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Carson’s Ribs Chicago’s Original #1 Essential BBQ - Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - Chicago, Chicago, IL

Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - Chicago

4.9
4.9
1944 Reviews
$30 and under
Barbecue
  • Good for groups
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for business meals
America's #1 BBQ since 1977. Carson's dedication to hearty portions and an unwavering commitment to finest quality makes it no wonder why people love Carson’s for over 45 years. Carson's slow-smoked BBQ babyback ribs are a star attraction. Other must-try items include BBQ or Greek Chicken and Chops, Salmon, Shrimp, USDA Certified Black Angus, Prime Steaks, Award-Winning Cole Slaw, homemade salad dressings, homemade corn bread, scratch-made potato sides, homemade desserts and more. Located conveniently in Streeterville, nearby Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue on Ogden Slip of Chicago River in a tastefully renovated cozy warehouse space with exposed brick and wooden beams over 100 years old. Above the glow of candlelight, the likes of Frank Sinatra, Michael Jordan, and hundreds of other notable Carson's fans join you in your meal. Come see why Carson's is a quintessential ONE AND ONLY #1 BBQ landmark restaurant in Chicago serving award winning competition style BBQ and Prime Steaks.

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 PM
Booked 41 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Barbecue, Steak, American
  • Hours of operation
    Fri, Sat 11:30 am–11:00 pm Sun 11:30 am–10:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 3:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (312) 280-9200
  • Website
    http://ribs.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Catering
    Carson’s Prime Steaks and Famous Barbecue now has a beautiful event space to host large parties. Our Classic Chicago River Room can be reserved for large private events for complete sit down dinners with a private bar. The River Room has lovely views of Ogden Slip and City lights, exposed brick, wood beams, picture windows, tablecloths, waiter service, full bar and wine list. Aside from our River Room, we have a fabulous large stand alone private dining room table perfect for elegant celebratory occasions. Carson’s is an authentic Chicago family owned and operated restaurant since 1977 which delivers a PERSONAL TOUCH hard to find elsewhere. We serve Delicious Award Winning Barbecue, Prime or Angus Steaks, Chops, Chicken, Shrimp, and Salmon. Desserts, side dishes, and cornbread are also HOMEMADE. Large carry out orders are available for pick up. Please contact Party Planner Nick (323) 540-4888 You may also feel free to contact owner Dean Carson at 773-310-1000
  • Private party facilities
    Carson’s Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue has beautiful event space to host large parties. We welcome you to contact us to discuss your party needs and reserve your important date.
  • Private party contact
    Nick Herrera: (323) 540-4888
  • Location
    465 E. Illinois Street, Chicago, IL 60611
  • Neighborhood
    Gold Coast / Streeterville
  • Cross street
    Lake Shore Drive
  • Parking details
    4-HOUR SELF PARKING AVAILABLE FOR ONLY $12 at Downtown Chicago in Streeterville. Self-park directly across the street; enter on Illinois Street at Parkview Garage - 456 E Illinois St. The garage is UNDERGROUND below One Bennett Park. Please validate your ticket at Carson's front desk at the end of your visit. For questions, call 312-280-9200.
  • Public transit
    CTA 66 Chicago Bus - Eastbound toward Navy Pier | Take the CTA Red Line "L" to Grand & State, then walk or bus 7 blocks east on Illinois Street.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 1,944 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

1,944 Reviews

  1. Lynn

    Chicago

    55 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    55 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Carson’s is consistently good and yesterday was no exception. Jose, our waiter, was wonderful and very helpful.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Nina Michele

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This continues to be one of our go to restaurants when we go downtown! Our server Kevin was attentive and awesome!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Beth

    Orlando

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was very good, large portions Blake was personable and a little schticky. Overall a good experience. Only downside was having to ask 3 times for a condiment.

    Is this helpful?

  4. lindsay

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Forgot it was a holiday weekend and they were packed. The food is always consistent and good. Kevin our server was amazing, it seemed like maybe short staffed and he was definitely running around but never showed an inkling of in the weeds. The food is good but the service is spectacular.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Marsha

    Chicago

    53 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    53 reviews

    Dined on August 30, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Carson’s is a very chic yet comfortable place too dine. I highly recommend it.
    Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - ChicagoResponded 7 days ago
    We love your awesome review Marsha. Thank you so much for rating your dining experience at Carson’s Prime Steaks and Famous Barbecue 5 stars. Our team really appreciates your recommendation.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Sheryl

    Chicago

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on August 28, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This restaurant never disappoints! The food, the ambiance and the service are all spectacular!
    Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - ChicagoResponded on August 30, 2024
    Thank you so much, Sheryl, for your wonderful 5 star review of Carson’s Prime Steaks and Famous Barbecue. We really appreciate your kind words about our spectacular food, ambience and service. Thank you for your continued dining loyalty. It will be our pleasure to serve you again anytime.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Gentry

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 27, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We took my son to celebrate his 21st birthday at Carson’s this past Tuesday in 100° Chicago heat and when I tell you from the moment, we walked in the service and the treatment was top-tier excellent. The restaurant was nice and cool Beautiful lighting the two gentlemen that greeted us were exceptionally graceful, considering my party wasn’t there yet. Our server, Marino K , Was so gracious and so helpful With helping us decide drinks and our meals. He was very informative and the icing on the cake was they bring my baby out a birthday brownie without me even having to ask again birthday celebration we are definitely going back for any occasion.
    Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - ChicagoResponded on August 28, 2024
    Thank you, Gentry, for your glowing comments about our service staff and your dining experience. We are extremely fortunate to work with an amazing team and we are delighted to hear they treated you exceptionally. Here at Carson’s Prime Steaks and Famous Barbecue Chicago, we very much look forward to having the pleasure of welcoming you back and making more memories with you and your family.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Jose María

    Madrid

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    El sitio es muy agradable, buen ambiente, buena música, buena comida, bien servicio, nos ha encantado.
    Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - ChicagoResponded on August 28, 2024
    Gracias, Jose.

    Is this helpful?

  9. David

    Chicago

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 24, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Don't care for the 18% mandatory tip included in bill. Our wait person had 2 moments of forgetting something and also brought us the wrong bread selection. We would appreciate deciding our own tip.
    Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - ChicagoResponded on August 28, 2024
    Hi David. The recommended pretax 18% tip is calculated for guest convenience. The discretion is ultimately up to the customer. Our apologies for the confusion and bread mix up. If you would like to speak to the owner about your experience, please feel free to call Mr Dean Carson at 773-310-1000. His name and number are on every menu and website and he is very consumer centric.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Marsha

    Chicago

    53 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    53 reviews

    Dined on August 22, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Good steaks and BBQ. A casually chic place to dine.
    Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - ChicagoResponded on August 28, 2024
    Thank you, Marsha, for taking the time to provide such a positive review following your recent dining experience at Carson’s Prime Steaks and Famous Barbecue Chicago. We are delighted to hear our steaks and BBQ were great and so was our ambience. We look forward to having you dine with us again soon.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - Chicago offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (312) 280-9200.

Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - Chicago is rated 4.9 stars by 1944 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 PM
Booked 41 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - Chicago

465 E. Illinois Street, Chicago, IL 60611

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Lake Shore Drive
  • Neighborhood
    Gold Coast / Streeterville
  • Hours of operation
    Fri, Sat 11:30 am–11:00 pm Sun 11:30 am–10:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 3:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Barbecue, Steak, American
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    4-HOUR SELF PARKING AVAILABLE FOR ONLY $12 at Downtown Chicago in Streeterville. Self-park directly across the street; enter on Illinois Street at Parkview Garage - 456 E Illinois St. The garage is UNDERGROUND below One Bennett Park. Please validate your ticket at Carson's front desk at the end of your visit. For questions, call 312-280-9200.
  • Public transit
    CTA 66 Chicago Bus - Eastbound toward Navy Pier | Take the CTA Red Line "L" to Grand & State, then walk or bus 7 blocks east on Illinois Street.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://ribs.com/
  • Phone number
    (312) 280-9200
  • Catering
    Carson’s Prime Steaks and Famous Barbecue now has a beautiful event space to host large parties. Our Classic Chicago River Room can be reserved for large private events for complete sit down dinners with a private bar. The River Room has lovely views of Ogden Slip and City lights, exposed brick, wood beams, picture windows, tablecloths, waiter service, full bar and wine list. Aside from our River Room, we have a fabulous large stand alone private dining room table perfect for elegant celebratory occasions. Carson’s is an authentic Chicago family owned and operated restaurant since 1977 which delivers a PERSONAL TOUCH hard to find elsewhere. We serve Delicious Award Winning Barbecue, Prime or Angus Steaks, Chops, Chicken, Shrimp, and Salmon. Desserts, side dishes, and cornbread are also HOMEMADE. Large carry out orders are available for pick up. Please contact Party Planner Nick (323) 540-4888 You may also feel free to contact owner Dean Carson at 773-310-1000
  • Private party facilities
    Carson’s Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue has beautiful event space to host large parties. We welcome you to contact us to discuss your party needs and reserve your important date.
  • Private party contact
    Nick Herrera: (323) 540-4888
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