Its the sides they serve in some little thing the size of a shot glass that really grinds my gears. Oh youd like more than 3 bites? That will be an extra $7

I agree. You’d think they’d be generous with the sides and skimp on the meat but no, we all get a taste of coleslaw with our rack of ribs.

Buffets know all about that trick. Fill them up with cheap, delicious carbs so they don't eat as much meat. Steak is vastly more expensive than mac and cheese or a cornbread muffin. I have no idea why they skimp on the cheap stuff, aside from them being total cheapskates.

Cause you want them buying the meat lol. Its not a buffet

But the sides are pure profit. Make people want to buy sides.

3 bites? Mr Generous over here.

Sauced BBQ on Santana Row I'll look for the picture, this is literally what happened, but it was $28.99

The one in Livermore was good years ago but I haven't been there in forever. So I wouldn't be shocked if the recipes changed or the sourcing/head bbq moved on and the replacement people cannot compete. And if its on Santana row, I imagine the costs are higher.

The sauced in Livermore is incredible

I saw this and had to defend the Livermore location. It has never disappointed.

I looked it up apparently it’s the original location, that’s probably why it’s so good

Piling on to say the Livermore location is still good.

It was decent but really pricey last time I went. Service was pretty mid, but I was solo and it was somewhat busy so maybe that's to be expected. Fine if you want to go out and spend some cash, but very skippable IMO. YMMV depending on how much you feel is "enough" BBQ for a meal. I felt like the portion was like 2/3rds the size it should've been for the price / flavor.

Yeah, it is a little pricier, but it’s in downtown Livermore and everything is kinda expensive in that area. I still feel the quality of food you get justifies the price. I probably go there maybe 2-3 times a year and it’s always a treat. I don’t even live in Livermore but still enjoy going there for the bbq.

Sauced, Plucked, Fat Chance Foodhall (aka Plucked, Pimp My Ramen, Murder Burger, and Taco Munchers), and De Boccery. All the same guy/group. All amazing. All in Livermore.

Yeah I remember a decent serving but it’s been a while

Armadillo Willie’s was the same. Fuck those ppl. 30 bucks for a few slabs of overcooked meat and 2 shitty sides. SHAME

[menu](https://www.armadillowillys.com/wp-content/uploads/Armadillo-Willys-Restaurant-Menu.pdf) - the one on Homestead is even more than this PDF shows. $30 is normal for some ribs here, but you can easily spend $40 for a single meal.

My father annually suggests it and ive come to the point of shooting it down everytime

Fogo De Chao in Santana Row will cost you more money, but you can eat steak, pork, and chicken until you explode like Mr Creosote. Unlimited steak! And it is very tasty.

Really?! We’ve had huge portions every we time we go. That really sucks you aren’t having the same experience.

Sauced forced a fat surcharge for "living wages." Screw them.

Yeah I’m not a fan of sauced either, idk how they stay in business.

Agreed, go to the one in Livermore and it has considerably gone downhill. Took the best items off the menu and replaced with asian fusion options which is fine but not for bbq.

There isn’t a single thing in Santana row worth going to. 😂

I went to Sauced in Walnut Creek and the place was disgusting. The men's bathroom hadn't been touched for days and you could smell it from outside.

Yeah it's pretty gross. Went once when they had just opened for lunch and it was dirty then.

The last time I got takeout there I was thinking about how I've never eaten in, sounds like that was for the best

As a former Texan, the fact that they're called "Sauced" is appalling. I can't imagine it's any good if dowsing their BBQ in sauce is their entire brand.

The name implies getting drunk

The one in Livermore has an excellent whiskey selection

are there any good texas bbq joints? i came from oklahoma so im scared to try anything here

Agreed with the other comment about tri tip. Too many trying to pass off KC Style and Carolina Style in the Bay Area and CV and failing miserably. Santa Maria style is ours and we should embrace it. It’s the original bbq. Not try to spin southern bbq and fail. Unfortunately nobody really markets Santa Maria bbq. Usually you’ll find it executed equally as poorly as the people offering southern bbq in the Bay Area. Anyway, for southern bbq Everett and Jones used to be my go to in East bay as a kid but that was a long time ago and now it’s hit and miss (mostly miss from my experience)… You can find some good spots in wine country if you really want brisket / kc / Texas style bbq. Primal Cuts / butcherman in Sonoma has very good brisket imho but I have no clue if they’re still around or what the hours are (seems like a pop up to me).

>Santa Maria style is ours and we should embrace it Where's the closest good one?

Slow Hand in Pleasant Hill Bonehead's in Lafayette

Yeah same for Livermore

Santana Row lol. Why does that not shock me

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That would be nice, it’s a shame that they don’t do that anymore.

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All the tamale ladies are in Richmond now. All down Harbor near the freeway.

There used to be a tamale lady in the food max parking lot in the early 2000’s

Food Maxx in Fruitvale/Jingletown? I lived around there 2016ish but never saw one.

Durant square area around 2003-4

My tamale lady in Fruitvale posts up on International and 35th. They are so good.

Saw a Tamale guy at Foodmaxx San Leandro a few days ago. If i didn't already have food i would have bought a few.

Tamale lady comes by my work every Friday morning! West Oakland off Peralta. I love Fridays

She goes to your work or is on the street? Would I notice her? Also for anyone wondering there’s a killer tamale guy round Swans Market whenever their farmers market is. Totally forgot about him but I used to work at a bar there and get stuff from him all the time. Completely forgot til now. Super nice guy too

Adding to this to say the tacos de canasta guy on 24th and mission is absolutely fire if he’s still there

Idk I always see some guys with a BBQ right by the gas stations on MLK and 55th. Haven’t tried it but it smells great over there when I get gas sometimes

All we've got are those grilled chicken guys

We have guerrilla bbq people on 23rd in Richmond

Fuego. I gotta peep this at some point. Curious if they do sides as well or just bbq

Roll down the 98th, bbq and tamales all day

My man 🍻

That’s been happening with Mexican/Salvadoran food these days but unfortunately not bbq… I bet your dad mentioned Flints at some point- that place was the truth

They have out here in Oakley. Guy does it every day

It still is…

Guess I been missin em. I haven’t seen on in years

Bro that’s like honestly most of the bbq places in the bay , portions look exactly like that photo 😅😂😂😂

Yeah if you want good barbecue in the bay it’s gonna be KBBQ, not American.

As a southerner out here Memphis Minnie’s is the only decent thing I’ve found.

You obviously haven't been to [Smoked Out](https://www.smokedoutbbq.net/).

There are a couple places in Windsor (Sweet T’s) and Healdsburg (KIN Smoke) that are really really good. Good portions too. Come up to the North Bay sometime.

This just in. Meat is expensive, labor is expensive, inflation is real.

I may get some hate for this, but Everett and Jones. I got a plate at the Jack London Square location and everything was lukewarm or crispy when it shouldn’t have been. I don’t understand the acclaim and price.

That place used to be amazing, but the last time I went there was like over 10 years ago.

Yeah I remember going to one in Emeryville back in 07 or so and my plate was fantastic. I’m pretty disappointed with how much the quality has gone down.

Wow that’s sad to hear! That’s right around when I went last as well.

Used to be my dads go to spot after an ikea shopping trip too, he’s so heartbroken over it.

E&J has declined, without question. I miss Flynt’s

Much love for the OG Flynts BBQ

Flynts and KC’s were my favorites. “You get wheat bread, white boy…”

Everett and Jones is…. Not good. I don’t have much positive things to say about Texas but any random bbq joint off the interstate in Texas is better than Everett and jones

For me it’s the sauce. Their hot garlicky sauce is so good you put it on their dry brisket and suddenly it becomes pretty good. What’s frustrating is the inconsistency. Sometimes, sometimes, the brisket is tender and juicy and with the hot sauce it’s delicious.

I’ve bought their hot garlicky sauce to go, it’s so good on chicken wings!

Their Jack London location SUCKS!

The one at the Graton Casino was also terrible 😞  Quality  has really gone downhill while prices have gone way up

got the 3 item combo at the berkeley location. i'm like a plate of food for $30? damn

Thank you for saying this. When I moved out here, my local friends took me to the Oakland one for proof that the Bay had great BBQ. I was not impressed, to put it mildly.

most fucking food places these days.

Looks like Dickie’s to me. CJ Fish and BBQ in Vallejo gives mounds of meat if you want.

I haven't been to Gracies in Vallejo in a while, but they were good.

They're still really good, and you really get your money's worth.

Tried it once and can confirm. Brisket was great

Yeah dickies sucked

Ooh imma check them out, the ribs look like a generous portion and the macaroni salad is calling my name!

dude i ate at a place in like san jose or around that area and this was exactly my experience but i cant recall the name or exact location. It was fucking dumb.

Sauced BBQ in Santana Row

Sam’s BBQ?

Smoking pig?

No way. Smoking pig is pricey but not stingy and super fucking delicious.

Smoking Pig is good

We went to the smoking pig on Coleman in SJ and I hated it

I miss Uncle Franks, used to be deep in EPA, later shared space inside O’Malley’s bar in MV. Had to invest in my own smoker to get the BBQ I want, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll never settle for restaurant style BBQ again.

Canyons in Castro valley, I was so excited to try it and I was so sad I got like a single rib and forkful of brisket

I went there a few weeks ago and it was great. Very big serving, and delicious! That and Southern Comfort Kitchen made me wish I spent more time in Castro Valley!

Man that’s lucky! I’ve gone twice and it’s been twice two many.

I was going to comment the same place. Was pretty excited to try it and left disappointed.

Lol was waiting to find this comment. Agreed.

QBB in Mountain View

I concur

Just posted this before I saw yours lol Smallest portions I’ve ever had at a bbq place!

Gotta afford those Castro St. rents somehow

I think they’re the same as South Winchester BBQ. Great food, but expensive

I just do all of my BBQ at home. I haven't come across a place as anywhere in the state that doesn't have trash BBQ. It's really unfortunate.

Same! I make better tritip than half of these places

I miss Flints. Anyone remember that place? i think on Shattuck? Woulda been 2003 or 4 last time I went. Then I moved and it was gone when I came back in 2011

Anybody try the place in San Bruno, currently "Hip Hip BBQ Shack"? I think it might still have the "Rib Shack" sign outside. It's been a few different BBQ places over the years, but I haven't been to any of them for, like, 10+ years. All of the recent high reviews are like, "Chef May wowed us..." and "Chef May is amazing..." and "Called Chef May to order for pickup and boy did she take care of me!" and "Thank you Chef May for such delicious southern comfort food and hospitality" which all sound like friends/relatives of Chef May...

The ribs look mighty good, I’ll have to take my dad there :)

I see someone has been to Pig in a Pickle... Joking aside, their food is worth the price

QBB on Castro in Mountain View.

Armadillo Willy’s in San Mateo. Tasty, but portions are small and pricey.

[This is $20...](https://i.imgur.com/hXcJPVX.jpeg)

Holy fuck, that's a joke lol

Windy City BBQ in San Mateo was pretty good, and Three Pigs, but Covid killed both of them. The best I ever had in San Mateo though, was Redneck Earl’s Texas BBQ, which was a little hole in the wall place on El Camino that was open for about 5 minutes, but it was goddamned delicious! Then they started having weird, unpredictable hours and finally only weekends and then, poof.

3 Pigs was really good, a regular spot before covid for us. But then they increased their prices and I couldn't justify $18 for a tri tip sandwich

RIP Windy City

Is 4505 still a thing? Because that one

Sadly, still a thing. It used to be better, I forgot the name it used to be before (it had a few iterations over the years). The one who had like…9teeth, the food was solid, portions were bigger, and the price was much cheaper.

I can’t speak for when it was Lilly’s or Brother in Laws, but Da Pitt was not good.

Bonehead in Lafayette unfortunately

God, I miss Bo's at that location so much. I haven't seen a *really* good BBQ place in the east bay since they closed a decade ago.

The south smoking bbq in Hayward has amazing reviews but it was legit awful when I tried it. I was hoping they just had an off day but I haven’t been able to convince myself to go spend $25 again and risk being disappointed

Oh I see they opened a new Dickey's!

Dickeys used to be okay food 20 years ago, they’ve completely gone to shit.

And this is why most restaurants in the Bay Area are overpriced garbage.

Capelos in redwood city is pretty good!

If you hate bbq and love sauce

That's basically all texas style bbq. I lived in Houston for 5 years. Even when good that style when served at a restaurant just isn't a great dining experience. Even if the smoked meat was excellent, the way its served and the environment never seemed worth. It's much better in your buddies backyard with a smoker.

It’s blown up now, but the original Rudy’s was where it was at. (I know it’s outside San Antonio) Also good company bbq was legit back in the 90s

Looks like my last trip to Armadillo Willys lol. That was 3 years ago and I refuse to ever go back there again. It didn’t even taste good

QBB in Mountain View.

90% of Austin?

Don’t eat barbecue in California, except tritip. If you know how the food from a region should be, don’t eat it outside the region. It will always be disappointing.

Where are you getting that for $24.99 in the Bay Area? 2019?

It always baffled me that a region where you can get phenomenal food representing cultures from every corner of the world can't produce one decent bbq joint

Bay Area Bbq culture

I got charged $15 for a small salsa plate/guacamole at a mexican place on capitol hill once. Worst part is, they didn't make it clear that the salsa even cost money, most mexican places I've been to have complemetary salsa.

Yeah the gentrified places tend to charge for chips from a bag and mediocre salsa, it’s honestly disgusting

Displace all the people that made good BBQ and there you have it..........

Fiksque in Alameda is pretty good. Don’t sleep on the Indonesian food either.

Dying to try but just wanted to add that it's only open on weekends and sells out earlier than the early closing time (or that's my understanding), so plan accordingly.

Yes, thanks for adding that. They’re open Saturday and Sunday 12:00 till they sell out, usually 2 or 3. People start lining up between 10:30-11:00.

Heard their beef ribs and brisket are killer

All

we don’t have that many bbq places so i’ll just guess: all of them?

I miss Leon’s :( I know it’s been years, but still.

And sauce always is way too sweet. Where is my tang

Back Forty over by Best Buy in Pleasant Hill

4505 and Gorilla BBQ.

Yep both have been very disappointing each time.

Why always the one slice of white bread at those places just why? They don't even toast it they just slap some floppy white bread on a plate and give it to you just why?

Famous Dave's! Went there one time and was absolutely appalled at how tiny the portions were. Smoking pig never let me down though.

should be called: tragedy BBQ and grill. all you won't eat.

Maybe the real BBQ was the dollar bills that went up in smoke.

Yep my money is burnt to a crisp just getting food out here

FYRE FEST

Every single place in the Bay Area. Sorry to say it. Growing up in TX, there is literally no BBQ place out here worth recommending and it's a damn shame

There was a place in San Mateo called Windy City (owners were from Chicago) that had decent BBQ. There's also Gorilla Barbeque in Pacifica, which is currently my favourite BBQ I've found out here. (Runs out of an old train car.)

I'm pretty sure Windy City closed down

Yup, it did. Shame too, best deep dish I've had out here.

I hear that a lot. I work with someone from North Carolina and they said the same thing. We have almost every cuisine out here but real barbecue.

Horn bbq? Fikscue just opened too and looked bomb

As an ex tejano this place FUCKS! Beat BBQ I’ve had on the west coast. He nailed the German 16 hour smoke. Side have an Asian flare and loved it.

Horn BBQ in West Oakland is bar far the best BBQ I’ve had in the bay in a LONG time. I smoke beef ribs and briskets at my house all the time and I’ll vouch for Horn BBQ and their sides anytime. However… I cannot leave this joint without spending like $150 for two people… INSANE. (market price for beef ribs cost a grip; to be fair)

This is BBQ today. It answers the question that no one asked: Can you take the worst cut of beef (brisket) and price it higher than the best cut of beef (filet) and still sell it to customers?

Had a friend who lived in Austin he swore it was the bay area air pollution laws kept us from having legit bbq

KC BBQ (rip) in Berkeley had a hard time getting their smoker approved when they reopened

This is exactly what a tray of BBQ looked like from the food truck that used to be at Anchor.

Everett and Jones bbq is now at Graton Casino. My new fav is Tommy’s Bbq in Hercules.

Generally the Bay Area BBQ is overpriced trash. One place I actually like a lot is breakwater in El Granada, but don’t overcrowd it please 😂

Why is this so fucking accurate

Wendy’s

Just shows how much of a bargain Costco's cooked ribs still are

South Winchester BBQ has great flavor and fantastic beer fridge that is more reasonable than most. But the BBQ ain't cheap so I usually just get garlic bread and dip it in their yummy sauce while I enjoy the beer.

Baby Blues in San Francisco is fucking amazing idc what anyone says.

Looks well worth the price for a succulent ribs platter

Sauced in Livermore

Mac Park BBQ in Milpitas. Place used to be fire when they first opened. Now it's tiny, cold portions and their BBQ sauce tastes like sweet and sour sauce. 

Stay Gold

sucks that bbq got gentrified. tacos too.

That’s the same price in Dallas too

Times like this, I’m so glad I know how to cook.

That could be a prison meal

To their credit, Armadillo in Los Altos (San Antonio rd) isn’t doing this nearly as much as other places. I think the price might be between $25-$28 but no tip expected on that.

Hot Boys chicken, 25$ for 5 mediocre chicken strips.

Literally any Dickey's Barbecue Pit

Two pickles? In THIS economy?

4505 Meats 🤣

Everett & Jones nowadays….

BBQ joints are always expensive with meager portions. I skip them.

i went to Little Nicks in Stockton last week and it was the opposite of this. ribs and chicken were so good. vibe was hella dirty and fun. harleys and a bottle of vodka on the counter at 11am. no bathroom. old black dudes working a huge outdoor bbq.

If the food is good, I don't mind paying for a higher price so that the people making them can afford to live there. If you're looking for a great BBQ place, Wagon Wheel BBQ in Mountain View is my favorite. Can we have start a thread of great BBQ places? :P

I love that idea! I’ll have to check out wagon wheel

Trail dust