Real Urban Barbecue
2119 Clearwater Dr, Oak Brook, IL, 60523
Real Urban Barbecue Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Oak Brook for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Oak Brook for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Oak Brook for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2119 Clearwater Dr
Oak Brook, IL, 60523 - Phone (630) 908-4380
- Website https://www.realurbanbbq.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:30 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 : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Martin P.
The set up is weird and very disorganized please note when you are paying for your food you will have everyone and their mother reaching over your food as you are trying to pay (not cool). The peach iced tea is okay I recommend the lemon shake up instead. I got the BBQ Brisket, Smoked Baked Beans and french Fries. The Beans were the best part. I had better BBQ from holes in the wall. I think because I did not notice a smoker (I'm spoiled I had real BBQ) that the taste was off. It was like the BBQ you make in your oven, not at a traditional BBQ not really worth the money.
(2)Adriana Z.
The food is delicious over all order the brisket entree...do want to give Jim and staff this review for being on top with customer service. I picked up my order and I was confident that it was all there after I was at work I saw I was missing a meal. No biggie, I called and Jim helped me and was able to get my meal out ASAP. Thank you!
(5)Marty B.
Awesome BBQ and many other snappy options i.e. the Mac 'n Cheese, beans and so much more!! Just go and give a try--knocks the BBQ pants off of the Patio!! Now, get going and enjoy!!
(5)Tim H.
I have been waiting to enjoy RUB's barbecue here in Oak Brook for nearly a year, when I first got wind of their Oak Brook location. They have had their share of hurdles to get this beautiful location open. I've experienced RUB's at Rib Fest Chicago (they took 2nd place and were featured on "Anthony Anderson's America Eats" on The Food Network) and recently at the Windy City Barbecue Classic. I've had their Highland Park location bookmarked since they were on Chicago's Best TV, but never made it out there. They offered free bbq for a year to the first in line and was certain if I got there before 8 am on this frigid morning I'd be a shoe in. As soon as I rounded the corner at 7:45 am I spotted a guy walking towards the front door with a couple blankets... dang it, I should have got my breakfast to-go this morning. I decided to stay and keep Rick company, after all, we both did have a passion for good bbq. Once the doors opened at 11 am the first 100 people received a free sandwich. I just had to buy a couple of their unique sides. Never seen Brussels Sprouts at a BBQ joint so those and their Sweet Potato Casserole made it to my tray. Love the cafeteria style service and they shuffle you through the different stations efficiently. They did add a nice additional dining room, with plans for a large outdoor patio come spring. 120+ seats inside with hopes for another 88 seats, once the patio is complete. Owner Jeff has a great crew and with this being their 3rd location, expect great things to come. They're adding new items to this location and I look forward to them adding Prime Rib to their menu. Great pickles too... there must be some horseradish in them.
(5)Sheri N.
Our first time at Real Urban was not so good. Had heard so many good things, but can't figure out why. The ribs were overcooked and chewy. The side orders were so tiny for the price. And not one thing came with the ribs, everything was a la carte. Their sauce is so-so unless you like vinegar as the predominant ingredient. Anyhow, we probably won't go back considering the other better BBQ options out there.
(2)Michael Z.
This place is a gem. I love the pulled chicken sandwich; their sauce is great. And they have a ton of other sauces to choose from. I really enjoy their sides, especially the sweet potato souffle. They have a huge variety of uncommon sodas, which is an awesome novelty, and they have some pretty darn interesting shakes that are pretty good too. Not exactly the cheapest, but we'll worth the money. And very well decorated too, with lots of seating space and a nice room with two walls full of tall windows for plenty of natural light. This is my favorite BBQ spot, without any doubt.
(5)Sarah B.
First time visit & I was very happy! Loved the shaken lemonade in a mason jar (that you keep). Food was tasty (pulled chicken, pulled pork, corn bread casserole & Brussels sprouts w Bacon). Great chocolate Carmel Brownie & service. Also Love the atmosphere, other too loud.
(5)Michael G.
Found this place through a friend who mentioned it was good. Was expecting a typical BBQ place but wow was I wrong. This place has some outstanding BBQ! If you really want to experience what makes them so good, have the Burnt End Sandwich with their sweet pickles. I have never tried anything like it (Warm and tender on the inside with the crunch of crispy ends on the outside). Can't wait to go back with some other friends to see if they think the same! Don't think about it, just go. Highly Recommended
(5)G. S.
I really wanted to love this place and was excited to hear about it opening on Facebook. I finally got around to trying it so I took the 20 minute trip to Oakbrook and it's just okay. All of the food I ordered was room temperature or cold, especially the mashed potatoes which I didn't even eat. The ordering process is a little confusing and food is served similar to Boston Market...pick what you want and they scoop it out of a buffet dish. I went to pay and was shocked at the total for what I was getting. I will say I loved the variety of bottled soft drinks to choose from, the cleanliness, and the staff was very nice but there's room for improvement food-wise. I may wait a while and try it again.
(3)Ed S.
Great lunch meal. Love the choice in sauces on the tables. Got a pulled pork sandwich, good bun which is the key. Only complaint is that I may have got the bottom of the fry bin because I had a lot of small ones. Will be back for sure.
(5)Paula P.
Although the food was good, the name was misleading. Rather than an urban atmosphere, it had a real country roadhouse look inside, down to the loud Charlie Daniels country music. I was confused by what they were going for. We had the Memphis Rub, which was sweeter than I prefer. I might just go for the plain ribs as they have a nice selection of sauces at the tables. The coleslaw was good, but we did not try any other sides. They looked good. It was pricey for a casual step-to-the-counter place.
(3)J C.
Ehh. Most of The food is prepared well before you arrive. The Brisket was well flavored and I had the sweet sauce who had a good flavor. The ribs were nothing special (better at the Patio) and they are clearly just heated up and slathered with sauce. The sides we had included cold slaw, baked beans, corn bread pudding which were edible. The inedible were mashed potatoes and hush puppies which were so over cooked. On the upside the onion strings were made to order and very good which combined with the brisket is why I gave 2 stars. Additionally it is pretty pricey for a cafeteria style environment.
(2)Deidra W.
Stuck in terrible TriState traffic, we decided to get off the highway and get a bite to eat. Yelp lead us to this place. It reminds me of Chipotle except their food line is BBQ with a large dessert offering. I had the brisket and hubs got the brisket & smoked sausage. We each got two sides and drinks and the cost was $38 (seemed a bit high for BBQ fast food). The brisket was pretty good, sausage was OK and the sides were very good (mac-n-cheese & creamed spinach). Hubs ordered a side of beans that after two bites, he was done with them. All and all, we felt this place was OK.
(3)Silvia T.
I ordered the brisket sandwich. It was no disappointment... Tender meat with good flavor. As a side I had the Mac&Cheese and mashed potatoes. Both were great. For this order: it was well worth the price and great taste. Plus a very convenient location, easy parking.
(4)Rob V.
Had a pretty nice dining experience here today. We appeared to be the first customers of the day at 11:00 a.m., but by the time we left a little after noon, there were very few empty seats. Customer service was excellent. Even though I realize the manager was trying to sell us "add-ons" as we ordered, he was still polite, friendly, and cheerful. My folks ordered the ribs and described them as every bit as good as those at the Patio. My brisket was a little bit dry, but the four BBQ sauces at the table (one sweet, one Texas-style hot, one mustard-and-vinegar-infused, one brown sugar-heavy) solved that problem in a hurry. As for the side dishes, the cole slaw is more tart than creamy, as other reviewers have written. The doughy hush puppies came with a "Boom Boom" sauce whose kick implied either horseradish sauce or Tabasco -- not sure which. The baked beans were quite good, and while the mac and cheese was a little soupy for my taste, it's better to err on the side of too much cheese. Weird highlight of the meal = the potato pancakes were the best ones I've ever had in a restaurant -- gritty and crisp, with golden fried edges that crackled when I bit into them. None of us ordered the Burnt Ends, but based on other reviews (as well as the small sample my dad scarfed down at the meat counter), I would definitely order this entree the next time I visit Real Urban Barbecue.
(4)Willie B.
Great food always on point.love the coleslaw turkey ribs and the sauces just right.my only place togo for bbq
(5)William S.
Real Urban BBQ? Not sure what that is supposed to mean. If it means bland food they nailed it! The meat is supposed to be smoked but there was no smoke ring and I couldn't taste any smoking. That is fine (not what I like) but don't have smoked meat signs posted all over. I should have known walking in because at a good place you can usually smell the smoked meats. I ordered the pulled pork and the asked me if I wanted sauce on it which I said no to b/c I wanted to see what the meat tasted like. It just tasted like un-spiced pork put in the oven. The guy serving it said there was sauces at the table for me. There were 4 sauces total and 3 of them just didn't have much flavor. The mustard was terrible usually there is some spiciness to that type of sauce. I think the only one that was passable was the Texas one. Brussel Sprouts and beans for sides. Brussel sprouts were grilled and were good and the beans were ok. I won't be back to try anything else. Place was decorated like a BBQ theme park. I'd focus more on the food and less on the decor.
(1)L. Danovia ..
I go here pretty often after an hour at the gym. Ha! Their BBQ Sliders are a must try as well as the brussel sprouts and corn bread. If you have a sweet tooth like me, you have to check out their mini bakery section. AWESOME! I'm a fan especially now that i have a refillable tea jar.
(4)Miguel R.
Wow you have to come here. I'm a BBQ fan been to some of the award winning places across the U.S. And these guys can hang out with the big boys. Only reason for 4 stars is the sweet tea is more like a dash of sweet. Not your southern sweet country American tea. Give this place a try you won't be disappointed!!
(4)Rob M.
The food was way overpriced and I was way underwhelmed. I ordered a beef brisket sandwich with 2 sides. I of course forgot to mention I didn't want it on a gold plate, but they charged me for that anyway. I was charged $14 for a sandwich, a 1/3 cup of coleslaw and a 1/3 cup of mac & cheese! Anywhere else the meal would have been at most $9. The mac & cheese was exceptional, but the coleslaw was vinegary and the meat was dry and overcooked. I just can't say the same about the sandwich, though. The server asked if I wanted some sauce on it. I said sure, not realizing that I would get so much sauce that it would overflow the container and my sandwich would be floating. The sandwich was so soggy I had to eat it with a fork. RUB needs to refigure their recipes, pricing and portions. Their food isn't that exceptional that I wouldn't consider going to another BBQ place that's better and cheaper.
(2)Breeann R.
I ordered the mini brisket sandwich and it was so good! Staff is friendly (it was our first time at this place and they guided us along!) It is cafeteria style and the meat is sliced to order! Sweet sauce is great on the brisket! The sweet potatoes were absolutely mind blowing! Really sweet if that's what your into for your sweet potatoes.
(4)j m.
Reviewing my first and only time there. I *might* try it again, but am not really sure at this point. I had a full sized pulled pork sandwich with hot BBQ sauce and cole slaw on top to go. Boxed into a container that was too hard to get the sandwich out of with no offer of silverware. So I literally could not eat the food until I was home with access to a plate, fork and knife. Pulled pork was chunks of rubbery pork not really "pulled" to my liking and the sauce was not very good. Pricing is very high. My sandwich was $9 with no sides. Drinks are $2.50! I can get a pulled pork sandwich with a side at a sit down restaurant for this price range and get a complimentary knife and fork.
(2)Sonia O.
Writing this as I stuff my face. Awesome all the way! Excellent food with great staff ready to recommend the entire menu. We shared the slab of ribs and the burnt ends entree. Each came with two sides so we got to have even more yum-ness. Sweet potato sufflé, brussel sprouts, fries, and Mac and cheese. Ended it all with a peanut butter double triple milkshake that had Reece's, butterfinger, peanut butter, and hot fudge. Don't say this often, but this was way worth every single calorie. Time to hit the gym!
(5)Jai F.
Ordering the food was a bit confusing, but we made it through with chicken, ribs, sausage. Fries were great and apparently the cake too although I didn't have any. Chicken was smoked perfectly and the BBQ sauce was - AMAZING! I loved having the choices on the table so I could experiment and get sauced as much as I wanted.
(4)Jeremy P.
My girlfriend and I decided to give this new place a try instead of our usual BBQ joint (Sharko's in Naperville). We really had our hopes high and thought that maybe finally we would find another place that was up to par with Sharko's. From the outside, the place looks nice. Has that cool BBQ joint decor/vibe. Very clean and spacious restaurant. As for food, we both got the sliced beef brisket sandwiches with 2 sides each. I got the sweet potato casserole and the mashed potatoes with gravy and my girlfriend got the mac & cheese and spinach. The bun was a little dry and a bit old tasting. The beef was smoked well (maybe a little too dry even) but did not have that "IN YOUR FACE SMOKEY" taste like our favorite place does. Also, the barbecue sauces did not have any zing to them either. The sides on the other hand were okay. My girlfriend liked her mac & cheese but her spinach was not like the spinach casserole from Sharko's. I liked my mashed potatoes because they were moist and flavorful. But unfortunately, the sweet potato casserole was a little to dry. Also I'm not sure why it was a super dark color (not your regular orange sweet potato color). Overall, we were full but unfortunately a bit let down. We really had our hopes up. Maybe we should give this place a little bit more time. But if you are looking for AMAZING barbecue and homemade sides take a drive to Sharko's in Naperville.
(2)Tobin h.
Ok...went back and updated my review after some thought. A solid 3.5 star BBQ because the burnt ends were spectacular. The service was above average and it was clean and energetic! It really is a "go-to" bbq but doesn't quite land itself in the same breath of the great BBQ's...Dreamland, Smoque, Slow's, Tunnel BBQ (Windsor), Q's in LaGrange. They have a great upside with the BBQ sauces, baked beans, choice of "big red" soda but the end of cafeteria line surprise of a flip pay screen offering different % of tips for going through the cafeteria line before any real service is a HUGE turn-Off...please put an end to that practice. If the ownership feels the guests should supplement the line cook's $$$, then pay them more from the start. What they do is great but not "tip-able" so don't put me on the spot to tip them if you are not paying them right. There is no table "service" and just cutting up burnt ends doesn't warrant a tip. All that negative being said, definitely worth the visit or a carry out call. I expect the folks that make the decisions in this magnificence will change it's approach on who should take care of their service employees so...make it point to give this place of whirl in BBQ greatness!
(3)Ron P.
Decided too try it for a late lunch. Went in around 2:30. Had maybe about 12 other people eating. It's cafeteria style you order meat and sides. The menu is on the wall. Ordered the St. Louis ribs, half slab with beans and pecan cobbler Note they don't have fries. The beans a solid 5 stars The cobbler solid 4 stars, but the ribs only 1 star. The way they tasted and came off the bone they most likely are leftover from the previous day. Ate two and stopped just not good. Sauce on the table. Overall nice interior. Not sure I would go back after spending 16.00 for half slab, two sides and water. Too many choices too settle for average bbq
(2)Tony B.
Went for the first time last week to the Oak Brook location. Got the 3 meat combo and 2 sides. I'm no bbq expert or snob, but I have lived in Kansas City and St. Louis, so I am familiar with good bbq. I give RUB a solid 3 stars on this trip. Here's my opinion on it: Sausage was ok. A little small and average flavor. Not bad, but not great. Brisket was good. Again, not exceptional, but tasty. Burnt ends were disappointing. Very dry and a little fatty. Corn bake was ok, tasted a little greasy for me. Baked beans were pretty tasty. Sauce was not as sweet as it appeared to be, which was good. And they use a variety of beans, which was also good. I personally would have liked a little more meat scraps in them. Pickles were really good. They are the spicy and sweet kind, like Famous Daves BBQ has, which I love. Sauces were ok. I got the spicy BBQ over my sausage and brisket. It tasted good, not too spicy. But be warned, they put a lot of it on the food. I also got a side of the sweet BBQ sauce. It was average as well. Nothing bad, but nothing outstanding. It did leave a sweeter aftertaste than I prefer and tasted a little off the next day when I used it for some other left overs I had in my fridge. Not sure if they have other sauces, I'm assuming they do after reading other reviews on here. Will try those next time. I went there pretty late, about 7:30pm, which might have accounted for the average taste of the food. Atmosphere was nice, didn't notice the music like others have stated. Not crowded, and service was good (I got mine to go). Servers were patient, as the large family ahead of me and the couple behind me were also first timers. Lots of side item choices. I noticed too late that they had dill potato salad, which I can't seem to find anywhere outside of St. Louis. All looked pretty decent. So here would be my recommendations to them: 1) Either increase the portion size or decrease the prices. The prices might be comparable to other BBQ spots in the area, but trust me, you can get better for cheaper, it's possible. Like I mentioned above, the sausage was a little on the small and skinny side. I got 3 very small strips of brisket, which was very disappointing. Only decent portion were the burnt ends. But, looking over their menu, it seems that it is one of their more expensive items, so I'm going to say that the portion size doesn't warrant the price. 2) Find a better vessel for take out orders. The box was difficult to eat out of. Oh, and give utensils! I don't care if they're plastic, but at least give them out. And include napkins or paper towels, it is BBQ after all. Will I go back? Do I recommend them? Yes, to both. They still have more items for me to try, like the chicken, ribs, and turkey. And a lot more side dishes and desserts. I would also recommend them to others. It's not super great, end all, road trip destination BBQ, but it's not bad either. It is a little pricier than it should be, but I place a lot of that on location. It's location to my place of work and the fact that it is BBQ does help out my review of them and the decision to return again.
(3)Shane H.
Always great to bring new BBQ'rs. The burnt ends are suburb and consistent. Try everything as is it all good. The sauce options will make your taste buds wanting more. The multiple locations proves they do BBQ well.
(5)Dan K.
I had high hopes for this place. We showed up at 730 on a Friday and their was no pulled pork. The brisket was dry and greasy. The pulled chicken seemed like mush. The brownies I got were stale and greasy. The sides were meh -. The restaurant looks nice but for my money I would go somewhere else. I would consider going back it could have been a bad night.
(3)Sam F.
Great tasting food that made me feel not so great afterwards
(3)S L.
I'm giving this place 5 stars with only one bad comment....the burnt ends were not burnt at all. They were roasted with no crunch or burnt parts at all. Now that this is over, I can tell you how amazing this place was. Amazing service. Amazing corn cake thing, baked beans were awesome, and the different sauces were great. Well oiled machine here---service was top notch!! I will be back
(5)Tym P.
Real solid BBQ joint. Loads of choices, sides, desserts, shakes, etc... You really can't go wrong here. My favorite is the turkey, though; it's the best turkey I've ever had. It's moist, tender, and flavorful. Also highly recommend the pancake topped with meat!
(5)Joe W.
Just as good as their other locations obviously. Although the portions seem somewhat more generous in Oakbrook. I had the chance to cater with them & the bacon wrapped meatballs were a monster hit!
(5)Jill W.
I'm a few weeks behind - but loved the catering that Real Urban Barbecue provided for a staff lunch I arranged. So much food for the money and the smoked turkey was the best I have had. Went a few weeks later when my boyfriend visited, and instead of the hassle of finding NYE reservations, I took him there. We are big BBQ fans and were not disappointed. We ordered too much - but everything was good. Ribs, pulled pork, hushpuppies, and the watermelon tea in a mason jar completed the evening. All the BBQ sauces were so good, it was difficult to settle on one.
(5)T N.
Good solid BBQ all around. It is a must come back.my son loves the Mac and cheese. The homewracker sandwich is a great combo of sausage and pulled pork, piled high on the bun. Too big for hands, used a knife and fork.
(5)Sandy A.
Not the best BBQ in the area. Overpriced for 2 sandwiches and 3 sides plus 2 bottled drinks (and not alcoholic at that) for over $30 just not worth it. The burnt ends didn't have much flavor and the fries were mediocre. The BBQ sauce were ok. So many other places to go around here like Chucks BBQ or Q's BBQ in Lagrange or uncle bubs in Westmont. We won't be returning.
(1)Paul A.
Love this place. The Home Wrecker sandwich is my new guilty pleasure. The brisket is delicious, the pulled pork is out of this world, and the sausage will keep me coming back again and again. I have yet to have anything from here that has disappointed. The only drawback is that they tend to be a bit on the pricey side for a take out bbq place. But I am more than willing to pay extra for good bbq. The sides are great too.
(4)Nick D.
Really impressed with our first visit to R.U.B. Gotta say, best ribs I have had anywhere in the Chicagoland area. We ordered the slab o-ribs "Perfection" style and they were fantastic without the addition of any extra sauce. I also had the brisket sandwich which was really good. Perfectly moist on a nice bun with pickles and the spicy sauce. Good stuff. We'll definitely be back.....soon.
(5)Rachel W.
Went there today and I am a foodie should have turned around when I didn't smell the food as I walked in I.got the pulled pork it was not that great the sauce was so so the sides were disgusting the mashed potatoes basically molded to the the mac and cheese were disgusting no flavor taste like it was so much water in them.....and the peach cobbler had a very canned taste....to be an urban bbq joint means you needs to add a little of the south so you need a more southern recipe this place will go under soon it is a good place for the elderly with bad taste buds a water of 40 bucks
(1)Roh P.
My sandwich was very soggy. It was as if it was dipped in water. I am not going back
(1)Kelly C.
This place was amazing! The food was so good and large portions. My husband and I had never been and we drove by all the time. We were checking out the menu and couldn't decided on the pulled pork (which we usually get from bbq places), the burnt ends (tried for the first time in Kansas City and they're really good) or the brisket. The guy lets us try the brisket and we were sold! The meat was as tender as soft butter. The sauce was sweet and perfect and we ordered two sides of mac and cheese.... Creamy and cheesy and the noodles weren't mushy which can easily happen. The place was clean and fit the theme, the staff was friendly and the food we had was amazing. I will absolutely eat there again and I think others should give it a try. For anyone who has ever been to B-B-Q in Lagrange, Real Urban BBQ is much better. Enjoy!
(5)Belen A.
Thought the food was a little cold I'm giving this place 5 stars for the customer service. The cashiers at the front had a lot of patience with me being my first time. One of them ( I forgot her name I believe it was Anna) was kind and patient answering all of my questions. I always say it's better to have great customer service and work on the food later. I will definitely be coming back.
(5)J M.
Got an ad in the mail for Real Urban Barbecue. Tried it today. Ordered half a barbecued chicken and fish tacos. Chicken was meaty and very good. Tacos were deep fried talapia. Big pieces of fish. Fish just ok. Sides ordered were mac and cheese, Cole slaw, and sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes pretty good. Mac and cheese overdone and too cheesy. Cole slaw more watery than creamy. Meals don't come with bread. Ordering process confusing. One group studied the menu for a good ten minutes before ordering. Manager took up a booth in the dining area to do paperwork.. Kinda tacky. Plastic silverware. Even more tacky. Country music played in the background of this "urban" restaurant. The Patio has nothing to fear from Real Urban Barbecue.
(3)Sandra K.
Good customer experience until one reaches the register. Janus the GM challenges customers at the register as to the contents of their carry-out boxed food. The waxy boxes are designed to be marked for the food contents with a Sharpie. The cafeteria style line kitchen servers choose not to do this requiring the cashier/management to ask customers what they ordered and thereafter often inspect the food content before they are rung-up. Gina, the regional manager call's this "verification" which is done on a profiling basis because customers are inherently dishonest. Based on Gina's explanation: old people need help being seated, 10-yr. olds need to be watched and disciplined based on their destructive tendencies and 17-yr. olds monitored for their proclivity to profanity. After going through the verification process I was overcharged. As for the food: Burn't ends and BBQ sauces are respectable. The rib dry rub seasoning was off, egg based potato salad would be tastier with less salt, mac cheese tasted like Velveta, BBQ beans are varied but too sweet and a good dill pickle is in order. Both the red velvet and carrot cake ball for dessert needed more of that cream cheese essence -- with the carrot cake being inedible due to excessive seasoning.
(2)Akeya S.
The BBQ here was really great!! We had the sausage which was smokey and good with Mac and cheese and baked beans. Also had the burnt ends which were yummy. Crispy outside and juicy inside. Had the corn bread and spinach with this one. Everything was great and worth the trip. Make sure to eat the pickles!!! They are out of This world good.
(5)Denise B.
OMG! So good. I am from the south and really picky about my bbq. Ordered ribs with sides and brisket as well, to take with me. Enjoyed every bite! My first time here, and picked it out of the blue, as I was driving through Illinois on my way back to Cali...good job! Keep it up!
(5)Corinne M.
Great customer service is not dead! This is unbelievable but true... I ordered a smoked turkey breast from Real Urban Barbecue in Oak Brook. Picked it up yesterday afternoon. Got all the way home (21 miles) only to find they had mistakenly given me three pounds of sliced turkey instead of a breast. I called. Bottom line - they opened recently so they're "getting some small operational kinks out" ...and THEY HAND-DELIVERED A TURKEY BREAST TO MY HOUSE to correct their error. Have you ever heard of such fabulous customer service in this day? And the food is FABULOUS. What a winning combination.
(5)Kurt V.
As a BBQ fan, I have been looking forward to the opening of the Oak Brook location. It was OK. It wasn't bad (Uncle Bub's) but it wasn't matching the quality of other places in the area. I lived in the South for a while so I seek out good BBQ. RUB was ok. I went with my family during their first week of operation. So I give them the benefit of the doubt there while they get their footing. We had the brisket and the burnt ends. For the Brisket, it was pulled out of a steam drawer and cut. What appears to have happened is it wasn't fully cooked so it wouldn't overcook I the drawer. Well there is a difference in low and slow and steaming. The fat didn't fully render - big tough blob. The rest of the meat was slightly dry and a bit crumbly. The steaming zapped all the flavor out of the rub. It wasn't bad but it wasn't matching their competitors either. For the Burnt Ends, they came from the oven and were better. By their nature, they are more silky due to the cut. They were the right texture but they too lacked a bit of flavor but not much. They just were a little flat. The sauces were hit or miss. The Texas hot was ok. The Mustard sauce was good. The Vinegar sauce was ok. The sweet sauce tasted like doctored up ketchup. Their sauce of the month was a mole-based sauce. It was good but slightly too chocolaty. The sides were not very good. Everything was just sense and mushy. For my young daughters to push away Mac N Cheese says it all. They actually asked for the box kind when they got home. The beans had little to no flavor. The lemonade shake up tastes like powder kind and the sweet tea was sad and tasted fake. When given options in the near S and SW suburbs, RUB would be 3rd on my go to list. I will give them another shot since I went there in their first week.
(3)Mary P.
First time there I had the Pulled Pork sandwich with homemade potatoes and smoked beans. The Pulled Pork sandwich was piled high with pork and the bun was fresh. Was very tasty and the extra BBQ sauce (I tried the sweet) was great. I wondered about the brussel sprouts and burnt ends and Andreas was kind enough to give me a sample. The Burnt Ends were cooked perfect for my liking and the brussel sprouts were tender and seasoned well, with a little bite. I'll be back for both of those. I'll be letting my friends know about this place for sure.
(4)Bill M.
I was very hopeful when this place opened that my long drives for BBQ were over but it was just a dream. After 7 or 8 visits now I have to think that this place is just not going to get it right. The inconsistencies in food quality is something they have not corrected since they opened and tonight may be my last visit. Ordered a pulled pork sandwich to go along with a smoked sausage meal for my wife. Her's was pretty good but mine like a couple times in the past was fully 1/3 fat. Nothing like biting into a huge chunk of fat to start your meal, real turnoff. After spending 5 minutes dissecting my sandwich I was able to come up with a decent meal but I'm done with ordering these, their cooks obviously don't care enough to take the time to trim the meat which makes me feel like their is just no quality control.Case in point, the french fries are consistently some of the greasiest I have ever had. It's really like they just don't care what the meals turn out like. Also, (for a note to the management), when you do dine in it would be nice to have some real silverware, not plastic knives and forks. It's really tough to cut ribs with plastic. There is a lot to address here before Urban BBQ can be considered a contender to some of the other BBQ spots around.
(2)D B.
The burnt ends were awesome as well as the brisket. If you are going to eat there, ask for no sauce and then you can sample the BBQ sauces at the table. Great value for the portions. In addition, $4 Kid meals was very refreshing. The only complaint I had is that the girl out stocking the floor was very rude. I visited on Saturday early evening on 02.07.15. I will be back, its the best BBQ place I have found in the Western Suburbs.
(4)Sarah M.
Delicious slow cooked meat, tasty sides, and sweet tea on tap. Didn't try any but they make homemade shakes in a million flavors. Brisket was fall apart and lean. Coming back with my family for sure!
(5)Jennifer F.
Wow. Delicious and the service was great. Owner even came by to ask how everything was. New favorite place.
(5)Emm M.
My family loves this place. Eating BBQ makes my family happy so that's a win! All the food is fresh, the slow cooked meat is tender and delicious. I'm obsessed with the smoked turkey sandwich. You also can't beat the Cobb salad with pulled chicken -it's outstanding and I'll never eat another portillos chopped chicken salad. The chicken here is real pieces of freshly cooked chicken (not "cubes" of meat like other places). A great place, there is something for everyone. Unless you don't like bbq in which case I don't want to know you.
(5)Joe T.
Great pulled pork. A little on the cold side, but it had great texture, smoke and flavor. Adding sides gets expensive. I will go back again.
(4)Meredith E.
This is a really good place. My family and I got the pulled pork sandwiches (tons of meat; I only ate half of mine), mac and cheese sides (delicious), and a salad (which I didn't eat but my sister said was very fresh.) The employees were all very friendly, helpful, and polite. I will definitely come back and try new things--the group in front of us got ribs, which looked amazing.
(4)R L.
Being from Texas, this is not even close to the best bbq food I've ever had.. But surprisingly very good for the location and price! You can get "mini" sandwiches which are $3.99, you you can try a couple different types. It is a good concept and I can see it doing really well. It is a Chipolte style thing where you order in a line and someone makes your meal with toppings and sides behind the counter. The women working the cash register charged me for full sized sandwhiches, but I caught her mistake and she apologized and quickly fixed it. Once you sit at the tables, they had different bbq sauces to sample. It was kind of confusing as to which sauce was which because you had to use a color coded key, they should just write what type it is on the bottle.. Overall, it was good food and a good atmosphere! The brisket sandwich was my favorite. The idea and set up of a line to order is awesome for quick and easy bbq food!
(3)Scott C.
I work up North, so I've been to the other two locations. When I heard one had opened in Oak Brook, I was excited. Went the first chance I had. Ordered the two meat meal, brisket and sausage, and it was as good as the other locations. Had mac and cheese and fries as sides. I was looking forward to the prime rib, but missed it on the menu, so I figured they weren't serving it yet. However, on the way out I spotted their specials board by the front door which had prime rib written on it. Oh well, gives me another reason to go back. Join the text club, the prices are little high, but they send coupons via text.
(5)Emilee S.
Meh and a double meh! This place was nothing short of being just OKAY. I opted for the Tilapia tacos instead of bbq which may have been the problem that lied with me thinking this place was not the greatest. My tacos came with really deep deep fried tilapia strips and flour tortilla, the tortillas were stake in some parts, and the slaw that came on top was not that great either. I only ate half of one taco and tossed the rest and for $11 --- def. a waste of money. Maybe next Time I'll actually try the bbq but don't count on me returning
(2)renu v.
Food was cold even though no one was in line before us. Food was bland. Not a good thing when eating BBQ. I tried all the sauces but the didn't help. Everything is candy -sweet! Sauces, pickles, peach cobbler. I expect some sweetness but all in all cold and mediocre food.
(1)Brian A.
Interesting take on BBQ. Speed of a fast food restaurant with the quality and price of a sit down. Best for those looking for something fancier than McD's or Potbelly for lunch, but don't have the time for a full service meal. Ribs taste great, even if they are somewhat pricey. You also get free fountain drinks for life if you buy a mason jar drink. Not sure how they can tell the difference between their mason jars and any jar from Home Depot though...
(4)Jason M.
Cheated on Q BBQ and didn't really enjoy it. We frequent many BBQ places and this place was not impressive. First, bad country music is blasting, which doesn't align to the "urban" name. The menu and ordering format is a bit confusing. Has a cafeteria style feel to it. Our food didn't all come out together, so our kids were fidgeting while our sandwiches were getting cold. Once the food all arrived it was just ok. Pulled chicken was tender but the sandwich was too messy to pick up and eat. Sauce was tasty but very thin and runny, adding to the mess. Burnt ends were very fatty and not crispy. Mac n cheese was overcooked mushy slop. Fries were just ok. Chicken tenders were dry and chewy. Our kids love Q BBQ but they barely touched a bite of their food at RUB, which we understood why after we tried their meals. We will stick to Q next time.
(2)Maureen W.
I reallllllly wanted to like this place because it's so close. Hub and I both tried burnt end sandwich. To call them burnt ends was stretching it quite a bit. They weren't "burnt" and I don't think they were ends. They were 1.5 inch cubes of brisket that were not cooked enough. Bummer. Food wasn't very hot. I enjoyed my sides (corn bake and dill potato salad), my son liked the prime rib special although it wasn't heated through and looked suspiciously premade (perfect grill marks yet cool). The shakes are good according to the boys and the lemonade was good too. Might give them a few months and try the pulled pork but was kind of bummed we spent $60 and no one was really happy with their meal.
(3)J R.
Brisket was great. Enjoyed Mac and cheese and golden corn bake. Service was great. Very clean. Try potato pancake
(5)Benjamin L.
RUB-a dub dub-thanks for the grub AMEN. This Sh*T is good. Burnt ends were the best I've ever had, and I know my BBQ. Even the mac n cheese side dish rocked. A+
(5)Ericka L.
A little pricey for going during your lunch break from work but the meal I had was sooo delicious. I had the burnt ends entree which included two sides. I chose the mac and cheese and creamed spinach - both were pretty good. The had a ton of sides to choose from including baked cinnamon apples! I had their lemonade shake up for my beverage and it was super sweet, but still refreshing. Wasn't even really busy at the noonthirty hour so that was appreciated. Fast friendly service. I'll def be back to try the other meats and those apples!
(5)Victoria T.
Okay...there is NOTHING bad about this place. Absolutely everything is divine. I had the pick three combo. I chose a 1/4 dark smoked chicken, Texas sausage, and 1/3 rib made "perfection" style. Perfection meant the ribs were prepared with a Memphis style dry rub and sauce on! The smoked chicken was pretty good. They serve smoked chicken wings with Franks Red Hot sauce - which is one of the best bottled buffalo wing sauces out there. This combo also came with two sides - so I chose buttermilk mashed potatoes in chicken gravy and homestyle mac & cheese. They have a shit load of sides - sweet potato soufflé, hoe cakes, fries, grilled veggies, cornbread, baked beans. Too many to try on your first visit. They have soda - like every classic soda that ever came from a glass bottle. Everything from Green River, to Cherriwine, to Cream Soda, to Sarsaparilla, to Fanta. They also sell house made iced tea in Mason jars and get this.... you can bring that Mason jar back to the restaurant for FREE refills FOREVER! I chose the watermelon iced tea. My daughter chose the sweet tea with lemon. We'll be back for our free refills! For dessert - they have an assortment of yummy baked goods. I chose a watermelon cake bite that tastes EXACTLY like a watermelon. My daughter choose their red velvet cupcake. Next time, I'd like to try a whoopie pie. Or some pie! Or better yet - their pecan or peach cobbler! DEFINITELY going back!
(5)Patrick H.
Went with my wife and 12 yr old son. Confusing on how to order the food. We stared at the cashier for a few minutes before they told us to go into the cafeteria type line first. The employees serving the food were nice but a little hard to understand. We ordered brisket and pulled pork meals. My son had the chicken tenders and a shake). Seemed a little pricey ($40.00). Food was very good. They have a few different types of BBQ sauces to use (mustard, vinegar, sweet, spicey, ect). Place was very clean.
(3)Morris N.
Baby back ribs were good. Meat came off the bone fairly easily. Mac & cheese and coleslaw were good. Mash potatoes were a little bland if you like them that way. Carry out service was quick. Prices were inline with other bbq places. I'll be back soon to try out some of the other meats.
(4)David N.
Real Urban Barbeque is an overpriced mockery of solid BBQ joints, be they in city, suburbs, or otherwise. Gave them a try the other day for lunch. $20 for their "three meat combo" plus two sides. Comparatively speaking, the price is about average, but that's considering the quality of product to be above reproach. Went with the Burnt Ends, 1/3 slab ribs (Baby Backs), and sausage. Visually appealing, albeit the portions were on the small side. Mac 'n cheese and brussel sprouts completed the combo. Here's where they fell: BURNT ENDS - Decent, less seasoning than other respectable joints, more fat than most, only about a handful portion. BABY BACKS - Ordered dry, only came with 4 ribs. Undersized, under-seasoned, overcooked. Thrown on the grill to warm up only dried them out more. Sucked. SAUSAGE - Under-seasoned, undersized, only a tad bigger than a freaking hot dog with no bite. MAC N CHEESE - Reminiscent of Old Country Buffet's powder mac. Freaking atrocious. BRUSSEL SPROUTS - Very bitter, bacon was inconsequential. No seasoning. After the underwhelming combo, I checked out their ST. LOUIS SPARE RIBS - rubbed. $13 for a 1/2 slab was lofty, and they hardly lived up to expectations. Again, thrown on the grill, dried out and overcooked. Rub seasoning and flavor were decent, but again the ribs were undersized and overcooked. First, and last trip, to Real Urban Barbeque. Overpriced, overcooked, undersized, under-seasoned, and well below their competition. I guess when there's not much else around, they're bound to get some business. Hard to believe there's many repeat customers. Oh, the carvers and cashiers had a weird vibe, almost cold. The whole business leaves you feeling very rushed. No bueno.
(2)Boon K.
So I have to say it is pricey compare to what you can get in the area but with standard market not bring back their outdoor bbq they have less competition. So my son and I shared burnt ends and ribs with 3 sides. Neither of us was a fan of the burnt ends.. it was super dry and stringy for us. The rib on just on the verge of being over cooked but that is mostly what we shared with their texas bbq sauce and their bbq mango sauce. My son loved the mac & cheese, I was a fan of the corn pudding, and the cream of spinach was pretty good too. The place is huge and each table had a good supply of paper towels, wet naps.and bbq sauce to try.. but what really stand out that I thought was a nice touch was the yok patty you get at the register.. and the open sink to wash your hands.
(3)Chris E.
I am no BBQ expert, I'm from Jersey, but this food is amazing! I've never had smoked turkey breast carved in front of me. It melts in your mouth. The burnt tips are perfection. They do ask if you want sauce on your meat as other reviews have mentioned. It is absolutely good with or without sauce. They have a great selection of BBQ sauces. Try them all. I can't even talk about the Mac and cheese without tearing up. I want to live in it. The sweet potatoes with marshmallows is fantastic, and the hoe cakes are the best I have ever had. Tonight is the second time I have brought it home and my boyfriend and I are so impressed. I got the peach cobbler the first time, and I just finished the pecan pie. It was amazing. I planned on sharing it, but I ate the whole thing. The 3 meat combo is the best deal. Get the large container of Mac an cheese, and sweet potatoes. We have enough food for the whole weekend! Do not miss this place. Go hungry and try everything!
(5)Robyn C.
Real Urban BBQ has been teasing the residents of Oak Brook with their tantalizing BBQ smells for 2 years now saying it's coming to Oak Brook soon .... well it's finally here, yay!! I came in tonight not really knowing what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised with their contemporary "BBQ house" decor, tables and atmosphere, The unmistakable aroma of bbq hits you right away as you enter and instantly makes you drool for everything they have to offer. I ordered the burnt end and 1/2 chicken entree. Both entrees were great. The chicken was not as dry as I thought it would be, and with the BBQ sauce, it's so yummy. Burnt ends taste so good, and so easy to eat, although I will definitely try a slab next time around. Sides: cole slaw - lightly dressed and not creamy like you find at your fatty fried chicken joints. i like it! golden corn bake - i would love to be buried in this and eat my way out ... brussel sprouts - great! seasoned well, a tad over cooked ... maybe from sitting out, but still good baked beans - pretty good, i would rather have two orders of the golden corn bake though Must get - the spicy pickles!!! the spice comes as you are finishing the pickle.. it's awesome! I'll be back and can't wait!!
(4)James F.
The pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw pickles was awesome. So was the lemonade in a mason jar.
(5)Matthew M.
I realized I made a mistake coming here when the guy ahead of me ordered his sandwich and was asked "regular or hot" and then sauce was ladled all over the sandwich. I really should have left at this point. Good bbq doesn't need sauce, especially not that much. I ordered a brisket sandwich without sauce and it was really flavorless; they clearly dump all of that sauce on the meat to give it some flavor. The meat didn't have smoke rings and tasted like pot roast and the bark didn't even have any flavor. To make matters worse the fries I ordered were undercooked. Sorry folks but this isn't good bbq.
(2)Eric P.
Ok... I need to catch my breath here... Didn't want to take a break from eating to breathe.... I decided to try Real Urban BBQ tonight on the recommendation of a friend... He just moved up to best friend!!!! Burnt ends are some.of the best BBQ meats around, but here in the Midwest, it seems like no one can cook them right... Until I came here.... Not only can they cook them right, they are masters of their meat!!!!! BBQ sauce?? Don't even think about it... You want to eat these burnt ends in all their 'naked' glory!!! Every bite is full of flavor. Every bite is super tender, with the perfect ratio of crispy edges!!! There is NO WAY that this will not become my go to BBQ joint in the Chicago area!!!
(5)Ernie I.
Awesome food, but way too expensive. Omg, way over priced :) spicy bbq is great. All the food is excellent.
(4)LOIS B.
Don't understand all the hub bub. Heard the owner on the radio 'raving" about how crowded they are at lunch and how many smoked turkeys they sold over the holidays. I don't get it. Maybe the turkey is better than what I had. We had ribs that required wrestling to get the meat. Me. . . I like the meat to fall off the bone so I can enjoy my meal and not focus on how quickly I will have to find some dental floss. The "creamy" cole slaw was on the vinegary side with large chunks of carrots, not creamy. The French fries were so soggy and under cooked they went into the garbage. Hubby thought the baked beans were just okay. AND, even though the web site says that ALL BBQ entrees come with 2 sides, that doesn't include the ribs, BUT includes the fish tacos. They tasted barbequed to me. IF I ate here again, I would try one of the sandwiches and most likely skip the sides. although they might come WITH 2 sides.
(2)Grant P.
Finally a good barbecue joint comes to the western suburbs. I'd been meaning to try this place since it opened and finally had the opportunity today. What I found was a great looking place with super friendly folks behind the counter and tasty food. I tried a two-meat combo with the burnt ends and the ribs. Both portions were plentiful. The meat was tasty and tender. Not over-cooked or under-cooked. The sauce was slightly sweeter than I would have liked, with a sugary after-taste. Maybe I just had too much, but next time I'm going to order it on the side so I can add it myself. Next time, you say? Yes, absolutely. I would definitely give them another try. Some bbq places I'm one and done with, but this one has definite potential and I'll be sure to work my way through the menu. Sides are good too. I did the brussel sprouts and corn cake. Both were good. Not the end-all, be-all, but definitely good and a great accompaniment to your meal. Prices seem pretty fair too. You're not going to break the bank here. Give them a try and enjoy some great food.
(4)Emilee S.
Meh and a double meh! This place was nothing short of being just OKAY. I opted for the Tilapia tacos instead of bbq which may have been the problem that lied with me thinking this place was not the greatest. My tacos came with really deep deep fried tilapia strips and flour tortilla, the tortillas were stake in some parts, and the slaw that came on top was not that great either. I only ate half of one taco and tossed the rest and for $11 --- def. a waste of money. Maybe next Time I'll actually try the bbq but don't count on me returning
(2)Brian A.
Interesting take on BBQ. Speed of a fast food restaurant with the quality and price of a sit down. Best for those looking for something fancier than McD's or Potbelly for lunch, but don't have the time for a full service meal. Ribs taste great, even if they are somewhat pricey. You also get free fountain drinks for life if you buy a mason jar drink. Not sure how they can tell the difference between their mason jars and any jar from Home Depot though...
(4)Jason M.
Cheated on Q BBQ and didn't really enjoy it. We frequent many BBQ places and this place was not impressive. First, bad country music is blasting, which doesn't align to the "urban" name. The menu and ordering format is a bit confusing. Has a cafeteria style feel to it. Our food didn't all come out together, so our kids were fidgeting while our sandwiches were getting cold. Once the food all arrived it was just ok. Pulled chicken was tender but the sandwich was too messy to pick up and eat. Sauce was tasty but very thin and runny, adding to the mess. Burnt ends were very fatty and not crispy. Mac n cheese was overcooked mushy slop. Fries were just ok. Chicken tenders were dry and chewy. Our kids love Q BBQ but they barely touched a bite of their food at RUB, which we understood why after we tried their meals. We will stick to Q next time.
(2)Maureen W.
I reallllllly wanted to like this place because it's so close. Hub and I both tried burnt end sandwich. To call them burnt ends was stretching it quite a bit. They weren't "burnt" and I don't think they were ends. They were 1.5 inch cubes of brisket that were not cooked enough. Bummer. Food wasn't very hot. I enjoyed my sides (corn bake and dill potato salad), my son liked the prime rib special although it wasn't heated through and looked suspiciously premade (perfect grill marks yet cool). The shakes are good according to the boys and the lemonade was good too. Might give them a few months and try the pulled pork but was kind of bummed we spent $60 and no one was really happy with their meal.
(3)G. S.
I really wanted to love this place and was excited to hear about it opening on Facebook. I finally got around to trying it so I took the 20 minute trip to Oakbrook and it's just okay. All of the food I ordered was room temperature or cold, especially the mashed potatoes which I didn't even eat. The ordering process is a little confusing and food is served similar to Boston Market...pick what you want and they scoop it out of a buffet dish. I went to pay and was shocked at the total for what I was getting. I will say I loved the variety of bottled soft drinks to choose from, the cleanliness, and the staff was very nice but there's room for improvement food-wise. I may wait a while and try it again.
(3)Benjamin L.
RUB-a dub dub-thanks for the grub AMEN. This Sh*T is good. Burnt ends were the best I've ever had, and I know my BBQ. Even the mac n cheese side dish rocked. A+
(5)Ericka L.
A little pricey for going during your lunch break from work but the meal I had was sooo delicious. I had the burnt ends entree which included two sides. I chose the mac and cheese and creamed spinach - both were pretty good. The had a ton of sides to choose from including baked cinnamon apples! I had their lemonade shake up for my beverage and it was super sweet, but still refreshing. Wasn't even really busy at the noonthirty hour so that was appreciated. Fast friendly service. I'll def be back to try the other meats and those apples!
(5)Victoria T.
Okay...there is NOTHING bad about this place. Absolutely everything is divine. I had the pick three combo. I chose a 1/4 dark smoked chicken, Texas sausage, and 1/3 rib made "perfection" style. Perfection meant the ribs were prepared with a Memphis style dry rub and sauce on! The smoked chicken was pretty good. They serve smoked chicken wings with Franks Red Hot sauce - which is one of the best bottled buffalo wing sauces out there. This combo also came with two sides - so I chose buttermilk mashed potatoes in chicken gravy and homestyle mac & cheese. They have a shit load of sides - sweet potato soufflé, hoe cakes, fries, grilled veggies, cornbread, baked beans. Too many to try on your first visit. They have soda - like every classic soda that ever came from a glass bottle. Everything from Green River, to Cherriwine, to Cream Soda, to Sarsaparilla, to Fanta. They also sell house made iced tea in Mason jars and get this.... you can bring that Mason jar back to the restaurant for FREE refills FOREVER! I chose the watermelon iced tea. My daughter chose the sweet tea with lemon. We'll be back for our free refills! For dessert - they have an assortment of yummy baked goods. I chose a watermelon cake bite that tastes EXACTLY like a watermelon. My daughter choose their red velvet cupcake. Next time, I'd like to try a whoopie pie. Or some pie! Or better yet - their pecan or peach cobbler! DEFINITELY going back!
(5)Morris N.
Baby back ribs were good. Meat came off the bone fairly easily. Mac & cheese and coleslaw were good. Mash potatoes were a little bland if you like them that way. Carry out service was quick. Prices were inline with other bbq places. I'll be back soon to try out some of the other meats.
(4)renu v.
Food was cold even though no one was in line before us. Food was bland. Not a good thing when eating BBQ. I tried all the sauces but the didn't help. Everything is candy -sweet! Sauces, pickles, peach cobbler. I expect some sweetness but all in all cold and mediocre food.
(1)David N.
Real Urban Barbeque is an overpriced mockery of solid BBQ joints, be they in city, suburbs, or otherwise. Gave them a try the other day for lunch. $20 for their "three meat combo" plus two sides. Comparatively speaking, the price is about average, but that's considering the quality of product to be above reproach. Went with the Burnt Ends, 1/3 slab ribs (Baby Backs), and sausage. Visually appealing, albeit the portions were on the small side. Mac 'n cheese and brussel sprouts completed the combo. Here's where they fell: BURNT ENDS - Decent, less seasoning than other respectable joints, more fat than most, only about a handful portion. BABY BACKS - Ordered dry, only came with 4 ribs. Undersized, under-seasoned, overcooked. Thrown on the grill to warm up only dried them out more. Sucked. SAUSAGE - Under-seasoned, undersized, only a tad bigger than a freaking hot dog with no bite. MAC N CHEESE - Reminiscent of Old Country Buffet's powder mac. Freaking atrocious. BRUSSEL SPROUTS - Very bitter, bacon was inconsequential. No seasoning. After the underwhelming combo, I checked out their ST. LOUIS SPARE RIBS - rubbed. $13 for a 1/2 slab was lofty, and they hardly lived up to expectations. Again, thrown on the grill, dried out and overcooked. Rub seasoning and flavor were decent, but again the ribs were undersized and overcooked. First, and last trip, to Real Urban Barbeque. Overpriced, overcooked, undersized, under-seasoned, and well below their competition. I guess when there's not much else around, they're bound to get some business. Hard to believe there's many repeat customers. Oh, the carvers and cashiers had a weird vibe, almost cold. The whole business leaves you feeling very rushed. No bueno.
(2)Boon K.
So I have to say it is pricey compare to what you can get in the area but with standard market not bring back their outdoor bbq they have less competition. So my son and I shared burnt ends and ribs with 3 sides. Neither of us was a fan of the burnt ends.. it was super dry and stringy for us. The rib on just on the verge of being over cooked but that is mostly what we shared with their texas bbq sauce and their bbq mango sauce. My son loved the mac & cheese, I was a fan of the corn pudding, and the cream of spinach was pretty good too. The place is huge and each table had a good supply of paper towels, wet naps.and bbq sauce to try.. but what really stand out that I thought was a nice touch was the yok patty you get at the register.. and the open sink to wash your hands.
(3)LOIS B.
Don't understand all the hub bub. Heard the owner on the radio 'raving" about how crowded they are at lunch and how many smoked turkeys they sold over the holidays. I don't get it. Maybe the turkey is better than what I had. We had ribs that required wrestling to get the meat. Me. . . I like the meat to fall off the bone so I can enjoy my meal and not focus on how quickly I will have to find some dental floss. The "creamy" cole slaw was on the vinegary side with large chunks of carrots, not creamy. The French fries were so soggy and under cooked they went into the garbage. Hubby thought the baked beans were just okay. AND, even though the web site says that ALL BBQ entrees come with 2 sides, that doesn't include the ribs, BUT includes the fish tacos. They tasted barbequed to me. IF I ate here again, I would try one of the sandwiches and most likely skip the sides. although they might come WITH 2 sides.
(2)Eric P.
Ok... I need to catch my breath here... Didn't want to take a break from eating to breathe.... I decided to try Real Urban BBQ tonight on the recommendation of a friend... He just moved up to best friend!!!! Burnt ends are some.of the best BBQ meats around, but here in the Midwest, it seems like no one can cook them right... Until I came here.... Not only can they cook them right, they are masters of their meat!!!!! BBQ sauce?? Don't even think about it... You want to eat these burnt ends in all their 'naked' glory!!! Every bite is full of flavor. Every bite is super tender, with the perfect ratio of crispy edges!!! There is NO WAY that this will not become my go to BBQ joint in the Chicago area!!!
(5)Ernie I.
Awesome food, but way too expensive. Omg, way over priced :) spicy bbq is great. All the food is excellent.
(4)Patrick H.
Went with my wife and 12 yr old son. Confusing on how to order the food. We stared at the cashier for a few minutes before they told us to go into the cafeteria type line first. The employees serving the food were nice but a little hard to understand. We ordered brisket and pulled pork meals. My son had the chicken tenders and a shake). Seemed a little pricey ($40.00). Food was very good. They have a few different types of BBQ sauces to use (mustard, vinegar, sweet, spicey, ect). Place was very clean.
(3)Grant P.
Finally a good barbecue joint comes to the western suburbs. I'd been meaning to try this place since it opened and finally had the opportunity today. What I found was a great looking place with super friendly folks behind the counter and tasty food. I tried a two-meat combo with the burnt ends and the ribs. Both portions were plentiful. The meat was tasty and tender. Not over-cooked or under-cooked. The sauce was slightly sweeter than I would have liked, with a sugary after-taste. Maybe I just had too much, but next time I'm going to order it on the side so I can add it myself. Next time, you say? Yes, absolutely. I would definitely give them another try. Some bbq places I'm one and done with, but this one has definite potential and I'll be sure to work my way through the menu. Sides are good too. I did the brussel sprouts and corn cake. Both were good. Not the end-all, be-all, but definitely good and a great accompaniment to your meal. Prices seem pretty fair too. You're not going to break the bank here. Give them a try and enjoy some great food.
(4)Martin P.
The set up is weird and very disorganized please note when you are paying for your food you will have everyone and their mother reaching over your food as you are trying to pay (not cool). The peach iced tea is okay I recommend the lemon shake up instead. I got the BBQ Brisket, Smoked Baked Beans and french Fries. The Beans were the best part. I had better BBQ from holes in the wall. I think because I did not notice a smoker (I'm spoiled I had real BBQ) that the taste was off. It was like the BBQ you make in your oven, not at a traditional BBQ not really worth the money.
(2)Adriana Z.
The food is delicious over all order the brisket entree...do want to give Jim and staff this review for being on top with customer service. I picked up my order and I was confident that it was all there after I was at work I saw I was missing a meal. No biggie, I called and Jim helped me and was able to get my meal out ASAP. Thank you!
(5)Marty B.
Awesome BBQ and many other snappy options i.e. the Mac 'n Cheese, beans and so much more!! Just go and give a try--knocks the BBQ pants off of the Patio!! Now, get going and enjoy!!
(5)Tim H.
I have been waiting to enjoy RUB's barbecue here in Oak Brook for nearly a year, when I first got wind of their Oak Brook location. They have had their share of hurdles to get this beautiful location open. I've experienced RUB's at Rib Fest Chicago (they took 2nd place and were featured on "Anthony Anderson's America Eats" on The Food Network) and recently at the Windy City Barbecue Classic. I've had their Highland Park location bookmarked since they were on Chicago's Best TV, but never made it out there. They offered free bbq for a year to the first in line and was certain if I got there before 8 am on this frigid morning I'd be a shoe in. As soon as I rounded the corner at 7:45 am I spotted a guy walking towards the front door with a couple blankets... dang it, I should have got my breakfast to-go this morning. I decided to stay and keep Rick company, after all, we both did have a passion for good bbq. Once the doors opened at 11 am the first 100 people received a free sandwich. I just had to buy a couple of their unique sides. Never seen Brussels Sprouts at a BBQ joint so those and their Sweet Potato Casserole made it to my tray. Love the cafeteria style service and they shuffle you through the different stations efficiently. They did add a nice additional dining room, with plans for a large outdoor patio come spring. 120+ seats inside with hopes for another 88 seats, once the patio is complete. Owner Jeff has a great crew and with this being their 3rd location, expect great things to come. They're adding new items to this location and I look forward to them adding Prime Rib to their menu. Great pickles too... there must be some horseradish in them.
(5)Sheri N.
Our first time at Real Urban was not so good. Had heard so many good things, but can't figure out why. The ribs were overcooked and chewy. The side orders were so tiny for the price. And not one thing came with the ribs, everything was a la carte. Their sauce is so-so unless you like vinegar as the predominant ingredient. Anyhow, we probably won't go back considering the other better BBQ options out there.
(2)J R.
Brisket was great. Enjoyed Mac and cheese and golden corn bake. Service was great. Very clean. Try potato pancake
(5)Michael G.
Found this place through a friend who mentioned it was good. Was expecting a typical BBQ place but wow was I wrong. This place has some outstanding BBQ! If you really want to experience what makes them so good, have the Burnt End Sandwich with their sweet pickles. I have never tried anything like it (Warm and tender on the inside with the crunch of crispy ends on the outside). Can't wait to go back with some other friends to see if they think the same! Don't think about it, just go. Highly Recommended
(5)Deidra W.
Stuck in terrible TriState traffic, we decided to get off the highway and get a bite to eat. Yelp lead us to this place. It reminds me of Chipotle except their food line is BBQ with a large dessert offering. I had the brisket and hubs got the brisket & smoked sausage. We each got two sides and drinks and the cost was $38 (seemed a bit high for BBQ fast food). The brisket was pretty good, sausage was OK and the sides were very good (mac-n-cheese & creamed spinach). Hubs ordered a side of beans that after two bites, he was done with them. All and all, we felt this place was OK.
(3)Silvia T.
I ordered the brisket sandwich. It was no disappointment... Tender meat with good flavor. As a side I had the Mac&Cheese and mashed potatoes. Both were great. For this order: it was well worth the price and great taste. Plus a very convenient location, easy parking.
(4)Rob V.
Had a pretty nice dining experience here today. We appeared to be the first customers of the day at 11:00 a.m., but by the time we left a little after noon, there were very few empty seats. Customer service was excellent. Even though I realize the manager was trying to sell us "add-ons" as we ordered, he was still polite, friendly, and cheerful. My folks ordered the ribs and described them as every bit as good as those at the Patio. My brisket was a little bit dry, but the four BBQ sauces at the table (one sweet, one Texas-style hot, one mustard-and-vinegar-infused, one brown sugar-heavy) solved that problem in a hurry. As for the side dishes, the cole slaw is more tart than creamy, as other reviewers have written. The doughy hush puppies came with a "Boom Boom" sauce whose kick implied either horseradish sauce or Tabasco -- not sure which. The baked beans were quite good, and while the mac and cheese was a little soupy for my taste, it's better to err on the side of too much cheese. Weird highlight of the meal = the potato pancakes were the best ones I've ever had in a restaurant -- gritty and crisp, with golden fried edges that crackled when I bit into them. None of us ordered the Burnt Ends, but based on other reviews (as well as the small sample my dad scarfed down at the meat counter), I would definitely order this entree the next time I visit Real Urban Barbecue.
(4)Willie B.
Great food always on point.love the coleslaw turkey ribs and the sauces just right.my only place togo for bbq
(5)Michael Z.
This place is a gem. I love the pulled chicken sandwich; their sauce is great. And they have a ton of other sauces to choose from. I really enjoy their sides, especially the sweet potato souffle. They have a huge variety of uncommon sodas, which is an awesome novelty, and they have some pretty darn interesting shakes that are pretty good too. Not exactly the cheapest, but we'll worth the money. And very well decorated too, with lots of seating space and a nice room with two walls full of tall windows for plenty of natural light. This is my favorite BBQ spot, without any doubt.
(5)Sarah B.
First time visit & I was very happy! Loved the shaken lemonade in a mason jar (that you keep). Food was tasty (pulled chicken, pulled pork, corn bread casserole & Brussels sprouts w Bacon). Great chocolate Carmel Brownie & service. Also Love the atmosphere, other too loud.
(5)Tony B.
Went for the first time last week to the Oak Brook location. Got the 3 meat combo and 2 sides. I'm no bbq expert or snob, but I have lived in Kansas City and St. Louis, so I am familiar with good bbq. I give RUB a solid 3 stars on this trip. Here's my opinion on it: Sausage was ok. A little small and average flavor. Not bad, but not great. Brisket was good. Again, not exceptional, but tasty. Burnt ends were disappointing. Very dry and a little fatty. Corn bake was ok, tasted a little greasy for me. Baked beans were pretty tasty. Sauce was not as sweet as it appeared to be, which was good. And they use a variety of beans, which was also good. I personally would have liked a little more meat scraps in them. Pickles were really good. They are the spicy and sweet kind, like Famous Daves BBQ has, which I love. Sauces were ok. I got the spicy BBQ over my sausage and brisket. It tasted good, not too spicy. But be warned, they put a lot of it on the food. I also got a side of the sweet BBQ sauce. It was average as well. Nothing bad, but nothing outstanding. It did leave a sweeter aftertaste than I prefer and tasted a little off the next day when I used it for some other left overs I had in my fridge. Not sure if they have other sauces, I'm assuming they do after reading other reviews on here. Will try those next time. I went there pretty late, about 7:30pm, which might have accounted for the average taste of the food. Atmosphere was nice, didn't notice the music like others have stated. Not crowded, and service was good (I got mine to go). Servers were patient, as the large family ahead of me and the couple behind me were also first timers. Lots of side item choices. I noticed too late that they had dill potato salad, which I can't seem to find anywhere outside of St. Louis. All looked pretty decent. So here would be my recommendations to them: 1) Either increase the portion size or decrease the prices. The prices might be comparable to other BBQ spots in the area, but trust me, you can get better for cheaper, it's possible. Like I mentioned above, the sausage was a little on the small and skinny side. I got 3 very small strips of brisket, which was very disappointing. Only decent portion were the burnt ends. But, looking over their menu, it seems that it is one of their more expensive items, so I'm going to say that the portion size doesn't warrant the price. 2) Find a better vessel for take out orders. The box was difficult to eat out of. Oh, and give utensils! I don't care if they're plastic, but at least give them out. And include napkins or paper towels, it is BBQ after all. Will I go back? Do I recommend them? Yes, to both. They still have more items for me to try, like the chicken, ribs, and turkey. And a lot more side dishes and desserts. I would also recommend them to others. It's not super great, end all, road trip destination BBQ, but it's not bad either. It is a little pricier than it should be, but I place a lot of that on location. It's location to my place of work and the fact that it is BBQ does help out my review of them and the decision to return again.
(3)Ed S.
Great lunch meal. Love the choice in sauces on the tables. Got a pulled pork sandwich, good bun which is the key. Only complaint is that I may have got the bottom of the fry bin because I had a lot of small ones. Will be back for sure.
(5)Paula P.
Although the food was good, the name was misleading. Rather than an urban atmosphere, it had a real country roadhouse look inside, down to the loud Charlie Daniels country music. I was confused by what they were going for. We had the Memphis Rub, which was sweeter than I prefer. I might just go for the plain ribs as they have a nice selection of sauces at the tables. The coleslaw was good, but we did not try any other sides. They looked good. It was pricey for a casual step-to-the-counter place.
(3)J C.
Ehh. Most of The food is prepared well before you arrive. The Brisket was well flavored and I had the sweet sauce who had a good flavor. The ribs were nothing special (better at the Patio) and they are clearly just heated up and slathered with sauce. The sides we had included cold slaw, baked beans, corn bread pudding which were edible. The inedible were mashed potatoes and hush puppies which were so over cooked. On the upside the onion strings were made to order and very good which combined with the brisket is why I gave 2 stars. Additionally it is pretty pricey for a cafeteria style environment.
(2)Sandra K.
Good customer experience until one reaches the register. Janus the GM challenges customers at the register as to the contents of their carry-out boxed food. The waxy boxes are designed to be marked for the food contents with a Sharpie. The cafeteria style line kitchen servers choose not to do this requiring the cashier/management to ask customers what they ordered and thereafter often inspect the food content before they are rung-up. Gina, the regional manager call's this "verification" which is done on a profiling basis because customers are inherently dishonest. Based on Gina's explanation: old people need help being seated, 10-yr. olds need to be watched and disciplined based on their destructive tendencies and 17-yr. olds monitored for their proclivity to profanity. After going through the verification process I was overcharged. As for the food: Burn't ends and BBQ sauces are respectable. The rib dry rub seasoning was off, egg based potato salad would be tastier with less salt, mac cheese tasted like Velveta, BBQ beans are varied but too sweet and a good dill pickle is in order. Both the red velvet and carrot cake ball for dessert needed more of that cream cheese essence -- with the carrot cake being inedible due to excessive seasoning.
(2)William S.
Real Urban BBQ? Not sure what that is supposed to mean. If it means bland food they nailed it! The meat is supposed to be smoked but there was no smoke ring and I couldn't taste any smoking. That is fine (not what I like) but don't have smoked meat signs posted all over. I should have known walking in because at a good place you can usually smell the smoked meats. I ordered the pulled pork and the asked me if I wanted sauce on it which I said no to b/c I wanted to see what the meat tasted like. It just tasted like un-spiced pork put in the oven. The guy serving it said there was sauces at the table for me. There were 4 sauces total and 3 of them just didn't have much flavor. The mustard was terrible usually there is some spiciness to that type of sauce. I think the only one that was passable was the Texas one. Brussel Sprouts and beans for sides. Brussel sprouts were grilled and were good and the beans were ok. I won't be back to try anything else. Place was decorated like a BBQ theme park. I'd focus more on the food and less on the decor.
(1)L. Danovia ..
I go here pretty often after an hour at the gym. Ha! Their BBQ Sliders are a must try as well as the brussel sprouts and corn bread. If you have a sweet tooth like me, you have to check out their mini bakery section. AWESOME! I'm a fan especially now that i have a refillable tea jar.
(4)Miguel R.
Wow you have to come here. I'm a BBQ fan been to some of the award winning places across the U.S. And these guys can hang out with the big boys. Only reason for 4 stars is the sweet tea is more like a dash of sweet. Not your southern sweet country American tea. Give this place a try you won't be disappointed!!
(4)Sonia O.
Writing this as I stuff my face. Awesome all the way! Excellent food with great staff ready to recommend the entire menu. We shared the slab of ribs and the burnt ends entree. Each came with two sides so we got to have even more yum-ness. Sweet potato sufflé, brussel sprouts, fries, and Mac and cheese. Ended it all with a peanut butter double triple milkshake that had Reece's, butterfinger, peanut butter, and hot fudge. Don't say this often, but this was way worth every single calorie. Time to hit the gym!
(5)Jai F.
Ordering the food was a bit confusing, but we made it through with chicken, ribs, sausage. Fries were great and apparently the cake too although I didn't have any. Chicken was smoked perfectly and the BBQ sauce was - AMAZING! I loved having the choices on the table so I could experiment and get sauced as much as I wanted.
(4)Jeremy P.
My girlfriend and I decided to give this new place a try instead of our usual BBQ joint (Sharko's in Naperville). We really had our hopes high and thought that maybe finally we would find another place that was up to par with Sharko's. From the outside, the place looks nice. Has that cool BBQ joint decor/vibe. Very clean and spacious restaurant. As for food, we both got the sliced beef brisket sandwiches with 2 sides each. I got the sweet potato casserole and the mashed potatoes with gravy and my girlfriend got the mac & cheese and spinach. The bun was a little dry and a bit old tasting. The beef was smoked well (maybe a little too dry even) but did not have that "IN YOUR FACE SMOKEY" taste like our favorite place does. Also, the barbecue sauces did not have any zing to them either. The sides on the other hand were okay. My girlfriend liked her mac & cheese but her spinach was not like the spinach casserole from Sharko's. I liked my mashed potatoes because they were moist and flavorful. But unfortunately, the sweet potato casserole was a little to dry. Also I'm not sure why it was a super dark color (not your regular orange sweet potato color). Overall, we were full but unfortunately a bit let down. We really had our hopes up. Maybe we should give this place a little bit more time. But if you are looking for AMAZING barbecue and homemade sides take a drive to Sharko's in Naperville.
(2)Rachel W.
Went there today and I am a foodie should have turned around when I didn't smell the food as I walked in I.got the pulled pork it was not that great the sauce was so so the sides were disgusting the mashed potatoes basically molded to the the mac and cheese were disgusting no flavor taste like it was so much water in them.....and the peach cobbler had a very canned taste....to be an urban bbq joint means you needs to add a little of the south so you need a more southern recipe this place will go under soon it is a good place for the elderly with bad taste buds a water of 40 bucks
(1)Roh P.
My sandwich was very soggy. It was as if it was dipped in water. I am not going back
(1)Kelly C.
This place was amazing! The food was so good and large portions. My husband and I had never been and we drove by all the time. We were checking out the menu and couldn't decided on the pulled pork (which we usually get from bbq places), the burnt ends (tried for the first time in Kansas City and they're really good) or the brisket. The guy lets us try the brisket and we were sold! The meat was as tender as soft butter. The sauce was sweet and perfect and we ordered two sides of mac and cheese.... Creamy and cheesy and the noodles weren't mushy which can easily happen. The place was clean and fit the theme, the staff was friendly and the food we had was amazing. I will absolutely eat there again and I think others should give it a try. For anyone who has ever been to B-B-Q in Lagrange, Real Urban BBQ is much better. Enjoy!
(5)Belen A.
Thought the food was a little cold I'm giving this place 5 stars for the customer service. The cashiers at the front had a lot of patience with me being my first time. One of them ( I forgot her name I believe it was Anna) was kind and patient answering all of my questions. I always say it's better to have great customer service and work on the food later. I will definitely be coming back.
(5)Rob M.
The food was way overpriced and I was way underwhelmed. I ordered a beef brisket sandwich with 2 sides. I of course forgot to mention I didn't want it on a gold plate, but they charged me for that anyway. I was charged $14 for a sandwich, a 1/3 cup of coleslaw and a 1/3 cup of mac & cheese! Anywhere else the meal would have been at most $9. The mac & cheese was exceptional, but the coleslaw was vinegary and the meat was dry and overcooked. I just can't say the same about the sandwich, though. The server asked if I wanted some sauce on it. I said sure, not realizing that I would get so much sauce that it would overflow the container and my sandwich would be floating. The sandwich was so soggy I had to eat it with a fork. RUB needs to refigure their recipes, pricing and portions. Their food isn't that exceptional that I wouldn't consider going to another BBQ place that's better and cheaper.
(2)Breeann R.
I ordered the mini brisket sandwich and it was so good! Staff is friendly (it was our first time at this place and they guided us along!) It is cafeteria style and the meat is sliced to order! Sweet sauce is great on the brisket! The sweet potatoes were absolutely mind blowing! Really sweet if that's what your into for your sweet potatoes.
(4)j m.
Reviewing my first and only time there. I *might* try it again, but am not really sure at this point. I had a full sized pulled pork sandwich with hot BBQ sauce and cole slaw on top to go. Boxed into a container that was too hard to get the sandwich out of with no offer of silverware. So I literally could not eat the food until I was home with access to a plate, fork and knife. Pulled pork was chunks of rubbery pork not really "pulled" to my liking and the sauce was not very good. Pricing is very high. My sandwich was $9 with no sides. Drinks are $2.50! I can get a pulled pork sandwich with a side at a sit down restaurant for this price range and get a complimentary knife and fork.
(2)Tobin h.
Ok...went back and updated my review after some thought. A solid 3.5 star BBQ because the burnt ends were spectacular. The service was above average and it was clean and energetic! It really is a "go-to" bbq but doesn't quite land itself in the same breath of the great BBQ's...Dreamland, Smoque, Slow's, Tunnel BBQ (Windsor), Q's in LaGrange. They have a great upside with the BBQ sauces, baked beans, choice of "big red" soda but the end of cafeteria line surprise of a flip pay screen offering different % of tips for going through the cafeteria line before any real service is a HUGE turn-Off...please put an end to that practice. If the ownership feels the guests should supplement the line cook's $$$, then pay them more from the start. What they do is great but not "tip-able" so don't put me on the spot to tip them if you are not paying them right. There is no table "service" and just cutting up burnt ends doesn't warrant a tip. All that negative being said, definitely worth the visit or a carry out call. I expect the folks that make the decisions in this magnificence will change it's approach on who should take care of their service employees so...make it point to give this place of whirl in BBQ greatness!
(3)Ron P.
Decided too try it for a late lunch. Went in around 2:30. Had maybe about 12 other people eating. It's cafeteria style you order meat and sides. The menu is on the wall. Ordered the St. Louis ribs, half slab with beans and pecan cobbler Note they don't have fries. The beans a solid 5 stars The cobbler solid 4 stars, but the ribs only 1 star. The way they tasted and came off the bone they most likely are leftover from the previous day. Ate two and stopped just not good. Sauce on the table. Overall nice interior. Not sure I would go back after spending 16.00 for half slab, two sides and water. Too many choices too settle for average bbq
(2)Dan K.
I had high hopes for this place. We showed up at 730 on a Friday and their was no pulled pork. The brisket was dry and greasy. The pulled chicken seemed like mush. The brownies I got were stale and greasy. The sides were meh -. The restaurant looks nice but for my money I would go somewhere else. I would consider going back it could have been a bad night.
(3)Sam F.
Great tasting food that made me feel not so great afterwards
(3)Shane H.
Always great to bring new BBQ'rs. The burnt ends are suburb and consistent. Try everything as is it all good. The sauce options will make your taste buds wanting more. The multiple locations proves they do BBQ well.
(5)S L.
I'm giving this place 5 stars with only one bad comment....the burnt ends were not burnt at all. They were roasted with no crunch or burnt parts at all. Now that this is over, I can tell you how amazing this place was. Amazing service. Amazing corn cake thing, baked beans were awesome, and the different sauces were great. Well oiled machine here---service was top notch!! I will be back
(5)Tym P.
Real solid BBQ joint. Loads of choices, sides, desserts, shakes, etc... You really can't go wrong here. My favorite is the turkey, though; it's the best turkey I've ever had. It's moist, tender, and flavorful. Also highly recommend the pancake topped with meat!
(5)Joe W.
Just as good as their other locations obviously. Although the portions seem somewhat more generous in Oakbrook. I had the chance to cater with them & the bacon wrapped meatballs were a monster hit!
(5)Jill W.
I'm a few weeks behind - but loved the catering that Real Urban Barbecue provided for a staff lunch I arranged. So much food for the money and the smoked turkey was the best I have had. Went a few weeks later when my boyfriend visited, and instead of the hassle of finding NYE reservations, I took him there. We are big BBQ fans and were not disappointed. We ordered too much - but everything was good. Ribs, pulled pork, hushpuppies, and the watermelon tea in a mason jar completed the evening. All the BBQ sauces were so good, it was difficult to settle on one.
(5)T N.
Good solid BBQ all around. It is a must come back.my son loves the Mac and cheese. The homewracker sandwich is a great combo of sausage and pulled pork, piled high on the bun. Too big for hands, used a knife and fork.
(5)Sandy A.
Not the best BBQ in the area. Overpriced for 2 sandwiches and 3 sides plus 2 bottled drinks (and not alcoholic at that) for over $30 just not worth it. The burnt ends didn't have much flavor and the fries were mediocre. The BBQ sauce were ok. So many other places to go around here like Chucks BBQ or Q's BBQ in Lagrange or uncle bubs in Westmont. We won't be returning.
(1)Paul A.
Love this place. The Home Wrecker sandwich is my new guilty pleasure. The brisket is delicious, the pulled pork is out of this world, and the sausage will keep me coming back again and again. I have yet to have anything from here that has disappointed. The only drawback is that they tend to be a bit on the pricey side for a take out bbq place. But I am more than willing to pay extra for good bbq. The sides are great too.
(4)Nick D.
Really impressed with our first visit to R.U.B. Gotta say, best ribs I have had anywhere in the Chicagoland area. We ordered the slab o-ribs "Perfection" style and they were fantastic without the addition of any extra sauce. I also had the brisket sandwich which was really good. Perfectly moist on a nice bun with pickles and the spicy sauce. Good stuff. We'll definitely be back.....soon.
(5)Kurt V.
As a BBQ fan, I have been looking forward to the opening of the Oak Brook location. It was OK. It wasn't bad (Uncle Bub's) but it wasn't matching the quality of other places in the area. I lived in the South for a while so I seek out good BBQ. RUB was ok. I went with my family during their first week of operation. So I give them the benefit of the doubt there while they get their footing. We had the brisket and the burnt ends. For the Brisket, it was pulled out of a steam drawer and cut. What appears to have happened is it wasn't fully cooked so it wouldn't overcook I the drawer. Well there is a difference in low and slow and steaming. The fat didn't fully render - big tough blob. The rest of the meat was slightly dry and a bit crumbly. The steaming zapped all the flavor out of the rub. It wasn't bad but it wasn't matching their competitors either. For the Burnt Ends, they came from the oven and were better. By their nature, they are more silky due to the cut. They were the right texture but they too lacked a bit of flavor but not much. They just were a little flat. The sauces were hit or miss. The Texas hot was ok. The Mustard sauce was good. The Vinegar sauce was ok. The sweet sauce tasted like doctored up ketchup. Their sauce of the month was a mole-based sauce. It was good but slightly too chocolaty. The sides were not very good. Everything was just sense and mushy. For my young daughters to push away Mac N Cheese says it all. They actually asked for the box kind when they got home. The beans had little to no flavor. The lemonade shake up tastes like powder kind and the sweet tea was sad and tasted fake. When given options in the near S and SW suburbs, RUB would be 3rd on my go to list. I will give them another shot since I went there in their first week.
(3)Mary P.
First time there I had the Pulled Pork sandwich with homemade potatoes and smoked beans. The Pulled Pork sandwich was piled high with pork and the bun was fresh. Was very tasty and the extra BBQ sauce (I tried the sweet) was great. I wondered about the brussel sprouts and burnt ends and Andreas was kind enough to give me a sample. The Burnt Ends were cooked perfect for my liking and the brussel sprouts were tender and seasoned well, with a little bite. I'll be back for both of those. I'll be letting my friends know about this place for sure.
(4)J M.
Got an ad in the mail for Real Urban Barbecue. Tried it today. Ordered half a barbecued chicken and fish tacos. Chicken was meaty and very good. Tacos were deep fried talapia. Big pieces of fish. Fish just ok. Sides ordered were mac and cheese, Cole slaw, and sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes pretty good. Mac and cheese overdone and too cheesy. Cole slaw more watery than creamy. Meals don't come with bread. Ordering process confusing. One group studied the menu for a good ten minutes before ordering. Manager took up a booth in the dining area to do paperwork.. Kinda tacky. Plastic silverware. Even more tacky. Country music played in the background of this "urban" restaurant. The Patio has nothing to fear from Real Urban Barbecue.
(3)Sarah M.
Delicious slow cooked meat, tasty sides, and sweet tea on tap. Didn't try any but they make homemade shakes in a million flavors. Brisket was fall apart and lean. Coming back with my family for sure!
(5)Jennifer F.
Wow. Delicious and the service was great. Owner even came by to ask how everything was. New favorite place.
(5)Bill M.
I was very hopeful when this place opened that my long drives for BBQ were over but it was just a dream. After 7 or 8 visits now I have to think that this place is just not going to get it right. The inconsistencies in food quality is something they have not corrected since they opened and tonight may be my last visit. Ordered a pulled pork sandwich to go along with a smoked sausage meal for my wife. Her's was pretty good but mine like a couple times in the past was fully 1/3 fat. Nothing like biting into a huge chunk of fat to start your meal, real turnoff. After spending 5 minutes dissecting my sandwich I was able to come up with a decent meal but I'm done with ordering these, their cooks obviously don't care enough to take the time to trim the meat which makes me feel like their is just no quality control.Case in point, the french fries are consistently some of the greasiest I have ever had. It's really like they just don't care what the meals turn out like. Also, (for a note to the management), when you do dine in it would be nice to have some real silverware, not plastic knives and forks. It's really tough to cut ribs with plastic. There is a lot to address here before Urban BBQ can be considered a contender to some of the other BBQ spots around.
(2)Akeya S.
The BBQ here was really great!! We had the sausage which was smokey and good with Mac and cheese and baked beans. Also had the burnt ends which were yummy. Crispy outside and juicy inside. Had the corn bread and spinach with this one. Everything was great and worth the trip. Make sure to eat the pickles!!! They are out of This world good.
(5)Denise B.
OMG! So good. I am from the south and really picky about my bbq. Ordered ribs with sides and brisket as well, to take with me. Enjoyed every bite! My first time here, and picked it out of the blue, as I was driving through Illinois on my way back to Cali...good job! Keep it up!
(5)Corinne M.
Great customer service is not dead! This is unbelievable but true... I ordered a smoked turkey breast from Real Urban Barbecue in Oak Brook. Picked it up yesterday afternoon. Got all the way home (21 miles) only to find they had mistakenly given me three pounds of sliced turkey instead of a breast. I called. Bottom line - they opened recently so they're "getting some small operational kinks out" ...and THEY HAND-DELIVERED A TURKEY BREAST TO MY HOUSE to correct their error. Have you ever heard of such fabulous customer service in this day? And the food is FABULOUS. What a winning combination.
(5)D B.
The burnt ends were awesome as well as the brisket. If you are going to eat there, ask for no sauce and then you can sample the BBQ sauces at the table. Great value for the portions. In addition, $4 Kid meals was very refreshing. The only complaint I had is that the girl out stocking the floor was very rude. I visited on Saturday early evening on 02.07.15. I will be back, its the best BBQ place I have found in the Western Suburbs.
(4)Emm M.
My family loves this place. Eating BBQ makes my family happy so that's a win! All the food is fresh, the slow cooked meat is tender and delicious. I'm obsessed with the smoked turkey sandwich. You also can't beat the Cobb salad with pulled chicken -it's outstanding and I'll never eat another portillos chopped chicken salad. The chicken here is real pieces of freshly cooked chicken (not "cubes" of meat like other places). A great place, there is something for everyone. Unless you don't like bbq in which case I don't want to know you.
(5)Joe T.
Great pulled pork. A little on the cold side, but it had great texture, smoke and flavor. Adding sides gets expensive. I will go back again.
(4)Meredith E.
This is a really good place. My family and I got the pulled pork sandwiches (tons of meat; I only ate half of mine), mac and cheese sides (delicious), and a salad (which I didn't eat but my sister said was very fresh.) The employees were all very friendly, helpful, and polite. I will definitely come back and try new things--the group in front of us got ribs, which looked amazing.
(4)R L.
Being from Texas, this is not even close to the best bbq food I've ever had.. But surprisingly very good for the location and price! You can get "mini" sandwiches which are $3.99, you you can try a couple different types. It is a good concept and I can see it doing really well. It is a Chipolte style thing where you order in a line and someone makes your meal with toppings and sides behind the counter. The women working the cash register charged me for full sized sandwhiches, but I caught her mistake and she apologized and quickly fixed it. Once you sit at the tables, they had different bbq sauces to sample. It was kind of confusing as to which sauce was which because you had to use a color coded key, they should just write what type it is on the bottle.. Overall, it was good food and a good atmosphere! The brisket sandwich was my favorite. The idea and set up of a line to order is awesome for quick and easy bbq food!
(3)Scott C.
I work up North, so I've been to the other two locations. When I heard one had opened in Oak Brook, I was excited. Went the first chance I had. Ordered the two meat meal, brisket and sausage, and it was as good as the other locations. Had mac and cheese and fries as sides. I was looking forward to the prime rib, but missed it on the menu, so I figured they weren't serving it yet. However, on the way out I spotted their specials board by the front door which had prime rib written on it. Oh well, gives me another reason to go back. Join the text club, the prices are little high, but they send coupons via text.
(5)Chris E.
I am no BBQ expert, I'm from Jersey, but this food is amazing! I've never had smoked turkey breast carved in front of me. It melts in your mouth. The burnt tips are perfection. They do ask if you want sauce on your meat as other reviews have mentioned. It is absolutely good with or without sauce. They have a great selection of BBQ sauces. Try them all. I can't even talk about the Mac and cheese without tearing up. I want to live in it. The sweet potatoes with marshmallows is fantastic, and the hoe cakes are the best I have ever had. Tonight is the second time I have brought it home and my boyfriend and I are so impressed. I got the peach cobbler the first time, and I just finished the pecan pie. It was amazing. I planned on sharing it, but I ate the whole thing. The 3 meat combo is the best deal. Get the large container of Mac an cheese, and sweet potatoes. We have enough food for the whole weekend! Do not miss this place. Go hungry and try everything!
(5)Robyn C.
Real Urban BBQ has been teasing the residents of Oak Brook with their tantalizing BBQ smells for 2 years now saying it's coming to Oak Brook soon .... well it's finally here, yay!! I came in tonight not really knowing what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised with their contemporary "BBQ house" decor, tables and atmosphere, The unmistakable aroma of bbq hits you right away as you enter and instantly makes you drool for everything they have to offer. I ordered the burnt end and 1/2 chicken entree. Both entrees were great. The chicken was not as dry as I thought it would be, and with the BBQ sauce, it's so yummy. Burnt ends taste so good, and so easy to eat, although I will definitely try a slab next time around. Sides: cole slaw - lightly dressed and not creamy like you find at your fatty fried chicken joints. i like it! golden corn bake - i would love to be buried in this and eat my way out ... brussel sprouts - great! seasoned well, a tad over cooked ... maybe from sitting out, but still good baked beans - pretty good, i would rather have two orders of the golden corn bake though Must get - the spicy pickles!!! the spice comes as you are finishing the pickle.. it's awesome! I'll be back and can't wait!!
(4)James F.
The pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw pickles was awesome. So was the lemonade in a mason jar.
(5)Matthew M.
I realized I made a mistake coming here when the guy ahead of me ordered his sandwich and was asked "regular or hot" and then sauce was ladled all over the sandwich. I really should have left at this point. Good bbq doesn't need sauce, especially not that much. I ordered a brisket sandwich without sauce and it was really flavorless; they clearly dump all of that sauce on the meat to give it some flavor. The meat didn't have smoke rings and tasted like pot roast and the bark didn't even have any flavor. To make matters worse the fries I ordered were undercooked. Sorry folks but this isn't good bbq.
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