Calvin’s BBQ

Huhhh, whaaaa? Calvin’s wasn’t the best BBQ in Chicago but liked it enough.
[x] Will be missed.

If this was for the staffing it would be a 2. Because Im sorry but no matter where you work, using your cellphone while helping a customer is so not appropriate.
But because this review if for the food as well its a 4. I have been eating at Calvins for about 4 months… at least 3 times a week (I work close). And have had one meal that was horrible. Thats a good run. I love their potato salad with BBQ sauce all over it, and so does my pooch! I usually have the pulled pork, but have ventured into their salads (delicious) and tried the ribs a couple weeks ago… pretty tasty!
I would recommend take out here because the service can be hit or miss, but would definetly recommend the food to anyone!

I tried Calvin’s when I had one of those barbeque hankering, and I was underwhelmed. I would not recommend the chicken sandwiches, because they make sure to give you EXTRA chicken skin … mmmm, chewy.
It was not the worst BBQ I’ve ever had, but I won’t be going back.

Awful. I had the highest hopes for this place cause I love me some bbq. It was far less than average, side portions were small and tasteless. Add to that the fact that they were almost out of everything. And for the cherry on top or shall we say MOLD on top. We order a slice of sweet potato pie and it literally had green freckles of mold.
Stay away!

Close to my place, but not worth the effort. Most recently, I tried the brisket sandwich. It was awful.
The only good thing I have to say is there is parking and they have greens, which a lot of the other BBQ places don’t have. But puh-​leese step it up a notch, Calvins!

Meh…
If you’re really, really, really hungry and nothing else is open, Calvin’s might do.
My only good experience there was when they first opened. I ordered a cheap chicken sandwich. Walking home, I thought the bag felt extra heavy, but didn’t bother to look inside.
When I got home, I discovered I they gave me the wrong order. A full rack of ribs and some other goodies. I dug in. It’s not like I could have returned it. I just feel bad for the guy that got my sandwich.
Actually, maybe I shouldn’t have called that a good experience. The ribs really did nothing for me. A little too flabby for my liking.

I have been avoiding eating BBQ since I moved to Chicago — I’m grew up in the south, and I was afraid nothing here would ever compare. However, after having a terrible day I walked past Calvin’s and decided — hey? Why not give it a shot?
Calvin’s in a small joint that offers a vast menu. They have a few tables, and offer carry-​out and delivery. In addition they sell bottles of their BBQ sauce (but unfortunately the ingredients list isn’t much better than one you’d find at the grocery store — MSG, high fructose corn syrup, modified food starch, etc — I expect more from small time sauce!).
I decided to try the ribs — because typically that is how I judge a BBQ place. I was shocked with the amount of food I received — a house salad, fries, slaw, and rolls in addition to the meat — which filled a large plate though was a «small» order. The ribs are smoked and then doused in sauce. Honestly… the ribs weren’t what I hoped for. There was little smoke flavor, no dry rub it seemed, and the sauce tasted a bit too much like ketchup. They certainly were edible… but I wouldn’t order them again. At least they were reasonably priced so I didn’t feel cheated.
However, because the service was great and they do have a large menu, I am going to give them another shot — especially since other Unilocaler’s have recommended other menu items. Calvin’s — it isn’t great, but it isn’t bad either.

I only ordered the pulled pork sandwich. So I’m afraid I’m not giving Calvin’s a fair shake. I must try the ribs before making a final judgement.
That said, the pulled pork was not very good. It was extremely soggy, like it was just boiled and put on a bun. The bun was nothing, and the sauce was scarce and not that great anyway. I can’t remember what the sides were, so they must not have been memorable.
I might try this again, but it’s in a weird location where I would have to be driving or riding my bike to stop in here. And in any case, I’d probably just go to Fat Willey’s for a serious BBQ fix.

Everything I have ever had has been delicious, smoky, and everything I’d expect from a BBQ pit. I can’t really say much more than the other Unilocalers– but I must insist that your try the cheeseburger. It is the last thing that I’d probably think of ordering here, but somehow it happened and I will never regret it. This is definitely one of the best burgers I have had in the city.
And Calvin’s potatoes are smoked little red potatoes. The menu doesn’t really specify that.
I also just ate outside for the first time. Albeit the patio was wet from the recent watering of flowers/​plants, it felt secluded enough and would have been amazing with some BYOB beer.

While barbecue people say barbecue things about barbecue restaurants, Calvin’s is a great neighborhood place to stop for any kind of smoked meats, especially pulled pork. The dining room is simple and there are paper towels on each table. One could criticize it for not being the most fancy or comprehensive BBQ stop in the city, but that simply is not its purpose. Calvin’s is for those nights when you don’t know what to go eat except that it should be meaty and smokey. It’s for those Friday evenings, coming home from work, when you don’t want to cook and want a decadent meal of pork ribs. It is what it is and it is great.
It is also within walking distance of Margie’s Candies for dessert.

I got a lot of food with a fast delivery time from Calvin’s. They forgot to ask me if it was going to be cash or credit on the phone, and I forgot to offer my credit card number. The woman who arrived to deliver the food didn’t sigh, rip the card out of my hand, and snootily call back to the restaurant. she nicely said «No problem» and took the card information down. That’s a first. Normally delivery people are so pissy when that happens.
The food was pretty good. I didn’t get anything too terribly barbeque by nature (Steadk sandwich), but it arrived piping hot and in record time.
I’ll order from here again and get something legitimately barbeque. It’s worth checking out.

This place is definitely worth skipping. Where’s the smoke? The barbecue is flavorless and the sweet potato fries are covered in a vomit inspiring coating of cinnamon. Maybe you could ask me if I want a side of desert with my poorly cooked ribs that are soaked in a vinegar based sauce that tastes like something Calvin stocked up with at Aldi. Sorry for the run-​on sentence. My SO liked the pulled pork but I found it flavorless and covered in dried onions. Is this a green bean casserole? Where’s the cream of mushroom soup? I lived in NC long enough to know good pulled pork and this wasn’t it.
Don’t feel bad if you don’t like it, it’s not good.

We went to Calvin’s when learning Honey 1 was closed on Monday’s… and because I’ve wanted to try it.
The ribs were not very good. We make better ribs at home. They lacked smoke and were doused in sauce. But they were edible.
We also ordered the pulled pork dinner, with sauce on the side (many reviews I read mentioned they have a sauce problem, so I got it on the side). It was passable, but again lacked smoke flavor. I’d probably go back for the pulled pork just because this place is exciting.
The side salads were nothing exciting. I liked the slaw.
We had fried okra also, which was good.
Sweet potato fries sucked. Why do places put cinnamon on them, and liberally at that?
And the sauce itself… it was very vinegary. But don’t fear… High Fructose Corn Syrup is the #2 ingredient in their sauce. (If you’re interested, they sell it by the bottle by $ 3. Then they give you $ 3 off your order if you bring in the label from that sauce, so if you go a lot it’s free sauce.) … I don’t understand why they need HFCS in their sauce, though. Obviously it’s just made by some large company and they slap their own private label on it (if not that, they probably use ketchup as the base or something…)
$ 40 for takeout for 2, no drinks… not exactly the cheapest carry out meal on earth. Easy parking, BYOB.

I didn’t know about this place till me and a producer walked down to grab a Polish at Odges on Damen one Saturday afternoon. The staff at Odges got two pulled pork sandwiches delivered. They said, «Not that we don’t want your business, but you gotta try these!» We sent the delivery boy back to Calvins with an order for two pulled pork dinners, with sweet potato fries. Delicious! I went to college in the south, and really got a grasp of what real good BBQ is.
True story; The following monday we declared it BBQ week at the studio and ordered a different dinner item off the menu everyday. Everything off the menu is really decent, except sadly the slab ribs. I’ve tried them twice, and both times they just were the complete opposite of «fall off the bone.» The second time I ordered them they were immposible to eat. Not even a pair of pliers could have torn a bone off. GROSS.

A complete lack of attention to detail and mediocre food are the hallmarks of Calvin’s BBQ. Tonight, my husband and I tried Calvin’s again for the 3^rd time.
Hoping against hope that the Culinary Fairy (and her friend, the Excellent Customer Service Fairy) had visited this restaurant since the last time we had visited, we patiently awaited the delivery man.
Let’s see… the fried chicken was way, way overcooked, the wings came with no ranch or blue cheese, the salads that came with our meal were combined in one box and they neglected to give us the right salad dressings, there was no cole slaw, the chili came naked (no cheese, onions or sour cream as the menu stated), the fries were cooked within an inch of their lives, there was no plastic silverware, no napkins…
As you can see, it was not exactly a successful meal. We will not be ordering or visiting this place ever again — even if Calvin finds a cookbook and improved quality control under his pillow.
It will be too little, too late.

i get the pulled pork dinner and jalepeno corn bread here as it always fills that craving just right.
Sweet pot fries are soggy, but still good eats as it mixes with the Q sauce and pork juices oh so well and finishes the meal so right.
Coleslaw gets eaten up pretty quick and for the price to goodness ratio Calvin’s is up there and worth my travel time.
==========
update ²⁄₀₈
last time I ordered the pulled pork dinner it had a fishy taste to it!
not good;(even fish shouldn’t taste fishy. blech!

Really lovely barbecue. I had the brisket sandwich on a very windy day, and my dining companions and I chose to sit outside. No amount of things blowing around (including a slight fear that a patio umbrella, lying on the ground, would whip up and perhaps skewer us all, mid-​chomp) could distract me from my really fabulous meal. With the brisket, I had fries, which were quite delicious but obviously not the star of the meal.
The brisket itself was wonderfully tender, with just the right amount of sauce (though I do slightly lament the lack of do-​it-​yourself saucing, but as long as this is the usual amount on the brisket, I don’t think I mind much), and a beautifully evident smoke ring.
While the waitstaff took a long time to take our order (probably forgetting that we were out back on the patio, considering who really would have wanted to sit outside and eat on such a windy day, and I forgive them for this oversight), there were no flaws in the simple service, timely once we had placed our orders.
Calvin’s is a ten second walk from my apartment, and when I move in, I will be eating here probably three, or more, times a week. The burgers have been recommended to me, so that might be what I try next. Or rather, after another flawless brisket sandwich, I will try the burger.
Edited to add: The burgers are wonderful and HUGE, and I highly recommend them. They are of high quality. I also recommend the sweet potato fries (which cost extra) if you get anything that has barbecue sauce on it. Their sweet and slightly smoky flavor compliments the meat-​and-​sauce perfectly.

Booyah! That is what I said when I first found out about this place (being that it is the sister restaurant to Smokin’ Woody’s — both owned by a fellow named Calvin Woodson). I actually said it again after eating there.
There are two things you should get here — the pulled pork sandwich and the burger. Both are amazingly good — I think you’ll find lesser quality stuff for twice the price anywhere else. They also offer sweet potato fries. Get them. They cover them in brown sugar and when warmed by the freshly fried french fries (why stop the alliteration here?), the two fervently frizzle — forming fabulous (OK, I’ll stop) coalescing goodness. I kind of went on a health kick after going here at least 3 times a week — and have stopped getting the SPFs — but have instead been enjoying their boiled red potatoes, affectionately known as «Calvin’s Potatoes». They are a suitable substitute considering the SPFs are essentially candy. Soft, lightly salted, starchy glistening rubies. Get them after you have tried the SPFs AND have become concerned with your thighs.
I love this place — no doubt; however, the person taking your order is always a woman, and she is almost always cold. I even told her some of my best jokes. .. it was crickets man. So, as long as you don’t mind believing that the person serving you has never smiled — this is the best place for the aforementioned items (pulled pork, hamburgers, and sweet potato fries).
Booyah!

Pulled pork sandwich is choice, you should ask for extra BBQ sauce. they give u a pickle spear and an option for potato with this dish, the only thing I ever have ordered here, it’s very good. also give u cole slaw, i enjoy the fries here, you are in and out pretty quick, cops always seem to be dining here, and it’s super close to where I live so thats nice. definitely recommend it.

For the record… Calvin Woods IS the owner of both Smokin’ Woody’s and the newer Calvin’s BBQ, with an explanation: Calvin took over the lease for a badly slumping business at Smokin’ Woody’s. On the strength of his personality and new menu — and without any kind of advertising budget — he turned that sinking ship around. It’s plenty hard enough to make good with a new business, but damn near impossible when trying to overcome the negative perception of a less-​than-​stellar prior business & owner. In my book, that makes him a true, authentic culinary star. And I’m apparently not the only one who feels that way.
A Los Angeles-​based production company did a full day’s shoot at Calvin’s BBQ in early October for a new show airing on the Food Network called «The Hungry Detective.» It’s worth noting that, of all the BBQ and rib joints in Chicago, they chose Calvin’s to feature on national TV. Stay tuned…