The bbq here is just ok have to be really hungry tip/links are not the most tender and sauce is so so. The fried chicken wings with no sauce are good though. read more

I am first of all a 50 plus year customer, I been going to Lem's when they were on 59th and State st. I Saw all these children and grand children and great grand children of Mr. Lemon grow up in the business. I always purchased a minimum of 3 orders when I come to Lems. I am Loyal customer that travel a long distance from the south suburbs and pass many bbq places along the way. My experience at Lems last night at 9pm on July 20th 2025 was not good! I waited in line for 30 minutes and then they tell me through the window that they cannot serve anymore, If they know that they could not serve anymore customers why let the line continously increase for 30 more minutes to make elders wait in line, they should have informed the customers sooner that they would not be serving. read more

The rib tips taste like lighter fluid,the worst I've ever had I wouldn't eat here ever again not even if the food was free!!!

Lem's has excellent bbq, but the attitude of the woman with the short hair and glasses is absolutely horrible. She's mean, evil, and disgustingly unprofessional and disrespectful. If this was not a family business I'm sure she would've have been terminated. She argued with multiple patrons and literally followed a lady out after she refused to patronize the restaurant because of her nasty attitude. If multiple people are saying the same thing she needs to look at the woman in the mirror. Maybe she needs prayer, therapy, or both. It's definitely something going on with her. Lem's would receive 5 stars, but will receive 3 because of her NASTY attitude. She needs lessons in customer service or people need to hit them in the pockets and stop patronizing them because of the lack of customer service. read more

The food is great. Be prepared to stand in a line for a moment, but the line moves. Rib tips were tender and full of flavor. Love how my fries are wet under the meat and thank you for the loft bread. I'll be back!! read more

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This place is terrible the food is good but the customer service sucks the owner is a rude bih the wait is well over 3 hours smh DO BETTER

Was one of the first cars in the lot on a Wednesday right before opening. If it wasn't for a worker waving me to get in line I would have ended up waiting for more than an hour. This is a grab and go establishment and you WILL most likely have to wait for your food. Decided to get the JBL special to try a mix and match of what the hype is about. The rib tips and chicken wings stood out to me in terms of flavor and meat quality. I can see how this is one of the better BBQ spots in the greater Chicago area but if you're looking for a place to compete with Texas or Kansas City BBQ you will probably be disappointed. I would recommend getting the sauce on the side otherwise the thickness and strength of the sauce will easily overpower the meats. Overall, I'd say this is one of the best BBQ places in the city if you are willing to wait at least 30 minutes and drive to the south side for a meal you will most likely have to eat back at home. read more

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Jan.8 2026 appx. 1:30 pm. I ordered a large R.tip and hot link... both were dry and Chewy... " LEFTOVERS". When holding food for the next day, it must be sealed with a very small amount of water to maintain juiciness. Due to the acidic nature of tomatoes and some species, Aluminum foil with out a proper liner, leeches out a metallic tast into the food. My previous experiences Were much better. The J B award must be earned on a continuous and and ongoing basis. PLEASE EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS... IT'S TIME!!! I've lived in Chatham since 1955... IT'S TIME!!! read more

Food .Meat was burnt and chewy, thought I was going to break a tooth. Asked for extra sauce so you get charged for it and none was on the meat read more

I fell for the hype and pulled up to the famous Lem's BBQ. It was really good! I ordered the JBL special, which allowed me to sample everything. The portions are worth the coins. I arrived at 5 pm on Sunday. I made it inside the door at 5:30. I walked away from the restaurant at 5:45. Perfect timing! After I ordered, everyone behind me had to wait 20 minutes for the new links to finish cooking. Its a small establishment and can only hold 5 people inside. The line was casual flowing, and they were playing some good 90s R&B while we waited in line. The customer service was decent, while inside, 2 of the employees were arguing and using strong profanity. The crew ignored them, so I'm assuming this is common. Either way, that wasn't very professional, and someone should have nipped it in the butt. Nonetheless, I would recommend this spot and would pull up the next time I'm in the Chi. read more

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Cashier is very very rude! She is in there eating things with her hands and putting it in her mouth. Eating things out of sauce, very unsanitary! read more

The food was terrible, and the service was unprofessional. The staff was rude, even throwing food across the room and complaining about customers arriving close to closing time. One worker got snippy when I asked how the food came prepared, which was unnecessary. I spent over $40, and I will never return to this place again. read more

CONGRATULATIONS to Lem's Barbecue!!!!! The culinary industry recognition is well deserved. Lem's recently received a coveted James Beard Award, a prestigious honor that recognizes some of the best restaurants and chefs in the country, in the category "America's Classic Award." The America's Classics Award is given to locally and independently owned restaurants that have "timeless appeal" and reflect "the characters and cultural traditions" of their community based on the James Beard stated criteria and only 6 were awarded nationally. Folks there is a reason this "hole in the wall" has a line around the building most days: GREAT BARBECUE!!!!! Kudos. read more

I visited Lem's yesterday and the ribs were nothing but fat and the sauce was not on the meat but soaked in the bottom of the tray in the fries. The price was reasonable and the customer service was good. read more

Meh. Not worth the wait in line in the cold, or in the summer either really. Ribs were okay, not as tender as I expected.....Logan's and Texas Roadhouse are both much better, as are most of the other ribs in the Chicago area. The sauce was pretty good, but on meat that isn't fall off the bone tender, it's meaningless. Cole slaw was terrible, too finely shredded, so it was not crunchy and it had a weird taste-ate 3 bites and threw the rest away it was so bad. They give you fries, but they are so brain-damaged they put the ribs on top, which makes the fries soggy with bbq sauce, so you just throw those away too. They also give you a slice of bread, which is the really super cheap white bread, so just throw it away. Boggles my mind that they can't make super tender ribs with sauce and just not give you the other crappy food that goes right in the garbage can. Someone they respect needs to tell them the blunt truth so they can stop ruining their food, then lose all their customers. read more

My first time eating Lem's BBQ and let me tell you... it was fire!!! First of all, when we pulled up, I could smell the aroma of the bbq from the parking lot. Reminded me of a down home backyard bbq. I ordered the JBL special and for $27 I got a hot link, 2 ribs (they actually gave me 3) 2 chicken wings, a whole bunch of tips and fries. Perfect for me to get a taste of everything. There was a nice char on the tender ribs & tips with just the right amount of smokiness. The wings were crispy and juicy, and the hot link was cooked just right with a good flavor. But the sauce though... I could say it was great, but that wouldn't do it justice. I got the mild sauce so I could appreciate the meat without the heat, and let me tell you... it was amazing! Lots of flavor. A nice combination of tangy, bold and slight sweetness with a nice heat to enhance the smokiness of the meat. It was worth the 40 min wait in line. Unfortunately, there is no inside seating and you can't call-in your order. If you want to experience this smoky, tender, bold, tangy goodness, you'll have to put on your comfy shoes and wait in line like everyone else. It is definitely worth the wait. You will NOT be disappointed. read more

Best barbecue in Chicago hands-down. They know what they're doing. They're quick and efficient and you can taste the love they put in their barbecue. read more

Ordered rib tip and hot links. I was very disappointed with the tips. They were very tough, the entire order. I'll put them in the oven tomorrow but I shouldn't have to. My husband said the links were good. We ordered on a Saturday evening. I feel that it was a waste of money. Very disappointed. read more

Everything......reasonable prices...kind and courteous staff The lines are always long though.. read more

The rib tips are heavenly. I never tried Lem's until they received their America's Classic award from the James Beard Foundation but I'm so glad I finally did. I'm hooked and can't stop coming back for more rib tips. read more

I just received some bad news about a health issue. I said WTH I'm exercising doing everything right and I've got cancer. I decided to eat all my favorite things. Top of the list is BBQ. I grew up eating Lem's tips since I had teeth. I ordered my usual wings and small tips. WELL sauced. Wings fine. Tips dry as a bone. A packet of hot sauce. I always order mild sauce. This is second time this happened. A person in front of me orders sauce on the side. The counter lady sees no sauce on the side calls back for correction. I believe sauce went in my order and I got her dry order I was very disappointed. Tips were overcooked too My surgery is in three weeks and I have other appointments I have to complete. I'm not coming back to stand in a line again. This was not a busy day. So why order confusion I don't know. This was a treat to cheer me up. Oh h as pot day!!! read more

Great Food and great good service and really taste good never wrong here and located on South Side Neighborhood read more

The staff was kind during our visit. Very hospitable and looked out for their customers. Can't say enough good things about the service. The ribs are the best thing on the menu, in my opinion. The ambiance: customers wait in line outside the building. When you get to the entry door, about 5 people can wait in line inside the building. Most of the interior of the building is the kitchen. There is a hallway where you order food at the counter. read more

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

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The best BBQ southern restaurant in town! We waited about an hour in line, but I promise it is well worth it. We ordered rib tips, ribs, chicken wings, and coleslaw. The rib tips were tender, and their BBQ sauce was absolutely the best. My favorite dish was the chicken wings; they were the kind you want to eat until every single piece is gone except for the bones. The wings are big, crispy, and flavorful. Although there is only one flavor for the wings, they are so delicious and mildly spicy. read more

Had not eaten here in over a year; the last time the food was great. Ordered A large tip/link combo yesterday, Monday, 30 Mar 2026, about 3:00 pm. When I got home and began to eat, the meat and sauce had a mild vinegary taste/smell sauce was watery and not sticking to the meat. While waiting for my order, the manager/owner displayed no people skills in her communication and interaction with some of the customers and employees, and upon checking, there was no receipt in the bag for me to get a phone number to call and complain, I live on the north side and was not about to take that long ride back to the south side to complain and ask for a refund without a receipt. I'll have to check this order off as a loss, but I will never purchase food from this establishment again. read more

Love tastiness of meat. They keep the long lines moving. Very impressive 20 minute wait, considering length of line wrapped around the building. I Always have to order xtra sauce, noticed a lot of people doing so. Customer service good, except when I asked that they cut my ribs I was admonished with, "they always come cut!" Ummmm, no they don't. All good! read more

Lem's Bar-B-Q - Very tasty Small ends NOT cut, as I was admonished they were by the Lems's lady. - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

5 stars for the service received. 5 stars for the parking lot option Stood in line during good weather and they played 80s r&b. 1 star for the hotlink. I couldn't get with it. 1 star for sauce all over everything and fries are at the bottom of the JBL special under all the meat with even more sauce. Next time I know to order sauce on the side. I don't even like my food to touch but hey it worked out. I can recommend and will tell you to get the special so you can sample it all. read more

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Lem's still has the best rib tips in Chicago! I always buy 1 gallon of Lem's BBQ sauce to douse on the chicken and pork that cook at home. It is that good. read more

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Comically bad.... Started with all the workers walking out ( we are talking 15 minutes break). Food.... Average. JAMES BEARD is a joke if they gave this place an award. read more

This place is my childhood. My mom wouldn't go anywhere else when we all needed a taste for rib tips and hot links. I remember standing outside for minutes to an hour, however those longer minutes or hour wait time is worth it. Lem's doesn't answer the phone calls all the time because they are busy perfecting our food orders. Every detail matters especially their signature BBQ sauce. It is the same portion and quality every time. Thank you for continuing the business legacy after all of my childhood years went past. read more

First time. Waited in the cold for hot links & tips. Finally made it inside only to be told there was a 15 minute wait for tips but overheard one of the employees say under his breath the wait would be more like 30. When I questioned it the cashier admitted it would be at least 30 minutes. I opted not to wait & instead just ordered the hot links. Rib Tips are a big seller so there should never be a lack of preparation on this item. The cashier was reaching for money before even giving me a total. While in line the employees were arguing & swearing at each other. One of the male employees was telling me, with an attitude, that my food was already in the window I ignored him, but the cashier let him know I was waiting for my money. The hot links were horrible. The sauce tasted only of vinegar. I usually like vinegar based sauces, but this one is not balanced. The best thing about this experience was the conversations in line, & the white bread. While waiting in line a man in a pick-up truck with a smoker on back drove by telling us he had rib tips we laughed at him, but now I'm wondering if getting food from him would've been the better choice because Lems definitely ain't it. read more

Lem's is unmatched! My order "rib tips chopped fine and fries" drenched in that sauce that must have tears from angels in Heaven mixed in!! Betta getchu some!! read more

Lem's Bar-B-Q - Took this pic last night...in DC...2 months after getting from THE BEST joint in the nation! Tasted as divine as getting the same day!! - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've heard a lot of great things about this place throughout the years, got some for the first time the other day, I'm not impressed. I put them in the oven to get tender. read more

The last time I risked my life going here for some BBQ. The food was less than mediocre. Lems used to be . Now its just surviving off of the name and past reputation. I got a lg. rib tip & some hot links. The tips were tough and the links were dried out to be damned!! Normally the worst the neighborhood the better the BBQ but Going to that neighborhood to score some BBQ in this case isn't worth it. Its no more good old school BBQ places in Chicago anymore. 1/10 read more

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

I've been patronizing Lem,s since my high school year during the 70s,it was wonderful back then,service was Great,and the food was amazing, But now,someone has the big head,im so happy that Lems has been prosperous ,the owner is very disrespectful, one costumer in line brought up a small complaint, she was told not to come back if she didn't like it,the cook had tossed the ribs across the room nothing that Benihana doesn't do the lady just spoke on and darn near was thrown out.now we stand in line outside in freezing weather for 30 to 40 min to get in and place your order, most of these customers are over 50 30% come on Walkers and crutches there's plenty of room around the outside of her store to just put benches so we can sit down I bought it up once and I was told the same thing if you don't like it don't come here I don't think she deserves the communities of money anymore you put nothing back into the business and I mean nothing at all the kitchen has looked the same and had the same appliances since I was 17 I'm 70 now.im not patronizing Lems anymore, im going to miss it,because the food is still the same today,amazing!but it comes with a whole bunch of bad attitudes . read more

Lem's is the best barbecue. I am a native Chicagoan transplanted to the San Francisco Bay Area. My family frequented Lem's in the 1960's at its previous location. I always go to Lem's while in Chicago. Waiting in line is not an issue; it is well worth it. The quality and taste of the rib tips and the barbecue sauce cannot be found on the west coast. read more

The moment I see a review that complains about ribs not being "fall off the bone" tender, I immediately stop reading . At the risk of sounding elitist, many people just don't understand quality food. Any true pitmaster or barbecue judge will tell you ribs should never fall off the bone. In fact, if they are you'll be penalized in any reputable competition. It's like the folks complaining about "undercooked" or "pink" chicken . It's called a smoke ring, smh. The same people order their steaks well done, prefer Moscato, think Au Cheval is a mediocre burger, and only eat shrimp tempura maki. Sweet Baby Ray's has ruined a generation of BBQ consumers because folks expect sweet tomato based sauces. There are different types of sauce and Lem's version perfectly compliments the smokey tips. I will admit slabs are not what they do best. I mean Lem's single-handedly created the rib tip culture found on the South and West sides of Chicago. Stick to tips, fried chicken, hot links and maybe the cole slaw. Service isn't particularly friendly, but always efficient. Lem's isn't for everyone, but you'll quickly lose credibility with critiques that expose a lack of food knowledge. Oh. ..and please don't complain about turkey tips, jalapeño poppers, or brisket not being on the menu. This ain't that kind of place. #ChicagoBBQ #RibsTipsAreUnderrated read more

Lem's Bar-B-Q - JBL Special - 2 wings, 2 ribs, 1 hot link, tips, fries & bread - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Delicious BBQ! We only get to Chicago every Couple of years. Lem's is always a must stop. Ordering online is the way to alleviate the wait. Otherwise plan on at least 30 minutes, but worth it. read more

First let me start by saying I'm a long time fan of Lem's and have always considered them to be the best bbq spot on the Southside. Unfortunately yesterday I ordered a large tip & link combo. The tips were NOT SEASONED at all and they were burnt the hot links were super dry and burnt as well. I know they been cutting there links down the middle forever, but when they do that the links are drying out because they are still in the aquarium or pit whatever you call it still cooking causing them to be dry. Either way all those employees working there I'm surprised no one has never thought about not cutting them down the middle maybe they can retain some of their juices instead of letting them continue to cook in that aquarium . read more