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Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in the Stockton area by diners

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Joshua Resnick // Shutterstock
Joshua Resnick // Shutterstock
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Barbecue stands as one of America's most cherished culinary traditions, weaving together a rich tapestry of history, regional diversity, and evolving flavors that resonate with diners from coast to coast. A July 2022 YouGov survey revealed that nearly all Americans (96%) who consume meat enjoy barbecue, underscoring its widespread enduring appeal and cross-cultural significance. Among the 1,000 survey respondents, Texas dominated as the place most often associated with barbecue, but the cuisine's roots expand far beyond the Lone Star State.

American barbecue can be traced back to Indigenous cooking techniques and was further enriched by the influences of enslaved Africans. In the centuries since, it's evolved into a multifaceted culinary art with distinct regional styles: the tangy, vinegar-based sauces and slow-cooked pork of the Carolinas; the tender brisket of Texas with sauce served on the side; the robust, sweet-forward flavors characteristic of Kansas City; and Alabama's signature mayo-based white sauce drizzled over some juicy chicken.

Alongside these classic offerings, innovative interpretations have surged in popularity in recent decades, as multicultural variants such as Korean BBQ, with its marinated cuts and sizzling grill presentations, and Mexican barbacoa, known for its richly spiced, slow-cooked succulence, have carved out their own niche in the competitive barbecue landscape.

Over the years, barbecue has not only mirrored America's evolving palate but has also fostered a spirit of community, as festivals, backyard cookouts, and friendly competitions celebrate the art of smoking and grilling—traditions lovingly passed down from generation to generation.

Nationwide, barbecue restaurants today greet families and friends with the intoxicating aroma of slow-smoked meats served on sturdy metal trays, often covered in rustic butcher paper. And what meal would be complete without those hearty sides? Whether you opt for gooey mac and cheese and smoky collard greens or crumbly cornbread and creamy coleslaw, you can't go wrong.

If you're craving some good 'cue in your neck of the woods, Stacker has you covered with the highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Stockton based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants with at least 20 reviews tagged as "barbecue" within a 10-kilometer radius of Stockton were included. As a result, some restaurants featured may serve other food items.

Keep reading to see where to go when the hunger for all things low-and-slow strikes you!

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#18. Fresh Slice Pizza

- Rating: 2.7/5 (61 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4895 South Rte 99 Ste D Stockton, California
- Categories: Pizza, Barbecue, Hawaiian
- Read more on Yelp

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#17. Ono Hawaiian BBQ

- Rating: 3.0/5 (186 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 10952 Trinity Pkwy Ste G Stockton, California
- Categories: Hawaiian, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#16. GK Mongolian BBQ

- Rating: 3.0/5 (95 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 10940 Trinity Pkwy Ste H Stockton, California
- Categories: Barbecue, Mongolian
- Read more on Yelp

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#15. Gk Mongolian BBQ

- Rating: 3.2/5 (42 reviews)
- Address: 7910 West Lane Ste 219 B Stockton, California
- Categories: Mongolian, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#13. Wing's Deli and BBQ

- Rating: 3.5/5 (85 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 8031 West Lane Stockton, California
- Categories: Chinese, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#12. Sunshine Hawaii BBQ

- Rating: 3.6/5 (117 reviews)
- Address: 11 North Center St. Stockton, California
- Categories: Hawaiian, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#11. Best Lumpia

- Rating: 3.6/5 (576 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 9305 Thornton Road Ste J Stockton, California
- Categories: Filipino, Desserts, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#10. GK Mongolian BBQ

- Rating: 3.7/5 (49 reviews)
- Address: 2314 West Kettleman Lane Ste 103 Lodi, California
- Categories: Barbecue, Mongolian
- Read more on Yelp

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#8. The Wing Truck

- Rating: 3.8/5 (21 reviews)
- Address: Stockton, California
- Categories: Chicken Wings, Barbecue, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

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#7. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

- Rating: 3.9/5 (302 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4555 North Pershing Ave. Ste 33A Stockton, California
- Categories: Hawaiian, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#6. Sun Wong Kee

- Rating: 3.9/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 333 South Hunter St. Stockton, California
- Categories: Chinese, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#5. Waterloo CA

- Rating: 4.1/5 (586 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 10447 East Waterloo Road Stockton, California
- Categories: Barbecue, American, Italian
- Read more on Yelp

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#3. Neil's Kick N It Bbq

- Rating: 4.7/5 (56 reviews)
- Address: 2 South Wilson Way Stockton, California
- Categories: Barbecue, Food Trucks, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

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#2. Alegria meat market

- Rating: 4.7/5 (67 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2491 East Fremont St. Ste A2 Stockton, California
- Categories: Meat Shops, Delis, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#1. Smoke & Meat BBQ

- Rating: 4.7/5 (145 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 915 North Yosemite St. Stockton, California
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Cynthia Rebolledo, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 281 metros.

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