Old Smokey’s BBQ

Went in with table of 3 adults at 6pm on a Friday evening. Not many people, the service was polite but very slow. We were not in a big hurry but it took 40 minutes for food to come out. I ordered ½ chicken with 2 sides. It was on the front of menu, not something special. My chicken was cold, when i tore apart the small breast it had ice crystals in it. I was unwilling to wait for more. The cashier/​waiter said new cook. They did take the cost of chicken off bill, but it was too late. Sides poor at best and all food just reheated and felt old. Very disappointed!

I’m just not interested in propane gas barbecue. The guy should just stick to taxes.

Service was good, friendly, and quick. At 4 PM they were not busy at all. Did takeout, full rack of ribs and 1 lb of brisket with sides. Cole slaw and beans were good. Ribs and brisket were reheated, did not seem fresh at all. Brisket tasted more like roast beef. Very disappointed.

The worst rib tip dinner I have ever had in my life. Nothing but gristle and fat. Won’t eat there again.

Pulled pork was good. Place is a dump. Good good means I will return. I would like to try a few more menu items to be sure.

Ok, I was really caught between giving this 2 stars instead of 3 because «Meh — I’ve had better» really does sum up the rib tips I had, but I hate doing that to a mom & pop establishment with friendly service that seems like they really try. Unfortunately, being in mid Illinois they probably just don’t know what good southern barbeque is! Memphis rib tips this is not!
I wandered into this place by accident as I was passing through Morton around lunch time and hungry, and seeing a sign for KFC reminded me how much I like their pop pies (they’re very good with a truly flaky crust!) so off the highway I went looking for the KFC. Unfortunately, I never found that KFC but saw a Jimmy Johns in the distance, and driving up to it, what do I see but a little hole in the wall BBQ joint!
Being a sucker for hole in the wall BBQ joints of course I chose that over the Jimmy Johns, and being Tuesday all you can eat rib tips was the daily special. So how were they? Well, maybe I should’ve had Jimmy Johns instead. No, they’re not that bad, in fact, they’re pretty good unless you’re really expecting Memphis style tips with all their smokey goodness.
These tips appear to have been put into a crock pot or something to keep them warm. Were they moist? Yes. Fell off the bone? Yep — that’s all good, except I have the sneaking suspicion these might have been boiled first before putting on the smoker which is a definite no-​no for authentic BBQ pits. As for their pit, an employee informed me they don’t really have one, and these were smoked indoors with «wood» so I suspect they must have an electric smoker that you throw some wood in for some smoke effect.
All in all they were tasty, with some smoke flavor and they were soft and moist — perhaps a bit too moist, as if they’d been smothering in steam for awhile. I did have a 2^nd helping being it was all you can eat, but unfortunately I didn’t quite finish it all, and if you know me, I never leave anything on the plate so that might tell you my overall enthusiasm for those tips! But all in all, it was all-​right — I’m just spoiled and ok, picky when it comes to barbeque!

Awful! How does this place stay open? They must give a free meal with tax service?

Our first visit today. Pulled pork sandwich was awesome. Husband had beef tips. Great food! Simple, casual, good prices. Small restaurant but plenty of room to eat inside. 4 tables & 2 booths on one side. Additional seating on other side of restaurant. Take out available. Baked beans, coleslaw and sweet potato fries very good. We will definitely be back!

Pretty good brisquet! AYCE rib tips on Tuesdays and AYCE walleye on Fridays. Fries are pretty good too :-) Atmosphere is very mom and pop. A good place to go with friends!