Saw this place on a food show, so decided to give it a try when we were in town. Sure, it's not in the best area of town and there is always a line, but it was worth it. There's a reason Lem's is known for rib tips - so delicious! And the ribs and hot links were great too. Note that this is take out only, there is no seating. read more

Who doesn't like Lems?! My family has patronized this business for decades. To date, they have not disappointed. Great landmark for Chicago, serving everybody. read more

Lem's has been in my blood since the 80s....I used to go to the Lem's on 58th and State street years ago when I was a kid. Lem's is the last of the old school bbq joints in Chicago. The way the meat is prepared is spot on and consistent every time I go. Meaty tips and the portions are good. I'm not a fan of the sauce tho. I have to admit...I get my BBQ from Lem's and use Alice's sauce on it...just my preference. Service is pretty quick but be prepared to stand in line when you go. read more

I was on 86th and Cottage Grove running an errand and I called a friend and asked him where can I get some barque ribs nearby????? I have always known the best ribs are on the south side! So he told me to go on 75th street to Lem's and man was I ever satisfied!!!! Lem's makes the best ribs and the sauce is not sweet it has a good kick plus great smoky flavor too! After I ate all I could think of was I gotta go back with my friend who told me about this great place!!! I took an extra order home to share with my family and everyone loved them too! Here is my final compliment on Lem's the left over ribs I ate them next day cold and dam they were good!! I was afraid of reheating them in the microwave oven so Lem's you passed every test with flying colors!!! I will be back again and again and again!!!!!! read more

Awesome Ribs. They are highly recommended . The rib tips are tender and meaty.m and the saucer is tasty

Been coming there for years but the black woman behind the register needs to go very nasty attitude she's very disrespectful another customer got upset with the way she was yelling at me and the lady behind the register told her she can leave makes me dread having to place my order when I see her behind the register. read more

Lem's is one of the oldest and iconic places in Chicago and I haven't had any Lem's bbq since I was a kid but the memories that I have of it is just still like it was yesterday and im 42yrs old now.. that's how great it is read more

Horrible customer service. Sadly, very ignorant employees who verbally mistreat the customers. Don't waste your money here. Spend it in a place that appreciates its customers during these difficult times. I would give zero stars if I could. read more

Always pretty good. I've been coming here since a kid with my parents. Got there about 8:15pm tonight. There was a line but not as long as I expected for a Saturday night, but it was pretty cold tonight. The wait wasn't too long which was good. I ordered a large tip & link combo cut small sauce on side. Once I got home I realized they didn't give me any links. I called and guy said I could come back or leave my name for links on a future order. I decided to go back. I didn't wait in line again I just popped in real fast and let them know I was back and I'd wait outside. Lady brought links to me outside. Now for the food. Links were great as usual. Tips were good as usual too. Definitely as good as I remember from a kid and not disappointed at all. 4 stars because I had to come back but otherwise would've been a 5. read more

Lem me tell you about this place! It's right of the highway when I was traveling through Chicago towards Indiana. It's like I dropped into a family bbq. They have those rib tips with the bones and it comes riding on a basket of fries with bread on top. I must have looked like a zombie in the parking lot sitting in my car eating ribs. It was so good that it made me sleepy, but I had along way to drive so I wiped up everything and went on my way. read more

Even though I live on the North Side, I'm a South Side boy at heart. I grew up coming here and, over the years, have converted several lovers and friends. In the hearts and minds of many South Side Chicagoans, Lem's isn't just a restaurant; it's an iconic culinary institution. So it goes without saying that every now and then, we get a taste for Lem's and before we know it, we're in the car headed South to 75th. Tip 1: know what you want when you step in the door, or prepare to make instant decisions when called upon. Many an uninitiated individual has incurred the wrath of the spectacled woman that runs the show, takes orders, and doles out the chow. Just like Teddy Pendergrass'll holler at you, this woman will too, and I've seen it. I typically go for the Rib Tips (cut small, $.50 extra) and Link combo or the Center Cut Ribs, both with hot and mild sauce, which tends towards the vinegary side of the BBQ sauce flavor scale. Fries and bread accompany, and part of the magic that is Lem's is having the sauce soak both the bread and fries, so that all may be consumed indiscriminately. With this tip, I'll also state that, in both cold and warm weather, lines can be lengthy, so if you're close enough to see the menu board, you're close enough to make executive decisions. Tip 2: Cash only. From the looks of the place, the savvy individual can easily determine that a credit card machine is as welcome here as a new car is among the Amish. Don't behave in the manner of the uninitiated and stand, mouth agape with credit card in hand at the register. Just imagine the sassy, spectacled woman's reaction to this error, and remember your mother's gentle childhood scoldings, urging you to "make better choices." Bring cash with you or be prepared to hit the Chase ATM in the Walgreens at 75th and the Ryan. Tip 3: Resist all temptation to consume any of this in your car on the way home. I've tried, with varying levels of success - sometimes on the expressway while piloting a vehicle - and have ruined several articles of clothing for my efforts. Wait until you can get it home, throw down some newspaper, and decend into beast mode. Tip 4: After you eat: return and repeat. The food is good, the prices are reasonable ($14-22 for rib/rib tip/chicken/hot link combos), and if you're a North Sider like me, it's a great excuse to take a ride and see an area of the city most only read about in the paper for its ills. Expand both your mind and your waistline! read more

This is my favorite BBQ place in the world!!! I've tried BBQ in so many cities at so many restaurants I can't even begin to list them all... but NONE have compared to Lem's BBQ rib tips. It's a destination for me whenever I'm in the Chicago area. I can't tell you how much I turn into a mindless zombie when I enter the city. It's like Aliens have cranked up a thought capturing machine and I...MUST...DRIVE...TO...LEMS!!! I can't control myself, it just happens. Lem's is not for the faint of heart because it's kinda in the hood, but it's been here for over half a century!!! You enter in off what would best be described as a back alley (just across from an AA meeting center). There is almost always a random group of older guys standing around the streets talking about whatever old guys who stand on the street talk about. Amazingly, they do have a decent sized parking area for such a tiny establishment. Once inside, you'll notice the thick bullet proof plexiglass with a turnabout they place your food in when you order is ready for pickup. No real seating to speak of, so plan on eating your Que in your car or back at whatever location you are staying. I'm a creature of habit, and when I like something, I order it almost every time. I have ONLY had the Rib Tips (served with GREAT steak cut fries), so I can't comment on any of their other offerings. But the Tips are SO GOOD, why would you want anything else? Do your taste buds a favor and stop in, but be forewarned: Lem's doesn't open until 2pm and is closed on Tuesday's. read more

Best BBQ I the south side!! Mark sure you check with the location for hours of operation, I do believe the are closed on day during the week. read more

This place has been around forever but I will say I had a lot of fatty rib tips very disappointed because I don't live close at all so will not be going back read more

Okay let me you tell right off the back that I'm third generation in the bar-b-que business and I was raised right here at Lem's. I remember when I was away at college I would long for the taste of a rib soaked in Lem's vinegar based bar-b-que sauce. I would imagine the flavorful fries and bread that was good enough to eat alone. That was 20 years ago and I'm still hooked. Throughout the years I have tried to get Lem's to do away with a pit, and pit man because of cost but my Lil Daddy (Mr.Lem) said " Real bar-b-que is cooked on a pit", that is why you can smell the sweet aroma miles away. read more

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Sadly we don't have really good, notable barbeque on the north side (other than Smoque...) So it's worth the trip down 94 to Lem's on the south side. It's a small place with nowhere to sit, but they're always crowded and the wait is truly worth it. What makes them stand out is that you can taste the smoke flavor of their meat. They definitely know bbq and how to do it right! Orders come with bread, fries, and their vinegary sauce which you can have on the side, or drenched on your food. Either way, Lem's is the real deal. Love that they're open late, too!! I highly recommend the rib tips. They can be a bit on the fatty side, but they are delicious. (You may want to order a bucket if you're sharing or want some for later.) Fantastic! read more

I tell you, the Chicago Rib house scene is NOT what it used to be. This is my second tine trying Lem's and I was not impressed! When I patronize a rib joint, I expect for them to be better than what I can do on my home grill! While the small tips were hearty, meaty and tender, "I need to know Where is the FLAVOR?!?!" I like the Smokey flavor the permeates the meat and Lem's does not have it! I noticed the my have a new smoker so maybe it's not broken in. Second, the sauce is watered down. When I got my rib tips I thought they forgot to put sauce in only to find out the sauce was on the bottom of the container which means it was so runny it did not stick to the tips. Lastly, while I support our black businesses, it would be nice if the cashiers can at least smile showing they value us as customers! The lady with glasses (possibly owner if wife of) was just unpleasant. I get it she may have been there all day, but it's a pandemic abd have she ever thought if it wasn't for the customer they would not be open! Just saying. I give this 2 stars. read more

Lem's Bar-B-Q - Lem's weak sauce, no flavor, no smile yet tender and meaty rib tips - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We've picked up twice from this place and have gotten a mix of the tips, ribs, brisket, and chicken wings. The sauce with the smokiness is unbelievable. They do soak the fries in the sauce but still found myself licking every bit of it off my fingers. I feel like I'm cheating on my favorite rib place but this joint deserves my endorsement. read more

Rib tips. That's what I came here for and they were everything you want rib tips to be. Crunchy with the right amount of char and meaty. So good. Waited in line outside in the cold and I would do it again. This is a take out place only, there is no room to eat inside. The person in front of me recommended the hot links, which I probably wouldn't have ordered, but he said they were the best so I had to try them. They had a sweet breakfast sausage taste with a little heat, but not too spicy. I'd come back just for those hot links, he was right. read more

Lem's Bar-B-Q - Bucket of rib tips - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Yes, the only place I will eat rib tips from. You cannot find tips in Cali., especially in the Palm Desert area. I am Chicago Southside at heart and that means tips from Lem's and fried chicken from Harold's with hot sauce. read more

I ordered too much food; large rib tips with sauce on the side. The meal came with two slices of bread, 3 bbq sauce containers, a side of fries and lots of tips. I ate half and the other half is for tomorrow's lunch. read more

I have contacted you several times concerning the old food that I received, the fries were old and so dry that the sauce was stuck to the container, the hot links were hard and dry, and the tips and slabs were old and dry. As previously stated I have been a long-time buyer of Lems since the 1960s. I had a stroke and can no longer drive, it took me months to get someone to take me to Lems and I spent $115.00 for food that I could not eat. This is shabby customer service. Lems has not acted on my complaint. They asked on Facebook were did I complain. I complained on their website where it said contact us, 3 times and they never responded until I gave the review on Yelp. Always check your food before leaving to make sure it's fresh! A $115 is too much to pay for food you cannot eat! read more

Ordered The special it's close to $20 I forgot what it's called but it has chicken one hotlink rib tips Fries And also a large order of ribs tips. First off the lady was rude as heck and almost made us want to turn around and go somewhere else but overall the rib tips were just OK they were full of bones not too much meat I'll skip here and definitely head to the Westside for my barbecue next time especially since the lady was so mean read more

A quality bbq shop that is legit old school Slap your mama Smokey goodness. Some of the best outside of Nashville and Austin. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed. read more

The best BBQ on the south side! Always so tender and juicy. I love the light vinegar sauce. Ribs drowned in sauce are crap. But not these! FYI- they don't take call in orders, but relax! The line goes fast. read more

I've tried several places in an attempt to find the best rib tips, and I can comfortably say that Lem's takes top honors. The meat is tender, flavorful, and unlike anything else I've ever had. If you haven't been, do yourself a favor and give them a try. read more

Lem's has some of the best hot links in the city so imagine my surprise when I saw the JBL special being offered with 2 wings, 2 ribs, 1 hot link, rib tips and fries for 22.15!! Sounded perfect, I ordered a JBL & a small rib tip for my fiancée. They repeated my order back to me at least 4 times & I got home to discover they had given me the small rib tip I ordered...and an order of fried shrimp, no JBL in sight. The fried shrimp is overly breaded & not that good to me, so I spent an extra $10 over what I ordered for subpar food and this was after standing in line for at least a half hour. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE YOU LEAVE ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIVE FAR AWAY LIKE I DO. read more

Saw this on the food network. Decided to drive 1.5 hours out. Very satisfied with this place. Rib tips are very good, and the portions are great. Wife and I enjoyed the food. read more

Lems bar b que, is a hit or miss you never know what you are going to get. Sometime it's good sometime you need razor teeth for the tips. The line is always long, the parking is bad. so I'm giving Lem's Bar B Que 2 stars I would have gave 3 stars but the cashier's attitude is always so negative, no smile no customer service at all. read more

I've been eating here since I was little. I usually just get the rib tips. The sauce and seasonings needs to be revamped & Eating it so much can get tiring BC the sauce is blah. I suggest adding a sauce menu with different varieties of bbq sauce to put on the meats. Similar to Buffalo Wild Wings expect its Lem's :) read more

Swung by again and picked up hot links this time. They were a bit on dry side, but ok with the mild (but still on spicy side) sauce. The hot links were ok for the novelty of not having had them in a while, but I like the ribs as a better buy. read more

Lem's Bar-B-Q - Hot links - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

You could smell the BBQ a block away from the restaurant - that's when you know the food is going to be good. In Chicago, the smoke from the BBQ houses should pull you in. I'm a rib tip man so when you get to Lem's try the tips. You will not be let down. read more

Omgawd they have the best rib tips in the world .... They haven't changed since the 70's lol

You know the product is good when people are standing in line outside, in much of Chicago's worst weather! My only suggestion is that they wipe out the parking lot, in favor of expanding their space! (Keep the same grill ... it's seasoned)! Trust me, if we'll stand in 'the weather', we'll find a parking space and walk to your door!! How about it, Carmen? read more

A great choice in my opinion. Staff likes what they do. Food is always fresh tip and link combo is on point. read more

What a great bbq house! Definitely competes with the very best in chicago, I ordered rib tips and they were divine

Best BBQ Sauce, ribs and fries. I come just for the sauce and fries. Live in San Diego, but always stop by Lem's when I'm in town. Loved it growing up as a Kid in Chicago, and love getting it when I return... DA BEST like DA BEARS!!! read more

I've been going here for years. The lines are long but worth the wait. Generous portions.

Real gem of a BBQ joint! We got the chicken and loved it. Bough some seasoning to get home too. I was impressed with how well organized the place is, letting 3 people in at a time (due to Covid), everyone had a mask, felt safe. Yet, folk were friendly and the food was great! read more

The wait is long but so worth it. Portions are huge and the pork is cooked just right. The potato salad isn't the best of the best but it is good. Definitely record if you want good barbecue in the city. read more