Butler's BBQ & Grill: It's all about the food

Butler's BBQ & Grill is a friendly place, but you won't go there for the decor, and most customers choose to carry out the ribs, brisket, chicken wings, hot links or fried catfish.

The menu - while limited - features most of what you want when you hanker for barbecue.

It's the kind of place where diners go to the window to place orders, then return to pick up their food, so service is not a big part of the appeal. We did get a round of water delivered to our table. No alcohol is served.

We didn't notice until too late that sweet potato fries are available, but the regular ones were very good.

Here are the reactions from our panel:

Name: Lori Wilson

Age: 37

Hometown: Winfield

What I ordered: Beef brisket dinner ($10.75)

Taste and presentation: The brisket was excellent. Barbecue taste was very flavorful, not heavy or too spicy.

Atmosphere and service: The service was good, and the atmosphere is more for carryout. It is decorated festively.

Good if you want: Down-home barbecue. Missing Carson's Ribs, this is a great substitute.

Name: Danielle Rios

Age: 27

Hometown: Naperville

What I ordered: Rib tips meal ($8.95)

Taste and presentation: The fries and the barbecue buffalo chicken wing appetizer were delicious. The rib tips were a little too fatty for me.

Atmosphere and service: The owner is very friendly. While we were talking he asked us if we needed anything and brought us water. There are about six tables, and the restaurant has a cozy atmosphere.

Good if you want: They have a sweet barbecue sauce, which is good if you are a "sweet sauce" person.

Name: Mary Richter

Age: 27

Hometown: Naperville

What I ordered: Five rib tips and one hot link combination dinner ($8.95)

Taste and presentation: The rib tips had a nice smoky flavor. Love the hand-cut french fries! Barbecue sauce had a mild honey flavor.

Atmosphere and service: Clean and friendly service. A lack of atmosphere; could use music. Ask for the wet-naps.

Good if you want: Barbecue takeout or a quick lunch.

The details

Facts: 322 E. Geneva Road, Wheaton, (630) 665-6227, butlersbbqandgrill.com

Cuisine: Barbecue

Setting: A few tables in a clean but plain dining area near the open kitchen.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; closed Sunday.

Price range: Dinners $7.25 to $19.50; sandwiches $2.95 to $6.95.

Accepts: Major credit cards and phone or fax orders.