Fat Willy's Rib Shack
Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: (773) 782-1800
- Price:
- $
- Cross Street:
- Artesian Avenue
- Directions:
- Bus: 49 to Schubert
- Hours:
- Sun-Thu 11:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm
Editorial Review for Fat Willy's Rib Shack – by Citysearch Editors
In Short
It's downright homey inside this laid-back Logan Square barbecue joint. Most folks do takeout, but the tight space does offer a few booths for seating, plus a cooler for keeping drinks cold (it's B.Y.O.B.). The menu brims with Southern favorites like slow-cooked pork ribs or rib tips in light, slightly sweet sauce. Chicken, served dry or dipped (covered in barbecue sauce), is charred on the outside and moist inside.
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Insider Tips
Save TimeCall ahead for pickup. Everything is made to order (read: it's a bit slow), so don't double park unless your food is waiting.
User Reviews for Fat Willy's Rib Shack
11/02/2008 Posted by BleedGreen
Fat Willy's. I finally found a bbq spot in Chicago that knows what their doing. I have eaten fare from the top spots in KC and Memphis (Central's, Jack Stack, Payne's, Neely's, Gates, etc), and Willy's uses the same cook steps as some of the best I've tasted. The bark on the ribs was the first tell tale sign, you know that this meat spent many hours in a smoker. Not like some of the other ribs I've had in the city where they are just "cooked" over wood smoke. The bright pink color of the meat when you pull apart the bones is pure bliss. The links were another nice suprise. They don't hang out in the smoker for hours, but they are very flavoful and have a crisp skin on the outside. The horseradish sauce that comes with them is very unique, and a perfect compliment of flavor. The 2 negatives here are the uninspired bbq sauce, and the very high prices. There are 2 types of sauce available, the standard sweet sauce and of course a spicy version. They both had a good tangy flavor, but lacked any depth compared to others I've had. I tend not to put a lot of sauce on my bbq so it didn't spoil the whole experience. When it comes to the prices, it is probably the most expensive meal I have ever had at a bbq joint. The quality here is very good, but does'nt justify the cost. It would be very difficult to get out of Willy's spending less than $15 per head, and actually be full. $25-$30 will get you a taste of everything you want and leave with your stomach happy. If you truly want bbq the way it was supposed to be smoked, try Willy's and you'll have a great experience. Don't forget to order an extra side of Texas toast!
Pros: Meats are smoked like real southern BBQ
Cons: High prices aren't justified for what you get
07/23/2008 Posted by Maggie400
I had lunch with friends who were treating me a couple of days ago. Because they had thought it great, I did not want to say anything negative so pretended to enjoy it. The brisket was the worst I ever had anywhere. It was like trying to swallow cardboard. I loaded it with the mediocre sauce so that I was able to get most of it down. The reviews saying the brisket is good must be written by the restaurant owners. I tasted another member of our party's ribs and they were just ok. The ones I get at Dominic's on sale are much better. This is an over-priced, highly over-rated place. I added the second star only because of an outstanding, lovely server.
Pros: Service
Cons: Food
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