Rub-rub-rub!!!

RUB: Great food, great service, Super Friendly People behind the counter! Always. Great parking! Centrally located.

Ravinia BBQ is OK - but if you're not around that part of HP - it's a schlep, and parking is "interesting" - the place is usually crowded, so eating there is just nuts, we always get it to go - often when we're headed back up GBR and passing by anyway.

Players Grill: Not bad, but nothing to write home about. Getting there is easy, but getting out is difficult at certain times of the day due to traffic on Deerfield Road.

Now We're Cookin' Grill:Good food, but it's been ages since we've been there because parking is a nightmare.

RUB all the way! My favorite of all the choices. I have eaten at everyone and when given the choice I'm choosing Real Urban BBQ. So is my family!

RUB, no contest. Quality, Service and Value!

I think it's important to note that because a restaurant uses bbq sauce and sells ribs, that does not mean that they are a bbq restaurant or that they even sell bbq. The word "bbq" plain & simple, means "smoked" (originating from the word barbacoa.) Furthermore, any true lover of bbq would be appalled at mentioning some of these restaurants in the same sentence as bbq.
Real Urban BBQ is the closest thing to a bbq restaurant in this area. And, if they happen to have a thick piece of brisket, it makes a very good sandwich. Also if you go, and get some fresh ribs that just came out, they are much better than average. I'd also like to mention that although Now We're Cooking Grill is certainly not a bbq restaurant, they do offer a smoked brisket that although inconsistent can be quite good.
The BBQ Pit on the other hand, should be forced to legally change their name. When we first moved to HP, we were excited to go to a place called "The BBQ Pit"; that is until we spoke to our server and found out nothing in the restaurant is smoked. I tried to explain that putting ribs in the oven and throwing some bbq sauce on them, is not bbq. But, obviously that was a wasted conversation. (Not even sure she spoke English.)
I have nothing against fried chicken with bbq sauce on it, in fact it's quite tasty. But, Ravinia BBQ certainly has no bbq to offer. For more info, see my husband's review on Yelp, it's quite amusing.

Now I am someone that is use to Texas BBQ, and I am not sure if Jeff over at Real Urban BBQ knows what that taste like. After giving RUB 3 chances a big thumbs down. I must go with one not on the list Bluegrass he slow smokes his ribs they are never dried out like RUB’s.

RUB is the bomb!! 5 stars!!

hp girl

I've been to barbecue places all over the country I also had the pleasure of meeting the owner of REAL URBAN BARBECUE and had a tour of his kitchen those BIG smokers are amazing and there is nothing like that around here the owner is a pleasant guy who loves barbecue he's passionate about what he puts out there for his customers and i think he loves to see his customers happy this man has a gift of barbecue and I have to say real urban barbecue is as close as it gets love love the brisket sandwiches and the BURNT ENDS to die for a must try however they go fast so get in early and don't be sad if there gone try the other stuff on the menu and go back again you will want to I promise the service is great but be prepared they are busy there are also things on the menu for those that don't eat meat theres fish specials almost everyday and there just as good as anything on their menu if you ask me there the winners here slow smoked meat in a real smoker thats were its at not oven baked!!!!!

I have to agree with Stacy's comment above. True barbecue is smoked, low and slow, for rich flavor and tender meat. Grilling or baking does not equal barbecue! My vote goes to Real Urban Barbecue for consistently delicious BBQ offerings, unique specials and a true friendliness with customers.

Hands down, RUB is the ONLY BBQ that I'd eat at in the HP area. Good stuff. As a matter of fact, I think I'll go there for lunch...

I never even liked BBQ because of places like The BBQ Pit which only did chicken and ribs. Once I found pulled pork and brisket years ago (plus WAY better sauces) I was on board. Only Real Urban BBQ does it that way and has the full BBQ menu. The others are typical Chicago style BBQ with no smoking the meat and thick, heavy, smoky sauce which I can't stand.

Seriously, this is a ridiculous enterprise. Of course, RUB is the best BBQ in HP. As noted above, it is the only BBQ in HP. If you count the other restaurants, which are all decent places with their own good and bad qualities, you might as well include McDonald's because they have BBQ sauce for the Nuggets. RUB does it right and is a local treasure.

The links above to the business directory and directory are broken.

RUB all the way! I ordered my Thanksgiving turkey from them and never experienced such an awesome barbecue flavor. They achieve quality - not quantity. Order your turkeys early because they only make a certain number!

SUNDANCE

Real Urban Barbecue is the top for me. It has the best smoked ribs I've ever had. I have had ribs from all over and real urban Barbecue beats out everybody. I have had the pleasure of meeting the owner Jeff Shapiro a passionate barbecue guru. I think he put barbecue on the map for highland park! I frequent the establishment quite often I bring friends and family and they feel the same as i do. There the real winners here!

RUB is amazing! My partner and myself are from Texas and Oklahoma originally. We love this place! We try every visit to get Jeff to open one in the city, it's a schlep to H.P. but, well woth it!! I would love to see fried okra eventually.......

BUTCH CASSIDY

I say give me grub at rub. all of you out there know who the real winner is here. Its the guy who smokes his food in a real smoker, travels the country tasting barbecue to perfect his own barbecue, and makes it fresh for you everyday. The other places have great food but RUB beats them in the barbecue department. GO RUUUB!!!

RUB is the best BBQ place in the 'burbs. I haven't found a place like this since I left KC. The best "burnt ends" around. Most other yuppie BBQ don't know what I'm talkin' about when I ask for em! Hope this place lives long and prospers - looking forward to their new spot in Lincolnshire.

STELLABELLA

I LOVE RUB! Everything item on the menu is delicious and made to perfection. I have tried almost everything on the menu and I think it beats every other restaurant. My vote goes to Real Urban Barbecue!!! YUMMYYY!

Z Man
Real Urban Barbecue is AWESOME from there moist rich flavored ribs, mouth watering baked beans to there zesty BBQ sauces. And let's not forget about the incredible burnt ends. There food keeps my family coming back and we live over two hours away in Wisconsin. Keep up the good work guys!

Best BBQ ever. Makes you want to come back for more!!!

Pam

I find the RUB brisket sandwich to be great! And their sauces are a delight. Nice assortment.

Ruba dub dub. I love the grub at RUB!!!!!!!

Players Grill is by far the best. I come from a far away suburb to eat. Their food is always consistent! I know when I come here to eat the product is always gonna be great!! I have been to other places in HP and have never had a pulled pork sandwich as good as I do at players. Also their brisket sandwich is so tender and their ribs are excellent! I will not go any where else on the northshore for BBQ!!!!

RUB is the tops. I love the burnt end sandwich!

RUB has been featured on Chicago's Best, channel 7 Hungrey Hounds, FOX tv, in Chicago magazine and today when I was there for lunch was being filmed for 190 North! That says it all! I've never seen the other restaurants on TV so much! RUB has put HP on the map with its fabulous food!

i agree with the comment above from alex. if you compare players grill, you may as well put mcdonalds in the running. my kids do like their nuggets...
dont get me wrong, i do love the max sandwich at players but dont call them a bbq place. sorry patch... not a fair fight this time. rub is the only and best bbq in hp.

Got to be Real Urban! I've been following Jeff's BBQ for years now. Like it enough to drive from Bensenville to Highland Park to get it. Keep up the great work!

I agree and disagree with Joe - give RUB one more chance, but make sure you ask for the ribs that have not been sitting in the warmer. It took me 3 (1 great and 2 terrible) times to figure out that the ones coming out of the warmer bite @%$@. When they come out 'fresh', they are actually very good and definitely better than Bluegrass (although Bluegrass is better than any others mentioned here).

PLAYERS GRILL!! Players Grill has the best BBQ in Highland Park. Although its not strictly BBQ and doesn't have BBQ in the title like many of the other places, it offers some of the best barbecue dishes. Ribs that don't fall off the bone and are cooked to perfection. BBQ beef sandwiches, BBQ chicken sandwiches, and ask for BBQ burger with anything you want on it (I personally suggest bacon, grilled onions, and American cheese). BBQ chicken, BBQ brisket, BBQ your steak, heck, put BBQ on anything because Players has the best BBQ sauce, period.

Understand the competition has nothing to do with parking, service, location, value, or any other factors mentioned. The contest explicitly asks "Where is the best barbecue in Highland Park?" which in itself does not define the term "barbecue", Stacy. While barbecue is traditionally the method of slow cooking the meat for a number of hours, barbecue is also a verb which refers to the act of cooking on a grill and traditionally using, you guessed it, BBQ sauce. Hence why we all say "Lets have a BBQ" on a nice warm summer day, I doubt you let your meat slow cook or smoke before you have a "Barbecue". So lets all please refrain from lecturing, as I just unwittingly did, and vote on the best food that uses BBQ sauce, which is hands down PLAYERS GRILL.

The votes don't seem to agree with these comments, besides Fred, because if they did rub would be in the lead, which thankfully it IS NOT! GO PLAYERS!

Real Urban BBQ ... No one can meet the challenge.... tantalizing aroma upon entering the restaurant...superb service... aesthetics astounding... sweet, mouth watering delight...better than your mama's sauce can drench the melt in your mouth delicate meat of your choice !

Really Alexander? There are people who drive all over the country for BBQ, but now we'll have to spread the word... just go to Player's for a burger with American cheese, bacon & bbq sauce... Watch out Texas - I think your tourism will drop after word on Players Grill gets out....
Let's not even get into the horrible service there, because that has nothing to do with their bbq.
Actually, someone's gotta keep Player's in business... thanks!

The Brisket and Ribs from Real Urban are to die for. It's nice to see the smokers and know it's coming from there - true BBQ

I live in Crystal Lake, but I am from HP and I go back often. RUB is extraordinary! I make sure I go most every trip there. It's authentic BBQ and one of the best in all of Chicagoland.

RUB is amazing! Player's Grill...seriously...that's just a hole in the wall place! RUB has quality BBQ unlike Player's Grill!

RUB has the best Grub....

Rub is the best BBQ.

BLUEGRASS!!!

bluegrass?

STASH"S!!! they have everything else!!