Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern

“Best ribs in the city.”

Best ribs in the city! Must visit. I am a big rib guy as well, this is a really great place.

Alex Elliott

Dec 2025

“This is hands down my favorite ribs place in Chicago.”

This is hands down my favorite ribs place in Chicago. We come here every time we are in town and they never disappoint. Prepare yourself for a wait for your table especially if you have a larger group as they don’t take reservations but trust me it’s worth it. I love to have a drink at the bar and people watch. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. I recommend the ribs, coleslaw, beans, green beans, baked potatoe and fries. Also their cakes make for an amazing dessert so save room for them.

James Segil

Nov 2025

“Many who served us was brilliant.”

Many who served us was brilliant. Fierce attentive and honest. Said tip already in so no need to give to him, I wouldn't have known so I'll remember him and the restaurant in a great way for it. Best ribs I've had in a long time. Food out within 5 minutes of ordering. Atmosphere brilliant and authentic place with real people and great food.

Joseph Croke

Oct 2025

“Twin Anchor is one of the oldest original restaurant in the city of Chicago.”

Twin Anchor is one of the oldest original restaurant in the city of Chicago. Since its founding in 1932, Twin Anchors has always been known for great, tender, barbequed baby-back ribs that can be enjoyed in a quaint neighborhood tavern. Twin Anchors is a 100 % Chicago legend! Some of the best BBQ in the country. Their Prohibition sauce might be my favorite BBQ sauce. There's a short list of places that are a must eat in the city these days and Twin Anchors is at the top of that list. Have you ever had BBQ ribs or chicken that you can eat with a spoon because they're so tender? I have, at Twin Anchors. 100% recommend!

Hagz

Oct 2025

“Every time I head to Chicago, whether it’s with family, friends, or for a Cubs game, or even on a...”

Every time I head to Chicago, whether it’s with family, friends, or for a Cubs game, or even on a solo trip, I always take time for my favorite tradition. Thursday night dinner at Twin Anchors Restaurant and Tavern From the name, you might think Twin Anchors is a seafood spot. And yes, you’ll find fish on the menu, but that’s not why people (including me) keep coming back. We all go for the same thing: the world-famous baby back ribs. The building has been around since the days of Prohibition, and if you look closely, you can still see that history in the building. It was once a speakeasy and even has an escape door from the days when raids were common. The walls themselves tell stories: photos of movie stars, signed memorabilia, and legends of who’s dined here. Frank Sinatra loved the place so much he had a wall phone installed by his favorite booth. Hollywood productions have filmed here, including the movie Return to Me (2000) with Minnie Driver and David Duchovny. Even Conan O’Brien dropped by with his late-night TV crew and filmed segments here. But let’s get to what really matters: the ribs. Slow-cooked, tender, meaty and served with sauces that make'em even more mouthwatering. For me, those ribs strike a personal chord. My grandfather, nicknamed “The Rib Man,” worked as a food wholesaler all across Illinois. He was known for his ribs and his sauce, and every time I dig into Twin Anchors’ slabs, I’m reminded of him. Their original Zesty Sauce just tastes like home. These days, they’ve added a Prohibition Sauce (a Kansas City-style recipe introduced in 2010) and a 1930s Mild Sauce all worth trying. When you go, order a half or whole slab and sample every sauce. You just can't go wrong with any of them. Inside, Twin Anchors is old-school in the best way. A small tavern vibe, a no-frills bar pouring stiff drinks, and that famous sign that hangs in the middle of the restaurant that reads: “Positively No Dancing.” (You’ll get the joke once you’re there.) It’s almost always busy, they don’t take reservations, so expect a wait and tight seating. But that’s part of the experience. Chicago is a city full of flashy, high-end restaurants, Twin Anchors is a slice of that city's history that keeps things simple, hearty, and nostalgic. This time around, my cousin went for his very first trip to Chicago. His verdict? The ribs were exactly how he likes them...tender, and full of flavor, and the atmosphere was exactly what he pictured from an established rib joint. As for me, I always make it a point to eat here, because no trip for me to Chicago ever feels complete without Twin Anchors.

Carl Graddy

Sep 2025

“Old school vibes in a gorgeous part of the city.”

Old school vibes in a gorgeous part of the city. If you don’t like this spot, you’re phony. Food is great, service is even better

Alex

Aug 2025

“Fantastic place! The vibe is very chill and old school Chicago. Has some of the very best service...”

Fantastic place! The vibe is very chill and old school Chicago. Has some of the very best service here. Our waitress was amazing! We started with a bowl of chili. It came with a side of onions sour cream and cheese. It was very good but for me a little spicy. I had the full rack of ribs with their zesty barbecue sauce. I got fries as my side. And also came with a dill pickle and sweet coleslaw. Everything was fresh and flavorful. They do have Coke products. They have a wide selection of cocktails and draft beer. Are we dress was telling us about the restaurants history. How it was open during prohibition. She also told us it has been in two major movies and a lot of celebrities have been in to eat. Including Frank Sinatra.

Jennifer Winthurst

May 2025

“Amazing ribs and fish fry.”

Amazing ribs and fish fry. Service is super quick and it is 1st come first serve. Very local bar that gets packed quick.

Maggie Jaques

Mar 2025

“Great old-school Chicago neighborhood bar and tavern famous for their ribs.”

Great old-school Chicago neighborhood bar and tavern famous for their ribs. The ribs and sides I had were excellent. Friendly service too.

Brandon Harry

Mar 2025

“This is an astonishing restaurant to dine at.”

This is an astonishing restaurant to dine at. The family owned atmosphere and the food creates a warm charisma and charm about the place. I’ve had the ribs, chicken, sliders, and it is all amazing. Even the grilled cheese is great. Definitely recommend to everyone! Get the prohibition sauce too, it’ll make your taste buds feel like they’re dancing at the clubs!

George Kurtz

Feb 2025

“We googled places to eat near me and this place popped up.”

We googled places to eat near me and this place popped up. As a lifelong, Chicagoan, I didn't realize that this place was a destination. As soon as we walked in, I loved the vibe. The woodwork and paneled walls gave it a great appeal. It was decorated for the holidays and was slammed with people. We took a seat at the bar and ordered barbecue combo, anchor burger and drinks. Everything was excellent. I kept looking at other people's plates knowing that I would return to try something different. Some of the reviews claimed that the ribs were a little light on the meat and heavy on the bone. I can't disagree but the flavors were on point. I left there feeling that I knew I would return.

Rey Colón

Dec 2024

“Amazing from beginning to end.”

Amazing from beginning to end! Both hostess were very sweet. They had updated software to keep track of guests. There was a park for kids to play while we waited. Valet parking available but we found a street spot. The beans were so yummy! We had the fall off bone ribs and they gave us both sauces to try. I loved the spicy sweet and the kids loved the BBQ tomato sauce. My husband said he would dream about the tuna on our salad. Cooked MR. Perfectly. Really great Cocktails, Manhattan and old fashioned. Then we noticed the Batman picture on the wall! We came home the next night and saw Twin Anchors bar in Rise of the Dark Knight!!! How cool. And the Wacker Tunnel road 🤩We love Chicago.

D Conra

Sep 2024