Big Ed's BBQ

06/03/2026

Although we shot this video years ago the message still remains the same. I can't tell you how proud I am of the man you're becoming. Thank you son for being my right hand man, my confidant and most importantly my BEST friend! Big Ed Nation, can you PLEASE help me wish son "Paco" and future co-owner of Big Ed's BBQ a Happy Birthday! Love is too small of a word for how I feel about you! Enjoy your time off son!

05/31/2026

To my left is David the owner of the new BBQ restaurant and two of his employees. For the past two years they have been operating a food truck and made the transition to open up a brick and mortar in Zion and they realized that it's significantly different from a food truck.

So I went to his restaurant and introduced myself and offered to mentor him and his team and invited them to Big Ed's and gave them a tour and showed them how we prep and cook our BBQ. I look forward to going to his spot over the next few weeks to help them improve how they operate both the front and the back of the house.

If you're wondering why I would help another BBQ restaurant become my competition it's simple, we may be in competition but we're not competing. We have to learn how to help build each other up and not tear each other down! If I can help another business avoid some of the mistakes I've made over the years then I should do that.

Finally, they've been receiving a lot of grief because you don't smell smoke when you walk into their space. Well that's because the restaurant is connected to a hotel and they have a couple scrubber ventilation systems on their exhaust system because the hotel doesn't want their guest rooms smelling like smoke.

Hopefully we'll be able to make some significant improvements over the next few weeks so we're asking for some grace as we work through these changes. So If you've been there and didn't have the best dining experience hopefully you'll give them another try and if you've never been there hopefully you'll go and see them soon.

05/31/2026

05/29/2026

Happy Friday from the Smoke Shop Kim!

05/27/2026

Shrimp and grits today while supplies last!!!!

05/24/2026

My dishwasher is off today and we're looking for another dishwasher that wants to work, so never fear Big Ed the dish washing dancing machine is here! Can somebody please send me a dishwasher that wants to work please before I throw my back with these awesome moves!!!

05/24/2026

There are people who always work here on Mondays at Big Ed's to make sure the restaurant is prepped and ready for the week but to ensure that those individuals can enjoy Monday's Memorial Day holiday with their family, we will be closed on Tuesday May 26th and reopen Wednesday May 27th at 11:00am.

When we reopen on Wednesday, we'll be serving up an old fan favorite as a special, our shrimp and grits! IYKYK! We'll make a couple of large batches but I would advise that you either come early or place your order online Wednesday morning starting at 10:45am and specify if you're picking up for lunch or dinner because people love this dish from the Genesee days! We're open today from 11-7pm and if we don't see you today, enjoy your Memorial Day and we'll see you all on Wednesday May 27th.

05/23/2026

Thanks to everyone that came out for the free ground beef. Unfortunately, it is all gone. We will have more over the next few weeks and we'll post again when we have it. Thanks

05/23/2026

We have 2-3 pound packs of ground brisket trimmings (fresh or frozen) up at the host stand today and tomorrow or while supplies last. These are FREE and we'd like to limit these to one pack per person so that we can try and provide as much FREE ground beef to as many people as possible. Thank you!

05/22/2026

Happy Friday

05/21/2026

A few years ago we purchased 5.2 acres of land on Green Bay Rd in Waukegan. It was supposed to be our forever restaurant home. We ended up here and unfortunately we have to sell the property.

It is an absolutely beautiful property and we are truly sad to sell it but we have to get it off of our books. If you or someone that you know is looking to purchase a gorgeous piece of property please contact either Alyssa or Adriana at Compass Commercial Insurance for questions regarding the property.

05/15/2026

Hey MP Salon & Spa in Waukegan if you need me to stop by and do some pedicures this weekend, hit me up!

05/09/2026

Happy Mother's Day to all of the beautiful moms being honored and celebrated tomorrow. The restaurant will be open from 11:00am - 7:00pm and you'll be able to place online orders begining at 10:45am. If we get busy (and we just might) unfortuately we'll have to turn the online feature off because of long wait times.

It's usually pretty busy so please come early if you can. The bar will be open at 11:00am and we'll make sure to cook extra food and do our best to get you in and out as quickly as possible! We appreciate all of the love and support and we look forward to serving you tomorrow. Peace!

05/06/2026

Book your next event in our private room! We have been hosting coorporate events, birthday and graduation parties, retirement, baby showers and so much more. If you're ordering food for your event, the room rental fee is only $150. Visit www.bigedsbbqllc.com for more information or email [email protected] to book your upcoming event today!

05/05/2026

Today we will begin "dine in" Happy Hour Specials in the bar! From 4pm-7pm Tues through Friday we'll be offering 50% off select appetizers, discounts on beer, wine and signature cocktails. Smash burgers will also be on the menu today!

04/27/2026

So my camera man's cracked tooth has gotten infected and we're going to have to cut our trip short unfortunately.

Most of the footage we needed for the documentary we obtained yesterday so we're good, but I have to get back here! I talked to some family that I didn't realize was here in addition to the people I just met. I also didn't get my BBQ fix!

Same traveling grace we needed before we're praying for them on our return trip.

04/26/2026

So my vegan companion hasn't eaten, so we stopped to get some ramen. Very flavorful! Mine has pork....of course!

04/26/2026

So we're at and they were out of a lot of bbq items because there is a dance recital next door and they cleaned them out!!!

We shared stories about running out early sometimes because you never know much or little traffic you're going to have on any given day.

I had the pulled pork nachos and they were AWESOME!!! Thanks for the great food and chopping it up fellas! Great job.

04/26/2026

We pulled up only to discover that they are closed today unfortunately due to the passing of their owner. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family anf all that knew him.

04/26/2026

So we made it here safely! The trip was good but I am tired, hungry and this place is close to our hotel.

I'm traveling with a vegan with a cracked tooth......his ass bout to starve on this trip! We in the south baby!!!!

04/24/2026

So tomorrow I'm driving to Alabama. I'm working on a non BBQ documentary (details about the project coming soon) but of course you know I've gotta try the BBQ when I go down there. Big Bob Gibson is definitely on the list and I would love some suggestions on other must try BBQ joints (Hunstville). Please and thank you.