Heritage Barbecue

31721 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano

Recent Reviews

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Evan Huang

Makes me think that I’m back to Austin. Very authentic. Wait is extremely long if you visit during the weekends

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Banana Bread Pudding, Brisket Pulled Pork Tri Tip Pork Ribs Baked Beans Cornbread Mac & Cheese, Tri Tip, Ribs, Beef Brisket

W Perry

Good and “not so” good.
I had the pulled pork sandwich ($16) and brisket beans ($7).
The sandwich was excellent, loved the addition of coleslaw and pickles. Tasty pork without overpowering bbq sauce.
The brisket beans were definitely disappointing. The beans had an unpleasant sour taste, I had to throw away most of the serving.
Parking is difficult, very little free street parking. There is a paid lot nearby.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

Joe Reisman

The bbq was delicious. We had 1 beef rib(it was nearly 2 pounds), 1 pound of brisket, 1 bratwurst, Texas chili, and banana pudding. The beef rib was the best, the brisket coming in a close second, and the banana pudding rounding out the podium. Their mustard based bbq sauce was AMAZING, and the ambiance was inviting. The staff was friendly and efficient. Although it is expensive, if you're a bbq fan that lives in Orange County, this place is definitely worth a visit. I would recommend arriving very hungry so you can order lots of things and fall into a meat sweat induced coma.

Vegetarian options: Go somewhere else

Kid-friendliness: Good to go.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Simm

Ranked Top two best bbq in SoCal. I have to agree. Everything was moist and cooked to perfection. Great hazy ipa to wash it down.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pork Spare Ribs, Beef Brisket, Cornbread Muffin, Chicken

Focus 1

My family and I picked up ribs and brisket from here this past Saturday evening. We got the mac and cheese along with beans as well. Unfortunately, 4 hours after eating this food we all were vomiting while also running off with diarrhea. Initially I thought it was the beans since this was what was coming back up. So feeling better on Sunday we refrained from eating the beans. We didnt want to waste our money so My wife and I ate the ribs while my daughter at the brisket. We'll turns out the ribs was the issue. We went through another night of horror in the bathroom. My daughter had no issues with the brisket. Sadly, we will not be coming back hence the 1 star.

Abraham Lopez

Best Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano. Brisket was fingers licking good! House BBQ sauce was delicious 😋

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Beef Brisket

Konstantin Schellong

Rather disappointed. Waited in line for over an hour just to observe plenty of people to order online for take away when arriving, getting their food within minutes and then sitting down still and eating in peace. Food was expensive for the quality. Beef rib was delicious, brisket and pork spare ribs not up to expectations (not tender at all). Staff was super friendly at all times and a good and happy atmosphere

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Ribs

Sebastien Rodriguez

I enjoyed this place. I usually don't get the hype surrounding barbecue places because they're usually just okay, but this place did stand out. The brisket here was actually moist and had good flavor compared to other places I've tried in Orange County. They had a great selection and variety of sides as well, which really sold me since I'd really like more options than beans or mac&cheese. If I were to recommend a good barbecue place in OC, then it would be this one.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Philip Albert

If you ever visit San Juan Capistrano, CA, don't skip eating at or from Heritage BBQ.

I worked for a year in old town San Juan Capistrano while living up the street from Heritage BBQ. Wednesday thru Sunday, I drove past Heritage on my way to work up the street. Every morning I drove by, there were at least 3 employees either firing up or already attending to the multiple barrel smokers cooking the multiple meats that this restaurant served. Visible committment to excellence daily that impressed me, a fledgling BBQ afficianado.

Long lines formed early for both lunch & dinner every day. This place also routinely sold out some or all served meats before closing, so you were wise to go there early. They served both eat-in & take out BBQ smoked short & country style beef & pork ribs, briskets, tri-tip, loins, turkey breast, pulled pork, whole & half chicken, pastrami, pork belly & rotated daily varieties of homemade, BBQ smoked sausages, including Italian, Bratwurst, Andouille, Lousiana Hot Link, & occasional Special Blends.

Large portion, tasty homemade side dishes like BBQ baked beans, queso, mac & cheese, chili & potato salad, plus national brand & local craft beers, along with the usual sodas & kid drinks. On site dining is mostly picnic bench style with a few self-seating tables for 2 or 4, all of which promotes table-to-table patron interaction, so friendly, casual atmosphere.

Items are a tad pricey, but for the incredible flavors, they are worth every penny! Plus this area is the toniest part of LA's Orange County (yes, Real Housewives Of OC is filmed in this entire area), so expect to pay more. I miss eating at this place often, despite my now living in the no-slouch-BBQ-eatery city of Reno, NV.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Queso, Brisket Sandwich, Brisket Pulled Pork Tri Tip Pork Ribs Baked Beans Cornbread Mac & Cheese, Pork Ribs, Brisket Taco C, Pork Spare Ribs, Tri Tip, Ribs, Pastrami, Beef Brisket, Smoked Elote, BBQ Tacos, Chicken, Brisket and Pulled Pork

George Rogers

Pricey but the food is fantastically delicious. Had to park more than two blocks or so away. Food is served from a window, like fast food. Outside dining only. Line of 25 or so people ahead of us. We had a little of almost every meat n side dish available n took it home. Absolutely fabulous, cooked to perfection. Unique sauce but you'll prolly want some of your favorite sauce too.

Parking: The smoked sliced turkey breast was wonderful too. The spareribs were as perfectly tender and tasty as I've ever had.

Kid-friendliness: Yes

Wheelchair accessibility: Long haul unless you get lucky parking.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 5

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Banana Bread Pudding, Muffin, Salad, Pork Ribs, Pork Spare Ribs, Tri Tip, Beef Brisket

James Wan

In my opinion, Heritage is the best example of Texas style BBQ in Southern California. From level of smokiness in the their meats to application of seasoning, their execution and mastering of BBQ truly shines bright here.

In addition, their consistency is absolutely an artform. The brisket are seasoned just right letting the beef itself sing it's own praise of greatness. The pork spareribs are excellently prepared moist, juicy, and properly pink with an incredible smoke ring. Pulled pork is marbled well, and mixed to offer the best consistent seasoned fatty taste.

Newly added items such as their Cha Siu (Pork Belly) is decadently prepared and served with a nice sweet bark. The ever changing menu also will include the differently sausages available that are equally as delicious.

Side dishes are on par with the quality of all their meats, and don't be shy to order plenty because everything not finished can be packed and taken home.

Service will include a proper introduction as portions are divided and sliced to your liking and approval from a knowledgeable and detailed staff. Long wait times on weekends are to be expected, but the staff will assist those in line if you should want to partake on a drink or two. Just follow the rules laid out and be prepared to order when your turn is up in line.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Muffin, Pork Ribs, Pork Spare Ribs, Tri Tip, Ribs, Beef Brisket

Carolina Macias

Food was phenomenal. Mac n cheese sooo good. The jalapeño cornbread DELICIOUS. You come here expect to wait in line. But for the love of everything PUT BABY CHANGING STATIONS IN AT LEAST ONE OF YOUR BATHROOMS !!!!

Kid-friendliness: It can only be so much kid friendly when they don’t even have a baby changing station in at least one of the bathrooms.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Muffin, Tri Tip, Beef Brisket

Kevin Yazdi

Worth the wait, lives up to the hype. This has to be some of the best BBQ in SoCal. Juicy, tender, flavorful, and honestly doesn't need anything else. That said, the BBQ sauce and sides they give you are also incredible. Get here early, but get ready to stand in the sun for a bit!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Josh Espadas

Amazing barbecue. Meat was delicious and tender. Barbecue sauce was on the side and little was needed since the meat was flavorful on its own. Great service and plenty of outdoor seating.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Beef Brisket

A S

I have been meaning to come here for a few months and I genuinely regret not coming sooner. After staying in Texas for 6 years, I've been craving authentic Texas style southern Barbecue. I've been to so many establishments across southern California but this is the done that reminds me of how great BBQ can be. We came here with a group of seven people and ordered beef ribs, brisket, pulled pork, pork belly , and sausage. Everything came out fantastic but our favorite was definitely the beef ribs. I'd highly recommend this place to anyone looking for fantastic BBQ.

Vegetarian options: This is not a place for vegetarians.

Parking: Parking is $2 an hour if you don't find street parking.

Wheelchair accessibility: Plenty of tables with wheelchair access.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pork Ribs, Pork Spare Ribs, Beef Brisket

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