Me and my Husband wanted BBQ, we were driving down North Ave and this place popped up. Reluctantly we went in although we didn't smell any BBQ in the air. Once inside we still didnt smell BBQ but we was there so we tried it. NEVER again will I eat from another BBQ place if I do not smell BBQ in air. I ordered the rib tip dinner and my husband the pull pork sandwich. I got fries and cole slaw and my husband cole slaw and potatoe salad. I immediately gave the cole slaw back and got mac and cheese (still not good) The meat was way under seasoned with no reason for me to believe it had ever been on a BBQ grill, and my fries was cold. My husband sandwich was under seasoned as well and the BBQ sauce well lets just say I think Ketchup would have been better. Now don't get me wrong they have been in business for almost 100 years so they got people who like and support them so do yall thang. I am disappointed with google for recommending this place to me. I know that I will NEVER eat here again and I do hope yall continue to be open for those who like it..... Russell's should not be allowed to say that their establishment is a BBQ place..... 😔

Always love coming here. Food is so time capsuled - tastes the same today as it did first time I was introduced back in 1988…. Always a fantastic meal no matter what on the menu I get. Recommend to any and all …..

I've been eating here for 50 years....always a great experience! They never disappoint.

The pork is dry, shaved, deli style meat - not pulled. If it's house made and not frozen, which I doubt, it's not smoked. At least not the way their website claims. There's no tell tale pink smoke ring. And most tellingly, the restaurant has no BBQ smell. I can't comprehend the positive reviews here for dry pre-made meat.

The Beef Brisket was really good. They have picnic tables and umbrellas in the grassy area by the parking lot. Makes for a really nice place to relax and have lunch without being stuck inside. The also have a drive thru now. That is a new feature since the pandemic started. I used to come here as a kid and I still love it as much (or maybe even more) now as I did back then.

Went on Wed about 5pm. Mushrooms were extra salty, rib tip dinner was old tips they were hard and seemed to be baked not smoked, very chewy no sauce. Coleslaw is better at Popeye. I will not be going back there! I don't know why the other reviews are 5 stars very hard to believe 😕

Russell's Barbecue in Elmwood Park isn't just a spot to eat; it's a trip down memory lane. During my latest visit, I was instantly transported to my younger days, with the echoes of 50’s and 60’s classics setting the mood. This establishment beautifully juxtaposes its old-school aura with modern touches, like the state-of-the-art self-serve beverage machines, making it a unique blend of the past and present. While their pulled pork tantalizes with its sweet and smoky notes, it's the BBQ Chicken that truly stands out. It's not only delectable but also one of the few places that serve such a generously-sized, juicy chicken. Additionally, their extensive BBQ menu, featuring a range of ribs and chicken, is nothing short of perfection. The warm embrace of the venue, combined with the sincere Midwestern hospitality of the staff, conjures a setting where nostalgia intertwines with modernity. A meal at Russell's goes beyond the palate. It's an experience, a chance to cherish old memories and make new ones in a venue that masterfully bridges eras.

I've been coming here all my life.. my parents all their live. My grandparents started coming here when they were kids. Their bbq sauce is awesome, and I put that shyt on everything. I have at least one bbq beef sandwich every time I go. It has grow over the year more seating inside and outside. Thanks to covid they have a drive through now first time at the Elmwood Park location in 90yrs. They have video gaming now and is awesome room. Only downfall is that Russell's would be its bathrooms. When I was 12yrs the size of the bathroom was great, but now, as an adult you have to turn sideway just to walk in the bathroom door and I think the gambling room is bigger that both bathrooms put together. I hope maybe for their 100th anniversary they have a new and bigger bathroom.

First time coming in and it was great. The server was polite and knowledgeable. The service fast. I picked up the BBQ Brisket sandwich meal with fries. Drink sold separately. The Brisket was perfectly cooked, came apart easily. The Hawaiian bun was soft and heavenly. The fries really surprised me. They weren't over fried. The only real downside was that there was only one type of BBQ sause. It had an apple sause flavor. It was good. I just was expecting more from the sause. Will definitely come back to try the rest of the menu.

We hadn't been here in several years and we were so excited to eat here again. We ordered the pulled beef and pulled chicken meals that come with a hot and a cold side. We had fries, coleslaw, pasta salad and baked potato. Delicious! Especially when you dip fries in their iconic bbq sauce. The sauce has remained the same yummy flavor as always. I swear I could drink it! Even though we live 35 minutes away, we need to start coming here again on a regular basis.

I wish there was a star less then 1. I don’t care how hungry you are don’t waste your time here. My rib tips were like little beef jerky pieces, sides were in cups think they were in the freezer and thawed as needed (potato salad) and only God knows what was in the baked beans straight out the can would have been better. The restaurant smelled like it’s been closed up needs to be aired out or deep cleaned. It just wasn’t it for me at all. I asked for a refund and I will never look back at this place

This is a Chicago area classic. You walk through the door and you feel like you're back in the 50s or 60s. The food isn't overly complex and it isn't going to blow you away with presentation, but you can bet your butt it'll taste the exact same when you come back years later. Consistency is key and Russell's always delivers a solid meal. Pro Tip: Get the roasted pork sandwich. It's the best thing on the menu, hands down!

Russell's has completely declined. They continually mess up my orders so need to check them at the time of pickup. Was just there tonight to pickup a phoned in drive thru order. They forgot the french fries with my cheeseburger dinner. Had to park and and go inside to let them know and wait for the fries to be made. No apologies from any of the staff. They don't care. Also some genius making the food thinks you put pumpkin seeds all over a chicken Ceasar salad. Place was completely dead on a Saturday night so obviously I'm not the only one who's tired of the poor service. The owner needs to get it together.

Cool place but ….$24 for 2 italian beef like Sandwiches what the heck is this? Bone with some chopped up meat or so going back to Johnny’s!!!! For Italian combo!!!!

Ordered the smoked brisket meal and the only thing extraordinary about it was how completely ordinary it was. No obvious Smoky smell or flavor and rather dry. The fries were decent the coleslaw was basically cabbage and vinegar.. The one highlight of the trip was the young lady who took my order at the drive-up Gianni B was completely delightful. First impression is that I won't be eating there again.

The interior is awesome and classic as the neon signs. Great smoked meat and their bbq sauce is great too.

We've been coming for years. The food is okay. The service is good... people are nice. The atmosphere is very dated. Bathrooms are super small. The whole place could use some renovation and updates.

My family has been coming here for generations. I have an aunt that used to drive from Indiana to eat here! My parents still haven’t gotten past the beef. It’s that good! So delish. Thanks for all the good work Russell’s!

Pros: nice portions, ribs have great flavor , prices are decent , variety menu choices Cons: bbq sauce sucks ! It’s like watered down ketchup, Cole slaw is horrible it tastes like pickled cabbage see photo

Been going here for about 40 years. Still the same unique taste the original owners invented 👌 Pork sandwiches are awesome and fried mushrooms A+