Situated just north of Berkeley, Richmond is a proudly diverse, working-class city whose barbecue scene is flavorful, multi-ethnic, and unpretentious.
Here, mom-and-pop smokehouses sit alongside soul food cafes and food truck innovators.
You’ll taste everything from classic oak-smoked brisket to Filipino lechon, thanks to the city’s fusion of Californian creativity and real-deal Southern knowhow. Forget white tablecloths—this is barbecue for the people!
The Original Everett & Jones Barbeque
A Bay Area icon since the 1970s, Everett & Jones is known for smoky, fork-tender pork ribs, spicy links, and brisket cooked in old-school brick pits.
Their tangy house barbecue sauce comes in mild, medium, and hot—and you’ll want to slather it on everything.
Family-run and full of soul, this is the place to go for a history lesson with your lunch.
Grill House BBQ
This hole-in-the-wall favorite packs big flavor into every bite.
Go for the rib tips, moist pulled pork, or smoky chicken, and add sides like the meaty baked beans and tangy slaw.
Friendly service and affordable prices make it popular with Richmond locals—and a great takeout option, too.
CJ’s BBQ & Fish
CJ’s is all about blending barbecue with soul food: smoky-cut pork ribs served with collards, fried catfish, and pillowy cornbread.
The hot links are spicy but never dry, and regulars swear by the “CJ sauce”—a potently tangy, secret-recipe concoction. It’s casual, bustling, and always welcoming.
Brothers BBQ
Tucked away on San Pablo Avenue, Brothers BBQ delivers homemade taste: thick ribs, sliced beef brisket, and smoky turkey legs.
Family combo platters make this a great place for sharing, and the BBQ beans and potato salad have a steady local following.
Weekend specials keep things interesting.
El Garage (for BBQ Birria Specials)
Known for their viral quesabirria tacos, El Garage also wows with BBQ specials—smoked birria plates, brisket-topped nachos, and fusion dishes you won’t find anywhere else.
The vibe is casual and often packed, with outdoor seating and locally loved hot sauces. It’s evolving, inventive, and thoroughly Richmond.
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