Russell's BBQ Reviews

I wouldn't feed homeless people with this flavorless excuse for bbq. The coleslaw if you want to call it that is a joke. The pulled pork resembles canned meat. Just disgusting all the way around BBQ sauce is like water.

If you want overpriced BBQ with low quality, this is the place for you. If you like apples and cinnamon in your BBQ, this place is also for you. If you want a poor selection of poor sides, then this is the place for you.

An old time restaurant with basic pulled pork sandwiches, brisket and ribs. My husband loves their pork sandwiches. His absolute all time favorite. I enjoy the ribs, even though they re not the best I ve ever had.

I no this place is a legend and I've been going here for years. Last time I was there I brought home some bad ribs I was sick all night.

Russell's is always delicious!!! Thier BBQ sauce is the best!!

Service and food was excellent. It is our #1 place to go for good BQ. Been coming since I was 3 yrs old.

Been going here since the fall of 1963. You could say I love it

I wouldn't consider myself a "barbeque enthusiast," but I do know when something tastes "good" or "bad." I did pay a visit to Russell's and I'd have to say the best part of my experience was smoking a cigarette after my terrible meal to get a better taste in my mouth. I spent a good amount of time studying the menu and I thought that whatever I bought would be good. Especially the dessert (I think it was pie that night on the menu). I tried the pulled pork and my brisket without sauce first. It tasted like . . . well, watered-down, tasteless meat. Definitely, no smokey flavor.. So, I decided to add my nice little cup of sauce provided for some much needed flavor. If you have an acquired taste for rat urine, perhaps, this barbeque sauce would be right up your alley. I really felt like a piece of my life was lost and forgotten that night after eating at Russell's Barbeque. I was really looking forward to that piece of pie too . . . but since I lost my appetite fairly quickly, I was more looking forward for my next bowel movement.

Really gone down hill over the years so disappointed

Great BBQ pork sandwiches and ribs. Also love the potato salad

I hesitate to post a honest review, for fear this place will overrun by outsiders. . . Seriously, what's not to like. Food is great, indoor/outdoor seating. Cheap!

This was a fantastic find for me! The portions are generous which you will appreciate because the food is delicious. The menu is extensive and the house made sauce is great. They even sale bottles of it.

I have been coming here since I was little and it never disappoints!

I love this place, their BBQ is the best and the prices are descent... Just writing this comment makes me want to go get some right now, but is kinda far from here. They closed the Rolling Meadows location. What a shame, I wish they re-opened it near by.

This is a Chicagoland landmark as far as restaurants are concerned. The food is good and the prices are responsible so you have to give it a try.

Edible. The spouse grew up near this place so very fond of it. I roll my eyes everytime he wants to come here. Super overpriced. Food is just meh. Wouldnt hurt to spruce the place up because it just looks dirty (it isnt, it a pretty clean). Has the feel of a bus terminal diner. Put some effort in Russell's.

I love their food and have been going there for years. Lately though I have run into some cashiers who I feel are pretty rude if you take a few extra seconds to place your order.

LOVE this place! Its just how I remember it from 20 years ago!

The food here is great. They have a pretty big menu with a bit of everything on it. The staff are very friendly and they even sell there famous barbeque sauce along with other memorabilia such as sweat pants and shirts with the logo on. You can play the slots while your waiting or just find a table set the food down and go play or enjoy a beer from the bar in back. Ample seating and parking space makes this a great place to eat and the prices are reasonable to.

Me and my son went to the one in countryside it just opened I ordered rib tips and my son hade a philly sand the people in the front were very rude didn t even say thank you all the tables were dirty 20 minutes later we are waiting for our food nothing we went up to the counter they made our food to go any way we take it to the table my rib tips were horrible I couldn t even chew them I didn t eat them my sons fries were cold I will never go back there customer service was horrible and their food was horrible

Fries were soggy and the fish wasn't that great coleslaw is terrible don't get that

Chicken dry
BBQ sauce is not good.
Ribs dry
Service was ok.

This is not true BBQ.
However having lived in the area for over 30 years, I know how popular this place is. Try it for yourself.

The food quality has gone down, and not dog friendly at all!! I had the rudest wait staff, who wasn't even the lady who waited on us, complain about my 2.5 lb. Toy Poodle being a problem...... I will never go there again!! I'm sure I can find better ribs and a friendlier staff elsewhere. Such a DISAPPOINTMENT!!!

A great, local place to go to get some good Traditional Chicago food

Staff was kind and courteous and the food was delicious and ready before I sat down.

Home cooked smoked bbq.....Mai Tai.....brisket .....baked beans....coleslaw....and an out door eating area....what more can you ask for.

Portions are a good size, but food is just so-so. I would not pay the price asked regardless of how much you receive. The BBQ sauce is not to my tastes; I would rather have the Kraft BBQ sauce to the one offered here. We had the pulled pork and the ribs. The ribs were dry and seemed old. The fries were crisp but without flavor. The coleslaw was pickled, and I liked it very much. Overall, it was just an okay experience.

Been coming since 1973! Love the original pork and sauce. Delicious!!!

Great BBQ. different sauce then your used too. more of a vinegar spice. Good Prices and good food.

10 people parked and left after I went through the drive through. 25 minutes later my order was wrong, didn t even want it at that point

Still great after not being there for many years. The brisket is excellent!

When in the area, I make a point to get a BBQ sandwich!

Over priced. Do not offer refills. I do like the sauce which my sister gets and sends to me.

Food was not as good as usual. Party of 9. Many complained about it being dry. My burger bun bottom was so hard I couldn't eat it. Hope next time is better.

The menu and service were beyond my expectations. I absolutely enjoyed the ambience of this spot. Nice spot to take my family out for dinner.

My mom's favorite restaurant. We had a "Russell's Fix" in her honor.

The barbecue beef seems to have gone down lately. They chop the beef so finally now it's like mush.

love love love this place amazing food same place I've been going since I can remember their coleslaw and sauce are amazing and obviously their ribs and sandwiches.

Great place, good choice and even decent cup of tea.

The food is really 3 stars but it has been there since 1930. A good inexpensive place to have a bbq sandwich.

They ve added a drive thru for safety and convenience! Go show them some support to make sure they can continue to be great xo

Very elegant and accessible spot. They offer big meals and for fair rates. We loved the meals a lot and the staff were super attentive and chatty. I recommend this place.

My parents came here when they dated and I ve been coming here my whole life. Best food on this planet. No other ribs compare. Beef sandwich is amazing. Never disappointed.

Excellent BBQ beef...Cole slaw ver y different and fries were cold.

This restaurant has been in the same location for over 50 yrs.. The food is STILL fabulous. Once visited, you'll be hooked for life. A+

Russell's has the best BBQ sauce ever! Their coleslaw is the best too!

This is a good place for ribs, broasted chicken, burgers and sides.

Excellent Barbecue, you gotta get the baby backs. the brisket is good too.

I love the BBQ here. If you want to try something different, get the BBQ chicken salad, it's great!

Burgers were ok... BBQ sauce was not great. Too cold inside. Fries were limp. This place has a great following... maybe this was an off day for them.

.. They Must microwave or boil their brisket and pulled pork. Brisket was dry.. No fat no smoke ring nor smoke flavor.. ( I Have the pics to show Check# 6052) Brisket and pulled pork flavorless.. Sad i paid $28 and had to soak both meats in their Russels bbq sauce (which was Great btw) to get flavor, Buns where Fantastic. Mac n chz was decent.. Not even sure they know what coleslaw is. Baked beans came with Kidney and Lima Beans ... Potato salad was decent. My wife and I didn't even bother taking the remining half sandwhiches and hardly touched sides home. Believe me I Love giving credit where it's due, but saddened on this BBQ experience.

I have been going to Russell's since I have been a kid (many yrs). This location has always been very consistent with their food. I decided for Mother's Day I wanted ribs. We ordered and I was able to get over the fact that we waited longer than stated for the order. We got home and sadly the ribs were overdone and tasted burnt. My daughter's were the same. Will I be back...... of course! I feel like it was an unfortunate first experience (and on Mother's Day) but worth the review to just say it was a disappointing experience. I hope not many other people had the same experience!

Great food. Fast service. I got the brisket combo and it was awesome

Is not the same. Ribs were terrible and chicken was dry... have been going since I was 5 and its changed food isn't that great anymore. But I will give it another try may just have been a bad night.

My husband and I ate there on Sunday for lunch. The place itself is a bit worn down but clean and very efficient. It is definitely an older crowd with a smattering of kids and families. We had the ribs dinner with fries and coleslaw. Ribs were tender and falling off the bone. The sauce, which is why my husband and I went there, was very mild. Almost too mild! No tanginess and a bit too thin. Fries were fine. But the coleslaw too lacks flavor. Too peppery and too vinegary. The outing was okay but I won't be back. Too far too go for just so so ribs. I'd rather go to Twin Anchors near Old Town.

Been going there for many years. Food is still good prices are ok.

Love the BBQ sauce! When I walked in there was a bit of a line but it moved quickly and I didn't have to wait long! Everyone was very friendly and helpful.

Website stated that full slap of ribs were 15.99..when we order the ribs the cashier charge us 18.99..When we told the guy about the website he told us that other customer also complain about the price..You would think after talking to the manager he would offer us a price adjustment.

Classic BBQ place that hasn't changed much in decades, giving it a lot of charm and holding many memories for folks in the Chicago area.