Small, casual Korean restaurant with a warm, home-owned atmosphere and friendly staff. Food arrives quickly and features authentic dishes like bibimbap and bulgogi with fresh kimchi made daily. Limited seating and busy lunch hours create a lively, bustling environment.
Grilled ribs come mostly meat with little gristle, offering a very delicious Korean BBQ flavor. The Short Ribs pair well with Bulgogi for a satisfying meal.
Korean BBQ Short Ribs come fully cooked, not grilled at the table. The food is delicious and the prices are good.
"The food here is delicious and served in large portions."
"These short ribs are delicious and mostly meat."
"The Korean BBQ short ribs were so delicious."
Good to know
Parking can be challenging during lunch hours, so plan accordingly.
Expect a busy atmosphere during lunchtime, especially on weekends.
The restaurant primarily serves takeout, which is ideal for quick meals.
Soul food restaurant combines warm, welcoming vibe with busy, diverse crowd and nightclub-style music. Interior features clean, casual design with some bland wood paneling but lively energy. Generous portions and smoky, savory aromas define the experience.
Ribs come massive and meaty, with smoke cooked to perfection. They fall off the bone and pair well with sides like beans and coleslaw.
Brisket comes melt-in-your-mouth tender and juicy, paired with an in-house barbecue sauce that balances sweet and tangy flavors. Sides complement the delicious barbecue well.
Good to know
Parking garage at third and San Carlos offers 90 minutes of free parking.
The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Expect the restaurant to be busy on Saturday evenings.
Small Hawaiian restaurant with cozy indoor seating and old school island posters creates a bright, clean, and inviting atmosphere. Music matches the Hawaiian vibe, and the space feels spartan but well-kept. Customers come late into the night, drawn by affordable prices and generous portions.
Juicy short ribs and beef ribs come freshly prepared. Grilled chicken also stands out with good flavor.
BBQ beef stands out with high-quality meat and rich flavor. Large portions come at a fair price, especially the chicken lunch plate and garlic shrimp. Service is friendly and fast.
Good to know
Olioli Hawaiian BBQ is a takeout place with no tables, only a couple of chairs outside.
You can order at your table or at the front counter, but there's a service fee for table orders.
Expect large portion sizes, about 1.5 times larger than typical BBQ places.
Large smoker fills the air with wood smoke aroma and flavors. Covered outdoor patio offers a casual, family-owned vibe with BBQ memorabilia on the walls. Atmosphere feels like a homey, welcoming gathering spot with a chill, lively energy.
Ribs come out very tender with little waste per rib. The BBQ flavor stands out as rich and satisfying, making the beef ribs especially tasty alongside classic sides.
Southern BBQ stands out with excellent barbecue sauce and great flavor at a decent price. The barbecue offers a tasty, satisfying experience.
Good to know
Jon Jon's opens early at 10 AM, making it a good breakfast option.
The restaurant uses a kiosk for auto-ordering; no wait staff is available.
Parking in the immediate area is limited, so plan accordingly.
Small Korean restaurant offers a homey vibe with a family-friendly atmosphere and authentic flavors. The space feels down-to-earth and cozy, filled with conversation and laughter rather than music. It serves traditional dishes in a clean, humble setting that feels like sharing a meal with friends or family.
Short ribs come tender and juicy, featured in spicy dishes and stews. Korean BBQ short ribs serve as a flavorful meat side for an extra charge.
Beef short ribs and spicy chicken BBQ come with rice and Korean sides. Lunch specials include tofu soup paired with BBQ for $17.99. BBQ dishes pair well with stir fry and seafood options.
Good to know
Parking is plentiful and free in the back of the restaurant.
Expect lengthy wait times for seating and service on weekends.
A bill for two people usually ranges between $35 and $50.
Cozy barbecue shop with a casual setup including indoor seating and a patio with umbrellas. The air carries a strong smoky aroma that lingers on clothes. Known for juicy brisket with a perfect bark and fair prices, it draws those seeking authentic Texas-style smoked BBQ.
Ribs come bite tender and include Dino ribs that stand out. Portions like the beef rib serve two, and the pork ribs get solid praise.
Texas styled smoked BBQ stands out here with brisket that impresses. The place knows how to deliver authentic barbecue that sets a high bar in the Bay Area.
Good to know
They offer $5 beers on tap on Sunday afternoons.
The restaurant closes at 4 PM, so arrive early.
The brisket often sells out by noon.
Modern decor features a grass wall, neon sign, and giant mascot painting, creating a unique and clean atmosphere. Spacious indoor and covered outdoor seating offer a relaxing vibe with warm lighting and festive touches. Younger crowds frequent the place, drawn by its fresh pho noodles and rich broth.
Beef ribs appear in several dishes, including a beef rib noodle soup and pho with bone marrow and short rib. Bun rieu features pork ribs as part of the serving.
Smoked Brisket Phö blends traditional pho with barbecue flavors. This dish offers a unique combo for fans of both BBQ and pho.
Good to know
There was plenty of parking at Pho San Jose.
Pho San Jose accepts both credit cards and cash.
Expect a short wait during peak lunch hours.
Spacious Vietnamese restaurant with modern upscale decor and outdoor dining options. Atmosphere is loud and lively, often crowded but not cramped. Offers a unique DIY spring roll experience with table-side grilling.
Beef short ribs stand out with super tender texture and packed with flavor. Pork ribs come in generous size and stay moist, though sometimes served cold.
Vietnamese BBQ features pork chops, pork BBQ, and BBQ chicken served with rice plates or vermicelli noodles. Grilled fish and BBQ shrimp appear but in smaller portions.
Good to know
Parking is limited since it's shared between all the restaurants in the plaza.
Pho Kim Long only accepts cash payments.
Expect long lines during peak hours; arrive early to avoid waiting.
Renovated space with an open floor plan and large windows creates a bright, airy setting. Blues music sets a chill vibe while indoor and outdoor seating accommodate different preferences, including dog-friendly areas. The atmosphere balances casual comfort with a lively bar scene.
Ribs come in a pork rib sandwich and as standalone servings that are very tasty but a bit small. The pulled pork, ribs, and burnt ends stand out among the BBQ options.
Texas-style BBQ features prominently with excellent BBQ meats that stand out. Sides come with more care than typical BBQ joints, making the overall barbecue experience very good.
Good to know
The restaurant opens at 7am daily with limited menu items until 11am.
Expect small portions for the price, with sandwiches around $17.50.
The restaurant has no outdoor seating available.
Small space with a cozy, clean interior offers traditional American and Korean barbecue with outstanding beef ribs and a sweet, mildly spicy sauce. The atmosphere feels quiet and unhurried, with food made fresh to order. Prices remain reasonable, making it a solid choice for barbecue lovers.
Beef ribs stand out with excellent flavor and good value. Pork ribs, including baby back, vary from okay to dry with less meat sometimes. Ribs come without side dishes.
Barbecue features sweet, mildly spicy sauce and well-prepared pork and beef ribs. Menu blends traditional American and Korean barbecue styles.
Good to know
Expect a wait of up to 12 minutes for food as it's made to order.
They do not accept Visa gift cards or tap-to-pay options.
The restaurant closes daily from 1:30pm to 4:30pm without notice.
Vietnamese restaurant offers spacious outdoor patio with a tropical vibe and cozy, bustling atmosphere. Crowds gather quickly, creating a lively, noisy environment with fast-moving servers. Known for authentic rice-based dishes, it draws many who appreciate genuine Vietnamese flavors.
Marinated ribs offer rich flavor with tender texture. Barbecue short ribs melt in the mouth but sometimes arrive cold along with other proteins.
BBQ dishes feature moist chicken with balanced flavor and melting short ribs. Plates often include juicy pork chops paired with rice and sides like fried shrimp cake and fresh salad.
Good to know
Expect a waitlist of over 20 minutes during peak lunch hours.
Parking can be challenging; arrive early to secure a spot.
The restaurant does not accept reservations, so plan accordingly.