I was pleasantly surprised with my meal, everything was really quite good. We started with the brisket empanadas which were probably the weakest thing we ordered. The empanadas were a little soggy and the brisket flavor got lost. I got rib sandwich which was great - loved the seasoning and hint of sauce they had in there along with the veggies. Made for a sizable and well-composed sandwich. The meat was well cooked and not overly fatty either which was really nice. The drinks were just ok, definitely not the best old fashion or the most diverse beer selection. Only thing for me was the price - for 3 people, each with a beer and an entree with one shared app, total was $200. read more

Simply amazing! The smoked wings are phenomenal, the pickles are over the top, and the meats are incredible! I'd eat here every day if I lived in the area, but I'll certainly be back every time I'm in Chicago!! read more

Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed - Brisket sandwich with fries and creamy Cole Coleslaw--AMAZING!!! - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The pulled chicken wasn't pulled, it was chunky. The sauce was delicious. The counters were dirty. The service was polite and fine. The "extra crispy" fries were flaccid. For my neighborhood BBQ spot, I was hoping for more. read more

A great food experience, great service, and I loved the cozy ambience. I can't wait to get back soon.

If you're craving bold, smoky BBQ with a twist, Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed is a must-visit. This kosher BBQ joint in Lakeview proves you don't need pork or dairy to serve up serious flavor. What to Try: * The "Milt's Way" Burger - brisket chili, beef "bacon," crispy onions & BBQ aioli * Smoked Brisket Sandwich - tender and packed with flavor * Full Slab of Beef Ribs - massive, meaty, and unforgettable * Vegetarian Options - surprisingly satisfying, especially the smoked seitan sandwich Don't skip the sides: brisket chili fries, hand-cut fries, and brisket baked beans hit the spot. Finish with the chocolate mousse with spicy caramel drizzle for a perfect ending. Why It's Special: Beyond the food, Milt's is rooted in community. They regularly donate profits to local charities and foster an inclusive, welcoming vibe. The Verdict: Fans rave about the flavorful food, generous portions, and warm service. Just note--prices can run high, with a rack of ribs pushing $100. But for many, the quality and experience are well worth it. read more

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went in there with a party of 6. Food was mediocre at best. Expected more from Chicago kosher. My Wife ordered a $95 ribeye which was charred and inedible. Instead of returning it, rest of the party kind of picked at it. And then we respectfully ask the manager saying "excuse me, My Wife didn't eat anything. She didn't like her meal. Can you please her bring one chicken tender" Like one tender of friend chicken. just spent $500 on dinner for a six people and My Wife didn't eat anything. "No we don't do that". not , how can we help or what was wrong with your meal. just No. really bad attitude , expected more . read more

Nice place, good food and drinks and ok service! The brisket chili nachos were amazing and wings were also really good! read more

Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed - Margarita - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We're from LA and we have plenty of choices for kosher food, but this place beats most of our kosher beef serving restaurants. We had the brisket chili and beef rib sandwich with fries. Everything had a delicious smokey flavor and a little spicy heat. The heat could be too much for some so beware if you're more bland with your food. We also trued the 3 barbecue sauces and they also came with a spicy kick. Prices were amazing!!!! But again, we're from LA so our prices are much higher. Excellent service from Morgan and modern ambiance. Very clean, too! read more

Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed - Demolished brisket chili and scarfed down beef rib sandwich with fries - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We've walked past this place dozens of times. Then heard about their great food from a friend and decided to give it a try. The veggie burger was outstanding! Great service too. The place had a very chill family vibe. Will definitely go back and try a few other things. We've heard the vegetarian chili is another outstanding item. read more

I had really high expectations coming here but it's not comparable to some of the other barbeque I've tried throughout the city like Smoque or Lem's. The brisket was dry and the sauce was not good at all. read more

An extremely loyal and thoughtful Jewish client of mine (I'm Jewish too FYI) GIFTED me a certificate to have a mini feast here for Chanukah. I finally got around to using my coupon code and had a mini pig out (it was all kosher I promise). Got here around 5ish on a weekday evening and most of the tables were already pre reserved; but fortunately I found a cute table for one by the bar and got comfortable. The menu is geared as bbq comfort food and you will find an extensive variety of sides like honey baked cornbread with butter, baked beans, baked potatoes, veggies, smashed potatoes fries etc. There are brisket and chicken sandwiches, pulled meats with various BBQ sauces, hamburgers BBQ salmon etc. You will find so many options here you will be pressed to decide which one to get. I asked for a recommendation from the chef and he said the mini sliders were a good pick. I absolutely agree with his choice and it comes with a free side so I upgraded for fully loaded smashed potatoes which come with a dairy free sourcream, chives and pretend bacon can't recall all the ingredients but it's a perfect side. I also got the cornbread and for dessert chocolate mousse which is also dairy free. Everything here is Kosher and they don't mix milk with meats so if you're Orthodox you can safely eat here without breaking your code of food ethics. I really loved my meal and will definitely come back in the near future to try their other food options. Cute atmosphere and a lovely staff! read more

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Staff is friendly. The drinks were okay. The food was pretty bad. There were NO ribs on the menu apparently due to a supply issue, that was disappointing if you're looking for BBQ. The brisket sandwich was dry like DRY DRY and the sauces left a LOT to be desired. The "spicy" bbq sauce is mostly vinegar very odd. And the mustard sauce (which ended up being the best sauce) just doesn't go with brisket IMO. The take on cornbread was actually flavorless and hard to swallow. Very dissatisfied and for that price?! Not worth it. read more

Came for a work dinner with a group of 12. The number changed a few times and the staff was very accommodating to this. For appetizers we had the nachos, the wings, the empanadas, the cauliflower and the potato skins. The empanadas especially were DIVINE. The brisket was cooked just right. The drinks were decent. I had a pomegranate mojito that was very tasty, but not too strong. And then I had a Gin Fizz which was very strong. So neither drink was just right. The entrees were good, as were the portions. And for dessert, the warm cookie was divine. Was not a fan of the dairy free ice cream but that was a personal preference. Great option for people looking for a kosher meal. Service was really good and overall a good meal. Would definitely come back for those empanadas. read more

We really *wanted* to like this place. We were on the hunt for some good kosher eats and, based on the reviews, had high hopes. Things started off on a curious note when we tried calling ahead, only to be greeted with a message saying they couldn't answer because they were "too busy with customers." Fair enough. But imagine our surprise when we arrived to pick up our online order and... not a single customer in sight. Not even a tumbleweed. The food, unfortunately, didn't do much to turn things around. The chili was so spicy, it could've fueled a rocket launch--definitely not for the faint of heart. As for the brisket, it was dry enough to question the "cooked for hours" claim on the menu. One cup of sauce just wasn't enough to save it. And the rib sandwich? It *had* potential with some decent flavor, but the charred meat gave it a taste that veered dangerously close to burnt. Milt's descriptions of slow-cooked brisket and ribs sounded promising, but perhaps it's time to introduce a crockpot or pressure cooker to the mix because tender, this meat was not. We truly wanted to be fans, but in the end, we would've had more satisfaction from a couple of Hebrew National hot dogs. Here's hoping for better next time. read more

Only real kosher restaurant in downtown Chicago!!! Personally love their "bacon" which you can get on a burger, hot dog, or (my favorite) the potato skins! Also their nondairy ranch is great. I always order the chicken wings - the Buffalo ones are so good! It is a nicer but still casual sit down restaurant with dim lighting, and a few bar seats in addition to the regular tables/booths. FYI it is somehow always packed and the place is relatively small, so highly recommend making a reservation. I wish their pickup/delivery timing was faster, but I guess it's a good thing they're always so busy! read more

I forgot to mention the chicken wing starters! We ordered the sampler and it had Smoked Wings, BBQ and Buffalo. Caution: the BBQ is spicier then the Buffalo but it's amazing!!!!! read more

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Update since the start of pandemic: which meant take-out as opposed to dining in. So the caveats to the 5 star rating are that the food will not be going directly from being cooked to table AND that it was ordered to go and meant for the following night's dinner. So here goes: Ordering on line was relatively simple. My food was ready at the time they said it would be. It was packed, as I requested, the most efficient way to keep it for the next day's dining. Covid safety precautions were taken when I went in to pick up. We ordered brisket latkes, salmon dinner, milts burger, rib sandwich- each came with sides (2 loaded smashed potatoes, 1 order of brisket baked beans), brisket chili, and for dessert, bread pudding and sufganyot. Most tasted as well as could be expected after being reheated a day later, which is to say, not as good as when dining in, but I still think their food is fantastic! I appreciate the lengths they are going to to accommodate during Covid. They are demonstrating great patience and calm, and as always, kind. read more

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Great kosher restaurant, I was in Chicago on business and three meals there over my stay. All were great and the service and staff were great. read more

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I had heard the food was good but let me tell you it was jus kosher restaurant good, it was and bbq place good. I had the slider trio so I could try all the meats and they were each better than the last. Loved having the choice of a side of beef bacon (so so good!) and coleslaw instead of fries. The ambience is also lovely. It's got a modern casual vibe that's comfortable but not trying g to hard. The restaurant was extra busy for a weeknight due to over 1000 Jews conferencing in The city. The staff seemed a little pressed to keep up but they kept their cool and everything we ordered was delivered hot and fast, I'd definitely recommend Milts to anyone looking for a great kosher meal, or just a great bbq meal in general. The cost was reasonable especially for kosher meats! read more

The flinstone ribs are off the charts! I liked the corn bread and slaw! The men in my party were very happy!! the sauces were also delicious! read more

Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed - flinstone Spare Ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The service was incredibly quick. The empanadas were delicious. Stopped by for a quick snack, walking through town. Worth checking out. read more

Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed - Empanada with brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The service was good but the food was bland. We had the empanadas to start and both had the brisket sandwich. Just a big meh from both of us. I had wanted to try this place for a long time because of the BBQ smell drifting through the neighborhood but it didn't live up to what I was expecting. read more

Imagine going to UNO's pizzeria and they told you they were out of Pizza...Imagine going to a Chinese restaurant and they said they were out of rice...Imagine going to an Ice cream shop and they were out of ice cream but had lots of candy and soda to choose from. I think you know where this is headed...lol Yes I went to Milts for the wonderful delicious mighty beef ribs...I even made a reservation and I get there and they have zero Beef ribs...Hell, Why even be open??? The waitstaff informed me they are having a hard time getting them and when they do get some they sell out quickly...Now I could buy this story if they had actual long hours of operation....They are closed fri & sat and open for like 5 hours a day and no beef ribs....Once again, why be open? Anyways I didn't feel like going somewhere else so I got the half bbq chicken and beans and cornbread and some other stuff and yes it was all very very good, unfortunately I didn't make reservations online a few days ahead and used my credit card to do so risking being charged a fee to get there and no ribs in sight...But yes outside the beef ribs everything is delicious here hence the 2 stars...With beef ribs, 5 stars all day long. Btw the server said I could get the rib sandwich which is made up from left over scraps of beef ribs...Now thats a way to sell the sandwich...lol Note to customers coming for the Star of the picture beef ribs....Don't be an idiot like me...Call first read more

Huge portion sizes. Ribs were filling and tasty. As for the sides, the beans with the barbecue meat really stood out as something special. Service was very attentive to our party of 7. Great place for a family-style meal. Highly recommended for Kosher Barbecue. read more

I hadn't been to Milt's since the pandemic, so I decided to order take-out. I oderered the pretzel bites and the steak sandwich from the specials menu. The steak sandwich was a steep $24 which could be justified for something exception, however this sandwich was a disappointment. While the sauce and carmelized onions were tasty, the hoagie roll was stale and hard, and the steak was terrible. The meat was a tough as shoe leather and laden with fat and disgusting gristle. Fries were sub par. The pretzel bites were very good, but the sauces were sour and not good. At $43.65 with tax and tip, I should have just went to a beef stand for a third the price and got better quality beef. read more

This place never disappoints. Love their brisket dinner, their boneless ribs, sautéed string beans and their non creamy Cole slaw! Ryan is a super friendly host when you first arrive. He and I have become friendly. Service is excellent and I am always happy with the ambiance! read more

This was my second visit. Hadn't been here in a few years. The first time was good, this was even better. The menu, food, and sauces seem elevated and refined since last time. Especially the brisket chili; among the best I've had. Food came quickly, but not so fast as to rush me. Service was excellent. Highly recommended! read more

I've searched high and low for good kosher BBQ. I've tried New York, Texas, Florida and California but never found anything this good. When dining in the kosher world you often see the quality of service and/or the food to be below average. At Milts both the service and food were excellent. My husband and I order the chicken nachos, a half slab of the smoked ribs with corn bread, creamy coleslaw and green beans. We washed it all down with their infused bourbon and a Bloody Mary with beef bacon, both excellent beverages. This was MORE than enough for 2 people, our hotel mini fridge is filled with the leftovers. Looking forward to coming back and trying the rest of the menu!! read more

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This was really tasty BBQ! My only qualms were the really high prices. I suppose these are partially because of the koshering of the meat. It's great there are options like this for people with different eating habits! I don't eat kosher, so the added cost was lost on me. The meat did taste great, but it was hard to tell if there was a meaningful quality difference or not. - Pulled chicken sandwich - very light, tender, and flavorful. This was great! - BBQ brisket sandwich - also delicious, and you get tons of brisket! The meat was a tad dry (could be our fault since we ate it a bit after pick up) - Loaded smashed potatoes - smooth and tasty. The beef bacon on it was an interesting touch! Overall, everything tasted great, though wasn't so different in flavor from other BBQ places that I'd regularly fork over $18 for a BBQ brisket sandwich. read more

Hmmm not sure bout the food in this place. Glad to see there are more Kosher options my friends can dine in however food was just average and lacked oomph (aka complexity). Service was excellent and cocktails too were good. I'm not Kosher so I probably would not dine here again anytime soon. I much prefer Shallots out in the burbs. read more

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I appreciate a business owner taking the time to respond to a negative review, but here I must object to the response. We called to make a reservation for that day and were told we could come by at 4:30 that same day. We have eaten at your restaurant many times, but your response didn't further endear your restaurant to us. read more

I have been thrilled another new restaurant to open in the Lakeview area. Milt's BBQ for the Perplexed restaurant just opened this week. After reading the great reviews, I was really excited to try this kosher restaurant. I was certainly let down with this new restaurant - details as follows: The restaurant is beautiful with white walls and green tiles. There is plenty of natural light due to the west wall of windows. Even though the dining room was busy, it was not noisy - a very relaxing atmosphere. I had stopped in on Sunday, late in the afternoon between the rain drops. I was greeted by the hostess, who was very pleasant. There are three areas of seating: at the bar, in the main dining area or at the counter. I decided to sit at the counter, which is a window view overlooking Broadway. Best people watching area, personal opinion. Kristen, was the server, greeted me with the pickles (everyone receives) shortly after I was seated. I declined since I'm not a pickle eater, however, they did smell good. I just ordered a coke. When Kristen delivered the soda, I had placed my order. I decided with roasted chicken breast and I had substituted the mashed potatoes instead of the fries. Couple of customers that was also sitting at the counter had received their meals - the burger and a salmon. Both meals looked great. Approximately, 20 minutes after I placed the order, I had received the chicken breast and the mashed potatoes - see the photo. The small chicken breast was actually good. The potatoes were on the drier side; however, I did eat them. Kristen checked in on me once with another soda. During my meal, the host staff (Peter) was setting up the seating chart for the evening. Over hearing the conversation, there was one confusion with one of the reservations since it was misspelled. All of the reservations are hand written. Suggestion - always call to verify your reservation before arriving. After I was completed with my meal, Kristen presented the bill without asking if I was interested in desserts which I was. According to the menu, desserts are offered - ask the server. Kristen didn't know if they were offering any. She let me know that they were offering a warm cookie and another dessert and which I don't remember. At the same time, I had questioned about the dry potatoes, if the potatoes are suppose to be this dry? She didn't know and she'll send the manager over. Dan, manager on duty, stopped over and I asked him about the potatoes, which he did verify the potatoes should not have been served. He offered to take off the potatoes off of the bill, however, it was part of the $12 meal - chicken breast and mashed potatoes. He offered the warm cookie for the dried out potatoes. Eventually, I had accepted the dessert. This part just put the cherry on the top....At the counter, I believe there are seven settings. An empty chair, then two more guests that were also finishing, an empty chair, then I, then an empty chair, another customer, then two more empty chairs. As I'm finishing my dessert and checking my phone, three people came in they were instructed they will need to sit at the counter. The guest to my right stated, "He'll move to his left and since he is leaving (pointing to me) the guests will be able to sit. First of all, I was not ready to leave yet. Number two, the hosts said nothing regarding the situation. I had felt so put on the spot, I didn't get a chance to sign my bill. I just grabbed by jacket and left. The host staff (Peter and a hostess) said NOTHING to me on the way out. Would rush back to this neighborhood restaurant???? I hope no one else will receive this treatment. read more

Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed - The three sauces that come with your meal. - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I have been here like 5 times in the last year with my kosher peeps and fam. First of all if you order the huge slab of ribs you should number one be prepared to have a fantastic succulent meal, number 2 not eat anything for a few hours before that and 3 realize that you are actually in BBQ heaven. Lately I have been having the bbq salmon when i go with my sister because she likes it and its good. Not sure if its on the menu or not but when i ask for it i end up getting it so either way I'm covered. I love the way they bbq here the different flavors. The Chef is very talented like the kosher Bobby Flay only he ways 200 lb's less :) I feel that this place should try for the great american bbq challenge on the food network if they tell them cook without bacon , pig or any non kosher ingridients. Do not pass this place up. It;s quite an experience. You should have a reservation a few days in advance to eat at a time that normal people eat because the secret is out. It aint no secret. Have a fantastic meal here. Even the hot dogs have an awesome extra flavor read more

Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Perfection! The staff? Fantastic! The food? Outstanding! The mission? Noble! My husband had the brisket sandwich. I snatched a taste and it was perfectly seasoned and juicy. I had the roast turkey which was a bit dry but come on, how else can you serve turkey in a restaurant? It was delicious. We are already planning to come back for lunch tomorrow. read more

All the waiters were masked and gloved -- I really appreciated that part. My brisket empanadas were tasty but just a little dry. Both the hubs and I loved our cocktails -- and we seldom drink. Large portions and nice decor -- both pleasant surprises. read more

Fantastic beef nice servers good ambiance if you like sports on tv but not too loud. Funny paradoxes on bathroom walls for the talmudically challenged-lol read more

First onsite restaurant dining experience since this madness started in March. Outdoor setup is decent, tables lined up along the street. Every precaution taken, no paper menus, QR codes used instead. Waiters wearing gloves and masks, very cautious. Tried a variety of items, and best by far was brisket empanadas. Fried cauliflower had a nice batter and crunch, appetizer size bacon is generous and tasty. Got chicken nachos which were large but nothing special, Rib sandwich was a bit disappointing as I was expecting more flavor from the ribs. More of a dry rub bbq kind of place vs bbq sauce smothered. Washed all that down with the blueberry punch (contains vodka) which was delicious. Snall Giving this a 3 as there was nothing that made me say "I can't wait to come back here" yet nothing that would refrain me from going again. It's just sort of a "meh" bbq place. Service was great though, and that surely counts for something! read more

Amazing food, great prices and so high quality! Milt's is a great place to take friends and family. We ordered delivery from Milt's and it was very prompt and easy to order online. We love Milt's! The "nosh"Ville hot chicken and the loaded burger was sooo good. read more

So brought my husband here for his birthday! We had been wanting to come here for over a year. I am kinda disappointed. We are Israelites and follow dietary law. So it was exciting to know of a kosher bbq restaurant. These are the positives: Great waiter, atmosphere and drinks. These are the not so positives. We ordered empanadas and potato skins. I didn't like the empanadas the crust was kinda sweet and the brisket filling reminded me of canned chili. The beef bacon potato skins were good but the ones filled with brisket chili were not. My husband enjoyed both. I ordered the salmon with loaded smash potatoes and cornbread, it was good. My husband order a brisket sandwich with sweet potato fries and baked beans. The brisket was super dry but tasted better with the mustard bbq sauce (the mustard bbq sauce was great). Per my husband he didn't care for the bun and the baked beans had too much bbq sauce in them. I was also disappointed that they had no ribs. Really one of the reasons I wanted to come here. They were out of them 2 hours after the restaurant was opened. Over all I give them 3 1/2 stars. read more

Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed - 8oz salmon with loaded smash potatoes and corn bread - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is one of my favorite kosher restaurants in Chicago. The ribs are excellent and you must try the Brisket Burger!