Loved the bar over looking the Riverwalk. Enjoyed the foos very much. Great service, nice people. Will return if I go back to Chicago

I have been dining at Carson's restaurant for over 30 years, but after my experience last night, I will be looking for a new barbecue spot. Up until four years ago, I used to visit at least five or six times every single year. Last night was my first time back since then, and I was deeply disappointed by how much the standards have slipped. The entire evening felt incredibly rushed. The person taking our order seemed to be in a massive hurry, acting short and dismissive with us. To make matters worse, an automatic gratuity was added to the bill. While I understand this is becoming a common industry practice, a gratuity should ultimately be an option based on service. The server did mention at the end that we could have it removed if we wanted to, but customers shouldn't be forced into that awkward position in the first place. Unfortunately, the quality of the food has also gone downhill. I always used to order the ribs and frequently took extra food home because it was so good. Last night, the food left a lot to be desired. The barbecue simply isn't what it once was. When my uncle graduated in the 90s we went to your previous downtown location.He loved the restaurant as well; the food, the exceptional service, and the warm atmosphere. I went there year after year. While I respect that they have managed to stay in business for 30 years, there were just too many issues with both the service and the food for me to return. read more

The service was a bit rushed maybe due to dinner rush coming in. Everything was delicious we had the brisket sandwich and I had the double baked potato. Does anyone remember when Carson's was on the south side? read more

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Solid for takeout. The ribs are well prepared, the sides are freezer food cooked in the oven. They needed help. Solid for a family. Probably good for people with food allergies. With everything being freezer food, there can't be much cross contamination going on. read more

Carson's - Full rack meal. Takeout comes in a box - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is a remarkable experience with excellent service from Mariano and stunningly delicious food!!! Pork chops are GINORMOUS, the ribs good and the chicken spectacular! Sit in the south dining room so you have a view of the River!!!! read more

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Sort of a hidden gem in Streeterville. Have honestly had better luck with my steaks here than some much pricier places. Great bar area and staff. One of my top 2-3 most-visited steakhouses in the city. read more

Carson's - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Incredible food, amazing service, gigantic portions. What's not to love? Their cornbread is absolutely exceptional and comes with this beautiful creamy butter. I also really enjoyed their Caesar salad. For the main dish, I got the Mediterranean shrimp, which was perfect... especially if you're watching what you eat without sacrificing flavor... high protein, super clean but delicious. They came with these yummy chargrilled veggies and I got au gratin on the side (super cheesy). Next time I might be inclined to try their half rack plus pork chop but the portions looked absolutely huge. I loved their tiramisu. We also tried the Keylime pie and brownies, which weren't my favorite. read more

Ok how do I start the ribs were so tender and I could actually pull the meat of the bones with my fingers the brisket was a nice mix of fatty and meat so the flavor was awesome. The double baked potato was ok but the coleslaw made up the for the other side dish. I was really surprised they didn't have a pre-meal service like bread and butter. The staff was very friendly and the manager checked up twice to make sure the evening was going well. The atmosphere was very relaxed and that fireplace was pretty. So overall I would come again but I want to try the steak next. Well perfect for this below zero night in Chicago. Wait a minute I was just offered desert my god I am so fat but the tiramisu and keylime pie are both so yummy and topped off with a large delicious cup of coffee. read more

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What a great find right outside of the hustle and bustle of the navy pier. We got reservations with short notice and the food was incredible. The cornbread was AMAZING! Service was fantastic! Highly recommend. read more

Carson's - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The ambiance of Carson's is elegant. The dark paneling, white table cloths, booths and long bar provide a modern take on an old world staple. We were greeted and seated immediately with a booked reservation. The service was excellent. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. The food was delicious and healthy portions. We ordered a combo meal of brisket and ribs and one of the pork chop and ribs. We added sides of sautéed broccoli, augratin potatoes and cornbread. Everything was hot, seasoned and cooked well. Definitely a place to try and enjoy. read more

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Major caveat to this review is that I ordered it on Uber Eats. I was in the mood for some ribs so I went on Uber Eats and found Carson's. I ordered a half rack with a baked potato. It arrived to my hotel quite quickly. The ribs were very tough and the meat was tougher. If you are a southerner who loves ribs, you would be utterly dismayed. The baked potato was good. I don't think I would order takeout from here again. read more

If you are seeking a dark, hidden gem, this is the ultimate destination. Tucked away from plain sight, the back bar offers an intimate atmosphere perfect for sipping a classic gin and tonic while taking in the view. The culinary offerings are surprisingly impressive, and though I have only visited a few times, it has quickly become a favorite escape. read more

Carson's is an epic meal experience!! The ribs, prime rib, brisket and pork chop were all insanely delicious - top notch quality and flavor! Our waitress Heather was the best, so welcoming and helpful, she made the night extra special. My cousin was looking for the best prime rib in Chicago for our special family occasion and boy did Carson's deliver. My cousin was in meat heaven, she said it was the best. The sides were also so tasty, from the double baked potato to the cream spinach. And our Manhattans were so good too. The entire meal was so special, a moment we won't forget. I can't recommend Carson's enough, go eat there now!! read more

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This is THE place for ribs. I say that as someone who went to Chicago's rib festival and tried every single rib there. Carson's was better than every "award-winning" rib I tasted at the festival. I only bring that up to justify what I'm about to say: Carson's has the best ribs in Chicago. read more

My family and I have visited Carson's for years. Sadly due to everyone's schedules, we don't get to go as often as we used to, but it's always a treat when we do. On our last visit, we had the pleasure of sitting in Clayton's area. He was exceptional. Very attentive, quick, and very friendly. He took very good care of our party and went above and beyond in creating a great experience for us. Our typical starters are the cornbread, which I highly recommend. It's always consistent. Fresh and warm, perfect with some butter. We usually do a crab cake as well, which is always fresh, never fishy. And we usually do the Caesar salad. This time, Clayton went ahead and split the salad for us. A very nice touch. We usually all order the BBQ combo, perfect combination of a pork chop and ribs. The combos come with coleslaw and a choice of potato. Everyone gets to pick their favorite. I always do a regular baked. They'll ask you what fixings you want. The meals are always filling, I always end up taking leftovers home. Carson's is a Chicago staple. You're always going to have a quality experience. Not a pretentious place for being in such a nice area. You can usually snag a table without a reservation, staff is always going above and beyond and you're guaranteed to have a great meal and full belly. read more

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Came to to celebrate my sons birthday and everyone was super kind and accommodating. The food was delicious drinks were amazing and the dessert was great. Will definitely be back again. The view of the river was lovely. read more

Carson's - Rib tips /Cosmo/ Caesar Salad - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We ordered a bucket of rib tips to take out yesterday. Sorry to say these were the worst rib tips ever. They were barely fully cooked. The meat was tough, chewy, and had little flavor. Almost seemed like the meat was steamed, and never got tender Carson's is not the place to order rib tips! read more

From start to finish, our experience at Carson's was fantastic! Very welcoming and personable staff from the front to the back. The pulled pork sandwich was the star of the show (10/10). Caesar salad was good, coming through with very strong flavors! Very romantic for a weekend date night! Definitely will be back next time we are in town. read more

Carson's - - Pulled pork sandwich, salt and pepper crusted baked potato (add butter and cheese), & coleslaw - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Sorry! Didn't care for it. The new location lacks the classic feel of the former location. Didn't care for the service, not very attentive. The booth our party was seated in was tight for 4 people. I had the turf and turf and I've had better ribs and better filets. As others have commented, the pricing was fine as compared to other steak houses. read more

We found this place walking the streets and I so badly did not want pizza again so we decided to stop in because I saw on Yelp it was rated pretty high! The wings - absolutely fire. 10/10! I don't like very breaded or crispy wings and these wings delivered. The garlic oil it came in... I kept picking it up with my finger and licking my finger lol. Very good appetizer! Blackened salmon - best I have ever had! Since it's my go to order, I have had my fair share and it did not let me down! I got their steak cut fries on the side and they were really good. I usually hate coleslaw and every entree comes with it but I declined. Wish I hadn't! I tried my fiancés and it was the best I have ever had also! Blood orange Paloma - TART TART TART!!!! The most tart drink I have ever had in my life! The waiter told me but I usually love tart flavor so I didn't think anything of it. Let me tell you, it's TART as heck! I asked to put some sweetener in it and that tamed the flavor down. It was so tart, I barely tasted the blood orange. Definitely absolutely 100% coming back here! read more

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Ordered takeout... Always love their rib to meal. Large enough for two people to share.

I've been to Carson's multiple times. For Chicago it's a great, affordable steakhouse in the city. Service is always impeccable. My husband and I shared the wedge salad and they split it for us which was so kind. My husband had the burger which was large and filling. The bun needed to be toasted, it just seemed like a raw roll. Greek potatoes were so tasty. My blacken salmon was a healthy portion and perfectly cooked. Twice baked is sooo good. We got the tiramisu to go and it's a huge delicious portion. Recommend this place if you want a steakhouse but don't want the $500 price tag that many are. We will be back! read more

Carson's - Salmon blackened, coleslaw, twice baked potatoes - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Went to Chicago for a business trip and tried this place. Public parking is just right next to it. Upon coming inside we were instructed by the 1st desk to go a little bit inside to the next desk and someone came to greet us and led us to our table. They have a bar area then sit down table and booths. Their menu is simple, it's not like other restaurants that you flip through pages. We ordered three things: 1. french onion soup - torched cheese on top then soup had bread and onion. Very flavorful, it was a delight to it. I would recommend this. 2. BBQ marriage - the sauce on the baby back ribs was good. As for the slab itself, it didn't came off the bone. I love my ribs but this one just didn't cut it for me. It was a bit too charred as well. The half chicken that came with it was dry and I ended up not eating it at all after a few bites. The only thing I enjoyed on this plate was the ultimate double baked potato that looked like a pastry bread. It was confusing at first when I saw it but it was soft and really good. and last one on our order was the 3. bbq combo - the slab was the same as mine. The pork chop was as charred on flavor. We think the too much char on our meal killed the flavor of the dish. Service was good, the stars was because of the food. read more

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Just love the warm, old-school kind of feel in Carson's. Could spend hours looking at all the local celebrity pictures on the walls. If available, it's always nice to get a table facing the Ogden slip. Both the service and the food were great. I had the chicken, my husband had shrimp and our other guest had the ribs. I was very happy with the gluten-free choices. They call it their award-winning coleslaw and it is an accurate description. Sometimes I even go and buy just a little tub of it to bring home. read more

Carson's - Chicken, potatoes, and award-winning coleslaw! - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here at 7pm on a Tuesday night. And by 10am the next day, I forgot I even went here. The staff, the food, the atmosphere were all forgettable. There were 5 in my group. We all had a craving for something different. We asked the waiter for their thoughts and they said everything was good. A pretty boring response. No matter what we asked whether if something was flavorful or the plates were big or if the shrimp was worth it etc. all we heard was "it's good" or "it's big" nothing more. Nothing less. Seemed like we were annoying him and after he took our order, we only saw him again at the end of our meal for the check. The food was priced nicely. Given us the illusion that it was going to be good. We left the restaurant completely disappointed in everything other than the ribs and cornbread. We thought we could get the same quality of food at a place way less expensive. Minus the ribs. Like I said. The ribs were great. The cornbread was solid. But the way this place was hyped up, we expected it to be above average. The ambiance was low light and the music playing was super good. A bit of Stevie Wonder, some funk, some r&b. The alcohol was pretty basic. Nothing from the drink menu caught any of our eyes. We had a below average time. We thought we could salvage the night with a key lime pie especially since the waiter said it was one of the best things on the menu. We should have known better and just called it a night. Because the key lime pie was super tart. I try not to waste food and even I couldn't stomach it. That solidified this place as a one star for me for its food. THE only reason why I gave jt a 2 star is because of the ambience (we were sitting in the back with a view of the lake), the music, and the waiter at the end split the check for us even though he wasn't allowed to do so according to him. That bumped it up for me. read more

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For over three decades, this has been our go to restaurant for ribs. The restaurant over by navy pier actually has a very nice dining experience. They have a very nice bar and watch sporting events and their bartenders are top notch. Since we order the ribs frequently, we typically get seafood or steak steaks when we dine in and the experience is stellar. read more

Carson's doesn't miss. White tablecloths only to be smeared with bbq sauce from greasy fingers. It's beautiful. It's Chicago. The pork chop is something you've conjured up in your dreams. Ribs are perfection - which isn't a surprise considering they've been doing it right since 1977. Special mention to the coleslaw. Staff had exquisite attention to detail. Even though the restaurant was bustling, our server made us feel like we were his only table. Restaurant is on the river and just a short walk from navy pier - great option if you want to get out of the tourist traps. read more

Carson's - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The place to go for ribs & au guatin potatoes & coleslaw. Great attentive service. We had wonderful birthday dinner. read more

Carson's - Whole slab of ribs, 20 oz prime rib, char crusted bone-in pork chop, ribs & brisket combo - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I ordered ribs from Carson's through uber eats. They were a half mile from my hotel and had a special that was get a rack of ribs and they gave me a half rack for free. It was very good. They packaged everything well so the ribs and sides were steaming hot when they arrived. The customer service and attention to detail of the order shown through. Good Job Carson's! read more

Large portions, friendly staff, ambient lighting. I got the planked salmon and it was delicious. You can choose your side too (I got the Greek potatoes). read more

Carson's - Salmon - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I came here last night to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. He ordered his favorite, the NY Strip Steak, and loved it. We also split a wedge salad with their house dressing, which was divine. I had a Cosmo that was fabulous, and he had a Paloma and a Margarita, which he enjoyed. I had planned to order the pork chop, but they were out, so I tried the Shrimp Dejonge instead. Unfortunately, it wasn't to my taste--the breadcrumbs on top were mushy, and the flavor was very flat. You mostly tasted sweetness and garlic, but the shrimp itself was bland. I'd pass on that dish. That said, the service was excellent, and overall we had a lovely evening. If I return, I'd probably stick with the wedge salad or try the prime rib sandwich, which they are known for only if the pork chop is unavailable. They also validate parking across the street at the garage, which is $12 for 4 hours. I'd recommend Carsons for celebrations, keeping in mind that some menu items may not be everyone's favorite. read more

Had to drop a review here because I'm still thinking about our meal. The ribs were recommended to us and did not disappoint. We also got a steak kabob which was awesome and came with a bunch of veggies. The sides were awesome, they have any kind of potato you can imagine lol. The Coleslaw though..... was the real star of the show. We still talk about the coleslaw to this day. Everything you want from coleslaw and bbq, seriously sooo good. read more

Carson's Ribs and Steaks - Chicago, IL Wow. Just wow. From start to finish our experience at Carson's was absolutely amazing! We started with the crab cake appetizer and it honestly blew us away -- super fresh, perfectly seasoned and crispy on the outside. One of the best crab cakes we've ever tasted. The margaritas and cocktails were just as impressive -- perfectly mixed and super smooth. You can really tell they take their drinks seriously. Then came the entrées and this is where Carson's truly shines. * The baby back ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender with an incredible smoky flavor. * The filet was buttery soft and cooked perfectly. * And the ribeye... wow. Easily one of the best steaks we've had anywhere (not just in Chicago). On top of all that, the service was friendly and attentive and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. We left completely satisfied and already talking about our next visit. If you love great food, great drinks, and a genuine Chicago dining experience, you HAVE to try Carson's. Highly recommend! read more

Our annual Family Christmas Party did not disappoint. This is the 5th or 6th year at Carsons and looking forward to another year. Our family has been dining at Carsons since 1979.Food was absolutely delicious, wonderful friendly and efficient service. Everyone enjoyed their ribs and/or pork chops and were happy with their left overs. Carsons is consistently good. Thank you for a wonderful family night. We will returning soon read more

Our waiter Jose was AMAZING! He made my birthday experience so special. Our table gave us a beautiful river view. Food was good as well. I wish the ribs were a little bit more tender. read more

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5-Star Review Carson's Steak House in Chicago was an outstanding experience from start to finish. We visited on Friday, November 21 after it was recommended to us, and they absolutely did not disappoint. The ambience was warm, inviting, and upscale without being overwhelming--the kind of atmosphere that makes you settle in and enjoy the evening. The lighting, décor, and overall vibe created the perfect setting for a great meal. Our server, Heather Nick, was the epitome of a great server. Her customer service was truly A-1, attentive without being intrusive, and every recommendation she made was spot on. The 10 oz filet was the best steak I have ever had--perfectly cooked and incredibly flavorful. The wood plank salmon was delicious, and the lump crab was excellent as well. Carson's clearly takes pride not only in their food but also in the overall dining experience. Heather is a tremendous asset to Carson's. With the amazing food, top-tier service, and great ambience, we will definitely be returning. Highly recommended! read more

Carson's isnt all it's hyped up to be. It's mediocre at best. The pork chop is outstanding but thats the only menu item i would describe as anything but mid, including the ribs. Edit: This response from Carson's is the most ridiculous thing I have seen on Yelp and actually underscores the point that people should take their business elsewhere. Rather than saying Im sorry your experience sucked, they come with some foolishness about not giving credit because of fake reviews. So listen Yelpers, I'm going to give you a rundown on every order and every date that I have experienced this place and reducing the prior three stars to one. August 2021 - Visited with a friend, eat-in at the bar around 6pm and it was quite empty. That should have been a sign but I chalked it up to COVID. The apps we had at the bar were just mid. September 10, 2023 - Salmon Sandwich - pretty good. September 12, 2023 - Porkchop and sides. Already said the pork chop was outstanding. March 3, 2024 - Rib Tips. Mediocre. May 27, 2024 - Salmon Sandwich again but was not good. BBQ Marriage with au gratin potatoes. Meat was mid, potatoes were trash. June 2, 2024 - Burger and Key lime pie. Burger was mid. Pie was delicious. Decided that I could get mediocre food from somewhere else for a lot cheaper and much better food for Carson's prices somewhere better. Your manager's comment on my review sealed the deal that I will not ever waste another dime here. read more

Chicago's top notch steakhouse. However Management should take off included tip. Covid is long past. Food was 5 star, including a minimum tip is a 1 star to the owners. read more

We had a 6:30 PM reservation today at our favorite steakhouse, where my family and I have been dining for years. When we made the reservation, we requested the River Room. We understood it wasn't available because of other reservations, even though it was empty at the time--we know those are the restaurant's most popular tables. Instead, we were seated in a corner of the restaurant where it was extremely hot. The host told us the air conditioning wasn't working in that section. We politely asked if we could be moved to one of the several empty tables in the main dining room, but he refused, despite there being multiple available tables. At that point, we decided to leave. It's disappointing that, as longtime loyal customers who were actually present, we couldn't be accommodated when there were open tables available. We weren't asking for the best table in the restaurant--we simply didn't want to spend $500 eating dinner while sweating in the hottest section of the dining room. I don't understand why we couldn't be seated at one of the available tables and have the next guests, who hadn't even arrived yet, use the corner table instead. Unfortunately, this experience left a very negative impression. read more

The two stars is a representation for the Waiter, in which he was phenomenal and the food was exceptionally tasty. However, the Manager "Robert" this day made the experience very uncomfortable and we felt like we were NOT "accepted nor wanted" there. We were seated in the River view section. and the Manager Robert did NOT visit our table one time to ask about our visit. I watched him go to EVERY table in that section and asked EVERYONE (in which were predominantly Caucasian) how their visit was. However , he would look the other way or straight ahead when he was approaching our table and passed our table EVERY TIME. I would NEVER revisit or recommend this place. It's NOT worth ever being in a situation again when you are treated "unworthy ". read more