Somewhat accidentally, we wound up at Sweet Baby Ray's in Elk Grove for Mardi Gras. They do now offer a combo plate.

I think they do a much better job on their Creole/Cajun items than on the barbecue. And I didn't try one, but I saw some good looking steaks go by. My mint julep was a disappointment, though -- not nearly enough mint.

There are two locations. Elk Grove has a bar and a more extensive menu.

Sweet Baby Ray's
www.sbrbbq.com

800 E. Higgins Road, Elk Grove Village
847-437-9555

249 E. Irving Park Road, Wood Dale
630-238-8261

My wife really enjoyed the Banana Pudding. That was about 3 years ago though as the barbecue was too smokeless and overly seasoned to warrant a return visit. LAZ's recommendation on the Creole/Cajun items may warrant a return visit with another taste of the banana pudding.

I first found out about the place when my roommate drove past by the one in Elk Grove one day on an alternative drive home from the doctors.
Ive been a fan of the BBQ sauce since I dont know when (after a childhood of the (IMHO) overly tangy Open Pit sauce) so I though this would be interesting to try.
Atmosphere was nice. Seated promptly and service was great.
Ive been there three times:

My first time I was there I tried the Chef's Cajun Seafood Pasta. Plenty of seafood and heat and a good serving.

The second time was during the all you can eat ribs night. Ribs were nice and tender but didnt fall off the bone (which was good). Light coating of SBR sauce on the ribs with some extra on the side but also light smoke taste.

The third time was with a few friends for thier BBQ breakfast. The menu was a little bit on the pricey side but it delivered. I had what they call Brisket on a Biscuit. Two biscuits split with sausage gravy, topped with beef brisket. Brisket, nice and tender. Gravy and biscuits, were incredible (still cant find a place that makes it as good as they do). I would go back for breakfast but because of distance and price it would be a once in a while thing.

To put it in comparison to other BBQ places Ive been to, its definately better then Famous Dave's but not a good as my favorites, Uncle Bub's and, recently, Smoque.

God...I wish there was a good BBQ place in or near Glenview!! And dont get me started with Hecky's

Has anyone eaten at either sweet baby rays restaurant?
http://www.sbrbbq.com
Elk Grove or Wood Dale?

How are the ribs?
Fatty? Lean? Etc...
I am guessing they use lots of sauce?

I have eaten at the Wood Dale location and i thought that the ribs were very good. They were not "fall over the bone" like as some prefer but they had good texture, not overloaded with sauce which in my opinion distracts from the pork taste, and the portion size was good. All said, I enjoyed their food and thought that they produced a solid consistent product.

I will say that they use a Southern Pride cooker using hickory, I believe as the wood of choice. That said, there are some on this board that doesn't feel that this is true "Chicago-style" and prefer ribs cooked sing an aquarian style pit. I have had good quality ribs done using both methods but to each his own.

Muttster wrote:I have eaten at the Wood Dale location and i thought that the ribs were very good. They were not "fall over the bone" like as some prefer but they had good texture, not overloaded with sauce which in my opinion distracts from the pork taste, and the portion size was good. All said, I enjoyed their food and thought that they produced a solid consistent product.

I will say that they use a Southern Pride cooker using hickory, I believe as the wood of choice. That said, there are some on this board that doesn't feel that this is true "Chicago-style" and prefer ribs cooked sing an aquarian style pit. I have had good quality ribs done using both methods but to each his own.

Thanks Muttster ,
Would you say they were fatty or lean?
thanks

Welcome to LTH Forum. Check out these past threads:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=4136&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=0

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=19679&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=19785

The ones I had were baby backs so they are by nature rather lean. The Wood Dale restaurant is a little small with about 12-14 tables if I remember but the Elk Grove restaurant is quite large.

I've eaten at the Woodale location twice. I'd have to put the BBQ there near or maybe even at the bottom rung of Chicago area commercial BBQ. Do yourself a favor and visit Honey 1, Smoque or Uncle John's. All three of them are LTH Great Neighborhood Restaurants. Do a search on any or all of them for more info. Of course, there are several other worthy Chicagoland BBQ joints as well, but these three are good, consistant and time tested.

The Elk Grove Village location does a nice job on Cajun/Creole fare, and I recommend that over the barbecue.

Muttster wrote:prefer ribs cooked sing an aquarian style pit.

Could be the dawning of a new age in BBQ