Lem's BBQ House   

Often passed over when rib joints are rated in the Chicagoland area, this simple storefront shoots out an aroma you can smell for blocks away. Lem's draws 'em in for its slow-smoked 'cue that's famous on the South Side. Open in the early 1950s by two brothers who came up from Mississippi, the tiny eatery reminds one of one of those roadside rib shacks in the South. It's takeout-only at this venue specializing in hickory-smoked ribs, hot links and chicken that's smothered in their secret mild or hot sauce. The neighborhood staple is not frequented by tourists or North Siders as the area's a bit off of the beaten path. For those who can't get enough of the sauce, it's sold by the quart, half-gallon and gallon.