Went there on June 13. My step son had the pulled pork sandwich, very dry. He brought me home rib tips, greens and corn on the cob. The rib tips were burnt and fatty. I don't know what greens are suppose to taste like but I thought they were underdone. They are the WORST rib tips I have ever had. They tasted like yesterday's reheats. Should have read reviews before going. Most said they didn't like the food. read more

Taste of Chicago super sample short review: I am grading on what I had, the sample provided...and what the vendor thought would be the catch/draw for their restaurant. Robinson is indeed number one...star rating. They are selling public school cafeteria food. I couldn't believe I wasted my calories, and space in my stomach on this terrible "food". They really should be ashamed to show up to the Taste of Chicago, and represent the city with such a half step. More time, more effort if you truly want to be number 1. read more

Robinson's No 1 Ribs - BBQ Boneless Ribs Sandwich aka middle school cafeteria food - Barbeque Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

See all

Recently had Robinson's ribs at the CFHP. I ordered the turkey tips. What I received was HORRIBLE. Baked (or maybe even boiled) pieces of turkey topped with BBQ sauce. Trash. The meat definitely never touched a grill. I ate some of it but I should have requested a refund. It was that bad. read more

Robinson's No 1 Ribs - Boiled turkey pieces topped with bbq sauce AKA the turkey tips. Trash. - Barbeque Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

It was so good we went back again. There were 6 of us this time. We had two buckets. 1 for that day and one for leftovers the next day! The sauce was so good and it rewarms well too. We had baked beans, fries, and cobbler... YUM! read more

Everything and Everyone is always polite and absolutely amazing The food is sooo good and you can tell that's it's made with LOVE read more

Shawn made the Long Island Ice tea!!! He took the order also. I have not tasted the food yet but they have turkey options for us that don't eat pork. They have a buffet also with great dessert. People in the restaurant rave about the food. Looking forward to see what they are trying about. read more

See all

Just ordered turkey tips......don't make the mistake I did! Old tasting, covered in bbq sauce chunks turkey! I did like the sauce but it couldn't hide the old, it's been three weeks after thanksgiving taste! Please don't look for a smoked taste either, it's not present! read more

Ribs were dry and burnt like hard burnt or maybe I got ribs that were days old... the brisket was salty and hard and gray... the Mac n cheese made Kraft box powered cheese look and taste way better and the baked beans probably straight from a can but reheated over and over again just a thick blob of beans and lastly burnt brown over cooked fries. Will definitely never return not worth my money spent. read more

We thought that we would try this restaurant out and i was so delighted that they offered side dishes other than fries like all the other restaurants. So I decided to order my favorite collard greens. I was so thrilled I took a bite and was bewildered so I took another bite and to my dismay the greens were sweet. Never have I ever heard of or made col m and greens sweet. I thought that maybe something went wrong so I call the restaurant the next day. I guy that answered the phone informed me that that's how they make their collard greens. At that time I informed him that I will not be coming back to their restaurant. I think that if this is their thing they should inform the customers of this fact when they place their order. I don't rember the ribs being anything special either. So if you want okay ribs and sweet collard greens then this is your place! read more

So, what happened???! Went in saturday evening. From the front door to the back, floor sticky as all get out. Stayed because hubby suggested we try this place after so many years. Took food to go. EVERYTHING so salty: greens*, bbq chicken, rib tips. Chicken dry. I asked if the greens and *macaroni & cheese were made on site, the answer was yes. Well...*mac&cheese is out of a box, watery, and the cheap stuff. *Greens were 'made' out of a can or frozen. So salty, burned my tongue & they were not even warm. I can't figure how they are still open. Just over one year ago, I attended a function they catered. Salads were from Jewel and the 'meatballs' were so salty they were inedible. Wings were decent. read more

Wonderful season food. Friendly and clean. Comfortable environment. Have products to sell for at home cooking. Relax and view tv during your visit. read more

I wouldn't get my hopes up eating there, or takeout. It's a gamble. I spent about $80.00 there earlier part of the year and I was so disappointed with the ribtips and chicken wings! There have been times when the food was just right too. Like I said, "It's a gamble ". read more

Ordered and paid online for a birthday party. When there to pickup no one there, when someone showed up they said there was no order. Said he would cook it. 45 minutes later received order which was awful. Ribs were dry and practically meatless, fries were not completely cooked. Chicken and beef sandwiches were soggy and tasteless. Terrible experience. read more

I think the Robinsons No. 1 Ribs Restaurant has several locations, this review is for the location in Oak Park, Illinois. I've only tried this restaurant twice (as I don't live in the area), but each time the food has been consistently good. They offer takeout or you can choose to dine in. The staff are polite and friendly. It's a casual, clean facility, in a safe area and the ambiance would be even nicer if they played music. Anyway...the food is why you go there and they offer generous portions of delicious, perfectly barbecued ribs and chicken, greens, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, potato salad, French fries and corn bread. Items are reasonably priced. Parking is in the back. read more

Robinson's No 1 Ribs - Barbecued Pork Ribs, French fries and corn bread. - Barbeque Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

I stopped at Robinson Ribs omw home from a Dr. Appointment at Rush. I have not ate from this restaurant in about 7 years. I was anticipating a good meal. Boy, was I let down! I ordered a large rib tips, with 2 sides potatoes salad and baked beans. The servings came in the size of a shot cup. I ordered a additional side of Mac and cheese and Collard Greens. The greens was clearly glory greens and the Mac and cheese clearly came out of a box! I also ordered a fish sandwich, that was fine.The ribs tasted fine the rest was a disappointment! I wasted $30 minus the $6 for the sandwich on this meal. I gave the meal to my co worker! It wasn't up to standards at all. read more

Seriously adding your own $2 tip to my already $7 Dr Pepper at your food truck at the Luke Combs concert. Not even going to give me the option to select a tip or opt out FOR A BOTTLE of DR PEPPER. I hope the next time you have diarrhea you are out of toilet paper. read more

I lived in Oak Park 35 years ago when I was in training at UIC. I used to love Robinson's ribs as the ribs were meaty and fell off the bone. I hadn't eaten there in 30 years but happened to be in Oak Park and took my wife. Boy has this changed. We went for lunch and the ribs were extremely dry almost to the point where they couldn't be eaten. The links were equally dry. I suspect this meat had been cooked the night before and simply was warmed and smothered with sauce, The service was slow even though there were few people in the restaurant. This was good 35 years ago but it is well past its prime. I just don't see a restaurant with this lack of quality surviving. read more

this place has went downhill so bad. the whole place needs remodeling. the customer service is terrible, awful, sad, no respect, no service with a smile. there's no parking. the food is old, dried, no appealing to the eyes. the smell is not appealing either. please stay away if you want good food and service. read more

Le Sigh... I'd been eyeing their site for a few days because they have Turkey Tips. I finally decided to take the plunge. Unfortunately, I drowned. The tips were basically chopped pieces of meat, no bones. I'm not totally mad at that though. The sauce was subpar. I asked about the baked beans and was told they were good. Yes, they are if you like Campbell's Pork 'n Beans- that's exactly what they were. The corn bread muffin was hard and terrible. The BEST thing about the meal was the order of fries!! They were great!!! Service was mediocre. Will I go back? Nope. read more

Decent quality meat, but the sauce they use is a cheap, below average sauce. Robinson's has always been one of those places to me that strives for a consistenly average product which isn't bad in itself, but pretty much makes this the McDonald's of BBQ. There are much better places and much worse. This place is the type of place that is almost always brought in for company catering since it's cheap and decent, but doesnt have the WOW factor that you get at better places with much higher prices. 3/5 stars read more

See all

I went to Robinson's yesterday. My first mind told me to leave when on a Friday night there were no customers. I was truly disappointed with my order and was to tired to go back and address it. The ribs were fall apart but they did not have a nice bite to them. They also had a burnt flavor that was definitely not pleasant. I have had Robinson's in the past but this was not a quality product. I will choose another restaurant in the future. read more

Went on fathers's day the BBQ was good, they give you plenty of food. Good taste. The cold slaw was nasty it had way too much vinegar or spices or something. Nice customer service. They also have a sit down restaurant and a section with a bar. That also has a sit down section. Chicken Wings, Rib Tips read more

I do a food review show on YouTube and I ordered Robinson's ribs for last Friday's episode...the rib tips were good...the bbq sauce was tasty...I felt like the portion was small but I think it's because they taste sooo good I just wanted more.the hot link sandwich I had was off the chain delicious...Robinson's has some of ,if not the best hot links I ever tasted...my experience with their bbq was great...I will definitely eat there again...and I will always have to have that hot link sandwich...u can catch my YouTube show every Friday between 12noon-7pm BIG UGLY VS FOOD read more

Robinson's No 1 Ribs - Robinson's no.1 ribs oak park,il - Barbeque Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Not only are the ribs delicious, the folks here went above and beyond to make my order happen for Father's Day. The cornbread, greens, and mac n cheese are delicious compliments to their smoked baby back ribs. read more

IT WAS SOOOOO GOOD, it really hit the spot and was good, the baked beans, ribs and Mac and cheese was soo good. It fills you up so nicely and it's a cute restaurant. Plz go there it's so good read more

Ribs were super burnt and gummy and the sauce was mid. I hate complaining but the Mac and cheese was cheesy but almost craft like bland. Cornbread was old school unsweetened so I won't knock it but the fries were decent but didn't have sauce on them like I thought Wouldn't try again but maybe that's just my opinion cuz I Uber'd it read more

Got the Thursday special for me and my husband and it was a complete disaster. Ribs taste processed not smoked and chopped like the past and his real BBQ should be. They redid the building and it's more so for parties and the bar which is fine and dandy but the food isn't good. Sauce was changed too. I miss the old Robinson's. I called to complain and the manger asked me what did I want in return. I said nothing because I won't be making a special trip that way anymore. Sorry but no thanks! read more

Ordered a large rib tip dinner. Waited over 30 minutes. The ribs and sauce had a strange flavor like corn beef and the ribs were tough. I paid $13 for something I could not eat. I called to complain and first told I could come back for a reorder. However I live many miles away and could not make it the next day in addition there was a snow storm. I again to explain and was told just come in when you can. Called again a week later when knew I would be in there area that day I was told I needed to speak to a manager. But that person was not available until the following day. Well- I just gave up at that point because I was not going to use up my gas to make two trips to Oak Park in one weekend. I will just never order from this place again... read more

I did not grow up with Robinson's ribs. I did have the sauce sometimes from the supermarket growing up. My wife however grew up loving Robinson's ribs and her family loves Robinson's ribs. They stopped going regularly though. So now about once a year they all get a craving for Robinson's ribs and they order Robinson's ribs because they have this nostalgic craving. And every year they're utterly disappointed by it. "It used to be so much better" is a common refrain around the dinner table as they defend their memory. Without nostalgia, I'd say the sauce is good the ribs are good the rib tips are good. I can pass on just about everything else on the menu. If I were ordering it I would pick up some ribs to go and pick up some sides from the supermarket. read more

Ordered delivery off DoorDash about 30 minutes before closing and was pleasantly surprised. I saw all the bad reviews on yelp after I had already placed the ordered and was definitely a little nervous prior to receiving the food. For me I got the beef brisket sandwich, collard greens, mac n cheese, and cornbread. My boyfriend got turkey tips, greens, and coleslaw. Both of our food was pretty good, and he's extremely picky, so that's saying a lot. The mac n cheese was creamy and delicious, greens had just enough kick. My only complaint is that I wish the brisket was a little more tender, but I'll definitely be ordering from here again. read more

Robinson's No 1 Ribs - BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich, Macaroni and Cheese, Collard Greens, cornbread muffin - Barbeque Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

My grandmother and I decided to stop in for lunch. We waited at the counter to be seated for over 5 minutes with zero acknowledgment from any staff. There were only a few people in the entire restaurant. A female emerged from the kitchen with a tray of food and served a table patrons that was seated. After she served them, she walked directly past me and said nothing! How do you actually ignore a customer?! I said "excuse me" then asked her a question about the ribs. She did not stop to address me or even look at me. She replied "no" and hastily disappeared into the kitchen. So, my grandmother and I hastily disappeared out the front door! If you treat customers like this when your restaurant is empty, I can only imagine how you treat customers when your restaurant is busy. I should've checked Yelp prior to going. I could have saved myself time and energy. There's a reason there's soooo many 1 star and poor reviews! I definitely do NOT recommend this joint and neither do many other yelpers! You have been warned... read more

I placed a fairly large online order (whole chicken, large rib tips, hot links and various sides and extra sauces) with Robinson's #1 Ribs for a specific pickup time. Not only was my order ready when I arrived at the appointed time, it was perfectly packaged. The young man that was on-duty at the time opened the box for me to ensure everything was there, then he carried my order to my car which was very much appreciated by a "mature" woman. The food was delicious, perfectly cooked and plentiful. I don't live in the area, but I will be visiting Robinson's #1 Ribs again! read more

My mom & haven't eaten here in YEARS so during my trip home we decided to give it a go and have lunch here for the first time in forever and that was a TERRIBLE mistake. The food was down right HORRIBLE!!!!! We should have taken the hint when we walked in and didn't smell any sort of of bbq whatsoever. Then the young lady working the register had little to no knowledge of what food was actually in stock and she had to keep going to the back to see what they DID HAVE to serve us. I ordered a 1/2 bbq chicken for us to share with Mac & cheese, greens and okra for our sides. When we FINALLY received our order there still was no smell of bbq coming from the bag. To make things worse, we get home only to discover our food looked as if it was cooked the three days ago and continuously reheated by the day - It DEFINITELY was not fresh. The chicken was clearly days old! It was not properly seasoned and was tossed in some watered down sauce that I can't even really say was BBQ sauce. The okra was mushy and old as well!!! We live in the far northern area and just happened to be in Oak Park and remembered how good Robinson's was back in the day. Boy are those days LONG GONE. We will NEVER eat here again! EVER. I mean that. read more

Times are changing. I only had the rib tips. They were ok but not the best like years ago. Service was great. Got in and out fast. Ambiance. I used take out. I will try this place again read more

Mac and cheese taste like imitation Kraft it was watery and terrible. The rib tasted like they were made a week ago and the reheated. The chicken wings were frozen wings absolutely awful even the barbecue sauce tasted spoiled. read more

The ribs was just OK. The hotlinks were extremely too hot. I wish they had mail as well as hot. The macaroni and cheese was a giraffe it was cheesy but it was dry. The food took 15 to 20 minutes. That's a little scary which means it's not freshly made. I always try to support black businesses. We used to go to ROBINSON's back in the day but they have fallen off. Sadly but for real. We barbecue more at home because there's no great Chicago barbecue house anymore. Where is a farmers Brown's type of BBQ. Where you know without a doubt it's always fresh off the grill. OMG. Fresh is best. read more

I was introduced to their food by trying it at a Fooda popup and it was great. However this location was the total opposite, this place served some of the worst food I have ever eaten. 1 order of hot links and 1 order of rib tips ran me $26. The hot links were on point, but the tips did not have a barbecue cooked flavor, they tried to camouflage that by saucing over the tips. The Mac and cheese side tasted like Krafts right out of the box. I will never buy from there again. Horrible tasting food and over priced. read more

Robinsons worked with our budget for our first ever daddy daughter dance at my school. The food was delivered right on time and the delivering men were very polite! We had many people compliment how great the food was. Thanks Charlie for supporting your local communities! read more

BBQ Ribs taste different at different restaurants because of the cooking method and recipes. I recommend that everyone eat here at least once. The ribs are good but everyone has different taste buds so it's a matter of personal appetite. Parking is on the street, so you may want to come at an off peak time to find a spot. read more

Stopped by to here to get some rib tips to take home, but decided to dine in. Service was friendly, food came out quick and hot. Sauce is very tasty, mac n cheese is very cheesy, collard greens good and corn on the cob buttery. Will definitely be back again soon! read more