Along with other restaurants like Lem's Bar-B-Q, Leon's popularized the "Delta style" of barbecue that predominates in the South Side.

This barbecue heavily features rib tips, a cheap cut of meat usually discarded by butchers, which are cooked in an "aquarium smoker".

[3] He originally sold ribs for 30¢ an order, but later closed the restaurant after price controls made it difficult to turn a profit.

[6][7] The restaurant was scheduled to be the largest concession at the 1982 ChicagoFest but pulled out of the festival due to an ongoing boycott by African-American activists, led by Jesse Jackson, over Mayor Jane Byrne's actions.

[9][5] Leon's is known for its hickory smoked[10] rib tips and hot links, which are served over fries and drizzled with barbecue sauce.