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Lillie's Q

BBQ Joint$$$$

Bucktown, Chicago

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Lillie's Q

7.9^/10

381

ratings

Ranked #1 for fried pickles in Chicago
The barbecue at Lillie's Q is a can't miss
"the carolina + smoky sauces are amazing and drool-inducing."(5 Tips)
"Best BBQ in Chicago- Carolina style"(4 Tips)
"Try the Fried Pickles - Some of the best fried pickles around."(14 Tips)
"Pulled pork sandwich, sweet potato fires and greens, so good!!!"(7 Tips)

119 Tips and reviews

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barbecue
sandwiches
Southern food
fried pickles
smoky sauce
grits
pulled chicken
ribs
carolina sauce
good for groups
casual
sweet tea
spicy food
gluten-free food
Brunswick stew
beer
cole slaw
baked beans
great value
cornbread
(15 more)

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Serious EatsMay 13, 2013
Tri-Tip Sandwich: Get it 'Southern Style' for light coleslaw that provides just the right crunch and vinegar to balance the meat, all without getting in the way.
Bobby KennedyFebruary 23, 2016
Amazing pulled pork. The meat has incredible flavor on its own, and then you can choose from their line of sauced to add a regional style. I recommend the vjnegar-based ENC.
Charlotte WoolfOctober 29, 2013
This is THE spot for Carolina BBQ in Chicago. Love coming here when I'm feeling homesick for pulled pork with a choice of eastern or western Carolina sauce
Todd BidaJuly 18, 2017
The grits and green beans are awesome. Great barbecue: Not too heavy just right. But the coleslaw is a little funky... steer clear. Not quite sure what's going on there
EaterJanuary 8, 2014
Lillie's Q is back in business! Charlie McKenna's barbecue, beer, and atmosphere is drawing crowds once again. [Eater 38 Member]
EaterJuly 27, 2011
When you win numerous BBQ awards after learning how to cook from your grandmother Lillie, and pit master dad, there's a reason your place gets packed. [Eater 38 Member] Read more
Ashton BartlettDecember 26, 2012
Best BBQ I've ever had in my life!!! Baked beans are amazing! Fries are amazing! Sweet tea is amazing! Banana pudding is yummy. Hot Smoky sauce is my favorite.
Paul FarrellApril 12, 2015
The best ribs I have ever had anywhere in the world. Not shittin' ya. The real deal and make sure you order extra for your inner Frank Underwood. Decent beers.
DailyCandyNovember 20, 2013
After a fire, the smoked-meat haunt returned less than three months later to serve Charlie McKenna’s award-winning barbecue. Bonus: Grab his addictive, spicy marinades, sauces, and rubs to go.
Alexis WrightAugust 8, 2013
For true North Carolinians the BBQ doesn't come close to real BBQ from back home and the sweet tea...eh. It's like they tried to make the BBQ fancy but on the plus side they have cheerwine ;)
Time Out ChicagoDecember 6, 2011
Try the fruit shortcake from our 100 Best list: This sweet-as-pie biscuit-and-fruit concoction (the fruit varies with the season) is good enough to go toe-to-toe with any of the fancier takes.
Chris AlgerJanuary 7, 2016
ask for Danny's section - he took great care of us and made excellent suggestions. We all loved our food & drinks selections
Chicago TribuneMarch 19, 2015
If you want to journey across the Carolinas in a single sitting, head to Lillie's Q, where they serve all three versions of the Carolina sauce — vinegar, ketchup and mustard. Read more
Chicago Sun-TimesSeptember 10, 2010
A word about the dynamite pulled pork sandwich. A ton of pork -- delicious on its own -- stacked in the maw of the brioche bun. Squirt some "smoky sauce" from the bottle on the table over the pork to Read more
Time Out ChicagoMay 11, 2012
It’s the pink-tinged pulled pork and thick slices of smoked tri-tip that prove chef-owner Charlie McKenna is every bit deserving of that Memphis in May trophy behind the bar. Read more
CarolOctober 25, 2015
The tri-tip sandwich was seriously the best BBQ sandwich I've ever had. Get the strawberry fields forever cocktail
ᴡ HindsSeptember 18, 2015
Best old fashion I've ever had. Make sure you order it without ice.
Chris VanisonNovember 16, 2014
Tri-tip is excellent - like it with the Memphis hot sauce. Corn bread was a let down, but the rest of the sides made up for it!
Alex MuenchOctober 4, 2013
Been here 10+ times
Tri-tip sandwich and smokey BBQ, is the way to go. So damn good. Fries are awesome too!
Time Out Chicago KidsJanuary 13, 2012
The pulled pork and thick slices of smoked tri-tip at this Wicker Park spot prove chef-owner Charlie McKenna is every bit deserving of that World Championship Barbecue trophy behind the bar. Read more
Myra RubinAugust 10, 2010
Loved the fried pickles, slaw, sweet potato fries & pulled pork sandwich (gr8 bun) Nice beer selection. Nice atmosphere & Friendly service. Will definately try it again when the AC is working!!!
ThrillistJuly 9, 2013
Smoked beef tri-tip on brioche kicked with BBQ rub-dusted fries. Read more
AlisonOctober 4, 2010
Loved the ribs! They are authentic, but a little more refined. The pulled pork was a little bland on it's own, but a fun medium for trying the custom BBQ sauces. Skip the side order of grits, but try
VinnieAugust 28, 2014
Been here 5+ times
The tri-tip sandwich is excellent. You can't go wrong. Nice craft beer selection too!
Valek ReedMay 15, 2016
Half pound of BBQ pulled pork with side of collard greans.
VernaJuly 9, 2011
the recently added fried chicken is just as amazing as the bbq dishes. oh and moonshine is great in everything from bloodies to sweet tea.
Jake SmithSeptember 11, 2012
If you like Memphis-style sauce, the molasses-y flavor of the "Smoky" is what you're looking for. Mac and cheese is superb.
MikeApril 8, 2016
The BBQ is decent but ludicrously expensive. It's also pretty reliant on the 6 different types of sauces they have, something that rubbed me the wrong. Pun intended.
Alana DavidovJuly 16, 2013
Buy a 10$ bracelet for 10% off for life! eat lunch here! It's not crowded, it's delicious and a good price!
Cary BlackOctober 22, 2014
Love pork? Then this is your place. They also have a fried chicken takeout window.
Wilfredo VelascoApril 19, 2014
The Mac & Cheese & Tri-Tip is a must. Oh & Smoky Sauce! Soooo good.
Chris ShackletonNovember 25, 2012
Been here 10+ times
My favorite BBQ spot in Chicago. Love the fried chicken and bacon grits.
Pretty SalluOctober 8, 2015
AMAZING just AMAZING 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀#AMAZING
Joe DonkaDecember 2, 2012
Don't miss the tri-tip. It might be blasphemous to love beef this much in a BBQ joint, but I do.
Lauren MonacoMarch 17, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Want your mind blown!!! Try the grits with bacon... And the smoked chicken and dumplings!!! Holy shit! It's so good!
Stephen LegaultApril 9, 2015
Excellent shrimp grits, definitely worth trying.
Rhonda WrightJuly 6, 2013
Make sure you call in your carry out order. I waited 45 minutes for my carry out order and it was barely warm when I got in the car. Since this was my first visit I MIGHT consider going back! MIGHT!
Gabrielle RosasFebruary 26, 2016
Barbecue, brisket, barbecue sauce, coleslaw, ribs
Dan SchreckDecember 31, 2012
Love the Pulled Pork Sandwich. Lube it up with some Carolina Gold and you're really havin' a good time.
Chicago magazineAugust 16, 2011
The ribs here - lean and mean baby backs rubbed out in “Carolina dirt” - made our list of the 40 Reasons to Love Chicago.
Time Out Chicago KidsJanuary 13, 2012
Try the beer-battered fried pickles, which are extra tasty served with homemade ranch dressing ($5).
Time Out ChicagoFebruary 15, 2011
Thought you’d want to know: Lillie’s Q has been nominated for Best New Restaurant and Best New Barbecue in Time Out Chicago’s 2011 Eat Out Awards. Vote now! Read more
Mindy ZimmerAugust 7, 2011
Really good pulled chicken sandwich! Great bun! I was pleasantly surprised with this place!
Patrick LeMasterSeptember 15, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Everything! Really, everything!
Matt CosentinoAugust 17, 2016
The smoked tri-tip sandwich is so good.
Lizy GershenzonJuly 19, 2013
Really enjoyed the big fresh salad with pulled chicken
Marty CiszonSeptember 2, 2012
Really good food, but don't come when they are closing because they get anxious, freak out, and service spirals rapidly south.
Cate C.February 13, 2011
Gotta love BBQ, most items beyond the sandwiches are gluten free. Ask your server about the sauces to be sure there's no gluten.
Ninah RandolphNovember 4, 2015
The pulled pork sandwich is really good!
Famous JeffersonOctober 25, 2015
I like their pork, stay away from ribs very dry and expensive. Great sauces available.

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