Best Barbecue In OC
As the weather gets warmer, barbecued food becomes more popular. After all, you don't want to make your house any warmer than it already is during the summer months. When you want good barbecue in Orange County, but you don't want to tend to a smoky grill for hours, try these great barbecue restaurants.
Burrell's Bar-B-Que Pit
305 N. Hesperian St.
Santa Ana, CA 92703
(714) 547-7441
www.burrellsbbq.com
It's probably pretty natural to think you've made a wrong turn in searching for Burrell's. It is, after all, in a residential neighborhood. However, when you follow the billowing smoke to Burrell's, you'll be glad you found the place. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better pulled pork sandwich anywhere. You'll be instructed to take your time just like Mr. Burrell, but that's hard to do because the sandwich is so good. Get the collard greens to go with it and you'll swear you're in barbecue heaven.
Smokey Fred's Backyard BBQ
129 E. Collins Ave.
Orange, CA 92867
(714) 393-4900
www.smokeyfredsbbq.com
It would be really easy to drive right past Smokey Fred's and not even know it. It is the very definition of a hole-in-the-wall place with only three tables and five counter seats. However, you'll find your reward when you locate the place. The meats are prepared with an amazing rub and smoked to perfection. The pulled pork and the brisket are both heavenly. Also, you have your choice of three sauces: Kansas City (sweet), Texas (mildly spicy) and Carolina (mustard-based). Once you find this place, you'll want to return with friends.
Tulsa Rib Company
220 E. Katella Ave.
Orange, CA 92867
(714) 633-3760
www.tulsarib.com
Lots of barbecue places advertise that their ribs are so tender that the meat falls off the bone. That is truly the case at Tulsa Rib Company though. The baby back ribs - available in four different styles - are slathered in sauce and the meat falls right off the bone when you pick them up. You won't need utensils for the ribs, but you will need lots of napkins. To make it even better, meals here are served with amazing cornbread, beans and your choice of potatoes. Bring your appetite. You'll need it.
Bad to the Bone BBQ
31738 Rancho Viejo Road
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 218-0227
www.badtothebone-bbq.com
Easily overlooked, Bad to the Bone is tucked away in a shopping center in San Juan Capistrano. This pit barbecue spot in south Orange County boasts some really good food. And, as with any barbecue place worth its salt, Bad to the Bone has a great pulled pork sandwich. You can also get the pulled pork on nachos which is certainly a winning combination if ever there was one. Another option you'll probably want to try is the barbecue po'boy made with pulled pork and brisket, lettuce, tomato and cheese.
Newport Rib Company
2196 Harbor Blvd.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 631-2110
www.ribcompany.com
Newport Rib Company is the place to go if you have a family full of hungry people. The menu is huge and offers a myriad of different options to choose from as well. This BBQ spot offers ribs and chicken dinners as you'd expect. Ff you order one of the dinners, you get not only cornbread, fresh vegetables and fruit, but also two sides of your choice to go with it. Sides include mashed sweet potatoes, BBQed beans, mac and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, french fries, garlic mashed potatoes and much more to choose from. That should be enough to satisfy even your hungriest eater. You'll also find amazing tri-tip and brisket here. Bring the whole family to Newport Rib Company, and no one will walk away disappointed.
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