After visiting the mens room, it made me realize that the staff, management & owner have something to work on. I left the washroom feeling like I needed to take a look at the restaurant as a whole for cleanliness. Wish I hadn't done that, as it made me realize that there is something really lacking here! Needless to say I won't be going back anytime soon, as the food doesn't didn't wow me enough to look the other way on the above issues
(1)
Scott B.
After a second visit on par with the first, I'm writing a review giving it the benefit of the doubt for possibly unreasonably high expectations. That is if you think that expecting decent food and decent service for higher-than-expected north shore prices is unreasonable. Two meals: both were not bad, but not neither were anything special. At all. The second one, a steak sandwich came out cold. One highlight was the sweet mashed potatoes. They would have been even better if they were warm. Service: After asking for a glass (twice) for the bottled beer a second time, I gave up. The bartender seemed too busy with talking to the waitress and adjusting the stereo to actually attend to either of the folks sitting at the bar area. I do, however, now know how they track their cash at the restaurant as the argument between the waitress and the bartender in front of the customers kept us all informed on the second visit. Price: although this was the north shore, the prices were even higher than expected. If the food was outstanding, that would probably be OK. It is Winnetka after all. But it wasn't. And obviously neither was the service. Overall, I'm giving Ricky's "Meh, I've experienced better" rather than the "Eeek! Methinks not" that it probably deserves. If I'm forced to try a third time, I'll update either way. In the meantime, I'd suggest looking elsewhere. I will be.
(2)
Jay n.
I guess it start with getting sat all the way in the back corner of the place at least three tables from the next closest person. Service was OK.....she just didn't come around to the back very often. The Ricky Club is described a grilled chicken breast, Swiss cheese and bacon on grilled sour dough bred. The chicken was cut up into pieces, almost as if they didn't want to serve a complete breast. It appeared to be white bread, and wasn't even barely grilled or toasted, it was soft.......not much bacon. $13 bucks. Steak quesadilla $15 bucks. It was good, but way too small to price it like an entre. Ok. The only reason I am giving an A-ok and not 2 stars is because the onion rings were excellent.....some of the best I have had. The staff was also very friendly, and the menu has a lot of potential for a 'joint'.
(3)
Natalie B.
True this restaurant wouldn't be as busy if it were located 15 ish miles south, but that said its still a solid meal. The food is dependable, nothing super exciting, but little Ricky's doesn't claim to be a mind blowing meal. Wine pours are generous (a big plus!) and its super kid friendly ( another big plus). They don't merely tolerate my rambunctious crowd but embrace it. Service is a little slow- super annoying when dining w young ones, or when one is extremely hungry, so don't expect a quick meal.
(3)
Michael B.
My wife and I took our granddaughter to dinner on a Saturday evening at Little Ricky's. Simply put, the food was very,very good. The service was great. The restaurant was clean, with a great atmosphere, and had plenty of families. The large fish tank was a major attraction for my granddaughter.
(4)
Benjamin D.
Against the other reviews here I really like Little Ricky's and have been five or six times now since moving to Chicago. Whenever I want to escape the city, I don't mind going out to the burbs and hitting up this little gem. The ribs are great, they have Smithwick's which is nice to see at a restaurant and the portions are big. Even the salads are huge too (think Seinfeld) and the grilled calamari is exceptional. I've never had a bad experience and the staff have always been friendly so if you're in Winnetka and want to stop in somewhere for a quick bite, Little Ricky's is a choice option!
(4)
Jen B.
Over the years, I have never been much of a fan of this place. However, today I thought I'd give Little Ricky's another shot. I ordered a veggie quesadilla, a simple dish. Unfortunately, it wasn't fully cooked. It was cold, and the cheese was barely melted. I could also tell the guacamole was from frozen packaging. For almost $12, I expect MUCH more bang for my buck. WAY overpriced for the quality of the food. I won't be back.
(2)
Colleen M.
This is a place I frequent with my family or for lunch quite a bit. It is also one of the best places in town to just meet someone for drinks. It calls itself a BBQ joint, but that is not what I see the majority of people ordering. The one time we tried the ribs we were not impressed. However, I adore the entree salads, and the delicious sandwiches such as the mongo bongo chicken roll up and pulled pork. The host and wait staff are always very friendly. We will continue to visit often!
(4)
Stephen P.
Above average beer selection and the Chimichanga was spot on as well as the side of baked beans. Good environment and music was fit for it being lunch. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Elzbieta P.
Terrible food. I got raw chicken once, next time I was throwing up after eating nachos with pulled pork. Staff not so friendly. I wish they would care more about everything a specialy bc it's Winnetka.
(1)
David G.
Was here on a Friday night with a large party of all ages. We were seated in the back at one long table. Nice that the could accomodate us all. But, the place is so loud you can barely hear the person next to you, much less anyone across or down the table. The food was average at best: the fish tacos were cold upon arrival, and with the fish part fried to a board. The vaunted calamari that so many are crowing about was half greasy and disgusting and half dry and super salty. Someone else had a salad that was right out of the bag, with grey "Sysco tomatoes". The house chardonnay was warm and seemed off - I later wished I had taken a Prilosec or something.... eccch... I guess this place is good for beers and kids who don't have much of a palate. Otherwise, go someplace else...
(1)
Natalie N.
Little Ricky's has been consistent over the years! Good food, good service, and GREAT servers! A nice little joint to have in town. The food is average and the menu could do with some revamping...overall a happy and friendly place to frequent when in town.
(4)
Yvonne Y.
Good family restaurant and always packed. Make sure you make a reservation. Very tight tables and it's loud in there. Children friendly. Good: fish and chips as the fish is cod. Kids meal but weird they don't print kids meal in the menu, good service as they do come by and see how things are even when they're swamped. Skip: BLT sandwich as the bacon is burnt Would get the salads, fish and chips and may be their BBQ dishes next time. Skip the sandwiches
(3)
c g.
Overly sauced, below average ribs with liquid smoke tasting flavor is crawling back up my digestive track. And this is the first time I ever heard of a BBQ place running out of cole slaw! They substituted Mac n cheese that was no better than my box of Aldi ( but ten times the price!). Speaking of price, well it is in Winnetka, so no real issue there. But the tables are crammed together and the space seems like it was built to be a clothing store, or a realty office. Whoops , it was! Good bar and bartender though. Fish taco I tasted from my friend was average at best. My suggestion, have something at Boris' Cafe up the street until the proprietor pays attention to Little Ricky.
(1)
Guita G.
Split Personality. We have been to Little Ricky's several times and tonight forgot that we pledged never to come back on a Friday or Saturday night. Little Ricky's has a split personality: am I a bar for single suburban fortysomethings flirting at the top of their lungs or am I a hip family restaurant? These two sides are not compatible and tonight contributed to a pretty unbearable dinner. The restaurant was truly one of the loudest I have ever had the misfortune to experience. Full disclosure: I was here with my kids and we just stopped trying to talk to each other altogether because it was so darned loud. There were plenty of families with children who seemed equally distressed. The food is solid - good ribs, good burgers, lots of nice twists to standards like nachos with delicious pulled pork. These are the reasons we came in the first place and the reason we take out occasionally. If we come back, it will be on a mid-week night, when I hope it will cater to the family friendly side of its personality. Maybe if Little Ricky's could reconcile what it's trying to achieve, it would contribute to a more pleasant evening.
(2)
Jimmy M.
All in all, I was not impressed. My wife and I spent a nice day biking down the Green Bay trail and randomly decided on a place to grab some lunch. First, the hostess seemed bothered to even seat us. Second, the place was really dusty. I don't know the last time that someone dusted that moose's head on the wall, but people are eating in here. It is just not exceptable. We also had to ask for a change of silverware because it looked like someone had already used one of our silverware rolls to wipe whatever. I had the burger and sweet potato fries. I wasn't impressed by either. We were about 5 minutes into our meal and already decided that we would probably not be back. If you are considering giving it a go...keep going.
(2)
Charlene B.
Little Ricky's is a good solution for harried families in need of a quick dinner with a menu kids will like. Everything about the place is "ok." And, to be clear, sometimes ok is perfectly good enough. Burgers, salads, ribs, pulled pork sandwich, you get the picture. TVs broadcasting sports. Safest bets are the basic menu items.
(2)
Tim S.
After a recommendation by a friend away from our original choice for dinner over a week ago we have hit Little Ricky's two times now and not been disappointed. I can see why this is such a popular place the employee's seem to know everyone who comes through, certainly a local favourite. We have had the Winnetka, Lakeside Burger, Ricky Club and the Sweet Chili Turkey Burger all done right and tasty. Service was attentive, without being annoying.
(4)
Don S.
Good food... average bbq with fake smoke rub on ribs. Don't know why there's no draft beer served.
(3)
Danielle H.
Fish tacos were good as were the burgers and the quesadillas. Avoid the Mac and cheese! It's a real disappointment, it tastes like its from a packet. Service is good and servers friendly.
(4)
A W.
I have to start off saying that the food isn't really that good. Even the Mac and Cheese tasted really blah, like something from a box. That said, my kids were with my husband and I. Every single table with a kid was seated near the bathrooms in the back where no one could see them when entering the place. I must state that the back is narrow, waitresses don't come by very often, and there is a feeling of being unwelcome by having to sit back there when the rest of the place is mostly empty with a few people dressed in business casual lunching. It was quite a rude experience we had. I was insulted by the time we left. Clearly they accept kids, but don't want to hear or see them...or have their other customers see or hear them. I won't be coming back because of the whole experience...plus...I've got to say their food was really not all that good....so that's another reason not to go back.
(1)
Joseph O.
Little Ricky's has been on our family's "close-by" short list for a few years. The menu is a good mix of what those of us raised here on the North Shore would expect: Baby Back Ribs, Large Burgers and a mix of other wraps, salads and munchies in a convenient location along with a REAL BAR! The main room is comfortable - there are always a few families earlier but, adults later as the night progresses. The Ribs are flavorful, always a good portion and good. Not the best ribs ever, but, for a place that's right-here-right now - you can't go wrong. Speaking of going wrong - what impresses me the most about LR's is that when our most recent order was - ahem - not good, their manager, Colleen, credited the dinner and then delivered deserts to our door! That is the sign of a restaurant with someone who cares. If you're new to Winnetka or North Shore - Little Ricky's is worth a shot!
(4)
Charlotte B.
Really a no star. $16.95 for the lousiest platter of nachos ( probably the easiest dish on planet, to make good). What nerve. Commercial poor quality chips , handful beans , dried up 1/16th " cubes of skirt steak? Guacamole from 3 pac you buy at trader joes, really bad. And $17!!!! These ppl should be embarrassed. Can t imagine anyone coming here if you live more than block away.
(1)
Annette Q.
Chicken Panini (special) good. Sweet potato fries good. Pulled pork delicious but laden with high fructose corn syrup, MSG (modified food starch) soybean oil (GMO-I doubt it's organic) sodium benzoate, mac & cheese....well, I wouldn't be surprised if it were box mac & cheese. In fact, Kraft would've been better than what I was served. Speaking of service (or lack thereof), I haven't even gone there yet! Little waitress never came by to see how we were doing or if we wanted anything else. If she had, maybe desert or another drink might have been added onto the tab but NOOOOO. So, question: do you think I'll be back?
(2)
Andrea R.
As the name implies this restaurant is good for the littles in your life! I figured we'd be eating mac & cheese at home on Easter Sunday, but thanks to Ricky we were able to venture out for our mac & cheese. And boy did my 1-year-old love Ricky's mac & cheese. He pretty much ate the entire bowl and it was a pretty large portion that I expected to take home. I had a few bites and thought it was just OK, but then again my son is the m&c expert. As for myself I went with the veggie quesadillas, which were quite good. I'd definitely order them again next time if I didn't want to try something else from the large menu. Casual atmosphere (hence why it's good for the "littles"), fast service & decent food. And if it ever warms up in Chicago we may even enjoy our m&c and quesadillas outside.
(4)
Nicole P.
So today I ordered the winnetka salad to go and decided to try the tarragon dressing although I didn't know what it was and would usually have substituted it out for something else. I am so happy I didn't! The dressing was sooooo tasty and there was so Many veggies mixed into my salad!! Loved it! Now I don't know how I'm going to ever eat a salad the same again!
(5)
Billy O.
Little Ricky's is the "Cheers" of Winnetka. I've been going here for years and the food is always good. You can't go wrong with any of the hefty salads. The Suzie Salad is my favorite. It's a "manly" chopped salad packed with heaps of sliced chicken, cheese, corn, beans and romaine lettuce. It's got a South West thing going on. The ribs are OK but the pulled pork is fantastic! I especially like it smothered on the nachos. Little Ricky's is not pretending to be fine-dining but the salmon is cooked to perfection. The service is great but it's kind of loud in there. You'll find lots of kids at the dinner hour, but after-hours it calms down to an adult bar hangout for Winnetka folks. Love this place!
(5)
Steve O.
Food was good but service was dismal. Never saw are server until she brought us the bill. The hostess brought us our food. Our server gave of the apathy of living in Winnetka but having no money and having to do the four letter word WORK.
(3)
Andrew M.
Had business lunch here earlier this week. When I walked in, I felt like I had left Winnetka (in a good way). The atmosphere is a little dark/divey with limited decor. There is a rather large bar for how small the place is, and the tables are packed in tightly. Our service was perfect for us as we were talking business, and we were not in a hurry. Being my first visit here, I wanted to try a barbecue dish since it is a "rib joint". Unfortunately, ribs weren't a good option for a business lunch. I ended up with the pulled pork sandwich. The pork was tender with enough sauce to be enjoyed but now drowned the pork. I also tried their sauce which was on the table, and I have to say I really enjoyed it. It had the right mix of vinegar and spices. The mac n cheese however was pretty bland. Overall, this place was a solid meal. I think it would also be a great place to grab a beer. I hope to come back sometime and try some ribs.
(3)
Aliyea R.
There was a long wait and when we finally got seated, our waiter wasn't very attentive.
(1)
David R.
Two visits to Ricky's, two nearly identical experiences: forgettable calamari + great salad + slow service. The Suzy (basically a southwestern) salad is really good. The Stir-Fry Shrimp salad is really, REALLY good. The fried calamari is straightforward and serviceable; the grilled calamari is "just okay." I'm not sure what the story is with the servers here, but a dinner for four at this kind of place should not take two hours; thankfully the company was good. We would constantly see our waiter hanging out behind the bar or attending to other patrons, but for some reason he wasn't coming to our table nearly as quickly or as often as he should have been. But he did bring things promptly when we asked for them...and we did have to ask--utensils, condiments, second drinks. If they tightened up the service and I tried a few more satisfying menu items, I could see upgrading to 3.5 stars.
(3)
Liz S.
Little Ricky's is a VERY lively restaurant that is enjoyed by families, singles, friends, and pretty much anyone else that you can imagine. It's a little oasis of excitement in an otherwise quiet village, and therefore it is busy all the time. The ribs I had were pretty good, an the sweet potato fries were done perfectly. The menu choices are pretty basic, but for that reason it easily caters to the varied clientele. Not a destination restaurant, but a good staple if you are in the area, with a full bar.
(3)
Charles J.
I tell people that they have the best fries anywhere. And they look at me with that glazed look people get when they don't believe you. Then I take them there and they can't even look at me anymore because they're so focused on the fries. Seriously - go get em. You'll agree. AND this is where I buy my BBQ sauce for home. Seriously - their BBQ food is good, but their sauce is THE BEST. I mean it - THE BEST. I say that and you're looking at me like people look at me about the fries but it's true. Granted, I know people have different tastes in BBQ sauce, so I'll tell you this is not overwhelming, it's a tiny bit sweet and not spicy and VERY flavorful. But they gots more than fries and what's nice is they have a general american menu. Go here on lunch - there's never a wait and they are tasty!
(4)
Sadaf G.
I work in the area and we go here almost 4 times a week! They have fabulous lunch specials and are priced pretty reasonable for Winnetka. Tilapia salad is excellent and their Mongo Bongo wrap. Do not forget to get a side of sweet potatoe fries- DELICIOUS! The staff is extremely friendly, although we carry out all the time the lady who works behind the bar (I think she is the owner) always makes sure our order is correct and includes anything we may need, if the food isn't ready she always is sure to offer a soft drink while I wait. Whenever I have been to pick up food, the place is busy. It's a cute interior and during the summer they have patio seating which also seems very pleasant. Overall, it's great bar food, can't go wrong!
(4)
Charlotte Y.
I don't understand how this restaurant has a rating above a 2, it's terrible. I ordered a Cobb Salad, which was awful. It was mainly lettuce with a few droppings of bacon, avocado egg and tomato. The salad took 45 minutes to reach our table, service was inefficient food was overpriced for such LOW LOW QUALITY. Go somewhere else.
(1)
Tikila B.
Go somewhere else. I ate at Little Ricky's yesterday for lunch as I was passing through Winnetka. We ordered a salad, pulled pork sandwich, sweet potato fries, and mac n cheese. The salad was 'okay' but for $12 it could have been a little bit better. The shrimp that came with the salad was grilled and tasted pretty good but everything else was way off. The pulled pork was mushy and loaded with BBQ sauce that probably came out of a jar. I figured that since this was a rib joint the BBQ sauce could have at least been delicious. It wasn't!!! The mac n cheese was more than likely kraft and from a box. My 6 year old niece wouldn't even eat it!! She said and I quote " this macaroni tastes weird" I didn't try their ribs but if they couldnt get the pulled pork right, and served boxed mac n cheese I don't think I missed anything. The atmosphere was cute but the food was terrible. If you're traveling through Winnetka dine elsewhere as this place is an over priced sonny's.
(1)
R. S.
What the heck happened? What changed here? This was one of our favorite places. Consistently good food and service. Not tonight. Inept, incompetent, inattentive server and disgusting food. It's been awhile since we last dined here. New to us, an abbreviated menu that no longer featured a few of our favorites. The favorites still offered no longer hold any appeal. Three bites of the greasy salmon were three bites too many. Tried it with accompanying sauce, without sauce, with lemon. Nothing helped. Don't know which was worse with the slab of ribs ... the meat or the sauce. Overall a sad and disappointing experience. "Quality" of the food doesn't come near to warranting the menu prices. Do yourself a favor as other reviewers have suggested and go elsewhere.
(1)
L. F.
This place is always packed with people so my husband and I decided to check it out on a Saturday evening. Casual place to grab drinks and/or dinner whether your a couple, family or with friends. They are known for their BBQ so we ordered the slab of ribs with fries and the BBQ chicken wrap with side of mac n cheese. We tried the scallop appetizer which was awesome. Verdict... everything was delicious and I will return.
(4)
Cindy D.
We stop in just about every week for lunch or dinner. Great team working there that really makes you feel welcome. People think of it as a rib joint, but there are lots of healthy options. Plenty of variety on the menu unlike some of the other local restaurants. Love the flank steak and chicken limone entrees. Good salads and steamed veggies. And their specials are always amazing! Great place to sit outside with a glass of wine or beer. Local favorite.
(5)
Melanie B.
Great family place! Lots of energy for a suburban restaurant with a kids menu. Food is always consistent and great wine and beer list. Portions are generous.
(4)
Melissa F.
Yes, it's expensive. At first, that seems ridiculous. Expensive just for bar food? But it is more than bar food. It's high-quality. Every item on the menu seems to be well thought out. Nothing is an afterthought. I am addicted to the Suzy salad - enough ingredients so it doesn't get too bland, with a spicy dressing. For a place that's pretty far away from the bayou, they do gumbo pretty well. This place is like an upscale bar/grill, but without the stuffiness. It's nicer than an ordinary burger joint, but it's accessible and a friendly neighborhood place. I recommend it.
(5)
Paul L.
The only thing good was the service and beer. The food (both times) was bland and overly dressed, which made our wallets cry. Looks like there won't be a third visit for a charm.
(2)
Julie S.
Fun place, good food, grab a seat outside in good weather.
(5)
Jeremy M.
Tried to have dinner there but was largely ignored so I left. Got there around 7:30, sat outside since I had my dog. No one noticed me and came out after about 10 minutes so I called in to tell them I was there. A guy ambled out with a menu but did not ask me if I wanted anything to drink. Then I was ignored for another 10 minutes before I left. I've eaten there before and the food is decent. Just a bad night I suppose, but still annoying.
(2)
James M.
Stopped by wed for a quick bite of lunch. Ordered a appt and a soda. 30 min later it still had not arrived. Being the only person dining, I would have thought lunch would be fast. The woman behind the bar just kept saying my order would be up shortly. What, before the dinner rush?? Poor choice of mine to go in. Went over to Caribou coffee and had a fast lunch and was good too. Rethink going here if you are looking for a nice place to dine
(1)
K M.
Here's another rib joint that was yummy! We ordered carryout and got 1 full slab which came with 2 sides so we got a double order of mac and cheese. I wanted to get sweet potato fries but since we got carryout, I had a feeling the fry's would get soggy. The ribs didn't have the smokiness of Smoque ribs but were still delicious. The meat was so tender that it just fell off the bone, no need for knives. They give you extra sauce which is always a plus. Loved the cheese sauce in the mac and cheese but the noodles were kinda soft - but it didn't matter too much to me since I love mac and cheese. I would order theirs again.
(4)
GLORIA M.
If you are looking for a quick cocktail and dinner in the neighborhood, the restaurant fits the bill. No pressure to get you out of there, the food not bad. Very good grilled calamari ....awful mussels. The wait staff chose to ignore our complaints about the mussels that actually had a bad smell. Skirt steak was excellent with mashed potatoes and homers ice cream for dessert...perfect! I live near by, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go here.
(3)
Daniel C.
I have been working in Winnetka for a few months now and have been to Little Ricky's twice. The first time was for a salad to-go. It was a fine experience, just sitting at the bar until it was ready, paying and leaving. The salad itself was better than expected, with big shrimp and nice chunks of avocado, cheese and other goodies. The salad was underseasoned, which I am finding to almost always be the case with food from this place. Overall...a pretty good experience, 3-4 stars. However, I just got back from Little Ricky's and after eating in with a friend, the experience was much worse. We were seated promptly and ordered drinks. That is where the acceptable quality ends...I ordered the special "Kobe Burger" cooked medium, in quotations because you can not actually purchase real Kobe beef in the US, a place would definitely not grind it into a hamburger, and a place like Little Ricky's would never be able to afford it. However...I played along. I ordered the sweet potato fries as my side. After close to 30 minutes of waiting, our food arrived. The the person delivering our food (different from our server for some reason) had no idea where the plates were supposed to go and we literally had to flag him over to our table after attempting to mis-deliver the food to a very confused pair of businessmen. My friend's pulled pork looked very good and he seemed happy...I can not say the same for my meal. My burger was cook to past-well done, with not a trace of pink to be found in the dull gray mass on the my plate. If you are going to ask me how I want my burger cooked, I expect it to at least somewhat resemble what I ordered. As a cook, you need to know that "kobe" or whatever nicer cut of beef you use will COOK FASTER that your average chuck and you need to compensate for that decrease in cook time. Not only was the burger overcooked but it was also underseasoned...surprisingly bland even with the addition of blue cheese. My sweet potato fries, while nice an crispy were....wait for it....underseasoned! Diet Coke with overcooked and underseasoned bar food a good $20.00 lunch does not make. With a final post-tip price tag of over $40.00 (FOR LUNCH), it can say with certainty that it was one of the more underwhelming restaurant experiences I have had in a while. I don't plan on coming back anytime soon.
(2)
Marie D.
I like Little Ricky's but think it's expensive for what it is. I find that the salads and burgers are a good bet; sometimes the seafood entrees are awash in goopy sauces that overwhelm the fish. I wish they had a kids' menu; paying grown-up prices for mac 'n cheese seems unwarranted when they could half the portion and lower the price. I like the buzz here - lots of locals, lots of families, and always a packed bar. A good neighborhood joint.
(3)
John M.
My wife and I enjoyed a great meal at Little Ricky's on her birthday. The mussels in white wine sauce are fantastic, plump and juicy and a generous serving that we shared. The salmon, which we were told is flown in fresh, made my wife very happy and I loved the huge platter of pulled pork nachos. Great meal, very reasonable, fun place. More recently, the mussels are not the same - smaller and not really as good as they were. Sorry to see things decline.
(3)
Brian D.
I honestly dont understand some of the other reviews but heres mine. I'll start with the ribs, which are freakin great, always fall off the bone and have a great sauce too. Specials are always changing and great. Sandwiches, salads, entrees always different and good. Apps are all good too but the NACHOS are OMAZING. Get them with the pulled pork, YOUR WELCOME. The Rick is pricey but not compared to other options in the area! The fact is that there is no other casual place you can get a great meal, cocktail, and sit outside around there. Keep it up.
(5)
Elliott D.
A North Shore staple. Great staff, especially Mark, Chris and Jeannie. (I miss Steph, though.). They're known for many things, but I gravitate toward the salads--Lucy and Suzy salads are bright, fresh and imaginative. Ambiance is a bit North Shore-ish (homogeneous) for my taste, but the folks who sit at the bar often defy classification.
(5)
M Y.
TWO WORDS: GRILLED CALAMARI I haven't found anyone who knows how to make grilled calamari the real way. Way to go, Little Ricky's.
(5)
Andrew M.
Little Ricky's bills itself as a rib joint, and it does serve ribs, but it ain't no rib joint. With a menu that includes mozzarella sticks, chicken strips, nachos and burgers, Little Ricky's is comfort food in a cozy neighborhood setting. People seem to like it (we waited 15 minutes for our table and the place was hopping for the duration of our stay). I found it painful. Starting with what I thought was an innocent request for some bread, rolls, etc. Our waiter (who appeared to be about 15 years old) looked at us like we were from another planet, then reappeared a few minutes later with some half-burnt toast and ice cold butter pats. My salad tasted like it could easily have been purchased at Dominicks and then re-plated and served to me. The next time I'm hankering for cheese sticks, I'll save the trip (and the money) and swing by Red Hen in Glencoe. I hate giving negative reviews to locally owned businesses, but my Yelp fans want and deserve the truth. So here it is: Little Ricky's sucks the big one.
(1)
Sandra D.
I'm basing this on takeout experiences -- we were not impressed. Just moved to the neighborhood, so we will certainly give them another try (and try to dine in) but the rubber chicken sandwich with tons of sage (and I mean tons) and "eh" bbq sandwich my husband had did not do much to impress. I pass this place every night on the way home from the train station, and I know they are packed, so I am hoping our experience is the outlier...stay tuned...
(2)
d a.
we were there the other day. had cobb salads. the prices are very reasonable, the place has nice indoor views-it used to be the train station and parking is not an issue. However the chicken in the salad tasted like twice microwaved hot dogs that a 6 year old had tried and failed to cook. I wanted to love the place, but that chicke was absolutely awful and I am one of the least picky eaters. the service was subpar for a weekend. it was empty but still a challenge to get a waiter. the tables are also too close together. the portion was great though and I liked the dressing.
(2)
Luke S.
Finally Winnetka has a nice dinner place. This place does it right, they don't have a very extensive menu, but everything is cooked to perfection. Their rib's are very good. The sweet potato fries are one of a kind and the Cobb Salad is the best I've had anywhere. Also if you like calamari they have three different dipping sauces which give it a very unique flavor. I have never had a bad meal here!
(5)
Emma M.
Maybe I am biased of this place because I worked here for almost 4 years, but I really do think their food is some of the best in the North Shore. Compared to other local restaurants like Hackney's, CJ Arthurs, Homers, etc- Little Ricky's has a good menu with quality food. It's a casual joint- don't expect over the top service nor is it a good place for a quiet, romantic dinner. It's a family restaurant with lots of kids, louder music and it can get quite busy. All their food is made to order and they make all their own dressing for dips, salads, etc. The ribs, grilled salmon, tilapia, and even the burger are all fantastic. One thing to watch out for is how you like your meat cooked. If you like medium- ask for it medium rare. They tend to over cook meat. Also, if you're looking for a fun/casual place to work- check it out! You can make really good money serving. :)
(4)
Ariel K.
After eating here several times, it seems to be a popular place, but the service continues to be lacking. Everyone is friendly, but not very good at anticipating needs, which could be because the staff members are all very young... we had to ask a few times for silverware, napkins, side plates... the basics. The food is okay, but not the most authentic BBQ around. With little competition in the North Shore area it is easy to remain mediocre.
(2)
James B.
You can have a nice time at Ricky's -- I'd suggest trying Little Rickie's but keeping your expectations in check.. If you are there outside of family hours (day time lunch or late evening) it can be great place for a couple of friends to catch up--ask for a table w/comfy chairs in the back. There are some good items on the menu - ribs, calamari, burgers, some of the salads. Rickie's can be really busy with parents and kids - families feel welcome and I'm sure its a big chunk of the business. Mom and dad can put away a few decent drinks, eat decent grown up good, and feel like they almost had a night out.. If your waiting to be seated and see a group of bar fly's teetering on their stools, turn around and walk right out - several times they've been loud enough to spoil an evening - I really wish they'd remove the TV. Service has generally been professional and competent . I'd be more of a regular @ Rickie's if I felt they put a little more effort into the menu (more variety, more changes) and the drinks ((how hard would it be to keep some really good wine or top shelf bourbons or Scotches around?) and the bar flys.
(2)
Taylor G.
Every time I visit my sister we go to Little Ricky's and I just love it more and more every time! Even with the kids we get good service and great food. I love the atmosphere, including the funky statues and dark bar. The mac n' cheese isn't just for the kids folks... this is some seriously good stuff!! But really why you come here is the BBQ which is tangy and mouth wateringly good. Get a side of sweet potato fries which alone are too good to be true. (tip- dip them in ranch dressing... sounds gross... tastes the opposite of gross... really freakin good). This is a great little place to hang out, get some great food and have a drink (lots to pick from). They don't rush you to get out or anything, so sit back, have a beer and catch up with some friends!! YUM!!
(4)
Joanne E.
After spending a week in Athens, GA and eating barbeque at lunch every day my husband couldn't shake the hankering for good barbeque. We thought we'd give Little Ricky's a try. Yes, it is a north shore restaurant, whatever that means (see Reviews under Little Ricky's Rib Joint), and yes, the menu is limited. However, they had pulled pork, which is what my husband was craving. He orded the pulled pork nachos, and they very nicely accomodated his request to have it sans cheese. It was a large enough portion for his meal, and he loved it. I had the barbeque chicken. While barbeque is not my favorite thing, I have to say the chicken was quite good. The sweet potato fries were okay - next time (and there will be a next time) I'm trying the mashed. The only thing we didn't like was the price; compared to GA, the prices seemed a little high for barbeque. All in all, quite a surprising find - good barbeque in a north shore restaurant! Who'd have figured.
(4)
Jess S.
I've tried a variety of menu items. The salads, sandwiches, burgers, sides - all delicious. My favorites: Aunt Susie's Salad and the Portobello Quesadilla. Reasonable priced for a North Shore restaurant. I usually get my stuff to go. My dine-in experiences have always been poor but most Winnetka restaurants are the same way so I won't hold it against the place. Check it out if your in the area - steps from the Winnetka Metra stop at the corner of Elm & Lincoln!
(4)
ingrid H.
Straightforward-looking menu - superb items. One of the best places for a dignified meal with a kid in the North Shore. Dark and cozy, muffled loud (good with kids), and local. Every dish has a special something. In the City, where you can have a favorite place for every tasty treat - som tum here, ribs there, latte here, hot dog there, you never have to bother sampling the menu. No such luxury north of Evanston, so you end up trying everything - even the chicken is done up just right. It's a place to have a dignified drink too. Nice bar - good selection - bartenders are young and not too sophisticated.
(4)
Matt P.
Outstanding baby back ribs. Meat falls right off the bone. Sauce is tangy and not too sweet. Overall rating would be higher based on ribs alone. However, two complaints. Sides were disappointing. Tried the regular fries and sweet potato fries (too crunchy), onion rings (small portion and much too greasy) and mac 'n cheese (very bland). Also, I ordered my food to go and was quoted 20 minutes. I arrived to pick up my dinner (on a Tuesday night) and it wound up being 45 minutes before my food was ready. Restaurant was rather unapologetic for a delay of over 100%. Bottom line - Ribs outstanding (4 stars). Sides and service disappointing (2 stars). Net rating 3 stars.
(3)
ALEXANDRA L.
Good neighborhood bar. Order sauce on the side for the ribs. They are super tasty, but they overdo it with the sauce. Chicken strips are very nice: light breading, not greasy. Skip the mac & cheese as a side. Pulled pork also over-sauced. Appetizer sampler platter was good.
(3)
Philip P.
Had a poor first experience (something in our food) but the manager came by personally and took care of us. Staff was friendly and BBQ was decent. Ordered a salad (Suzy something?) and it was excellent - went back a 2nd time for it and wasn't disappointed.
(3)
Blackie L.
LR's is borderline ok. Which is a nice way of saying it isn't too good. It's got a nice casual bar vibe, and is comfortable inside and out. The menu looks good, and some of the bar food standards work... stick to things like wings and salads. The ribs are baked or boiled and fall off the bone in a bad way.... oversauced and boring. The mac and cheese was a disaster. Elbow noodles and velveeta. The greens are vegetarian, which kind of defeats the purpose. Not a terrible spot for a drink and a quick lunch or casual dinner, but for $20 you can do better.
(2)
Eric H.
Been to LR's a number of times and am always drawn to the Lucy's Shrimp Salad. Tasty, good sized grilled shrimp on salad fixings at a reasonable price. Ribs are decent as are the sweet potato fries.
(3)
Charlie E.
Service is a little hit or miss, but the food is decent. Great place to bring the family.
(4)
jim a.
like this spot, i can walk there grab a cocktail and a slab of ribs or burger. the food travels well, and only once on a awhile are the ribs not delicious.
(5)
Rockey F.
Good food, healthy drinks. Mark is a great bartender. Get the sweet potato fries.
(4)
Maria W.
good laid back ambiance, decent beer selection and prices, a little pricier than I'm used to eating in similar places in the city, but good food and yummy onion rings
(3)
Ryan F.
not my favorite but it is nice, bbk is very well mexicuted, takes a long time to order
(3)
tim m.
Nice staff. Good lunch food. Love the sweet potato fries. Burgers are good as well as the pork sandwich.
(4)
Elliott D.
A North Shore staple. Great staff, especially Mark, Chris and Jeannie. (I miss Steph, though.). They're known for many things, but I gravitate toward the salads--Lucy and Suzy salads are bright, fresh and imaginative. Ambiance is a bit North Shore-ish (homogeneous) for my taste, but the folks who sit at the bar often defy classification.
(5)
M Y.
TWO WORDS: GRILLED CALAMARI I haven't found anyone who knows how to make grilled calamari the real way. Way to go, Little Ricky's.
(5)
Andrew M.
Little Ricky's bills itself as a rib joint, and it does serve ribs, but it ain't no rib joint. With a menu that includes mozzarella sticks, chicken strips, nachos and burgers, Little Ricky's is comfort food in a cozy neighborhood setting. People seem to like it (we waited 15 minutes for our table and the place was hopping for the duration of our stay). I found it painful. Starting with what I thought was an innocent request for some bread, rolls, etc. Our waiter (who appeared to be about 15 years old) looked at us like we were from another planet, then reappeared a few minutes later with some half-burnt toast and ice cold butter pats. My salad tasted like it could easily have been purchased at Dominicks and then re-plated and served to me. The next time I'm hankering for cheese sticks, I'll save the trip (and the money) and swing by Red Hen in Glencoe. I hate giving negative reviews to locally owned businesses, but my Yelp fans want and deserve the truth. So here it is: Little Ricky's sucks the big one.
(1)
Sandra D.
I'm basing this on takeout experiences -- we were not impressed. Just moved to the neighborhood, so we will certainly give them another try (and try to dine in) but the rubber chicken sandwich with tons of sage (and I mean tons) and "eh" bbq sandwich my husband had did not do much to impress. I pass this place every night on the way home from the train station, and I know they are packed, so I am hoping our experience is the outlier...stay tuned...
(2)
d a.
we were there the other day. had cobb salads. the prices are very reasonable, the place has nice indoor views-it used to be the train station and parking is not an issue. However the chicken in the salad tasted like twice microwaved hot dogs that a 6 year old had tried and failed to cook. I wanted to love the place, but that chicke was absolutely awful and I am one of the least picky eaters. the service was subpar for a weekend. it was empty but still a challenge to get a waiter. the tables are also too close together. the portion was great though and I liked the dressing.
(2)
Matt P.
Outstanding baby back ribs. Meat falls right off the bone. Sauce is tangy and not too sweet. Overall rating would be higher based on ribs alone. However, two complaints. Sides were disappointing. Tried the regular fries and sweet potato fries (too crunchy), onion rings (small portion and much too greasy) and mac 'n cheese (very bland). Also, I ordered my food to go and was quoted 20 minutes. I arrived to pick up my dinner (on a Tuesday night) and it wound up being 45 minutes before my food was ready. Restaurant was rather unapologetic for a delay of over 100%. Bottom line - Ribs outstanding (4 stars). Sides and service disappointing (2 stars). Net rating 3 stars.
(3)
Emma M.
Maybe I am biased of this place because I worked here for almost 4 years, but I really do think their food is some of the best in the North Shore. Compared to other local restaurants like Hackney's, CJ Arthurs, Homers, etc- Little Ricky's has a good menu with quality food. It's a casual joint- don't expect over the top service nor is it a good place for a quiet, romantic dinner. It's a family restaurant with lots of kids, louder music and it can get quite busy. All their food is made to order and they make all their own dressing for dips, salads, etc. The ribs, grilled salmon, tilapia, and even the burger are all fantastic. One thing to watch out for is how you like your meat cooked. If you like medium- ask for it medium rare. They tend to over cook meat. Also, if you're looking for a fun/casual place to work- check it out! You can make really good money serving. :)
(4)
Ariel K.
After eating here several times, it seems to be a popular place, but the service continues to be lacking. Everyone is friendly, but not very good at anticipating needs, which could be because the staff members are all very young... we had to ask a few times for silverware, napkins, side plates... the basics. The food is okay, but not the most authentic BBQ around. With little competition in the North Shore area it is easy to remain mediocre.
(2)
Jess S.
I've tried a variety of menu items. The salads, sandwiches, burgers, sides - all delicious. My favorites: Aunt Susie's Salad and the Portobello Quesadilla. Reasonable priced for a North Shore restaurant. I usually get my stuff to go. My dine-in experiences have always been poor but most Winnetka restaurants are the same way so I won't hold it against the place. Check it out if your in the area - steps from the Winnetka Metra stop at the corner of Elm & Lincoln!
(4)
James B.
You can have a nice time at Ricky's -- I'd suggest trying Little Rickie's but keeping your expectations in check.. If you are there outside of family hours (day time lunch or late evening) it can be great place for a couple of friends to catch up--ask for a table w/comfy chairs in the back. There are some good items on the menu - ribs, calamari, burgers, some of the salads. Rickie's can be really busy with parents and kids - families feel welcome and I'm sure its a big chunk of the business. Mom and dad can put away a few decent drinks, eat decent grown up good, and feel like they almost had a night out.. If your waiting to be seated and see a group of bar fly's teetering on their stools, turn around and walk right out - several times they've been loud enough to spoil an evening - I really wish they'd remove the TV. Service has generally been professional and competent . I'd be more of a regular @ Rickie's if I felt they put a little more effort into the menu (more variety, more changes) and the drinks ((how hard would it be to keep some really good wine or top shelf bourbons or Scotches around?) and the bar flys.
(2)
Taylor G.
Every time I visit my sister we go to Little Ricky's and I just love it more and more every time! Even with the kids we get good service and great food. I love the atmosphere, including the funky statues and dark bar. The mac n' cheese isn't just for the kids folks... this is some seriously good stuff!! But really why you come here is the BBQ which is tangy and mouth wateringly good. Get a side of sweet potato fries which alone are too good to be true. (tip- dip them in ranch dressing... sounds gross... tastes the opposite of gross... really freakin good). This is a great little place to hang out, get some great food and have a drink (lots to pick from). They don't rush you to get out or anything, so sit back, have a beer and catch up with some friends!! YUM!!
(4)
Luke S.
Finally Winnetka has a nice dinner place. This place does it right, they don't have a very extensive menu, but everything is cooked to perfection. Their rib's are very good. The sweet potato fries are one of a kind and the Cobb Salad is the best I've had anywhere. Also if you like calamari they have three different dipping sauces which give it a very unique flavor. I have never had a bad meal here!
(5)
Joanne E.
After spending a week in Athens, GA and eating barbeque at lunch every day my husband couldn't shake the hankering for good barbeque. We thought we'd give Little Ricky's a try. Yes, it is a north shore restaurant, whatever that means (see Reviews under Little Ricky's Rib Joint), and yes, the menu is limited. However, they had pulled pork, which is what my husband was craving. He orded the pulled pork nachos, and they very nicely accomodated his request to have it sans cheese. It was a large enough portion for his meal, and he loved it. I had the barbeque chicken. While barbeque is not my favorite thing, I have to say the chicken was quite good. The sweet potato fries were okay - next time (and there will be a next time) I'm trying the mashed. The only thing we didn't like was the price; compared to GA, the prices seemed a little high for barbeque. All in all, quite a surprising find - good barbeque in a north shore restaurant! Who'd have figured.
(4)
ingrid H.
Straightforward-looking menu - superb items. One of the best places for a dignified meal with a kid in the North Shore. Dark and cozy, muffled loud (good with kids), and local. Every dish has a special something. In the City, where you can have a favorite place for every tasty treat - som tum here, ribs there, latte here, hot dog there, you never have to bother sampling the menu. No such luxury north of Evanston, so you end up trying everything - even the chicken is done up just right. It's a place to have a dignified drink too. Nice bar - good selection - bartenders are young and not too sophisticated.
(4)
ALEXANDRA L.
Good neighborhood bar. Order sauce on the side for the ribs. They are super tasty, but they overdo it with the sauce. Chicken strips are very nice: light breading, not greasy. Skip the mac & cheese as a side. Pulled pork also over-sauced. Appetizer sampler platter was good.
(3)
Philip P.
Had a poor first experience (something in our food) but the manager came by personally and took care of us. Staff was friendly and BBQ was decent. Ordered a salad (Suzy something?) and it was excellent - went back a 2nd time for it and wasn't disappointed.
(3)
Blackie L.
LR's is borderline ok. Which is a nice way of saying it isn't too good. It's got a nice casual bar vibe, and is comfortable inside and out. The menu looks good, and some of the bar food standards work... stick to things like wings and salads. The ribs are baked or boiled and fall off the bone in a bad way.... oversauced and boring. The mac and cheese was a disaster. Elbow noodles and velveeta. The greens are vegetarian, which kind of defeats the purpose. Not a terrible spot for a drink and a quick lunch or casual dinner, but for $20 you can do better.
(2)
Eric H.
Been to LR's a number of times and am always drawn to the Lucy's Shrimp Salad. Tasty, good sized grilled shrimp on salad fixings at a reasonable price. Ribs are decent as are the sweet potato fries.
(3)
Charlie E.
Service is a little hit or miss, but the food is decent. Great place to bring the family.
(4)
jim a.
like this spot, i can walk there grab a cocktail and a slab of ribs or burger. the food travels well, and only once on a awhile are the ribs not delicious.
(5)
Rockey F.
Good food, healthy drinks. Mark is a great bartender. Get the sweet potato fries.
(4)
Maria W.
good laid back ambiance, decent beer selection and prices, a little pricier than I'm used to eating in similar places in the city, but good food and yummy onion rings
(3)
Ryan F.
not my favorite but it is nice, bbk is very well mexicuted, takes a long time to order
(3)
tim m.
Nice staff. Good lunch food. Love the sweet potato fries. Burgers are good as well as the pork sandwich.
(4)
Andrew M.
Had business lunch here earlier this week. When I walked in, I felt like I had left Winnetka (in a good way). The atmosphere is a little dark/divey with limited decor. There is a rather large bar for how small the place is, and the tables are packed in tightly. Our service was perfect for us as we were talking business, and we were not in a hurry. Being my first visit here, I wanted to try a barbecue dish since it is a "rib joint". Unfortunately, ribs weren't a good option for a business lunch. I ended up with the pulled pork sandwich. The pork was tender with enough sauce to be enjoyed but now drowned the pork. I also tried their sauce which was on the table, and I have to say I really enjoyed it. It had the right mix of vinegar and spices. The mac n cheese however was pretty bland. Overall, this place was a solid meal. I think it would also be a great place to grab a beer. I hope to come back sometime and try some ribs.
(3)
Aliyea R.
There was a long wait and when we finally got seated, our waiter wasn't very attentive.
(1)
David R.
Two visits to Ricky's, two nearly identical experiences: forgettable calamari + great salad + slow service. The Suzy (basically a southwestern) salad is really good. The Stir-Fry Shrimp salad is really, REALLY good. The fried calamari is straightforward and serviceable; the grilled calamari is "just okay." I'm not sure what the story is with the servers here, but a dinner for four at this kind of place should not take two hours; thankfully the company was good. We would constantly see our waiter hanging out behind the bar or attending to other patrons, but for some reason he wasn't coming to our table nearly as quickly or as often as he should have been. But he did bring things promptly when we asked for them...and we did have to ask--utensils, condiments, second drinks. If they tightened up the service and I tried a few more satisfying menu items, I could see upgrading to 3.5 stars.
(3)
Jay n.
I guess it start with getting sat all the way in the back corner of the place at least three tables from the next closest person. Service was OK.....she just didn't come around to the back very often. The Ricky Club is described a grilled chicken breast, Swiss cheese and bacon on grilled sour dough bred. The chicken was cut up into pieces, almost as if they didn't want to serve a complete breast. It appeared to be white bread, and wasn't even barely grilled or toasted, it was soft.......not much bacon. $13 bucks. Steak quesadilla $15 bucks. It was good, but way too small to price it like an entre. Ok. The only reason I am giving an A-ok and not 2 stars is because the onion rings were excellent.....some of the best I have had. The staff was also very friendly, and the menu has a lot of potential for a 'joint'.
(3)
Natalie B.
True this restaurant wouldn't be as busy if it were located 15 ish miles south, but that said its still a solid meal. The food is dependable, nothing super exciting, but little Ricky's doesn't claim to be a mind blowing meal. Wine pours are generous (a big plus!) and its super kid friendly ( another big plus). They don't merely tolerate my rambunctious crowd but embrace it. Service is a little slow- super annoying when dining w young ones, or when one is extremely hungry, so don't expect a quick meal.
(3)
Michael B.
My wife and I took our granddaughter to dinner on a Saturday evening at Little Ricky's. Simply put, the food was very,very good. The service was great. The restaurant was clean, with a great atmosphere, and had plenty of families. The large fish tank was a major attraction for my granddaughter.
(4)
Benjamin D.
Against the other reviews here I really like Little Ricky's and have been five or six times now since moving to Chicago. Whenever I want to escape the city, I don't mind going out to the burbs and hitting up this little gem. The ribs are great, they have Smithwick's which is nice to see at a restaurant and the portions are big. Even the salads are huge too (think Seinfeld) and the grilled calamari is exceptional. I've never had a bad experience and the staff have always been friendly so if you're in Winnetka and want to stop in somewhere for a quick bite, Little Ricky's is a choice option!
(4)
Jen B.
Over the years, I have never been much of a fan of this place. However, today I thought I'd give Little Ricky's another shot. I ordered a veggie quesadilla, a simple dish. Unfortunately, it wasn't fully cooked. It was cold, and the cheese was barely melted. I could also tell the guacamole was from frozen packaging. For almost $12, I expect MUCH more bang for my buck. WAY overpriced for the quality of the food. I won't be back.
(2)
Colleen M.
This is a place I frequent with my family or for lunch quite a bit. It is also one of the best places in town to just meet someone for drinks. It calls itself a BBQ joint, but that is not what I see the majority of people ordering. The one time we tried the ribs we were not impressed. However, I adore the entree salads, and the delicious sandwiches such as the mongo bongo chicken roll up and pulled pork. The host and wait staff are always very friendly. We will continue to visit often!
(4)
Yvonne Y.
Good family restaurant and always packed. Make sure you make a reservation. Very tight tables and it's loud in there. Children friendly. Good: fish and chips as the fish is cod. Kids meal but weird they don't print kids meal in the menu, good service as they do come by and see how things are even when they're swamped. Skip: BLT sandwich as the bacon is burnt Would get the salads, fish and chips and may be their BBQ dishes next time. Skip the sandwiches
(3)
c g.
Overly sauced, below average ribs with liquid smoke tasting flavor is crawling back up my digestive track. And this is the first time I ever heard of a BBQ place running out of cole slaw! They substituted Mac n cheese that was no better than my box of Aldi ( but ten times the price!). Speaking of price, well it is in Winnetka, so no real issue there. But the tables are crammed together and the space seems like it was built to be a clothing store, or a realty office. Whoops , it was! Good bar and bartender though. Fish taco I tasted from my friend was average at best. My suggestion, have something at Boris' Cafe up the street until the proprietor pays attention to Little Ricky.
(1)
Guita G.
Split Personality. We have been to Little Ricky's several times and tonight forgot that we pledged never to come back on a Friday or Saturday night. Little Ricky's has a split personality: am I a bar for single suburban fortysomethings flirting at the top of their lungs or am I a hip family restaurant? These two sides are not compatible and tonight contributed to a pretty unbearable dinner. The restaurant was truly one of the loudest I have ever had the misfortune to experience. Full disclosure: I was here with my kids and we just stopped trying to talk to each other altogether because it was so darned loud. There were plenty of families with children who seemed equally distressed. The food is solid - good ribs, good burgers, lots of nice twists to standards like nachos with delicious pulled pork. These are the reasons we came in the first place and the reason we take out occasionally. If we come back, it will be on a mid-week night, when I hope it will cater to the family friendly side of its personality. Maybe if Little Ricky's could reconcile what it's trying to achieve, it would contribute to a more pleasant evening.
(2)
Jimmy M.
All in all, I was not impressed. My wife and I spent a nice day biking down the Green Bay trail and randomly decided on a place to grab some lunch. First, the hostess seemed bothered to even seat us. Second, the place was really dusty. I don't know the last time that someone dusted that moose's head on the wall, but people are eating in here. It is just not exceptable. We also had to ask for a change of silverware because it looked like someone had already used one of our silverware rolls to wipe whatever. I had the burger and sweet potato fries. I wasn't impressed by either. We were about 5 minutes into our meal and already decided that we would probably not be back. If you are considering giving it a go...keep going.
(2)
Charlene B.
Little Ricky's is a good solution for harried families in need of a quick dinner with a menu kids will like. Everything about the place is "ok." And, to be clear, sometimes ok is perfectly good enough. Burgers, salads, ribs, pulled pork sandwich, you get the picture. TVs broadcasting sports. Safest bets are the basic menu items.
(2)
Sadaf G.
I work in the area and we go here almost 4 times a week! They have fabulous lunch specials and are priced pretty reasonable for Winnetka. Tilapia salad is excellent and their Mongo Bongo wrap. Do not forget to get a side of sweet potatoe fries- DELICIOUS! The staff is extremely friendly, although we carry out all the time the lady who works behind the bar (I think she is the owner) always makes sure our order is correct and includes anything we may need, if the food isn't ready she always is sure to offer a soft drink while I wait. Whenever I have been to pick up food, the place is busy. It's a cute interior and during the summer they have patio seating which also seems very pleasant. Overall, it's great bar food, can't go wrong!
(4)
David G.
Was here on a Friday night with a large party of all ages. We were seated in the back at one long table. Nice that the could accomodate us all. But, the place is so loud you can barely hear the person next to you, much less anyone across or down the table. The food was average at best: the fish tacos were cold upon arrival, and with the fish part fried to a board. The vaunted calamari that so many are crowing about was half greasy and disgusting and half dry and super salty. Someone else had a salad that was right out of the bag, with grey "Sysco tomatoes". The house chardonnay was warm and seemed off - I later wished I had taken a Prilosec or something.... eccch... I guess this place is good for beers and kids who don't have much of a palate. Otherwise, go someplace else...
(1)
Natalie N.
Little Ricky's has been consistent over the years! Good food, good service, and GREAT servers! A nice little joint to have in town. The food is average and the menu could do with some revamping...overall a happy and friendly place to frequent when in town.
(4)
Stephen P.
Above average beer selection and the Chimichanga was spot on as well as the side of baked beans. Good environment and music was fit for it being lunch. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Elzbieta P.
Terrible food. I got raw chicken once, next time I was throwing up after eating nachos with pulled pork. Staff not so friendly. I wish they would care more about everything a specialy bc it's Winnetka.
(1)
Tikila B.
Go somewhere else. I ate at Little Ricky's yesterday for lunch as I was passing through Winnetka. We ordered a salad, pulled pork sandwich, sweet potato fries, and mac n cheese. The salad was 'okay' but for $12 it could have been a little bit better. The shrimp that came with the salad was grilled and tasted pretty good but everything else was way off. The pulled pork was mushy and loaded with BBQ sauce that probably came out of a jar. I figured that since this was a rib joint the BBQ sauce could have at least been delicious. It wasn't!!! The mac n cheese was more than likely kraft and from a box. My 6 year old niece wouldn't even eat it!! She said and I quote " this macaroni tastes weird" I didn't try their ribs but if they couldnt get the pulled pork right, and served boxed mac n cheese I don't think I missed anything. The atmosphere was cute but the food was terrible. If you're traveling through Winnetka dine elsewhere as this place is an over priced sonny's.
(1)
R. S.
What the heck happened? What changed here? This was one of our favorite places. Consistently good food and service. Not tonight. Inept, incompetent, inattentive server and disgusting food. It's been awhile since we last dined here. New to us, an abbreviated menu that no longer featured a few of our favorites. The favorites still offered no longer hold any appeal. Three bites of the greasy salmon were three bites too many. Tried it with accompanying sauce, without sauce, with lemon. Nothing helped. Don't know which was worse with the slab of ribs ... the meat or the sauce. Overall a sad and disappointing experience. "Quality" of the food doesn't come near to warranting the menu prices. Do yourself a favor as other reviewers have suggested and go elsewhere.
(1)
L. F.
This place is always packed with people so my husband and I decided to check it out on a Saturday evening. Casual place to grab drinks and/or dinner whether your a couple, family or with friends. They are known for their BBQ so we ordered the slab of ribs with fries and the BBQ chicken wrap with side of mac n cheese. We tried the scallop appetizer which was awesome. Verdict... everything was delicious and I will return.
(4)
Cindy D.
We stop in just about every week for lunch or dinner. Great team working there that really makes you feel welcome. People think of it as a rib joint, but there are lots of healthy options. Plenty of variety on the menu unlike some of the other local restaurants. Love the flank steak and chicken limone entrees. Good salads and steamed veggies. And their specials are always amazing! Great place to sit outside with a glass of wine or beer. Local favorite.
(5)
Charlotte Y.
I don't understand how this restaurant has a rating above a 2, it's terrible. I ordered a Cobb Salad, which was awful. It was mainly lettuce with a few droppings of bacon, avocado egg and tomato. The salad took 45 minutes to reach our table, service was inefficient food was overpriced for such LOW LOW QUALITY. Go somewhere else.
(1)
Melanie B.
Great family place! Lots of energy for a suburban restaurant with a kids menu. Food is always consistent and great wine and beer list. Portions are generous.
(4)
Liz S.
Little Ricky's is a VERY lively restaurant that is enjoyed by families, singles, friends, and pretty much anyone else that you can imagine. It's a little oasis of excitement in an otherwise quiet village, and therefore it is busy all the time. The ribs I had were pretty good, an the sweet potato fries were done perfectly. The menu choices are pretty basic, but for that reason it easily caters to the varied clientele. Not a destination restaurant, but a good staple if you are in the area, with a full bar.
(3)
Charles J.
I tell people that they have the best fries anywhere. And they look at me with that glazed look people get when they don't believe you. Then I take them there and they can't even look at me anymore because they're so focused on the fries. Seriously - go get em. You'll agree. AND this is where I buy my BBQ sauce for home. Seriously - their BBQ food is good, but their sauce is THE BEST. I mean it - THE BEST. I say that and you're looking at me like people look at me about the fries but it's true. Granted, I know people have different tastes in BBQ sauce, so I'll tell you this is not overwhelming, it's a tiny bit sweet and not spicy and VERY flavorful. But they gots more than fries and what's nice is they have a general american menu. Go here on lunch - there's never a wait and they are tasty!
(4)
Yuri R.
After visiting the mens room, it made me realize that the staff, management & owner have something to work on. I left the washroom feeling like I needed to take a look at the restaurant as a whole for cleanliness. Wish I hadn't done that, as it made me realize that there is something really lacking here! Needless to say I won't be going back anytime soon, as the food doesn't didn't wow me enough to look the other way on the above issues
(1)
Scott B.
After a second visit on par with the first, I'm writing a review giving it the benefit of the doubt for possibly unreasonably high expectations. That is if you think that expecting decent food and decent service for higher-than-expected north shore prices is unreasonable. Two meals: both were not bad, but not neither were anything special. At all. The second one, a steak sandwich came out cold. One highlight was the sweet mashed potatoes. They would have been even better if they were warm. Service: After asking for a glass (twice) for the bottled beer a second time, I gave up. The bartender seemed too busy with talking to the waitress and adjusting the stereo to actually attend to either of the folks sitting at the bar area. I do, however, now know how they track their cash at the restaurant as the argument between the waitress and the bartender in front of the customers kept us all informed on the second visit. Price: although this was the north shore, the prices were even higher than expected. If the food was outstanding, that would probably be OK. It is Winnetka after all. But it wasn't. And obviously neither was the service. Overall, I'm giving Ricky's "Meh, I've experienced better" rather than the "Eeek! Methinks not" that it probably deserves. If I'm forced to try a third time, I'll update either way. In the meantime, I'd suggest looking elsewhere. I will be.
(2)
GLORIA M.
If you are looking for a quick cocktail and dinner in the neighborhood, the restaurant fits the bill. No pressure to get you out of there, the food not bad. Very good grilled calamari ....awful mussels. The wait staff chose to ignore our complaints about the mussels that actually had a bad smell. Skirt steak was excellent with mashed potatoes and homers ice cream for dessert...perfect! I live near by, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go here.
(3)
Brian D.
I honestly dont understand some of the other reviews but heres mine. I'll start with the ribs, which are freakin great, always fall off the bone and have a great sauce too. Specials are always changing and great. Sandwiches, salads, entrees always different and good. Apps are all good too but the NACHOS are OMAZING. Get them with the pulled pork, YOUR WELCOME. The Rick is pricey but not compared to other options in the area! The fact is that there is no other casual place you can get a great meal, cocktail, and sit outside around there. Keep it up.
(5)
Melissa F.
Yes, it's expensive. At first, that seems ridiculous. Expensive just for bar food? But it is more than bar food. It's high-quality. Every item on the menu seems to be well thought out. Nothing is an afterthought. I am addicted to the Suzy salad - enough ingredients so it doesn't get too bland, with a spicy dressing. For a place that's pretty far away from the bayou, they do gumbo pretty well. This place is like an upscale bar/grill, but without the stuffiness. It's nicer than an ordinary burger joint, but it's accessible and a friendly neighborhood place. I recommend it.
(5)
Paul L.
The only thing good was the service and beer. The food (both times) was bland and overly dressed, which made our wallets cry. Looks like there won't be a third visit for a charm.
(2)
Julie S.
Fun place, good food, grab a seat outside in good weather.
(5)
Jeremy M.
Tried to have dinner there but was largely ignored so I left. Got there around 7:30, sat outside since I had my dog. No one noticed me and came out after about 10 minutes so I called in to tell them I was there. A guy ambled out with a menu but did not ask me if I wanted anything to drink. Then I was ignored for another 10 minutes before I left. I've eaten there before and the food is decent. Just a bad night I suppose, but still annoying.
(2)
James M.
Stopped by wed for a quick bite of lunch. Ordered a appt and a soda. 30 min later it still had not arrived. Being the only person dining, I would have thought lunch would be fast. The woman behind the bar just kept saying my order would be up shortly. What, before the dinner rush?? Poor choice of mine to go in. Went over to Caribou coffee and had a fast lunch and was good too. Rethink going here if you are looking for a nice place to dine
(1)
K M.
Here's another rib joint that was yummy! We ordered carryout and got 1 full slab which came with 2 sides so we got a double order of mac and cheese. I wanted to get sweet potato fries but since we got carryout, I had a feeling the fry's would get soggy. The ribs didn't have the smokiness of Smoque ribs but were still delicious. The meat was so tender that it just fell off the bone, no need for knives. They give you extra sauce which is always a plus. Loved the cheese sauce in the mac and cheese but the noodles were kinda soft - but it didn't matter too much to me since I love mac and cheese. I would order theirs again.
(4)
Daniel C.
I have been working in Winnetka for a few months now and have been to Little Ricky's twice. The first time was for a salad to-go. It was a fine experience, just sitting at the bar until it was ready, paying and leaving. The salad itself was better than expected, with big shrimp and nice chunks of avocado, cheese and other goodies. The salad was underseasoned, which I am finding to almost always be the case with food from this place. Overall...a pretty good experience, 3-4 stars. However, I just got back from Little Ricky's and after eating in with a friend, the experience was much worse. We were seated promptly and ordered drinks. That is where the acceptable quality ends...I ordered the special "Kobe Burger" cooked medium, in quotations because you can not actually purchase real Kobe beef in the US, a place would definitely not grind it into a hamburger, and a place like Little Ricky's would never be able to afford it. However...I played along. I ordered the sweet potato fries as my side. After close to 30 minutes of waiting, our food arrived. The the person delivering our food (different from our server for some reason) had no idea where the plates were supposed to go and we literally had to flag him over to our table after attempting to mis-deliver the food to a very confused pair of businessmen. My friend's pulled pork looked very good and he seemed happy...I can not say the same for my meal. My burger was cook to past-well done, with not a trace of pink to be found in the dull gray mass on the my plate. If you are going to ask me how I want my burger cooked, I expect it to at least somewhat resemble what I ordered. As a cook, you need to know that "kobe" or whatever nicer cut of beef you use will COOK FASTER that your average chuck and you need to compensate for that decrease in cook time. Not only was the burger overcooked but it was also underseasoned...surprisingly bland even with the addition of blue cheese. My sweet potato fries, while nice an crispy were....wait for it....underseasoned! Diet Coke with overcooked and underseasoned bar food a good $20.00 lunch does not make. With a final post-tip price tag of over $40.00 (FOR LUNCH), it can say with certainty that it was one of the more underwhelming restaurant experiences I have had in a while. I don't plan on coming back anytime soon.
(2)
Marie D.
I like Little Ricky's but think it's expensive for what it is. I find that the salads and burgers are a good bet; sometimes the seafood entrees are awash in goopy sauces that overwhelm the fish. I wish they had a kids' menu; paying grown-up prices for mac 'n cheese seems unwarranted when they could half the portion and lower the price. I like the buzz here - lots of locals, lots of families, and always a packed bar. A good neighborhood joint.
(3)
John M.
My wife and I enjoyed a great meal at Little Ricky's on her birthday. The mussels in white wine sauce are fantastic, plump and juicy and a generous serving that we shared. The salmon, which we were told is flown in fresh, made my wife very happy and I loved the huge platter of pulled pork nachos. Great meal, very reasonable, fun place. More recently, the mussels are not the same - smaller and not really as good as they were. Sorry to see things decline.
(3)
Tim S.
After a recommendation by a friend away from our original choice for dinner over a week ago we have hit Little Ricky's two times now and not been disappointed. I can see why this is such a popular place the employee's seem to know everyone who comes through, certainly a local favourite. We have had the Winnetka, Lakeside Burger, Ricky Club and the Sweet Chili Turkey Burger all done right and tasty. Service was attentive, without being annoying.
(4)
Don S.
Good food... average bbq with fake smoke rub on ribs. Don't know why there's no draft beer served.
(3)
Danielle H.
Fish tacos were good as were the burgers and the quesadillas. Avoid the Mac and cheese! It's a real disappointment, it tastes like its from a packet. Service is good and servers friendly.
(4)
Joseph O.
Little Ricky's has been on our family's "close-by" short list for a few years. The menu is a good mix of what those of us raised here on the North Shore would expect: Baby Back Ribs, Large Burgers and a mix of other wraps, salads and munchies in a convenient location along with a REAL BAR! The main room is comfortable - there are always a few families earlier but, adults later as the night progresses. The Ribs are flavorful, always a good portion and good. Not the best ribs ever, but, for a place that's right-here-right now - you can't go wrong. Speaking of going wrong - what impresses me the most about LR's is that when our most recent order was - ahem - not good, their manager, Colleen, credited the dinner and then delivered deserts to our door! That is the sign of a restaurant with someone who cares. If you're new to Winnetka or North Shore - Little Ricky's is worth a shot!
(4)
A W.
I have to start off saying that the food isn't really that good. Even the Mac and Cheese tasted really blah, like something from a box. That said, my kids were with my husband and I. Every single table with a kid was seated near the bathrooms in the back where no one could see them when entering the place. I must state that the back is narrow, waitresses don't come by very often, and there is a feeling of being unwelcome by having to sit back there when the rest of the place is mostly empty with a few people dressed in business casual lunching. It was quite a rude experience we had. I was insulted by the time we left. Clearly they accept kids, but don't want to hear or see them...or have their other customers see or hear them. I won't be coming back because of the whole experience...plus...I've got to say their food was really not all that good....so that's another reason not to go back.
(1)
Charlotte B.
Really a no star. $16.95 for the lousiest platter of nachos ( probably the easiest dish on planet, to make good). What nerve. Commercial poor quality chips , handful beans , dried up 1/16th " cubes of skirt steak? Guacamole from 3 pac you buy at trader joes, really bad. And $17!!!! These ppl should be embarrassed. Can t imagine anyone coming here if you live more than block away.
(1)
Annette Q.
Chicken Panini (special) good. Sweet potato fries good. Pulled pork delicious but laden with high fructose corn syrup, MSG (modified food starch) soybean oil (GMO-I doubt it's organic) sodium benzoate, mac & cheese....well, I wouldn't be surprised if it were box mac & cheese. In fact, Kraft would've been better than what I was served. Speaking of service (or lack thereof), I haven't even gone there yet! Little waitress never came by to see how we were doing or if we wanted anything else. If she had, maybe desert or another drink might have been added onto the tab but NOOOOO. So, question: do you think I'll be back?
(2)
Andrea R.
As the name implies this restaurant is good for the littles in your life! I figured we'd be eating mac & cheese at home on Easter Sunday, but thanks to Ricky we were able to venture out for our mac & cheese. And boy did my 1-year-old love Ricky's mac & cheese. He pretty much ate the entire bowl and it was a pretty large portion that I expected to take home. I had a few bites and thought it was just OK, but then again my son is the m&c expert. As for myself I went with the veggie quesadillas, which were quite good. I'd definitely order them again next time if I didn't want to try something else from the large menu. Casual atmosphere (hence why it's good for the "littles"), fast service & decent food. And if it ever warms up in Chicago we may even enjoy our m&c and quesadillas outside.
(4)
Nicole P.
So today I ordered the winnetka salad to go and decided to try the tarragon dressing although I didn't know what it was and would usually have substituted it out for something else. I am so happy I didn't! The dressing was sooooo tasty and there was so Many veggies mixed into my salad!! Loved it! Now I don't know how I'm going to ever eat a salad the same again!
(5)
Billy O.
Little Ricky's is the "Cheers" of Winnetka. I've been going here for years and the food is always good. You can't go wrong with any of the hefty salads. The Suzie Salad is my favorite. It's a "manly" chopped salad packed with heaps of sliced chicken, cheese, corn, beans and romaine lettuce. It's got a South West thing going on. The ribs are OK but the pulled pork is fantastic! I especially like it smothered on the nachos. Little Ricky's is not pretending to be fine-dining but the salmon is cooked to perfection. The service is great but it's kind of loud in there. You'll find lots of kids at the dinner hour, but after-hours it calms down to an adult bar hangout for Winnetka folks. Love this place!
(5)
Steve O.
Food was good but service was dismal. Never saw are server until she brought us the bill. The hostess brought us our food. Our server gave of the apathy of living in Winnetka but having no money and having to do the four letter word WORK.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Yuri R.
After visiting the mens room, it made me realize that the staff, management & owner have something to work on. I left the washroom feeling like I needed to take a look at the restaurant as a whole for cleanliness. Wish I hadn't done that, as it made me realize that there is something really lacking here! Needless to say I won't be going back anytime soon, as the food doesn't didn't wow me enough to look the other way on the above issues
(1)Scott B.
After a second visit on par with the first, I'm writing a review giving it the benefit of the doubt for possibly unreasonably high expectations. That is if you think that expecting decent food and decent service for higher-than-expected north shore prices is unreasonable. Two meals: both were not bad, but not neither were anything special. At all. The second one, a steak sandwich came out cold. One highlight was the sweet mashed potatoes. They would have been even better if they were warm. Service: After asking for a glass (twice) for the bottled beer a second time, I gave up. The bartender seemed too busy with talking to the waitress and adjusting the stereo to actually attend to either of the folks sitting at the bar area. I do, however, now know how they track their cash at the restaurant as the argument between the waitress and the bartender in front of the customers kept us all informed on the second visit. Price: although this was the north shore, the prices were even higher than expected. If the food was outstanding, that would probably be OK. It is Winnetka after all. But it wasn't. And obviously neither was the service. Overall, I'm giving Ricky's "Meh, I've experienced better" rather than the "Eeek! Methinks not" that it probably deserves. If I'm forced to try a third time, I'll update either way. In the meantime, I'd suggest looking elsewhere. I will be.
(2)Jay n.
I guess it start with getting sat all the way in the back corner of the place at least three tables from the next closest person. Service was OK.....she just didn't come around to the back very often. The Ricky Club is described a grilled chicken breast, Swiss cheese and bacon on grilled sour dough bred. The chicken was cut up into pieces, almost as if they didn't want to serve a complete breast. It appeared to be white bread, and wasn't even barely grilled or toasted, it was soft.......not much bacon. $13 bucks. Steak quesadilla $15 bucks. It was good, but way too small to price it like an entre. Ok. The only reason I am giving an A-ok and not 2 stars is because the onion rings were excellent.....some of the best I have had. The staff was also very friendly, and the menu has a lot of potential for a 'joint'.
(3)Natalie B.
True this restaurant wouldn't be as busy if it were located 15 ish miles south, but that said its still a solid meal. The food is dependable, nothing super exciting, but little Ricky's doesn't claim to be a mind blowing meal. Wine pours are generous (a big plus!) and its super kid friendly ( another big plus). They don't merely tolerate my rambunctious crowd but embrace it. Service is a little slow- super annoying when dining w young ones, or when one is extremely hungry, so don't expect a quick meal.
(3)Michael B.
My wife and I took our granddaughter to dinner on a Saturday evening at Little Ricky's. Simply put, the food was very,very good. The service was great. The restaurant was clean, with a great atmosphere, and had plenty of families. The large fish tank was a major attraction for my granddaughter.
(4)Benjamin D.
Against the other reviews here I really like Little Ricky's and have been five or six times now since moving to Chicago. Whenever I want to escape the city, I don't mind going out to the burbs and hitting up this little gem. The ribs are great, they have Smithwick's which is nice to see at a restaurant and the portions are big. Even the salads are huge too (think Seinfeld) and the grilled calamari is exceptional. I've never had a bad experience and the staff have always been friendly so if you're in Winnetka and want to stop in somewhere for a quick bite, Little Ricky's is a choice option!
(4)Jen B.
Over the years, I have never been much of a fan of this place. However, today I thought I'd give Little Ricky's another shot. I ordered a veggie quesadilla, a simple dish. Unfortunately, it wasn't fully cooked. It was cold, and the cheese was barely melted. I could also tell the guacamole was from frozen packaging. For almost $12, I expect MUCH more bang for my buck. WAY overpriced for the quality of the food. I won't be back.
(2)Colleen M.
This is a place I frequent with my family or for lunch quite a bit. It is also one of the best places in town to just meet someone for drinks. It calls itself a BBQ joint, but that is not what I see the majority of people ordering. The one time we tried the ribs we were not impressed. However, I adore the entree salads, and the delicious sandwiches such as the mongo bongo chicken roll up and pulled pork. The host and wait staff are always very friendly. We will continue to visit often!
(4)Stephen P.
Above average beer selection and the Chimichanga was spot on as well as the side of baked beans. Good environment and music was fit for it being lunch. I will definitely be back.
(5)Elzbieta P.
Terrible food. I got raw chicken once, next time I was throwing up after eating nachos with pulled pork. Staff not so friendly. I wish they would care more about everything a specialy bc it's Winnetka.
(1)David G.
Was here on a Friday night with a large party of all ages. We were seated in the back at one long table. Nice that the could accomodate us all. But, the place is so loud you can barely hear the person next to you, much less anyone across or down the table. The food was average at best: the fish tacos were cold upon arrival, and with the fish part fried to a board. The vaunted calamari that so many are crowing about was half greasy and disgusting and half dry and super salty. Someone else had a salad that was right out of the bag, with grey "Sysco tomatoes". The house chardonnay was warm and seemed off - I later wished I had taken a Prilosec or something.... eccch... I guess this place is good for beers and kids who don't have much of a palate. Otherwise, go someplace else...
(1)Natalie N.
Little Ricky's has been consistent over the years! Good food, good service, and GREAT servers! A nice little joint to have in town. The food is average and the menu could do with some revamping...overall a happy and friendly place to frequent when in town.
(4)Yvonne Y.
Good family restaurant and always packed. Make sure you make a reservation. Very tight tables and it's loud in there. Children friendly. Good: fish and chips as the fish is cod. Kids meal but weird they don't print kids meal in the menu, good service as they do come by and see how things are even when they're swamped. Skip: BLT sandwich as the bacon is burnt Would get the salads, fish and chips and may be their BBQ dishes next time. Skip the sandwiches
(3)c g.
Overly sauced, below average ribs with liquid smoke tasting flavor is crawling back up my digestive track. And this is the first time I ever heard of a BBQ place running out of cole slaw! They substituted Mac n cheese that was no better than my box of Aldi ( but ten times the price!). Speaking of price, well it is in Winnetka, so no real issue there. But the tables are crammed together and the space seems like it was built to be a clothing store, or a realty office. Whoops , it was! Good bar and bartender though. Fish taco I tasted from my friend was average at best. My suggestion, have something at Boris' Cafe up the street until the proprietor pays attention to Little Ricky.
(1)Guita G.
Split Personality. We have been to Little Ricky's several times and tonight forgot that we pledged never to come back on a Friday or Saturday night. Little Ricky's has a split personality: am I a bar for single suburban fortysomethings flirting at the top of their lungs or am I a hip family restaurant? These two sides are not compatible and tonight contributed to a pretty unbearable dinner. The restaurant was truly one of the loudest I have ever had the misfortune to experience. Full disclosure: I was here with my kids and we just stopped trying to talk to each other altogether because it was so darned loud. There were plenty of families with children who seemed equally distressed. The food is solid - good ribs, good burgers, lots of nice twists to standards like nachos with delicious pulled pork. These are the reasons we came in the first place and the reason we take out occasionally. If we come back, it will be on a mid-week night, when I hope it will cater to the family friendly side of its personality. Maybe if Little Ricky's could reconcile what it's trying to achieve, it would contribute to a more pleasant evening.
(2)Jimmy M.
All in all, I was not impressed. My wife and I spent a nice day biking down the Green Bay trail and randomly decided on a place to grab some lunch. First, the hostess seemed bothered to even seat us. Second, the place was really dusty. I don't know the last time that someone dusted that moose's head on the wall, but people are eating in here. It is just not exceptable. We also had to ask for a change of silverware because it looked like someone had already used one of our silverware rolls to wipe whatever. I had the burger and sweet potato fries. I wasn't impressed by either. We were about 5 minutes into our meal and already decided that we would probably not be back. If you are considering giving it a go...keep going.
(2)Charlene B.
Little Ricky's is a good solution for harried families in need of a quick dinner with a menu kids will like. Everything about the place is "ok." And, to be clear, sometimes ok is perfectly good enough. Burgers, salads, ribs, pulled pork sandwich, you get the picture. TVs broadcasting sports. Safest bets are the basic menu items.
(2)Tim S.
After a recommendation by a friend away from our original choice for dinner over a week ago we have hit Little Ricky's two times now and not been disappointed. I can see why this is such a popular place the employee's seem to know everyone who comes through, certainly a local favourite. We have had the Winnetka, Lakeside Burger, Ricky Club and the Sweet Chili Turkey Burger all done right and tasty. Service was attentive, without being annoying.
(4)Don S.
Good food... average bbq with fake smoke rub on ribs. Don't know why there's no draft beer served.
(3)Danielle H.
Fish tacos were good as were the burgers and the quesadillas. Avoid the Mac and cheese! It's a real disappointment, it tastes like its from a packet. Service is good and servers friendly.
(4)A W.
I have to start off saying that the food isn't really that good. Even the Mac and Cheese tasted really blah, like something from a box. That said, my kids were with my husband and I. Every single table with a kid was seated near the bathrooms in the back where no one could see them when entering the place. I must state that the back is narrow, waitresses don't come by very often, and there is a feeling of being unwelcome by having to sit back there when the rest of the place is mostly empty with a few people dressed in business casual lunching. It was quite a rude experience we had. I was insulted by the time we left. Clearly they accept kids, but don't want to hear or see them...or have their other customers see or hear them. I won't be coming back because of the whole experience...plus...I've got to say their food was really not all that good....so that's another reason not to go back.
(1)Joseph O.
Little Ricky's has been on our family's "close-by" short list for a few years. The menu is a good mix of what those of us raised here on the North Shore would expect: Baby Back Ribs, Large Burgers and a mix of other wraps, salads and munchies in a convenient location along with a REAL BAR! The main room is comfortable - there are always a few families earlier but, adults later as the night progresses. The Ribs are flavorful, always a good portion and good. Not the best ribs ever, but, for a place that's right-here-right now - you can't go wrong. Speaking of going wrong - what impresses me the most about LR's is that when our most recent order was - ahem - not good, their manager, Colleen, credited the dinner and then delivered deserts to our door! That is the sign of a restaurant with someone who cares. If you're new to Winnetka or North Shore - Little Ricky's is worth a shot!
(4)Charlotte B.
Really a no star. $16.95 for the lousiest platter of nachos ( probably the easiest dish on planet, to make good). What nerve. Commercial poor quality chips , handful beans , dried up 1/16th " cubes of skirt steak? Guacamole from 3 pac you buy at trader joes, really bad. And $17!!!! These ppl should be embarrassed. Can t imagine anyone coming here if you live more than block away.
(1)Annette Q.
Chicken Panini (special) good. Sweet potato fries good. Pulled pork delicious but laden with high fructose corn syrup, MSG (modified food starch) soybean oil (GMO-I doubt it's organic) sodium benzoate, mac & cheese....well, I wouldn't be surprised if it were box mac & cheese. In fact, Kraft would've been better than what I was served. Speaking of service (or lack thereof), I haven't even gone there yet! Little waitress never came by to see how we were doing or if we wanted anything else. If she had, maybe desert or another drink might have been added onto the tab but NOOOOO. So, question: do you think I'll be back?
(2)Andrea R.
As the name implies this restaurant is good for the littles in your life! I figured we'd be eating mac & cheese at home on Easter Sunday, but thanks to Ricky we were able to venture out for our mac & cheese. And boy did my 1-year-old love Ricky's mac & cheese. He pretty much ate the entire bowl and it was a pretty large portion that I expected to take home. I had a few bites and thought it was just OK, but then again my son is the m&c expert. As for myself I went with the veggie quesadillas, which were quite good. I'd definitely order them again next time if I didn't want to try something else from the large menu. Casual atmosphere (hence why it's good for the "littles"), fast service & decent food. And if it ever warms up in Chicago we may even enjoy our m&c and quesadillas outside.
(4)Nicole P.
So today I ordered the winnetka salad to go and decided to try the tarragon dressing although I didn't know what it was and would usually have substituted it out for something else. I am so happy I didn't! The dressing was sooooo tasty and there was so Many veggies mixed into my salad!! Loved it! Now I don't know how I'm going to ever eat a salad the same again!
(5)Billy O.
Little Ricky's is the "Cheers" of Winnetka. I've been going here for years and the food is always good. You can't go wrong with any of the hefty salads. The Suzie Salad is my favorite. It's a "manly" chopped salad packed with heaps of sliced chicken, cheese, corn, beans and romaine lettuce. It's got a South West thing going on. The ribs are OK but the pulled pork is fantastic! I especially like it smothered on the nachos. Little Ricky's is not pretending to be fine-dining but the salmon is cooked to perfection. The service is great but it's kind of loud in there. You'll find lots of kids at the dinner hour, but after-hours it calms down to an adult bar hangout for Winnetka folks. Love this place!
(5)Steve O.
Food was good but service was dismal. Never saw are server until she brought us the bill. The hostess brought us our food. Our server gave of the apathy of living in Winnetka but having no money and having to do the four letter word WORK.
(3)Andrew M.
Had business lunch here earlier this week. When I walked in, I felt like I had left Winnetka (in a good way). The atmosphere is a little dark/divey with limited decor. There is a rather large bar for how small the place is, and the tables are packed in tightly. Our service was perfect for us as we were talking business, and we were not in a hurry. Being my first visit here, I wanted to try a barbecue dish since it is a "rib joint". Unfortunately, ribs weren't a good option for a business lunch. I ended up with the pulled pork sandwich. The pork was tender with enough sauce to be enjoyed but now drowned the pork. I also tried their sauce which was on the table, and I have to say I really enjoyed it. It had the right mix of vinegar and spices. The mac n cheese however was pretty bland. Overall, this place was a solid meal. I think it would also be a great place to grab a beer. I hope to come back sometime and try some ribs.
(3)Aliyea R.
There was a long wait and when we finally got seated, our waiter wasn't very attentive.
(1)David R.
Two visits to Ricky's, two nearly identical experiences: forgettable calamari + great salad + slow service. The Suzy (basically a southwestern) salad is really good. The Stir-Fry Shrimp salad is really, REALLY good. The fried calamari is straightforward and serviceable; the grilled calamari is "just okay." I'm not sure what the story is with the servers here, but a dinner for four at this kind of place should not take two hours; thankfully the company was good. We would constantly see our waiter hanging out behind the bar or attending to other patrons, but for some reason he wasn't coming to our table nearly as quickly or as often as he should have been. But he did bring things promptly when we asked for them...and we did have to ask--utensils, condiments, second drinks. If they tightened up the service and I tried a few more satisfying menu items, I could see upgrading to 3.5 stars.
(3)Liz S.
Little Ricky's is a VERY lively restaurant that is enjoyed by families, singles, friends, and pretty much anyone else that you can imagine. It's a little oasis of excitement in an otherwise quiet village, and therefore it is busy all the time. The ribs I had were pretty good, an the sweet potato fries were done perfectly. The menu choices are pretty basic, but for that reason it easily caters to the varied clientele. Not a destination restaurant, but a good staple if you are in the area, with a full bar.
(3)Charles J.
I tell people that they have the best fries anywhere. And they look at me with that glazed look people get when they don't believe you. Then I take them there and they can't even look at me anymore because they're so focused on the fries. Seriously - go get em. You'll agree. AND this is where I buy my BBQ sauce for home. Seriously - their BBQ food is good, but their sauce is THE BEST. I mean it - THE BEST. I say that and you're looking at me like people look at me about the fries but it's true. Granted, I know people have different tastes in BBQ sauce, so I'll tell you this is not overwhelming, it's a tiny bit sweet and not spicy and VERY flavorful. But they gots more than fries and what's nice is they have a general american menu. Go here on lunch - there's never a wait and they are tasty!
(4)Sadaf G.
I work in the area and we go here almost 4 times a week! They have fabulous lunch specials and are priced pretty reasonable for Winnetka. Tilapia salad is excellent and their Mongo Bongo wrap. Do not forget to get a side of sweet potatoe fries- DELICIOUS! The staff is extremely friendly, although we carry out all the time the lady who works behind the bar (I think she is the owner) always makes sure our order is correct and includes anything we may need, if the food isn't ready she always is sure to offer a soft drink while I wait. Whenever I have been to pick up food, the place is busy. It's a cute interior and during the summer they have patio seating which also seems very pleasant. Overall, it's great bar food, can't go wrong!
(4)Charlotte Y.
I don't understand how this restaurant has a rating above a 2, it's terrible. I ordered a Cobb Salad, which was awful. It was mainly lettuce with a few droppings of bacon, avocado egg and tomato. The salad took 45 minutes to reach our table, service was inefficient food was overpriced for such LOW LOW QUALITY. Go somewhere else.
(1)Tikila B.
Go somewhere else. I ate at Little Ricky's yesterday for lunch as I was passing through Winnetka. We ordered a salad, pulled pork sandwich, sweet potato fries, and mac n cheese. The salad was 'okay' but for $12 it could have been a little bit better. The shrimp that came with the salad was grilled and tasted pretty good but everything else was way off. The pulled pork was mushy and loaded with BBQ sauce that probably came out of a jar. I figured that since this was a rib joint the BBQ sauce could have at least been delicious. It wasn't!!! The mac n cheese was more than likely kraft and from a box. My 6 year old niece wouldn't even eat it!! She said and I quote " this macaroni tastes weird" I didn't try their ribs but if they couldnt get the pulled pork right, and served boxed mac n cheese I don't think I missed anything. The atmosphere was cute but the food was terrible. If you're traveling through Winnetka dine elsewhere as this place is an over priced sonny's.
(1)R. S.
What the heck happened? What changed here? This was one of our favorite places. Consistently good food and service. Not tonight. Inept, incompetent, inattentive server and disgusting food. It's been awhile since we last dined here. New to us, an abbreviated menu that no longer featured a few of our favorites. The favorites still offered no longer hold any appeal. Three bites of the greasy salmon were three bites too many. Tried it with accompanying sauce, without sauce, with lemon. Nothing helped. Don't know which was worse with the slab of ribs ... the meat or the sauce. Overall a sad and disappointing experience. "Quality" of the food doesn't come near to warranting the menu prices. Do yourself a favor as other reviewers have suggested and go elsewhere.
(1)L. F.
This place is always packed with people so my husband and I decided to check it out on a Saturday evening. Casual place to grab drinks and/or dinner whether your a couple, family or with friends. They are known for their BBQ so we ordered the slab of ribs with fries and the BBQ chicken wrap with side of mac n cheese. We tried the scallop appetizer which was awesome. Verdict... everything was delicious and I will return.
(4)Cindy D.
We stop in just about every week for lunch or dinner. Great team working there that really makes you feel welcome. People think of it as a rib joint, but there are lots of healthy options. Plenty of variety on the menu unlike some of the other local restaurants. Love the flank steak and chicken limone entrees. Good salads and steamed veggies. And their specials are always amazing! Great place to sit outside with a glass of wine or beer. Local favorite.
(5)Melanie B.
Great family place! Lots of energy for a suburban restaurant with a kids menu. Food is always consistent and great wine and beer list. Portions are generous.
(4)Melissa F.
Yes, it's expensive. At first, that seems ridiculous. Expensive just for bar food? But it is more than bar food. It's high-quality. Every item on the menu seems to be well thought out. Nothing is an afterthought. I am addicted to the Suzy salad - enough ingredients so it doesn't get too bland, with a spicy dressing. For a place that's pretty far away from the bayou, they do gumbo pretty well. This place is like an upscale bar/grill, but without the stuffiness. It's nicer than an ordinary burger joint, but it's accessible and a friendly neighborhood place. I recommend it.
(5)Paul L.
The only thing good was the service and beer. The food (both times) was bland and overly dressed, which made our wallets cry. Looks like there won't be a third visit for a charm.
(2)Julie S.
Fun place, good food, grab a seat outside in good weather.
(5)Jeremy M.
Tried to have dinner there but was largely ignored so I left. Got there around 7:30, sat outside since I had my dog. No one noticed me and came out after about 10 minutes so I called in to tell them I was there. A guy ambled out with a menu but did not ask me if I wanted anything to drink. Then I was ignored for another 10 minutes before I left. I've eaten there before and the food is decent. Just a bad night I suppose, but still annoying.
(2)James M.
Stopped by wed for a quick bite of lunch. Ordered a appt and a soda. 30 min later it still had not arrived. Being the only person dining, I would have thought lunch would be fast. The woman behind the bar just kept saying my order would be up shortly. What, before the dinner rush?? Poor choice of mine to go in. Went over to Caribou coffee and had a fast lunch and was good too. Rethink going here if you are looking for a nice place to dine
(1)K M.
Here's another rib joint that was yummy! We ordered carryout and got 1 full slab which came with 2 sides so we got a double order of mac and cheese. I wanted to get sweet potato fries but since we got carryout, I had a feeling the fry's would get soggy. The ribs didn't have the smokiness of Smoque ribs but were still delicious. The meat was so tender that it just fell off the bone, no need for knives. They give you extra sauce which is always a plus. Loved the cheese sauce in the mac and cheese but the noodles were kinda soft - but it didn't matter too much to me since I love mac and cheese. I would order theirs again.
(4)GLORIA M.
If you are looking for a quick cocktail and dinner in the neighborhood, the restaurant fits the bill. No pressure to get you out of there, the food not bad. Very good grilled calamari ....awful mussels. The wait staff chose to ignore our complaints about the mussels that actually had a bad smell. Skirt steak was excellent with mashed potatoes and homers ice cream for dessert...perfect! I live near by, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go here.
(3)Daniel C.
I have been working in Winnetka for a few months now and have been to Little Ricky's twice. The first time was for a salad to-go. It was a fine experience, just sitting at the bar until it was ready, paying and leaving. The salad itself was better than expected, with big shrimp and nice chunks of avocado, cheese and other goodies. The salad was underseasoned, which I am finding to almost always be the case with food from this place. Overall...a pretty good experience, 3-4 stars. However, I just got back from Little Ricky's and after eating in with a friend, the experience was much worse. We were seated promptly and ordered drinks. That is where the acceptable quality ends...I ordered the special "Kobe Burger" cooked medium, in quotations because you can not actually purchase real Kobe beef in the US, a place would definitely not grind it into a hamburger, and a place like Little Ricky's would never be able to afford it. However...I played along. I ordered the sweet potato fries as my side. After close to 30 minutes of waiting, our food arrived. The the person delivering our food (different from our server for some reason) had no idea where the plates were supposed to go and we literally had to flag him over to our table after attempting to mis-deliver the food to a very confused pair of businessmen. My friend's pulled pork looked very good and he seemed happy...I can not say the same for my meal. My burger was cook to past-well done, with not a trace of pink to be found in the dull gray mass on the my plate. If you are going to ask me how I want my burger cooked, I expect it to at least somewhat resemble what I ordered. As a cook, you need to know that "kobe" or whatever nicer cut of beef you use will COOK FASTER that your average chuck and you need to compensate for that decrease in cook time. Not only was the burger overcooked but it was also underseasoned...surprisingly bland even with the addition of blue cheese. My sweet potato fries, while nice an crispy were....wait for it....underseasoned! Diet Coke with overcooked and underseasoned bar food a good $20.00 lunch does not make. With a final post-tip price tag of over $40.00 (FOR LUNCH), it can say with certainty that it was one of the more underwhelming restaurant experiences I have had in a while. I don't plan on coming back anytime soon.
(2)Marie D.
I like Little Ricky's but think it's expensive for what it is. I find that the salads and burgers are a good bet; sometimes the seafood entrees are awash in goopy sauces that overwhelm the fish. I wish they had a kids' menu; paying grown-up prices for mac 'n cheese seems unwarranted when they could half the portion and lower the price. I like the buzz here - lots of locals, lots of families, and always a packed bar. A good neighborhood joint.
(3)John M.
My wife and I enjoyed a great meal at Little Ricky's on her birthday. The mussels in white wine sauce are fantastic, plump and juicy and a generous serving that we shared. The salmon, which we were told is flown in fresh, made my wife very happy and I loved the huge platter of pulled pork nachos. Great meal, very reasonable, fun place. More recently, the mussels are not the same - smaller and not really as good as they were. Sorry to see things decline.
(3)Brian D.
I honestly dont understand some of the other reviews but heres mine. I'll start with the ribs, which are freakin great, always fall off the bone and have a great sauce too. Specials are always changing and great. Sandwiches, salads, entrees always different and good. Apps are all good too but the NACHOS are OMAZING. Get them with the pulled pork, YOUR WELCOME. The Rick is pricey but not compared to other options in the area! The fact is that there is no other casual place you can get a great meal, cocktail, and sit outside around there. Keep it up.
(5)Elliott D.
A North Shore staple. Great staff, especially Mark, Chris and Jeannie. (I miss Steph, though.). They're known for many things, but I gravitate toward the salads--Lucy and Suzy salads are bright, fresh and imaginative. Ambiance is a bit North Shore-ish (homogeneous) for my taste, but the folks who sit at the bar often defy classification.
(5)M Y.
TWO WORDS: GRILLED CALAMARI I haven't found anyone who knows how to make grilled calamari the real way. Way to go, Little Ricky's.
(5)Andrew M.
Little Ricky's bills itself as a rib joint, and it does serve ribs, but it ain't no rib joint. With a menu that includes mozzarella sticks, chicken strips, nachos and burgers, Little Ricky's is comfort food in a cozy neighborhood setting. People seem to like it (we waited 15 minutes for our table and the place was hopping for the duration of our stay). I found it painful. Starting with what I thought was an innocent request for some bread, rolls, etc. Our waiter (who appeared to be about 15 years old) looked at us like we were from another planet, then reappeared a few minutes later with some half-burnt toast and ice cold butter pats. My salad tasted like it could easily have been purchased at Dominicks and then re-plated and served to me. The next time I'm hankering for cheese sticks, I'll save the trip (and the money) and swing by Red Hen in Glencoe. I hate giving negative reviews to locally owned businesses, but my Yelp fans want and deserve the truth. So here it is: Little Ricky's sucks the big one.
(1)Sandra D.
I'm basing this on takeout experiences -- we were not impressed. Just moved to the neighborhood, so we will certainly give them another try (and try to dine in) but the rubber chicken sandwich with tons of sage (and I mean tons) and "eh" bbq sandwich my husband had did not do much to impress. I pass this place every night on the way home from the train station, and I know they are packed, so I am hoping our experience is the outlier...stay tuned...
(2)d a.
we were there the other day. had cobb salads. the prices are very reasonable, the place has nice indoor views-it used to be the train station and parking is not an issue. However the chicken in the salad tasted like twice microwaved hot dogs that a 6 year old had tried and failed to cook. I wanted to love the place, but that chicke was absolutely awful and I am one of the least picky eaters. the service was subpar for a weekend. it was empty but still a challenge to get a waiter. the tables are also too close together. the portion was great though and I liked the dressing.
(2)Luke S.
Finally Winnetka has a nice dinner place. This place does it right, they don't have a very extensive menu, but everything is cooked to perfection. Their rib's are very good. The sweet potato fries are one of a kind and the Cobb Salad is the best I've had anywhere. Also if you like calamari they have three different dipping sauces which give it a very unique flavor. I have never had a bad meal here!
(5)Emma M.
Maybe I am biased of this place because I worked here for almost 4 years, but I really do think their food is some of the best in the North Shore. Compared to other local restaurants like Hackney's, CJ Arthurs, Homers, etc- Little Ricky's has a good menu with quality food. It's a casual joint- don't expect over the top service nor is it a good place for a quiet, romantic dinner. It's a family restaurant with lots of kids, louder music and it can get quite busy. All their food is made to order and they make all their own dressing for dips, salads, etc. The ribs, grilled salmon, tilapia, and even the burger are all fantastic. One thing to watch out for is how you like your meat cooked. If you like medium- ask for it medium rare. They tend to over cook meat. Also, if you're looking for a fun/casual place to work- check it out! You can make really good money serving. :)
(4)Ariel K.
After eating here several times, it seems to be a popular place, but the service continues to be lacking. Everyone is friendly, but not very good at anticipating needs, which could be because the staff members are all very young... we had to ask a few times for silverware, napkins, side plates... the basics. The food is okay, but not the most authentic BBQ around. With little competition in the North Shore area it is easy to remain mediocre.
(2)James B.
You can have a nice time at Ricky's -- I'd suggest trying Little Rickie's but keeping your expectations in check.. If you are there outside of family hours (day time lunch or late evening) it can be great place for a couple of friends to catch up--ask for a table w/comfy chairs in the back. There are some good items on the menu - ribs, calamari, burgers, some of the salads. Rickie's can be really busy with parents and kids - families feel welcome and I'm sure its a big chunk of the business. Mom and dad can put away a few decent drinks, eat decent grown up good, and feel like they almost had a night out.. If your waiting to be seated and see a group of bar fly's teetering on their stools, turn around and walk right out - several times they've been loud enough to spoil an evening - I really wish they'd remove the TV. Service has generally been professional and competent . I'd be more of a regular @ Rickie's if I felt they put a little more effort into the menu (more variety, more changes) and the drinks ((how hard would it be to keep some really good wine or top shelf bourbons or Scotches around?) and the bar flys.
(2)Taylor G.
Every time I visit my sister we go to Little Ricky's and I just love it more and more every time! Even with the kids we get good service and great food. I love the atmosphere, including the funky statues and dark bar. The mac n' cheese isn't just for the kids folks... this is some seriously good stuff!! But really why you come here is the BBQ which is tangy and mouth wateringly good. Get a side of sweet potato fries which alone are too good to be true. (tip- dip them in ranch dressing... sounds gross... tastes the opposite of gross... really freakin good). This is a great little place to hang out, get some great food and have a drink (lots to pick from). They don't rush you to get out or anything, so sit back, have a beer and catch up with some friends!! YUM!!
(4)Joanne E.
After spending a week in Athens, GA and eating barbeque at lunch every day my husband couldn't shake the hankering for good barbeque. We thought we'd give Little Ricky's a try. Yes, it is a north shore restaurant, whatever that means (see Reviews under Little Ricky's Rib Joint), and yes, the menu is limited. However, they had pulled pork, which is what my husband was craving. He orded the pulled pork nachos, and they very nicely accomodated his request to have it sans cheese. It was a large enough portion for his meal, and he loved it. I had the barbeque chicken. While barbeque is not my favorite thing, I have to say the chicken was quite good. The sweet potato fries were okay - next time (and there will be a next time) I'm trying the mashed. The only thing we didn't like was the price; compared to GA, the prices seemed a little high for barbeque. All in all, quite a surprising find - good barbeque in a north shore restaurant! Who'd have figured.
(4)Jess S.
I've tried a variety of menu items. The salads, sandwiches, burgers, sides - all delicious. My favorites: Aunt Susie's Salad and the Portobello Quesadilla. Reasonable priced for a North Shore restaurant. I usually get my stuff to go. My dine-in experiences have always been poor but most Winnetka restaurants are the same way so I won't hold it against the place. Check it out if your in the area - steps from the Winnetka Metra stop at the corner of Elm & Lincoln!
(4)ingrid H.
Straightforward-looking menu - superb items. One of the best places for a dignified meal with a kid in the North Shore. Dark and cozy, muffled loud (good with kids), and local. Every dish has a special something. In the City, where you can have a favorite place for every tasty treat - som tum here, ribs there, latte here, hot dog there, you never have to bother sampling the menu. No such luxury north of Evanston, so you end up trying everything - even the chicken is done up just right. It's a place to have a dignified drink too. Nice bar - good selection - bartenders are young and not too sophisticated.
(4)Matt P.
Outstanding baby back ribs. Meat falls right off the bone. Sauce is tangy and not too sweet. Overall rating would be higher based on ribs alone. However, two complaints. Sides were disappointing. Tried the regular fries and sweet potato fries (too crunchy), onion rings (small portion and much too greasy) and mac 'n cheese (very bland). Also, I ordered my food to go and was quoted 20 minutes. I arrived to pick up my dinner (on a Tuesday night) and it wound up being 45 minutes before my food was ready. Restaurant was rather unapologetic for a delay of over 100%. Bottom line - Ribs outstanding (4 stars). Sides and service disappointing (2 stars). Net rating 3 stars.
(3)ALEXANDRA L.
Good neighborhood bar. Order sauce on the side for the ribs. They are super tasty, but they overdo it with the sauce. Chicken strips are very nice: light breading, not greasy. Skip the mac & cheese as a side. Pulled pork also over-sauced. Appetizer sampler platter was good.
(3)Philip P.
Had a poor first experience (something in our food) but the manager came by personally and took care of us. Staff was friendly and BBQ was decent. Ordered a salad (Suzy something?) and it was excellent - went back a 2nd time for it and wasn't disappointed.
(3)Blackie L.
LR's is borderline ok. Which is a nice way of saying it isn't too good. It's got a nice casual bar vibe, and is comfortable inside and out. The menu looks good, and some of the bar food standards work... stick to things like wings and salads. The ribs are baked or boiled and fall off the bone in a bad way.... oversauced and boring. The mac and cheese was a disaster. Elbow noodles and velveeta. The greens are vegetarian, which kind of defeats the purpose. Not a terrible spot for a drink and a quick lunch or casual dinner, but for $20 you can do better.
(2)Eric H.
Been to LR's a number of times and am always drawn to the Lucy's Shrimp Salad. Tasty, good sized grilled shrimp on salad fixings at a reasonable price. Ribs are decent as are the sweet potato fries.
(3)Charlie E.
Service is a little hit or miss, but the food is decent. Great place to bring the family.
(4)jim a.
like this spot, i can walk there grab a cocktail and a slab of ribs or burger. the food travels well, and only once on a awhile are the ribs not delicious.
(5)Rockey F.
Good food, healthy drinks. Mark is a great bartender. Get the sweet potato fries.
(4)Maria W.
good laid back ambiance, decent beer selection and prices, a little pricier than I'm used to eating in similar places in the city, but good food and yummy onion rings
(3)Ryan F.
not my favorite but it is nice, bbk is very well mexicuted, takes a long time to order
(3)tim m.
Nice staff. Good lunch food. Love the sweet potato fries. Burgers are good as well as the pork sandwich.
(4)Elliott D.
A North Shore staple. Great staff, especially Mark, Chris and Jeannie. (I miss Steph, though.). They're known for many things, but I gravitate toward the salads--Lucy and Suzy salads are bright, fresh and imaginative. Ambiance is a bit North Shore-ish (homogeneous) for my taste, but the folks who sit at the bar often defy classification.
(5)M Y.
TWO WORDS: GRILLED CALAMARI I haven't found anyone who knows how to make grilled calamari the real way. Way to go, Little Ricky's.
(5)Andrew M.
Little Ricky's bills itself as a rib joint, and it does serve ribs, but it ain't no rib joint. With a menu that includes mozzarella sticks, chicken strips, nachos and burgers, Little Ricky's is comfort food in a cozy neighborhood setting. People seem to like it (we waited 15 minutes for our table and the place was hopping for the duration of our stay). I found it painful. Starting with what I thought was an innocent request for some bread, rolls, etc. Our waiter (who appeared to be about 15 years old) looked at us like we were from another planet, then reappeared a few minutes later with some half-burnt toast and ice cold butter pats. My salad tasted like it could easily have been purchased at Dominicks and then re-plated and served to me. The next time I'm hankering for cheese sticks, I'll save the trip (and the money) and swing by Red Hen in Glencoe. I hate giving negative reviews to locally owned businesses, but my Yelp fans want and deserve the truth. So here it is: Little Ricky's sucks the big one.
(1)Sandra D.
I'm basing this on takeout experiences -- we were not impressed. Just moved to the neighborhood, so we will certainly give them another try (and try to dine in) but the rubber chicken sandwich with tons of sage (and I mean tons) and "eh" bbq sandwich my husband had did not do much to impress. I pass this place every night on the way home from the train station, and I know they are packed, so I am hoping our experience is the outlier...stay tuned...
(2)d a.
we were there the other day. had cobb salads. the prices are very reasonable, the place has nice indoor views-it used to be the train station and parking is not an issue. However the chicken in the salad tasted like twice microwaved hot dogs that a 6 year old had tried and failed to cook. I wanted to love the place, but that chicke was absolutely awful and I am one of the least picky eaters. the service was subpar for a weekend. it was empty but still a challenge to get a waiter. the tables are also too close together. the portion was great though and I liked the dressing.
(2)Matt P.
Outstanding baby back ribs. Meat falls right off the bone. Sauce is tangy and not too sweet. Overall rating would be higher based on ribs alone. However, two complaints. Sides were disappointing. Tried the regular fries and sweet potato fries (too crunchy), onion rings (small portion and much too greasy) and mac 'n cheese (very bland). Also, I ordered my food to go and was quoted 20 minutes. I arrived to pick up my dinner (on a Tuesday night) and it wound up being 45 minutes before my food was ready. Restaurant was rather unapologetic for a delay of over 100%. Bottom line - Ribs outstanding (4 stars). Sides and service disappointing (2 stars). Net rating 3 stars.
(3)Emma M.
Maybe I am biased of this place because I worked here for almost 4 years, but I really do think their food is some of the best in the North Shore. Compared to other local restaurants like Hackney's, CJ Arthurs, Homers, etc- Little Ricky's has a good menu with quality food. It's a casual joint- don't expect over the top service nor is it a good place for a quiet, romantic dinner. It's a family restaurant with lots of kids, louder music and it can get quite busy. All their food is made to order and they make all their own dressing for dips, salads, etc. The ribs, grilled salmon, tilapia, and even the burger are all fantastic. One thing to watch out for is how you like your meat cooked. If you like medium- ask for it medium rare. They tend to over cook meat. Also, if you're looking for a fun/casual place to work- check it out! You can make really good money serving. :)
(4)Ariel K.
After eating here several times, it seems to be a popular place, but the service continues to be lacking. Everyone is friendly, but not very good at anticipating needs, which could be because the staff members are all very young... we had to ask a few times for silverware, napkins, side plates... the basics. The food is okay, but not the most authentic BBQ around. With little competition in the North Shore area it is easy to remain mediocre.
(2)Jess S.
I've tried a variety of menu items. The salads, sandwiches, burgers, sides - all delicious. My favorites: Aunt Susie's Salad and the Portobello Quesadilla. Reasonable priced for a North Shore restaurant. I usually get my stuff to go. My dine-in experiences have always been poor but most Winnetka restaurants are the same way so I won't hold it against the place. Check it out if your in the area - steps from the Winnetka Metra stop at the corner of Elm & Lincoln!
(4)James B.
You can have a nice time at Ricky's -- I'd suggest trying Little Rickie's but keeping your expectations in check.. If you are there outside of family hours (day time lunch or late evening) it can be great place for a couple of friends to catch up--ask for a table w/comfy chairs in the back. There are some good items on the menu - ribs, calamari, burgers, some of the salads. Rickie's can be really busy with parents and kids - families feel welcome and I'm sure its a big chunk of the business. Mom and dad can put away a few decent drinks, eat decent grown up good, and feel like they almost had a night out.. If your waiting to be seated and see a group of bar fly's teetering on their stools, turn around and walk right out - several times they've been loud enough to spoil an evening - I really wish they'd remove the TV. Service has generally been professional and competent . I'd be more of a regular @ Rickie's if I felt they put a little more effort into the menu (more variety, more changes) and the drinks ((how hard would it be to keep some really good wine or top shelf bourbons or Scotches around?) and the bar flys.
(2)Taylor G.
Every time I visit my sister we go to Little Ricky's and I just love it more and more every time! Even with the kids we get good service and great food. I love the atmosphere, including the funky statues and dark bar. The mac n' cheese isn't just for the kids folks... this is some seriously good stuff!! But really why you come here is the BBQ which is tangy and mouth wateringly good. Get a side of sweet potato fries which alone are too good to be true. (tip- dip them in ranch dressing... sounds gross... tastes the opposite of gross... really freakin good). This is a great little place to hang out, get some great food and have a drink (lots to pick from). They don't rush you to get out or anything, so sit back, have a beer and catch up with some friends!! YUM!!
(4)Luke S.
Finally Winnetka has a nice dinner place. This place does it right, they don't have a very extensive menu, but everything is cooked to perfection. Their rib's are very good. The sweet potato fries are one of a kind and the Cobb Salad is the best I've had anywhere. Also if you like calamari they have three different dipping sauces which give it a very unique flavor. I have never had a bad meal here!
(5)Joanne E.
After spending a week in Athens, GA and eating barbeque at lunch every day my husband couldn't shake the hankering for good barbeque. We thought we'd give Little Ricky's a try. Yes, it is a north shore restaurant, whatever that means (see Reviews under Little Ricky's Rib Joint), and yes, the menu is limited. However, they had pulled pork, which is what my husband was craving. He orded the pulled pork nachos, and they very nicely accomodated his request to have it sans cheese. It was a large enough portion for his meal, and he loved it. I had the barbeque chicken. While barbeque is not my favorite thing, I have to say the chicken was quite good. The sweet potato fries were okay - next time (and there will be a next time) I'm trying the mashed. The only thing we didn't like was the price; compared to GA, the prices seemed a little high for barbeque. All in all, quite a surprising find - good barbeque in a north shore restaurant! Who'd have figured.
(4)ingrid H.
Straightforward-looking menu - superb items. One of the best places for a dignified meal with a kid in the North Shore. Dark and cozy, muffled loud (good with kids), and local. Every dish has a special something. In the City, where you can have a favorite place for every tasty treat - som tum here, ribs there, latte here, hot dog there, you never have to bother sampling the menu. No such luxury north of Evanston, so you end up trying everything - even the chicken is done up just right. It's a place to have a dignified drink too. Nice bar - good selection - bartenders are young and not too sophisticated.
(4)ALEXANDRA L.
Good neighborhood bar. Order sauce on the side for the ribs. They are super tasty, but they overdo it with the sauce. Chicken strips are very nice: light breading, not greasy. Skip the mac & cheese as a side. Pulled pork also over-sauced. Appetizer sampler platter was good.
(3)Philip P.
Had a poor first experience (something in our food) but the manager came by personally and took care of us. Staff was friendly and BBQ was decent. Ordered a salad (Suzy something?) and it was excellent - went back a 2nd time for it and wasn't disappointed.
(3)Blackie L.
LR's is borderline ok. Which is a nice way of saying it isn't too good. It's got a nice casual bar vibe, and is comfortable inside and out. The menu looks good, and some of the bar food standards work... stick to things like wings and salads. The ribs are baked or boiled and fall off the bone in a bad way.... oversauced and boring. The mac and cheese was a disaster. Elbow noodles and velveeta. The greens are vegetarian, which kind of defeats the purpose. Not a terrible spot for a drink and a quick lunch or casual dinner, but for $20 you can do better.
(2)Eric H.
Been to LR's a number of times and am always drawn to the Lucy's Shrimp Salad. Tasty, good sized grilled shrimp on salad fixings at a reasonable price. Ribs are decent as are the sweet potato fries.
(3)Charlie E.
Service is a little hit or miss, but the food is decent. Great place to bring the family.
(4)jim a.
like this spot, i can walk there grab a cocktail and a slab of ribs or burger. the food travels well, and only once on a awhile are the ribs not delicious.
(5)Rockey F.
Good food, healthy drinks. Mark is a great bartender. Get the sweet potato fries.
(4)Maria W.
good laid back ambiance, decent beer selection and prices, a little pricier than I'm used to eating in similar places in the city, but good food and yummy onion rings
(3)Ryan F.
not my favorite but it is nice, bbk is very well mexicuted, takes a long time to order
(3)tim m.
Nice staff. Good lunch food. Love the sweet potato fries. Burgers are good as well as the pork sandwich.
(4)Andrew M.
Had business lunch here earlier this week. When I walked in, I felt like I had left Winnetka (in a good way). The atmosphere is a little dark/divey with limited decor. There is a rather large bar for how small the place is, and the tables are packed in tightly. Our service was perfect for us as we were talking business, and we were not in a hurry. Being my first visit here, I wanted to try a barbecue dish since it is a "rib joint". Unfortunately, ribs weren't a good option for a business lunch. I ended up with the pulled pork sandwich. The pork was tender with enough sauce to be enjoyed but now drowned the pork. I also tried their sauce which was on the table, and I have to say I really enjoyed it. It had the right mix of vinegar and spices. The mac n cheese however was pretty bland. Overall, this place was a solid meal. I think it would also be a great place to grab a beer. I hope to come back sometime and try some ribs.
(3)Aliyea R.
There was a long wait and when we finally got seated, our waiter wasn't very attentive.
(1)David R.
Two visits to Ricky's, two nearly identical experiences: forgettable calamari + great salad + slow service. The Suzy (basically a southwestern) salad is really good. The Stir-Fry Shrimp salad is really, REALLY good. The fried calamari is straightforward and serviceable; the grilled calamari is "just okay." I'm not sure what the story is with the servers here, but a dinner for four at this kind of place should not take two hours; thankfully the company was good. We would constantly see our waiter hanging out behind the bar or attending to other patrons, but for some reason he wasn't coming to our table nearly as quickly or as often as he should have been. But he did bring things promptly when we asked for them...and we did have to ask--utensils, condiments, second drinks. If they tightened up the service and I tried a few more satisfying menu items, I could see upgrading to 3.5 stars.
(3)Jay n.
I guess it start with getting sat all the way in the back corner of the place at least three tables from the next closest person. Service was OK.....she just didn't come around to the back very often. The Ricky Club is described a grilled chicken breast, Swiss cheese and bacon on grilled sour dough bred. The chicken was cut up into pieces, almost as if they didn't want to serve a complete breast. It appeared to be white bread, and wasn't even barely grilled or toasted, it was soft.......not much bacon. $13 bucks. Steak quesadilla $15 bucks. It was good, but way too small to price it like an entre. Ok. The only reason I am giving an A-ok and not 2 stars is because the onion rings were excellent.....some of the best I have had. The staff was also very friendly, and the menu has a lot of potential for a 'joint'.
(3)Natalie B.
True this restaurant wouldn't be as busy if it were located 15 ish miles south, but that said its still a solid meal. The food is dependable, nothing super exciting, but little Ricky's doesn't claim to be a mind blowing meal. Wine pours are generous (a big plus!) and its super kid friendly ( another big plus). They don't merely tolerate my rambunctious crowd but embrace it. Service is a little slow- super annoying when dining w young ones, or when one is extremely hungry, so don't expect a quick meal.
(3)Michael B.
My wife and I took our granddaughter to dinner on a Saturday evening at Little Ricky's. Simply put, the food was very,very good. The service was great. The restaurant was clean, with a great atmosphere, and had plenty of families. The large fish tank was a major attraction for my granddaughter.
(4)Benjamin D.
Against the other reviews here I really like Little Ricky's and have been five or six times now since moving to Chicago. Whenever I want to escape the city, I don't mind going out to the burbs and hitting up this little gem. The ribs are great, they have Smithwick's which is nice to see at a restaurant and the portions are big. Even the salads are huge too (think Seinfeld) and the grilled calamari is exceptional. I've never had a bad experience and the staff have always been friendly so if you're in Winnetka and want to stop in somewhere for a quick bite, Little Ricky's is a choice option!
(4)Jen B.
Over the years, I have never been much of a fan of this place. However, today I thought I'd give Little Ricky's another shot. I ordered a veggie quesadilla, a simple dish. Unfortunately, it wasn't fully cooked. It was cold, and the cheese was barely melted. I could also tell the guacamole was from frozen packaging. For almost $12, I expect MUCH more bang for my buck. WAY overpriced for the quality of the food. I won't be back.
(2)Colleen M.
This is a place I frequent with my family or for lunch quite a bit. It is also one of the best places in town to just meet someone for drinks. It calls itself a BBQ joint, but that is not what I see the majority of people ordering. The one time we tried the ribs we were not impressed. However, I adore the entree salads, and the delicious sandwiches such as the mongo bongo chicken roll up and pulled pork. The host and wait staff are always very friendly. We will continue to visit often!
(4)Yvonne Y.
Good family restaurant and always packed. Make sure you make a reservation. Very tight tables and it's loud in there. Children friendly. Good: fish and chips as the fish is cod. Kids meal but weird they don't print kids meal in the menu, good service as they do come by and see how things are even when they're swamped. Skip: BLT sandwich as the bacon is burnt Would get the salads, fish and chips and may be their BBQ dishes next time. Skip the sandwiches
(3)c g.
Overly sauced, below average ribs with liquid smoke tasting flavor is crawling back up my digestive track. And this is the first time I ever heard of a BBQ place running out of cole slaw! They substituted Mac n cheese that was no better than my box of Aldi ( but ten times the price!). Speaking of price, well it is in Winnetka, so no real issue there. But the tables are crammed together and the space seems like it was built to be a clothing store, or a realty office. Whoops , it was! Good bar and bartender though. Fish taco I tasted from my friend was average at best. My suggestion, have something at Boris' Cafe up the street until the proprietor pays attention to Little Ricky.
(1)Guita G.
Split Personality. We have been to Little Ricky's several times and tonight forgot that we pledged never to come back on a Friday or Saturday night. Little Ricky's has a split personality: am I a bar for single suburban fortysomethings flirting at the top of their lungs or am I a hip family restaurant? These two sides are not compatible and tonight contributed to a pretty unbearable dinner. The restaurant was truly one of the loudest I have ever had the misfortune to experience. Full disclosure: I was here with my kids and we just stopped trying to talk to each other altogether because it was so darned loud. There were plenty of families with children who seemed equally distressed. The food is solid - good ribs, good burgers, lots of nice twists to standards like nachos with delicious pulled pork. These are the reasons we came in the first place and the reason we take out occasionally. If we come back, it will be on a mid-week night, when I hope it will cater to the family friendly side of its personality. Maybe if Little Ricky's could reconcile what it's trying to achieve, it would contribute to a more pleasant evening.
(2)Jimmy M.
All in all, I was not impressed. My wife and I spent a nice day biking down the Green Bay trail and randomly decided on a place to grab some lunch. First, the hostess seemed bothered to even seat us. Second, the place was really dusty. I don't know the last time that someone dusted that moose's head on the wall, but people are eating in here. It is just not exceptable. We also had to ask for a change of silverware because it looked like someone had already used one of our silverware rolls to wipe whatever. I had the burger and sweet potato fries. I wasn't impressed by either. We were about 5 minutes into our meal and already decided that we would probably not be back. If you are considering giving it a go...keep going.
(2)Charlene B.
Little Ricky's is a good solution for harried families in need of a quick dinner with a menu kids will like. Everything about the place is "ok." And, to be clear, sometimes ok is perfectly good enough. Burgers, salads, ribs, pulled pork sandwich, you get the picture. TVs broadcasting sports. Safest bets are the basic menu items.
(2)Sadaf G.
I work in the area and we go here almost 4 times a week! They have fabulous lunch specials and are priced pretty reasonable for Winnetka. Tilapia salad is excellent and their Mongo Bongo wrap. Do not forget to get a side of sweet potatoe fries- DELICIOUS! The staff is extremely friendly, although we carry out all the time the lady who works behind the bar (I think she is the owner) always makes sure our order is correct and includes anything we may need, if the food isn't ready she always is sure to offer a soft drink while I wait. Whenever I have been to pick up food, the place is busy. It's a cute interior and during the summer they have patio seating which also seems very pleasant. Overall, it's great bar food, can't go wrong!
(4)David G.
Was here on a Friday night with a large party of all ages. We were seated in the back at one long table. Nice that the could accomodate us all. But, the place is so loud you can barely hear the person next to you, much less anyone across or down the table. The food was average at best: the fish tacos were cold upon arrival, and with the fish part fried to a board. The vaunted calamari that so many are crowing about was half greasy and disgusting and half dry and super salty. Someone else had a salad that was right out of the bag, with grey "Sysco tomatoes". The house chardonnay was warm and seemed off - I later wished I had taken a Prilosec or something.... eccch... I guess this place is good for beers and kids who don't have much of a palate. Otherwise, go someplace else...
(1)Natalie N.
Little Ricky's has been consistent over the years! Good food, good service, and GREAT servers! A nice little joint to have in town. The food is average and the menu could do with some revamping...overall a happy and friendly place to frequent when in town.
(4)Stephen P.
Above average beer selection and the Chimichanga was spot on as well as the side of baked beans. Good environment and music was fit for it being lunch. I will definitely be back.
(5)Elzbieta P.
Terrible food. I got raw chicken once, next time I was throwing up after eating nachos with pulled pork. Staff not so friendly. I wish they would care more about everything a specialy bc it's Winnetka.
(1)Tikila B.
Go somewhere else. I ate at Little Ricky's yesterday for lunch as I was passing through Winnetka. We ordered a salad, pulled pork sandwich, sweet potato fries, and mac n cheese. The salad was 'okay' but for $12 it could have been a little bit better. The shrimp that came with the salad was grilled and tasted pretty good but everything else was way off. The pulled pork was mushy and loaded with BBQ sauce that probably came out of a jar. I figured that since this was a rib joint the BBQ sauce could have at least been delicious. It wasn't!!! The mac n cheese was more than likely kraft and from a box. My 6 year old niece wouldn't even eat it!! She said and I quote " this macaroni tastes weird" I didn't try their ribs but if they couldnt get the pulled pork right, and served boxed mac n cheese I don't think I missed anything. The atmosphere was cute but the food was terrible. If you're traveling through Winnetka dine elsewhere as this place is an over priced sonny's.
(1)R. S.
What the heck happened? What changed here? This was one of our favorite places. Consistently good food and service. Not tonight. Inept, incompetent, inattentive server and disgusting food. It's been awhile since we last dined here. New to us, an abbreviated menu that no longer featured a few of our favorites. The favorites still offered no longer hold any appeal. Three bites of the greasy salmon were three bites too many. Tried it with accompanying sauce, without sauce, with lemon. Nothing helped. Don't know which was worse with the slab of ribs ... the meat or the sauce. Overall a sad and disappointing experience. "Quality" of the food doesn't come near to warranting the menu prices. Do yourself a favor as other reviewers have suggested and go elsewhere.
(1)L. F.
This place is always packed with people so my husband and I decided to check it out on a Saturday evening. Casual place to grab drinks and/or dinner whether your a couple, family or with friends. They are known for their BBQ so we ordered the slab of ribs with fries and the BBQ chicken wrap with side of mac n cheese. We tried the scallop appetizer which was awesome. Verdict... everything was delicious and I will return.
(4)Cindy D.
We stop in just about every week for lunch or dinner. Great team working there that really makes you feel welcome. People think of it as a rib joint, but there are lots of healthy options. Plenty of variety on the menu unlike some of the other local restaurants. Love the flank steak and chicken limone entrees. Good salads and steamed veggies. And their specials are always amazing! Great place to sit outside with a glass of wine or beer. Local favorite.
(5)Charlotte Y.
I don't understand how this restaurant has a rating above a 2, it's terrible. I ordered a Cobb Salad, which was awful. It was mainly lettuce with a few droppings of bacon, avocado egg and tomato. The salad took 45 minutes to reach our table, service was inefficient food was overpriced for such LOW LOW QUALITY. Go somewhere else.
(1)Melanie B.
Great family place! Lots of energy for a suburban restaurant with a kids menu. Food is always consistent and great wine and beer list. Portions are generous.
(4)Liz S.
Little Ricky's is a VERY lively restaurant that is enjoyed by families, singles, friends, and pretty much anyone else that you can imagine. It's a little oasis of excitement in an otherwise quiet village, and therefore it is busy all the time. The ribs I had were pretty good, an the sweet potato fries were done perfectly. The menu choices are pretty basic, but for that reason it easily caters to the varied clientele. Not a destination restaurant, but a good staple if you are in the area, with a full bar.
(3)Charles J.
I tell people that they have the best fries anywhere. And they look at me with that glazed look people get when they don't believe you. Then I take them there and they can't even look at me anymore because they're so focused on the fries. Seriously - go get em. You'll agree. AND this is where I buy my BBQ sauce for home. Seriously - their BBQ food is good, but their sauce is THE BEST. I mean it - THE BEST. I say that and you're looking at me like people look at me about the fries but it's true. Granted, I know people have different tastes in BBQ sauce, so I'll tell you this is not overwhelming, it's a tiny bit sweet and not spicy and VERY flavorful. But they gots more than fries and what's nice is they have a general american menu. Go here on lunch - there's never a wait and they are tasty!
(4)Yuri R.
After visiting the mens room, it made me realize that the staff, management & owner have something to work on. I left the washroom feeling like I needed to take a look at the restaurant as a whole for cleanliness. Wish I hadn't done that, as it made me realize that there is something really lacking here! Needless to say I won't be going back anytime soon, as the food doesn't didn't wow me enough to look the other way on the above issues
(1)Scott B.
After a second visit on par with the first, I'm writing a review giving it the benefit of the doubt for possibly unreasonably high expectations. That is if you think that expecting decent food and decent service for higher-than-expected north shore prices is unreasonable. Two meals: both were not bad, but not neither were anything special. At all. The second one, a steak sandwich came out cold. One highlight was the sweet mashed potatoes. They would have been even better if they were warm. Service: After asking for a glass (twice) for the bottled beer a second time, I gave up. The bartender seemed too busy with talking to the waitress and adjusting the stereo to actually attend to either of the folks sitting at the bar area. I do, however, now know how they track their cash at the restaurant as the argument between the waitress and the bartender in front of the customers kept us all informed on the second visit. Price: although this was the north shore, the prices were even higher than expected. If the food was outstanding, that would probably be OK. It is Winnetka after all. But it wasn't. And obviously neither was the service. Overall, I'm giving Ricky's "Meh, I've experienced better" rather than the "Eeek! Methinks not" that it probably deserves. If I'm forced to try a third time, I'll update either way. In the meantime, I'd suggest looking elsewhere. I will be.
(2)GLORIA M.
If you are looking for a quick cocktail and dinner in the neighborhood, the restaurant fits the bill. No pressure to get you out of there, the food not bad. Very good grilled calamari ....awful mussels. The wait staff chose to ignore our complaints about the mussels that actually had a bad smell. Skirt steak was excellent with mashed potatoes and homers ice cream for dessert...perfect! I live near by, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go here.
(3)Brian D.
I honestly dont understand some of the other reviews but heres mine. I'll start with the ribs, which are freakin great, always fall off the bone and have a great sauce too. Specials are always changing and great. Sandwiches, salads, entrees always different and good. Apps are all good too but the NACHOS are OMAZING. Get them with the pulled pork, YOUR WELCOME. The Rick is pricey but not compared to other options in the area! The fact is that there is no other casual place you can get a great meal, cocktail, and sit outside around there. Keep it up.
(5)Melissa F.
Yes, it's expensive. At first, that seems ridiculous. Expensive just for bar food? But it is more than bar food. It's high-quality. Every item on the menu seems to be well thought out. Nothing is an afterthought. I am addicted to the Suzy salad - enough ingredients so it doesn't get too bland, with a spicy dressing. For a place that's pretty far away from the bayou, they do gumbo pretty well. This place is like an upscale bar/grill, but without the stuffiness. It's nicer than an ordinary burger joint, but it's accessible and a friendly neighborhood place. I recommend it.
(5)Paul L.
The only thing good was the service and beer. The food (both times) was bland and overly dressed, which made our wallets cry. Looks like there won't be a third visit for a charm.
(2)Julie S.
Fun place, good food, grab a seat outside in good weather.
(5)Jeremy M.
Tried to have dinner there but was largely ignored so I left. Got there around 7:30, sat outside since I had my dog. No one noticed me and came out after about 10 minutes so I called in to tell them I was there. A guy ambled out with a menu but did not ask me if I wanted anything to drink. Then I was ignored for another 10 minutes before I left. I've eaten there before and the food is decent. Just a bad night I suppose, but still annoying.
(2)James M.
Stopped by wed for a quick bite of lunch. Ordered a appt and a soda. 30 min later it still had not arrived. Being the only person dining, I would have thought lunch would be fast. The woman behind the bar just kept saying my order would be up shortly. What, before the dinner rush?? Poor choice of mine to go in. Went over to Caribou coffee and had a fast lunch and was good too. Rethink going here if you are looking for a nice place to dine
(1)K M.
Here's another rib joint that was yummy! We ordered carryout and got 1 full slab which came with 2 sides so we got a double order of mac and cheese. I wanted to get sweet potato fries but since we got carryout, I had a feeling the fry's would get soggy. The ribs didn't have the smokiness of Smoque ribs but were still delicious. The meat was so tender that it just fell off the bone, no need for knives. They give you extra sauce which is always a plus. Loved the cheese sauce in the mac and cheese but the noodles were kinda soft - but it didn't matter too much to me since I love mac and cheese. I would order theirs again.
(4)Daniel C.
I have been working in Winnetka for a few months now and have been to Little Ricky's twice. The first time was for a salad to-go. It was a fine experience, just sitting at the bar until it was ready, paying and leaving. The salad itself was better than expected, with big shrimp and nice chunks of avocado, cheese and other goodies. The salad was underseasoned, which I am finding to almost always be the case with food from this place. Overall...a pretty good experience, 3-4 stars. However, I just got back from Little Ricky's and after eating in with a friend, the experience was much worse. We were seated promptly and ordered drinks. That is where the acceptable quality ends...I ordered the special "Kobe Burger" cooked medium, in quotations because you can not actually purchase real Kobe beef in the US, a place would definitely not grind it into a hamburger, and a place like Little Ricky's would never be able to afford it. However...I played along. I ordered the sweet potato fries as my side. After close to 30 minutes of waiting, our food arrived. The the person delivering our food (different from our server for some reason) had no idea where the plates were supposed to go and we literally had to flag him over to our table after attempting to mis-deliver the food to a very confused pair of businessmen. My friend's pulled pork looked very good and he seemed happy...I can not say the same for my meal. My burger was cook to past-well done, with not a trace of pink to be found in the dull gray mass on the my plate. If you are going to ask me how I want my burger cooked, I expect it to at least somewhat resemble what I ordered. As a cook, you need to know that "kobe" or whatever nicer cut of beef you use will COOK FASTER that your average chuck and you need to compensate for that decrease in cook time. Not only was the burger overcooked but it was also underseasoned...surprisingly bland even with the addition of blue cheese. My sweet potato fries, while nice an crispy were....wait for it....underseasoned! Diet Coke with overcooked and underseasoned bar food a good $20.00 lunch does not make. With a final post-tip price tag of over $40.00 (FOR LUNCH), it can say with certainty that it was one of the more underwhelming restaurant experiences I have had in a while. I don't plan on coming back anytime soon.
(2)Marie D.
I like Little Ricky's but think it's expensive for what it is. I find that the salads and burgers are a good bet; sometimes the seafood entrees are awash in goopy sauces that overwhelm the fish. I wish they had a kids' menu; paying grown-up prices for mac 'n cheese seems unwarranted when they could half the portion and lower the price. I like the buzz here - lots of locals, lots of families, and always a packed bar. A good neighborhood joint.
(3)John M.
My wife and I enjoyed a great meal at Little Ricky's on her birthday. The mussels in white wine sauce are fantastic, plump and juicy and a generous serving that we shared. The salmon, which we were told is flown in fresh, made my wife very happy and I loved the huge platter of pulled pork nachos. Great meal, very reasonable, fun place. More recently, the mussels are not the same - smaller and not really as good as they were. Sorry to see things decline.
(3)Tim S.
After a recommendation by a friend away from our original choice for dinner over a week ago we have hit Little Ricky's two times now and not been disappointed. I can see why this is such a popular place the employee's seem to know everyone who comes through, certainly a local favourite. We have had the Winnetka, Lakeside Burger, Ricky Club and the Sweet Chili Turkey Burger all done right and tasty. Service was attentive, without being annoying.
(4)Don S.
Good food... average bbq with fake smoke rub on ribs. Don't know why there's no draft beer served.
(3)Danielle H.
Fish tacos were good as were the burgers and the quesadillas. Avoid the Mac and cheese! It's a real disappointment, it tastes like its from a packet. Service is good and servers friendly.
(4)Joseph O.
Little Ricky's has been on our family's "close-by" short list for a few years. The menu is a good mix of what those of us raised here on the North Shore would expect: Baby Back Ribs, Large Burgers and a mix of other wraps, salads and munchies in a convenient location along with a REAL BAR! The main room is comfortable - there are always a few families earlier but, adults later as the night progresses. The Ribs are flavorful, always a good portion and good. Not the best ribs ever, but, for a place that's right-here-right now - you can't go wrong. Speaking of going wrong - what impresses me the most about LR's is that when our most recent order was - ahem - not good, their manager, Colleen, credited the dinner and then delivered deserts to our door! That is the sign of a restaurant with someone who cares. If you're new to Winnetka or North Shore - Little Ricky's is worth a shot!
(4)A W.
I have to start off saying that the food isn't really that good. Even the Mac and Cheese tasted really blah, like something from a box. That said, my kids were with my husband and I. Every single table with a kid was seated near the bathrooms in the back where no one could see them when entering the place. I must state that the back is narrow, waitresses don't come by very often, and there is a feeling of being unwelcome by having to sit back there when the rest of the place is mostly empty with a few people dressed in business casual lunching. It was quite a rude experience we had. I was insulted by the time we left. Clearly they accept kids, but don't want to hear or see them...or have their other customers see or hear them. I won't be coming back because of the whole experience...plus...I've got to say their food was really not all that good....so that's another reason not to go back.
(1)Charlotte B.
Really a no star. $16.95 for the lousiest platter of nachos ( probably the easiest dish on planet, to make good). What nerve. Commercial poor quality chips , handful beans , dried up 1/16th " cubes of skirt steak? Guacamole from 3 pac you buy at trader joes, really bad. And $17!!!! These ppl should be embarrassed. Can t imagine anyone coming here if you live more than block away.
(1)Annette Q.
Chicken Panini (special) good. Sweet potato fries good. Pulled pork delicious but laden with high fructose corn syrup, MSG (modified food starch) soybean oil (GMO-I doubt it's organic) sodium benzoate, mac & cheese....well, I wouldn't be surprised if it were box mac & cheese. In fact, Kraft would've been better than what I was served. Speaking of service (or lack thereof), I haven't even gone there yet! Little waitress never came by to see how we were doing or if we wanted anything else. If she had, maybe desert or another drink might have been added onto the tab but NOOOOO. So, question: do you think I'll be back?
(2)Andrea R.
As the name implies this restaurant is good for the littles in your life! I figured we'd be eating mac & cheese at home on Easter Sunday, but thanks to Ricky we were able to venture out for our mac & cheese. And boy did my 1-year-old love Ricky's mac & cheese. He pretty much ate the entire bowl and it was a pretty large portion that I expected to take home. I had a few bites and thought it was just OK, but then again my son is the m&c expert. As for myself I went with the veggie quesadillas, which were quite good. I'd definitely order them again next time if I didn't want to try something else from the large menu. Casual atmosphere (hence why it's good for the "littles"), fast service & decent food. And if it ever warms up in Chicago we may even enjoy our m&c and quesadillas outside.
(4)Nicole P.
So today I ordered the winnetka salad to go and decided to try the tarragon dressing although I didn't know what it was and would usually have substituted it out for something else. I am so happy I didn't! The dressing was sooooo tasty and there was so Many veggies mixed into my salad!! Loved it! Now I don't know how I'm going to ever eat a salad the same again!
(5)Billy O.
Little Ricky's is the "Cheers" of Winnetka. I've been going here for years and the food is always good. You can't go wrong with any of the hefty salads. The Suzie Salad is my favorite. It's a "manly" chopped salad packed with heaps of sliced chicken, cheese, corn, beans and romaine lettuce. It's got a South West thing going on. The ribs are OK but the pulled pork is fantastic! I especially like it smothered on the nachos. Little Ricky's is not pretending to be fine-dining but the salmon is cooked to perfection. The service is great but it's kind of loud in there. You'll find lots of kids at the dinner hour, but after-hours it calms down to an adult bar hangout for Winnetka folks. Love this place!
(5)Steve O.
Food was good but service was dismal. Never saw are server until she brought us the bill. The hostess brought us our food. Our server gave of the apathy of living in Winnetka but having no money and having to do the four letter word WORK.
(3)