I really wanted to enjoy my visit to Wilma's BBQ in downtown Chicago, but unfortunately, it fell…read morewell short of my expectations.
My party of four visited for Sunday brunch, and the restaurant was basically empty when we arrived. The escalator also wasn't working, which wasn't the best first impression.
We ordered fried wings, rib tips, and drinks, but our food didn't come out together. For a table of four, it's disappointing when everyone isn't served at the same time.
The biggest disappointment was the lemon drop martinis. After one sip, they were far too tart and overly citrusy for our taste. The glasses were still nearly full, so we politely asked if they could be remade or exchanged for a different cocktail. We were told that all alcohol sales are final. While I understand restaurants have policies, I was surprised there wasn't any willingness to accommodate us, especially since we had barely touched the drinks and simply wanted a different cocktail.
As for the food, the fried wings lacked seasoning, and the rib tips were rubbery and didn't have much flavor. Being from Texas, I enjoy BBQ where the meat stands on its own, so I asked for the BBQ sauce on the side. Unfortunately, even with the sauce, the rib tips didn't have the quality or flavor I was expecting.
The staff was polite, but the food quality, drink experience, and overall execution didn't live up to the reputation I was hoping for. I hope management takes this feedback as an opportunity to improve because the restaurant has potential.