After traveling over 3200 miles and 10 BBQ restaurants. 17th wins our first place vote. Laurie is one of the driving forces behind the success of 17th. The wait staff was prompt the place is clean. I had the brisket and baby back ribs both were great. Brisket was moist and tender ribs were well seasoned. Tried the red beans and rice they were great After Kansas, Oklahoma,Texas,Louisiana and Tennessee what a surprise to find great BBQ in Illinois! We will be back
(5)
Michael B.
This establishment was on my bucket list while I was down visiting my son down near Carbondale, IL. and I must say we were not disappointed. We both had the two meat special. I had the brisket and baby backs with the brisket green beans which were awesome. My son had the brisket pulled pork with mac and cheese. Tried some of his Mac and cheese and it was great. I even bought a bottle of their sauce and rub for home. Wish they had one up here in northern Illinois.
(5)
Jeff A.
Great place with a great atmosphere. Pulled pork is the best I've had anywhere. A must have if you're visiting the Southern Illinois area.
(5)
Rick W.
Food was good. Atmosphere was nice. However, the price was a bit much for what we got. The sauce is good but was different from what I expected. If I go back I think I'll get the ribs.
(3)
Thomas J.
This was the first BBQ restuarant on our multi stop BBQ tour. My ribs were very good (arguably 2nd best to Franklin's in Austin) and the brisket was above average. The ribs were perfectly smoked and the rub was very good, although I could have skipped the sauce. As another reviewer pointed out, the brisket doesn't compare to even Smoque in Chicago but we had much worse on our trip. I would recommend skipping the brisket and focusing on the ribs.
(4)
Doug Y.
Since my friends Joe & Tom took me to this place few years ago, I always eat here for lunch whenever I'm in town. That good!!!
(3)
T J.
Part of a 9 stop bbq tour. 1 17th st grill (IL) Favorite place of the tour. First stop of the tour, the rest of the places were in Memphis and didn't compare. Ribs were our favorite of the tour. Perfectly down. Brisket was good, far better than I was expecting outside of TX. Doesn't come close to the best brisket places in Austin or even Smoque in Chicago but still dang good brisket. Pulled pork was really good too, by far the best of the tour. Turkey was nothing to write home about but offered a nice change of pace to the other meats. Chicken was a little dry for me but had good flavor. Sausage was excellent sort of reminded me of Rudy's Jalapeno sausage. Beans were good but not great. Green beans were cooked in brisket and were great. Pimento cheese was excellent though I wish it was served with something other than saltines. Next time I go I want to try the wings but I had to save room for the other 8 bbq places i was trying that weeked. Outside of TX there are only a handful of places I would recommend and this is one of them. See my other reviews for the results of the remainder of the tour.
(4)
Scott H.
I have been all over & lived in Memphis for a decade. THESE ARE THE BEST RIBS YOU WILL EVER FIND. Better than Rendezvous, Corky's & Interstate- by a long shot! If you are close by this out-of-the-way place you owe yourself a visit.
(5)
The J.
Not only is this my favorite BBQ joint in the entire world, but it's proably my favorite restaurant. I was introduced to this place while attending SIU and since I graduated and moved back to the Chicago area, I have been back multiple times. The ribs are the best I ever had. Tender and juicy and very pink in the middle. It's a Memphis style of BBQ, so the ribs aren't prepared with a lot of sauce, but you can always add the sauce. I usually order 2 sides of baked beans with the ribs, because they are also the best baked beans I have ever had. A combination of tangy/sweet, but flavorful. The potato salad is also to die for, and I don't even like potato salad. The pulled pork sandwich is also excellent, if you're looking to spend a little less money
(5)
Nomad M.
Mike mills runs a great restaurant and has plenty of awards to back it up! He is a very sincere person, honest and knows his BBQ and this is reflected in the friendly staff he has hired. Everything was perfect and he even stopped by our table to say hello!! I have been to the other location also which is very good! Highly recommended and the BBQ is truly the best! He is the master!!
(5)
Will B.
This is a really cool place and the food is fantastic. I like that they have the local Big Muddy beers available. I'll give it 4 stars because I think the entrees could be a little bigger.
(4)
Richard S.
All good. Not sure why I'm not giving 5 stars; I think it's because I reserve 5 stars for blow me away, I wanna come here everyday, experiences. It was just below that feeling. Anyway, my lunch experience was very satisfying. I had brisket, ribs(3), with BBQ beans for side. Cost: $10.99. Not cheap, but good food is costly.
(4)
Miss Piggy B.
WOWOWOWOWOW! Ok now that I have gotten that out of my system, let me tell you about the BEST BBQ we have ever had! Since my boyfriend is a Chef from New York City & Las Vegas, we planned a culinary tour across America while moving across country from Las Vegas, Nevada to Atlantic City, NJ. My boyfriend heard about this place in Bon Appetit magazine who voted them #1 BBQ ribs in the USA, so we planned to drive 5 hours to check it out for ourselves and it was totally worth it! It opened at 10 am and we were starving by 11 am so we decided to head on over. We ordered ribs, pulled pork, baked beans, mac and cheese, fried okra and coleslaw. The ribs and pulled pork were incredible, and we devoured every bite of the finger licking goodness AND THEN ordered another rack of ribs to go so that we could enjoy them one more time in a few hours. The sides were ok, with the exception of the baked beans which were awesome! We went all out and indulged in a banana pudding (best I've ever had) and a homemade from scratch strawberry shortcake, also yummy. I had to buy a shirt that said "Praise the Lard" and we have told ALL of our foodie friends to make a trip out to this place! Service was friendly, and the place was cute, we even took pictures with the wooden pig! You have not had BBQ until you have had 17th Street BBQ! I wish they would Fed-Ex their food like that deli I love in Ann Arbor... YUM!
(5)
Joselyn H.
Although I don't eat meat anymore, when I did...this place was heaven! The ribs here are ridiculously good! It gets super busy for dinner, so come early if you don't want a long wait.
(5)
Mark M.
Well drove thru the other day and thought I needed some PIG so I stopped for lunch I stopped by Mike Mills place because I had had his fine food before lets talk service it was pleasant the girls did an ok job it was a little slow but come on it's BBQ now the food a little disappointed the Brisket, Pulled Pork and ribs seemed to be held over from the day before. The flavor was good but the texture seemed a little off the chicken was a little undercooked but ok the sausage was very good the fries were cold the onion rings cold but the cole slaw was great they do a little bit of green pepper in it and the beans were a HIT All restaurants have a bad day I think I caught them on one of these its sort of hard with BBQ its got such a long lead time for cooking and the economy is pretty bad so its hard to not carry food over if you didn't sell it the day before because I have had the food before and it has been very good I still say TRY IT!!
(3)
Katelyn M.
What to say about 17th Street... Only that Mike Mills is a genius in the pit and has come up with some delicious food. This is one of the best restaurants in the area. And I think the Murphy location has some of the best character of any dining spot. No matter what you eat here, you're gonna walk away full. Of the appetizers, my favorite has always been the fried pickles. The ones here are very thinly sliced with a thin breading and can hold grease. But oh, it's wonderful tasting. They have a kick to them which I really enjoy. And the dipping sauce that comes with them is great too. With the entrees, you can't go wrong with what you choose. Of course, they're known for their ribs, which are delectable, but I always tend to go towards the pulled pork sandwich (slathered in sauce and Magic Dust) or their brisket. The brisket is melt in your mouth wonderful. Another great choice is the smoked turkey. I never would have thought to get that at a place known for pork, but oh man. It's amazing. Hands down my favorite sides are their baked beans. There are multiple types of beans in there with the ends of the pork and a nice tangy sauce. You HAVE to try them. Their Mac n cheese is also incredible - soooo cheesy. Needless to say, whatever you choose you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Brian M.
A few friends and I have visited southern IL (and 17th St. BBQ) yearly for the past few years. We've always raved about the food, but this was the first time we met BBQ Champion, Mike Mills. What a great and humble guy! He took the time to come get to know us and sincerely thank us for returning. After sharing some BBQ secrets, he even offered to provide personal phone consultation during my next smoked brisket attempt at home in my Weber. Of course, the BBQ is outstanding. The group of 5 of us always order 2 orders of smoked wings for an appetizer and then the large sampler platter. It's a lot of delicious food for a very reasonable price. I highly recommend 17th St. BBQ if you enjoy fantastic BBQ and knowing that your business is sincerely appreciated by the staff.
(5)
Harry H.
BABBQBP 2015: baby back ribs with baked beans for $11 were pretty damn good.
(4)
Rion R.
The prices and quality of food were spot on. I had an $8 pulled pork sandwhich and a side of potatoe salad as recommended and was very happy. The portion of the sandwhich was large and the pulled pork was juicy and full of meaty flavor. They only have one sauce but I wish they had a hot bbq sauce to add. I've never had better potatoe salad...sour cream based? Only 3 beers on tap which one was from Big Muddy Brewing and the other two weren't local or craft. They had a ton of 22oz bombers for $6.50 from Big Muddy and that was an awesome deal. I'm not sure why they don't have more draft lines from Big Muddy? They do have a 17th street smoked beer made for them from the brewery which is a perfect complimentary add for them and the brewery. Solid food, good people and fair prices...I would/will come back next time I am in town.
(5)
Cynthia B.
After a week filled with family, holiday and food, it was time for my husband and I to find a good "date night" place to end a hectic week so we decided to take a scenic road trip south to see what all the fuss has been about for years when it comes to BBQ especially since this food category has exploded in the St. Louis region lately. Overall, our server was great. We started with the dill pickles which were not completely coated, very greasy but served with a tasty sauce. The Reuben was hands down the best we have had, the smokiness in the corned beef put it over the top. I should have asked for the sauce on the side which is my usual but most would find it perfect for a standard Reuben. The horseradish cheddar and marbled rye added that extra special touch that I appreciated. For this reason I wanted to give a four star! We ordered the grand master platter and for most that would have been satisfying. The price was great and our favorites were the pulled pork and smoked brisket. I liked the sausage stick (sliced) but my husband did not because it was spicy. The chicken leg has soggy/gray (from smoke) skin, the turkey was extra dry and the ribs were smoked, offered the "bark" expected at competitions with the kick from the magic dust rub but I felt like they were still a little too firm on the pull from the bone and dry. There were three sauce selections. Regular, spicy and St. Louis style. Nothing exceptional. To me, there has to be great sauce, hence the three stars and only because I can appreciate the work and time involved at this craft. The slaw is vinegar based, our preference, and good but has green peppers in it which I found odd. The baked beans had three beans impressively including butter beans but lacked the cooking time which would provide thickness and depth so this was disappointing. I like to wallpaper with mine. If I am going to spend calories during the holidays, then go big, I say. The mac and cheese was CHEESY! Smooth and good. My husband, ever the sweet tooth, opted to get the strawberry shortcake which fell short. It was a good size and great price but lacked flavor. The strawberries appeared to be probably picked fresh then frozen. That's fine if I were at my moms or grandmas but since it's out of season, it's probably best to leave it off the menu since that juice made the shortcake soggy. Kudos to the owner being there often including while we were there even bidding us a good night. Clearly he is a part of the restaurant and community which would make me go back for that darned good Reuben and a sweet potato for sure!
(3)
Matt M.
We make the trek down to southern IL for 2 reasons. 1 riding our bikes and 2 BBQ. Used to be that we came for the cycling and the BBQ was the reward. Now it seems our motivation is the BBQ and we use the cycling to justify the huge meal!! When there you will be treated well and will get some great food. If Mike is in he will be happy to chat with you about smoking meat and his business in general. Great place to go and have a great meal. Please no salads, that is just filler.
(5)
Carlos F.
I had the bbq baked beans, chili, pork rinds, and the pork steak. The food was great but I was disappointed with the rinds, they had too much air (if that's right). I thought I might get some roasted skin which is just the best. The steak was a hit but I expected more quantity since I left hungry. The beans were right on and the sauce and rubs were a great hit for me.
(4)
Randy S.
I can't lie: I had never heard of Murphysboro, IL before we started planning our road trip. But after this trip I cannot wait to come back. The wings, sweet mother of pearl, the wings are amazing! After eating ribs for 5 days straight, 17th Street found a way to make mouth salivate and spark my appetite once again. We also had the pleasure of sampling their fried okra, collard Greens, and red beans and rice. These were the best sides we had all week. I would be remiss if I did not encourage you to sample the hush puppies and brisket. The local Amber ale is very refreshing, and the atmosphere is homie, and incredibly friendly. Which brings me to the reason for the 5th star. The crew that runs and cares for this place have no equal. Laurie The Pit Bull tells a great story. If you see her beg her to tell you about her first trip to NYC. Mike Mills, the vision behind the grill knows enough about BBQ, and the BBQ community to make your head spin. Don't worry: He's patient, and a great teacher. Open your ears, and you make walk away not just full and happy, but a better griller. Even if they are not there...at least you leave full and happy.
(5)
Amanda M.
My husband and I just recently had 17th street cater our wedding reception and I have nothing but compliments for the business. We have both eaten here many times in the past and couldn't think of anything we wanted more to celebrate our day. Living in Denver, we don't often get to experience good barbeque, certainly nothing that holds a candle to 17th Street. They were incredibly easy and friendly to work with, even when we couldn't make up our minds and ended up ordering way too many choices. The food was perfect (most of the wedding guests took the time to find us and let us know several times), there was plenty for everyone including seconds and an enormous pile of leftovers the next day, and they were incredibly accommodating, even bringing their own decorations that fit with ours. I would recommend 17th street without hesitation for any meal and definitely for any catered event.
(5)
David P.
'Holy SMOKE!' had the pleasure of having their bbq this weekend in NYC for the big apple bbq event. i have to say, you guys in murphysboro are super lucky to have this great bbq joint. their bbq pork ribs are amazing and succulent. didn't even need sauce! AND their baked beans are amazingly awesome and seasoned superbly. i can't wait until next year! and btw, go blackhawks (2010, 2013 and hopefully 2015 NHL champions!; i'm originally from chi town)
(5)
Eric K.
This place is a "joint". And that is high praise, indeed. So IL is part of the south. Closer in kinship to KY than Chicago or Champaign for that matter. The accents are thick with the sort of loose, languid drawl forged from the Dixie DNA. And that spills right into their BBQ heritage. Which is nuthin' fancy. Simply prepared with the freshest ingredients possible. Served table side, hot and fresh. We started off with the fried dill pickle chips. A basket of brilliance. So hot to the table they were still crackling against the wax paper. There is a side of dipping sauce that rides side-saddle right in the basket. It provides the cool counter-point with just the slightest hint of heat at the very back end. I had the baby back ribs. Because the measure of a BBQ joint is soley based on that. They did not disapoint. Sweet and smoke in righteous order. Tender and juicy. Potato salad was thick and creamy with all the right spots of crunch. I also sampled the beef brisket. Brisket is tough to get right b/c of the lack of fat. They nailed this one right to the winner's board. Impressive all the way around. Like i said at the outset. This place is a joint. Where they serve delicious food, simply prepared for a fair price.
(4)
Joey H.
I ordered the lunch platter where you receive an appetizer (caesar salad), and a two item platter (baby back ribs and 1/2 chicken). And for some reason, on the menu it says, "$1 more add a corn or this and that". Even though they charged me $2.99 for the corn, I let it go and enjoyed my meal. The sauce was tasty wasn't too hot. I wasn't in the mood to use my hands for the chicken, so I left maybe 10% more chicken strands on there...sorry. It was cooked bbq, but had the texture of rotisserie. The ribs were right off the bone and had lots of meat on them. I guess I got lucky because this hardly happens. The bbq corn was made well and I liked it. No dessert at that time, no milkshake, but that's ok. I like the cheap lunch. Sorry, one star taken for the corn deal.
(4)
Sara E.
Ooh, Mark M, friend, you must have been there on an off day. Unless you went to the one in Marion instead. Murphysboro is where it's at. 17th Street is amazing - my family always uses them to cater for parties and whatnot. The baked beans are literally my favorite side dish ever. Ever. But the potato salad is ridiculously good too. I don't even like potato salad, but 17th Street's is creamy, tasty, and has BACON in it. For serious. Check it out. The bbq is good - I'm personally a fan of the pulled pork sandwich, with a little Magic Dust and some spicy bbq sauce. But I guess those world-famous, award-winning ribs must be alright, too. The restaurant itself is pretty small, so be prepared to wait. But while you're waiting, sit at the bar, order a beer and pulled pork bbq nachos (OMG), and watch some Saluki sports. It all adds to the experience. PS - 17th Street was just named best ribs in the US by Bon Apetit.
(5)
Bran P.
One of my all time favorite BBQ joints. I took Mike's book "Peace Love & BBQ" with me to Iraq and requested magic dust and 17thst BBQ sauce in my care packages. A trip back home isn't complete without a stop here.
(5)
Jeffrey K.
I expected so much more from this place. I remember going to the O'Fallon, IL location a couple years ago and it was phenomenal. I had lunch at that location over the summer and it sucked, BADLY! I saw them pop up on the Chive.com as a great BBQ place, was told to try the original as it is so much better. I was working in Carbondale for the day and looked forward to swinging over to Murphysboro for lunch. Well, I did and I was thoroughly disappointed. Had ribs and brisket and I can say that there is no way they won any BBQ titles with either of the meats I was served. The ribs were dry, luke warm and really didn't have much taste. The brisket was luke warm, more fat than meat, very dry and had no smoke ring whatsoever. The red beans and rice though very watery, were very good. I don't know where the old 17t st. went, but they went from being a gem to somewhere I wouldn't recommend to anyone. I'd say it was just a bad day, but after having the same quality on 2 occasions and 2 different locations I'm afraid it's a trend.
(2)
Maureen W.
A few months ago I was traveling through Murphysboro to visit a relative and decided to Yelp for a great place for carry out. 17th Street was a high rated suggestion, so I tried it as a carry-out. While the flavors were very good, the portions were ABSURDLY SMALL. $17 for a piece of brisket that could fit in my wallet? PUH-LEEZE! This place is a major RIP OFF. I threw down almost $40 for a combo meal that barely fed me and my 87 year old grandmother. VERY disappointed with 17th street, and I will never return.
(1)
Ian H.
I love barbeque and I love this restaurant. the bbq sauce here is not my fav but this place is all about the meat. I've tried the "Grand champion plate" which has ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked chicken, & hot links. All of it is good, my favorite dishes here include the pulled porksandwich, bbq nachos, brisket, beef ribs, and the smoked chicken.
(5)
Rick D.
This restaurant seems to be living on its press clippings instead of delivering a really excellent product at a fair price. Twenty bucks for a rack of baby back ribs is all right as long as the ribs live up to their Bon Appetit billing as "the best ribs in America." They simply are not. The ribs were not well flavored and were not as tender as they should have been, as though they'd been rushed through the cooking process. The house bar b que sauce was ok but not as good as the home made sauce served at several smaller, less well-known bbq joints in the area. Service was lackadaisical (dirty dishes remained in front of us for 20+ minutes) although in fairness our waitress seemed to be slammed with tables. My wife had the bluegill which was very good. Our friend had brisket which he dubbed just fine but not as good as you get in Texas. Side dishes were of minimal size but tasted fine. Banana pudding was very good. The place was quite loud and clattery--hard to hear a conversation at our own table. Not the place to go if you want a quiet, relaxing meal.
(2)
Marcy D.
This place has won many awards for their 'cue. Ribs are tasty as are the sandwiches. They have a drive up window that is very convenient. I like to buy the meat by the pound and take it home to feast for days!
(5)
Matt P.
LOVE 17th Street! While there's a lot of great BBQ in the area, this is my go-to place - everything is always really good and the service is excellent in Murphysboro. Many times I feel like it's a 'Cheers' type atmosphere, because the bar is right by the front door and the tender greets everybody. The ribs are outstanding - these are true ribs as they are meant to be - they aren't mushy and aren't 'fall off the bone' (i.e. they aren't overdone). I like to use extra sauce to give all the magic dust I sprinkle on something to stick to. Admittedly, it's not an inexpensive place, but it's well worth every penny.
(5)
Paul D.
It might not be the same anymore. I am not sure if Mike Mills is still in charge of everything? At one point in time this was the best BBQ I have had in the country (outside of what my Dad and neighbor made). Though still, one of the better BBQ places you will ever come across. All thanks to Mr. Mills, and while it is not exactly the same. It is clear that they do care about the quality and reputation of 17th Street. There is a small area through the front door to sit, with a wood bar. Another slightly larger dinning area to the left. Lots of trophies and memorabilia line the walls. I am so glad they do baby back ribs, and not spare ribs. IMO, baby backs are always better quality. They do pork perfect here. Not to mention the awesome pixy dust and Carolina sauce. Some of the best ribs and pork I have had at a restaurant. The sides are great to. The best baked beans ever, and my Mom will only make their recipe from Peace, Love, and BBQ. The place has slipped just a bit now that 17th Street is a bit more chain like. Though, I still very much enjoy this great BBQ joint. Complete with a great apple and BBQ festival in Murphysboro and Carbondale. An institution.
(4)
Theresa B.
Based on the beef brisket alone, this gets five stars. The sides were all good, and the ribs were very good. But the beef brisket was the best we've ever had.
(5)
Jeff Z.
As a former SIU Saluki I have had these ribs since my college days. I try in make it through this or the marion location when around since I now live in the Chicago area. These are at the top or near the top I have ever had. Solid meat seasoned perfectly and smoked with applewood. If you like ribs it does not get much better than this.
(5)
Darren P.
Overall the best BBQ place I have ever been to. We frequently travel over 3.5 hours to visit this, the mothership. Their chopped pork with seasoning and sauce is the best of its kind in the world. I personally just eat it alone, no bread. The ribs are great too, but they have been dry a few times. Side dishes and appetizers are nice and there is a full bar. 17th Street BBQ donated food and items for my fundraiser benefit back in June 2012. Amy, Mike and the whole crew are awesome!
(5)
Rich C.
I go south to Alabama about 6 to 8 times a year and try to stop here or the Marion location. I prefer this location because its atmosphere nice dive bar, if small towns have dive bars :) I cater and have done a fair amount of BBQ so I am pretty picky and their stuff is good. I think that one of the most important things are the sides, In spite of the fact that good BBQ is not hard to do (although you wouldn't know it by the large amount of bad BBQ out there), good sides are right up there with a good bun as things that add a lot to a meal. At 17th St my go to is the hot links and double order of fried okra. One of my favorite bars ever.
(5)
J. P.
me and my husband are a bit of bbq snobs, and we were both impressed with this place! now as a bbq snob, i'm not normally a fan of ribs (unless they're my husbands) However, the ribs here are heavenly - i would say better than my husbands! so order the ribs for sure! My husband had the 3 meats platter, which, in addition to the ribs included the brisket and pulled pork. i love a good brisket, but i would have to say this one was average, so i agree with the reviews that say you can probably skip it. the pulled pork was very good though (but does not really rank as one of my favorites). We also had the pork rinds as an appetizer, which were delicious! i highly recommend if you like pork rinds! I had the rueben sandwich which was the best.rueben.ever. i cannot get over the delicious smoked flavor of the corned beef. also get the 17steet beans, probably my favorite baked beans i've had! after being stuffed, we were going to skip dessert, but the waitress mentioned bread pudding, which we just had to try. and OMG it was to die for. This place is a good5- 6 hour drive from us, but we discuss taking another road trip to come down here because it is THAT good. also this is the original location - i believe there is another one in marion? but stick with the original, you cannot go wrong.
(5)
Rebecca C.
Oh those ribs... yummmm. Been here twice. The first time I ordered a pulled chicken sandwich and coleslaw. The sandwich was alright but I was not a fan of the coleslaw. However I knew I had to come back and try the ribs after seeing the owner on a BBQ special on TV. I split a full rack of ribs and thoroughly enjoyed every bite! The fried okra was super delicious too. While I found their BBQ sauce too runny and odd tasting, it did not ruin the ribs (I just did not put any extra on it). I would definitely come back and recommend this place. Also, great service on both occasions.
(4)
Hang T.
I went to the location in Marion first, then decided to try the original in Murphysboro. I should have done it the other way around because I would probably been more amazed by this location. The restaurant is really more of a bar than restaurant. It is very small. Probably about 15 tables. They have an outside area that is covered with picnic tables, but I wouldn't want to sit out there during this cold weather. The food seemed a lot better at the Marion location and they seemed ready to serve you. At this location, there is no real hostess table. The people at the bar will most likely seat you. I would recommend this place more if you want an enviroment to be loud and watch sports with friends. The Marion one is better for relaxing and enjoying a good meal.
(3)
Brenda M.
Wonderful, still worthy, barbecue (both brisket AND pulled pork) but DESPERATELY in need of a thorough cleaning. Walking into the tavern was an assault on the senses but SADLY not in agood way. The bar SMELLS like old beer and urine. Such famous barbeque deserves a better venue.
(3)
Anthony G.
Great service and food. Perfect! Nice job guys. It was during the apple fest and they were slammed and it was still great.
(5)
William P.
OK. This was...I repeat...was one of my favorite BBQ places not in Texas or Tennessee. I compiled a review for 17th Street BBQ a couple years ago touting excellence....this time just mediocrity. It really sucks that this place can't be consistent. When you hit the day right, the BBQ is ridiculously awesome. If not, it'll make you feel ridiculous for recommending it.
Yum, yum, yum. Delicious chopped pork sandwich on a smooth white bun that was at least 4" across. The pork was tender with just the right amount of smoke and spice. Definitely add the chow to your sandwich - delicious chopped cabbage with a sweet & tangy vinegar dressing. M's baby back ribs were meaty and fall-off the bone tender; a bit pricey for a half rack. Potato salad was great too -- slices of white potato with skin on. There's outdoor picnic table seating on a covered patio where dogs are allowed -- and believe me, they appreciate good barbeque too.
(4)
Caroline P.
We used 17th Street BBQ for our wedding catering. It was fantastic! The catering staff is so knowledgeable and really helped with planning and portioning. Becky and Laurie were both wonderful to work with and it was clear they are pros and experts! The food was wonderful! We received so many compliments from our guests, many told us it was the best wedding food they had ever had! When I finally ate leftovers two days after the wedding, the food was STILL delicious. Our menu included smoked chicken, brisket, mac & cheese, sweet potato casserole, green beans, and cucumber salad. The ladies even helped me make a vegetarian option and made sure many of our sides had a veggie option as well. (My vegetarian husband and our veggie friends were also VERY complimentary about the food). Their staff were professional and fun. Everyone looked great and they were so polite to our guests and venue management. I highly recommend 17th Street for wedding and event catering (as well as eating in their restaurants!)
Where do I begin? Well let me start by saying I miss you 17th street please come to Chicago! When I was in Carbondale I would make it a habit to drive to Boro and order the pulled pork sandwich, fries and the mac and cheese of course. Their mac n cheese is heavenly. The meat falls of the bone of the ribs when you dig in (so i've heard). Their fried pickles are scrumptious and the restaurant is a complete dive but a true southern gem.
(5)
Matt B.
Apparently, there is some law in Southern Illinois requiring that people who live here bring visitors to 17th Street Grill for awesome food about which they will talk far and wide. I approve of this law. This place is a complete dive. Which is a healthy dose of the reason why it's so awesome. Forget all that fancy crap - focus on the food. And they do wonderful at that. I really can't speak to more than the ribs. And I'm not sure why anyone would want to. The ribs are the reason to go here. On a bad day, they're good. On a good day, I would punch my mother in the face if she tried to tell me I couldn't eat them. They have a great smoke ring and don't need a knife - you can pull them apart with your fingers. And get the greens as a side; holy hell are they good. DO NOT go to the other location. Stick with the original.
(5)
Craig D.
In Carbondale on business...on the advice of my foodie brother, I drove just a few miles down the road to Murphysboro for BBQ. Not only did I save 15-20 cents per gallon on gas but I had an exceptional dining experience. The service was phenomenal as I sat at the bar to commune with the knowledgeable and attentive staff. The brisket was probably the best I've had and the meal left me with just a couple of questions...1. How have I gone this far in my life and not eaten fresh pork rinds? 2. How does this place only have 3 1/2 stars? I blame the first on my parents. The second can only be explained by previous reviewers being in such a blissful meat coma that they didn't have the energy to move their finger all the way to the right. Every Thursday is whole hog day, served right on the dining room and the desserts are homemade and look ridiculous. I just wished I ate carbs because the layered banana pudding would make me cheat if I weren't so full. I will definitely return and endeavor to work through the rest of the apps and entrees...I just hope my boss doesn't notice the disproportionate trips to this area...
(5)
Glennis D.
It has to be that we caught this place on an off night, as we heard nothing but rave reviews. Award winning ribs and brisket tasted as though they were burnt on a grill then held in a warming drawer for five hours prior to our arrival, as the food was served to us only seconds after ordering. When asked about a local brewery's beer, our server had no idea what the style was. When we offered to pour him a taste so he would know how it tasted, he looked around and said he could get fired if he were to taste the beer. Seems like a far fetched idea to have your staff know what they are serving. We really wanted this place to be good, but unfortunately it was sub par.
(2)
James L.
Stopped by 17th Street for a late lunch and walked away hungry and disappointed. First, my son had never been to the Murphysboro location. I had been there a few times but not recently. The lunch special said pick 2 meats, and my son ordered ribs and ribs for his 2 choices. The waiter asked the bartender and she told him that we couldn't order 2 of the same meats. When asked why, we got the answer, "because she said we couldn't!" To be compliant, we didn't push the issue any further, but when we got our food, again we were highly disappointed. The portion sizes on the sides and the meat were tiny, dry, and flavorless. $28 for lunch and we had to go to Dairy Queen to get enough to eat before we felt satisfied. This is my last trip to 17th Street. The O'Fallon and Marion locations were terrible when we tried them. Appears Murphysboro location is following suit. There are many good BBQ places around. You don't need to put up with bad service and sub-standard food.
(1)
Phil W.
great stop, it might not be the best. but worth the trip it is very good
(5)
Ronald H.
We stopped in here around New Years 2011 and had a decent meal. Overall, it was inconsistent. Some items were quite nice, while others really missed. We started with an appetizer of Onion Straws, which were good and greasy, and Potato Parmesan Soup, which was good, chunky, but could have used more parmesan. Main course Ribs were decent, tender but not falling off the bone. They did not have a strong flavor, and I found them to be kinda dry. There was no place for discarding bones, other than the empty soup bowl that was not cleared after appetizers were done or when the mains were delivered. Side Mac and Cheese was bizarre, with cheese sprinkled on top, definitely to be missed if we go back. Side Red Beans and Rice reminded me of kidney bean salad rice, and was not very good. Pork Shoulder was well cooked and had good flavor, even without sauce. Side Baked Beans had multiple bean types and good flavor, and was possibly the best item on the table. The Creamed Corn had a bizarre slightly sweet flavor and would have benefited from having more corn in the dish with the sauce. (I can't believe I'm suggesting that a side of corn should have had more corn.) The Rolls were nice and yeasty, and very satisfying. Sweet Cinnamon Butter is a hit with me, less so with my wife. Nothing was served hot except the rolls, with everything else served cool to luke warm. The Iced Tea was well made. So, if I go back, I'd like some rolls, a big bowl of baked beans, and an iced tea, the three best things we tried. OK, maybe the pork shoulder.
(3)
Chip P.
Had the brisket sandwich & cole slaw - enjoyed it very much!
(4)
Jeremy W.
Arrived at 9 on a Saturday evening, and the hostess was very accommodating for our group if 8 and split us between two tables. After ordering our waiter went AWOL for an hour with nary an update about why happened to our food. After flagging down another waitress finally, she let us know that our food would be out in a bit, which it was. Overall, the food was alright, nothing special and certainly not award winning. I gave a 1 star based on service and food quality, with service very much negatively contributing against my rating. The manager did stop by to offer us his apologies, but didn't forwardly offer any incentive (I.e. Free drinks), it felt like he wanted a negotiation, which wasn't what any of us wanted after a long and tiring evening.
(1)
Kevin K.
Excellent Food. Great Atmosphere. Great place for a casual nice dinner. BBQ is some of the best I've had in the Midwest. Great Place!
(5)
Dygo T.
Award-winning ribs were fantastic! If I ever pass through Murphysboro, this would be my place to go. The waitress, and possibly the rest of the joint, although adorable, seemed like she had never seen Asian siblings before. So walking in was real awkward- you know, the Western movie saloon pause where everyone turns to look at who just came through the door. Luckily, the food was amazing. The flavor of the barbecue was deep- I could taste all the different spices and seasonings mingling in my mouth with every bite. Very distinctive and interesting use of apple sauce as part of the BBQ sauce. Gotta say the coleslaw was a huge disappointment though- was like chopped up cucumbers. And no bread while we waited for our entree. The atmosphere is very cozy though, and you can read all about the greatness of this place (4-time world champion!) while you wait. Not too expensive (it's BBQ), and perfect portions.
(4)
Linda K.
Had dinner there last night. Service was excellent. Had a locally brewed beer - Saluki Dawg Dunkleman which was excellent. I had the twofer of ribs and beef brisket. Ribs were good - not great- a bit dry with good but not overpowering smoke with good balance of spice. Suspect they had sat in the kitchen for a while. Brisket was excellent. My wife had the BBQ chicken and that was ridiculously good. Sides were solid -red beans and rice were tangy complemented nicely with a little heat from the smoked sausage pieces. Cucumber/tomato salad was drowning in a bath of vinegar and spices.
(3)
Joshua Y.
I had the BBQ at Big Apple BBQ in NYC. I had a bite or two and threw it would, no sauce, no flavor, not tender...beans weren't bad
(1)
Sue T.
The ribs were flavorless, as was the sauce. Didn't tug cleanly from the bone, very dry and tasted old. Guess you should be watchful of a rib place that doesn't smell like one when you walk in. While the sides were good I didn't pay top dollar for just sides. This was our second visit, since this was supposed to be an award winning place we thought we'd give it another try thinking we may have hit an off night before -- not so, they were still just as bad. We didn't have sandwiches and the like so I can only comment on the ribs, hope you have better luck than we did.
(1)
Jessica L.
We have lived here now for a year and a half, and JUST now made it in to 17th Street in Murphysboro. We heard this was the location to go to - apparently, though the Marion location is newer, the original location has a better vibe and slightly better food. We were in with a big group, and the service was extremely good. Mike, the owner, was even around and paid us a visit and chatted a while. He's a super nice guy, and obviously very passionate about what he does. We ordered a sample platter with onion strings (good, but not extraordinary - what can you do with onion strings, right?), fried okra (which was delicious), shrimp (perfectly done and seasoned), and stuffed potato wedges (I didn't have any myself, but Husband says they were the best he's ever had). For the main course, I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with the green beans and rice pilaf on the side. Yeah, not what you typically go for at a BBQ place, but I was trying not to kill all my hard work at the gym! The grilled chicken sandwich was amazingly good for how simple it was - the chicken was seasoned and really juicy, the sandwich was served dry so you could pick your sauce, the bread was fluffy and light, and just tomatoes and lettuce, but somehow extra tasty. The rice was better than your average pilaf, with corn mixed in it. Nice mellow flavor - not overly buttered. The green beans could have used a touch more salt, but other than that, they were excellent, with smoked meat mixed in. Yum! Husband had some enormous plate with what seemed like a little bit of everything on it. Some of it I sampled - the sausage was spicy, but fabulous, the hush puppies were the best anyone at the table had ever had, and the pulled pork, though more shredded than I am used to, was seasoned really well and was really good. The baked beans were excellent too. Husband said the ribs were a touch dry, but his friend's weren't, so maybe he just got a bad batch. For some reason they took the beef ribs off the menu, which was kind of disappointing too, Husband was hoping for some. The smoked turkey was also really, really tasty. The highlight had to be the bread pudding at the end though - best bread pudding we've had anywhere, and we know bread pudding. It is served with a praline sauce and whipped cream, and is just divine. Go visit Mike in Murphysboro, and enjoy!
(4)
Brett K.
I ate lunch at 17th Street last week. It was ok. Maybe I ordered wrong. I picked out a combo of bbq beef brisket and bbq chicken. The brisket was moist, and I could certainly taste the smokeyness in the flavor. The beef was shredded a little more that I would've preferred but it all goes down the same I suppose. I wasn't nearly as impressed with the chicken which was pretty dry, especially for being on the bone, and honestly the taste was a little gamey. I'll also would have like to have a little more variety in the sauce department. 17th Street is a quaint, small town dive type of place. Our server was great. She was friendly, stopped by often to check on us, and was on top of everything from drink refills to making sure we had some hot(as in spicy) bbq sauce (which wasn't all that hot), and just making sure that we were happy. I will undoubtedly give 17th Street another try next time I'm in the Carbondale/Murphysboro area. I plan on trying the ribs and bbq pork next time. Ribs and pulled pork are normally the starting line-up at a bbq joint. I definitely regret going with the items from the end of the bench. Next time I'll go for the 1st string line-up for sure.
(3)
Gary B.
I agree this place is a poor excuse fr BBQ. I can't see they ever even place in contest. How they ever one any wards for thier ribs is beyond me. Service is really good. Atmosphere s so so .
(1)
Vanessa G.
We were told this is a must stop place while in Southern Illinois for BBQ food. I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised. We were so hungry we ordered Spinach and Artichoke dip for an app and it was store bought at best. I could have microwaved it up myself. For the main course, scared we would way over order, we decided to split the Como platter (see what happens) which consisted of ribs, pulled pork, sausage, chicken and brisket with 2 sides. Yes, everyone, their baked beans are to die for. It was a huge amount of food! Everything was delicious! The pulled pork was extremely tender and flavorful. The ribs were gone in 2 seconds, the brisket followed close behind. I will admit I had to stop myself at the sausage. At first bite it was great but then, all of a sudden, the spicy hotness hit me like a brick. Oh how I wanted to love the sausage! Needless to say we could not move after the platter. Hmm, should have got some more ribs to go. I hope Mike decides to open a new location a little north so I can enjoy this BBQ again. If not, I stocked up on some of his BBQ sauce and magic dust, lets see if my cooking tastes as good as theirs!
(4)
Wes D.
Excellent bbq. I've tried nearly all of their smoked meats, and the baby back ribs and pulled pork are my favorites. Their sauces and spices aren't my favorite (a little on the bland side to me), but the meat is so perfectly smoked it doesn't really need it. I like the Murphysboro location better because of the atmosphere, and I've had a few bad experiences with the Marion location serving meat that was over cooked and dry.
(4)
Stella D.
I agree with Sara E. THEY HAVE THE BEST BAKED BEANS EVER. and i dont even like beans!!!! i tried their baked beans at the snapple big apple bbq block party in NYC, and after eating their beans, i might be a baked bean convert - NOT. sadly, when i got my hands on your ribs, my ribs were already sitting out on the park bench where my bf lovingly guarded them (haha) but it was still good tastewise. i never thought id ever say this ever. I Love Baked Beans! (only from 17th street bar and grill.)
(5)
Erin D.
We went out of our way to check this place out during a recent road trip and I gotta say, not bad. First off, I've never been to Murphysboro so when we rolled into town we got that "small town feel" and the 17th street certainly lived up to that expectation. BBQ nachos...YES Hush puppies OMG YES The chuckle you get knowing your BBQ was sprinkled with 'magic dust'....PRICELESS... We had no problem getting a table on a Friday night, considering the place was packed. Our server was a little overwhelmed. I had to remind her to get our first round of drinks..but the food made up for it. Well worth the trip and everyone was super nice.
(4)
Von F.
The food was very good and the service was excellent. I had the BB ribs, they were meaty and very flavorful. The sides were are the small side. I also had the homemade chips that were PERFECT. I will come back to sample more of the large menu.
(4)
Matt S.
Great ambience. Very good bbq. Worth the stop of you are in the area. The 2 meat platter was plenty of food and could be shared if you're not all that hungry.
(5)
Katelyn M.
What to say about 17th Street... Only that Mike Mills is a genius in the pit and has come up with some delicious food. This is one of the best restaurants in the area. And I think the Murphy location has some of the best character of any dining spot. No matter what you eat here, you're gonna walk away full. Of the appetizers, my favorite has always been the fried pickles. The ones here are very thinly sliced with a thin breading and can hold grease. But oh, it's wonderful tasting. They have a kick to them which I really enjoy. And the dipping sauce that comes with them is great too. With the entrees, you can't go wrong with what you choose. Of course, they're known for their ribs, which are delectable, but I always tend to go towards the pulled pork sandwich (slathered in sauce and Magic Dust) or their brisket. The brisket is melt in your mouth wonderful. Another great choice is the smoked turkey. I never would have thought to get that at a place known for pork, but oh man. It's amazing. Hands down my favorite sides are their baked beans. There are multiple types of beans in there with the ends of the pork and a nice tangy sauce. You HAVE to try them. Their Mac n cheese is also incredible - soooo cheesy. Needless to say, whatever you choose you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Brian M.
A few friends and I have visited southern IL (and 17th St. BBQ) yearly for the past few years. We've always raved about the food, but this was the first time we met BBQ Champion, Mike Mills. What a great and humble guy! He took the time to come get to know us and sincerely thank us for returning. After sharing some BBQ secrets, he even offered to provide personal phone consultation during my next smoked brisket attempt at home in my Weber. Of course, the BBQ is outstanding. The group of 5 of us always order 2 orders of smoked wings for an appetizer and then the large sampler platter. It's a lot of delicious food for a very reasonable price. I highly recommend 17th St. BBQ if you enjoy fantastic BBQ and knowing that your business is sincerely appreciated by the staff.
(5)
Harry H.
BABBQBP 2015: baby back ribs with baked beans for $11 were pretty damn good.
(4)
Rion R.
The prices and quality of food were spot on. I had an $8 pulled pork sandwhich and a side of potatoe salad as recommended and was very happy. The portion of the sandwhich was large and the pulled pork was juicy and full of meaty flavor. They only have one sauce but I wish they had a hot bbq sauce to add. I've never had better potatoe salad...sour cream based? Only 3 beers on tap which one was from Big Muddy Brewing and the other two weren't local or craft. They had a ton of 22oz bombers for $6.50 from Big Muddy and that was an awesome deal. I'm not sure why they don't have more draft lines from Big Muddy? They do have a 17th street smoked beer made for them from the brewery which is a perfect complimentary add for them and the brewery. Solid food, good people and fair prices...I would/will come back next time I am in town.
(5)
Cynthia B.
After a week filled with family, holiday and food, it was time for my husband and I to find a good "date night" place to end a hectic week so we decided to take a scenic road trip south to see what all the fuss has been about for years when it comes to BBQ especially since this food category has exploded in the St. Louis region lately. Overall, our server was great. We started with the dill pickles which were not completely coated, very greasy but served with a tasty sauce. The Reuben was hands down the best we have had, the smokiness in the corned beef put it over the top. I should have asked for the sauce on the side which is my usual but most would find it perfect for a standard Reuben. The horseradish cheddar and marbled rye added that extra special touch that I appreciated. For this reason I wanted to give a four star! We ordered the grand master platter and for most that would have been satisfying. The price was great and our favorites were the pulled pork and smoked brisket. I liked the sausage stick (sliced) but my husband did not because it was spicy. The chicken leg has soggy/gray (from smoke) skin, the turkey was extra dry and the ribs were smoked, offered the "bark" expected at competitions with the kick from the magic dust rub but I felt like they were still a little too firm on the pull from the bone and dry. There were three sauce selections. Regular, spicy and St. Louis style. Nothing exceptional. To me, there has to be great sauce, hence the three stars and only because I can appreciate the work and time involved at this craft. The slaw is vinegar based, our preference, and good but has green peppers in it which I found odd. The baked beans had three beans impressively including butter beans but lacked the cooking time which would provide thickness and depth so this was disappointing. I like to wallpaper with mine. If I am going to spend calories during the holidays, then go big, I say. The mac and cheese was CHEESY! Smooth and good. My husband, ever the sweet tooth, opted to get the strawberry shortcake which fell short. It was a good size and great price but lacked flavor. The strawberries appeared to be probably picked fresh then frozen. That's fine if I were at my moms or grandmas but since it's out of season, it's probably best to leave it off the menu since that juice made the shortcake soggy. Kudos to the owner being there often including while we were there even bidding us a good night. Clearly he is a part of the restaurant and community which would make me go back for that darned good Reuben and a sweet potato for sure!
(3)
Matt M.
We make the trek down to southern IL for 2 reasons. 1 riding our bikes and 2 BBQ. Used to be that we came for the cycling and the BBQ was the reward. Now it seems our motivation is the BBQ and we use the cycling to justify the huge meal!! When there you will be treated well and will get some great food. If Mike is in he will be happy to chat with you about smoking meat and his business in general. Great place to go and have a great meal. Please no salads, that is just filler.
(5)
Thomas J.
This was the first BBQ restuarant on our multi stop BBQ tour. My ribs were very good (arguably 2nd best to Franklin's in Austin) and the brisket was above average. The ribs were perfectly smoked and the rub was very good, although I could have skipped the sauce. As another reviewer pointed out, the brisket doesn't compare to even Smoque in Chicago but we had much worse on our trip. I would recommend skipping the brisket and focusing on the ribs.
(4)
Doug Y.
Since my friends Joe & Tom took me to this place few years ago, I always eat here for lunch whenever I'm in town. That good!!!
(3)
T J.
Part of a 9 stop bbq tour. 1 17th st grill (IL) Favorite place of the tour. First stop of the tour, the rest of the places were in Memphis and didn't compare. Ribs were our favorite of the tour. Perfectly down. Brisket was good, far better than I was expecting outside of TX. Doesn't come close to the best brisket places in Austin or even Smoque in Chicago but still dang good brisket. Pulled pork was really good too, by far the best of the tour. Turkey was nothing to write home about but offered a nice change of pace to the other meats. Chicken was a little dry for me but had good flavor. Sausage was excellent sort of reminded me of Rudy's Jalapeno sausage. Beans were good but not great. Green beans were cooked in brisket and were great. Pimento cheese was excellent though I wish it was served with something other than saltines. Next time I go I want to try the wings but I had to save room for the other 8 bbq places i was trying that weeked. Outside of TX there are only a handful of places I would recommend and this is one of them. See my other reviews for the results of the remainder of the tour.
(4)
Scott H.
I have been all over & lived in Memphis for a decade. THESE ARE THE BEST RIBS YOU WILL EVER FIND. Better than Rendezvous, Corky's & Interstate- by a long shot! If you are close by this out-of-the-way place you owe yourself a visit.
(5)
The J.
Not only is this my favorite BBQ joint in the entire world, but it's proably my favorite restaurant. I was introduced to this place while attending SIU and since I graduated and moved back to the Chicago area, I have been back multiple times. The ribs are the best I ever had. Tender and juicy and very pink in the middle. It's a Memphis style of BBQ, so the ribs aren't prepared with a lot of sauce, but you can always add the sauce. I usually order 2 sides of baked beans with the ribs, because they are also the best baked beans I have ever had. A combination of tangy/sweet, but flavorful. The potato salad is also to die for, and I don't even like potato salad. The pulled pork sandwich is also excellent, if you're looking to spend a little less money
(5)
Nomad M.
Mike mills runs a great restaurant and has plenty of awards to back it up! He is a very sincere person, honest and knows his BBQ and this is reflected in the friendly staff he has hired. Everything was perfect and he even stopped by our table to say hello!! I have been to the other location also which is very good! Highly recommended and the BBQ is truly the best! He is the master!!
(5)
Will B.
This is a really cool place and the food is fantastic. I like that they have the local Big Muddy beers available. I'll give it 4 stars because I think the entrees could be a little bigger.
(4)
Eric K.
This place is a "joint". And that is high praise, indeed. So IL is part of the south. Closer in kinship to KY than Chicago or Champaign for that matter. The accents are thick with the sort of loose, languid drawl forged from the Dixie DNA. And that spills right into their BBQ heritage. Which is nuthin' fancy. Simply prepared with the freshest ingredients possible. Served table side, hot and fresh. We started off with the fried dill pickle chips. A basket of brilliance. So hot to the table they were still crackling against the wax paper. There is a side of dipping sauce that rides side-saddle right in the basket. It provides the cool counter-point with just the slightest hint of heat at the very back end. I had the baby back ribs. Because the measure of a BBQ joint is soley based on that. They did not disapoint. Sweet and smoke in righteous order. Tender and juicy. Potato salad was thick and creamy with all the right spots of crunch. I also sampled the beef brisket. Brisket is tough to get right b/c of the lack of fat. They nailed this one right to the winner's board. Impressive all the way around. Like i said at the outset. This place is a joint. Where they serve delicious food, simply prepared for a fair price.
(4)
Matt P.
LOVE 17th Street! While there's a lot of great BBQ in the area, this is my go-to place - everything is always really good and the service is excellent in Murphysboro. Many times I feel like it's a 'Cheers' type atmosphere, because the bar is right by the front door and the tender greets everybody. The ribs are outstanding - these are true ribs as they are meant to be - they aren't mushy and aren't 'fall off the bone' (i.e. they aren't overdone). I like to use extra sauce to give all the magic dust I sprinkle on something to stick to. Admittedly, it's not an inexpensive place, but it's well worth every penny.
(5)
Paul D.
It might not be the same anymore. I am not sure if Mike Mills is still in charge of everything? At one point in time this was the best BBQ I have had in the country (outside of what my Dad and neighbor made). Though still, one of the better BBQ places you will ever come across. All thanks to Mr. Mills, and while it is not exactly the same. It is clear that they do care about the quality and reputation of 17th Street. There is a small area through the front door to sit, with a wood bar. Another slightly larger dinning area to the left. Lots of trophies and memorabilia line the walls. I am so glad they do baby back ribs, and not spare ribs. IMO, baby backs are always better quality. They do pork perfect here. Not to mention the awesome pixy dust and Carolina sauce. Some of the best ribs and pork I have had at a restaurant. The sides are great to. The best baked beans ever, and my Mom will only make their recipe from Peace, Love, and BBQ. The place has slipped just a bit now that 17th Street is a bit more chain like. Though, I still very much enjoy this great BBQ joint. Complete with a great apple and BBQ festival in Murphysboro and Carbondale. An institution.
(4)
Theresa B.
Based on the beef brisket alone, this gets five stars. The sides were all good, and the ribs were very good. But the beef brisket was the best we've ever had.
(5)
Jeff Z.
As a former SIU Saluki I have had these ribs since my college days. I try in make it through this or the marion location when around since I now live in the Chicago area. These are at the top or near the top I have ever had. Solid meat seasoned perfectly and smoked with applewood. If you like ribs it does not get much better than this.
(5)
Darren P.
Overall the best BBQ place I have ever been to. We frequently travel over 3.5 hours to visit this, the mothership. Their chopped pork with seasoning and sauce is the best of its kind in the world. I personally just eat it alone, no bread. The ribs are great too, but they have been dry a few times. Side dishes and appetizers are nice and there is a full bar. 17th Street BBQ donated food and items for my fundraiser benefit back in June 2012. Amy, Mike and the whole crew are awesome!
(5)
Rich C.
I go south to Alabama about 6 to 8 times a year and try to stop here or the Marion location. I prefer this location because its atmosphere nice dive bar, if small towns have dive bars :) I cater and have done a fair amount of BBQ so I am pretty picky and their stuff is good. I think that one of the most important things are the sides, In spite of the fact that good BBQ is not hard to do (although you wouldn't know it by the large amount of bad BBQ out there), good sides are right up there with a good bun as things that add a lot to a meal. At 17th St my go to is the hot links and double order of fried okra. One of my favorite bars ever.
(5)
J. P.
me and my husband are a bit of bbq snobs, and we were both impressed with this place! now as a bbq snob, i'm not normally a fan of ribs (unless they're my husbands) However, the ribs here are heavenly - i would say better than my husbands! so order the ribs for sure! My husband had the 3 meats platter, which, in addition to the ribs included the brisket and pulled pork. i love a good brisket, but i would have to say this one was average, so i agree with the reviews that say you can probably skip it. the pulled pork was very good though (but does not really rank as one of my favorites). We also had the pork rinds as an appetizer, which were delicious! i highly recommend if you like pork rinds! I had the rueben sandwich which was the best.rueben.ever. i cannot get over the delicious smoked flavor of the corned beef. also get the 17steet beans, probably my favorite baked beans i've had! after being stuffed, we were going to skip dessert, but the waitress mentioned bread pudding, which we just had to try. and OMG it was to die for. This place is a good5- 6 hour drive from us, but we discuss taking another road trip to come down here because it is THAT good. also this is the original location - i believe there is another one in marion? but stick with the original, you cannot go wrong.
(5)
Rebecca C.
Oh those ribs... yummmm. Been here twice. The first time I ordered a pulled chicken sandwich and coleslaw. The sandwich was alright but I was not a fan of the coleslaw. However I knew I had to come back and try the ribs after seeing the owner on a BBQ special on TV. I split a full rack of ribs and thoroughly enjoyed every bite! The fried okra was super delicious too. While I found their BBQ sauce too runny and odd tasting, it did not ruin the ribs (I just did not put any extra on it). I would definitely come back and recommend this place. Also, great service on both occasions.
(4)
Hang T.
I went to the location in Marion first, then decided to try the original in Murphysboro. I should have done it the other way around because I would probably been more amazed by this location. The restaurant is really more of a bar than restaurant. It is very small. Probably about 15 tables. They have an outside area that is covered with picnic tables, but I wouldn't want to sit out there during this cold weather. The food seemed a lot better at the Marion location and they seemed ready to serve you. At this location, there is no real hostess table. The people at the bar will most likely seat you. I would recommend this place more if you want an enviroment to be loud and watch sports with friends. The Marion one is better for relaxing and enjoying a good meal.
(3)
Brenda M.
Wonderful, still worthy, barbecue (both brisket AND pulled pork) but DESPERATELY in need of a thorough cleaning. Walking into the tavern was an assault on the senses but SADLY not in agood way. The bar SMELLS like old beer and urine. Such famous barbeque deserves a better venue.
(3)
Anthony G.
Great service and food. Perfect! Nice job guys. It was during the apple fest and they were slammed and it was still great.
(5)
William P.
OK. This was...I repeat...was one of my favorite BBQ places not in Texas or Tennessee. I compiled a review for 17th Street BBQ a couple years ago touting excellence....this time just mediocrity. It really sucks that this place can't be consistent. When you hit the day right, the BBQ is ridiculously awesome. If not, it'll make you feel ridiculous for recommending it.
Yum, yum, yum. Delicious chopped pork sandwich on a smooth white bun that was at least 4" across. The pork was tender with just the right amount of smoke and spice. Definitely add the chow to your sandwich - delicious chopped cabbage with a sweet & tangy vinegar dressing. M's baby back ribs were meaty and fall-off the bone tender; a bit pricey for a half rack. Potato salad was great too -- slices of white potato with skin on. There's outdoor picnic table seating on a covered patio where dogs are allowed -- and believe me, they appreciate good barbeque too.
(4)
Caroline P.
We used 17th Street BBQ for our wedding catering. It was fantastic! The catering staff is so knowledgeable and really helped with planning and portioning. Becky and Laurie were both wonderful to work with and it was clear they are pros and experts! The food was wonderful! We received so many compliments from our guests, many told us it was the best wedding food they had ever had! When I finally ate leftovers two days after the wedding, the food was STILL delicious. Our menu included smoked chicken, brisket, mac & cheese, sweet potato casserole, green beans, and cucumber salad. The ladies even helped me make a vegetarian option and made sure many of our sides had a veggie option as well. (My vegetarian husband and our veggie friends were also VERY complimentary about the food). Their staff were professional and fun. Everyone looked great and they were so polite to our guests and venue management. I highly recommend 17th Street for wedding and event catering (as well as eating in their restaurants!)
(5)
Matt B.
Apparently, there is some law in Southern Illinois requiring that people who live here bring visitors to 17th Street Grill for awesome food about which they will talk far and wide. I approve of this law. This place is a complete dive. Which is a healthy dose of the reason why it's so awesome. Forget all that fancy crap - focus on the food. And they do wonderful at that. I really can't speak to more than the ribs. And I'm not sure why anyone would want to. The ribs are the reason to go here. On a bad day, they're good. On a good day, I would punch my mother in the face if she tried to tell me I couldn't eat them. They have a great smoke ring and don't need a knife - you can pull them apart with your fingers. And get the greens as a side; holy hell are they good. DO NOT go to the other location. Stick with the original.
(5)
Craig D.
In Carbondale on business...on the advice of my foodie brother, I drove just a few miles down the road to Murphysboro for BBQ. Not only did I save 15-20 cents per gallon on gas but I had an exceptional dining experience. The service was phenomenal as I sat at the bar to commune with the knowledgeable and attentive staff. The brisket was probably the best I've had and the meal left me with just a couple of questions...1. How have I gone this far in my life and not eaten fresh pork rinds? 2. How does this place only have 3 1/2 stars? I blame the first on my parents. The second can only be explained by previous reviewers being in such a blissful meat coma that they didn't have the energy to move their finger all the way to the right. Every Thursday is whole hog day, served right on the dining room and the desserts are homemade and look ridiculous. I just wished I ate carbs because the layered banana pudding would make me cheat if I weren't so full. I will definitely return and endeavor to work through the rest of the apps and entrees...I just hope my boss doesn't notice the disproportionate trips to this area...
Where do I begin? Well let me start by saying I miss you 17th street please come to Chicago! When I was in Carbondale I would make it a habit to drive to Boro and order the pulled pork sandwich, fries and the mac and cheese of course. Their mac n cheese is heavenly. The meat falls of the bone of the ribs when you dig in (so i've heard). Their fried pickles are scrumptious and the restaurant is a complete dive but a true southern gem.
(5)
Glennis D.
It has to be that we caught this place on an off night, as we heard nothing but rave reviews. Award winning ribs and brisket tasted as though they were burnt on a grill then held in a warming drawer for five hours prior to our arrival, as the food was served to us only seconds after ordering. When asked about a local brewery's beer, our server had no idea what the style was. When we offered to pour him a taste so he would know how it tasted, he looked around and said he could get fired if he were to taste the beer. Seems like a far fetched idea to have your staff know what they are serving. We really wanted this place to be good, but unfortunately it was sub par.
(2)
James L.
Stopped by 17th Street for a late lunch and walked away hungry and disappointed. First, my son had never been to the Murphysboro location. I had been there a few times but not recently. The lunch special said pick 2 meats, and my son ordered ribs and ribs for his 2 choices. The waiter asked the bartender and she told him that we couldn't order 2 of the same meats. When asked why, we got the answer, "because she said we couldn't!" To be compliant, we didn't push the issue any further, but when we got our food, again we were highly disappointed. The portion sizes on the sides and the meat were tiny, dry, and flavorless. $28 for lunch and we had to go to Dairy Queen to get enough to eat before we felt satisfied. This is my last trip to 17th Street. The O'Fallon and Marion locations were terrible when we tried them. Appears Murphysboro location is following suit. There are many good BBQ places around. You don't need to put up with bad service and sub-standard food.
(1)
Phil W.
great stop, it might not be the best. but worth the trip it is very good
(5)
Ronald H.
We stopped in here around New Years 2011 and had a decent meal. Overall, it was inconsistent. Some items were quite nice, while others really missed. We started with an appetizer of Onion Straws, which were good and greasy, and Potato Parmesan Soup, which was good, chunky, but could have used more parmesan. Main course Ribs were decent, tender but not falling off the bone. They did not have a strong flavor, and I found them to be kinda dry. There was no place for discarding bones, other than the empty soup bowl that was not cleared after appetizers were done or when the mains were delivered. Side Mac and Cheese was bizarre, with cheese sprinkled on top, definitely to be missed if we go back. Side Red Beans and Rice reminded me of kidney bean salad rice, and was not very good. Pork Shoulder was well cooked and had good flavor, even without sauce. Side Baked Beans had multiple bean types and good flavor, and was possibly the best item on the table. The Creamed Corn had a bizarre slightly sweet flavor and would have benefited from having more corn in the dish with the sauce. (I can't believe I'm suggesting that a side of corn should have had more corn.) The Rolls were nice and yeasty, and very satisfying. Sweet Cinnamon Butter is a hit with me, less so with my wife. Nothing was served hot except the rolls, with everything else served cool to luke warm. The Iced Tea was well made. So, if I go back, I'd like some rolls, a big bowl of baked beans, and an iced tea, the three best things we tried. OK, maybe the pork shoulder.
(3)
Jessica L.
We have lived here now for a year and a half, and JUST now made it in to 17th Street in Murphysboro. We heard this was the location to go to - apparently, though the Marion location is newer, the original location has a better vibe and slightly better food. We were in with a big group, and the service was extremely good. Mike, the owner, was even around and paid us a visit and chatted a while. He's a super nice guy, and obviously very passionate about what he does. We ordered a sample platter with onion strings (good, but not extraordinary - what can you do with onion strings, right?), fried okra (which was delicious), shrimp (perfectly done and seasoned), and stuffed potato wedges (I didn't have any myself, but Husband says they were the best he's ever had). For the main course, I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with the green beans and rice pilaf on the side. Yeah, not what you typically go for at a BBQ place, but I was trying not to kill all my hard work at the gym! The grilled chicken sandwich was amazingly good for how simple it was - the chicken was seasoned and really juicy, the sandwich was served dry so you could pick your sauce, the bread was fluffy and light, and just tomatoes and lettuce, but somehow extra tasty. The rice was better than your average pilaf, with corn mixed in it. Nice mellow flavor - not overly buttered. The green beans could have used a touch more salt, but other than that, they were excellent, with smoked meat mixed in. Yum! Husband had some enormous plate with what seemed like a little bit of everything on it. Some of it I sampled - the sausage was spicy, but fabulous, the hush puppies were the best anyone at the table had ever had, and the pulled pork, though more shredded than I am used to, was seasoned really well and was really good. The baked beans were excellent too. Husband said the ribs were a touch dry, but his friend's weren't, so maybe he just got a bad batch. For some reason they took the beef ribs off the menu, which was kind of disappointing too, Husband was hoping for some. The smoked turkey was also really, really tasty. The highlight had to be the bread pudding at the end though - best bread pudding we've had anywhere, and we know bread pudding. It is served with a praline sauce and whipped cream, and is just divine. Go visit Mike in Murphysboro, and enjoy!
(4)
Brett K.
I ate lunch at 17th Street last week. It was ok. Maybe I ordered wrong. I picked out a combo of bbq beef brisket and bbq chicken. The brisket was moist, and I could certainly taste the smokeyness in the flavor. The beef was shredded a little more that I would've preferred but it all goes down the same I suppose. I wasn't nearly as impressed with the chicken which was pretty dry, especially for being on the bone, and honestly the taste was a little gamey. I'll also would have like to have a little more variety in the sauce department. 17th Street is a quaint, small town dive type of place. Our server was great. She was friendly, stopped by often to check on us, and was on top of everything from drink refills to making sure we had some hot(as in spicy) bbq sauce (which wasn't all that hot), and just making sure that we were happy. I will undoubtedly give 17th Street another try next time I'm in the Carbondale/Murphysboro area. I plan on trying the ribs and bbq pork next time. Ribs and pulled pork are normally the starting line-up at a bbq joint. I definitely regret going with the items from the end of the bench. Next time I'll go for the 1st string line-up for sure.
(3)
Sue T.
The ribs were flavorless, as was the sauce. Didn't tug cleanly from the bone, very dry and tasted old. Guess you should be watchful of a rib place that doesn't smell like one when you walk in. While the sides were good I didn't pay top dollar for just sides. This was our second visit, since this was supposed to be an award winning place we thought we'd give it another try thinking we may have hit an off night before -- not so, they were still just as bad. We didn't have sandwiches and the like so I can only comment on the ribs, hope you have better luck than we did.
(1)
Gary B.
I agree this place is a poor excuse fr BBQ. I can't see they ever even place in contest. How they ever one any wards for thier ribs is beyond me. Service is really good. Atmosphere s so so .
(1)
Vanessa G.
We were told this is a must stop place while in Southern Illinois for BBQ food. I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised. We were so hungry we ordered Spinach and Artichoke dip for an app and it was store bought at best. I could have microwaved it up myself. For the main course, scared we would way over order, we decided to split the Como platter (see what happens) which consisted of ribs, pulled pork, sausage, chicken and brisket with 2 sides. Yes, everyone, their baked beans are to die for. It was a huge amount of food! Everything was delicious! The pulled pork was extremely tender and flavorful. The ribs were gone in 2 seconds, the brisket followed close behind. I will admit I had to stop myself at the sausage. At first bite it was great but then, all of a sudden, the spicy hotness hit me like a brick. Oh how I wanted to love the sausage! Needless to say we could not move after the platter. Hmm, should have got some more ribs to go. I hope Mike decides to open a new location a little north so I can enjoy this BBQ again. If not, I stocked up on some of his BBQ sauce and magic dust, lets see if my cooking tastes as good as theirs!
(4)
Wes D.
Excellent bbq. I've tried nearly all of their smoked meats, and the baby back ribs and pulled pork are my favorites. Their sauces and spices aren't my favorite (a little on the bland side to me), but the meat is so perfectly smoked it doesn't really need it. I like the Murphysboro location better because of the atmosphere, and I've had a few bad experiences with the Marion location serving meat that was over cooked and dry.
(4)
Stella D.
I agree with Sara E. THEY HAVE THE BEST BAKED BEANS EVER. and i dont even like beans!!!! i tried their baked beans at the snapple big apple bbq block party in NYC, and after eating their beans, i might be a baked bean convert - NOT. sadly, when i got my hands on your ribs, my ribs were already sitting out on the park bench where my bf lovingly guarded them (haha) but it was still good tastewise. i never thought id ever say this ever. I Love Baked Beans! (only from 17th street bar and grill.)
(5)
Erin D.
We went out of our way to check this place out during a recent road trip and I gotta say, not bad. First off, I've never been to Murphysboro so when we rolled into town we got that "small town feel" and the 17th street certainly lived up to that expectation. BBQ nachos...YES Hush puppies OMG YES The chuckle you get knowing your BBQ was sprinkled with 'magic dust'....PRICELESS... We had no problem getting a table on a Friday night, considering the place was packed. Our server was a little overwhelmed. I had to remind her to get our first round of drinks..but the food made up for it. Well worth the trip and everyone was super nice.
(4)
Von F.
The food was very good and the service was excellent. I had the BB ribs, they were meaty and very flavorful. The sides were are the small side. I also had the homemade chips that were PERFECT. I will come back to sample more of the large menu.
(4)
Joey H.
I ordered the lunch platter where you receive an appetizer (caesar salad), and a two item platter (baby back ribs and 1/2 chicken). And for some reason, on the menu it says, "$1 more add a corn or this and that". Even though they charged me $2.99 for the corn, I let it go and enjoyed my meal. The sauce was tasty wasn't too hot. I wasn't in the mood to use my hands for the chicken, so I left maybe 10% more chicken strands on there...sorry. It was cooked bbq, but had the texture of rotisserie. The ribs were right off the bone and had lots of meat on them. I guess I got lucky because this hardly happens. The bbq corn was made well and I liked it. No dessert at that time, no milkshake, but that's ok. I like the cheap lunch. Sorry, one star taken for the corn deal.
(4)
Sara E.
Ooh, Mark M, friend, you must have been there on an off day. Unless you went to the one in Marion instead. Murphysboro is where it's at. 17th Street is amazing - my family always uses them to cater for parties and whatnot. The baked beans are literally my favorite side dish ever. Ever. But the potato salad is ridiculously good too. I don't even like potato salad, but 17th Street's is creamy, tasty, and has BACON in it. For serious. Check it out. The bbq is good - I'm personally a fan of the pulled pork sandwich, with a little Magic Dust and some spicy bbq sauce. But I guess those world-famous, award-winning ribs must be alright, too. The restaurant itself is pretty small, so be prepared to wait. But while you're waiting, sit at the bar, order a beer and pulled pork bbq nachos (OMG), and watch some Saluki sports. It all adds to the experience. PS - 17th Street was just named best ribs in the US by Bon Apetit.
(5)
Bran P.
One of my all time favorite BBQ joints. I took Mike's book "Peace Love & BBQ" with me to Iraq and requested magic dust and 17thst BBQ sauce in my care packages. A trip back home isn't complete without a stop here.
(5)
Jeffrey K.
I expected so much more from this place. I remember going to the O'Fallon, IL location a couple years ago and it was phenomenal. I had lunch at that location over the summer and it sucked, BADLY! I saw them pop up on the Chive.com as a great BBQ place, was told to try the original as it is so much better. I was working in Carbondale for the day and looked forward to swinging over to Murphysboro for lunch. Well, I did and I was thoroughly disappointed. Had ribs and brisket and I can say that there is no way they won any BBQ titles with either of the meats I was served. The ribs were dry, luke warm and really didn't have much taste. The brisket was luke warm, more fat than meat, very dry and had no smoke ring whatsoever. The red beans and rice though very watery, were very good. I don't know where the old 17t st. went, but they went from being a gem to somewhere I wouldn't recommend to anyone. I'd say it was just a bad day, but after having the same quality on 2 occasions and 2 different locations I'm afraid it's a trend.
(2)
Richard S.
All good. Not sure why I'm not giving 5 stars; I think it's because I reserve 5 stars for blow me away, I wanna come here everyday, experiences. It was just below that feeling. Anyway, my lunch experience was very satisfying. I had brisket, ribs(3), with BBQ beans for side. Cost: $10.99. Not cheap, but good food is costly.
(4)
Miss Piggy B.
WOWOWOWOWOW! Ok now that I have gotten that out of my system, let me tell you about the BEST BBQ we have ever had! Since my boyfriend is a Chef from New York City & Las Vegas, we planned a culinary tour across America while moving across country from Las Vegas, Nevada to Atlantic City, NJ. My boyfriend heard about this place in Bon Appetit magazine who voted them #1 BBQ ribs in the USA, so we planned to drive 5 hours to check it out for ourselves and it was totally worth it! It opened at 10 am and we were starving by 11 am so we decided to head on over. We ordered ribs, pulled pork, baked beans, mac and cheese, fried okra and coleslaw. The ribs and pulled pork were incredible, and we devoured every bite of the finger licking goodness AND THEN ordered another rack of ribs to go so that we could enjoy them one more time in a few hours. The sides were ok, with the exception of the baked beans which were awesome! We went all out and indulged in a banana pudding (best I've ever had) and a homemade from scratch strawberry shortcake, also yummy. I had to buy a shirt that said "Praise the Lard" and we have told ALL of our foodie friends to make a trip out to this place! Service was friendly, and the place was cute, we even took pictures with the wooden pig! You have not had BBQ until you have had 17th Street BBQ! I wish they would Fed-Ex their food like that deli I love in Ann Arbor... YUM!
(5)
Joselyn H.
Although I don't eat meat anymore, when I did...this place was heaven! The ribs here are ridiculously good! It gets super busy for dinner, so come early if you don't want a long wait.
(5)
Mark M.
Well drove thru the other day and thought I needed some PIG so I stopped for lunch I stopped by Mike Mills place because I had had his fine food before lets talk service it was pleasant the girls did an ok job it was a little slow but come on it's BBQ now the food a little disappointed the Brisket, Pulled Pork and ribs seemed to be held over from the day before. The flavor was good but the texture seemed a little off the chicken was a little undercooked but ok the sausage was very good the fries were cold the onion rings cold but the cole slaw was great they do a little bit of green pepper in it and the beans were a HIT All restaurants have a bad day I think I caught them on one of these its sort of hard with BBQ its got such a long lead time for cooking and the economy is pretty bad so its hard to not carry food over if you didn't sell it the day before because I have had the food before and it has been very good I still say TRY IT!!
(3)
Maureen W.
A few months ago I was traveling through Murphysboro to visit a relative and decided to Yelp for a great place for carry out. 17th Street was a high rated suggestion, so I tried it as a carry-out. While the flavors were very good, the portions were ABSURDLY SMALL. $17 for a piece of brisket that could fit in my wallet? PUH-LEEZE! This place is a major RIP OFF. I threw down almost $40 for a combo meal that barely fed me and my 87 year old grandmother. VERY disappointed with 17th street, and I will never return.
(1)
Ian H.
I love barbeque and I love this restaurant. the bbq sauce here is not my fav but this place is all about the meat. I've tried the "Grand champion plate" which has ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked chicken, & hot links. All of it is good, my favorite dishes here include the pulled porksandwich, bbq nachos, brisket, beef ribs, and the smoked chicken.
(5)
Rick D.
This restaurant seems to be living on its press clippings instead of delivering a really excellent product at a fair price. Twenty bucks for a rack of baby back ribs is all right as long as the ribs live up to their Bon Appetit billing as "the best ribs in America." They simply are not. The ribs were not well flavored and were not as tender as they should have been, as though they'd been rushed through the cooking process. The house bar b que sauce was ok but not as good as the home made sauce served at several smaller, less well-known bbq joints in the area. Service was lackadaisical (dirty dishes remained in front of us for 20+ minutes) although in fairness our waitress seemed to be slammed with tables. My wife had the bluegill which was very good. Our friend had brisket which he dubbed just fine but not as good as you get in Texas. Side dishes were of minimal size but tasted fine. Banana pudding was very good. The place was quite loud and clattery--hard to hear a conversation at our own table. Not the place to go if you want a quiet, relaxing meal.
(2)
Marcy D.
This place has won many awards for their 'cue. Ribs are tasty as are the sandwiches. They have a drive up window that is very convenient. I like to buy the meat by the pound and take it home to feast for days!
(5)
Carlos F.
I had the bbq baked beans, chili, pork rinds, and the pork steak. The food was great but I was disappointed with the rinds, they had too much air (if that's right). I thought I might get some roasted skin which is just the best. The steak was a hit but I expected more quantity since I left hungry. The beans were right on and the sauce and rubs were a great hit for me.
(4)
Randy S.
I can't lie: I had never heard of Murphysboro, IL before we started planning our road trip. But after this trip I cannot wait to come back. The wings, sweet mother of pearl, the wings are amazing! After eating ribs for 5 days straight, 17th Street found a way to make mouth salivate and spark my appetite once again. We also had the pleasure of sampling their fried okra, collard Greens, and red beans and rice. These were the best sides we had all week. I would be remiss if I did not encourage you to sample the hush puppies and brisket. The local Amber ale is very refreshing, and the atmosphere is homie, and incredibly friendly. Which brings me to the reason for the 5th star. The crew that runs and cares for this place have no equal. Laurie The Pit Bull tells a great story. If you see her beg her to tell you about her first trip to NYC. Mike Mills, the vision behind the grill knows enough about BBQ, and the BBQ community to make your head spin. Don't worry: He's patient, and a great teacher. Open your ears, and you make walk away not just full and happy, but a better griller. Even if they are not there...at least you leave full and happy.
(5)
Ken S.
After traveling over 3200 miles and 10 BBQ restaurants. 17th wins our first place vote. Laurie is one of the driving forces behind the success of 17th. The wait staff was prompt the place is clean. I had the brisket and baby back ribs both were great. Brisket was moist and tender ribs were well seasoned. Tried the red beans and rice they were great After Kansas, Oklahoma,Texas,Louisiana and Tennessee what a surprise to find great BBQ in Illinois! We will be back
(5)
Michael B.
This establishment was on my bucket list while I was down visiting my son down near Carbondale, IL. and I must say we were not disappointed. We both had the two meat special. I had the brisket and baby backs with the brisket green beans which were awesome. My son had the brisket pulled pork with mac and cheese. Tried some of his Mac and cheese and it was great. I even bought a bottle of their sauce and rub for home. Wish they had one up here in northern Illinois.
(5)
Jeff A.
Great place with a great atmosphere. Pulled pork is the best I've had anywhere. A must have if you're visiting the Southern Illinois area.
(5)
Rick W.
Food was good. Atmosphere was nice. However, the price was a bit much for what we got. The sauce is good but was different from what I expected. If I go back I think I'll get the ribs.
(3)
Chip P.
Had the brisket sandwich & cole slaw - enjoyed it very much!
(4)
Jeremy W.
Arrived at 9 on a Saturday evening, and the hostess was very accommodating for our group if 8 and split us between two tables. After ordering our waiter went AWOL for an hour with nary an update about why happened to our food. After flagging down another waitress finally, she let us know that our food would be out in a bit, which it was. Overall, the food was alright, nothing special and certainly not award winning. I gave a 1 star based on service and food quality, with service very much negatively contributing against my rating. The manager did stop by to offer us his apologies, but didn't forwardly offer any incentive (I.e. Free drinks), it felt like he wanted a negotiation, which wasn't what any of us wanted after a long and tiring evening.
(1)
Kevin K.
Excellent Food. Great Atmosphere. Great place for a casual nice dinner. BBQ is some of the best I've had in the Midwest. Great Place!
(5)
Dygo T.
Award-winning ribs were fantastic! If I ever pass through Murphysboro, this would be my place to go. The waitress, and possibly the rest of the joint, although adorable, seemed like she had never seen Asian siblings before. So walking in was real awkward- you know, the Western movie saloon pause where everyone turns to look at who just came through the door. Luckily, the food was amazing. The flavor of the barbecue was deep- I could taste all the different spices and seasonings mingling in my mouth with every bite. Very distinctive and interesting use of apple sauce as part of the BBQ sauce. Gotta say the coleslaw was a huge disappointment though- was like chopped up cucumbers. And no bread while we waited for our entree. The atmosphere is very cozy though, and you can read all about the greatness of this place (4-time world champion!) while you wait. Not too expensive (it's BBQ), and perfect portions.
(4)
Linda K.
Had dinner there last night. Service was excellent. Had a locally brewed beer - Saluki Dawg Dunkleman which was excellent. I had the twofer of ribs and beef brisket. Ribs were good - not great- a bit dry with good but not overpowering smoke with good balance of spice. Suspect they had sat in the kitchen for a while. Brisket was excellent. My wife had the BBQ chicken and that was ridiculously good. Sides were solid -red beans and rice were tangy complemented nicely with a little heat from the smoked sausage pieces. Cucumber/tomato salad was drowning in a bath of vinegar and spices.
(3)
Joshua Y.
I had the BBQ at Big Apple BBQ in NYC. I had a bite or two and threw it would, no sauce, no flavor, not tender...beans weren't bad
(1)
Matt S.
Great ambience. Very good bbq. Worth the stop of you are in the area. The 2 meat platter was plenty of food and could be shared if you're not all that hungry.
(5)
Amanda M.
My husband and I just recently had 17th street cater our wedding reception and I have nothing but compliments for the business. We have both eaten here many times in the past and couldn't think of anything we wanted more to celebrate our day. Living in Denver, we don't often get to experience good barbeque, certainly nothing that holds a candle to 17th Street. They were incredibly easy and friendly to work with, even when we couldn't make up our minds and ended up ordering way too many choices. The food was perfect (most of the wedding guests took the time to find us and let us know several times), there was plenty for everyone including seconds and an enormous pile of leftovers the next day, and they were incredibly accommodating, even bringing their own decorations that fit with ours. I would recommend 17th street without hesitation for any meal and definitely for any catered event.
(5)
David P.
'Holy SMOKE!' had the pleasure of having their bbq this weekend in NYC for the big apple bbq event. i have to say, you guys in murphysboro are super lucky to have this great bbq joint. their bbq pork ribs are amazing and succulent. didn't even need sauce! AND their baked beans are amazingly awesome and seasoned superbly. i can't wait until next year! and btw, go blackhawks (2010, 2013 and hopefully 2015 NHL champions!; i'm originally from chi town)
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Drive-Thru : No Caters : Yes
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Ken S.
After traveling over 3200 miles and 10 BBQ restaurants. 17th wins our first place vote. Laurie is one of the driving forces behind the success of 17th. The wait staff was prompt the place is clean. I had the brisket and baby back ribs both were great. Brisket was moist and tender ribs were well seasoned. Tried the red beans and rice they were great After Kansas, Oklahoma,Texas,Louisiana and Tennessee what a surprise to find great BBQ in Illinois! We will be back
(5)Michael B.
This establishment was on my bucket list while I was down visiting my son down near Carbondale, IL. and I must say we were not disappointed. We both had the two meat special. I had the brisket and baby backs with the brisket green beans which were awesome. My son had the brisket pulled pork with mac and cheese. Tried some of his Mac and cheese and it was great. I even bought a bottle of their sauce and rub for home. Wish they had one up here in northern Illinois.
(5)Jeff A.
Great place with a great atmosphere. Pulled pork is the best I've had anywhere. A must have if you're visiting the Southern Illinois area.
(5)Rick W.
Food was good. Atmosphere was nice. However, the price was a bit much for what we got. The sauce is good but was different from what I expected. If I go back I think I'll get the ribs.
(3)Thomas J.
This was the first BBQ restuarant on our multi stop BBQ tour. My ribs were very good (arguably 2nd best to Franklin's in Austin) and the brisket was above average. The ribs were perfectly smoked and the rub was very good, although I could have skipped the sauce. As another reviewer pointed out, the brisket doesn't compare to even Smoque in Chicago but we had much worse on our trip. I would recommend skipping the brisket and focusing on the ribs.
(4)Doug Y.
Since my friends Joe & Tom took me to this place few years ago, I always eat here for lunch whenever I'm in town. That good!!!
(3)T J.
Part of a 9 stop bbq tour. 1 17th st grill (IL) Favorite place of the tour. First stop of the tour, the rest of the places were in Memphis and didn't compare. Ribs were our favorite of the tour. Perfectly down. Brisket was good, far better than I was expecting outside of TX. Doesn't come close to the best brisket places in Austin or even Smoque in Chicago but still dang good brisket. Pulled pork was really good too, by far the best of the tour. Turkey was nothing to write home about but offered a nice change of pace to the other meats. Chicken was a little dry for me but had good flavor. Sausage was excellent sort of reminded me of Rudy's Jalapeno sausage. Beans were good but not great. Green beans were cooked in brisket and were great. Pimento cheese was excellent though I wish it was served with something other than saltines. Next time I go I want to try the wings but I had to save room for the other 8 bbq places i was trying that weeked. Outside of TX there are only a handful of places I would recommend and this is one of them. See my other reviews for the results of the remainder of the tour.
(4)Scott H.
I have been all over & lived in Memphis for a decade. THESE ARE THE BEST RIBS YOU WILL EVER FIND. Better than Rendezvous, Corky's & Interstate- by a long shot! If you are close by this out-of-the-way place you owe yourself a visit.
(5)The J.
Not only is this my favorite BBQ joint in the entire world, but it's proably my favorite restaurant. I was introduced to this place while attending SIU and since I graduated and moved back to the Chicago area, I have been back multiple times. The ribs are the best I ever had. Tender and juicy and very pink in the middle. It's a Memphis style of BBQ, so the ribs aren't prepared with a lot of sauce, but you can always add the sauce. I usually order 2 sides of baked beans with the ribs, because they are also the best baked beans I have ever had. A combination of tangy/sweet, but flavorful. The potato salad is also to die for, and I don't even like potato salad. The pulled pork sandwich is also excellent, if you're looking to spend a little less money
(5)Nomad M.
Mike mills runs a great restaurant and has plenty of awards to back it up! He is a very sincere person, honest and knows his BBQ and this is reflected in the friendly staff he has hired. Everything was perfect and he even stopped by our table to say hello!! I have been to the other location also which is very good! Highly recommended and the BBQ is truly the best! He is the master!!
(5)Will B.
This is a really cool place and the food is fantastic. I like that they have the local Big Muddy beers available. I'll give it 4 stars because I think the entrees could be a little bigger.
(4)Richard S.
All good. Not sure why I'm not giving 5 stars; I think it's because I reserve 5 stars for blow me away, I wanna come here everyday, experiences. It was just below that feeling. Anyway, my lunch experience was very satisfying. I had brisket, ribs(3), with BBQ beans for side. Cost: $10.99. Not cheap, but good food is costly.
(4)Miss Piggy B.
WOWOWOWOWOW! Ok now that I have gotten that out of my system, let me tell you about the BEST BBQ we have ever had! Since my boyfriend is a Chef from New York City & Las Vegas, we planned a culinary tour across America while moving across country from Las Vegas, Nevada to Atlantic City, NJ. My boyfriend heard about this place in Bon Appetit magazine who voted them #1 BBQ ribs in the USA, so we planned to drive 5 hours to check it out for ourselves and it was totally worth it! It opened at 10 am and we were starving by 11 am so we decided to head on over. We ordered ribs, pulled pork, baked beans, mac and cheese, fried okra and coleslaw. The ribs and pulled pork were incredible, and we devoured every bite of the finger licking goodness AND THEN ordered another rack of ribs to go so that we could enjoy them one more time in a few hours. The sides were ok, with the exception of the baked beans which were awesome! We went all out and indulged in a banana pudding (best I've ever had) and a homemade from scratch strawberry shortcake, also yummy. I had to buy a shirt that said "Praise the Lard" and we have told ALL of our foodie friends to make a trip out to this place! Service was friendly, and the place was cute, we even took pictures with the wooden pig! You have not had BBQ until you have had 17th Street BBQ! I wish they would Fed-Ex their food like that deli I love in Ann Arbor... YUM!
(5)Joselyn H.
Although I don't eat meat anymore, when I did...this place was heaven! The ribs here are ridiculously good! It gets super busy for dinner, so come early if you don't want a long wait.
(5)Mark M.
Well drove thru the other day and thought I needed some PIG so I stopped for lunch I stopped by Mike Mills place because I had had his fine food before lets talk service it was pleasant the girls did an ok job it was a little slow but come on it's BBQ now the food a little disappointed the Brisket, Pulled Pork and ribs seemed to be held over from the day before. The flavor was good but the texture seemed a little off the chicken was a little undercooked but ok the sausage was very good the fries were cold the onion rings cold but the cole slaw was great they do a little bit of green pepper in it and the beans were a HIT All restaurants have a bad day I think I caught them on one of these its sort of hard with BBQ its got such a long lead time for cooking and the economy is pretty bad so its hard to not carry food over if you didn't sell it the day before because I have had the food before and it has been very good I still say TRY IT!!
(3)Katelyn M.
What to say about 17th Street... Only that Mike Mills is a genius in the pit and has come up with some delicious food. This is one of the best restaurants in the area. And I think the Murphy location has some of the best character of any dining spot. No matter what you eat here, you're gonna walk away full. Of the appetizers, my favorite has always been the fried pickles. The ones here are very thinly sliced with a thin breading and can hold grease. But oh, it's wonderful tasting. They have a kick to them which I really enjoy. And the dipping sauce that comes with them is great too. With the entrees, you can't go wrong with what you choose. Of course, they're known for their ribs, which are delectable, but I always tend to go towards the pulled pork sandwich (slathered in sauce and Magic Dust) or their brisket. The brisket is melt in your mouth wonderful. Another great choice is the smoked turkey. I never would have thought to get that at a place known for pork, but oh man. It's amazing. Hands down my favorite sides are their baked beans. There are multiple types of beans in there with the ends of the pork and a nice tangy sauce. You HAVE to try them. Their Mac n cheese is also incredible - soooo cheesy. Needless to say, whatever you choose you won't be disappointed.
(5)Brian M.
A few friends and I have visited southern IL (and 17th St. BBQ) yearly for the past few years. We've always raved about the food, but this was the first time we met BBQ Champion, Mike Mills. What a great and humble guy! He took the time to come get to know us and sincerely thank us for returning. After sharing some BBQ secrets, he even offered to provide personal phone consultation during my next smoked brisket attempt at home in my Weber. Of course, the BBQ is outstanding. The group of 5 of us always order 2 orders of smoked wings for an appetizer and then the large sampler platter. It's a lot of delicious food for a very reasonable price. I highly recommend 17th St. BBQ if you enjoy fantastic BBQ and knowing that your business is sincerely appreciated by the staff.
(5)Harry H.
BABBQBP 2015: baby back ribs with baked beans for $11 were pretty damn good.
(4)Rion R.
The prices and quality of food were spot on. I had an $8 pulled pork sandwhich and a side of potatoe salad as recommended and was very happy. The portion of the sandwhich was large and the pulled pork was juicy and full of meaty flavor. They only have one sauce but I wish they had a hot bbq sauce to add. I've never had better potatoe salad...sour cream based? Only 3 beers on tap which one was from Big Muddy Brewing and the other two weren't local or craft. They had a ton of 22oz bombers for $6.50 from Big Muddy and that was an awesome deal. I'm not sure why they don't have more draft lines from Big Muddy? They do have a 17th street smoked beer made for them from the brewery which is a perfect complimentary add for them and the brewery. Solid food, good people and fair prices...I would/will come back next time I am in town.
(5)Cynthia B.
After a week filled with family, holiday and food, it was time for my husband and I to find a good "date night" place to end a hectic week so we decided to take a scenic road trip south to see what all the fuss has been about for years when it comes to BBQ especially since this food category has exploded in the St. Louis region lately. Overall, our server was great. We started with the dill pickles which were not completely coated, very greasy but served with a tasty sauce. The Reuben was hands down the best we have had, the smokiness in the corned beef put it over the top. I should have asked for the sauce on the side which is my usual but most would find it perfect for a standard Reuben. The horseradish cheddar and marbled rye added that extra special touch that I appreciated. For this reason I wanted to give a four star! We ordered the grand master platter and for most that would have been satisfying. The price was great and our favorites were the pulled pork and smoked brisket. I liked the sausage stick (sliced) but my husband did not because it was spicy. The chicken leg has soggy/gray (from smoke) skin, the turkey was extra dry and the ribs were smoked, offered the "bark" expected at competitions with the kick from the magic dust rub but I felt like they were still a little too firm on the pull from the bone and dry. There were three sauce selections. Regular, spicy and St. Louis style. Nothing exceptional. To me, there has to be great sauce, hence the three stars and only because I can appreciate the work and time involved at this craft. The slaw is vinegar based, our preference, and good but has green peppers in it which I found odd. The baked beans had three beans impressively including butter beans but lacked the cooking time which would provide thickness and depth so this was disappointing. I like to wallpaper with mine. If I am going to spend calories during the holidays, then go big, I say. The mac and cheese was CHEESY! Smooth and good. My husband, ever the sweet tooth, opted to get the strawberry shortcake which fell short. It was a good size and great price but lacked flavor. The strawberries appeared to be probably picked fresh then frozen. That's fine if I were at my moms or grandmas but since it's out of season, it's probably best to leave it off the menu since that juice made the shortcake soggy. Kudos to the owner being there often including while we were there even bidding us a good night. Clearly he is a part of the restaurant and community which would make me go back for that darned good Reuben and a sweet potato for sure!
(3)Matt M.
We make the trek down to southern IL for 2 reasons. 1 riding our bikes and 2 BBQ. Used to be that we came for the cycling and the BBQ was the reward. Now it seems our motivation is the BBQ and we use the cycling to justify the huge meal!! When there you will be treated well and will get some great food. If Mike is in he will be happy to chat with you about smoking meat and his business in general. Great place to go and have a great meal. Please no salads, that is just filler.
(5)Carlos F.
I had the bbq baked beans, chili, pork rinds, and the pork steak. The food was great but I was disappointed with the rinds, they had too much air (if that's right). I thought I might get some roasted skin which is just the best. The steak was a hit but I expected more quantity since I left hungry. The beans were right on and the sauce and rubs were a great hit for me.
(4)Randy S.
I can't lie: I had never heard of Murphysboro, IL before we started planning our road trip. But after this trip I cannot wait to come back. The wings, sweet mother of pearl, the wings are amazing! After eating ribs for 5 days straight, 17th Street found a way to make mouth salivate and spark my appetite once again. We also had the pleasure of sampling their fried okra, collard Greens, and red beans and rice. These were the best sides we had all week. I would be remiss if I did not encourage you to sample the hush puppies and brisket. The local Amber ale is very refreshing, and the atmosphere is homie, and incredibly friendly. Which brings me to the reason for the 5th star. The crew that runs and cares for this place have no equal. Laurie The Pit Bull tells a great story. If you see her beg her to tell you about her first trip to NYC. Mike Mills, the vision behind the grill knows enough about BBQ, and the BBQ community to make your head spin. Don't worry: He's patient, and a great teacher. Open your ears, and you make walk away not just full and happy, but a better griller. Even if they are not there...at least you leave full and happy.
(5)Amanda M.
My husband and I just recently had 17th street cater our wedding reception and I have nothing but compliments for the business. We have both eaten here many times in the past and couldn't think of anything we wanted more to celebrate our day. Living in Denver, we don't often get to experience good barbeque, certainly nothing that holds a candle to 17th Street. They were incredibly easy and friendly to work with, even when we couldn't make up our minds and ended up ordering way too many choices. The food was perfect (most of the wedding guests took the time to find us and let us know several times), there was plenty for everyone including seconds and an enormous pile of leftovers the next day, and they were incredibly accommodating, even bringing their own decorations that fit with ours. I would recommend 17th street without hesitation for any meal and definitely for any catered event.
(5)David P.
'Holy SMOKE!' had the pleasure of having their bbq this weekend in NYC for the big apple bbq event. i have to say, you guys in murphysboro are super lucky to have this great bbq joint. their bbq pork ribs are amazing and succulent. didn't even need sauce! AND their baked beans are amazingly awesome and seasoned superbly. i can't wait until next year! and btw, go blackhawks (2010, 2013 and hopefully 2015 NHL champions!; i'm originally from chi town)
(5)Eric K.
This place is a "joint". And that is high praise, indeed. So IL is part of the south. Closer in kinship to KY than Chicago or Champaign for that matter. The accents are thick with the sort of loose, languid drawl forged from the Dixie DNA. And that spills right into their BBQ heritage. Which is nuthin' fancy. Simply prepared with the freshest ingredients possible. Served table side, hot and fresh. We started off with the fried dill pickle chips. A basket of brilliance. So hot to the table they were still crackling against the wax paper. There is a side of dipping sauce that rides side-saddle right in the basket. It provides the cool counter-point with just the slightest hint of heat at the very back end. I had the baby back ribs. Because the measure of a BBQ joint is soley based on that. They did not disapoint. Sweet and smoke in righteous order. Tender and juicy. Potato salad was thick and creamy with all the right spots of crunch. I also sampled the beef brisket. Brisket is tough to get right b/c of the lack of fat. They nailed this one right to the winner's board. Impressive all the way around. Like i said at the outset. This place is a joint. Where they serve delicious food, simply prepared for a fair price.
(4)Joey H.
I ordered the lunch platter where you receive an appetizer (caesar salad), and a two item platter (baby back ribs and 1/2 chicken). And for some reason, on the menu it says, "$1 more add a corn or this and that". Even though they charged me $2.99 for the corn, I let it go and enjoyed my meal. The sauce was tasty wasn't too hot. I wasn't in the mood to use my hands for the chicken, so I left maybe 10% more chicken strands on there...sorry. It was cooked bbq, but had the texture of rotisserie. The ribs were right off the bone and had lots of meat on them. I guess I got lucky because this hardly happens. The bbq corn was made well and I liked it. No dessert at that time, no milkshake, but that's ok. I like the cheap lunch. Sorry, one star taken for the corn deal.
(4)Sara E.
Ooh, Mark M, friend, you must have been there on an off day. Unless you went to the one in Marion instead. Murphysboro is where it's at. 17th Street is amazing - my family always uses them to cater for parties and whatnot. The baked beans are literally my favorite side dish ever. Ever. But the potato salad is ridiculously good too. I don't even like potato salad, but 17th Street's is creamy, tasty, and has BACON in it. For serious. Check it out. The bbq is good - I'm personally a fan of the pulled pork sandwich, with a little Magic Dust and some spicy bbq sauce. But I guess those world-famous, award-winning ribs must be alright, too. The restaurant itself is pretty small, so be prepared to wait. But while you're waiting, sit at the bar, order a beer and pulled pork bbq nachos (OMG), and watch some Saluki sports. It all adds to the experience. PS - 17th Street was just named best ribs in the US by Bon Apetit.
(5)Bran P.
One of my all time favorite BBQ joints. I took Mike's book "Peace Love & BBQ" with me to Iraq and requested magic dust and 17thst BBQ sauce in my care packages. A trip back home isn't complete without a stop here.
(5)Jeffrey K.
I expected so much more from this place. I remember going to the O'Fallon, IL location a couple years ago and it was phenomenal. I had lunch at that location over the summer and it sucked, BADLY! I saw them pop up on the Chive.com as a great BBQ place, was told to try the original as it is so much better. I was working in Carbondale for the day and looked forward to swinging over to Murphysboro for lunch. Well, I did and I was thoroughly disappointed. Had ribs and brisket and I can say that there is no way they won any BBQ titles with either of the meats I was served. The ribs were dry, luke warm and really didn't have much taste. The brisket was luke warm, more fat than meat, very dry and had no smoke ring whatsoever. The red beans and rice though very watery, were very good. I don't know where the old 17t st. went, but they went from being a gem to somewhere I wouldn't recommend to anyone. I'd say it was just a bad day, but after having the same quality on 2 occasions and 2 different locations I'm afraid it's a trend.
(2)Maureen W.
A few months ago I was traveling through Murphysboro to visit a relative and decided to Yelp for a great place for carry out. 17th Street was a high rated suggestion, so I tried it as a carry-out. While the flavors were very good, the portions were ABSURDLY SMALL. $17 for a piece of brisket that could fit in my wallet? PUH-LEEZE! This place is a major RIP OFF. I threw down almost $40 for a combo meal that barely fed me and my 87 year old grandmother. VERY disappointed with 17th street, and I will never return.
(1)Ian H.
I love barbeque and I love this restaurant. the bbq sauce here is not my fav but this place is all about the meat. I've tried the "Grand champion plate" which has ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked chicken, & hot links. All of it is good, my favorite dishes here include the pulled porksandwich, bbq nachos, brisket, beef ribs, and the smoked chicken.
(5)Rick D.
This restaurant seems to be living on its press clippings instead of delivering a really excellent product at a fair price. Twenty bucks for a rack of baby back ribs is all right as long as the ribs live up to their Bon Appetit billing as "the best ribs in America." They simply are not. The ribs were not well flavored and were not as tender as they should have been, as though they'd been rushed through the cooking process. The house bar b que sauce was ok but not as good as the home made sauce served at several smaller, less well-known bbq joints in the area. Service was lackadaisical (dirty dishes remained in front of us for 20+ minutes) although in fairness our waitress seemed to be slammed with tables. My wife had the bluegill which was very good. Our friend had brisket which he dubbed just fine but not as good as you get in Texas. Side dishes were of minimal size but tasted fine. Banana pudding was very good. The place was quite loud and clattery--hard to hear a conversation at our own table. Not the place to go if you want a quiet, relaxing meal.
(2)Marcy D.
This place has won many awards for their 'cue. Ribs are tasty as are the sandwiches. They have a drive up window that is very convenient. I like to buy the meat by the pound and take it home to feast for days!
(5)Matt P.
LOVE 17th Street! While there's a lot of great BBQ in the area, this is my go-to place - everything is always really good and the service is excellent in Murphysboro. Many times I feel like it's a 'Cheers' type atmosphere, because the bar is right by the front door and the tender greets everybody. The ribs are outstanding - these are true ribs as they are meant to be - they aren't mushy and aren't 'fall off the bone' (i.e. they aren't overdone). I like to use extra sauce to give all the magic dust I sprinkle on something to stick to. Admittedly, it's not an inexpensive place, but it's well worth every penny.
(5)Paul D.
It might not be the same anymore. I am not sure if Mike Mills is still in charge of everything? At one point in time this was the best BBQ I have had in the country (outside of what my Dad and neighbor made). Though still, one of the better BBQ places you will ever come across. All thanks to Mr. Mills, and while it is not exactly the same. It is clear that they do care about the quality and reputation of 17th Street. There is a small area through the front door to sit, with a wood bar. Another slightly larger dinning area to the left. Lots of trophies and memorabilia line the walls. I am so glad they do baby back ribs, and not spare ribs. IMO, baby backs are always better quality. They do pork perfect here. Not to mention the awesome pixy dust and Carolina sauce. Some of the best ribs and pork I have had at a restaurant. The sides are great to. The best baked beans ever, and my Mom will only make their recipe from Peace, Love, and BBQ. The place has slipped just a bit now that 17th Street is a bit more chain like. Though, I still very much enjoy this great BBQ joint. Complete with a great apple and BBQ festival in Murphysboro and Carbondale. An institution.
(4)Theresa B.
Based on the beef brisket alone, this gets five stars. The sides were all good, and the ribs were very good. But the beef brisket was the best we've ever had.
(5)Jeff Z.
As a former SIU Saluki I have had these ribs since my college days. I try in make it through this or the marion location when around since I now live in the Chicago area. These are at the top or near the top I have ever had. Solid meat seasoned perfectly and smoked with applewood. If you like ribs it does not get much better than this.
(5)Darren P.
Overall the best BBQ place I have ever been to. We frequently travel over 3.5 hours to visit this, the mothership. Their chopped pork with seasoning and sauce is the best of its kind in the world. I personally just eat it alone, no bread. The ribs are great too, but they have been dry a few times. Side dishes and appetizers are nice and there is a full bar. 17th Street BBQ donated food and items for my fundraiser benefit back in June 2012. Amy, Mike and the whole crew are awesome!
(5)Rich C.
I go south to Alabama about 6 to 8 times a year and try to stop here or the Marion location. I prefer this location because its atmosphere nice dive bar, if small towns have dive bars :) I cater and have done a fair amount of BBQ so I am pretty picky and their stuff is good. I think that one of the most important things are the sides, In spite of the fact that good BBQ is not hard to do (although you wouldn't know it by the large amount of bad BBQ out there), good sides are right up there with a good bun as things that add a lot to a meal. At 17th St my go to is the hot links and double order of fried okra. One of my favorite bars ever.
(5)J. P.
me and my husband are a bit of bbq snobs, and we were both impressed with this place! now as a bbq snob, i'm not normally a fan of ribs (unless they're my husbands) However, the ribs here are heavenly - i would say better than my husbands! so order the ribs for sure! My husband had the 3 meats platter, which, in addition to the ribs included the brisket and pulled pork. i love a good brisket, but i would have to say this one was average, so i agree with the reviews that say you can probably skip it. the pulled pork was very good though (but does not really rank as one of my favorites). We also had the pork rinds as an appetizer, which were delicious! i highly recommend if you like pork rinds! I had the rueben sandwich which was the best.rueben.ever. i cannot get over the delicious smoked flavor of the corned beef. also get the 17steet beans, probably my favorite baked beans i've had! after being stuffed, we were going to skip dessert, but the waitress mentioned bread pudding, which we just had to try. and OMG it was to die for. This place is a good5- 6 hour drive from us, but we discuss taking another road trip to come down here because it is THAT good. also this is the original location - i believe there is another one in marion? but stick with the original, you cannot go wrong.
(5)Rebecca C.
Oh those ribs... yummmm. Been here twice. The first time I ordered a pulled chicken sandwich and coleslaw. The sandwich was alright but I was not a fan of the coleslaw. However I knew I had to come back and try the ribs after seeing the owner on a BBQ special on TV. I split a full rack of ribs and thoroughly enjoyed every bite! The fried okra was super delicious too. While I found their BBQ sauce too runny and odd tasting, it did not ruin the ribs (I just did not put any extra on it). I would definitely come back and recommend this place. Also, great service on both occasions.
(4)Hang T.
I went to the location in Marion first, then decided to try the original in Murphysboro. I should have done it the other way around because I would probably been more amazed by this location. The restaurant is really more of a bar than restaurant. It is very small. Probably about 15 tables. They have an outside area that is covered with picnic tables, but I wouldn't want to sit out there during this cold weather. The food seemed a lot better at the Marion location and they seemed ready to serve you. At this location, there is no real hostess table. The people at the bar will most likely seat you. I would recommend this place more if you want an enviroment to be loud and watch sports with friends. The Marion one is better for relaxing and enjoying a good meal.
(3)Brenda M.
Wonderful, still worthy, barbecue (both brisket AND pulled pork) but DESPERATELY in need of a thorough cleaning. Walking into the tavern was an assault on the senses but SADLY not in agood way. The bar SMELLS like old beer and urine. Such famous barbeque deserves a better venue.
(3)Anthony G.
Great service and food. Perfect! Nice job guys. It was during the apple fest and they were slammed and it was still great.
(5)William P.
OK. This was...I repeat...was one of my favorite BBQ places not in Texas or Tennessee. I compiled a review for 17th Street BBQ a couple years ago touting excellence....this time just mediocrity. It really sucks that this place can't be consistent. When you hit the day right, the BBQ is ridiculously awesome. If not, it'll make you feel ridiculous for recommending it.
(3)Pieter W.
Got a chance to sample this place that was recommended by a friend on on a recent trip to Southern Illinois. Overall I had a great dining experience, but this place is kind of hit-or-miss on a dish-by-dish basis. The best part of the meal was undoubtedly the ribs. Bon Appétit apparently picked these ribs "best in the U.S." which I'm not sure I totally agree with, but they were very good and had a great texture and smoky flavor. The sauce was not your traditional BBQ sauce as it featured more of a vinegary flavor than a sweet flavor, and I think this might turn some people off who aren't aware that BBQ does not need to be drenched in sweet, sugary sauce to be good and should stand on the flavor and texture of the meat alone. Aside from the ribs, I tried the hot links and the brisket. I enjoyed the hot links very much, but the brisket, while very flavorful, was unfortunately rather dry, and I wouldn't recommend it. As for the sides we tried the baked beans, the fried okra, the potato salad and the garlic bread. The baked beans were amazing, as other reviewers have stated, and featured several kinds of beans which was an interesting take on the classic side dish. I also really enjoyed the fried okra, and the potato salad was decent but unremarkable, but the garlic bread left a lot to be desired. (Why my friend chose to order garlic bread at a BBQ joint is beyond me though.) Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the dinner rolls, which are served as an appetizer and are hot, fluffy and delicious and are served with a honey-whipped butter...yum! Overall, I would say 17th Street is good solid BBQ, especially if you are craving ribs and can enjoy them without sweet sauce, but I'm not sure this place lives up to all the hype it's given. 3 1/2 stars.
(3)Sue T.
Yum, yum, yum. Delicious chopped pork sandwich on a smooth white bun that was at least 4" across. The pork was tender with just the right amount of smoke and spice. Definitely add the chow to your sandwich - delicious chopped cabbage with a sweet & tangy vinegar dressing. M's baby back ribs were meaty and fall-off the bone tender; a bit pricey for a half rack. Potato salad was great too -- slices of white potato with skin on. There's outdoor picnic table seating on a covered patio where dogs are allowed -- and believe me, they appreciate good barbeque too.
(4)Caroline P.
We used 17th Street BBQ for our wedding catering. It was fantastic! The catering staff is so knowledgeable and really helped with planning and portioning. Becky and Laurie were both wonderful to work with and it was clear they are pros and experts! The food was wonderful! We received so many compliments from our guests, many told us it was the best wedding food they had ever had! When I finally ate leftovers two days after the wedding, the food was STILL delicious. Our menu included smoked chicken, brisket, mac & cheese, sweet potato casserole, green beans, and cucumber salad. The ladies even helped me make a vegetarian option and made sure many of our sides had a veggie option as well. (My vegetarian husband and our veggie friends were also VERY complimentary about the food). Their staff were professional and fun. Everyone looked great and they were so polite to our guests and venue management. I highly recommend 17th Street for wedding and event catering (as well as eating in their restaurants!)
(5)Jon T.
Ms T, Aunt Annie and I stopped here on our way to Memphis. We have been meaning to come here for some time and finally made it on a Wednesday for lunch. The place has that good small town feeling of a bar that has expanded as their food attracted attention. It was pretty busy at lunch time with local business men and farmers. Between the three of us we made sure we sampled ribs, brisket and pulled pork. Starting with the pork, I was somewhat favorably impressed. It was similar to North Carolina style, served unsauced with good pork flavor. It was not truly pulled, rather it was more shredded than chopped and there was a large variation in the size of pieces. It benefited from the application of a little of their light bodied sauce (not overly sweet). It was better than most Midwestern pulled pork that I get. Nevertheless, I would re-order. 3 stars The brisket was served on the sandwich as a coarse chop, rather than slices. This made it easy to eat. It was moist with some smoke, but not heavy. 3 to 3-1/2 stars. The ribs had a decent rub, provided a little salt and did not detract. However, I must say 17th Street did not win its accolades with ribs like I had. They simply were not fresh. They had clearly been cooked 2-3 days earlier and warmed up. I can spot that taste of leftover barbecue in a heartbeat. However, If you know their cooking practices and when the ribs will be fresh out of the smoker, they are probably much better. 2-1/2 stars for the ribs I had but would probably be 3-1/2 to 4 on a good day. The slaw was a coarse machine chop with a clear, sweet and tangy dressing - OK. The potato salad had a white mayo based dressing and was very good. We all like the absence of sweet Miracle Whip and yellow mustard that afflicts so much potato salad. This was elegant, classy stuff. I had some collards which were fine, done properly if uninspired. We liked the cheesy potatoes that were exactly like the typical home recipe. Aunt Annie had a cucumber salad, in a sweet and tangy brine that was fine. 17th Street has a very good, full menu, with some things you would not expect to find. It is a little far for us to go regularly, but they have a place closer, in O'Fallon so we may have to give that one more tries. Service was excellent. This is an example of the need for half stars. It is better than Main Street in Wyanet and close to Pappy's in St Louis. I am rounding 3-1/2 stars down to 3, for the stale ribs, which is what they are supposed to be famous for. The rating by Bon Appétit as the best in the country is silly for two reasons; it simply is NOT the best and there is NO WAY to determine the best (and they should not try). It is respectable barbecue in an area not steeped in barbecue tradition.
(3)Nats A.
Where do I begin? Well let me start by saying I miss you 17th street please come to Chicago! When I was in Carbondale I would make it a habit to drive to Boro and order the pulled pork sandwich, fries and the mac and cheese of course. Their mac n cheese is heavenly. The meat falls of the bone of the ribs when you dig in (so i've heard). Their fried pickles are scrumptious and the restaurant is a complete dive but a true southern gem.
(5)Matt B.
Apparently, there is some law in Southern Illinois requiring that people who live here bring visitors to 17th Street Grill for awesome food about which they will talk far and wide. I approve of this law. This place is a complete dive. Which is a healthy dose of the reason why it's so awesome. Forget all that fancy crap - focus on the food. And they do wonderful at that. I really can't speak to more than the ribs. And I'm not sure why anyone would want to. The ribs are the reason to go here. On a bad day, they're good. On a good day, I would punch my mother in the face if she tried to tell me I couldn't eat them. They have a great smoke ring and don't need a knife - you can pull them apart with your fingers. And get the greens as a side; holy hell are they good. DO NOT go to the other location. Stick with the original.
(5)Craig D.
In Carbondale on business...on the advice of my foodie brother, I drove just a few miles down the road to Murphysboro for BBQ. Not only did I save 15-20 cents per gallon on gas but I had an exceptional dining experience. The service was phenomenal as I sat at the bar to commune with the knowledgeable and attentive staff. The brisket was probably the best I've had and the meal left me with just a couple of questions...1. How have I gone this far in my life and not eaten fresh pork rinds? 2. How does this place only have 3 1/2 stars? I blame the first on my parents. The second can only be explained by previous reviewers being in such a blissful meat coma that they didn't have the energy to move their finger all the way to the right. Every Thursday is whole hog day, served right on the dining room and the desserts are homemade and look ridiculous. I just wished I ate carbs because the layered banana pudding would make me cheat if I weren't so full. I will definitely return and endeavor to work through the rest of the apps and entrees...I just hope my boss doesn't notice the disproportionate trips to this area...
(5)Glennis D.
It has to be that we caught this place on an off night, as we heard nothing but rave reviews. Award winning ribs and brisket tasted as though they were burnt on a grill then held in a warming drawer for five hours prior to our arrival, as the food was served to us only seconds after ordering. When asked about a local brewery's beer, our server had no idea what the style was. When we offered to pour him a taste so he would know how it tasted, he looked around and said he could get fired if he were to taste the beer. Seems like a far fetched idea to have your staff know what they are serving. We really wanted this place to be good, but unfortunately it was sub par.
(2)James L.
Stopped by 17th Street for a late lunch and walked away hungry and disappointed. First, my son had never been to the Murphysboro location. I had been there a few times but not recently. The lunch special said pick 2 meats, and my son ordered ribs and ribs for his 2 choices. The waiter asked the bartender and she told him that we couldn't order 2 of the same meats. When asked why, we got the answer, "because she said we couldn't!" To be compliant, we didn't push the issue any further, but when we got our food, again we were highly disappointed. The portion sizes on the sides and the meat were tiny, dry, and flavorless. $28 for lunch and we had to go to Dairy Queen to get enough to eat before we felt satisfied. This is my last trip to 17th Street. The O'Fallon and Marion locations were terrible when we tried them. Appears Murphysboro location is following suit. There are many good BBQ places around. You don't need to put up with bad service and sub-standard food.
(1)Phil W.
great stop, it might not be the best. but worth the trip it is very good
(5)Ronald H.
We stopped in here around New Years 2011 and had a decent meal. Overall, it was inconsistent. Some items were quite nice, while others really missed. We started with an appetizer of Onion Straws, which were good and greasy, and Potato Parmesan Soup, which was good, chunky, but could have used more parmesan. Main course Ribs were decent, tender but not falling off the bone. They did not have a strong flavor, and I found them to be kinda dry. There was no place for discarding bones, other than the empty soup bowl that was not cleared after appetizers were done or when the mains were delivered. Side Mac and Cheese was bizarre, with cheese sprinkled on top, definitely to be missed if we go back. Side Red Beans and Rice reminded me of kidney bean salad rice, and was not very good. Pork Shoulder was well cooked and had good flavor, even without sauce. Side Baked Beans had multiple bean types and good flavor, and was possibly the best item on the table. The Creamed Corn had a bizarre slightly sweet flavor and would have benefited from having more corn in the dish with the sauce. (I can't believe I'm suggesting that a side of corn should have had more corn.) The Rolls were nice and yeasty, and very satisfying. Sweet Cinnamon Butter is a hit with me, less so with my wife. Nothing was served hot except the rolls, with everything else served cool to luke warm. The Iced Tea was well made. So, if I go back, I'd like some rolls, a big bowl of baked beans, and an iced tea, the three best things we tried. OK, maybe the pork shoulder.
(3)Chip P.
Had the brisket sandwich & cole slaw - enjoyed it very much!
(4)Jeremy W.
Arrived at 9 on a Saturday evening, and the hostess was very accommodating for our group if 8 and split us between two tables. After ordering our waiter went AWOL for an hour with nary an update about why happened to our food. After flagging down another waitress finally, she let us know that our food would be out in a bit, which it was. Overall, the food was alright, nothing special and certainly not award winning. I gave a 1 star based on service and food quality, with service very much negatively contributing against my rating. The manager did stop by to offer us his apologies, but didn't forwardly offer any incentive (I.e. Free drinks), it felt like he wanted a negotiation, which wasn't what any of us wanted after a long and tiring evening.
(1)Kevin K.
Excellent Food. Great Atmosphere. Great place for a casual nice dinner. BBQ is some of the best I've had in the Midwest. Great Place!
(5)Dygo T.
Award-winning ribs were fantastic! If I ever pass through Murphysboro, this would be my place to go. The waitress, and possibly the rest of the joint, although adorable, seemed like she had never seen Asian siblings before. So walking in was real awkward- you know, the Western movie saloon pause where everyone turns to look at who just came through the door. Luckily, the food was amazing. The flavor of the barbecue was deep- I could taste all the different spices and seasonings mingling in my mouth with every bite. Very distinctive and interesting use of apple sauce as part of the BBQ sauce. Gotta say the coleslaw was a huge disappointment though- was like chopped up cucumbers. And no bread while we waited for our entree. The atmosphere is very cozy though, and you can read all about the greatness of this place (4-time world champion!) while you wait. Not too expensive (it's BBQ), and perfect portions.
(4)Linda K.
Had dinner there last night. Service was excellent. Had a locally brewed beer - Saluki Dawg Dunkleman which was excellent. I had the twofer of ribs and beef brisket. Ribs were good - not great- a bit dry with good but not overpowering smoke with good balance of spice. Suspect they had sat in the kitchen for a while. Brisket was excellent. My wife had the BBQ chicken and that was ridiculously good. Sides were solid -red beans and rice were tangy complemented nicely with a little heat from the smoked sausage pieces. Cucumber/tomato salad was drowning in a bath of vinegar and spices.
(3)Joshua Y.
I had the BBQ at Big Apple BBQ in NYC. I had a bite or two and threw it would, no sauce, no flavor, not tender...beans weren't bad
(1)Sue T.
The ribs were flavorless, as was the sauce. Didn't tug cleanly from the bone, very dry and tasted old. Guess you should be watchful of a rib place that doesn't smell like one when you walk in. While the sides were good I didn't pay top dollar for just sides. This was our second visit, since this was supposed to be an award winning place we thought we'd give it another try thinking we may have hit an off night before -- not so, they were still just as bad. We didn't have sandwiches and the like so I can only comment on the ribs, hope you have better luck than we did.
(1)Jessica L.
We have lived here now for a year and a half, and JUST now made it in to 17th Street in Murphysboro. We heard this was the location to go to - apparently, though the Marion location is newer, the original location has a better vibe and slightly better food. We were in with a big group, and the service was extremely good. Mike, the owner, was even around and paid us a visit and chatted a while. He's a super nice guy, and obviously very passionate about what he does. We ordered a sample platter with onion strings (good, but not extraordinary - what can you do with onion strings, right?), fried okra (which was delicious), shrimp (perfectly done and seasoned), and stuffed potato wedges (I didn't have any myself, but Husband says they were the best he's ever had). For the main course, I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with the green beans and rice pilaf on the side. Yeah, not what you typically go for at a BBQ place, but I was trying not to kill all my hard work at the gym! The grilled chicken sandwich was amazingly good for how simple it was - the chicken was seasoned and really juicy, the sandwich was served dry so you could pick your sauce, the bread was fluffy and light, and just tomatoes and lettuce, but somehow extra tasty. The rice was better than your average pilaf, with corn mixed in it. Nice mellow flavor - not overly buttered. The green beans could have used a touch more salt, but other than that, they were excellent, with smoked meat mixed in. Yum! Husband had some enormous plate with what seemed like a little bit of everything on it. Some of it I sampled - the sausage was spicy, but fabulous, the hush puppies were the best anyone at the table had ever had, and the pulled pork, though more shredded than I am used to, was seasoned really well and was really good. The baked beans were excellent too. Husband said the ribs were a touch dry, but his friend's weren't, so maybe he just got a bad batch. For some reason they took the beef ribs off the menu, which was kind of disappointing too, Husband was hoping for some. The smoked turkey was also really, really tasty. The highlight had to be the bread pudding at the end though - best bread pudding we've had anywhere, and we know bread pudding. It is served with a praline sauce and whipped cream, and is just divine. Go visit Mike in Murphysboro, and enjoy!
(4)Brett K.
I ate lunch at 17th Street last week. It was ok. Maybe I ordered wrong. I picked out a combo of bbq beef brisket and bbq chicken. The brisket was moist, and I could certainly taste the smokeyness in the flavor. The beef was shredded a little more that I would've preferred but it all goes down the same I suppose. I wasn't nearly as impressed with the chicken which was pretty dry, especially for being on the bone, and honestly the taste was a little gamey. I'll also would have like to have a little more variety in the sauce department. 17th Street is a quaint, small town dive type of place. Our server was great. She was friendly, stopped by often to check on us, and was on top of everything from drink refills to making sure we had some hot(as in spicy) bbq sauce (which wasn't all that hot), and just making sure that we were happy. I will undoubtedly give 17th Street another try next time I'm in the Carbondale/Murphysboro area. I plan on trying the ribs and bbq pork next time. Ribs and pulled pork are normally the starting line-up at a bbq joint. I definitely regret going with the items from the end of the bench. Next time I'll go for the 1st string line-up for sure.
(3)Gary B.
I agree this place is a poor excuse fr BBQ. I can't see they ever even place in contest. How they ever one any wards for thier ribs is beyond me. Service is really good. Atmosphere s so so .
(1)Vanessa G.
We were told this is a must stop place while in Southern Illinois for BBQ food. I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised. We were so hungry we ordered Spinach and Artichoke dip for an app and it was store bought at best. I could have microwaved it up myself. For the main course, scared we would way over order, we decided to split the Como platter (see what happens) which consisted of ribs, pulled pork, sausage, chicken and brisket with 2 sides. Yes, everyone, their baked beans are to die for. It was a huge amount of food! Everything was delicious! The pulled pork was extremely tender and flavorful. The ribs were gone in 2 seconds, the brisket followed close behind. I will admit I had to stop myself at the sausage. At first bite it was great but then, all of a sudden, the spicy hotness hit me like a brick. Oh how I wanted to love the sausage! Needless to say we could not move after the platter. Hmm, should have got some more ribs to go. I hope Mike decides to open a new location a little north so I can enjoy this BBQ again. If not, I stocked up on some of his BBQ sauce and magic dust, lets see if my cooking tastes as good as theirs!
(4)Wes D.
Excellent bbq. I've tried nearly all of their smoked meats, and the baby back ribs and pulled pork are my favorites. Their sauces and spices aren't my favorite (a little on the bland side to me), but the meat is so perfectly smoked it doesn't really need it. I like the Murphysboro location better because of the atmosphere, and I've had a few bad experiences with the Marion location serving meat that was over cooked and dry.
(4)Stella D.
I agree with Sara E. THEY HAVE THE BEST BAKED BEANS EVER. and i dont even like beans!!!! i tried their baked beans at the snapple big apple bbq block party in NYC, and after eating their beans, i might be a baked bean convert - NOT. sadly, when i got my hands on your ribs, my ribs were already sitting out on the park bench where my bf lovingly guarded them (haha) but it was still good tastewise. i never thought id ever say this ever. I Love Baked Beans! (only from 17th street bar and grill.)
(5)Erin D.
We went out of our way to check this place out during a recent road trip and I gotta say, not bad. First off, I've never been to Murphysboro so when we rolled into town we got that "small town feel" and the 17th street certainly lived up to that expectation. BBQ nachos...YES Hush puppies OMG YES The chuckle you get knowing your BBQ was sprinkled with 'magic dust'....PRICELESS... We had no problem getting a table on a Friday night, considering the place was packed. Our server was a little overwhelmed. I had to remind her to get our first round of drinks..but the food made up for it. Well worth the trip and everyone was super nice.
(4)Von F.
The food was very good and the service was excellent. I had the BB ribs, they were meaty and very flavorful. The sides were are the small side. I also had the homemade chips that were PERFECT. I will come back to sample more of the large menu.
(4)Matt S.
Great ambience. Very good bbq. Worth the stop of you are in the area. The 2 meat platter was plenty of food and could be shared if you're not all that hungry.
(5)Katelyn M.
What to say about 17th Street... Only that Mike Mills is a genius in the pit and has come up with some delicious food. This is one of the best restaurants in the area. And I think the Murphy location has some of the best character of any dining spot. No matter what you eat here, you're gonna walk away full. Of the appetizers, my favorite has always been the fried pickles. The ones here are very thinly sliced with a thin breading and can hold grease. But oh, it's wonderful tasting. They have a kick to them which I really enjoy. And the dipping sauce that comes with them is great too. With the entrees, you can't go wrong with what you choose. Of course, they're known for their ribs, which are delectable, but I always tend to go towards the pulled pork sandwich (slathered in sauce and Magic Dust) or their brisket. The brisket is melt in your mouth wonderful. Another great choice is the smoked turkey. I never would have thought to get that at a place known for pork, but oh man. It's amazing. Hands down my favorite sides are their baked beans. There are multiple types of beans in there with the ends of the pork and a nice tangy sauce. You HAVE to try them. Their Mac n cheese is also incredible - soooo cheesy. Needless to say, whatever you choose you won't be disappointed.
(5)Brian M.
A few friends and I have visited southern IL (and 17th St. BBQ) yearly for the past few years. We've always raved about the food, but this was the first time we met BBQ Champion, Mike Mills. What a great and humble guy! He took the time to come get to know us and sincerely thank us for returning. After sharing some BBQ secrets, he even offered to provide personal phone consultation during my next smoked brisket attempt at home in my Weber. Of course, the BBQ is outstanding. The group of 5 of us always order 2 orders of smoked wings for an appetizer and then the large sampler platter. It's a lot of delicious food for a very reasonable price. I highly recommend 17th St. BBQ if you enjoy fantastic BBQ and knowing that your business is sincerely appreciated by the staff.
(5)Harry H.
BABBQBP 2015: baby back ribs with baked beans for $11 were pretty damn good.
(4)Rion R.
The prices and quality of food were spot on. I had an $8 pulled pork sandwhich and a side of potatoe salad as recommended and was very happy. The portion of the sandwhich was large and the pulled pork was juicy and full of meaty flavor. They only have one sauce but I wish they had a hot bbq sauce to add. I've never had better potatoe salad...sour cream based? Only 3 beers on tap which one was from Big Muddy Brewing and the other two weren't local or craft. They had a ton of 22oz bombers for $6.50 from Big Muddy and that was an awesome deal. I'm not sure why they don't have more draft lines from Big Muddy? They do have a 17th street smoked beer made for them from the brewery which is a perfect complimentary add for them and the brewery. Solid food, good people and fair prices...I would/will come back next time I am in town.
(5)Cynthia B.
After a week filled with family, holiday and food, it was time for my husband and I to find a good "date night" place to end a hectic week so we decided to take a scenic road trip south to see what all the fuss has been about for years when it comes to BBQ especially since this food category has exploded in the St. Louis region lately. Overall, our server was great. We started with the dill pickles which were not completely coated, very greasy but served with a tasty sauce. The Reuben was hands down the best we have had, the smokiness in the corned beef put it over the top. I should have asked for the sauce on the side which is my usual but most would find it perfect for a standard Reuben. The horseradish cheddar and marbled rye added that extra special touch that I appreciated. For this reason I wanted to give a four star! We ordered the grand master platter and for most that would have been satisfying. The price was great and our favorites were the pulled pork and smoked brisket. I liked the sausage stick (sliced) but my husband did not because it was spicy. The chicken leg has soggy/gray (from smoke) skin, the turkey was extra dry and the ribs were smoked, offered the "bark" expected at competitions with the kick from the magic dust rub but I felt like they were still a little too firm on the pull from the bone and dry. There were three sauce selections. Regular, spicy and St. Louis style. Nothing exceptional. To me, there has to be great sauce, hence the three stars and only because I can appreciate the work and time involved at this craft. The slaw is vinegar based, our preference, and good but has green peppers in it which I found odd. The baked beans had three beans impressively including butter beans but lacked the cooking time which would provide thickness and depth so this was disappointing. I like to wallpaper with mine. If I am going to spend calories during the holidays, then go big, I say. The mac and cheese was CHEESY! Smooth and good. My husband, ever the sweet tooth, opted to get the strawberry shortcake which fell short. It was a good size and great price but lacked flavor. The strawberries appeared to be probably picked fresh then frozen. That's fine if I were at my moms or grandmas but since it's out of season, it's probably best to leave it off the menu since that juice made the shortcake soggy. Kudos to the owner being there often including while we were there even bidding us a good night. Clearly he is a part of the restaurant and community which would make me go back for that darned good Reuben and a sweet potato for sure!
(3)Matt M.
We make the trek down to southern IL for 2 reasons. 1 riding our bikes and 2 BBQ. Used to be that we came for the cycling and the BBQ was the reward. Now it seems our motivation is the BBQ and we use the cycling to justify the huge meal!! When there you will be treated well and will get some great food. If Mike is in he will be happy to chat with you about smoking meat and his business in general. Great place to go and have a great meal. Please no salads, that is just filler.
(5)Thomas J.
This was the first BBQ restuarant on our multi stop BBQ tour. My ribs were very good (arguably 2nd best to Franklin's in Austin) and the brisket was above average. The ribs were perfectly smoked and the rub was very good, although I could have skipped the sauce. As another reviewer pointed out, the brisket doesn't compare to even Smoque in Chicago but we had much worse on our trip. I would recommend skipping the brisket and focusing on the ribs.
(4)Doug Y.
Since my friends Joe & Tom took me to this place few years ago, I always eat here for lunch whenever I'm in town. That good!!!
(3)T J.
Part of a 9 stop bbq tour. 1 17th st grill (IL) Favorite place of the tour. First stop of the tour, the rest of the places were in Memphis and didn't compare. Ribs were our favorite of the tour. Perfectly down. Brisket was good, far better than I was expecting outside of TX. Doesn't come close to the best brisket places in Austin or even Smoque in Chicago but still dang good brisket. Pulled pork was really good too, by far the best of the tour. Turkey was nothing to write home about but offered a nice change of pace to the other meats. Chicken was a little dry for me but had good flavor. Sausage was excellent sort of reminded me of Rudy's Jalapeno sausage. Beans were good but not great. Green beans were cooked in brisket and were great. Pimento cheese was excellent though I wish it was served with something other than saltines. Next time I go I want to try the wings but I had to save room for the other 8 bbq places i was trying that weeked. Outside of TX there are only a handful of places I would recommend and this is one of them. See my other reviews for the results of the remainder of the tour.
(4)Scott H.
I have been all over & lived in Memphis for a decade. THESE ARE THE BEST RIBS YOU WILL EVER FIND. Better than Rendezvous, Corky's & Interstate- by a long shot! If you are close by this out-of-the-way place you owe yourself a visit.
(5)The J.
Not only is this my favorite BBQ joint in the entire world, but it's proably my favorite restaurant. I was introduced to this place while attending SIU and since I graduated and moved back to the Chicago area, I have been back multiple times. The ribs are the best I ever had. Tender and juicy and very pink in the middle. It's a Memphis style of BBQ, so the ribs aren't prepared with a lot of sauce, but you can always add the sauce. I usually order 2 sides of baked beans with the ribs, because they are also the best baked beans I have ever had. A combination of tangy/sweet, but flavorful. The potato salad is also to die for, and I don't even like potato salad. The pulled pork sandwich is also excellent, if you're looking to spend a little less money
(5)Nomad M.
Mike mills runs a great restaurant and has plenty of awards to back it up! He is a very sincere person, honest and knows his BBQ and this is reflected in the friendly staff he has hired. Everything was perfect and he even stopped by our table to say hello!! I have been to the other location also which is very good! Highly recommended and the BBQ is truly the best! He is the master!!
(5)Will B.
This is a really cool place and the food is fantastic. I like that they have the local Big Muddy beers available. I'll give it 4 stars because I think the entrees could be a little bigger.
(4)Eric K.
This place is a "joint". And that is high praise, indeed. So IL is part of the south. Closer in kinship to KY than Chicago or Champaign for that matter. The accents are thick with the sort of loose, languid drawl forged from the Dixie DNA. And that spills right into their BBQ heritage. Which is nuthin' fancy. Simply prepared with the freshest ingredients possible. Served table side, hot and fresh. We started off with the fried dill pickle chips. A basket of brilliance. So hot to the table they were still crackling against the wax paper. There is a side of dipping sauce that rides side-saddle right in the basket. It provides the cool counter-point with just the slightest hint of heat at the very back end. I had the baby back ribs. Because the measure of a BBQ joint is soley based on that. They did not disapoint. Sweet and smoke in righteous order. Tender and juicy. Potato salad was thick and creamy with all the right spots of crunch. I also sampled the beef brisket. Brisket is tough to get right b/c of the lack of fat. They nailed this one right to the winner's board. Impressive all the way around. Like i said at the outset. This place is a joint. Where they serve delicious food, simply prepared for a fair price.
(4)Matt P.
LOVE 17th Street! While there's a lot of great BBQ in the area, this is my go-to place - everything is always really good and the service is excellent in Murphysboro. Many times I feel like it's a 'Cheers' type atmosphere, because the bar is right by the front door and the tender greets everybody. The ribs are outstanding - these are true ribs as they are meant to be - they aren't mushy and aren't 'fall off the bone' (i.e. they aren't overdone). I like to use extra sauce to give all the magic dust I sprinkle on something to stick to. Admittedly, it's not an inexpensive place, but it's well worth every penny.
(5)Paul D.
It might not be the same anymore. I am not sure if Mike Mills is still in charge of everything? At one point in time this was the best BBQ I have had in the country (outside of what my Dad and neighbor made). Though still, one of the better BBQ places you will ever come across. All thanks to Mr. Mills, and while it is not exactly the same. It is clear that they do care about the quality and reputation of 17th Street. There is a small area through the front door to sit, with a wood bar. Another slightly larger dinning area to the left. Lots of trophies and memorabilia line the walls. I am so glad they do baby back ribs, and not spare ribs. IMO, baby backs are always better quality. They do pork perfect here. Not to mention the awesome pixy dust and Carolina sauce. Some of the best ribs and pork I have had at a restaurant. The sides are great to. The best baked beans ever, and my Mom will only make their recipe from Peace, Love, and BBQ. The place has slipped just a bit now that 17th Street is a bit more chain like. Though, I still very much enjoy this great BBQ joint. Complete with a great apple and BBQ festival in Murphysboro and Carbondale. An institution.
(4)Theresa B.
Based on the beef brisket alone, this gets five stars. The sides were all good, and the ribs were very good. But the beef brisket was the best we've ever had.
(5)Jeff Z.
As a former SIU Saluki I have had these ribs since my college days. I try in make it through this or the marion location when around since I now live in the Chicago area. These are at the top or near the top I have ever had. Solid meat seasoned perfectly and smoked with applewood. If you like ribs it does not get much better than this.
(5)Darren P.
Overall the best BBQ place I have ever been to. We frequently travel over 3.5 hours to visit this, the mothership. Their chopped pork with seasoning and sauce is the best of its kind in the world. I personally just eat it alone, no bread. The ribs are great too, but they have been dry a few times. Side dishes and appetizers are nice and there is a full bar. 17th Street BBQ donated food and items for my fundraiser benefit back in June 2012. Amy, Mike and the whole crew are awesome!
(5)Rich C.
I go south to Alabama about 6 to 8 times a year and try to stop here or the Marion location. I prefer this location because its atmosphere nice dive bar, if small towns have dive bars :) I cater and have done a fair amount of BBQ so I am pretty picky and their stuff is good. I think that one of the most important things are the sides, In spite of the fact that good BBQ is not hard to do (although you wouldn't know it by the large amount of bad BBQ out there), good sides are right up there with a good bun as things that add a lot to a meal. At 17th St my go to is the hot links and double order of fried okra. One of my favorite bars ever.
(5)J. P.
me and my husband are a bit of bbq snobs, and we were both impressed with this place! now as a bbq snob, i'm not normally a fan of ribs (unless they're my husbands) However, the ribs here are heavenly - i would say better than my husbands! so order the ribs for sure! My husband had the 3 meats platter, which, in addition to the ribs included the brisket and pulled pork. i love a good brisket, but i would have to say this one was average, so i agree with the reviews that say you can probably skip it. the pulled pork was very good though (but does not really rank as one of my favorites). We also had the pork rinds as an appetizer, which were delicious! i highly recommend if you like pork rinds! I had the rueben sandwich which was the best.rueben.ever. i cannot get over the delicious smoked flavor of the corned beef. also get the 17steet beans, probably my favorite baked beans i've had! after being stuffed, we were going to skip dessert, but the waitress mentioned bread pudding, which we just had to try. and OMG it was to die for. This place is a good5- 6 hour drive from us, but we discuss taking another road trip to come down here because it is THAT good. also this is the original location - i believe there is another one in marion? but stick with the original, you cannot go wrong.
(5)Rebecca C.
Oh those ribs... yummmm. Been here twice. The first time I ordered a pulled chicken sandwich and coleslaw. The sandwich was alright but I was not a fan of the coleslaw. However I knew I had to come back and try the ribs after seeing the owner on a BBQ special on TV. I split a full rack of ribs and thoroughly enjoyed every bite! The fried okra was super delicious too. While I found their BBQ sauce too runny and odd tasting, it did not ruin the ribs (I just did not put any extra on it). I would definitely come back and recommend this place. Also, great service on both occasions.
(4)Hang T.
I went to the location in Marion first, then decided to try the original in Murphysboro. I should have done it the other way around because I would probably been more amazed by this location. The restaurant is really more of a bar than restaurant. It is very small. Probably about 15 tables. They have an outside area that is covered with picnic tables, but I wouldn't want to sit out there during this cold weather. The food seemed a lot better at the Marion location and they seemed ready to serve you. At this location, there is no real hostess table. The people at the bar will most likely seat you. I would recommend this place more if you want an enviroment to be loud and watch sports with friends. The Marion one is better for relaxing and enjoying a good meal.
(3)Brenda M.
Wonderful, still worthy, barbecue (both brisket AND pulled pork) but DESPERATELY in need of a thorough cleaning. Walking into the tavern was an assault on the senses but SADLY not in agood way. The bar SMELLS like old beer and urine. Such famous barbeque deserves a better venue.
(3)Anthony G.
Great service and food. Perfect! Nice job guys. It was during the apple fest and they were slammed and it was still great.
(5)William P.
OK. This was...I repeat...was one of my favorite BBQ places not in Texas or Tennessee. I compiled a review for 17th Street BBQ a couple years ago touting excellence....this time just mediocrity. It really sucks that this place can't be consistent. When you hit the day right, the BBQ is ridiculously awesome. If not, it'll make you feel ridiculous for recommending it.
(3)Pieter W.
Got a chance to sample this place that was recommended by a friend on on a recent trip to Southern Illinois. Overall I had a great dining experience, but this place is kind of hit-or-miss on a dish-by-dish basis. The best part of the meal was undoubtedly the ribs. Bon Appétit apparently picked these ribs "best in the U.S." which I'm not sure I totally agree with, but they were very good and had a great texture and smoky flavor. The sauce was not your traditional BBQ sauce as it featured more of a vinegary flavor than a sweet flavor, and I think this might turn some people off who aren't aware that BBQ does not need to be drenched in sweet, sugary sauce to be good and should stand on the flavor and texture of the meat alone. Aside from the ribs, I tried the hot links and the brisket. I enjoyed the hot links very much, but the brisket, while very flavorful, was unfortunately rather dry, and I wouldn't recommend it. As for the sides we tried the baked beans, the fried okra, the potato salad and the garlic bread. The baked beans were amazing, as other reviewers have stated, and featured several kinds of beans which was an interesting take on the classic side dish. I also really enjoyed the fried okra, and the potato salad was decent but unremarkable, but the garlic bread left a lot to be desired. (Why my friend chose to order garlic bread at a BBQ joint is beyond me though.) Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the dinner rolls, which are served as an appetizer and are hot, fluffy and delicious and are served with a honey-whipped butter...yum! Overall, I would say 17th Street is good solid BBQ, especially if you are craving ribs and can enjoy them without sweet sauce, but I'm not sure this place lives up to all the hype it's given. 3 1/2 stars.
(3)Sue T.
Yum, yum, yum. Delicious chopped pork sandwich on a smooth white bun that was at least 4" across. The pork was tender with just the right amount of smoke and spice. Definitely add the chow to your sandwich - delicious chopped cabbage with a sweet & tangy vinegar dressing. M's baby back ribs were meaty and fall-off the bone tender; a bit pricey for a half rack. Potato salad was great too -- slices of white potato with skin on. There's outdoor picnic table seating on a covered patio where dogs are allowed -- and believe me, they appreciate good barbeque too.
(4)Caroline P.
We used 17th Street BBQ for our wedding catering. It was fantastic! The catering staff is so knowledgeable and really helped with planning and portioning. Becky and Laurie were both wonderful to work with and it was clear they are pros and experts! The food was wonderful! We received so many compliments from our guests, many told us it was the best wedding food they had ever had! When I finally ate leftovers two days after the wedding, the food was STILL delicious. Our menu included smoked chicken, brisket, mac & cheese, sweet potato casserole, green beans, and cucumber salad. The ladies even helped me make a vegetarian option and made sure many of our sides had a veggie option as well. (My vegetarian husband and our veggie friends were also VERY complimentary about the food). Their staff were professional and fun. Everyone looked great and they were so polite to our guests and venue management. I highly recommend 17th Street for wedding and event catering (as well as eating in their restaurants!)
(5)Matt B.
Apparently, there is some law in Southern Illinois requiring that people who live here bring visitors to 17th Street Grill for awesome food about which they will talk far and wide. I approve of this law. This place is a complete dive. Which is a healthy dose of the reason why it's so awesome. Forget all that fancy crap - focus on the food. And they do wonderful at that. I really can't speak to more than the ribs. And I'm not sure why anyone would want to. The ribs are the reason to go here. On a bad day, they're good. On a good day, I would punch my mother in the face if she tried to tell me I couldn't eat them. They have a great smoke ring and don't need a knife - you can pull them apart with your fingers. And get the greens as a side; holy hell are they good. DO NOT go to the other location. Stick with the original.
(5)Craig D.
In Carbondale on business...on the advice of my foodie brother, I drove just a few miles down the road to Murphysboro for BBQ. Not only did I save 15-20 cents per gallon on gas but I had an exceptional dining experience. The service was phenomenal as I sat at the bar to commune with the knowledgeable and attentive staff. The brisket was probably the best I've had and the meal left me with just a couple of questions...1. How have I gone this far in my life and not eaten fresh pork rinds? 2. How does this place only have 3 1/2 stars? I blame the first on my parents. The second can only be explained by previous reviewers being in such a blissful meat coma that they didn't have the energy to move their finger all the way to the right. Every Thursday is whole hog day, served right on the dining room and the desserts are homemade and look ridiculous. I just wished I ate carbs because the layered banana pudding would make me cheat if I weren't so full. I will definitely return and endeavor to work through the rest of the apps and entrees...I just hope my boss doesn't notice the disproportionate trips to this area...
(5)Jon T.
Ms T, Aunt Annie and I stopped here on our way to Memphis. We have been meaning to come here for some time and finally made it on a Wednesday for lunch. The place has that good small town feeling of a bar that has expanded as their food attracted attention. It was pretty busy at lunch time with local business men and farmers. Between the three of us we made sure we sampled ribs, brisket and pulled pork. Starting with the pork, I was somewhat favorably impressed. It was similar to North Carolina style, served unsauced with good pork flavor. It was not truly pulled, rather it was more shredded than chopped and there was a large variation in the size of pieces. It benefited from the application of a little of their light bodied sauce (not overly sweet). It was better than most Midwestern pulled pork that I get. Nevertheless, I would re-order. 3 stars The brisket was served on the sandwich as a coarse chop, rather than slices. This made it easy to eat. It was moist with some smoke, but not heavy. 3 to 3-1/2 stars. The ribs had a decent rub, provided a little salt and did not detract. However, I must say 17th Street did not win its accolades with ribs like I had. They simply were not fresh. They had clearly been cooked 2-3 days earlier and warmed up. I can spot that taste of leftover barbecue in a heartbeat. However, If you know their cooking practices and when the ribs will be fresh out of the smoker, they are probably much better. 2-1/2 stars for the ribs I had but would probably be 3-1/2 to 4 on a good day. The slaw was a coarse machine chop with a clear, sweet and tangy dressing - OK. The potato salad had a white mayo based dressing and was very good. We all like the absence of sweet Miracle Whip and yellow mustard that afflicts so much potato salad. This was elegant, classy stuff. I had some collards which were fine, done properly if uninspired. We liked the cheesy potatoes that were exactly like the typical home recipe. Aunt Annie had a cucumber salad, in a sweet and tangy brine that was fine. 17th Street has a very good, full menu, with some things you would not expect to find. It is a little far for us to go regularly, but they have a place closer, in O'Fallon so we may have to give that one more tries. Service was excellent. This is an example of the need for half stars. It is better than Main Street in Wyanet and close to Pappy's in St Louis. I am rounding 3-1/2 stars down to 3, for the stale ribs, which is what they are supposed to be famous for. The rating by Bon Appétit as the best in the country is silly for two reasons; it simply is NOT the best and there is NO WAY to determine the best (and they should not try). It is respectable barbecue in an area not steeped in barbecue tradition.
(3)Nats A.
Where do I begin? Well let me start by saying I miss you 17th street please come to Chicago! When I was in Carbondale I would make it a habit to drive to Boro and order the pulled pork sandwich, fries and the mac and cheese of course. Their mac n cheese is heavenly. The meat falls of the bone of the ribs when you dig in (so i've heard). Their fried pickles are scrumptious and the restaurant is a complete dive but a true southern gem.
(5)Glennis D.
It has to be that we caught this place on an off night, as we heard nothing but rave reviews. Award winning ribs and brisket tasted as though they were burnt on a grill then held in a warming drawer for five hours prior to our arrival, as the food was served to us only seconds after ordering. When asked about a local brewery's beer, our server had no idea what the style was. When we offered to pour him a taste so he would know how it tasted, he looked around and said he could get fired if he were to taste the beer. Seems like a far fetched idea to have your staff know what they are serving. We really wanted this place to be good, but unfortunately it was sub par.
(2)James L.
Stopped by 17th Street for a late lunch and walked away hungry and disappointed. First, my son had never been to the Murphysboro location. I had been there a few times but not recently. The lunch special said pick 2 meats, and my son ordered ribs and ribs for his 2 choices. The waiter asked the bartender and she told him that we couldn't order 2 of the same meats. When asked why, we got the answer, "because she said we couldn't!" To be compliant, we didn't push the issue any further, but when we got our food, again we were highly disappointed. The portion sizes on the sides and the meat were tiny, dry, and flavorless. $28 for lunch and we had to go to Dairy Queen to get enough to eat before we felt satisfied. This is my last trip to 17th Street. The O'Fallon and Marion locations were terrible when we tried them. Appears Murphysboro location is following suit. There are many good BBQ places around. You don't need to put up with bad service and sub-standard food.
(1)Phil W.
great stop, it might not be the best. but worth the trip it is very good
(5)Ronald H.
We stopped in here around New Years 2011 and had a decent meal. Overall, it was inconsistent. Some items were quite nice, while others really missed. We started with an appetizer of Onion Straws, which were good and greasy, and Potato Parmesan Soup, which was good, chunky, but could have used more parmesan. Main course Ribs were decent, tender but not falling off the bone. They did not have a strong flavor, and I found them to be kinda dry. There was no place for discarding bones, other than the empty soup bowl that was not cleared after appetizers were done or when the mains were delivered. Side Mac and Cheese was bizarre, with cheese sprinkled on top, definitely to be missed if we go back. Side Red Beans and Rice reminded me of kidney bean salad rice, and was not very good. Pork Shoulder was well cooked and had good flavor, even without sauce. Side Baked Beans had multiple bean types and good flavor, and was possibly the best item on the table. The Creamed Corn had a bizarre slightly sweet flavor and would have benefited from having more corn in the dish with the sauce. (I can't believe I'm suggesting that a side of corn should have had more corn.) The Rolls were nice and yeasty, and very satisfying. Sweet Cinnamon Butter is a hit with me, less so with my wife. Nothing was served hot except the rolls, with everything else served cool to luke warm. The Iced Tea was well made. So, if I go back, I'd like some rolls, a big bowl of baked beans, and an iced tea, the three best things we tried. OK, maybe the pork shoulder.
(3)Jessica L.
We have lived here now for a year and a half, and JUST now made it in to 17th Street in Murphysboro. We heard this was the location to go to - apparently, though the Marion location is newer, the original location has a better vibe and slightly better food. We were in with a big group, and the service was extremely good. Mike, the owner, was even around and paid us a visit and chatted a while. He's a super nice guy, and obviously very passionate about what he does. We ordered a sample platter with onion strings (good, but not extraordinary - what can you do with onion strings, right?), fried okra (which was delicious), shrimp (perfectly done and seasoned), and stuffed potato wedges (I didn't have any myself, but Husband says they were the best he's ever had). For the main course, I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with the green beans and rice pilaf on the side. Yeah, not what you typically go for at a BBQ place, but I was trying not to kill all my hard work at the gym! The grilled chicken sandwich was amazingly good for how simple it was - the chicken was seasoned and really juicy, the sandwich was served dry so you could pick your sauce, the bread was fluffy and light, and just tomatoes and lettuce, but somehow extra tasty. The rice was better than your average pilaf, with corn mixed in it. Nice mellow flavor - not overly buttered. The green beans could have used a touch more salt, but other than that, they were excellent, with smoked meat mixed in. Yum! Husband had some enormous plate with what seemed like a little bit of everything on it. Some of it I sampled - the sausage was spicy, but fabulous, the hush puppies were the best anyone at the table had ever had, and the pulled pork, though more shredded than I am used to, was seasoned really well and was really good. The baked beans were excellent too. Husband said the ribs were a touch dry, but his friend's weren't, so maybe he just got a bad batch. For some reason they took the beef ribs off the menu, which was kind of disappointing too, Husband was hoping for some. The smoked turkey was also really, really tasty. The highlight had to be the bread pudding at the end though - best bread pudding we've had anywhere, and we know bread pudding. It is served with a praline sauce and whipped cream, and is just divine. Go visit Mike in Murphysboro, and enjoy!
(4)Brett K.
I ate lunch at 17th Street last week. It was ok. Maybe I ordered wrong. I picked out a combo of bbq beef brisket and bbq chicken. The brisket was moist, and I could certainly taste the smokeyness in the flavor. The beef was shredded a little more that I would've preferred but it all goes down the same I suppose. I wasn't nearly as impressed with the chicken which was pretty dry, especially for being on the bone, and honestly the taste was a little gamey. I'll also would have like to have a little more variety in the sauce department. 17th Street is a quaint, small town dive type of place. Our server was great. She was friendly, stopped by often to check on us, and was on top of everything from drink refills to making sure we had some hot(as in spicy) bbq sauce (which wasn't all that hot), and just making sure that we were happy. I will undoubtedly give 17th Street another try next time I'm in the Carbondale/Murphysboro area. I plan on trying the ribs and bbq pork next time. Ribs and pulled pork are normally the starting line-up at a bbq joint. I definitely regret going with the items from the end of the bench. Next time I'll go for the 1st string line-up for sure.
(3)Sue T.
The ribs were flavorless, as was the sauce. Didn't tug cleanly from the bone, very dry and tasted old. Guess you should be watchful of a rib place that doesn't smell like one when you walk in. While the sides were good I didn't pay top dollar for just sides. This was our second visit, since this was supposed to be an award winning place we thought we'd give it another try thinking we may have hit an off night before -- not so, they were still just as bad. We didn't have sandwiches and the like so I can only comment on the ribs, hope you have better luck than we did.
(1)Gary B.
I agree this place is a poor excuse fr BBQ. I can't see they ever even place in contest. How they ever one any wards for thier ribs is beyond me. Service is really good. Atmosphere s so so .
(1)Vanessa G.
We were told this is a must stop place while in Southern Illinois for BBQ food. I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised. We were so hungry we ordered Spinach and Artichoke dip for an app and it was store bought at best. I could have microwaved it up myself. For the main course, scared we would way over order, we decided to split the Como platter (see what happens) which consisted of ribs, pulled pork, sausage, chicken and brisket with 2 sides. Yes, everyone, their baked beans are to die for. It was a huge amount of food! Everything was delicious! The pulled pork was extremely tender and flavorful. The ribs were gone in 2 seconds, the brisket followed close behind. I will admit I had to stop myself at the sausage. At first bite it was great but then, all of a sudden, the spicy hotness hit me like a brick. Oh how I wanted to love the sausage! Needless to say we could not move after the platter. Hmm, should have got some more ribs to go. I hope Mike decides to open a new location a little north so I can enjoy this BBQ again. If not, I stocked up on some of his BBQ sauce and magic dust, lets see if my cooking tastes as good as theirs!
(4)Wes D.
Excellent bbq. I've tried nearly all of their smoked meats, and the baby back ribs and pulled pork are my favorites. Their sauces and spices aren't my favorite (a little on the bland side to me), but the meat is so perfectly smoked it doesn't really need it. I like the Murphysboro location better because of the atmosphere, and I've had a few bad experiences with the Marion location serving meat that was over cooked and dry.
(4)Stella D.
I agree with Sara E. THEY HAVE THE BEST BAKED BEANS EVER. and i dont even like beans!!!! i tried their baked beans at the snapple big apple bbq block party in NYC, and after eating their beans, i might be a baked bean convert - NOT. sadly, when i got my hands on your ribs, my ribs were already sitting out on the park bench where my bf lovingly guarded them (haha) but it was still good tastewise. i never thought id ever say this ever. I Love Baked Beans! (only from 17th street bar and grill.)
(5)Erin D.
We went out of our way to check this place out during a recent road trip and I gotta say, not bad. First off, I've never been to Murphysboro so when we rolled into town we got that "small town feel" and the 17th street certainly lived up to that expectation. BBQ nachos...YES Hush puppies OMG YES The chuckle you get knowing your BBQ was sprinkled with 'magic dust'....PRICELESS... We had no problem getting a table on a Friday night, considering the place was packed. Our server was a little overwhelmed. I had to remind her to get our first round of drinks..but the food made up for it. Well worth the trip and everyone was super nice.
(4)Von F.
The food was very good and the service was excellent. I had the BB ribs, they were meaty and very flavorful. The sides were are the small side. I also had the homemade chips that were PERFECT. I will come back to sample more of the large menu.
(4)Joey H.
I ordered the lunch platter where you receive an appetizer (caesar salad), and a two item platter (baby back ribs and 1/2 chicken). And for some reason, on the menu it says, "$1 more add a corn or this and that". Even though they charged me $2.99 for the corn, I let it go and enjoyed my meal. The sauce was tasty wasn't too hot. I wasn't in the mood to use my hands for the chicken, so I left maybe 10% more chicken strands on there...sorry. It was cooked bbq, but had the texture of rotisserie. The ribs were right off the bone and had lots of meat on them. I guess I got lucky because this hardly happens. The bbq corn was made well and I liked it. No dessert at that time, no milkshake, but that's ok. I like the cheap lunch. Sorry, one star taken for the corn deal.
(4)Sara E.
Ooh, Mark M, friend, you must have been there on an off day. Unless you went to the one in Marion instead. Murphysboro is where it's at. 17th Street is amazing - my family always uses them to cater for parties and whatnot. The baked beans are literally my favorite side dish ever. Ever. But the potato salad is ridiculously good too. I don't even like potato salad, but 17th Street's is creamy, tasty, and has BACON in it. For serious. Check it out. The bbq is good - I'm personally a fan of the pulled pork sandwich, with a little Magic Dust and some spicy bbq sauce. But I guess those world-famous, award-winning ribs must be alright, too. The restaurant itself is pretty small, so be prepared to wait. But while you're waiting, sit at the bar, order a beer and pulled pork bbq nachos (OMG), and watch some Saluki sports. It all adds to the experience. PS - 17th Street was just named best ribs in the US by Bon Apetit.
(5)Bran P.
One of my all time favorite BBQ joints. I took Mike's book "Peace Love & BBQ" with me to Iraq and requested magic dust and 17thst BBQ sauce in my care packages. A trip back home isn't complete without a stop here.
(5)Jeffrey K.
I expected so much more from this place. I remember going to the O'Fallon, IL location a couple years ago and it was phenomenal. I had lunch at that location over the summer and it sucked, BADLY! I saw them pop up on the Chive.com as a great BBQ place, was told to try the original as it is so much better. I was working in Carbondale for the day and looked forward to swinging over to Murphysboro for lunch. Well, I did and I was thoroughly disappointed. Had ribs and brisket and I can say that there is no way they won any BBQ titles with either of the meats I was served. The ribs were dry, luke warm and really didn't have much taste. The brisket was luke warm, more fat than meat, very dry and had no smoke ring whatsoever. The red beans and rice though very watery, were very good. I don't know where the old 17t st. went, but they went from being a gem to somewhere I wouldn't recommend to anyone. I'd say it was just a bad day, but after having the same quality on 2 occasions and 2 different locations I'm afraid it's a trend.
(2)Richard S.
All good. Not sure why I'm not giving 5 stars; I think it's because I reserve 5 stars for blow me away, I wanna come here everyday, experiences. It was just below that feeling. Anyway, my lunch experience was very satisfying. I had brisket, ribs(3), with BBQ beans for side. Cost: $10.99. Not cheap, but good food is costly.
(4)Miss Piggy B.
WOWOWOWOWOW! Ok now that I have gotten that out of my system, let me tell you about the BEST BBQ we have ever had! Since my boyfriend is a Chef from New York City & Las Vegas, we planned a culinary tour across America while moving across country from Las Vegas, Nevada to Atlantic City, NJ. My boyfriend heard about this place in Bon Appetit magazine who voted them #1 BBQ ribs in the USA, so we planned to drive 5 hours to check it out for ourselves and it was totally worth it! It opened at 10 am and we were starving by 11 am so we decided to head on over. We ordered ribs, pulled pork, baked beans, mac and cheese, fried okra and coleslaw. The ribs and pulled pork were incredible, and we devoured every bite of the finger licking goodness AND THEN ordered another rack of ribs to go so that we could enjoy them one more time in a few hours. The sides were ok, with the exception of the baked beans which were awesome! We went all out and indulged in a banana pudding (best I've ever had) and a homemade from scratch strawberry shortcake, also yummy. I had to buy a shirt that said "Praise the Lard" and we have told ALL of our foodie friends to make a trip out to this place! Service was friendly, and the place was cute, we even took pictures with the wooden pig! You have not had BBQ until you have had 17th Street BBQ! I wish they would Fed-Ex their food like that deli I love in Ann Arbor... YUM!
(5)Joselyn H.
Although I don't eat meat anymore, when I did...this place was heaven! The ribs here are ridiculously good! It gets super busy for dinner, so come early if you don't want a long wait.
(5)Mark M.
Well drove thru the other day and thought I needed some PIG so I stopped for lunch I stopped by Mike Mills place because I had had his fine food before lets talk service it was pleasant the girls did an ok job it was a little slow but come on it's BBQ now the food a little disappointed the Brisket, Pulled Pork and ribs seemed to be held over from the day before. The flavor was good but the texture seemed a little off the chicken was a little undercooked but ok the sausage was very good the fries were cold the onion rings cold but the cole slaw was great they do a little bit of green pepper in it and the beans were a HIT All restaurants have a bad day I think I caught them on one of these its sort of hard with BBQ its got such a long lead time for cooking and the economy is pretty bad so its hard to not carry food over if you didn't sell it the day before because I have had the food before and it has been very good I still say TRY IT!!
(3)Maureen W.
A few months ago I was traveling through Murphysboro to visit a relative and decided to Yelp for a great place for carry out. 17th Street was a high rated suggestion, so I tried it as a carry-out. While the flavors were very good, the portions were ABSURDLY SMALL. $17 for a piece of brisket that could fit in my wallet? PUH-LEEZE! This place is a major RIP OFF. I threw down almost $40 for a combo meal that barely fed me and my 87 year old grandmother. VERY disappointed with 17th street, and I will never return.
(1)Ian H.
I love barbeque and I love this restaurant. the bbq sauce here is not my fav but this place is all about the meat. I've tried the "Grand champion plate" which has ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked chicken, & hot links. All of it is good, my favorite dishes here include the pulled porksandwich, bbq nachos, brisket, beef ribs, and the smoked chicken.
(5)Rick D.
This restaurant seems to be living on its press clippings instead of delivering a really excellent product at a fair price. Twenty bucks for a rack of baby back ribs is all right as long as the ribs live up to their Bon Appetit billing as "the best ribs in America." They simply are not. The ribs were not well flavored and were not as tender as they should have been, as though they'd been rushed through the cooking process. The house bar b que sauce was ok but not as good as the home made sauce served at several smaller, less well-known bbq joints in the area. Service was lackadaisical (dirty dishes remained in front of us for 20+ minutes) although in fairness our waitress seemed to be slammed with tables. My wife had the bluegill which was very good. Our friend had brisket which he dubbed just fine but not as good as you get in Texas. Side dishes were of minimal size but tasted fine. Banana pudding was very good. The place was quite loud and clattery--hard to hear a conversation at our own table. Not the place to go if you want a quiet, relaxing meal.
(2)Marcy D.
This place has won many awards for their 'cue. Ribs are tasty as are the sandwiches. They have a drive up window that is very convenient. I like to buy the meat by the pound and take it home to feast for days!
(5)Carlos F.
I had the bbq baked beans, chili, pork rinds, and the pork steak. The food was great but I was disappointed with the rinds, they had too much air (if that's right). I thought I might get some roasted skin which is just the best. The steak was a hit but I expected more quantity since I left hungry. The beans were right on and the sauce and rubs were a great hit for me.
(4)Randy S.
I can't lie: I had never heard of Murphysboro, IL before we started planning our road trip. But after this trip I cannot wait to come back. The wings, sweet mother of pearl, the wings are amazing! After eating ribs for 5 days straight, 17th Street found a way to make mouth salivate and spark my appetite once again. We also had the pleasure of sampling their fried okra, collard Greens, and red beans and rice. These were the best sides we had all week. I would be remiss if I did not encourage you to sample the hush puppies and brisket. The local Amber ale is very refreshing, and the atmosphere is homie, and incredibly friendly. Which brings me to the reason for the 5th star. The crew that runs and cares for this place have no equal. Laurie The Pit Bull tells a great story. If you see her beg her to tell you about her first trip to NYC. Mike Mills, the vision behind the grill knows enough about BBQ, and the BBQ community to make your head spin. Don't worry: He's patient, and a great teacher. Open your ears, and you make walk away not just full and happy, but a better griller. Even if they are not there...at least you leave full and happy.
(5)Ken S.
After traveling over 3200 miles and 10 BBQ restaurants. 17th wins our first place vote. Laurie is one of the driving forces behind the success of 17th. The wait staff was prompt the place is clean. I had the brisket and baby back ribs both were great. Brisket was moist and tender ribs were well seasoned. Tried the red beans and rice they were great After Kansas, Oklahoma,Texas,Louisiana and Tennessee what a surprise to find great BBQ in Illinois! We will be back
(5)Michael B.
This establishment was on my bucket list while I was down visiting my son down near Carbondale, IL. and I must say we were not disappointed. We both had the two meat special. I had the brisket and baby backs with the brisket green beans which were awesome. My son had the brisket pulled pork with mac and cheese. Tried some of his Mac and cheese and it was great. I even bought a bottle of their sauce and rub for home. Wish they had one up here in northern Illinois.
(5)Jeff A.
Great place with a great atmosphere. Pulled pork is the best I've had anywhere. A must have if you're visiting the Southern Illinois area.
(5)Rick W.
Food was good. Atmosphere was nice. However, the price was a bit much for what we got. The sauce is good but was different from what I expected. If I go back I think I'll get the ribs.
(3)Chip P.
Had the brisket sandwich & cole slaw - enjoyed it very much!
(4)Jeremy W.
Arrived at 9 on a Saturday evening, and the hostess was very accommodating for our group if 8 and split us between two tables. After ordering our waiter went AWOL for an hour with nary an update about why happened to our food. After flagging down another waitress finally, she let us know that our food would be out in a bit, which it was. Overall, the food was alright, nothing special and certainly not award winning. I gave a 1 star based on service and food quality, with service very much negatively contributing against my rating. The manager did stop by to offer us his apologies, but didn't forwardly offer any incentive (I.e. Free drinks), it felt like he wanted a negotiation, which wasn't what any of us wanted after a long and tiring evening.
(1)Kevin K.
Excellent Food. Great Atmosphere. Great place for a casual nice dinner. BBQ is some of the best I've had in the Midwest. Great Place!
(5)Dygo T.
Award-winning ribs were fantastic! If I ever pass through Murphysboro, this would be my place to go. The waitress, and possibly the rest of the joint, although adorable, seemed like she had never seen Asian siblings before. So walking in was real awkward- you know, the Western movie saloon pause where everyone turns to look at who just came through the door. Luckily, the food was amazing. The flavor of the barbecue was deep- I could taste all the different spices and seasonings mingling in my mouth with every bite. Very distinctive and interesting use of apple sauce as part of the BBQ sauce. Gotta say the coleslaw was a huge disappointment though- was like chopped up cucumbers. And no bread while we waited for our entree. The atmosphere is very cozy though, and you can read all about the greatness of this place (4-time world champion!) while you wait. Not too expensive (it's BBQ), and perfect portions.
(4)Linda K.
Had dinner there last night. Service was excellent. Had a locally brewed beer - Saluki Dawg Dunkleman which was excellent. I had the twofer of ribs and beef brisket. Ribs were good - not great- a bit dry with good but not overpowering smoke with good balance of spice. Suspect they had sat in the kitchen for a while. Brisket was excellent. My wife had the BBQ chicken and that was ridiculously good. Sides were solid -red beans and rice were tangy complemented nicely with a little heat from the smoked sausage pieces. Cucumber/tomato salad was drowning in a bath of vinegar and spices.
(3)Joshua Y.
I had the BBQ at Big Apple BBQ in NYC. I had a bite or two and threw it would, no sauce, no flavor, not tender...beans weren't bad
(1)Matt S.
Great ambience. Very good bbq. Worth the stop of you are in the area. The 2 meat platter was plenty of food and could be shared if you're not all that hungry.
(5)Amanda M.
My husband and I just recently had 17th street cater our wedding reception and I have nothing but compliments for the business. We have both eaten here many times in the past and couldn't think of anything we wanted more to celebrate our day. Living in Denver, we don't often get to experience good barbeque, certainly nothing that holds a candle to 17th Street. They were incredibly easy and friendly to work with, even when we couldn't make up our minds and ended up ordering way too many choices. The food was perfect (most of the wedding guests took the time to find us and let us know several times), there was plenty for everyone including seconds and an enormous pile of leftovers the next day, and they were incredibly accommodating, even bringing their own decorations that fit with ours. I would recommend 17th street without hesitation for any meal and definitely for any catered event.
(5)David P.
'Holy SMOKE!' had the pleasure of having their bbq this weekend in NYC for the big apple bbq event. i have to say, you guys in murphysboro are super lucky to have this great bbq joint. their bbq pork ribs are amazing and succulent. didn't even need sauce! AND their baked beans are amazingly awesome and seasoned superbly. i can't wait until next year! and btw, go blackhawks (2010, 2013 and hopefully 2015 NHL champions!; i'm originally from chi town)
(5)