Gees BBQ in Santa Ana is officially my new go-to for smoked barbecue! The brisket is the best--tender, juicy, flavorful, and honestly better than the one I used to get in Garden Grove. The picanha is tasty without being overly salty, the ribs are awesome, and the ribeye is so tender that everything practically melts in your mouth. I gave the Garden Grove BBQ place three chances, but every time I ordered, the bald-headed host made me feel rushed. With so many choices on the menu, customers should be given a little time to decide without feeling pressured. At Gees, the experience is completely different. Staff is patient, welcoming, and the customer service is excellent. Great barbecue is not just about the smoke, it's also about how you treat your customers. Gees BBQ is the true king of smoked barbecue in Orange County--royalty food fit for a king! read more

First time I came was when it first got IG famous . I wasn't impressed . This is my second time coming to see if they can change my mind about my first bad visit . I lived in Texas for many years and this ain't no Texas bbq at all . Fried rice - very salty Mac n cheese - really good Fatty brisket - so they slice it up really thin and cut it into small pieces too make it look like they gave you a lot of amount . But it wasn't tender at all and too much seasoning very peppery . Dyno rib - no meat , a lot of bone . $46 for a bone and very salty and over seasoned very peppery and some parts very chewy Chicken - very very let me tell you very very dry . Each bite I would have to take a sip of my drink so it can go down . Overall worst $80.84 cents spent. read more

What a killer spot! Inside they sell tacos and churros, and outside they setup to sell BBQ. The BBQ here is absolutely fantastic, the brisket was super soft, incredibly tasty, and literally melted in my mouth (the bone fell right off!). It's seasoned perfectly, but honestly, the sides are what I would come back for. For service they had water for us outside in a cooler, nice gesture. Make sure to try the bbq sauce there, it's sweet and tangy! While it is a little bit on the pricier side, the quality makes it worth every penny. I'll definitely be back to try the tacos and their consomé ramen next time! read more

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Gee's barbecue = the definition of TENDER. Ordered the 2 meat, 2 sides plate and chose the brisket & tri-tip for meats and kale slaw & garlic noodles for sides + watermelon Agua Fresca. The brisket was my favorite of the two meats & highly reminiscent of Texas bbq. I also tried to the order the Picanha, but it was sold out by afternoon. My favorite side was the kale slaw and the little bit of mashed potatoes that I tried. The watermelon Agua Fresca was very refreshing. Gee's shares a space with a taco place that also sells desserts, a gas station, and various food trucks surround the nearby area. I highly recommend going to Gee's for a little foodie adventure! read more

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I travel to Texas quite a bit, and I can honestly say Gee's BBQ is right up there with some of the best Texas BBQ I've had. The brisket is fantastic, but if you can, get there early for the burnt ends--they're incredibly popular and often sell out by noon. The dino ribs are an absolute must-order. They're smoky, tender, and worth every bite. And if you want to balance things out just a little, don't skip the kale slaw. It's fresh, flavorful, and the perfect side. One tip: the lines can get long, especially on weekends. Save yourself some time and order through the app before you head over. If you're craving authentic Texas-style barbecue in Orange County, Gee's should be at the top of your list. read more

Gee's Barbecue - Dino rib, brunt ends, and kale slaw - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Ana, California

One of the best bbq I've had, the meat is so tender it just melts in your mouth. My husband has been talking about this place for a while, I am so glad we got to go today on empty stomach. It's hard find because of the sign but it's in the back of the famous Papi's tacos which we found out it owns by the same people. The guy that took out had the biggest smile and very friendly. [[HIGHLIGHT]]You have option to sit outside in the shade or inside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] And if you are looking for a Halal bbq place which is very rare to find don't look too far because this is it. I would go here again and again. We had the brisket sandwich and beef sausage sandwich, since it was so tasty we had to go for 2nd and order the beef ribs with the sides of Mac & cheese and potato salad (yummy). read more

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Soooo good soft brisket, nice seasoning but they were out of a lot of things by like 2pm. read more

Tried Gee's Barbecue in Santa Ana and ordered the two meat, two side combo with the brisket, picanha, kale coleslaw, and mac & cheese, plus a Dino rib. Overall, the barbecue was just okay not the best I've had. The mac & cheese was a little underwhelming and didn't really stand out. The highlight of the meal was definitely the Dino rib. It was flavorful, tender, and easily the star of the plate. I'd come back for the Dino rib, but I'd probably try different sides and meat next time . The wait wasn't too long maybe 20 min total but I did get there right when they opened . read more

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Very good barbecue. Tucked away in the side of a gas station this place is hammering out barbecue and delicious sides. Mac and cheese is great. Dino ribs are good. Staff was very friendly and [[HIGHLIGHT]]there is plenty of seating door and outdoor.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Side note, the smoked fried rice was delicious. read more

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The highlight of the meal was definitely the Dino ribs. They were incredibly juicy, tender, and literally fell off the bone. The brisket and picanha were also tender, flavorful, and cooked well. The mac and cheese was rich and creamy, while the kale slaw was fresh and refreshing, making it a great complement to the barbecue. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There was plenty of outdoor seating available, which was nice.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]However, there were a lot of flies, making it difficult to enjoy the meal without constantly trying to keep them away.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Gee's Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Ana, California

I was a bit taken aback by how this joint was a combination of a Mexican restaurant plus a barbecue spot. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The overall ambiance of this space is alright considering how the only seating is outside and the wait is definitely pretty long.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food itself is actually really delicious. I have to say that the meats were smoked well, had a great deal of flavor, and the sides with the noodles are what really got me wanting to go back again. Who would have thunk rice and noodles go well with smoked barbecue. read more

Gee's Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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This place is probably the BEST BBQ I've ever had!!! It's right behind a gas station but you will definitely know when you're there. There's either a long line and the most heavenly BBQ smell right when you pull up. Food: 1000000 stars!!! We got the Dino rib, picanha beef, beef brisket, Mac and cheese, and fried rice. Everything was fantastic and the Dino ribs was fall off the bone!!! The BBQ sauce was simple and perfect. It didn't take away from the taste of the meat! If I would change anything, maybe less oil on the fried rice. But even that the flavor was there. Service: Five stars!!! They take their time and answer questions. They also make suggestions. They bring the food out to you when it's ready. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance: Five stars! Outdoor shaded or non shaded seating in the back. Paper plates and utensils are on the side of the window for you to grab[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. I will definitely return!!! read more

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Finally got to try Gee's after months of silent internet creeping. I enjoy smoking meats but sometimes, eating other people's smokes just tastes better. And less effort. More sleep. And every smoker has a different method and it's great to try them all. Ordered 2ct of the 2 meats + 2 sides + Gee's pudding. Brisket; got some dry pieces, probably reheated way too many times. Was looking forward to solid brisket but man, disappointment. Beef ribs; felt a bit ripped off with this (see picture). Meat was also dry/overcooked/reheated too much Chicken; hard to mess up. The only moist meat of the plate But sides, pretty darn phenomenal. Potato salad had texture -red onions and pickles and dill -i usually hate dill but this potato salad was done so well. Mac n cheese, probably the best mac n cheese ive had in a long time. Dirty noodles -not a fan of this but my friend enjoyed it. Thin noodles with brisket pieces. Dirty fried rice, why didnt I think of this. Exceptional smoke and I would love a tray of this at parties. Gee's pudding: solid dessert. Thank goodness no nasty bananas in this pudding. No cornbread here -just pre packaged dinner rolls. Picanha and tri tip were sold out -expected since I came on a Sunday evening. I should've visited on a Friday or even Saturday for better smokes/options. But from this experience, Gee's is solid, wouldn't be my first pick but still good if in area. read more

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the Internet was right, this place is great. it's a little funky location. Gee's shares 1/2 of a gas station convenience store with another restaurant...Papi Tacos & Churros. You go around to the left side of te building to order at the walk up window. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There is plenty of outside table seating around back.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service was fast and friendly. I ordered the two meat plate which includes 2 sides. For the meat, brisket (the most tender, juiciest brisket I have ever had). And the beef jalapeño, cheese sausage, which was very flavorful. The sides were excellent. This is a hidden jam that is worth another trip. read more

Gee's Barbecue - Two Meat Plate Brisket & Beef Sausage with two sides of Dirty Noodles and Mac & Cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Came here right at open to try their bbq. Since I wanted to sample some of the different meats, I shared two of the two item plates with my husband. We got brisket x2, beef ribs and a sausage. Sides included mac n cheese x2, potato salad and smoky fried rice. Everything was good but the standout was the brisket. The meat was super tender and you can taste the smokiness. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Seating is outdoors with adequate shade and water bottles were available in a cooler.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Sides are a definite filler. Will get meat by the pound next time as try one of their dino ribs. Parking can be curbside and their are limited spaces on the other side of the gas station. read more

Gee's Barbecue - 2 Meat 2 Sides - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Tasty and delicious at Gee's BBQ is only available in Fri-Sun. The best deal is the two meat plus two mini sides for$28 (one meat plus two sides for $20). The brisket was so juicy and moist; I can't wait to eat it again. The staff at the window were friendly and welcoming. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance is airy and bright as if you're transported to Texas.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They do have a few smokers in the back area. Parking available in the Chevron lot or on the street. Highly recommended! read more

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I'm not a fan of BBQ usually so it needs to be *pretty* good for me to even consider it. I've been here several times with friends and honestly, it's good. I'm not a huge meat eater, but I did try all the meats. I thought the brisket and the ribs were really good, but I especially liked the sausage. I know my friends liked everything and they keep coming back!! read more

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I had the dino rib and beef burnt ends and both were so good! I recommend this place for sure. A lil pricey but I personally thought it was worth it. Just keep an eye on your car if you park on the street. There were some shady characters around when i was there on sunday. Great service too! read more

Gee's Barbecue - Dino Rib, Beef Burnt Ends, and Mac n Cheese. - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Place is hidden next to a gas station. Overall food was really delicious. Would definitely come back again if I ever crave some barbecue. read more

Gee's Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Ana, California

The reviews are accurate. This spread was phenomenal and y'all should try it out! Place is located right in the center of Santa Ana.. read more

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Best Dino ribs I've ever had! The staff is amazing. There's always been plenty of street parking when I've been. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant is very nice and clean.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I like that they provide free water bottles. Everything I've tried here is just the best. The Dino ribs are favorite as well as the brisket and mac and cheese. read more

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This is the best BBQ you'll get anywhere! It's my second time here with my partner, and I wasn't even a fan of the BBQ we've had elsewhere. This place changed that. Everything is beef! No pork! Even the sausage! It's amazing. Last time we had the brisket, tri-tip, and sausage. They were all good, my favorite being the sausage and the brisket. Today we had the dino rib and beef belly burnt ends. This is A LOT OF FOOD! The dino rib is literally fall off the bone! Delicious. And the beef belly burnt tips are honestly DELICIOUS, like candy, nice and sweet. They are very fatty, so beware of that. I will say the fat melts in your mouth, but if there's a big chunk, just cut it off. The meat is GREAT. Also, their Mac and cheese is on point, and their potato salad is yummy! Service is great, they also give complementary water bottles in a cooler in the back! Thank you for turning me into a fan and becoming that place my partner looks forward to every weekend! We'll be coming again. read more

Gee's Barbecue - Beef belly burnt tips, dino rib, and Mac & cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Good barbecue is hard to find especially after you've visited Texas. Gee's has been pretty consistent whenever I've tried it. The brisket and mac and cheese are my favorite items. I recommend going early so you don't have to worry about any of the items selling out. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There's plenty of outdoor seating available and a cooler full of complimentary water bottles.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They do a pretty good job of packaging up to go orders so everything stays separated. read more

Gee's Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Ana, California

I eat a lot of BBQ, and I've made peace with the fact it might trim a few days off my life. Totally worth it. Pulled up here expecting low-rent gas station vibes (order window and all), and half-worried the top cuts would be sold out. But at 3:30 on a Saturday, everything was still on deck. Went big with the Dino rib, burnt ends, brisket, and mac & cheese--every bite excellent. This is the kind of BBQ that lingers... the next day you burp smoke and grin like you just remembered a funny joke. Seating is easy: plenty of picnic tables outside with umbrellas, or you can camp out inside at the co-located Papi's Tacos. Pro tip: there's a cooler of free bottled water outside--perfect for washing down all that glorious meat without feeling like you need a meat wash. read more

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The people are nice here, the service is good. [[HIGHLIGHT]]But the place for seating is horrendous, there are flies everywhere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]There are flies all over the sauce.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Just flies. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Galore did not feel comfortable eating here.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food was OK, but I would recommend getting your food to go so you can eat at home in a safer environment. read more

The Dino rib, the burnt ends, the beef rib, the brisket 10 out of 10! Best Dino rib I have had in southern California and I have tried them all! [[HIGHLIGHT]]They also have so many awesome benches in the back and places to sit and the vibe in the music is awesome![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We loved it! They were even kind enough to have a cooler of water bottles in the back that is included with the meal! read more

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Came back and it was still really good! Everything was tender and tasted great. Staff were nice. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There's outdoor and indoor seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Check out their instagram for their menu! Dino ribs are best. read more

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Best Texas bbq. My go-to for trying out a new bbq joint is brisket. Like it better than Ray's or Heritage. Dino rib is a must. You cannot go wrong with picanha too. All are great. They also got right with side dishes too. read more

Gee's Barbecue is a HALAL BBQ spot in Santa Ana, just outside of Pappi's Tacos & Churros. They are open on the weekends from 12pm until they run out and Friday evenings. I stopped by 15 mins till they opened on Sunday and the line was at least 30 people deep and it took me an hour to get to the front to place my order. However, once it was placed, it only took about 5 to 10 minutes for the food to come out. Ribeye ($40 - 18 oz) - The ribeye was tender, juicy and full of flavor. Unfortunately it did have a lot of fat and should have been trimmed, and not fall apart tender like some of the other meats I had, but still it was good. Brisket ($18 - 1/2 lb.) - The brisket here is good, and fall apart tender and is definitely a safe choice to get. I have had better brisket elsewhere and felt there could have been more smoke flavor. Burnt ends ($20 - beef belly) - Initially I wasn't planning on getting this but was so impressed with how juicy and full of flavor the burnt ends had. They had a wonderful crunch bark and I highly recommend getting these. Dino Beef Rib ($40 / lb.) - They sell this by the rib, and it needs to be weighed. The one I got was 1.3 lbs and this was the best thing I ate here. It was so tender, juicy, and literally fell off the bone. It had so much amazing flavor. This is a must get here! Mac & Cheese ($12 - pint) - I didn't see much in the way of sides that interested me, so went with the mac and cheese. It was thick and had ok flavor. Overall, I was impressed with the Dino Beef Ribs here and the Burnt Ends, they are the true stars of the show here. The brisket and ribeye are good as well. I hope they can improve on the speed of the line as well as have more side options. Pricing is on the high side, but this is definitely the best BBQ spot I have been to when I look at all the meats that I tried. Unfortunately they ran out of lamb and turkey when it was my turn to order, so that is another area they should improve on. read more

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First time visiting Gee's BBQ after seeing countless Instagram videos. I honestly expected long lines, especially on a Sunday--but there were none. While it was a relief, it also made me wonder if the hype had died down or if something else was going on. We ordered the beef rib (dino rib), 1/2 lb brisket, and two sides. They also gave us free bottled water, which was a nice touch. I'll give credit where it's due--the dino rib was the star. Juicy, tender, and full of flavor. Easily the highlight of the meal, and something I would definitely order again. Unfortunately, the brisket was a letdown. I've had great brisket before (notably at Miss BBQ in Arizona), so I had a solid point of comparison. The fatty center was tender, but the bark was rock-hard, which made it feel like the brisket was a day or two old, not freshly sliced. With fewer customers, it seemed possible they were serving leftover meat. Because of that, I'd recommend skipping the brisket. As for the sides: Mac & cheese - looked good, tasted average. Nothing memorable. Sausage - just okay, but there was a strange aftertaste I didn't enjoy. Fried rice - surprisingly better than the mac & cheese. I'd recommend the rice instead. Overall: I'd come back--but strictly for the dino ribs. That alone is worth the return trip. Everything else was hit or miss. read more

Gee's Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Ana, California

It was alright. Brisket had good flavor but was a bit dry. Beef belly was a bit better since it's supposed to be burnt. Beef rib doesn't have much meat on it so I'd recommend the Dino rib instead. Sausage had a light snap and a very smokey flavor with bits of cheese inside. There's 2 flavors of sausage, garlic and jalapeño cheese. Mac & cheese was thick so it clumped up fast but flavor was okay, could use more salt. The pickles were nice as it added a refreshing bite to everything. Waited about 30 mins in line but food comes out super fast. There's also a good amount of seating and most people do take out. Overall kinda overrated for the execution as everything was a bit dry. read more

Gee's Barbecue - Beef belly burnt ends, brisket, beef rib, jalapeño cheese sausage, Mac and cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Saw them on an ig reel and they're nearby, so why not! $20 for one beef rib and a small side of garlic noodles (comes with brisket + spicy powder or sauce) Beef rib $12 3/5 Rib can come with more meat. That spot in sd or the hawaiian spot in Buena Park felt meatier. This is maybe 6-8 bites? It was good, but not amazing. I'm not a bbq connoisseur, but I like my bbq from time to time. Bae said he enjoyed it, we just wish there was more protein on the bone lol Garlic noodles $7 3.75/5 I liked the flavor of these, though wish they used a thicker or flatter noodle other than spaghetti. The brisket really helps the flavor and the noodles weren't overly oily. Overall, yummy! Comes with a kings hawaiian bread and some pickled veg to cleanse the palette. Sauce wasn't too sweet or tangy which was nice, but it wasn't too addictive either. They got a large smoker in the back and can smell the bbq from the street. Order came out fast, offered free water bottles in the back, and service wasn't robotic! read more

Gee's Barbecue - Was too hungry before taking a pic of the beef rib and garlic noodle - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Ana, California

The food was amazing but you have to go early because they sell out fast. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The only thing I wish I knew was all seating is outside and it's a walk up window not a sit down restaurant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Past that everything was delicious. read more

Gee's Barbecue - 2 plate dinner with tri-tip and a beef rib with Kale slaw and dirty noodles. - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Just about as good as the heavy hitters in central Texas! Along with Smoke Queen in GG, best BBQ in OC!

We tried this earlier today outside of Papi's. They come on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday. I wanted to try a few of their sides, but they were out of the corn and potato salad. I did not personally try the dirty noodles, but overall the consensus was they were underdone. The brisket was juicy and cooked to perfection. The bbw brisket sandwich was also all that i could hope for. The coleslaw compliments the burger perfectly. Overall a great experience for meat lovers. read more

Gee's Barbecue - Up close - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Eghhh it was ok. Came here today around 4 on Easter Sunday. Ordered 2 meat plate with 2 sides. Got beef rib good flavor but cold, salty, and hardly no meat. Jalapeño sausage was cold too. The garlic noodles had no flavor and the kale salad slaw was ok but there was no kale in it lol. read more

Gee's Barbecue - 2 meat plate with 2 sides and a bread - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Ana, California

First time trying this place after seeing huge lines of people waiting. The staff was very friendly and helpful helping us first timers decide what to get. They provided ice chests of water for customers. Food was very good and you can taste the smoke that it was cooked with. Would go back again to try different items on the menu. read more

Gee's Barbecue - Brisket, 2 racks of ribs, Lamb Barbacoa, Mac & cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Ana, California

This place is delicious. I got the beef rib, brisket, noodles, and smoked fried rice. I am not even going to try and describe the flavor those items had. You just need to come and eat here yourself. I will be back for the beef sausage and mac&cheese. read more

Gee's Barbecue - Beef rib, brisket, smoke fried rice, and dirty noodles - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Gee's is truly legit Texas BBQ. Brisket. Proper bark. Fat is perfectly rendered, and not excessively trimmed. Flat is tender and juicy with deep smoke infusion. 10 out of 10. I am a backyard offset smoker weekend warrior, and I want my brisket to be done like Gee's. The Dino rib. Proper bark, Fall off the bone tenderness . It doesn't get any better than this. Mac n Cheese is good. Esquite (aka elote) is legit. I also like they garnish with pickled red onions and jalapeños. Gees is professional grade Texas BBQ. Very well executed. I now need to step up my own weekend warrior offset smoker game. read more

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Came here on a hot Saturday afternoon not knowing what to expect. The menu was really small and the drive-through was taken over by outdoor picnic tables, which gave an awesome outdoor patio vibe. This place is in the cut behind Papi Tacos...Then our TRAY arrives. One Dino rib, two smoked sausage and two slabs of brisket AMAZING. Meat just fell of the bone and was left clean. The garlic noodle was awesome with a little bit of spice. Definitely a winner! read more