Lem's Bar-B-Q
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1954 in Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Founder | Myles Lemons |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Area served | Chicago metropolitan area |
Key people | William D. Lemons, Jr. (culinary director), Carmen Lemons (owner), Lynn Walker (owner) |
| Products | Barbecue (notably rib tips, fried chicken, barbecue chicken, hot links) |
Lem's Bar-B-Q is a barbecue restaurant situated in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood, acclaimed for its distinctive rib tips, which Eater has dubbed the city's "most renowned rib tips."
History
Established in 1954 by entrepreneur Myles Lemons within the Greater Grand Crossing area of Chicago, Lem's Bar-B-Q was initially a family-run venture alongside his brothers Bruce and James. The Lemons siblings, who originated from Indianola, Mississippi, moved to Chicago in 1948 with the goal of launching a barbecue enterprise. In 1968, they broadened their operations by inaugurating a second outlet in Chatham, where they debuted their now-famous rib tips. The first location in Greater Grand Crossing was eventually shuttered.
In 2006, Lem's secured trademark rights to solidify its brand identity. A decade later, in 2018, the company took legal action to protect its intellectual property by sending a cease and desist notice to Chicago Brewhouse over the unauthorized usage of "Lem's BBQ Sauce" on their offerings.
James Lemons, the final surviving brother involved in managing the business and serving as a key executive, died in 2015 at age 87. Following his passing, ownership passed to his daughters, Carmen Lemons and Lynn Walker, who continue to oversee operations. The culinary direction is led by William D. Lemons, Jr., who upholds the establishment’s traditional cooking standards.
Cuisine
The hallmark of Lem's menu is its rib tips, introduced at the Chatham location in 1968 and hailed as an "iconic" item by Eater. These rib tips are smoked using a unique aquarium-style smoker and completed over hickory wood embers, delivering a smoky and tangy flavor profile. As reported in 2016, approximately 360 slabs of rib tips are sold weekly, indicating robust consumer demand. The barbecue sauce, integral to Lem’s signature taste, is crafted daily from the original family recipe. Alongside rib tips, the menu includes fried chicken, barbecue chicken, and hot links to accommodate varied tastes.
Reception
Lem's Bar-B-Q enjoys a distinguished reputation within the American barbecue scene, being referred to as a "barbecue icon" by Eater and celebrated as a "civic treasure" by the Chicago Reader. It earned a spot on Eater's list of essential Chicago barbecue establishments in 2019 and has received national recognition from both Time Out and Zagat for its exceptional quality and consistency. The restaurant’s prestige has been elevated by visits from prominent figures such as Aretha Franklin and basketball star Scottie Pippen.