Best Barbecue In Orange County
There's something addicting about barbecue. You get the sweetness and spiciness of the sauce with the smoked flavors of the meats. Plus it can be gloriously messy, which is part of the fun of eating it. Southern California isn't as well-known for barbecue as places like Memphis and Kansas City, but you can definitely get your barbecue fix at these places.
Burrell's BBQ
305 N. Hesperian St.
Santa Ana, CA 92703
(714) 547-7441
www.burrellsbbq.com
Fred Burrell is pretty much the godfather of barbecue in Orange County. When you first find his place in a Santa Ana neighborhood, you'll feel like you've discovered a delicious secret. More than anything, you'll realize that a lot of time went into making the smoky and tangy dishes Burrell's has. The pulled pork is irresistible. If you're a fan of ribs, rest assured that you'll find some amazingly tender spareribs and baby back ribs here. All orders are served with cornbread and a choice of sides. The collard greens and baked beans are especially good.
Smokey Fred's BBQ
129 E. Collins Ave.
Orange, CA 92867
(714) 393-4900
www.smokeyfredsbbq.com
It's real easy to drive right by Smokey Fred's in a little shopping center in Orange. Once inside, you'll find some great barbecue that the owner describes as "low and slow." You can definitely tell that it takes some time to prepare his ribs, brisket, and tri-tip, and the results are amazing. Whatever you order, you get to choose the style of barbecue sauce you'd like on the side from Kansas City to two varieties of Carolina-style sauce. For a real treat, try the pork-n-link sandwich with pulled pork and a hot link.
Brew Hawg
665 N. Tustin St.
Orange, CA 92867
(714) 502-4053
www.brewhawg.com
Brew Hawg is a small place, but you'll find a whole lot of goodness inside. In addition to meat by the pound and ribs by the rack, you'll find some amazing sandwiches here. The Thor has pulled pork, brisket, and a hot link all on one bun. The pulled pork and the brisket are wonderfully tender and the hot link adds a nice spice content. Other unique items on the menu include deviled eggs topped with pulled pork and mac and cheese topped with pulled pork and mashed potatoes and served in a waffle cone. It is as sinfully good as it sounds.
Related: Best pulled pork sandwiches in OC
Blake's Place
2905 E. Miraloma Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92806
(714) 630-8574
www.blakesplacebbq.com
Whether you prefer spareribs or baby back ribs, Blake's is a great place to get them. You sure won't feel cheated no matter which kind you choose. Blake's is also a great place for giant sandwiches like the brisket sandwich above. The specialty is the one-pound bomber piled high with tender brisket, pork, and turkey. This is one that could easily be shared with another person. You'll even find a burrito filled with barbecued meat. If you feel like you need a food challenge, you can find one here in The Beast. This sandwich weighs more than two and a half pounds.
Bad To The Bone
31738 Rancho Viejo Road
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 218-0227
www.badtothebone-bbq.com
If you're looking for good barbecue in south Orange County, Bad to the Bone is the place to visit. A good variety of ribs are available in both half and full racks, so you can definitely get your fix here. The brisket is pretty irresistible here too. After being dry rubbed, the brisket is smoked for almost an entire day, and you'll definitely taste the time and care that went into it.
Related: Best barbecue in Orange County
