Test Kitchen BBQ - Waukegan (IL)

5 /5 Jon Reus: First time ordering— order at the drive-thru- 8-price mixed chicken 1 large mashed and gravy 1 large red bean and rice 2 biscuits/2 cornbread 1 lbs ribs Total was about $60 Took about 10 minutes to make the order. Chicken are crisp and tasted very similar to the old Browns that they combined with and took over. Very moist and cooked perfectly. Sides were all fairly tasty Ribs are seasoned nicely, really liked their sauce. For $60 there is easily enough to feed 4-5 people so $12-$15 per person is not bad in 2025. I’ll definitely order the chicken again, I’m not a high fan of smoked meats.

1 /5 gregory noel: I wanted to try the test kitchen because someone told me that it was good I usually go to Big Eds where I know the food is good and safe. I decided to go to The Test Kitchen on January 1st 2026 I was the Third customer in the door at first I thought oh what a nice place thought the food might be good I ordered my meal brisket rib tips and the guy threw in some turkey tips. I ate half of my meal there and took the rest with me a few hours later my stomach began to start cramping later that night tried to go to sleep and ended up waking up to vomit five times I ended up going to the hospital at 4:00 in the morning where I was diagnosed with food poisoning. I experienced diarrhea vomiting stomach cramps and a fever lasted for about another 24 hours I then called The Test Kitchen to let them know of my experience. They did not want to hear it they told me theyve been in business for however many years and nothing has ever happened before. They treated me like I was lying and that I made it up I told them that if they wanted to see my Hospital paperwork I was fine showing it to them they did not want to see it because they didnt want to be wrong this was the only food I ate that day and the only place I ate I ended up getting food poisoning and I want this to be a warning to everyone who goes to the Test Kitchen youre gambling with your health. This is the first time in all my years that I have ever experienced food poisoning and Ive been around for a while and I am a food connoisseur whos been to a lot of decent places where you dont get sick. What shocked me most of all is that the Test Kitchen did not want to even acknowledge that I got sick they wanted to treat me as it never happened at first all I wanted was my money back and I was told I would get a call in a few days I never got a call and never got my money back I called him several more times to give them the opportunity to make things right and I would just go away but they did not. They wanted to pretend that it didnt happen so I proceeded to call the health department and Im proceeding to post for everyone to know what they are walking into at The Test Kitchen if you value your health you will still clear of the Test Kitchen big heads is a much better place where I have never got sick. I hope the $62 that you made off of me was worth the 62 plus that you are going to lose because no one wants to get sick at a restaurant that does not appreciate its customers. And that makes them sick.

5 /5 eric dixon: SIMPLY THE BEST. This is the best BBQ and service I have ever had. Blows Big Ed’s out the water at half the price. For $19 dollars I got 9 ribs, 2 sides(7 corn fritters and large cup of mac and cheese), cornbread, pickles, and a large cup of sauce. The bbq is unbelievable. It’s the perfect balance of seasoning and sauce. Many places focus soley on seasoning and have no glaze, this place has an excellent glaze on their meat. Their food is also not overly fatty and greasy like many places. The nicest workers I’ve ever met. They let me taste test some meats and turkey were fun to talk to. I walked in and ordered and was served in less than 5 min. If you want good bbq that doesn’t make you feel horrible, is cheap, and feels welcoming - ditch big Ed’s. Come here !!!