It was ok i got the slab Because they didn't have no tips just oʻk Next time if no tips u will not get anything. read more

They have generous portions for the price, and pretty good taste but the customer service needs help. Do not order the links they were very hard. That woman in the bonnet is not nice. But you can't expect too much when you walk into a place of business and see a bonnet. I would visit again based on the portions for the price. read more

Not sure why the low rating, but this place is one of my rib staple places. At one point i lived a block away in the 90's and would frequent this establishment a lot. I was out in Markham for my vehicle emissions and had to make a pitstop for my favorite rib tips. Will be going back for a slab of ribs soon because now I'm craving that. Service is quick, as it is set up for to go only. Don't sleep on this place, there is a reason they have been around for 42 years!! read more

Exsenator's BBQ - Rib tips, fries, (bread- not in picture) - Barbeque Near Me - Markham, Illinois

I like how my rib tips were cut they didn't hardly put any sauce on the meat plus she didn't put anything on the fries even though I requested it , the service was pure awful the lady at the register had. Bonnet on and a bad attitude. She just stood there never said hello can I take your order , when I paid she just put my receipt in the money box I said thank you she just walked away . When she called the other customers number and they said thank you she never opened her mouth, a customer asked her a question she replied rude and snappy attitude. When she called my number I said thank and again she just walked away . There are days where they close early but the sign says one thing they never answer the phone and if they run out for the day the sign should indicate that instead of saying 8pm just say when we run out for the day we will close , closing hours will vary . The ambiance is dark in there and they could use a mop in the small setting area most people sit in their cars in wait . I don't think Exsenator's will be getting my money ever again . read more

This the # 1 Bbq joint in the in the between the aouthside of Chicago and the south suburbs. *Good: Always Tender falling off the bone *Sauce is Unique and good *Cut in a moderate size where you don't have to ask to cut small. *Bad: Cash only! * on a 159th street; let us have one in the Chicago please!!!!!! location, location, location read more

Been driving past the place for 35 years, finally got there and was not disappointed!! Seems like real BBQ. Had tips, ribs and links all excellent. The other patrons were as nice as could be and had great conversations while we waited. Will be back soon. Frank and Linda read more

Yes, I'm here again and I'm definitely glad that I made the decision to stop by.The restaurant is family owned which goes a long way. I went with a small end today. I played it perfectly and called in early. My order was ready when I arrived. You can smell the food when you step in the door!! Right on time. Soft white bread on top of fresh fries and the nice sized TENDER slab of ribs sitting in bbq sauce underneath. If you haven't tried them yet idk what you're waiting on. Lol read more

Best rib tips, hot links and fries with BBQ sauce. Never get a rib tip that isn't tender and juicy. Lover wrapping white bread around the hot link. Best hot link ever. Never overcooked. Cash only. Never a long wait. read more

We enjoyed a surprise gift of ribs from our new neighbor. I asked her where can you buy some good ribs in this area. She told us Exsenator 's BBQ and gave us the address. We had plan to try them soon, but the next day our neighbor was at our door with an order of ribs tips!!! And said welcome to the neighborhood!!! And OMG they were Definitely Delicious!!!! Thanks Evelyn read more

I've been driving past this place for decades and never stopped to eat. Tried it recently and it was decent. The first time out was really good. The second time the rib tips didn't have a smoky flavor. I didn't like that. So not sure I'll return unless I'm in a crunch for bbq. The link it good and they score it so it's easy to eat. The sauce and fries are both good. read more

Love the food! The only reason they only got 4/5 is because of 3 things: 1. They don't answer the phone after a certain time, and it seems to be before 6pm (dinner time) because that's usually when I try to call and see if they are open or place an order. 2. They are now only open until 8, not 10, so if you look it up online, yelp or even their sign on the building - it's wrong 3. Then never have coleslaw and when I went to get food in person - they were even out of wings. This was at 6:30pm. read more

Tried a mini tip & didn't like it at all. The tips tasted as if they were boiled not cooked on a grill at all & the sauce was lumpy & greasy. Wouldn't go back- read more

Omg it was my first time here and I'm so full and happy I keep stuffing my fat as lol I got a full slab of ribs and half smoked chicken and it's the best bbq I've had since I left the south. It's so fucking good read more

Had tip link combo mild sauce if I'm not mistaken I heard them warm my order up in the microwave so I wont be able to give a correct review didn't eat 1 bite gave it all to man standing in front of another store read more

Great prices and the food is always delicious. Friendly staff. Call ahead for faster service.

Excellent food and service. My family and I have been coming here for years. We love the barbecue. It's so delicious I can't wait to come back again. read more

Any chance of me patronising this business are nil. How do you own and operate a business that has no standardised hours of business. The opening hours bear no relationship what-so-ever to what is posted on the building or on their website. Done phoning and driving over only to find the place closed. I and my friends are done. It just happens all too often. read more

Yum! We loved it. Tender rib tips tasty hot links! I love Chicago cuisine! So delicious you can eat the grissle! read more

Exsenator's BBQ - Rib tip hot link combo. - Barbeque Near Me - Markham, Illinois

Wow haven't had rib tips this good in years I also wanted to try a slab of ribs nut they were out for the day. I will try again next time .... Here is a little tip order the win the medium sauce and get a hot bbq sauce on the side read more

This sucks!!!! It doesn't taste like BBQ at all. They boil there meat and not actually BBQ it. The sauce is so bland and watery it's like a gravy. No taste at all. I can see people with no teeth enjoying this because it's tender but it's not actually BBQ. Sad to see. Don't waste your money or time. read more

Wish there were "0" stars to give!! Had heard their food was good, I purchased wings there and they were HORRIBLE. They had no seasonings on them nor in the flour especially after advertising they were supposed to be southern fried. The sauce was terrible as well. Worst wings I ever ate in my life! Never going back. read more

I've been going here for decades. The owners are really good people. The food use to be so much better, they use to be THE BEST ribs in my opinion in Chicago. Now they are a great rib spot one of many other great ones. They are definitely worth checking out, I love their tips, hotlinks, and small and large ends. If you do go here, i would also suggest that you call first, give them thirty to forty-five minutes to get your order ready. All the locals and regulars call first! read more

Please help me with understanding What happen to the great customer service when you walk into places. This BBQ house has a very small lobby area so you have a movie and DVD man taking up one area. How crazy is that. Boxers in the way and all in the window and a TV plugged up from a visible long cord coming from behind the counter. Really who allows that ??? My food was ok. Need to stop being cheap and get some fries with flavor. (You find that out then you get lite sauce on and a cup on the side). You can find out if the food has any seasoning. You cant fool me. This is not a must have I had chicken wings because it was going to be awhile on the ribs. But I have to say I did like the hot BBQ sauce. But the chicken needs help A good BBQ house will have good meat and good sauce I think this place is fooling people with all the sauce over your food. Let's see what happens when I try the meat read more

Exsenator's BBQ - Menu - Barbeque Near Me - Markham, Illinois

If you're driving down 159th you may smell smoke. Well, where there's smoke there's fire. But this is a good fire. That means they're cooking up them ribs at Exsenator's. The simple menu has St Louis ribs, rib tips, fried chicken wings, whole barbeque chicken and hot links. I had the rib tip and wing combo lunch special for $6.95 which satisfied even a hearty eater like me. The rib tips had a nice wood smoke aroma to them and the chicken wings (although fried) were a tasty combo. It was served with fries, slathered in sauce and the usual slice of white bread. Fine points: no credit cards, no public washrooms, no sit down service, clausterphobic waiting area, closed Sunday and Monday. Got it? Service is pleasant behind the plexiglass barrier and lazy-susan contraption that's obligatory for a proper south side rib joint. They're not far from the I-57 exit so you can hop in your car and have rib tips in no time. read more

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Garbage overcook links they use to be good it's HIT OR MISS now . Will not waste my time anymore.I come a long way to partake.

The food was fresh and it was a lot for the price. I thinks fries and bbq sauce is a Chicago thing

Been going here for over 30 years and it has definitely changed for the bad. The tips are bland, sauce is watered down, the Italian sausage tasted like hot garbage and staff has no personality. My hubby still like them over all the other places in the south suburban area that's y we still go other than that I'll take a pass. I miss the old exsentors wen the food was good!! read more

I have worked in Markham for 14 years and today was the day that I tried this BBQ place. Let me say the aroma outside is freaking amazing and enticing. However, my food was meh. I ordered the mini tips and wing combo for self and mini-tip for my name changer. My wings were fried hard and drenched in the sauce. The wings were small and I am still trying to get a taste from the sauce or the chicken itself and have yet to discover it either. So I moved to the rib tips. The hickory flavor was nice. The rib tips were very tender and meaty. The sauce is just a sauce. Overall, I can't say if I would give it another try or not. It was just wasn't good to me but I know this is a neighborhood legend. read more

I decided to go there yesterday because I haven't ate there in awhile. Now, I remember why We ordered the hot Links...they were old & dry!! Won't be going there for a long time, again!! Don't recommend either. Don't know if they switch cooks or what!! But, it was not the BEST!!! read more

Been going here since I was a kid. 333-1211 will forever be embedded in my memory. Call in advance and bring cash. Ask for sauce on your fries. I'm a small mild tip with sauce on the fries kinda guy myself, and it always lasts longer than one sitting. If you're looking for gourmet dining, this isn't it. If you're looking for great food, this IS it. read more

Stopped by Tuesday the 23rd and picked up a large hot link. Price was excellent for a large. I got home and there were three long slender links...strange but ok. Took a bite and they tasted like honestly they'd been prepared the previous weekend and microwaved for my order. They were f'n horrible. Straight garbage. This establishment should be ashamed of themselves for charging for meat they should have thrown or gave away Sunday night. read more

I was a frequent guest but I hate getting dried up hard ribs links that the dos can't chew and what tasted like re-heated fries. Stopped in there today to pick up several orders for guest at my home. Simple question are the hot links fresh. The response was they are made the same way every time they make them even though the question was simple "are they fresh" the last time I was there they were horrible but I thought I'd try them again. I started my order with hot links but said if they are not fresh I am going to bring them back. She said..."if you are going to bring them back I am not going to take your order". I guess she told me.....A little honesty goes a long way. Instead of selling me what you obviously knew might not be fresh you told me you would not take my order. That's the last time I will ever go to this restaurant and I will recommend that my friends find a better place as well. I would have thought this would be an opportunity to correct what you are doing wrong but if selling stale dried up food is what you do I won't be the only customer you are losing. Good By Exsenator's good luck read more

The reviewer Valoria on this page knows a bit about what she's talking about but failed to mention Lem's which makes me question it a little. Exsenetors is the BEST bbq in a neighborhood you're gonna feel somewhat comfortable in in the south suburbs. Lets be honest, alot of them can be in sketchy areas which doesnt bother me but will keep plenty from ever trying the establishments. Don't mind the bulletproof glass which is standard in any bbq joint thats worth anything. The smoke smell will tell you all you need to know. And yes its CASH ONLY. I always get the large tip and link combo because I know just one meal of this delicious meat wont be enough. Its alot of tips but only 2 links so dont be afraid of the large. Its served with the usual fries that are average and white bread good to stuff with the saucy link and fries. The sauce is good and has definitely grown on me but not great. A thin, somewhat tangy sauce which I think compliments the smokey meat without covering up the flavor of the meat and smoke. Never purchased the ribs. Thats for amateurs unaware of how much better rib tips are. read more

This is the worst BBQ I have had in many years. The tips were boiled not on the grill. The sauce was horrible what there was of it. The attitude of the order taker was awful. The meal cost almost $18 and took 2 bites and thru it in the garbage. Never again and I will tell everyone that I can about the slop. They must be writing their own good reviews because it is horrible. read more

CASH ONLY ... so leave your cards at home, This is the best place for RIBS ever. I have a very picky picky girlfriend she talks about bbq on gas grills or boiled and its only good to her if they are smoked.. you can smell the smoke from blocks away. You know you are there when you see a small business with smoke coming from the chimney. My boys and I LOVE this spot. Very few make ribs this good, and forget hog wild down the street that's known for their pork chops - they cant touch ex's bbq. My girlfriend loved it, the people who work there - looks like same two guys every Saturday - are very friendly. This is one of my favorite places for food - enjoy! read more

As a non-Chicago native. I asked many regarding the best places for ribs. After trying several places, that were recommended, I was going to throw in the towel until one of my coworkers mentioned Exsenator's. She had nothing but good things to say and she also stated that it was well worth the drive. One weekend, I made the trip (several since) for an order of rib tips. As KS and TJ have mentioned you can smell the smoke before arrival. The aroma will have you salivating similar to Pavlov's dogs. The ribs (and rib tips) are hands-down the best that I have had in the Chicagoland area! They are smoked to perfection, with a moist interior, and non-charred exterior. The sauce is slightly zesty with a hint of brown sugar. As long as I am living here, this will be my go to place whenever I have a craving. read more

This is one of the best bbq joints I've found. Everything is smoked on site, not smoked, refrigerated, and reheated as most places in the area do. You can tell, because half a block before you get there, the aroma of smoking meat will fill your nostrils, and you'll feel the need to stop. The tips/link combo is the only thing I've had from here, so I can't vouch for anything else, but the meat quality is the best. The tips are a little more meaty than most, with not a lot of fat. The links are whole, with some slices made into them so they cook quicker and absorb more smoke flavor. The fries are standard, and absolutely drenched in bbq sauce, which is fine with me. Don't be fooled by the names of the items on the menu. The "mini" tip/link combo fills me up, I only get the large if I plan on making another 2-3 meals out of it. (I love to eat, but I don't over stuff myself). The only thing that keeps this place from getting the coveted 5 star rating is their sauce. The hot is actually fairly hot. The problem is, it's way too sweet. I'm sure a lot of people would think of that as a positive, but I like a more bold sauce, like Curt's boss sauce. There is nowhere to eat inside, you gotta take this home and watch your dog stare at you and drool on the floor. read more

yesterday was my first visit. i am very picky about food. I purchased the mini tip/link and 2 large rib tip. The tips were very tenderbut didn't have the crisp snap on the outside.I did not like the links they were over cooked. I like I 57 better I did bot like the sauce at all. Today im going to I57 to get their sauce to make these tips awesome. if they can get a really good sauce similar to I57 the tips would be outstanding. i will go back but wont get sauce on them. read more

I passed by this place forever and decided to stop in to treat myself,because ever meal spent out is a treat. I am a firm believer in sampling small first before going large. Luckily I ordered the mini tips and link. The tips were tender and the link was more of a spicy polish link but decent. The fries were fresh but dry. The sauce could be better and never serve stale bread with an order. Would I go back yes and will tell them how to sauce my fries and NO stale bread please read more

I would have given them more stars because MOST of the tips were tender, but the barbecue sauce was not that good.. It had a greasy taste to it and it seemed like they added water to it.. If they would mix it up with some real sauce then it MAY be better.. The bread was dry and the fries had no seasoning or sauce on them.. They don't even give you Cole Slaw.. For $9.00 and no drink, it was not really worth the money.. A little tweaking and it could be better.. Just my opinion.. read more