Big Rock: Destination spot in a town hungry for options, excellent scenery, respectable beer selection, but completely fails on the margins. The food is overpriced and consistently unspectacular, including the bbq. The only thing worth getting is the nachos, and even those can be inconsistent. Love Big Rock as a place and concept, but the smart play is to stop for a beer on your way to eat elsewhere. read more

Great local food, mini mart, drinks and music. If you live in the area or just driving by, fun on warm night to sit outdoors to live music. Good BBQ, Sandwiches, burritos, etc. read more

Big Rock Mini Mart & Deli - Menu - Grocery Near Me - San Rafael, California

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Was in the area for work, and stopped by to get a sandwich. Went with the tri tip sandwich. It was absolutely delicious. Meat and good smoky flavor to it. With bbq, horse radish, and peperchinis. The bread was slightly cooked giving it a nice crunch with each bite. I look forward to being in the area again read more

I've only had their burgers and a couple sandwiches and they were all very good. Portions are quite large, too. FYI, if you order on-line, don't expect it to be ready when it says it will be. I should have remembered this last time I ordered because they do not even START your order until you show up! Each time they used the excuse, "oh, we are very busy"...Yeah, and? Funny though that the times I ordered by phone the order was waiting for me at the check stand. I don't get it, I paid in advance with the on-line orders which are never ready, but did not pay in advance with a phone in order and it was on time. Also, be advised, the prices are pretty crazy high here, $16 for a burrito? $17 for a quesadilla? A bit over the top. Nice location, though. read more

Live right down the street from there....beer prices are outrageous because they are the only store around. Go to Marinwood Market instead.

Great Local Spot a short way down the road. Whenever we have a hankering for smoke, this is the go to spot. Delicious BBQ and sides. Have not tried the other menu items but there are many days ahead. Great brew selection and local bands in an outdoor setting along Lucas Valley Road. Who could ask for more? We try to get there whenever our local folks Miracle Mule is rocking their "Swampy Tonk" tunes. read more

I just got 4 crunchy tacos and they were alright. There's a ton of sitting space and it was approximately 1250. After eating, I exited the establishment and laid flat on the table being sure to keep my feet off of it as my intense sciatic nerve back pain was acting up. Stretching and laying flat really helps it. No one eats at these tables. They are out along the road. A lady comes up and says get off the tables please. I said, do you work here ? She said she was the owner She said it loud enough to embarrass me in front of people near by. Her explanation was," it looks bad". Ma'am, my advice to you is take a moment and put yourself in other people's shoes and show a little kindness to the world ! read more

Big Rock Mini Mart & Deli - Grocery Near Me - San Rafael, California

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The folks that work there are super nice. It's the food. The tri tip looks like an old shoe, is thin and dry. The brisket tastes like lighter fluid and is also dry as a bone. I don't get this at all. It doesn't seem like they know their meats. They also warmed it up on the grill in slices so it's not coming off the roast fresh. I can't believe i spent hard earned money on this. read more

We stopped for a quick bite but decided not to stay because it was so hot and no outdoor fans when the temperature outside was about 90..

My friends and I happened to stop at the Big Rock Mini Mart & Deli on the way back from work. I have visited this little market before, and it has changed management since then. There were lots of people eating out there. They have a lot of options to choose from. There are sandwiches, Mexican food, and bbq. It was right before lunch time, so my friends and I decided to buy some lunch. We all got some Mexican food. I ordered the super burrito with carne asada. To be quite honest, it wasn't as great as I was expecting. The burrito was pretty pricey at over $15. Majority of it was rice. The carne asada was cut into small pieces but didn't have much flavor at all. It came with a green salsa. The color was so vibrant, but it didn't have much flavor at all. In the end, I probably won't return. read more

Big Rock Mini Mart & Deli - Super Burrito with Carne Asada - Grocery Near Me - San Rafael, California

I love this place so much it's gorgeous out here you could definitely relax enjoy the views have a glass of wine or a beer soda water great food super great food come by say hi to the people who work here they're amazing read more

They have music and had a website that listed when bands were playing, but it was never updated early enough to plan. I complained in email to owner several times but never got a response. The website went down a couple of weeks ago. I went in person to complain to staff. They seemed to be aware of this and said it would be up soon. It is still down. read more

One of our favorite local lunch spots, run for many years by a lovely family who care about their customers. Generous selection of craft beers on tap. Covered outdoor seating, and 2 big screen TVs for sports fans. We love the delicious BBQ chicken sandwich, and fish tacos. Service and food preparation have become inconsistent this past year. read more

After scaling the Big Rock Trail (review: https://bit.ly/3pY83AD), I was experiencing what I presumed to be the Big Rock Appetite, which in turn, motivated me to get food at the Big Rock Mini Mart & Deli. The trail and the deli are not that close to each other, actually about four miles apart on Lucas Valley Road. This place appeared pretty popular with the locals since the parking lot was overflowing, so I parked in the tony residential neighborhood nearby and walked over. I ordered the $16.49 Fresh Big Rock Salad with Brisket since the BBQ was a big part of their menu. Although they have a good-size patio, I asked them to make it to go. When I got home, it turned out to be quite good with plenty of moist brisket sliced on top of the salad (photo: https://bit.ly/3ftdm54). My one quibble was that they forgot my order while I was waiting for my salad. It became obvious to me when subsequent orders were being filled. But I wasn't bitter as I have a Big Rock Patience. FOOD - 4 stars...robust salad with a generous amount of brisket AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...pretty much a roadside operation with picnic tables SERVICE - 3 stars...well, they did forget TOTAL - 4 stars...good for Big Rock Appetites RELATED - Exploring north of San Francisco? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2tIHlkV read more

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This is a neighborhood gem. We love the staff, and the outdoor patio they created during covid is an awesome, comfortable place to gather with friends or family. We are long-term customers. This is a local, family-run business. The food is made from scratch. So, make sure you ask what meats are already prepared. BBQ takes time. Carnitas will take at least 90 minutes if it's not ready when you arrive. Note: this is Guatemalan food. It can be very very spicy, and I say this as a Mexican-American who loves spicy food. The green salsa and tamales are two examples of super spicy dishes. The shredded chicken was also a bit too spicy for our kiddos. Our family has tried many things on the menu. The empanadas plate is a favorite! Nice and crispy and golden with delicious filling and toppings. We love the popcorn shrimp appetizer. Nice, crunchy coating, but the shrimp were not consistently de-veined. We love pretty much all the bbq meats. I wish there were more options for side dishes, but we've loved each meat dish we've ordered. We have also been happy with the tacos and burritos. FYI - the shredded chicken is spicy, and the carne asada is not the best quality. Otherwise, it's all good. We also love the market. It has all the feels of a Latino market with everything from paletas to jarritos, as well as a variety of snacks and other drinks. There is something for everyone here. The staff is friendly. The parking is limited, but not usually a problem. There are definitely busier times of day, and it gets super crowded by bikers on the weekend. Also, because the food is often scratch-made, it can take awhile. Anyway, enjoy this neighborhood gem! Maybe we'll see you there. read more

This is a fantastic local treasure. The building is a convenience store but they've added full restaurant service. Food is BBQ and Mexican, both are great. They've turned the outdoor space into a small performance venue featuring a variety of local bands. Go inside, make your order, go find a seat outside and listen to whoever is performing that night! It's a great time. We've shared tables and met people we never otherwise would have had the chance to talk to and everyone has been super friendly and fun. read more

Fun place to go with friends and enjoy the live music and some dancing too! You can order food at the deli, then eat outdoors. They also serve wine n beer. read more

The pork belly sandwich was amazing. Big menu, but that was my favorite item. The band and outdoor patio was fun. It gets cold, wear layers. The staff is super friendly and the service was excellent. read more

I wanted to share some feedback from our recent visit to your restaurant. I've taken a few days to reflect before writing to ensure my comments are constructive. While there were aspects of our dining experience that we enjoyed, several issues need addressing. Firstly, the food preparation was inconsistent. The mozzarella sticks were undercooked, and the kids' burger was not cooked to the requested well-done level. The side of ranch dressing that came without request was also unnecessary, as my children do not eat it. Additionally, there was an incident involving a request for ketchup that was handled in a way that felt unnecessarily petty. After spending $50, being told that ketchup would usually be an extra charge came off as a unwelcoming. And, contrasts with the included ranch we received without asking. Your establishment has the potential for a unique and appealing dining experience, but the business model and execution could use refinement. Simplifying the menu might benefit the overall service quality. It's also crucial for the front-of-house staff to enhance their customer service approach. Lastly, it would be helpful to ask customers about their condiment preferences when they order if you must ration them, especially in family-oriented settings. And perhaps reconsider how condiments are provided to avoid unnecessary costs and plastic waste. We see the potential here and want to support local family businesses. And, we believe in second chances, so we hope our next visit shows improvements. read more

We stopped here before we got on the road this morning, and I had the ham, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich. It is one of the best breakfast sandwiches I've had ever! The service was friendly and the outdoor space where we ate was awesome. read more

Don't do it. Food is mediocre at best, over priced and flat out just rude to customers. They claim to be kid friendly but we watched them yell at kids for merely just being kids and not sitting at their table. We will not be going back. read more

I keep trying different Barbecue places to find what I think are the best Baby Back ribs. Not just the Bay Area, but around the country. I'd put Big Rock right up there in the top tier. What makes them special is the flavor and moistness. Unlike some, these are super juicy fall-off-the bone. The flavor is delicious, and the texture is just right, some crust on the outside and soft on the inside. It's a very special treat. Highly recommended! read more

A slice of heaven. Food is good, ambiance is great and there's really good music on the Weekends.

Great food. Great music (Pb&Jam). Outdoor space set up for cold nights. Standard parking lot but works if you just plan for main road parking read more

Big Rock Mini Mart & Deli - PB&Jam on stage - Grocery Near Me - San Rafael, California

Big rock is the best. They've created a wonderful sense of community here. It is THE neighborhood spot! You order food inside, they give you a number and then they bring it out to your table. Can also do takeout. On Wednesday nights, they have open mic. Anyone can sign up to play some music, they love new talent! Great selection of drinks for all. All of the staff is so friendly. Great place for families. read more

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I HAD A DREAM!!! And it came true at Big Rock I dreamed of a Brisket & Pork Belly sandwich read more

Big Rock Mini Mart & Deli - I HADA DREAM LAST NIGHT My dream was brisket & pork belly This sandwich will change your life - Grocery Near Me - San Rafael, California

I stopped in for a quick take away. It's my second time going. This spot is great! I ordered a pork belly sandwich and got a chicken tamale to eat while I waited. The food is great. You won't be disappointed! read more

Big Rock Mini Mart & Deli - Pork Belly sandwich was phenom. Would get it again... pickled peppers, sauce, well put-together... add fries - Grocery Near Me - San Rafael, California

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i've been coming to this place for years, my family loves it at least we used to First of all the music is extremely loud. It is impossible to have a conversation, and it must be causing hearing damage if you sit there long enough. I feel bad for the neighbors. So don't go if you want to talk to the people with you The food is very inconsistent. This time I had a burger which had a hair in it and when I said something the owner yelled at me, the time before my daughter got the wrong order, she started eating it and when they came to bring the right order and take hers back they got angry that she started eating it . She is seven. She doesn't know the difference in tacos. Third, the young people that work there are extremely sweet Renee the owner is fantastic but his wife needs some mental help. If you hate working with customers why are you there running a restaurant. We are all Local's visiting you and most of us are regulars you should be kind to regular customers. But this is the last time my family and I will be there. If we send the food back because there is hair in it, read more

Expensive. Canned beers are seven dollars. Drafts eight dollars. Greek salad has no Greek peppers.

I ordered a Philly Cheese steak sandwich thinking it was going to be juicy full of cheese and veggies but NO my sandwich was dry I very disappointed but the backyard was full of people with life music read more

Big Rock Mini Mart & Deli - Philly cheesesteak sandwich - Grocery Near Me - San Rafael, California

The coolest place around, they have live music, great beers, a diverse menu and lots of outdoor seating. Anything I've ordered here has been at least decent and sometimes great. The popcorn shrimp they've had sometimes is awesome and so is the fried calamari. You can't miss with their BBQ, or tacos. read more

Nice mini Mart if you're on your way to the coast. There's also a deli with a nice little outdoor dining area on what look like some brand new picnic tables. Bathroom could be cleaner.I did not try the deli food, so I can't comment on the deli. This review is for the mini-mart alone. read more

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Delicious delicious food! We were on our way to get oyster and this place caught our eye. We have kids who aren't easy to satisfy with food, but THIS place's kids menu had their tummies full and satisfied! As for adults, this place has a diverse menu serving plates of BBQ ribs to Nachos, sandwiches and so on! If you're craving a beer you can purchase and drink the beer outside at the tables. For the wine drinkers, you may drink outside, however, you must pay a $5 fee. Overall, my family and I had a great service experience and our palates were more than satisfied. read more

Big Rock Mini Mart & Deli - Pesto Chicken Sandwich BBQ, Coleslaw, bbq beans Carnitas Nachos Kids Grilled Cheese Kids Hamburger w/ fries - Grocery Near Me - San Rafael, California

This my favorite place to relax after a bike ride ! The owner and servers are very welcoming, they did an awesome outdoor patio I love their variety of food! and beer. Camarones al mojo de ajo were so good, good portion and flavor like in Mexico! My friend order a guatemaltecan tamal and it was pretty good! Cool place ! read more

Big Rock Mini Mart & Deli - Grocery Near Me - San Rafael, California

I just experienced Big Rock ribs. They were very good and I wish they were slavered in their smokey sauce. My order was delivered due to COVID-19 and the ribs were a bit dry, thus the need for sauce. Also, the sauce is delish. The dinner was served with a generous amount of coleslaw. The coleslaw had either cilantro or marjoram, tomatoes, and red onion. It was a little wet for me but with the dry ribs it worked out perfectly. I chose garlic mashed potatoes to round out the meal. The hint of garlic was great. My friend ordered the empanadas which would have been a treat. It appeared to be a corn tortilla sealed and deep-fried. The contents were great however the corn tortilla was disappointing. The empanadas were very oily and would not order again. The guacamole and salsa were good. So, skip the empanadas and order the guacamole! read more

Big Rock Mini Mart & Deli - The Empanadas are just deep friend corn tortillas - very oily - Grocery Near Me - San Rafael, California

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In addition to being my favorite place on earth to get a smoked brisket super burrito, this is also my favorite place to sing open mic in their newly built outdoor stage and beer garden! Every Wednesday night, 6-8. Friendly and talented crowd of regulars, great place for kids and families too. read more

Big Rock Mini Mart & Deli - The stage in the Big Rock beer garden - Grocery Near Me - San Rafael, California

There are a couple of things that make Big Rock stand out. One is that they are located away from a lot of other eateries, but they don't take that for granted... they bring their "A" game. The second thing we love is that they are a family owned and operated business. Dad and sons greet every customer and seem to know many of them on a first name basis. We love the BBQ Ribs here! They are made daily and are as good as many BBQ dedicated joints! They also have great side dishes, meaty sandwiches, great Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches, and lots of choices to drink! They have a really nice covered patio area where you can enjoy lunch. However, hopefully, by the next yellowjacket season we see netting around the table area. We had to leave and eat in the car to surrender the open air dining to those stinging pests. read more

King Tide Band playing on the patio at Big Rock Deli. Is it a deli, a mini market or the coolest party patio? All of the above. Try the BBQ brisket - and the best beers and wines including Pliny on tap! Great music and vibes! read more

Big Rock Mini Mart & Deli - King Tide Band - Grocery Near Me - San Rafael, California

Great market and deli. They have most things you might need without heading to a larger market. The sandwiches are really good. We split the Big Rock that is turkey, hame and bacon. Really fresh bread. We also got a side of the brisket and ribs. I found the brisket to be a bit tough and dry, but the ribs were really good. I would give the brisket another try though. read more

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I had the JB Special. Not too special. It was pretty much the worst sandwich I have ever had. The beef was dry, tough and tasted old. Not a lot of meat but that's okay as it was not very edible. Tossed most of it away. The two thin slices of bacon on it were flimsy and probably days old too. The cheese and bun were good as was the two little rounds of pickles. Service and ambience are good so gave it a star for that. We have been here a couple of times and must've ordered some thing better as we came back. Not likely to visit again... read more