Always great food neighborhood staple but the wait can hopefully be better one day
It was ok. I was hoping for a little bit more of a unique flavor profile from this historic landmark of BBQ. The ribs tips were tender but the sausage lacked any kind of flavor. Always order your sauce on the side.
Memorial Day weekend.. I decided to pick up an order of rib tips. When I arrived the line was literally around the restaurant! Well.. I had a taste for BBQ and decided to wait. I stood in line for. 1.5 hours.. The RIB TIPS COMBO was well worth the wait!!! I enjoyed everything.. ( the bread too) ?. I haven’t eaten at LEM’S in over 20 + years.. now I’m a regular customer and THATS ON LIFE!!
The rib tips were mostly burnt and not flavorful at all, I don't understand "the hype" about this place. The breading on the chicken wings was soggy. The small framed female cashier was RUDE. She never smiled, was NOT pleasant in any way, and VERY UNPROFESSIONAL (arguing with customers continuously)! I will not return. There was a dark skinned older gentleman taking orders and chopping tips that was pleasant and kind (he's the ONLY reason I added a 2nd star). Front line (cashier) customer service TRAINING IS DEFINITELY NEEDED at this place!
I have been in Chicago for 32 years and never tried Lem's until today. They open at 12 pm I arrived at 12:30 pm. The line was wrapped around the building, and you could smell the smoke in the air, which made me even more excited. By the time I got to place my order, 50 minutes later, they were out of the Rib Tips. They were on the Food Network promoting their Rib Tips, and how great they were. So, with that being said, can you please explain why you would run out of this very popular menu it within the first hour of business? On a Friday no less. I spent a total of $80 , and the food was not so good. The Rib Tips and the baby back taste as if they used lighter fluid. They got me this time, but never again.
I’ve had southern bbq and while styles are different in regions, I think Lem’s rival some of the most popular BBQ places.Line was worth the wait - I got the hot links and rib tips over fries and boy it was amazing. Seasoned to perfection and so much flavor.They take credit but note this is take out only right now and eating this can get a bit messier in the car. You can wait until you get home but we wanted the food fresh!
The line was long line outside the building. They are only letting 3 people inside and you must wear a mask. I waited in line 45 minutes before someone came out and said ribs were cook it would be another 20. So altogether it was an hour and fifteen minutes. The food is reasonably priced. Once I got home I took the food out to see they barely put sauce on the meat. The meat was still tasty but I would have preferred sauce on the tips and chicken
Lem’s has an outstanding BBQ product, best ribs on the South Side of Chicago. Be prepared to wait awhile outside, hopefully it’s not too cold or hot. Due to Covid only 3 people can wait inside. Staff is very helpful and pleasant. Lem’s must be doing something right to stay in business 60 years.
The BBQ is outstanding. We waited outside for about 20 minutes and about 10 minutes inside. It was worth it. I went during the week for lunch about 15 people in line the whole time. The smell drew us in. We ordered JBL special...a little of everything. Wings, ribs (my favorite) hotlinks, tips, and fries. Next time I'll order my fries separately because they soak up the sauce but I'll will be back. Dress warm during the winter you have to wait outside.
A Southside institution.. haven't been in 30+ years but tastes exactly the same. Nobody but Lem's (and good old Leon's) knows fries at the bottom.. underneath the ribs and tips smothered in sauce. Opened at 12..was in line at 11:52.. didn't have my food until 12:37..but the JBL special was worth it. Great to go packaging as it stayed warm until I got home 3hrs later..the key to reheat is flip over the container so sauce drips down to meat.