Earl's BBQ — Restaurant in Jefferson Township

I do not want to take away from the main event, which is so obviously the food here - and justifiably so. Despite my best efforts, I I fear, I would not be the best equipped to adequately. Describe and law. How amazing the food here is, cool, chill vibe that is laid-back and down to earth. You can just feel how chill. Everything is Will, a C. The food is beyond my talents to describe how amazing it is. it’s really freaking good - especially the brisket smothered in most end of their available sauces a very easy argument could be made that this might be the best barbecue joint in Chicago not just the northside. I will let other more adapt reviewers speak their words fancy to properly describe how amazing the food is. Just trust me, it’s really freaking good.

What I wanted to do is highlight another, super pleasantly surprising virtue of this restaurant, and that is the superb customer service and attention to detail. Having experience a very rough day and arriving famished, having not eaten the day before no slept through the night for mildly emergency reasons, I was hungry, and just as importantly, I desperately needed to just chill and unwind I was met by the cashier, a pleasant bearded man who is just excited as I was to be there and eager to take the heavy lifting off my shoulders and recommend the best option options for me. He spoke with confidence and care and made his recommendations known while explaining why he thought best that I would enjoy it. I Reedy agreed and he invited me to take a load off Mc to my Herried look yet professional and attentive further reiterating that I relax. I took him up on his offer and popped down to a table and far too quickly than expected, received my plate, NOPE, that’s inaccurate, received my BAKING DISH OF MEATS AND SIDES. CLEARLY, I was in Awe and overjoyed.

I took a photo for posterity; this review was an afterthought, I promise.

I dug into my meal and experienced an explosion of flavor, the meat complimenting the sauces awhile the sauces balancing the dining experience out. This meal became an experience.

However, being more beat than I expected and wary of some urgent “housekeeping” I neeeed to do on my phone, I ate and worked on my phone. After the past 36hrs I just had, I sought peace before heading home and …… I found it. Nose level was at a decent place, staff and chill and I’d constantly overhear them talk and conversatinv with customers and regulars and newbies alike. I was also left alone/ at peace. I probably stayed for almost an hour, just casually eating and chilling and enjoying the vibe and the entire time I never felt uneasy. I felt fine and comfortable.

Finding it time to head for home, I had ample leftovers (my fault, not the establishment - I planned to leave with leftovers), and I spoke to the super friendly cashier - someone so kind and attentive and exuding excellent, peaceful vibes. I inquired about pickles and she not only catered to my request, but also followed up with a detailed answer to a brisket-related question, managed to upsell me to a LARGE, and provided excellent service/advice. I never felt uneasy, and she (wish I got her name, she deserves recognition but she worked on 07/06/15 at approx 5pm) went above and beyond and wrapping up my order, including adding packaged BBQ sauces. I’m sure she didn’t NEED to do that, but that she did and gave a genuine smile and was so helpful made my visit here - again just based on the food alone makes me a repeat customer, and yet - so special and worthwhile.

Earl’s BBW is clearly a unique and special place and there’s something withing me that yearns for this amazing food spot to succeed and thrive and stick around forever.

10/5 score, exceeded all expectations. Came in from some decent grub, some passable bbq and was met with God-tier bbq in the heart of NW Chicago served by a friggin team of professionals that seemed to like what they do and SHOW IT, attentive and friendly and welcoming.

It was EXACTLY what I needed when I needed it. I’m thankful for that.

Keep at...

Recently visited Earl's this past Sunday with my cousin. It's been a while since I had any good BBQ and we decided to go to Earl's. We arrived after an hour of them opening, so there was no wait, and the food was EPIC. We ordered a large order of Rib Tips, Smoked Wings, Baked Beans, Mac N Cheese, Coleslaw, and French Fries. Everything was tasty and fresh, no complaints, and we went with the Honey BBQ option for the sauce. Both the rib tips and wings were smoked, juicy, and tender. The Mac N Cheese, was cheesy, creamy, and not too salty, and that seasoned bread crubs is very good. The coleslaw is creamy, cool, and works well with what we ordered. I was really impressed with the french fries, they were perfectly made, cripsy, the right amount of salt and they actually tasted like potatoes! Out of all the sides, I would have to say the Baked Beans were the best of them all, so much going on there and it mos def takes you to flavor town! There is a small amount of indoor seating, not the best for comfort and there is outdoor seating as well. They provide plenty of napkins because you will need them, LOL. I totally recommend, great prices for the amount of food you get. Great service. I'd have to say it's the best BBQ in the North Side of Chicago. I will be back for some...

It's so nice to have a great BBQ place in the neighborhood. I ordered the brisket sandwich and got a ton of food for under $6 (before tax). The brisket had a fantastic smoke flavor and was perfectly cooked for my liking. The mac and cheese I got as a side was perfectly cheesed and awesome as well. My husband and I couldn't stop saying "WOW!" as we ate our food.

I actually was surprised that Earl's had brisket available on a Saturday night. I went to a famous BBQ place in St. Louis a few months ago, and it was running out of nearly every item on the menu just while I waited in line. BBQ inventory seems to be challenging because of smoking capacity. If you want fresh food (and not the microwaved stuff we're used to from some of the fast food places around here), you have to be understanding that the good stuff can run out. That said, good job having brisket in stock :-)

Lastly, I was thrilled to see the number of young people working there. I grew up in this neighborhood, and many of the jobs for teenagers have been grabbed by adults in recent years. I'm glad that this business owner (like the owners of its predecessor Duff's) is dedicated to giving young workers a chance.

I think this has the potential to be a great neighborhood spot. Keep up...