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Brisket being sliced, with the pink interior of the meat visible Patricia Chang

A Meat Lover’s Guide to the Best Barbecue Joints in the Bay Area

Where to satisfy your craving for smoked brisket, links, ribs, and all the fixings

by Lauren Saria, Dianne de Guzman, and Eater Staff Updated
5 comments / new
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by Lauren Saria, Dianne de Guzman, and Eater Staff Updated
5 comments / new
Patricia Chang

The Bay Area might not be nationally known for its barbecue, but there’s one thing we have no shortage of: people who love to eat barbecue and debate the relative merits of spots serving slow-smoked brisket and ribs. There’s also no shortage of options, from new-school spots with fine-dining pedigrees to time-tested joints that have been cranking out the same recipe for decades.

As the weather warms up, here are 14 new and classic barbecue joints, spread across the Bay Area, that’ll satisfy all your smoked meat cravings.

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Slow Hand BBQ

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Located in a Pleasant Hill strip mall, Slow Hand does a solid job with the usual lineup of ribs and brisket, but it also gives corned beef a turn in the smoker, and the tender, intensely flavorful smoked chicken is a particularly nice surprise. It’s all cooked over California white oak, using no gas or electric heating elements.

1941 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
(925) 942-0149
(925) 942-0149

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Pig In A Pickle

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Pig in a Pickle offers a wide range of regional barbecue specialties: Texas-style brisket, Alabama-style smoked chicken, and Cajun-style hot links that are actually made in-house but don’t let the geographic diversity of the offerings scare you, it’s all excellently done. A full spread of condiments also draws in diners, as do sides including beef brisket chili, collard greens, and kettle chips cooked in tallow. The Emeryville outpost is open but check the website for hours.

341 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera, CA 94925
(415) 891-3265
(415) 891-3265

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KAOKAO Grill

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KaoKao Grill founder Tony Huang comes from a restaurant family — the folks behind Huangcheng Noodle House — and he’s drawing inspiration from big, backyard barbecues at this “East meets West” barbecue joint. Try the 24-hour brined char siu, which gets grilled over charcoal before being smoked over oak and cherry woods for five to six hours. 

2993 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 960-0851
(510) 960-0851
KaoKao Grill

Smokin Woods BBQ Cafe

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Smokin’ Woods has garnered a dedicated following for its best-in-class smoked brisket and — if you’re lucky enough to snag one — its meaty, prehistoric-sized beef ribs, which routinely sell out by dinner time. But the menu also offers smoked boneless chicken thighs, beef links, and salmon if the dark stuff isn’t really your scene.

4307 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 423-8634
(510) 423-8634
Beef rib plate at Smokin’ Woods Bill Addison

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Horn Barbecue

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Matt Horn’s acclaimed barbecue restaurant in West Oakland brings his sold-out pop-ups to permanent residency. Horn’s “West Coast barbecue” draws on meat-smoking techniques of Central Texas, producing jiggly, glistening briskets, spicy hot links, and more. Southern sides like collard greens, mac and cheese, and desserts like banana pudding are equally worth the wait.

2534 Mandela Pkwy, Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 225-6101
(510) 225-6101
ribs at Horn bbq Horn BBQ

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Vegan Mob

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The only one of the restaurants on this list we’d recommend to non meat eaters, this popular Lake Merritt spot — “the Bay Area’s favorite vegan BBQ” — is known for its plant-based versions of smoked “brisket” and barbecue “ribs.” The restaurant is open for takeout Tuesday through Sunday.

500 Lake Park Ave, Oakland, CA 94610
(415) 513-5120
(415) 513-5120
A plate at Vegan Mob Vegan Mob

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Everett & Jones Barbeque

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An Oakland classic since 1973, family-owned and -operated Everett & Jones continues to serve its usual slate of ribs, brisket, and links. Stop in at one of the restaurant’s Oakland locations either in Jack London or the Laurel, or its Berkeley location on San Pablo.

126 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 663-2350
(510) 663-2350

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4505 Burgers & BBQ

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Ryan Farr’s Divisadero restaurant continues to dishe out some of the best smoked meat in the Bay, especially if you’re a fan of lush, thick-sliced brisket. The side dishes are especially good, including a wicked fried mac and cheese and hot dog creation. Plus, the Divisidero Street staple has a fantastic outdoor patio.

705 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA, 94117
(415) 231-6993
(415) 231-6993
A spread of food at 4505 Patricia Chang

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Smokin' Warehouse Barbecue

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A takeout window at a literal warehouse in the Bayview, Smokin’ Warehouse has been a community staple for well over a decade now. It’s got all of the usual smoked meats, but the beef ribs — a relatively uncommon offering — are especially notable.

1465 Carroll Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 648-8881
(415) 648-8881

Also featured in:

Just Potato Salad

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The potato salad is, indeed, good enough to name an entire restaurant after, but this Hayward gem is mostly a barbecue restaurant, and its St. Louis-style ribs, in particular, are one of the most enjoyable versions you can find in the East Bay. It’s larger than it looks from the outside, so rest assured there’s plenty of seating inside.

29587 Mission Blvd, Hayward, CA 94544
(510) 753-9667
(510) 753-9667

Also featured in:

Breakwater Barbecue

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If the idea of a barbecue by the beach speaks to you, then this may be the best place to find just that. Located in El Granada near Half Moon Bay, this barbecue joint offers a tight selection of four meats: brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and links. They can be best sampled via one of the restaurant’s shareable platters, which serve two or three adults. Don’t skip the unexpectedly tart spicy carrot sauce.

30 Ave Portola #1B, El Granada, CA 94018
(650) 713-5303
(650) 713-5303
Breakwater Barbecue

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Capelo's Barbecue

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This popular food truck appears at Off the Grid and other select locations, but the Capelo’s restaurant and beer garden in Redwood City is open to fill your barbecue needs on a regular basis. Slow-smoked brisket is the signature meat offering at Capelo’s, and the restaurant has added online ordering to make things easier, whether you’re eating in or taking out.

2655 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 701-5433
(650) 701-5433

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Smoked Out BBQ

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This Santa Clara barbecue spot is known for smoking some of the best beef brisket and tri-tip in the South Bay, as well as for over-the-top sides like oxtail poutine tater tots. Using oak and hickory woods, the kitchen also pushes out slow-cooked hot links, pork ribs, and chicken, which can be enjoyed with sides like creamy mac n’ cheese or sweet white beans.

807 Aldo Ave Ste 106, Santa Clara, CA 95054
(408) 320-2971
(408) 320-2971

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Henry's World Famous Hi-Life

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Henry’s has been around for more than 50 years in San Jose, and with good reason: the food here is great. The steaks are certainly a draw, but the ribs are worthy in their own right. While you can certainly get a rack, the pro move is to get the combo chicken and ribs plate to maximize your dinner options. All dishes come with a baked potato, garlic bread, and salad, so arrive hungry.

301 W St John St, San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 295-5414
(408) 295-5414

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Slow Hand BBQ

1941 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Located in a Pleasant Hill strip mall, Slow Hand does a solid job with the usual lineup of ribs and brisket, but it also gives corned beef a turn in the smoker, and the tender, intensely flavorful smoked chicken is a particularly nice surprise. It’s all cooked over California white oak, using no gas or electric heating elements.

1941 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
(925) 942-0149
(925) 942-0149

Pig In A Pickle

341 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera, CA 94925

Pig in a Pickle offers a wide range of regional barbecue specialties: Texas-style brisket, Alabama-style smoked chicken, and Cajun-style hot links that are actually made in-house but don’t let the geographic diversity of the offerings scare you, it’s all excellently done. A full spread of condiments also draws in diners, as do sides including beef brisket chili, collard greens, and kettle chips cooked in tallow. The Emeryville outpost is open but check the website for hours.

341 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera, CA 94925
(415) 891-3265
(415) 891-3265

KAOKAO Grill

2993 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705

KaoKao Grill founder Tony Huang comes from a restaurant family — the folks behind Huangcheng Noodle House — and he’s drawing inspiration from big, backyard barbecues at this “East meets West” barbecue joint. Try the 24-hour brined char siu, which gets grilled over charcoal before being smoked over oak and cherry woods for five to six hours. 

2993 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 960-0851
(510) 960-0851
KaoKao Grill

Smokin Woods BBQ Cafe

4307 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609

Smokin’ Woods has garnered a dedicated following for its best-in-class smoked brisket and — if you’re lucky enough to snag one — its meaty, prehistoric-sized beef ribs, which routinely sell out by dinner time. But the menu also offers smoked boneless chicken thighs, beef links, and salmon if the dark stuff isn’t really your scene.

4307 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 423-8634
(510) 423-8634
Beef rib plate at Smokin’ Woods Bill Addison

Horn Barbecue

2534 Mandela Pkwy, Oakland, CA 94607

Matt Horn’s acclaimed barbecue restaurant in West Oakland brings his sold-out pop-ups to permanent residency. Horn’s “West Coast barbecue” draws on meat-smoking techniques of Central Texas, producing jiggly, glistening briskets, spicy hot links, and more. Southern sides like collard greens, mac and cheese, and desserts like banana pudding are equally worth the wait.

2534 Mandela Pkwy, Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 225-6101
(510) 225-6101
ribs at Horn bbq Horn BBQ

Vegan Mob

500 Lake Park Ave, Oakland, CA 94610

The only one of the restaurants on this list we’d recommend to non meat eaters, this popular Lake Merritt spot — “the Bay Area’s favorite vegan BBQ” — is known for its plant-based versions of smoked “brisket” and barbecue “ribs.” The restaurant is open for takeout Tuesday through Sunday.

500 Lake Park Ave, Oakland, CA 94610
(415) 513-5120
(415) 513-5120
A plate at Vegan Mob Vegan Mob

Everett & Jones Barbeque

126 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607

An Oakland classic since 1973, family-owned and -operated Everett & Jones continues to serve its usual slate of ribs, brisket, and links. Stop in at one of the restaurant’s Oakland locations either in Jack London or the Laurel, or its Berkeley location on San Pablo.

126 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 663-2350
(510) 663-2350

4505 Burgers & BBQ

705 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA, 94117

Ryan Farr’s Divisadero restaurant continues to dishe out some of the best smoked meat in the Bay, especially if you’re a fan of lush, thick-sliced brisket. The side dishes are especially good, including a wicked fried mac and cheese and hot dog creation. Plus, the Divisidero Street staple has a fantastic outdoor patio.

705 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA, 94117
(415) 231-6993
(415) 231-6993
A spread of food at 4505 Patricia Chang

Smokin' Warehouse Barbecue

1465 Carroll Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124

A takeout window at a literal warehouse in the Bayview, Smokin’ Warehouse has been a community staple for well over a decade now. It’s got all of the usual smoked meats, but the beef ribs — a relatively uncommon offering — are especially notable.

1465 Carroll Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 648-8881
(415) 648-8881

Just Potato Salad

29587 Mission Blvd, Hayward, CA 94544

The potato salad is, indeed, good enough to name an entire restaurant after, but this Hayward gem is mostly a barbecue restaurant, and its St. Louis-style ribs, in particular, are one of the most enjoyable versions you can find in the East Bay. It’s larger than it looks from the outside, so rest assured there’s plenty of seating inside.

29587 Mission Blvd, Hayward, CA 94544
(510) 753-9667
(510) 753-9667

Breakwater Barbecue

30 Ave Portola #1B, El Granada, CA 94018

If the idea of a barbecue by the beach speaks to you, then this may be the best place to find just that. Located in El Granada near Half Moon Bay, this barbecue joint offers a tight selection of four meats: brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and links. They can be best sampled via one of the restaurant’s shareable platters, which serve two or three adults. Don’t skip the unexpectedly tart spicy carrot sauce.

30 Ave Portola #1B, El Granada, CA 94018
(650) 713-5303
(650) 713-5303
Breakwater Barbecue

Capelo's Barbecue

2655 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City, CA 94063

This popular food truck appears at Off the Grid and other select locations, but the Capelo’s restaurant and beer garden in Redwood City is open to fill your barbecue needs on a regular basis. Slow-smoked brisket is the signature meat offering at Capelo’s, and the restaurant has added online ordering to make things easier, whether you’re eating in or taking out.

2655 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 701-5433
(650) 701-5433

Smoked Out BBQ

807 Aldo Ave Ste 106, Santa Clara, CA 95054

This Santa Clara barbecue spot is known for smoking some of the best beef brisket and tri-tip in the South Bay, as well as for over-the-top sides like oxtail poutine tater tots. Using oak and hickory woods, the kitchen also pushes out slow-cooked hot links, pork ribs, and chicken, which can be enjoyed with sides like creamy mac n’ cheese or sweet white beans.

807 Aldo Ave Ste 106, Santa Clara, CA 95054
(408) 320-2971
(408) 320-2971

Henry's World Famous Hi-Life

301 W St John St, San Jose, CA 95110

Henry’s has been around for more than 50 years in San Jose, and with good reason: the food here is great. The steaks are certainly a draw, but the ribs are worthy in their own right. While you can certainly get a rack, the pro move is to get the combo chicken and ribs plate to maximize your dinner options. All dishes come with a baked potato, garlic bread, and salad, so arrive hungry.

301 W St John St, San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 295-5414
(408) 295-5414

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