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Lem's Bar-B-Q

3.6 (551 reviews)
Closed 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated over 3 months ago

Lem's Bar-B-Q Photos

Business Info

LEM'S BAR-B-Q ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Divey
Outdoor seating
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Lem's Bar-B-Q

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49.50 for ok food
Paula W.

Overall good food especially the wings and tips BUT the sauce is not good at all. This spot gets 2 stars for the nasty attitude of the older lady working in this place. That attitude is unnecessary! I would never go back and stand in line where customers are so disrespected. Also what is this stupid rule about not standing to close to the windows to order, the workers were literally yelling at a customer because he was to close to the bullet proof glass! There are to many worthwhile spots in the area to stop here!

Scraps my dog enjoyed!

Instead of the woman on the register worrying about vape/cigs being smoked outside. She needs to be watching how her workers are giving out scraps!!! I drove 50min, brought a bucket of rib tips and 2 hot-links 68.00! Hot links very dry not hot at all! Sauce runny too much vinegar and look at these hard as dried out scraps of rib tips! Lady on register not friendly and was mad because I have a personality and she don't! 5 at a time! Not giving out scraps next time I will be checking my food before I leave! Tired of these black owned restaurants serving garbage!

Lisa P.

Lem's has been a true South Side staple in the community for years. I am proud they earned the highly coveted James Beard Award. From the look of the line, I am not the only one. It was really nice to stand in line for an hour and five minutes said no one ever! But, it was nice talking to the police officers in front of me and the city workers behind me. The conversation made the cold a little more bearable. When you made it around the corner, there was a nice heat lamp waiting to warm you. I knew exactly what I was ordering, one large rib tip combo that came with a hot link and fries. One JBL Special, includes two rib bones, rib tips, one hot link, two wings and fries. One order of six wings with fries. Everything came with bread and was drenched in a cajun barbecue sauce. The hot links were dry and some of the tips were dry. But, overall the food had a nice flavor.

Exterior
Anurag T.

This place is awesome Note there are negative reviews but when you have 40-50 people line up everyday for BBQ, are the negative reviews accurate or one offs? Overall (A) This place has awesome food and is a community staple. I can see why they won a James Beard award. My kids loved the bbq. I have a daughter who is picky about eating meat and loved it. The other is a meat connoisseur and loved it. Value (A) The prices seem expensive but you get a ton of food. We paid $110 and will probably get 8 maybe 10 meals out of it. 3 people ate twice yesterday and we have a ton of leftovers for today. Service (A-) The service takes a while. Just plan to wait 1-hour to 90 minutes when you get in line. I got there at 11:23 for a noon opening and food around 12:35. They are super busy so they don't have time to be patient. Plus you have plenty of time to make a selection and ask people in line on what to do when you enter. They are not rude or disrespectful they are just super swamped and busy and trying to keep things moving. While there they accommodated someone who "cut in line" to get a bottle of sauce she forgot. The one polity accommodated her request and asked that she ask all of us waiting for permission to cut in line Food (A+) We got Rib Tips, Ribs, Chicken wing,sausage, fries and coleslaw. All items were excellent. Get the coleslaw as a side - well worth it. I don't know how else to explain things - everything was excellent and we couldn't stop eating. Tips - When you go get a lot of food. Like for days so you don't have to wait in line again - The JBL special is a great value and well worth it - Line starts around an hour prior to open - Basically pick out what you want, five people allowed inside at once. They will call on you and you place your order. When your food is ready you pay by cash or cc. They need to keep things orderly since there are so many people and the food is always fresh - there is no seating so you have to go home and eat or eat in your car. - the sauce is excellent and I should have gotten an extra bottle - they keep things simple and old school here. No call ahead orders or any of that nonsense. Come and stand in line like everyone else and get your food. - the plain white bread is magic when soaked in some sauce - great compliment I like this place a lot and will pick up from here a few times a year. We live in the burbs but will have to make a special trip for it. I don't have that many pics of the food since we ate in our car.

Rachel E.

A Chicago taste of James Beard Award-winning food. Be prepared to wait in line for a while, as only five people are allowed in at a time. The fried chicken was crispy and perfectly cooked, the ribs were very tender with just the right amount of smokiness and packed with flavor, and the food came in big portions. I must say I wasn't a fan of the sauce, which was very watered down and probably needs a good shake before serving. It is a busy place with a hectic atmosphere, and take-out is the only option since this establishment doesn't have any benches or tables for dining in

The inside of the little establishment.

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3 months ago

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1 year ago

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8 months ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

Business owner information

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Lem's B.

We would have to agree with you! Thanks for you review.

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6 months ago

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5 months ago

The best bbq joint in the city! Been going there for years! A family owed business that's full of legacy!

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6 months ago

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4 years ago

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6 months ago

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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6 months ago

The food was very good. The kitchen was exceptionally clean long line but quick service.

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8 months ago

Amazing bar-b-q long time establishment, good food, prices are great ,,, highly recommend

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

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3 years ago

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6 months ago

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1 year ago

Great food, service has improved but the ambiance of the outdoors is what it is! This barbecue is second to none .

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

A classic and award-winning restaurant for sure! Rib tips and sides are the absolute best!

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

A1 since Day 1, great food, prices and bless these people and their lungs for serving us!

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

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9 months ago

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5 months ago

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1 year ago

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3 years ago

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10 months ago

The French Fries are always OLD and inedible. The Bar-B-Q is okay at times but not always fresh

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1 year ago

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10 months ago

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Page 2 of 14

Ask the Community - Lem's Bar-B-Q

Why not turkey tips and links yet? Please please please start selling them.

Hum? Good question I don't know? The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday so I love rib tips lol

Does anyone else feel like they should expand the order area so we are not cramped in the door?

I feel that way also

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Offset BBQ - St Louis Style Ribs - Half Rack Elote Cornbread (2 pieces)

Offset BBQ

4.7(300 reviews)
11.5 miHumboldt Park, West Town
$$

I've been craving some MEAT for a while, and after reading Sam C.'s review, I was sold - I grabbed…read moremy keys and made my way over! When I find myself thinking of a return trip while still there, you know for sure Offset BBQ delivers! I ordered the All Beef Platter, and got the Brisket Chili (upgrade) as my side. The sausage was fantastic! It had a snap which made all the Chicago Hot Dogs within a 20 mile radius jealous. Inside was a maximally savory, salty but not over-salted filling. The kind of meat that needs no sauce. Then comes the brisket! A lovely piece of meat that was so tender, looking at it and licking my lips caused the meat to start falling apart. I also loved that it was a good balance of meaty and fatty bits. However, there is a small 'but' here. For my taste, the brisket needed a very light sprinkle of salt. No matter, with the help of the sauces the brisket leveled up enough to take on any boss battle thrown at it. Speaking of sauces: The KC Style and Hawaiian were both good. Both were sweet, and had some tang, though, it seemed the KC had a slight edge in the bold department between the two. A sauce I loved though was the Chicago White, a fantastic Horseradish and Mustard sauce that was unique, interesting, savory, fresh, and a little spicy. The kind of sauce I want to buy a container of and take home! For my side, I upgraded to the bowl of brisket chili. I loved this so much, I may just order this as a main on a return visit. The chili did not at all skimp on the meat, which was tender and flavorful. The use of beans, corn, and veggies were there to help accent everything else, and were themselves cooked perfectly. Kudos also for the inclusion of a couple pickled jalapeno slices. My heat tolerance may be too high to feel a burn, but the crispness of acid did wonders! The included coleslaw was one thing I did not love. I appreciated that they were not heavy handed on the mayo, and the dressing overall was light in quantity and consistency. However, the cabbage was sliced as if by a sleep deprived stagiaire who has yet to master knife skills. The slicing was terribly inconsistent, with some pieces being way too large. For dessert, I ordered the Blueberry Handpie. This was so much better than expected! The crust was flaky and wonderful, and the filling had plentiful sweet blueberries. This dish also excelled in its execution. The cast iron pan kept the pie warm, and the ice cream was such that didn't melt right away. I also loved that the blueberries weren't screaming hot and exploding with lava. When it comes to the service, the bar-server was fantastic. She was kind, friendly, and attentive. Food came out pretty fast, too, considering how fresh everything was. Finally, while I did not make laps around the entire establishment, the vibe has just the right intersection between BBQ and Rock & Roll, with the music playing at the perfect volume to be appreciated while being not at all intrusive. Final verdict: There are many who sing the praises of Smoque BBQ, which is a great spot. However, between the two, I prefer Offset. Other than a sloppy-chopped Coleslaw, the experience was fantastic not only in the food, but in the execution and the thought put into the experience.

Alright, I don't usually do this. I'm not a Yelp or Google Review warrior, I'm not out here typing…read moreessays about every decent meal... but gotdamn, this place earned it. I've been meaning to get here for years, and we finally rolled in for lunch - and let me tell you, the hype in my head still wasn't enough. For context, I'm not just some random dude who likes ribs. I run a small side street BBQ pop-up on the South Side and I'm borderline obsessive about properly smoked meat - especially the kind that's gently smoked, where you taste the craft and not just a blast of soot and sauce. That balance is HARD. Most places (even the quote unquote "institutions" we all know) lean heavy on sauce to cover up over-smoked, tired meat. This spot? Absolutely not that. Offset BBQ in Humboldt Park is operating on a whole different level. This is thoughtful, patient, technique-driven barbecue - the kind pitmasters respect and regular people fall in love with without even knowing why it's better. I had the chance to meet Carlo Carani and Doug Pompa, and that alone made the visit special. Doug is the real-deal pitmaster - not flashy, not ego-driven, just a humble craftsman who clearly lives and breathes smoke. Both of them were welcoming, down-to-earth, and generous with their time. Doug even walked me through their smokers and process, which, as someone still climbing the BBQ learning curve, was like getting a backstage pass to a masterclass. No gatekeeping, no attitude - just passion and pride in doing things the right way. And the food backs it all up. The brisket? Tender, beautifully rendered, rich without being heavy. Pulled pork? Juicy, seasoned exactly right, smoke present but never overpowering. The pickled sides? Absolute game-changer - that bright acidity cutting through the richness like a perfect reset button between bites. They're not just doing traditional barbecue either - there's creativity on the menu that actually makes sense, not gimmicks. Add in a serious whiskey and bourbon lineup plus beer that pairs the way it should, and you're looking at a full experience, not just a tray of meat. This isn't just another BBQ joint. This is a Chicago barbecue institution in the making - if it isn't already. Do yourself a favor: run, don't walk. Whether you're a die-hard smoke nerd or just someone who loves good food, this place is the real deal. Maria's service is outstanding and you'd be remissed not to include her hospitality as a bright star to this BBQ institution's success. God bless this joint!

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Offset BBQ
Offset BBQ - 12pc Offset Wings with Chicago White Sauce (side)

12pc Offset Wings with Chicago White Sauce (side)

Offset BBQ - Looking out at California.

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Looking out at California.

Chubby Cattle

Chubby Cattle

4.5(425 reviews)
6.7 miChinatown
$$$$

we came in on a wednesday night and thete wasnt a wait. our server josh was very quick, attentive,…read moreand diligent when explaining the menu and everything. we ordered shrimp and they forgot it so we let them know and they were apologetic and brought it out super fast. there were free snacks and chips and soft serve and juice and sodas and tea! the milk tea was pretty good for cutting the fatty meats. there was a wide variety of items like wagyu and nigiri but the brisket was one of my favs! id def come back again if i was in the area !!

Was looking for a Japanese style bbq grill and had high hopes since this restaurant is highly…read morerated. 4.9 on 7.4k reviews on Google and 4.5 star on Yelp. ( see chat gpt analysis of the reviews below) What I witnessed was probably the worst customer service, table grill failure and tablet ordering system failure all in one experience. Sort of like Lemony snickets - series of unfortnate events. I'm still confounded about the ratings. Did just have bad luck?? Table Grill: 0 / 5 Fire suddenly cut out after 20 mins and it was clear that propane tank was low. Server had no clear action other than to suggest to move the cheese corn off the grill. After taking his suggestion and the meat was still not cooking.( 10 mins later ) I had to flag him down the 2nd time. I had suggested we move to another table i saw that was open and he accomodated. Grill was not frequently changed like other bbq restaurants and looked completely charred and black by 20 mins. Oil was never applied to the grill . Meat constantly stuck to the grill wires making it difficult to turn the meat without ripping it. *Note to management: Make sure you quality check and confirm propane levels before you start the day. Do assurance check towards the evening to prevent any grill issues as we experienced. Server was not trained to be able to handle this situation. Servers had mentioned the fautly table was a known issue no corrections were made by management. Add oil on the table so customers can self oil the grill. Tablet Ordering System: 1/5 ( touch screen tablet) : After the Grill cut out , i pressed "call attendant " button on the tablet screen several times and no response. Looked across the room and server was happily busy catering to other tables.. waited 15 mins to flag him down to make him aware of the table flame. Tablet also did not propery input my order and often times found myself wondering if the orders went through. I had ordered Tom Yum soup and nothing came the entire dinner.. even mentioned it to my server. No action was taken. The real kicker was at end of the night i saw 3 orders of Tom Yum Soup on my bill. ( see attached pic ) Seriously guys?!! Server said he was not able to see my orders. * Note to management: Make sure you do a dry run of all the tablets and ordering system before you deploy tablets during peak busy times. Remove the tablets that are not functional. Its that simple. Customer service: 3/5 While I appreciated the server making attempts to correct gas grill error and tablet error. There were gaps in his service and attentiveness. He did not articulate or project his voice in the noisy environment and often felt he was mumbling. Since i was a new customer, I found it very difficult to understand the complex ordering systems which was timed every x minutes and limited to x amount. It seriously was a guess and see what happens ordering experience. Server only added to the confusion. Still unclear why Google Maps has this restaurant rated 4.9? In fairness he did comp my bill $15 for the series of errors. Still ended up paying $288. go figure. Food: 2/5 Salad was an embarassing 2 -3 tablespoons ( see attached pic) I dont think they really want you to have salad here. you have to order salad probably 3-4 times to get a regular size restaurant salad. Meat: 4/5 Good some highlights with Wagyu and Pork Belly. Sides: Dismal - 2/5 Edamame, veggies, wakame salad, lettuce, etc. probably the biggest offender. portions were small / maybe 2-3 tablespoon. if you wanted more you have to go through the ordering system. And yes there is the limit of how many items you can order at a time. Sunday May 18 9pm.

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Chubby Cattle - BYOB

BYOB

Chubby Cattle
Chubby Cattle - Sides (tempura, loaded fries, dumplings)

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Sides (tempura, loaded fries, dumplings)

Aloha Hawaiian BBQ - Loco Moco

Aloha Hawaiian BBQ

4.7(27 reviews)
7.6 miLittle Village

I am extremely happy to find another Hawaiian restaurant near me and it's not a wannabe like H*B*…read more We came on a weekend during dinner and there was a mild rush in and out of pick up orders and people dining in. We grabbed a menu as we had some time to review their offerings before the last person in our group arrived. When it was time to order, we went for variety and got Kaleb, garlic chicken / lemongrass pork and the Hawaiian breakfast. We ordered enough to receive 2 spam musubis. Everyone was happy with their food and compared it to another well known Hawaiian place in the city - but here with better prices! We had plenty leftover for our party of 3 and pretty much could fill up 1 container! We will definitely be back and look forward to trying other items!

I discovered Aloha Hawaiian BBQ via a photo that was shared on my yelp feed. Once I looked at the…read moremenu and saw a picture of their fish katsu, it became a place that I just had to order from. I was pleased to find that it is located along a route that I frequently drive in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, which may lead to future visits onsite while in the area. And its 4.9 star rating out of 500+ on Uber Eats was the assurance I needed that I would have a quality ordering experience. I did further research on the menu before ordering and I took interest in the garlic butter shrimp, garlic butter fish fillet, vegetable lo mein, vegetable fried rice, crab rangoon, and of course the fish katsu! Out of those items that caught my eye, I ended up ordering the fish katsu with rice & macaroni salad as my sides. Whether it be Grubhub or Uber Eats, I love ordering online because it is convenient. Much praise to the Uber Eats delivery driver, Jesus, for arriving with my order in a reasonable time, as well as meeting me in front of my residence as requested. And Jesus also confirmed that it was me grabbing the order, which I cannot thank him so much for. As for my order, I could not help but smell the fish katsu prior to opening the bag it was placed in. Along with the white rice and macaroni salad it appeared so delicious once I got my first glimpse of it after opening the container. I was pleased with the acceptable portions given, which made my mouth salivate as I took pictures of it to share not only on yelp, but with friends. As expected, the fish katsu tasted very delicious and the katsu sauce complimented it so well. I just could not resist smiling in between bites of it, which left my mouth salivating. As for the macaroni salad, it was the best I have ever had, I kid you not! I finished eating it quickly in between bites of the fish Katsu. Here is your warning! If you are looking for a satisfying meal that could very well turn into leftovers after you have recovered from your kanak attack, then look no further than the fish katsu! In closing, I had an overall great ordering experience as I have indicated in this review of Aloha Hawaiian BBQ. I would consider ordering from again whether it be online or even visiting for takeout when in the area. And with that, I share my endorsement of it as well with you all on yelp. Service: 5 | Ambiance: N/A | Food: 5| Overall Experience: 5 ~ Veni, Vidi, Vici ~ Thomas G

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Aloha Hawaiian BBQ
Aloha Hawaiian BBQ - Loco Moco

Loco Moco

Aloha Hawaiian BBQ

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Lem's Bar-B-Q - bbq - Updated May 2026

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