Frankie's BBQ

You don't come to frankies for the atmosphere. One of the best BBQ HOLE IN THE WALLS you will experience. The sauce is good, but the meat stands on its OWN. Smoky flavor and juicy. I always get the rib tips and have never been disappointed!! Coworker got the spicy wings dinner and said it was some.e of the best wings he had eaten. Local joint on the west side of S. Bend and it's a hidden gem.

Everything was on point just little to heavy handed on the paprika on the potatoe salad at first I didn't know what it was because I didn't know they put it on the potatoes salad like that but my food was delicious and tender cut fine 😋 there a picture of my potato salad

Staff was amazing and super friendly, but I nor my kids cared for the rib tips or the sauce. I got a turkey leg that I was super excited for, I didn't know it was gonna have sauce all over it, but It was also severely over cooked... I was just disappointed is all.

Food: 5/5 (you can smell smoke and meat for miles!) Service: 5/5 (although it's through glass, the staff is patient and nice) Atmosphere: 5/5 (I love the old school, bbq feel of the restaurant) My experience at Frankie's BBQ was much needed. I don't have the greatest bbq near my home, but this bbq was well worth it. Located in South Bend, Indiana, the drive was worth the meal and smells. The generational hands this restaurant has been in are incredible to see. The food was close to divine. It was caught off guard by the lovely smells of pork and chicken. I ordered the tips and fries. My first bite was off the chain, and I will never forget that experience. The food is to cry for. The service was basic, but the service was incredible. Although the meals are passed to you through a glass, the staff treats the food with love, is very knowledgeable of the menu, and is very kind. I'm grateful for great service. The atmosphere had great history. I appreciated the basketball pictures, the accomplishments, accolades, the start to finish, the love, the smells, all those small details gave the atmosphere life. All in all, Frankie's BBQ is a hit! This bbq took me home to Chicago, and I plan to enjoy their food again.

I grew up on Frankie’s. Ate at every location they’ve ever had. I now live in Tennessee and whenever my family visits I have them freeze me some tip dinners and every time I’m home, I make a stop into the last Frankie’s remaining!! I can proudly say I’ll be eating Frankie’s tip dinner this Friday and bringing a couple top dinners home with me to Tennessee!!

Found this little gem on a casino trip! The food is excellent and the staff is great! Ordered the rib tips the sauce is fantastic! Large portions! Will definitely return when in the area again!

I've only eaten here twice (sort of?) And won't be back. The first time, it was just a simple pork sandwich. Nothing amazing but enough to warrant a return even though it seemed a bit overpriced. The pictures are of the return. The corn was absolutely disgusting. How one manages to mess up corn is beyond me. The bologna sandwich was also a big let down (pic taken after first bite). It's a soggy sandwich that looked very much slopped together. The fries are plain. They taste store bought (that or stored too long). You could put a better meal together with a dollar general trip and it would probably cost less too. The BBQ sauce also would be better store bought because whatever the sauce is has no flavor

Been eating Frankie’s since I was a little kid, just had some tonight. Ribs were tough, almost definitely boiled, like my aunts and uncles used to say back in the day 😂….still the best (if not only) bbq in town. Fries were burnt to 🤷🏾‍♂️. Prices have jumped too.

Hadn't been here ever; friend hadn't been here in years. We headed to the place and it's still there. Friend said it was take-out only but there was a small eat-in area. Friend ordered rib tips, I ordered ribs and a side a potato salad. After a short wait, we got our food and headed home. Friend's rib tips were, according to her, delicious and exactly as remembered. My ribs, on first and second bite, were pretty chewy. I really liked the BBQ sauce (looking at other reviews some didn't like it) and there was plenty of it. The ribs got a bit more tender as I went through them. I smoke ribs at home; these ribs needed more time cooking. The potato salad was unremarkable, tasting as if it was commercially made and scooped out of bucket. I wouldn't refuse food from Frankie's but also wouldn't go out of my way to get it unless I was super hungry for ribs and there wasn't any other place to get them.

First time ever in South Bend. Here for a bowling tournament. One of our team members recommended this joint as they had tried them out when they got here last night. I have to start with some disclaimers: first, when a friend tells you a place is a "hood" joint, you typically have two expectations. There's low expectations, and then there's "hood" expectations. Fortunately, Frankie's met our "hood" expectations. Situated on a corner in a rather nondescript neighborhood, Frankie's appears to be a place that's been around and serves the community well. Friendly staff, and customers who greeted us as if we were cousins. (That will always get you kudos where we come from.) This place was clean and cozy. The menu choices appear to appeal to the flavor of the neighborhood. Featuring ribs, and turkey legs, I was surprised that there wasn't any chicken, except for chicken strips (sticks). Sorry, guys. I had to take a star for that. One menu item, the Round House sandwich appears to be a community culture favorite (it's a well dressed bologna sandwich). We saw a patron with one. It looked awesome. Prices weren't bad. We paid close to $50 for three entrees. We had the ribs, the combo (chicken sticks and jumbo shrimp with rib tips), and the Frankie's Polish sausage. Each were generously portioned and came with fries. I was a bit disappointed that fries were the only side options. There were side items that could be purchased separately for an additional price. We received a discount for using cash. (Don't balk folks. Sign of the times) So here's where they lost stars with us: no chicken (except for the chicken sticks). As I mentioned, I'm not a fan of ribs. But my husband (Big Pimp), a seasoned carnivore, said even he would have like more chicken choices. A half star was lost on the limitedness of side dishes. I would have liked to see more choices. And dessert as well. Overall, we were impressed. The food came fast and was absolutely delicious. It reminds me of the "rib shacks" from back in the day where I'm from. The meat was tender. I'm not a fan of ribs, but my tips were very good. Big Pimp says his slab was A-1, tender, juicy, and his sauce was spot on. They dropped the ball on my shrimp, however. They definitely were not jumbo. Would love to give this place 3 1/2 stars. Can't figure out how to give them another half.

Frank he's has gone downhill. They raised their prices and lowered the quality. The last time I got tips from them they were so tough threw most of them away. They often run out tips and tell you to come back later. The portions are small for the price you pay. I will not be going back for a while I hope they can get their act together.

Still the best in town. Fat caps in Roseland is not real bbq.,.............................

My husband's family is from South Bend, IN so whenever we come to visit or pass through we have to stop at Frankie's. Now I'm not going to tell a story about this place. It's kind of hit or miss. This time we came it was good and that's what we expected. But before this time we came a couple of other times and it wasn't the best. So this time I can say it's worth the 4 stars.

I like how it is a no frills no fuss type of environment. Most people opted to take their food elsewhere but we sat outside by the beautiful mural. None of us ordered the ribs or rib tips. Their chicken strips and fries were okay. I was disappointed by my pulled pork sandwich but my hot wings were fine. The potato salad was overpriced and untouchable. I am not happy about bringing visitors from Poland and South Carolina to eat a local favorite which was only so-so. When my foreign friend ordered his accent was a bit thick and the cashier was visibly annoyed about misunderstanding him and could have been more patient. I had to jump in to speak.

OMG! They should be ashamed ..15$ for this road kill. Fatty, smooshed and Burt meat. I believe that this would be a good place for the health department to look into. Quick note: they put the 3 good pieces on top and beneath us the road kill.

Glenn 3-8-23 rib were horrible will not be back. Wish I could give no stars. I do not know what is going on to much History going down the drain I'm deeply saddened.

My tips were so good this time! They gave me so much food! I will definitely recommend them

This is the most addictive BBQ!! That sauce! Only thing I miss since leaving the Bend.

I think they finally realize how bad they are. I went a couple times in the last few months. No line at all. But they charge more for debit card and expect a tip of at least 15-20 percent. Screw that!! I think they got their wake up call but could be too late. I don't want to see them go out of business but I don't think I need to support them with my order and get crappy food because no one else is going there. Hey Frankie get your act together!!!!!

Haven't been to Frankie's in quite a while but had that urge. I have to say last couple of times we were a little disappointed. NOT SO TODAY. Bought 3 rib tips and they are absolutely the best I have had in 25 years. Been going there for near 50 years. Pleasant surprise to see employees cleaning up the lot, building seems cleaner and just plain a little more modernized. We will be going back more often if it stays like this. Well done owner, well done. PN 286

It's black owned so I really wanted to be able to say something nice about this place, but the food was just not good at all. I ordered the chicken quarter meal with green beans and sauce on the side. They drowned my whole plate in sauce anyway and I think they do that to mask the fact that there's no flavor on the meat itself. The green beans were absolutely terrible, straight from the can and they couldn't be bothered to add salt or do anything to make them taste good. I'm very disappointed in my experience I had such high hopes. The only upside was the price being so cheap for BBQ, but you get what you pay for so two stars.

So a trip home to South Bend means a trip to Frankie's. I haven't lived here myself in 20 years but I grew up on Frankie's. Every time I'm home to visit this is my first stop. Now there are a few tables to eat in but mostly people pickup and leave. On the weekend prepare to wait. This particular visit we waited an hour. Maybe the childhood nostalgia is what gets me because the reality is that sometimes the rib tips are juicy and tender but sometimes you get a burned batch. That sauce tho! I live in North Carolina now and there is nothing like it. I used to get my tips with fries and sauce on the fries. But the last time I visited I was still eating red meat. For the first time I had shrimp and chicken as well as fried mushrooms but I still got my sauce on the fries. The fried mushrooms were SOOOOO good. Oh and the tips come with a slice of white bread that is SO good when it soaks up the bbq sauce. If you're going to South Bend you gotta try Frankie's, at least once.

I definitely like this place for its good bbq and it's friendly service. I like the rib tip dinner which I recommend everybody try. Sometimes the food is hit or miss but for the most part the food is good.

Perhaps the best BBQ in town with a flavor that is unmatched by anyone. I use to come here from across the Stateline when I was little as a treat and now that I'm older I find that I'm traveling even further to get my Frankies Mini tip dinner cut thin and an order of mushrooms. My only suggestion when you come here is to pay in cash to avoid fees and stay off your cellphone(practice common manners). There's also no a huge seating section, so it's best to get carry out as most people do.

Day 2 on "Waiting for tips, it'll be over another hour" I realize "these times/C19" has caused a lot of shortage within the restaurant business but for an establishment like this, the only thing being established is a consistent reputation of not only bad business planning for your customers on a weekly basis but throw in the reputable "tough tip(s)" selection when it comes to the change of staff midday to the evening. Plan a 50/50 result of expectation when attending. #BooOnservice

A lot of people say a restaurant is all about location, location, location. Well, if it was all about location, make sure your not outside after dark. The neighborhood is pretty rough, but that doesn't stop Frankie's from having a constant line from the time they open until close. By far some of the best BBQ I've ever had. Words can not explain how good it is. When I ordered my Rib tip dinner they had one slab of ribs left. There was still at least 20 people behind me, and more still walking in. A couple people in front of me were in town from the Chicago-land area, and told me they always look forward to stopping into Frankie's. The service was a bit slow, but you can't rush excellence, and the price is great for the amount of food you get. I will definitely be back very soon for some of the best BBQ in the area.

From out of town, and all of the other food I've had in SB has been delicious. BBQ beef sandwich is actually brisket beef here. However it is swimming in a sauce that is mediocre at best. The beef itself had no flavor underneath the sauce. I enjoyed the boiled green beans way more than the brisket...at a bbq place. I normally like any restaurant--don't waste your time here.

Food is great but be prepared to wait 45-90 minutes if you go in the evening as I've been there 10 times this year around 4:30-5 only to find a sign that says "no tips until 6:15" at least 75% of the time. I don't know who is managing this place, but they're failing

Always on the hunt for decent bbq as i travel around the U.S. and my recent trip to South Bend turned up a jewel! This is one of those places that just looks horrible from the outside! Rough exterior and parking lot - kinda crammed into a corner lot - worn out old sign... Exactly what a good bbq joint should look like! Walk in, order through the hole in the window while enjoying the view of hard-core barbeque action happening in the small kitchen. Go find a table - grabbing a soda along the way. Tear off several yards of paper towels and wait for the overwhelmingly large portion of whatever bbq goodness you ordered. We all complained that it was way too much food for lunch... and then proceeded to finish it in record time. My only complaint is that I managed to get bbq sauce all over my left sleeve... Find this place and give it a try when you are in South Bend - definitely worth it.

They pick and choose customers who are in line that they want to serve. After a half hour in line, only some people got to order, and not based on when they got there. I'll never try to go back.

Finally got the slab! They were cooked perfectly... Not burned but my wife and I thought they were overly salty.

Time for some dinner, so far I've only had the rib tips. I like to get them cut fine with the sauce on the side. If you're looking for a decent place to get ribs give them a try, I'm sure you'll like them.

This was our first time going to Frankie's barbecue our first impression was not so good on the customer service the person who took our order was uninterested in our business I'm sorry that he hated his job but he shouldn't take it out on customers. After trying The brisket it tasted something that you would get from Sara Lee pre-cooked thin slices. The barbecue buffalo wings we're OK and the chicken sticks were freshly cooked those were OK but what hit it out of the park were the spare ribs and tips that's worth withstanding the negative attitude at the counter definitely will be back for ribs like everyone else comes back for.

Tasty and great BBQ Food ... would recommend it to everyone. Not a Fancy spot but the food is outstanding... get you hands dirty and you belly full

It was open this time instead of being closed like last time. Out of tips. Sign said 5:35 they would have more, asked as it was close to 6 with a roomful if people and was discouraged from ordering. Love their rib tips. Never seem to be able to get them though. Think I'm giving up on trying to get them.

Frankie's is good but they need help on Customer Service Etiquette Getting served burned tips don't help especially since it'll not cheap for a Tip Dinner.

I grew up In SB and started going to Frankie's in the Early 80's. Back in those days they were open till 5am on the weekends. I would usually go there after the bars closed at 3am on my way home after my gigs. I usually ordered the rib dinner w/sauce on the fries. Best que ever!! The tips are excellent as well. I have been living in Austin, TX for the last 26 years and still have cravings for Frankie"s!! I am glad that they are still in business. Highly recomended!!

Ive never been so mad...I waited in line for 40 minutes to place my order...then waited another 20 minutes for my food and then was told that they were out of pulled pork!! Why wasnt I told that when i placed my order?? HORRIBLE service...they don't give a DAMN about the customer..they need some new management. Will NEVER EVER GO THERE AGAIN!!

I've loved Frankie's ever since I was a child. I couldn't wait to go there to get the tip dinner with there amazing fries. But over the years I have taken notice that whoever is currently manager is not doing as well as the manager that they had in the past. I understand that things change overtime, but it seems to me that the place lost its soul and love. It's almost as if the people who work there now only care about their paychecks and going home rather than loving to work there. Trust me when I say that this it is an AMAZING BBQ spot, but it's just not the same anymore...

Tried it for the first time today , unbelievably delicious. A lot of meat for such a good price and the smoke from the wood they use was very tasty.

I lived in South Bend from 1986 to 1988. As a single guy in my 20's I used to salivate thinking about Frankie's rib tips at about 4:00 every afternoon. I would drive there after work and pick up an order or regular sauce rib tip dinner to go. The plan was always no tips until I was home. But at stop lights I'd always dip into the container and by the time I was home my steering wheel was a gloppy mess of BBQ sauce. I still salivate about Frankie's tips. Now when I travel home to Michigan City, I will regularly take the 90 mile round trip to Frankie's on Circle Ave. for their tips. Back then I had every BBQ tip restaurant in town ranked and Frankie's was number one by an incredible margin over all the rest.

Came to Frankie's today after swearing I'd never come again after the last experience. On the last experience, the rib tips were so tough you couldn't chew through them. Thought I would give it another chance and today will be the last time. Entered Frankie's to place my order and was rudely "greeted" by "J" who rudely yelled at me throughout my ordering, insulted me in numerous occasions and ultimately yelled me to "go outside and wait for your number to be called." Have never dealt with a more rude, disrespectful or arrogant person, who subsequently is in customer service, in my life. Every person in the store commented on how rude he was to me as a customer and actually apologized for HIS inexcusable behavior. To add to insult, the rib tips were inedible. They were again tough and I could not chew through them. All 3 orders I bought were all 3 inedible. Terrible service, terrible food, terrible experience. Will never go back, which is sad because this is a business I frequent. I would definitely revisit who you place at your front counter because it is only hurting your business as a whole.

Fast, friendly service, with excellent food! I ordered the mini tip meal and it was a very nice sized portion. The meat was very tender and juicy, and the sauce isn't overpowering.

The best ribs I have ever had. The one thing is you have to be prepared to get messy or you won't get to enjoy the ribs without getting sauce all over your fingers and face. Another thing is there isn't a ton of room to sit so I don't recommend staying if you bring a big group. But they bag up all orders so you can take out easy. As if they already had you covered. Once again. Hands down best ribs. If you aren't near by I can tell you. It is worth the drive. Load up some people. And get some FRANKIE'S!

Average. Obviously it tastes good (as all BBQ and ribs do), but there is nothing that stands out about it. The food is clearly straight from a Sysco trunk and nothing is done to give the food real personality (I think they use Open Pit). It is a pretty comfortable place inside. It is also a nice place to know on that part of town... But it is average. Also, I ordered fried mushrooms and fried mushrooms were left out of my order. Worse things have happened, but... I would have liked some mushrooms (even if they came from a Sysco truck). Where my mushrooms at, Frankie?

Ok BBQ, but not as good as the big boys in Chicago and other larger cities, but if you have to have some BBQ, go west on Washington till you smell the smoke.

I'm visiting from California and this is the best bbq I've ever had. The sauce is amazing. I literally came to eat here three days in a row. I fell in love with the beef brisket sandwich. I also loved the rib tip and the catfish dinner. Great atmosphere with really nice friendly employees. Very clean.

When you're ordering food through bulletproof glass , you know you're at the right place, seriously excellent food

Much to be desired. Used to be great food and service. Now it will take at least thirty minutes to get chicken strips, rib tips are tough and fatty, and the service is absolutely horrible. I will never visit this location again. I must say Edison road has much better staff but I'd rather eat ribs from the gyro place.

Tried placing a to go order and was told it would take an hour before it could be picked up. The person was VERY RUDE and told me it wasn't going to happen and to move on. I called as soon as they opened and was wanting to pick it up in 40 minutes was told no. VERY POOR customer service, we order from here often and I wont be ordering from them again. Perhaps they should come in earlier and start prepping so people can get a to go order in a timely manner.

I love food. It is so rare I find a food I dont like, especially if it's called barbeque. But, in this case I could barely eat the stuff. The sauce was thick like pancake syrup and was basically ketchup jacked up on 3 times too much vinegar and 2 times too much sugar, and just the right amount of spice. Seriously folks, this was like trying to eat steak with a mouth full of sweet-tarts. Yuck. Worse, everything was super smothered in the stuff. These overwhelming flavors left the meat flavorless, which is a shame because it looked so good.

Hadn't ordered since they were at South Bend Ave location. Excited to try for lunch today. Loved the idea of craft beer and barbecue, two of my favorite things. Ordered two dishes: Frankie's Platter (rib tips and chicken strips) and the half slab of ribs. Total of $45, approximately. A pricey lunch but it's been a rough week and I wanted leftovers for dinner. It was almost a total disappointment. The rib tips were the only palatable part of the meal. And for $18, they were a very small part of the meal. The chicken was frozen flash fried, essentially Tyson brand that you get at the grocery for a few bucks. The ribs were smoked: overly smoked. I love smoke. This was nauseating. The sauce was like bottom shelf grocery store. It was a bowl of sauce with ribs that were smoked dry and inedible. Faux-rib soup? No way. I gave it the two star rating because the tips were okay. I will never eat here again. Not only is it priced out of its market, but it is not good food. For the same price, the Prized Pig is appreciably better in all aspects. For a lower price, King Gyros is far better in quality of the ingredients (meat) and preparation. There is no rational reason why anyone should ever eat here unless you're feeling sadistic and charitable.

Stuck at airport went here based on Yelp reviews. Place absolutely deserted at 11:45 on a weekday and has seen better days. $10 min for C card charge. Had BBQ beef sandwich-- beef was actually decent but it was drowning in sauce. Wouldn't recommend this place.

Mini Tip meal is delicious. I could seriously drink their bbq sauce. There has been some times where I have gotten some fatty meat but they're usually consistent.

Sauce is one of a kind , service and locations leave something to be desired

Love this place have been going here for years. Good team, very professional I would suggest this place to anyone looking for good bbq. Yum making my mouth water as I type this!

Went there and they literally had nothing bbq ready. Umm I know it takes a while to cook but you have nothing to offer at dinner time ?? Your a bbq joint. Pretty unpleasant looking inside. Gross