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    Leon's Barbeque

    3.9 (152 reviews)
    ModerateBarbeque

    Leon's Barbeque Photos

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    LEON'S BARBEQUE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Wings a fries !!
    Angela W.

    Amazing delicious!! Fast friendly service plenty of food ! If I lived in Chicago I would be big as a house !! Lol

    Welcome
    Alice K.

    Leons is my favorite Chicago BBQ. I had the rib dinner and it was fantastic. My tip is to order sauce on the side, so you can decide how much you will want on your ribs. This is traditional Chicago Barbecue featuring the glass smoker.

    Outside
    Angelina I.

    I love Leon's! Food is always fresh and counter service is quick. Some of the best chicken with mild sauce in the city.

    Large rib tips and link combo.
    Jose C.

    I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and give them a 4 Stat rating because their food was great, their customer service was great and the food came out very quick. Unfortunately, it wasn't what I was expecting. I ordered their large rib tip and hot link combo. I also asked for hot bbq sauce. The only problem was I didn't taste any heat whatsoever on the tips. It tasted like plain ol bbq sauce. A very delicious bbq sauce, just not spicy. Their hot links also didn't have any heat. They tasted more like Italian sausage then a hot link. The links and tips were tasty. They tasted fresh and had plenty of meat on them. Just sadly no heat. The combo also came with fries and 2 slices of bread. Overall a very tasty and filling meal. Would I come back? Of course. I just really hope when I ask for hot bbq sauce next time that it actually has the kick that I need to move on with my day : )

    Tip, link, & wings
    Rozalynn B.

    I haven't had this spot bookmarked long. I wanted bbq so I decided to check them out. Only an hour before closing so I was really praying I didn't get any left over garbage. There wasn't anyone else waiting so I was able to order quickly. I had already browsed the menu and knew I wanted the wing, tip, & link combo mild. As I waited a call in order walked in. I waited not even 5 mins and my order was ready. Call in order walked out w/me too. I drove back home 30 mins and the food was still warm. Good sign! Only thing is the wings weren't crunchy anymore they didn't travel well, but I can tell they were good. My link was really good, the tips were good too. I'm on the fence about the tips and the prep if they're boiled 1st. They do have a smoker I also saw the wood. Bbq sauce is BOMB.... All in all I'd go back when I have a bbq craving. I enjoyed my meal. I also like that they have various combos so you can mix & match numerous things and see what you like. Pricing is also reasonable.

    Large Tips - Mild
    Embra B.

    Good bbq and lots of meat on the bone for the rib tips. Friendly staff. I would recommend to pay a visit.

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    15 years ago

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    15 years ago

    Baby back ribs were tender, and the spicy bbq was perfect. Legendary.

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    12 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Good barbecue chicken. I usually get the 2 piece breast and wing. It is not expensive at all and their mixed sauce is the best.

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    10 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

    bbq done right by father and son team.i highly recommend trying everything.ask for extra sauce on the side .use bread to soak it up....yum.

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    21 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Still awesome, had not had some in a while, tried them again and still like old times. Rib tips are the best

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    10 years ago

    Food is good. Fast service. Kinda pricey but worth it. Never experienced any problems as of yet.

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    10 years ago

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    16 years ago

    some great ribs here!!!!!!!!!! love there chicken to. i live just 10 min from leons and try to eat there food at least 3 to 4 times a month

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Love this place, best BBQ rib tips around the neighborhood..so affordable, and great for family events..

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    11 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    Page 4 of 4

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    Green Street Smoked Meats - Sliced Brisket, Macaroni Salad, Cole Slaw, complimentary white bread, Cornbread with Honey Butter

    Green Street Smoked Meats

    4.4(2.4k reviews)
    6.0 mi•West Loop, Near West Side
    •$$

    So the wifey and I finally found ourselves trying this place out. The smoke lured us there. Nice…read moreopen place to eat some Texas style BBQ. They have indoor and outdoor seating. A cobblestone walkway with a rustic feel to it. It's also a Ramen & coffee spot on the premises. But we were there for the BBQ! We got there right around opening time so the line hadn't formed yet. The gentleman that cut our meats was very inviting and so nice! He definitely gets a 10/10 for service! We ordered just about everything except the pulled pork. We ordered 1/2 lb. of Brisket, 1/2 lb. of Pastrami, 1/2 lb. of the Pork Ribs, 1/2 lb. of Smoked Turkey, A Cheddar Jalapeno Hot Link, 1 1/2 Beef Rib, Chicago Twinke, Coke Zero and I went back and got 1/2 lb. Pork Belly! They give you complementary bread & pickled onions. I spent a total of $243.08 tip included. (I always tip good for good food and service). Tipping is optional though. I'm going to start with the Pastrami. It was tender, very, very well seasoned, Smokey, rich and absolutely delicious!!! 10/10! The sliced Brisket was also very, very well seasoned, tender & Smokey! Another 10/10!! The pork Ribs were once again seasoned well, not fall of the bone tender but they were tender how a rib should be! Nice glaze of sauce on them I'd say a 9.6/10. The smoked turkey is the best I've ever had ANYWHERE!! Moist, tender, seasoned and Smokey! 10/10! The pork belly was lean, fatty, rich, seasoned, tender just sinfully delicious!! 10/10. The cheddar Jalapeño hot link was juicy, smoked, had a nice snap, very flavorful and not too spicy. Just enough heat nothing overpowering. And it was a nice size sausage (pause). 9.7/10. The Chicago Twinkie is a Jalapeño stuff with cheese and wrapped in bacon! Smoked to perfection! Also deliciously sinful! 10/10!! The beef rib was so tender, nicely smoked, rich, well seasoned, it was fatty and lean. My gosh! So freaking good!! 10/10. We didn't order any sides we were there strictly for the smoked meat and this place did not disappoint! I can't wait until my next visit there! Next time I'll try a beer to go with it to help cut through the richness of the meat. If you haven't already been here, treat yourself to some delicious BBQ! All in all They get a solid 9.9/10!! Remember ALL reviews are subjective (Except this one. Lol)

    Green Street Meats is one of those places that gets a lot of attention online, so I was interested…read moreto see what the hype was about. When I visited, the line was extremely long, but it moved surprisingly quickly. The restaurant has a cafeteria-style setup where you order at the counter and receive your food there. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the expectations I had going in. I spent around $80 on turkey, brisket, sausage, potatoes, beans, and hot sauce, which felt expensive for what I received. The turkey was dry, while the brisket was decent and had a nice peppery flavor. The sausage was bland, and the sides were just okay. Overall, I didn't have a bad experience, but I also didn't feel the food justified the price or the hype. There are plenty of other places I'd choose before coming back here.

    Photos
    Green Street Smoked Meats - Photo from the bar

    Photo from the bar

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    Chopped Brisket Hot Link Pork Ribs smoked turkey Elote Style Corn Baked Beans

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    3 Little Pigs Chi

    3 Little Pigs Chi

    4.6(396 reviews)
    9.1 mi•Irving Park

    Being my first time in Chicago, I definitely had to try 3LP as it was highly recommended by all my…read morefriends. And boy, my mouth is still watering from the thought of the salt and pepper fried chicken sandwich! Juicy, crispy and huge-- I devoured it so quickly after taking that first bite that I didn't even have time to let the camera eat first. Best fried chicken sandwich handsdown! The bbq pork was also another standout with its sweet and tender goodness! And can we talk about how cute the takeout bag is?

    When I researched food spots to hit up on my visit to Chicago, I stumbled upon 3 Little Pigs and…read morewas really looking forward to this spot. Came here on a Thursday afternoon. The place is inside another store which threw me off since I watched YouTube vid of this place and had a different vibe. Placed my order in a kiosk and waited for my order. Sat at a table with a swing. The place didn't smell like bbq food which makes me think that the food is not made at the store itself... ended up ordering the BBQ Pork Char siu ($11.95) which was luke warm and was ok. Also got the salt and pepper chicken box ($12.95) which was also luke warm and the rice was dry and not hot... Maybe this was an off day or the food was premade and just heated up but I was def disappointed. Or maybe I had high expectations prior... If I visit Chicago again, I might try the other location, if they make the food on premise.

    Photos
    3 Little Pigs Chi
    3 Little Pigs Chi - BBQ pork w egg rice box with egg fried rice upgrade

    BBQ pork w egg rice box with egg fried rice upgrade

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    Blackwood BBQ - Crispy Juicy Chicken Sandwich and waffle fries  They will see me a second time

    Blackwood BBQ

    4.1(408 reviews)
    6.5 mi•The Loop
    •$$

    My meal here was surprisingly tasty for a chain BBQ place…read more The lunch special was great. $12.99 for a pulled pork sandwich, side, and drink. That is essentially unbeatable downtown. The pork was juicy and the KC style bbq sauce was good (other options were Chicago, Memphis, Carolina(?)). The mac and cheese was really tasty, I found myself scraping the bowl for more. It had a really nice crust on top. The service was quick and friendly.

    I've had the full spectrum of BBQ from mind-blowingly incredible to places I send people I don't…read morelike. I am pleased to report that Blackwood BBQ is somewhere between "good" and "very good". It won't knock your socks off, but it is nowhere close to "bad." It's perfect for what it is, that being: a spot for a bite during the lunch hour. On both visits, I ordered the two meat platter, with brisket and sausage. Both were flavorful and savory, with the brisket being balanced in terms of meaty vs fatty (as requested). Now, that said, the prices at Blackwood are on the high side. On the one hand, I know the price of a pound of ground beef is greater than the minimum wage (as of this writing). However, I also can't help but feel the punch to the wallet when two meats and one side, where one of those is brisket, and a soda comes to somewhere between $20-25 (I think it's close to $25, but don't want to misspeak). Half a pound of meat is not a lot, making the wallet punch even worse. Then there comes the service. Most of the folks working here are professional and welcome. There is this one person, though, whose level of gruffness seems a bit high. It wasn't so much a lack of pleasantries for the sake of efficiency as it was annoyance that customers exist? Final verdict: If you're working in the loop, and craving BBQ, Blackwood is a rock-solid spot, but the high prices mean it likely isn't practical for a regular spot. If it's a weekend, there are better options out there.

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    Soul & Smoke Avondale - Brisket Sandwich

    Soul & Smoke Avondale

    3.7(116 reviews)
    8.8 mi•Avondale
    •$$

    While visiting Roscoe Village we went out for lunch. We had several items and they were all very…read moregood. The side sampler was a lot of food. Portion sizes were generous. There are a couple of ways to order. There is a kiosk or a QR code to order and pay or if you are using the "InKind" app you will order from the counter. Once ordered there is table delivery. The counter staff was very helpful. There is a large comfortable indoor seating area and also outside seating both with views of the North Branch of the Chicago River. Tips I recommend the In Kind app and so does Soul & Smoke. If you're in a group share to experience the various offerings.

    I discovered Soul & Smoke Avondale via Google after searching for good black-owned businesses to…read moresupport on Juneteenth. Soul & Smoke was one of six top black-owned spots to support. This women-led restaurant in Chicago is renowned for its mouthwatering barbecue, brisket, and soul food sides, making it the ideal spot for a meal on Juneteenth. Once I realized it was the closest to me and offered a plant-based option, I knew exactly where I wanted to order from. I ended up ordering the smokey joe sandwich (vegan sloppy joe sandwich), with a side of mac + cheese, and a sprecher soda. Whether I'm using Grubhub or Uber Eats, I love ordering online because it's so convenient. I also want to praise my delivery driver for arriving at a reasonable time with my order and meeting me right in front of my residence. Grateful to have had a smooth online ordering experience because the likelihood of me ordering online again is very high. As for my order, my first response after my first bite of the vegan sloppy joe was, "Mmm, that is good!" If you are a foodie like me, then you know what the next few minutes--or, better yet, seconds--consisted of. Yes, I pretty much devoured that vegan sloppy joe, leaving nothing behind but what was left on my fingertips. The last time I had a vegan sloppy Joe was a few years ago in celebration of my birthday, and trust me, it wasn't as good as this one at Soul & Smoke. It could easily be confused with real meat if you aren't aware that it is vegan. I saved the side order for last, which was that delicious-looking mac and cheese. Mmm... "Oh my God!" was my initial response after my first forkful, which was lightly seasoned with a delightful taste. I must say it was the perfect side for the vegan sloppy joe. After my last bites, I had the slightest grin on my face, and the only thing on my mind was that I will definitely have it again in the future. The sprecher soda - cherry cola was the perfect complement to my meal. Introduced to me by Soul & Smoke, I am so pleased with this award-winning craft soda from Milwaukee's oldest craft brewery that I will be on the lookout for it in the future. I would gladly order from Soul & Smoke Avondale again, whether online or whenever I am in the area. With that, I am happy to share my endorsement of it with you all here on Yelp. Ambiance: 4/5 | Service: 5/5 | Food: 5/5 ~ You Are Your Choices. ~ Thomas G

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    Soul & Smoke Avondale - SMOKED PRIME BRISKET,  SMOKED DUROC RIB TIPS, & SIGNATURE MAC CHEESE

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    Chicago q - Happy Birthday, Kate

    Chicago q

    4.0(2.1k reviews)
    7.6 mi•Near North Side
    •$$

    Food: one of the most consistent BBQ restaurants in Chicago! The food is flavorful, moist, and well…read moreseasoned. Oh, I almost forgot to mention the Sunday Brunch...OMGGGG. Go there once and you'll make a Sunday ritual for the boys and the girlies especially during football season . Afterwards, enjoy a nice cigar from next door. Service: The service is amazing! I've been a patron for over 15 years. Even after relocating to Virginia, returning to Chicago twice a year, I dine here at least twice per visit and bring my husband's favorite back each time. Everyone is always smiling, very knowledgeable of the menu and the "Master Bartenders" make the best cocktails. They are extremely knowledgeable of their extensive bourbon collection. Honestly, one would assumed they worked for a distillery. Its so great to see staff help and support one another. In addition, they immediately acknowledge customers when come into the restaurant. They make me and my bestie feel right at home. Ambiance: The Ambiance is inviting, comfortable, and more importantly, you'll feel right at home. The summer outdoor seating makes you feel like you're at the best backyard BBQ you'll never want to end. It's important to recognize a good business who deserves to be in business. I can't wait to return for some good ole lip smacking BBQ

    New year, new goals, new perspective, new creations, and a brand-new start! We touched down in…read moreChi-Town to freezing cold weather and were so thankful and grateful to find a spot close to our hotel, and it surely did not disappoint! Thank you for the homey welcome and superb service during the holidays. Everything came out hot and delicious, and we truly appreciate the time you took to be attentive to our needs. Thank you for working the extra hours during the holidays, and a special thank-you to the kitchen for preparing the food quickly and beautifully. The BBQ ribs, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and mashed potatoes were all done very well- filling and absolutely delicious. Everything was on point and more!! Thank you so very much!

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    Carson's

    Carson's

    4.1(473 reviews)
    7.4 mi•Near North Side
    •$$$

    Loved the bar over looking the Riverwalk. Enjoyed the foos very much. Great service, nice people…read more Will return if I go back to Chicago

    I have been dining at Carson's restaurant for over 30 years, but after my experience last night, I…read morewill be looking for a new barbecue spot. Up until four years ago, I used to visit at least five or six times every single year. Last night was my first time back since then, and I was deeply disappointed by how much the standards have slipped. The entire evening felt incredibly rushed. The person taking our order seemed to be in a massive hurry, acting short and dismissive with us. To make matters worse, an automatic gratuity was added to the bill. While I understand this is becoming a common industry practice, a gratuity should ultimately be an option based on service. The server did mention at the end that we could have it removed if we wanted to, but customers shouldn't be forced into that awkward position in the first place. Unfortunately, the quality of the food has also gone downhill. I always used to order the ribs and frequently took extra food home because it was so good. Last night, the food left a lot to be desired. The barbecue simply isn't what it once was. When my uncle graduated in the 90s we went to your previous downtown location.He loved the restaurant as well; the food, the exceptional service, and the warm atmosphere. I went there year after year. While I respect that they have managed to stay in business for 30 years, there were just too many issues with both the service and the food for me to return.

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    Carson's
    Carson's - Starters: Mediterranean shrimp 17

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    Starters: Mediterranean shrimp 17

    Leon's Barbeque - bbq - Updated October 2026

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