We got rib tips to go...not disappointed. Very tender, and oh that sauce! There were some pieces that had too much cartilage, but no complaints. Friendly service, sweet bbq joint vibe. read more

We got 5 rib plates. Its usually awesome. Today it was like eating Jerky today. Ribs were so hard you had to have somebody else chew them. The slaw and potatoes were good read more

I ordered a mini tip and cut fine. What I got was tough and a lot of burnt pieces. The sauce didn't even cover the tips. I thought it came with coleslaw but I didn't get any. I stopped visiting here in 2023 because the last few times I did I got pretty much the same thing. It's a shame it's gotten so bad. I use to love Frankie's. read more

ok, if you love bbq then Frankie's is a MUST! hands down the best sauce ever! we always get the mini rib-tips... big portions, steak cut fries & then there is the white bread in the bottom that has soaked up a little grease from the ribs & is drowning in the sauce (it's a humble piece of white bread but something magical happens) the neighborhood is a little sketchy the place is a little bit of a hot mess, you wait in line to order through a window, there are a few seats but i take mine to go... But remember, it's about the food & it is fabulous!! read more

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12-31-25 What a disappointment our rib tips and chicken dinners were. Both meats were burned and neither one of our dinners had enough sauce despite ordering and paying for extra sauce. We were both very sad and will not be going back for a very long time, if ever. read more

First time ever in South Bend. Here for a bowling tournament. One of our team members recommended this joint as they had tried them out when they got here last night. I have to start with some disclaimers: first, when a friend tells you a place is a "hood" joint, you typically have two expectations. There's low expectations, and then there's "hood" expectations. Fortunately, Frankie's met our "hood" expectations. Situated on a corner in a rather nondescript neighborhood, Frankie's appears to be a place that's been around and serves the community well. Friendly staff, and customers who greeted us as if we were cousins. (That will always get you kudos where we come from.) This place was clean and cozy. The menu choices appear to appeal to the flavor of the neighborhood. Featuring ribs, and turkey legs, I was surprised that there wasn't any chicken, except for chicken strips (sticks). Sorry, guys. I had to take a star for that. One menu item, the Round House sandwich appears to be a community culture favorite (it's a well dressed bologna sandwich). We saw a patron with one. It looked awesome. Prices weren't bad. We paid close to $50 for three entrees. We had the ribs, the combo (chicken sticks and jumbo shrimp with rib tips), and the Frankie's Polish sausage. Each were generously portioned and came with fries. I was a bit disappointed that fries were the only side options. There were side items that could be purchased separately for an additional price. We received a discount for using cash. (Don't balk folks. Sign of the times) So here's where they lost stars with us: no chicken (except for the chicken sticks). As I mentioned, I'm not a fan of ribs. But my husband (Big Pimp), a seasoned carnivore, said even he would have like more chicken choices. A half star was lost on the limitedness of side dishes. I would have liked to see more choices. And dessert as well. Overall, we were impressed. The food came fast and was absolutely delicious. It reminds me of the "rib shacks" from back in the day where I'm from. The meat was tender. I'm not a fan of ribs, but my tips were very good. Big Pimp says his slab was A-1, tender, juicy, and his sauce was spot on. They dropped the ball on my shrimp, however. They definitely were not jumbo. Would love to give this place 3 1/2 stars. Can't figure out how to give them another half. read more

Frankie's BBQ - Big Pimp's Rib entree - Barbeque Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Prices have gone bonkers. 17-18$ for a tip dinner after tax and credit card fees if you don't pay cash. read more

Frankie's BBQ - Menu and prices - Barbeque Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Frankie's is legendary and you will not find a better bbq place. I have been going here since the late 90s and is still amazing. They need to bottle their sauce and sell it by the gallon. I have moved away but always visit Frankie's when in town. read more

I've moved from South Bend, and I think about the mini tips once a week. This is the spot. When I'm back, I gotta get Frankie's. Some of the best BBQ ribs, without a doubt. read more

So I've given many bad reviews for this place in the past. Once upon a time it was great. Than took the exit to crapsville. Now they're back to the good side. Problem is now they run out of rib tips often. But the last two time tips were good and fries were out of this world. Not going to do a longer review but I'll enjoy them being back to the good side. Oh the serving size is 2.5 lbs 1st time 2.9 second visit. I don't like the idea of when you pay your surrounded by CC machine wanting tip and people expecting it. That is uncomfortable. Pictures are from last two visits. I can't give 5stars because they run out and except a tip. read more

Frankie's BBQ - Last two visits. - Barbeque Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

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I absolutely love Frankie's. Ribtips is my favorite good ever and out of all the BBQ places in south bend frankie's is the best. I wish someone delivered frankie's because I am now bedbound and have no way of ever getting it anymore. I haven't been able to have it in about 3 years now. It's very heartbreaking to me. read more

I have been away from home 22 years; upon my arrival I wanted some BBQ, and I stopped at FranKies and spent $36.72 ticket#152306 on 3/22/25 at 6:12pm EST. All I can say is I miss the old school Frankie's when the elders were running this establishment. Let me say the presentation was good but the meat had no smokey BBQ taste and was tuff, the sauce was un-flavorful and no coleslaw, but the fries were good because I got the sauce on the side and not on the fries. Here is a tip New Frankie's retrace the history and go back to cooking the BBQ the way the elders use to do it. Until that happens, I won't be back. Thanks read more

They be a hit or miss & lately they've been a HUGE MISS got an order today 10/13/25 ribs were tough & chewy only good part was fries w sauce again hit or miss read more

My husband's family is from South Bend, IN so whenever we come to visit or pass through we have to stop at Frankie's. Now I'm not going to tell a story about this place. It's kind of hit or miss. This time we came it was good and that's what we expected. But before this time we came a couple of other times and it wasn't the best. So this time I can say it's worth the 4 stars. read more

Frankie's BBQ - Rib tips, Ribs and fries - Barbeque Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

got takeout HORRID Chicken was TINY and very dry i mean JERKY dry n2m the few fries not even a handfull they went from a 5 to a 0 call there and the RUDE manager was nasty and said dont come back they use to be awesome now its just SAD read more

Much like Chris A, I haven't lived in South Bend since 2008 but I still go back for Frankie's. Best sauce on the planet.

I like how it is a no frills no fuss type of environment. Most people opted to take their food elsewhere but we sat outside by the beautiful mural. None of us ordered the ribs or rib tips. Their chicken strips and fries were okay. I was disappointed by my pulled pork sandwich but my hot wings were fine. The potato salad was overpriced and untouchable. I am not happy about bringing visitors from Poland and South Carolina to eat a local favorite which was only so-so. When my foreign friend ordered his accent was a bit thick and the cashier was visibly annoyed about misunderstanding him and could have been more patient. I had to jump in to speak. read more

Frankie's BBQ - July 5, lunchtime - Barbeque Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Frank he's has gone downhill. They raised their prices and lowered the quality. The last time I got tips from them they were so tough threw most of them away. They often run out tips and tell you to come back later. The portions are small for the price you pay. I will not be going back for a while I hope they can get their act together. read more

Still the best in town. Fat caps in Roseland is not real bbq.,.............................

OMG! They should be ashamed ..15$ for this road kill. Fatty, smooshed and Burt meat. I believe that this would be a good place for the health department to look into. Quick note: they put the 3 good pieces on top and beneath us the road kill. read more

Frankie's BBQ - Rib Tips? - Barbeque Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Hadn't been here ever; friend hadn't been here in years. We headed to the place and it's still there. Friend said it was take-out only but there was a small eat-in area. Friend ordered rib tips, I ordered ribs and a side a potato salad. After a short wait, we got our food and headed home. Friend's rib tips were, according to her, delicious and exactly as remembered. My ribs, on first and second bite, were pretty chewy. I really liked the BBQ sauce (looking at other reviews some didn't like it) and there was plenty of it. The ribs got a bit more tender as I went through them. I smoke ribs at home; these ribs needed more time cooking. The potato salad was unremarkable, tasting as if it was commercially made and scooped out of bucket. I wouldn't refuse food from Frankie's but also wouldn't go out of my way to get it unless I was super hungry for ribs and there wasn't any other place to get them. read more

This is the most addictive BBQ!! That sauce! Only thing I miss since leaving the Bend.

It's black owned so I really wanted to be able to say something nice about this place, but the food was just not good at all. I ordered the chicken quarter meal with green beans and sauce on the side. They drowned my whole plate in sauce anyway and I think they do that to mask the fact that there's no flavor on the meat itself. The green beans were absolutely terrible, straight from the can and they couldn't be bothered to add salt or do anything to make them taste good. I'm very disappointed in my experience I had such high hopes. The only upside was the price being so cheap for BBQ, but you get what you pay for so two stars. read more

So a trip home to South Bend means a trip to Frankie's. I haven't lived here myself in 20 years but I grew up on Frankie's. Every time I'm home to visit this is my first stop. Now there are a few tables to eat in but mostly people pickup and leave. On the weekend prepare to wait. This particular visit we waited an hour. Maybe the childhood nostalgia is what gets me because the reality is that sometimes the rib tips are juicy and tender but sometimes you get a burned batch. That sauce tho! I live in North Carolina now and there is nothing like it. I used to get my tips with fries and sauce on the fries. But the last time I visited I was still eating red meat. For the first time I had shrimp and chicken as well as fried mushrooms but I still got my sauce on the fries. The fried mushrooms were SOOOOO good. Oh and the tips come with a slice of white bread that is SO good when it soaks up the bbq sauce. If you're going to South Bend you gotta try Frankie's, at least once. read more

Frankie's BBQ - The menu and order window - Barbeque Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

My tips were so good this time! They gave me so much food! I will definitely recommend them

The food is the best!!!!! Super professional staff. Very quick service, and never a disappoint in all of the above.

Perhaps the best BBQ in town with a flavor that is unmatched by anyone. I use to come here from across the Stateline when I was little as a treat and now that I'm older I find that I'm traveling even further to get my Frankies Mini tip dinner cut thin and an order of mushrooms. My only suggestion when you come here is to pay in cash to avoid fees and stay off your cellphone(practice common manners). There's also no a huge seating section, so it's best to get carry out as most people do. read more

Frankie's BBQ - Full Menu - Barbeque Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Haven't been to Frankie's in quite a while but had that urge. I have to say last couple of times we were a little disappointed. NOT SO TODAY. Bought 3 rib tips and they are absolutely the best I have had in 25 years. Been going there for near 50 years. Pleasant surprise to see employees cleaning up the lot, building seems cleaner and just plain a little more modernized. We will be going back more often if it stays like this. Well done owner, well done. PN 286 read more

Day 2 on "Waiting for tips, it'll be over another hour" I realize "these times/C19" has caused a lot of shortage within the restaurant business but for an establishment like this, the only thing being established is a consistent reputation of not only bad business planning for your customers on a weekly basis but throw in the reputable "tough tip(s)" selection when it comes to the change of staff midday to the evening. Plan a 50/50 result of expectation when attending. #BooOnservice read more

I definitely like this place for its good bbq and it's friendly service. I like the rib tip dinner which I recommend everybody try. Sometimes the food is hit or miss but for the most part the food is good. read more

A lot of people say a restaurant is all about location, location, location. Well, if it was all about location, make sure your not outside after dark. The neighborhood is pretty rough, but that doesn't stop Frankie's from having a constant line from the time they open until close. By far some of the best BBQ I've ever had. Words can not explain how good it is. When I ordered my Rib tip dinner they had one slab of ribs left. There was still at least 20 people behind me, and more still walking in. A couple people in front of me were in town from the Chicago-land area, and told me they always look forward to stopping into Frankie's. The service was a bit slow, but you can't rush excellence, and the price is great for the amount of food you get. I will definitely be back very soon for some of the best BBQ in the area. read more

From out of town, and all of the other food I've had in SB has been delicious. BBQ beef sandwich is actually brisket beef here. However it is swimming in a sauce that is mediocre at best. The beef itself had no flavor underneath the sauce. I enjoyed the boiled green beans way more than the brisket...at a bbq place. I normally like any restaurant--don't waste your time here. read more

Always on the hunt for decent bbq as i travel around the U.S. and my recent trip to South Bend turned up a jewel! This is one of those places that just looks horrible from the outside! Rough exterior and parking lot - kinda crammed into a corner lot - worn out old sign... Exactly what a good bbq joint should look like! Walk in, order through the hole in the window while enjoying the view of hard-core barbeque action happening in the small kitchen. Go find a table - grabbing a soda along the way. Tear off several yards of paper towels and wait for the overwhelmingly large portion of whatever bbq goodness you ordered. We all complained that it was way too much food for lunch... and then proceeded to finish it in record time. My only complaint is that I managed to get bbq sauce all over my left sleeve... Find this place and give it a try when you are in South Bend - definitely worth it. read more

Frankie's BBQ - Where you order! - Barbeque Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Food is great but be prepared to wait 45-90 minutes if you go in the evening as I've been there 10 times this year around 4:30-5 only to find a sign that says "no tips until 6:15" at least 75% of the time. I don't know who is managing this place, but they're failing read more

Finally got the slab! They were cooked perfectly... Not burned but my wife and I thought they were overly salty. read more

Frankie's BBQ - Slab! - Barbeque Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

They pick and choose customers who are in line that they want to serve. After a half hour in line, only some people got to order, and not based on when they got there. I'll never try to go back. read more

Time for some dinner, so far I've only had the rib tips. I like to get them cut fine with the sauce on the side. If you're looking for a decent place to get ribs give them a try, I'm sure you'll like them. read more

Frankie's BBQ - a fireplace in a restaurant - Barbeque Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Tasty and great BBQ Food ... would recommend it to everyone. Not a Fancy spot but the food is outstanding... get you hands dirty and you belly full read more

This was our first time going to Frankie's barbecue our first impression was not so good on the customer service the person who took our order was uninterested in our business I'm sorry that he hated his job but he shouldn't take it out on customers. After trying The brisket it tasted something that you would get from Sara Lee pre-cooked thin slices. The barbecue buffalo wings we're OK and the chicken sticks were freshly cooked those were OK but what hit it out of the park were the spare ribs and tips that's worth withstanding the negative attitude at the counter definitely will be back for ribs like everyone else comes back for. read more

It was open this time instead of being closed like last time. Out of tips. Sign said 5:35 they would have more, asked as it was close to 6 with a roomful if people and was discouraged from ordering. Love their rib tips. Never seem to be able to get them though. Think I'm giving up on trying to get them. read more