Buffalo Joe’s - Howard St.

Food was good. The difference between the Spicy and the Suicide was pickled jalapeños. Neither was spicy in the least. Bring cash. It's 2025, but they're still rocking cash only.

Maybe 7 years ago, I visited the Davis area location of Buffalo Joe's and was pretty unimpressed. Not long after that I read a less than flattering article about this location and decided that I wouldn't be making any further visits to Buffalo Joe's. Well, fast forward 7 years. A coworker of mine was raving about the Bonanza meal at this location. Enough to get into my head and for me to give them another chance. As you may be able to tell by my score. I'm still less than impressed. The Bonanza meal is BBQ smothered rib tips and 6 bone in wings served over french fries with a slice of white bread. To their credit, the meal was huge. Plenty of food for the $15 price point. The tips were nothing special. Some tips had a much rougher beef jerky like texture, others were softer and fattier, but overall maybe par for the course. I've had my fair share of chicken wings in my day and these were some of the smallest I've seen. Like from very young chickens. Because they were smaller, the flats required more work to get at the meat. Texture wise they were unbreaded and deep fried so the skin had a slight crisp. The mild sauce was fairly non existent though. I should've taken my coworkers suggestion and ordered the suicide flavor though. The fries were about average in my book, they came peppered and paired pretty well with the sauce from the tips. The lady working there was pleasant and friendly. She also got my order prepared very quickly. There is some restaurant seating here, but not a great deal of it so I recommend calling in your order and carrying it out. Buffalo Joe's is 0 for 2 with me. I'm not sure I would label this a "chicken wing restaurant" either. The sheer volume and weight of the meal they offer is impressive and even some of the prices I saw on their menu I would deem good value. But overall, I'm left unimpressed again.

Tasty wings. Pretty good-looking and tasting wings. Crispy and tender at the same time. Only bone-in wing, no boneless wings. They do allow you to choose drumsticks only, which is always nice. It's definitely a good place to stop for a mean, and yes, there is a parking lot available.

I recently had a delightful dining experience at Buffalo Joe's, and I couldn't be more pleased with my visit. The restaurant offers a cozy and welcoming atmosphere that immediately puts you at ease. Let's start with the main attraction: the wings. Oh, the wings! Buffalo Joe's truly knows how to create the perfect blend of flavors. The wings were cooked to perfection, with a crispy exterior and tender, juicy meat on the inside. The variety of sauces available catered to every palate, from tangy and mild to fiery and bold. Each bite was a burst of deliciousness that left me craving for more. But the wings were just the beginning of my gastronomic adventure. The fried mushrooms were an absolute delight. The batter was light and crispy, giving way to earthy, succulent mushrooms. It was a fantastic appetizer that kept me eagerly anticipating the main course. Speaking of which, the corn on the cob was a delightful addition to the meal. Grilled to perfection, the corn was sweet and juicy. The charred bits added a delightful smoky flavor that enhanced every bite. It was a fantastic accompaniment to the wings and fried mushrooms, creating a balanced and satisfying meal. The service at Buffalo Joe's was top-notch. The staff was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They were quick to offer recommendations and made sure that every request was met with a smile. The overall dining experience was seamless and enjoyable. In conclusion, Buffalo Joe's is a must-visit for any wing enthusiast or anyone seeking a delightful meal. With their mouthwatering wings, crispy fried mushrooms, and flavorful corn on the cob, this restaurant hits all the right notes. Combine that with excellent service, and you have a winning combination. I can't wait to visit Buffalo Joe's again for another unforgettable dining experience.

Every time the owner is there, the food is on point. But the last time me and my family went and he wasn’t there, the ribs were not hitting the same. I feel that even when the guy is there or not, the food should always be delicious. Other than that, I would recommend this place.

Another "not my first time here, but first Google Review" for this place! Been coming to this spot and their Clark St (also in Evanston) location ever since I can remember and many times while I was in school. Suicide sauce always! Ordered here is the Double-Order (20-piece) mix (drums and wings - need to get 'em double sauced and well done next time)that comes with some carrots, celery, and ranch cups, as well as a small order of Fish Chips (comes with your choice of tartar or cocktail sauce), which I never had but batter is crispy and fish fillet are smooth and boneless. Didn't order here but their Waffle Fries are also great.

Came in for some Hot wings and Rib tips. Didn't disappoint The bad- No AC The bathroom was horrible. No toilet paper or hand towel

Update: After trying their rib tips, I've found a new favorite menu item. The rib tips are covered in enough sauce to reach the fries that are served at the bottom (just how I like it- sauce on the fries!). The tips have plenty of meat on them, and they're cooked perfectly (a little char on the outside for flavor)! I think I've found a new favorite, although the wings are still good! I'm also impressed with their portion sizes! I can sure eat a lot, and I struggle to put away an entire large order! Now, they are quite expensive, but the large portion sizes are certainly a redeeming factor. Two people could probably share a large. Original review (focused on the wings): I love their wings. I get the double order of Suicide Wings, and the sauce is THE BEST! If you love buffalo wings, give this place a go! The wings are well cooked, juicy on the inside, and are steaming hot when brought out to you. The sauce is moderately spicy (I could go a little hotter), and tastes like heaven! Also, they always provide an abundance of sauce! Their fries are also cooked just right. I'm picky about how I like my fries, and Buffalo Joe's hits it out of the park each and every time. The fries are crispy on the outside and moist, but not soggy on the inside! Even better when dipped in their buffalo sauce, which they apply generously, so there's always enough left over to dip my fries in. Please note that they are cash only, but they do have an ATM if you don't have any cash on you. It's also only a two and a half block walk from the Howard L stop, so it is easily accessible for people like me who rely on public transportation. Parking is nearby and it's off a major street so access is good as well.

A coworker told me to go to Buffalo Joe's. On my first visit, I ordered the chicken wings and enjoyed them. I especially loved the fries. The fry seasoning is fire. The next time, I had the jumbo shrimp. The breading-to-shrimp ratio was on point. I've had the rib tips and was happy. My only complaint is that the hot links taste more like Italian sausage.

Perhaps I had too high expectations going in but did not think Buffalo Joe's lived up to the hype of all the accolades for wing spots in the Chicagoland area. I got the rib tip & wing combo and while I enjoyed the rib tips, the wings were subpar at best. Small, not terribly tasty and nowhere near the level of spiciness I would expect from ones labeled suicide. One plus - the service was very good. Friendly staff and prompt ordering made up a little for the poor quality wings.

Came here before 15 minutes closing because I was hungry. Maybe because I had a late dinner and hungry, but I think I had one of the buffalo chicken wing in my life. Great value for the price wasn't expecting it to be that good. The food took less than 5 minutes so maybe it was leftover from an earlier batch or an employee meal to go. But man the spicy sauce was addictive. Not going to leave a burn but a flavor bomb that keeps lasting. Place is cash only, which is a good sign to see a place trying to keep cost low.

Management must have seen my review, I'm glad to see that they have gone back to the original cheese sauce and sauce for the wings. This is the place to go to when you're hungry for some wings or burgers. The staff is friendly and the food is damn good. Stop by and get yourself some wings!

I really wanted to love Buffalo Joes but, to me it's just fair. It's not even one of the top restaurants in my neighborhood as a favorite go-to. I actually, forget about it. The BJ on Howard and Clark is in a sketchy area. However, to be fair, I've had a better experience at their other location in downtown Evanston. Anywho, I've ordered their wings and chicken tenders. The buffalo sauce is decent and so are the wings and fries. I like the tenders but, they could use some seasoning in the crunchy breading. They could serve a better dressing to go with the wings. The wait time for food can be a little long and the customer service could be a little better. Overall, it's really not a bad place to get a quick meal. Will I return? Of course. I can't complain of the price because everything has gone up tremendously.

If I could give them no stars I would. The girl who took my order had a severe attitude problem when she took my order. I ordered rib tips and was not aware that I had a choice of what flavor sauce because she never told me nor never offered. So basically I got a order of rib tips PURPOSELY with no sauce. And even before I gave my order, I stood at the counter for three minutes before the girls i the back stopped playing around and giggling and one of them finally took my order. I'm just gonna keep it straight, no chaser. If you don't want to serve particular people in the community that patronize your establishment, don't work there. I will no longer be spending money at this restaurant and I'm really tired of the service at most restaurants in this area with people that have the attitude of the young lady I encountered at Buffalo Joe's on Howard Street today.

Price increase...$85 for a single party pan now. . Must be a chicken shortage it's no longer a good place for me.

Great wings! Have always been great service and friendly! The place is a small little restaurant but it does the job!

I had Buffalo Joe's for the first time a few months ago and it was AMAZING! The chicken tenders were a religious experience. 5/5 would eat again.

Order ahead I beg of you ! They're busy busy and their wings are to die for. They're so juicy which is what you want in wings . The sauces are great no matter which you get - I've had spicy mild and bbq. All great . The kids taking orders are also helpful and nice .

I love this place. But in the time of covid, I prefer ordering in. I have only successfully ordered once from here within the last year. Unfortunately this is the case because every time I order online they cancel the order because they are "too busy." It's so disappointing to have the order go through just for it to be canceled. If handling orders from online vendors is too much, I would rather y'all not have an option to order at all.

Many people who I've talked to, have nothing but good things to say about Buffalo Joes. I on the other hand didn't enjoy them one bit. Service is a little off with it being take out only for now, but that didn't bother me and I am not basing my review on their service. Strictly food. I ordered a single order of their suicide and a double order of their mild wings. The wings are decently priced. You get a lot of wings for your money, but they didn't really taste good. Soon wings were tiny as hell, so they didn't have any meat on them. They were overcooked and too dry. The mild sauce tasted weird and was thick. The suicide was a huge disappointment. You can't name wings suicide, if they're not going to be flaming effing spicy. Probably won't be returning anytime soon.

Best burger on the strip of burger chains. I've tried the wings, they are okay. But the burger is where it's at. Fries are heavily seasoned, which I enjoy.

Jumbo shrimp meal is awesome! The fries have an amazing seasoning. Really enjoyed my time.

Wow, just wow. When i first entered into the buffalo joes location on howard street. I was impressed! Me and a friend had spent our evening dining and the food was delicious! I have nothing but great things to say other than when this homeless lady who could've used a shower came up and grabbed a rib tip right off my plate! That's how you know the food is good when they're ready to risk it all. 4 Stars, because of the homeless lady.

absolute BEST WINGS ON EARTH!!!! I buy the sauce in bulk and check it in a bag whenever I fly into Chicago. The wings are super small which makes them perfect bite sized chicken bites. If i could, I would give ten more stars.

Wings are small and still taste good, prices have gone up, the place looks the same and the service is ok. I'd come back for the wings again.

Well this was a dissapointment, got a single order Bbq Mild with fries and the wings taste like they fried them last week and then refried them for my order. If you want the real Buffalo Joe's experience go to Downtown Evanston on Clark

If I had did a review a few years ago Buffalo Joe's would have gotten 5 stars from me but after today 3 stars is being very generous. My fries were hard and cold. They use to be fried to perfection with the perfect seasoning. I had the burger for the first time and it was just a regular degular type of burger. It would only be tasty if someone was drunk. Then I asked for burger without cheese but all the fixin...but I received and paid for a cheese burger and I didn't know until we had already pulled off. My suicide chicken wings were more like been dead in the woods for weeks. They were tiny pieces of imaginary meat they called wings. I just don't know what happened it was a big disappointment driving from Hyde Park to Rogers Park when I could have gotten the same mediocre food closer to home. I may comeback again but trust I won't be running here like I did today. As always folks... Enjoy and be Safe!!!!

This used to be my favorite Buffalo Joe's because it was the only location that has the fish & chips. Much star has been docked because we don't know what happened to the wings. It used to be normal size now it looks like mini like the size of my pinky. Was craving wings and drove all the way up north to be disappointed and cravings were not satisfied.

This was a hard 4 star. I love Buffalo Joe's on Clark Street, Evanston. This Howard Branch only takes cash for walk-ins. The Fried shrimp was great. I just wished they served cheddar potato fries and Royal Crown Soda like Clark Street Buffalo Joe's does There is parking availble Best to place order ahead of time.

Food tasted phenomenal and will definitely be giving them another go sooner rather than later ! The only reason why I'm giving 4 stars and not 5 is because the wings are TINY! Great taste, but leaves you wanting MORE! Fish and chips are great! They really don't skimp out on the fish!

We used to get takeout from here a lot. The wings are good. The issue I have is that I was charged $26 for an order of 12 wings w/fries and the online price was $12.99 for the wings and $1.99 for the fries. I questioned the cashier and she said the raised prices for Covid. Raising prices is fine but $2/wing is ridiculous. There are far superior wings in Rogers Park for more reasonable prices. Won't be returning.

ordered a bonanza with suicide wings. Buffalo joes Howard cook gave me mild wings with peppers on top & it wasn't well done as requested. Called the store melanie answered the phone like it was her personal phone; left me on hold without saying anything for 3 minutes. Owner out of town & manager was gone. Had to call Clark street & they made the order right. Managers Dorothy & Jose there accommodated me without a problem.

I wish I lived closer to Buffalo Joe's because these are some of the best wings I've ever had. I love both the bbq and Buffalo bone-in wings.. so fresh, good quality meat and packed with tons of flavor! Their only downfall is that they don't accept cash at this location, so it's not a restaurant that I frequent very often. Their ranch is amazing too!! Hope they open another location closer to downtown :)

I'd have to say this was pretty good for my 1st try. I ordered a double of the suicide wings and was impressed with the amount of wings that actually came. It's seem more than just 20 wings but the problem was they were miniature and tad over cooked. The flavor was expected to be spicer than what they were based on the name. They were more like Crystals Hot Sauce, tossed and topped wit Jalapeño peppers. Overall this was a good deal for the price and the flavor was worth the try. I was told of the rib tips while I was there so I'd definitely be returning to try those next.

It's a long time favorite. Nice and saucy wings, good to go at either location.

Went to try this place, and I ordered for takeout. I ordered the rib tip dinner. The dinner came with French fries and two slices of sandwich bread on top of the rib tips. The rib tips had more bone, and not enough sauce. The had an after taste, like they been cooked previous days before. The fries since they where sitting on the bottom, where covered in oil. The meat was chewy and hard, and not edible at all. The fries where ok, but unfortunately some of them where full of oil.

If you like buffalo wings but haven't been to buffalo joes, you need to check it out. It's by far the best wing joint around. They don't do funky mango habanero or chili lime flavors on their wings. They have 3 choices, mild, hot, and hot plus jalapeños on top. For traditional style buffalo wings they are the best. Buffalo joes doesn't just do wings. They have a menu that includes burgers, chicken sandwiches, Italian beefs, soups and more. I've had burgers and chicken sandwiches, both are top notch. The negatives are the buffalo wings themselves are small, really small. They look like they were harvested from dwarf chickens. Doesn't bother me much but it's like 2 bites of meat and grab another. The other problem I have is with the price. If you go there and get a double order of wings, with fries, it will cost about $25. They have beer on tap at the Evanston location so if you eat in with a date, a couple double orders, fries, and a beer each is gonna run you $50 or more. Overall I highly recommend it, especially if you love buffalo wings. I get lunch there almost every time I'm working in the are.

Never had a bad meal from them! Suicide sauce is wickedly hot! Best burgers this side of town.

Yes this is a staple in the community but the more it stays just that the less customer service and accountability of the business it is. Anytime I've been inside the workers are so rude and the food is definitely becoming less and less tasteful. Giving it a star because I can't post without doing so.

I love Buffalo Joes! I have been coming here for 15 years! I ordered a double Suicide wing with two extra ranch, a large gut buster lemonade and a regular fry. The regular fry is huge!! They put some type of savory seasoning on the fries (onion or garlic) The pink lemonade is so tart, sweet, and delicious! My wings were delicious! They don't have those mercury filled chicken wings! They are normal size small wings. They were actually pretty mild IMO despite their name. I do love very spicy foods some my opinion on the spice level might be skewed! My total was like $22.00. My order was huge!!! They also have great lemon cake and sweet potato pie slices. They also have ribs and fish (I heard they are bomb too) I always get the wings! I have to try them one day. I just can't pull myself away from the wings. I always call my order in and pick it up. It is a cash only place but now they have an ATM. They do have a parking lot too!!

I want to like this place. I've had their wings a few years back and they were decent. I ordered the chicken tender dinner through Uber eats. I pulled a Rookie move and trusted the Uber eats apps reviews when I should have checked yelp instead. Fries: 5/10 just normal salted fries Chicken: 3.5/10 the batter was there but didn't stick to the chicken and was tasteless. MORE IMPORTANTLY half of the tenders were old. The chicken was so rubbery I literally could not break them in half without a sharp serrated edge knife. I can't speak for the wings but def do not order the chicken tenders unless they're fresh. But even then they are bland.

This is my photo.. This is a photo that went viral on Facebook. I have never eaten here and I guess now, I never will! But here is what was wrote on Facebook.. (CHECK IN PHOTOS FOR PICTURE) I said initially that I wasn't going to post this because I'm in the industry and just try to treat people like I want to be treated but ever since I got this BS from (one of my FAVORITE places at the time) #BuffaloJoes on #HowardStreet Its not the same any more when I go out to eat and I barely go now. I haven't had hot wings anywhere since then and I LOVE ME SOME HOT WINGS He (the owner) should've handled the situation better than what he did. How tf is there a roach EMBEDDED in the wing? It's either the supplier or his housekeeping in his restaurant. I felt like a Howard legend died. I don't even want to eat from the one in Evanston either. I've been wanting some fish bites tossed in BBQ sauce for weeks now. Just can't take that chance. Glad I look at my food and pick as I eat #BuffaloJoes #HowardStreet #Chicago #RogersPark

The rib tips! The rib tips! The rib tips. The shrimp are HUGE! The only drawback is that it's cash only, but the food is yummy!

Food is good, customer service is blah (they are always busy so I understand the shortness of staff). Cash only establishment, Black Owned! Community staple. My go-to items are rib tips, wings and their AMAZING fries! Community staple.

I wish they would meet up with us in the year 2020. Cash only in a coin shortage and really long wait times for ordering or even just picking up your order. And the take out window is in the parking lot and it's a mess. The food is great but I questioned so much now with such disregard for parking lot safety and food waiting to be picked up sitting there for about 40min, like mine today. Cold and soggy, such a disappointment.

Ordered a carryout from here. We got a single party pan of suicide wings as well as the celery and ranch pan. The food was ready for me when I came in to pick it up which was nice. I was pleasantly surprised that the wings were filled to the brim of the tray with plenty of jalapeños. The wings were delicious but definitely on the spicier side so approach with caution. As others have mentioned, this is a cash only joint. I would definitely come back.

The only place I go to for Buffalo wings! The sauce is always just right and wings are crispy. I live in Ravenswood and we drive to Evanston for these.

All places popular for wings should have decent quality sized wings. The wings here are disappointing, tiny, over cooked and dry topped with overloads of sauce. They were so small if you order a tray- you would probably get the actual 10 you really wanted...

Best/only rib tips in Rogers Park. The ribs are tender and tasty. Delicious French fries.

I've had mixed feelings about Buffalo Joe's wings as I believe they have changed over the years. I wrote a review for the Clark St. location recently where I detailed the changes, and explained that I don't go nearly as much as I used to, since Wingstop came to town. Well tonight hubby wanted rib tips, and I remembered that this location had them. We ordered a large double order of the hot wings and a large order of tips, which comes with fries, bread, and their delicious barbeque sauce. Both were excellent! Hubby was pleased, as well, and said he would go back. Yay! Be aware, though; they don't have the waffle fries, and they take cash only. They do have an ATM, but I refuse to pay ATM fees! If you're a Bank of America customer, there is a BOA a few yards east on Howard St.

CASH ONLY place. Luckily, there's a Chase bank just right up the street. I ordered a single order of wings and fries. There are definitely more than 10 wings in a single order. Although the wings may be traditionally smaller compared to other places, they really do give you a lot and I get so full from them. I had 3 wings leftover that I couldn't finish! I was disappointed that the fries weren't waffle fries. They also over-salted the fries literally right on top of the tray they put in to serve you. The water that they have out for you tastes weird and is lukewarm. Overall, it's not bad. I would come back again but may not be the first place I think of to come back for wings. I am interested in trying other locations though in case I have a better experience.

This is my favorite place to eat. I come here every time I come home from college or vacation. The wings are outstanding and I'd like to steal the recipe for the sauce. I take all my friends here from out of town. I love Buffalo Joe's!

I was very disappointed with the cleanliness of this establishment. The service was pretty bad also, not very friendly at all. I felt as if I was bothering them for ordering food. Def not Covid friendly since they only accept cash. I will not be back here.

Nice employees delicious rib tips and fries, also the wings are very tasty I definitely recommend !!!!

I will drive from Wisconsin just to come get the wings from BJs, definitely recommend !!

I was so disappointed with this location. When I first tried Buffalo Joes in Evanston, I had the best experience ever. When I realized there was one near my apartment I was excited bc I crave wings often. I came yesterday around 9:30 PM and I really hope that is why I received the service and food that I did. I called in my order, Suicide wings and fries. The woman said it would be about 15 minute wait. Which was fine since I planned on catching an uber. I got there & the food wasn't done. Which was fine because I needed to get cash out the ATM. She packaged it and I went about my happy way. When I got home, I was VERY DISSATISFIED with the presentation and actual wings. I'm not sure why but my wings looked mutated. They were so small and over cooked. The fries (which were waffle fries in Evanston) were different but the taste was okay. I am not impressed with this location at all. I think BJs needs to focus on consistency. Hopefully they fix this soon

5 stars for the wings! Expect not-so-polite service. Cash only. Good size for the wings. Made to order, so comes out as steaming fried hot perfection. Have not had these for a couple years as I had moved out of state for a time. Still good as always. I personally have eaten at both Evanston and Howard locations and think the Howard location is still superior. Evanston was a joke in terms of food, but maybe they have changed. A single order of wings is definitely able to serve 1.5 people comfortably as the wings are bigger than your bdub-sized wings. I always get the "bonanza" deal of Rib Tips, 6 barbecue wings, fries and a can of pop/soda for $8.89. In my opinion, such a good deal. Rib tips are tasty, a little hard to chew, but nice to change things up from eating all the wings. Bottom line: go here for some delicious wings!!! my fave of the city