feeling underwhelmed by the service. Unfortunately our bartender almost felt like he did not want to be bothered. However, the drink I had was very good. The interior has a rustic vibe. I had a drink that was a mix between the Back Porch Tea & Easy Peasy Lemonade. It was good mix and strong! Just how I like my drinks. Due to the service, I would be reluctant to visit again.
Not impressed: service was on point and tv's had MLB and minor league and there was country music playing. Wisconsin old fashion -very good. Strawberry margarita spritz-super mix flavor not strawberry flavor ( mixed w/water to finish) Burnt ends -decent, 4-5 chunks, bbq sauce should complement meat and served on the side. Cole slaw plus some other side should be included ( 1/2 cup of something). Mac n cheese was good , too much for 1 serving good for (2). Added 4.95 chopped brisket, 2 slices on top w/out bbq sauce . Skillet cornbread n whipped honey butter was the best thing ordered. Literally melts in your mouth when sliced in half and added butter. $86 + $15 tip. Our most expensive meal this weekend and just ok bbq.
I've been to Bub City between five and 10 times over the past 5 to 10 years. I've never had a bad experience. Most recently I came here for brunch. I ordered a bloody Mary, fried pickles, and the hub 51 nachos. My friend had a bloody Mary as well and the pastrami hash. All the food was fantastic, and the brunch happy hour six dollar drinks are such an amazing deal. The standout part of our experience was our server, who was so incredibly pleasant and sweet and helpful. Wish I could remember her name but she was awesome. Bob city is a solid place for food or drinks or live music. Very fun and cute atmosphere too. Highly recommend.
Foods pretty good, American food. The staff is attentive and sweet. It does get loud in the evening. The burger used to be on a happy hour deal but the drinks are strong and cold. The black porch tea and the lemonade vodka are both delicious and on the sweeter side. The tenders were pretty standard and fries are good. Unfortunately one time my father got food poisoning here which is why I'm giving 4 stars. Happens everywhere I understand but was sad it happened when we were all downtown.
Soak up what is left of the summer on the outdoor patio and stay awhile to have some barbecue! Weather it's brisket, ribs, pulled pork, etc they have the meats that you want! Don't forget the cornbread skillet with honey Tabasco butter, you can literally just order that and be happy. Like waffle fries and tots? Go ahead and order away! How about fried pickles? That's on the menu too! They have a good selection of beers and cocktails as well! read more
3 years ago
Really fun and easy place to go with your family or just by yourself. Great apps. Really great bourbon selection. Fast and friendly service, and the bbq is really good. Very laid back setting with lots of sports on. read more
5 years ago
A great barbecue place and bar! Exactly what I imagine Nashville bbq joints to look like, Bub City had a fun atmosphere and a stage for live music. The ribs were tasty and the chicken tenders were actually super moist! They were out of fries, but the tots were dressed to impress. Brussel sprouts were also a nice, simple, well done side. We would go back! Service was a little slow, but it had started getting pretty busy approaching 8pm. read more
7 years ago
One of my favorite places in River North! I loved brunch at Bub City and would highly recommend it! The service was great, and having the outdoor seating option along with good live music to add to the atmosphere makes it an ideal pick for a place to hang out for a while, enjoy the company and have some phenomenal food. Try the chicken and cheese biscuit, sticky buns and the white sangria! read more
4 years ago
Stopped in at Bub City after a recommendation from our friendly hotel bartender. He told my husband this was the place to be for bourbon. Husband was very happy (spent a lot of money on bourbon). The food for me was 4 star (certainly not fancy) but everything else was a 5- so 5 star it is! Waitress was very knowledgeable on drinks, quick and courteous. Loved dining by the open windows on a beautiful Chicago day! read more
7 years ago
We ordered for a lunch meeting and got the blackened salmon with slaw and pickled cucumbers. I loved everything and would reorder. Likes: - Salmon was tender, fresh, and flavorful - Pickled cucumbers are similar to the ones my mom makes - sweet and vinegary Dislikes: - Portion size was filling but not big especially for $18 pre-tax read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
First time here and blah. Drinks - D Food - C Service - A Two out of the three specials weren't available because they didn't upload the correct menu to their online menu. Drinks were harsh. Food was cold coming out of the kitchen and the sandwich bread was old. read more
3 years ago
The food is very good, and the service if I last remembered was a little slow, but it's most likely due to this place is always packed! I honestly loved the vibe. They do a great balance of making it a cool bar spot, and food spot. Great for people that love country food and want a mix of a city and southern hospitality. Def worth checking out. read more
This past weekend was my first time eating at Bub City and although I don't eat meat (ironic to be reviewing a BBQ driven menu) everything was delicious! I really enjoyed the fried pickles as a starter, the chopped salad I ordered as my meal, and the cornbread and Mac and cheese we all shared! The portions were very generous in my opinion. The service was really good for a large group. They also surprisingly had a delicious espresso martini? I didn't expect it to be so well made! The string lights throughout and country music playing make you feel like you're at a bar down south and not in the heart of Chicago. Definitely a fun spot for a group! read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Born in OC California and have lived in SF for 12 years as a server, bartender, and host. I am currently a 5 year veteran at Hyatt SF .While visiting this establishment my cousins and I were "cut off" from alcohol after each ordering one drink each and one shot, aside from this, we were accused of not paying our bill (which was paid in full) and the police was called. Upon their arrival, they found we had paid our bill and had no reason to be escorted out. We noticed we were the only people of color in the establishment at the time and our waitress initially stated "our MANAGER noticed there were too many drinks" once the manager arrived he stated "our WAITRESS stated they had too much to drink". The clear discrimination and disconnect was evident. We felt as though we were discriminated against and had no reason to be escorted out and left on our own. The ambiance was nothing what we had expected. Do not come here if you are a minority. read more
Let me start off by saying I am not a fan of live country music, so that is not why I picked this place. I do have a playlist on Spotify called "Country Favorites" and that is all the country I got in me....unless I am listening to Johnny Cash. For some reason I do not think of him as country and can listen to him all day. Enough about me and my musical taste, let's get back to Bub City. We were doing a staycation at the Hotel Kinzie (great hotel) and I was looking for places that were within walking distance of the hotel for The Doctor and me to dine. We both like BBQ so I decided to give this place a try. I was happy to see that they were on OpenTable and that I was able to make a reservation. So glad I did because the place was packed. Because it is the holiday season, Bub City was decked out in Xmas lights, which were pretty. The decor is fairly standard, touristy country bar downtown. I kept thinking I was in the Xmas version of a Blues Brothers movie ;-) Of course the first thing I checked out was the drink menu. Lots of whiskeys...I repeat, lots of whiskeys. And beer....did I mention that this was a country restaurant/bar? I love a good whiskey, but not with my BBQ. I started with bubbles in the day and wanted to finish with bubbles, but wasn't looking any here. Lo and behold, there was a little snippet on the drinks menu that said to ask about our wine list....they really should change that to "we got a red one, a white one and a prosecco". Prosecco works for me, so I was happy before I had even tasted any food. We didn't do starters, as I could see from some of the other orders going by that the portions were of a good size. The Doctor got the Pulled Chicken sandwich and I ordered the Smokie's Sampler Platter. I knew I was not going to eat it all, but wanted to sample the different meats. You have a choice of 2 or 3 meats with 2 sides, corn bread, slaw, pimento cheese and sweet pickles. I got the Berkshire pork shoulder and hot link. I upgraded to a deluxe platter and added their 18-hour natural brisket. Threw in an order of the mac and cheese to give it a try. The Doctor enjoyed his chicken sandwich...he cleaned his tray. The sandwich came with chips and slaw. My platter was heavy on meat and it was all good. The brisket was tender and had a nice mix of meat and fat. The Berkshire pork shoulder and hot link were equally good. The corn bread was good, but that platter could stand a bigger piece with that meat. Cole slaw and beans were standard, not bad, but nothing to write home about based on the serving. I was surprised that there was white bread included in the meal (more like toast). Didn't touch it, not because it was white bread or carbs, but because the corn bread was great and I needed to save room for meat. Mac and Cheese was decent. Ended up taking most of the platter home and it held up well. Meat was still good, but better with some Sweet Baby Ray's sauce on it. Our server Ozzy was attentive and took care of us, even though it was busy. I would say if you are downtown and are looking for some decent smoked meats, then stop on by. If you are not a fan of country music, keep on walking as there is a lot of pop country playing. Prices are high if you are comparing to places that are not downtown, but they fall into line for downtown Chicago. read more
Business owner information
Cameron T.
Hey Denyce, thanks for checking us out during your staycation! We are…
2 years ago
This place only gets 4 stars because of Julien, our waiter with fantastic eye brows. He was so down to earth and friendly. He really made us feel welcomed. Without Julien, it would have been 1 star. Minus one star because when we first arrived, we were treated by a passive aggressive manager (talk with a Hawaiian shirt). My friend asked if they had a mask which is probably a common question. The manager said no. Then my friend said that it should be provided. At that point, I wished the manager just sat us outside instead of giving us attitude and rolling his eyes. DRINKS- 3 of us got 1 Moscow mule (very bad), 5 bloody Mary's (obviously very good. They make their own and it has a Smokey bacon like taste. Great amount of spice and viscosity), and one bourbon (decent selection). read more
3 years ago
Food was nothing special. Service was alright. We were brought to our seats pretty fast and our food was served fast but nothing stood out to the point of above and beyond. It's a good place to go for something normal and not for celebrations. There was no real feel to the energy or vibe of the place. read more
Great spot to have lunch / drinks in downtown. This was my first stop for food in the city. After a tiring flight and a hotel check in I was ready to explore the city. Thankfully Bub city was near our hotel, and had a pretty good vibe for Saturday afternoon. We decided to have a beer and a island tea (the island tea was really strong for me, but I managed) Coming to food, we had a burger and chicken wings. The wings were not my favorite, but curly fries and the burger were pretty good! There were a lot of people having fun and celebrating bachelorettes on other tables. I would definitely recommend this place for the vibe! read more
3 years ago
The atmosphere was very pleasant and open chill vibe would recommend if in the river north area read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
We stopped in for a quick drink. They were extremely accommodating and quick to deliver cocktails. I had the Margarita. Not too much mix so it was refreshing. Cool space read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
5 years ago
U can tell this place has great management! Servers are attentive Busses arent just standing around Hosts are properly seating the restaurant Place is clean I def will be back! Server was Gary...he did an awesome job. Will ask for him again! He's very efficient. Felt good not to have to chase down my server. Great job staff at bub city! read more
4 years ago
First time here today and I was glad to know that this place is kid friendly. It's hard to find a restaurant (not in Chinatown area!) that's okay with having three crazy kids. Now let's get down to business. Food - it was great! Husband ordered fried chicken and barbeque baby back ribs. For the kids, we ordered chicken tenders (3 pcs per order) and a side of tater tots. My kids don't eat much so we just split the orders for three kids. We even have leftovers. For me, I ordered chicken and cheese biscuit. All of the foods were extremely good. Place - it was spacious. It was not full when we got there around 11.30. Around 12.30, there was music for entertainment. It was great! Bathroom - let's put it here. I went to the women restroom and as soon as I opened the door, i saw a guy standing there. I screamed as I thought either I went to the wrong bathroom or there was a pervert in the ladies room. A minute later, I realized that it was a stupid statue. Let me tell you, this statue scared the shit out of me. (Pardon my language!) Service - now here's the reason for 4 stars. Our server was nice BUT he was so busy that it took him 30 minutes to get our check. Also, he seemed to be all over the place. Overall, yes we will come back here again. read more
Business owner information
Cameron T.
Thanks for checking us out, Windy! We're a great place to bring the…
3 years ago
I'd give it one if I could. They said my friend was over served because she flipped to the wrong page of her passport. Has he never had a passport? who can guess the right page. I went to a second man about it and he said "I'm sticking by my team" okayyyy. Silly. and he was SO rude about it. I do not recommend this place. Go to joy if you can. This man. read more
6 years ago
I'm so torn writing this review because they have some really great stuff as well as some disappointing stuff, thus, 3 stars. I ordered pick-up through their website, and that whole process was super smooth and easy. Also, there were quite a few people dining in when I picked up the order so the place was pretty poppin. My girlfriend and I ordered the BBQ Brisket Nachos, Tater Tots, Mac & Cheese, and a slice of Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie. The only thing that was absolutely fabulous was the brisket. The meat was so tender and flavorful and adored it! The nachos themselves were also quite good, and I loved how fresh the chips were. It was served with a side of salsa and guacamole with BBQ sauce on top. The flavors all tied together well. The sad thing was that there was so little brisket in comparison to everything else that I would have been better off just ordering the brisket. Everything else was just okay. The mac & cheese was soooo bland, the tots were just average, and the pie wasn't that great. I was a bit disappointed with how chocolatey the pie was - it was like 99% chocolate and 1% peanut butter. It was also very rich and heavy which I wasn't expecting. One last note is that the portion sizes are very big - much better than some other restaurants in the area! All in all, I would strongly recommend their brisket (and probably their other smoked meats) but I wouldn't recommend much else. I'd be willing to give them another try, but it's not something I'm rushing to do. read more
9 years ago
My first time here for a lunch date with one of my good friends. He saw a few good reviews on yelp and recommend we try this place out. So, I met up with him on last week for lunch. This place décor is displayed with a fun theme. On the side is Whiskey Bar for all the hard drinking folks. There is a Live Band Karaoke on Tuesday Nights. Its seems to be a nice hang out place to come and hear some live music. I enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Very chilled and relaxing. Bub City has an affordable lunch menu deal and it's so much food that you have enough to share it. Our server was ok. We had to ask for water and wave her down to place our order. She just disappeared from our sight with no return. It's a nice place to come for lunch to enjoy some BBQ and side items. Maybe I will come back after work to hear some live music and Karaoke. Not to mention you get a nice sweet dessert after your meal. I will keep you updated on my next visit. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
Stopped by Bub City tonight, after walking around to find a place to dine. Our waiter, Julio V, was fantastic!! He gave us great suggestions & was very patient as we took our time deciding. I ordered the No Shoes, No Shirt & it was delicious! It tasted like passionfruit juice but I didn't taste the alcohol, nor did I feel it. If you're looking for a great tasting sweet drink with hardly any alcohol, this is your drink! We ordered the fried pickles, I'd give them a 2 out of 5 only bcuz the ranch dipping dressing was good. My friend ordered the ribs & they were not tender nor did they fall off the bones, maybe that's not a thing in Chicago (shrug). She also ordered the cornbread & it was very good!!! I ordered the Cali burger & it a good. The tater tots were okay, they tasted better dipped in the ranch dressing. Overall, it was a decent visit. read more
4 years ago
This is for their delivery: Pick up was super easy and loved the meal for 4. It consisted of mac and cheese brisket, buns, salad, and of course cookies! There was A LOT of mac and cheese and brisket. Had 4 meals plus a little left over. Love the Mac and cheese. Creamy and delicious. Brisket was good not great but I have had a lot of bbq to compare. Cookies were soft and definitely a great end to the meal. Salad was hearty. Overall would definitely do this deal again. read more
4 years ago
The only reason I am giving this place 1 star is because our waitress was great. Food was ok, not anything worth going out for. Drinks not the greatest either. The only vodka they had was Tito's or cheap vodka.. The biggest problem was Tim, the manager. He wouldn't let us reserve a spot for 20, he changed it to 12, or so he said. Then he told us we had to stay in our own area. When one of our guests sat down with a couple who invited him to sit down, he told him to move and I asked him why, he said he would close all of our tabs and we had to leave! At this point our group was about 25 people and he kicked us out!!!!! With security!!!! We all walked across the street to the Boss Bar and they were very happy to accommodate us. Bub City lost all these customers and anyone they know will never go there again! Kudos to you Tim for that! Do not go here if you have a party of more than 6. Tim can't handle groups. He's rude and a liar and walks around like Napoleon. read more
More info about Bub City
435 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60654
Near North Side
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(312) 610-4200
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https://www.bub-city.com
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Ask the Community - Bub City
Does the music play all evening?
Tonight the band goes on at 11pm till 2:30am. Hope this is helpful…
Is there live music everyday or every weekend?
Hey Mysel, thanks for reaching out! We pretty much have live music every night. You can check out our live music calendar on our website. Every Tuesday we do live band karaoke which is always a lot of fun!
Hi do you have gluten free options?
Hey Wendi, we sure do! We have some dishes that are already gluten free as well as some items that can be slightly modified to accommodate a gluten allergy. Please just alert your server of your allergy when you come in and they will walk you…
Is there any outdoor seating?
Hey Anna, There sure is. We have a great patio out front!
Do you have to be 21 to go here?
Hey Wendi, thanks for reaching out. We are all ages until 10pm, then we become 21+.
Review Highlights - Bub City
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