Earl's Drive-Thru BBQ

Saw some scattered posts in the openings thread.

Now that I'm working out near O'Hare/Rosemont I'm desperate for good eats on the way home from work so I picked up some pulled pork, brisket, and rib tips last Friday.

I'm by no means a BBQ connoisseur but I thought this was pretty damn good. Everything had a nice bark, ample smoke, and texture seemed on point...especially the tips. Definitely going to be back soon, fingers crossed for consistency but feeling good.

moderator edit: address
4835 N Austin Ave, Chicago, IL 60630

AlekH wrote:I'm by no means a BBQ connoisseur but I thought this was pretty damn good. Everything had a nice bark, ample smoke, and texture seemed on point...especially the tips. Definitely going to be back soon, fingers crossed for consistency but feeling good.

I've been to Earls a couple of times now. I'll agree that these are probably the best tips on the North Side. Having said that, I don't think Robert Adams at Honey 1 has anything to worry about. The Q is decent, with the rub skewing slightly sweet (but not over the top). The smoked (polish) sausage is another winner. I'm not a fan of any of the sauces, but, thankfully, the meat doesn't need them. The real sleeper here, though, are the donuts. They're fried to order and not very large, though bigger than those little mini-donut places, so an order of 3 is just about right. They're served still warm and covered with cinnamon sugar.

Knowing the area pretty well, I was almost sure there was no new BBQ place near Chicago and Austin...

Per Google, Earl's is 4835 N. Austin.

Earl's Drive Thru BBQ
4835 N Austin Ave
Chicago, IL 60630
(773) 628-7870

Digging up an old thread, I enjoy and recommend their BBQ for breakfast. They open at 9am and I've scored damn good meat as early as 10am. I've been here multiple times, different times of the day and it's most consistently good in the morning. My favorites are the fatty brisket and meaty rib tips.

However, most of the counter staff could care less about any customers and the kitchen doesn't always make the food look presentable. I've received a pile of poorly chopped rib tips and luckily it tastes better than it looks. My worst visit I've picked up from them was a weekday, late afternoon where the dry BBQ was tired. My guess is they crank out one batch and hold it all day from open. Why go back after that? My main point is when it's good, it's good. Side point - You can sub another side for cole slaw for an additional 75c, although I find their sides weak overall.

They now have a sister restaurant, Ella's BBQ in Lincoln Park. I'm not sure what similarities abound since I haven't visited.

Ella's BBQ
723 W Armitage Ave,
Chicago, IL 60614