Russell's Barbecue: User Reviews

while i agree that russels sauce has a unique "hate it or love it sauce" i will say i do like it once in a while. yes it can be a little on the dry side(they serve it that way so you can control the amount of sauce to taste) when they are really crowded, which is most of the time but all in all i think russels is an elmwood park institution and a fun place to go and just munch out and have a good time with a date or with the kids.

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I had been wanting to try Russell's Barbecue for several years, after seeing nothing but raves for it online and their annual anniversary coupon for a full-slab dinner for $11.99. After visiting the Rolliing Meadows location for dinner last night, I would have gladly paid much more for better food.

Above all else -- what's with this sauce? It's got some kind of spice it in -- allspice? cumin? nutmeg? -- that was extremely off-putting and has no business in a barbecue sauce. My ribs were OK, the fries fair, the cole slaw not bad (since I like vinegar slaws). My wife was not pleased with her half-chicken dinner either and absolutely hated the sauce (in fact, she was ill all evening after dinner).

I don't know that I'd ever go back, but if I did, it would only be armed with the anniversary coupon and I'd get the ribs without sauce on them (which was offered as an option; little did I know), and bring my own sauce in with me. I figured any place in business since 1930 is doing something right -- not really.

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Russell's rocks! They've got a variety of food, a unique bbq sauce that reminds me of Arby's only way way better. Most orders come with fries and cole slaw. It's very casual and pretty tasty.

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Anyone who has a problem with Russel's can meet me on the corner of North and Thatcher and we will sort this out the old world way.

Just kidding. This place is right out of the 50's. The food is good but not REAL BBQ. It IS comfort food like someone said earlier. I grew up on this food so I am biased. It's a fun place to go...old booths....greasy food...you don't even have to clean up! The sauce IS good. Totally different than BBQ sauce. It's more tangy and lighter.

if you go there not expecting fine dining and traditional BBQ...you will enjoy it. Just a great step back into time.

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If you grew up only going to Russel's for bbq, you'd never know any better. But the sandwiches, ribs and all meats we tried on a recent visit were just so-so. The fries were good and the atmosphere can be fun if it's crowded. The sauce is bland and tastes too ketchupy. There are much better quality places for great barbecue in Chicago. I was so hoping to have a fun, good place to go near my home. But I won't be going back. Really bland food overall.

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We walked in, saw a long line, and a place that looked like it was out of the 1950's, and thought: "This place is going to be good." However, we were disappointed. We had pork & beef sandwiches, "krab kakes" and sides. The BBQ sauce was average, both sandwiches were dry and tasteless. Both sandwiches came without sauce, so the customer has to add their own. The "krab kakes" were obviously frozen and cooked in a deep fryer. The fries and coleslaw were both tasteless and room temperature.

To those people who have fond memories of the place, I hope they continue to go to Russell's. Other people who want to enjoy BBQ food should try any of the dozens of BBQ places in the Chicago area.

It's an interesting place to see, but just because the only thing that has changed at Russell's over the years is the price. The food just isn't any good.

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With all due respect to other reviewers and the nostalgia many have for this place, anyone who likes the food doesn't know anything about BBQ. The meat was dry, grizzly, flavorless, and the sauce added nothing. The fried macaroni and cheese triangles were interesting, but the BBQ is horrible.

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This is Americana. This is where generations of west siders came, and will come. This is "comfort food" before the fast food industry was.

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Way overrated. The sauce isn't even as good as stuff you'll get in a jar (plus you get it in a packet, not on the meat!). And the meat is tough. Try somewhere else for BBQ.

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Our whole family loves Russell's and we have been going there for years. The beef and pork sandwiches are lean and tender, bbq chicken is great. Everything is good at reasonable prices. I hope Russell's will be there for generations to come.

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