Firewater BBQ
1847 Knapp Rd, Crest Hill, IL, 60403
Firewater BBQ Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Crest Hill for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Crest Hill for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Crest Hill for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1847 Knapp Rd
Crest Hill, IL, 60403 - Phone (815) 729-9755
- Website https://www.firewaterbbq.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
- Mon : 11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Dustim W.
On September 1, 2015 I came to this restaurant and I like the layout. As I walk closer to the big menu I noticed that people in the kitchen and prep area we're doing detail cleaning. I don't know about you but I prefer to eat clean restaurants. Since our barbecue a lot myself I bought rib tips hats love ribs, pulled pork, wings, baked beans, potato salad, Cornbread, and cherry pie. Everything tasted great! Now for some ribs and rip tips may be too sweet if you don't like your meat to be sweet. Overall I had a great experience and I got to talk with the owner and his employees. The employees were very informative about the items on the menu. I will definitely eating here again if I come back to the area.
(5)Locke C.
I started visiting this place about a year ago, after the guys on WJOL radio raved about it, and they were certainly right. I've carried out about 5 times, and each time the food has been fantastic. Ribs are excellent, wings as well. The sausage dish feels like it could use something more, but I don't have any idea what it could be. It can be a bit of a long wait if they run out of something, but I've only experienced that once. And it was still worth it. Best ribs I've had, including the national competitors at Ribfest.
(5)James P.
Best ribs I've had, ever. I've been here 3x now. Each time is better than the previous. As soon as you walk in, fantastic smoke aroma. Everything is hot and fresh. Onion rings are unreal. Crispy outside, and just melt in your mouth. Awesome to try the 6 different sauces in each table. Lastly, I'm not a 'bread pudding guy'. But I ordered the bread pudding because everything else kicks a$$ here. Wow, it was out of this world. HUGE PIECE, crispy & charred on the outside (cooked on grill), and full of nuts etc. Most definitely worth the $5.00 You can't go wrong with trying this place out.
(5)Shannon M.
Sometimes you just NEED barbeque. Well, my favorite meat enthusiast and I sated that desire this week-end by going to the Red White & BBQ Festival in Westmont. Lots of choices of all kinds of meats, yet we both picked Firewater, for their selection and the wicked smells that lured us from their booth... He got rib tips, and I ordered a couple of ribs and a pulled pork sandwich to take home. Damn, dat smoky goodness. Ribs had that almost leathery exterior that gives way to tender flesh. I combined their spicy and "Sweet Home Chicago" sauces for a smooth note with a kick. The pulled pork revived perfectly the next day, the flavor rich and complex: pork, smoke, spice and sauce. (Watch out for some bone bits as you inhale it, though.) The dude got the rib tips, which he said were tasty, but it looked like there was more meat than there was because of the fat and bone (rib tips are mostly cartilage). Quote: "I'm just not used to that weirdness of gristle. I'm not an experienced rib tipper." Still, he said he'd eat there again. With a location in Crest Hill and one in Lombard, you've got your pick on either side of town. So then next time you're fired up for BBQ, head over to Firewater and quench the flame.
(4)Yocelin S.
Delicious! My new BBQ place! I had the Brisket and Links and MAN! Amazing! Love it, more options than Baby Back Blues too...
(5)Cameron L.
Came recommended by the owner of Town & Country Lanes bowling center...I asked for a good BBQ place with hot BBQ sauce and he said "Fire Water!" I ordered the brisket and spicy sausage link with cole slaw and Mac & cheese. This place has some of the best BBQ I've ever had.
(5)Marlo P.
I had a huge craving for BBQ the other day and tried this out on my lunch break. I had the southsider (pulled pork and brisket) and a side of onion rings and mac and cheese. The brisket was my FAVORITE. Just like butta! I love how they had different sauces from different BBQ regions. I really appreciated that. I also appreciated that they give free pickles and jalapenos! I think I saw that they serve antibiotic free chicken or something like that so if you're all about that, you should hit them up. I didn't write much because everyone pretty much summed it up for me. Definitely a place to try out though!
(5)Steve I.
BBQ was excellent! Sauce selection was diverse Sides we out of this world Cozy little place Good brew line up Fab deserts I had the ribs and smoked wings as good as can be meaty tender ribs slathered in sauce. Wings smokey goodness Beans, potato salad , mac and cheese excellent. I travel for BBQ this place is worth the trip! Very casual in a strip mall with picnic tables inside Friendly and clean I would highly recommend
(4)Luis F.
This place was great, you honestly leave with a belly full of some of the best bbq in the city. I got the South Sider, it had pulled pork and brisket both equally as good. For sides I got Mac&Cheese which was not to shabby and the blue and bacon salad. My date picked a half a slab of ribs, Mac&Cheese too plus garlic fries which I actually liked more then the other sides combined. One of the best parts of the meal were the sauces on your table that you can choose to pair with your food. Great place and the service was awesome, food didn't take long and the staff was energetic and really friendly.
(4)Jon P.
Indulged myself on some smoked wonderfulness to help me shake the Mondays. It worked. I decided to attempt the ribs and some smoked wings. I had to get a repeat performance on the garlic fries because they are ridiculously good. I did try the brisket beans side and a homemade lemonade. Once again I was transported to a campfire in the woods with meat hanging from limbs over a hickory fire to smoke. Monday was gone and it was replaced with a weekend at hunt camp. Each bite better than the last. I may just eat at Firewater every Monday until I can retire to a cabin in the woods!!!
(5)Tom F.
This place is smoking good. Better then the other ones of same name. Salad is good and good for you. Although those not watching their diet have plenty of options too. Just quick smiling service and great fresh food.
(5)Adam J.
I come here for the ribs and the brisket as both are truly outstanding. The ribs are the best I've had outside KC. Tonight was apparently the first night beer was sold. All pretty local all craft brews So now the sign is as advertised and life is good. Come for some great food and a beer or two
(5)Christina M.
This was my first time here and while I'm not the biggest fan of barbecue, I really enjoyed it! The restaurant is clean and the staff members were all very friendly, greeting us immediately as we entered. The menu is posted at the front of the restaurant above the cash registers on large chalkboards. I ordered the pulled chicken and beef brisket with a side order of fries. The pulled chicken and French fries were delicious! The brisket wasn't that great. It seemed to lack flavor and it was very dry. I ordered the salt and pepper fries and they were crispy and cooked to perfection plus, the order was large enough to share with another person. I'd imagine that the garlic and Cajun seasoned fries are delicious as well. The person I went with had a huge order of ribs, rib tips, smoked chicken wings and a smoked hot link sausage. He was really impressed by everything he tried and said that Fire Water is one of the best barbecue restaurants he's been to. Our wait was a little bit longer than everyone else's in the restaurant, probably because of the half slab of ribs in our order. Even then, we waited about 15-20 minutes for our food to be ready which isn't that long. There were 5 different sauces on each table. The Sweet Home Chicago sauce mixed with the Texas heat sauce was a great combo. A little sweet mixed with a little spicy. The outsides of the sauce bottles were dirty and sticky, however. I'm not a germaphobe by any means but that always grosses me out when I go to a BBQ restaurant. I'd hope that the staff members wipe them down throughout the day.
(4)Christopher J.
My rack of ribs were great. My pulled pork was out of this world. The onion rings are cooked to perfection. Getting hungry just writing this review.
(4)Natalie D.
Got delivery from here on Sunday. I had the pulled chicken sandwich, my boyfriend got the pulled pork sandwich, his mom got the rib dinner and his brother got the south sidder. All sandwiches came with no sauce on them. Literally not a drop. It was good bc I got to taste the meat as it is which was delicious. All sandwiches did come with sauce on the side though. I'm not sure if this was a mix up or if that's just how they deliver sandwiches. Maybe to prevent soggy buns? Idk but I'm not complaining just noting it bc it was a shock to see a sauces-less pulled pork sandwich. Maybe when we said "extra sauce on the side" the girl thought we said "all sauce on the side"? I definitely want to dine in though. The atmosphere at this location is just ok but here's the thing: extra sauce costs $0.50 but at the restaurant it's sitting on the table for free. Again, not a complaint just an observation. Over all, I would definitely order from here again and I hope to stop by the restaurant and dine in soon. I tried the ribs: they are super good. The pulled chicken was also very yummy: you can definitely taste the wood smoke flavor.
(4)Catherine M.
Seriously. Stop here and eat. There are a few different sauce choices on the table so you'll find at least one you'll like. Ribs were not a disappointment. Staff was fun and manager was familiar with beer selection.
(5)Chris G.
You're wasting precious moments of your life not eating here. Incredible food, incredibly friendly, ultra fast service, just all around awesome.
(5)Jason C.
The patatoe salad here is the shit! The only issue I have with it is you don't get enough it's a tease. Everything else is good too. I'm a huge fan of the smokehouse
(5)John S.
I've been here a few times now and have never been disappointed. My brother is a Smoke Master and I've sent him in. We both agree, this place has it going right when it comes to BBQ. Last week I was in Austin TX and waited over an hour in line to try Franklins BBQ. Firewater BBQ is as good........ without the wait!!! Today I had the Beef Brisket sandwich and it was tremendous; tender, tasty and moist on a burger style bun that was freshly made. The 4 varieties of BBQ sauces were all flavorful. You've got to try Firewater BBQ if you love smoked meats and they've a 2nd location on Roosevelt Rd in Lombard.
(5)Paige T.
Never disappoints. The varieties of BBQ sauces alone makes me salivate! Everything is excellent. Especially the smoked pulled pork, rib tips, and rack o ribs and don't forget that yummy side of Mac and cheese!! Can be a little pricey when on a tight budget, but they make it evident how much hard work and passion they put into, so you know its money well spent. Staff always helpful And assures you that they'll be seeing you soon!
(5)Susan W.
I wanted BBQ so bad! My usual place was closed, so we decided to give this a try. Cute place, loved the menu board. Was greeted by all the kitchen staff (a little weird). Couldn't take my coat off, it was freezing inside! Ordered the grillmaster burger (burger with pulled pork smoked Gouda and applewood smoked bacon) with 2 sides and a drink, and the husband had the southsider (something like that) (brisket and pulled pork) with 2 sides. I have to say, I wanted to like it so much, but we both left super disappointed. What was good? The meat, smoked with great flavor... and the sauces were great! unfortunately, the pulled pork on both our sandwiches was ice cold and the bacon was like shoe leather. What was bad? everything else. The onion rings tasted like they came from a freezer and were so soaked in grease, it dripped off. The 3 cheese mac n' cheese, awful... precooked noodles with nacho cheese poured over them. Potato salad, lackluster. I can tell they put a lot of money into this place, and they love the business. But, I suggest Firewater gets some outside help with systems and sides.
(2)Aaron B.
Prices are high, $16 for a sandwich and 2 small sides. Came for lunch with my 2 kids and it was almost $50. Taste is decent but NOT worth the money in my opinion.
(2)Tarek J.
If this place was in downtown/ Lincoln park or buck town it revenues would've exceeded 4 of busiest restaurants in its location
(5)Kevin C.
Amazing isn't even the right word to explain this place. First time here with my family and everyone enjoyed it. My wife liked that the chicken was free range and antibiotic free so she ordered pulled chicken. My daughter followed her lead and did the kids meal of pulled chicken. My son hit up the brisket and I ordered the southsider which was brisket and pulled pork on a pretzel bun. What a great place!! Smoked bacon is a must add for $1.50. I will be back for sure and also will consider it for catering my office as well. Price was worth it for the quality of food. Not cheap but worth every penny. This place blows away baby back blues! Not even a comparison.
(5)Aaron S.
It's a shame. Food is good prep and service not so much. The two times I was there, the first they ran out of pulled pork, this most recent time ticket time of 25+ minutes on a to go order.
(2)Eder S.
This place is really good. just as good as anything i've ever had.
(4)Adrienne R.
I just realized I never reviewed this place, I can't believe I forgot. Seriously the BEST bbq near by. They are always friendly and the orders are always correct. I generally get the pulled pork fries but have also gotten brisket instead of pulled pork. I think u can do pulled chicken too, they are really flexible if you want to change something up. Either way its insane how good it is. The sides aren't half bad either. I really like the baked beans. My boyfriend always gets a grill master burger and raves about it. I've had a piece of his and I totally get it. Everything we have tried from here is just awesome. They have like 5 different bbq sauces to choose from. I didn't like one, I think it was white, but out of 5 that isn't too bad. Lol If you are in the area, at least give it a try. We have yet to be disappointed...and we've been here waaay more than a handful of times. :-)
(5)Craig M.
I've been here 4 times and the food is for the most part very good. A little pricy for a serve yourself place. The regular fries are great as is the brisket. However the firebird chicken, which is strips of chicken breast, was dry & tasteless. The firebird chicken is a no go. Everything else that I tried was good.
(3)Teresa K.
After reading rave reviews elsewhere, my husband and I decided to give Firewater a try last night. There were friendly greetings upon entering, and the guy at the register was friendly and helpful. We ordered a beef brisket sandwich and a pulled pork sandwich and split them between us. We both found the brisket to be EXTREMELY fatty...not just marbled, but huge chunks of fat throughout the sandwich. There also wasn't very much meat on there, so ultimately, I think we had a sandwich which was about one third fat. It was dripping grease, too. I watched the guy who prepared it, and he was obviously new, and someone else was giving him suggestions and making gestures showing how to cut and place the meat from the other side of the counter. Perhaps a little closer supervision would have improved this sandwich. It wasn't made very nicely. The pulled pork was a little better, although I found it to be a little dry and not very flavorful. It wasn't very warm either. At least there was a lot of meat on the sandwich. We both liked the sauces. My husband visited the men's room to wash the grease off his hands and found that the soap dispenser wasn't working. He said you could barely get soap out of it. Broken paper towel dispenser as well. We both had a bit of a concern about sanitation if the staff is using a restroom where the soap dispenser isn't working. Perhaps they wash hands elsewhere, so I don't want to pass judgement on that one. I was going to give this place 3 stars until I saw the description for 2 stars is, "Meh. I've experienced better." That is a perfect description. We decided on the way home that we shouldn't be eating BBQ anyway, and made a pact to opt for healthier fare in the future. If we should fall off the BBQ wagon, we won't come back here, though.
(2)Adam X.
I've had the rib tips and the pulled pork sandwich, both were amazing. Going to try more of the menu but so far Firewater can do no wrong.
(5)Courtney C.
I've been saving my #400th review for a few weeks waiting for a deserving business and Firewater BBQ won the coveted title. A friend asked me to head to the area with her for a few errands. I usually tag along if I'm free because it's a chance to explore some new dining establishments. I had about 7% battery life of my phone left, so it was imperative to find a cheap, close lunch spot before my phone died. I clicked "nearby" and Firewater BBQ was the first place that came up. Since my phone died within seconds, it was settled that this was the spot. My friend and I were both excited to try not only a new-to-us restaurant, but a brand new restaurant that had only opened a few days prior. Although we prepared ourselves for a few new-business kinks, there weren't any. They ran like a well oiled machine that had been doing this for decades. We were instantly greeted by one of the friendliest women you've ever met( I believe she's the manager or co-owner since she told us that this was a family run establishment.) She explained the menu and made a few recommendations. I went with the brisket on a regular bun with two sides (mac & cheese and potato salad) and a drink. I believe my total was around $9, which was completely fair for the amount of food that I got. Of the two sides, I preferred the potato salad. It had pulled pork and bacon in it, and was seasoned really well. The mac & cheese was okay, but not my favorite rendition of it. The brisket was so tender and had the perfect amount of smokey taste. I usually prefer pulled pork to brisket (so I really don't know why I ordered it) but this was perfection and made me change my opinion on brisket. The sauces are on the table so you can choose which one to slather on your food, and I went with a mixture of the Carolina mustard and their signature sauce. Both delicious. They will also be offering a brewery in the future, but right now they are only offering non-alcoholic beverages until they get everything set up. But even without the booze, don't pass up a chance to eat here. It's fantastic!
(5)Joel K.
This was excellent place for great smoked food. I went with my parents and my wife. We ordered a full slab of ribs: which were the perfect blend of tender but not fall off the bone. Just the way I like it! Over all excellent place!
(5)Reece R.
This place is amazing, i stopped in this weekend and tried a 3 meat combo and to be honest i was expecting average BBQ but WOW! The brisket was beyond superb, a big plus is the variety of sauces that you can try out when dining in. Definitely go with the Texas Heat which has a sweet taste with a kick.
(5)Angela P.
This is the first BBQ spot I've seen that offers cheese with their fries. *Swoon* Indeed, Firewater BBQ definitely blows some BBQ spots out of the water. I had the "Southsider," a massive sandwich of brisket and pulled pork. The sandwich came on a pretzel bun (or you can get tortillas, plain white bread, or another bread roll), but due to it being piled high with tender, flavorful meat, I had to eat my sandwich with a fork & knife. But I'm not complaining. I drowned my sandwich in Firewater's Apple Bourbon BBQ sauce, my favorite of their four sauces. I added 2 sides and a drink for $3 more (just one side is $2), so I went with the garlic fries (or you can get salt & pepper or Cajun - oh my the choices to be made here!) and of course, a cup of cheese sauce. The garlic fries and cheese sauce were very good. I also had the onion rings, which were good but nothing to write home about. My husband had a half slab of ribs and a sausage link with a side of garlic fries and coleslaw. Two of us ate here for $30, and we both received generous portions of delicious food. I took half of my sandwich home! For a BBQ place, Firewater is actually...adorable, when it comes to the ambience. It's brightly lit with wall-to-wall windows (could use some shades during the sunset though - ouch!), and there are typical tables and chairs as well as a few picnic style benches. I love the little piggy face mascot, he looks fierce! Also there's a little "Keep Calm" sign in the ladies room with that little piggy face once again. On one wall of the restaurant is a giant "about us" telling a tale of Ms. O'Leary's Barn and two men who supposedly invented Firewater Ale and BBQ, which is a cookbook that surfaced in a bomb shelter in Burr Ridge. Are you still with me? The story confused me too, but whether fact or fiction, it was entertaining. They even line their food trays with mock old-timey looking newspapers. There is nothing to not love about Firewater (unless you're vegetarian, but I'm talking in general terms). My only dislike is the picnic tables were a little uncomfortable. If you're more than 5'0", the bench is going to be too high for the table. That is hardly something that will keep me from coming back though. Although my husband liked the ribs at another place (far, far away) better, it's definitely better than another in the area. There's even a huge dessert menu, and apparently craft beers are "coming soon."
(5)Shannan P.
Ribs and chicken were DELISH!!! Fries were great and the potato salad was the best!!! The Mac n cheese not so much.
(4)Charles J.
I'm a pitmaster but this place is legit. Ribs are as good as I've ever had. Tender not mushy, spiced right and with the right amount it tug. Pulled pork is subtle but good, leftovers even better the next day, rare for BBQ. Usually BBQ goes down next day and this went up. Fries are good but not special. But the place smells like smoke, they actually have cooking wood in the dining room. This is the real deal.
(5)Alixx C.
Well, the owner contacted me after I left my first review. I waited til now to go and try them out again. I was craving bbq so the bf and I went down to firewater. This time i ordered a full slab of ribs and a wedge salad with chicken. Surprisingly the chicken in the salad was so hard it was almost like plastic. That was the worst part of the salad besides the iceberg lettuce. The bacon and cucumber was a good touch in there. The full slab of ribs. MOST of the slab was pretty good and I liked the sauce. I spent almost 30 bucks on this and the ribs on the end of the slab were burnt as burnt could be. MOST of the meat was decent. That sums up my meal. The bf ordered "smoked wings" which btw were smoked and then dropped in hot oil to fry. I watched the guy drop them in a basket and fry them. Sure enough they were hard as wood blocks. He also had the brisket which was pretty good and some rib tips. The Rib tips were slightly better than last time but again you can tell they mixed old with new. Altogether for both of us we paid almost 60 bucks for this food which was partially edible. I don't believe in getting hand outs so when the owner invited us back I did not seek to speak with him. I went ahead and paid for it AGAIN to give them a second chance and they failed. It's too bad Cuz I really did enjoy that sauce. They sell it for five bucks so I may stop in there to buy some soon. Other than that I would probably pass on this. I don't get the great reviews but I guess it all comes down to each their own. Good luck on this one guys.
(2)Nick S.
Great BBQ with excellent professional staff! What more can you ask for? I sampled all the different meats and they were all expertly prepared. I'll be back any time I'm in town!
(4)Vaughn J.
The BF and I went out to see what the hype was about. The experience in itself was great. I loved the ambiance and the employees were sincerely concerned about the customers experience. I had the wings 6 pieces for 6.45 which does not include side however 2 sides and a drink can be added to any order for 3.75. I ordered the onion rings and cajun fries. The onion rings were delicious but the fries were incredibly salted for both of our taste. The chicken was tasty but one would likely expect more based off the price. My BF had the tips and brisket combo which came with one side in which he ordered beans. He enjoyed the overall experience. There is not enough options for individuals who don't eat both beef or pork in which I do not. I would love to see more chicken options (you can only order the wing pieces or the pulled chicken sandwich) or even turkey, lamb, etc. I will likely not go back until there's more options for me because in my personal opinion it wasn't worth the value.
(2)Jojo B.
my husband and I go here whenever we have a craving for BBQ... they give you soooo much food that we always split them in half! We always get the South Sider & Fries smothered w/ cheese, hot sauce and BBQ sauce, topped w/ pulled pork. The sandwiches come w/ no sauce in them as there are several types of BBQ sauce on each table for you to choose! I like the mustard BBQ sauce to go w/ my South Sider.
(5)Brian N.
Good eats! First off we love BBQ and when you walk in bam! Hit with the smoke! Love it! The guys behind the counter were really nice and friendly. Had the brisket and pork sandwich think it was called the "south sider" brisket was a touch dry but really good flavor and the pulled pork was excellent, beans and Mac and cheese also solid. We'll be back, keep up the great work guys!
(4)Dave F.
First time here (last night) for dinner. First of all, they do have a big selection of beer now! I ordered the Southsider which is a pile of pulled pork and beef brisket on a choice of bun, pretzel roll, or tortilla. Pork was very good but not "smokey" enough for my liking. First piece of brisket was quite dry but the other pieces were very good. Both the pork and brisket were barely warm - not cold, but barely warm. Sides were smoked bacon potato salad and the brisket beans both of which were VERY good. My sister had the Mac and Cheese which, unfortunately, she did not finish. Macaroni and cheese sauce was all it was - we both expected better. Overall, it was a good dining experience and the restaurant is very clean and attractive. I'll be back!!
(4)Kayla K.
Never been to a better BBQ in any city!! It is freshly prepared and the staff is friendly. The RD3 Burger is my favorite. It's made with BBQ chicken, fried pickles, smoked BBQ bacon, chipotle sauce, cheese and on a pretzel bun. It is to die for! It is a little but on the pricier side, but so worth it! My new favorite place in town
(5)Rob P.
2nd time here,ordered the southsider with slaw and frys.everything was perfect!! Love their sauces. I think my wife is finally understanding my obsession with bbq
(5)Scott G.
Every once in a while you stumble upon a business that is the epitome of the american dream. Firewater BBQ is such a place. It is obvious the pride in the business they are making from the passion in their food, the customer service, the cleanliness and decor of the business, etc. This is a type of place to whom I am proud to support. They serve quality food at honest prices and I wish them the best. I've tried the brisket, pulled pork, chicken wings, rib tips, ribs, mac n cheese, bacon potato salad, and garlic fries. Of all these I enjoyed the brisket the most (amazingly tender!) And the mac n cheese (yes its just a sauce they pour over cooked noodle but it has pretty good flavor and I honestly do not like most mac n cheeses so kudos to them) and garlic fries were the better sides so far experienced. Last but not least they have very tasty bbq sauce that brings it all togeather (4 different choices). Keep up the good work and please give this place a shot. I think they are doing it right and deserve a chance.
(4)Michael C.
I went there today, and I will be giving them more buisness and outstanding reputation amongst my friends! I got a lot of food for around $10! Talk about reasonable (Espicially for a college student)! The food was cooked very well and the overall atmosphere of the establishment is very well put-together which you can immediately tell when you step foot in through the door! Lastly, customer service is an absolute 10! The owner was very nice and you can tell he is very concerned about creating and keeping good buisness, as well as customer satisfaction.
(5)Alisha M.
I am so damn impressed. We went here for lunch the other day and I was honestly not expecting much, we asked what was good and she said the brisket. We ordered the brisket sandwich and 2 different sides which we shared and it was the perfect amount for 2 ppl. The brisket by itself was amazing, like melt in your mouth good, smokey but not overwhelming and tender! The onion rings were also delicious and the beans equally good. They have a bunch of different sauces out on the table for you to try the only one I didn't like was the white creamy one. Otherwise try the spicy BBQ sauce. Only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars was because service was a little lackluster.
(4)Amanda S.
Delicious. We had brisket with onion rings and Mac n Cheese, wings, rib tips, and the grill burger with baked beans and salt/pepper fries. Everyone left full and satisfied. Awesome sauces. Great service. Will definitely be back!!
(5)Teresa O.
First time eating at this restaurant. We ordered carry out but next time will definitely dine in, sandwiches were too big to eat in the car. Very generous portions, the pulled pork was the best I have ever had, very tender. Staff extremely friendly and helpful. I've eaten at several BBQ/smokehouse restaurants and Firewater BBQ ranks among the best! Can't wait to visit again.
(5)Sandi P.
I was sure we would not find another good bbq place near our home (besides baby back blues) but Firewater is even better! Most importantly, the bbq is excellent. Haven't tried everything - yet - but plan on working my way through the menu! I really like that there are so many choices when ordering your delicious BBQ meal. Firstly, the bun - choice of pretzel roll (my fave) or regular bun, toasted. Meat is available In Regular or large serving size (regular is quite generous). The pulled pork is smoky and tender. There is a choice of exceptional sauces to douse the sandwich - BBQ bourbon, vinegar, spicy and a white garlicky sauce - all excellent. The sides are top notch also - fries with skin on in plain, cajun or garlic varieties, crispy, thick onion rings, a creamy coleslaw, sweet smoky baked beans. there are more side dish options that I haven't tried yet!! I also like that you can sample some of the other dishes for a mere $2.50 - love the smoked wings and ring tips - make sure to get the special wing sauce!! Service is always excellent - friendly and prompt. They will be serving a variety of beers soon as they just got their liquor license - only way to make this excellent BBQ spot even better
(5)Michele R.
Wow the pulled pork is fantastic!! I loved how it was juicy and had those crispy pieces that are just full of flavor. Reminds me of the BBQ I had in Austin and you just can't get any better! The Mac n cheese was so cheesy that I had an extra spoonful of just cheese when the noodles were gone. The cole slaw was creamy but not drowning and very fresh. I must try the ribs and caramel apple bread pudding next time! Hope they get some taps in soon, but the craft beer and cider case will do for me.
(5)Jazmin S.
Got some carry out to sample all the BBQ goodies. Ribs, sausage, brisket and some pulled pork. The fries were crazy salty, like way too salty. I noticed that they pull pre cooked FROZEN ribs and thru them on the grill. They were kinda dry but they were seasoned well and they had a nice smoke ring. I had really wanted to try the chicken but they stopped making it because customers preferred pulled chicken over a whole chicken. Boo!! The spicy sauce was crazy good and crazy spicy. There house sauce was good too. The kids meal is a good value and a nice hefty portion. My kids really liked the pulled pork.
(3)Angie M.
Much better than the previous BBQ restaurant in it's place! My husband and I had the sandwiches and they were decent. I had the burger with pulled pork on it and my husband had the sandwich with brisket and pork on it. My only problem is that they mixed up the sauces and I had already doused my burger in the hot sauce that was intened for my husband. He enjoyed my sandwich but the burger was way overcooked. His brisket was really good. I enjoyed the coleslaw but the mac and cheese was tasteless. Good place to come to satisfy a BBQ craving but nothing to get crazy about.
(3)Betsy N.
I am usually a healthy eater and shy away from BBQ restaurants, but I was treating some guys to dinner and heard good things about this place, so we tried it. I ordered the Smoke House Salad topped with smoked corned beef. They offered Blue Cheese or Ranch dressing which was a little disappointing, usually I get a low calorie dressing. At the table I noticed a vinegar barbeque sauce so I used that as dressing instead of the Ranch dressing that came with the salad in small containers on the side. The salad was amazing! The vinegar sauce used as dressing was amazing! The meat on top of the salad was non-fatty and the taste was great! My friends ordered sandwiches and they were equally as pleased with their selections. I will definitely go back and no longer consider this unhealthy food. BTW, they also had a few nice beer selections!
(5)Erin C.
Driving by I saw this place, I'm always a bit suspicious about my BBQ tried it absolutely loved it I always get the rib tips and garlic fries and the mac and cheese always fantastic, my boyfriend always try something different and has me try it too and everything is nice and juicy not greasy. I can't believe this place is just around the corner, thank you firewater.
(5)Bill O.
A great place for BBQ. All of the sandwiches are winners. They advertise craft beer, but they don't have any yet. Generous portions and great food.
(4)Chris S.
Amazing smoked chicken wings. And the bbq sauce is top tier. Absolutely hands down a winner. So Glad I Found This Spot.
(5)Sara K.
And why didn't we find this place sooner! The barbeque is great..Lots of different sauces provided on the tables..very convenient. My husband & I both had one sandwich.. no sides and it was plenty! Next time I may just order a couple of sides..Manager came around to check on us..very friendly / helpful staff. ^5!!
(5)Lynn P.
Ribs and chicken were good. Lots of tsar sauces. Friendly GM came by our table to see how we liked everything. We would go back.
(4)Gary A.
The sauces are... Oh how should i put it? AMAZING! The food is very good and the staff here is beyond courteous. Not to mention they give out discounts to law enforcement, what's not to like!? Glad i gave this place a 2nd chance
(4)P. W.
I have been driving by this place for quite some time and finally had the pleasure to stop in last night and have them. I must admit they have great customer service, wonderful food, and a neat environment. I am really happy I took the chance and tried it because now it is one of my new faves.
(5)Tom H.
I have found in my life that sometimes I have to give a restaurant another chance for a great second try. This is one of those times and the restaurant is Firewater BBQ. My wife and I stopped in yesterday (4-27-14) and just missed meeting Mike who is one of the owners. Mike contacted me and asked if I would be willing to come in again to give them a second chance. I have a great deal of respect for an owner that takes responsibility and is completely involved in his business, i said yes. Glad I did. I ordered the Loaded Brisket sandwiches with Bacon & Blue macaroni salad and also the fries. Same as the last time. My wife wanted something different so she ordered the rack of Ribs with fries and the potato salad. What a difference in the food. The Brisket was moist and delishious! And the Ribs were scrumptious! I asked for my sandwich Loaded and boy did they load it up! Didn't finish it all, had to save a couple pieces for this morning. The Ribs too. The macaroni salad and the potato salad were an excellent portion and well made sides. The fries were awesome as well. I will be back that's for sure.
(4)Sandy B.
We've been to Firewater more times than I can count and have never been disappointed. We've brought out-of-town guests who enjoyed it as much as we do! I've tried the pork, brisket and chicken, hubby's "regular" is the Southsider, which is both brisket and pulled pork. The brisket was dry on one visit, but other than that, it has been stellar, and the pulled pork has been fabulous every visit. I only had the chicken once and found it to be dry, so I'll stick with the pork and brisket from here on out. I think we've tried all of their sides at this point. Our favorite by far is the beans. I could make a meal on them alone! The only side we weren't crazy about was the mac & cheese, which isn't a big deal for me ... there are enough other choices to go with that I won't miss it. The sauces are great. I'm not usually a fan of Carolina-style sauce - too much vinegar for my taste, but their Carolina vinegar is my favorite, I'll usually mix it with their signature apple bourbon sauce. Yum!! Service has been decent on every visit ... sometimes better than others, but never bad. We had to ask them if they could turn the volume down on the music on one visit, as it was so loud we couldn't carry on a conversation, but they were very accommodating. On several visits, the owner has come out to stop by each table and visit, and ask about our experience. I so appreciate that level of effort. It shows he cares about his customers and his business! The only drawback for me is that it doesn't always feel very clean. There's a stickiness throughout that's a little off-putting. When my shoes stick to the floor on every visit, it makes me wonder if they ever mop.
(4)Bronx T.
4th visit. GOOD FOOD....there is a slight freshness issue....out of the 4 times i visited, my ribs and rib tips were slightly DRY....i dont know why but this seems to be pattern. Now i must say that the taste has been consistent and good..In terms of grilled chicken, i find theirs to be slightly undercooked....i found pink spots on 2 occasions....i took it home and used my microwave to zap the grilled chicken...After 6mins, the pink and rawness disappeared.....other than that, i have no problems with this place...none...decent food..Reasonably priced....i like the decor...its not bad at all...i had low expectations by they proved my wrong.....not as good as famous dave's but dont expect FD taste and refinement since you are not paying FD prices.....a few hits and misses but overall a decent experience....not bad at all...
(3)Tyler B.
If you have the time, take a trip to Firewater BBQ to fill your tummy and warm your hearts with their delicious food and warm atmosphere. If you don't have the time, make it, because you will certainly be missing out . I love barbeque and this place trumps most. Everything is made to order and full of flavor at a great price. Every other joint should be out of business. The employees are friendly and care about you and the way their food tastes. Overall, I've been here three times in three weeks and they are on fire.
(5)Steven K.
I have been to Fire Water more times than I visit any sit down restaurant. I will begin by saying that I absolutely love the atmosphere Fire Water brings. The employees are more than kind, and occasionally, who I believe is the manager on duty, comes around asking everybody if they are enjoying their food. I wish I could say I have tried more things from Fire Water, but it's the Grillmaster Burger I feel the need to order every time. This place is the definition of BBQ, from the moment you step out of your car, smelling the outside aromas til you finish eating and wipe your face with paper towels that are on the top of a picnic table. I wish I could give this 4 and 1/2 stars, but I cannot from the yelp setup. It is definitely a place for the family to try if in the mood for delivious bbq at a reasonable sit down restaurant price. I usually go there once to twice a month to get my bbq fix, and you all should too. Easily the best bbq place I've found in the Joliet/Crest Hill location.
(4)Leslie E.
Another family foodventure success! Between three of us, we were able to sample quite a bit of the menu. Hubby had the full slab of ribs with coleslaw and garlic fries. Daughter had the pulled pork on a country bun with garlic fries and mac n cheese. I had the fireside chicken with mac n cheese and potato salad. Needess to say, everything was great. The ribs were the perfect balance of tender and charred. The chicken was perfectly cooked. Pulled pork was just right. Sides were so YUM! Great first time here, definitely not our last!
(5)Sandy W.
Stopped in at 545 PM on a Saturday. 2 tables of people. Out of half the menu. Not good for a new place. Told "we cook fresh and when we are out we are out". I could see being out closer to closing time until you learn your sales patterns but not that early on a weekend day. 2/27...gave them another try today. They had menu items and food was good. Not likely to replace our normal bbq joint but good foood and staff was friendly.
(4)Jennifer O.
Great new BBQ joint close to home. Came in for lunch today and was presently surprised. I loved that they offered pretzel buns as an option. Be prepared to make a lot of choices for sides (I think we even had to choose between 3 types of fries) but that's not a bad thing at all. It was a little loud inside and made it hard for conversation. But will return!
(4)Hans C.
I tend to judge a barbecue joint by its chicken. Because if you can get the chicken right, then most likely, you have the other meats mastered as well. I haven't been impressed by anyone's BBQ chicken in a long time, but Firewater definitely delivered--the bird was charred and juicy in the appropriate ratios and slathered in some sweetly delicious sauce. I almost didn't even get to try the chicken, because it was the last portion left at the time. I came during the 'soft opening', so the menu was pretty limited. The only sides left were potato salad and slaw. I don't even care for potato salad, but theirs is pretty damned good. The place is family-owned and run by some pretty cool people who know exactly how to play with meat and fire. The dining area has a Southern feel to it, complete with picnic table seating, which reminds me of all the BBQ joints I've eaten at in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Tennessee. I'm definitely making my way back to Firewater soon to explore the rest of the menu. If my scientific BBQ judgment theory remains correct and the awesomeness of the chicken is any indication of the quality and taste of the pork and beef as well, then Firewater has itself its #1 fan.
(5)James K.
My friend and I both cook BBQ so we wanted to try it. We were not impressed. Menu is very confusing. Sides were mediocre at best. Meat was pretty good. Cooked on a pellet smoker, not over wood like traditional BBQ. I asked for an open faced sandwich with both brisket and Pork and they would not accommodate me. Kind of pissed me off. Left a bad taste in my mouth and probably wont go back
(3)Cathy M.
Firewater BBQ is an amazing fast casual spot with the most delicious pulled pork, ribs and great sides too. I loved the soft bun for the pulled pork, please don't change it. I never eat all of anything and i ate the entire sandwich. It's not fatty, very moist, I love the sweet sauce, I took a jar home. We were looking for a place near my sister's work and I drove here from Elmhurst, quite a drive but so happy that it was so good! I have also been to the one in Lombard and the food is also excellent there. So delicious. I do want to try the chicken, can't wait to go back!
(5)Nichole F.
WoW!!!!! Even tho I have heard and read some good reviews! I was still shocked at how great the food really is! I chose the brisket in the regular country bun, baked beans and the Cajun style fries! I was advised to mix 2 of the sauces so to add a little spice but not too much as I really am reserved when it comes to anything more than mild. It was sooo good! All of the food including the sides were filled with flavor! I can't wait to go back and try more! And the best part was that I was actually soo full before I even finished eating! Thank you Fire Water!!!!
(5)Elvin R.
Excellent service and even better food, I recommend the rib tips, simply awesome...happy I don't hv to drive into the Chi for BBQ...keep up the good work
(5)Corey R.
Sooooo legit! The stack on the meat and those fries are amazing. Its a heavy meal but its totally worth it.
(5)Kristy K.
My family and I went there for dinner on a weekday. Service was very nice and prompt. We ordered the rib tip plate with Cajun fries and mac and cheese and a southsider with coleslaw and mac and cheese. The rib tips came with the apple bourbon sauce and were very good. The southsider came without sauce so I tried all of them but ultimately decided to go with the apple bourbon. It is initially very sweet, then a slow burn sneaks up on you. Mac and cheese was also very good and a little spicy. We will definitely be going here again!
(5)Dave H.
Had the brisket and it had a lot of gristle that I couldn't eat. Maybe just a problem with that batch. I may try again although the prices were pretty high.
(2)Raquel N.
OMG! Tried this place for the first time! I don't know if it's the fact that we finally ate somewhere different or how absolutely amazing this food was! So soft and tender. I had the southslider ( I think that's what it was called) & my son had the chicken kids meals , his chicken was the BEST I've ever had! He's not one to try new foods and actually like it and he loved it! My bf had the rib tips and also loved it! Fries were delicious. Onion rings were okay. I loved their baked beans!! And of course the corn bread!!!! all for only $30 that's an awesome deal!
(5)Gina R.
I consider myself a food snob and I thought their ribs were as good as many great smokehouses in the south. The brisket looked great. The smell alone was phenomenal when you walk in. The employees were friendly. The manager walked out to our table to ask us what we thought of everything. Nice beer selection. Good music. Nice selection of homemade bbq sauces. Will definitely go back to try other things. Cobbler was over-priced and could use one or two more side selections but all and all very satisfied. Yum
(4)Chris B.
Went for the first time this weekend. Girl at register wasn't helpful, and was short with us when we had questions about the menu. Asked for a sampler (to try the different meats) but they don't have one I guess. I got the chicken with a "sampler" of 2 sides, of which I chose beans and onion rings. Hubby chose brisket (which was rare and he asked for a more well done cut). He had mac and cheese (curvy noodles with that orange sauce from a can) and beans. Chicken was tasty, but everything else was underwhelming. Ron's in Morris much better. Before we left a young man was going around making small talk with patrons, but other than that, very unfriendly service.
(2)Katie G.
I must say it is a hit or miss now when I go and get food here. When they first opened it was really good the pulled chicken and porked were very juicy and the sides as well. But now every so often when I go it is hit or miss if I am going to get good food or not. You have to atleast give it one try and hopefully you will get juicy stuff.
(3)Bubba B.
Stoped in yesterday(sat), met a buddy an had my Ol laddy so there was 3 of us. Got there about noon good smells commin out when i opend the door. People workin there were very nice an helpful , i orderd a pound of pulled pork, wich was deelish nice, moist, also had pound of brisket was also pretty good will get both again. Was talkun with the pit master an he asked if i like pastrami, i said i did he gave us a sample, mouth started waterin ordered half a pound. Im irish so it tasted like smoked cornedbeef to me. Same cut of meat think differnt spices Make it pastrami, but anyways orderd 3 butter buns wich they toasted . I proceeded to put all three meats apon da bun, wich i usally consider a sin but it was unbeliveable. Sides were good we had french fries fresh cut, mack-n- cheese, slaw. An onion rings. All n all was pretty good im givin it four stars because they had no cobler for d- zert. I asked an they said they dont do cobbler wich is really to bad because after good bbq u need cobler. Please think about doin PEACH COBBLER it is as important as mack-n-cheese when it comes 2 good bbq. I will b back when they get liquer lic. An hopefully cobbler. Then i will give it 5 stars. Only givin 4 stars bcause lack of cobbler. If u live around the area u r lucky bcause u have some top notch bbq in town now, the other joints in town will b closin there doors if there customers taste this stuff. NOW GET SOME COBBLER!!!
(4)Joni K.
First visit was 2 weeks ago and had the Pulled Pork served as a sandwich. It was ok. Went back today had the Beef Brisket and comes served as a sandwich. Also ordered the Freebird chicken- AGAIN comes as a SANDWICH (you can order hold the bread but then its just a pile of meat. (was disappointed no whole/half smoked chicken- only served pulled off the bones) By far my favorite and best tasting was the CHICKEN! Chicken was moist and VERY good. Brisket was dried out that wasn't fat. Pretty tasteless. Pork was average. I did notice today that all of the chicken/brisket/pork was pulled out of a zip lock bag and then warmed and put on bun. BUT everyone of their sauces (I've tried them all) are FANTASTIC. Loved each and everyone of them. I know you can buy a jar of their own sauce to take home also. The meat comes un-sauced - you can choose for yourself which one you want like. Take out drawback is they give you this itty bitty cup for your sauce- nearly not enough sauce if you are a heavy sauce person. Sides- creamy coleslaw was bland- no taste and not creamy at all pretty dry. bacon-n-blue pasta salad was pretty good. Mama's brisket beans very tasty. 3 cheese mac was hot cheese sauce put in bottom of cup some cold spiral noodles next topped by more sauce. It was ho hum. The girls at the register are friendly and very helpful helping you decipher the menu which is way up over your head and not the easiest or user friendly to read. (first visit they had some guy with a paint gun spray painting on the menu and I left with spray paint on me) I will go back but it will be most definitely for the CHICKEN. Maybe to try the slab of ribs too. BUT disappointed in the sides and other meat offerings I tried.
(3)Mag S.
Best Brisket and Ribs hands down in Illinois, services is top notch esp considering their still on a soft opening. They know their stuff. I am always searching for a goo slab of ribs, theirs is so good it the taste stays in your mouth for days making you want more. I travel 20 minutes on many occasions to eat here when staying in Minooka and always worth the drive. I recommend everyone to give them a try
(5)Cherise K.
One word....fanfreakingtastic! I'm not a huge fan of BBQ and find that when eating it, whether it be ribs or pulled pork, it needs to be doused in sauce. Not the case here! I've had the ribs, pork, and chicken over several trips and each time is just as great as the last. The meat is tender and flavorful. As a side the onion rings are my absolute favorite. I moved out of state but am back one a month. I make sure each month I make a stop in to Firewater. Try it....you will become addicted!
(5)Joe H.
4 pm on a Saturday for my first visit. The sign that says Brews? Well, they don't have a liquor license so no beer. Sweet tea? Not currently. We ordered a slab of ribs and the pulled pork cheese fries. Ribs were cold and the sauce is sweet and overpowering. The fries aren't even worth discussing. They were cold too. Love the smell, everything is good and smokey, but too many problems to come back due to the price.
(2)Alicia W.
So disappointed! I really like this place, but the wings are a crap shoot. Sometimes they are moist and delicious, sometimes they are dried out to the point of throwing them out. I sent the owners feedback on the wings. No response. It is a shame because this issue is pretty easy to fix. I won't be spending my money here again....:(
(2)ray b.
Ribs are tuff I feel they were over cooked. Pulled pork was tasty, the brisket was also tuff and bland. Sauce is good but for the price the atmosphere is bland.
(3)Jessica M.
It's very difficult to find a good bbq place in this area. I think I might have found it. Love this place. It is expensive, but everything I've tried has been worth it. They also have garlic fries. That's definitely the secret way to my heart !!!
(5)Frank R.
Very good Barbeque, had the Full slab and was delicious,also beef brisket, definitely will be back again, very friendly staff as well
(5)Nicole J.
Extremely clean Establishment. The food is Delicious!!! They have a slightly smaller menu than other BBQ places but the quality is out of this world!! The only recommendation is to get liquor license!! A beer would be even more delicious with this tasty BBQ food!
(5)Vice A.
Great BBQ. Back to back with Baby Back Blues. Only draw back is you get charged extra for sauce.
(4)Kay S.
This place is awesome! I won't ruin any surprises!
(5)Larry E.
Six of us stopped in for dinner. My wife ordered the burger, they were out of the burger. She settled for salad, they were out of salad. In a group, there's always going to be somebody who doesn't want the specialty and you need to have menu variety to please that person too. Can't recommend a restaurant where they're out of alternatives to their main offering, especially early on a Friday night.. We left and drove the 5 minutes to Smokey's where we had a dynamite BBQ dinner. No signage other than the name and logo above the door and an unlit banner in a field. No easy access if you don't know it's there. This will be another failed out-of-the-way business in this failed out-of-the-way strip mall. There are several better alternatives in the area.
(1)J. W.
Finally a worthy opponent to baby back blues for BBQ in the crest hill/Joliet area. The brisket, pulled pork, and sausage had really good flavor. the fries and baked beans were excellent. I also enjoyed the mac n cheese and while I'm not a fan of potato salad, it was also pretty decent. the customer service was definitely A+++, which unfortunately is hard to find nowadays. everyone was super nice and helpful. if there is any negatives, the BBQ sauce is just ok. and there wasn't many drink choices. I don't know If I've ever been to a BBQ place that didn't have unsweetened iced tea ( which I think goes hand in hand with great BBQ ). all in all, it was a great meal and I will be back to try the ribs ( and brew when they get that up and running in a few weeks ).
(4)Ryan B.
I live and work in the area and didn't know this place was open. (The location is slightly hidden from Weber/Larkin) My friend asked to meet there for lunch and I was slightly skeptical as there have been a number of Joliet BBQ places open and close over the years. Walking in I had a feeling this place wasn't the same as the others. They have big displays of the different kinds of wood they use to smoke the meat and the place smells like awesomeville. I noticed right away that they had tons of sides to choose from which is a nice change of pace from "Fries or rings?". I ordered the pulled chicken sandwich with sides of coleslaw and their homemade baked beans with pork. Everything was very tasty and they had a variety of different sauces to choose from. The restaurant was very clean and the people who were working behind the counter were friendly. Price wise we were around $7-$10 per person and for the quantity and quality of food it's very reasonable. I'll be back to try some of their other items soon.
(4)Carl E.
Great brisket, tender and juicy on a toasted bun I really enjoyed it. I also like their ribs, I bought a full slab and it was a generous sized portion for the price! A variety of sauces, either cooked into the meat or served on the side, a service which I have always believed is a genius move of any real bbq place. The pulled pork sandwich did not disappoint either, I haven't tried anything on the pretzel bun but I may next time I return. What absolutely puts this place over the top is the service that I received as a first time patron there, the cashier was very knowledgeable and helpful with assisting me in placing my order patiently. The only thing that I felt subtracted from any of that was the fact that although I had a large order they did not provide me any free extras on the sauces - maybe throwing in 2-3 free small cups of choice would be great for large purchases. Great place!!!
(4)Lakesha W.
This was my first time hear. The service was amazing. I was greeted by Matt and cashier. I could not decide on the kind of sauce I wanted so they gave me container to try them all. I ordered the ribtip combo with fries, bacon and blue pasta, and a chicken wing taster. I have to admit that everything was great. The wings were huge and delicious.
(4)Tony Z.
First the good brisket was ok but dried out. Floors greasy stick to your shoes grease dirt paths coming out of kitchen leading to dirty bathroom w no paper towels awesome! Sauces not good bottles have weird I'd stickers that trap funk yum! Pulled pork dry chewy and no seasoning. Pretzel roll chintzy and dry. Brisket beans no brisket in mine I'd bet my life they came from a can. Garlic Fries not bad but mediocre. I would not return. It's so easy to find bad bbq.:@( pickles and jalapeños floating in murkyish looking juice. some guy was asking another table how they liked their food was hoping he would've come up to me so I could give him my opinion but He never did.
(1)Dan E.
somewhere between 3 and 4 stars for me. we ordered the rd3 special which was the pulled chicken sandwich with bacon and fried pickles. the sandwich was good but not great. the surprising thing was that it wasnt that much food. big eaters could kill two of those guys pretty easily. for $9.99 - sandwich only, no combo- I expected more food. but it was still good and still recommend it. we also had the pulled pork with fries and mac and cheese. pulled pork was solid, not great. it was nice and moist. the garlic fries were better than the mac n cheese. not sure why everyone loves mac n cheese...im always disappointed in it. sauces were above average. I liked the carolina version the most. all in all, it was a solid place. Ill definitely go back. next time ill try the ribs or brisket, some real barbecue. and I wont expect a ton of food. I wish they offered a sampler platter... wild west is still the best barbecue in the area for my money, but this place is worth checking out.
(3)Chris C.
I had heard of this new BBQ restaurant opening a few months ago, then I had a neighbor recommend this to my wife and I this past weekend and WOW could We not be more happy with our experience at Firewater BBQ. We were greeted warmly as we entered and since we were first timers one of the owners asked if we'd like to try some of the brisket and pork. Well of course we took him up on that offer. Food was delicious, portions were very generous and the staff was warm and welcoming. Only drawback was that the onion rings were a bit too done for my liking but that's a drop in the bucket when compared to how good the brisket, pulled chicken and pulled pork were. Then to top it off we tried the fried bread pudding per the owners recommendation and again we were overly pleased. Absolutely delicious dessert. I am from the south and have had very good southern BBQ and this place stacks up there with any that I've had before. Highly highly recommend this restaurant and will be dining there again soon. Chris
(5)Tim W.
We had my son-in-laws birthday party at Firewaters BBQ on Saturday March15. Nice atmosphere inside, with stacks of wood for the smoker. As soon as we walked in, we could smell the smoke. This got us in the mood to eat BBQ. Five out the seven who attended, ordered the BBQ Ribs. Their consensus was the ribs were outstanding. Nice smoke ring with a faint taste of the rub. The ribs were not fall off the bone, but with well prepared ribs, you should have to work a little to get the meat off the bone. The ribs were very meaty and tender. Nice selection of BBQsauces on each table. The other two members of our party had the pulled pork and beef brisket. Beef Brisket and Pulled Pork were tender and tasty. Very nice idea offering the Bucktown Combo for $3.00. I also ordered the Jumbo Sauage Link. The Sausage link I feel was undercooked. At best it was fair. Here were the comments on the sides: Cole Slaw as a little too creamyy but overall everyone liked it. Mac and cheese was a little too runny. Beans were Ok, but could use a little more spice and flavoring. and Cornbread was a little dry. I think the sides could be a little better to match the outstanding meat selections. But, we were not there to eat the sides, but to feast on the BBQ. Last suggestion for a future offering: Offer a combo platter, where you can sample the brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken or ribs. Then offer mini buns for the selections. Craft beers will be a nice addition.
(4)N M.
AMAZING! This place is awesome. We went almost expecting to be disappointed because that's what typical happens when new BBQ joints open around here. We were so wrong=) We had a pretty big carryout order so we got to try a little of almost everything. We agreed that the freebird chicken was the best we've had anywhere. The ribs were great, sauce is fantastic. The sides were all good (I think we had them all) but the baked beans are superb. I was disappointed that they were out of the taffy apple bread pudding, but the nice girl working suggested the toffee bar and WOW... these could become an addiction. Do yourself a favor and add the bacon (best ever). We got the smoked sausage which I almost didn't even try and ended up wishing we had ordered more than just a link. I'll be back for just that and the toffee bar :) I wish they took carryout orders by phone, but for a large order we were still in and out in under 10 mins. Staff was friendly and helpful too. We'll be back very soon:)
(5)