Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue

I purchased a three meat plate which I asked for brisket, rib tips & spicy sausage. My three sides were, Mac&cheese, baked beans and Cole slaw. I arrived around 7pm to this location.
The cole slaw was good (creamy), the baked beans were good and the Mac & Cheese needed salt. The brisket had absolutely zero flavor, it was moist but with zero flavor. The rib tips were 95% cartledge and the spicy sausage was alright. I had an ice tea for my drink. The three meat plater was $ 18.99 and I substituted the corn bread for a different item, which was an additional 0.49 cents.
My server /​service was almost invisible, I was checked on only once and by that time, I was almost done eating what little I did eat. I stated to her (my server) that the brisket had no flavor at all. She offered to replace it with another meat. I saw at least two, but I believe three female servers and when I was there, the restaurant was not packed at all, customers were there yes, but was it packed, no.
My total was $ 24.28 and I have zero intention on going back.

Not a raving fan, but it wasn’t a bad deal for a meal of large portions and decent prices.
We had the pulled pork platter and Texas brisket platter. Each included coleslaw, cornbread, and one side. The pulled pork platter was on point. The meat was tender and had a delicious bbq sauce that was too overpowering. As far as the brisket, I so not recommend this dish. It had very little flavor and looked almost as if it was cooked in the microwave. I had the Mac and cheese for a side, but they were bland.
Now onto the service. My order was takeout and the man taking my order lacked interpersonal skills and customer service. He definitely lacked in customer service skills and was not friendly. But I like to give people the benefit of the doubt so maybe he was having a bad day. Also when I went to pick up my order, the staff sounded confused and were not sure of which order belonged to me.
Putting aside the service, the food was decent and I would return to try some of their other entrees.

I’m not sure why there aren’t more stars on this place. The portions are huge and delicious. I got the brisket and rib tips and they were booth moist and full of flavor. They give so much that it took me two sittings to eat it all.

I was at this location today for the car show, so I never made it inside but thankfully there were kids with us we could send in. Food came back with said kid super quick so bonus on that! I got the Smokehouse Pimento and Brisket sandwich with sweet potato fries. So. Freaking. Yummy. The only reason I took a star off was the 2^nd piece of the sandwich was overloaded with pimento cheese, to the point it was not easy to pick up and eat. Other than that it was on point to what I am used to getting when I am back home in the south. The pimento cheese was different than what I am used too but had just enough kick to it. I would get this again for sure and I want to go back to try out other things.

Came here for mothers day brunch. A very big disappointment at $ 30 per head. Been before several times for the regular menu and it’s always been ok, but it seems like they decided to cash in this mothers day with sub standard food you’d expect from a free hotel buffet. Ribs were cold dried out and tough, most everything else was cold, they didn’t serve items offered in previous year brunches (seriously, no corn bread or shrimp?) Hope they did well, we won’t be back and judging by the empty parking lot and empty tables, others already came to that decision.

Tried out the Groupon. The fried onion tangles taste a lot like Outback Blooming Onion. It is ample for two, crispy and greasy. Good in small portions… Lol!
My friend ordered the steak sandwich. I tried some. The steak had good flavor and was made to order. The garlic bread was crisp. The garlic mash potatoes tasted fresh and tasted like they had been just made.
I had the platter. The Brisket was disappointing. It seemed dry. Slattered it with bbq to make it taste better. Bq chicken was a little better and more moist with smoke flavor. Still wasn’t blown away. I enjoyed the Mac and cheese. It was creamy with out being over powered with salt.
I’d come back cuz the service was good and sides were good. I know this is a BBQ place… But next time I would rethink getting brisket.

It’s definitely a chain sort of BBQ place, but the ribs were right. My wife had the Brisket sandwich (which means I had the leftovers), which was tasty too. The craft beer selection is solid, and there are good choices for kids.
I will go back.

Pretty much what I expected from this BBQ joint and that’s not a bad thing. I got the 2 meat player with baby back ribs and brisket. I agree with one of the reviewers where I would probably give this a 3.5, but I’m rounding up based on the positive service experience.
Ribs were good
brisket was ok
Cornbread was tasty
Coleslaw was meh
Service was great. I see some negative reviews about the service and I’m sure if varies from each experience, but my server was friendly, attentive, and fast. I plan to come back and try something different from the brisket.

The Food was good, but I was disappointed with the service. My wife and I decided to use the on-​line order to review the menu and then order. We live about 15 miles away from the restaurant, so when the email back after placing my order said it would be ready in 30 minutes, I figured I had plenty of time and it would be ready when I arrived. I arrived at the restaurant 30 minutes later, walked in to the Take Out Counter, and although I counted 5 Ladies working at the Kitchen counter getting meals for guest, I stood their for 15 minutes and no one said «Hi», «Be with you in a moment» … in fact I felt totally ignored. I was just seconds from walking out when a waitress came up and asked what I needed, when I told her I had ordered take out from the web-​site she looked at some orders which were still sitting on the Fax Machine in front of me. MY ORDER WAS NOT EVEN LOOKED AT FOR 45 MINUTES!
Because I was hungry, and didn’t want to make a scene, and did not see anyone around who even appeared to be Management Material, I waited another 10 minutes to get my food. I will have to give credit to the waitress who finally came over, who simply said «sorry».
I’m sorry but I did not see any of what you state on your web-​site to be true, Sorry.
Service
Our high caliber staff works as a team to anticipate guest’s needs. We continuously train our staff which is ultimately reflected in superior guest service.

First time for us at any of the Sweet Baby Ray’s restaurants. The «manager» Mike Vodin, set the tone for anything named Sweet Baby Ray’s in the future.
My wife purchased a groupon for this restaurant. We went this past Friday night. (4−15−16). When we arrived, there was a couple sitting at the bar that we knew. They were going to sit at the bar and eat. I suggested all of us sit at a high top in the bar so we could talk easier. They paid their bill at the bar and moved to our table. When the waitress came over, my wife told her that we had a groupon. The other couple said that they had one too. The waitress told us that we could only use one groupon per table. We explained that the other couple was from the bar and they were going to use their groupon and we were here separately going to use ours. She said she was not allowed to do that. We asked to see the manager. A few minutes later the «manager» came to our table. We explained our story and was told in a «dees dems does» wanna be attitude, «we got rules here», «I can’t let you do that, I’d have to let everyone else do it». All of a sudden I was back in first grade. This manger also stated that these groupons make us lose money. Customers take advantage of us. I looked around and noticed that the place was pretty empty for a Friday night that the Blackhawks were playing in the playoffs on tv. I remember thinking that the place should of been packed. But, we all stayed together and had dinner.
The food part of this review is ok, but nothing to write home about. The presentation and taste was good. The portions were good sized. At least they have a good cook. It’s just that the management staff is horrible. Getting into a conversation with a customer about the restaurant loosing money is unacceptable in ANY situation. They seemed to be displeased about us even using one groupon. Complaining that they weren’t making as much money with «these groupons». I’m not a big groupon or coupon guy. But one thing I do know is that coupons or groupons are supposed to get you in the door. It’s up to the restaurant to make you want to come back. This «manager’ set the tone for the dinner, even though the waitress and food were ok. We’ll think long and hard about EVER getting involved with anything named Sweet Baby Ray’s. It’s really too bad. The building is beautiful, this food was good, the drinks were good. Manager Mike, told us that the General Manager (Richard Jurczak) makes the rules. So, I’m not sure, but maybe the problem here starts at the very top. The management is running this restaurant into the ground, with the attitude that the customers take advantage of us. The CUSTOMERS ARE EVERYTHING TO YOU! EVERYTHING. THERE IS NOTHING ELSE. I hope the owners or franchisees or whatever, figure this out quick. The management in this restaurant is poison.

I love smoked food but wanted to try my first smoked meatloaf. So, I ordered the smoked meatloaf with gravy, huge broccoli, great onion strings, and good cornbread. The entrée is HUGE. I would have preferred a smaller dish with a lower price. Also, unfortunately, the meatloaf was not as good as I would have like. I don’t know why (maybe because of the various steps of making the finally product). I wished I tried an entrée with their famous BBQ sauce. If I am in the area again, I will be sure to stop and try the smoked wings appetizer.
The service was excellent. The décor was attractive.

This place was just mediocre and nothing to brag about. I had a pulled pork sandwich and they barely filled the bun with pork… good thing I wasn’t starving! The server asked us if we wanted refills on my cocktail and other beverages and they refilled the same glasses including the cocktail… I really think they should have used new glasses, kind of dirty if you ask me. The dining room was very clean but there was barely anyone there for a Saturday afternoon. Our waitress also became a ghost after we ordered. I could of went to a fast food place for better service and more food, needless to say, won’t be back.

Just had the Texas Brisket sandwich – meat was too dry for me and if lucky, was just a brush across the bun of BBQ sauce… noticed they changed the menu and prices lately – used to get the steak salad, but they changed the greens and other toppings lately on them… they really should go back to the original menu or cooks…

It has been quite a while since we last went to Sweet Baby Rays. I’m not sure if my taste for barbecue has changed since some world-​class barbecue restaurants opened in and around Chicago, but I was not as impressed as I’ve been in the past.
Started off with a Bloody Mary — they had a special that day, Bloody Mary’s for $ 2. They use their barbecue sauce in their mix and the taste is pronounced. It adds a sweetness I’m not used to in this drink. I can’t say I really liked it, and I think I know why it was only $ 2 — very little vodka and no condiments.
The meal — I had their brisket meal with red beans and rice. The beans and rice was very good. The brisket was dry and flavorless unfortunately. Service sometimes can make up for a meal, but no so much here. I can’t say it was bad, but it wasn’t good either.
I was disappointed in this one. Too bad. I like barbecue and this is still the closest one to our home.

I wish I could give 3.5 but 3 it is I suppose. Came here with my wife off a $ 16 for $ 30 Groupon last night. Let’s begin with the service. Our waitress was nice, however, she was kind of nonchalant in her pace. I just felt like she wasn’t as quick and efficient as I would expect from a waitress on a busy Friday night. Maybe it’s just me.
Food was ok. I got the pulled pork plate with baked beans. It also came with cornbread and coleslaw. Nothing on that plate was really phenomenal. The pulled pork was good, seasoned well & not dry. The flavors just didn’t jump out at me. Same with the baked beans. The cornbread was pretty good in my opinion. The coleslaw was nasty. To be fair though, I generally don’t like coleslaw so it takes some phenomenal coleslaw to please me.
I got a banana Pudding to go. They put it in this tight little 4oz container. I wasn’t pleased with the size of it with it costing $ 5. I can go to like pappadeaux and get a jar full for the same price. Overall, my meal was ok. Nothing to brag about but not terribly horrible.

A really good experience. First time check in got a free appetizer (pulled pork nachos) which was excellent. The Babyback Ribs were very good. The portions are very large. We ordered two meals for three people and brought home ½ of what we had brought to the table. This is not as good as some of the BBQ places I have visited in St. Louis but far better than Famous Dave’s.
Our sides were sweet potato fries (they were like dessert), mashed potatoes (our son loves those), mac and cheese, and coleslaw (my wife’s favorite). When we reheated the ribs they were not as awesome bu they were still good. Their mac and cheese is the BOMB and I would order it every time.

Saw this on the road and I had to stop. Ordered the Mooink Burger it was delicious. Highly recommend ordering the sweet potato fries as a side.

Sara was helpful and attentive.
Food was good. I didn’t care for the brisket, but loved the burnt ends. Warning– if you order onion strings– be sure you have 4+ people, it is a LOT of strings.
Roasted garlic mashed potatoes were yummy. Maybe I will try the ribs if I get back here.

Phenomenal. Split the bbq platter with my brother and we still couldn’t finish. Got 3 meats: bbq pork, chicken, and brisket. Ordered mashed potatoes and mac n cheese with it. Coleslaw too. Everything came out fast. Waitress was friendly.

Consistently delicious! My husband is from Kansas City so he’s tough to please when it comes to barbeque. Prior to trying Sweet Baby Ray’s last year he hadn’t had barbeque in the Chicago area that he really liked. Yet we love this place! We were told that they smoke all of their meats, and that would be the difference. We use the sauce at home… it’s sweet but tangy and goes well with any barbequed, grilled, or smoked meat.
This time we had the jumbo wing appetizer (free, thanks to the Unilocal check in) the gumbo, which had just the right amount of kick, the 3-​meat platter and brisket platter; each with cole slaw, corn bread, and choice of side. The ribs were delicious, as was the pulled pork and burnt ends, and the beef brisket was the most tender I’ve ever had. I like «Smoque» in the city, but this place is still better!
After all of this, we were too full for dessert. Service was great too. Definitely worth the trip to Elk Grove Village. Five stars!