Carson’s Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue Menu

  • Starters
  • Salads
  • Great Sandwiches
  • Americas #1 Barbecue
  • Prime Steaks & Chops
  • Other Special Things
  • Potatoes & Vegetables

Healthy Meal suggestions for Carson’s Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue

  • Starters
  • Salads
  • Great Sandwiches
  • Americas #1 Barbecue
  • Prime Steaks & Chops
  • Other Special Things
  • Potatoes & Vegetables

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  • Ide C.

    Carson's is consistently good. It's the "go to" place for ribs, but their other offerings are delicious too! Love the sauce! I always have the chopped liver appetizer. The best chopped liver hands down. If u want a good meal and never be disappointed, mk yr reservation and set yr mind at ease. It will be great. They hv an outdoor patio that is very pleasant too.

    (4)
  • Vikki Y.

    Apparently Carson's was huge back in the day so I went as a recommendation with my neighbor and his friend (who is 90 and living it up- and I hope to be like him when I'm 90). They told me amazing stories about how Carson's was the place to be and how big the ribs were and how I was missing out by not trying it. Food here was delicious. I ordered a beet and walnut salad (which yes- ordering a salad at a place known for ribs may not be a faux pas) but it was delicious. I also had the corn bread which I recommend. It was sweet, tasty and this perfect buttery-cake like blend of decadence. Not dry at all! I stole a piece of the rib from my neighbor and it was really good. The sauce they use is unique to Carson's and just ideal. Carson's also has this really cool historic atmosphere with a menagerie of older pictures on the walls that symbolize the memories of those who dined before! The bathrooms are really big and modern and the service was excellent. Solid for steaks and BBQ!

    (4)
  • Jacob J.

    As mentioned in my previous review (read that for more detail), if you are nostalgic for that "jacket required" feel of how Carson's used to be, this is your location. Dark wooded, smokey -feeling-modern-log-cabinesque-but-I'm-comfortable­-and-it's-nice-in-here-kinda-feel. Their downtown location has a more original feel perhaps because it hasn't been remodeled in sometime, but I don't think their food service matches the kind of quality that has been known to reflect on a good Carson's experience. If you love or have always loved their bucket of tips, it's important to place your order early. Dine-in or carry-out, they only make so many pounds of tips and it's always the first to run out. I've been in there at 5 pm on a weekday unable to order the bucket! In my family it has always been all about the tips but in the last year, I've diversified and gone with the prime rib and the bone-in pork chops. The bone-in pork chop is a definite must; they were/are so very good! I think the three I mentioned just now are done especially well. After traveling around the U.S and trying

    (4)
  • Brana Alexandra S.

    Best bone in prime rib on the planet !!! Add the salt and pepper crusted baked potato and a side of sautéed spinach and you"ll feel like you died and went to heaven WOW

    (5)
  • Andrew M.

    My boss took me to lunch here after a business meeting. I ordered the steak salad with an order of cornbread. The steak on the salad was cooked medium rare as I had requested. There could have been a bit more dressing, but the steak was delicious and the salad was fresh. The corn bread was excellent. It wasn't too dry or too sweet. The perfect flavor with no need for butter. This place is a little more expensive than I typically prefer for lunches. The salad was so good that I may go back anyway.

    (4)
  • Lauren K.

    All I have to say is that Carson knows what he's doing with those ribs and pretty much everything else there is to be offered here. Carson's was the second place that I was going to be eating ribs. I had first eaten ribs at Smoque about a week prior and was now able to compare the two appraised ribs. Let the rib games begin! Now, let me just forewarn you that I was a little Miss Piggy when my fiancé and I went to Carson's this last week. We ordered the cornbread, and not one but two sides of au gratin potatoes, a pork chop and a full slab of ribs both of which came with a huge bowl of cole slaw which was actually the very best cole slaw I've ever had...and that's saying a lot because I don't typically fall in love with cole slaw in general. Now let's back up a few steps - let's start with the cornbread. "Oh. My. God. Becky...look at that cornbread...it is so big and good...I just can't help myself, I'm acting like an animal"; I was like an animal completely diving in and devouring every single crumb of that cornbread. It was a party in my mouth and that's all you need to know. It's the very best cornbread in the area and that is no freaking joke. And the au gratin potatoes are of course well known and rightly so because they were very good. They were maybe thicker than I expected them to be, but still oh so cheesy, gooey and filled with flavor. I couldn't even finish my potatoes because there were so many of them and I didn't want to ruin my appetite for the entree. Our entrees came very quickly after our potatoes arrived so we didn't have to endure a long wait between our appetizers and meal. And the meal - just stop, it was amazing. The pork chop was good and chewy, though probably not favorite thing I've ever eaten but that has more to do with the fact that I'm not huge into pork chops. But the ribs - can you say yummy? As my fiancé pointed out - Carson's ribs have a tomato-based flavor, making it sweeter than Smoque's ribs which are much smokier. These sweeter ribs were delicious! The meat was stuck to the bone and you really had to rip the meat off, but hey its all good. I'm sure I slung some BBQ on my quest to ravage the ribs, but the mess was well worth it - I had my bub on to protect me (yes, they give you a Carson's bib if you ask for it). Our waiter was super timely and fast with our food. I don't think we had to wait needlessly for our food or our check which was nice considering were some busy bees on the night thay we went. I would go back again for the food and the atmosphere which was cozy and intimate with a lot of class. It may not be a place I frequent all the time due to the price which is understand ly higher because if the type of food being served, but Carson's is definitely great for special occasions or a nice night out on the town.

    (5)
  • Bryan M.

    Good place for ribs and the bbq pork chops are excellent. Comfortable atmosphere and decent draft selection. Nice spot to relax with friends.

    (4)
  • Kate K.

    The ribs and cole slaw are the main attractions. The BBQ sauce is perfect-not too sweet and thick enough to stay on the ribs. Greek fries are a delicious side dish. We came on a Monday night and the place was packed! You might want to make a reservation.The staff is helpful and they pay attention to their customers. If you want great ribs, come to Carson's!

    (5)
  • Alice A.

    Carson's have a nice, homey feel when you first walk in. The dining area walls are decorated with photos of many famous Chicago athletes and celebrities. After reading some of other yelpers reviews, we decided to try their famous bbq ribs and chicken and their pulled pork sandwich. It came with a huge portion of cole slaw, fries, and au gratin potatoes. Just a note: I ordered sprite and it tasted nothing like normal restaurant sprite. It had a really strong tap water taste to it. Something was off and it just wasn't good. $3.50. kinda expensive for soda... Anyway, our food came fairly quick. It was not a busy Saturday night. We got there at 8, ate and left close to 9. My pulled pork sandwich was okay. Very flavorful but kinda on the salty side for me. The ribs was ok too. The meat was a little tough. The sauce went well with it. The chicken was good though. It went well with the bbq sauce. Service was just ok too... We decided to go there for date night but wished we went elsewhere. Unfortunately we were seated in between two groups of 5-7 people and they were ridiculously loud. Throughout dinner, all we heard was this annoying lady's laughter. Nothing stood out phenomenal. Will not return. There are other places that are a bit cheaper and better.

    (2)
  • William H.

    Such a gem in Deerfield. Love the BBQ brisket, the crock of onion soup and the slaw. Flavors are great, vegetables Always perfectly steamed and the brisket is fork-tender and wonderful. The real story of Carson's is the staff! Everyone is Really competent. You get the feeling that they regard their job as a profession. I'm really a fan of customer service done Right and they do it right here at Carson's!!

    (5)
  • Lance R.

    Carson's was created 38 years ago. I am having the Roquefort Wedge with red onion, tomato, bacon, Roquefort dressing instead of the old standby of the Garbage Salad with chopped cucumber, tomato, scallions, artichoke, egg, hearts of palm, bacon. I am having the fillet with cole slaw and UNREAL au gratins. You could get double baked, roasted Greek, French fries, or a salt & pepper crusted baked potato. The ribs and other smoked meats like chicken and chops are smoked in a hickory wood-burning pit. No boiling, no marinade, no rubs or tenderizers, no liquid smoke, NOT "fall-off-the-bone". So don't come with dentures LOL My steak is far more reasonably priced than in down town 10oz Center Cut Filet Mignon-Barrel Cut is $35.00. Great old school place - but not dark and dank.

    (4)
  • Paul K.

    I have eaten at Carson'son and off .. since it opened in Skokie 40 years ago Back then they had huge wait times to get in,when this location opeend they even had valet parking,now its just another Restaurant. On the plus side the Chopped Liver is terrfic as is the cole slaw. The Ribs are normally very good but every so often they are bad. However when we complained we got a comp for next visit. Hamburgers are pricey but very good I found the chicken,shrimp and meat dishes o be average and somewhat pricedy... if you want bread with your Dinner you must beg like a dog....similarly they will include some corn bread with takeout but again that begging is required Service ranges from average to very slow. If you have never eaten her and like Ribs give it a shot,on a good day you will enjoy them.. 2+ Stars

    (2)
  • Daryl G.

    This used to be a nice restaurant but sadly it has gone down the tubes. After spending $86+ on 3 carry out dinners we were very disappointed in one of the slabs of ribs. My guests actually complained The ribs were dry and very tough to chew. When we called and mentioned we were not happy with one of the full slabs of ribs, they offered to credit us for half a slab if we brought them back to the restaurant. It was As though they couldn't imagine that we were we were telling the truth. If you can't trust your regular customers that's really sad. No wonder your restaurant is mostly empty much of the time. Also Carson's customers should be prepared to pay a couple of extra bucks per item as the pricing on there online menu is not accurate and up to date with their latest price increases. Sorry Carson's, people dropping that kind of cash deserve better. I wouldn't recommend your restaurant to anyone anymore.

    (1)
  • Bob Z.

    This is an old Chicago establishment. They've reproduced the downtown one in the burbs. It has decent food but nothing great. The service is good to great. Sometimes they disappear on you. I'd definitely go here after work but not somewhere I'd take a business meal or a date. A plus when it's warm out: they have outdoor seating.

    (3)
  • Tunaidi A.

    Carson's is more nostalgia than anything else. However, nostalgia doesn't automatically upgrade the ratings of everything else. During the off-peak hours, service is okay. However, during prime time, service disappears. The famous ribs are overpriced and also very dry. It is over compensated with bbq sauce. Cole slaw is okay, but the potato options aren't great.

    (2)
  • Dave P.

    4 stars for take out which is consistently on target - available on time and the food is always delicious. Rack of ribs and au gratin potatoes are a couple of favorites. 3 stars for dine-in due to slow and slightly inattentive service.

    (4)
  • Hayley S.

    Went to Carson's last night with my family and it was a good experience. I ordered the shrimp dejonghe and was definitely pleased with it. I chose the au gratin potatoes as my side and they were yummmmy. Tried a few bites of my mom's pulled pork sandwich and it was really tasty, but we have a hunch that the BBQ sauce they serve is Open Pit, which is fine because it's a great sauce, but it's not homemade. Most of the other people in our party got ribs and were all very happy.

    (4)
  • Mike M.

    First let me say that I have been to both locations, and they are the same in review. Second, for almost everything on this menu, you can find better elsewhere and without much difficulty. The ribs are chewy and gooey. The steaks are not prime. The sides are good. At Deerfield, location, the clientele are from the nearby Whitehall nursing home. So what makes this overpriced and uninspired restaurant a three star instead of two? The prime rib. Go for the prime rib, go early, they sell out every night. Order an end cut, garlic mashed potatoes and a stiff drink!

    (3)
  • Abby V.

    We got take out. This is THE best ribs I've ever tasted, bar none. From the sauce, to the meat and how it was cooked is absolutely, mouth watering, delicious. WhyThe removal of the the 2 stars? I tried calling there and was put on hold 3 times. One time while I was still on hold, she picked up the phone and greeted me again and asked if I could be put on hold. I told her I was already on hold. She hung up on me. That was the second time she hung up on me. While picking up my order it seemed that something was missing. We waited as 2 others that got there after us got their orders, was thanked and off they went. We were the only ones left. No big deal. We got our order, paid almost $100 and they say nothing. Sorry, the unorganization, the lack of knowledge on how to use the phone system, the ungratefulness and rude customer service is, I think, their downfall.

    (3)
  • Isabel C.

    Ordered full slab ribs to go, not cooked enough, have to put under the broiler at home in order to eat. Baked potato not cooked enough either. Doubt if I'll be back.

    (1)
  • Mac F.

    Nice atmosphere ... But, Everything was overlooked and dry. We had ribs ,chicken, pork chops and Mac and cheese, etc... How can you screw up a baked potato? Had a party of 5 and everyone was grossed out. Someone was actually vomiting in the bathroom.

    (1)
  • Zach K.

    Whenever I am in the Chicagoland area, I have to make a stop at Carson's. Their food is excellent and the service is always great. Carson's is the epitome of an old school Chicago charhouse. The ambiance of the restaurant is nostalgic and has a lot of sports memorabilia from the former Chicago athletes that have dined at the restaurant. It is a great place for groups and celebrations. I definitely recommend ordering the full rack of baby back ribs.

    (5)
  • Sue R.

    Everything is perfect. Food service atmosphere. I love it. The chicken is so good. Best deal around.

    (5)
  • Mark B.

    The glory days are just gone. I remember when they had locations throughout the city including Skokie and the north side of Chicago. Obviously, things have changed that they are down to two locations and the food has proven why. The namesake ribs where dry and not very tender. I wasn't looking for fall of the bone tender but they where so dry it just was such a dis-appointment that for the money there are so many better choices now. It's hard to mess up a plain potato skin which was fine but for $30 they need to step up there game a lot or it's time for another mattress store in Deerfield.

    (1)
  • Jan F.

    Had a full slab take out. Very tough and dry. And cold.

    (2)
  • Joseph P.

    Finally the reasons to come here had to end, and they did this past New Year's Eve. We arrived about 7:35 and discovered that "seatings" had been set for 6 - 8, etc., so we had to wait. However, after a moderate wait we were seated at a good table, so no hard feelings. What had changed was that some of the prices are now way out of line for this modest place. Prime rib has gone up about 50% since February - to $47 for the only cut available. A simple glass of Fat Tire is $7! The ribs, auGratin potatoes and slaw are still great; however, but the salmon was overcooked and not properly trimmed. For $30, I'd expect better. Service was pleasant but the 8 pm rush stretched the staff too much. An amazingly odd new feature: They no longer serve their bread basket with dinner - possibly to encourage you to order the small pan of corn bread offered for $5? This is going in the wrong direction, but it will do it without me....

    (2)
  • J P.

    We took a drive to Carson's Ribs in Deerfield today and the outcome was not as we anticipated. We ordered (2) full rid slabs dinners (2) salads and (1) side for approximately $90.00 tax included. The ribs were not meaty and very dry, the Shrimp DeJonge cost $13.00 and the portion was the size of a very small coffee cup. We will definitely not make this trip again. Very disappointing.

    (1)
  • Maddie R.

    This is a very good bbq restaurant. My dad is a huge fan of their ribs, which we have always gotten carried out and never dined in. Really glad we did! The service was pretty good and I really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was fairly quiet all throughout our meal, which I liked. The food was great! I ordered the bbq shrimp and vegetable entree with their twice baked potato. My mom ordered the pork chop with the au gratin potatoes and my dad got the rib and pork chop combo with au gratin potatoes as well. All the meals came with their coleslaw, which I did not care for, but my parents enjoyed. When we received our meal, they were all fantastic! Their bbq sauce is amazing! I loved the shrimp, which were very large, and vegetables. All the sides were very well done as well. We all left full and satisfied with our meals. Can't wait to come back!

    (4)
  • Gary N.

    They still get 4 stars just because of the great BBQ Chicken. But the others are right. The service here has always been poor, down right sucks at times. Sitting at the bar seems better because the bartender stays close. The others disappear. Empty drinks for 5 or 10 minutes is not acceptable, forgetting napkins? Really! This is BBQ. That should be the first thing Note to front check in staff... Ever heard if FIFO. First in. First out. Sit us that way.

    (4)
  • Mary R.

    My fiancée and his father used to come here all the time when they had their limo business just down the road from them. He used to come here all the time and swears by their food. We are staying at the residents inn just down the road and I had a taste for bbq. We went in around the end of dinner time and it was still a 30 minute wait witch was a shock at 830 at night. We finally got seated and let's just say our server was a little overwhelmed and was not very prompt with the order or service. We put our order in for the Turf & Turf witch was good but I would of liked my ribs cooked a little less then we'll done, the meat did not fall off the bone like ribs are suppose to do alone with it was very tough meat and made it very unpleasant to eat. The dogs did I joy their little snack when we got home. . We did start off with Shrimp Dejon and that was amazing; I crumbled up some of the corn bread that we ordered into the Shrimp sauce and that was heaven; the corn bread alone was a little dry by itself nothing a lot of butter could not fix. We had to get the coslaw, that was just amazing, it had the right about of zest and tang to it that it just kept making you want more more more. I ordered a blackened Salmon Caesar salad to go and the server forgot the dressing and the salmon so I only reserved the salad with nothing to add to it. Plus he did not bring us our coslaw to go that we asked for... I just felt bad for this guy. I believe he needs a little more training or someone to look over his orders so this won't happen to someone again. Over all a fun place to being the family of you would like some upper end bbq. *be protested to bring glasses and extra lighting for those who have a hard time reading the menu or seeing it.

    (2)
  • Bryce F.

    While I used to love the food here once again, the inflexibility of the establishment just turned me away. I ordered for adult dishes and tried to order to items for children and the management would not let me take out a children's order. It makes no sense to me. They say it is because adults will order the children's menu.

    (1)
  • Susan M.

    probably one of my newly favorite restaurants. the food is so good, the attention the staff gives you never have to ask for anything as they are there to help. never thought a baked potato could taste so good, theirs is the best. i have only been there 2 times though each time like it even more. this last time i had the grilled shrimp and vegetables and it was excellent, the vegetables were cooked perfectly, not soft and not too hard. very good food. the one thing i did not like was where they sat us, we were at a large table right at the door so it was cold and drafty, seems like an odd place for a table anytime of the year. other than that, very good and all nice staff

    (4)
  • David S.

    It is only because of the coleslaw that Carson's gets two stars. The Ribs were dry and the fries had a burnt taste to them. I tried the sauce but the latter tasted as though someone in the kitchen opened a bottle of Open Pit and poured the contents into a sauce carafe. This restaurant is nothing more than Carson's in name and proof that what F.Murray Abraham said in Amadeus is true. "Mediocrity is everywhere!"

    (2)
  • Char A.

    I tried Carson's for the first time tonight. We had a group of 10 but could only get a reservation for 9 on Open Table. When we arrived, there were about 5 other tables and it was 4:00pm. They actually said they were full because they had reservations at 6:30- umm, isn't that two-and-a-half hours later??? The host said he needed some time to work it out. He went to get the manager(?) and she explained they had loads of reservations and would we be out by 6:30? We said yes. She asked us to wait while she had some tables set up. We waited. It was now 4:15. We sat and ordered. BBQ was terribly dry. Coleslaw was like soup. My au gratin potatoes were so overly cheesed I was convinced they used sweet potatoes. My aunt switched her coleslaw for a small Cesar salad and it was an additional charge of $7.95! The waitress and busboy were lovely, but the host, management, and food has made this a definite NO in my book. I think I understand why their locations have been closing over the past few years. Oh yeah, the mad rush we were hurried out for? We left at 5:15. Same 5 tables in the restaurant. Nice business model folks.

    (2)
  • A K.

    Just went there tonite to order a simple burger at the bar (there was no room in the dining area). Bar brunette waitress took order; I waited a good 15 to 20 min for her to bring me a plastic bag with my "burger to go". Never told her "to go"; she insisted I did while another waitress with short pixie chin length blond hair stood at her side and rolled her eyes. That was enough!!! I requested a manager. There was a very apologetic lady, Renae, who apologized and insisted to seat me on the other side and provide a burger (which was great). I could not believe waitresses in Deerfield would show such disrespect for their customer. I guess they may have classified me since I am a female and was alone as a low tipper. Little did these two "dingbats" realize....I ALWAYS TIP IN CASH.... AND.... TIP A MINIMUM OF 25%! btw....I did tip Dino my waiter generously (in cash) who provided fabulous service!

    (1)
  • Kevin S.

    I ordered the 10oz filet mignon medium rare. It came done well, over charred and I sent it back. Then they sent me out another filet and it was pretty rare and also tasted dry. Imo, they need to change their meat provider. Will not be going back.

    (2)
  • Jay H.

    My expectations were low and I still was disappointed. How on earth does this place stay in business? It used to be good thirty years ago (yes, I was there), but not now. The BBQ Chicken and the ribs were dried out and lukewarm. Both seemed to have been cooked a long time before service. Prime rib was overcooked, fatty, and underseasoned. Sides were sloppily prepared, chopped liver starter was bland, salad dressings lacked flavor ... just a mess of a restaurant. By the way, I saw the reviews that touted the rib eye, but it is $41. Even more overpriced than the rest of the menu.

    (2)
  • Mike H.

    So the service was great. But the ribs not so much. My cousin who drove 3 hrs to try them. He looks at the menu and says to me " not fall off the bone?" It really says that! Lol. But ya tuff and chewy. Who wants that? NOT ME. Great baked potato

    (3)
  • Carl F.

    The atmosphere of this Carson's is formal, yet nice and homey. The wait staff on todays visit were on top of their game and the drinks flowed well and there were no botches in fulfilling our order. The appetizers were spot on. I however was disappointed with the ribs. Now, don't get me wrong, they are good, but I've had better and certainly had a lot worse. I know they advertise these are not the type where the meat falls off the bone, which I'm okay with The sauce which has a bit of a kick to it and adds some nice flavor, but even this good sauce did not save this particular set of ribs from being dry and a bit chewy. However, as most of my fellow yelpers state, the Au Gratin potatoes are simply outstanding. If your a big meat and potatoes type of person, you'll enjoy the portion size of the Gratin potatoes. However, if your not a big eater then consider sharing an order of the potatoes. The desserts were not that great either.

    (2)
  • Lee P.

    My girlfriend says I'm too stingy with my five star reviews but Carson's ribs are without equal when it comes to ribs with sauce--and they deserve the full Monty! Only the dry rub-champion Rendezvous in Memphis can compete head-to-head. The cole slaw, corn bread and au gratin are equally stupendous. Even the 30 minute wait was made tolerable as you get to enjoy complimentary world-class chop liver with onions on rye bread. The sauce and chop liver are also available to go, which I always take back with me to SoCal. As a frequent traveler I have been to Texas, Kansas City, et all but Carson's delivers like nobody's business.

    (5)
  • James L.

    I went for lunch here cause I was craving some ribs, and also I haven't had Carson's in years! I remember it being awesome when I was a kid growing up and to my satisfaction it was pretty good! The sauce is sweet and tangy which I like and not fall off the bone meat but still pretty tasty! The price wasn't too bad for lunch either. Potato could have been better, but the coleslaw was like money! The kind of slaw you get at Popeye's which i'm a huge fan of, haha. Atmosphere at this location is a little old school and dark. The service was good and I was satisfied with the meal. I'd be back to try some of the other bbq!

    (4)
  • David S.

    What is with all of the hype about this place? The food was just mediocre. I started out with a big bowl of coleslaw, which was bland. The ribs were dry and had no flavor. They do not use a rub on them before they grill them. They need the sauce which, again, was bland. The twice baked potato was dry. It gets two stars only because of the friendly staff.

    (2)
  • Steve S.

    Went today for lunch and it was very good.Missed the chop liver and onions when they closed down the one in Norridge. So that was a bonus.Had the rib tips awesome not fatty and greasy,coleslaw always good and the Cesar salad great.My wife had the bone in Greek pork chop wow it was massive and delicious. Had two doggie bags.I think this one is better than Downtown free parking and we had a great server. Will travel the 25 miles worth it.

    (4)
  • Alex L.

    It used to be good, but not anymore. I have been of fan of take-out from Carson's Ribs since 1993. My favorite was simple and relatively inexpensive - a bucket of rib tips with french fries and original Carson's BBQ sauce. It was a good, satisfying meal for 2-3 people who are too lazy to cook on weekends. But I guess that all good things must come to an end. Tonight was a total disappointment :( The rib tips were tough, dry, boney and almost inedible. The BBQ sauce tasted like something from the bottom shelf of a 7 Eleven. And we paid $30 for it (about the cost of 15 McRib sandwiches which would have definitely tasted better).

    (1)
  • Miguel H.

    Really wanted to stay in and enjoy a day having rib tips called to place and order and told me they don't sell them when they are bussy ? I don't understand its a item on there MENU was a regular not gonna go back

    (1)
  • Sherryanne R.

    Instead of "char medium rare," our steaks were "cremated." We scraped the burnt exterior off the Turf & Turf and the Filet Mignon. The 5 oz steak was smaller than my palm (maybe 3 oz). The manager, who interrupted our conversation with her need to find out how we liked the steaks, said it was weighed before cooking. It must have been very, very wet for that weighing! $154.00 for two persons, with no appetizers or dessert, including three adult beverages at $11 each. Only one onion ring per plate. Complimentary cole slaw was swimming in liquid. Potatoe was rolled in Kosher salt, so could not eat the skin. No bread basket, so we just sat there waiting for our drinks while the waitress passed by four times saying she could not take our order, shince she did not have a pad. Then, we could not get rid of her: She kept asking about our meat. The busboy tried to clear our meals three times, while we were still eating. The manager stopped by. We finally told the waitress that we would raise our hand, if we needed anything. Three minutes later, she swung by to try to get us to purchase a dessert to take home. Agggggh! This restaurant is a good reason to cook at home.

    (1)
  • Danny B.

    Had been coming hear pretty much my entire life, recently this place has become a joke, I'm not sure if it's new ownership or horrible management, but my most recent encounter I took out two slabs of ribs and au gratin potatoes. It took an hour and a half which honestly wasn't a big deal. The big deal was that I show up 15 minutes early and my food is just sitting there and then they have the nerve to tell me I have to go home and cook the au gratin potatoes myself! So I had to drive home cook the potatoes and then have cold ribs. This place has sadly turned into a joke and after 20 years of ordering this place I will take my money elsewhere!

    (1)
  • Audrey C.

    I would give more stars but I didn't like the service here much. For one, it's a BBQ emphasis restaurant, you're gonna drink a lot of water. Not once did I get my water refilled or even asked if I would like it to be refilled during our visit. Our waitress was not present, at all. I saw servers come and go from tables around us and seeing to them a few times and not just during orders and for the check.

    (2)
  • Fendi F.

    Service was slow with an attitude they know they got you when you walk in the door don't really care if you come back. Waited 45 minutes I watched numerous people walk in and get seated before us. Quality of the food went out the window this will be my last time ever eating there sorry to say. I strongly recommend you don't eat here go to a franchise restaurant.

    (1)
  • Ron S.

    Two couples went there for dinner. We all ordered brisket sandwhiches,oleslaw aphoennd three of us had augratin potatoes. The potatoes were very good the sandwiches all four came cold. Three of us sent them back to be fixed The waiter told us dont worry they will make them fresh for us. They brought them back and they were not cold but only LUKE warm. It doesnt pay for us to send it back agaim. . We ate the semi cold sandwiches- tasteless except for the barb q sauce on them. We asked for our bill and the waiter told us due to the cold sandwiches the restarurant would buy us desert. We started to each pick deserts and he told us NO not four deserts, NO not one desert per couple but one desert for the table. We split a small piece of key lime pie. The pie was not good either. We spent $65 . They twice screwed up dinners and gave us a $4 piece of pie to share. NEVER NEVER again.

    (1)
  • Jennifer L.

    It wasn't my favorite - but i can see why other people like it! It's kinda fancy. The decor is just too dark and cold for me. I don't like the ribs. Now here's the thing - it's totally my fault for ordering them - cuz it clearly said on the menu that they are NOT "falling off the bone"... and I didn't believe them, LOL. So I ordered anyways and guess what - they're NOT falling off the bone! I literally had to like fight to get the meat off the bones. Hated it. But the flavor was really good! I got a baked potato which was ok. I gotta be honest, I probably won't go back. It just wasn't my style restaurant. But the restaurant was nice enough... and clean, and the wait staff was friendly. It's jut not my kinda-a place.

    (3)
  • Mike A.

    I love Carson's and really miss the two older locations (On Clark and in Skokie). They always seemed to be busy, so not sure what happened. This place is always packed and the ribs great as always. Its also deceivingly small inside, which often results in a long wait for a table. Service is decent, but their draw are the great ribs and out of this world slaw. I used to also get the potatoes au gratin, which are excellent, but these days can't take on the cholesterol and calories. Definitely worth a visit, but be prepared to encounter a place full of older North Siders taking their sweet time with drinks at the bar or at the table. Which is why I preferred the Clark St location...

    (4)
  • William G.

    Long story short - you're paying for the name. The service and decor were excellent as usual, but the food was a serious let down. The au gratin potatoes were delightful, but that's not why I went there. The ribs were scant, and I really had to wrestle the bone for a few mere morsels. I also paid $7/ea for a Samuel Adams, and a Hard Cider for my wife. There are bottles of premium foreign beer downtown for less, and fresher. Note: After reviewing others reviews, and unable to disagree with their assessment, I have reduced by rating to 2 stars from 3. Initially, I gave the 3 stars out of respect for Carson's-past, but in reality, 2 is a compliment.

    (2)
  • Jim K.

    In the past month, visited twice, once lunch, once dinner. The pulled pork, pork chop, were very good. The coleslaw is really great! The service was also very good. Many additional visits, great service, tasty brisket, shrimp, bread is also a hit. The cole slaw is exceptional get there early or crowds will cause your wait time to increase.

    (4)
  • Jeff K.

    The menu looked great but the food didn't match up. I tried multiple dishes since I was in a large group and we shared but nothing stood out. I probably wouldn't come back.

    (3)
  • Jessica N.

    Overpriced. Food isn't as good as it used to be. Overly seasoned and the ribs were dry compare to most places I go. Not worth it. Safe your money and go to a real rib joint for half the price.

    (2)
  • Erika S.

    We tried this place with a groupon deal and we loved the food! Hubby had the 16oz black Angus center cut NY strip char-crusted and I had the 10oz filet mignon also char-crusted (highly recommended) we shared a double baked potato and cole slaw, everything was delicious. We went in off hours around 3pm and it was very quiet, the service was quick and very attentive, waitress knew her menu and made suggestions. We are hoping to come back soon!

    (5)
  • Marlo P.

    HEY PEOPLE. YOU DO NOT COME HERE FOR THE RIBS. COME FOR THE STEAK. The atmosphere is really dark. Great for dates or classy get-togethers. Their bone in rib-eye steak is DELICIOUS especially when you get it char-crusted. I always get this steak when I'm here. Unfortunately, I had the ribs here once and it kind of sucked. BUT whenever I do come here I order a bucket of rib-tips and fries when I leave. It's cheap, comes plentiful, but they won't let you eat it in the restaurant to keep the classy atmosphere. SO! For all you haters here. If you are dining in; Try the steak. Char-crusted. If you are feening ribs: Call to pick up an order of rib-tips and fries. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. Get your fingers all dirty and nasty at home.

    (4)
  • Eugene H.

    Great ribs, burgers, pork chops, salads, fries. Very consistent food and service. Not the best place to go or order from on a major holiday since they alter their menu and tend to make the food in bulk but otherwise I would recommend them anytime

    (5)
  • Debbie G.

    I absolutely love Carson's, and couldn't say enough about their ribs and chicken!! The ribs are meaty and the sauce is nice and tangy the combo is perfection, the chicken is perfectly done and moist...I also like their little cornbread muffins and their coleslaw, it's duhlish!! I would say that it's a must try if you haven't already gone there...Oh, and don't forget the tiramisu..Mmmmmm Go, asap and enjoy!!

    (5)
  • Mel P.

    Haven't been here in years but we were looking for somewhere to watch the Super Bowl and eat dinner. Renee sat us at a great table in front of the tv and the fire and made sure we could hear the game. We all had ribs or ribs and chicken. The ribs were just as I remembered tender and just the right amount of messy. It was our son's first time and he is looking forward to returning! Service was very attentive.

    (4)
  • Joel A.

    The Caesars salad had tasted different the last 3-4 visits. Not the salad I used to crave.

    (3)
  • Terese C.

    I tried reserving at open table & read they only make online reservations of 6 or more. i phoned to make a reservation for 3 and was told they don't take reservations. i asked if we went around 6:30 would it be crowded. The manager told me in a rather haughty voice "first come, first serve. when you arrive and their are no tables, your wait will be 15- 45 minutes." I thanked him and said we've never been to his restaurant and I was asking questions because I am in a cast." He realized he was a bit short, and said to look him up when we arrived. He wanted to give us desserts on the house, which we declined. He realized his mistake, and tried to make it right with us. The interior is rather cozy and warm. Plenty of vegetables come with the meal. We substituted salads for the cole slaw and were charged $4.95 extra. Most restaurants will either substitute or charge 1/2 the salad dish. The combo dish I had was ok. The chicken was not that great; the ribs were ok and the pork chop was nice and big but red by the bone. My husband's shrimp still had shells on and they were adhered to the meat that he had to literally scrape the meat off or put the meat & shell in his mouth to chew both! The prices do not match the food coming out of the kitchen. Definitely not my idea of a great BBQ place. We won't be back.

    (2)
  • Jay K.

    Wow! Shame on me for not reviewing until now. I'm actually snacking on my fantastic leftover au gratin potatoes as I write this! I have been here so many times, and whether I get take out or eat in it's always super good. I love the bone in char chops, you have a choice of one or two, and IMO they have one of the best burgers around plus it's going on my best burger list. The ribs are a little chewy, not the fall off the bone as some might like but they're great. The coleslaw is one of the few I'll eat anywhere, Hackneys is the other that comes to mind right now. I like sitting in the bar area. Get yourself some chopped liver, cheese, onions and little the rye bread slices when you walk in the door from the serve your self bar and sit at the big bar, or where ever and get ready for some really good food, not to mention a cold beer or cocktail. No matter what you order ( burger, steak, ribs, etc.) you have a choice of a side. The choices are the earlier mentioned fantastic cheesy au gratin potatoes, equally as good Mediterranean potatoes, fries, baked potato, sauteed or grilled broccoli and green beans. They have a great lunch menu too. Great value epically at lunch..and a burger with those sides... is a super value!

    (5)
  • Becca T.

    Absolutely love sitting at the bar here! I started coming with family the past few months and have fallen in love with the most fabulous bartender Brana. She always remembers my order and ensures it comes out of the kitchen spot on. I absolutely love the atmosphere here on a weeknight. I will be back soon. :)

    (5)
  • L R.

    It's so good, I mean great. Cold leftover ribs are tasty too.

    (5)
  • Michael G.

    Consistent delicious high quality Chicago style food. The service is almost always great. I love going here at least a couple times a month. It is one of my favorite Chicago restaurants / traditions. It is just very comfortable, very enjoyable, and very very very good!!! I am so impressed how you consistently maintain your food and service quality at such high levels.

    (5)
  • Jeremy T.

    Yelp says that two stars means, "Meh. I've experienced better." Yup. That about sums it up. In fact, I've experienced better ribs at about every BBQ place I've visited. Given, I didn't have to pay for these ribs, they were provided by a close family member, but hoo-boy, had I? I would've been pissed. The ribs were skimpy and dry. Instead of falling off the bone, like rib meat should, I could barely remove it with a knife. I couldn't tell the difference between the overly crusty, emaciated meat and the bone itself. That's not good, Carson's. Your potatoes au gratin were a cheesy explosion that I couldn't find fault with, except that, you know, it didn't taste like anything but oil and cheese. The salad was a clumsy, nearly tomato-less lump of iceberg. Why even put this on your menu if you don't give a damn? I'm back in Chicago for the first time in a long time. I really hope that you have better BBQ to offer me.

    (2)
  • Amy K.

    love this place! it's amazing! and the server, Nick, is fantastic!

    (5)
  • Howard C.

    Carson's is one of those old-time family spots we've gone too for years. The ribs are solid, not fall off the bone as that's their thing. I personally make some pretty mean ribs and enjoy when they do fall off the bone. Prime Rib is delicious. Au Gratin potatoes are to die for and may actually kill you as well. I've always big a huge fan of the chopped liver and crackers at the front while you wait. I'm happy to wait for a while. They don't put the corn muffins in the bread basket anymore and that makes me sad.

    (4)
  • Brianne R.

    We frequent Carson's for all things holidays... what better excuse to enjoy fantastic ribs and those amazing potatoes?! My dad and I agree the au gratin potatoes are off the planet. Can't find anything else. It gets packed on the busy holidays but if you wait to go you only have yourself to blame. Good food.

    (5)
  • Scott C.

    Carson's ribs have been a Chicago staple for sometime - are they the best ribs? Maybe not. But Carson's is consistent - you get your money's worth, the ribs are well done and their BBQ sauce that is used on the ribs is sweet and tangy. The restaurant has the old steakhouse vibe with leather booths and dark wood. The service is good - it seems like the wait staff enjoys their jobs and interacting with the customers. The ribs themselves are good - the combination of the meat and the sauce that they are cooked in give them a good flavor and consistency. Like I've said, I've had better ribs in the city, but Carson's is consistent - I've never had a bad meal here. The ribs are cooked well and in combination with the side dishes make for a filling meal. I think the name of the game at Carson's is to stick with what they do well - ribs and not straying to other items on the menu which may be so-so.

    (3)
  • Jessie L.

    I have never been to a place where customer service is only reserved for regular visitors, until I came here. My party had been waiting for an outside table (there were two free), for about 10 minutes when a large group came in who addressed the hostess by name and were easily overheard saying they had missed their reservation the previous evening. The hostess chatted with them and then gave away the two outside tables to make room for their large party. Since there was an hour wait for both inside and outside, this was extremely rude and wrong. You do not pass up people who have been waiting just to convenience one party that you're friends with. Horrible customer service. I will not be returning anytime soon.

    (1)
  • John R.

    Ribs - okay, if you never had truly authentic ribs BBQ Shrimp - inedible - they grilled them in the shells until they were dry and tough. Worse, you couldn't remove the meat from the shells. I left 4 of the 5 uneaten. Bbq chicken - not as good as Johnnies in Glenview. No need to try this eatery. It is living off a very old reputation when it served good food. Did I mention over- priced?

    (2)
  • Kelly E.

    Best damn filet mignon I've had in....maybe forever. And that was surprising, being that they are known for their ribs (which I prefer to not eat). I love how they had appetizers and oversized chairs for guests waiting to be seated. I loved the bread basket filled with several different types of bread, all of which were good. They are known for their coleslaw- and it was really excellent. They serve it to you like a soup course. It seemed odd to me at first to get this bowl of slaw, but it was really good. This place isn't cheap, but well worth it when you can splurge.

    (5)
  • Dana M.

    Didn't dine here but just ordered a full slab of BBQ baby back ribs to go. They pack it for you in this huge 1.5' x 1' cardboard box.. pretty impressive for just a slab of ribs, sweet potato fries, and coleslaw. Like a present for my tummy! I had to try the fries in the car on my way home and they were delicious! Crispy and full of flavor. Ribs were moist and tender, not the fall of the bone kind so don't expect that! I haven't had Carson's ribs since I was a kid when there used to be more locations in Chicago. Deerfield seems to be the only one of two restaurants left...

    (5)
  • Andrew S.

    School is getting ready to start, so to celebrate a friend and I decided to go here. I must say, it was a great decision. As you wait you get to munch on crackers, bread, and they have something similar to a cheese ball. It's good. Some people take advantage of it by loading up their plate full, but I say wait for your meal. It'll be big enough. They have some seating outside, and my friend and I ate outside. It was a great evening outside, so it was perfect. Their menus are huge. Both in selection and literally in size. They say they have award winning cole slaw. And everyone raves about their au gratin potatoes. You get cole slaw (or salad for an extra $4.00) and a potato choice with your main entree. My friend ordered their half rack of ribs. It had seven bones and was full of tender meat. He said it was great. He also got their cole slaw. A huge bowl of it. It does taste great. It is very sweet. I got their caesar salad. It was a bit spicy which I liked a lot, and it was huge. I ordered their bbq pork chops. You have the choice between one for about $15 or two for $21. I went with the two thinking I could eat it all. Little did I know that these pork chops are at least 4 inches thick. They are huge. No bone. Just huge hunks of meat. It was pretty awesome. People at the table next to us were amazed by the size of the pork chops. They kept asking me about it. Yeah, they were great. I definitely couldn't finish them. The waitress we had was below average, however. She rarely came to our table and we had to wait for a long time both before we ordered and after we were done. In fact we saw their bus boy way more than her. Other than that, it was a great experience. You should go there.

    (4)
  • mitchell k.

    I don't care about the food! It's the service that stinks! They give you a reservation time and it is not even close. The carry-out is a shambles . The computers are up then down and they can't find an order. The food is not that good to wait for or deal with bad service. Gave it one last chance tonight and they didn't let me down. I'm done

    (1)
  • Rob S.

    I have been coming to Carson's since back in the days of their "Take it to go, take it to go" tv commercials from the 90's, when they use to have a Skokie location. Carson's has a sentimental value to me because we went here for many family occasions. Over the years, something about the Deerfield location has changed. The service is good but slow. Cole Slaw was extra runny on my last couple visits. The ribs are great. I do not like fall off the bone ribs which on their menu states they do not make. Their BBQ sauce is a sweet tangy flavor that goes great on meat and as a dipping sauce for fries. Overall the food is good. They still do the complimentary liver for people waiting for a table which is spot on. The service though has been really slow which has been a huge turnoff. Once the service gets a bit warmer with the customers I will redo my rating. Food equals 4.5 stars, service equals 2 stars.

    (3)
  • Thomas F.

    We have been to Carson's many times including take out but after our visit last nite I seriously doubt we will return. It took our waitress fifteeen minutes to come to our table and take out order. Forty five mins later we still had not received our food. I had the ribs which were extremly tough and dry the baked potato was ice cold. We never saw our waitress again after the initial order. We had to grab a anoter water to get our bill and then another one to take the check. Very poor customer service and very poor food quality.

    (1)
  • John M.

    This was a while back but my aunt was in town and my parents wanted to go to Carson's because they remembered the food being so good. That was in the 90's, so about 20 years later the food is mediocre at best. The food is sadly underwhelming. The food is prepared in a way that feels cheap and low quality, the food is edible but not what one wants when a brisket sandwich is over $10.00 and the bun is a cold store bought affair and the brisket is dry. The babyback ribs were not genuine babyback ribs are were cooked so long they dried out and had the texture and appearance of jerky under the sauce. I would only eat at Carson's if there is no other place available for good barbeque. Overpriced, underwhelming food, decent lighting and atmosphere, the food kills the place. I would only go back if better food was served.

    (2)
  • J. H.

    I haven't eaten in the dinning area in years so I can't comment on that portion of this restaurant. I've recently tried their carry out a few times and I don't think that I will be going back anytime soon. Pros: the take out service should be observed by all restaurants in the area. Very clean, polite and professional. Smiling faces, a lot of eye contact and very sincere attitudes. They open up your boxed order and take inventory and recite your order to you, this only takes 15 seconds per customer and is a very smart move on their part. Cons: The food doesn't justify the prices. Is it a coincidence that if you order a bucket of tips that you get a few pure meat ones on top and by the time you get to the bottom there are a lot of tips that are all fat & bone ? It's happened more than once. The bbq sauce they put on the ribs are bland and the sauce they give you in the containers are a different sauce that taste pretty much like A1 steak sauce. I've tried several different bbq chicken and rib items from their takeout menu and I don't think that I will be going back anytime soon.

    (2)
  • JOHN C.

    I grew up in the area and was back for a visit. I chose this place to meet a friend for dinner, in part because of its rep for ribs. Ball one Service at the bar was nice and attentive Strike one $10 for a shot of well bourbon at the bar Ball two Service at the table was attentive and prompt, even at 6 PM Strike two The half rack of baby ribs was very sparse on actual meat Strike three What meat there was, was dry, over-cooked, and taste-less. I am mystified at this place's reputation for great ribs Perhaps I should have listened to the bartender who recommended the Mediterranean pork chop. I'll never know as I won't go back.

    (1)
  • Gail C.

    Ribs Yea!! Service was good. Martini's even better!

    (3)
  • Charles R.

    This place has the best BBQ sauce and old gratin potatoes. My family orders out from here all the time and it is always good. I have yet to have a bad batch of ribs or chicken from this place. The other thing that I like is you have options when it comes to the menu, there is food for all different kinds of eaters, if you don't like chicken they have ribs, if you don't like ribs or chicken there is salad. Recommendation: To anyone who likes BBQ or hanging out with there family and want some good grub.

    (4)
  • Kathleen C.

    Carson's is one of the best places to get a steak in Chicago. Definitely ask for it Char-grilled. But the best reason to go to Carson's is for their Au Gratin potatoes They are AMAZING!

    (5)
  • Brad C.

    Put it to you this way: every time I grab dinner with grandma, she pushes for this location, but does so in a way as to suggest it's some new exciting place that the two of us haven't already been to EVERY SINGLE TIME WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY* DINED TOGETHER. (*Did I put the modifier in the right place?) I love that! I also love that they sometimes have a "Knish Bar"--not a salad bar but chopped liver and pickles and such. Did you read that article in the Times about Italian bars with these amazing burrata spreads? Like that, only for the MOTTs of the North Shore. Genius. So, yes: old people's food. Also, an archetypal example of suburban Chicago dining, of a certain post-war style that my grandparents' gen brought in. (Also, a sentence fragment. Fuck!). Thus, by minding your P & Q's and remembering those enthymemes you learned in PHL 101, you now know that the logical equivalent or definition of Chicago food is that of the AARP crowd. But you always knew that, didn't you? Having said all this, this place is the very picture of Sysco-supported competence. The coleslaw, the one iconoclastic item on the menu, is chopped and chunky, with a nice vinegar tang reminscient of a lot of those "asian" slaw recipes that popped up in the 1990s, yet still retaining that mound-o'-wetness composition of the picnic coleslaw (Fun fact: grandma always asks for it "drained," to which I follow up with, "Make mine irrigated." I've ran this joke six times now. At least.) Ribs are typical Chicago meat jello--clearly baked and boiled--and the sauce is heavy on the sugar and tomato paste (nee, sugar), which is just the way THEY like it (barf). They get a great cut of pork chop--in terms of the literal cut or chop, I mean--but I think they too often overcook it; they have the tendency to do the same with their steaks, so you best implore the desired temperature. Incidentally, of everything they make here, I think the ginger-basted salmon is the best bet. Entirely inoffensive and very pleasant, you'll be proud of yourself for keeping it not-really-real, especially because splurging does not pay off here. The bread basket is getting odder with each passing visit: rye bread replaced with corn muffins, onion rolls with Greek-style sesame bread? Saving just a little of my dignity (but surely to be ruined later), grandma spares me the sight of having to watch her throw the remaining bread in her purse. She just steals the salt shakers. Kidding. Right, grandma? RIGHT?

    (2)
  • Gerald A.

    Beef brisket, excellent. Pork chop, excellent. Bread basket of yummy white bread! Service, spotty. BBQ is spicy, so you drink more. The wait staff really needs to be vigilant with refills, have larger glasses, or in the case of water... just leave the pitcher on the table! Prices are reasonable.

    (3)
  • Melanie V.

    Since the Carson's on Ridge closed a couple years back, I was excited to find that there was a Carson's close to my job. My parents used to LOVE this place, so my sister and I decided to take them here for their annivesary. It's a pretty cramped space and it probably wasn't the best idea to take my two nieces there. However, the staff was great and very accomodating! I even brought my own cake in and they brought it out at the end of the meal - complete with candles! Carson's has the best sauce, in my opinion - tangy, yet sweet. The half rack of ribs is reasonably priced at $16 and comes with cole slaw and one side dish. (I think they have the best steak fries around.) However, you might want to steer clear of the $11 crab cakes. Although they are tasty, I'm not sure if it's worth $11. They also serve crackers and lox spread for the customers that are waiting. Call ahead for reservations as it seems to get crowded pretty quickly!

    (4)
  • Stephanie C.

    Amazing ribs, amazing service. The bbq chicken is so great as well as their greek chicken. I have been coming here for years but recently went with some people who had never been and they loved it as well. Can't get enough of the au gratin potatoes either! Highly recommend!

    (5)
  • Richard O.

    I came here for ribs because my girlfriend loves ribs, shrimp and coleslaw. The ribs were pretty good not anything special. Seems to be an older crowd nice dining setting. The service was weak our waiter took our order without writing it down then he came back and asked us again what we ordered. He didn't seam to understand what I was saying I asked for a beer on tap he brought me a bottled beer I expected better service from a restaurant like this. I can find better ribs elsewhere and not have to deal with incompetence. If a restaurant fails to provide outstanding service they have failed as a whole.

    (2)
  • Brad S.

    Been coming here for my whole life and the is a bad pattern service and food quality have been going down and prices have been going up. That being said the au gratin potatoes rock and the BBQ sauce is very tasty. The is also no better way to walk into a restaurant than to have chopped liver and cheese on rye. Last experience was sitting here for hour and fifteen after ordering with a table filled with kids and lots of old people staring at our table disgusted and the place was not close to full.

    (2)
  • barry g.

    $$$$$$$ OUCH!!! Check the prices, people! This is NOT Morton's or Ruth Chris...PERIOD. RIDICULOUS!!! What are they thinking? It's a safe guess the MOST expensive steaks and ribs....almost ANYWHERE. And... frankly....It's not very good. It's Carson's...not fine dining.

    (2)
  • Elle J.

    My husband made his own ribs the other day, so we decided just to order sides from Carson's Take Out since we LOVE their potatoes Au Gratin. YUM!! We ordered the Au Gratin potatoes, an order of fries for the kids, a salad & coleslaw - enough for 4 people. Asked that the order be ready for 5:00pm pick-up and they said that was fine. Got there at 5:00 on the dot and the food was ready, but ICE COLD and the order was wrong. They shorted us the potatoes Au Gratin and forgot about the salad even though they charged us for everything and it was clear as day on the ticket attached to the box. When the girl asked if I wanted new fries to replace the cold ones, I said "Yes, please". Of course that meant I had to wait an additional 10 minutes for them to make a fresh batch, and they made it seem like a huge inconvenience - as if they were hoping I wouldn't take them up on their offer for a replacement order. Anyway, I left with my complete order at 5:15 and almost $60 lighter in the purse. I was shocked - had no idea just side dishes were going to cost so much. They did throw in a free slab of ribs for my trouble, but I didn't care for them. They were tough and not very tasty. Additionally, I was the only person there picking up an order, so I'm not sure how there was so much confusion. Mine was the only order on the rack for pick-up... it's not like they were juggling 20 pick-up orders. Needless to say, I don't think I'll be going back there again.

    (1)
  • Eric C.

    Service is outstanding. This is obviously a neighborhood favorite; the bartender (lady in her mid forties) knew everyone by first name and was very friendly and attentive. Unfortunately, the ribs were below average. They were dry and tough. I had to firmly hold the rib and actively tear away at the meat. The sides were good and they serve a warm basket of delicious dark cranberry pumpernickel bread and sesame white bread. The coleslaw was good, but not phenomenal as they would have you believe; I found it odd that the coleslaw was served first as if it was a salad. The ribs were overwhelmingly disappointing and way overpriced. I would probably try the place again, but definitely not get the ribs.

    (3)
  • Christopher B.

    I will not go back here, and I wouldn't recommend it to someone with similar tastes as mine. I made reservations for 8 people at 7 pm for my dad and brothers birthday dinner. We arrived 15 minutes early and were told we would be seated in 15 mins. After an hour and 15 mins the tried to squeeze all of us into a small table made for 5-6 people max. We declined and waited again. Mind you we had an 8 year old and a baby with us as well. I complained 3-4 times during this time and the manager had no resolution and basically explained to me he would tell me what I want to hear but that wouldn't fix his table situation...very poor customer service. We ended up getting finally seated an hour and forty five mins after our reservations were scheduled...seriously what the hell was the point of a reservation!!? On to the food. The ribs were mediocre at best, the steaks looked and smelled amazing but had too much fat and were too chewy for our taste. The manager comped our drinks and some appetizers. Although this was a nice gesture I would much rather had a better dining experience. I am not looking for a free meal and don't mind paying top dollar for what I expect out of a meal and or dining experience.

    (2)
  • Toshi I.

    After hearing about Carson's for years and having a hankering for ribs, I made it a personal quest to try this place that I always heard and seen advertisements for. I was quite disappointed with the ribs. It seemed dry even though it wasn't a dry rub. It just tasted like the sauce was poured on. The service was ok. It wasn't terrible but it wasnt anything to write home about either. I was expecting a more homey feeling and I just didnt get that feeling.

    (2)
  • Louis W.

    Used to be consistent. Ribs are bare and get less meaty each time. Got to find somewhere new for ribs

    (2)
  • Rich A.

    Great Ribs and I love their Pork Chops. Used to come here for lunch, but do not order the double baked au gratin potatoes - they are absolutely great, but if you have them for lunch you will need a co-worker to poke you between 2-3 pm so that you do not fall asleep with your impending Carb coma.

    (4)
  • Cindy F.

    Deerfield Carson's used to be great. I finally gave up on them after my last four orders were made wrong and the final straw - my last order had a salad with soggy croutons and the order of fries was HALF the size it was before. And I paid HOW MUCH for that??? Forget it. Not going back. I told the manager each time about the screw ups and it never got better. On top of that, while customers are waiting at the take out counter for food, a manager was screaming at an employee and making a fool out of both of them. I can think of better ways to spend my hard earned cash.

    (2)
  • Paul M.

    Haven't been here in years. Worst ribs I've ever eaten in my life. I like rib meat to separate from the bone easily. The ribs I got last night -- you couldn't chew the meat off the bones without risking damage to your dental work. Service was excellent however. And the place is nice and cozy. But the ribs -- not a good experience at all.

    (1)
  • Patrick W.

    I dined in here about 2 years ago and had a five star experience, and carried out a bucket of rib tips last weekend and would give it around four. Their sauce is fantastic, if maybe a little runny. The caramelized onions give it a unique flavor. The dine in experience was fantastic, we ordered a variety of things and enjoyed all of it, from the potato skins to the pork chops and, of course, the ribs. The place was very cozy and comfortable. Our carryout experience was fine as well, we called ahead en route to a party and our order was hot and ready upon arrival. They do really brisk carryout business; when I went they had four cashiers to help the nine people picking up food. For $20, you get a bucket of rib tips and two large orders of steak fries. You also get a little tub of their sauce in which to dip the fries. I have to say, the tips were not quite as tender nor as meaty as I've had elsewhere, but you certainly do get a lot for your money so you'll have no problem filling up and having plenty of leftovers. To their credit, I didn't find them to be as fatty as what I've had at several other restaurants. I think I deserve some kind of credit for remembering when this place was Bill Knapp's.

    (4)
  • Greg M.

    Growing up, I really loved this place. But that was because of my unfamiliarity with ribs. The food here is pretty good, but it is a little pricey and as I've gotten older I've definitely tried better places. I do not feel the food here is completely awful, but after going to a ribfest or other joints in the greater Chicagoland you can easily see the difference. Unfortunately I now consider these ribs sub par. I wouldn't push someone away from this place to get their rib fix, but I would forewarn them they probably won't blow you away.

    (3)
  • Lynn S.

    Sadly, this is not what Chicago rib lovers meant when they described a hot off the grill, succulently meaty treat. Carson's recently served us two slabs of ribs heavily coated in sauce, probably because their pork no longer had any flavor of its own. The meat itself was strangely dense and disappointing. Are they pre-cooking and freezing? The cole slaw, for which this restaurant is quite famous is still excellent, and the fried potatoes are thickly cut, fried fresh. Granted, the restaurant itself is pleasant, but when a self-described rib joint serves sad slabs of ribs, the stars rapidly disappear.

    (2)
  • Skazoo M.

    Carson's advertises itself as "the place for ribs" but there are better ribs elsewhere. For those of you not familiar with their other locations, Carson's styles itself as a steakhouse specializing in ribs - so there's lots of dark wood, white tablecloths and a professional waitstaff. So far, so good. Unfortunately, when I pay steakhouse prices for my ribs, they better be pretty good... and they're simply average. At the risk of offending fans of Carson's, I'd say their ribs are on par with Chili's (and cost twice as much). If you want to order ribs at a steakhouse, drive west to Weber Grill on Milwaukee. For a really good rib experience north of the city, try Hecky's in Evanston or Bobby Q's in Arlington Heights. There's also Chick 'N Rib Joynt on Lake & Skokie Blvd, but I haven't been there yet.

    (3)
  • Victoria h.

    The food was ok. The salads are doused in dressing and the butter tasted freezer-burnt. I have to admit that I don't like ribs, nor have I really liked barbecue sauce. Carsons' sauce is very sweet and went well with chicken. Husband devoured the (beef) ribs and his only complaint was that the sauce was not tangy enough. The menu is not too extensive and there are no salad entrees.

    (3)
  • Hunter R.

    Yes, the service is slow. However the ribs and potatoes au gratin are amazing.

    (5)
  • Evan L.

    Living off their reputation, Smoques is better. Kept my party waiting with reservations. OK not great. Have a great place for great service fall off the bone ribs but its my little secret Ha Ha hahaha

    (3)
  • David T.

    Thank goodness I had a gift card. Friday's and Outback have better ribs. I was very disappointed to have to tug and tug and tug to get the ribs apart. Save your $$$ and go elsewhere.

    (2)
  • Ann Y.

    This should be renamed- Carson's NOT the Place For Ribs. I am appalled by the place. I went here with a group of 12 people over the summer prior to my brother wedding. It was early in the night and NOTHING went right. We all placed our orders. After getting our salads and half of us getting our food, we were told they were out of items. This no meant that half of our party could eat and the other half couldn't. Also those who got there food had wrong orders and/ or the steaks were cooked incorrectly. I tried the ribs and they were boney. And I tried the steaks and they were weak as was the prime rib which was cold. We didn't get an appology and the server seemed more annoyed than anything. They finally did give us free desert, but we will NOT be returning. What a waste of my time and money.

    (1)
  • Jay S.

    Whenever I'm in a mood for some babybacks, I wouldn't look beyond Carson's as I only had fond memories all the way from my childhood. Well sadly but truly, that quickly came to an end. Our family dined there on 12/1. It wasn't crowded at all and most of the customers, if not all, were senior citizens. Even our server was an elderly lady 'tho she was personable. No issue so far. until... The guy in the front seating people was on the phone when we walked in. He was on the phone talking, seemed extremely annoyed explaining about the menu and kept rolling his eyes. That may have been the sign that the famous Carson's is no longer! Ribs were skinny and nearly wasn't even meaty as before. They were pretty dry too. Plus what the heck happened to the BBQ sauce. It tasted very sour like someone poured lemon juice all over. I really don't get this "not fall off the bone" concept either. It should fall right off the bone and BBQ sauce should be tangy but sweet. We ordered a filet mignon (medium rare) but it was way too raw and bloody. Even the coke that I ordered was flat. I'm greatly saddened to say this was a historic day for me that I'd probably never dine at Carson's again.

    (2)
  • Anna S.

    Carson's is decorated with lots of old Chicago memorabilia and is populated by lots of older Chicagoland customers. The elderly population seemed happy to sample the sesame crackers with liver and onion while waiting for their tables. I didn't partake in the samplers, but I had a great time with my group. The staff was very attentive from beginning to end. The food was good. I had the chicken which was fine (don't know what else they really could have done). I didn't find the BBQ sauce to be particularly memorable, but again it was good. The salad was swimming in dressing, however the croutons were little bits of buttery goodness. The potatoes were really the stars of dinner. We each got a different potato side which is included with all of the meals. They have the best sweet potato fries, and the au gratin has a sharp cheddar cheese on top... mmm. Overall we had a great evening and I would go back as would the rest of our group.

    (4)
  • Alan R.

    We had take out and other than the wait and a bit under cooked pork chops Carson's is still a Chicago institution. My wife and I split the BBQ sampler that included Ribs, Chicken and a pork chop. The ribs are still as good as ever with a deep, hearty BBQ sauce. The chicken was cooked to slightly above a char. The pork chop needed to be cooked a little longer. The highlight of our meal was the sweet potatoes fries that were amazing. If you want to show someone from out of town a true Chicago meal, Carson's is a great place to start.

    (4)
  • David L.

    I think I dined-in once in my life here? The other 100 plus times have all been take out. They have great packages for a meal that is more than just tasty and convenient. Fair prices too.

    (5)
  • Kathryn M.

    So I'm an HP gal...grew up going to Carson's every couple of years for special occasions and have never eaten the ribs because well I've never had ribs and really never care too. Let's talk about the prime rib...the one and only thing I have and will ever order here. Perfect medium rare every single time. My most recent trip to Carson's was for my birthday dinner with my parents. The three of us each ordered the prime rib medium rare. The waitress quickly returned to the table after taking our order to say that they only had 2 prime ribs left...kind of weird since it was 5:30 on a Tuesday. But okay, we'll deal..and by we I mean my dad, because come on, it's my birthday and I'm a prime rib girl. I substituted a yummy caesar salad for the cole slaw, as did my mom. Our salads were perfect, kind of a spicy caesar dressing, but definitely good. My dad loves their cole slaw. Our meals arrived and were perfectly cooked. I had a twice baked potato and my parents had au gratin. We were all more than satisfied with our meals. Service is perfect and friendly. Carson's can get crowded so call ahead or come early. Oh! Really large pours of wine...how can the self-proclaimed wino forget that!?

    (4)
  • Michelle F.

    We took my dad here to tell him we were getting married. This is (was?) my dad's favorite restaurant. The ribs are always tender and juicy. The sides were good, too, but don't order anything but ribs if you come here. Staff were overly friendly and helpful. The plates come with a TON of food, but if you share a plate, there is a fee.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 10

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : No
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Dogs Allowed : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Drive-Thru : No
    Caters : Yes

Categories

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Carson’s Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue

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