Ribs/BBQ in Oak Park

New to Oak PArk, and looking for some ribs and/or BBQ for NYE.

I am close to North/Harlem.

Looking around here, I see tepid reviews for Kenny's and mixed reviews for Q-BBQ, which is not real close to me.
Any help?

Thanks

Consider Smokin' M's in Forest Park: viewtopic.php?t=17225

Few reports in many months, but it originally garnered some praise here.

Smokin M's can be worthwhile, but I don't like their ribs much. Beef and pork sandwiches are my two favorites there. Links are house made and quite tasty, though they can be a bit dry for some people. Tips vary greatly in quality - I've had some that were better than Honey 1's, and some that were among the worst I've had anywhere. Usually they fall in between, somewhere slightly above average.

Kenny's was worthwhile for chicken before the entire chain closed down. I've only been once since they re-opened, and the chicken was disappointing for a variety of reasons. I never liked them for ribs.

The majority of ribs in the area are going to be what most here would consider faux-b-q, I believe, unfortunately.

What kind of BBQ are you interested in? Pork or beef ribs? Chix? Brisket?

I can't think of any solid brisket offerings in the area. Russell's BBQ and Smoking M's offer bbq beef sammiches that are nothing like brisket (for what its worth, Smoking M's taste like Sloppy Joe and Russells is moderately enjoyable when i'm in the mood).

There is also Robinson's for Ribs on Madison. They offer pork and sometimes beef ribs. The beef ribs were so-so, but overly sauced and under-flavored for my liking. (I don't eat pork).

I am told by someone at the office (we're in River Grove) that there are a few BBQ spots in the Maywood area that he drives past, but I cannot name a single one. . nor can he. Do a search for Joe's BBQ in Hillside, if you're not against driving for about 10 minutes.

Let us know if you find any gems!

Mr Blough -

If you're looking for real bbq, the options are limited, imo. You could roll the dice at Smokin M's as ucjames has suggested, but since Coleman's in Maywood has closed, I wouldn't spend my hard earned $ on any of the places in the area. Just trying to save you the frustration. There's a joint out in Hillside named Joe's on Wolf Road that I would give another chance to if I HAD to have tips/links/spares in the vicinity, but other than that, I would plan a trip to Barbara Ann's or even better, Uncle John's. Honey 1 is closer, but I think Uncle John's is worth the extra drive time. I prolly have this mindset because I can do my own tips/spares at home, and I just can't stand subpar q - especially at the price points these joints are charging. This is just my opinion, of course, and it's possible you might take a shining to Smokin M's, or you even have Robinson's "Award Winning" BBQ over on Madison. Please report back on what you try.

Smokin' M's is sinking fast fast in my opinion. I drive past it twice a day, going to and coming from my shop and the smell always tempts me but I have been disappointed too many times.

The last time I was there, the ribs weren't bad but the fries (which have been great at times) were a cold, white, greasy, soggy mass. Served by a rather surly young man. The previous time, the fries were dark brown all the way through and as crunchy as dead twigs. These were served by the owner, a nice guy who should know better than to foist that crap on a (former) regular customer.

On the plus side, they have added beef ribs to the menu but I have not tried them.

It's not that unreasonable to go to Smoque from here.

- waving from the Chicago side of the street -

Marmish wrote:It's not that unreasonable to go to Smoque from here.

- waving from the Chicago side of the street -

Agreed. Smokin' M's has very high potential, but the family is hard-pressed to live up to it with consistency. Pitmaster personality is one of the best barbecue seasonings, and that's why I'm to be found at Uncle John's, Barbara Ann's, Honky Tonk, and Smoque most often. Q BBQ had a strong showing for me last month and is not too far for more "adult contemporary" 'cue (a category in which I place Smoque as well); opinion from trusted gurus is remarkably polarized, though. I prefer Canine Carry Outs to Robinson's.

This is a final opportunity of the year to plug Ja's. If you find yourself on Lake Street, frustrated by the idiocy of the apparatchicks at Pier One, Tasty Dog, or Dominick's, feel free to plough through Austin Blvd. and hightail it under the lattice of the El tracks to California and some home-cooked tips and wings, preferably with jerk sauce dripping down your chin while tweeting "f-you, Oak Park!" from Kennyz's hacked account. Er, one might imagine.

I will second the plug for Ja Jerk, great place (although the fried plantain is inconsistent).

You know the new Jamaican place that opened in the 7/11 strip mall at North/Oak Park is not bad at all, not bad at all. The chicken comes from the roasty, not smokey end of the jerk spectrum, but it is flavorsome nonetheless. The jerk sauce picks things up too. It's almost worth going for the coconut scented cabbage too.

There's a longer menu, but nearly all of it is missing each day. Still, I have had good luck with the non-jerk offerings, especially the oxtails and curry goats; less so with the curry chicken.

Friendly staff.

Vital Information wrote:You know the new Jamaican place that opened in the 7/11 strip mall at North/Oak Park is not bad at all, not bad at all. The chicken comes from the roasty, not smokey end of the jerk spectrum, but it is flavorsome nonetheless. The jerk sauce picks things up too. It's almost worth going for the coconut scented cabbage too.

There's a longer menu, but nearly all of it is missing each day. Still, I have had good luck with the non-jerk offerings, especially the oxtails and curry goats; less so with the curry chicken.

Friendly staff.

Thread

Kenny's BBQ @ North and Narragansett. Full slab, fries, bread $17. Aquarium smoker, hardwood charcoal.

Pretty much backyard ribs in sweet sauce. I'm guessing these babies only spend a couple of hours behind the glass. Ribs had no discernible smoke. Decent chew, not dried out. No reason to explore unless you are close and desperate for BBQ.

But it's a nice picture

I'm cursed with the fact that the closest restaurant to the Bungalow is Kenny's. I rarely find I like the food, yet I get something pretty darn often. See as mediocre as it is, $2.99 for rib tips on Mondays is really hard to pass. If it's a Monday and I'm a lazy about lunch. That's what it is.

Ghazi wrote:What kind of BBQ are you interested in? Pork or beef ribs? Chix? Brisket?

...

There is also Robinson's for Ribs on Madison. They offer pork and sometimes beef ribs. The beef ribs were so-so, but overly sauced and under-flavored for my liking. (I don't eat pork).
...

Had some of the best BBQ chicken there recently.

Big, meaty, juicy.

Perfect!

I have never been a fan of Robinson’s but this alone changed my mind.