Fat Willy's Rib Shack
2416 W Schubert Ave
(between Artesian Ave & Western Ave)
Chicago, IL 60647 (773) 782-1800
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
165 Reviews for Fat Willy's Rib Shack
I don't know... after reading all these shining reviews, I feel like maybe I missed something. The food was good, but not the best bbq I've ever had. The cow-theme decor was definitely right up my alley... but the service wasn't stellar. Perhaps I'll have to go back and give it another try.
Delicious meaty ribs that are oh so tender! The BBQ sauce is fantastic...they have a sweet one and a spicy one. I love the spicy one. I even like to dip my steak fries into it! Just an all around great BBQ place.
Just went here last night and got a half slab of ribs, coleslaw (it has cinlantro in it and that tastes like soap to me, so I can't eat it), texas toast, your choice of a side and a salad or soup. I couldn't even finish because it was so much food.
This is a great place to go if you are catching a movie at the theater next door. Then parking is only $2 with the validation of your movie ticket.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
The pulled beef brisket sandwich was great. No fat anywhere and lots of sauce (I asked for extra). I went in to try something after reading the reviews on yelp. The half sandwich was big enough for a meal and I am a big guy. The fries were good, but fries are unimportant to me. The cole slaw was cole slaw, nothing new here. I took the food home and had dinner while watching a movie. It was a pleasant less than $10 meal. I will go back for all their other items.
Ok, so I finally tried the mac and cheese 4 cheese baked dinner dish, and it was WONDERFUL. Probably the best mac I've had while dining out. It was super cheesy, crispy and chewy on the top of the dish, but not burnt. And it had a nice garlic flavor to it too. But not so much that it was over powering. It was balanced perfectly. And it was a HUGE portion. Seriously. It looked like enough to feed an army. I had a little more than half of it left over and ate it for lunch the next day. So good! It rivals their grilled cheese sandwich as the best thing there. Well, ok, the best thing there for vegetarians, I am sure that the ribs are the best part for a lot of meat eaters. :0)
Also I tried some hot baked brownie with ice cream and whipped cream and some kind of delish sauce. It was huge again 7 of us split it. Granted we didn't have a large serving but it was so sweet and filling that you don't need a lot. I think it might be too much for just two people to split, but if you are only two people and you are craving a lot of sweet, well then heck! Give it a try! I promise you it's tasty! Make sure you tell your server when you order dinner that you want it, because it takes about 30 minutes or so to make. So you know it's got to be good!!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
07/19/2007
You may ask, "What the heck is a vegetarian doing reviewing a rib joint?!" I know it seems a little… Read more »
Step 1: Place elbows on table
Step 2: Lower arms down to rib tips/ribs/bbq sandwich
Step 3: Lift up to mouth and devour in lady like fashion. Don't forget to dab.
Step 4: Lower arms to partake of the very awesome mac'n'cheese sides and coleslaw. Yes. It's a staple.
How could you not love a place called Fat Willy's? It's where I'd take a bunch of Weight Watchers members just so they'd squirm as they're counting the points for their salads. Salads?? Bah!
The service is downright homey and the food of course is comforting. You can bring kids here, you can chill outside on their patio and you can bring groups here for a quiet riot in the back. I simply love this place and the best part is, it's not expensive. Bad part is the parking sucks!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Damn good. Damn good ribs. Damn good brisket. Damn Damn good baked beans. So Dammit train your damn waiters. oh and get a hogarita they are damn good too.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Went here before a movie at City North across the street. Good food and it came really quick. I had the rib tip appetizer and a side of cole slaw. The tips didn't have much meat on them but were good just the same, the appetizer was the perfect size for me. Everyone got something bbq'd and all were good sized portions. We were there before a movie on a Friday (6:00ish) so it was not too busy.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
I would have to say this is in my top 2 for bbq in chicago. Simply tasty! I almost always get either the full rack of ribs or the pulled pork. I subract a star for the mac n' cheese. they could definitely do a little better, but it's edible. If you eat there, you have to order a 40oz beer, nice touch!
Best BBQ I've had yet in Chicago. The sauces (a sweeter mild and a more spicy) were both excellent. The dinners (and I just got a half rib tip) were quite generous. I'm not quite what Texas toast should be, but the thickly sliced toast I got was perfect accompaniment. Slaw vinegary... The only thing I DIDN'T like was my Bloody Mary--sorry guys, but your mix is weak. Plus, the option of outdoor (covered and uncovered) plus indoor seating makes it year-round appropriate for crazy Chicago weather.
They serve a mean pulled pork sandwich - flavorful, moist, and the vinegar slaw served with it is excellent. I've also tried their pulled beef brisket sandwich, which is also another winner. The tender beef is topped with caramelized onions and horseradish sauce.
Fat Willy's is right across a movie theater, so if you're doing a "dinner and a movie night", just park in the movie theater's parking lot since street parking is hard to come by in that neighborhood.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (2)
Went on a Sunday night around 9 p.m. The hostess states to walk this way, take us to a table & then say "oh, I'm sorry, you need to sit over here". Ok....so we sit down & the waitress, who talked to us like we were kindergartners, immediately told us that there were no ribs.
Ok, a rib place with no ribs? She then disappears for about 10 minutes. When she finally comes back, I order a brisket dinner. She then tells me that they are out of brisket, YET I can order a brisket sandwich. What the **CK? So I ask what DO you have, to make sure that the next thing I select is still available. My friend & I decide on the chicken. The order has to be EXACTLY as it's listed in the menu - otherwise it's extra. Salad dressing for our salads tasted like it was nothing but oil. The chicken was good, portions were good, but I don't like being jerked around the minute I walk in the door.
No, I will not be going back......
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Pretty good bbq. Not very much parking besides lot across the street at the theatre. Love da bread it comes with. Staff was really nice from indoor to outdoor. That's one thing i do like about here is they have outdoor seating and if it rains you still won't get wet. Across the street from movie theatre so if your hungry before or after you have fat willy's there. Overall i think the place is good. It gets 4 stars for being open on Monday =)
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Definitely impressed with this place. Why? Because the food has a good smoke taste to it that's not to over powering and there barbecue sauce is tasty. Although the regular is to sweet and the spicy as a good kick but a combo of the two is perfect and recommend blending them. But that's just my preference. One thing that did bother me was that they didn't have any brisket but I forgave them since we were there about an hour before closing and anybody from the south knows that no brisket is better then brisket sitting around all day and it's not like you can you just make it in just a few minutes. BBQ takes time so when an item is out you must understand they they have to take guess as to how much they are going to sell.
But I was not to be disappointed so our group did it family style, each ordering something different. The rib tips were amamazingly tender, the chicken was crispy on the outside and juicy on the in, and the sausage was just right. Oh yeah and the mac and cheese was to die for... got to love the toasted cheese on top.
So why not a five, well overall the sauce could have been better and two the location isn't really all that great. But it could jump to a five if I try the brisket and I get the same service next time. But overall I'd rather wait here then at Smoque.
Not sure what everyone is eating, but my food was assuredly not bien. I only tried it once; however, it does not deserve a retry. Ribs were subpar/cold, pulled pork subpar and it was slightly overpriced for what I was expecting. Honey One is a much steadier choice in my mind.
Got here early before a movie (if weather is nice be sure to allot plenty of time because Fat Willy's will be busy). I had the ribs, my dining partner had the pulled pork sandwich. My ribs were tasty and smokey but meat was a bit dry and overcooked. The pulled pork was good but it also could have used an infusion of sauce, which there is ample BBQ sauce at the tables, including a hot BBQ sauce; but you shouldn't have to toss on the sauce too much! Home fries were excellent, one of which was 12" long, how do you get a fry that long?
Our waitress was great, and always coming by to check on us!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
We had to wait 45 min for a table...although drinkin' cheap beer and listening to Hank Williams hardly counts as waiting. The ribs reeked of the right hardwood smokes and were caramelized with a crust of calorie laden sauce. I still smell like that heaven-sent meat. My girlfriend had the brisket and it wasn't that good. Then again, this is Chicago, not Texas, so only one star off for that. I can't wait to go back in the summer and kick back on the patio.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
I don't play when it comes to 40oz beers and ribs. The only thing that would make this place better is if they gave foot rubs and vicodin.
People thought this was:
Funny (4)
Cool (1)
The portions are large and the food is tasty. This place can get very busy and the only real parking option is across the street in the movie theater lot which costs $2. They even have salads so a veggie going with you might be able to eat . All and All very solid BBQ.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
The food here is simply great! The waiter I had was very courteous and attentive to us even with it being at the end of the day when we came in to celebrate a graduation.
Though I have been there plenty of times, I tend to make this place one of those special occasions and it was. The food was quick to come out and wait wasn't all that bad even with a party of 6.
The brisket is at a scarcity if you're not going for the sandwich version of it while the sandwich brisket is widely available. I'm thinking it is so since they probably prep it early in the day.
The sauce was awesome as usual which shows great consistency. I was feeling somewhat adventurous and usually steer away from any soups that were not familiar and it just paid off to get the soup of the day. It was unexpectedly good.
The only down side is the the cost but the food certainly makes up for it!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Fat Willy's dont mess around. Thanks to Check Please, I discovered this place (love that show). In the two times I've had Fat Willy's, I've had their roasted vegetable salad (raspberry vinagrette is the ta-tas), rib tips, and regular ribs. The meat is smoked perfectly, and the sauce is a great balance between sweet and tangy. It's seriously delicious.
I've only had it for carry out, though, so I can't really comment on the atmosphere. Although, I would like to sit outside on a warm evening.
We went last night before a movie. Not my first time here (maybe 6th).It was busy inside and out. Had BBQ Chicken with beans, cole slaw, and ceasar salad.
Maybe because it was busy, but the BBq chicken was not good at all, the beans not as good as every other time before,cole slaw was good (I heart cole slaw), and ceasar was tasty.
I recall last time eating here it being much better. Service good but mechanical. I tried to get the waitress laughing but she was busy being serious (we were NOT drinking).
Might try it again as it is close to the movie theater and there is parking (I heart parking)
Cue unscientific anecdote: I told a group of friends that the girlfriend and I had gone out to dinner the night before. They asked where, and when I said "Fat Willy's" each and every one of them went "Ooooooh..."
I love this place. I love the ribs, the pulled pork sandwich, the pulled beef sandwich, the coleslaw and the fact that their "bar" is about two feet wide.
It's a good thing this place isn't near the el because I would weigh 500 lbs. and generate my own hickory smoke smell.
Barbecue highly over rated. Tastes like sugar cured pork, not salt. Some of the wait staff were nice but our waiter talked to us twice with a hello and what is your order (food was brought out by someone else). I was ready to order more drinks but never came back. I finally got up and asked for my bill. Gave us sour cream instead of honey butter for cornbread. Place was not busy, with plenty of seating and other waiters.
Prices were ridiculous for what you get. No sauce on the table, had to go to the counter to get some.
There are a tons of Southern Barbecue joints in South Chicago that taste better and 1/3 the price.
I can't believe people think this is Barbecue.
You can get better barbecue from any Southern Meat and Three for $6.99
This might be the best BBQ in the city! I have to recommend the brisket. The meat is very tender and is cooked at the perfect temp for the precise amount of time, thus giving it the wonderful smoke rings. The best part is that it's dry rubbed and not soaked the BBQ sauce, allowing you to enjoy the cut of meat and the flavor of the smoking. My friend had the half chicken, which she recommended highly. Each entree came with Texas toast and a large portion of steak fries.
The service was wonderful and the best part might be the sweet tea (southern style) served in a large plastic cup and no silly flavors like mint or lemongrass.
I have to say, I truely love this place.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Fat WIlly's should be called Fat Rachel's. Seriously. My tum tum is full of BBQ goodness. Martha and I headed here after some hard work at the thrift. My hands still smell like the smoky delicious pulled pork sandwich we split. We also split an order of amazing, cheesy, garlicky mac & cheese. The fries and coleslaw were also tasty additions to our meal. I had no trouble joining the clean plate club tonight. I even considered licking the plate, though I managed to hold onto a shred of my dignity and stop myself. Though we hate it big time, we also got PBR because it's only $1.75, though ours was free because they made us wait for it because it was apparently not "ready." The only other low point was when we wanted to get cookies a la mode for dessert and the waiter said they wouldnt do that because they have to conserve the ice cream for the brownie a la mode. Bizarre and lame. I really wanted that damn cookie and I wanted it covered in drippy, melty vanilla. Bah.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (3)
Cool (4)
God I love this place! It's perfect for a night out because you can simply cross the street and go to the Kerasotes City North movie theatre for a flick to let the food settle (park in the movie's garage and it's $2 with validation). Other than the great location, the ambiance is perfect. You have a chalk board where anyone can draw, write or play tic-tac-toe, cute flying pigs hanging from the windows, hilarious to well-done customer pig drawings on random sheets of paper near the entrance, fake cow hide spotted table cloths and a giant pig with its anatomy labeled on the wall. The staff is ALWAYS very nice and fun, while they are sure to give you a full roll of paper towels to clean off your hands, mouths and often shirts. The BBQ ribs are delicious and I always get the basket which comes Texas garlic toast and thick steak fries (perfect to split $21.95). Check it out! :)
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Oh Fat Willy...
So this review can't count towards any of the meat at Fat Willy's because I am a vegetarian who eats Hot Dogs... and Fish.
Reguardless, I have been here maybe 3 times and have never been disappointed. I usually get the jumbo shrimp which are quite jumbo and very delicious. They also have amazing sides and corn bread. The ribs look pretty good though. If you don't want to eat meat or fish, their salads are pretty huge and look wonderful.
It's usually really crowded and takes a bit to be seated, but when you are done eating you will feel stuffed to the max.
My bet is that 67% of most people will love it here.
This place is good depending on what you order. The cornbread was dry and disappointing. The macaroni and cheese and artichoke dip were both swimming in butter and were completely overloaded with garlic that it's all you could taste! On a positive note the jalapeno poppers (I think that is what we had) were delicious. Their regular BBQ sauce is delicious and my friend said her pulled pork sandwich was good. Portions are HUGE so we're glad we ordered 1/2 sandwiches. Service is a little slow.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I love me some BBQ and Fat Willy's does it right. I don't stray too much from the BBQ menu, so I can't vouche for anything but the meat goods: The Burger is HUGE, the ribs are about as good as they come, and the Beef Brisket sandwich... well, it is honestly the item that keeps me coming back. Oh... and you can order a 40 oz beer if you want, and it is kindly delivered to you hobo style in a paper bag. Awesome.
The only issue I have with the place is that they used to deliver to me, but it depends on who answers the phone on if they will or they won't these days. I even offered to walk across the street (i live on the wrong side of the boundary street) to meet the delivery dude, and they still won't do it. Bummer.
I like this place a lot. I can be complete full and about to see a movie at Western Theater and then I smell Fat Willy's Rib Shack and I want to drop everything and grab a pulled pork sandwich. The lemonade is pretty intense.
This place is super good if you like fatty tatty foods like I do!! go for spinach and artichoke dip-and the ribs of course! They also sell booze, which im a big fan of. Then afterwards you can catch a good flick(especially if you go for 5 dollar tuesdays at the theater.. im cheap.. and easy.. what can I say)
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
Based on the reviews, I wanted to try Fat Willy's. I had been going to Smoke Daddy on Division whenever in the mood for ribs, but it may be FW's from now on. We got there at about 6:00 and told the wait was 30-40 minutes. We were seated in 15 - I like when they don't underestimate the time it's going to take to be seated. While we were we waiting, we were offered several samples of the appetizer corn fritters by the wait staff, who is very friendly. Got a couple beers - they serve PBRs in the can for $1.50 - unbeatable.
As for the food, I ordered baby back ribs (1/2, but it was plenty) with a salad and a sweet potato. It also comes with toasted bread and cole slaw. Everything tasted great. The salad had mixed greens instead of iceberg, which is rare at a rib joint. The cole slaw was not too creamy and the sweet potato was excellent. Finally, the ribs, which are smoked, are meaty and cooked in a sauce with a little bite. They are fall off the bone.
Overall, a great first experience. We were seated just in time, because a huge line of people were waiting as we left. I could only imagine what the place will be like in the summer.
First let me start by saying that I am very picky about the meat that I eat. Either it's too fatty or too dry, or undercooked or overcooked. Most of the time I avoid meat altogether. But every so often, I crave some ribs. I've been a few places in Chicago for ribs since I moved here a year and a half ago, and have been consistently dissapointed by places that claimed to have the best ribs in the city. BUT, Fat Willy's really did have great ribs! Cooked perfectly, seasoned perfectly, just juicy enough without being fatty. The sauce was delicious, and our server was attentive. Best ribs I've had so far in Chi-town! :)
This is for delivery only, never ate in. So full disclosure here.
After much debate and not wanting to venture out, I decided on Fat Willy's. As in other reviews, I found the food very good. Ordered the beef brisket and the mac & cheese.
Why three stars, it took forever to get here and when you added in the delivery and tip this little meal came in just over 30 bucks. Maybe they didn't add it up right, and I was too tired to care. But to me that just seems like too much for what I ordered.
I'm going to make it a point and try dining in. Sorry if this review doesn't help much other than if you're real hungry and do delivery, I hope you have some snacks on hand.
I like my BBQ slow cooked, but delivered fast.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
Wow really tasty bbq sauces. Me and my honey split the pulled pork sammie and I felt like I was going to burst at the seams. We also ordered up a round of the jalapeno corn fritters, very sweet and delicious. My only request, if not an obnoxious one, is could you please spare a few extra drops of tequila in my hogarita? I'm not drunk enough!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
The best ribs in town! They are cooked just right so the meat is tender but still on the bone, with a tangy garlicky bbq sauce. I went to ribfest a couple yrs back on lincoln, and the rest couldn't compare to this. A full rib slab order comes with thick cut fries. Parking can be a problem, there are only a few street spots, then the theater ramp across the street.
10 Stars for Fat Willy's!!!!!!!!!!
I love this Place! No matter what your in the mood for the menu will steer you directly to something that would soothe your tummy!
Great salads!
Great Black bean soup!
Great baked macaroni & cheese!!
Great desserts!
Steak fries!
Tender and juicy pulled beef, pork & chicken sandwiches!
The bar~B~que is the best I've ever had!! It really is!!
I love the flying little pigs on the windows, all the colored pages from the kids, the huge chalk board in the back, all the white lights hanging above and the huge pig on the wall!!
A TRUE FAVORITE...10 ten times over!!!!!!!!!!!!!
: p
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
This is the best BBQ I have hid in the city so far.
I have to admit, I have not been to them all.
I like this place because it is casual, priced about right, nice decor and staff, and the ribs are AWESOME. Do yourself a favor and just go straight for the ribs. After trying several BBQ places, I think you can only compare apples to apples by trying the ribs. I have had the brisket sandwich and it is really good and satisfying, but if I am going to throw down for BBQ, I may as well go the whole 9 yards.
This includes the 4 cheese mac& cheese. Totally unecessary, but you can't afford not to. You'll have leftovers anyway. I'd like to eat at the outdoor patio sometime in the summer.
5-stars don't come easy and after dozens of reviews, it's only the second one i've issued on yelp. The pulled pork alone is worthy of the 5 star rating, it's simply the best in Chicago, hands down.
I'm not gonna try to get into the technicalities and intricacies of BBQ as I only know what I like and this is the sorta pulled pork that makes me wanna cry it's so good. It's very tender and succulent, has an excellent smoky flavor (but not overpowering) and goes great w. their semi sweet and tangy (w. a bit of a kick) bbq sauce. As is customary with a good bbq sandwich, they also top it off w. their finely diced cole slaw; perfection!
Now onto the sides, which frankly play a pretty big role for me when doing bbq. I'm gonna give them a 4 out 5 on them. Baked beans: who doesn't get baked beans with bbq? it's basically compulsory in my book. Theirs are decent (not great) and include several varieties of beans, a 3.5/5. Mac & Cheese, excellent, 4.5/5. Texas Toast, Mashed Potatoes, French Fries: 5/5!
They have great lunch specials where you can get a 1/2 sandwich with fries + two sides. The 1/2 sammy is still v big and sides pretty generous too, well worth the $6.50 they charge!
Look, Fat Willy's has over 115 reviews and is a solid 4-star...for a fan of BBQ, there's absolutely no reason this shouldn't be on your list of frequented bbq establishments in Chicago, esp if it's near you..even if not, you should take the extra time, energy and effort to experience it!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
Tonight I had a serious hankering for mac & cheese (five days ago, it was fried chicken... I'm starting to wonder if I'm pregnant). It's sub-arctic cold outside, so I tried in vain to find a place that would deliver it to me... check out my failed yelp thread: http://www.yelp.com/to...
Anyway, I finally bit the bullet and drove out to Fat Willy's. Be aware that my 5-star review is based almost entirely on their mac & cheese. The service was quick, the food traveled well, and the mac was absolutely delicious. It was like what I imagine trying crack would be like. They make it sort of like baked mostaccioli, if all the tomato sauce was transformed into more cheese, and then further cheese was applied. This is making me hungry again, so I may go back and eat the leftovers (there's plenty... they give you a truckload of the stuff). Also, the side salad is surprisingly good, despite being "dressing in a plastic cup" style.
I plan to keep coming back to Fat Willy's until I've tried every damn thing on their entire menu. Thank you, Yelp!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
Top Restaurants
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the… -
Wicker Park
Where I worked from 2002-2003 and lived from… -
Absolute Favorite…
Some fancy, some not so. These are the tip of the… -
If my cell phone is LOST!
Perhaps if I drop my cell phone in a toliet,or get… -
