Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Chicago / Illinois
  4. Chicago
  5. River North (Chicago)
Wilma's Famous BBQ & Tavern, Chicago, IL

Wilma's Famous BBQ & Tavern

4.3
4.3
219 Reviews
$30 and under
Barbecue

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 55 times today
  • Great for happy hour
  • Good for groups
  • Great for creative cocktails
Wilma’s Famous BBQ & Tavern is here for Chicago’s BBQ needs. Located on the second floor of 17th n. Wabash, you can feast on traditional bbq made from scratch while enjoying one of our signature drinks served to you by our friendly staff members.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    River North (Chicago)
  • Cross street
    We are just south of the intersection of Washington and wabash
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    We are on the second floor of 17 n. Wabash, right off the Washington and Wabash transit platform.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 219 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Wilma's Famous BBQ & Tavern offers a delightful mix of flavors with standout dishes like "soul rolls" and "hot links." Guests rave about the "amazing food" and "superior service," appreciating the "friendly staff" and "great atmosphere." While some mention long waits, most agree the food makes it worth the visit.
220 Reviews
  1. Keva

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    1.0

    7 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    We returned for a second time thinking things would be better. When arrived we had to sit for 10min. Waiter informed us that it was an hour wait for food because the kitchen was behind. That turned into two hours. We saw lots of people waiting on food, some even started to leave. We asked the server how much longer he said another 30 minutes that would’ve been 10:00pm and our reservation was at 7:30. I don’t care how much people say the food is good this was strike 5 for me and I’ll never go back because it’s poorly managed. I didn’t even drink the water that was given to me. They don’t offer you a piece of bread let along a drink for the long wait. A customer behind us left and while leaving said he had been waiting for two hours for his food. I recommend somebody to call Gordon Ramsey because that place needs help. Oh, the first time we went I never got my food, a hour had passed before I was told they had ran out of what I ordered. Never Again!!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Tequella

    Chicago

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    The lemon drops were a 10/10 hands down our waitress was perfect the bbq was good the food wasn’t hot it was warm my total was 192 dollars it was worth it I would’ve sent it back but I was very groovy and I decided to take it home bbq had a nice taste

    Is this helpful?

  3. Maurice

    Chicago

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    This was the worst experience I've gotten in a while. Starting with not being waiting on for over an hour... once the waiter finally got to us, he started with telling us about the gratuity. After ordering our food, that also took over an hour to receive. Not to mention, some of the food was missing, and when they finally brought the rest of the food, it was in cups instead of dishes. The waiter brought the bill before even bringing all our food only to say 30 minutes later they ran out and did we want to order something else. This was most definitely a one and done.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Kina

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Had a good time here food was good. Ambience was beautiful as well as the customer service. Toya was attentive.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Brittany

    Detroit

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Food took way to long to come out. The restaurant ran out of food.

    Is this helpful?

  6. leandre

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    1.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    The food took a very long time to come and was still very cold. Had to send my food back twice. Horrible experience

    Is this helpful?

  7. Maredeth

    VIP

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Food was amazing, service needs some work. Would recommend

    Is this helpful?

  8. Justin

    Chicago

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Had reservations for 9:15, and didn’t get our food until 11:20 which messed up our Valentine’s Day plans. The music was loud like we were in the club, which didn’t allow for us to engage in intimate conversation during our extremely long wait. No complimentary items for waiting so long. No refills on drinks after being asked SEVERAL times. By the time they brought our food to us, they ran out of sides. They gave us a SMALL discount and still had the nerve to charge gratuity and I’m not sure what there was to be grateful for. The turkey tips were amazing like I knew they would be, but that was the ONLY highlight to the evening.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Antoine

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Nice place to hang out and have a few drinks. The service was okay. The food was good but my Turkey tips came out cold. I would visit again.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Kay

    Philadelphia

    12 reviews

    2.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on February 9, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    First visit to Chicago and this spot. Goggled BBQ places and based on TikTok decided to try this out. It was just ok! Lemon drop over priced for bottom shelf vodka and size compared to other restaurants I visited river north where I was stayed. They had a Jamaican inspired menu but not a variety of rum, no captain just Meyers. I got the jerk catfish ( ok) and rice and peas ( bland and but Americanized) , I wasted my plate. I had to ask for a metal fork after struggling to eat with the food with plastic fork I was given. Boyfriend order wings and said they were not good also ordered a side of Mac and never received it until asking for check,

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Wilma's Famous BBQ & Tavern offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (312) 269-5580.

Wilma's Famous BBQ & Tavern is rated 4.3 stars by 219 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 55 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Wilma's Famous BBQ & Tavern

17 N Wabash Ave fl 2, Chicago, IL 60602-4704

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    We are just south of the intersection of Washington and wabash
  • Neighborhood
    River North (Chicago)
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 11:00 am–11:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Barbecue, Soul food, American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    We are on the second floor of 17 n. Wabash, right off the Washington and Wabash transit platform.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo