Carson's

Love the bucket of rib tips. Its still the best BBQ I have tried anywhere. The BBQ tips are juicy, the meat comes off the bone tender and the sauce is amazingly delicious.

After being referd to this restaurant by my father (who was a frequent visitor SEVERAL years ago while on business in the Chicago area). So with my boyfriend currently on business in the Chicago area, I told him we HAD to go. I obviously expected great food but left with so much more! The food was AMAZING!!!!! We shared a full slab rib dinner. And chose coleslaw & their self proclaimed "famous" AuGratin potatoes as our sides. EVERYTHING was DELIGHTFUL!!!! The potatoes were perfect, the coleslaw was the best I've ever had, the ribs were SO flavorful, & the sauce was SO SAVORY!!! And the service, the service was some of THE BEST I've EVER had!!!!!!!! Our waitress was THE BEST WAITRESS I've EVER had!!! I actually wrote the restaurant & thanked them! She wasn't there so much she annoyed you but she just seemed to be there whenever you "needed" her!! I would DEFINETLY recommend this place!!!!!! I will return EVERY time I get a chance!

when in Chicago, I asked some locals where to get good ribs/steak. They suggested Carson's, and I couldn't be more grateful!!!
We got ribs, that comes with a bread basket of unusual and fun selections, coleslaw (definitely a must get) and a potato side. I got the sweet potato fries (they were OK), and my boyfriend got the potatoes au gratin (so wonderful). The prices were reasonable, the people watching was great, and the ambiance was relaxed and fun (they give you bibs when you order ribs...). So worth it!!!
We also got the tiramisu for dessert, and it was fantastic. A large, LARGE piece that was full of flavor and cream.... yummy....

What used to be an istitution in Chicago for BBQ has with out a doubt taken 10 steps back. After a long week I was in the mood for some good BBQ. The food was mediocre and the service was bad. 15-20 minutes to place a drink order is a bit obsessive, the server then told us that she was busy and all her tables are getting up at once and she will be back after she has collected payment. Having dinner with my girlfriend and her mother I did not want to make a big deal about how the server told us that we are less important than the other customers. Unless you have hours to waste and and don't hold service as a high priority, I would suggest that you avoid this place at all costs.

i think who has written a review and didn't like the food, is crazy. Carson's has incredible ribs, bread, potatoes and coleslaw. And its not pricey at all for ribs. The only thing is the host was rude.

Take it from a Memphis family of professional BBQ tasters, this place had poor, unfriendly service, they don't take reservations from groups less than six so the wait can be long for a less than mediocre product, and the BBQ is not authentic. You would be better served to order BBQ on-line from a Memphis restaurant and have it shipped to you.

I have always considered carsons to have to best ribs in the Loop. I have been there many times for several years. Ribs are always outstanding. If you want to it ribs you will not be disappointed

I have eaten at Carsons for over 15 years, and it was formerly GREAT! Now the ribs are tough, and the usually outstanding giant NY Strip steak was overcooked and grissly. BIG dissappointment. The only saving graces here are the BBQ chicken, Pork Chops, and the Liver Pate' on the lounge happy hour table. Don't miss that on a cracker w/ some diced onions. Service has been slow and inaccurate lately, I probably will never return. BTW, saw a big empty plastic pail of Open Pit BBQ sauce sitting out in back of the restaurant. So much for their ""secret"" sauce! ;-)

After nearly 18 years in Chicago Carson's is still my ""go to"" place for ribs if I'm not making them myself. Went there on my first visit to Chicago in 1984 when I was looking for an apartment for a new job. Now I go but take the wife and 3 kids.

The ribs at Carson's could use a good boiling to tenderize them and remove some fat. The red coating that is applied causes the fat to congeal and the ribs to appear uncooked to most people.
Simply broiling the ribs makes them tough and hard. Barbacue sauce is not supposed to look like jello.

Ribs were dry, sauce was wet. The ribs were very ordinary and unimpressive. The sweet sauce is not my taste but would have been ok except it couldn't salvage the ribs.

Other stuff on the menu in our party was good but not unique.

Delicious BBQ sauce. The ribs were very tasty. BBQ pork sandwich was exceptionally good also. Will be back!!

If leather and beef jerky is the way ribs are to taste, then Carson's is the place you want to go. If they cook them any more well done, they'd turn into dust.

Sorry .. on my way out I did notice that you included Raleigh/Duram in your 'city' list ....

Been there too ... much 'Northern' influence from all those college kids that go to school down there ..
not the best example of 'Southern BBQ' ....

Restaurant ribs that are not char broiled or cooked in a smoker, taste like the ones I can & do make at home. Big Deal!!!!

This place you will enjoy having to lick your fingers.

Yummmy! Try the pork chops too, they are excellent. Also, good mac and cheese for a side dish.

Always excellent! You can't miss with Carson's. Service is great and the food is better!

Carson's isn't just the place for ribs! The lunch menu is basic, but delivers a good hamburger, pork sandwich or chicken sandwich, complete with soup (great clam chowder, not fishy at all!) and ask for the cheddar potatoes!! ..and flavored tea!

Service also varies from very pleasant to ""which one is our waiter and where has he been?""

Of all the things I have to have when I travel back home to Chicago from FL. I have to eat Carson's ribs. They are the best. The meat just falls off the bone. They're lean and the sauce is to die for.