Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern

  4.7 – 1,804 reviews   • Barbecue restaurant

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Located in an historic Old Town building that dates back to 1881, Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern is one of the oldest restaurants in the city of Chicago. Since its founding in 1932, Twin Anchors has always been known for great, tender, barbequed baby-back ribs that can be enjoyed in a quaint neighborhood tavern.

Old-school tavern & barbecue restaurant founded in 1932 & once frequented by Frank Sinatra.

✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out ✔️Delivery Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern 60614

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Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern – Chicago

Located in an historic Old Town building that dates back to 1881, Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern is one of the oldest restaurants in the city of Chicago.

Menu – Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern

Appetizers & Sides · Our Acclaimed Homemade Chili · Mini Barbeque Pork Sandwiches · BBQ Chicken Wings · Chicken Tenders · Zesty Baked Beans · Pepper-Jack Creamed …

Our Story – Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern

Located in an historic Old Town building that dates back to 1881, Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern is one of the oldest restaurants in the city of Chicago.

Reviews

Nidhi Johnson
An iconic place you MUST visit when in Chicago. They have the BEST ribs ever!!! get it with the prohibition sauce. The sides are amazing too. The wait can be a tad long especially on weekends but you can hang by the bar and it’s totally worth the wait.
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Casey C
Went for a walk and passed by Twin Anchors. Smelled something so good. Walked inside and realized it’s the bar from the movie I loved growing up “Return to Me” ordered the ribs at the bar from the nicest bartender. Blown away by the flavor and tenderness. Meat falls right off the bone. Might be my favorite ribs in the city.
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James Segil
This is hands down my favorite ribs place in Chicago. We come here every time we are in town and they never disappoint. Prepare yourself for a wait for your table especially if you have a larger group as they don’t take reservations but trust me it’s worth it. I love to have a drink at the bar and people watch. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. I recommend the ribs, coleslaw, beans, green beans, baked potatoe and fries. Also their cakes make for an amazing dessert so save room for them.
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Carl Graddy
Every time I head to Chicago, whether it’s with family, friends, or for a Cubs game, or even on a solo trip, I always take time for my favorite tradition.
Thursday night dinner at Twin Anchors Restaurant and Tavern
From the name, you might think Twin Anchors is a seafood spot. And yes, you’ll find fish on the menu, but that’s not why people (including me) keep coming back. We all go for the same thing: the world-famous baby back ribs.
The building has been around since the days of Prohibition, and if you look closely, you can still see that history in the building. It was once a speakeasy and even has an escape door from the days when raids were common. The walls themselves tell stories: photos of movie stars, signed memorabilia, and legends of who’s dined here. Frank Sinatra loved the place so much he had a wall phone installed by his favorite booth. Hollywood productions have filmed here, including the movie Return to Me (2000) with Minnie Driver and David Duchovny. Even Conan O’Brien dropped by with his late-night TV crew and filmed segments here.
But let’s get to what really matters: the ribs. Slow-cooked, tender, meaty and served with sauces that make’em even more mouthwatering. For me, those ribs strike a personal chord. My grandfather, nicknamed “The Rib Man,” worked as a food wholesaler all across Illinois. He was known for his ribs and his sauce, and every time I dig into Twin Anchors’ slabs, I’m reminded of him. Their original Zesty Sauce just tastes like home. These days, they’ve added a Prohibition Sauce (a Kansas City-style recipe introduced in 2010) and a 1930s Mild Sauce all worth trying. When you go, order a half or whole slab and sample every sauce. You just can’t go wrong with any of them.
Inside, Twin Anchors is old-school in the best way. A small tavern vibe, a no-frills bar pouring stiff drinks, and that famous sign that hangs in the middle of the restaurant that reads: “Positively No Dancing.” (You’ll get the joke once you’re there.)
It’s almost always busy, they don’t take reservations, so expect a wait and tight seating. But that’s part of the experience. Chicago is a city full of flashy, high-end restaurants, Twin Anchors is a slice of that city’s history that keeps things simple, hearty, and nostalgic.
This time around, my cousin went for his very first trip to Chicago. His verdict? The ribs were exactly how he likes them…tender, and full of flavor, and the atmosphere was exactly what he pictured from an established rib joint.
As for me, I always make it a point to eat here, because no trip for me to Chicago ever feels complete without Twin Anchors.
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Joseph Croke
Many who served us was brilliant. Fierce attentive and honest. Said tip already in so no need to give to him, I wouldn’t have known so I’ll remember him and the restaurant in a great way for it. Best ribs I’ve had in a long time. Food out within 5 minutes of ordering. Atmosphere brilliant and authentic place with real people and great food.
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David Dykes
What can I add to what has already been said? I went here with high expectations, and they were met and surpassed. Some of the best baby back ribs I’ve ever tasted. I was unsure of which of the 3 sauces they offer to get, and they suggested getting all 3 on the side. Perfect idea. Thrilled with my option of going right near opening time on a Monday night. Mostly had the place to myself so never felt rushed or crowded. Had a wonderful conversation with the bartender and a wonderful local couple from the neighborhood. All in all, just a perfect dinner.
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Hagz
Twin Anchor is one of the oldest original restaurant in the city of Chicago. Since its founding in 1932, Twin Anchors has always been known for great, tender, barbequed baby-back ribs that can be enjoyed in a quaint neighborhood tavern. Twin Anchors is a 100 % Chicago legend! Some of the best BBQ in the country. Their Prohibition sauce might be my favorite BBQ sauce. There’s a short list of places that are a must eat in the city these days and Twin Anchors is at the top of that list. Have you ever had BBQ ribs or chicken that you can eat with a spoon because they’re so tender? I have, at Twin Anchors. 100% recommend!
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Mary Stuber
This rib joint ribs are always fall off the bone delicious. I like both the zesty and prohibition sauces. The beans with pulled pork in them so good.

Service is on a different level these servers have been here over 30 years and are great!

Atmosphere is amazing Old
School Chicago Tavern. Small and crowded. Because when you know you know.
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Jennifer Winthurst
Fantastic place! The vibe is very chill and old school Chicago. Has some of the very best service here. Our waitress was amazing! We started with a bowl of chili. It came with a side of onions sour cream and cheese. It was very good but for me a little spicy. I had the full rack of ribs with their zesty barbecue sauce. I got fries as my side. And also came with a dill pickle and sweet coleslaw. Everything was fresh and flavorful. They do have Coke products. They have a wide selection of cocktails and draft beer. Are we dress was telling us about the restaurants history. How it was open during prohibition. She also told us it has been in two major movies and a lot of celebrities have been in to eat. Including Frank Sinatra.
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Mary Hershey
Legendary ribs we keep coming back for! They fall off the bone, have amazing sauce options, and are reasonably priced. Love the warm atmosphere, with booths in the cozy bar area and space for groups. The friendliest, fast service. Come early for dinner because there’s almost always a wait– but they text you when ready so that’s no problem. It’s our family’s favorite restaurant in Chicago, so we always take out-of-town guests to this historic neighborhood gem. Loved the holiday decorations.
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