Sweet Baby Ray's: User Reviews

Better than expected
By ab from uptown, March 18, 2009

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St. Louis ribs, doneness was correct, not over or under. Unfortunately a bit dry, which makes sense since their menu says the ribs are "smoked for 2.5 hours." To finish a slab of ribs in 2.5 hours, they must be hot smoking at 350 degrees or so. WAY too hot for proper bbq. Good smoke penetration, but you couldn't taste any due to the overly sick-sweet glaze+sauce. It is so sweet and heavy it covers up the nice smoke and pork flavors. Pulled pork was overcooked, falling into shreds, and saturated with sauce to cover up the dryness. The sauce is just too sweet and overpowering. Brisket was passable. They served sliced brisket from the "flat" cut, just a touch dry but good texture, and thankfully minimal glaze. Cole slaw was bland but that turned out to be a blessing for diluting the syrupy sauce in the pulled pork. Beans & cornbread were quite tasty. In summary, typical Chicago BBQ, over sauced, meat not cooked right, but the ribs were better than most in town.

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Never enough!
By Batman from southeast/O'Hare, May 20, 2008

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The ribs are pretty good but what brings me back is the green chile mac, I cannot get enough! I'm almost tempted to apply for a job there and steal the secret recipe.

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been there many times
By vdux from west burbs., January 28, 2008

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Once and a while the brisket is tough.
St. louis ribs are always good.
The pulled pork is sometimes over sauced.
Green chile mac is the best side in the house.
Service is slow, the food is already done smoking whats the hold up?
They are getting lax.

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Have dined here before and...
By Jeff DuVall from Chicago, IL, September 27, 2006

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Have dined here before and looks like the QUALITY HAS GONE LAX!. There were 3 in our party. One loved THE DUCE, BUT my ribs were VERY OVER COOKED as was my guest's Rib Tips.

What happened?!!!!! The ribs used to be the best thing here, but now it appears that they just precook the ribs and throw sauce on it! I just don't get it, did they sell the store? Can no longer recommend this place with so many other fine rib establishments in the Chicagoland area..

Its a shame....

This place was incredible! We...
By A from Highland Park, IL, November 13, 2005

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This place was incredible! We recently returned from a trip to Austin, TX, where we thought we consumed the best BBQ. However, Sweet Baby Ray's rivaled our favorite BBQ places. We all know and love the Sweet Baby Ray's sauce, so we expected great things from the restaurant! The beef brisket was outstanding, the ribs were delectable, and our sides (green beans, special baked beans, corn bread, and creamed corn) tasted truly homemade. The place was clean, cozy, and perfect for enjoying a delicious lunch or dinner. The service was great, and it is clear that it is family run... there are pictures of nieces and nephews on the walls, etc. We did not have room for desserts, but we will absolutely return.

If you want real BBQ,this...
By Tina Thomas from Des Plaines, Il, August 5, 2005

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If you want real BBQ,this is the place to go.So many items to choose from,all made fresh at this location by some very talented chefs.I never know what to eat, it's all very good.