"Before you even order, the scene at Lem’s exudes icon energy—from its old-school sign to the Chicago-style aquarium smoker visible through the window and the line outside. But the reason this decades-old Greater Grand Crossing BBQ spot is a classic is because of the incredible sauce. Vinegary, sweet, and peppery mild sauce makes anything taste good, like the BBQ, fried shrimp, and just-okay fries that come with every order. Make sure to get the rib tips with a textural trifecta of cartilage, meat, and fat, or the racks of ribs with a fantastic smoky bark. There’s no place to eat here, but we’ve learned that car hoods make great picnic tables." - nick allen, john ringor, adrian kane
