Man BBQ joints suck here in CA compared to NC/SC

[shopbruin]

Armadillo because is so inconsistent but it'll do in a pinch. I'd rather go to Smoking Pig. Salinas City BBQ is amazing but a bit of a drive from the South Bay.

When I was in the Peninsula, loved going to Gorilla BBQ.

I still haven't been go Gorilla. I know people that swear by Famous Daves, but I'm not so sure. I like Mack's BBQ in San Carlos. I've had people swear by Emergency BBQ in San Carlos.

 

[Ns1]

I still haven't been go Gorilla. I know people that swear by Famous Daves, but I'm not so sure. I like Mack's BBQ in San Carlos. I've had people swear by Emergency BBQ in San Carlos.

Anyone that swears by famous daves does not deserve to be listened to (with regards to food).

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Homestead is our go to Willy's, and yes the Texas ribs are what we go for - I will demand middle pieces of their ribs if I get shitty end cuts that are dried out. Monday is AYCE ribs for $15.99. Their peanut slaw is hit or miss as well, sometimes its excellent and spicy - other times its dry and flavorless.

If you love you some ribs - go to Ren of the Labor Day Cook off - I learned a lot from those guys on how to rub, smoke, sauce, and grill ribs. Ribs & slaw are my two favorites - learned how to make blue cheese slaw up in Reno from one of the teams as well.

Dickie's BBQ is opening off Union/Bascom soon as well.

We seem to differ, so check out The Brick Pigs House or Everett & Jones. That will determine further suggestions. The pork at House of Soul Food was pretty good when I had it. Fried Chicken was OK, but I got white meat which is never any good. The ribs at Sams was fine, and my friend swears by the pork. The Willys you are talking about is probably the one on Homestead. Santa Clara, Cupertino, and Sunnyvale are all hit and miss IMO, with Cupertino probably being the better one. I only get the Texas ribs, and when its good its pretty damn good, but I usually get dried out pieces or burnt end pieces.

 

[uclaLabrat]

CA is a big place. If you're looking for something decent near you (as opposed to just coming here to whine), then you need to tell us where you are.

Near me there are Lucilles locations. I think it's pretty good.


The other option is to move to NC/SC. I'm sure it'll be well worth it.

Lucille's tri tip platter is fucking amazing...my dad is from charleston and thought their bbq was pretty good.

 

[zinfamous]

Can't imagine how bad CA stuff is if it's being beat by NC/SC bbq

what do you mean?

do you know much of anything about BBQ, sir?

 

[Rage187]

Anytime someone comes to Charleston, check out "the BBQ Joint" in Park Circle. I affectionately refer to them as "Pork Circle BBQ"

 

[Childs]

Flint's has been closed for years as far as I know.

I normally go to Everett and Jones. I haven't tried the Brick Pig House. Think I know what I'm getting for lunch tomorrow.

Best pulled pork I've had around here is from my friend's smoker. He is Korean and knows that pulled pork > Korean BBQ. 😛

Yeah, I always think of Flints and forget that it closed down. I used to live in Oakland and went there once a week.

Homestead is our go to Willy's, and yes the Texas ribs are what we go for - I will demand middle pieces of their ribs if I get shitty end cuts that are dried out. Monday is AYCE ribs for $15.99. Their peanut slaw is hit or miss as well, sometimes its excellent and spicy - other times its dry and flavorless.

If you love you some ribs - go to Ren of the Labor Day Cook off - I learned a lot from those guys on how to rub, smoke, sauce, and grill ribs. Ribs & slaw are my two favorites - learned how to make blue cheese slaw up in Reno from one of the teams as well.

Dickie's BBQ is opening off Union/Bascom soon as well.

Maybe this year I'll head out to Reno. Just BBQ, gambling and brothels are a lethal combination. 😛 I'll check out Dickies!

 

[PsiStar]

Ribs are meat + fat.

California, being the left coast, of course would not offer quality fatty food.

 

[Sid59]

House of Soul Food was inedible when I had their ribs, Sams on Bascom has never been really good, A Willy's in Santa Clara is my go to in the S Bay.

I work in uptown Oakland - what BBQ is good here, I've tried Looney's & Chef Edwards. Edwards is almost inedible and Loony's is mediocre at best. Also had the BBQ at Raiders/ Warriors games - Meh, not smoky, not low & slow.

On the edge of Oakland.

Phat Matt's - http://www.yelp.com/biz/phat-matts-bbq-oakland-2
B-Side - http://www.yelp.com/biz/b-side-bbq-oakland#query:Phat Matts BBQ
B-Side has better cornbread and vinegar based coleslaw.

Phat Matt's also makes tons of great specials, BBQ spaghetti and their own chocolate covered bacon. DELICIOUS.

 

[Slew Foot]

Oakland? Compton? Gee I wonder what those places have in common....

 

[Imported]

Homestead is our go to Willy's, and yes the Texas ribs are what we go for - I will demand middle pieces of their ribs if I get shitty end cuts that are dried out. Monday is AYCE ribs for $15.99. Their peanut slaw is hit or miss as well, sometimes its excellent and spicy - other times its dry and flavorless.

If you love you some ribs - go to Ren of the Labor Day Cook off - I learned a lot from those guys on how to rub, smoke, sauce, and grill ribs. Ribs & slaw are my two favorites - learned how to make blue cheese slaw up in Reno from one of the teams as well.

Dickie's BBQ is opening off Union/Bascom soon as well.

I've usually gone by the Armadillo in Los Altos since it's close to work. I'll have to try the Homestead location someday.. Wish I could eat the slaw but I'm allergic to peanuts 🙁 Usually get their corn salad which is pretty damn tasty.

 

[QueBert]

Famous Daves is awesome, Dave is a legitimate BBQ god. Jay Bee's in Gardenia is usually really good too. But Daves rib tips with their new hot as hell Pineapple whatever q-sauce is fantastic. That stuff's nice and hot with an amazing sweet kick. I've had Phils, Crooms, Coops and about 15 other raved about BBQ spots in So Cal. And honestly based off Sauces alone I'll take Famous Daves every time. The Sassy Chipotle is too freaking good.

While it's not a full on BBQ spot, Bonnie Jeans house of Soul Food in SD has awesome ribs, and the best honey pecan glazed fried chicken I've ever tasted.

 

[Renob]

Oakland has the best BBQ in the Bay Area. The Brick Pigs House, Evertt & Jones, Flints, and a million others. In the South Bay, Sams, Famous Daves, House of Soul Food. I've only had Andy's once, and that was catered. It was alright. I eat at Armadillo Willys out of convenience, but its too inconsistent. Sometimes its good, more times everything is dried out and crappy.

Anyways, you want good BBQ in CA, you have to head to the hood. I'm sure in the crappier parts of LA you could get good BBQ.

Bam! Flints FTW lived in the Bay Area for 14 years. Live in Round Rock TX and there is good BBQ on every corner.....

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Japanese BBQ = meats on grill
Korean BBQ = meats on grill
Vietnamese BBQ = meats on grill
Argentinian BBQ = meats on grill
Brazilian BBQ = meats on giant skewer on grill
Filipino BBQ = meats on grill



I'm not korean btw, get your asians straight =P

California has amazing BBQ for every other style except for American. I can live with that. Although I need to find myself a good American BBQ spot out here. Any suggestions? Please dont tell me Lucille's.. That place is horrible.

Edit: Somewhere in So Cal

 

[slsmnaz]

what do you mean?

do you know much of anything about BBQ, sir?

you mean besides the fact my family has been competing in the Memphis in May bbq fest for about 10yrs? Nah, nothing

if you enjoy it then good for you. Mustard and vinegar just aren't my thing

 

[Modelworks]

NC BBQ is so easy to make.
Toss hog in cooker in the morning , cook over wood coals slowly, coat in sauce made up of vinegar, salt, and red pepper.

NC BBQ was created as a quick easy way to make good food, not something that is supposed to be complicated and you have to slave over all day.

 

[silverpig]

Actually, there are some awesome vegan restaurants in Texas. Austin has a large vegan community, Dallas and Houston both have a log of Asian influence that brings Buddhist communities that server really good vegan food.

And I'm sure you could find a few good BBQ places in CA...

 

[Paladin]

Phil's is good for a rib place, but the best BBQ in San Diego is Coop's West Texas BBQ in Lemon Grove.
The area isn't the nicest, but safe enough and you will have the best brisket and sausage I have had outside of Texas.
http://coopsbbq.com/

Thanks for that, will have to check it out sometime.
Phil's is great too, they are opening up another one in Santee at the end of the year.
Another good one, for a hole-in-the-wall place, is Abbey's Texas BBQ on Miramar Road. They do pulled pork, but have really good brisket and sausage.

 

[GrumpyMan]

Argentinian BBQ = meats on grill

Sorry but Argentinians do not cook meat on a grill, they stake it over hot coals.

 

[BudAshes]

Yeah our American bbq is shit. Not to say there isn't a good bbq restaraunt or 2 but for the most part it's crap. Good luck finding good fried chicken too.

 

[Ns1]

California has amazing BBQ for every other style except for American. I can live with that. Although I need to find myself a good American BBQ spot out here. Any suggestions? Please dont tell me Lucille's.. That place is horrible.

Edit: Somewhere in So Cal

big mista's bbq
randolph's smoke house
bludso's
philips (i was not impressed but they have a following)
boneyard bistro
smoke city market

Good luck finding good fried chicken too.

Otis Jackson Soul Dog in NoHo does great hot dogs AND chicken. Chicken fried fresh to order!!!

I got a couple other good fried chicken recs but they're like $30++ a chicken lol

 

[thegimp03]

Uncle Frank's use to be pretty good, but I think they're closed now.

Armadillo Willy's can be good sometimes. I haven't been to Sam's, drive past that place all the time but it looks ghetto. I'll have to try Dickies.

 

[Childs]

Yeah our American bbq is shit. Not to say there isn't a good bbq restaraunt or 2 but for the most part it's crap. Good luck finding good fried chicken too.

I will say the Koreans do fried chicken pretty good. If you're in Santa Clara, check out 99 Chicken. Its almost always packed from say 5PM on, but its kinda worth it.

 

[Born2bwire]

One of the great disadvantages of moving out of the South. I can't believe some of the stuff that passes itself off as bbq around here. I did find one place that had halfway decent meat. The meat is very tender and just falls apart but it lacks a good smoky flavor. I guess they don't cook it long enough to keep it from drying out too much but they probably need to use wood with a more intensive flavor.

 

[zinfamous]

you mean besides the fact my family has been competing in the Memphis in May bbq fest for about 10yrs? Nah, nothing

if you enjoy it then good for you. Mustard and vinegar just aren't my thing

again--do not confuse those mustard-loving plebs in SC with our original NC pulled-pork.



Ribs are fine and all....but what's the point? I do prefer dry, but if you're going to drown them in some over-sweetened reddish sauce, why care about meat, then? Such dishes are for people that just want the sauce.