19 Best Barbeque Restaurants near Waukegan

“delicious food served by treat people. find your way in.“

“Absolute 🔥. So glad stopped by to try them. Got the brisket, rib tips, corn bread, Mac & cheese, collard greens and red beans and rice. Everything was amazing and can’t wait to go back to try everything else.“

“I really love this restaurant and come here regularly. The food is always delicious, the atmosphere is cozy, and the service is warm and welcoming. They even have game tables for customers while waiting, which is a great touch. The place is very clean and comfortable. Highly recommended!“

“They have been a pillar in Lake County for over 4 decades. Nothing like their sauce! I miss the smell and taste. Every time that I come back to Illinois I try to schedule a visit.“

“Best breakfast food to dine in and has wonderful service . Love going to Monica’s Diner.“

“I have been a customer since early 1990's and now I drive from Racine WI for your food and am never disappointed. This trip, Beef Chop Suey, Combo Fried Rice, Chicken Egg Rolls and Vegetable Egg Foo Young, as always the food was delicious, portions were large and service was very friendly. Thank you for continuing with the great food quality and service that you have been known for!“

“I was the lucky one to win a red envelope from BBQ Productions & Station 51 Truck Co Bar & Grill. Jeff was amazing & extremely helpful! I freakin love my Louisana Founder Series Smoker! Thank you!!!!!“

“If you understand BBQ-- REAL good BBQ takes time to smoke to a tender, juicy, pinky, perfect flavor. You need to have a great deal of patience and skill. Lee and Danita have that gift in their soul so you have to wait for all that goodness to be assembled for your dining experience. Sit and talk after placing your order be patient and you won't EVER be disappointed.“

“I can't say enough good things about this restaurant! They went above and beyond to take care of my veteran fiancé for Veterans Day, (even though we were a day late in being able to visit), taking care of us like family, from the regional director to all the restaurant staff. The food was terrific and my fiancé loved everything; the food, the staff, and the military/first responders decor, and the respect given to veterans. They even put his picture from his Army service days on their wall, which gave him a huge smile when he saw himself displayed on their wall along with photos of so many other veterans. And even though we don't live nearby, we will make it a point to visit them every time we get the chance to. Thanks again to everyone there!!“

“We’ve dined here a number of times over the years, and it’s always managed to deliver that satisfying, slow-smoked comfort that keeps regulars coming back. But this latest visit stood out—worthy of a fresh review and renewed praise. Service, which in past visits could occasionally feel uneven, hit all the right notes this time. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, moving with a quiet confidence that set the tone for the evening. It’s a small but important improvement that elevated the experience considerably. As for the food—the heart of any smokehouse—the kitchen was clearly in fine form. I opted for both the ribs and smoked turkey, and each showcased why this spot has earned its loyal following. The ribs arrived perfectly glazed, with that balance of bark and tenderness that only comes from skill and patience. The smoked turkey, too often an afterthought at lesser establishments, was moist, flavorful, and subtly infused with smoke—no small feat. Cocktails rounded out the evening, each one thoughtfully mixed and balanced, adding a polished touch to the rustic fare. If there’s one shortcoming, it’s the setting. The restaurant occupies a strip mall space that, while perfectly functional, lacks the atmosphere its food deserves. The interior and seating are serviceable but uninspired—a missed opportunity to extend the warmth and authenticity of the menu into the design. A bit more “smokehouse soul” in the decor would bring the full experience together. Still, those quibbles fade with the first bite of those ribs. BBQ'd Productions remains one of the best spots around for great smoked meats and hearty, satisfying meals—now with service that finally matches the kitchen’s skill.“

“Service was impeccable and the food is sooo good. We ordered hangover soup, both squid and beef stone bowl bibimbap, ttokbokki, chicken fried rice, and the mandu. I'll definitely be recommending this place to my friends and look forward to my next visit. :)“

“Organized a youth basketball program’s Christmas lunch to be here and I must say, the food, the service, the atmosphere was all on point. They were so welcoming and accommodating. The parents and players enjoyed it all. Food was fresh and flavorful with good portions. Highly recommend this restaurant!“

“All I have to say is I would not be there. The best customer service I’ve ever had to make sure that I have everything for my to go order and I don’t even wanna get on the food how good that is 12 stars if I can give them if you don’t know city barbecue you don’t know nothing🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥“

“Stopped in here by chance. Best decision! Service was excellent… owner came out gave us sample of his ribs, checked on us to make sure everything was alright with our meals! Definitely recommend stopping here!!“

“I am from the South but I'm currently living in Wisconsin, and I have been looking for a place that serves fried catfish. I finally found it in Captain Porky's, and they did not disappoint! The staff is so nice, the place is very clean, and the menu is very large so if you can't find anything to eat you must not be hungry. This has now become one of my favorite places to go and eat!“

“This was recommended by someone so we took the opportunity to stop in for dinner.

THe staff were friendly and helpful, the food was very good, and the atmosphere is fun.

Overall a good dining experience which I'm sure I'll frequent again. The only downside is the location because parking can be somewhat of a challenge.“

“Like many barbeque places I want good side orders . They need to improve a little on those. But that being said .there ribs are fabulous . Nice and flavorfully. They grill them before serving . I prefer no grilling just reheat and serve.
Will go there again.“

“Went there on 6/22/22. We ate outside and were pleased to have a musician playing on the patio. The food was excellent as was the service. Bring your appetite and still expect to take home leftovers. Classic menu of steaks, chops, sandwiches and top notch BBQ. This will be a mainstay for us moving forward. Can't recommend this place enough!“

“Blue House Korean BBQ delivered an excellent meal from start to finish. My absolute favorite was the Kimchi Pajun Spicy—a perfectly fried kimchi pancake served with a flavorful soy dipping sauce. Crispy on the outside, packed with bold flavor inside—truly a standout dish.

The overall dining experience was fantastic. The staff was friendly and attentive, and I really appreciated the call button at the table, which made it easy to request assistance without interrupting our conversation or meal.

One clever detail I loved: napkins were conveniently stored on the ledge by the table, so we could grab more whenever we needed—no need to ask!

Great food, great service, and thoughtful touches throughout. Highly recommend!“