Wilma's Famous BBQ & Tavern

Name: Wilma's Famous BBQ & Tavern
Address: 17 N Wabash Ave fl 2, Chicago, IL 60602, Chicago, IL, 60602.0, US
Telephone: +1 312-269-5580
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.1

Soul Food·American

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About

Wilma's Famous BBQ & Tavern — a soul food spot in Loop. Good cocktails round out an already strong menu. "I will have to say the fried items were seasoned well and arrived hot and crispy" — Mary robinson

Experience Breakdown

🍴Food

4.6

👥Service

3.8

✨Ambiance

3.4

💬Sentiment

3.7

LOLLI Miller

119 reviews

Highlights

Great CocktailsGreat For Groups

What Diners Are Saying

Diners loved

Strong cocktail menu

Some noted

Long waits during peakCan be priceyLimited/street parking

Read all 1,569+ reviews on Google

Location

17 N Wabash Ave fl 2, Chicago, IL 60602

What 1,569+ diners say about Wilma's Famous BBQ & Tavern

We stopped in after seeing a few recommendations for this place online. Our server James was awesome, and really made the entire visit enjoyable. He tended to us very well and made sure we were happy throughout. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with an extra side of Mac n cheese, and my wife ordered the rib tips with Mac n cheese. Both were absolutely delicious, I liked that the bbq sauce wasn’t too sweet. Overall if I’m back in Chicago, I’m making it a point to come back and try more off the menu.

“I ordered rib tip and wing combo and 10 wings.”

I ordered rib tip and wing combo and 10 wings. The food was just as I wanted it and the tips were tender and tasty. This is my second time ordering and looking forward to trying other items on the menu.

Georgina Williams

Jan 2026

“Visited this hot spot lasnite and enjoyed my take out.”

Visited this hot spot lasnite and enjoyed my take out. I ordered a mini turkey tip w/turkey link and fries. A side of macaroni n' cheese/ side of baked beans/ cornbread/ and a plain slice of cheesecake. Loved the atmosphere here open and spacious to say the least. It was pretty dope to see the robotic feature serving food. I really liked my tips and the sauce was on point. Mac n'cheese was super fulfilling and my beans were very flavorful my cornbread was nice and fluffy. My cheesecake was decent I wish I've would have gotten a larger piece for the price. Overall, great place to dine... I'll mos def be back and I do recommend this place!!

LOLLI Miller

Dec 2025

“The turkey link was very dry, do not recommend.”

The turkey link was very dry, do not recommend. Everything else was tasty!

Dominique Brown

Dec 2025

“I know they better quit playing with this delicious food.”

I know they better quit playing with this delicious food! Mannnn I'm telling you to check them out! Tips are meaty and actually grilled over charcoal. The turkey tips could use more sauce....but the way they show respect for them fries they lay underneath the meat....my gawwwd! If I was brave, I would have to smack my Momma over these greens! The spicy link was what I needed in my life! Only thing I did not want to try was the turkey link and hubby didn't like it! That doesn't even matter though, we BOTH give it 5 stars!

Veronica Collins

Nov 2025

“I was really hungry when I came with friends but they loved their food.”

I was really hungry when I came with friends but they loved their food. I ordered the Mac and Cheese and I will say it was some of the BEST I have EVER had. I order Mac and Cheese every just to see the different flavors. Again if you like Mac and Cheese you will not regret it here!

Vicente Torres

Nov 2025

“My sis and I came here last year for a special day got the ribs,chicken wings ,tips,links, soul...”

My sis and I came here last year for a special day got the ribs,chicken wings ,tips,links, soul rolls,greens and baked beans and the food was delicious which is why we decide to go back again for a special remembrance day and to make it yearly. However this time wasn't up to our expectations and a complete dive from what we had last time. This time we tried the jerk chicken dinner that I saw they added to their menu and that was delicious and decided to take our barbecue to go we felt there was no need to check our food before we left the bag was staple close, plus because it was so perfect last time felt no need to check. Boy was we wrong my ribs were burnt to a crisp,the tips were super tough couldn't eat none of it. We spent over $160 dollars and to have food that I couldnt eat was very disappointing. I tip the waitress 27 dollars gave her 20 cash and 7 dollars thru payment you can see on the faded receipt so money was spent all together it's not her fault the take out food was a waste...I have people that I keep recommending when they come in town to try them, but now I don't know. Update: Oct 16 2025 we went back and they made up for our take out food and this was like how I remembered nice and tender and tasted delicious. I am happy and satisfied we had a friend of our came and she order her food to go and she call said it was delicious. Me my sister was happy and I was doing my food dance 💃 Ps see the last three pics

Eutasha Barron

Oct 2025

“Amazing food, service and prices were reasonable.”

Amazing food, service and prices were reasonable. We dined in for our annual girls trip, and we were not disappointed! I'll allow the pictures to speak.

Dorothy Mack

Sep 2025

“Food was 10/10 and I seen Wilma's Famous BBQ & Tavern on TikTok and was definitely impressed.”

Food was 10/10 and I seen Wilma's Famous BBQ & Tavern on TikTok and was definitely impressed. First time having chicken tips and it was so good. There was no wait and was seated right away. Food didn’t take long to come out. Staff were very nice and friendly. Hidden gem for sure.

Jeanette Robinson

Aug 2025

“Visiting from Baltimore.”

Visiting from Baltimore! We went to Wilma’s from a google search of black owned restaurants near me 🤷🏾‍♀️ we went around 1ish so there was no wait…walked right in and the artistry of mural of different celebrities was so beautiful! Our waiter (I forgot his name) was new and seemed a little nervous but he had other waiters helping him out so he was cool. Anyway, the food was SO DELICIOUS! Like everything was good! That cornbread…the salmon…everything was good and fresh! We thought having the robot delivering the food to the table was a nice touch! We have definitely made this a “must come back” when we visit Chicago again!! 🥰

Stacy H

Aug 2025

“This was my first time coming to Wilma’s and they did not disappoint.”

This was my first time coming to Wilma’s and they did not disappoint. From the service, to the food, everything was fantastic. Our server Q (Quan), was very attentive and thorough. He was personable, and handled the stress of having a large party and other tables very well. The food was fresh and flavorful, I had the rib tips and the portion was good and sauced generously. My boyfriend had the fried salmon, and it was fresh and seasoned well! I also had a Jamaican Rum Punch, which was strong and delicious! The manager also rounded on everyone which was also nice. I definitely will be returning

Camaria Badmus

Jul 2025

“BBQ is always subjective, but I have to admit this place lives up to expectations.”

BBQ is always subjective, but I have to admit this place lives up to expectations. I ordered a simple meal of rib tips and hot links, and it was delicious. Sweet smoky flavor blended with tasty hot links and cold slaw. Also added a tipsy strawberry margaritas, which was great. Well done!