If you know anything about Gunsmoke BBQ and Beer in Santa Paula, you know their barbecue already has a solid reputation....but finally making it into their restaurant just confirmed everything I'd been hearing. I've had the chance to try their BBQ at local events around Ventura County, and it always left an impression. They make some darn good BBQ. BUT for this visit we ended up highlighting something just as exciting...their vegetarian options! It definitely says a lot when a barbecue place has great non meat options. I came with my friend Raquel (yelp elite) for lunch and we went all in on their vegetarian plates...well with one exception, we ordered the deviled eggs too. Let's start there: Their famous Candied Bacon Deviled Eggs are a must. Creamy, flavorful filling, lightly battered egg, topped with crispy bacon...yeah, they're as good as they sound. 10/10. Now for the vegetarian standouts: The Fried Avocado Bites were simple but done so right. Perfectly fried and paired with house made sauces that really brought everything together. Super shareable and perfect as a starter. 10/10. The Cauliflower Tacos were a reminder that you absolutely do NOT need meat for a great taco. These were hearty and loaded with (again) incredible sauces. My friend was obsessed and I get why. They were good, but I would prefer a meat protein taco at a spot like this. 7/10 for me. Beyond the food, the experience really shines here. The space has this perfect mix of country charm and rock n roll edge which is such a fun vibe. Service was top notch, and we love when owners are present and genuinely care. They stopped by to check in, which always makes a place feel extra special. And shoutout to our server Bentley, an absolute sweetheart. Next time you're in Santa Paula, do yourself a favor and check them out. read more

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I sadly became a pescatarian right as Gunsmoke BBQ was opening. I have friends who have been wanting to try it so I wanted to give it a shot as well. Gunsmoke is located in Downtown Santa Paula. I didn't pay close attention but I don't believe they have private parking. If you don't know SP, there is street parking and some parking lots. I would be mindful when you are planning to come for parking. I came with a friend midday so there was plenty of parking and seats as well so we got seated right away. I was happy to see the non meat options they have available. I was a bit bummed out they didn't have their hummus but it's just another excuse for me to go back. I did end up getting their cauliflower tacos. My friend got their avocado fries and their devil eggs. I had never had devil eggs, and tried those and were so good. I wanted more but I had already had all my tacos. I did appreciate the owner coming to greet us and finding out I was pescatarian. He was nice, mentioned that even though they are a BBQ spot, they still want to value those customers that don't eat, and asked if there's anything I think of to let him know to see if they can add it to the menu. Really appreciated that. Overall, bummed out I wasn't able to try their BBQ. The options I did try were all really good. I would come back. read more

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What a lucky find! We were just looking for some smoked brisket. The menu was huge. The dishes were clever, very imaginative. All the ingredients were fresh. The execution and presentation was flawless. Most interesting meal out in a long time. Oh yeah, the brisket was delicious. Paul and Noni were delightful and accommodating hosts. Will go back again. read more

GETTING HERE: Gunsmoke BBQ is located in the old Chili Hut location -RIP- in downtown Santa Paula. It's right near Anna's Cider just a few doors down. REVIEW: If you know me and see me Yelping, I am all about supporting small local businesses. And I had seen Gunsmoke BBQ on the Yelp for quite a while. I finally made it, but unfortunately my visit was not as I had hoped. First and foremost service was really great. I had called and placed my order via phone, and the girl was very helpful and answered all of my questions since I was a first timer. :-) I would have rounded up a STAR for service, but I looked at more of the photos here and what I picked up yesterday was absolutely ridiculous compared to what other people had received. I ordered the dirty fries with all of the spicy sauce on the side. But I was really disappointed, and I don't know if it was because the fact of not having the spicy sauce, but there was nothing else on the fries and they were dry. I had the incorrect expectation that they would have ranch and other sauces as advertised on it. The fact remains, I might give them another try and be more specific in my request in my future orders. I would highly recommend asking for the sauces on the side if you're not sure about the spice level. But they do have a really good barbecue sauce that I would definitely request. I'll be back soon one more time. Maybe. read more

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Very friendly staff and a very well maintained and lovely decorated bbq restaurant. My order was the Korean Tacos and Pork Burnt Ends. My only minor gripe would be that each meal could be a bit more generous in portions or with an accompanying side for the prices, however all of the flavors were there! Definitely a good food option in town! read more

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Finally got a round to trying Gunsmoke Bbq for lunch on a Thursday afternoon. We got there a little after noon and we were the only customers the entire time we were there. Hostess/waitress was very friendly and welcoming. The owner was working the back with a helper. He was a very confident individual when it comes to his product, as far as saying the candied bacon deviled egg was the best we'd ever have or he would pay for them. The is not a traditional bbq place in the least and every thing we tried really emphasized the contrast of flavors, heat, sweet and salty. We split a Santa Paula dip, their version of a tritip sandwich with an Au Jus dip. The sandwich was pressed like a panini and was sneaky filling. The salad was a nice pair considering how filling a half a sandwich was. We also shared an order of the drunken fries with the sauces on the side since they were said to be very spicy. The fries were some of the best I've had, crispy crinkle fries for the win. Topped with bbq baked beans and a cheese sauce with the spicy sauces all mixed well. Is this the best bbq I've had no, but it's a really good space for some bbq inspired dishes with a blend of flavors that will entice the pallet. read more

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The facility is gorgeous and the service was prompt and decent. We started with deviled eggs that were breaded, deep fried and had candied bacon. Some of the bacon pieces were great, others, not so much. The "next level" pastrami should be taken off the menu IMO. The meat was quite chewy. For something that takes 11 days to make, it was disappointing. The baguette bread (flattened, panini-style) is simply the wrong bread for pastrami. It was quite tough on the outside. A marble or Jewish rye would be the correct choice. The "flying kick" sauce really didn't bring anything to the party and the truffle mustard just tasted like mustard. My wife had the "Visonario"; basically a brisket sandwich with "Humbolt Fog cheese" (in the blue cheese family) and grilled onion. Similar to the pastrami sandwich, it didn't quite hit the mark. It needed a sauce (avaliable for more money!!!??!!), or additional seasoning. Again, the same bread didn't knock me out. 3.5 stars. Although I appreciate the effort to elevate BBQ beyond the predictable, one should simultaneously demonstrate that they have the underlying fundamentals nailed down. It may just be a case of ordering the wrong things on the menu, but I don't have a burning desire to go back. read more

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Food and service were both great. Had the Chicken Breast Delight and the Westlake Dip while watching the soccer World Cup game. Paul, the owner/chef personally visited each table to check on customer's food and experience. Great place to watch sports too!!! read more

Holy cow! You need to head here as quickly as possible! This is a hidden gem! Everything we had was truly amazing! I had the market brisket sandwich! Absolutely delicious! Brisket was so tender! My husband had the umami gyro sandwich! He wouldn't share! I had to beg for a bite! The combination of tzatziki and bbq! So yummy! Paul, the owner, gifted us with the most amazing dessert, a Basque Crustless Cheesecake. Can't even begin to describe it! Truly the most delicious dessert I've ever had! The homemade caramel sauce was to die for! They also have one of our favorite beers on tap, Sailor Veil Hazy IPA from Brightspark! When you go, check out the back patio; so cool with all kinds of seating and hanging lights. I want to have a party there! Highly recommended! Shoutout to Rowan, our server! She was friendly, patient and on top of everything! read more

I don't think I've ever been served bbq like this. I know the economy is bad but I didn't think it was this bad. Everything was thinly sliced. The meat portion sizes were so small it's almost laughable. I don't care if my plate looks pretty if my meat isn't good. Tri tip dry , pulled pork gamey, and chicken was okay. Why do I have 10 lbs of chicken and 2 oz of meat. To be honest I'll never come back. Especially to order bbq. Service and ambiance and the tiny corn bread was good. read more

We were very disappointed in the service. Luckily we weren't in a hurry but hungry? The food took OVER an hour to get served! I've been before & it wasn't this slow. We noticed only 1 waitress & 1 cook. It would have helped IF the waitress apologized & said they were short staffed! She could have also told us the ribs take 30 minutes when we ordered,,but she didn't. I know she was busy since it was a Saturday. The food was very good ,as usual but service really needs to help improve. I'm hesitant to go again. I gave it 3* because of the food BUT not the service! read more

Their strawberry salad is delicious and my favorite thing to get here. The waiter are also attentive and I appreciate that when I got out with work colleagues and we have to get food and head back. read more

I'm predicting a short tenure in Santa Paula. Service is very slow. With only 8 customers in-house (including the 6 of us), it took an hour to get our food. The food itself was lackluster. Meats really weren't seasoned or even Smokey. A main meat (braised beef) was out of stock, as were 3 beers. Prices are high for the quality and overall experience. Would be reasonable if everything was great, but it wasn't. Excellent deviled eggs and French fries, but the meat was bland. read more

Farm fresh and delicious barbecue. I enjoy conversation with staff and ownership. One of the owners was very attentive and gave history of the location and stories of the area. I felt comfortable and relaxed in the modern rural motif. Family, country, modern, delicious, barbecue! read more

Great service, amazing food! Need to try the Tri tip Chow Mein!! Freshly squeezed lemonade. Candied Bacon Deviled Eggs Wow! Great place to eat in Santa Paula. read more

A true hidden gem in the city of Santa Paula. Their draft selection is top-tier, but the real star was the Asian-inspired dinosaur rib, it was absolutely impressive and packed with flavor. Paul and his team are friendly, attentive, and make you feel right at home. I'll definitely be back for more! read more

Gunsmoke BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Paula, California

This restaurant was an amazing experience. From the friendly welcome; menu explanation & suggestions by the chef/owner Paul. Host was kind & courteous; kept our drinks full. After a hard day the atmosphere was relaxing with the music & decor. Food was outstanding! Every flavor was well balanced & not overwhelming. I recommend this spot highly. read more

Gunsmoke BBQ - Umami Gyro - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Paula, California

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Passing by Santa Paula on our way from Ojai we googled BBQ food nearby and found Gunsmoke...it was smoking delicious good. I had the Korean short rib tacos. My husband had the brisket and we shared a bowel of the macaroni. Very filling full of flavor. Don't miss out on the experience. read more

Very good food and portions, though the price point is a bit high for this town. You can tell they put a lot of effort into redoing the old Chili Hut and making it a nice venue. read more

I see a few reviews complaining about the wait . Disappointing! We live in such a fast pace society that we don't appreciate the good things in life ... such as small moms and pops. They are family ran business and just starting .. will most likely not have a ton of staff and thus a longer wait . I guess I enjoy talking to my friends, good food and great service! Time flies! I have no problem waiting especially when supporting local. We tried a bit of everything AVOCADO FRIES ( too salty for me), CHEF'S MAC N CHEESE , SLIDER TRIO, PORK BELLY TACOS, KIELBASA KID, and Tokyo bacon crostinis (only 4 pieces though 6 pieces pictured online) . Great customer service. A bit pricey . Some portions are large but others quite small. Total was more than $100 for 6 shareable dishes and two drinks but BBQ isn't cheap ! read more

We eat here often as everything is really good! Paul does an amazing job with all his creations and the portions are too big for most people to finish, not me as i can't stop till it is all gone. Highly recomend you try Gunsmoke BBQ if you haven't already. Just had Paul's latest creation, Smoked Beet Salad and added Smoked Chicken and it was a 10 for sure. It is big and my girlfriend took 1/2 her's to go. read more

Gunsmoke BBQ - Smoked Beet Salad with Smoked Chicken - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Paula, California

The Santa Paula Dip was bomb (see photo). The accompanying fries were covered in delicious cheese. The inside seating was comfortable and the music set a country /rock n roll vibe. My waitress was attentive too. Definitely was worth coming from Ventura to SP to try this place out. read more

Gunsmoke BBQ - Santa Paula Dip - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Paula, California

Amazing food, high quality and unique dishes for the great prices. The decor is very cousy. Highly recommend this place. read more

We have been wanting to try this place for a while. We were very excited that they opened up early but when we got there, they were a little late getting set up and didn't open till 9 AM instead of 8 AM. The restaurant is beautiful. I loved the entire set up. They have a lovely outdoor patio in the back and if you have a dog, they're welcome back there. We were there for brunch. I ordered the French toast, which was so hard and dry that it could not be cut even with the knife. I don't understand what went wrong with the meal. The bacon was a little hard and dry and very, very thin. The strawberries were delicious as was their homemade cream.. My husband ordered breakfast plate with brisket. The brisket was well seasoned but mostly fat. They didn't have their specialty fries so they gave him french fries instead. Most of the meal was actually inedible, but we didn't want to hurt his feelings so we had the leftovers packed to go. Apparently, it's a husband and wife team and they are lovely people. We wanted so much to enjoy our meal. They are clearly hard workers and try very hard. The place is trying too hard to be a place with different types of food. The prices are not cheap. I really believe that this neighborhood gem would do better serving regular, good and substantial food. Give them a try, you might like it! We all need to support these types of restaurants. read more

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Food is always amazing and the ambiance is nice and laidback. Food is made fresh so it takes a bit to get to your table. But you can tell they made your dish to perfection. Everything we've tried has been amazing. read more

If you're craving BBQ that hits all the right smoky, savory, and satisfying notes, Gunsmoke is the spot. We came in not knowing what to expect and left completely impressed and very full. To start off is the brisket plate. Incredibly tender with just the right amount of fat, paired beautifully with a scoop of smoky beans and a tangy cabbage slaw that cuts through the richness. Toasted bread for sopping and house pickles for crunch rounded things out. Comforting, thoughtful, and well-balanced. The tri-tip plate? Juicy, well-seasoned, and nicely charred. No sauce needed, though the house sauces are worth trying especially the spicy one with a little kick. They have a lot that one can try for a very small fee. The fries were a surprise standout. It is smothered in beans and drizzled with all three sauces. It's messy, spicy, sweet and totally addictive. A comfort food power move. The fries drizzled with three sauces that includes fiery, tangy, and sweet was executed with the kind of flair you should expect from a kitchen that pays attention to layering flavor. The pork ribs arrive crusted with a dark, smoky bark, tender enough to pull apart yet structured enough to slice. The spice rub leans bold but balanced, with a pleasant whisper of heat. Deeply seasoned bark, juicy interior, kissed with smoke but not overpowered by it. No sauce necessary, though their house-made options ranging from tangy to sweet heat were worth exploring. These ribs don't fall off the bone. They cling just enough to remind you they've been properly smoked, not steamed. To top it off, the beers were cold and crisp, perfect for cutting through all the smoky indulgence. The ambiance was warm and inviting, with a rustic-modern interior and friendly staff and the owner that made us feel welcome. Service was laid-back but attentive and the vibe strikes a nice balance between casual hangout and thoughtful dining. Gunsmoke isn't chasing trends. It's just nailing the essentials. GunSmoke isn't trying to reinvent BBQ. it's honoring it with just enough polish to feel special and just enough grit to keep it real. Come hungry and come with people who love to share. Recommended Dishes: Pork ribs, tri-tip, brisket, Dunkin fries Best Pairing: Local lager or pale ale Vibe: Neighborhood smokehouse meets gastropub read more

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Food was AMAZING!!! the ribs was a special but it should be on the menu, it was a dry rub which is not my favorite but these ribs were the best!!. The only problem it was way too light!! Dim the lights and they got 10 stars read more

GET THE KOREAN BRISKET TACOS! If you don't come back here just for them you have no business reviewing restaurants on Yelp. I have eaten so many different things in my life that I would say are amazing and these tacos are one of them. Everything else I've tried is great as well. Mac n cheese is soo good. The Santa Paula dip is a solid choice as well. read more

Gunsmoke BBQ - Tacos - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Paula, California

Gunsmoke was recommended by a friend of a friend. We went and were delighted by the unusual menu choices. And oh-so-many differing bbq sauces! Beautiful updated venue makes for a pleasant dining experience. Really personable proprietor named Paul who made us feel quite welcome and well attended to. Slider plate was delish!! read more

I was extremely impressed with Gunsmoke BBQ. I went there with my wife, dad, and brother. We had brisket, a gyro plate, a ribeye special, and a couple appetizers. Let me start by saying that the brisket was absolutely incredible. The chef, Paul, is extremely meticulous and intentional about his preparation, which starts with an eleven day brine. It's the best brisket I've ever tasted. Ditto for the ribeye, which was a 31 ounce monster that we shared. The brisket was cooked perfectly - rare the way we requested, and the dry rub was delicious. The ribeye came with Asian style fried rice and sesame seed chow mein noodles. It was a delicious twist on standard BBQ sides. Paul, the chef was happy to answer our questions about his recipes, where the meat came from, etc. He chose the most popular sauces for us, and they were also delicious. The breath of the menu is extremely extensive and ambitious for a family-run BBQ restaurant with 8 tables. The ambiance is upscale casual, with cozy lighting. Prices are expensive, but the food is truly exceptional. I'd bet on Gunsmoke BBQ over anything else California has to offer. The only downside was that our server was forgetful, and we had to ask her for utensils and water several times. However, the food was so impressive that I would give 6 stars if I could. Can't wait to go again and try the pizza and the Australian wagyu burger! read more

Gunsmoke BBQ - Ribeye in the foreground and brisket on the top plate. - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Paula, California

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Owner and Staff are great and the food was sooo good! Love that they have a large selection of homemade sauces. read more

This new comer to the food scene of Ventura County is sure to be a hard to get table within a year. It's absolutely delicious and worth every penny. Paul, the owner, and his team offers some of the best BBQ in all of Ventura County. I had the grilled cheese pastrami special with fries. I got a side of a tomato like relish for the fries and it was perfect. My husband had the banh mi. He loved his as well. It's clear the chef thinks thru ingredients and is willing to try things and take risks. Expect to pay about $20 per person. It's worth it and there is plenty for leftovers the next day. We dined at Anna's with a glass of cider and wine. Paul was generous enough to bring it over to us. Seriously, get here soon because pretty soon it will be too busy to just pop in or take a large group. Say hello to Paul for me and tip generously. read more

Gunsmoke BBQ - Pastrami grilled cheese special - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Paula, California

Husband and I stumbled into this cute little neighborhood named Santa Paula, and wanted to treat ourselves after a solid hike. We arrived right between breakfast and lunch and got to chat with the owners at the bar. Great people who started this restaurant 18 months ago and learned that everything is not only delicious but everything was made from scratch! They hooked us up with a few home made sauces to try and all of them were so bomb. The white BBQ sauce was my favorite, having the perfect kind of tang that just bangs thru the decadence of everything you eat. We shared the bacon benny dish: supa thick cut bacon with perfectly poached eggs and the best house made hollandaise sauce - we were in heaven. It was also served with perfectly seasoned and crispy fried smashed potatoes - garnished with fresh parm and herbs. Perfection. Definitely make a stop here as you stroll thru this cute neighborhood! read more

Gunsmoke BBQ - Thick cut bacon and eggs Benedict with fried smashed potatoes - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Paula, California

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Korean bbq brisket tacos were the best tacos I've ever had. We also tried the deviled eggs! Bomb. My hubby got the Steve McQueen burger and it did not disappoint. One of the best burgers hands down he's ever had. Such an amazing vibe inside and outside! Paul the owner is the best, he makes you feel so welcomed and the service is top notch! read more

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We were really looking forward to dining here and came early in the evening. After waiting nearly an hour, we were informed our order had never been entered. We were asked to place the order again, but no apology or solution was offered, so we left. It seemed that several servers were sharing tables without clear responsibility, which created confusion and delays. I hope additional training and clearer service structure can prevent this from happening to other guests. read more

Delicious food ! Would come back for a date night for sure. Brought our toddlers with us, wait was a bit long. Makes sense tho if it's a small family owned business. Wish them success! read more

Gunsmoke BBQ - Wait was long but worth it, steak was delicious! - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Paula, California

Well, I have see a lot of postings on Facebook about this place, and I thought I would check it out tonight. I came early so I could try it before they got buried in the weeds. They have a great atmosphere. And I like the see into kitchen concept. Even though it's a BBQ place, I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with their Chefs (Paul) Asian influence in his cuisine. It's obvious he takes pride in his craft. The waitress was attentive but not obtrusive. The flavors were amazing and colorful along with being extremely complex yet none of them were overpowering each other. Confusing on the platte since my mind was at a BBQ place, yet at the same time excited to have a great flavor. Try it, I'm sure you will like your experience. Great job! read more

Gunsmoke BBQ - Try the gyro it was great - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Paula, California

It was the most delicious barbecue I've had in some years. I order two entrees the sliders and the sauces OMG the one with cilantro in it and it had a pesto color but fire and spicy mmmmmmm read more

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Firstly, the location has lots of potential: it's a very lovely ambience, lighting and brick walls are vibes so it will make for great photos. However, we waited for our food for about 50 minutes before a single food item was brought out. When we arrived at the restaurant, there was 1 other party of ~10 that seemed to have been eating already, and a couple seated at the window bar. By all measures the location did not appear busy for a Saturday night with a staff of two waitresses. We ordered a tri tip and brisket plate that was supposed to come with bbq beans, chicken salad and a slaw, a kids Mac and cheese for our daughter and garlic knots as well. The first thing brought to the table was the Mac n cheese (after those 50 mins): it wasn't horrific but it was like what a microwaved side of food would be. The portion was decent for a child plate. I don't understand why the garlic knots would not have been available within the first 50 minutes of our being there....when those appeared, they were the tiniest garlic bread knots I've ever seen. In retrospect I would rather have ordered knots from Dominoes, I would have gotten more for flavor and portion for my money. As for our plate of bbq meats, it was appalling how little food and sides were on a $35 plate. The plate shown in our picture is partially eaten but the center of the plate was that empty from the start--we even double checked with our waitress if they got the weight correct. We asked for a 1/4 pound of meat each....it looked like we got 4oz of meat between the two. The hand seen next to the plate is that of a 2 YO toddler for frame of reference. The flavor of the meat was nothing to write home about so unfortunately this last straw made the cost and experience of the meal even more upsetting. We know with our economy today, eating out is going to be expensive. But small businesses: you should not expect that your customer will fork over money for long wait times, tiny portions and mediocre flavor ... we won't be going back and it's unfortunate. We've been looking for a BQ spot to love. read more

Gunsmoke BBQ - Garlic knots, tri tip, garlic toast. - Barbeque Near Me - Santa Paula, California

Tuesday 12-30-25 6pm Let's start off with entering the restaurant. There were 3 people at the bar and as we entered we were greated and seated. It took a while for the waitress to take our order because she was occupied with the people at bar. As she took our order another party of 4 arrived. No responce to that party and they left. It took a while for our food to arrive. Soup was good but the bowl was only have full. The fries wee awesome and our sandwich was not even average.We will not be coming back. Too many other restaurants in that area ro go to. read more