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My brother is right!
We shared the Ranch Owners combo that came with ribs, rib tips, sausage, fried chicken, onion rings, fries and the thimble of coleslaw.
I'm going to go ahead and say stick to the ribs or rib tips because they were the best! The BBQ sauce is out of this world!
I wish we had half stars because I'm in between the Eek! Methinks not and the Meh. I've experienced better choices. For instance, I'd go back if nothing else were open and I was really hungry.
The being open was the first issue, we got there just before closing and ordered our food, for some reason I always had this funny idea that if you make it into a place and they let you order, and don't tell you your order will have to be to go, that you have a choice between to go or not. Well the guy at the register didn't ask and I made the assumption that since he saw us arranging the seats by the little counter they knew we wanted to eat in. But I was wrong, he said your order is ready we came up to get our food and it was all packed to go. So my husband said, oh well we'll just open it up.
Much to my surprise another guy was at the door with the key in it ready to let us out, I asked him, "oh we have to go." He said, "yes we close at 10, it's on the door." Okay perhaps this is the case, but this is the first time this has happened to me, usually places lock up and let people finish as they cleanup. However, as much as I didn't appreciate what happened, I can deal with it and adjust if the food was good, which really is what my rating is about.
I have no idea if they serve Italian Beef, but my BBQ Beef sandwich smelled and tasted like one. It even had little red pepper specks like Italian Beef, I wondered if since they were closing they took what beef they had and poured BBQ sauce on it. The sauce just ran off the beef, which looked, tasted and smelled like Italian Beef, this with the BBQ on it tasted, well I don't have a word for it. All I know is I don't want to have it again.
My husband had the rib tips, and he commented, next time we go to Mississippi Ricks theirs are good, these are just okay, and they're definitely not Hecky's in Evanston.
Granted, not many options available at 10 pm on Sunday, especially on the south side, I really need to plan better.
Not bad... A lil pricey... this is a family establishment and their pride shows on their product
Ribs 'N' Bibs . . . how do I love thee? Just look at my waist!
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My tastebuds can reach, your sauce is out of sight
For the ends of eating and ideal Taste.
Now that's some good eatin'!
Good solid BBQ joint that's been around forever. The portions are generous!
I really keep meaning to get the actual ribs, but I always end up getting the BBQ beef or BBQ pork dinner, or a Western burger. The burgers are really good here, they have a yummy smoky flavor to them.
The sauce is not super sweet but I like that.
A BBQ beef dinner will fill me to the point of exploding so I don't go very often, lest I gain 200 pounds!
A major plus is they're open until around midnight during the week and I think 1am on the weekend, so you do have late night options besides Dunkin Donuts and McDonalds drive-thru.
The silver lining to a trip to U of C hospital lately was Ribs 'n' Bibs at 53rd and Dorcester. This place is a counter on the corner, but the 53rd street window houses the smoker with piles of magnificent ribs.
The BBQ is Texas style, and the menu reflects that in the naming of the food like the Outlaw burger.
Based on the 2 people who ordered before me, I went down for the small rib tips. It was like $7 and comes with fries and a thimble of cole slaw, all piled on a slice of white bread. I tried to use the plastic fork to keep my hands clean, but it wasn't worth it. You want to dig in and suck the meat off the bonelets. The sauce may be the best (Texas style) BBQ sauce I've ever had; certainly the best in Chicago that I've had. If you want BBQ, go here. I will definitely go back.
Very famous on the South Side. Way old school. But the actual food is not for everyone. It's a heart attack, man. Everything is smoky, which is good. Everything is just smoky, which is questionable. A burger is a burger and a bun. You can get cheese. You can get some cole slaw. They won't put a top on the cole slaw container, but they'll give it to you. You can get fries, which will kill you. You cannot get anything else. They do not have produce here so far as I can tell.
In sum, I'm not hard core enough for this place. I bow to those that are. And it's not bad. It's just not for everyone.
Lem's is probably better, but I love Ribs 'N Bibs. The rib tips and slabs of ribs are consistently well-smoked, tender, and served with excellent BBQ sauce -- some of the best I've ever had, and I've eaten a lot of ribs.
Plus, if you're looking for good fried chicken, this place is much, much better than the Harold's down the street. Ribs 'N Bibs chicken is crispy, flavorful, and moist without being even slightly greasy. Order it covered in BBQ sauce and you've got an amazingly filling, cheap, and satisfying meal.
Finally, while I tend to not like frozen fries, I do love the ones here. Again, covered in sauce, they're extremely enjoyable and have a good potato taste, unlike most fries that don't come from fresh potatoes.
Now this place is very good. Makes Hyde park enjoyable. I always got the bbq pork sandwich. Just, if you're gonna eat the fries at all, eat em quick.
Good ribs with a nice hickory flavor. Plating can be sloppy with the white bread begging for breathing room as the sauce and fries flaten the poor bread. But hey, it's sloppy, finger sucking eating that's enjoyable. Toss out all etiquette when eating these ribs. Ribs 'N Bibs is a staple in Hyde Park and is mostly a takeout joint, though there is limited seating. They know ribs at this place.
YUMMY BBQ Beef!
Boyfriend and I have them deliver during football season! Portions are huge, the taste is divine. My favorite is the BBQbeef.
The restaurant is tiny- so really only take-out and delivery are the best options. They have burgers, chicken, ribs, beef, salads, and you can also get "sets' that mix and match different stuff.
You can smell this place from at least a mile away in any direction, I swear. I used to get lost coming off LSD (the highway, not the drug) and just follow my nose until I arrived.
All I've ever ordered here is 'The Boss' (whole slab of ribs, BBQ sauce, slaw, fries, and bread) because that's the first thing I ever had and it satisfies every possible rib-related need that I can think up. No need to mess with perfection. They're unbelievably tender and the sauce, generously glopped everywhere, isn't too sweet, but tastes just like if ou liquified the smell of the shack.
Their fries are thick-cut, all the better to mop up sauce, and on the bottom of this whole mess lies - for some reason - Wonderbread. Well, I know the reason. It's just an excuse to have yet another thing to mop up the sauce with. But I say that if you still have sauce after dipping fries in it, slathering your ribs with it, and everything else, you didn't put enough sauce on your fries and your ribs. Maybe I'm just anti-Wonderbread and cannot condone its use anywhere, but that's how I feel about it.
What I really wish is that this place had more seating. There are just three stools inside, and a few picnic benches outside. Now, that would be fine were this Los Angeles or Phoenix or Miami or something, but this is Chicago, which makes eating outside in the winter (and most of the fall and spring) totally out of the question. If there are people on those three stools, you're out of luck.
When Mohammad Ali lived in Hyde Park years ago, he frequented Ribs N' Bibs often. And let me tell you, if this place was good enough for "The Greatest", it sure as hell is good enough for you!!!
The smell of smoked hickory wood billowing from the outside chimney is enough to get my mouth watering every time. They are famous for their signature rib tips (which I have never and can never have; damn you kosher!), but their fried chicken is some of the best ever!!! This place is a treasure to behold for U of C students and people everywhere looking to cure their munchies and hunger pangs.
If your choice is between this place and "ghettofried" Harold's Chicken Shack down the block, take this place every day of the week. Harold's has lost it's quality in recent years, and Ribs N' Bibs still stands as one of the premier soul food takeout places in the south side, nay, the city!!!
Oh Ribs N' Bibs...how wonderful you are for college students at the UofC. As a student, during those cold, rainy nights, this is a godsend. Whenever we're hungry and too lazy to go out, we usually order from here. A bucket of ribs and a bucket of fries is enough to feed 3-4 people.
It's a bit messy, but the greasy mess is absolutely delicious when you are a college student. We usually chow down the ribs first. The remaining fries are then dumped into the ribs bucket to be coated in the bbq sauce. For $25, I say it's a bargain!
I never left hungry after leaving this place and they have some ringing endorsements from various t.v personalities on their walls. I usually got the wings and once in a while i would indulge myself with the ribs but the sauce was kind of weak for me. I was a student however when i was eating there so i would usually order one of the meal specials.
i wouldn't hesitate bringing someone from the south to this place because they do have good barbecue. And if your coming here in the summer be prepared for a wait. The staff is very nice and they are patient when dealing with students such as myself. I used tolove this place and writing this is making me hungry....screw it...must have barbecue....must must must increase my girth...that sounded dirty.
Oh. My. God.
I finally made it to Ribs N' Bibs. Believe me, it's harder than you think when your girlfriend doesn't eat meat. Anyway, my brother and I had some lunch from there and we tore it up. The minute you walk in you're overwhelmed with the sweet smells of bbq. That's where they got us, we ended up buying way more than we could finish, but we wanted to try it all.
The prices are reasonable, the portions are huge and the service was good. Their walls are covered with autographed pictures of all sorts. From local politcos to anchormen to athletes, a lot of people have enjoyed their food.
I'm really glad that I wasn't disappointed because I had been driving by this place for months and always wanted to stop in. If you get the chance and love bbq food you should stop in too.
While this place isn't throwing down the best meat in the city, we're not talking Rush street steak houses, for a BBQ shack this is one of teh best I've been to so far in Chicago.
Prices are right, flavor is great, the staff are friendly even to first timers. Hit this place up and try something new. Just follow the smell when you get close by. As a matter of fact, I'm going to get some right now. Peace. I'm out.
So apparently my mom goes here once a week. I can see why. From her apartment, about 2 blocks away, you can smell BBQ. Just smell it. And crave it.
Saturday, my family broke down and ordered a couble slabs of ribs to share. mmmmmm. I'm dieting and wasn't real hungry, but I gave in and had 2 or 3 of these succulent ribs. The sauce and seasoning was perfect. The meat was tender. mmm
According to my mom, the best deal is the pulled pork sandwich with fries and slaw for $5. If it's as good as the ribs - it's definitely worth it.
So far all my adventures to Ribs 'N Bibs have been met with a full-oh so-satisfied-belching-lip-smacking goodness. Never been disappointed, great for all those stomach growling, gut gnawing hunger pangs when you REALLY need something good and greasy. Great for groups, buy a hearty helping of meat and potatoes and everyone is satisfied. The coleslaw is tiny but its a perfect "shot" especially when you just really care about the meat.
The BBQ sauce tastes shockingly like BBQ sauce. I guess I'm just not the BBQ sauce connoisseur type as some of the other reviewers seem to be. But the ribs are always good, tasteful meat. The fried chicken is crispy and moist in the inside. Perfect for dinners, really late nights.
Ribs and bibs is not health food. It is artery clogging comfort food. Good sauce, great fries and sauce. The only problem is every so often they have a fire in the chimney and have to close for a while. They have been around for forever and a day and always come back after a fire.
If I could give this place zero stars I would've because that's how bad it was. Sorry but this place would have to rank as one of the worst places I've ever gone to for BBQ.
First off, I ordered rib tips which were dry and had no fat on them and appeared as if they had been sitting there awhile. They were covered with a thick hickory BBQ sauce that tasted like it came out of a can. It also left an unpleasant aftertaste. Yuck!!!
A little background here, I fell in love with rib tips several years ago while noshing on them for the first time at the Taste of Chicago. To tell you the truth I've grown to like them a whole lot better than ribs, especially when they're cooked right. Hear that R'NB's??
FYI, a rib tip is the meat at the end of the bone and is not only flavorful and moist but when cooked just right the meat just falls off the bone. An order of rib tips (cut into quarters) is drenched with BBQ sauce and come with fries and 2 pieces of white bread, like Wonder. I know it's not healthy but for some reason it all goes together! Usually I order rib tips with or without chicken that is drenched in BBQ sauce. It's a sweet sloppy mess that tastes terrifically good especially on cold winter days.
Now getting back to R'NB's, for one thing this place is carry-out only and unfortunately you can't see them prepare the food, it's hidden. First red flag. I think there's a reason for that, it's not freshly prepared. What I believe they do is cook the food first, possibly first thing in the morning and when the people start streaming in around lunch time they cover it with this gloppy sauce. The motto, Get 'em in, get 'em out!
Another thing that raised a red flag with me was seeing only one other customer waiting. I was there on a Sunday afternoon for lunch when it should've been crowded. This place wasn't. Rarely do you see a popular place without a line.
And while I'm at it, they have a lot of pictures of celebrities lining the wall, especially ones that are now deceased. I'm guessing at one time the food was good...probably when those dead celebrities were alive, but now that it's established they don't have to try.
Take a pass on R'NB's, there are better places than this for good BBQ.
Go to Leon's on Archer instead.
I been coming here on and off for a number of years. To tell you the truth, I don't think they're as good as they once seemed to be. My take out slab of ribs was dry and no sauce included, the fries were under cooked and pasty. My ribs weren't all that great tasting. I was kinda disappointed.
I have had better ribs elsewhere........If you can get someone to venture into the hood for ya...Try Lem's Bar-B-Q House at 311 E 75th St.
Ordered food here for the first time since my college days on a recent trip down to the H.P. It hasn't changed a bit. There are still lots of signed portraits on the walls from B-list Chicago celebrities, none of which seem to be dated before 1993. There's still the quaint mix of African-American culture and the vaguely Western motif. And there's always, always still someone in the park nearby eating a messy helping of ribs as you walk by.
The ribs are 4-star ... the other food is 2-star ... so stick to the ribs, which aren't the absolute best I've tried but have an awful lot of character and flavor because they're slow cooked over an open flame.
I'm from the South, and the first time I saw some Chicago-style bbq I was shocked...the sauce looked radioactive!
Not at Ribs-n-Bibs. The sauce is dark and has a rich smoky flavor. I've gotten other things that I don't really like, but the ribs are delicious, and the people that work there are always nice to me.
I'm typically annoyed by carry-out only places, so I wish this weren't one of them (though there are tables outside). BUT, the food is excellent. Their rib tips are supposed to be excellent, but I've just had the barbeque pork sandwich, which was wundebar. The side of coleslaw is a thimble-full. It's excellent BBQ!
Walking into this place really is like doing a Time Warp... The decor probably hasn't changed since they opened (for those not adventurous enough to do so, the outside decor is a good indicator).
The food is.. "OK" ... Not the best ribs I've had by any means..
There MUST be a way to give zero stars.Where do I began.Let me start by saying that I live really close to this place but for this whole year I never ate there.A long time ago Me and my friends went on a "rib hunt" and we all found our favorite spots...Just so happens that my favorite spot was "closed for vacation." so I decided to give this place a shot.I ordered the bronco burger and fries and some rib tips to save for dinner...EVERYTHING WAS GROSS.The bronco burger tasted like weird 4th grade cafeteria food.The "meat" was not meat..it was some frozen weirdness kinda like the MCRIB from Mcdonalds.The fries were cooked in old oil and tasted stale.Later that night I tried the ribs and OMG..HOw can you mess up ribs!...To be honest the actual ribs were not that bad but they tasted more baked than BBQ ed.But the rib sauce was AWFUL.My boyfried(who is not food picky)said that the best part of the meal was the bbq soaked bread-WOW!...I'm very cheap but even I could not force myself to eat this food.It sat in my fridge for 3 days before I tossed it.I'm curious about the folks who gave good reviews....Hmmmmm.
I haven't been here since I graduated from the UofC, but it was definitely pretty rad back then. I mean, $2.50 for a cheeseburger and fries? AND it tastes like smoked ribs?!? Tremendous. I never did go for the ribs (alas, I was a poor college student) but the burger was awesome, plus you get the southside treatment with a bottle of RC. Sweet.
I've been going to Ribs n' Bibs since 1971, yes, back to the Lynn Burton days. The ribs were great then and they are just as great now, the best I've ever had - high quality meat, never fatty, real smoke flavor and great sauce. Ribs tips are great also. Their fries and slaw are ok, nothing special, but I give them 5 stars just for their unsurpassed ribs. Nice people too!
Two words: Bronco Burger. You can get a big cheeseburger and a bag of fries, both DRENCHED in BBQ sauce, for only a hair over $2. Open til 12:30ish every night. I live near this place and the smell of hickory coming from their giant stove wafts through my apartment from time to time, beckoning me. The ribs, tips, and chicken are worth trying too. It's greasy and I promise you will not be able to get the BBQ sauce off your fingers for at least a couple hours. But that's all part of the fun, right?
I'd heard some rumors about people getting sick after eating here, but I mistakenly tried them out anyway. The ribs were ok at best but I definitely paid a big price later, while I was sick as a dog. Probably a good idea to skip this place.
Now, I do not usually like ribs. They are heavy and seem to just not go well with my digestion. However, Ribs n' Bibs provides just the right amount of meat, sauce, and home-cooked love to make these a delightful treat. I personally love the chicken/rib combo. (its plenty for two people). The chicken falls right off the bone, and the fries are a good middle snack in between all the meat. Watch out...you will be FULL after. Please ask for Wet Wipes before you sit down outside, you will become messy. Best when not on a date, but still very fun!
I went to Ribs N' Bibs today for the first time while visiting a friend in Hyde Park. I'd seen the place many times on trips to the Southside but never been inside. My partner and I shared one of their mix meals which had a half rack of ribs and two pieces of fried chicken. It was plenty of food for us both and only $11.25. Definitely recommend this place to try out. The atmosphere is not anything special, but the food sure is good.
The service was good, and it smells great when you walk in. I just happen to like my barbecue sauce sweet. I also ordered some wings with my ribs (a friend and I split the whole order), and those were decent. Everything tastes healthier, maybe because it's cooked over an open flame. It was a good meal, and I've always liked the vibe of the place, but it wasn't something I would do if it wasn't for others wanting it. The BBQ sauce is tangy, but not sweet, like I said, so if you like it sweet, this won't be your place. Our Order of ribs and wings came to $23.
RnB has been hit or miss with me. The first time I went there I had an awesome pulled pork sandwich. Since then I've had a few more and tried a couple of their rib dinners. Sometimes the meat has been overly fatty or lack flavor, but usually it's fall-apart tender and has good flavor. They sides are fries and tiny coleslaws, there aren't any other options. But the really focus is the meat. If you're not hungry when you walk in, you'll be ready to tear the food apart when you walk out, thanks to the aroma of the bbq. The food is good for takeout and a great neighborhood joint. It's not worth a long treck.
a hyde park staple for 40 years, this small rib joint has wood stacked inside to feed the grill and photos of chicago celebrities and family members alike adorning the walls. though it looks its age, the place has recently added a few window bar seats and has tables outside during the summer. the smell is intoxicating to the carnivorous who venture withing a few blocks.
the bronco burger (with fries!) is only $2.20. for rib tip lovers, i would recommend the maverick munchies for two, or the mini munchies for one (either way, you will have leftovers).
open till midnight weeknights and 1am weekends.
I love the ribs and fries. However, I steer clear of the Wonder Bread that comes with the platter.
BBQ Place located in Hyde Park on the Southside of Chicago. This is take out only. I've been going here a long time. The prices are really reasonable and the portions are good. The sauce they use on everything is delicious. Many students from the local elementary and high school visit during lunch time so be prepared for a crowd. But it's worth the wait. You can also call in your order and pick it up.
Maybe just a bad night for RNB, but 2 me it tasted (and looked) like high school cafeteria food -- from the gooey "catfish" to the soggy fries -- that I paid 8 bucks for. The cashier's mumbling and dismissive attitude kinda clued me in from the get go. My friend ended up giving half his meal to a homeless guy outside because it was so bad. We went to Ribs 'N Bibs thinking it would be a good spot for junky, late-night home cookin', but really it was a bunch of frozen GARBAGE.
i'll admit i was hesitant to go into ribs n' bibs but i came out a happy woman. the ribs were really good and so were the fries (i even liked the wonder bread). the decor is funny and just classic.
only bad thing i heard about the place is that one time when my sister and her boyfriend were there they ran out of drinks. i have no idea how that happens but it did.
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: Greater Grand Crossing
Category: Barbeque
Neighborhood: Greater Grand Crossing
Category: Barbeque
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
Category: Barbeque
Neighborhood: Chatham
Category: Barbeque
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