Texan BBQ
101 N Main St, Algonquin, IL, 60102
Texan BBQ Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Algonquin for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Algonquin for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
101 N Main St
Algonquin, IL, 60102 - Phone (847) 658-2130
- Website https://www.texanbbq.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Elle J.
After deciding to take a ride this afternoon (we live on the North Shore) we checked out restaurants online in the Algonquin area before leaving the house. Of course, I checked Yelp, and after reading the favorable reviews for this place, we thought we'd give it a shot. Those of you who mentioned the dumpy appearance of the outside of the place, you were right on. Not that appearances matter that much to me - I care much more about the food inside the crappy-looking places. ;-) Anyway, the girl at the counter was nice, but to say she was a bit "slow" would be an understatement. I don't think there was anything mentally wrong with her, just not the sharpest tool in the shed. The food came pretty quickly, (although the server had to return to the kitchen twice when we reminded her that she forgot to bring 2 items we ordered) and then it kind of went downhill from there. I got the 2 meat combo plate - brisket and sausage. I kid you not - the sausage was BURNT to a crisp. I'm talking charred black - unedible. The brisket was SO DRIED OUT, no amount of bbq sauce could help it recover. My husband had the brisket & pork shoulder plate - same deal. The sauce itself was good. Not too thick or too watery, and pretty tasty. Our meals came with a small cup of bbq baked beans (nothing to write home about), coleslaw (I liked it, my husband didn't), and choice of potato (I had curly fries, he had potato salad - both were average). Honestly, the best part of the meal was the mozzarella cheese sticks. The breading was very light and tasty, and the cheese inside was actually nice & hot. Marinara sauce that was served with the sticks was ice cold from being in the fridge, so I wasn't too happy about. Anyway, I was not only unimpressed with this place, I was downright disappointed. Needless to say, we won't be back.
(1)David P.
Don't let the dilapidated look of this place fool you, the food is great barbecue. Everything was smoked perfectly and had plenty of juiciness left in the meats. While the sauce isn't anything special, it's a good tangy vinegar based sauce that goes great with their sandwiches. Prices are great too, as I walked out with lunch for four people for a little over $20.
(4)T D.
Come for the Beef Brisket meal. The specials are good too and the prices are fair. Order at the register, then a server brings your food to your table. A small bar is located in the dining area, with t.v.'s to watch the games. Located in downtown Lombard, near the train station.
(3)Phil T.
Ok I feel like im a food reviewer for the algonquin area now...Spent a lot of time in the area for work, but BBQ is pretty decent over here and really good for the western burbs! I dont like comparing other restaurants in my review but I would choose Texan over the chained Bar b Q joint just 5-10min away if you have the crave and local. I must say before I speak about the MEAT here. The wait staff is awesome here, such friendly people and the one girl that helped us was sooo cute! :) Well I cant compare to the real Texas BBQ but its decent. Had the pulled pork sandwich. It was good even though I had to douce the sammy w/ their spicier version of sauce. The only thing I did truly enjoy was their baked beans. I was impressed w/ the good flavor, bean was cooked perfectly, and they just seemed like a good and freshly made. Also tried their bread pudding and it was just missing a few things to actually recommend it to anyone. Good fresh stuff served here, maybe the cute worker bumped it up to a 4. Sorry just have to be honest! :)
(4)Sprine D.
I ordered catering food from The Texan for my son's bday party. Everything was delicious! The portions were larger than I expected. The price is lower than the competitors that I checked. All around a great experience, they will certainly get more business from me in the future.
(5)Theresa V.
Pretty much the most mediocre BBQ I have ever had. The brisket is a joke. It's deli roast beef sliced thin and drenched in sauce. Keep driving and go to Famous Dave's instead or if your willing to drive to Chicago for amazing BBQ, do it. It's worth it.
(1)Victor T.
This place is disgusting. I always past here, and can't believe people actually like this place. The meats taste stale, rubbery, and grimy and lack any true real authentic BBQ flavors you'd expect from a place like this. (although the BBQ sauce is good). I don't know why they don't let u sit down and order but whatever. The only thing I can say is that the sauce is pretty good. I remember one of my friends got sick a few hours after eaten there once. Point is, try somewhere else for BBQ..
(1)Ann C.
The hubby and I took the family here for Valentine's Day... nothing says "romance" more than BBQ, right? Actually, I was trying to theme the day. Last year I made heart shaped pancakes for our Valentine's Day dinner... this year, I didn't want to cook, but I wanted something red... BBQ sauce is red! Problem solved. I ordered the turkey sandwich with mashed potatoes. I love the mashed potatoes at The Texan... so does my 5 year old daughter. She and I ended up trading - my mashed potatoes for her curly fries. My son ordered the hot dog meal while my daughters ordered the mac n cheese meal. All kids meals come with a side, a drink and beans. And, kids eat free on Monday's and Tuesday's (with a paid adult meal). The turkey sandwich was wonderful... so were the curly fries. All the kids housed their food and they all enjoyed it. The Texan has Green River, which is a favorite with my kiddies.
(4)Eric N.
For my birthday dinner this year I picked Texan BBQ. I got a full slab of baby back ribs and they were perfect. Totally tender and the barbecue sauce is delicious. The sides were good and the whole experience was outstanding! I would highly recommend this place to anyone!
(5)C J.
Granted, this review is from some time ago. However, whenever the subject of BBQ come up, the experience my husband and I had here always gets brought back up. Maybe things have changed for the better since we went. But, I can only speak for our one and only attempt. We went to this place excited at the possibility of having a good BBQ place close by. Unfortunately, our excitement proved to be short lived. The experience we had was very disappointing. We did take-out of a few items excited to see which one(s) would emerge as the favorites. Ribs-No taste. Tough and mushy at the same time??? Pulled pork-only a hint of smokiness. Otherwise, no taste and stringy. Brisket-Did not like the meat cut up. Was grainy. Brunswick stew-Absolutely awful. The visual aesthetic was not appealing. It was an unappetizing greyish color with all the chunks and bits...you get what I mean. The smell was not far behind. It did not smell fresh/new. It smelled like it was starting to get old; having a little of that decaying meat smell. This was only item I could not bring myself to actually try. The look and smell had me on system shut down. Fries-generic fries that could be found in any school cafeteria. Could take or leave them. We really wanted to like this place. But, it left us very underwhelmed. Looking at the other reviews, many seem to enjoy it. Maybe we caught an off moment. This establishment will likely continue on as it has. But, we will not be making another attempt.
(1)Anne S.
I have had BBQ from all over the country and The Texan knows what they are doing. I had the 3 meat plate with BB ribs, smoked turkey and smoked pork. The BB ribs were fall off the bone tender, smokey and meaty. The turkey was firm, moist and tender and the pork was lean, juicy and melt in your mouth. Their sauce is thick and sweet with a hint of heat. The beans were unique; firm, smokey, sweet and savory. I'd like to tell you about the slaw, but I was so full from the rest, I didn't get to try it. If you are in the area of Algonquin and Rt. 31 and hungry... Try The Texan...
(5)Jimmy G.
Great smokey flavor and a real authentic Texas taste. If your looking for sweet BBQ like Baby Rays this is not the place for you. The Corn Bread is the best I have ever eaten. I would have given 5 stars except for the lack of parking around lunch & dinner time.
(4)John B.
Great food. Fall off the bone ribs.corn bread great. Great atmosphere. Great place for a beer and bar b que.if you want great bar b que, and cold beer and don't care for Famous Daves, this is your place.
(5)Rhiannon K.
The BBQ is pretty good, but not great. It works in a pinch if you are in the mood for some BBQ, but there are much better joints out there. The meat was tender. The sauce was okay. I'd recommend stopping by if you are in the area, but I wouldn't go out of my way to dine there again.
(3)Jeffrey R.
Much better then Famous Daves. Negative reviews are a joke. This place is not bad, actually pretty good (and i have eaten at the best).
(4)Diane B.
Been coming here for over 15 years, and this is some of the best Texas style bbq in the area. Great sausage, pork, brisket.. all of the meats. You really cant go wrong. One tiny issue, portion sizes have gotten very small over the past few years while the prices have gone up. I understand the economy, weight control for the overall population, yada yada, but for some of your guests who really do enjoy a "Texas sized meal", it'd be nice if you offered a true larger dinner.
(3)Joyface K.
I'm giving this place five stars because I frequent this place with my boyfriend and have NEVER had a bad experience. No you don't get sat by a host/hostess. You order in the front, get a number and sit down. This place is NOT fancy. It's a BBQ place, you don't want fancy at a BBQ. The prices are fair, the people are friendly, their sauces are good, the food is ALWAYS good, there's fun texas "flair" all over to gaze at while you get your BBQ on in the suburban Illinois. I have never been to Texas but I have friends who will vouch that this place is pretty great for not being in Texas, that has to go for something? Things I've tried and I would recommend : Beef Ribs, they are huge and have so much meat and so much flavor. Smoked Sausage ...full of flavor, you can't go wrong, I promise. The Cornbread Muffin - I'm not a fan of cornbread but I like this cornbread and it's HUGE, compliments BBQ perfectly. Beef Brisket is ok, it tends to get cold fast though, I hate that. This place is fun and friendly and has good bbq, I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a good bbq place in the burbs.
(5)Bill S.
Yeah the place is the same as it was 20 years ago and needs a little sprucing up but it seems like its working for them so why fix it , I guess its like a BBQ place should be , I personally do not care to eat at the Texan BBQ, but I carry out once in a while I love the brisket, sausage and ribs from here , Sometimes I have that craving and it gets fixed here , I just have to say its a little pricey for what you get but its delicious
(3)Jeff S.
I've really tried to like this place but after finding excellent BBQ in a few other locations around Chicago I just doubt I see myself returning here, even though it is the closest. But as I don't eat red meat often and consider it a treat then I'd much rather head out to Smoque near the city or Fire and Ice out in the 'country. I've tried both pork and beef ribs and they are too fatty and saucy for my liking, definitely not a smoked, dry-rub style that appeals to me. Some of the sides are pretty good (e.g. BBQ beans) but others are pretty bland.
(2)Danny P.
Great selection of food and 3 different styles of BBQ sauce to pick from. Most of the stuff I've had on there menu has been pretty good. Only reason they are not 5 stars is because you have to order food from a counter and they bring it out to you. When you need a new drink most of the time you can expect to stand in a long line.
(4)B Joseph S.
Local place and sorry the Texan theme never worked for me. I once ordered "Prime Rib" and got this piece of inedible roast something. The service is a little funky but the owners babe daughter does much of the delivering food (you order and pay at window). OK, enough bad...order the dinner plate with baked potato side. Get the beef or pork shredded whatever. And the sauce, which is in this little steamer thing, is the best I have ever had...Texas, KC, or anywhere...the sauce.
(4)Josh Z.
I have a mixed review of the Texan. I have found when I go on the weekend the food is much better. What actually bothered me was I ordered twice in the middle of the week and both times observed my food being microwaved. Makes me wonder is they make the food on the weekends for the whole week.
(3)Phillip U.
I just wish I lived closer to this place. Great BBQ beef and pork sandwiches. Ribs are good too. Steak chili is awesome. Great sauces. Green River, too. Can't wait to go again soon.
(5)Chris A.
I don't usually eat ribs ever but I *LOVE* these ribs. It's mostly the sauce I love but I enjoy the meat also. We usually only eat here on a Sunday because it's a long drive from where I live to Algonquin and that's the best day to eat here. My relatives have eaten here every day of the week and do notice a difference between Sunday and the other days (they recommend Sunday). We usually carry out. The décor and weird ordering setup make dining in less than perfect.
(5)Jay K.
I went here for lunch a couple of days ago and its still great! I'm giving it 5 stars for the Q and the little horse trough filled with bottled beer and ice when you order your food. You can't find a more tempting presentation or cold beer in town. Damn I wanted one of those beers but I couldn't because I was working! I haven't been here in quite a few years. I used to work in the area and when anyone wanted BBQ this is the place we got it from and we all would go once a week. So the fact that it's still here is telling me and everyone else it's worth it. This time I was able to say in and I had the three meat platter with pork, beef and chicken, the choices also included smoked sausage and I forget the others...sorry. If you dine in, you order, pay, and find a table. They will bring out your Q in a couple minutes and it's hot. Some Q joints give you the food slightly above room temperature. It's very rustic inside. After you find a table to your liking go get some Q sauce to bring back to the table, they have three kinds of their fantastic sauces. (the hot ain't all that hot) The food is great, the beans are really great, and you get something like five or six choices of potato's. It's as good as "Smoke" in the city. The folks in Algonquin are lucky!
(5)Taylor M.
I want to give the Texan 4 stars but i cant. The food is always just pretty good and the sauce is amazing but the prices are out of this world for just ok BBQ. The salad bar is a disgrace and the side dishes like the fries and onion rings are from a freezer bag. I will keep going there but its mainly just to buy their delicious sauces
(3)Sarah M.
Fun little dive joint off the river, located in the heart of Algonquin - which sometimes feels like the edge of civilization. It can seem very crowded, as the main room is small, and people enter from three different doors to stand in line. You order your drinks and food at the counter, and then go pick your seat. Quick tip - order multiple beverages at this point (they have plenty of variety of beer and soda), so you won't have to stand in line again for your second and thirds. The staff is great - very easy-going and friendly. Food was good - I had a pulled pork sandwich and topped it with their coleslaw for a delicious crunchy sweet experience. This was a do-it-yourself version of their single sandwich called The Virginian. It is a unique experience that I really enjoyed. I'll be back.
(3)Brian P.
Parents have been going here since I was a kid. Pretty darn good BBQ. I go easy on the sauce because I prefer the taste of meat nad I am rarely disappointed. Good stuff.
(4)Paul M.
OKAY for Chicagoland area, this is really the best choice for real barbecue. Remember, most of Chicago thinks "Barbecue" means "to cook outside" but the Texan has it right. It is a Texas-style barbecue, not Memphis or KC or Carolina... but really well done. The atmosphere is enjoyable in its own way as well.
(4)Dimarly H.
They supposed to have a great BBQ, if you like the Arby's one you may like it. The brisket is shaved thin like lunch meat and it is dry. The BBQ sauce taste like vinaigrette! If you like BBQ go somewhere else
(1)Jason G.
My favorite BBQ spot in McHenry County. The spicy BBQ sauce is great! I love the prime rib sandwich & pulled pork sandwich. They have great sides to choose from and have many good bottled beers to choose from. We just took some friends here over the weekend and they all gave it two thumbs up.
(4)Suzanne T.
If I could give this a half of a star, I would. We heard mixed reviews about Texan BBQ but were curious and tried it out today. Our take out order consisted of 3 full slabs, steak fries, curly fries, beans and cole slaw w/rolls. It was expensive. The ribs were overcooked (there is no doubt about it-they were cooked days or as much as a week or more before they were served), then reheated in the microwave and placed on a grill top for grill marks--and then burned! The slabs were SO DRY that the rib bone ends were hollow & black. Sure the meat "fell of the bone" but it wasn't tender & juicy it was dry and tough! We ordered 1 full slab without the sauce (to please a sauce-free palette) but even he was asking for some sauce ----ANY sauce to moisten the ribs up or help them taste better. Alas it didn't help. The cole slaw was fine ground cabbage, mushy, overly sweet and milky. Rolls were stale, dry on top and soggy on the bottom. Even the steak fries-which had been prepared and reheated many times over-tasted horrible, as if the oil had not been changed for a long time. Curly fries order consisted of broken bits of fry curls served with 2 curls tossed in for good measure. Texan BBQ is the worst of the worst-they took nearly $70.00 for cruddy leftovers without batting an eye. If they were closer, I would have taken the order straight back and demanded a refund. All I can say is that everyone likes something different and plenty of restaurants follow these types of practices (pre cooking and reheating food for quick service). The public has proven that they will eat and pay for any quality of food. But if you appreciate fresh food, properly cooked you'll go somewhere else--because you won't get that here. Save your money and your taste buds. Going out is supposed to be a treat, not torture. What a RIP OFF.
(1)Thomas C.
From the smell of of the Hickory smoke to to the rustic interior, this place has a ton of old west ambiance. Step up to the counter and order up a huge plate of BBQ meats and then prepare to devour one of the best tasting BBQs around. Its all in the flavor and smoke, I love the Black Bean soup, the 8oz Sausage sandwiches, the awesome Steak Fries. I always sneak a few bites of the kids Macaroni and Cheese or Chicken Strips.. they are fantastic.
(4)Dorothy P.
My hubby & I started a 4th of July weekend tradition of trying a new ribs place every year (instead of shelling out a house payment to go to Ribfest in Naperville). This year we tried Texan BBQ in Algonquin & we will definitely be back for more! All you have to do is move the ribs around with your fork & they fall off the bone. They were tender, juicy and delicious. If you're a fan of spicy bbq sauce, theirs is pretty tasty too! My hubby gives them bonus points because they have Green River soda too. I can't wait to try other things on their menu.
(4)Scott G.
This is a tough place to rate as there are a few things that bother my from this place, however those bothers are likely management challenges. The food is likely the best Texan BBQ style food you're gonna get anywhere in the country outside of Texas. I'm sure most Texans will suggest theirs is better, but I doubt it. I've eaten many of BBQ in Texas and this place is right up there. The atmosphere is fun and has a great Texan flare. you have a great smoke smell in the air along with a nice wood from the walls and floor. Their portion size has shrunk in the last 5 years. This bothers me and has stopped my from ordering lunch there or bringing guests. I dislike their ordering procedure. It's very bizzare. You stand in line like the pigs and cows they serve to place your order. You pay and go and sit. A waitress brings your meal at which time you're halve done your beverage. Since the meal is paid already, they miss out on additional beverage sales, but more than that, they miss out on the customer and embark in a large opportunity cost, the customer is under served and their margins are likely hurt. Anyone I've spoke to, and I live in Algonquin, dislikes this process. It is really bizzare to me that the management still opts for this poor level of service. I have never brought a client or guest to this establishment. Bottom line these guys have a very good product, despite smaller sizes for the same price. I just ask for more smoked sausage on my sandwich to make a real sandwich and it's smokin good!
(3)Marta M.
Great BBQ! We ordered full slab BB ribs and they were tender and delicious! I love their ordering system-you pick what you want from the menu, order, pay and wait for your food to be delivered to the table.
(5)Jim K.
Went there on 4/20/12. First time there. For those of you that complained about ordering first then sitting down... Get over it. This is a dive place with great food! Nothing more, nothing less. We had the baby-backs with potato salad, beans, and slaw. Rib meat fell off the bone. Sauce is good. Hotter or spicier sauce is available if you want it. Slaw is so-so. Beans are good, but small portion. Potato salad was pretty good. It's all about the meat. Table service is only to bring your food and to take away dirty plates. If you want more beverages, you have to get them yourself. No problem! That's all part of the deal. Will we be back? Yep.
(4)HG C.
I get the gobbler and I always enjoy it. The ladies that run this place are so sweet and treat you like family
(4)Mandy S.
Meh. I've experienced better. It's bizzare. You walk in and have to stand there for 20 minutes reading big menu boards on the wall, order at the counter, THEN go sit. I would really prefer to sit, read a menu, and order. For the prices they charge, the portions are --SMALL-- and inconsistent. My hubby had twice the fries with his order than I got with mine. My husband LOVED it. He thought the BBQ rib tips were great. I had the 1/2 chicken, and it was awful. It was GREASY and undercooked, still pink in the middle. It wasn't worth it to me to send it back, as the chicken was awful. I just ate my fries and wasted $12 on crappy undercooked chicken. Won't be returning unless the hubby makes me, and even then, I'll NEVER order the chicken there again. Uggh!
(2)Dan N.
Years ago when Carsons was considered good Chicago BBQ the Texan was the only place that was doing something more authentic. The new wave of excellent BBQ has past them buy a bit, but that doesn't mean you should forget about the Texan. I have always been a big fan of the sliced pork, keep the pulled stuff... sliced of chopped are my favorites. I like that they serve their excellent sauces warm. They have a large menu and serve a mean bowl of Chili. Still very relevant even though there are some better options out there. May not be worth a long trip but if your in the area done miss it
(3)Elisa B.
I usually get ribs or rib tips, yummy. It smells so good in there, but I don't want to smell like that for the rest of the day, so I order to go!
(4)Yakuza G.
Another place to eat (BBQ), not to dine. Very downscale, but the BBQ is about as good as it gets in the (far) NW suburbs of Chicago. I like the fact that they offer 3 types of BBQ sauce - sweet/mild to hot & spicy - all of the time. They also offer Green River soda permanently on the soda fountain - for those Green River fans out there. The salads are decent, but the ribs, brisket and chicken are why you come. The seating area is "rustic" (wide plank pine board floors). If you want BBQ, this is the place to come. You order at the window, and the wait staff brings you your order. Beer (in bottles) is available. The kids will love it.
(4)A R.
Yes, the place isn't fancy. Yes, the ordering process is unusual. But the food! My mouth waters just thinking about it... this is truly awesome barbeque. Well worth the odd aspects of this place. Don't let the other reviews confuse you - unless you're 200+ lbs and eat with a fork in both hands, the portion sizes are plenty.
(4)Ryan H.
I've dined at The Texan off and on for the better part of 20 years. The place and the food have never changed. As others have described, the exterior of the facility is a bit dumpy, but don't let that scare you. The moment you open your car door, you smell the meat smoking in the barn out back. I spend a great deal of time in Texas, so my opinion may be biased. Texans know BBQ. The BBQ at The Texan, while technically competent, would not make the grade at all when compared to real Texas BBQ. The meat tends to be dry which is then compensated for by thinly slicing the meat and slathering it in their house BBQ sauce. The product you end up with is reasonably tasty. In Texas, the meat is usually sliced thicker which gives you a meatier mouthful. The other issue I have with the Texan is portion size. At a Texas BBQ place, you usually get substantial portions that are usually overwhelming. At The Texan, not so much. In fact, I've noticed portion size decrease over the years so much so that I find myself ordering larger, more expensive entrees to compensate. The house BBQ sauce is a bit bland. Out in the foyer area, they offer three other BBQ sauces. The "Hot" variety is pretty tasty and tangy, with just the right amount of heat to keep it interesting. All in all, not a bad place and I will keep going back from time to time. I do wish they would up their game a little bit by improving their cooking process to render moister cuts of meat and also increase their average portion size. If they followed both of those suggestions, I would easily give them a grade of 4-stars. The 5th star I reserve for the real Texas BBQ joints.
(3)Victoria R.
The ribs are so delicious and tender. They honestly fall right off the bone. And they should after being smoked for 14 hours. The smoked turkey is incredible and flavorful, too, and a great choice if you want a less fatty option. The Texan's ribs are the only ribs our family eats! The sauce is so good we buy bottles of it for cooking and grilling at home. The atmosphere is laid-back and you don't feel rushed to eat and scoot out the door. We love The Texan!
(5)Franklin D.
Drove by this place many times and it looked worth a try from the outside. Maybe my taste buds aren't working so good but the food here was nothing to write home about. Perhaps I am just spoiled by Crystal Lake Rib House? The food took a long time for the sullen teenage wait staff to bring to the table. I had some "pulled pork" that was drowning in a bland sauce. Maybe I just hit the place on an off night or something. I'll probably wait a while and try it again someday.
(2)Brian S.
This place scratches the occasional itch for a classic BBQ experience. There are different sauces to choose from spicier and sweeter. Once the weather is colder the place has a nice "warm to the bone" atmosphere that really helps get one through the winter. Go here with a good friend that also likes BBQ or with your date that likes a place that's a little rough around the edges but memorable and friendly. Great sides, baked beans, etc.
(4)John P.
Pulled pork was very good. Variety if sauces. Great place for lunch or a quick dinner
(4)Kellie M.
Since my BBQ/meat experience is limited and I've never been to Texas, my rating doesn't compare to other BBQ restaurants or anything Texas. With that said: The interior - eh, it's okay. A little dumpy, could be a little bit cleaner (and brighter) but it certainly wasn't filthy. The system of ordering was a little odd but any questions you had, the cashier answered very thoroughly. I had the BBQ pulled pork sandwich and it was absoutely fabulous. I would DEFINTELY have it again. The corn fritters were good too but could have been slightly bigger and fried a little more lightly. Skip the bread pudding for $1.99. It doesn't have raisins which is great because I hate raisins. They said everyone was complaining about them so they took them out. I think, frankly, they need to put them back in - at least it would have a little bit of taste to it. Price: you be the judge: My husband and I each ordered a deluxe sandwich platter (comes with the sandwich, a potato (any way you want it), and BBQ beans). We got two "appetizers" (corn fritters and cheese nuggets), two drinks and that bread pudding (which was HUGE by the way -probably because they needed to get rid of it because it sucks). Our meal came to about $30-ish. It probably won't be a regular place to go but if I ever have the hankerin' for a pulled pork BBQ sandwich, I'd go back there for sure.
(3)Aaron G.
Best BBQ in the County. Small southwestern style restaurant. Great Q for the price.
(4)Brett C.
Incredible ribs and friendly service. This is my favorite place to get tender ribs in the area.
(5)Adam L.
If your in downtown Lombard this isn't a bad place to grab a bite to eat. Decent bbq and pretty good burgers at a good price.
(3)Ron B.
The Texan BBQ is casual with good food. The best part is the service. Ask for Becky, I'll guarantee you her excellent service is well worh the trip and facilitates a great dining experience.
(5)Dodd V.
This is a strange little place with fairly average food. When you first walk in, you are in a little room looking up at the menu on the wall and then when ready, place your order at the cash register. They give you your ticket and give you a drink cup for the self serve fountain and then you walk into other rooms to find a seat. The seating areas are small and the configuration is rather odd. I guess they have done their best to make it have a "western" feel, but have not done a very good job with it. I did see a very small salad bar with 10-15 items on it and was glad I didn't order it after seeing it. I usually get beef brisket or pulled pork when I get BBQ to determine whether I like a place or not. In this case I got the beef brisket and thought it was just ok. It seemed a bit dry, and was smothered in their house BBQ sauce. I assume they smoke the brisket, however it didn't have much of a smokey taste at all. Reasonable prices, for just ok food in a strange environment. I don't know the Algonquin area all that well, but my guess is there is better BBQ elsewhere in the area. It is doubtful that I will return unless someone else makes the decision to go here. I am very surprised to see the reviews that gave this place 5 stars and one even saying it is the best BBQ in the Chicago area. I couldn't disagree more.
(2)Cindy T.
1st time there-never going back ! We spent almost $50 for 2 people & left hungry! I had the bbq 1/2 chicken (I don't eat the dark meat). The white meat was like eating shoe leather...had to get x-tra sauce to dip it in & still couldn't chew it. Hubby got the 2 meat dinner, chicken & 1/2 slab ribs (which consisted of 3 ribs!!!) His chicken was just as dry. Baked beans were way too sweet. Potato & colslaw was average. Hubby was charged 2 different prices for the same beer. Place itself was cute, nothing to rave about. Other bbq's in the general area got this place beat....don't see how someone could have rated this 5 stars!!
(1)Erik J.
Haters gonna hate. Look, I've lived in Texas, had barbecue from Houston to El Paso and while this isn't like Texas transplanted but it's still the best thing I've had in the Midwest. The sauce is a true Texas sauce, which is not my favorite, but it is pretty close to authentic. The cool thing about this place besides the food is the location - it's on 31 and immediately adjacent to Historic Algonquin and a little park right by the Fox. So, we like to go on Sunday afternoon and then go down to the River.
(4)Garry K.
I really hate writing a somewhat negative review but... so I decided to give it another shot for lunch today, I have tried it twice before in the 3 years I've lived here. I ordered the 2-meat combo with pulled pork and brisket, steak fries, coleslaw and baked beans. The coleslaw was good the fries were average the roll it came with was tasty but dry. Now for the meat, plus side, it was moist, juicy, tender and a good portion. The taste though was not great, the pork tasted like a plain old roast pork that was roasted in the oven with no seasoning, the beef brisket too just tasted par broiled in water with no seasoning. I was truly disappointed as this place is walking distance to my home. There was no smoke flavor in their food and I am not sure if they even use a rub, the sauces were decent but all three, mild' spicy and hot, tasted identical. I asked if the meats were smoked and they said it was but that the burnt ends were cut off like that was the reason. Yeah right. We all know that when something is smoked properly the taste will permeate the meat and become delicious. (;
(2)Rob S.
I've been here a number of times and the food has always been good, just not great. The staff do a decent job of service, but nothing is awe inspiring. I will definitely return, as I have in the past, but the potetial is there for more.
(3)Brittany T.
I was pleased when I tried this location recently for a short lunch with some friends. It's right in the heart of downtown Algonquin, and I realized I had driven past it many times, always wondering about what it was like. The smell immediately hits you and makes your mouth start to water. The prices seemed reasonable to me, especially for lunch and also considering the large amount of food you get. I ordered a pulled pork lunch special, and it was great! It is very casual; a small place that you might normally miss. They do take cards, which is helpful. I don't think there is much parking, but I think it's worth a walk across the street to get a good BBQ sandwich. I'd definitely go here again for lunch!
(3)Jamie T.
This may not be at the level of what you might get in Austin TX but this is simply the best barbecue you can get in the area. It's a little hole in the wall by the fox river. Service is great and the BBQ is fantastic -- get the meat sampler. You won't need to eat for a week and it gives you a great selection of a lot of different things. Don't waste your time with Famous Daves.
(5)You Kno W.
My husband and I love this place! It's quick, convenient, low stress, easy-to-park and the food is delicious. It has booths and a fair amount of tables for larger parties. Beef, pork or chicken --- and all of the sauces --- have never steered us wrong --- and the baked beans are good too. We've had their catered fare for a group picnic and they did a great job on that as well. I'd feel comfortable recommending it to most anyone who wanted a friendly, casual dining spot with a tasty menu!
(5)Jay B.
The baked beans and corn fritters were great and the sauce is excellent, but the rest of the meal was bland. I want to give it 3 1/2 stars but I can't so, oh well.
(3)Rich W.
Out on a motorcycle ride, my pal and I decided to stop at the Texan BBQ for lunch. This is one of those places where you order at a cash register counter, and they give you a numbered receipt and an empty cup to serve yourself to a soft drink [They have beer, but I never drink and ride]. After a short wait, one of the servers brought our lunch to the table. I had the BBQ Brisket sandwich, and my friend had the BBQ Brisket dinner. I thought the sandwich [and fries] were good, but the little side of cole slaw was not. I used to spend tons of time in Texas during my working career as a field sales/applications engineer, and often took customers out to lunch. They, being Texans, of course liked to go for BBQ, and there a lot of the places in most texas cities and towns. Texas style BBQ is strong on brisket and sausage. The difference between Texas and Algonquin is significant! The big difference is that in Texas, the brisket is sliced on the spot and placed on the bun with added BBQ sauce if desired. At the Texan in Algonquin the beef, which is brisket is shaved kind of thin and is submerged in the BBQ sauce, ala Arbys. [It of course is 10 times better than Arbys.] The real Texas BBQ has more texture and some chewiness, and instead of shaved is usually sliced at least one-eighth of an inch thick or more, and makes a much more enjoyable [to me] sandwich. My friend said he thought Sweet Baby Ray's was better, but he's never been to Texas. Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce is different that the typical Texas stuff. I would eat at the Texan again, but probably wouldn't make a special trip to go there.
(3)Rebecca F.
Fantastic!! Their ribs are the only ribs my son will eat, aside from his mama's. Never disappointed with a meal at The Texan. An Algonquin staple, and also locally owned and operated. We eat there as often as our finances allow, and out of towners always ask us to take them to The Texan! A good choice if you love barbeque.
(5)Victoria M.
Ribs were awesome here. Coleslaw was watery. Sausage was ok. Beans r kinda spicy. Don't order salad bar though. Its a bowl of lettuce w different dressings. But the service is fast and if you have a taste for ribs come back here. :)
(3)Jennifer D.
My husband and i love this place. I get the turkey dinner and he gets the smoked sausage. Both are yummy. The jalapeño poppers are good I like that you can just order one. But best by far is the cornbread muffin. I love it!! Sweet and buttery!
(4)Michelle N.
Good BBQ - they give you plenty of food for the money. I wouldn't recommend the cajun chicken - I expected it to be more of a spicy rubbed chicken, and instead it was actually coated in a tomato based sauce. My husband's food was awesome, thought. Staff is wonderful, very kind and helpful.
(4)Christine Y.
The Texan has a great atmosphere whether you are there with your kids or business associates. I love the fritters and rib tips. The cheese curds are iffy. One time I got them back with all the chese blown out. But the comfortable atmosphere, large interesting menu and good service make up for a one time booboo. I would highly recommend this as a great place to watch a game. They usually have a free buffet and a full bar you can belly up to. They also have a party room and out side seating during the summer.
(3)Cat V.
First of all I would like to clarify I am not much of a meat eater. I am always impressed by the menu choices, and if you aren't about eating everything greased and deep fried there are some good options. They have veggie burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, and their grilled vegetable dish is to die for- peppers, onions and broccoli grilled to perfection. My husband also really enjoys their pork sandwiches, and we find the sauce great. We can eat really well for a reasonable price. Food has always been ready within 10 minutes and no service issues. It sounds like the other reviewers probably would have preferred a chain restaurant where you spend $50 and end up eating 2,500 calories on humongous plates, with servers who bug you every 10 seconds.
(5)Paul C.
I've only ever gotten carry out, but the pulled-pork sandwich here is as good as it gets.
(5)Holly F.
Excellent BBQ. Ribs are fantastic. I prefer the rib tip dinner. Dinners & sandwiches includes a lot of food I have also had the chicken fajitas here, more then once, they are very good, and again you got a lot of food. You get a choice of a potato side, choose the potato salad, also get beans, coleslaw, & bread. Tried a burger here once for lunch, not impressive.
(5)Joe Z.
I got really bad service once. It took them almost an hour to get us food. I know it might have been a sunday football game, but that's no excuse. Food is reasonably price, but don't let the dumpy look of it fool you, it is good food.
(4)Alanna K.
So starting off with the interior of this place. I don't think it's that bad. I guess it just brings back memories because my mom and I used to go here when I was little. As for the food, it's pretty good. I had their beef brisket sandwich, and my mom had the beef ribs. The ribs were ok. She loved them, I'm just not a huge fan of beef ribs. My sandwich was OK...they sliced the meat very thinly, and put some sauce on top of it. It was good...but I think I would of liked the pork better. I do think their jalapeno poppers were good, and I liked their diced potatoes which were a side you could get. At first, you think they're gonna be like those hash brown potatoes, but to my surprise they were chunks of potatoes, with chopped peppers and onions with either pieces of bacon or ham. It was mighty tasty. Next time I go, I want to get the pork, for sure. Oh, and the service was really good. The lady (I don't know if she was an owner) was really nice, and helpful to any questions we had!
(3)Justin W.
The Texan has the best BBQ food in the Chicago area that I have ever tried. I would fight and kill a thousand ninjas for their burgers the burgers and other pulled sandwiches. It looks a little dumpy outside, but the food will make you want to scream at the top of your lungs and rip out the hair from your chest (and the food will put hair on your chest, sorry ladies).
(5)Nina H.
The service ALWAYS left something to be desired. The food though, oh man, my mouth would start watering just driving past.
(4)Pam T.
Sometimes I am not sure what people are really thinking. This is our favorite place for bbq ribs!! They are fall off the bone ribs. I have never enjoyed ribs out as much as I do these. We tell everybody about this place. Chicken fried steak with gravy and garlic mashed, very good. Coleslaw is also good, we have never had a bad meal here. Go check it out, if you don't mind seating yourself. Well worth it
(4)Michael W.
I really like their chili - not hamburger soup - it is Texas style chili. You can also order a jalapeno cornbread with it and the two make a complete meal. If you have not had Texas style chili it is a treat (to me). I was first introduced at the Texas Chili Parlor in Austin; this place is the closest I have had to their chili since leaving Austin. I have also tried burgers at this location but the chili is enough to make a visit. They also specialize in Texas BBQ - that is brisket not pork as their best meal. The decor is like an Old West Saloon and it is fun for kids. For children you will have a challenge on the menu. They know how to make their chili spicy so it is great for an adult but my son is not a big fan of their food. Great place for a quick stop and a hearty bowl of chili.
(4)Danielle S.
I would have never known this place was here had my friend not brought me here. It's a small place with a local feel. It's exactly how I imagined a BBQ place should be - Texas decor, murals of the desert on the wall, country music in the background. They have a pretty big menu. They don't have any beers on draft, only bottled. You order and pay up front, and then they bring out your food and check up on you throughout your visit. Everyone who works there is very nice. I have to say, I wasn't really impressed with their food, especially for the prices. For what it is, I think it is overpriced, I had the brisket sandwich and I didn't think it had good flavor, and the texture was almost mealy. It wasn't thick chunks of meat, maybe too shredded? The salad bar really isn't much, we didn't even partake in that. What's nice is they don't put too much sauce on the meat, but they have 3 different sauces to choose from so you can add more. The steak fries and coleslaw were very good. Needless to say, it is a unique place. It's a nice addition to Algonquin.
(3)Brian H.
The wife and I were looking for steak dinners, we should have kept looking. The atmosphere is certainly "Texasy" and fun but their ordering system was an inconvenient bore and the woman at the register was about as engaging as a ventriloquist dummy without a ventriloquist. We both ordered the NY Strip Steak dinners and a corndog meal for the kid, then headed into the dinning room to seat ourselves. I nearly ordered a large side of the BBQ beans for all three of us but was told our meals came with them. NOT QUITE. For the price I was expecting reasonable portions, instead we received CONDIMENT CUPS (no more than a tablespoon worth) filled with coleslaw, another filled with sour BBQ beans (too much vinegar in the beans), a pile of lettuce and tomato (WHAT DO WE USE ALL THAT FOR, THE STEAKS?), a middle school cafeteria bread roll and the steak itself, which looked to be 10 ounces. Very underwhelming meal for $16.99 per plate (for the steak meals). The steaks were flavorless--I've had better at Golden Coral--and my kid's curly fries were cold. We left hungry and dissatisfied. Not at all a good value. We won't be returning.
(2)Sarah S.
My friend and I got delivery from Texan BBQ to Scorched Earth Brewery one fine evening. I was initially set up to hate them because they were really hesitant to come deliver despite being just a 5 minute drive from the brewery and despite them being in the delivery binder at the brewery and despite Yelp saying they deliver. I have to say though that once our food arrived, we both completely changed our tune. I ordered the BBQ Ham Sandwich for $6.99 and was shocked when it came because it was just so thick! Their menu is huge so it was hard to pin myself down to just one thing to order but I was really happy with the sandwich. The meat was juicy as all get out, delicious BBQ sauce and even the bun was quite good - apparently they make them in house. Texan BBQ surprised me by having really tasty food and I'm happy say I definitely plan on patronizing them again when I'm up that way.
(4)Rob L.
What a wonderful hidden gem in the Algonquin area hosting excellent BBQ with a cozy dining atmosphere. We have been here before and decided to return for a Saturday date night. The last time we dined here was some time ago however the consistency and food quality remains outstanding as with our first visit. Upon entering, you find yourself in what appears to be a converted two story house which now makes for a homely dining experience. You place your order at the counter and it is brought to you at your table. Just a note, they have three different types of BBQ sauce and you can order you meat dry to try them all! The menu also offers kids entree and other items if BBQ is not to your liking. Our baby backs where fell off the bone retaining the moisture and flavor of the meat. This was complimented by our sides of coleslaw and baked potatoes. The coleslaw was not too runny nor creamy and with just enough sweetness as to not overpower the other ingredients. Overall an exceptional choice for a restaurant that provides quality food at an reasonable price.
(5)Peter T.
I was in this place once 25 years or so ago; they've been around for about 30+ years in this distant Chicago suburb. It's fairly standard barbecue fare (for the midwest) offering a full menu, including pork and beef ribs, turkey, sausage, chicken, brisket and additional, non-smoked fare like burgers, chicken fried steak and the like. Standard sides are beans, slaw, and a choice of potato. Food is available on plates, with one, two, or three meats, or as sandwiches. Meats are cooked in house on a hickory fire. Order and pay for your food at the counter when you walk in, have a seat and your meals will be brought to you. The have a 'sauce bar', where you can fill ramekins of "mild," "hot," or "spicy" sauce, but they all tasted exactly the same to me. We had the ribs/chicken combo, the chicken fried steak, and an order of rings. The chicken fried steak was a large serving, two pieces, with gravy and biscuits and the aforementioned sides. The menu had stated each entree came with Texas toast and pickles, but no such luck today. Biscuits were the order of the day, instead. If you're a regular reader of my posts, you know how much I go for Texas toast! Was it great? Not really? Worth a drive? Not really. A good value? Not really. It's one of those times where as cliched as it sounds, "it was what it was." But to last over 30 years, he must be doing something right. The Texan BBQ also caters
(2)Ted L.
Food was great. I enjoyed riblets, my wife had pulled pork and my daughter had a vegetarian fajita. All food was very good. Staff very friendly, will definitely come again.
(4)Summer L.
Went there for the full slab beef ribs, but they were out. So we got the beef tips instead and they were delicious!!! The meat came right off the bone and the BBQ sauce was just perfect. The prices are great! I would've given them 5 stars, but the rolls weren't good. I think they were a day or two old because they didn't taste fresh. Definitely a must go place for ribs!
(4)Renato P.
Got carry out from here once, first thing I noticed, a bit pricey. Not prohibitively expensive, but a little more than I expected. The menu variety was as expected, with the addition of thinly sliced prime rib, very good. The ribs were in no way memorable, average, but they will satisfy the rib craving. The pulled pork, pretty much the same as the ribs. The potato salad and cole slaw were both very good. The place did seem to have a nice redneck bar feel to it. There is both on street parking and a small lot. I know better rib places but in this area, not so much. They will scratch your BBQ itch here. I would rate this place 3 and a half stars could I, but I can't, and I dropped a little more than I felt I should, so there you have it.
(3)Bob L.
I hadn't been here in 15 years; i must admit I am glad I tried it again and really don't know why I waited so long. Pleasantly I must also admit that the food was really good! We had the BBQ beef brisket and the BBQ pork dinner - both were really good. The dinning area is very rustic nothing fancy but fits the theme for sure. I'll be back.....
(4)Alyson Q.
We just catered our sons birthday party from the Texan. Our son loves ribs and these are his favorite! We ordered the baby back ribs, beef brisket, and cornbread. Everything was amazing. Our guests were raving about how tender and delicious both the ribs and brisket were. I highly recommend this place! We are big fans! Will definitely be catering from again in the future.
(5)Chris S.
This is extremely dry meat covered with a great sauce. You should be able to grab a hunk of BBQ meat and eat it without sauce and it be amazing. That's the sign of someone who knows how to smoke meat. This place doesn't know that. I ordered the tacos with chopped pork and they were almost inedible. I've never had BBQ pork that was this dry. Once I added the sauce it made it at least to where I wouldn't throw it in the trash and completely waste my money. My wife had the turkey sandwich that came with way to much sauce on it. My guess is they know the sauce is good and the meat isn't so they serve it this way. I only gave this 1 star because the sauce is that good. I'd be happy to take them on with my Big Green Egg...and I wouldn't need sauce to make my smoked pork or smoked brisket amazing. I can say 100% we will never go back.
(1)Kelly O.
I am a new BBQ person-- so I had in the past never felt a desire to go here because I thought I didn't like BBQ. My manfriend is seriously in to BBQ so I am exploring it and have found a love. Sadly it's not like calorie free....but, I digress. This place I had heard is great and after reading the reviews here, we went. LOVED IT. So cute-- great casual environment inside with friendly staff. I had half a slab-- GREAT COLE SLAW and baked potato-- YUM. My man had the brisket and he was a fan as well. They have a large large menu selection and the portions are great. Definitely go here if you are in to BBQ and expect to go back. ;-)
(4)J P.
Not sure what to say... I expected so much more. This another one of those places that looks and feels like a southern BBQ spot. You order when you walk in and then find your own seat. But that's where the similarity ends. The meat tastes and looked like someone went to a grocery store deli counter and asked them to shave a bunch of the rectangular my shaped, reformed blocks of animal meat products. The meat does not feel, look, or taste like it is "off the bone". The "rolls" are just hamburger buns, nothing special. They do have curly fries! So that's a plus. All said and done, it's overpriced, the meat was edible, but we will not be back. I can't understand how this place is so busy, except that maybe there's a bunch of people who have settled for this quality or just like lunch meat with BBQ sauce?
(1)jeniffer c.
They have the best baby back ribs falls off bone 3 different Barbecue sauces. The place is deceiving from outside its a nice friendly atmosphere. The beans r good flavor.
(5)R. T.
The Texan is a family-owned restaurant with a long-standing reputation for quality food at very reasonable prices. After a long absence, I was able to stop in for dinner last week, and was VERY glad I did. For folks who can't decide between the many delicious selections on their menu, my suggestion is to try the 3-meat combo dinner. Beef, pork & chicken are all staples of any BBQ lover's diet, so the generous helpings on this combo platter, slathered in homemade BBQ sauce (mild, spicy or HOT) will surely represent the high standards that have kept customers coming back for well over 3 decades now. As far as side dishes are concerned, the beans & the coleslaw are both made fresh on the premises, and the curly fries are excellent as well. There's also a modest salad bar available for those who are so inclined to have some raw veggies with their meal. A full-service bar is offered for folks who enjoy a libation to go with their lunch or dinner, as well as freshly brewed iced tea, but my personal beverage favorite is the venerable Green River soda, which is on tap, alongside all the "usual suspects" of cola, root beer, etc. The Texan is west of the beautiful Fox River, located just north of Algonquin Rd. on the east side of rt. 31, and the free parking lot is behind the building. Take-out is available, but the ambiance inside is cozy & welcoming, so spend a little time to enjoy your meal, and you're sure to return often.
(5)Carly J.
You can't go wrong with anything you order here! MY favorite dinner is the brisket dinner plate! YUM! This is one of my favorite places to go when I don't feel like cooking a big meal for the family! BBQ Heaven!
(5)Tony P.
Closest thing to real Texan BBQ. The inside makes you feel right at home. Just don't go on the hottest day of the year. It could get very warm in there. The staff is wonderful and the portions are huge. Best brisket around and don't forget to wash it down with a cold Corona.
(5)John B.
My wife and I decided to go there on the recommendation of a friend--and the fact that we were jones'n for bbq. They did not disappoint! Actually we've been there twice before writing this review. People were so nice! The second time we were greeted by Marla. What a pleasure to meet her. My wife had the pulled pork and I had the pulled pork and brisket. Although for bbq I am not a huge fan of brisket I did want to try it--very good. Tender and smokey with a nice bbq in 3 different sauces--regular, spicy and hot. The perfect complement to bbq--cole slaw--was also very good. I highly recommend this if your in the area and are looking for good bbq! Happy eating! --Chef John
(4)Steve m.
It's a mixed bag. The beef ribs were great, the chicken was good, although a bit burnt when I got it. The pork ribs were flavorless and not smoked. Same goes for the brisket. Really liked the sauce but I would only stick to beef ribs at this place.
(2)Hay B.
My family insisted on having this again so I thought I give the pulled pork a try. TERRIBLE!! Was way more dry and tasteless than the brisket. Yet again, though, that world famous BBQ sauce saved the day. I'll only be stopping in from now on to by some BBQ sauce. Terrible food, wouldn't recommend anything except the BBQ sauce.
(1)Helen W.
3 stars because none of us agree on this place. I prefer Famous Daves but my parents really love this place and don't like Famous Daves or other places. We've had just about everything on the menu. One if us likes the beef ribs but nobody else did - that had more to do with preference of pork over beef. They did warn us on the phone about the beef ribs which I appreciated because if we didn't know the difference we would've been disappointed.
(3)Nikki S.
I had our Super Bowl party catered by the Texan and I have frequented their to-go lunch menu with co-workers. We have co-workers from Texas request their BBQ when they are in town - I think that speaks for itself. Their presentation, BBQ, staff, and overall restaurant is great. I also like being able to support a local business.
(5)Bob M.
Brisket - was chopped, not a fan. Sauces - Amazing! Different levels of heat. Pork ribs - awesome...fall off the bone goodness. Beef ribs - All day long!!! Love me some beef ribs! Great place...I tend to rate all bbq places against Rudy's and Salt Lick, ant the Texan can run with 'em! Green River and Lone Star in stock as well...
(4)Eric E.
Great BBQ Sauce, and good food - very hard to rate. I've lived in the Algonquin area for 25 years, and have always loved Texan BBQ. Hands down, one of my favorite BBQ sauces in the area!!! You can buy it by the bottle as well, which I recommend for home use. I found out, too, that the bottles tend to be spicier / hotter than the sauce in the restaurant, which they make on site! This visit was special, as I now live in Des Plaines, quite a drive, and was looking forward to some good BBQ to take with me. The order process is basic - stand and order, then wait for your food (or sit down if you're dining in), and it can get crowded in there - though at 4:30 this day, it was fun to chat with others waiting and the order taker. Very friendly place! I ordered the Hickory Hog, which is 1/2 pound of BBQ Pork served open faced on a bun with two sides. I got the Cole Slaw and Potato Salad. The pork had some sauce in with it, but the rest on the side since my order was carry out. Serving size seemed OK, probably the 1/2 pound shown, but seemed less exciting than in the past because it wasn't slathered with it like when you dine in. ;-) The cole slaw and potato salad were excellent, though the serving size was tiny! Especially the potato salad, with nice, large chunks of potato and other goodies, crammed into a tiny condiment sized cup. Flavor - excellent. Size - embarrassing. They offer a fun, if limited selection of fountain drinks, with Green River and Sprecher's Root Beer, along with a couple other Coke products. I didn't try them, but the bin of beer on ice is pretty good, too. Though they are the same owners, and the flavors are still good, it seems less than I remember from years past. I'd recommend the pork, brisket or ribs, as other items are closer to 'regular' from past experience. The fries can be excellent, and beans very good, so recommend them for sides. The place has character, and is moderately clean considering the messiness of the food. Up the sizes of the sides (they can't cost that much) and you'll probably have a lot more happy customers.
(4)Kate B.
Best BBQ hands down!! Falls off the bone everytime... great bbq sauce flavor, sides are good. My husband and I come here as often as we can. We bring people who visit from out of town.. The Texan is a classic staple in this area... we've been coming here since we were kids, and now we are bringing our kids to enjoy amazing ribs. Thank you Texan - we love you!
(5)Richard W.
Babyback ribs, sausage and pork - that about sums up a perfect experience! I felt like I was back in Texas! The food was outstanding, the atmosphere was perfect, I cant wait to come back! I was alittle disappointed by the teeny tinny side of beans and coleslaw, and the price was a little high, but I am definitely going to be coming back!
(5)Heidi P.
I really wanted to like this place. It was recommended as the best BBQ in the area. The food was served quickly, but lacked flavor. The beans also were just ok. The Blues BBQ in Dundee is a better BBQ joint.
(3)Chris L.
I am dumbfounded with all these positive reviews, they must be fake and getting reimbursed for posting them. That's my only logical conclusion. I've lived in the area for 11 years which is when I first tried this place. Then, I experienced cold, bland overpriced food, BBQ beef to be exact. Well 11 years later I tried again tonight with my kids (out of connivence) and nothing changed. Since I just ate there I'll elaborate. I ordered a BBQ beef with bacon, cheddar, grilled onions, tomato and a side of hush puppies. The beef was very, very dry and tasteless. The bacon was cold and hard without any flavor for the exception of a medicine taste. The cheese was this obviously bagged shredded cheddar which they hardly put any on and it wasn't even melted, just thrown, dry on and falling to sides. The bread was dry, old and just broke apart. I needed their lousy Open Pit textured sauce to give some taste. The hush puppies were crisp like and over cooked. You would thing for being a BBQ place their meats would be right on. Their preorder service is a horrid setup with one slow register. If you want a second drink you have to walk up and wait in line and it was semi-busy at 7pm on a Friday night when it should be packed. My kids had kid meals, one being ribs which looked really fatty. The other had a hotdog which probably was okay but they're hard to screw up. Most definitely better off going to Texas Road House right down from there on 31. I'm all for supporting independent businesses but Texan BBQ is not worth it. Definitely will not be going back soon nor in another 11 years.
(1)Craig F.
The Texan has been an Algonquin go-to for as long as I've been going to Algonquin (20+ years). The location isn't the best; however, the BBQ sauce is the best! The past couple times I've been there, the special is a half slab of ribs served with beer battered shrimp. I absolutely recommend the special! They also have a pretty selection of bottled beers in the fridge. The Texan is located near the corner of IL 31 and IL 62 (Algonquin Road). Since the Rt 31 bypass was completed earlier this year, the traffic in Algonquin isn't too bad. Make the trip up Rt. 31. The Texan is highly recommended.
(5)Ashley A.
Stopped in earlier today to get a bowl of chili to go. As always, delicious!!It's rich and served with just the right amount of cheese and onions. I also got a side order of their baked beans (my favorite) and put them on top. It's the perfect combination since the chili is all meat and has similar flavor profiles. Yum, perfect for a chilly night like tonight!
(5)Deborah S.
I have eaten at the Texan a lot over the years and it used to be very good for the value. Now the prices have gone up and the quality has gone down, the meat seems to be a lower quality and very chewy. I think the success of the business has gone to their head or they changed owners.
(2)Jon A.
I have been coming to this BBQ joint for several years and I haven't been disappointed yet with their food. This place is known for their DINOSAUR SIZED BBQ beef ribs. When you receive your 1/2 or full size plate of these enormous meat lollipops your eyes and your mouth might just drop. The meat is very tender and is it served with their house/original BBQ sauce. Spicy BBQ is also available for you to satisfy your taste buds. All dinners include a choice of potato (baked, seasoned curly fries, steak fries, or potato salad). There's more! You also get mayonnaise based coleslaw, Texas toast, and sweet pickles. It's a lot of food, but you'll get a food coma afterwards. They also have funnel cake with a choice of strawberries or chocolate or my favorite - plain powder sugar. Just try this place ... their pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken, and turkey breast are on point. EAT THERE. DO IT NOW.
(5)Ron P.
We had hopes. We're looking for a good bbq place nearby but this was only OK. Too much sauce on non-descript meat. I went for the 3 meat plate with pulled pork, pork ribs and sausage. The sausage was the only thing I liked and there wasn't enough of it on the plate. Our search will continue...
(2)Jennifer J.
I am originally from Texas, so I can be very particular with my BBQ. This place earned my pick for best BBQ in the Midwest when. I started coming here a couple of years ago. I pretty much always ordered the pulled pork or brisket, which made it my favorite in the area. Their sauces are fantastic,love the baked beans, and the potato salad is pretty good too. Well now let me tell you...after coming here for years I finally tried their ribs. And oh...my...god are they good. Their ribs are honest to god the best ribs I have ever had anywhere...and yes, I'm even including my home state of Texas in that! So bottom line is, when I go back to Texas every year I find myself judging the BBQ down south against The Texan. And usually the southern joints just don't quite do it as well as Texan does.
(5)Len M.
The fact that they serve Green River got us in the door. But the just so-so meal may not bring us back. Brisket was ok, cut thinner than I'm used to. Pulled pork was juicy. But a lack of smoke flavor loses points with me. And this is the first BBQ joint that I've been to that serves its meat with sauce already on it. Too presumptuous for me. Sides are good but nothing amazing. Overall, if you can't get to Texas for real BBQ, this is no substitute. But it'll do.
(2)Rose D.
Texan BBQ is darn good food & the place looks exactly like what a BBQ joint should look like. Nothin' fancy. Friendly staff. Bottles of beer in a big wash basin on ice by the register. Why 2 Stars? 3 reasons (for which some may think I'm a cheap, gluttonous, jerk but I can assure you that is not the case): 1. The price. If I'm paying $7 - $8 for a sandwich I would hope it comes with at least fries or coleslaw as a side. Nope. Sides are all a la carte unless you order a dinner plate. The sandwiches we had were all very good though - though nothing you couldn't easily eat in one sitting. As a comparison I normally only eat half of a big burger ordered at other restaurants such as The Ram or Elgin Public House. Here I can eat the whole pulled pork sandwich just fine. 2. Okay, so we've established you will have to order your side(s) separately if you don't order a dinner plate. Depending on what kind of side you get it will be hit or miss as far as how much of the side item you get. Fries? Probably one of the few sides I've seen where I feel they give you a decent amount. Baked beans? Small cup. Ditto on the coleslaw. Fried okra? A handful and you paid over $3 for 'em. 3. I would not take a whole lot of issue with #1 or #2 above since they are just a small local restaurant and would like to make some sort of profit. However, it's also the type of place you order at the counter, then go sit down & they bring you the food - no table service. You want more sauce? Go up to the condiment station and get some. You want a refill on your beverage? Same. I would hope for the price I am paying they would at least have table service and I will gladly, generously tip our server. I don't mind eating at places without table service but establishments like that I frequent have either lower prices, much larger portions or come with a side. We only go to the Texan when our friends who live in the area want to dine here.
(2)Mike O.
This is the farthest I've ever gone for one of the NW Burbs dinners. It was worth a visit out in Algonquin, though. And should I add it was a rainy night too? Well, 4 of us made it there and we had the back of the place much to ourselves. Texan is a divey looking palce inside. There is this saloon feel to the whole joint, right down to the dilapidated pickup truck I parked across from. Inside, there's a foyer area with an order counter. You place your order right there and then have a seat. I wanted to try a multitude of things, so I went with a Meat Lover's Platter along with a small sample side of their chili. In maybe 10-15 minutes, I had a small bowl of chili and a formidable array of pulled pork, beef brisket, ribs, sausage and sliced turkey breast in front of me. Thick steak fries adorned the plate too. I probably had 3 meals' worth right there. I dug in, doing my best to sample each. First the chili. It's very meaty, more like a pulled beef chili with generous clusters of shredded meat - not finely ground taco meat or something wiempy from your typical diner. From the meat assortment, my favorite was probably the beef brisket. Sausage was great too and the ribs were tender. Sliced turkey - not so much. It looked like deli meat turkey slathered in BBQ sauce, somewhat out of place with the other meats proudly on display beside it. Service was pretty good. You can fill your own drink at a fountain dispenser, which makes it convenient. There is a Western theme throughout the place. We sat across from a full-sized horse saddle mounted on a ledge opposite our table. There's also a mural of a desert and cactus plants in an adjacent room. In all, a good dining experience and plenty of leftovers despite being too full for dessert. Good prices too. And if I really want to go all out the next time that I'm here, I will order the beef ribs like Ericka A, did. The slab covered the entire plate and hung over both sides. There were enough ribs to feed a family of hyenas!
(4)Richard L.
Like BBQ well who doesn't cause you don't win friends with salad. This place is one of the best BBQ restaurants in the Northern part of Illinois.
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