33 Best Barbeque Restaurants near Palo Alto

“Always a good place to go especially in the winter for some warm comfort food! Indoor seating can be a bit smoky from time to time. They also have outdoor seating which is great during the pleasant weather of Bay area. Can get crowded during peak dinner time.“

“Stumbled upon this place and wow, it’s good. People complaining about service and atmosphere are probably expecting the same treatment at a Cracker Barrel. This is a place to get great food, not have a server chit chat about meaningless crap.
Having said that, I talked up one of the guys at the counter and got some great recommendations. The donuts are top tier as well. We will drive an hour to come get a meal here.
Try the loco moco (gravy loco).“

“We’ve been here a few times and each time, our food is delicious. On this June 6, 2026 day, I had the 1 meat bowl which included the smoked chicken and the baked beans.I devoured every bit. Both were so delicious. My husband inhaled his brisket sandwich and my son surprisingly finished his chicken tacos. We even got a greeting from the owner. 😊 We ate outside this time, but the ambiance is good whether we sit in or out. I highly recommend that you try this place if you haven’t already.“

“I made my first order from Empire Armadillo BBQ through DoorDash today. As a huge fan and loyal customer of Armadillo Willy’s, I was so sad when they closed most of their restaurants. However, the ribs I received today from Empire were the best I’ve EVER had. They were incredibly delicious and I’m already planning to visit this place frequently.“

“A old school broiler with awesome people running the business. I had the French Burger, absolutely delicious. Will be back for another great meal. Also the bathrooms are so clean and nice smelling.“

“Excellent place for fresh food, wonderful mediterranean style flavors and dishes that taste amazing. Everyone who is there is very kind and the service feels genuinely caring and always helpful. After finding it a couple weeks ago, we've been back 3 times“

“the best brunch buffet In Bay area. amazing kitchen. 10 stars“

“This place is amazing! The spare ribs are bbq'ed right in front of you along with all of the other meats. The owners are kind and very personable. :) I went here two days in a row. Delish!“

“The best BBQ around. A must try, you won’t regret it.“

“Friendly and helpful staff, great environment, attentive. my first time having Caribbean food and got the jerk chicken, the extra sauce is highly recommended for the extra kick.“

“I don’t give 5 stars often to a bbq restaurant! Today I will. Traveling through town from Nashville Tn where I smoke my own meats and have visited bbq spots all across USA and Canada, some not so good and others that are world known in the business. This little gem in this town was absolutely delicious. Not one thing bad to say. Meats were tender, and Smokey just like I’d want from my own Pitt. Tri Tip, perfectly cooked to med rare with a pepper bite. Ribs had the bite pull back that judges look for. Friendly service from the staff made it even more enjoyable. Thank you wagon wheel.“

“This is a whole in the wall place reminiscent of when I used to live in the South! Meats are very tender and sides are flavorful. Everyone working there is super nice as well. It’s hard to find good American style BBQ in the Bay, but I’ll definitely be back when I’m craving it!“

“Lunch - 7/30
Ordered the Spicy Chicken BBQ, which was pretty yummy. It could have had a little more flavor, and some of the chicken got a little too charred on the sizzling plate, but it was still decent.

The bon chon was good. I liked the tofu bon chon and the Jap Chae.

Also ordered the tteokbokki (medium spicy), which was good too. I don't think I like it personal-preference-wise, but I can recognize it was well made.

Also, entrees like the Spicy Chicken BBQ had reduced prices for weekday lunch, so I recommend coming for lunch.

Overall, a decent spot. might come back again!“

“Great food, drinks and people!“

“If you are looking for good atmosphere or out of the world services, this is not the place. But if you are looking for amazing food with unbeatable price, come here! This is one of my and my wife’s favorite places to eat in the bay for years, and we do not even live near by. Every time we pass Fremont, we come here to grab something. Give it a try and you will not regret it.“

“FAMILY OWNED & DELICIOUS! It’s made to order and you get a lot of food!! They host you like you’re in their own home. Which is rare and deserves more than 5 stars. The BBQ chicken is perfectly cooked over veggies and rice. I regretted not ordering double Mac salads because it was the first thing to go. Thank you guys, see you next week!“

“I wish I took a picture on how little food you get on a 1 item lunch plate with a side. We got the brisket + side + drink for $28 each after TT. I chalk it up to all the joy that is inflation and huge cost increases post covid. They should include a cornbread muffin like back in the day then the small handful of meat would be less an issue. I know it's tough for restaurants in the bay with all the costs of operating going up, but if the owner reads these...corn muffin those lunches before the yelpers come out! I've always loved AW!“

“OLHSO Truck isn’t just a food truck—it’s a fully automated robotic kitchen on wheels. Fresh ingredients are prepped daily by human chefs, but the actual cooking is done by a high-tech robot loaded with Chef Han’s perfected recipes. Once an order is placed, the truck’s system stir-fries everything while en route, so the food is piping hot and fresh just minutes before arrival.

For something made entirely by a machine, the food is impressively flavorful and well-executed.

Wagyu – Boneless wagyu short ribs marinated in a rich house sauce, stir-fried with fresh veggies. The meat is tender, packed with umami, and perfectly caramelized.

Dak Galbi – Chicken stir-fried in a gochujang-based spicy sauce with plenty of chewy rice cakes. The heat is customizable, but the deep, smoky flavor always shines.

SEOUL Food – A bold combination of kimchi, pork belly, soybean paste, and shrimp, all stir-fried together for layers of intense, savory flavor.

Japchae – Glass noodles tossed with mushrooms, fresh vegetables, and a sweet-savory soy sauce. Light yet satisfying.

Orders are placed through their app, and the robotic kitchen times the cooking process to ensure food arrives fresh—not sitting in a takeout container for half an hour. The whole concept is futuristic and efficient, and for a meal made entirely by a robot, the taste is surprisingly impressive.“

“Our band, Drini & the Bad Kats Band, played at the venue for the first time last night. The entire staff, patrons and owner were great. Our friends loved the venue as well. I’ve been for Karaoke Nights several times and have always had a blast as well. The drinks are strong and delicious, just like I like em. Lots of space to move around too. 🤗🎤🎉“

“I accidentally placed a take out order to a different Taos Fresh location on Doordash. It was figured out while I pick up. They called the other location to verify and fulfilled my order in this store. I really appreciate the flexibility and friendliness.“

“Really enjoyed our meal at Wooga Korean BBQ! It is a little loud, but the place is just fun. We had the seafood pancake and beef bulgogi, and both were delicious. The seafood pancake was crispy and packed with flavor, and the beef bulgogi was tender, savory, and cooked perfectly. Everything was flavorful and satisfying. Definitely a spot I’d come back to!“

“The staff is friendly and quickly steps in to help grill the meat, making the whole experience smooth and easy. The meat is good quality — well-marinated and tender. They also serve generous portions of large intestine, which is a nice touch many places skip.
Overall, it’s one of the stronger Korean BBQ options in San Jose. The only improvement would be offering more variety in banchan sides.
I’ll definitely return next time I’m craving Korean BBQ“

“We ordered the kalua pork and a combo plate seafood BBQ mix with shrimp and chicken katsu.
The combo plate was huge but it felt like an ordinary dish you could get anywhere else. A bit bland nothing special.
However, the kalua pork was right on point. It tasted really good, tender, juicy, and full of flavor. That dish definitely stood out and made the meal worthwhile. If you go, I’d recommend sticking with the kalua pork.
The Hawaiian cookies was such a sweet surprise to see them there that I bought the guava flavor one. It instantly took me back to beautiful memories of a special place in Hawaii with family. Every bite felt nostalgic and comforting. 🌺“

“Decent portions and fast service! My favorites are the BBQ chicken and spam musubi. The dining area is quite large, which makes for a comfortable wait. I usually order via their website because there is no upcharge or fee—it's the same price as ordering at the counter. Fast, reliable, and friendly! (Note: They don’t accept the loyalty program points here).“

“Very nice ambiance and great service. All staffs look professional and prompt.“

“edamame is bomb and so delicious. and service is the best“

“Bibimbap hot pot with spicey pork, yum. lots of great vegetables and and the pork with egg over rice.“

“Superhot Hot Pot & Korean BBQ offers a fun and interactive dining experience that combines the best of hot pot and Korean barbecue under one roof. The all-you-can-eat format provides a wide variety of meats, seafood, vegetables, noodles, and side dishes, allowing guests to customize every part of their meal. Ingredients appeared fresh, and the selection was extensive enough to satisfy different tastes and preferences. The Kalbi short ribs, premium steak, beef brisket, and spicy lamb were especially enjoyable, while the hot pot broths added plenty of flavor. For those with a sweet tooth, the fried bun with condensed milk was a nice way to finish the meal.
The atmosphere is lively and energetic, making it a good choice for gatherings with friends, family dinners, or celebrations. Staff members were attentive and responsive when replacing grills, refilling items, and answering questions. Despite being busy, service remained organized and efficient throughout the visit. The restaurant's spacious layout helped create a comfortable dining environment, even during peak hours.
One of the biggest strengths of Superhot is the variety offered for a reasonable price. The ability to switch between grilling meats and enjoying hot pot creates a more versatile experience than many traditional restaurants. Whether guests prefer seafood, beef, noodles, or soups, there is something for nearly everyone. The combination of quality ingredients, generous selection, and welcoming atmosphere makes this a place worth revisiting.“

“The rose ddeok-bokki is pure decadence, an absolute dream if you love creamy dishes. If you add cheese on top, the cheese gets that blowtorched, charred flavor. I love the chew of the rice cakes. The cabbage adds pops of sweetness to the dish and although it is cooked, it has a satisfying crisp to it. The fish cakes rounds out the dish with its savoriness. I do feel like it could be better with fresh green onion on top though. Nevertheless, it keeps me coming back.“

“After wandering up & down Castro St, decided to stop in here after spying some tasty noodles on someone's plate.

The way that it works is that you fill up a bowl or two with all of the ingredients that you want, then they cook it up on the BBQ griddle right in front of you. All you can eat, so you can keep loading up if you want (but max 2 bowls at a time).

The pro move seemed to be to do one bowl with veggies, one bowl with meats, then they can be cooked together. I'd also recommend doing the line for ingredients in reverse order - start with a noodle base & add on top, instead of adding in noodles at the end.

Definitely recommend the pork, chicken, water chestnuts, mushrooms. I'd skip the tofu (even though I normally love tofu).

There's also a self serve vanilla soft serve machine with cake cones. The soft serve itself wasn't stand out on its own, but it was a perfect little balance at the end of the meal.

Plenty of outdoor seating (& great Castro St people watching). Staff was very friendly.

I'd definitely recommend it's worth a stop.“

“Indoor and outdoor dining. Great food, friendly service. Kimchee chige, bbq short ribs, ban chan and purple mixed grain rice was delicious. Plus the tofu is non GMO. 👍🏻“

“Whoa, hot pot all you can eat, AND kbbq all you can eat. That already got me excited. The salad bar has like 10 different sauces, pickled radish, fruit, and that sealed the deal for me. I love this Seapot place! The lunch deal is like $26, dinner is $36 ish i think.“

“Waterfront view, great service, awesome hot pot. What else can I ask for? Yeah. Love this place and will surely come back again!“