As I planned our Mississippi road trip, I noticed that my wife and I (in our rental car) were going to kinda pass the southernmost city in Illinois. Growing up in Illinois, I was always curious about this city that had the same name as the capital of Egypt (a different pronunciation, though), but never had a reason to stop before. So we made it a point to find the most popular restaurant in Cairo, and plan our day so we would stop in for lunch. The city itself ended up not being a place we wanted to stay in very long, but the restaurant itself (Shemwell's Barbeque) had decent food at good prices with warm and genuine service. We were coming down from the St Louis area, so after a detour to Metropolis to see the Superman statue, and a cross into Kentucky to get gas, we drove here, arriving around noon. It's a standalone building with a big empty parking lot surrounding it. We were greeted once we arrived, and once we indicated we wanted to dine-in, were given menus and told to find any place to sit. The waitress indicated that brisket was available this day (even though it wasn't on the menu), so we got 2 BBQ Plates (price wasn't given but I calculated it to be $16.62 per plate). Sweet Baby Ray's was the bbq sauce on the tables. The brisket was decent and a good amount was given. The 4 sides (onion rings, cole slaw, crinkle cut fries, baked beans) were all from food service providers but were prepared well, though I thought the baked beans weren't good (worse for me than what you get from a can). What was nice is our waitress noticed I didn't finish my beans, and offered to sub it out for another side...and refilled my wife's giant Pepsi cup ($2.69) for the ride. She thanked us for coming to Cairo and offered some suggestions for places to stop while heading towards Memphis. She was down-to-earth, and we really appreciated it, making this slight detour worth it. read more

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Great food, great people. The best bbq for many many years. Nobody does it better. Always clean and friendly.

My husband and his family love this place. They have been eating there for many years. This year when we visited this area we bought a 20 lb pork butt to take to Tennessee to his uncles place for Thanksgiving. It tasted amazing. The owner and staff are very outgoing. read more

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I didn't know how y'all did bbq here in southern IL but I found out about 10 minutes ago at this little bbq place in a little town thinking well it's got to be good looked like a family owned bbq place where they knew what they were doing well I was dead wrong the bbq sandwich that me and my husband husband got were more like a grilled cheese it's was and is and will always be disgusting that's not even bbq anyone that wants to try some real bbq come to Memphis because this well idk what this was but it was super disappointing and I hope this helps someone that is looking to eat in cairo this way you can avoid this place and just get back on the interstate and go to Memphis where bbq is actually bbq read more

We were very impressed. BBQ presentation is a little different, meats are served on grilled white bread. Sounds a little off but it really works. Really didn't even need the sauce as meat (we did pork) was so flavorful. Meat wasn't chopped but rather larger pieces. Really good beans and some of the best slaw we've ever had. Slaw more vinegar than creamy and had small pieces of pepper that really made it extra tasty. Fried okra was also great. Prices incredibly cheap. Only "complaint" was wished they served Coke instead of Pepsi LOL read more

Shemwell's Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Cairo, Illinois

So I travel the country consistently and I will actually drive 100 or 200 miles out of my way just to come by and get a shimwell's. Growing up in the 60s and seventies we spent our summers here in Cairo and my grandfather always brought me to shimwell's, there's just something about a barbecued sandwich on two pieces of white bread that bring back an incredible amount of memories. And when I get barbecue sandwiches other places and they come on rolls that look like loads of bread and I wondered did I buy a loaf of bread or did I buy a barbecue sandwich it always reminds me of just how pure and true shimwell's is to the barbecue culture!! So although they've closed off almost all the roads into town I still find a way to get here!! read more

Shemwell's Barbecue - A real true All-American barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Cairo, Illinois

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you can tell that the hand is padded when comes to reviews. a 1 star next to a 5 star. when Darrel ShemwellsBBQ ran this place the food was Top-Notch, but like many other places, when the younger gen took over they trimmed everything, but the fat and gristle. What a shame they are so rude and arrogant without even having the quality to back it up. someone should show them what real Pit BBQ is, but they already know, they just don't care... read more

The beef was flavorful enough, it didn't need sauce. That's a great sign that the process was done with heart and soul. The service was great as well. She was friendly and helpful. Everything in the restaurant was clean and uncluttered. Overall a great experience! read more

No ribs but small town rude. I didn't end up ordering due to no ribs here. However I waited forever to get that information and was finally greeted or treated like why are you bothering me. I travel a lot and love homemade joints but usually they're nice people read more

Lots of stacked, pretty wood for their bbq but oddly, ribs are only sold on Wednesdays, wth? We both ordered the beef brisket sandwich and it was grilled in a panini press. The coleslaw was very sweet and had chunks of pickle and the cajun fries, weren't. They were crispy and hot but no spice. Apparently they've been there for years and are the only place to eat in town. The prices are decent, the place is rundown and the vibe is sad and depressing. The reason for two stars were the two women who served us. Unfriendly, unsmiling, and sour, they were terribly unwelcoming. At least they take cc, btw, the brisket was juicy and moist, but I won't be back. Just keep driving through. read more

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Recently ordered sandwiches to bring home and was a bit disappointed. Lots of fat and thick chewy pieces. The sauce was more like a spread too. I definitely was not impressed and most likely not be back. read more

Excellent food for good prices! Catfish nuggets were outstanding and sliced pork bbq was amazing!

I stopped at this restaurant based off a recommendation I read in a tourism article. So disappointing. The place needed a good scrubbing, the women's restroom was as small as one on an airplane and I was afraid to touch anything. The waitstaff was not very welcoming, unless you were a local, and for some reason, there was no shortage of them eating at this establishment. The folks here are not friendly to outsiders. The food was simple, but not bad, however, I waited 15-20 mins to get someone to refill my drink glass before I finally gave up, asked for my ticket, paid and left. If you're thinking about stopping in this town, that definitely could use your tourism dollars...just keep driving and don't look back. read more

Asked for the barbecue plate to go as I was working in the area and had more than an hour drive back. Place looks run-down but the service and the food and the cleanliness was great. I didn't really like the barbecue sauce as it was more of a hot sauce so I had them put some of their vinegar coleslaw on the BBQ which was freshly cut off the brisket and served has a sandwich that was toasted on both sides. I got sweet corn nuggets and the crispiest perfect fries I've ever got. Under 9 bucks steal read more

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The restaurant was very clean and hospitable. The service was great. The food was tasty and we had very tasty pork with some of the best Okra we have ever had. The prices were fair and reasonable. I would recommend this restaurant as a very comfortable place to eat. read more

I've been eating at this spot about once a year since 2008. I don't live in Cairo, but every time I pass through I make sure to stop at Shemwell's for lunch or dinner. BBQ is great and I really love their corn nuggets. read more

The barbecue is real good. I liked it was on toasted bread. My review here is low because the service was so uninviting. I have been on the road for 14 months traveling through 14 states and I try to sample the food in almost every place I go. It is one of the few places that I thought about not leaving a tip. I did anyway.. The owner of the restaurant, shame on you. You have a good product. The people who serve it represent that product. Doesn'tmatter that you're the only place in town. Be proud of what you serve and more importantly have the staff carry the same attitude. Truly disappointed. read more

Drive through Cairo today and sad Shemwell's BBQ was closed for the day. We will be back as we ALWAYS enjoy stopping in! Quite a little diner that has been serving up good BBQ for years! read more

Shemwell's Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Cairo, Illinois

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About the only restaurant left in Cairo. Decent BBQ, but the place reflects how run down the city has become. I wouldn't detour off the Interstate (or US 51-60-62) to eat here again, which is sad because Cairo needs all the visitors it can get. However, if you do find yourself exploring this once-proud town, you may as well stop by and eat at the last local institution. read more

Good vinegar based barbecue sauce with a bite -- makes you sweat just a bit. The beef was slow cooked, tender and flavorful. It served on toasted/ grilled bread instead of buns/rolls which we liked. Interesting selection of sides -- try the corn nuggets (kernels of corn breaded and deep fried), slaw is tangy not too sweet.... read more

The best BBQ in town. Well it's the only BBQ in town and only one of two restaurants in town as far as I can tell. But it is pretty good BBQ My wife and I had pork sandwiches and we both approve. Only one choice of sauce which is vinigar based, I thought it was good, the wife didn't try it, she generally like dry BBQ. It's an old dinner that's survived this poor little towns fall from the glory days of River Boats. If you want to explore a modern day ghost town and get a bite to eat, this is the place read more

Used to be the finest BBQ in 100 miles around. Now the meat is all fat and gristle, sides are all outdated food service junk, and the place is filthy. read more

First, I'm in the service industry and I'm very forgiving when it comes to servers and even food. A friendly server can make up for lack of the best food. Unfortunately, here you got neither. We walked into s dining room that was clean but very "cold". It didn't have a welcoming feel at all. There was a large screen tv loudly showing Inside Edition. That's ok, I'm sure the servers in this small town will be friendly ...ummm...no. We were the only ones in the restaurant except for one person waiting at the counter for a to go order. It was probably a good 10 minutes before we were acknowledged, even though 3 different workers walked through the dining room. When the server finally came to our table, my husband very nicely said "we aren't from here so tell us what's good". Instead, she proceeded to say "we don't have cheese cubes, potato salad or beef". So we blindly order. When food arrives, it was mediocre. Baked beans was just luke warm pork n beans. Still trying to get some warmth from the waitress, I point up the dessert sign and ask "Is your pie made in house", her answer "no" and she turns and walks away. All 4 of us ordered the pork sandwich, which is served on toasted bread, not a bun. The toast was the best part of the meal. It was after all, toasted, buttered bread. The pork was dry, chewy and had no taste of smoke or bbq. I ate half, my daughter ate 1 bite. She did enjoy her mozzarella sticks, they were just like the ones we buy at Kroger. My husband and son...well...it was meat and we had already been on the road for 6 hours...so they ate their sandwiches. We needed refills of drinks but no one came out of the back. When someone finally left whatever was so fascinating in the back and came out she didn't even expend the energy to look our way. My husband went up to the counter and asked for refills. Now we are ready to leave, but once again we were abandoned to the ever present urgent need in the back that required the entire staff to hide back there. (Now grant it, we were tired and hungry, but I really don't think we looked that scary). Do we write our own bill? Is it by donation? Again, someone snuck out the door and kept her back to us so no response to all 4 of us staring at her. Once again, my husband had to go to the counter and ask for a bill. The sad thing is, we are very generous toppers when someone is just kind and friendly. We would've made the servers day if she would've just put in even a tiny amount of effort, after all, we were her only customers. Oh well, we got a good laugh of paying $4 for an order of onion rings and we got 3.5 onion rings. We still love going off the beaten path when traveling to find hidden gems...this unfortunately is a rock that needs to stay hidden. read more

Great barbecue with 1960's Southern ambiance...vinyl seats, formica tables, hunting trophies on the walls, and fliers for gospel concerts and vacation bible school on the counter. The staff doesn't give a damn about whatever the hell you think you need, do you want the barbecue or not? Besides the barbecue, order the fried jalepenos and texas toothpicks. Eat-in for the excellent people-watching and while you're waiting for your food, take turns checking out the bathroom. read more

You must eat here if you think yourself a connoisseur of regional BBQ. Unique sauce that you won't find any other place. Yes it could be remodeled, but the condition of the premises are part of what makes it authentic. read more

My inlaws are from Cairo and trust me, there isn't much to do or see or eat in this town. But we stop in at Shemwells when we visit. The sauce is vinegar based and orange, over pork. I'm a texan and this ain't my style, but if you are interested in experiencing local flavors you've probably never considered, Shemwells is the place. It is the typical run-down diner atmosphere, with lots of locals eating lunch. You can buy the sauce in pint sized canning jars (I just don't think it's commercially produced like one reviewer wrote--it's not even labeled). And there are options on the menu that aren't sauced. I had the turkey club, hold the cheese. It was a decent little fast food lunch. And this flavor is NOT just Shemwells. It is Cairo, and there is a Cairo BBQ brand as well. read more

Shemwell's is a piece of Cairo history. My parents and grandparents were eating here long before I was born. When I come "back home" to Southern Illinois, this is always one of the first places I eat. This past Saturday was no exception. I had the barbecue plate which comes with two sides and a thick-sliced pork bbq sandwich with a vinegar based sauce that has enough heat that you break a sweat and your sinuses are cleaned out. So it's delicious and medicinal! For sides, I chose coleslaw and baked beans. First, I'm rarely about anything other than the barbecue, but this coleslaw was amazing. Rather than a mayonnaise based dressing, it was vinegar based, which I much prefer. I loaded up my sandwich with the slaw and extra sauce and, with the help of several napkins, managed to gobble up every scrumptious morsel. The baked beans were loaded with molasses and were incredibly tasty. I love this barbecue joint, with its great smoked pork and wonderful side items. I also managed to grab a bunch of corn nuggets, and a little fried okra, and they were also perfect. I plan on coming back at least one more time while I'm here--probably two more times--three times for sure. read more

I, at first, thought that maybe it was a "regional thing". Meaning, that perhaps this sauce was a flavor profile that the locals of Cairo were accustomed to. After a bit of research on the region I discovered that this sauce is particular to Shemwell's. I would have to agree with a few other reviewers that this is an awful tasting sauce with a displeasing texture. Another reviewer noted that " something is different at Shemwell's these days". I would hazzard a guess that the difference might be that their sauce is now commercially made for them and they are no longer making their own batches in house. Commercial bottlers notoriously alter recipes so that the product can retain color, have extended shelf life and be cheaper. It also seems from other comments that the Shemwell Clan has grown tired, lost their pride, enthusiasm and passion for their product. Perhaps this is the time for them to say that four generations is long enough and close it down before it becomes an embarassment that spoils the overall reputation of a four generation family owned business. read more