Bay Area's Best Food: Hidden Gems, Hole-in-the-Wall Spots and BBQ
10 hole-in-the-wall spots and barbecue joints around the Bay, from a weekend boxcar stand in Pacifica to an Oakland classic. Each entry links to at least two sources.
Hours and menus change. Check each restaurant before you go.
Gorilla BBQ
Pacifica
BBQ / hidden gem. Pacifica native Rich Bacchi has run this weekend-only barbecue stand out of a converted boxcar on Highway 1 since 2006. Get the brisket and ribs, and go early: it's open Friday to Sunday from noon until sold out.
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Gracie's Family BBQ
Vallejo
BBQ / hidden gem. Ken Ingersoll started Gracie's in 1999 as a small trailer on Springs Road. It now runs out of a refurbished former gas station in downtown Vallejo, serving house-smoked chicken, baby back ribs, pulled pork and burnt ends.
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Breakwater Barbecue
El Granada
BBQ. A Michelin-listed, Texas-style barbecue spot near Half Moon Bay. Meats are sold by the pound and sliced to order, and it serves a tangy carrot-and-vinegar sauce. The restaurant says it's open Thursday to Sunday until sold out.
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Capelo's Barbecue
Redwood City
BBQ. Texas expat John Capelo turned his catering business into a barbecue operation. It smokes beef, pork and chicken over pecan, applewood and oak. Brisket is the signature, and the tacos come on flour tortillas made by Capelo's mom.
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Pig in a Pickle
Corte Madera
BBQ. A mall barbecue joint with regional styles and about 10 condiments to try, including an Alabama white sauce. Critics single out the pork ribs. The restaurant says it has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand since 2019.
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Fikscue
Alameda
BBQ / something different. "Indo-Tex" barbecue from married owners Fik and Reka Saleh, who blend Indonesian cooking with Texas-style smoked meats, like dino ribs and smoked brisket rendang. It started in Alameda, and the Chronicle reported it had expanded to SF's Thrive City.
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Smokin Woods BBQ
Oakland (Temescal)
BBQ. Known for smoked brisket and huge beef ribs that often sell out by dinnertime. It also smokes chicken thighs, beef links and salmon.
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Everett & Jones Barbeque
Oakland
BBQ / classic. A family-owned Oakland institution since 1973 that still serves ribs, brisket and links. It's known for its own barbecue sauce.
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Henry's World Famous Hi-Life
San Jose
BBQ / old-school. Two blocks from SAP Center, Henry's has cooked steaks and ribs over oak since 1960. The move is the chicken and baby back rib combo, which comes with baked potato and garlic bread.
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Tommy's Joynt
San Francisco
Hole in the wall / classic. A no-reservations hofbrau at Geary and Van Ness that has run since 1947. You order at the carving counter: turkey or brisket sandwiches and buffalo stew.
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