Blackwood BBQ - Illinois Center Reviews
Submitted by Randal K on 09/13/2019
Randal K 5 stars rating.
You can't go wrong here if you want some quality BBQ. I got the brisket platter with the chicago style sauce and it was really tender with the perfect amount of fat on it. The mac and cheese was only okay for me. I got it to go and you should probably eat it while its hot and melty. Overall, it's fast and reasonably priced bbq in downtown.
Lisa Collins 1 stars rating.
Sorry to say the brisket was very dry. The burnt ends where old and drowning in the sauce. Not good at all.
Submitted by Lisa Collins on 08/09/2022
Laila Wells 5 stars rating.
Great pulled pork sandwich and Mac and cheese!! Will be baa k
Submitted by Laila Wells on 06/30/2022
Simply Floors 1 stars rating.
Manager Dominic very very rude and unprofessional. The burn ends were old my food platter was very old. My Mac and cheese taste like set out all night
Dave
Submitted by Simply Floors on 03/04/2022
Fitsum Samuel Hailu 5 stars rating.
They have lean, fatty and in between options for the meat. I had the beef brisket, it was in between with Chicago style sauce and a side of coleslaw. It was so delicious and filling. I'm definitely gonna have that again the next time and highly recommend it.
Submitted by Fitsum Samuel Hailu on 02/07/2020
Keenan Torres 5 stars rating.
I take my family to this great spot quite a bit! This is the best place to eat. I go to this spot at least once a month. The cooking is very tasty, the staff members are courteous and the rates are decent. I enjoy meeting in this spot over a tasty lunch.
Submitted by Keenan Torres on 01/31/2020
Russell Wolfe 5 stars rating.
We enjoy to go out. Last night we found this magnificent place which friends recommended to us. We enjoyed a delightful experience there with superb dishes and a nice crew and an impressive cuisine. We put this place in our phone list and we will no doubt return very soon. Highly recommended.
Submitted by Russell Wolfe on 01/09/2020
Alyson Rome 5 stars rating.
Skip the tourist chains and duck in here for a quick bite. Efficient staff; don't be intimidated by the line. Very few seats (16 or so) but easily snagged one at 1PM on a weekday. Tasty mac hit the spot on this chilly day.
Submitted by Alyson Rome on 10/15/2019
Mike Royer 4 stars rating.
Pretty cool place, basically BBQ version of Chipotle. Line was 10-15 people deep but moved quickly. The burnt ends had great flavor but we're a little dry. The employees were very friendly and quick. I would recommend!
Submitted by Mike Royer on 05/23/2019
Holly Pena 5 stars rating.
One of my preferred locations for bbq. Great place to chill, get away, eat some good food. Had a friend come into town and she asked me to take her here again. The bill won't break you. Menu is like a cafe in Boston I loved.
Submitted by Holly Pena on 04/21/2019
Dan Frigolette 3 stars rating.
Salt of the Earth
The Five Star Phenomenon on this place can be explained by comparative locationing. This BBQ shack is adjoined by McDonalds, a Burrito Joint, Cosi, and a Deli, given it a sort of "Superior by Association" quality.
In reality, the Brisket is over salted, the slaw is a vinegary overkill, and the pickles have a kick that shouldn't hit so hard.
It's a fine hot meal but not the Best BBQ in Chicago.
All 6 sauces are the wrong consistency as they try to take on multiple's regionalities specialties, they don't even "nail" Chicago BBQ Sauce. You will most likely spill one of these soupy consistency dippers on your chest on your way to your mouth.
This Lunch Spot is the Benihana of the cafeteria style dining environment it lives in but the Chipotle of Barbecue as far as Chicago is concerned.
There should be a larger point deduction based on the lack of bathrooms and staff suggestion to "buy something at McDonald's and use theirs."
If you work in the building, befriend the staff for a few extra ounces of meat at lunchtime, if you're a tourist pick a BBQ Spot with its own door, you'll thank me in the morning.
Submitted by Dan Frigolette on 12/05/2017
Klim Kavall 5 stars rating.
Amazing food! Ate here two days straight for lunch. I'm looking forward to the next time I'm in Chicago to get me some BBQ! But careful, your clothing will smell like BBQ if you stay in the restaurant for a bit too long.
Submitted by Klim Kavall on 06/01/2017
Richard Sassoon 5 stars rating.
Delicious brisket topped with their Chicago style sauce, and a side of 3 cheese mac'. Great food at an affordable price and friendly staff. Too bad I don't live in Chicago...
Submitted by Richard Sassoon on 04/20/2017
Frank Lin 5 stars rating.
Blackwood BBQ serves some of the BEST bbq beef brisket in Chicago - and amazingly enough, during lunch hours in the loop (three locations. Michigan Ave & South Water, Lake and Wells, and Clinton and Madison)
You can order your brisket one of three ways: Fatty, Regular, or Lean. Brisket is a cut of beef that has a significant amount of fat to it, which can be a turn off for some. Fatty is basically the brisket sliced and served to you - nothing reduced. Lean is just that - no fat. and I believe (because I have order it this way) regular is a mix of fatty and lean; essentially, less fat.
On to the sauces...
Honestly, if you're getting brisket - don't add any sauce. The brisket is so good it can stand on its own.
But if you must know, Blackwood has a series of BBQ sauces you can choose to apply to your meats. I used to get the Chicago (sweet and spicy). You can also opt for Memphis (sweeter), Kansas City (spicier), North carolina (vinegar based), South Carolina (mustard based), or Alabama ("White sauce in the celebrated Southern style"). But honestly - if you're getting brisket - don't add any sauce. The brisket is so good it can stand on its own.
Submitted by Frank Lin on 03/20/2017
Stuart Conover 5 stars rating.
Stopped here for breakfast on opening day of the new location. Had one of the breakfast sandwiches and loved it. The staff was friendly and suggested which BBQ they felt would best go for breakfast and the cashier had a smile for every customer that went by. The food was fantastic and while I ended up eating it with a knife and fork from being a little messy, my taste buds had 0 complaints.
I'm so glad we have a new breakfast/lunch spot in the building that isn't pure fast food AND is at a good price point for both!
Submitted by Stuart Conover on 08/29/2016
