Willingham's World Champion BBQ

Food is delicous meat is tender and juicy, but prices are outrageous, $16 for 1/2 pound ribs got me 3 ribs, no sides. $17 for 1/2 pound brisket. Picture below $33 total for this amount of food is crazy.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place is legit! Authentic, home-made, and genuine…loved the pulled pork and jalapeño sausage…I’ll be back on the regular.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very small place but Owner greets you coming and leaving. Brisket is Amazing

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

They have the best brisket I have found in CA

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I’m from South Georgia so BBQ was a staple growing up. I’ve not found many REAL BBQ places while living in CA.. they are few and far between.

I heard about this place and had to try it. I had the brisket, pulled pork with collard greens & cole slaw.

I noticed that all portions were measured. Normally, that’s good but I have to say.. for the $ I paid I expected more.. well.. I didn’t need more but $27 + tax for one slice (good sized) of brisket and a decent pile of pulled pork.. IMO.. was about $7 too much. I hear they sell out so who am I to judge. I can just say $27 for one grab and go meal makes me think twice about going again.

The food…

Brisket was basically perfection & I don’t take saying this lightly. Perfection. Moist.. pull apart and eat with some crisp edges.

Pulled pork was excellent but too much moisture was added. Back off JUST A TAD..

Collard greens.. they were AMAZING.. but.. but.. too salty. Y’all have VERY GOOD collards.. trust the soak… less salt and they are on par with my wife’s collards.. which are the only ones I normally eat.

Cole slaw .. made with mayo and (I think spicy) mustard.. we’re also AMAZING!! I would come back for just the cole slaw.

I give y’all 5 stars because the food overall was superb with just a few bits of feedback. I can’t wait to go back.. but I’m not rushing due to the price.

HIGHLY recommend if you are down to pay for amazing BBQ.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Tucked into a small plaza with easy parking, Willingham's is a cozy, family-run BBQ spot that seats about 15–20 people. I dropped by for lunch at noon on a Wednesday, with no line, and was warmly greeted by the kind staff, possibly the family behind the operation. I ordered the half-pound brisket (half lean, half moist). The moist was definitely my favorite. The portion, around 4–5 slices, was a bit smaller than expected, so I’d recommend adding sides or upsizing to a full pound for a meal. The brisket had solid flavor, especially when dipped in what seemed like a mild, tangy vinegar-based BBQ sauce. While not exceptional on this visit, I’ll gladly return—great hospitality always deserves a second chance.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 5

I tried jalapeno sausage at another BBQ joint and thought about Willingham's. They have the best jalapeno sausage and sweet and spicy sauce. The people who work here are caring and friendly. I miss this place.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: BBQ Sauces, Jalapeño Sausage, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw

The first thing I have to say is that I was very surprised that there wasn't a line going out the door. The meat was flavorful, moist, and tender. The sides were delicious, and the price was very reasonable, especially for the quality. I will definitely return to this place.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: BBQ Sauces, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Brisket Plate, Baked Beans, Pork Ribs, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Ribs Moist Brisket Pulled Pork Lean Brisket

Pretty bomb just a little small

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: 2 Meat Meal

This is my favorite bbq spot there brisket is where it’s at and you can select the type of pieces you want recommend guaranteed ribs just juicy straight falling off the bones

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Jalapeño Sausage, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Pork Ribs, Turkey, Sausage

Customer service and food 10!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Oh my WORD. This place converted me to BBQ and now it's all I can do to pace myself between visits! I actually really disliked BBQ before eating here (I know). Always found BBQ sauces to be too sweet in general and just never experienced the "wow" so many people touted about BBQ. But this place changed all that for me and now I think about eating their constantly.

Their brisket is outstanding. I always get both the lean and the moist brisket because I honestly can't choose... Every time I go with just 1 option, I miss the other one. Their creamed corn is delicious as are their beans which have a rather generous amount of brisket bits in there. Collard greens are delish too.

The inside is cute and always clean/tidy. You can see their consistent BBQ championship wins on their walls spanning over DECADES. Yeah. Seriously, if you haven't eaten here you're missing out!

The service is solid, very professional and friendly. And parking is a breeze which is so appreciated in a popular beach town. Love you Willingham's!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I came from Georgia down to California. I can’t believe this type of food was extremely good. This barbecue is one of a kind had to pull pork with the coleslaw on the side highly recommend as well as the. St. Louis pork ribs don’t forget to get the spicy BBQ sauce!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: BBQ Sauces, Pork Ribs, Pulled Pork Sandwich

Ordered half pound and thought it would be good enough, and it turned out that I had to order another half cuz it's too good to not carry another meal out!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great local BBQ! Really friendly service too!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Cole Slaw, Chopped Brisket Sandwich