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Buffalo Joe's Howard Street
Category: Restaurants American (Traditional) American (Traditional) [Edit]
1841 W Howard St(between Custer Ave & Winchester Ave)
Chicago, IL 60626
Neighborhood: Rogers Park
(773) 764-7300
- Nearest Transit:
-
Howard (Purple Line, Red Line, Yellow Line)
- Hours:
Mon 10:30 am - 9 pm
Tue-Thu, Sun 10:30 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 10:30 am - 11 pm
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
34 reviews for Buffalo Joe's Howard Street
Review Highlights
34 reviews in English
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Review from Jeffrey B.
Chicago, IL
3/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
Welcome to Buffalo Joes home of the suicide chicken wings. Due to lent I couldn't take any photos, taste, smell, look at or touch these fried chicken wings. As soon as lent is over i will make sure to have a follow up post on these amazing wings. This not so hole in the wall but seems like a hole in the wall restaurant has been a staple to evanston for many years. It's funny because I've only been to the downtown evanston location and my friend jimmy has been telling me about this location for over a year now. This place for sure has better deals, better sized wings, rib tips!, friendly staff and a shrine of michael jordan memorabilia. I mean c'mon rib tips, wings, fries and a drink for 9 bucks! It's like I'm stealing from them. My brother and jimmy had the wings and has said that they are way better than the downtown evanston one, larger, flavorful, perfectly cooked to perfection and great to the last bone. This time i couldn't order the wings so i ended up with the chicken burger and a broccoli and cheese baked potato. Both items were delicious. This being a wing specialty restaurant I am very surprised that the other dishes were just as good. Hope you enjoy the pictures! Hot wings in a month for a follow up post must happen.
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Review from Emily B.
Chicago, IL
4/1/2012
UGHHHHHHH WHY???
The wings had so little meat, I think the chickens were anorexic. Jokes aside, really, for 20 wings, there was practically no chicken there. It was little more than bones encased in skin & sauce with an occasional scrap of chicken here or there. And not even the fried part was good; the wings tasted vaguely and unpleasantly of catfish.
Those amazing waffle cheese fries apparently can't cross Howard street, because they serve run of the mill hot dog stand fries with liquid cheese here. The soda even tasted off! Yuck, yuck, yuck.
Yeah, I'll just drive the extra 10 minutes north and eat at the downtown Evanston one next time and forever after. -
Review from Ennos P.
Chicago, IL
1/18/2012
Good wings that can use more meet but are tasty - yep, this is the place. Been going here since America made me into the fat ass I am now. Thanks.
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Review from Boon K.
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Best thing to bring to a party. People always seem so happy when you walk in the door with Joe's wing. I love the spicy and the suicide both have that tang you are looking for and just end up eating more wings. Even when it is cold it is still good to eat but if you get it hot. The wings are just nice and crispy.
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Review from Gary C.
2/7/2011
Could it be? Two same-named establishments who operate at opposite ends of the spectrum? The answer to that is YES.
Holy crap. I called ahead to place an order to pick up for the following day. It was a decent sized order that involved a party pan of wings and such. You know how many times I had to call before someone could take my order?? Four. Two calls played out like this:
Buff Joe's: Thank you for calling Buffalo Joe's on Howard. Can I help you??
Me: Hi. I would like to pla---------...
[dial tone]
The third call kinda went along the lines of:
Buff Joe's: Thank you for calling Buffalo Joe's on Howard. Can I help you??
Me: Hi. I would like to place an order that will be picked up tomorrow.
Buff Joe's: Okay. Let me get someone who can take that order, sir.
[Employee puts phone down on counter]
[I wait......for seven minutes].
Yeah. I hung up, but not before I heard about what some of the female employees did the night before. Let's just say they had quite an evening and they couldn't wait to get off...of work.
At this point you're probably saying "Why didn't this guy just call the Clark St. location?" Well, because I needed the order for a certain time and the Clark St. location couldn't guarantee me getting my food at the hour that I requested.
I didn't learn from the previous three calls so I made the fourth call. The gal took my order. Verbally repeated the order and the time. We said our goodbyes.
FAST FORWARD to the next day. I go to pick up the order...and you guessed it...THEY HAD NO RECORD OF IT. I got a "Sorry" and that's about it. No compensation. Nada. Wtheck!!
**For those who are interested in the quality of food, it's sub-par compared to the more popular location. OH, and Howard doesn't have waffle fries.
**Cash only, just like the other Buff Joe's. -
Review from Ngoc H.
Skokie, IL
7/14/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Service is always pretty good here, the cashiers in front are always really nice. Closer to me than the one in downtown Evanston and there's a parking lot. The only downfall is that they don't have waffle fries! Their steak cut fries still get that amazing seasoning though. Orders don't come as "saucy" as the orders in downtown Evanston do but you can always ask for more sauce on the side. I'm salivating writing this review.. DELISH!!
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Review from Lorna S.
Cook, IL
6/27/2010
Suicide wings...NO! I loves me some good wings, however, any wings that start with the name "SUICIDE", are not for me. I'm more of a mild sauce kinda gal; and they do have some good mild wings here. The service is fast, and you can even call in your order ahead of time, and they'll have it ready when you get there.
I must admit that I was a bit skeptical about this place since it is not in an area I'm familiar with. I certainly am happy I decided to try it. I'm thankful for good friends, and good wings. Try it! -
Review from Lizz M.
11/17/2010
One of a few places that makes me miss living in Rogers Park, Buffalo Joes's is one of the best wings places out there. I love getting their suicide wings when I have a cold so I can cleanse my sinuses!
On other occassions I get a single order of hot and an order of fries. Sometimes the fries are a little too salty, so give 'em a shake in the baggie to dust off the excess salt. I LOVE that they give you ranch dressing as I am anti-bleu cheese, thanks, Buff Joe's!
The only reason they don't get five stars is because as many reviewers have mentioned, the wings are TINY! They used to be a lot bigger, what gives? I wouldn't mind paying a little more for bigger wings. -
Review from Shelley G.
Denver, CO
12/18/2007
Um. I didn't get to eat here, because they only accept cash. When I asked the girl at the counter if there was an ATM nearby, she pointed at one in their lobby. If I had been desperate (which I should have been, because I walked there and it was freakin' cold outside) I would have paid the $2.50 fee, making my $8 order into a $13 order (after my bank was done tacking on their fee). On principle, I left and didn't go back. People, it's 2007. Let your customers use their debit cards and the place might be busier.
Okay, I'm done venting. When that 3-day urge to eat rib-tips hovers over me, I'll probably go back. -
Review from Sandi S.
Evanston, IL
1/9/2011
Friday afternoon we ordered a single tray of spicy wings for Saturday's big Saints playoff game, which they lost. The girl took my order and name, but no cash was required. (And this joint is CASH ONLY, though there's an in-store ATM machine in a pinch.)
I arrived precisely at 3:30 for my scheduled pick-up time, but they weren't ready yet. I waited about 5-6 minutes and was ultimately happy that they weren't sitting under a heat lamp waiting on me and getting all steam-mushy.
In the car, the sauce smelled more like a spicy BBQ, and I thought for a minute that they weren't going to be a traditional buffalo flavor, but alas, the sauce was divine, everything I had hoped for! (Sauce choices are mild, spicy, suicide or BBQ - we got spicy.)
The wings boasted nice heat, decent meatiness (for the size they were anyway - they are NOT wings on steroids, for sure), a well-cooked skin (I hate when the skin texture is soft like a raw chicken's), and the pan fed 6 people w/ 9 skinny wings left.
Wait. The tray only fed 6 people?
And so this is why they get 4 stars instead of 5 - the pan is supposed to feed 8-10. For $43.83, I expected it to serve the 8-10 people it claimed on the menu, not a mere 6! (Okay, MAYBE a 7th including the leftovers.) Also, none of the accoutrements were included - celery and dressing were extra.
Overall, these wings - the spicy ones anyway - are damn good. I would definitely go back for more, not to mention, to try the fried fish, charbroiled burgers, and rib tips as well. -
Review from aggie c.
Chicago, IL
5/23/2010
The wings are pretty decent. However, there are wings out there that are better.
I have nothing bad to say about buffalo joes except that they don't accept credit cards and that their wings are wayyy to small. I'm not a big eater but the wings I had today were tiny. They were macro wings.
Lady at the register was real nice and took care of us pretty well. I will definately return because of the taste but not the size. -
Review from Jenny T.
Chicago, IL
10/19/2009
I don't want to be a negative nancy, but come on, these wings are nothing special.
They are tiny.
When I say tiny, I mean REAL tiny. Hard-to-eat tiny. More bone than wing tiny.
Now, I came here because I love my chicken wings and I wanted to see what the fuss was about. Really, for those of you who are avid wing fans -- the stuff at Jewel's hot food counter is better.
Another negative? H.A.T.E when wings come with Ranch instead of Bleu Cheese.
They were just OK, and thats it. Don't make a special trip. -
Review from Artman J.
Morton Grove, IL
1/17/2012
I used to be a big fan of buffalo joe's on howard. Stopped going when the chicken wings starrted shrinking. Not sure what kind of bird they are serving now days.
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Review from Ryne D.
3/9/2009
Was here last night...contrary to other reports, our orders did come with ranch and celery per order. Always nice to have. Got a single order of my favorite flavor (suicide!), and they were good, but for some reason they weren't as memorable as the ones I usually have in Evanston. Maybe because you don't get to see them toss the wings in those big metal bowls.
What really knocks this location down for me is that they lacked the cheddar chips! Also known as the waffle fries, I was really disappointed that they just had regular fries (despite having a picture of the waffle fries hanging above the register). Surprisingly, the cheese fries they did have were pretty well seasoned, but they just weren't the same as the chips with the deep orange cheese sauce that hardens 20 minutes after you get it.
Wish we had gone the further 15 minutes up to Evanston, but it's hard to complain when you're diving into some tasty wings. Especially while surrounded by faded trading cards and old Bulls posters. -
Review from Sarah J.
Chicago, IL
11/5/2008
So I have been hearing about this place for some time now and I finally tried it the other day. I got the single spicy.. I was expecting good and I got great. The sauce was just enough kick.... I didn't get a chance to try anything else, but I will definitely be going back.
Try it out people.. YUM! -
Review from Jean P.
Chicago, IL
5/24/2010
I went for lunch after reading good reviews, and it stood up.
I'll be back. Thanks Lonn...B -
Review from Jack S.
Chicago, IL
6/18/2010
Once upon a time, when I was just a young cub trying to make it in the white man's world, my brothers, both Northwestern Alum, asked me to pick up a couple Buffalo Joe's pans of hot wings for a family get together. That day, everything in my life...changed.
The sauce entered my bloodstream like Vampire blood, and I metamorphosized into the mad Chicken Wingophile you witness before you today.
I tend to favor the one on Howard, they have the best cheese fries. I also appreciate that there's a billboard in their parking lot advertising a local hospital's treatment of indigestion and heartburn. Their wings could be juicier and larger, but at least they're cooked to order, and their colorfully named 'Gutbuster' sized soda drinks are a nice touch.
I double dog dare you to try the double-sized Suicide Wings, as these are mostly to blame for my internal hemmoroids condition.
I'm convinced their wing sauce qualifies as a Schedule I Controlled substance, as I have been unable to wean myself off of it in spite of the interventions staged by my friends and family(I swear I'm taking it one day at a time, Mom!). Service is a friendly smile at the order counter, ambience is a mini-TV in the corner surrounded by Chicago Sports' paraphernalia, and food quality is the best wings in town. -
Review from Lola L.
Manhattan, NY
4/4/2011
Nasty. Great food for when your drunk!
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Review from Lonniece B.
Chicago, IL
1/15/2010
For some reason I prefer this location over the one in Evanston. I was hooked on this place immediately, the suicide wings are the best, if you can handle it. They even serve Kool-Aid, lol. This is one of those spots I love to take Southsiders because the food is that good.
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Review from Polyana W.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 9/15/2011
I tried the suicide wings....fantastic!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/8/2011
Not healthy, but at least not pre frozen total junk like a fast food chain. If you must indulge, the… Read more »
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Review from Luan N.
Columbus, OH
3/29/2008
Even greasier than Windy City Gyros! If you don't have money for an ultrasound, this is a cheap alternative to self diagnosing cholecystitis. I usually get the wings and rib tip combo which comes with a mound of oily fries and a random slice of white bread. I'm not sure what the bread is for, maybe to sponge off the grease. Rib tips not as good as windy city but, I actually like their wings.
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Review from Paul H.
Nashville, TN
3/2/2008
More convenient but less awesome than the Evanston location. They still have great wings and the staff is pretty cool. But, two things bug me. First, they only take cash - so it's a pain in the ass if you're buying a party tray or two (at $34 a pop). Second, unlike the Evanston location, you have to pay for celery and ranch dressing. So, I bought a party tray, got it home and realized that I only had wings - no side items. That made me sad - but then I ate my weight in buffalo wings so I felt better.
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Review from Alexis S.
Chicago, IL
5/8/2009
I've been meaning to go there for a long time, so last night on my way home from work, I stopped and picked up a double-order of spicy wings. They turned out to be really good! They came with celery and ranch dressing. Not beautiful inside the establishment, doesn't take credit/debit cards, but overall pretty darn good.
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Review from Darren F.
7/13/2011
this location is not as great as the one on Clark.. but this place does seem to be a little cleaner inside, but i would not be coming back to this one due to the quality compare to the one on Clark.
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Review from E W.
Chicago, IL
1/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ribs and wings are awesome here. Hamburgers are pretty good too.
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Review from Joe B.
Skokie, IL
4/25/2007
I wouldn't recommend getting the wings here. Unlike their Evanston counterpart, the wings here are a lot smaller and less satisfying.
However, the rib tips are really good. The tips, with fries, and slobbered in BBQ sauce is enough to help anyone lapse into a food coma. -
Review from Alan R.
1/22/2008
Awesome wings. Dipped in an orange sauce and fried to perfection. For those that want something a little easier on the stomach, they also have burgers and chicken sandwiches. This location isn't as clean as the one in Evanston and they don't serve alcohol like their neighbors to the north. They do have a parking lot. If you want take out this makes for a better option.
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Review from Sarah F.
Madison, WI
10/5/2005 3 photos
Dieters beware! They have some of the best buffalo wings around. In fact, it is hard to be satisfied with any others after trying these. They also serve burgers, chicken sandwiches and lots of fish dishes. Nearly everything here is deep fried, so it certainly isn't the healthiest.
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Review from Avery S.
Troy, MI
1/7/2009
This place has pretty good wings, I understand why they are famous. I can't stand those jumbo wings that every dime a dozen place are serving these days. Size does not equal flavor. Joes wings are small and packed with deliciousness. I ordered a double order spicy and while the amount of jalapenos might have frightened me, they added the perfect amount of flavor. I wish they accepted cash since I'm now living off my credit cards right now..... oh well.... I probably need to save money anyways....
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Review from Amy V.
Chicago, IL
5/20/2009
I was always wary to try this place, but once inside it was a very friendly atmosphere and courteous service. And the wings are GOOD. Definitely the best I've had so far in Chicago. It's well worth a trip, and their fries are good too. I recommend it to anyone.
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Review from Barbara W.
Chicago, IL
1/2/2010
Great wings. I'm not usually a fan of chicken but I love the wings here.
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Review from Kurtis W.
Chicago, IL
3/9/2010
This has to be the worst restaurant in the entire city. People actually think this place has good food ? MAybe if you never ate anything in your life. Skip this place and go to that place up on Howard and Ridge instead or Popeyes... Brenda and company will treat you right over there.
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Review from Steve K.
Chicago, IL
5/31/2008
Delicious! The best wings in the city! I get them extra crispy and they're so good. The BBQ is excellent, but I almost always get spicy or suicide. Suicide isn't as scary as it sounds. Their burgers and nachos are also fairly good, but this place is all about the wings. I wish there were a Buffalo Joe's in my neighborhood.
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Review from nick p.
Chicago, IL
11/3/2008
good times
