Big Ed's BBQ

Big Ed's BBQ is the best bbq around and in my humble opinion ever. Was recommended them years ago and been coming back ever since. They are the standard I hold all bbq places against even in all my travels. First, everyone is incredibly friendly and welcoming there. I love the family atmosphere and Big Ed's 2 sons, wife and partners and everyone working there. So friendly and remember you and truly welcome you in. The restaurant is smaller but not too long ago they opened it up a bit more which has been nice. They are going to a bigger place next year and we can't wait to continue to enjoy them there. There is a reason you should come early because this place is always popping and almost always has a nice size line which to me says a lot about how good it is. People are willing to travel for it and wait for it. Heck, I have to come about 35 minutes to get it but it's worth it! We also come earlier in the day so we can ensure we get our fix of everything and nothing sold out. Love love love the burnt ends! Moist and tender and flavorful! We get the combo platters to enjoy a little of everything. Love the brisket and the ribs too and also like the pulled pork and pulled chicken. Another thing, the sides are to die for! Sure the meat is key for a bbq place but to me the sides are just as important. A lot of bbq places have maybe one good side or limited choices that aren't great. Not big Ed's! I absolutely love the mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, Tony's Mac, baked beans, Cole slaw, sweet potatoes (on the weekend), and the corn bread muffins!! My husband also enjoys the collard greens on the weekends too. Corn bread muffins so good I buy extras for home! Not dry and flavorless like other bbq joints. Oh and the bbq sauce I love that he has a variety of like 6 different sauces he makes. Doesn't just serve generic bbq sauce like sweet baby rays so I love his sweeter bbq sauces like Memphis and Kansas City. We also love the desserts and have enjoyed the cobbler and key lime pie!! There is nothing to complain about with big Ed's bbq! My mouth waters right now just writing about it all and thinking about it. I'm traveling and wishing there was a big Ed's where I am now but nowhere compares! All the area bbq joints are overpriced and small portions for dry, tasteless food with limited options for sides and sauces. I would pay whatever for big Ed's and I think the price and amount of food and quality of food is totally reasonable! Additionally, I adore everything I see this business owner do for his family, community, other businesses, and just going above and beyond to be a good human being in this crazy world! I love his social media posts and it's clear he's got a lot a love from everyone for everyone. I love seeing all the good and positivity and humor and it just amplifies an already amazing product. Keep doing what you're doing big ed and family and we will keep telling everyone about you and keep coming back for delicious bbq you can't find anywhere else! A++++ 10/10!

Brother wanted BBQ while we were coming back from Wisconsin - and found this place. BBQ is tricky because if you're in a remote enough area - their "good BBQ" really is "okay BBQ because they don't have access to better BBQ."But - Big Ed's does a really good job :) It's a very homey vibe as (it appears but too shy to confirm) Ed himself is there, and he's a friendly man. The variety of choice you get is amazing - and the portion size is very generous.The fam basically got one of each item so we can try them all - the full rack, the brisket, and the burnt ends. Some of these items are tricky also as, for example, brisket can be chewy and tough (and paying a premium for it makes it worse). But I want to say, all the meats were really good - I'd probably lean towards Burnt Ends being the best, then the brisket, and then surprisingly, would skip the ribs as the other two are that much better.Notably, they provide 6 sauces at each table so you get to try them all. Unfortunately, I want to say that I didn't like any of them - they felt homemade in the sense that it was unbalanced (ie: one too vinegary, one too watery, etc.) - but maybe it was just the batch we got??? I'm okay with eating BBQ without sauce though and the meat quality is good enough to do without it - but yeah, this part was a little unfortunate.Overall, would come again if in the area :)

I came here because I saw that the restaurant was a repurposed Pizza Hut. I walked in and stood in line it moved relativity fast. There is a bar that served beer. While waiting they have a white board with items that are sold out with a time when they should be ready again. Since I wanted the rib tips but there was a 20 minute wait. I ordered the combo dinner with burnt ends and brisket. It comes with two sides and a corn muffin. I was feeling greedy so I ordered a third side. Mac and cheese, beans and cole slaw. The guy behind the counter was phenomenal. Joking with customer while giving them information when items will be ready. I sat down and they have six different bbq sauces to try. My favorite was the original and That Hot Ish. I was surprised by how much food they give you. The brisket was juicy and fall apart as soon as you tried to pick it up. The burnt end was tender and flavorful without any sauce. My favorite side was the Mac and cheese, followed by the beans with chunks of brisket. My eyes were bigger than my stomach and I enjoyed every bite until I had to tap out. Seldomly do I need to go containers at bbq spots, but I would have had to take a nap if I continued eating.

The food is pretty delicious. The brisket is soft, pulled pork is delicious, ribs are delicious.tender and favor is amazing-no sauce needed. Mac n cheese are kids approved, greens are adult approved. Cornbread is also delicious. At Big Ed's you line up and order at the counter and get your food right away. The line is out the door by 1130am. Someone is always checking up on you and clearing tables right away for the next customers. This place is huge and clean.

I haven't been to Big Ed's since it opened and the food was so delicious!!! When my wife enjoys the pulled pork the way she did and compared it to some she loved down in Gatlinburg, you know it's good! I had the rib tips with Mac and Cheese, slaw, and corn bread. Soooooooo goooood!!! Saw some folks working that I remembered and the gentleman taking orders remembered me. It's been 4 or 5 years. Now that's great memory. The dining room was big enough as there were at least 2 or 3 parties there amongst the tables of couples and smaller groups. There was a band starting to play as we left and wish we didn't have to get home so soon so that we could listen. Keep it up Big Ed's and staff! You all the best!!!

The new location is humangous. The food is ok. People who bitch they drove an hour each way and the food isn't to their liking, well, don't drive. And then complain. Don't. There are plenty of other BBQs probably much closer to you.

I'm from Texas and really picky on BBQ. I went on a Sunday and they were closed early because they ran out of food. I will go early next time. I went today and got the ribs and brisket with Mac cheese and baked beans. The ribs were amazing! The brisket was really tender but I like mine a little rarer. This was well done but good. The original sauce was fantastic and put it on the brisket to counter the well doneness. The sides were great! In Texas there's a cake called Texas Sheet Cake which is my favorite. The chocolate cake here is the same cake with walnuts instead of pecans. It was the first time I felt like I was eating back home. The staff was so nice!! The gentleman who helped with my Togo order was exceptional. I will definitely return. Little on the expensive side but the price of meat is outrageous right now. I can't wait to try the burnt ends and the rib tips next time.

Went to Big Ed's at their new location. After an uneventful first visit, we wanted to try them again. For a second time, Ed's was out of brisket, burnt ends and chicken at 5pm. Out of food at 5pm?? We ordered pulled pork and rib tips, which came with 2 sides each. Food was average, with an extremely long wait for a short line (15 minutes). First time shame on you, second time shame on me.

the food was good. Unfortunately, there wasn't much of it. the amount of pulled pork they put on a $15 pulled pork sandwich would be by other restaurant standards considered a slider.I should have taken a photo.

sigh...it's with heavy heart that I write this review. firstly I loved the food here. I've been coming to big ed's since their last move up in Waukegan and it was a quaint restaurant with the perfect amount of mom & pop feel. there was always that guy with the long beard and the Hispanic lady at the register that made it feel homey -- like you were walking into a friends house. Sometimes you were able to even catch big Ed himself walking around. When you ordered, you were able to see them pull fresh brisket, ribs, chicken etc from the meat locker and slice it fresh. It all added to the experience of "home". Now it's turned into the equivalent of a cold, basic chili's or TGIF. The small gift shop where they take to go orders really makes it feel like you're in a commercialized ikea food court type space. They're now charging $.80 for extra sauce (which I always get two of the hot ish -- it's the best one)...I got home and received ONE hot ish and one regular sauce even though I paid for TWO hot ish sauces...oh well can't drive back to go get another hot ish just disappointed. Not to mention, the same meal I got at the previous location would've costed $22 now cost $32 for the same amount of food (actually I ordered less food this time because I was trying not to be a big back and it still costs more). I don't see myself coming back here unfortunately... sincerelylooking for a new neighborhood bbq spot