Earl's BBQ

“Absolutely loved this spot my dad put me on to.”

Absolutely loved this spot my dad put me on to! I had the spicy Polish sausage and it was phenomenal; perfect snap with just the right amount of heat and packed with flavor. The BBQ beans were also a standout: rich, well seasoned, and the chunks of brisket mixed in were a really nice touch. I also tried the ribs, which had a great smoky flavor and were cooked just right. Definitely a place I’ll be coming back to!!

Alexis

Jan 2026

“Ordered pick up and it was all good 👍🏾 but the collards were a little too bitter something was a little off.”

Ordered pick up and it was all good 👍🏾 but the collards were a little too bitter something was a little off. Wings were amazing! The rib tips, pulled pork and brisket = Chefs kiss! Looking forward to eating in next time

Darrell Hackett

Jan 2026

“If you are looking for true authentic barbecue this is the place.”

If you are looking for true authentic barbecue this is the place. While I enjoy the ribs my personal favorite is the wing and rib tip combo. The flavor and tenderness are incredible. The barbecue sauce here is amazing rich and perfectly balanced with that homemade taste you cannot fake. Everything is fresh satisfying and cooked with real care. Whenever I am in the mood for genuine barbecue this is my go to spot. I would definitely recommend Earls BBQ to anyone who has a real taste for barbecue. You will not be disappointed.

WHITE KNIGHT

Nov 2025

“Been here a handful of times now and in the middle of my meal I felt compelled to leave a review of...”

Been here a handful of times now and in the middle of my meal I felt compelled to leave a review of how stellar this place is. This quality of barbecue for under $40 is insane. I’ll keep coming back until I can’t fit through the door!

Roberto Di Domenico

Oct 2025

“Very good BBQ and smoked brisket - a small neighborhood joint.”

Irene Flebbe

Aug 2025

“I do not want to take away from the main event, which is so obviously the food here - and justifiably so.”

I do not want to take away from the main event, which is so obviously the food here - and justifiably so. Despite my best efforts, I I fear, I would not be the best equipped to adequately. Describe and law. How amazing the food here is, cool, chill vibe that is laid-back and down to earth. You can just feel how chill. Everything is Will, a C. The food is beyond my talents to describe how amazing it is. it’s really freaking good - especially the brisket smothered in most end of their available sauces a very easy argument could be made that this might be the best barbecue joint in Chicago not just the northside. I will let other more adapt reviewers speak their words fancy to properly describe how amazing the food is. Just trust me, it’s really freaking good. What I wanted to do is highlight another, super pleasantly surprising virtue of this restaurant, and that is the superb customer service and attention to detail. Having experience a very rough day and arriving famished, having not eaten the day before no slept through the night for mildly emergency reasons, I was hungry, and just as importantly, I desperately needed to just chill and unwind I was met by the cashier, a pleasant bearded man who is just excited as I was to be there and eager to take the heavy lifting off my shoulders and recommend the best option options for me. He spoke with confidence and care and made his recommendations known while explaining why he thought best that I would enjoy it. I Reedy agreed and he invited me to take a load off Mc to my Herried look yet professional and attentive further reiterating that I relax. I took him up on his offer and popped down to a table and far too quickly than expected, received my plate, NOPE, that’s inaccurate, received my BAKING DISH OF MEATS AND SIDES. CLEARLY, I was in Awe and overjoyed. I took a photo for posterity; this review was an afterthought, I promise. I dug into my meal and experienced an explosion of flavor, the meat complimenting the sauces awhile the sauces balancing the dining experience out. This meal became an experience. However, being more beat than I expected and wary of some urgent “housekeeping” I neeeed to do on my phone, I ate and worked on my phone. After the past 36hrs I just had, I sought peace before heading home and …… I found it. Nose level was at a decent place, staff and chill and I’d constantly overhear them talk and conversatinv with customers and regulars and newbies alike. I was also left alone/ at peace. I probably stayed for almost an hour, just casually eating and chilling and enjoying the vibe and the entire time I never felt uneasy. I felt fine and comfortable. Finding it time to head for home, I had ample leftovers (my fault, not the establishment - I planned to leave with leftovers), and I spoke to the super friendly cashier - someone so kind and attentive and exuding excellent, peaceful vibes. I inquired about pickles and she not only catered to my request, but also followed up with a detailed answer to a brisket-related question, managed to upsell me to a LARGE, and provided excellent service/advice. I never felt uneasy, and she (wish I got her name, she deserves recognition but she worked on 07/06/15 at approx 5pm) went above and beyond and wrapping up my order, including adding packaged BBQ sauces. I’m sure she didn’t NEED to do that, but that she did and gave a genuine smile and was so helpful made my visit here - again just based on the food alone makes me a repeat customer, and yet - so special and worthwhile. Earl’s BBW is clearly a unique and special place and there’s something withing me that yearns for this amazing food spot to succeed and thrive and stick around forever. 10/5 score, exceeded all expectations. Came in from some decent grub, some passable bbq and was met with God-tier bbq in the heart of NW Chicago served by a friggin team of professionals that seemed to like what they do and SHOW IT, attentive and friendly and welcoming. It was EXACTLY what I needed when I needed it. I’m thankful for that. Keep at it, BBQ bros.

Victor Paniagua

Jul 2025

“Tried the brisket sandwich, coleslaw and mac and cheese.”

Tried the brisket sandwich, coleslaw and mac and cheese. Everything was delicious. The brisket was tender and juicy😋.

Rhonda Wong-Calace

May 2025

“Amazing service. You pay for what you get and honestly we got the best food ever. First time...”

Amazing service. You pay for what you get and honestly we got the best food ever. First time eating outside of my regular meals. Staff is super friendly and even gave us a taste test of the sauces and explained everything to us. Definitely will be coming back

Fernando Mora

Jan 2025

“Visited for the first time and absolutely loved it!”

Visited for the first time and absolutely loved it!! The lady who took my order was so sweet and helpful, and the food was phenomenal. The pulled pork was juicy and tender even without sauce but I tried all four offered. The chicago hot was more heavily seasoned than “hot” which I appreciated, it wasnt just burning. The Georgia and Carolina sauces were my favorite though! The mac and cheesy was soo cheesy and great portions for the price :) Definitely check this place out if youre in the area. (also for .85/cup of sauce they give a amount thats definitely enough for the sandwich and some left over!)

Marie D.

Nov 2024

“This place never misses.”

This place never misses. One of the best smoked briskets in Chicago and they never go light on the meat. One of the best! Always great service also.

Tony George

Nov 2024

“First and foremost, the customer service was amazing.”

First and foremost, the customer service was amazing. I can't stress how absolutely wonderful these people are. The food was so delicious. It's hard to choose a favorite, but I'd have to go with pulled pork and the Carolina sauce! Honestly, on the next visit, I'll grab a bit of everything 😁. They have a wonderful specialty not included on the menu that my family and I were blessed to try. It was a deliciously sweet treat to end an amazing dinner. It's just delicious! I recommend this spot 100%. This restaurant just made it to the top of my list. We will be back! Thank you for a great experience!

Christina Cruz

May 2024

“I highly recommend this place!”

I highly recommend this place!! We had ribs, chicken tenders, ribeye sandwich, and spicy pulled pork sandwich. Plus, their cherry drink is amazing!! You will not regret it!!

DULCE

May 2024