Absolutely no excuse, you're right. We had just opened the kitchen and I was trying to build traffic any way I could. I apologize for the gaffe. It's bad business and reflects poorly on my establishment. I edited references to clear it up and remove any conflict. Sorry again

I don't know if my most recent post just didn't go through or was removed somehow, but I had written just to say that I actually appreciate the direct response from Sheffield's. It's a rarity to get an immediate reply (with some substance) from a business after a bad experience.

Yes, the issue of misrepresenting oneself on LTH is pretty low - I hope other restauranteurs see that it won't be tolerated and it only hurts them in the long run.

I'm willing to give Sheffield's a shot if/when they make the promised improvements. In the meantime, I'll be heading to the usual suspects: Smoque, Honey 1, Fat Willy's, etc...

Okay, I'm taking my shots and I deserve them. I will say, and not in any way defending my action, that I'm not the first one to try that particular stunt.
So, again, I apologize, I've seen the light, and I'm moving on.

Ok so now back to BBQ.

So Mike Mills is part of your new BBQ lineup? If what you say is true that is a rather impressive achievment. Peace,Love, and BBQ is surely one of the best cook books ever put together.

Are you all going as far as to use his dry rubs and sauces or just for ideas and execution?

As there is currently no good BBQ to be had in Lakeview I hope, no matter what past mistakes, things work out well for the new task. Good luck and better BBQ

In light of my past poor behavior I want to make this perfectly clear, and I can see where the message could be confusing. No Mike Mills is not a part of this, however, one of my tenants worked for him for many years and provided me with the book that I referenced, Peace Love and Barbeque. I'm using her as a sounding board and she is contacting him on our behalf but he is not in anyway involved with the project. Hope that clears it up

And we are going to work with his "Magic Dust" and some other things that I thought were really excellent

I really like Sheffield's as a bar. The beer garden is one of the better ones in town and I've enjoyed the two beer tasting events I've done there.

While I think the shilling was cheesy, I understand the desire to do it and like the bar so much that I'll look past it. The mini sliders and pulled pork sandwich there are slightly better than average bar food but nothing to write home about it. If they want to refocus the place and make the food even better, more power to them. Either way, I'm coming there for the beer.


As an aside, Sheffield's is one of the few bars I've been thrown out of, and they did it with style. While after a Cub's game last summer I was in great shape and behaving well, the two guys I was with were a bit inebriated and promptly fell asleep upon sitting down at our table. They weren't behaving rudely or badly by any means, but apparently sleeping at a packed bar is frowned upon. The person who ended up ejecting us was very polite about it, so I'll also give them that.

Hey, I was politely thrown out (or rather not allowed back in) of Sheffield's also! I'm embarrassed to even say why, but all I gotta say is that it was 10 years ago and I'm a very mature man now.

I do enjoy the bar and beers being offered there, but I did have ribs there awhile back and found them to be very dry. Hopefully they can turn things around.

Chicagoric wrote:Absolutely no excuse, you're right. We had just opened the kitchen and I was trying to build traffic any way I could. I apologize for the gaffe. It's bad business and reflects poorly on my establishment. I edited references to clear it up and remove any conflict. Sorry again

Shilling is very much against the spirit of LTHForum as is going back and rewriting history. When posts are heavily edited continuity of the subject and board is interrupted. Please refrain from both shilling and major post edits.

Regards,
Gary for the moderators

Okay, one more time; I get it. As I also said, I know that many restaurant owners shill for their own places. I talk to those guys, I know this as fact. However, most of them are much more intelligent in their approach than I was. I was wrong to do it in the first place and the edits were inserted to clarify my mistakes, not to change history. If I failed in any of that it is my fault but it was done in the interest of clarity and disclosure. I am the owner of Sheffield's, we are doing our level best to do great BBQ. I am going with my kitchen manager to a seminar at Mike Mills' place in Murphysboro in April to work on our product and in the meantime we are working everyday to perfect our product. Mea Culpa.

If you really want to make it up to us, you'll tell us what other restaurants are shilling here that haven't been caught..

Sheffield's is a good bar. Wouldn't go there for the barbecue, but one of my favorite bars in the area. I remember this thread from awhile ago, and I was wondering who could be so ecstatic about Sheffield's barbecue, but decided not to comment. It makes more sense now.

I'm getting dizzy trying to keep track of all the lies. First you were a customer, than an ex-employee who had to move on with your life, then "one of the owners," and now "the owner." Have you considered politics?

Your barbeque was supposedly among the best around and now you admit it's lousy. Did you lose the recipes or was it always lousy? Your "apology" is too little, too late, and seemes to be just another stunt for attention.

I'd personally like NOT to see chicagoric respond further (or post) in this thread; please don't bait him. The horse is long dead.

I agree with Santander. They do have a good beer list there, though.

Has anyone been here lately? I plan on stopping for a beer or two, is it worth eating here or should I go elsewhere?

I went a few months ago and found the 'cue passable in a pinch, but not great by any means. The smoked sausage in particular I remember as being really tough and overworked.

Great beer list though - I'd just recommend eating elsewhere.

-Dan

Thanks Dan. I will rethink my plan. Maybe Quenchers and Honey 1.

I would echo Dansch's advise to eat elsewhere. I recently tried a fair amount of items here, and was very disappointed. The brisket in particular was like weird boiled beef, ribs were dry, 90% crust, and seemed like they were "blackened". Wings had soft, rubbery skin. Caesar salad was okay. Great beer as always.

Well well well. Looks like Sheffields has been doing their homework. On the urging of a foodie coworker i went here last week. . and have returned three more times.

DISCLAIMER - this is for the River Grove location only, where they prepare the bbq, some of which they drive in the morning to the Lakeview location. Also, I met the owner of Sheffield's at a party for a few minutes 3 years ago. I don't remember his name, what he looked like, or anything else. . other than he owned the place and was in a writing group. I have no dog in this fight.

There is finally some solid bbq brisket in the River Grove/Oak Park area. The brisket is smoked 14 hours, tender, smokey and juicy. They'll serve you enuf fatty bits to make you happy. the bun is soft and pillowy with good moutfeel. I don't care for the hint of sweet onion it carries, but it hardly detracts from the product.

Sauces are ok, but I rarely am moved by sauces anywhere. They have a regular and a Carolina.

The brisket quesadilla was packed with brisket, too, though it tended to be a bit drier - likely because of the griddle. There was meat in every single bite. Bonus points.

My department ate lunch there, and most were skeptical when they arrived and found out it was bbq. Once we left, everyone was a fan. The salads (which i've not tried) got great reviews, especially the bbq brisket and pork salads. My boss returned the very next day for lunch.

The regular fries are pretty damn good. Sweet potato fries are solid, but not the best I've had. Slaw is average, thought I'll admit i'm not a slaw guy.

Smoked chicken is pink, tender and full of smokey flavor. Still, it's not what i'll normally order.

Ambiance - is a bar in River Grove allowed to have such nice digs? The tables and furniture are excellent. Brand new, trendy and cool. Lots of flat screens and great bar area.

OVERALL - After Smoque and Honky Tonk, this is probably the third best brisket I've had in Chicago. It's not as tender as theirs, but it's good and its headed in the right direction. The staff and managers at Sheffields go out of their way to make you feel welcome. I even got a tour of the smoker my first time there but the girl whose father prepares the meats every day.

Several of my coworkers have been here lately and have become repeat lunchers. They're doing something right at Sheffield's River Grove.

Ric Hess, the owner of Sheffield's, died last night of a heart attack at the bar.

http://chicagoist.com/2011/01/18/sheffi ... _away.php#

the wimperoo wrote:Ric Hess, the owner of Sheffield's, died last night of a heart attack at the bar.

http://chicagoist.com/2011/01/18/sheffi ... _away.php#

Sorry to hear of Ric's passing. He was a great host at his bar and restaurant.

Had a few pints at Sheffields tonight to tell a few stories about a great guy. He was a pioneer in the beer scene in chicago. Took the BBQ class together at 17th Street Bar snd Grill. He loved life and will be missed.
Danny

the wimperoo wrote:Ric Hess, the owner of Sheffield's, died last night of a heart attack at the bar.

http://chicagoist.com/2011/01/18/sheffi ... _away.php#

That is such a shame. I used to live around the corner from Sheffield's, our go to place for several years. RIP.

Saw this news and immediately thought of this thread - one of the stranger ones ive seen on any forum. Never actually tried the food there, but was a big fan of the beer lists and vibe at Sheffields. RIP.

Sheffield's was one of the first bars that really got me into trying more exotic beers and eventually led to my love of Belgian beers. The little beer menus with descriptions were a great learning tool. Sad news indeed.

BTW, the River Grove spot is gone. It's now Dapp's.