The 13 Best BBQ in Orange County, California

Orange County is well-known for Anaheim’s Disneyland Resort, theme parks, and surf beaches, but it also packs a punch in the BBQ department.

If you are visiting or intend to visit Orange County and you happen to be a BBQ fan, below is a list of the best BBQ places.

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The Best BBQ in Orange County

The Best BBQ in Orange County

1. Bad to the Bone Barbecue

Warmly lit with modern decor and long wooden tables perfect for big groups, Bad to the Bone BBQ is an awesome spot to share a meal with family and friends. Dig into their drool-worthy beef brisket with house-made rub, smoked for 16 hours!

Angus beef Tri-tip and Carolina pulled pork are full of smoky, delicious flavor, and the BBQ half-chicken is crispy and succulent. The dinner plate is a great option to test it all out!

31738 Rancho Viejo Rd, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Sunday–Thursday 11 AM – 8:30 PM; Friday & Saturday 11 AM – 9:30 PM
+ 1 949-218-0227

2. Beach Pit BBQ

This local barbeque chain is the perfect spot to stop in for classic plates from pulled pork to saucy ribs. Beach Pit BBQ can be found in 2 locations, each featuring a rustic ambiance and some of the tastiest authentic Southern-style barbeque.

They focus on building really smoky flavors using hickory, almond, and cherry wood to slow-smoke everything on the menu. Here, you’ll be served tender, fall-off-the-bone meat smothered in their signature housemade BBQ sauce so good they’ve won local awards.

They even offer catering for large parties in case you can’t get enough of their delicious eats. You’ll quickly fall in love with the menu from Beach Pit BBQ.

1676 Tustin Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627, United States
Monday – Wednesday, 11 AM – 8 PM. Thursday – Sunday, 11 AM – 9 PM.
+1 949 645 7427

3. Beale’s Texas BBQ

While the name mentions the great state of Texas, you’ll find this popular barbeque joint in the heart of Orange County, California. Beale’s Texas BBQ is bringing all the best of traditional Southern sides and healthy portions of Texas-style slow-smoked meats.

Unlike many BBQ joints in the state of TX, you’ll find this restaurant in a marina so you can enjoy an ocean view with your meal. Open 7 days a week and featuring live musicians, this is the perfect spot to hang out with friends while indulging in a meal of smoked meats slow-cooked to perfection.

Dive into plates of ribs, brisket, pulled pork, whole smoked chicken, and plenty more mouth-watering options. Beale’s Texas BBQ brings authentic TX barbeque to the coast of California.

16400 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92649, United States
Sunday – Thursday, 11:30 AM – 7 PM. Friday – Saturday, 11:30 AM – 8 PM.
+1 562 588 3070

4. Blake’s Place

Tucked away in an industrial area, Blake’s Place is a rustic spot well worth seeking out. The brisket sandwich is piled mile high for endless bites of tender, flavorful meat, crispy onions, and fresh bread.

If you’re extra hungry, try “The Beast,” a behemoth sandwich stuffed with all the offerings only for the bravest (and hungriest!). Don’t worry; you can also get your regular BBQ fix on a plate with some extra delicious garlic bread on the side.

2901 E Miraloma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806
Monday – Thursday 11 AM – 7 PM; Friday & Saturday 11 AM – 8 PM
+ 1 714-630-8574

5. Craft by Smoke and Fire

Switch up the vibe a bit and visit the trendy joint Craft by Smoke and Fire, complete with live music and creative cocktails.

You’ll be converted by their 1/2-pound smoked pastrami or the loaded brisket Texas chili tacos. They have a crafty twist on classics like creamy blue cheese slaw, brisket, grits, and some of the best mud pie around.

195 W Center Street Promenade, Anaheim, CA 92805
Monday – Thursday 11 AM – 10 PM; Friday 11 AM – 12 AM; Saturday 10 AM – 12 AM; Sunday 10 AM – 10 PM
+ 1 714-603-7194

6. Heritage Barbecue

Heritage Barbecue serves up tasty Texas-style BBQ in the historic San Juan Capistrano. Cut to order and weighed out to your liking, they’ve got tender ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and juicy sausage links.

Char Siu pork belly is worth the visit alone, as well as the tri-tip and brisket beans. Try their hatch chile potato salad for a creamy, spicy play on the old classic. Make sure to check out their daily specials while you’re there!

31721 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Wednesday – Sunday 11 AM – 6 PM

7. Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que

This barbeque chain is well known in California and specializes in a mix of both tasty smoked-meat plates along with Southern and Cajun cuisine. Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que creates a welcoming and warm surrounding for you to indulge in all your favorite slow-cooked meals.

Low and slow is their secret to creating some of the most mouth-watering and fall-off-the-bone meals you’ll find in OC. Whether you’re into Carolina-style, Memphis-style, or Texas-style BBQ, they’ve got options to cure your cravings.

These award-winning cuts include baby-back ribs, smoked half-chicken, brisket, and tri-tips. All smothered in seasonings and sauces before smoking for hours on end. Add on their tasty southern sides to make it a meal. Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que is the only barbeque spot you’ll need.

4050 W Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92868, United States
Sunday – Thursday 11 AM – 10 PM; Friday and Saturday 11 AM – 11 PM
+1 714-634-1227

8. Ribbro BBQ

RIBBRO BBQ is a great little spot in OC for tasty BBQ that will keep you coming back for more. Juicy, fresh Andouille sausage and pork ribs are crowd-pleasers and their flavorful pulled pork sandwich.

Sauces here are also a highlight – give the spicy Korean BBQ sauce a try for a spicy, sweet kick. They also offer group packages for 5-15 people, so you can grab some friends and try all their awesome items.

2300 SE Bristol St C, Newport Beach, CA 92660,
Tuesday – Friday 11 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 9 PM; Saturday 11 AM – 8 PM
+ 1 949-681-0108

9. Sauced BBQ & Spirits

Looking for somewhere social with great BBQ, indoor and outdoor seating, big screen TVs, and even some axe throwing?! Sauced BBQ & Spirits is a lively joint with friendly service and a great atmosphere.

Pig out on plates of juicy brisket, smoky pork belly burnt ends, and perfectly sauced spare ribs. The menu here is extensive, including an impressive list of cocktails and brews to make your meal that much better.

1535 W Katella Ave, Orange, CA 92867
Sunday – Thursday 11 AM – 10 PM; Friday & Saturday 11 AM – 12 AM
+ 1 714-639-9104

10. The Smoking Ribs

Here’s a local Orange County restaurant that focuses on traditional barbeque plates with an emphasis on ribs. The Smoking Ribs features a comfortable and down-to-earth setting in a convenient strip mall location where the menu will impress with classic BBQ eats.

While this restaurant may be inconspicuous, tucked in with other retail businesses, they’ll surprise with slow-smoked meats that are so good they’ve been named in major publications such as the Los Angeles Times and OC Weekly, along with numerous other media mentions.

You’ll be impressed with their selection of barbeque options, and you can pick between sandwiches, starters, plates, platters, and more, all fresh off the smoker. The Smoking Ribs is a BBQ joint you won’t want to miss out on.

14211 Euclid St D, Garden Grove, CA 92843, United States
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 11:30 AM – 7:30 PM. Friday – Sunday, 11:30 AM – 8:45 PM. Tuesday Closed.
+1 714 867 6057

11. Smoqued California BBQ

You can’t rush perfection, and that’s what this laid-back barbeque joint is all about. Smoqued California BBQ features a delectable menu of slow-smoked meats, craft beer, and unique eats in a relaxed, exposed-brick environment.

Start off your meal with an order of mouth-watering burnt ends or their popular avocado fries before diving into the main selection. Order any of their slow-smoked meats in a plate with two housemade sides, or choose from their sandwiches, platters, and even a la carte options.

Brisket, pork shoulder, poultry, and more. Some of the best barbeque in Orange County is found at Smoqued California BBQ.

128 N Glassell St, Orange, CA 92866, United States
Monday – Thursday, 11:30 AM – 10 PM. Friday – Saturday, 11:30 AM – 11 PM. Sunday, 11:30 AM – 10 PM.
+1 714 633 7427

12. Tulsa Rib Company

There are plenty of restaurants around that serve slow-smoked BBQ meats, but this is one local spot that is serving some of the very best baby back ribs. Tulsa Rib Company is a family-owned joint that’s been serving Orange County’s best ribs since 1981.

When you’re looking for a cozy, laid-back atmosphere and mouth-watering fall-off-the-bone gourmet BBQ, this will become your new go-to. After rave reviews from well-known food critics in their early years, Tulsa Rib Company was put on the map and quickly became a local staple.

For 37 years, they’ve continued to slow-smoke 4 different types of ribs along with other classic barbeque meats. Forget any other spot with ribs on the menu; this family-run restaurant is the only place you’ll need.

220 E. Katella Ave, Orange, CA 92867, United States.
Monday – Thursday, 11 AM – 8:30 PM. Friday, 11 AM – 9 PM. Saturday – Sunday, 12 PM – 9 PM.
+1 714 633 3760

13. Wood Ranch

Wood Ranch has a few locations around OC, so you have multiple opportunities to stop in. Quality food and delicious BBQ is served in a family-friendly setting, with menu options for everyone.

Juicy tri-tip and smoked brisket are popular items, both well-seasoned and super tender. If you want a taste of it all, try “The Ultimate” Sandwich with brisket, kielbasa, pulled pork, and all the fixins on a toasty, fresh brioche bun.

501 Spectrum Center Dr Suite 501, Irvine, CA
Sunday – Thursday 11 AM – 9 PM; Friday & Saturday 11 AM – 10 PM
+ 1 949-337-4850

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William Thomas

I have been smoking and grilling meat from an early age and enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise through the hundreds of articles I have written about BBQ. I hope to make everyone’s BBQ journey that little bit easier.