Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in San Jose, according to Yelp
Barbecue, also known as BBQ for short, has captivated the taste buds of millions of people across the world; its smell, a quintessential part of backyard parties and long, lazy holiday weekends. This cooking method involves slow cooking and smoking meat over an open flame or heat source. Beyond the slab of baby back ribs and brisket that we're probably familiar with, barbecue has a long history dating back centuries and is rooted in various cultures.
The earliest origins of barbecue can be traced back to the Taino people, who were Indigenous to the Caribbean. By the 19th century, the technique became widespread in the American South, primarily using pork. Taino people didn't use the word barbecue. Instead, this method of cooking food over a raised wooden grate was referred to as barbacoa.
As time passed, techniques and flavors evolved as a result of colonization, globalization, and advancements in technology. Today, barbecue has become a beloved food all over the world. In the United States, there are four distinct styles: Memphis, North Carolina, Kansas City, and Texas BBQ. Memphis is renowned for pulled pork; North Carolina for smoked pork infused in vinegar sauce; Kansas City for dry-rubbed meats, and Texas for grilled brisket.
No matter the style, however, barbecue can be enjoyed anywhere, but if you're specifically looking for the best places to enjoy the savory and mouthwatering delights, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated barbecue restaurants in San Jose using data from Yelp. Rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.
#21. Smoking Pig BBQ
- Rating: 4.0/5 (3355 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1144 N 4th St San Jose, CA 95112
- Categories: Barbecue, Southern, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Goku Korean BBQ and Hot Pot
- Rating: 4.0/5 (1283 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3085 Meridian Ave San Jose, CA 95124
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue, Hot Pot
- Read more on Yelp
#19. South Winchester BBQ
- Rating: 4.0/5 (958 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1362 S Winchester Blvd San Jose, CA 95128
- Categories: Barbecue, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#18. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
- Rating: 4.0/5 (95 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5730 Cottle Road Ste 120 San Jose, CA 95123
- Categories: Barbecue, Hawaiian
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Strangers BBQ & Car Show
- Rating: 4.5/5 (4 reviews)
- Address: San Jose, CA 95112
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Meating Spot
- Rating: 4.0/5 (12 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: San Jose, CA 95121
- Categories: Food Trucks, Barbecue, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp
#15. High Five Pizza
- Rating: 4.0/5 (954 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 171 Branham Ln Ste 1 San Jose, CA 95136
- Categories: Pizza, Barbecue, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#14. QPOT
- Rating: 4.0/5 (3761 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1610 E Capitol Expy San Jose, CA 95121
- Categories: Korean, Hot Pot, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Yummy Tofu and BBQ
- Rating: 4.0/5 (428 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1310 Saratoga Ave San Jose, CA 95129
- Categories: Barbecue, Korean
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Jam's Kitchen
- Rating: 4.0/5 (25 reviews)
- Address: 2351 McKee Rd San Jose, CA 95133
- Categories: Filipino, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Gen Korean BBQ House
- Rating: 4.0/5 (7844 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1628 Hostetter Rd Ste F San Jose, CA 95131
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Back A Yard
- Rating: 4.5/5 (87 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 638 N 13th St San Jose, CA 95112
- Categories: Caribbean, Desserts, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#9. SoGongDong Tofu Town
- Rating: 4.5/5 (70 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1179 S De Anza Blvd San Jose, CA 95129
- Categories: Korean, Soup, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Mac Park BBQ
- Rating: 4.5/5 (43 reviews)
- Address: 181 E Tasman Dr Ste 50 San Jose, CA 95134
- Categories: Barbecue, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Back A Yard
- Rating: 4.5/5 (633 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1011 E Capitol Expy San Jose, CA 95121
- Categories: Caribbean, Barbecue, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Jackie's Place
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1093 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 840 North 1st St San Jose, CA 95112
- Categories: Soul Food, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Mesquite & Oak
- Rating: 4.5/5 (651 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 856 N 13th St San Jose, CA 95112
- Categories: Barbecue, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp
#4. The Art of BBQ Catering
- Rating: 4.5/5 (374 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: San Jose, CA 95123
- Categories: Caterers, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Sim's Bar-B-Que
- Rating: 5.0/5 (24 reviews)
- Address: 2579 Sleepy Hollow Ln San Jose, CA 95116
- Categories: Caterers, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Phat Plate Nate's
- Rating: 5.0/5 (12 reviews)
- Address: 3101 Monterey Rd San Jose, CA 95111
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#1. All The Smoke Craft BBQ
- Rating: 5.0/5 (5 reviews)
- Address: San Jose, CA 95119
- Categories: Barbecue, Pop-Up Restaurants
- Read more on Yelp
