Not the best BBQ but not the worst neither. This place is kind of hidden on MacDonald Ave. Across from 7-11 and the MacDonald's on 23rd. THe place is clean with a couple of tables for the quick nosher but not much more. The "Quiet Storm" plays in the background giving the place an urban adult conemporary feel. I ordered the ribs and beef links. I wanted a side of snapper also but by 8:30 PM, the fryer had been turned off for cleaning. The ribs are nicely cut and stacked... and you get enough to satisfy a big linebacker looking dude like myself. There weren't that many apparent smoke rings and judging by the couple of end pieces that weren't quite done, they could have used a couple of more hours in the smoker. The bone pieces were done however and were snappy chewy, yet easy off the bone. The links are nothing special. I have a preference for homemade sausage style links where the link is coarse like Everett and Jones links as opposed to processed links that are like hot dogs. Not bad, just a preference. I chose the baked beans and potato salad. The potato salad is pretty good. It at least has a consistency as opposed to other places where the potato salad is like a scoop of mashed potato salad. The baked beans are pretty good. Not sweet but a little spicy. I chose a hot sauce which was actaully a little hot. The sauce is a red spicy... not very sweet but pretty good. All in all not a destination place, but if you're in the Richmond area... stop on in... it'll get the job done. read more

C J's BBQ & Fish - CJ's Barbecue and Seafood - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, California

A little expensive but always good.. I am trying to leave that pork in my past so I don't go as much but the ribs are good. read more

Old school bbq joint you can't go wrong with! Friendly staff and great sauce I try to come at least once a week lol

Came here with my coworker for lunch. Its a good place. I just thought that the bbq sauce was too sweet. That's just me I guess. The ribs were slowly cooked and that's the way I like it bc the meat is able to slide off. When it does that, it means the meat is perfect! Their potato salad is really good, coming from a person who never liked eating potato salad.! Expensive...I don't think it was worth it, but for bbq lovers, it'll satisfy your taste. read more

C J's BBQ & Fish - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, California

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I was happy the first time I came here. Today, I ordered the 3-way combo of ribs, tri tip, and links. The guy even asked me if I want my links mild or spicy. This is what he gave me... Charred tri tip, chicken, and ribs thats too dry. I will never ever go back to this place again and won't recommend. read more

I've only been a couple of times but both experiences were good. They do take a while, but good food takes time...call ahead. I had very friendly service, and was pleased by the large amount of food in my order. The greens, cornbread, beans, and macaroni salad were very tasty next to the slab of ribs I got. I like that you can choose the level of heat for your bbq sauce. My only wish would be for them to put an extra cornbread muffin with the greens (you only get one), because they are tasty but kind of small considering it's an upcharge. read more

If I could give them no stars, I would, but unfortunately the yelp app makes me select one star in order to write this review. It was a beautiful Sunday in Richmond (we had been living here for a few years) and my husband and I were expecting my two parents from San Francisco to come and visit. After discussing with them what type of dinner they wanted, they decided on bbq. I looked on yelp and this restaurant came up right away. I submitted a $140.00 order and they told me that it would be ready in about a half hour. I explained that was perfect because we don't live too far away. My parents arrive and we head to the restaurant to pick up our order (starving and all craving bbq). We stepped into the restaurant and stated my name that corresponds with our order. The lady who works there says "there ain't no order by that name." To which I respond "yes, I spoke to you earlier" and then I proceeded to state the contents of my order. Then she began to say "someone else gave us your name and picked up that order." We were so confused as to how they could give another customer our $140.00 order. So they said they would re-cook our order and though extremely annoyed, we were ok with that. But then they went on to say "but we don't have anymore cornbread, peach cobbler, links, greens, macaroni" etc. Basically everything that was available when I submitted my given away order earlier, was now suddenly unavailable. So at that point I walked away. I know that there aren't many bbq places in the Richmond area but I STRONGLY encourage you NOT visit this place. It will be a waste of your time as well as your patience. They didn't even apologize for giving away our order because I do not for a second believe that there is another person with my super unique real first and last name (which of course is different from my yelp name) in the surrounding Richmond area. Do not, I repeat, do not order from this establishment. The owners are not professional, kind, or well managed. We ended up ordering from a Thai food restaurant called "Banana Leaf Thai" its near the home depot on San Pablo. Their service was phenomenal and the food was super tasty! It's always refreshing when you order from an audible, friendly, competent restaurant unlike this bbq "restaurant." Do yourself a favor and run in the opposite direction of this restaurant. This was the worst experience I have ever had at any establishment in my entire life. Just horrible. You lost my husband and I as a customer, forever. read more

I've ate here twice and the food is bomb. However, the older lady working at the register is extremely rude. She gave attitude, was unclear, and used a mocking voice when repeating my order. Her tone when speaking to people is extremely unprofessional and I watched her do this to multiple people while waiting for my order. When my food was ready, she explained to me that she's working a double and has been working from morning till night non-stop. I understand it may have been a long day for her. However, that's no excuse. You shouldn't be treating your customers like that. As a person who has worked customer service roles for the last 8 years in retail & food you need to learn to leave your issues at home and give people the service they deserve. I will no longer be eating at this place as long as she is working the register. read more

Passing through town and needed a quick snack. The best Potato Salad I've ever had, and the Baked Beans are superb! Didn't try any meats, as I'm vegetarian. The sides were well worth the stop! read more

Ok, I get this place is pretty much in the heart of central, but for reals though everyone here was super friendly. I seriously was craving for some smoked brisket after work, and this place delivers some of the best fatty briskets for sure. It not that super soft girly brisket, but that nice bark crust and tender inside type stuff. On top of that all the Richmond locals were pretty cool. We were all there for some freaking good bbq, and this place is awesome. Also get the slaw side if you can. Coleslaw is off the hook! read more

We ordered the full slab of babyback ribs, greens, hush puppys, and coleslaw​. All were excellent and fresh! I highly recommend this restaurant​! You won't get "standard" BBQ food. These are family-type recipes and all cooked/smoked on-site. If you want plain-old-BBQ, day-old meat, done the mediocre​ same all the time, go to Famous Daves. This food has soul! read more

I always enjoy their food. It's seasoned just perfect and the sauce makes everything taste even better. I prefer my sauce on the side, I like to dip my meat in the sauce. The staff is always nice but there's an older gentleman (maybe the owner) that's there sometimes and he's especially nice to everybody - southern style. I don't care where I am, if I have a taste for barbecue, I'm making my way to C J's. read more

Had the 3-way combo of chicken, links, and ribs. $27+ tax. For the quantity and quality, $27 is very over priced. I will not return.

Omg! I would not recommend this place to my worst enemies! Their catfish order had no flavor and was over cooked. The mac and cheese salad was horrible. Had to much pepper and their baked beans tasted like canned beans with alot of bbq sauce added to it. The cashier lady was rude and didn't know how to be polite to others. And just sat on her butt taking orders. I could barely hear her because she was sitting far. I will never go to them again. I will stick snapper place I go to in Richmond or Everest Jones bbq. read more

Four stars! The only reason it's not five is because the card machine was out of order so it's cash only. But the food is A++ I had the ribs an beef and it was screaming thinking about going back right now to get some more. The potato salad and Mac salad is some of the best I had they know what there doing. read more

Fourth of July I decided to eat some BBQ. I wanted to give a local business a try instead of going to Kinders. I called and asked what time this business closed, I was told 5pm. I got there at 445pm and was told they weren't letting anyone order. Will I go back? Probably not. All these high priced, attitudinal BBQ joints turn me off. I cook it myself. read more

CJ's is awesome. Their regular menu is bomb - and they often have in house specials that are worth calling in for. I once saw a woman who was ordering a catering tray of their macaroni salad to take on a train to her family in LA. That is no joke - it really is that good. read more

My Husband and I have been trying to find a good BBQ place for some time now. We have ate BBQ that taste like lighter fluids to pretty decent tasting BBQ but that's just it, only DECENT BBQ, haven't found a place where I would crave to go back to gorge myself with succulent meat. Until now.... I went on YELP to find a BBQ place close to my house and CJ's popped up. Read the reviews and what I read was good enough for me to give them a try. When we got there, the place is really small and loaded with people. But that's ok, waiting means it must be good. Anyways, it took a long time before it was our turn to order. It wasn't because people were placing big orders but because CJ was the one taking the order and he's super friendly. He knew everybody and everybody knew him so they were chatting it up. When it was our turn to order, he made it a point to start up a conversation with us too. I thought that was really nice of him to try to get to know all his customers. Now what to order? Oh heck, let's order everything! We ordered the 4 way combo. Whenever we try a new BBQ place we always try to order all the different kind of meat they offer to sample it. So we had the ribs, the beef briskets, the chicken, the mild beef hot link and a spicy beef hot link over medium BBQ sauce. We also had all different kinds of side dishes. We had potatoe salad, mac salad, baked beans, corn bread muffin, mac and cheese, and candied yams. Most of the sides were not on the menu but if you ask he might just have it. We order a lot of food. It's been three days and still probably another three days to go before we can finish all the food. But get this.... all that food comes out to be a little over $35.00. AMAZING! We all know price doesn't mean a thing if the food isn't good. But lucky for us CJ's BBQ is the best BBQ I have ever eaten! Hands down. All the meat had just enough flavor. They were all super tender, falling off the bone type meat. Unbelieveably good! Now get this, as if good food and friendly service isn't enough. While we were waiting for our order, CJ himself, walks over to us and gives us a sample platter of all the meat he offers FREE OF CHARGE!!! It was so much food, I was pretty much full from sampleing. I have never ever been to a place that gives you a PLATE of food to sample before. That alone earned CJ 5 stars. All I have left to say is GO TO CJ'S BBQ in fact leave your computer and RUN NOW!!! read more

This is what BBQ is supposed to be! Everything was great from the tender ribs, the hot-hot links, the beef brisket, the potato salad, the baked beans! The only bad thing was that they didn't have any cornbread. This BBQ reminds of being back home in the south. PUT SOME SOUTH IN YO MOUTH! read more

All I can say is on MONDAY I can't wait for FRIDAY at 5:OOp.m. to come every week, if I don't get there sooner. Trust and believe i am right there placing my order LOL. IT"S THE BEST IN THE BAYAREA. Life time customer KK :-p read more

Good bbq! Nice service, with a smile! Easy pickup! A fav stop if I'm in the area. Great portion size. The three way is more than enough to share! read more

Loved this place up until I got some fried catfish that was undercooked and made me really sick. Haven't been back since. Not saying their food is bad, it was all quite delicious. But you know when you just had that one bad experience and you would rather be safe than sorry? That's how I feel about this place. read more

I'm a one stop kind of person when I get my sold so this is the place to be. I love their food if I don't feel like cooking it's my go to spot. You better know what you want before you call bland they'll handle the rest. I read the reviews before trying them for the first time and thought to myself wow, but when I went and witnessed the type of people they have to deal with it all made sense. I love the last who answers the phone, she don't take no stuff! Try them before you allow the reviews to speak their praise. I like the links and the potato salad most. read more

I have been here once the staff is welcomeing and very nice. I order the chicken wings and fries. The chicken was great the wings had a ton of flavor but if you could get a dipping sauce it would be better. read more

It was ok just ok nothing too great. Chicken wings nor the fries had seasoning and the lady at the counter was so uninterested in us or the others in the establishment. Would I go back most certainly not. read more

my first time here was terrible. The food was overpriced for the 2 item combo I wasted about 25 dollars for some salty small ass pieces of catfish and 3 pieces of bbq chicken that weren't fresh. My fries were soggy as well. I didn't even get any tarter or hot sauce. Never coming back! read more

it's all about the sauce. if you like spicy, you'll love the sauce. the slice beef is the best meat option for bbq here. for sides get beans and potato salad (made right there-- we saw it being prepared). greens are delicious, sometimes they run out. cornbread was dry, wouldn't get that again. otherwise, i am happy to be eating in the hood close to where i live. other things i appreciated about Cj's-- the man in the front (could be the owner, not sure) is super friendly. one evening i was there picking food up to take home and it was dark outside. the man at the counter asked me where i parked to make sure that i could get to my car okay-- super appreciative about that. if you are in the area check it out. read more

Big portions of good ribs and brisket but I'm not as into the sausage. People are right its better than Kinders and the folks who work there are really friendly to where it feels a bit like the South. Will be back again. read more

Tried BBQ across the nation and CJ's can compete. I agree with the sauce on the side. Plenty of Ribs, Links and Meat on a 3 way. Give it a try if your interested in trying some East Bay BBQ. Staff all friendly and were interested in my experiences trying BBQ across, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri and Iowa. read more

I love the food, but the Mac and cheese is very overpriced for the small amount they give and they never answer the phones! At least not when I call, and I call like 5 times before I give up. Smh pick up the phone y'all, you're running a business, tell your employees to pick up the phone if you want all your customers read more

Best BBQ I ever had... I not lying. This stuff is great. Homemade everything here. Meat all super juice and falling off the bone.

Links, yummm, ribs, really good and chicken not dry. The sauce was good. I like it mild and sweet and they supplied just that. Beans good, potato salad good too. The mac and cheese was greeaaaaat. They did it well. Try them . good stuff. read more

One of the best bbq in the rich. The 4 way combo with the corn breads it's just something about the sauce

let me say this, i'm a chef and have spent some time with a couple of friends looking for a bbq place that can do it all well. we have been pretty happy with some of the places' individual offerings. no place has done the whole maryann. so we haven't tried in a while. i came to cj's tonight because i have had good bbq at the one in vjo. i ordered the pork ribs with hot sauce and the catfish nuggets.. the nuggets were cooked to just succulent, they had awesome flavor. i had baked beans, cole slaw and potato salad. the beans were very good. the slaw was nice and tangy. the potato salad was from someone's grandma down south, creamy and good. i just want to say that "ribs falling off the bone" are over cooked to me. these ribs were just right tender with a wonderful flavor. just shy of falling off the bone. i had a chance to go out back to the pit and watched a couple of pros working a 75 pound pig on the pit. this was not their first pig. i will be back, ps the hot sauce isn't hot to people who love hot. it's pretty darn good though. the last really hot sauce i had was at day and night bbq soul food in epa in the late 70's. that was hiccup hot. don't get me wrong. cj's is a gem. read more

CJ's has the potential to be very good, but they absolutely lack consistency. Once again their beans were undercooked. The potato salad was good but the last time I had it the salad had turned. The ribs were greasy but had a lot of meat and good flavor. I was bugged because I ordered Tri Tip but got small chopped up pieces of meat...some seemed to have joints. I told the woman but she told me it was tri tip. Usually it comes in slices. The pecan pie wasn't great and I wouldn't order desert again. The prawns were good, but greasy so I'd get more but wouldn't say they were the best. read more

This is exactly what I was looking for. They are awesome. Coming from a family who cooks bbq on a daily, this sure is close to how my dad makes it. I love this place and you will too! Not really a sit and eat type of place because the place is small but it's worth every single penny! read more

Ribs ,Links,Fish are all good , just remember to check your order cause they always seem to mess up the order, also please remember to be aware of your surroundings cause this place is right in the middle of the hood !!! read more

I had the hot links with medium sauce and potato salad. If you don't like your food super spicy don't get the medium sauce. The BBQ was amazing and the employee's are very friendly. read more

I'm a BBQ SNOB...lol So it THRILLS me to FINALLY find a BBQ spot in Richmond! I use to have too drive all the way to Berkeley and Oakland Well I can gladly report that that's something I don't have to do anymore! Not only is their BBQ hella good. ....but they give you a NICE SIZE PORTION of ribs and I'm talking about just a regular size plate. The other BBQ places should be ashamed of themselves for the STINGY portions that they give you..smh CJ'S is just as good as any other BBQ place that I've eaten. ..but what REALLY distinguishes CJ'S from the other BBQ places is their GENEROUS PORTIONS they give you CJ'S gets two thumbs up in my book read more

My wife and I shared the 3 way combo with 3 sides: ribs, chicken, and beef. This was plenty of food! All was very tasty, we had the sauce on the meat but that really wasn't necessary. They were all tender with good flavor. I will go back. read more