Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Wisconsin
  4. Milwaukee
  5. Milwaukee
Chicago’s Essential Barbecue Restaurant Carson’s - Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI

Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - Milwaukee

4.8
4.8
1703 Reviews
$31 to $50
Barbecue

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 28 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for business meals
  • Fancy
America's #1 BBQ since 1977, Carson's dedication to hearty portions, homemade recipes, and an unwavering commitment to the finest quality makes it no wonder why we earn that title year after year.

Carson's slow-smoked Essential Chicago BBQ babyback ribs are the star attraction, but other must-try BBQ or Greek Chicken and Chops, USDA Certified Black Angus and Prime Steaks, Award-Winning Cole Slaw, exceptional salad dressings, scratch-made potato sides, shrimp, and salmon.

Indulge in our attentive & personal service in time-tested old-school ambiance; high-backed leather booths, white tablecloths, and roomy chairs & barstools. Above the glow of candlelight, the likes of Frank Sinatra, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and hundreds of other notable Carson's fans join you in your meal. Located just steps from the Fiserv Forum, Carson's stands at the Milwaukee riverfront on the ground floor of The Moderne high-rise.
Come see why Carson's is a quintessential landmark restaurant for over 45 years.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Barbecue, Steak, American
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (414) 223-3311
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    The Essential Barbecue Restaurant
  • Catering
    Contact our Party Planner at ribs.com/contact-us<br />OR Visit our website RIBS.COM<br />THE Essential Barbecue Restaurant
  • Private party facilities
    Contact our Party Planner at ribs.com/contact-usOR Visit our website RIBS.COMTHE Essential Barbecue Restaurant
  • Neighborhood
    Milwaukee
  • Cross street
    N Old World 3rd St
  • Parking details
    Valet is available during Fiserv events, Bucks games, and every Friday and Saturday night. $12 for dine-in only and $40 to dine-in and keep your vehicle valeted during the event. (Prices are subject to change.)
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,703 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue in Milwaukee offers a delightful dining experience with "amazing" food and "outstanding" service. The restaurant is perfect for pre-event meals, with "great portions" and a welcoming atmosphere. Guests frequently praise the attentive staff and "phenomenal" menu options, ensuring a memorable visit.

1,703 Reviews
  1. Michael

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 1
    The service was top notch. Between the hostess getting us to our seats promptly and the bartender checking in on us, getting our drinks and serving our food was all great. The problem was with the noise level coming from the bar and the entry way. There were many people that were being very loud and disruptive, one person at the bar was having a conversation on speaker phone for over 30 minutes and it was very disruptive to the us and the other people sitting around the bar having dinner.
    Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - MilwaukeeResponded 1 day ago
    Dear Michael, Thank you for taking time to share your feedback. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the service provided by our hostess and bartender. We apologize for the noise level you experienced during your visit on event night at Fiserv while being seated at the bar as per your request. We understand this can be disruptive when trying to enjoy a meal. We'll address this with our staff to take steps to ensure a more pleasant dining experience for our guests. In the future, please don't hesitate to real time notify a manager or request relocating to a quieter area if you encounter similar noise issues. We want you to have the best possible experience at our restaurant and will be happy to accommodate if we can. Sincerely, Carson‘s Prime Steaks and Famous Barbecue Milwaukee RIBS.com

    Is this helpful?

  2. Sheila

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    The Brussel Sprouts were sticky sweet. The ribs were tough and VERY difficult to cut. The Caesar salad was excellent. So was the tiramisu.
    Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - MilwaukeeResponded 1 day ago
    Dear Sheila, We're happy you enjoyed the Caesar and tiramisu. While we appreciate feedback, let us emphasize the preparation and presentation of our legendary ribs adhere strictly to time-honored recipes and cooking methods. Commitment to consistency allows us to serve award-winning competition style ribs to millions of satisfied customers since 1977. Award-winning ribs should have tug and chew from bone and never mushy “fall off the bone” to be a winner. Texture is indicative of proper cooking and ensures the natural meat flavors preserve, which is the sole hallmark of our famed BBQ. We apologize brussel sprouts weren’t to your personal preference as we always strive to provide high-quality, delicious meals. Sincerely, Carson’s Prime Steaks and Famous Barbecue RIBS.com

    Is this helpful?

  3. Jordyn

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our experience was very good. The server we had was extremely nice and helpful with the menu. He was very on top of making sure our experience at this restaurant was good. The food and drinks were good. I had a pleasant experience here.
    Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - MilwaukeeResponded 2 days ago
    Dear Jordyn, Thank you for your kind words and recommendation. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your recent visit to Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue Milwaukee. We're especially pleased that you had such a positive experience with your server Christopher. We'll be sure to pass along your compliments to him and the team member who assisted you on Valentine's Day evening. We strive to provide all of our guests with excellent food, service, and ambiance, and we're delighted that we were able to meet your expectations. Thank you again for your feedback. We look forward to welcoming you back soon! Sincerely, Carson’s Prime Steaks and Famous Barbecue Milwaukee RIBS.com

    Is this helpful?

  4. Charles

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food superb, service by Savannah exemplary. Had a nice talk with Mike who was a gracious host. Will be placing on my list of must visit places in Milwaukee!
    Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - MilwaukeeResponded 2 days ago
    Dear Charles, Thank you for your awesome 5 recommendation of Carson’s Prime Steaks and Famous Barbecue Milwaukee. We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your recent visit. It's wonderful to know that you found the food, service, and ambiance to be exceptional. We're especially pleased that Savannah and Mike made your experience memorable with superb service and grace. We'll be sure to share your kind words with them. We're thrilled that you'll be adding us to your list of must-visit places in Milwaukee and will definitely look forward to welcoming you back soon. Sincerely, Carson’s Prime Steaks and Famous Barbecue Milwaukee Team RIBS.com

    Is this helpful?

  5. Lucius

    Milwaukee

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We sat at the bar, dinner was good Bartender was nice! We’ll be back.
    Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - MilwaukeeResponded 6 days ago
    Dear Lucius, Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a wonderful 5 star review! We're thrilled to read that you enjoyed your dining experience with us at Carson’s. We're especially pleased you found our food, service, and ambiance to be top-notch. We strive to create a welcoming and energetic atmosphere where guests can enjoy delicious food and drinks. We'll be sure to pass your kind words along to our bartender. See you again soon! Sincerely, Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue Milwaukee Team RIBS.com

    Is this helpful?

  6. Jennifer

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Kristen was amazing and made the dinner enjoyable
    Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - MilwaukeeResponded on February 9, 2025
    Dear Jennifer, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your recent dining experience with us. We're especially pleased that Kristen provided you with amazing service. We'll be sure to share your kind words with her. We look forward to welcoming you back to Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue Milwaukee soon! Sincerely, Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue Milwaukee Team RIBS.com

    Is this helpful?

  7. Brad

    Richmond

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on February 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We dined in February of 2025, early evening- We have visited before and really like the menu and the location/atmosphere of the restaurant. My wife was very happy with all of the gluten free options and we had the Mediterranean Shrimp as an appetizer followed by a terrific garbage salad with 1000 island. The shrimp were well prepared and seasoned boldly- the peppers and squash were great compliments. Wifey had BBQ chicken, and she was very happy with her choice, including a massive baked potato and slaw. I opted for the Greek Style pork chop and was totally impressed by the presentation and sheer size and flavor was delicious. I am a very happy customer and will be back soon.
    Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - MilwaukeeResponded on February 8, 2025
    Dear Brad, Thank you for your recent visit and taking time to share your 5 star feedback. We're thrilled to hear you and your wife enjoyed your dining experience. It's wonderful to know you appreciate our menu, location, and atmosphere, and we're particularly pleased your wife found plenty of gluten-free options to suit her needs. We're delighted you both enjoyed your meals, from Mediterranean Shrimp, Garbage Salad, BBQ chicken and Greek Pork chop. We're grateful for your enthusiasm for our restaurant as we work hard to create a dining experience that exceeds expectations. Your kind words about our food, service, and setting are truly appreciated. We look forward to welcoming you both back soon. Best regards, Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue Milwaukee RIBS.com

    Is this helpful?

  8. Jason

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and service. Very good size portions. Perfectly cooked steaks. Would definitely recommend and will return.
    Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - MilwaukeeResponded on February 7, 2025
    Dear Jason, Thank you for the 5-star review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your first Carson's experience. It's wonderful to know that you found our food and service to be excellent, and that you were impressed with the portion sizes and perfectly cooked steaks. We also appreciate your kind words about our valet team. We're especially grateful for your private note highlighting the exceptional service provided by your server. We'll be sure to pass along your compliments. We look forward to welcoming you back to Carson's soon, and we encourage you to visit our Chicago location as well. Best regards, Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue Milwaukee RIBS.com

    Is this helpful?

  9. Dean

    Milwaukee

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We come in often, especially since Elsa’s on the Park changed almost literally everything on the menu and went down the drain, and it’s always excellent, every time. Martini’s are fantastic, and the service and the food are the best - get the Mediterranean pork chop. Greek Potatoes, double-baked…you can’t go wrong. Being a serial French onion soup fan, this is one of the best around, and the Caesar salad can’t be beat. Always a wonderful experience. This place is a class act.
    Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - MilwaukeeResponded on February 2, 2025
    Dear Dean, Thank you so much for your recent 5 star review of Carson’s Prime Steaks and Famous Barbecue Milwaukee. We're thrilled to hear you enjoy your visits and that we've become your go-to spot. We take pride in providing excellent food, service, and ambiance, and it's wonderful to know that we consistently hit the mark for you. We'll be sure to pass along your compliments to our team, especially regarding the martinis, Mediterranean pork chop, Greek potatoes, French onion soup, and Caesar salad. We're so glad you always have a wonderful experience with us and look forward to welcoming you back again soon! Best regards, Carson’s Prime Steaks and Famous Barbecue Milwaukee Management RIBS.com

    Is this helpful?

  10. Leslie

    VIP

    Milwaukee

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Mediterranean pork chop is a favorite and always delicious! Service was great and we were in and out in about 1 hour, perfect for a pregame meal.
    Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - MilwaukeeResponded on February 2, 2025
    Dear Leslie, Thank you for your kind words and 5 star recommendation. We're delighted to hear that you had a positive experience at Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue Milwaukee. We're particularly pleased you enjoyed our Mediterranean pork chop and that you found our service to be excellent. We always strive to provide our guests with a memorable and efficient dining experience. We appreciate your feedback and awesome diner tags and look forward to welcoming you back in the near future. Sincerely, Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue Milwaukee RIBS.com

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - Milwaukee offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (414) 223-3311.

Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - Milwaukee is rated 4.8 stars by 1703 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 28 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Carson's Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue - Milwaukee

301 West Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    N Old World 3rd St
  • Neighborhood
    Milwaukee
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–11:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Barbecue, Steak, American
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Valet is available during Fiserv events, Bucks games, and every Friday and Saturday night. $12 for dine-in only and $40 to dine-in and keep your vehicle valeted during the event. (Prices are subject to change.)
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    The Essential Barbecue Restaurant
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (414) 223-3311
  • Catering
    Contact our Party Planner at ribs.com/contact-us<br />OR Visit our website RIBS.COM<br />THE Essential Barbecue Restaurant
  • Private party facilities
    Contact our Party Planner at ribs.com/contact-usOR Visit our website RIBS.COMTHE Essential Barbecue Restaurant
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo