Rib Fest Review: Hell's Kitchen BBQ - 4.5/5 Stars…read more I recently attended Rib Fest in Chicago and made it my mission to sample barbecue from several vendors, including Robinson's, Texas Roadhouse, and others. One stop that truly stood out was Hell's Kitchen BBQ. The first thing I noticed wasn't the food--it was the energy. The team at the booth was welcoming, enthusiastic, and clearly proud of what they were serving. Their presentation was also impressive. Unlike many of the other vendors, they displayed exactly what customers would be getting, including portion sizes and plated examples. As a customer, I appreciated that level of transparency. I ordered the rib tips and fries because I had already purchased ribs from another vendor and wanted to compare different offerings. While I was waiting for my food, I struck up a conversation with the owner. When he learned I had ordered the rib tips, he smiled and said, "The tips are great, but you should have tried the ribs." When I explained that I was trying food from multiple vendors, he graciously offered me a sample. What impressed me wasn't just the sample--it was the generosity behind it. The portion he gave me was anything but small. Afterward, I tried both the rib tips and the ribs. The rib tips were outstanding. Tender, flavorful, and seasoned so well that they didn't need sauce. Every bite was packed with flavor. The ribs were equally impressive. Smoky, juicy, and cooked perfectly. The sauce had a little kick to it--something spice lovers will probably enjoy. While I personally prefer less heat, the spice wasn't overpowering and complemented the smoky flavor well. The fact that the ribs came fresh off the grill made the flavors even more intense. The fries were standard fries--good, but the star of the show was definitely the barbecue. What ultimately elevated this experience was the customer service. The owner was kind, approachable, and genuinely passionate about his product. That level of hospitality leaves a lasting impression. Food: 4.5/5 Customer Service: 5/5 Presentation: 5/5 Overall Experience: 4.5/5 If you see Hell's Kitchen BBQ at an event or have the opportunity to visit them, I absolutely recommend giving them a try. #RibFest #ChicagoFoodie #BBQReview #SupportSmallBusiness #FoodReview #BlackOwnedBusiness #ChicagoEats #TheSpedWhisper

Tried Hell's BBQ for the first time and overall had a great experience…read more I ordered to-go, but the small dining area looked clean and welcoming. As soon as you walk in, the counter is on the left, and they have a display plate behind glass that gives you a visual idea of what the meals look like--which I thought was a nice touch. They offer a good variety on the menu. I ordered brisket, a smash burger, rib tips, and ribs. The brisket and smash burger were excellent--definitely the highlights of the meal. The rib tips and ribs were good, though the ribs were a little on the dry side. All the meats had great flavor overall. Personally, I wasn't a fan of their BBQ sauce, but that comes down to individual taste. I'll definitely be coming back to try more from their menu--especially since quality BBQ spots are hard to come by in this area.

Cute, little shop with freezer cases filled with exotic flavors of sausages. Old style and Malory,…read moreblueberry and maple, Nashville hot, just to name a few. Homemade sauerkraut, lots of fresh sausages my favorite was the Italian beef, lean lean lean and full of flavor. Homemade slim Jim's in lots of flavors. Great service.

The best sausages you will find anywhere. Have tried many ot the varities and never disappointedread more

Very nice bartender, great tacos, good parking, nice patio and a few craft beers on tap, large…read moreamount of tater tots. Very near the parade path today!

I'm a bit of a nacho connoisseur, so on my first visit to Pig Dog Pub I got the Sunday half-price…read morenachos with added sliced avocado - which was also half-price. I figured it was about 2,000 calories - a whole day's worth of food. It was very good, and at $5.50 it was an incredible value. I didn't spot any nacho cheese sauce, just melted cheddar, which is much better for nachos unless they're the ballpark kind where you just dip the chips in a pile of gooey nacho cheese sauce - which also can be very good but is an entirely different thing. The avocado looked to be about half of a medium avocado, very ripe and fresh, and the pico de gallo was also fresh and plentiful. There were enough black beans to balanced the dish, and a huge dollop of sour cream, which for some reason I love on nachos even though they have a bunch of cheese. Of all the restaurant experiences I've had in the last ten years, this is one of only a few that have been outstanding in quality and value. I'll try the Wednesday pizza next - I'm a bit of a connoisseur of that, too, and it's half-price on Wednesday.

We headed to Giardino for our post-theater dinner on Sunday. This was our second time at this…read morerestaurant and again, we enjoyed our dining experience. Two for two!! Our server today was Jackie, who provided good service and was personable and friendly. We started with cocktails, an old-fashioned for him and a bees knees for me. The bartender didn't quite get the bees knees to the right balance level with the honey, but I asked one of the staff to ask the bartender to add more honey. He kind of missed the mark on that cocktail unfortunately. In his defense, a lot of bartenders really don't know how to make a good bees knees. We ordered the meatballs and polenta to share as an appetizer. The meatballs rivaled my Italian dad's, and that says a lot because he made the best meatballs ever. The restaurant didn't serve grilled crostini with their meatballs like other places unfortunately, and there was no bread service. However, I believe they do have garlic bread on their menu that you can order For dinner my husband had the short ribs with gnocchi and I had the vodka rigatoni. Both of those dishes were delicious. I don't like short ribs but I gave it a taste - it was tender and delicious. My vodka rigatoni came with chicken for some reason (this 100% Italian would never put chicken with rigatoni alla vodka) so I nixed it. A half slice of garlic bread was served on each of our entrées. My husband's was perfectly grilled and mine was not. The one time I was getting bread and it turned out to be meh. We ordered a tiramisu to take with us to enjoy later that evening. It was light and heavenly. However, for the price, I think they could have offered a larger slice as it was a small 3 x 3 square. Having said that I love that we found a place that has good food just a five-minute walk from the theater. I think our fellow theater goers discovered this place, too, because the place was packed. Even with the slight things that I was disappointed in, I would return time and time again because the food is really good. Give this place to try!

Lookin' for a lightweight lunch and Giardino absolutely delivered!…read more So much so that the Buffalo Margareta Pizza appears to float before your very eyes. A featherweight Pizza the size of a frisbee that's easily tossed around the table slice by slice! A crisp taste served with an 'airy' crust that tends to defy gravity. Take a bite and 'hold on tight'....

Ambiance is nice, service is great and the food is very good. Nice place…read moreThey have hundreds of bourbon brands and they make there own beer. They have charcuterie boards of all kinds you can mix and match Fun place to drink and dine!

The service was a little slow but our server was very polite l…read more Whiskey sour was sort of flavorless. The beet salad was also disappointing. I expected more flavor but the texture was good. The baked goat cheese was excellent! As was the old fashioned. This place just has great whiskey. Their summer wind cocktail is good too. The ambiance is fabulous. This place puts a lot of thought into their menu, ingredients, etc.

Food may not look the best, but tasted great! Very…read moreflavorful, typical Mexican food Missing guacamole and rice options though

Food was HORRIBLE ,service was poor..tacos were dry and Punie the tortillas were old. Go to other…read morefood truck this was a hot mess

We reserved Gray's Mill for my son's Rehearsal Dinner. They set us up on the 3rd floor with our…read moreown bartender and servers. The wait staff service was outstanding and Adam, the bartender was excellent. Appeitzers were delicious - spinach artichoke dip and meatballs with marinara. We provided our guests with the choice of Fish&Chips, Grilled Chicken Sandwich or the Wienerschnitzel...kids were given a Chicken Tender Meal. Everyone truly enjoyed their meals. I appreciated they allowed a special meal for the MOB who is a vegetarian. The sugar donuts at the end of the meal were a hit! :) Alyssa, the party coordinator for the venue was super accomodating and super easy to work with. It does take a few days for response time - BUT, I always got a response. And she was always willing to give us everything we asked for! The venue even let us in earlier than requested to set up our decor. We would definitely recommend this venue for a bridal/baby shower or birthday party - any special event that is smaller in numbers. The venue has been advertising a new addition to the space next to building but it seems the construction has haulted. It is a shame because it is a bit of an eyesore - BUT, if they complete this addition, it will be beautiful. Hope they are able to complete it. The Gray's Mills has history with it's town so I hope locals will continue to support it. When we come back to visit our son and my new daughter-in-law, we will definitely be back for a visit - especially if the weather is nice!! They have a great outdoor patio along the Fox River just outside the restaurant on the bottom floor. Thank you Gray's Mill Estate!!

I attended the New Year's Eve dinner on Wednesday, December 31, and had a great time! The servers -…read moreAndrea, Drake, and Ethan - worked very hard and provided great customer service, as always! Adam was stellar behind the bar! The performers - Bert's Revenge - were excellent, as always, providing the perfect vibe to the evening! It really means a lot seeing the co-owner, Mike Baum and his wife, Jan, there mingling with their customers. They put their heart into this establishment and it shows! Overall, it was a great value and I highly recommend this venue to all!

Craft Urban is always such a great experience. The food is delicious and the staff are wonderful…read more We were just there to celebrate a World Cup game and our server gave our kids a free scoop of ice cream, just because. Can't wait to go back!

CU is an excellent place, despite some of the negative reviews complaining about the food quality,…read moreportion sizes, prices, or service. Since discovering it five months ago, my bride and I have already returned twice. The food has been remarkable each time, with generous portions and prompt, attentive service. As for the prices, they are clearly printed on the menu, so there should be no surprises. We look forward to coming back again.