Lem's Bar-B-Q House Reviews

The barbecue is really good and you get your money worth! Fast and courteous service! Lem’s is the only place I go for barbecue in Chicago!

Be prepared to stand in line in the cold, heat or rain to go inside to another line to order your food. Then hurry and order and huddle out of the way to wait for your food. The place is way to small for the amount of people that frequent the place. The food is alright, but not anything worth going out of your way to get. I really don't think the establishment is up to code for hygiene. That being said I have been here more than once and have even brought the seasoning to bring back to the UK. If you want bar b que, this is a bar b que place. Make sure to say "soft" if you don't want the hard tips. This is not a sit down restaurant and you don't want to bring your children to wait in line. Even if you order ahead you still have to endure the long line.

We drove from Michigan to Illinois for a quick trip and were advised to stop by Lem's, we were not disappointed. There was a short line outside but the weather was reasonable so we waited and looked at the menu. The menu was small no desserts so.we tried a small links and tips combo with a small shrimp combo. The cost was $28, my husband loved the shrimp which came with about 10, fries and Crackers, a side of hot sauce and BBQ sauce. The shrimp were fried a little hard for my taste but they were seasoned well. The tips combo and links were hefty, fried were on the bottom so they were soaked in meat and sauce drippings. The links were like sausage patties in link form, the tips were good with a mixture of meat and fat. The lem sauce was "vinegary" if that's a word I'm used to more of a smoky sweet BBQ sauce, it was good though. Right across the street is a bakery called brown sugar, GO THERE for dessert, you won't be disappointed....

Lem's is still awesome, they are open late and they do accept credit cards. I usually get a small rib tip chopped small, sauce on the side. The staff is great and the customers are crazy, but not in a bad way. Keep up the good work!! This place was also on Black restaurant week

Ribs, rib tips, and links that are unmatched within the City of Chicago. No idea why Smoque gets so much more love on this board than Lem's. Well, actually I have a very good idea. Without getting too political, I'll just beg people to go outside their comfort zone a little bit. The lines can be a little slow at Lem's but the waits are absolutely worth it. You can eat there if you want during warm weather - there's a counter outside you can stand at to eat. There's also a park a couple blocks away if you want to sit on some benches. And, of course, you can do what I usually do and just turn the hood of your car into a picnic table. Special extra paragraph to highlight just how good the sauce is. It will make bad good edible, good food great, and great food like the rib tips at Lem's absolutely magical.

This is what Zagat had to say about Lem's Bar-B-Q House at 311 East 75th Street on Chicago's South Side: "BBQ as God meant it to be...Lem's can beat anything the Carolinas care to offer, or Georgia, or KC (Kansas City). And TX (Texas) isn't even on the map." High praise indeed. But if you can find Lem's--it is south of Hyde Park on 75th not far from other soul food emporiums like Army & Lou's, across the street from Missionary Baptist Church--you will discover what authentic barbecue is all about. Actually, Lem's specializes in rib tips and hot links. Founded in 1954 by Bruce and Myles Lemons, they invented Lem's original Bar-B-Q sauce and its magical spices. After 14 years, they chose to open a second location in the Chatham neighborhood. Today, there are many quality barbecue joints in Chicago that are comparable to the BBQ being produced in Memphis, St. Louis, Kansas City and Austin. But Lem's was a pioneer. The menu is short but yummy--ribs, rib tips, hot links, fried shrimp, fried chicken, wings, fries, bread, potato salad, cole slaw. Suggestion: Order a slab of ribs with large rib tips and hot links and a gallon of Bar-B-Q sauce and take them home. The sauce is great with hamburgers and chicken, too.

this is a very good place to eat soon very good ribs ribs are superb and very tender a must have any time... I will go grab a order of ribs from here anytime of the day or night.....! # gr8t place for your budget. ..

We recently stumbled upon Lem's on our way home from church. It just had that look about it that it must be something special. It was a take-out only place, so ee just planned to head home to eat. We made it about a mile before we dipped into to bucket of tips. There was no going back. We pulled through a drive through to get drinks and found the nearest picnic table. Hands down, these are the best rib tips I have ever had. We will be back.

I'm picking up my slabs for my Thanksgiving dinner. I've been eating Lemm's since 1973 and I'll be eating Lemm's until the Good Lord in Heaven calls my name! 💙💙💙💙👍👍👍👍🍖🍖🍖🍖🔥🔥🔥🔥🍖🍖🍖🍖🔥🔥🔥🔥👈👈👈👈👈👍👍👍💙💙💙💙

On most occasion's when I come here the food is excellent, however you can get over cooked slab of ribs on a slow day. I have never had problems with the links or chicken when it was available.

You walk in and see what's cooking. Everyone is busy working to get the orders filled. The food is delicious. The staff is courteous. Make sure you have napkins because the bbq sauce is great and you'll have it everywhere!

Nearly 35 years ago I lived down the street from this restaurant and suffered because it smelled so good. Occasionally, my grandmother would buy some of this barbegrill. Oh what a day that would be! While visiting my family, I went back and had the JBL special. It was tantalizing and affordable...& just how I recalled it.

This place does not do delivery sadly.... I wanted their food so bad but when i called them they told me that they dont deliver.

Fast service, need more parking, great atmosphere, great ribs and large quantity. Safe neighborhood, lots of family businesses in surrounding area and community policing.

The tips was tuff, burnt the worst bar b Q I've had it didn't have a good taste to it had to throw the away couldn't eat it. I want be buying anything from Lems Bar B Q

This place is for rib lovers. Ribs are cooked behind bullet proof glass, some of the best in Chicago ( the glass and the ribs). You pass your money through a turnstile and the ribs come to you through a larger turnstile. Everyone behind that glass is perfectly safe. Don’t worry.

This modest shack is found in terra incognita for white folks - south of Hyde Park, off the map, on a convincingly sketchy stretch of 75th Street not far from other iconic soul food sources (e.g., Army & Lou's), and across the street from the "Cathedral of Love" Missionary Baptist Church. The location, the ambiance (see other reviews), and the food all reek of authenticity. And they are utterly authentic. This is best-of-breed backyard bar-b-que that just can't be franchised outside the neighborhood. Our understanding of black urban America may never be complete, but one is a delicious step closer after Lem's. "You don't need a napkin. You got your white bread."

The rib tips are EVERYTHING!! The sauce takes them to the next level. Delish. Each visit to Chicago Lem's is a must.

The food is good, customer service skills could be improved; tried to make sure my order was right but they kept yelling at me that they had my order so I kept quiet only to get home to find that it wasn't right!!!!!!

Didn’t have a great experience, will never return. Woman on register needs to have her mental health checked….. 01/09/25 at 2:15 pm

If this is the best BBQ in Chicago, then you don't know BBQ. Me and my wife went hear for the first time July 25th for the first time because of the Great reviews. We both was really dissatisfied. First the place where you order your food is really small and cramped. A lot of people was coming, so we assumed this must be a local favorite. I ordered the large rib tips and my wife had ordered the Hot Links. We had to wait for about 20 mins for the Rib Tips, which is not a problem as I like my food fresh, and the people was nice who work there. So we finally got our Rib Tips and Hot Links and was pretty excited because the smells was really good. We drove back to our room in Westmont IL, about 25 minutes away and finally got a chance to eat. The Rib Tips was over cooked and hard! My wife couldn't even eat the Hot Links because she said they looked raw inside. Overall we did not enjoy this BBQ at all!

I picked up a large rib tips and hot link combo. The tips are delicious. You'll want a place to put the cartlidge pieces of the rib tips. The meat is succulent a flavorful. The hot link is spicy but not overpowering. The service was fine and they take credit cards now. The parking area isn't very big.

This is a place you look at from the outside and say to yourself "If I don't die trying to get to it I might die eating it; but it's worth all the chances you take, as a visitor in Chicago, to enjoy some of the best ribs you will ever eat in your life. Gives good meaning to the cliche' "It's all good in the hood!" I loved it. Hot links , ribs, chicken, ALL GOOD!!!

We heard that the ribs here were good so we went. It was in a poorer area of town and Lem's does not accept credit cards. Fortunately, we had enough cash. The ribs were delicious and tender. I am glad we were willing to drive south to go there. We did not eat in, just carried the food out. I would eat there again.

There is a reason Lem's has been in business since 1951 - they are the best at what they do. It's a very casual experience - the indoor ordering area only accomodates 3 people at any one time due to the pandemic, so you'll spend some time in line outdoors. This is vigorously enforced. Be patient, it's worth the wait. Enjoyed some very meaty ribs and smokie links - Lem's never disappoints.

I have heard about this place and was in the area and thought I would try it. At first I was confused thinking it was a drive up as I could not find the entrance. Entrance is on the east side of the building and you enter a very narrow area where you place your order based on the large menu in front. There are no seats, you place your order, pay for it then wait for your name to be called. I ordered the small rib tips for $12.75. The guy did not ask what type of sauce I wanted, but whatever he gave me was mild, smokey and a bit sweet. I heard the people behind me order their large tips with hot sauce so I know you can get the flavor BBQ sauce you want. I have enough tips left for 3 more meals and boy are they tasty! The place is no frills and crowded, but now I know why. All the effort is put into the meat grilled to perfection and the sauce. The sauce is so good that I loved sopping some on the fries and white bread. Go for the food and you'll be back time and again! Next time I will try their combo tips & hot links. And they take credit card and have a small parking area.

Was great in the 90's

We tried Lem's because we had passed it one freezing-cold day and there was a long line of shivering people waiting to get in. We thought that might suggest something good inside. We were not mistaken. "Inside" isn't very big at all; just a four-foot wide aisle separated from the kitchen by a counter and wall of thick Plexiglas. Some of the regulars guided us through the process. When you recognize that it's your turn, you call out your order to the cooks in the kitchen. We ordered a large order of Rib Tips with hot sauce. A fellow next to me suggested I change the sauce choice to a mix of mild and hot, which was an excellent suggestion. When your order comes up, you pay through a slot in the glass and your order is handed through a little window. Once you've got it, you squeeze outside in order to let the next customers in. The Rib Tips were some of the best we have ever eaten, with a tangy vinegar base to the sauce. We ate ours in the car and could have certainly benefitted from some plastic bibs and a load of wet-wipes. Not the cleanest eating, but we enjoyed every bite.

Great Place for BBQ. all great selections, have your order ready . The place moves real fast, in and out great for quick pick up to bring home. LEM"S no frills down to earth BBQ. There are no seats, you place your order, pay for it then wait for your name to be called. I recommend getting a gallon of sauce to go.. Its a smoky clove flavored mild sauce that is great on everything

Good ribs two of the three times I have been here but you can not predict what you going to get after you order. I wish I could gave it a higher rating but the one time I got the over cook ribs will not let me.

I’ll give it to them…the barbecue is tasty and plentiful, but the service is absolutely horrendous. I heard they were awarded some type of recognition and it’s gone to their heads. Be prepared for a long wait. The service model is outdated and totally inefficient. I actually went there three times in as many days. The first day the line wrapped around the building. Needless to say I left and came back later in the evening around 9pm. By then the line was a bit shorter but barely moving. On the inside you could observe the foolish actions of the staff-they all have mental issues. They act like you’re interrupting THEM! At one point everyone simply disappeared in the back for about 20 minutes with no explanation. One of the guys walked out and went across the street to the liquor store. Another disappeared and they were trying to locate him. Other patrons were questioning what was going on only to be rudely shut down. The whole ordeal took at least an hour. I returned the next day with a buddy hoping that it would be better. It wasn’t. The wait this time was two hours. Those who know what I’m talking about can read between the lines. It’s obvious that as long as the regulars put up with such service there’s no need for Lem’s to improve. I for one will never go back.

simply the best bar-b-que..in chicago...large tips chopped small....slab...the sauce is a hook!!!!...this is a to -go rib shack...go in the day time..not the best of areas

You can always count on Lems to deliver the food is consistently good and the portions are just right. The sauce is so good and the meat is always well seasoned and good to the bone. Lens stays in business because of the professionalism of the staff and good food. I have been coming to Lems since I was in high school which is a very long time ago. Lens is the place to go if you want good barbecue and good cuts of meat.

It's a pork orgy in your mouth. Forgo the side dishes and stock up on hot tips and ribs. Absolutely unbelievable. Not to mention, I showed up two hours before Lem's opened, the guy came out to see what I wanted and accommodated my ignorance. Carnivores: Do not come to Chicago without leaving with a little bit of Lem's.

This is some of the best BBQ I’ve ever had. I tried this place while visiting Chicago. The meat was very seasoned, marinated, and smoked to perfection in a tasty sauce. I ordered the small order of rib tips and link that totaled about $15. It was enough to feed two people. OMG! The thought of it makes me hungry. I will definitely visit here again next time I visit Chicago.

We found THE Chicago BBQ experience here!! The staff was patient w/out-of-towners who weren't sure what to get. They were friendly & accomodating. The ribs were tender & the hot links were spicy, but not overly so. The hot & mild sauces should be bottled & sold! It's flavorful w/just enough of a kick. Prices are comparable to other BBQ places we're used to. WORD OF CAUTION: Lem's is located in South Side Chicago. We came just after midnight, so there is alot of activity in the neighborhood. Whatever you hear on the news, this area is just like anywhere else these days...just be watchful & use common sense.

In my opinion the best ribs and tips in town. Lem's is a pleasant memory from my childhood as you could smell the smoke in the neighborhood as they fired up. I try to visit a few times a year. Lem's is carry-out only and there is a dedicated parking lot. Often, there is a line outside of the small building, but it is well worth the wait. The line is usually very social as strangers chat while waiting to get into the door. There is a small PA speaker that will announce any longer than usual wait times for some popular items. Once inside, the quarters are cramped but the bustling prep is in full view behind thick plexiglass. When it is your turn, you shout out your order and step aside as best you can in the approximately 5' x 20' space (there is only one way in and out). Lively conversations happen at Lem's. When ready, your order will be called by content and you pay through a metal trough inlaid into the plexiglass. I was elated to see that they now accept credit cards. Your packaged order is delivered through a turnstyle and you squeeze your way out to enjoy great freshly prepared food. Ribs, Rib Tips, Hot Links, Fried Chicken, Shrimp, Gizzards, Livers, Potato salad, Cole slaw. Ribs come on a bed of fries with either mild or 'mixed' sauce, the latter of which is slightly spicy. A BIG THUMBS UP for Lem's. Keep on keepin' on!

Only bbq joint with good meat on the Southeast side, but it’s like playing the lottery it might be good then it might be terrible the will give you undone tips or over cooked ones , specially the little pieces on the end when you chew it’s like bubblegum and chewing all day then you like spit it out and get another piece to try

I have visited Lem's on many occasions including the former location on 59th & State. Most of my visits are quite suitable. The last time the Rib Tips were golden! Extremely meaty, tender, and the hot BBQ sauce added gold dust to the already golden meat quality and flavor.

I finally made it to the south side on my Barbeque tour. Lem’s is definitely authentic. Oh yea, this place is serious about Barbeque. Two blocks away driving towards the place, I could smell something cooking. When I opened the door to walk in, BAM, the smell of smoking Meat hit me. Free off street parking. They have great Barbeque, and bulletproof glass. I think that about sums it up! I ordered a bucket of the Rib Tips at $30.00 and an order of Hot Links at $9.95. Both came with Fries and a stack of White Bread. The Rib Tips and Hot Links are absolutely the best. But ask for your sauce to be placed on the side. The sauce is delicious, but the meat is seasoned so well that you do not need that much sauce. I do recommend their Hot Sauce. It is not so hot that you cannot taste the Barbeque. I heard that some people complain about the sauce. They say it’s too runny. I think it’s good and when mixed with hot sauce, it has a fantastic sharp Vinegar kick to it. It is certainly not the kind of Barbeque Sauce that resembles too much Sugar icing on birthday cake. For those of you, who are not as big an eater as me, try a large Rib-Tip/Hot Link combo for $19.75. It’s enough for two people to enjoy. It too comes with Fries and White Bread. You'll have to wait but once you taste the food, you will not be disappointed. All things should be this simple. This is a carry out establishment only. Credit Cards are accepted.

When I was growing up in south suburban Blue Island, I heard about Lem's BBQ. When I was going to college, I heard about Lem's BBQ. When I was working in downtown Chicago, I heard about Lem's BBQ. And today, as a retiree living in downtown Chicago, I continue to hear about Lem's BBQ. So I finally got around to seeing what all the bubbub is about. I went to Lem's at 311 East 75th Street in the Grand Crossing neighborhood with a few friends who have praised Lem's ribs for years. Opened in 1954, Lem's is the oldest BBQ stand in Chicago. Many insist it is the best. Lem's brought rib tips to Chicago. It's known for its rib tips and hot links but I can testify that the chicken and shrimp can't be taken lightly. James Lemons, who founded Lem's, died last year. The stand hasn't changed since the 1950s. It's a no frills, family run operation. There is no seating. Be prepared to wait in line. Be assured you will be glad you did. I prefer the slab of ribs and a whole order of fried shrimp with potato salad and cole slaw. My friends take home two buckets of rib tips and a 1/2 chicken with a half-gallon of Lem's famous BBQ sauce and watch Sunday's pro football games. After one visit, you don't have to wonder why Lem's has been satisfying customers for more than 60 years.

I love the meat and the sauce is really good. The lines tend to be long in the summer so be ready to stand for a minute. Not long and well worth the wait.

Lem's Bar-B-Q House is a different kind of ribs joint. Located at 311 East 75th Street on Chicago's South Side, it is known for its rib tips and hot links. You won't get a conventional full rack of baby back ribs here, like Memphis or Austin or St. Louis or Kansas City. A standard order, like mine, is for a bucket of tips, hot links, a half-gallon of Lem's famous Bar-B-Q sauce and sides of cole slaw, potato salad and French fries. For a change of pace, try the fried shrimp or a breast of chicken. I'm not a wings person. So why have Lem's rib tips and hot links survived the test of time, satisfying customers for 67 years? A rib tip is a short section that came off the spare ribs when a butcher is making a more squared off cut. They are meaty chunks from the underside of spare ribs that contain cartilage but no bone. A hot link is a type of sausage, a blend of pork or beef or both, often associated with the cuisine of the southern United States, featured commonly as a part of American barbecue, soul food, Cajun and Louisiana Creole, sometimes smoked, usually spiced but always soaked in sauce. By the way, the sauce is a secret family recipe that is sold by the gallon and keeps customers coming back for more.

Maybe I came on a Bad day but my ribs and rib tips was like wood on the underside, besides the crust/wood the last 5 bones were wood like thru out. What makes me think it's the norm, the food was without sauce you could clearly tell the food was no good and still an employee felt comfortable enough to send that garbage out. It was the worst barbecue I've ever had in my life and being a otr driver I've had plenty. After arguing with the lady about me keeping these ribs and rib tips for 2-4 weeks until I come thru chi again, I told her I didn't care about the $43 and she said well why are u arguing about it. It was because I want a place to get good bbq. You should have replace the order and gained another shot at me walking through your doors.

When they are on, Lem's is near the top of the Chicago BBQ lexicon. They use an aquarium style smoker, that is all about the smoke interaction with the meat. Rib tips, ribs, and hot links are all recommended here.

Lem's Bar-B-Q lacks seating and frills and bells and whistles. But it has been a staple, an institution, for fans of barbecue since 1954. Known for its rib tips and hot links, Lem's also serves slabs of baby back ribs, fried chicken and fried shrimp into the late-night hours. Located at 311 East 75th Street on Chicago's South Side, Lem's is open from 1 to 1 on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and from 1 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Barbecue has become popular in Chicago in recent years, copying the BBQ of Memphis, Austin, St. Louis, Kansas City and the Carolinas. But Lem's is an original. Brothers Bruce and Myles Lemons founded Lem's in 1954. Myles, a formal chef, created Lem's original BBQ sauce, which remains a standard in the industry to this day. A third brother, James, followed Bruce and Myles to Chicago and was the last of the Lemons brothers to run the family business. He died in 2015 at age 87. But the beat goes on. Lem's BBQ continues to be seasons, marinated and smoked to perfection in a tasty and tangy sauce that rivals can't duplicate. On our most recent visit, my wife and I ordered rib tips, slab of ribs, a breast of chicken and fried shrimp with potato salad, cole slaw and fries. And we took home a gallon of BBQ sauce. You simply can't get enough of a good thing, even after 64 years.

TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERIVCE… The LEM sisters are super rude and very unprofessional. You can’t even explain nothing without them cutting you off. The cook is way more understanding and polite. How do you get mad at a customer for an order that you guys messed up. She gave me a partial refund. As I read the other reviews they are all true. Ms. Lem is super rude and the ribs are terrible. I will never support this business again.

Ok so I grew up on this barbecue great.But as of yesterday I've decided never to go back again.Of course its,always crowded no problem,as I stand in line I notice a lot of senior citizens and the tall guy is yelling next to order or what you want to everyone.At this point it is my turn and I said my order and barbecue fries with sauce please.Well the little short guy in the back mocks me and they start laughing.As the lady that is ringing your order out complaining if she leaves she's not coming back to the the one that is yelling next.So this senior turns to me and says i can't believe how this place has changed.Well I'm black and I'm telling you I will not support a place that is very disrespectful to seniors.I actually videotaped it and will send it in to channel 5 investigates.I see why they have the glass up.I spent over 40.00 in there just for me never again and I will let everyone I know not to go there it's not a respectful place to spend your money.Carmille