Top-notch meats and sides make Sanders a destination BBQ spot - Review - Chicago - The Infatuation
"During a visit to Sanders, someone loudly exclaimed to a friend, “This is the best cornbread I’ve ever had. I never come here without ordering it.” And after eating multiple trays of various smoked meats and sides at this Texas-style BBQ spot in Beverly, we’ll happily join the loud public praises because the food here is excellent. The juicy rib tips slathered in BBQ sauce are sweet, snackable, and truly worthy of the “meat candy” nickname. Rich gumbo comes with smoky oxtail where the meat and bone separate effortlessly like an amicable divorce. And that sweet potato cornbread works equally well as a brisket sidekick or as a dessert. Even when the brisket is slightly dry, the salt and pepper-crusted bark makes up for it. Sanders’ dining room is often busy with regulars grabbing weekday lunch or picking up take-out for dinner. But the ideal Sanders experience involves eating on their secluded patio and making good use of their BYOB policy—cornbread is mandatory. photo credit: John Ringor Food Rundown Brisket The brisket is incredibly flavorful and smoky, but it’d be a crime not to give the thick bark its own shoutout. It’s crusted with plenty of crunchy salt and pepper bits, adding a nice texture contrast to the juicy meat. photo credit: John Ringor Ribs Sanders’ ribs are full of so much smoky and peppery flavor, we’d gladly eat these naked. But if you like your ribs saucy, the spicy BBQ made with chipotle peppers or punchy mustard BBQ are our favorite. photo credit: John Ringor Rib Tips If you want a taste of their delicious smoked pork ribs but don’t want to deal with bones, get these little one-bite pieces with a balanced mix of tender cartilage and fat. photo credit: John Ringor Oxtail Gumbo Naturally, the oxtail deserves a lot of praise. It’s buttery, thoroughly coated in their delicious salt and pepper rub. But the gumbo doesn’t just hang out in the background either—the stew is rich and loaded with okra, beef, and rice. photo credit: John Ringor Peach Tea Wings A must-order for any chicken wing freak. The wings have a pleasant smoky flavor and are nicely complemented by the fruity sweetness of the peach tea sauce. photo credit: John Ringor Catfish “Fish? At a BBQ restaurant?” Why yes, dear reader—the fried catfish here is great. It’s cooked perfectly and delicately flakes off while still having a crispy, peppery crust. Make liberal use of the tartar sauce and hot sauce it comes with. photo credit: John Ringor Cornbread Sanders has plenty of excellent sides, from their tangy collards to their cheddar mac and cheese, but this is our favorite. The cornbread is moist and fluffy, and comes with a thick coating of brown sugar on top. Get a slice to pair with your savory protein, and then get another as a dessert." - John Ringor
