JD's Q and Brew

When I searched to see if this place had been reviewed, I came across a thread on a different suburban place (Bobby Q), where it was noted that the owner said his clientele didn't like lots of smoke. I'm wondering if that's at play at JD's, as well. The beautiful brisket ("do you want that chopped or sliced" -- sliced, thanks) had a nice smoke ring, but the taste didn't match the incredible blast of smoky fragrance that greeted me when I walked in the door. It was nice -- clearly good quality meat -- but not great. That said, a lot of the reviews I've read recommend the pulled pork, so perhaps I'll try that next time. (It's listed on the menu under "favorites.") One review on Yelp compared this place favorably to BBQ in Memphis, so maybe the problem was ordering a Texas BBQ specialty. They also have grilled shrimp, roasted chicken, and a few other things I might sample.

However, even if the BBQ doesn't turn out to be amazing in any form (and it takes many forms at this place), I think it might still be worth an occasional visit for the sides. Corn-on-the cob was a whole ear of corn that had been grilled, with the smoky husks swept back to make a handle. The fried green beans (fat, fresh, whole beans rolled in cornmeal) were fabulous. I didn't try the sweet potato hush puppies this time, but I want to go back for those.

I suspect that a lot of people go for the impressive selection of beer, which gets mentioned in most reviews. For non beer drinkers, like myself, they also have a better than expected wine list.

I really wanted this place to be amazing -- though, since it's 0.3 miles from my front door, so easy walking distance, it may be enough that the sides are so great.

JD's Q and Brew
286 W Rand Rd
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 670-0100

Haven't been back yet for a full meal, but I stopped in on the way home today to order the sweet potato hush puppies, which had attracted my interest on my last visit. It has been a while since I last had hush puppies, so I can't really compare them perfectly to anything in the past, but I was not disappointed -- they're really good -- a bit of a kick, some nice crunch on the outside from frying and inside from the corn meal, good flavor from the onions and sweet potatoes. A delightful treat. These hush puppies are now my new favorite snack food.

This place is near my office...carried out twice in the last month and it is solid...no disappointments either time. To keep it a little healthier, I've ordered the BBQ turkey breast meal...$11.95 and comes with choice of 2 sides. Thick cut slabs doused in sauce of your choice, accompanying slaw and baked beans both very good. For me, the key feature is their drive-through where I've called ahead and picked up 20 min later without leaving the car...I dig when places other than fast food chains offer this (TeddyFabz in Deerfield comes to mind). For 2 people, one platter/meal (2 sides) and a sandwich (1 side) will typically run $20-$25 and provide plenty of quality chow...a good to very good value in my book. I've added JD's to my weeknight low $20's carry-out rotation alongside mainstays Pita Inn and Dengeo's.

Joined a friend here for dinner this evening. I'm happy to say that the brisket was much better than on my first visit. (Their website says they are under new management. I wonder if that's why.) As sides, I had the onion strings and my friend had the fried green beans, and both were outstanding.

Nice meal with staff eager to please (including a man I'm guessing is the new manager.)

Went last Friday night for dinner with Mrs. Saluki. We split a slab of back ribs and beef ribs (both dry, sauce on the side). Sadly we were not at all impressed.

The back ribs lacked any real flavor and the rub was not noticeable at all. Also, it seemed the quality of the meat was more like less expensive ribs served at places that do not focus on BBQ.

The beef ribs had more flavor, but were not very meaty and a bit dry. Even the brisket in the baked beans seemed stringy and tough.

We really wanted to like this place, but won’t be back for BBQ.

I do think their sides are the best thing they offer.

That said, I think the best word for the BBQ is "uneven." I had thought my much better (moist, flavorful) brisket this time was due to new management. Maybe it was just luck of the draw. Pity. Because uneven is not a recipe for success. Such enthusiastic people, too. One wants them to succeed.

Wound up here yesterday for a work lunch with a group of 9. All were impressed. The q was above average, not exemplary by any means, but the sides were all fantastic. Tater salad was made with mayo instead of gloopy sugar, the french fries were crazy good. Everyone is still talking about the food, wanting to go back asap. I ordered the brisket platter (burnt ends.) When it arrived, I thought I was gonna be sour on the place, because the portion of burnt ends seemed a little lacking, but all in all, I came around. The sides were GREAT, and the q was decent, so as a whole, I thought it was worth the price. Decent sized menu here, Italian beefs, gyros, fried water critters, and real deal q. The sides stole the show, but the q was decent, too. Side warning - no big deal, just an fyi- As usual, the first thing I ask at any real q place is if they sell by the lb. My norm is to try something safe, usually a pork product, and then do a side of brisket, because from experience, you don't want a whole platter of shitty brisket, since good brisket is hard to come by around here. So I asked, they said yes, but when I ordered my pulled pork sandwich meal, with "around 1/3 lb of brisket," they told me the caveat - they do pounds ONLY, by the lb. So, not partial pounds - full pounds only. No big deal. I dig this place. Wouldn't hesitate to go again.