50 Best Barbeque Restaurants near Fountain Valley

“Very good food & service.
Packed house even though we missed the Sunday dinner rush--we were seated smack in front of the wall & painted-over outlets, etc., very odd, do not recommend that table.
Wish it were closer to us.“

“great food great service and to those who don't recommend this place y'all don't know what your talking about!“

“love this place..........“

“There is a sublime, almost religious satisfaction in sitting down in front of a live fire with a plate of raw, heavily marbled beef and a freezing cold beer. It’s an interactive theater of fat, smoke, and instinct. And if you want to experience this ritual at its absolute peak, you don't look for white tablecloths or corporate steakhouse polish. You look for a place that feels a bit tucked away, cozy, and smells instantly like caramelized soy, rendered fat, and sweet wood charcoal the second you open the door.

This is world-class Yakiniku.

You start with the yukke—the raw beef tartare. In lesser hands, raw beef can be a texture game with no payoff. Here? It’s seasoned with precision, rich, clean, and spiked with an egg yolk that ties the whole beautiful mess together. It’s a declaration of intent: we know meat, and we know how to treat it.

Then, the main event. Plates of A5 Wagyu, Kobe outside skirt, and prime beef tongue arrive, sliced with the kind of geometric reverence usually reserved for fine tailoring. The marbling on the Wagyu doesn't even look real; it looks like a geological map of some frozen, beautiful landscape.

You drop a piece onto the grill. It hisses. The fat hits the element, flares up, and perfumes the air. You don't leave it on long—just enough to get a quick sear, a bit of char, while keeping the inside beautifully rare. You dip it in the tare, put it in your mouth, and it simply ceases to exist as a solid. It melts. It’s an absolute explosion of umami that makes you want to close your eyes and laugh out loud at how absurdly good it is.

Even the sides here aren't an afterthought. The kimchi fried rice has that deep, fermented funk and spicy kick that cuts right through the luxurious weight of the beef, waking up your palate just in time for the next round of short rib.

It’s not a cheap night out, and it shouldn't be. This is a celebration of the animal, handled by people who deeply respect the craft, served in an atmosphere that strips away all the pretentious nonsense of high-end dining and leaves you with what matters: incredible food, good company, and the smoke in your hair. It is, quite simply, perfection.“

“I tried Tsuruhashi for the first time, and everything was delicious. The meat was high quality, especially the wagyu, which melted in your mouth. I really liked the sauce that they gave to dip the meat; it went really well together. Service was nice and attentive. I'd highly recommend this place.“

“I Can Barbecue was a great experience for us. I went with my family for the first time and we truly enjoyed it. The food is halal, flavorful, and well prepared. The atmosphere was comfortable and welcoming, making it a perfect place to relax and spend quality time together. We had a lovely time as a family and will definitely be coming back again.“

“Legit Filipino taste of barbecue! Highly recommended especially the Liempo and the bangus“

“Had the best food at Smoke Queen Barbecue: the tri tip, chicken, sausage, ribs, and delicious sides were all fall off the bone fantastic. Try the sesame slaw with spicy cucumbers, macaroni and cheese and fries. We loved the banana pudding, bread pudding, beers on tap, all with a great smile and playground to enjoy with our family. If you haven’t tried Smoke Queen Barbecue, you are missing out. So scrumptious!“

“I was in a bind on the day before Memorial Day. Hubby didn't feel like grilling. We were supposed to bring ribs to a potluck w/hungry after church people. Lol I went online to find a BBQ place. I saw these over the top ratings about Hickory and Spice BBQ. I didn't have a choice. I was asking all the customers that were coming out of the restaurant and goiing in, how were the ribs? Nothing but outstanding reviews. I bought 2 racks and everyone one at the pot luck went crazy over them. Praise the Lord!!! or I would have been a dead Sista. Lol Everything was almost perfect on this side of Heaven. The wait was a little long but it was worth it. The ribs were so good I emailed Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive in and Dives and raved about how good those ribs were that this place needs to be put on the map. These ribs should be Worldwide... Lol When he comes to ur place let me know... This shouldn't matter but it does when it comes to African Americans and their ribs. To all my Brothers and Sistas, these ribs will make u slap ur Momma.😋 For real!!!“

“This is our go to barbecue place in the city of Orange. The barbecue is amazing and I highly recommend it.“

“We had the pleasure to go to Cloud Naan Urban BBQ . We received the excellent service..By far it was the best BBQ, we have had. We highly recommend Cloud Naan for excellent customer service..“

“This Korean bbq is pretty good. It's cheaper than the others n there isn't a salad bar but if the meats are good that's what's important to me. Bulgogi was good as was brisket. Attentive waiters to make sure you've got meat to grill without waiting“

“Amazing BBQ in Orange County. Fall off the bone ribs, tender brisket, moist BBQ chicken, pulled pork, juicy sausages. A real hidden gem. Highly recommended!“

“Best Korean BBQ in OC! Love the food and the service. Did i mention free Thrifty's ice cream?“

“The tri tip I order today was amazing and the staff here are very respectful and attentive! Got a chance to try out the new bbq sauce recipe and it’s delicious! 10 out of 10 would definitely recommend this restaurant for the bbq lovers“

“Came here on a short vacation to Disney for the kiddo. My best friend is from South Korea, point of that is to say I’ve eaten a lot of shabu and kbbq. Great quality food, staff was literally grabbing the plates as they were emptied, very nice and fast. Didn’t try the shabu this time but the meat quality was worth every dollar. Highly recommend!“

“Hands down BEST Pit Builders in California! I spent 5 years researching and slowly deciding who and when to get my pit and after a lengthy process I’m more then thrilled to have my 120 Gallon Harper Pit! It’s a no brainer they are often imitated but never duplicated with their ingenuity and craftsmanship is second to none.“

“Beach Pit BBQ knocked it out of the park.
I ordered the brisket sandwich with a side of mac and cheese, and from the first bite it was clear this place understands barbecue. The brisket was incredibly tender with a beautiful smoke-kissed flavor and a well-developed bark. What I really liked was that it wasn't soaking wet or dripping with grease. Instead, it had that burnt-end style character with rich, concentrated beef flavor and those slightly caramelized edges that BBQ lovers appreciate. Every bite delivered a perfect balance of smoke, seasoning, and beef.
The sandwich itself let the brisket be the star. No need to drown it in sauce when the meat is cooked this well. The brisket had great texture, pulled apart easily, and tasted like it had spent the proper amount of time in the smoker.
The mac and cheese was the perfect companion. It was creamy and silky smooth without being overly rich or loaded with cheese to the point of becoming heavy. The cheese flavor was balanced and comforting, coating the pasta perfectly while still allowing the dish to remain light enough to complement the barbecue.
I ordered my meal to go, and the customer service was excellent. The person who took my order over the phone was patient, friendly, and very helpful. They answered my questions and made the ordering process easy and enjoyable.
Good BBQ takes time, attention to detail, and respect for the meat. Beach Pit BBQ clearly has all three. Between the properly smoked brisket, the outstanding mac and cheese, and the great customer service, this was a meal worth coming back for. If you're a brisket fan, this place deserves a spot on your BBQ rotation.“

“I had the pleasure of hiring Delanya's for a private event on July 12, 2025. They have the best Brisket in Orange County. I do not say this lightly as I have had some of the best BBQ in the country. I am a Master Pastry Chef and work for the Food Network, word of mouth is what keeps great small businesses thriving and although I almost never leave reviews this is definitely a must!“

“Our whole family enjoys eating here, even our two young girls. We really love the smoked turkey and brisket, but all the meats are good. The service is excellent and each person really cares about the people they serve and the food they make. The place is clean, even the bathrooms are clean. We like to enjoy our meal on the small back patio.“

“We’ve been here four times now, which is probably the best compliment I can give. When Mo Ran Gak is at its best, it’s one of my favorite Korean restaurants in Southern California. When it’s off, the inconsistency keeps it from being a five star experience.

The first visit was outstanding. The galbi was perfectly seasoned, not overly sweet, not overly salty, with great caramelization and tenderness. The naengmyeon was exactly what you hope for. Icy cold with crunchy ice still floating in the broth, crisp vegetables and incredibly refreshing.

The second visit was a completely different experience. The galbi was noticeably drier and under seasoned and the naengmyeon arrived only slightly cold. The ice had already melted, which takes away one of the best parts of great naengmyeon. The slices of beef that come with the noodles have also been consistently dry. That may be traditional, but it’s never been the highlight of the dish.

The service is probably the weakest part of the restaurant. Nobody has ever been outright rude, but it’s difficult to get someone’s attention and the staff generally feels indifferent. You can tell they’re busy, but hospitality often feels like an afterthought. I’d probably rate the service around a 3 out of 5.

The restaurant itself is older but clean, with a comfortable atmosphere and moderate noise. Parking can be frustrating and there’s usually a wait, but that’s expected for a popular spot.

One thing I really enjoy is the complimentary crispy pancake they bring out. Honestly, I’d happily eat an entire plate of it. The banchan are solid overall, though fairly average.

Despite the inconsistency, I still think this is some of the best naengmyeon and especially bibim naengmyeon you’ll find in the Los Angeles area. That’s why we keep coming back. I just hope they can deliver the same level of quality every visit because when they do, it’s genuinely excellent.“

“Today I went to rodeo 39 in Garden Grove with some friends and I stumbled across Kra Z Kai's. It was my second time trying Laos barbecue. This place is a hidden gem for sure. Everything was the delicious. The ribs were marinated for 24 hours. The barbecue pork and the chicken were all marinated in the same sauce. The owner told me the service was fast and this whole ambience was nice some of the best food I've had in a long time next time I'm going to Garden Grove. I will come here again.“

“Good food,,friendly and accommodating staffs👍“

“First time here after 6:30 PM on a Friday and was hyped to find out their Happy Hour runs until 8 PM for bar seating.
​The food absolutely cleared:

-​Burnt Ends: Perfect smoky bark, melt-in-your-mouth tender, and beautifully cut by the pickled onions.

-​Smash Burger & Fires Glossy, pillowy brioche bun kapping a beautifully seared, cheesy smash patty. Crispy seasoned fries on the side were the ultimate plus.

Great place after exhausted working day!“

“Excellent/Hospitable Service & Tasty Food Selection“

“Good Foood ❤️❤️❤️ also the bibingkinitan“

“It’s expensive, but the quality of the meat is excellent. Don’t compare this place to AYCE KBBQ. I come here once or twice a year because it’s far, but it’s worth the trip. The bean stew tasted different from last year—this time it seemed overboiled or not freshly made.“

“Great experience!!! Great food!!!“

“The best bbq in the OC...“

“Well. My Girlfriend Julie & I Love Swim Together At The Beach. & We Can Dance At Sea Salt In Huntington Beach.“

“A5 Wagyu from Japan is amazing. Melt in your mouth. I ordered Japan A5 Wagyu Omakase, so the food is very good. I don't need to review that. Food is top quality. The service for this place is great. Very friendly. They cooked the A5 Wagyu Sukiyaki for us and we cooked the rest ourselves. It get busy here. If you want to come, I suggest come at opening, they are more flexible, if not reservation are required. Also, be warn that when you finish the meal, they do want (or kind of push) you to leave as soon as possible... 😅
But this is a must try for anyone who like Japanese BBQ.“

“The food is AMAZING ! The ribs, the Mac n cheese, the green beans, the cornbread, everything we had was over the top delicious and the service was great !! Our new favorite place ❤️“

“This was my first time and won’t be my last! I loved the food and the quality/ quickness of the our server. I wasn’t able to catch her name but she was a rockstar. She was the only server in the restaurant, and you wouldn’t have noticed. Thank you for making our first experience amazing!“

“We were recently passing through Pasadena and boy, did Yelp come through for us when picking a place to eat! Craft by Smoke & Fire in Old Town Pasadena ended up being the perfect choice. It was a beautiful evening and we opted to sit outside. We were lucky enough to have Stephanie as our server…and also lucky to be there during happy hour – you gotta love a 2 for 1 drink special! It was hard to choose between all the craft cocktails, but we ended up ordering Lulu Lemons which were excellent! I play mixologist when entertaining at home, and when I expressed interest in recreating this drink for our friends, Stephanie was kind enough to share the recipe! The menu is full of yummy Texas-style BBQ options made from locally sourced meat, and it was hard to choose. We landed on brisket grilled cheese with a side of mac & cheese (can you have too much cheese?!) and a harvest brisket salad. Both were so delicious. The outside table area was pretty full and although she was covering a lot of tables, Stephanie was knowledgeable when guiding us through the menu, super attentive and personable to boot! We look forward to returning…and to checking out their Anaheim location as well!“

“DISCLAIMER***I ate half my food because the smell was amazing to know how delicious it is!

Highly recommend for anyone looking for authentic middle Eastern sharwarma 🙌💕✨ thank you Kimo for sharing your delicious home cooking with us. It is truly an honor 🙏“

“Came here for dinner time during Christmas week with my family. We were a group of 10 and we came right at peak dinner time, which honestly sounds like a terrible idea but thankfully they were able to sit us within 40 minutes. We were sat at two tables and had a burner each. The service was great, especially with how busy they were that night. The KBBQ was super yummy and I especially loved the steamed egg, I ordered two total. The house salad was so so good- I wish someone would tell me the recipe (pls) because I ate the whole bowl. The meat came out at a decent time and I enjoyed sides. They also offered buldak ramen, which my younger cousins enjoyed- so I’m sure other parents or family members may wonder what else kids may enjoy here. I will definitely be back!“

“First time trying this place, was a bit of a wait for the food but seems to have been made fresh. Everything was pretty tasty, chicken Katsu was crispy and BBQ beef was tender. The spam musubis are a good quick bite. I feel this place is a good enough alternative from Ono or L&L. Will definitely come back to try more of the menu!“

“Great atmosphere great vibes Sammy Hagar did a great job in Hunt Bch“

“Genghis Khan Mongolian BBQ is literally the best I have ever had. I have been going here for years and it is one of my all time favorite restaurants. The food is amazing and the owners are amazing also.“

“A definite hidden gem. If you driving through the area def get yourself some tacos and you will not be disappointed. Had the pastor and the chicken tacos and loved both but that chicken with the extra sauce, bomb. Even the Jamaica was great n refreshing. Prices were reasonable and fair. Will be out there again pretty soon.“

“ONOLISCIOUSNESS KAU KAU TO DA MAX!!“

“Grading this on a curve of theme park food and, honestly, this ranks as high as it gets for their quick service. I got the ribs, chicken, and corn on the cob and they were all delicious. Maybe a little dry but again this is theme park quick service, so you shouldn't expect anything less. The line is usually pretty long but moves quickly. Plenty of seating, though it is all outside.“

“Great selection of meats and side dishes“

“I Had rhe pleasure to come to this restaurant with my husband early part of the year and was extra pleased with the services and the delicious ? BBQ. I wanted go return soon, so I went again with my friend . I treated her to a very nice birthday lunch. Once again, everything was so delicious and just perfect!. From the cleaness , to the friendly professional staff. Excellent atmosphere and just so on point. Will be coming back again soon.“

“Great dinner and our server was super friendly“

“Had a wonderful time & the food and drinks were great. Really good service as well.“

“Service was amazing!!!! Shout out to Alexis the best sever in the WORLD!! Checked up on the table a couple of time to get us what ever we needed. 10/10 service!!!!! AND FREE REFILL!!!!! Our chef Nick was OUT OF THIS WORLD with all his jokes and games, he even GAVE US EXTRA GARLIC BUTTER. In conclusion this was a 10/10 experience 10/10 service and I haven’t talked about the food yet!!!!!! A must if you are in the area.“

“Their takeout is definitely worth trying! We ordered the roast pork with rice, which came with green beans. It was simple but tasty—though we would have preferred the pork warmed up. There wasn’t much seasoning, but the crispy skin and rich fat made up for it. We also tried the BBQ pork, which was nicely charred and tender. The added BBQ sauce had a subtle sweetness that paired well with the rice. It’s cash only, no tip expected, and the service was quick and easy.“

“Fresh ! 2 thumbs up“

“This is My Favorite！！Great Food!“