We are hoping to finally try Big Ed's tomorrow evening, any suggestions on timing to ensure (or at least increase the odds?) of getting baby backs? Is the neighborhood really dicey? My friend doesn't want to go at night.

We sometimes call and place our order on the way there or call early in the day and let them know when we will be there and ask if they can hold ribs for us. They have always done that for us. Give it a try.

Also, regarding the neighborhood, we have been there many times and have never felt uncomfortable. It's on a main street (MLK, Jr. Drive) that is now all open after a long period of construction. Most of their business is carry out. The eat in area is kind of small and very plain.

The food - outstanding!

sujormik wrote:Is the neighborhood really dicey? My friend doesn't want to go at night.

Not dicey in the least, even by the most suburban of standards. Big Ed's is on a main street, has its own parking lot and the Big Ed family, and it is mostly family who works there, are some of the nicest friendliest people you will ever want to meet.

Hi,

The creepiest area of North Chicago were the businesses across from the main entrance of Great Lakes. All were torn down to make way for a large strip mall seemingly stalled by current economic events.

Driving toward Big Ed's from US-41, there isn't much to be put off by.

Regards,

Well after all this time, we finally tried it, and thought Big Ed's was great. We did phone ahead and asked them to hold a slab of baby backs for us, which they did do. We thought the food was great, had the combo and the baby backs, sorry I didn't get to try the links but next time. And there will be a next time.

The star of the combo was definitely the brisket, wow was that good. Great smoke flavor. We also loved the beans, but the little container of mac & cheese didn't excite anyone. The mini muffin was tasty too but MINI. Would've liked a big one! They were sadly out of cobbler by the time we arrived, but took home a piece of pound cake and enjoyed it.

Glad we finally got there. In case anyone's interested, starting next month I believe, Big Ed's will be closed on Mondays through the winter.

I was driving back from a New Glarus run and decided to get off the highway to eat Big Ed's BBQ for lunch. Since I was by myself I ran into the dilemma of not being able to try as much I wanted to. Ended up going with the tips and wings combo. Tips were meaty, smoky, full of bark and delicious. Wings were crispy and flavorful. The sauce was pretty good, much thicker than other places but it had good kick. Wish I could have tried the brisket, pork and some sides. Not sure when I'll ever get all the way up there again, but I hope to. Big Ed's is a winner.

Wife and I dropped of some Thanksgiving food baskets at a location in Waukegan today. Stopping at Big Ed's for lunch was a no-brainer. We split a rib tip dinner and cole slaw. Spilled a bit of sauce on my shirt. All was good.

Has anyone noticed the second location in Waukegan? A completely different menu.
Big Ed's Bar & Grill
30 N Genesee St
Waukegan, IL 60085
http://www.bigedsllc.com/bar.html

I didn't have Big Ed's older links, but there's no question the guy is putting out some absolutely sensational ones these days. This beauty was moist, meaty, and had a whole mess of flavor.

Stopped in on a Tuesday at Big Ed's BBQ for a tips and links platter and some sides and was disappointed to learn that all three of the sides that I wanted are only available on Friday through Sunday. The greens, beans, and the mac & cheese are no longer available during the week. Boo!

Their online menu does not indicate this.

Subject: Openings, Closings, Comings & Goings - April - June 2012

saluki68 wrote:Big Ed’s BBQ in North Chicago will be closing this Saturday. Ed is closing his North Chicago location so he can focus on his other location in Waukegan. He said he will be adding ribs to the Waukegan menu as well as a few other items (no tips) from the North Chicago BBQ.

Closed this weekend, I hope it works out for them in Waukegan. Their new location has had many tenants over the years. I hope for Ed this will work well for them.

A recent visit to the North Chicago location, it was apparent they were shifting their energy away from this store. When you want good sides and they are now available weekends only, I had feeling their interest in this location was lagging.

Regards,

For those of us in the northern suburbs this is an unmitigated disaster! It was terrific to have one of the city's better BBQ joynts 15 minutes away. Looks like it is back to Smoque as the closest option for quality Q. Does Ed serve any Q out of Waukegan?

That's really horrible news. Granted, it was easier to get decent Q with RUB open less than a mile from my home, but Big Ed's was a treasure and well worth the trip.

Hi,

He is serving Q and will be expanding his BBQ menu at the Waukegan location.

It is maybe ten minutes away to the other location. I would check it out before hanging crepe, especially since you both like his food.

Regards,

If they still have the chocolate bumpy cake, I'm in.

Thanks Cathy, this is excellent news. When I saw that he is adding ribs to the Waukegan menu, but no tips, it did seem to indicate a less than robust committment to BBQ going forward! Another 10 minutes north is entirely doable as there really is no other viable local option. On the plus side, I take delivery of a Peoria Custom Cooker today, so I'm covering all my bases for quality Q.

AlexG wrote:If they still have the chocolate bumpy cake, I'm in.

I second that. And the pound cake too.

Ed, indeed, is planning to add BBQ items to his Waukegan menu. As a regular, and big fan, of the North Chicago location, I plan to travel the extra minutes to check out the Waukegan location as his menu additions come along. I'm sorry he is not planning tips at this time, but maybe he will have some surprises in the future. I guess I'll have to "settle" for his spares for a while. Life is hard.

It's bad news for North Chicago, but it's good news for Waukegan, and for anyone who visits the downtown area, which is desperately lacking in decent places to eat.

With the news of Big Ed's BBQ opening in Libertyville, I thought I'd bring this thread back to the forefront so that we can renew discussion. From what little I've learned the new restaurant will be more like the old North Chicago Big Ed's BBQ restaurant (and not like the Waukegan Big Ed's Bar and Grill.) I hope this means the return of the side dishes and all the other stuff that was available only at the NC Big Ed's BBQ. If somebody could post a menu that would be great, since there isn't one available anywhere online.

Big Ed's BBQ
536 N Milwaukee Avenue
Libertyville
847-281-7308

Can somebody change the thread title?

We were at Big Ed's last Sunday. The menu is essentially the same as the Waukegan location which, by the way, is moving to Fountain Square Plaza there soon. He is only serving back ribs, but does have tips and links. Unfortunately, he is not serving his greens which were awesome.

The Libertyville space is informal, much like the NC location, and his staff is as friendly and helpful as ever. Ed was there and we had an opportunity to talk with him for a bit. We find Ed's to be superior to the other Q options available in the NW suburbs and will be regulars in Libertyville. We hope he adds spares to the menu at some point.

Mrs Willie & I dined at Big Ed's on Sat night, walked in right a 6pm, sign read "out of Links, Tips, Brisket" FFFFUUUUUUUDDDDDDGGGGGGEEEE.

Defaulted to the catfish dinner which I really enjoyed.

Some serious missteps on order execution. I asked for collards and coleslaw only to be given coleslaw and baked beans. Mrs Willie asked for no tortilla strips on her pulled pork salad and was given tortilla strips, despite the person repeating exactly what we ordered.