Russell's Barbecue   

Russell's casual family atmosphere, super affordable prices and remarkable barbeque sauce have been keeping the picnic-type tables filled with gratified patrons since 1930. With eight different kids' meals (that include fries, cole slaw or applesauce and a treat) checking in at around $3.15 each, expect lots of families placing their orders at the cashier and snagging seats in the expansive dining area. Listen for your number and tote your paper plated barbeque back to your seat, and ready the buds for an actual taste sensation -- Russell's sauce is very different from every other 'que sauce you've ever tried. The kitchen puts just a smear on the thinly sliced beef (or pork, ham and fish) sandwich, but feel free to squirt more to your mouth's content. Sather the sauce upon the plump half chicken, too. Russell's baby back ribs are smoky, tender and meaty and are a bargain at $12.75 for a full slab plus fries and slaw. Popular sides include corn on the cob, soup, baked beans, broccoli and cheese puffs, mozzarella sticks, and oversized onion rings. If you can't make it to the Elmwood Park or Rolling Meadows locations very often, consider buying a bottle of Russell's Barbecue Sauce ($2.50) to take home.