Save this restaurant: Bar-B-Que Bob's

Last night, BBQ Bob's provided dinner for our National Night Out event, and I learned that the restaurant is struggling to stay open. I know it's had some buzz here, but not its own dedicated thread, so I thought I'd start it.

I've eaten there several times, and quite like it: while the sauce is a bit sweet for my taste (get the "spicy,") the food arrives nicely smoky and moist, we've tried rib tips (good) chicken (good) turnip greens (good to excellent) fried chicken (pretty good) and fried chicken gizzards (not so good) and hot links (excellent, but, to be honest, the only one I've ever tried) I've heard a lot of positive buzz about their pies (which I have to admit, I haven't tried) They do deliver - and I think it's a much better option for far northside BBQ than, say, Hecky's, and certainly deserves more business.

It's located in a somewhat troubled strip mall on Howard street, which might be a bit daunting for a newbie - but there is parking, you can call in ahead, and I've never been hassled. I'd hate to lose a good, legitimate business in an area that has so many of the other kind - and I hope those who are a bit more knowledgeable about BBQ chime in here and talk about the food more than I'm able to.

Bar-B-Que Bob's
2055 W Howard St, Chicago 60645
Between N Seeley & N Hoyne Ave
Phone: 773-761-1260
Place Online Order

There have been some differences of opinion here about Bob's -- he uses a Southern Pride and the aquarium-smoker purists don't take to it -- but you can count me as a fan. I love the ribs, with their nicely caramelized glaze of allspice-laden sauce. I like the brisket sandwich, and the greens, too.

Even if you don't like Bob's style of barbecue, he does genuine Broaster chicken, and the lemon-cheese and sweet-potato pies are heavenly.

There aren't so many North Side barbecue joints producing decently chewy ribs that we can afford to lose one. It certainly triumphs over Hecky's and Merle's.







See the menu here:
http://www.barbquebobs.com

Daily Herald review

LAZ - is the broaster chicken new? I was just going to note that, as I noticed a sign today just after I posted. FWIW, while he beats the daylights (and moonlights, firelights and flashlights) out of Hecky's on BBQ, if what we had at the picnic was from the broaster...while it was good, there's other contenders in the area for fried chicken.

It's located in a somewhat troubled strip mall on Howard street, which might be a bit daunting for a newbie....and I've never been hassled.

You're very lucky. I live on Hoyne & Fargo, two blocks away, and this parking lot is a notorious open-air drug-selling market and gang hangout. There have been several sizable busts over the past 3-4 years, but the situation never seems to improve. Several of my neighbors have been harassed and/or assaulted when passing, I've seen more than one fist fight in the lot, and there have been at least three fatal drive-bys - all unsolved - with in two blocks of the strip mall in the past three years. I wouldn't go on a bet, particularly for mediocre BBQ. The owners would be wise to relocate ASAP.

I don't think the Broaster is new. I haven't actually eaten the broasted chicken. I do like the barbecue chicken quite a lot.

I don't live in the neighborhood and I don't get there very often, and perhaps I've been oblivious when I've been there, but I've never seen anything the least troublesome when pulling into Bob's lot. When do we go, we eat in the restaurant, looking out the plate glass windows. I'd never have known there was a significant problem there (more than Rogers Park has generally) without this thread.

It's certainly a pity if honest citizens can't bring themselves to support a legitimate business that's trying to elevate a troubled neighborhood. Letting the gangsters drive you away is letting them win.

It's certainly a pity if honest citizens can't bring themselves to support a legitimate business that's trying to elevate a troubled neighborhood. Letting the gangsters drive you away is letting them win.

Ask Donatella about that....

Respectfully, that's just nonsense. Realistically, all we can do is call the police when we have problems with the gang element, but the gangs are right back out at the hotspots - the corner of Birchwood and Hoyne, or Howard and Damen, or the aforementioned Howard and Hoyne - within 24 hours, tops. I try to avoid dangerous situations in this neighborhood, as most of these kids are poor marksmen, and really don't care who else they take out. I am not armed to the teeth - they are. I am not the problem - they are.

I don't live in the neighborhood and I don't get there very often, and perhaps I've been oblivious when I've been there, but I've never seen anything the least troublesome when pulling into Bob's lot.

I've lived here for six-plus years, and I and my neighbors, both black and white, sure as hell have! I visited Bob's once, and decided that the potential for serious problems hugely outweighed the mediocre quality of the food (and of the food at the Caribbean jerk resto that preceded it).

I've said all that I intend to on this matter. IMO, the sooner that this strip mall is pulled down, the better.

sundevilpeg wrote:I visited Bob's once, and decided that the potential for serious problems hugely outweighed the mediocre quality of the food (and of the food at the Caribbean jerk resto that preceded it).

I've said all that I intend to on this matter. IMO, the sooner that this strip mall is pulled down, the better.

It seems doubtful that a vacant lot will improve the safety of your neighborhood as much as thriving businesses would. Whatever you feel you have to do to stay safe is up to you, but it's still a pity.

I've been to Bob's numerous times and the food has been quite good, in my opinion, so we're definitely in disagreement there. I can't help but feel your bitterness and apprehension about the neighborhood may have flavored your meal. Perhaps you might try it again via delivery?

LAZ wrote:I can't help but feel your bitterness and apprehension about the neighborhood may have flavored your meal. Perhaps you might try it again via delivery?

LAZ,

I have no bitterness nor apprehension about the neighborhood and have been underwhelmed the three times I've been to BBQ Bob's. Yes, I know, we disagree about Bob's, just pointing out it may not be the neighborhood that is keeping business slow. I should point out it's not all about Southern Pride vs Aquarium Smoker, I recently posted fairly glowingly about Smoque's Texas sausage and quite positively re Saint Louis ribs, and Smoque uses a Southern Pride.

Enjoy,
Gary

See, the point is that I can walk to Bob's.

I don't go that often, but when I do, I get the tips and links combo, and I'm always satisfied. This is not destination barbecue, but it's as good or better than I remember any barbecue from the better known Hecky's in Evanston.

As for the notoriety... my experience is totally different from that and I have to suspect that 90% of the time you wouldn't even see anyone in the parking lot.

LAZ wrote:Perhaps you might try it again via delivery?

Interestingly, I just got an email from GrubHub announcing that Bar-B-Que Bob's is now subscribing to their service, so it is now possible for me to sit in my Logan Square living room, avoid being shot at (something of a concern in this neighborhood, too), support a local small business, perhaps delay the demolition of the strip mall in which it sits, eat some [good, mediocre, poor] barbecue, and also purchase carbon credits and forgo plastic silverware and napkins in the interest of sustainability. Seems like a win-win to me.

G Wiv wrote:LAZ,

I have no bitterness nor apprehension about the neighborhood and have been underwhelmed the three times I've been to BBQ Bob's. Yes, I know, we disagree about Bob's, just pointing out it may not be the neighborhood that is keeping business slow. I should point out it's not all about Southern Pride vs Aquarium Smoker, I recently posted fairly glowingly about Smoque's Texas sausage and quite positively re Saint Louis ribs, and Smoque uses a Southern Pride.

Enjoy,
Gary

You mean, "It ain't the pit, it's the pitmaster". That's what keeps me away from BBQ Bob's. The quality of the BBQ just isn't all that good compared to the alternatives. For me, it's just about the same distance to go there as it is to go to Honey 1. Smoque is even closer. I suppose if I lived in the neighborhood, I'd go on occasion for a quick BBQ fix, but I also suspect that I would still drive elsewhere most of the time.

sundevilpeg wrote:

It's certainly a pity if honest citizens can't bring themselves to support a legitimate business that's trying to elevate a troubled neighborhood. Letting the gangsters drive you away is letting them win.

Ask Donatella about that....

Respectfully, that's just nonsense.

Respectfully, for the last seven years, I've been working directly with the police departments, aldermen and City services of both municipalities along Howard, and that's exactly why the problems in the Howard business corridor are so intractable. However, to turn the thread back to food, I know the restaurant has its fans and detractors - but wouldn't it be a shame to lose this place for the reasons above, and not because people like it - especially since, as Jim pointed out, you don't have to go there.

G Wiv wrote:Yes, I know, we disagree about Bob's, just pointing out it may not be the neighborhood that is keeping business slow.

Versus all those people who are patronizing Hecky's and the Gale Street Inn, not to mention Famous Dave's?

Respectfully, G Wiv, your tastes in barbecue are not populist. I'm surprised you enjoyed Smoque's ribs, since you typically prefer a drier, heavily barked product such as is served at Honey 1 (another place about which we disagree). But if you don't like the ribs at Bob's better than at the three busier establishments I named above, I'll eat my hat, barbecued.

i didn't like the rib tips at honey 1 i thought they were dry; should of got the sauce on them because i kept dipping them in sauce because of the dryness. haven't had the ribs but i had smoques which i like

Versus all those people who are patronizing Hecky's and the Gale Street Inn, not to mention Famous Dave's?

Respectfully, G Wiv, your tastes in barbecue are not populist. I'm surprised you enjoyed Smoque's ribs, since you typically prefer a drier, heavily barked product such as is served at Honey 1 (another place about which we disagree). But if you don't like the ribs at Bob's better than at the three busier establishments I named above, I'll eat my hat, barbecued.

I'm not hog-wild about Hecky's, either, apart from the smoked duck, but Bob's is markedly inferior to Hecky's.

LAZ wrote:

G Wiv wrote:Yes, I know, we disagree about Bob's, just pointing out it may not be the neighborhood that is keeping business slow.

Versus all those people who are patronizing Hecky's and the Gale Street Inn, not to mention Famous Dave's?

Respectfully, G Wiv, your tastes in barbecue are not populist. I'm surprised you enjoyed Smoque's ribs, since you typically prefer a drier, heavily barked product such as is served at Honey 1 (another place about which we disagree). But if you don't like the ribs at Bob's better than at the three busier establishments I named above, I'll eat my hat, barbecued.

LAZ,

I thought the half rack of Saint Louis ribs I had at Smoque on ~that~ particular day were tasty, yes. Though the last time I was at Smoque I went Texas style sausage only, which is now my standard order, if someone who goes to a restaurant once every 2-3 months can be said to have a standard order.

Gale Street is a popular full service restaurant and, as I have said before, I quite like the place for the convivial bar, burgers and the occasional well priced weekend prime rib special, I do not order the ribs. Comparing Gale Street to Bob's is not apples to apples. Far as which is "better" Hecky's BBQ or BBQ Bob's to me that falls in the category of distinction without a difference.

I don't believe Famous Dave's is doing very well, a number of franchisees have filed for bankruptcy, though not in the Chicago area.

By the way, I had lunch today at Honey 1, shared ribs, tips and links were stellar, absolutely stellar.

Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:I don't believe Famous Dave's is doing very well, a number of franchisees have filed for bankruptcy, though not in the Chicago area.

The 10-K filings with the SEC would indicate that Famous Dave's has been doing quite well in the past five years. The single franchisee (who opened 2 or 3 stores near Pittsburgh) failed to make royalty payments, the franchisor (Famous Dave's) sued them and in response, the franchisee filed for bankruptcy protection.