Lem’s Bar-B-Q in Chatham, Chicago Wins James Beard Award for Best American Classic Restaurant

CHICAGO (WLS) — A South Side barbecue spot known for its mouth-watering rib tips is now in the national spotlight.

Lem’s Bar-B-Q has received a James Beard Award, a prestigious honor that recognizes some of the best restaurants and chefs in the country.

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Lem’s has been a staple in the Chatham neighborhood for many years. Recently, there has been a long line of people who consider Lem’s to be one of the top barbecue spots in the city. This sentiment is further reinforced by the prestigious James Beard Award recognizing Lem’s.

Rib tips, fries, chicken, shrimp and, of course, the secret sauce: Lem’s has been serving South Side residents for more than 70 years.

They received the James Beard Award in the America’s Classics category.

The James Beard Award is typically bestowed upon locally-owned restaurants that possess a timeless charm and offer cuisine that reflects the cultural heritage of their respective communities.

“I said, ‘praise God, thank you Jesus,'” owner Carmen Lemons said.

Lemons is carrying out the legacy of her father, James Lemons, and his brothers, Myles and Bruce.

The line is always wrapped around the building, but news of the James Beard Award has the bustling business even busier.

Carmen Lemons, a proud representative of Lem’s, described the establishment as an iconic presence on the South Side of the city. She emphasized that what sets Lem’s apart is their unique secret sauce and the special method used to cook their ribs. The ribs are prepared in an ‘aquarium barbecue pit’ using charcoal, hickory wood, and fire, which adds a distinctive flavor to their dishes.

Longtime customers say the award is well-deserved.

“I think it’s beautiful; it’s well needed. Because we do things, and we never get rewarded for it. This is a time we can look up and support them,” Rita Gillespie said.

“What’s so good about this sauce? I don’t know the secret. But the sauce is the hook. The sauce is what keeps you coming back,” TJ McBride said.

With a legacy that spans generations, the family behind Lem’s is overjoyed.

“It shows a commitment to our legacy and our involvement in the community,” Manager William Lemons said.

“Seventy years, we’re doing it, and we’re going to continue to keep doing it,” Carmen Lemons said.

The James Beard Award ceremony is this June at Lyric Opera of Chicago.