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

I eat their most of the time and I must say I never have been disappointed and I love the sauce . The tips is my favorite

You cannot believe how good the ribs are until you taste them. The smoked favor is fantastic!! I would highly recommend the Exsenator Ribs to anyone who loves smoked Ribs. I can't say enough to justify the great food there. read more

The rib tips are very good and the BBQ sauce is amazing. I loved the smoked and woody taste in the sauce and ribs. I think this place needs improvement with their fries. I didn't care for the fries at all. I also tried some BBQ wings and they had too much breading and was not impressed. Overall the rib tips are good if you're in the area stop by otherwise I wouldn't drive out that far for them. read more

Great Spare RIbs and Tips from Exsenator's for sure!! Hickory smoke dances ALL around this place, Old school southern wood pit smoked BBQ and HUGH spare ribs. Man and about 28 years this place is doing all thing right. Check them out soon. THANKS Exsenator's, keep the Hickory in the air. Edit : Added wedsite - www.exsenatorsbbq.com read more

Wanted to try a diffrent neighborhood rib spot. Used YELPS just purchased mini tip link combo. Always passed this place in route home. Always smelled great from blocked away. Took a chance the food was HORRIBLE and COLD!!! Sauce taste burnt & too thick to be called barbeque sauce. The link was old & hard, tips not seasoned mostly bone grissle dry. The fries were like rubber & cold not enough sauce to hide poor quality of dinner. Don't let the smoke aroma trick you this place is a waste of time and $10.45. If you are in neighborhood try HAWK'S 14700 Kedzie at least Thursday's link & tip combo $5.99 and quality is hit & miss. read more

Really good and worth the stop. I'm a big fan of the BBQ Smoked Chicken. Trying out the rib tips and hot links tonight. Tip: cash only

This place is absolutely terrible. I cant even believe this place is still in business. I ordered the half slab of ribs... *sighs* here goes... First off, the bread they place on top was crusty, stale, and soaked. The meat was pink and not flavorful at all. The fries were soaked in their mild/bbq sauce. I wouldnt even call the sauce BBQ sauce. The sauce was the worst part of this meal. SERIOUSLY, it tastes like watered down mild sauce mixed with the worst BBQ sauce you can find. Food was disgusting. I will not be eating this ever again. And the people that do eat this obviously never had real BBQ before. Pity. read more

Oh my oh my oh my are the ribs gooooood! Everyone must visit this tiny gem in a low income area. It is so very worth it

My opinion on this place is that, in regard to BBQ (of course), you may find other spots that are just as good, but you certainly won't find one that's better. At least not anywhere in Chicagoland. Cash only kinda sucks though... read more

Went for the first time today in hope of finding good ribs and links without having to travel to the city, i ordered a 3 wing and a small tip/link combo and i must say the place is just ok. The tips werent all that tender, the link was a bit chewy also, it didnt have the crispy char outside that i always love, and the wings were average. The portions werent all that great for the price either. They were very scarce on the sauce, my fries didnt have a drop of sauce on them so i had to buy extra sauce (.75 cent) i guess they do this on purpose since they put the fries on top of everything instead of the usual under method but i prefer it that way, as soggy as they may get. All in all it was just ok ive been to way cheaper places in the city that are better and give more food. read more

Most meaty and tender rib tips I've ever had and I have had leon's, curt's, ribs n bibs, d&d (or DD &S), and robinson's. If you know anything about Q, you'll know about these places. Gave only 3 stars because bbq sauce is just so-so and fries are not that great. Curt's definitely got the boss sauce in my opinion! read more

I only ever ate here because it was convenient (closer than George's on 147th in Harvey). I think I've said enough. Drive over to George's or hop on the expressway to I-57 if you're up to it. read more

If you dont eat pork dont eat here I tried their chicken and it was nasty. I threw it out. The cash only policy is the cherry on top. To be fair I didnt try the ribs as I dont eat pork. The waiting area is just weird and confined. Don't eat the chicken and I can't speak for the ribs read more

Had the rib tips. They were GREAT! Very tender and the sauce was really good! Ii LOVED it! I met a couple who hadn't been to Exsenators in a few years, but found their way back! Would have rated 5 stars, but I felt the waittime could have been better since I was first in! Maybe next time! read more

You can search high and low, it doesn't matter where you go, you will never, ever, find ribs like these.

Smoking ribs. Sketchy neighborhood. Damn good food. Cash only. Lazy susan for food distribution. Reminds me of the old Leons on racine

Incredible rib tips and wings combo. Great flavor, plenty of sauce to mop up with the crispy fries. The included white bread served will as a face towel as I finished. read more

Exsenators has the best fried chicken wings in the city! The guys and I always order a 25 pan of wings on our way down south to Shelbyville for some fishing. The wings are to die for and its worth the stop! It has always been good and the wings are BIG! Thank you and keep up the good work! read more

I'm not certain what spell was cast on these people giving Exsenator's ribs & chicken more than one star but the last time I purchased food from exsenators in Markham they sold me old dry chicken wings, dry ribs and dry rib tips. I vowed to never eat there again and too always talk about my last experience with them and what they charged and sold to me. read more

One day I was at my friend Tannika house(she lives up the street from this place) and OH MY GOSH she had some of their BBQ and I got hook. Everything is just so good here. This is where I desire to get my BBQ fix from! read more

This was disappointing!!! The ribs were boiled not off the grill. There was a lot of water on the rib tips. Like pull pork with no taste. I will not be returning... read more

The rib tips are the bomb (atomic). The portions are huge and service was fast. This place will be around for years to come as long as they serve up delicious BBQ like this. read more

This is by far the best rib joint I've eaten at in this country, the prices are decent and the food is phenomenal. The wait time isn't to bad either. read more

Now this is BBQ!!!! I've been to a BBQ joint around my house and Exsenator's beats them by far. We don't mind traveling to get good bbq. Meat is tender and service is fast. read more

Bangin Rib Tips... Always get a large- last me 2 or 3 meals. When I visit Markham,Illnois I will definitely stop and pick me up some delicious ribs. read more

It's a hit or miss.Sometime it's FIRE and sometimes you will be real MAD!!!They have lunch specials as well.P.S. "If you want sauce on your fries make sure you check before leaving" .I will hate for you to get all the way home with some DRY ass fries.Yes i will return. read more

Was just ok.. Ribs taste like they were cooked in the oven and seasoned with artificial Smokey flavor. Fried Chicken was good. Fries were undone. Nice size portion read more

Some very good BBQ ribs and links. The ribs are big and perfectly smoked. The smoke flavor just permeates the meat perfectly. Definitely one of the better places on the south side to get old fashioned BBQ. read more

When it comes to bbq, the south side stomps the north side. And Exsenator's, a cash-only take-out shack, is about as good as it gets. Like any quality bbq place, you can smell it before you see it. The meats are smoky, but not smoked to the point of desiccation. The sauce is tangy and a little sweet, but not syrupy. Meals are served with fries and fluffy white bread to sop up the sauce. read more

I love the tips here! I moved away and every time I come back to visit I get some ribs.. . I love their ribs and the portion. The sauce is good too! read more

They are a drug front. Hardly ever open, and then at odd hours. They close at 7:45 on some Saturday's and they never, ever answer the damn phone. I'll never go there again. Additionally, the ribs are way overrated. Why don't they just sell drugs on the streets like regular drug dealers?! One star read more

I like trying new places, so I figured I'd give this place a shot. Huge mistake!!! The ribs were tough, fatty and tasteless. The link was like nothing I've ever bitten into. The sauce was like soup but the fries were good. Don't know how you stay in business with the horrible food and even worse customer service. First and last time going here. read more

I visited this place for the first time because I liked the smell of The Bar-B-Q on the grill . I was not impressed with mini rib tips and the 3 wings. I went for the lunch special since it was 1:30 and it was a disappointment . The wings were extra small(no problem) but they were old. The wings were re-fried because the meat was hard and crusted on the inside. The color of the bone was black which meant it was old(maybe a saved and refrigerated a week ago). The mini rib tips were cut so skimpy and side ways that barely any meat on the gristle. Please have good teeth because you won't be able to chew the little piece of tough meat. The sauce and large fries and fresh slice of bread were good and tasty.(2stars). So don't waste you time or money unless your teeth need a workout and you want some fries and sauce. Maybe try the links instead and hope it is not dried up and old too. The Exsenator's BBQ needs a new cook and better quality cuts of meat for rib tips. read more

i enjoy the rib tips i like that they cut them up and the sauce is great. never had a bad order of tips. wings are good too love the sauce!!! read more

These are some great ribs, rib tips and Hot Links, awesome barbecue!

You can smell the hickory smoke on a nice day from blocks away. The ribs are meaty stick-to-the-bone so those preferring falling off the bones style ribs should stay away. But this is the kind of bar b q I prefer which is the traditional slow wood smoked that you find through much of the American south. While it is a cash-only carry out shack, you won't go wrong with either the ribs or the tips. Traditional side of fries and white bread to mop up the sauce comes with your order. Also, don't expect the greatest service. It's more of a "what do you want? Here you go. Don't let the door hit you on the way out." But like I said, you won't be coming here for the atmosphere but what is really important, which are the ribs! read more

The hot link sandwich is so good. Comes dripping in sweet, tangy sauce with fries. Worth the stop every time. I'll have to try the rib tips next. read more

Best Ribs on the South Side. Most of the ribs that I get from the South Side are dry or burnt. If I wanted good ribs I had to drive to the West Side or the Northern Suburbs. My Aunt told me about Exsenator's and I have been going to them ever since. The only two beefs I have is it's cash only and they are closed on Mondays. read more

I never found time to review anything ever until now. I have always been extremely satisfied with anything I ordered from Exsenator bbq even though they rarely have chicken,if you can get it it's really good. I always get the rib tips with the sauce on the side. The reason for this is simple; if the meat is cooked right,the sauce is for the fries and not a necessity for the meat. How sad to see the quality of the food crash and burn so fast,and I mean burn! How can a person serve the product so burnt up and bravely put the sauce on the side as if nothing is wrong! I am taking this as an insult. This food is not cheap and even if it were it shows how much you think of your customers when you have the nerve to sell food that is unfit for human consumption. All burned up and your arrogance allows you to believe that you won't be called out on it. I have always been extremely satisfied with the food until now. A hot mess it is and I'm done here. If you don't care enough to make sure what you present to your customers is worth the money, time, and effort to get there, I cannot eat this food anymore. I cannot swallow the disrespect! read more