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Uptown Pizza & BBQ
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Uptown Pizza & BBQ
7.6
A Chicago-style neighborhood counter where the BBQ side is about rib tips, hot links, and combo-plate practicality rather than slow-smoked theatrics. It’s at its best as a fast, filling takeout play—pick one BBQ centerpiece, add fries, and keep it moving.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ rib tips, BBQ ribs, Hot links combo plate
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: No-frills Uptown staple for rib tips and BBQ combos on a budget.
Who should go: Takeout-first BBQ cravings and big appetites.
When to visit: Evening for a hearty, low-effort dinner.
What to order: BBQ rib tips, ribs, hot links combo.
Insider tip: Order one BBQ combo and stop—too many add-ons dull the best bites.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on nearby residential blocks; can be tight in the evenings, especially weekends.
Dress code: Very casual—hoodies, jeans, work clothes all fit right in.
Noise level: Low to moderate—mostly counter traffic and takeout flow rather than dining-room buzz.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes for food during peak hours; seating is limited and takeout moves faster.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Very limited—mostly sides like fries; not a destination for vegetarians.
Vegan options: No meaningful vegan options beyond basic sides.
Gluten-free options: Limited—BBQ meats may be gluten-free, but cross-contact is likely and buns/sauces are not separated.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it’s more about fast, messy comfort food than atmosphere or lingering conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there’s no reservation system, but seating is minimal; plan on takeout if it’s busy.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes in a practical sense—simple menu, quick service—but it’s more grab-and-go than a sit-down family meal.
Best For
Better for: Quick, affordable rib tips and combo plates when you want filling BBQ without a wait or high prices.
Skip if: You’re looking for slow-smoked barbecue, a full dine-in experience, or broader menu depth.
Uptown Pizza & BBQ
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
A neighborhood standby that treats wings like a full meal option—seasoned, sauced, and paired with classic sides. It’s best when you order like a regular: one wing style, one sauce, and let the no-frills comfort do the work.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hot wings (mango habanero), BBQ wings, Rib tips
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: Wings offered as hearty, side-ready plates in a classic local shop.
Who should go: Budget comfort-food regulars
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for quick service
What to order: Hot wings, BBQ wings, rib tips
Insider tip: Pick one sauce and stick to it—wings land best without over-ordering.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on nearby blocks; usually manageable on weeknights, tighter on weekends after 6pm.
Dress code: Very casual — jeans, hoodies, and work clothes are all normal.
Noise level: Moderate — kitchen and counter activity create background noise, but conversation is easy.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak hours; longer only for large orders.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait; order-and-go pacing.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — fries, sides, and pizza options; wings are the clear focus.
Vegan options: Very limited — fries and basic sides only; not a destination for vegan dining.
Gluten-free options: Limited — wings may be gluten-free depending on prep, but cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date — it’s casual, food-forward, and better suited for comfort eating than conversation-driven impressions.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — reservations aren’t a thing here. Walk in, order, and seating turns quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — casual environment, simple menu, and flexible seating make it easy for kids and families.
Best For
Better for: Affordable, filling wing plates that eat like a full meal rather than a snack.
Skip if: You want crisp, sauce-nuanced wings or a sit-down dining experience — look elsewhere for finesse.
Uptown Pizza & BBQ
7.8
A neighborhood counter-style stop where ribs and rib tips are the point—charcoal-cooked, sauced, and built for a fast, filling takeout plate. Skip over-ordering; one ribs-or-tips platter plus a simple side is the cleanest way to get the best bite.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ ribs platter, Rib tips platter, Uptown combo (ribs + rib tips)
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Charcoal-cooked ribs and rib tips in a no-fuss takeout format.
Who should go: Rib-tip regulars and quick dinner grabbers
When to visit: Weeknights before the dinner rush
What to order: Rib tips, BBQ ribs, Uptown combo platter
Insider tip: Choose either ribs or tips as the anchor—don’t split focus with pizza.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; usually manageable on surrounding residential blocks, tighter during dinner hours.
Dress code: Ultra-casual—jeans, hoodies, work clothes all normal.
Noise level: Low—mostly takeout traffic with short counter interactions.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes for food during peak; seating is limited.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Very limited—fries and a few sides only.
Vegan options: Not a strong option; sides may work but cross-contact is likely.
Gluten-free options: Limited—meat-based plates without bread are possible, but no dedicated gluten-free prep.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—this is a quick, messy, counter-style rib stop better suited for casual takeout than conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there’s no reservation system, but seating is minimal and many orders are to-go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who like ribs or fries; there’s no kids menu or special seating.
Best For
Better for: Fast, affordable rib tips and ribs when you want smoky flavor without a sit-down commitment.
Skip if: You want a full-service BBQ experience, broader sides, or a comfortable dine-in setting.
Uptown Pizza & BBQ
7.7
A no-frills neighborhood counter where the pizza lane overlaps with a bigger comfort-food menu, making it a practical “feed people cheaply” stop. Stick to classic thin crust (or one specialty pie if you’re curious) and treat everything else as optional add-ons.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicago-style thin crust (tavern cut), Taco pizza, Pepperoni thin crust
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.1
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Budget-first pizza and comfort-food utility in a true neighborhood takeout format.
Who should go: Value hunters and casual takeout regulars
When to visit: Weekday dinner for the fastest turnaround
What to order: Thin-crust pizza, taco pizza, pepperoni pie
Insider tip: Order one pizza style and stay in that lane—mixing categories dilutes the value.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally manageable on surrounding residential blocks, but can tighten up during evening hours.
Dress code: Very casual—jeans, hoodies, and everyday wear are the norm.
Noise level: Low to moderate; mostly counter-service noise with limited lingering crowds.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes for food during peak hours; seating is limited.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; orders move quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—cheese and veggie pizzas are easy to order without modifications.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with sauce and veggie toppings if you skip cheese, but not a dedicated focus.
Gluten-free options: Unclear—no consistent gluten-free pizza program; cross-contamination likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—this is a utility takeout spot with minimal ambiance, better for convenience than romance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there’s no reservation system, but seating is limited and many people opt for takeout.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick meals—simple pizzas and casual setup work for kids, though it’s not designed for long sit-downs.
Best For
Better for: Cheap, filling pizza and comfort food when value and speed matter more than atmosphere.
Skip if: You want a sit-down pizza experience, strong service, or a more focused, higher-quality pizza program.