I saw an article on KQED covering late night BBQ in San Bruno and when I discovered I lived less than 5 min away I thought to give it a try. The "shack" has a small parking lot next to a Boba place. The inside was really well put together I enjoyed all the hip hop memorabilia, the music selection, and there's plenty to do while you wait for your food, and you will definitely wait. I believe the chef/owner is the only person working there and she is a very hardworking, kind and polite woman. On to the food.First off, I didn't eat any of the actual BBQ meats due to dietary restriction (non halal and mostly pork) but I ordered the Mac n cheese, cornbread, corn om the cob, and the peach cobbler and pineapple upside down cake.Mac n cheese 6.5/10Cornbread 8/10Pineapple cake 6/10Corn on the cob and peach cobbler 1/10 tossed both of em.Overall I'm glad i tried the place but probably wouldn't go back again. My wait was 20 minutes and if ordering the actual BBQ expect to wait around 45 min.Wishing the place the best though. I know BBQ is definitely harder to cook and serve than most other cuisines and it's cool san bruno has a BBQ place, open til late night, and a very unique theme.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
M H.
Had beef ribs at Tony Romo's, Lucille's, and many other joints. The beef ribs here are absolute fire and these best I've ever had. Mae is sweet and might take her time, but her product is superior. Only downside is she uses many different alcoholic spirits in her sauces and sometimes her dishes. If you have sensitivity to that just let her know. Mae hails from an old SF family so her craft is authentic to the Bay.
Patti F.
All flavor explosion in your mouth! The brisket was a winner in my eyes. One of the best briskets I've had ever as in melt in your mouth with all the complex spices. My friend and I came in for a late night spot San Bruno. It was so cozy inside. Mae was inside also providing such a homey feel too.
Shane H.
I love love love this place. The energy and food were great. The BOSS LADY PITT MASTER was live and direct, taking orders, making delicious plates, serving, and taking phone orders--all effortless. The Cornbread is a must--we were trying to figure out the recipe as we enjoyed every bite. I love the board games and the wide variety of hip-hop music. I really appreciate her paying homage to many Fillmoe, HP, LV, and Bay Area Hip-Hop legends. The 90s era of Bay Area Hip-Hop was the best, and she represents all of that! Great BBQ and Desserts.
Marc Gamble
I've been a resident of San Bruno for over 18 years and I had no idea that a year and a half ago Chef May transformed this place into a deliciously Soulful BBQ Shack!The atmosphere and vibe was inviting relaxed and very pleasant. Plenty of seating but the menu is very limited. I strongly recommend that you get there early because food options run out quickly and choices become very limited. The line forms and I was there and watched Chef May have to turn away several customers because she had sold out.My son and I enjoyed burnt ends, ribs, beef, barbecue baked beans, collard greens and cornbread. It was all extremely filling, wonderfully seasoned and very flavorful.Chef May herself is a fantastic soul who totally enjoys what she's doing and the food she preparing. Felt like family instantly.Finally some delicious barbecue and soul food right here in San Bruno! Thanks Chef May, I'll make sure to tell everybody I know keep doing it!Parking: There is a free parking lot however you'll be lucky if there's ever a space available because it's extremely small. You're better off finding a spot on El Camino and just walking up.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hickory Smoked Beef Brisket, Baby Back Ribs, Beef Brisket, Jack Daniel’S Full Rack of Ribs, Beef Ribs
LaDom X.
Food 5 Service 5 Ambiance 5 I'm a Texan & we don't fk around about our Q. So for me to 5 Star a California BBQ joint That's like an Actor winning an Oscar, Grammy, or Tony Award. I must say I think Chef Mae just might be a Texan. Thank you for once again making my trip to SFO feel rt at home. We got yet another date when I fly back. Note: Brisket melted like butta!!
Ricky P.
Man this place is money!!! Take me back to the 90s!! If you're a bbq connoisseur, this is your spot. You get the best of every little item. Portions were perfect unlike other yelpers because the understanding of bbq is not for the light mind. You have flavor, bark, smokiness, tenderness, the pull test. Portion size is for places like sizzler! If you know the lyrics below without googling!! This is your spot!!! I said-a hip, hop, the hippie, the hippie To the hip hip hop-a you don't stop the rock It to the bang-bang boogie, say up jump the boogie To the rhythm of the boogie, the beat
D’Andre L.
I walked in and was immediately greeted by smell of a home cooked meal while working on the road. Food and hospitality A1. A mellow vibe
Ida Petitt
Parking: Small parking lot & street parkingKid-friendliness: Free games to playWheelchair accessibility: Ground floor
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cake, Famous Rib Shack Feast, Beef Ribs
Tiffany Yu
Such a gem. Authentic complex flavors. Soul food. Chef May is a one woman shop but a Michelin level chef! It’s a cozy hidden spot. If you want amazing southern soul food, this place is worth a try! Must eat. Must try. So much character and charm. Our new favorite spot! Support local business!We order Mac and cheese. Collard greens. Bourbon brisket. Fried chicken and waffles. Balance of sweet and salty!
Have been wanting to try Hip Hop BBQ Shack for awhile. Called Chef May to order for pickup and boy did she take care of me! She is so pleasant We ordered baby back ribs, beef ribs, mac n cheese, collared greens. She also included potato salad for us . All were good but my favorite was the baby back ribs and collared greens! My fam loved the food too. Hubby and daughter ate all meat off the bone lol. Would totally order again. Want to try their Gumbo next time. As far as ambiance, it's very clean. They have pics of hip hop artists all over. Chef May also said they have all you can eat on football Sundays Go Niners!!
NM
If someone told me the BEST Bay Area BBQ was coming out of a real life shack I’d say yeah right, but Chef May is amazing all the way around! Everything was delicious, she has a great family recipe for the rub. We had the Jack Daniels ribs + burnt ends, baked beans, bbq spaghetti, cornbread, Mac and cheese, hot links, and cakes! Chef was super fast considering the size of our order and was very generous in portions. Overall 10/10 experience any reason to go is a good one :)
I can't stop raving about this fantastic Soul food restaurant! The service was outstanding - the staff made us feel like family from the moment we walked in. As for the food, it was a symphony of flavors - the fried chicken was seasoned to perfection, the cornbread was soft and buttery, and the sweet tea was the best I've ever had. The ambiance was cozy and soulful, creating the perfect backdrop for a memorable dining experience. This place is a true gem in the world of soul food dining!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Chicken, Beef Ribs
Walter Burger
Chef May is one of the nicest people I have ever met, on top of that she makes the best bbq I have ever had. Please do yourself a favor and just go. Grab the burnt ends (honestly grab anything it's all amazing)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Walter R.
Best bbq (I'm willing to say food) in the bay. Chef May is amazing and the bbq is as well. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu but the burnt ends were my favorite.
I saw an article on KQED covering late night BBQ in San Bruno and when I discovered I lived less than 5 min away I thought to give it a try. The "shack" has a small parking lot next to a Boba place. The inside was really well put together I enjoyed all the hip hop memorabilia, the music selection, and there's plenty to do while you wait for your food, and you will definitely wait. I believe the chef/owner is the only person working there and she is a very hardworking, kind and polite woman. On to the food.First off, I didn't eat any of the actual BBQ meats due to dietary restriction (non halal and mostly pork) but I ordered the Mac n cheese, cornbread, corn om the cob, and the peach cobbler and pineapple upside down cake.Mac n cheese 6.5/10Cornbread 8/10Pineapple cake 6/10Corn on the cob and peach cobbler 1/10 tossed both of em.Overall I'm glad i tried the place but probably wouldn't go back again. My wait was 20 minutes and if ordering the actual BBQ expect to wait around 45 min.Wishing the place the best though. I know BBQ is definitely harder to cook and serve than most other cuisines and it's cool san bruno has a BBQ place, open til late night, and a very unique theme.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Had beef ribs at Tony Romo's, Lucille's, and many other joints. The beef ribs here are absolute fire and these best I've ever had. Mae is sweet and might take her time, but her product is superior. Only downside is she uses many different alcoholic spirits in her sauces and sometimes her dishes. If you have sensitivity to that just let her know. Mae hails from an old SF family so her craft is authentic to the Bay.
All flavor explosion in your mouth! The brisket was a winner in my eyes. One of the best briskets I've had ever as in melt in your mouth with all the complex spices. My friend and I came in for a late night spot San Bruno. It was so cozy inside. Mae was inside also providing such a homey feel too.
I love love love this place. The energy and food were great. The BOSS LADY PITT MASTER was live and direct, taking orders, making delicious plates, serving, and taking phone orders--all effortless. The Cornbread is a must--we were trying to figure out the recipe as we enjoyed every bite. I love the board games and the wide variety of hip-hop music. I really appreciate her paying homage to many Fillmoe, HP, LV, and Bay Area Hip-Hop legends. The 90s era of Bay Area Hip-Hop was the best, and she represents all of that! Great BBQ and Desserts.
I've been a resident of San Bruno for over 18 years and I had no idea that a year and a half ago Chef May transformed this place into a deliciously Soulful BBQ Shack!The atmosphere and vibe was inviting relaxed and very pleasant. Plenty of seating but the menu is very limited. I strongly recommend that you get there early because food options run out quickly and choices become very limited. The line forms and I was there and watched Chef May have to turn away several customers because she had sold out.My son and I enjoyed burnt ends, ribs, beef, barbecue baked beans, collard greens and cornbread. It was all extremely filling, wonderfully seasoned and very flavorful.Chef May herself is a fantastic soul who totally enjoys what she's doing and the food she preparing. Felt like family instantly.Finally some delicious barbecue and soul food right here in San Bruno! Thanks Chef May, I'll make sure to tell everybody I know keep doing it!Parking: There is a free parking lot however you'll be lucky if there's ever a space available because it's extremely small. You're better off finding a spot on El Camino and just walking up.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hickory Smoked Beef Brisket, Baby Back Ribs, Beef Brisket, Jack Daniel’S Full Rack of Ribs, Beef Ribs
Food 5 Service 5 Ambiance 5 I'm a Texan & we don't fk around about our Q. So for me to 5 Star a California BBQ joint That's like an Actor winning an Oscar, Grammy, or Tony Award. I must say I think Chef Mae just might be a Texan. Thank you for once again making my trip to SFO feel rt at home. We got yet another date when I fly back. Note: Brisket melted like butta!!
Man this place is money!!! Take me back to the 90s!! If you're a bbq connoisseur, this is your spot. You get the best of every little item. Portions were perfect unlike other yelpers because the understanding of bbq is not for the light mind. You have flavor, bark, smokiness, tenderness, the pull test. Portion size is for places like sizzler! If you know the lyrics below without googling!! This is your spot!!! I said-a hip, hop, the hippie, the hippie To the hip hip hop-a you don't stop the rock It to the bang-bang boogie, say up jump the boogie To the rhythm of the boogie, the beat
I walked in and was immediately greeted by smell of a home cooked meal while working on the road. Food and hospitality A1. A mellow vibe
Parking: Small parking lot & street parkingKid-friendliness: Free games to playWheelchair accessibility: Ground floor
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cake, Famous Rib Shack Feast, Beef Ribs
Such a gem. Authentic complex flavors. Soul food. Chef May is a one woman shop but a Michelin level chef! It’s a cozy hidden spot. If you want amazing southern soul food, this place is worth a try! Must eat. Must try. So much character and charm. Our new favorite spot! Support local business!We order Mac and cheese. Collard greens. Bourbon brisket. Fried chicken and waffles. Balance of sweet and salty!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Have been wanting to try Hip Hop BBQ Shack for awhile. Called Chef May to order for pickup and boy did she take care of me! She is so pleasant We ordered baby back ribs, beef ribs, mac n cheese, collared greens. She also included potato salad for us . All were good but my favorite was the baby back ribs and collared greens! My fam loved the food too. Hubby and daughter ate all meat off the bone lol. Would totally order again. Want to try their Gumbo next time. As far as ambiance, it's very clean. They have pics of hip hop artists all over. Chef May also said they have all you can eat on football Sundays Go Niners!!
If someone told me the BEST Bay Area BBQ was coming out of a real life shack I’d say yeah right, but Chef May is amazing all the way around! Everything was delicious, she has a great family recipe for the rub. We had the Jack Daniels ribs + burnt ends, baked beans, bbq spaghetti, cornbread, Mac and cheese, hot links, and cakes! Chef was super fast considering the size of our order and was very generous in portions. Overall 10/10 experience any reason to go is a good one :)
Recommended dishes: Hickory Smoked Bourbon Brisket, Baby Back Ribs, Peach Cobbler, Cake
I can't stop raving about this fantastic Soul food restaurant! The service was outstanding - the staff made us feel like family from the moment we walked in. As for the food, it was a symphony of flavors - the fried chicken was seasoned to perfection, the cornbread was soft and buttery, and the sweet tea was the best I've ever had. The ambiance was cozy and soulful, creating the perfect backdrop for a memorable dining experience. This place is a true gem in the world of soul food dining!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Chicken, Beef Ribs
Chef May is one of the nicest people I have ever met, on top of that she makes the best bbq I have ever had. Please do yourself a favor and just go. Grab the burnt ends (honestly grab anything it's all amazing)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best bbq (I'm willing to say food) in the bay. Chef May is amazing and the bbq is as well. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu but the burnt ends were my favorite.