Calvin's BBQ review

[RTC]

I checked out this relatively new joint on Armitage (2500 West block) this weekend. It is the same owners as Smokin' Woody's on Lincoln.

I was excited about trying it, but underwhelmed. I had the beef brisket sandwich. They basically pulled some brisket out of the fridge, threw it on a griddle to heat it up, and poured some barbeque sauce on it. It was okay, but the meat was not tender at all. The fries were average. My wife had a burger which was good, not great.

The other entrees looked okay, but they appear to be lacking the TLC that other proprieters give their food. For example, while I like but don't love Honey 1 (also in the neighborhood), you can tell they put some lovin' into their barbeque. I didn't get that feeling from Calvin's.

My favorite in that area remains Fat Willy's.

Anyone else have a different experience at Calvin's?

[Dawn]

Haven't tried it but we love Smokin' Woody's ribs. I think they are better than Fat Willy's although overall Fat Willy's is a better place to dine in my opinion.

[amoncada]

I agree, smokin woody's ribs are really good. Haven't tried the ribs at Calvins though. The burgers are pretty good and they're huge.

[JWDC]

i checked it out this weekend too. Thought it was divey enough to have potential, but just thought it was OK. Had the pulled pork and my husband had a hotlink sandwich. I don't really recommend it, but there really isn't a Chicago bbq place i recommend. I guess you should go to TX if you want the good stuff.

[jj]

If you haven't tried it, you should check out Fat Willy's. Everything I have tried on the menu is very good to excellent. There may be more authentic places, on the south side of Chicago for example, but for the area, I think it's the best around. I highly recommend their beef brisket sandwich and the ribs.

[Ed]

There's more authentic BBQ half a mile away, at Honey 1, which is just as authentic as Lem's, Barbara Ann's, etc, and just as good, if not better.

Fat Willy's has good atmosphere and good sides. They don't have good bbq.

[JWDC]

well with 2 emails back about Fat Willy's I'll have to check it out soon. Thanks for the suggestions

[Bam Bam Boomer]

My experience with Calvin is at best frenetic.

The rib tips are mighty tasty but each of the 3 times I have ordered a burger Medium rare it has been grey all the way through. Now I am not a very "send it back to the kitchen " kind of gal but the last time I was frustratingly pissed off and sent it back, but of course by the time it does get made everyone else is ready to go....so left overs it is. the sauce is okay but unmemorable....

now the sauce at Honey 1 BBQ IS memorable including everything else they cook up.
mild or spicy and that spicy is whew.... so good.

2241 N. Western Ave.
773-227-5130

After two years in the Austin neighborhood, Honey 1 pulled out and moved to this considerably larger Bucktown location. This family-run outfit (Robert Adams Sr. mans the smoker, his wife Patricia makes the secret, slightly-kicky sauce and son Robert Jr. handles operations) features spareribs smoked over hickory, red and white oak and occasionally a hit of cherry wood, in a massive custom-made 8-foot smoker. Owners tell us they give the ribs a touch of seasoning before loading 'em in; it takes around three hours to get the ribs cooked to smoky perfection. Sides include cole slaw, potato salad and fries.

Hours: 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 1-9 p.m. Sunday

[Jonathan]

I went to Calvin's once. Before I ordered, I went and eyeballed the smoker and it all looked like it was the real deal. Then we got the food. My wife liked the chicken, but the ribs were dry and the brisket - well suffice it to say that brisket is not supposed to be chewy. Anyway, as has been said, Honey1 is close by and that's the spot to go to.

[Jon]

We tried it out today for Father's Day. The chicken was very tender and really quite tasty. The pulled pork wasn't special. Both the french fries and the boiled potatoes were only mediocre at best.