I have been to The BBQ Pit many times since I met my husband 24+ years ago. My husband started going way before he met me. This was one of his dad's favorite places to eat. We were in the area for a funeral not long ago and stopped in for dinner. Gus, the owner, is probably one of the nicest people you will ever meet. I had a brisket sandwich and my husband had ribs. The brisket melted in my mouth. It was delicious. My husbands' ribs were outstanding. His Greek salad was fantastic. I was a little mad at myself for not ordering my own. Huge servings! The restaurant is super clean and smells so good. Service is great, too. We need to drag the kids out there soon because they really missed out on a great meal. read more

The BBQ Pit - Brisket Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Highland Park, Illinois

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I have been eating at The BBQ Pit all my life! In more than thirty years i've never had a bad meal, it's always consistently delicious with consistently professional service, always friendly and always clean. There's not a bad item on the menu! By the way, the soup is homemade and quite good. read more

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Ribs Ribs Ribs Everyone in our family table enjoyed the ribs, especially my toddler niece! The healthier food options of Greek chicken salad and chicken kabob on pita were much enjoyed, too. Family friendly and delicious food. read more

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5:30 on. Spring evening the place was almost empty. Our party of seven ordered baby back ribs and chicken among other dishes. The ribs were dry and tough. Even with a steak knife I couldn't separate them. The sauce was runny ( maybe Open Pit?} two women with different versions of chicken said each flavor was better than good. Our friend who had a burger called it "mediocre". Service was attentive. The place itself is small, dark and appears clean. If you crave ribs there are many different places with a better product. read more

Ordered take out. Good food. Good chicken. But the ribs were too well done and crispy where I could not even taste the meat.

Consistently great food, service and pricing! Catch dinner, the game or drinks; you won't be disappointed.

Hadn't visited in a while and they still haven't lost their "magic". The ribs were outstanding, just as I remembered. The owner, Gus, came over to our table to see how everything went. Nice touch. Will be dining in and carrying out in the future. read more

The food, the service and the very welcoming environment is what makes the BBQ pit a tremendous restaurant to visit and to enjoy, plus the variety and quality of the menu has pleased ever one that I have taken here. Lastly, the owner, Gus is someone who is so quality of a person who is very thankful for your patronage to be a good person to support in our community! I'm Sean Logan and I approve this message and I very much recommend BBW Pit for the whole family and friends you enjoy having a delicious meal with! read more

My husband and I wanted to try some place nearby but new to us which led us to The BBQ Pit. The restaurant is in a strip shopping center in Highland Park. The dining room is on the smaller side and there was already a crowd eating when we arrived but we were able to be seated immediately. They had the White Sox's game on and 50s music in the background. Even with both of those going the noise level allowed easy conversation. The menu offers many options. I ordered the Sally's Remembered ribs which only come in a full slab portion. Other rib offerings at the restaurant can be ordered as half slabs. My husband ordered the BBQ chicken. I chose cole slaw and a baked potato as my sides and my husband selected a Greek salad and fries as his sides. My husband really liked his Greek salad. His meal arrived with a sweet potato instead of fries. He took it as sign to eat healthier and didn't bring the mix up to the waitress' attention. We each tried each other's main dish. Of the two I thought the chicken was the best. The ribs weren't bad but I prefer fall of the bone ribs which the BBQ Pit doesn't do. The service was attentive and friendly. Overall, we'll return. read more

Ordered delivery. I hv eaten at restaurant and ordered in before. Ribs weren't good. TotallyTasteless and burnt. Breadsticks seemed old. Best thing abt dinner was the coleslaw. Totally disappointing. For $50 it should hv been a lot better. read more

This restaurant is nearly invisible from the street. It is in a strip mall and very hard to locate unless you are right on top of it. Better sightlines are needed. It indeed is a local spot for an older crowd. We were there on a Saturday night and it was partially filled with locals. You are a local if the owner brings a complimentary basket of popcorn to your table. We did not get a basket. The food was OK. My significant ordered rib tips (bones in them), and I had the meatloaf a newer addition to the menu. The huge drawback was the service. Horrible, VERY slow. We hardly saw the server and delt with the owner for the most part. He was a bit stiff with us, but when we had issues with the wine he made things right. I would also suggest an upgrade to their website, and the restaurant itself. Very old fashioned, and out of date. It appears as if they felt they had to have a website, but did the ultimate minimal effort on it. Same feeling when you see the décor. We would not go back on purpose to the BBQ Pit. read more

Got takeout from The BBQ Pit. It wasn't great. The menu said "you won't be disappointed" by the baby back ribs. We were. They were tough, and aside from the barbecue sauce, which was a not-great combination of spicy and honey-sweet, mostly flavorless. The "BBQ Texas Brisket" didn't bear much resemblance to the briskets we have seen in Texas. It was also overcooked, stewed in barbecue sauce, and an annoying mix of lean and fatty pieces. My son got the burger. It was a very ordinary pre-made patty on a nice soft bun with lettuce and tomato that had been cut much too long ago. It was the best entree of the night. The fries were fine, and the baked potato was, in fact, a potato which had been baked. It might have been nice if it had been seasoned also, but you can't have everything. I doubt we'll be back. read more

First time visit: Brisket on Sandwich was tender and tasty. Ribs were burnt with hardly any meat. Salad and Coleslaw had too much vinegar Owner acted like he was annoyed we were there. read more

I never even knew this place existed! The BBQ Pit is tucked in a small strip mall in downtown Highland Park behind Walgreens. I swear if you don't know this place is here, someone else has to tell you and then you find out how good is it. I had the barbecue meatloaf and the Greek potatoes (a baked potato cut into quarters and all oiled with with lemon and herbs). My dinner came with a delicious chopped Greek salad (nice small bite size lettuce pieces) with lots of tomatoes, feta cheese, and kalamata olives. Yum! My boyfriend has a strip steak with Greek potatoes. He was happy! Though a entree here runs $25-33-ish, it's pricey, but very good, and nice to support a local business. A nice "date night" place. I will definitely come back here! read more

Good. Basic BbQ service always a bit slow but good is worth waiting for!! Pretty much a good meal every time. Can't ask for anything else

Got a to go bbq pulled pork pita sandwhich! So filing and delish. The restaurant was only open for take out, but it seems like a chill hang out area and fun atmosphere read more

Hidden in a strip mall, this modest storefront typifies a family-owned Greek diner until you get to the "Pure BBQ" section of the menu. For hogness sake, even the better-known rib shacks in the region don't offer the variety of BBQ ribs that you'll find on this menu. Prepare to do some serious gnawing because their meat does NOT fall off the bone. Although the place is very small, we waited less than ten minutes to be seated on a Saturday evening. We were warmly welcomed and received expedient service. The tired decor is showing its age. Booths are becoming worn and table surfaces need deep-cleaning; ours was icky-sticky (minus one star). Like many Baby Boomers who grew up on Chicago's North Side, I was weaned on dry-rub ribs and peppery BBQ sauce at The Original Sally's Bar-B-Q on Western Ave. near Devon. Even though that restaurant closed some 45 years ago, my tastebuds have a photographic memory of the food. Do the present-day "Sally's Remembered" ribs measure up to Sally's of eons ago? In the olden days, the ribs were occasionally a bit dry and sinewy. BBQ Pit nailed the dry rub and crispy char, but thankfully their version is juicier and meatier. Sally's BBQ sauce (served on the side) tasted exactly as I remembered. I was completely blown away. Dinners include a very good Greek salad, a basket of Olive Garden-ish bread sticks, and a choice of sides. The tiny bar offers a nice selection of craft beer. We observed Baby Boomers at nearby tables tucking into jumbo sandwiches, entrée-size salads, and BBQ chicken. We resisted the temptation to order dessert even though generous slabs of apple pie and chocolate layer cake displayed on the counter were smiling at us. read more

If you're looking for carryout, this is a great option for you. Personally, we have ordered a bunch of times since we moved to HP, and I have to say, the half chicken (both bbq & Greek) are always great. You have your choice of potato & it comes with a mini coleslaw. Also, you can get all dark or white meat if you want. It's good every time. Highly recommend!!! (They do have dine-in, but we only do carryout so can't speak to that.) read more

Service was terrible. Never came by to ask if we needed anything and had to watch people be seated before us even if we were already waiting. Forgot items often. Edgar was the only one who came by to ask us anything and he wasn't even our server. read more

It's time to redecorate and attend more to the food quality. Been a customer for well over 30 years. Needs some attention.

Went here with my four year old. He got a kids burger and fries and I got ribs. It is a casual and nice environment and the food is delicious. The football game is playing in the background and it was easy. We will come again. read more

Delicious BBQ and Greek food! Friendly service, caring owners, great neighborhood place, been going to BBQ Pit since 1990 and it's always a treat! It's also great to go before or after a (an earlier) movie at Wayfarer! It's also fun running into your friends there! read more

I love this place. I only get takeout, but the food is fabulous and the service is great. This will place will definitely be a part of the rotation. read more

Surprise, surprise, surprise. Who would have thought there would be such a good BBQ place in downtown Highland park? This place is top notch. I never venture beyond Michael's, but last night i went the extra block. Boy was i pleased. So pleased i devoured the whole slab of ribs. I fee it today, but who cares when they are that good. $15.99 gets you a full slab of ribs, with a massive sweet potato on the side and coleslaw. But what makes this place good obviously are the ribs. The ribs were really tasty and the sauce they lathered them with was excellent. I sampled the regular baby backs and the honey coated baby backs as well. Both were delish. I did not taste anything else, so i am only giving it 4 stars until i taste the chicken and some of the other items. Coleslaw was average. If you are in the area, give it a try. I don't think you will be disappointed. read more

The food is absolutely amazing. The rib meat does not fall-off-the-bone and is done competition style so you have to really bite into it. The baby back ribs were succulent and flavorful. The brisket was moist and better than anything I've ever tasted. The staff is extremely friendly and attentive. It's impressive that they've been in business over 40 years. They have to be doing something right. read more

The BBQ Pit - Barbeque Near Me - Highland Park, Illinois

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My single dinner at BBQ Pit: + Two of the delicious garlic breadsticks served before we even ordered + Half an appetizer order of solid onion rings + A tasty if over-cheesed Greek salad + A half-slab of near-perfect baby back ribs + Five large, plump, perfectly grilled shrimp + Half of a pile of awesome waffle-cut fries--with skins! + Several forkfuls of my wife's shoestring sweet potato fries + A bottomless glass of Diet Coke to wash it all down + Several hours of stomach discomfort, simply from overstuffing myself But this is the kind of place at which to splurge. I'm glad that they have a ribs/shrimp combo because I was very interested in both. $22.99 for the combo gets you a LOT of grub. Everything was really good, except for the sauce served on the side. It was too sweet and tasted like a bottled sauce, even though I know that they make their own. The sauce on the ribs tasted different; maybe they're the same but the cooking alters the sauce in combination with the meat? Who knows. Anyway, sauce is pretty important at a barbecue joint, but overall everything was so good that it didn't bother me. All I really used it for was to dip my fries and shrimp anyway. And frankly, both were good enough to eat unadorned so I used very little sauce. We brought home half the onion rings and half the waffle fries. I can't even imagine how I would have felt if I had finished everything. read more

Very good, no great. Tonight brisket sandwich. Overwhelmed. Large chopped brisket and their great Greek salad. Their house bbq sauce very good. Salad dressing another in house made. Great Greek dressing. Carry out/delivery. Class act. Hot and cold foods separated by cardboard. The sandwich came with sides. Cole slaw and choice of potatoes or vegetables. Sweet potato fries, just great. A great experience, read more

Service was almost as terrible as the food. Took my daughter there for a treat and the first thing we did was get stared at by someone standing there who we didn't know if they were a customer or an employee. He finally asked if he could help us and we said yes that we'd like to eat. The restaurant was practically empty and he pointed at a booth and said that we could sit there. The booth was sticky and my knife was dirty, but, I didn't want to cause a fuss. A very nice woman with black hair asked us what we would like to drink and we both said water. She said that she would get us some right away and as she was going a blonde woman snapped at her to do something else. We waited and finally got our water and eventually menus. Each time the woman with black hair came to us she was told to do something else and couldn't help us. Finally the blonde woman took our order and the first item my daughter asked for was out of stock. She said that they hadn't been able to get it in years, yet, it was still on the menu. The food came and it was cold, burnt and dried out all at the same time. They also forgot part of the order and gave me the wrong food twice. For as expensive as it was, it was the worst meal I've had in a long time. When paying the bill the man at the front did apologize for the mistakes and said that he would make sure it was better next time. That's doubtful as I'll never return. read more

Unassuming little joint in a North Suburbs strip mall, but it's absolutely the real deal - best brisket I've had since the last time I hit Elmer's in Tulsa, OK. Sauce is on point too, subtly vinegary and uniquely well-balanced! And they've got sweet potato fries - try those with the (house-made?) bleu cheese dressing! read more

WOW!!! We are in love with this place, and can't get enough. BBQ Beef ribs and BBQ Brisket are truly incredible. The BBQ sauce is really tasty. Staff is very friendly. We will always go back. read more

Best BBQ around. Ribs, brisket and pulled pork were fantastic. Great customer service.

Ordered Chicken and Ribs, received shrimp and undercooked ribs. Threw it right out due to a shrimp allergy.. I would've gave it two stars for the brisket since it was a large quantity if it wasn't 60% fat. Too pricey for scraps of bbq food. read more

The BBQ Pit - a close up of a plate of food - Barbeque Near Me - Highland Park, Illinois

Love love love this place!!! Where do I even start!! The half bbq chicken, bbq chicken breast, rack of ribs, greek salad, pulled pork, spinach pie....EVERYTHING is just amazing. Can be a bit pricey to some, but well worth it!!! Their sauce is great, and I am soo happy I can now bring it home with me (as well as their salad dressing). Great food, really hits the spot! Don't know of any other bbq place in all of chicago that compares!! read more

I carried in "sammiches" Friday night May 08. My Better Half and I split a brisket and skirt steak. I've had the brisket before - there we no surprises. And yes, it is as big as your head !!! The skirt steak was perfect - nicely seasoned, medium-rare, not chewy at all, overall - DELISH. Because I had a 20+ drive from Buffalo Grove, I warmed up the fries in the oven before eating. The sweet potato fries are okay, but the waffle cut - Da Bomb !!! Like previous comments, the food is somewhat pricey, but, WORTH IT. To my taste buds and my wallet, The Pit beats the hell out of "yuppie" quasi-bbq joints like City BBQ and Real Urban BBQ. The Pit is not fancy, but the food is CONSISTENTLY GOOD. read more

Excellent bbq and the chix kabob pita was excellent too. Good call on the sweet potato fries w bbq sauce!! read more

I've been coming here for years and the food is consistently good. Is it the best bbq in the burbs? Maybe not, but this place has some nice nuances that keep me coming back. 1) The homemade breadsticks. And they are never stingy about giving me as many as I want. 2) The greek salad. It's probably one of the best greek salads I've ever had. The dressing is spot on. 3) The value. The portions sizes are good for the price you pay. 4) The bbq sauce. I'm a fan. I love this new trend for bbq places to have 20 different sauces to choose from. And by love I mean hate. No thanks. I'll stick to the classic sweet and sticky brown sauce, and its good here. 5) The breadsticks. 6) The golf theme in the restaurant. I love golf and I'm not aware of many restaurants with a golf theme. It's nice to know there's a spot where I can go to catch whatever tournament is going on that weekend. 7) The owner/host. Always welcoming. Always provides great service. 8) Did I mention I like the breadsticks? Yup. I like me some BBQ PIT. read more

I hate writing this review.... But we've had some bad experiences here. The place is cute and has a nice menu. I love supporting family businesses, but I don't think we will be back here. From our experiences, it usually takes a while for someone to come to the door to seat you... Leaving you awkwardly standing in the front of the restaurant by the bar. When we got seated, eventually, the first thing the waitress did was say hi how are you... Then complained how busy it was and that it was a bit overwhelming. We felt bad for her and didn't want to ask for too much because she was so stressed. Our drinks came out quickly, but our food took at least 30 minutes. The proportions were huge, but I wasn't nuts about what I had. My husband had the chicken sandwich, which he felt wasn't anything special. It was about 12 a plate, but wasn't any better than getting a sandwich at the hot dog place down the street. I'm giving it 3 stars because it's clean, nice decorations, parking is good, and we have been here with a better experience one other time. Unfortunately, we won't be back. read more

I LOVE the BBQ PIT! The Bobby Q beef sandwich is so delicious and the Tennessee honey ribs are one of my favorites. They offer two different sauces, mild and spicy. I prefer the mild, but so many friends LOVE the spicy sauce there. I think Alan should try the spicy next time, since u found the sauce bland. YUM! Oh, and the sweet potato fries dipped in their bbq sauce, is melt in your mouth delicious!!!!! 2/2/10 Update. They changed their sweet potato fries and took the sugar off of them. A healthier version, but I loved the original version better. Also, the owner Gus is super sweet and loves his customers and will always take care of you! read more

The brisket sandwich is literally as big as your head. It is so amazingly good. The bun is perfectly soaked in the moisture from the beef. Every bite is so tasty. You do have to take a shower after however because you'll be so messy! read more

The BBQ Pit - The Amazing Brisket sandwich! - Barbeque Near Me - Highland Park, Illinois

We were heading to a get together in Highland park the other day. We hadn't eaten because there was supposed to be great food waiting for us...well we get a text just before we get there..."Food is gone" Scramble time. Unfamiliar with the area we drive around looking for something quick and easy...So I stumbled upon the BBQ pit. We ordered a couple of burgers cooked medium rare, The skirt steak sammich medium rare, and a Brisket sammich. All came with cole slaw and waffle fries. Burgers were huge and tasted phenomenal. I think the skirt steak might have been the biggest...most perfectly cooked skirt steak I've ever eaten. With the amount of food we got the Brisket sammich turned out to be a nice lunch. all in all I paid $40 which isn't too bad considering the amount of food we got. The hostess was really nice, and we got our food to go in 15 min. It's close to the train stop too, so I can pop off and grab some when i head down to the city. read more