Big Ed's BBQ

American Restaurants in Waukegan, Illinois

4.7 (3,119)

CategoryAmerican Restaurants Β· Bar & grill
Address651 Lakehurst Rd, Waukegan, IL 60085
AreaWaukegan, Illinois
Phone(847) 473-5333
Google rating 4.7 (3,119)

Hours

MondayClosed
Tuesday11 am–8 pm
Wednesday11 am–8 pm
Thursday11 am–8 pm
Friday11 am–9 pm
Saturday11 am–9 pm
Sunday11 am–7 pm

About Big Ed's BBQ

Located at 651 Lakehurst Rd, Waukegan, IL 60085, Big Ed's BBQ operates as an american restaurant serving Waukegan in Illinois. This page gathers the practical details people usually look for before visiting: where it is, how to reach it, when it opens and how customers rate it. Google also lists it under bar & grill, which is worth knowing if you are comparing several options in the area.

Because this group is broad, recent reviews and photos are a better guide than the category alone. Most kitchens in Waukegan will adjust a dish for common dietary needs such as vegetarian or gluten-free if you ask when ordering. Hours vary widely: bars open late and cafes close early. Happy-hour pizza deals are common at bars across Illinois on weekday afternoons, and many casual restaurants take reservations online through third-party platforms while fast-food spots are walk-in only.

The business lists hours on 6 days of the week. The most common schedule is 11 am–8 pm. It is closed on Monday. As with most places, expect changes around holidays; the phone number below is the fastest way to confirm. The listed phone number is (847) 473-5333. Many businesses also reply to text messages on the same number if it is a cell phone. More information is available on its website, bigedsllc.com.

On Google it holds a rating of 4.7 out of 5 from 3,119 reviews, which is a strong result for an american restaurant in Waukegan and suggests consistent service.

Waukegan is in Illinois, in the Midwest, where summers are warm, winters are cold and snowy, and most errands are done by car; businesses keep steady year-round hours with the usual holiday changes. Getting around Waukegan is easiest by car; street parking is metered in busy downtown areas, and most suburban businesses have their own lot. Ride-share apps such as Uber and Lyft operate across Illinois's larger cities, and public transit varies from extensive to minimal.

Looking for alternatives? Browse all american restaurants in Waukegan or explore other categories in the area from the links below. If you own or manage Big Ed's BBQ, you can claim this listing to correct details, add photos and a description, and receive a verified badge. Everyone else can help by leaving an honest review on Google after a visit.

Is this your business? Claim this listing to update details, add photos and get a verified badge; every verified claim gives $1 to charity. Want more customers? Feature it at the top of american restaurants in Waukegan.

Latest Google reviews

The 5 most recent reviews shown on Google Maps. Reviews belong to their authors; read all of them on Google.

Eric Balter 2 months ago

After being recommended Big Ed's for good BBQ by a coworker last year, I placed Big Ed's on my "want to go" list if I was ever in the area. After my visit today Big Ed's is fully established in my mind as a valid reason to come up north all by itself. I had a Fat Boy sandwich which was pulled pork and brisket and it was a beautiful thing. The Chipotle Maple sauce was a fantastic compliment to the meats and the sandwich was very filling. The workers were great and very friendly as well. Easy to say, Big Ed's came up BIG.

Andy 2 months ago

Been wanting to try this spot for a while now! The restaurant was nice and clean inside, and the staff was friendly and helpful. I ordered the Big Ed's Dinner Combo with brisket and ribs, plus fries, mac & cheese, cornbread, and a slice of key lime pie. The fries, cornbread, and mac & cheese were all really good. The brisket, however, was a bit dry and stiff. The ribs had great flavor and were tender, but both meats could have been served warmer. I think keeping the meat hotter would make a big difference. The key lime pie was delicious and definitely something I'd come back for. They also have some really good sauces.

Aphro Kupid 3 months ago

Based on the 4.7-star rating, I came in expecting great barbecue, but unfortunately, this place did not live up to the hype. I ordered the beef brisket plate, and the brisket was dry and lacked the tenderness and flavor you expect from good barbecue. The macaroni and cheese was overly soft, almost mushy, and the baked beans were just average. Even the cornbread was on the dry side. To make matters worse, the barbecue sauce was thin and watery, which did little to add flavor or improve the meal. At nearly $28 for the plate, the quality simply didn't match the price. I also ordered the pulled pork sandwich, and the pulled pork had very little flavor. The fries were greasy and didn't add much to the meal. Overall, the food felt bland, underwhelming, and overpriced. Unfortunately, our experience was a lot of money for food that just didn't deliver.

Gwendolyn Elder 4 months ago

We really enjoyed our first visit to Ed’s. While the atmosphere is pretty simple, the food is exactly what you hope for in memorable BBQ. My biggest worry with any BBQ joint is that the food will be too salty. We had BBQ at a few places in Dallas and all I could ever taste was salt. This is where Big Ed’s impressed us the most. The flavors were balanced, they didn’t have to rely on salt to make the food interesting. Recommended: The Ribs. We got the Combo platter and the ribs were a generous portion. Granted, I know prices aren’t low, but at least you get a fair portion. And each rib was nice is size, not so small that you only get meat on one side, both sides were packed with beautifully smoked, perfectly seasoned fall off the bone meat. The Sausage. This was the star of the show. I am super picky about sausage and wouldn’t normally order it, but the pictures and reviews made me take a chance on this one. It is SO good. Again, not overly salty, but well balanced, super juicy and packed with flavor. The Beans: my husband wasn’t as enamored as I was, but these beans are really good. A wonderful savory and slightly sweet pairing for the meat. The Baked Mac & Cheese: solid Mac

Tim Haeussler 4 months ago

Surprised I haven't updated my review since the move to their new bigger location. It's really something else. Large bar area and separate to-go station. Hard to say what's my favorite, but ribs and burnt ends are up there. I have to make my way in on a Tuesday for a smashburger. The dinners come with 2 sides and a cornbread muffin. Good luck trying to finish, you'll need a nap. Super friendly staff that help out with your special requests. Dining room tables are cared for by the staff. Owner is a great pit master that puts his heart and soul into each piece of meat.

All reviews on Google β†—

Frequently asked questions

Where is Big Ed's BBQ located?

Big Ed's BBQ is at 651 Lakehurst Rd, Waukegan, IL 60085, in Waukegan, Illinois. Use the β€œOpen in Google Maps” button on this page for directions.

What kind of business is Big Ed's BBQ?

Big Ed's BBQ is listed as an american restaurant and is also tagged on Google as bar & grill.

What are the hours of Big Ed's BBQ?

Published hours are Monday: Closed; Tuesday: 11 am–8 pm; Wednesday: 11 am–8 pm; Thursday: 11 am–8 pm; Friday: 11 am–9 pm; Saturday: 11 am–9 pm; Sunday: 11 am–7 pm. It is closed on Monday. Hours can change on holidays, so call before a special trip.

Is Big Ed's BBQ open on Sunday?

Yes, on Sunday it is open 11 am–7 pm.

What is the phone number of Big Ed's BBQ?

You can call Big Ed's BBQ at (847) 473-5333.

How is Big Ed's BBQ rated on Google?

Big Ed's BBQ has a Google rating of 4.7 out of 5 from 3,119 reviews.

Does Big Ed's BBQ have a website?

Yes, the website of Big Ed's BBQ is bigedsllc.com (linked on this page).

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