30 Best Barbeque Restaurants near Pleasant Hill

“Excited to have another Hawaiian bbq restaurant to add to our rotation. L&L is always consistent with generous portions, good flavor, and healthy options. The service at this particular location is great, it’s small but the folks behind the counter are always friendly and the service is always quick.“

“Back Forty BBQ in Pleasant Hill is our go to spot for get togethers and celebrations, and it never disappoints. The food is always excellent, from tender ribs to smoky tri tip and hearty sides that are consistently delicious. You can tell they take pride in every dish.

The staff is friendly and attentive, which makes it easy to relax and enjoy your time whether it is a family dinner or a bigger gathering. The rustic roadhouse vibe adds to the charm, and during the holidays the place is all dolled up for Christmas, making it even more festive and inviting.

If you are looking for authentic BBQ, warm service, and a place that feels just right for celebrating with friends and family, Back Forty BBQ Pleasant Hill is it.“

“I'm confused by the lack of recent reviews.. i went here the other night because they were open til 11:45pm which is awesome cus i clock out at 11.. went with a safe order, some zhangzhou rice n a couple chx skewers.. this place is the real deal whoevers reading this, you can safely ignore the old shitty reviews. The food was just insanely good.. not a particularly complicated dish but its one of those.. anyone can do this but few have mastered it* 100% worth it to try this place out. Happy new year everyone ^_^,!,,!“

“Absolutely amazing. Had a family picnic. The food was excellent, everyone enjoyed everything. Quality & quantity was way beyond expectations. Delivery was smooth & right on time. I will definitely be using Slow Hand BBQ again. Thank you!“

“This is one of the better, if not best Kinder’s locations. Their staff is friendly and attentive, and the quality of their food is consistently good.

This visit, I got the Cali chicken club, and it was perfectly delicious and filling.“

“This Hawaiian restaurant exceeded all my expectations! The service was fast, friendly, and made us feel like ohana. The menu offered a great selection, and everything we ordered was delicious. The luau-style ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender, and the coconut shrimp had the perfect crunch with a hint of sweetness. The ambiance was magical, with soft lighting, Polynesian decor, and just the right amount of island music to set the mood. Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner, a family outing, or a casual night out, this spot is perfect. Can’t wait to return!“

“Food is AMAZING! Service is Excellent, staff are kind and habe great recommendations. Tempura shrimp MELTS in your mouth and has amazing flavor. Spicy Pork has great flavor and is seasoned perfect! Highly recommend to anyone passing through or in the area!!!“

“This is my partner and i’s favorite Korean bbq place in the Bay Area! We are such foodies and have been to many Korean bbq places in the bay and this has outdone them all. The quality of the meat is excellent (thick 👌), it’s so clean and the food is so fresh. Plus the service is top tier!

Update.. they def changed the menu and their food. It’s okay but not as great as it was“

“**3.5 Stars**

East Bay BBQ

Fans of Texas-style BBQ have inevitably heard of Horn Barbecue based in Oakland and helmed by Pitmaster Matt Horn

I’ve never been to the original location and have read tidbits about the recent press issues but decided to stop by one of their newer locations and try for myself

The Lafayette space has been open a little less than a year (Dec 2024) and their Elk Grove location just opened (June 2025) with another fourth location already planned. It’s clear Horn is in expansion mode

I stopped by for dinner and many items were sold out including the Beef Rib (Sat only), multiple sides, and banana cream pie. Luckily, they still had brisket (both fatty and lean), pork ribs and shredded pork

Manning the station was Jordan Horn, the brother of Matt Horn and he was personable and funny talking about the expanding business and favorites of guests

We sampled the fatty brisket, pork ribs, and pulled pork and had a side of mac 'n cheese. Everything was solid. The brisket was flavorful but would have loved it more moist nor tender. Similar with the pork ribs. Pulled pork was similar to other places but definitely had to lean more into their supplied bbq sauce

Admittedly, we came at end of day and the brisket had probably finished hours before. Jordan also gave some great pointers on how to order next time and I appreciate that.

For barbeque fans, it's nice to have another option in East Bay (especially one that serves beef ribs) and not have to travel to Oakland

📷 Prime Brisket $38 per lb / Spare Ribs $34 per lb / Beef Rib (Sat only) $38 lb / Pulled Pork $27 per lb / Mac & Cheese $5 small

📍 Horn Barbeque (Lafayette, CA)

There is indoor and outdoor seating. All credit cards are accepted. Walk in only.“

“Hazy is the best! You can’t beat the food and family friendly vibe, plus the live music on Fridays. Ooh and you’ve gotta try the burnt ends! We love Hazy!!“

“best slap yo momma bbq around.“

“Delicious! I honestly did not even know that Kinder’s had a restaurant! And the experience overall what was AMAZING! Not only was the food i order, delicious, but the e customer service was beyond great. It was actually close to closing time and by the time we got our food and sat down to eat, it was already past closing time and they did not rush us, they allowed us to eat and enjoy our food. Definitely a must try if you are in the area!“

“This is one of the best food in the Bay Area. The staff are great. The food are excellent fresh. I see some of the comments from other customers just if you don’t like this place just don’t go there less problem for everyone. And I don’t think they need a customer like those guys. Five star to you guys“

“Sooo sooo good! Great Service“

“Really liked this spot. I like the ordering system. I was greeted warmly by the two employees I initially had contact with. I had the biscuit breakfast sandwich, very filling and the biscuit was so good. I had one pancake and man was that delicious! The parking is also a plus. Will definitely come back to check out other options!“

“It’s all good very good barbecue sauce so tasty“

“Amazing food including the New York steak“

“Slow Hand never disappoints. Just got back from Austin and had bbque there at Franklins. But just tasting Slow Hand, absolutely amazing. Love, love this place! So many great drink options as well. Wow.“

“First visit, weeknight, not crowded. Food very good to excellent. Beet trio appetizer superb. Not clear if the 3 dipping sauces were for beets or brisket but good either way. Fiancee had wagyu burger, excellent. I had the combo plate…brisket a tad dry, fried chicken very good, corn bread muffin & cole slaw great. Extensive wine list, top labels. We shared a flight and each had a glass of bubbly. Portion size good … I had leftovers for breakfast. Server Jeff casual but on the ball with advice. Menu somewhat limited, especially for vegans.“

“I came here from Sacramento visiting family, and boyyyyy let me tell you the foood was so delish I literally never tasted anything so goood in my life especially the bbq chicken and Mac n cheese. I got my mom the California burger and tator tots and she loved it. Everyone was helpful and patient. Definitely would come here again and again.“

“I never post reviews unless it's fairly phenomenal. Great staff, varied menu and food quality versus price ratio is off the hook. After several visits picked up a number two food pack and our guests for dinner noticed it wasn't L&L level, above and beyond. Thank you. If you made Italian food I'd order your carbonara“

“So proud to be part of such a great team at such a well known, much loved, well respected establishment. Love my coworkers;we perform together like a well oiled machine... Love my customers & take a great deal of pride providing service that's just a cut above the competition... There IS NO competition, really. Finally another employer who shares my own values about how clients& coworkers ought be treated. We rise by lifting others. Thank you Justin Kinder for taking a chance on me.“

“Cannot recommend this place enough. High quality food, generous portions, and the price is right. We come to this spot every time we visit family in the East Bay. Strangely not a ton of people, at least not on a Saturday night, so it’s not crowded.“

“Amazing food!! Hands down the best toasts in the entire Bay Area and great coffee too! We ordered avocado toast and salmon toast - both were delicious, extremely fresh and great presentation! Delicious juice too, although the consistency was more of a lemonade, but nevertheless very refreshing and yummy. They also have mimosas and champagne-based coctails, along with berry oats, as an alternative to a toast in the morning - both of which are definitely on my list to try next.

Also very cute ambience and views from the cafe - will be back to this place very often!“

“Excellent local butcher shop and deli. BBQ sauce is also very good. The ball tip sandwich is the most popular sandwich on the menu. I would personally recommend the sweet potato fries because their sauce is delicious. The meat is always top notch. Kinders is very well known around here. The only downside I would say is that it is not cheap. It is hard to find a sandwich under $10 on the menu. Definitely worth trying if you are driving through!“

“Huge portions! Delicious food!
If you’re looking for true, mouth-watering barbecue, Chilly Willy’s BBQ is the place to be! Every bite of their smoked meats is packed with incredible flavor — tender, juicy, and cooked to perfection. Their brisket melts in your mouth, the ribs have the perfect smoky crust, and the pulled pork is so savory it barely needs sauce (but trust me, their house-made sauces are a must-try too).

The sides are just as impressive. Their macaroni and cheese is creamy, rich, and the ultimate comfort food — the perfect pairing with the smoky meats. The baked beans are hearty, sweet, and savory, with just the right hint of smokiness. Every dish feels like it’s made with love and attention to detail.

On top of all that, the staff is friendly, the service is fast, and the atmosphere makes you feel right at home. Whether you’re craving a full plate of ribs or just looking to enjoy some incredible sides, Chilly Willy’s BBQ delivers an unforgettable meal every single time. Highly recommend!“

“Absolutely Loved This Place ❤️“

“Plus 82 Korean BBQ is conveniently located on the first floor of Sun Valley Mall, right in the food court, with plenty of free parking available. The service was excellent—friendly and attentive. The food was decent, though the sauces were a bit too sweet for my taste, and there weren’t many gluten-free options. Overall, a good spot for Korean BBQ if you’re in the area, especially if you value great service!“

“Fresh and delicious! I’ll be back for sure 😋“

“They’re on my top 3 places to get a good hamburger. I love their sauces selection, hard to pick one with your side of fries! ?

I have tried most of their menu and everything has been really good in flavor. They are great at getting your food quickly ?“