40 Best Barbeque Restaurants near Lake Forest

“Checked them out yesterday and was very impressed! Food was fantastic, service was great and they have lots of options including some Korean Fusion“

“A casual quicl korean food spot.
Their pricing is reasonable, the staff is extremely friendly.
The only thing I wish they could improve is weakening the seasoning. It's a mix of several banchans, but all banchans are very strong in either sauce or seasoning.
I hope they run business successfully.“

“Awesome place, great bar-b-Que“

“Amazing authentic Chinese duck spiced perfectly. For me it was a quiet hometown environment with attractive employees. A great place to getaway for a while. I’m not sure if they were open because google said they were closed but they took care of me anyway.“

“I love this place! Food is always great and you pick what you want!!“

“Enjoyed a delicious lunch combo special that included two sliders, 1/2 house salad, and a side (sweet potato fries). It was delicious, and a ton of food. Our bartender was super friendly and very attentive. Highly recommend this place if you're in Irvine.“

“We had brisket 7oz and it was delicious! love the rolls and peanut coleslaw. Our waitress checked with us frequently and provided excellent service. Thank you!“

“I visited with my parents on a Sunday evening around 6:30 PM, and there was already about a 30-minute wait. We had made reservations, and I’d definitely recommend doing the same if you’re planning to visit during peak hours.

We ordered the Beef Combo, and the quality of the meat was excellent. There was a good variety of side dishes, and everything paired well with the meal. My favorite cut was the striploin—it was incredibly tender with a satisfying chewy texture. Even the chadol (brisket), which can sometimes be tough, was tender.

The service was fast and attentive. The staff will cook for you should you want.“

“i am at aloha bbq great place to eat!!! :)“

“It was our first choice for our anniversary dinner! Good decision!!“

“Staff are friendly. Place is clean and wait time was very minimal“

“Had dinner here and I can say, it was one of the best Korean bbqs I’ve had. Service was impeccable. Food was amazing. Coming from Washington state, I’ve had my fair share of Korean bbq and this was one of the best. We got the premium package and did not regret it. Will definitely be back.“

“Very good 🥩 steak. Will come here again ❤️“

“Had an amazing family dinner with my sisters here . The Food was delivered quickly and was delicious. Carrot cake is fabulous we ordered the 2 half garlic chicken and full rack family meal which comes with your choice of pasta , salad bread sticks. Added their yummy mashed potatoes also bbq salad with delicious dressing my favorite.“

“I really like this place. I have taken friends here and they all like it. The rice bowl or sauce and the meats are really good. The potato macaroni salad and other sides and the sandwhiches. Basically anything on the menu i like. This older asia man i think might be the owner was there more around september or so i havent seen him the past couple times ive been there. He is very friendly and personable. One of the cashiers the past couple times is good but he needs to stop wearing earbuds unless its for a hearing reason. He seems disinterested and always asks to repeat myself. And he is playing video games on his ipad which im not attacking but no one wants to feel like theyre interrupting the workers who are meant to provide service to them and i know this from experience since i have worked in cpunter service before. But im not trying to trash him just giving feedback. Great job guys thank you, it is the best affordable place to eat near saddleback college. Much appreciated in Jesus name.“

“I’ve been coming to Miyabi Shabu Shabu in Irvine every week for the past 7 years, and it has never disappointed. That kind of consistency is rare, and it’s the reason this place has become one of my absolute favorites.

The food is always incredibly fresh—especially the meats, vegetables, and sauces. You can really taste the quality in every bite, and the presentation is always clean and inviting. It’s the perfect spot if you’re looking for a healthy, satisfying meal.

What truly makes this place stand out is the service. The staff is consistently friendly, attentive, and efficient, even during busy times. They make you feel welcomed every visit and ensure everything runs smoothly from start to finish.

If you’re looking for a reliable, high-quality shabu shabu experience in Irvine, I highly recommend Miyabi. After 7 years of weekly visits, it’s safe to say they’re doing everything right.“

“Drove over from the JW Marriott to watch the Saints game.
Street parking. Free sat & sun.

Nice group of people watching the game.

Very friendly.
The bartender even made me iced tea.

I brought a few things from New Orleans to share.
Krewe of Tucks.

This is a good finds. I will be back.“

“Really enjoyed our dinner here. The tableside grilling service made the whole experience so much more relaxing—we could just enjoy the food and conversation without worrying about cooking the meat.

The Beef Combo L and pork belly were both excellent. The meat quality was great, and everything was cooked perfectly by the staff. Friendly service, comfortable atmosphere, and a place I’d happily come back to. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a great Korean BBQ spot in Irvine.“

“Cannot skip the big plate chicken and scallion beef at Northern Cafe Irvine! Portions are incredibly generous with spot-on traditional tastes. The servings are so substantial that a full spread will fill you up completely. It’s such a no-nonsense local eatery serving hearty, flavorful northern Chinese comfort food that always hits after a busy day.“

“Not your classic korean barbecue but even better. My wife and I love this place and it’s one of our usuals. Great selection of meet, great tasting kimchi that is fried on the pan and the kimchi fried rice at the end is something else! Highly recommended“

“Delicious 🤤 food and amazing service. The place has a very good atmosphere.“

“A few things I love about this place:
1. Ample parking
2. Self-serve marinated meats and select sides
3. Tender meats

I don't have the patience to find parking or to wait around for service, so I loved being able to grab stuff myself (including rice). Staff was kind and food was great! Loved the short ribs, beef tongue, and marinated meats!“

“Team members are chill and the tea slaps. What more can you ask for?“

“Great Hawaiian food from a small chain started on the island“

“I went to another KBBQ spot down the street and noticed it was not AYCE so I called this place and because we had a huge party, they had no problem setting up the table for us before we got there. I really appreciate the staff being so nice to us and having everything ready for us! 10/10 for the service. As for the food, side dishes are amazing and the kimchi was so fresh mmm! I loved the meat selections that they had to offer and the bangchan side dishes. I appreciate the atmosphere and the vibe too, I feel like more common kbbq spots have minimal lighting in the restaurant but this one was perfect!! I could see all my friends! Left with a full stomach! will definitely come here again!“

“Hi I got spam masubi , teriyaki chicken with 2 scoops rice , macaroni salad, cabbage, & a small soda to drink . It’s my favorite Hawaiian bbq place in Tustin @ the district, fresh foods, nice service, friendly workers, nice atmosphere too I’ve been going here for years now.“

“While I was impressed by the portions for the price I was not impressed with a few things. Ordered a plate via the uber eats deal and it had a lot of promise. The portions as mentioned before were enormous and made me very happy, the quality of my katsu and rice were exceptional compared to the area but a few things were out of place. For starters the musubis shouldn't force you to get 2 I could see a two musubi combo with a drink for what I paid for (7 and change) but not having a single option for people who want to have one on its own is disappointing. Another thing I didn't agree with was the price of the mini plates which I probably would've gotten had they not been 14 and change (the price of a regular plate at other places). Minis should reflect the value proposition they aim to accommodate not be the same price of plates elsewhere. Also they for whatever reason while gave a lot of sauce had little to no substance. As someone who grew up on this I need the consistency and flavor that is standard and this was watered down and less concentrated as what I remember. If they made it thicker I'd get it I'd rather have 1 good one than 2 meh ones at best. Overall while I would try again I am a little taken aback by their way of doing things.

I'm conflicted about this process refine cause some stuff is done quite well and others very wrong. For example the prices and menu are close if not more expansive than others in the area but the food execution is a mixed bag at best musubis at best are thin and very lacking in sauce and nori quality. The mix plate and katsu are of varying levels of thickness sauce lacks consistency and food is either dry or bland in my 4 visits. I will give it that their service and speed is exceptional but the food has to back it up and it does and doesn't at the same time.“

“I came here with my grandpa, and it has become one of our favorite places. My grandpa absolutely loves the fish, and I have to say they make the best eggplant I’ve found in Orange County. As someone who doesn’t eat meat, it’s one of the main reasons I keep coming back.

The food is always delicious, but what really makes this place special is the service. Joyci is amazing! She remembered us, made us feel welcome, and treated us like family. That personal touch means a lot and makes every visit even better.

Great food, warm hospitality, and a place that creates wonderful memories with loved ones. We’ll definitely be back!

Good restaurant reviews often mention the food, service, and overall experience, which helps others understand what makes a place special.“

“Really delicious food and friendly service! My friends and I got the bossam and marinated crab - the bossam was not too fatty and came with a refreshing sauce and the crab was fresh and flavorful. They were also generous with the banchan refills.“

“Great place & Beer list. Smokehouse & plenty of room. Very friendly place“

“Nice place to hang out with friends“

“I ordered the spicy original and the soy garlic wings. The wings are fairly large (compared to Wingstop) so the 8 piece small is enough. Both flavors were really good with the spicy original being more like just a just a small kick than actually spicy.“

“Legit the best chicken katsu I’ve had. I’ve ordered it in a dozen places including Hawaii and have Never been impressed. I almost didn’t want to order it because I thought it’d be another disappointment... But it was everything I ever thought it should be. Juicy and crispy with a good sauce. The spam masubi was fire and all the fixin’s were good too. The pork wasn’t my thing and I regret not getting short ribs or bbq beef though.

The proportions seem authentic though lmao. A lotta food poly style for the price“

“Their specialty dishes are: 1. Sullungtang: taste amazing and very light. A good meal for winter/ 2. Cold noodle: the best I've tried so far, especially when you get a combo with spicy pork or bulgogi 3. Meat: spicy pork/bulgogi was homemade and were not like other korean restaurants. Taste very delicious!“

“One of the best Chinese BBQ restaurants in Los Angeles! Food tastes great, the services are excellent, environment is nice and clean! The other store in Rowland Heights is also wonderful. You even can practice your BBQ skills there! Great places to hang with friends and family!“

“Quality meat that’s not frozen. Good ventilation. Prompt service.“

“I enjoyed the food here. I like that it stays open late. The portions here are a good size. Every thing tasted good. Good for groups or solo dining. Everything is shareable. Price is also fair for what you get. I will come back and try diffrent things nextime.“

“These guys went above and beyond having known it was a chilly night to be eating outdoor, they provided us with blankets! What a touch of service-golden!“

“Actually came in here because the other restaurant I was planning to go had a long wait. This restaurant didn’t look busy at prime dinner time so I was a little reluctant but I only had 1 hour to eat before my next stop. Service was quick and food came out fast. Soft soon tofu soup included everything just like BCD but more variety of banchan. They were very generous with refilling the side dishes too. As I was eating, I noticed they had nonstop takeout orders getting picked up. I got the bulgogi/soon tofu combo. The bulgogi was good and tasted authentic but I think the only miss was the soon tofu soup lacked a bit of umami flavor.“

“The best Korean bbq I've been to. I'll definitely will come back. Our server was so nice too!“