Coleman's Bar-B-Que #43 --- with local outlets #1, #2 &

HI,

Driving down to Oxford, Mississippi a few years ago. I stopped at Coleman's Bar-B-Que in Hernando. Mississippi for their 'Plates' of their regular or jumbo Bar-B-Que Sandwich Plate (can't remember which) served with BBQ Beans & French Fries, costing $3.99 and $4.89 respectively. It was noted on the bottom:

** All BBQ Sandwiches Contain Cole Slaw and BBQ Sauce **

Their menu also has a bulk meat section where you can buy your BAR-B-Que pork shoulder chopped or whole shoulder including bones and skins, you chop.



Please note this was not THE Coleman's, this was Coleman's #43 which reminded me of Harold's Chicken Shacks numbering their take-out places.



There are also a few Coleman's in Chicago:

Coleman's Barbeque #1
555 North Cicero Avenue
Chicago, IL 60644
773-626-9299

Coleman's No 2 Hickory Bar-B-Que
5754 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60651
773-287-0363

Coleman's Barbecue #4
1008 South 17th Avenue
Maywood, IL 60153
708-343-9667

I guess I should visit them someday to see how they match up to their Mississippi counterpart:

Coleman's Bar-B-Que #43
554 East Commerce Street
Hernando, MS
Tel: 662/429-9851

So close and yet so far away!

Regards,

I hate to be discouraging, but I haven't had much luck with Coleman's in Chicago. #2 is best IMO. I think there's one in Bellwood, also.

Hi,

I didn't recall remembering too many favorable comments from the old list. When we pulled into this place in Mississippi the name rang a bell from hearing on the old board. While I have never been to the places in Chicago, and may never get around to getting there, the place in Mississippi was pretty good.

Regards,

JeffB wrote:I hate to be discouraging, but I haven't had much luck with Coleman's in Chicago. #2 is best IMO.

I'd have to say that Colman's # 1 is my favorite of the bunch located near Cicero and Ohio. The key to Colman's, just like any other BBQ joint, is that you can't be shy and you have to give them a smile. Poke your head through the serving window and say "Hey girl, how you doin! Make sure you get dat sauce all up in there okay. Thank you mama." I'm telling you, you'd be surprised how much politeness, a smile and a little fun can completely change the taste of your order from the next guy who orders the same thing... If nothing else, trust me on this one.

I'm not easily intimidated. But, I was at Coleman's #1. The one night I visited several years ago, I had to weave my way through addicts and a drug transaction on the street to get in to place an order. Thereafter, I was panhandled no less than 20 times while waiting on my order. The staff seemed rather amused by all of the beggars in the waiting area.

The ribs were pretty good. But, no better than you can get elsewhere without all of the hassle.

Just not the place for me.

I lived in Memphis for a number of years,in fact my Dad worked in Hernando.There were several Coleman's in Memphis.Wonder if it's the same folks.Coleman's never sauced their sandwiches as what looks like's been done at Harold's.Always on the side.Picture does look nice though!!!I still miss Memphis BBQ!

Hi,

I stopped today at Coleman's in Hernando, MS for the memorable BBQ sandwich with coleslaw and BBQ sauce.

I was very fortunate to meet the owner of Coleman's who provided their history. His maternal Uncle Coleman was a manager for Loeb's BBQ in Memphis, who also had a DIY laundry as a tandem business. You could get your laundry done as well as enjoy some BBQ at their various locations.

Uncle Coleman started Coleman's BBQ, then franchised it. At its peak, there were 183 locations from southern Missouri through to Florida. Uncle Coleman's franchises stopped paying their fees. He then did not provide services to his franchises he was contracted to provide. He pulled the plug when he spent more money on lawyers attempting to collect than he would have received. The frachisees were directed to stop using the name and cease using the recipes. There are now only two Coleman's: one in Hernando and the 2nd within 12 miles.

I inquired if Coleman's was related to the outposts in Chicago and Detroit. He reinterated his Uncle's restaurants and franchises were located in southern Missouri through Florida. He commented I was not the first one to inquire about the Chicago and Detroit locations. He asked if they used the same yellow crown logo, which I couldn't respond to. He inquired about the recipes, which again I could not respond to. CAn anyone comment from their experience?

Regards,

Hi Cathy,

If you are on the way to Oxford, i am really jealous. That is one beautiful town, especially this time of year. I really enjoyed the City Grocery on the courthouse square in Oxford for drinks/dinner.

City Grocery
152 Courthouse Square
Oxford, MS 38655,
662-232-8080,

i posted a link to a nytimes article about oxford in another post on the beyond chicagoland board that i also like.

I doubt there's a connection. Coleman's in Chi is typical glass-smoker ribs-tips-fried chicken. The Coleman's chain in MS is more typical Delta BBQ. BTW, slaw and sauce on a pulled pork sammy is fairly common too. A decent example in Illinois is Pulley's in Marion.

Pulley & Sons Barbecue
618) 997-5225
1301 E Main St
Marion, IL 62959

I am passing there this evening. If they are open, I will give them a shot. I tried the phone number to find it does not work.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Yep, Loeb's always had a laundramat hanging off the end! lol! BTW Cathy, thanks for posting a picture of a "real" bbq sandwich! Looks great!

Hi,

As promised, I exited at Main St. in Marion to seek out Pulley and Sons. To get there you proceed east toward the main square, then continue on Main St. east of the main square. Pulley and Son's is located on the south side of the street across from the county fair grounds.

While the marquee on the building states Pulley and Sons BBQ, but they have ceased business. A sign on the door advises you have entered 'K B Bar-B-Que.' They are open Mon-Sat 5:30 AM - 8 PM and closed on Sunday. Phone number: 618/993-1533.

I did peak into the window to see a BBQ sandwich with fries and drink available for less than $5, but no clue how it was made or served.

According to the gas station attendant, there is another BBQ on 17th Street, but I was on a mission. Interestingly the attendant knew where Pulley's was located but didn't know the name.

Regards,

Sorry to hear that Pulley's is no more. I have an Aunt that lives nearby their shop in Marion, and everytime I visit her, I pig out at Pulley's. There's a lot of decent BBQ joints in that area.

Cogito wrote:Sorry to hear that Pulley's is no more. I have an Aunt that lives nearby their shop in Marion, and everytime I visit her, I pig out at Pulley's. There's a lot of decent BBQ joints in that area.

On your next visit, please give the new establishment a whirl. In the mode of hope springs eternal: there is the possibility an employee or kindred spirit took over continuing the tradition.

Perhaps there is a future post authored by you on the other fine BBQ in the Marion region. I know I would get off the expressway to check your recommendation.

Regards,

C--

Triple E in Mt. Vernon is pretty solid. It had a branch in or near Marion, too. The 17th street reference was most likely to the Marion outpost of the famous 17th St. Bar & Grill (Murphysboro place related directly to Memphis Cham. BBQ in Vegas) and not a reference to a 17th Street in Marion.

I too am bummed about Puley's. BBQ was OK, but the house made pies were stellar. Most of the real cornerstone places down there seem to be going under. RIP Farris Steakhouse (a true old roadhouse from pre-interstate days) also.

Coleman's Bar-B-Que was started by grandfather, A.B. Coleman. He and my grandmother passed away several years ago. There are a few locations remaining today and they are owned by family members.

Hi MColeman,

Do we have an accurate list of the remaining Coleman's? If not, could you provide us the list?

Very cool you dropped in to visit.

Regards,

Coleman's
1008 S 17th Ave
Maywood, IL 60153
(708) 343-9667
Sign on the window says "Closing due to circumstances beyond our control..." It continues on to read there will be a new location. I was driving, and could not read if there was an addy of the new location on the sign. Though a tad pricey for the portion sizes, this was easily the best / most consistent aquarium q in the west burbs. Sauce was too sweet, but I am not a huge sauce proponent, always order my q without, or on the side. Saddening news to me. I'll definitely check the sign again in a few days for new address.