Big Catz BBQ is a family owned restaurant specializing in smoked pork, brisket, chicken and ribs. We started off as a small home based operation and going to different festivals to set up before getting into the catering business and then in October 2015 decided to open as a full time restaurant. We have an event room to host special events from baby showers, birthday parties, rehearsal dinners and wedding receptions. We also feature an outdoor venue to host live entertainment and outdoor seating.
Based on 940 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.3 stars. Price $$
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Takeout ✔️ Delivery
Address:
221 E Main St unit a, Knoxville, IL 61448
Phone: (309) 388-0020
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Sunday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
11 AM–10 PM
Hours might differ
|
| Tuesday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–12 AM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–12 AM |
Menu
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Menu Photos
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Reviews
Cadence Giddings
Love this place! We had fantastic service. The inside was nice and cool on a hot day. They have the best ribs around – the meat was melt in your mouth tender. The sides are all excellent- loved the baked beans. Can’t wait to come back again! They have a large patio outside for dining. The menu has tons of options as well as kids items.
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Joe Haupt
We stopped by the restaurant for lunch while on a road trip from Baltimore to the Twin Cities. A large party arrived just a few minutes after we sat down. We were concerned that we would have a long wait; however, our waiter handled the situation well. She kept a friendly smile on her face and got all orders taken care of and served quickly. We enjoyed our food and were back on the road without delay.
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Autumn Gray
Food is great, service could use some improvements. It feels more like a sports bar than a restaurant. Thursdays BURNT ENDS are amazing, the cheese curds and soft pretzels are delicious!
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Susan Trotter
Great food with fantastic customer service! The exterior is charming with plenty of parking. Inside was also clean, fun, and spacious. I ordered the fried chicken (ok but not the specialty)…my side was yummy mac and cheese…. my friends had the brisket and wow one of the best I’ve ever had! Next time we are up in Illinois we will definitely stop in for BBQ!
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Brad Boeker
Great local sports bar. Sandwiches, burgers, fried chicken, plus ribs and other BBQ options. Good food and fun atmosphere.
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JP Menvielle
Fantastic BBQ joint. Ordered half rack of their ribs…they fell right off the bone and had the perfect amount of smoked flavor. 3 different spice levels on the house sauces. Full bar with dozen or so beer on tap. Sports and rock decor and memorabilia abound…Chicago and Notre Dame. Live music on designated nights with some big local acts as well as a few still-touring 80’s Hair Band acts. If you see proprietor Tommy hanging out buy him a beer…interesting guy. Rilee and Ashley H. behind the bar are great. An overall fun place to hang out with plenty of locals. So good I had to go back the very next night.
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Jim Carr
To bad they didn’t put the effort into their food that they did with decorating. Arrived about 12:45 on a Wednesday. Ordered Pulled pork and fries, pulled pork and onion straws. The best thing I can say is the frozen fries were good. Both sandwiches were cold and slimey. The waitress who was very friendly immediately went to get us two new sandwiches.
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Teresa Donley
Flavor was great, but the only thing on my plate that was really hot was the beans. Everything else was barely warm. Got meat trio. Even tho flavor was good, meat was dry – even the ribs. Waiter was great. I wanted 1/2 smoked chicken, but it was already gone at 5:00 on a Saturday. It wasn’t available until 4:30. So?????
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Pamela Taylor
Worst service I have ever had. The waitress took orders of other people that came in after us before taking ours, would stand around and flirt with the good looking man that came in and have long conversations with him and other customers but paid no attention to us. She gave the cute guy a free beer but we asked for ranch and she brought after we were done eating. Then didn’t give me my change when I paid. I definitely wouldn’t want her working at my company. I will never eat there again.
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Tonya DeCoster
The food was horrible! My daughter and myself both ordered different sandwiches made with smoked brisket and hers had grease dripping off of the wrap & pooling on the plate. My brisket was dry and crumbled when touched yet both buns were soaked through in grease.
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