Hillery's BBQ, North Chicago

We have really enjoyed Big Ed's in North Chicago, but see that Hillery's on 14th. St. in North Chicago has beef ribs. Good beef ribs, not soft and fall off the bone type, are hard to find. Anyone have information, opinions on Hillery's beef ribs or other offerings? Thanks!

The one thing I remember about Hillery's is the sauce. They go very heavy on the chili powder. I'm not a fan of the sauce so id get it on the side. The tips were good from what i remember.

Hi,

Hillery's cooks over charcoal briquets without any wood used whatsoever. If you are looking for wood smoke infused BBQ, it will not happen there. Their sauce is quite vinegary, but they say it is not Carolina influenced.

Regards,

Thanks to those who replied. However, we decided to go up to Hillery's yesterday around 5:30pm after some shopping in Vernon Hills. Sometimes, you have to live dangerously and find things out for yourself.

First, we decided to call ahead as suggested on their website. It took 4 tries over about 15 minutes before they answered. The phone wasn't busy, they just didn't pick up. Then, my wife ordered...and when she reviewed it after placing the entire order it was only then we found out they had no beef ribs or fried okra - both of which we had ordered. So, she had to go through the whole thing again with our changed order. We wound up with tip dinners for us and wing dinners for the kids along with some hushpuppies and onion rings.

Too bad I didn't wait to read gp60004's and Cathy2's responses both of which I totally agree with. The tips were lean but a bit stringy at times with no noticable smoke ring or real smokey taste which surprised me since there was a very large aquarium style smoker in use. We ordered them dry and there did not appear to be any rub on them. The hushpuppies were dense and heavy and the fries were the typical frozen variety. The kids said the wings were "ok.' The sauce was, indeed, heavy with chili powder which I found totally overwhleming.

Overall, a disappointing experience.

Hi,

Can you believe Anthony Bourdain ate there before his program in Waukegan? He even mentioned it to the audience who apparently were appreciative of his comments. I wasn't there, it was a comment made by someone who was.

You have to wonder about Anthony Bourdain's internal dialogue during that moment. Could it have been, "When in flyover country, they don't know any better?" I dunno, just guessing on my part. Hillery's is not where I would have brought him.

Regards,

saluki68 wrote:.

The tips were lean but a bit stringy at times with no noticable smoke ring or real smokey taste which surprised me since there was a very large aquarium style smoker in use.

Yes..when I was there the smoker was filled with aluminum foiled ribs. Add some meat to the sauce and it would make a good chili. It had that much in it.