Wilma's Famous BBQ & Tavern

Wilma's Famous BBQ & Tavern reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Grand Rapids1 review

   4.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Long wait but food was good! Will come back next time I visit the city!
   

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2. T

   T VIP

   Chicago21 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The soul rolls are a great start as are the fried pickles. Live the ribs and greens. Services was GREAT and the wait was not long to be seated or for food.
   

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3. E

   Eulahleh

   Chicago16 reviews

   2.0

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   Food was fried in dirty grease, sides was salty and ribs were so tough…..
   

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4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Chicago2 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on March 8, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   My significant other and I was not sure about this place due to the reviews but I will say it wasn’t bad but everyone experience is different remember that. First I made reservations so when we walked in we got a table right away but it wasn’t what I reserved . I made reservations for lounge we ended up at a table I guess. Next, our waiter was cool. Anthony served us and was straight forward with us about everything which is something I love. Then food took 35 mins for the entrée. We got ribs and hot link large. We decided to share because we are not big foodies but if you like to eat then get separate meals. The appetizer was decent. I wasn’t a big fan of the soul rolls. It was too much going on for me. I wish we was able to substitute the turkey in the rolls for chicken because I think turkey was too much. But if you like turkey then you will like the rolls. For drink we got Wilma famous punch bowl. It was good. Now the only problems I had with the place was one the sauce of the food was to tangy. I was not expecting that taste. Next, once we got our food out of no where manager and ppl coming to our table asking if everything was good and if we needed anything. Mind you we had just got the food. I feel like they over do it with customer service. I feel like only the waiter should come to the table not the manager unless something was wrong. I 100% because it take away from the waiter . Lastly they do have a gratuity tips added to your bill. For some reason a lot of black owned restaurants do that which is fine but I wanted to tip on my own not by force but it was cool. If you do decide to go to this place just pick a decent time. Not rush hour and go in with an open mind. I know the review are everywhere but give them a try you might like it.
   

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5. L

   Lori

   Chicago7 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 7, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   I was shocked at how fast my food came, the waiters were very pleasant, my macaroni was cool but they corrected it with no problem. The food was delicious, the Hennessy Sidecar was delicious and I liked the ambience
   

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6. F

   Fatima VIP

   Washington DC2 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on March 7, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 2

   I had high hopes, but my experience was a bit uneven. The catfish seemed to have been sitting and reheated. The chicken wings were very small, and one wasn’t even a full wing, which was disappointing. However, the turkey tips were absolutely amazing and perfectly cooked and full of flavor. While there were some letdowns, the highlights were definitely worth mentioning. I’d consider giving it another try, hoping for more consistency.
   

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7. OT

   OpenTable Diner VIP

   Cincinnati5 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on March 7, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   The food had good flavor, however I spent way more than I would have anticipated for the food. Our waiter was very nice and knowledgeable, however he was spread wayyyyy too thin.
   

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8. R

   Robin

   Chicago1 review

   2.0

   Dined on March 2, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   The wait staff were very nice and friendly but the food and drinks are overpriced. We waited over an hour for our food and several tables just ended up leaving because they couldn’t wait any longer. There was no compensation for the almost hour and a half wait. They need to do better to be prepared for full service.
   

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9. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Chicago1 review

   1.0

   Dined on March 1, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   Had to wait over an hour for my food. Presentation of food was not what I had been seeing on social media. I really wanted to try this restaurant and could’ve just went to my regular bbq spot. Wasn’t worth the time or day
   

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago2 reviews

    1.0

    Dined on March 1, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1

    We had reservations and was sat immediately. We placed our orders and drinks came out. It was a birthday celebration so we all were in conversation until we noticed the time. We were told the kitchen was backed up. Then 1 hour and a half later they started passing out free shouts. The restaurant wasn’t packed. The manager walked around asking were we OK. NO! We’ve been here almost 2 hours. The manager said it was because we ordered ribs and they ran out and had to go buy more. WTF! you’re a barbecue restaurant on a Saturday night! We were never told an hour after waiting otherwise we would’ve charged our order. POOR SERVICE, TASTELESS FOOD and to only give 15%off with mandatory gratuity. I will never go back or recommend Wilma’s in the heart of downtown Chicago to anyone!
    

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