Exsenator’s BBQ

Smoking ribs. Sketchy neighborhood. Damn good food. Cash only. Lazy susan for food distribution. Reminds me of the old Leons on racine

The food was way better than the customer service… I walk in and the guy gives the lady who had been waiting on her food her order, so I’m sitting at the window and he gets on snap chat and I know because when I looked down at his phone that’s what was on the screen, so after he gets done with snap chap he asked me if I had a bad day because I was just looking at him waiting on him to take my order, so he takes my order then as soon as he gives me my change back he gets back on his phone and got on some app to talk/​video some girl because I noticed he has a Samsung phone so it wasn’t FaceTime… they need better customer service, don’t ask me what me problem is when I come to get food but your #1 priority is being on your phone

Best barbeque in South suburbs. Carry out only but it’s worth the trip. Very tender ribs. One bite and ribs practically fall off the bone leaving the bone clean. The sauce is very mild and thick and sweet.

The tips and sauce is really good, so why only 3 stars. The customer service is bad and has gone from bad to worse. The waiting area is supper small, so I would call ahead to avoid being packed in there like a can of sardines and listening to what appeared to be a fustrated employee yelling out numbers. Not to mention the dvd man, who takes up most of the space. But unfortunately, they never ever answer the phone, during business hours. One day, I start calling consistently back to back for over an hour, only to get a busy tone. As I drove pass there on my way to another BBQ place who answers their phone, I looked in the window and it was only one person waiting. I still gave them the benefit of a doubt that just maybe it was busy earlier and they had cleared the place. So out of curiosity, I called, only to get a busy signal. This is the case every time I call, so no isolated incident. The bbq is good but my time is equally important to me. Perhaps they feel their food is so good there is no need to have good customer service. Or better yet, how about a sign saying «no phone orders».

This is the only place I know that you can pick up a dinner, drink and a movie! This is the perfect date night event. The ribs are delicious not to salty, sweet and the fries are great when drench in barbecue sauce. Tell Terrence the cashier Toledo Ron sent you!

I love the tips here! I moved away and every time I come back to visit I get some ribs.. I love their ribs and the portion. The sauce is good too!

I only ever ate here because it was convenient (closer than George’s on 147^th in Harvey). I think I’ve said enough. Drive over to George’s or hop on the expressway to I-​57 if you’re up to it.

Please help me with understanding
What happen to the great customer service when you walk into places.
This BBQ house has a very small lobby area so you have a movie and DVD man taking up one area. How crazy is that. Boxers in the way and all in the window and a TV plugged up from a visible long cord coming from behind the counter.
Really who allows that ???
My food was ok. Need to stop being cheap and get some fries with flavor. (You find that out then you get lite sauce on and a cup on the side).
You can find out if the food has any seasoning. You cant fool me.
This is not a must have
I had chicken wings because it was going to be awhile on the ribs.
But I have to say I did like the hot BBQ sauce.
But the chicken needs help
A good BBQ house will have good meat and good sauce
I think this place is fooling people with all the sauce over your food.
Let’s see what happens when I try the meat

Bangin Rib Tips… Always get a large– last me 2 or 3 meals. When I visit Markham, Illnois I will definitely stop and pick me up some delicious ribs.

If you dont eat pork dont eat here I tried their chicken and it was nasty. I threw it out. The cash only policy is the cherry on top. To be fair I didnt try the ribs as I dont eat pork. The waiting area is just weird and confined. Don’t eat the chicken and I can’t speak for the ribs

I eat their most of the time and I must say I never have been disappointed and I love the sauce. The tips is my favorite

This place is absolutely terrible. I cant even believe this place is still in business. I ordered the half slab of ribs… *sighs* here goes…
First off, the bread they place on top was crusty, stale, and soaked. The meat was pink and not flavorful at all. The fries were soaked in their mild/​bbq sauce. I wouldnt even call the sauce BBQ sauce. The sauce was the worst part of this meal. SERIOUSLY, it tastes like watered down mild sauce mixed with the worst BBQ sauce you can find.
Food was disgusting. I will not be eating this ever again. And the people that do eat this obviously never had real BBQ before. Pity.

Went for the first time today in hope of finding good ribs and links without having to travel to the city, i ordered a 3 wing and a small tip/​link combo and i must say the place is just ok. The tips werent all that tender, the link was a bit chewy also, it didnt have the crispy char outside that i always love, and the wings were average. The portions werent all that great for the price either. They were very scarce on the sauce, my fries didnt have a drop of sauce on them so i had to buy extra sauce (.75 cent) i guess they do this on purpose since they put the fries on top of everything instead of the usual under method but i prefer it that way, as soggy as they may get. All in all it was just ok ive been to way cheaper places in the city that are better and give more food.

My opinion on this place is that, in regard to BBQ (of course), you may find other spots that are just as good, but you certainly won’t find one that’s better. At least not anywhere in Chicagoland. Cash only kinda sucks though…

The rib tips are the bomb (atomic). The portions are huge and service was fast. This place will be around for years to come as long as they serve up delicious BBQ like this.

You can search high and low, it doesn’t matter where you go, you will never, ever, find ribs like these.

If you’re driving down 159^th you may smell smoke. Well, where there’s smoke there’s fire. But this is a good fire. That means they’re cooking up them ribs at Exsenator’s. The simple menu has St Louis ribs, rib tips, fried chicken wings, whole barbeque chicken and hot links.
I had the rib tip and wing combo lunch special for $ 6.95 which satisfied even a hearty eater like me. The rib tips had a nice wood smoke aroma to them and the chicken wings (although fried) were a tasty combo. It was served with fries, slathered in sauce and the usual slice of white bread.
Fine points: no credit cards, no public washrooms, no sit down service, clausterphobic waiting area, closed Sunday and Monday. Got it? Service is pleasant behind the plexiglass barrier and lazy-​susan contraption that’s obligatory for a proper south side rib joint.
They’re not far from the I-​57 exit so you can hop in your car and have rib tips in no time.

The reviewer Valoria on this page knows a bit about what she’s talking about but failed to mention Lem’s which makes me question it a little.
Exsenetors is the BEST bbq in a neighborhood you’re gonna feel somewhat comfortable in in the south suburbs. Lets be honest, alot of them can be in sketchy areas which doesnt bother me but will keep plenty from ever trying the establishments. Don’t mind the bulletproof glass which is standard in any bbq joint thats worth anything. The smoke smell will tell you all you need to know. And yes its CASH ONLY.
I always get the large tip and link combo because I know just one meal of this delicious meat wont be enough. Its alot of tips but only 2 links so dont be afraid of the large. Its served with the usual fries that are average and white bread good to stuff with the saucy link and fries.
The sauce is good and has definitely grown on me but not great. A thin, somewhat tangy sauce which I think compliments the smokey meat without covering up the flavor of the meat and smoke.
Never purchased the ribs. Thats for amateurs unaware of how much better rib tips are.

This is one of the best bbq joints I’ve found. Everything is smoked on site, not smoked, refrigerated, and reheated as most places in the area do. You can tell, because half a block before you get there, the aroma of smoking meat will fill your nostrils, and you’ll feel the need to stop.
The tips/​link combo is the only thing I’ve had from here, so I can’t vouch for anything else, but the meat quality is the best. The tips are a little more meaty than most, with not a lot of fat. The links are whole, with some slices made into them so they cook quicker and absorb more smoke flavor. The fries are standard, and absolutely drenched in bbq sauce, which is fine with me.
Don’t be fooled by the names of the items on the menu. The «mini» tip/​link combo fills me up, I only get the large if I plan on making another 2 – 3 meals out of it. (I love to eat, but I don’t over stuff myself).
The only thing that keeps this place from getting the coveted 5 star rating is their sauce. The hot is actually fairly hot. The problem is, it’s way too sweet. I’m sure a lot of people would think of that as a positive, but I like a more bold sauce, like Curt’s boss sauce.
There is nowhere to eat inside, you gotta take this home and watch your dog stare at you and drool on the floor.

CASH ONLY … so leave your cards at home,
This is the best place for RIBS ever. I have a very picky picky girlfriend she talks about bbq on gas grills or boiled and its only good to her if they are smoked. you can smell the smoke from blocks away. You know you are there when you see a small business with smoke coming from the chimney. My boys and I LOVE this spot. Very few make ribs this good, and forget hog wild down the street that’s known for their pork chops — they cant touch ex’s bbq. My girlfriend loved it, the people who work there — looks like same two guys every Saturday — are very friendly. This is one of my favorite places for food — enjoy!