Real Urban Barbecue - Highland Park

Reviews 10

CA

Carrie Taylor

Restaurant was only open three days and no advertising and the line is already out the door! No surprise that it is difficult for them to keep up with this slow cooking food process, but still they had everything but St Lous style ribs! Originally from this area but moved to Kansas City for a few years and then came back - we knew we were going to miss KC BBQ but this place has eliminated the need for a road trip for BBQ! We tried the brisket, pulled pork, burnt ends, and baby back ribs along with the Fuji Apples and mashed potatoes and gravy (which we didnt get to!). Im a StLouis rib fan because they are meater and cooked longer - but for baby back ribs- these were very flavor and good! The burnt ends and pulled pork were both tender juicy and flavorful and I didnt put any sauce on them! Ribs we ordered dry Decor was traditional to all of the BBQ places I experienced while in Kansas, but the noise echos just a little bit throughout so we ate outside. However, the volume was not out of proportion to the number of people - the tables were full and the line was out the door! Service: there was a sign on the door as you walk in to caution you that the store is still new and employees are still in training - but we received better service here than some places that were open for a long time.... They were knowledgable on the product they were service, prompt, friendly, and working hard to give every customer attention and keeping the dining room clean. Strongly recommended! If they are out of one meat...be patient or select something else. They are all good! The slowness of the cooking process is why it is so special - it adds the flavor, richness, smokiness, and tenderness - its well worth the wait, and good things come to those who wait!

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Jon Pool

I have eaten inside a handful of times and been very pleased with both food and service. BUT......... Every time I have ordered takeout there have been issues. To make matters worse the people who work there are openly rude. This past week will be my last time. After calling an hour before my pickup time to order some sandwiches and sides we were told we would have to wait 10-15 minutes with no apology and general rudeness. Then when that amount of time passed again I was told I had to wait another 10 minutes. Meanwhile my sandwiches are sitting this whole time getting cold as I was being made to wait. Finally I was given my order for free, $55 worth of food, after complaining to an unapologetic non feeling manager named Jeff. I did not want my food for free just an acknowledgement that they were having a problem an a simple feeling of responsibly... Got none. And when I got home, no BBQ sauce in the bag! Horrible take-out Former restaurant owner.

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Kaye Veazey

What a disappointment! We eagerly awaited the opening in Vernon Hills for our first taste of Real Urban BBQ and after two visits, well probably never return. The BBQ is very average (granted, Im a Southerner whos lived in Memphis so my standards are high). I do recommend the pork -- but thats all. The ribs are tough (and guys, dry ribs do NOT have sauce), the brisket is bland, and the burnt ends . . . well, who knows? We visited twice -- once for dinner and once for lunch -- and they were out both times. I liked the watermelon iced tea, but the sides were average and, they were out of some of the desserts (guys, if youre not going to stock your menu items, then dont put them on the menu). Id recommend Main Street Smokehouse in Libertyville for better BBQ -- or go around the corner in Vernon Hills and have sushi at Eight Piece.

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John Kokoris

I didnt expect much at a storefront restaurant in HP (I go to the best hole-in-the-walls on the south and west sides), but I was in the neighborhood and gave it a try at the urging of my girlfriend. REALLY good, the best on the North Side where good bbq is hard to find. I HIGHLY recommend this place. The price is fair, the portions are good, and the food is GREAT. Cafe-style ordering is quick and easy and its nice to see it in front of you. Everythings good, I recommend the pork. Only drawback is its slick/suburban/"inauthentic" feel (but the foods the real deal!)

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A Private User

The food is great. I had the "Burnt Ends" and they were just amazing. A sandwich and two sides goes for $10. An entree with two sides goes for $12. The portions are enormous...two hearty eaters can easily share one of the entrees. This place goes through an absolutely insane amount of brisket. I have been to quite a few BBQ joints in the Chicago area over the past 15 years and this is the best one I have been to. People in Highland Park must think the same way since there is usually a line out the door at lunch time. Dont worry about that....it moves pretty quick!

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Yael Rootberg

Best BBQ around. First found out about them on Chicagos best, bbq episode. I was on the episode at another BBQ place. Didnt get to try them till they came to Vernon Hills Big Bear Ribfest. I do have to say they were the 2nd best at the fest. The only one that was better, could not reproduce when I went to the restaurant. This is the story with most BBQ places. Every time you go it is different. RUB however is consistently EXCELLENT every time. Try ribs, Beef ribs if they have them, sliders, Brisket, and the pecan pie. oh... fish tacos are good too.

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Juanita Applebaum

I tried this place because I saw it on the news early in the morning before breakfast so that made me extra hungry. I got a turkey sandwich and it was good. I especially like that they did not drench the sandwich with the sauce. I was given two sides so I choose the corn and the apples. The corn was soooo good, the apples not so much. Service was quick though and worth the drive if you are not in the area, but be warned they are in a office center so if you are driving up and down Central looking for a sign you will burn your gas.

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Rico T

Excellent BBQ place—Ive never left here disappointed. I go right for a pulled pork sandwich every time and its glorious every time. Tack on some freshly-made fries (they literally make them just for you) and some sweet potatoes for sides and youre set. This location also seems to be slightly better and more consistent than the Vernon Hills location, so take that as you will.

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John P

Ordered catering for 17 people. They showed up 1 hour 15 minutes late. Manager couldnt get the delivery man to answer his cell phone. When delivery man arrived, he blamed the manager, Bridgette, and the manager blamed him. Worst part is that every 10 minutes, when we called, they said he was almost there. Very embarrassing situation when we were entertaining.

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Randy Kim

My company ordered Real Urban when our planned cookout was rained out and we were desperate to find another place that can cater at the last minute. Luckily, we were able to reach them and they were able to get our order in and a few hours later, it came in. The pulled pork and brisket were delicious but the sweet potato souffle is a must here.

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