Personally to me the BEST BBQ in Lake County hands down !! You have a great selection of meats to choose from and the portions are fulfilling.. The meats here are smoked to perfection with flavor in every bite. You have a variety of sides to choose from, my favorites are the creamy spinach and the Mac and cheese. Nice size portions to go with your meat. Let’s not forget the pickles, THEY ARE A MUST! Sweet but tangy crispy crunch, go hand and hand with your bbq.Surprisingly today it was not as busy as your would expect for it to be a Saturday afternoon, but that meant no line for me and I was not complaining.The prices are worth the portions but be prepared to spend if you have the appetite !Parking: Shared parking lot with neighboring businesses
Great place for honest BBQ. Poultry options are excellent for anyone looking for something past pork/brisket. Excellent kids meals, fast and friendly service. Everything you are looking for in a staple neighborhood spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mischa Schlichting
Yum...yumm....and YUMMM!! Food is always solid and good portions. Get the Mason jar so you can bring back for free refills.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Hour Smoked and Sliced Brisket, Brisket Sandwich, Mac & Cheese, Burnt Ends Sandwich
Michele Chroman
We always love our meals when we eat at Real Urban BBQ. I am still waiting for you to have a Rewards program., like they used to have when RUB was in Highland Park.
Burnt ends and sides are amazing!! My daughter loves the nachos!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hour Smoked and Sliced Brisket
sandra friedman
party of 9
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hour Smoked and Sliced Brisket, Brisket Sandwich, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Mac & Cheese, BBQ, Sauce, Pulled Chicken, Desserts
Roberta Cohen
I think I’m addicted to the bbq chicken! I love it.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ, Sauce
Lynne Morrow
Good burnt ends and brisket - yummy sides!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dirk Paschal
It doesn't get any better, anywhere! Burnt ends to die for, perfect baby back ribs, great brisket, and even yummy chop salads (add the burnt ends). Multiple sauces, lots of sides, beverages by the bottle, fountain, or mason jar (lemon shake ups, sweet teas, and more). Three locations: Vernon Hills, Highland Park, and Oakbrook, IL. Go!Update: New ownership. Highland Park location closed. Same quality but smaller portions at much higher prices. I still go, just less often.Updated update: Oakbrook location also closed. Things have gone downhill. One of their best meats, baby back ribs, has been replaced by the poorer quality St. Louis style ribs. When I asked about it, they said "everyone is complaining" and gave me the GM's business card. Prices still on the rise. Portions remain smaller than before. I eat here infrequently now. Such a shame.Still another update: Baby back ribs have returned! Just 2 sauces now,--sweet and spicy. Prices have risen, like everywhere else, and portions are still smaller, which is probably a good thing for obese America. Nothing special about most of the sides. The meat is the draw here. Some of the seating is torn and had been for some time, which could be a sign of financial difficulties.
Food is excellent… need more locations…Schaumburg near the mall please!!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Hour Smoked and Sliced Brisket, BBQ, Sauce
Janelle Aynessazian
Been going here since they opened. Amazing bbq! Love the brisket, burnt ends, and bbq chicken. Some of the best side dishes, and great service, their menu has changed a bit, but the quality has not!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hour Smoked and Sliced Brisket, Brisket Sandwich, Mac & Cheese, BBQ, Peach Cobbler, Salad, Pulled Chicken, Desserts
sheila romund
I catered RUBBQ for my Christmas. I had to cancel twice because of family illness. I am 50 minutes away for delivery. Delivery on time, rescheduling was amazing! Food was beyong expectations. Two months ago was my event. Froze some food, reheated tonite, just exactly like I ordered!! We never get customer service like this anymore!! I am so grateful for a guest experience that I was lucky enough to receive. Just the very, very best!! Remember Real Urban BBQ for catering!!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gwendolyn Elder
Went here with my husband in hopes of good bbq. I don’t normally leave low reviews, but they need to improve.The good: staff behind the counter were very helpful.The Texas sausage was good, basic andouille.The chicken was moist and nice.The bad: all of the sides, and we tried a few, were terrible.Mac and cheese: no actual flavor, is this made with real cheese? Pasta was overly cooked. Skip this.Fries: the crazy part is they made them on order, but they were still soggy, so oily, and totally unseasoned. Skip these.Brussel sprouts: soggy, attempting to be of an Asian seasoning profile but completely missed the mark. Skip these.The beans: seriously, you are a BBQ place, get some profile and personality in your food. Skip these.The ribs: one word: Dry - even with sauceThe pulled pork: one word: Dry - even with sauce.We were so disappointed in our visit here and definitely will not be back. Texas would be pissed that you are claiming to be their BBQ.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Ilian Stefanov
Great BBQ. I’ve been here a dozen times and it’s been delicious every time. Ribs, rib tips, pulled pork, sausage, burnt ends. All very good every time. I always recommend them. #
Excellent food every time!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ
Personally to me the BEST BBQ in Lake County hands down !! You have a great selection of meats to choose from and the portions are fulfilling.. The meats here are smoked to perfection with flavor in every bite. You have a variety of sides to choose from, my favorites are the creamy spinach and the Mac and cheese. Nice size portions to go with your meat. Let’s not forget the pickles, THEY ARE A MUST! Sweet but tangy crispy crunch, go hand and hand with your bbq.Surprisingly today it was not as busy as your would expect for it to be a Saturday afternoon, but that meant no line for me and I was not complaining.The prices are worth the portions but be prepared to spend if you have the appetite !Parking: Shared parking lot with neighboring businesses
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Creamed Spinach, Mac & Cheese, Sausage, BBQ, Burnt Ends Sandwich, Pulled Chicken
Great place for honest BBQ. Poultry options are excellent for anyone looking for something past pork/brisket. Excellent kids meals, fast and friendly service. Everything you are looking for in a staple neighborhood spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yum...yumm....and YUMMM!! Food is always solid and good portions. Get the Mason jar so you can bring back for free refills.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Hour Smoked and Sliced Brisket, Brisket Sandwich, Mac & Cheese, Burnt Ends Sandwich
We always love our meals when we eat at Real Urban BBQ. I am still waiting for you to have a Rewards program., like they used to have when RUB was in Highland Park.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Creamed Spinach, Mac & Cheese, BBQ, Sauce, Rib Tips, Hour Smoked Pulled Pork
Burnt ends and sides are amazing!! My daughter loves the nachos!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hour Smoked and Sliced Brisket
party of 9
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hour Smoked and Sliced Brisket, Brisket Sandwich, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Mac & Cheese, BBQ, Sauce, Pulled Chicken, Desserts
I think I’m addicted to the bbq chicken! I love it.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ, Sauce
Good burnt ends and brisket - yummy sides!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It doesn't get any better, anywhere! Burnt ends to die for, perfect baby back ribs, great brisket, and even yummy chop salads (add the burnt ends). Multiple sauces, lots of sides, beverages by the bottle, fountain, or mason jar (lemon shake ups, sweet teas, and more). Three locations: Vernon Hills, Highland Park, and Oakbrook, IL. Go!Update: New ownership. Highland Park location closed. Same quality but smaller portions at much higher prices. I still go, just less often.Updated update: Oakbrook location also closed. Things have gone downhill. One of their best meats, baby back ribs, has been replaced by the poorer quality St. Louis style ribs. When I asked about it, they said "everyone is complaining" and gave me the GM's business card. Prices still on the rise. Portions remain smaller than before. I eat here infrequently now. Such a shame.Still another update: Baby back ribs have returned! Just 2 sauces now,--sweet and spicy. Prices have risen, like everywhere else, and portions are still smaller, which is probably a good thing for obese America. Nothing special about most of the sides. The meat is the draw here. Some of the seating is torn and had been for some time, which could be a sign of financial difficulties.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Hour Smoked and Sliced Brisket, BBQ, Burnt Ends Sandwich
Restaurantji Recommends
Food is excellent… need more locations…Schaumburg near the mall please!!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Hour Smoked and Sliced Brisket, BBQ, Sauce
Been going here since they opened. Amazing bbq! Love the brisket, burnt ends, and bbq chicken. Some of the best side dishes, and great service, their menu has changed a bit, but the quality has not!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hour Smoked and Sliced Brisket, Brisket Sandwich, Mac & Cheese, BBQ, Peach Cobbler, Salad, Pulled Chicken, Desserts
I catered RUBBQ for my Christmas. I had to cancel twice because of family illness. I am 50 minutes away for delivery. Delivery on time, rescheduling was amazing! Food was beyong expectations. Two months ago was my event. Froze some food, reheated tonite, just exactly like I ordered!! We never get customer service like this anymore!! I am so grateful for a guest experience that I was lucky enough to receive. Just the very, very best!! Remember Real Urban BBQ for catering!!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went here with my husband in hopes of good bbq. I don’t normally leave low reviews, but they need to improve.The good: staff behind the counter were very helpful.The Texas sausage was good, basic andouille.The chicken was moist and nice.The bad: all of the sides, and we tried a few, were terrible.Mac and cheese: no actual flavor, is this made with real cheese? Pasta was overly cooked. Skip this.Fries: the crazy part is they made them on order, but they were still soggy, so oily, and totally unseasoned. Skip these.Brussel sprouts: soggy, attempting to be of an Asian seasoning profile but completely missed the mark. Skip these.The beans: seriously, you are a BBQ place, get some profile and personality in your food. Skip these.The ribs: one word: Dry - even with sauceThe pulled pork: one word: Dry - even with sauce.We were so disappointed in our visit here and definitely will not be back. Texas would be pissed that you are claiming to be their BBQ.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Great BBQ. I’ve been here a dozen times and it’s been delicious every time. Ribs, rib tips, pulled pork, sausage, burnt ends. All very good every time. I always recommend them. #
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ