This place is to die for definitely recommend going. It's worth the hype. The best items are the banana cream pie and the coleslaw is amazing. read more

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I went here for lunch on a weekday on Friday. I've been here many times, and I definitely recommend visiting during the week because the weekend lines can get very long. Even on a weekday, we waited about 30 minutes, which wasn't too bad. This time, I ordered the brisket bánh mì, the pulled pork sandwich, and the mac and cheese. Every time I visit, I like to try something different, and everything I've had has been absolutely delicious. The portions are generous and very filling. In my opinion, this is the best BBQ in Orange County. The wait is definitely worth it. The employees are always friendly and welcoming, and the meat is incredibly tender, juicy, and full of flavor. If you're a BBQ fan, this place is a must-try! read more

What is the HYPE about this place? God knows! Because the bbq was not even good. Luckily I didn't have to wait on that 3 hour long line. I ordered online and did a "curbside" pickup option where I still had to go park and go pick up the food. Now let's talk about the food. I ordered pulled pork/ribs, potato salad and beans. Most everything else was already sold out online. The pulled pork was gross. It was dry and salty. Anybody can make food tasty by adding tons of salt. The trick is to make the bbq flavorful with adding spices and sauce and not so much salt. The ribs were dry..... Do these people not use sauce or sth? The potato salad was good but different. The beans was the worst part of the whole meal. It didn't even have BBQ sauce in it! I am sorry but it didn't even look appetiting! It looked gross. The only reason I am giving this place 2 stars review is because I didn't have to wait 3 hours. If I had waited for 3 hours and got this quality of food, I would have been so upset!!!! read more

We came here around 11:30am (30 minutes after opening time) and the line was already very long. It ended up being a 2 hour wait , so by the time we ordered and got our food, we demolished it. Very efficient system with the ordering. Staff was already in place to identify an open table and seat us. Now for the food review. Brisket and ribs were the winners. Tender and flavorful and it blends well with garlic rice. I wasn't too crazy about the sausage as it was really salty. The chicken was disappointing and very salty. Mac and cheese was good. Portion size of the garlic rice was insanely small for $6 (literally a tiny cup). Is it worth a 2 hour wait? Maybe if this is the only chance you can visit. Otherwise, try to get there super early before opening to have a better chance of a shorter wait time read more

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Everything was delicious, but the corn bread. The corn bread was slightly dry, but everything else was really good. I'm very picky when it comes to bbq because normally it's too salty, but this was perfect. One of the best mac and cheese I had as well, creamy had a depth of cheesiness, idk how to explain it haha There was a line but it went by quick. The worker's were also really kind. 10/10 would come back!! read more

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Drove all the way from Chula Vista and it was a nice first experience. I'll be back but next time I'll be ordering differently. Arrived at 10:15 am the day before 4th of July and didn't get to the front to order until about noon. Tip: Arrive about 1 hour before it opens. We arrived at that time and there was already a decent sized line that just got longer as the minutes passed. The spicy cucumbers and potato salad were good but nothing special. The corn was cold. The chili looked strange and had the consistency of wet dog food. It was not appetizing. I took it home only to give it away. The jalapeño cheese sausage was okay, it reminded me of chorizo. It tasted better at home in the air fryer though. The garlic rice wasn't garlic rice and was literally just white rice with garlic on top. The winners were the brisket taco, Mac & cheese, and char siu. The tri-tip nachos were good too and a big portion. The Mac had a great flavor and texture, and it didn't harden and congeal like other Macs. The char siu had an amazing flavor and melted in your mouth. There's a water refill station, an outdoor seating area, and a to-go station to grab bags and boxes to take your leftovers home. I can't wait to be back so I can order the foods I enjoyed as well as try other menu items. read more

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Perfect food for half day metrolink family ride on a weekend... (better to use the metro deal on weekend than drive and park. Adults $10, kids 17 n under free) Short walk off the train station. Went for briskets, charsiu pork belly, texas chili, sausage (jalapeno cheddar this day) Brisket was our favorite. No teeth needed. Excellent bbq sauce on table Charsiu pork belly they said only burnt ends were left for the day. No problem I like burnt ends. But this wasn't as good as I was expecting. Texture showed potential but most of the bites needed more teeth than tender. Unless the regular cuts are more tender, I would skip the pork belly and go all briskets. Texas chili was awesime. So much bold flavoring and packed with meaty bites. Jalapeno cheddar sausage was of course delicious, but too spicy for us. Unless you like spicy I would wait for a day when its not the jalapeno:) Drinks are available at the Separate bar. Great selection of beers on draft and was perfect with the bbq of course! read more

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I'll start by saying that getting in line early, and for a long time, and waiting for good @ss BBQ is all a part of the experience!! For the other poor reviews rating, based on the line/wait, "ya'll" don't get it & didn't get it. And here's a tip for you, save yourself the time if going to Texas for bbq ever crosses your mind. The lines are even longer and you'd wish for a 1.5 hr wait out there. And again, it's worth it for the bbq experience. Here's the thing, come prepared (we brought coffee & donuts) and get ready to get acquainted with your neighboring BBQ enthusiasts! It's a communal, fun time & well worth the wait. That being said, on a Saturday, I arrived at 9:45AM and it was good timing. The line got progressively bigger within the next 20 minutes. They shade the first 30 people with umbrellas, pop up tents, etc. Everyone else, unfortunately, sat in the sun. Bring a parasol. Again, preparation, be open & have a good time at this bbq experience. There is cold water available, the bar opens early, they make announcements every so often and they have two clean bathrooms. All that availability makes the waiting doable. They opened on time, but given they do fresh cuts per order, it takes time! It's also a part of the experience and if they did it any other way, just to save you time, it wouldn't be the same & a shame. Though they start on time, the line starts actually moving (slowly) at about 30 mins after opening. The menu slightly varies from time to time. Some standouts were the roasted corn (elote), potato salad (best I've ever had), and the pulled pork taco (where are they getting these amazing tortillas from?!). If you're lucky to get a beef rib - the best! The spare rib is also really good, followed by the jalapeño & cheddar kielbasa. The Cole slaw was great, as were the spicy cucumbers & you really need these types of dishes to cut the fat as you're making your way through the rich meats, even though they do serve all platters with pickled onions, jalapeños & pickles, you still need a side dish to help balance. The brisket burnt ends, brisket, pork belly & pollo a las brasas are also pretty good, as was the chili. I REALLY enjoyed my lavender seltzer as well! Not overly sweet by far, light, refreshing & just what I needed. Is Heritage BBQ "worth the wait"...yes, but be prepared for the long wait time & have fun in line, that's it. Also, try finding anything like this between here & Los Angeles. It's unique and we're lucky to have them. read more

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Got off the train hungry!! And you could smell this place immediately!! We decided to brave the line... ( well worth it!!) staff was super friendly, saw we had a larger group so pulled a few out of line to sit with the kids. We tried the brisket sandwich, the corn, and the tri tip and brisket nachos. Had to pay for both meats, but wanted Torrey them both.... Those nachos. soooo good!!! I might have to take the train back up just to get those Don't let the line scare you and give it a try!!! Also a local ipa on tap from San Juan was amazing also!! read more

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I wanted to try the ribs but came too late and they were out for the day. I tried the pull pork instead. The BBQ sauce is really good and is a star. Price per pound. Please come and create your own adventure. read more

Heritage Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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We really wanted to like Heritage.... We got in the line about 10 mins after they opened at 11am on Friday, June 19th (Juneteenth holiday). Figured we would get started early on Father's Day. The line was already pretty long, about 50 people ahead of us. The sun came out so it was starting to get warm. By the time we got to the head of the line to order, it was 1:34pm, so about 2.5 hours long. A nice guy in a cowboy hat came down the line with a megaphone to let people know how long the line is taking, etc. Let me preface by saying, my husband knows Texas style smoked barbecue. He started competing in bbq competitions for a couple of years in Arizona and was employee #1 at the best bbq restaurant in Phoenix. He also worked at the best bbq restaurant in San Francisco and smoked for Anthony Bourdain, so our standards are high. Overall the bbq was overcooked and dry. Not sure if it was because of the holiday weekend and they were having an off day or they smoked meat in advance, but the smokiness also didn't stand out as much as it should. Here's what we ordered: fatty brisket (2 lbs), pork ribs (1 lb), char siu pork belly (1/2 lb) and burnt ends (1/2 lb), 2 jalapeño cheddar sausage links, large potato salad, 2 cornbread muffins and 1 elote. The fatty brisket was the best in our opinion but it wasn't juicy like my husband's brisket. It was slightly overcooked and a tiny bit dry. No juice. (I almost want to upload of photos of my husband's bbq to see how juicy it is supposed to be) Pork ribs were the most disappointing...they were waaaay thinner than the pork ribs my husband smokes and it doesn't help at all when it's overcooked, leading it to be dry, almost like a jerky. (again, I almost want to post a photo of my husband's pork ribs as a comparison!) Burnt ends do tend to be overcooked anyway but these were pretty dry and stringy and just drenched in sauce, kinda like they were hoping the sauce would save it. The pork belly was not overcooked and tender but lacked flavor. I'm Taiwanese Chinese so I know char siu and I didn't taste any char siu flavor. The jalapeño cheddar sausage was also overcooked and dry and the cheese was solid, which is weird, when it should be melted. This doesn't indicate freshly smoked to me. The potato salad and corn muffins were my favorite! haha... The elote was also tasty with a nice char but I wanted more of the cream sauce all over the corn, not just a zigzag. I ended up cutting the corn off the cob and adding some mayo, elote seasoning and the mustard sauce and eating it out of a bowl. The regular bbq sauce was standard, a little sweet, but I really liked the brown/deli mustard bbq sauce! I dipped everything in that mustard sauce. The dining area was cool, with a mix of longer communal wood tables with benches and smaller metal 4 person tables. We ordered a bunch of food to take back to family so we asked to have everything packaged to-go but we wanted eat lunch there. They brought out some paper plates and utensils for us to sit down and eat a little first. The bar is also great and is where you get alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks such as lemonade, ice tea or Arnold palmer. Not sure how this spot got a Michelin Bib Gourmand, but the other bbq spot in LA is much better. We were super disappointed to wait 2.5 hrs for overcooked and dry smoked meats and our bill was $280 with tip. I would only come here again if there was no line and I would get a burger, salad and nachos instead. It almost tasted like they smoked the meat a day ahead of time and kept it for the holiday/Father's Day weekend. read more

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My wife brought me out to celebrate Father's Day I didn't know there was going to be a crazy A$$ wait!! We waited "3 LONG HOURS !!! Standing in the blistering hot sun felt like my face was melting off !! It was definitely by far the longest we ever had waited to eat in our entire LIFE !! So when we finally got to order I made sure to get a lot of food !!! I ordered brisket, spare ribs, pulled pork, tri tip and sausage links for protein. For the sides. I ordered spicy cucumbers, green salad. Charro beans, classic Mac and cheese and some dinner rolls they had ran out of jalapeño cornbread which I was hoping to try out. I also got a large order of their homemade banana pudding for dessert. Hands down my favorite was the brisket and the tri tip. And the banana pudding !! Would I ever come back and wait 3 hours again ? Hell no !! Definitely not !! But I won't hold it against them the food is definitely delicious from one smoker to another it's definitely worth trying out at least once in your lifetime for for sure !! So for anyone that has never been here I highly recommend 1) expect to wait a very long time in line ! 2) bring a umbrella there's no shade! 3) wear plenty of sunscreen you will need it ! 4) wear comfortable shoes, there's no where to sit down but one small bench half ways to getting to the restaurant. 5 ) if you get thirsty try to avoid alcoholic drinks, they do allow you to drink while being in line. 6) stay hydrated they have complementary water in front of the restaurant. That no one mentions till you get to the front of the line. read more

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Arrived to a very long line on Sunday. I think we waited almost 90 minutes. C'est la vie, but the food was awesome. There's plenty of water to grab if you're in the line and you can also have an adult beverage while you wait. Once you get your order in you are given seating so don't worry - you don't have to eat in your lap sitting on the curb! Food was delivered quickly. Great service all around. I'd come back just not on a weekend or at lunch time! Otherwise, excellent food and very grateful we had seating once we ordered! read more

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Heritage Barbecue is a Texas-style BBQ restaurant located in San Juan Capistrano. It's right across the street from Mission San Juan Capistrano. It was recognized by the Michelin Bib Gourmand which results in long lines even before open. We went an hour before open and there was already a line forming. As we stood in line we saw Daniel (the chef and owner) cooking chicken on the grills outside and the smell permeated all over. Once you order you get a number, grab a table, and they will bring your food to you. There's a separate area for drinks where they sell beer, wine, and seltzer. What I thought was really good were the char siu pork belly and mac and cheese. What I thought was good were the brisket, pork spare ribs, Texas chili, and potato salad. What I thought was okay were the brisket burnt ends, jalapeño cheddar sausage, and garlic rice. Note that you can get meats from as little as 1/4 pound if you want to try a variety. I was really hoping to try the beef rib but unfortunately they didn't have it. I want to come back to try it along with some of the other things I liked from here. The staff were friendly and the food was solid. I would come here early though to avoid the long lines. read more

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The elote was bomb. I love corn, but that elote was amazing. The potato salad was solid. That combined with the elote helped offset all the meat. The tri tip was surprisingly very good. Not too chewy and per my partner "probably the best one I've ever had." Just the right amount of pink. The brisket was a bit dry, so not my favorite. The fattier parts of the brisket were better but not the top grilled parts. Everything comes with pickled onions, pickles, and jalapeños. A great addition to the meat and adds to the flavor along with the bbq sauce. Service was good. Mostly self serve. They have a water station which was nice. It is popular and the line is long. We waited about an hr. They've now added umbrellas by the waiting line and the dining area. Thankfully so esp on the hot days. read more

Heritage Barbecue - From left to right: elote, tri tip, brisket, potato salad - Barbeque Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Good barbecue is hard to find but look no further than Heritage! This place exceeded my expectations, and they were high. We came on a Friday afternoon and there was a line but we got through within 20-30 minutes which was great. They're super quick with taking your order which helps the line move. They also had someone grabbing people from the parties in line and sat them. I was able to grab a seat and wait for my friend to order for us which was nice and alleviated us worrying about finding a spot. Now for the most important part... the food. We went big (go hard or go home, right?) Here's what we ordered: - Tri Tip: excellent flavor, nice and smokey flavor, tender and not too fatty like tri tip can be at times. Possibly my favorite meat we ordered. - Brisket: also bursting with flavor and paired really nicely with their BBQ sauce - Pulled pork: tender, flavorful, delicious -- enough said. - Jalapeño cheddar link: likely tied for first place since I love a good sausage. Great combination of spicy and cheesy and smokey. - Mac and cheese: absolutely incredible 10/10 you have to get this. The fresh scallions are a nice addition - Potato salad: honestly some of the best potato salad I've had out at a restaurant. It was fresh and they use homemade buttermilk ranch in it and it is to die for! - Banana pudding: I'm not a big banana pudding person but for this one... I am. The nilla wafers were a fantastic complement to the banana and it wasn't overpowering. All in all, if you're even thinking about coming here, I can guarantee you will not go wrong! read more

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TLDR: It's another shot at breaking the glass ceiling of Texas BBQ within California. Although the line may suggest that this place hits (or even cracks) the clear barrier, I feel that it fails to hit that mark. Brisket: Smokey, salty, meaty, and occasionally fatty. It's everything you want in a brisket. Is it the best? No. Is it the softest? No. Does it taste unique? No. It's another brisket in the mountain of restaurants that claim that they've successfully brought Texas BBQ to California. You get it because brisket has found itself as a pillar within the wave of artisan Texas BBQ, but I'd had at least 3 that are better. Tri-tip: Maybe we got an older batch, but it was on the dryer end. I had a hard time differentiating the taste of this, compared to the other meats that we got, something that I didn't have a problem with when ordering tri-tip elsewhere. Pork Ribs: I've been lucky to have never had a bad rib from establishments that give a damn and that streak continues here. The decision of making a spare rib that isn't fall off the bone is respected, as the meat is soft once you bite it off the bone. Pulled Pork Sando: Knee jerk reaction.... It tasted like Pork Adobo. Upon further mulling and consideration...... It's good Pork Adobo. Mac n' Cheese: It's the best Mac n' Cheese in a Texas BBQ spot that I've had. I love how the noodle, sauce, and panko breadcrumbs complemented each other. I thought the watery cheese sauce was gonna give me an ick, but the taste was good and shook off the negative thoughts. Ambiance: It's good outdoor dining. The area is a quiet and "posh" neighborhood, so you don't really get the drawbacks of eating outside. The non-city nature of the region also provides this sense of calmness within the location. Service: The line will be long, but the employees have a good process. Order taker rings you up, "pitmaster" (who really just cuts the meat for you) proves you got what you ordered, and you're seated after you pay. read more

Heritage Barbecue - Pulled Pork Sandwich, Mac n Cheese Pint, 1.5 pounds Brisket, 0.75 pounds Pork Ribs, 1 pound Tri tip - Barbeque Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

I first saw this place on my favorite YouTuber's channel, and after watching them try the barbecue, I knew I had to check it out for myself. After waiting about an hour and 45 minutes, I can honestly say--it was completely worth it. Yes, the line is long, but there's a reason for that. I tried a little bit of everything, and every single item was packed with flavor. The barbecue was outstanding--tender, juicy, and cooked perfectly. Don't let the wait scare you off. This spot absolutely lives up to the hype. If you're thinking about going, do it--you won't regret it. read more

Heritage Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

I have had Heritage BBQ at various events over the past few years but never dared to stand in the line and eat at their outdoor tables. But, as I was driving by around 1 PM, there was no line. Yes, I said no line. So I immediately found a parking spot and walked right over. I think I waited for less than two minutes, so don't hate me. It was just pure luck because by the time I was done eating, there was a giant line. When I ordered, they showed me the half a pound of tri-tip that they were going to serve and asked me if it looked OK. It looked delicious. I ended up ordering a half pound of tri-tip, one of their cheddar jalapeño sausages, side of mac & cheese, and a FKN cornbread biscuit. This was not cheap as it was over $50 for just these items, but that did include tip. I also went to the bar and ordered a beer. They had a nice selection on tap, and I ordered one of the local Mexican lagers to go along with the meal. The tri-tip was tender and delicious (5/5). On the table came their barbecue sauce, which I used liberally, and it elevated the flavor up even more. The sausage was OK (3/5). It was a little tough, and I didn't think the mustard paired particularly well with it. The mac & cheese was creamy and so good (6/5). The FKN cornbread biscuit was soft and tasty (5/5). The beer paired perfectly with the meal. It also came with a side of pickles, onions, and jalapeños, which were a nice pairing with the meats. Overall, terrific experience. Will definitely come back, but will probably never have such a short wait again. read more

Heritage Barbecue - Half pound of tri-tip, cheddar, jalapeño sausage, side of mac & cheese, FKN cornbread biscuit - Barbeque Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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Food- brisket was decent, not great because it is a restaurant. The flat was a bit dried, but had that great beefy flavor that I look forward to. It was not overly smokey. The garlic rice was perfectly cooked with a hint of gain? Cleanliness- well kept and organized. Bathroom - didnt use. Ambiance- rustic and welcoming Price - south county prices. I may stop by if im driving through the area, but wouldn't go out of my way for it. Service - attentive and super friendly. Parking - street only. Not easy to find unless you walk a bit. read more

Heritage Barbecue - Brisket and garlic rice - Barbeque Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

I've been going to the San Juan Capistrano mission for years and I've never paid attention to this place. Wife and I saw a documentary on this place and decided to try it out on a Thursday. We got in line with our special needs daughter in her wheelchair. The owner (we recognized from the documentary) came over to get us out of line and had us straight to the ordering booth. I was touched and grateful for that. Even though we're a special needs family, we don't demand special treatment unless it's offered to us. Only then that we gratefully accept it. We had a plate with pulled pork, briskets, taco, Mac and cheese. My favorite were the briskets. everything else were good. . We would gladly come back again next time we're in the area. Just a fair warning, there will be a line. Yes, they're that good. read more

heritage barbecue has been on my list for FOREVER!! finally made it out on a saturday morning we made it to the end of the line around 1130am , which prolly had maybe 50 ppl in front of us we waited in line for about 2 hrs . i was there for the sides lol i wanted to try the chicken, but it was sold out literally when it was our turn to order. thanks person in front of me.. the potato salad, spicy cucumbers and classic mac were my favorite. the chili was okay, could have passed on it the food comes out quickly and seating is plentiful and outdoors i believe they are expanding, which is great, bc they need it. service was cool and organized once you ordered parking: street parking (5hrs) and parking lots , i believe its $2/hr read more

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I was searching for Michelin rated restaurants in San Juan Capistrano, this bbq place showed up as Michelin recommended. We tried the ribs, the brisket and pulled pork. For the sides, we got the potato salad and grilled corn. Everything is delicious. The potato salad is not chunky, more creamy. We got there around 2 pm to avoid the lunch crowd, but the downside is one of their famous potato dishes was already sold out. The meat is sold by weight. There are also other entries. There is a bar you can order drinks after ordering food. Seatings are outdoor. They are not open on Mondays and Tuesdays, and only from 11 am to 6 pm on the days they are open. read more

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Best BBQ around. Service is quick and easy. Love te outdoor seating they have. Definitely coming back for more bbq! read more

Be sure to get here early! The lineup is long. We came at 4pm and still ended up waiting 30mins. The BBQ is good. This tastes just like the kind you'd find in Austin, Texas. We decided to go all out, since we were here with family and tried everything. The tri-tip, was juicy, the brisket was flavorful (albeit a little drier than what I personally like), and the ribs were by far my favorite. The sausage was also good, but was clearly everyone's last choice. The Mac n Cheese was a big hit, but I loved the mashed potatoes. They also have spicy cucumbers (this must be the Asian/Mexican California influence, because this ain't an Austin thing!), and the taste was not quite what I expected but I'd recommend you give it a try. The house salad is exactly that. No surprises there. I like that everything is à la carte, bc you can mix and match to your heart's desire. There is also a bar on the side that serves a variety of beers, as well as limeade and iced tea. Note: this place will easily run you $50 per person with taxes and a drink. read more

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This place is falling off a cliff, maybe slowly. Visited this place for the third time this summer, have gone every summer three years in a row. What may have gone up is the price. The quality is going down. Ordered tri tip, ribs and brisket. The Tri tip and ribs were dry and tough, lacking flavor. The cheese on the Mac was so runny that it stuck to the container instead of the pasta. The brisket was good, so were the bread rolls, so was the mustard sauce. Spent around $160, not including drinks to feed 4 people. They can be Michelin rated all they want, (which the owner was boasting about) but for that price every item on their limited menu should be outstanding. Also, if you go on the weekend prepare to wait in line. From the time they opened, we waited over 1 hour to be able to order and be seated. Then waited even more to get the food. read more

I'll start off by saying that this is probably one of the best BBQ spots you can find in SoCal! The meats here are amazing, especially the brisket and char siu. All of the meats here are really high quality and those two in particular had amazing flavor and texture. I also got the tri tip and brisket burnt ends which were good but not as spectacular. They had some Irish sausage on the day that I went, which was okay but I think I prefer a traditional American/Italian sausage. The line though...is a bit brutal. We got here about 40 minutes before opening and still ended up being seated around 30 minutes after they started taking orders. The line wasn't that long either, maybe about 15 people yet it moved pretty slowly. Just a heads up, but props to the staff which were really nice and tried their best to accommodate everyone. There's a good amount of seating in their patio and it looks like they are expanding their space as well. Hopefully as they continue to grow the lines won't be as much of an issue. read more

Heritage Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

I think the daily hours haven't been updated on their website, so be sure to check Instagram, Yelp, or Google for that info. We thought they closed at 8pm this day, so that's why we came a little later. They only had brisket and a sausage left so that's what we tried with the sides. They were both really good and I'm impressed with their BBQ sauce. My favorite side was the Potato Salad, it was creamy and not overpowered by the mayo. Next time, I want to come back for lunch when they have more items available. They have outdoor seating and good space to hang out with friends/family. There's free street parking, wasn't too difficult to find. ig: @cravingswithcat read more

Heritage Barbecue - Menu 5/30/26 at 6:23pm (ig: @cravingswithcat) - Barbeque Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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The food is so good. Service is walk up n order food. Then go to the next counter and order your drink. They have beer, wine, and Coca-Cola. Then you take your number to your bench outside of choice. They have some drinking water in a white yeti if you want It's definite picnic style fun read more

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Every BBQ fanatic has either heard of Heritage, been to Heritage, or are actively planning their trip to Heritage. My brother is completely obsessed with searching for quality BBQ in the SoCal area and has been talking about Heritage for what feels like forever! We finally made our way to SJC just to try it and got an assortment of brisket, tri trip, sausage, and burnt ends. For sides, we got baked beans, cornbread, and Korean cucumbers (was super surprised to see this on the menu!). Overall, everything was pretty good! I will say things erred on the saltier or drier side, but, nonetheless, it was pretty dang good. They nailed the flavors and the cuts of meat were super generous! read more

Heritage Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

We took a day trip to SJC via Metrolink, and my husband made sure we tried this highly revered Texas-inspired bbq place. I was super excited because everyone in line kept hyping it up! We got in line roughly 20 minutes before opening and received our food after about an hour wait. The line kept growing, so come early if you do not want to wait too long. They did not have beef ribs when we went, so we ordered the brisket, brisket burnt ends, pork spare ribs, and char-sui pork belly. For sides, we got the Mac & cheese, potato salad, jalapeno cheddar corn bread muffin, and banana pudding. The brisket and burnt ends were DRY. Burnt ends are supposed to melt in your mouth like candy, but the ones here were fibrous and tough. The pork, however, was fantastic. Pork ribs were tender and flavorful, and the pork belly was rich and fatty. The sides, except for the dry corn bread, were also delicious (potato salad was easily my favorite). We also got the smoke sage and sunsets and limeade. The cocktail had a pretty presentation and was quite strong. Limeade was delightfully refreshing and tart. I appreciate that they offer free refills on the limeade, but the line for the drink station is almost always so long that it is hardly worth waiting in it for a refill. Honestly, as someone who has tried bbq in Texas, this place does not hold a candle to any bbq restaurant there. Even Buc-ees (the gas station), has better brisket than this place. I really wanted to love this place because Jose, one of the workers, was so personable. Outside of him, service feels disingenuous as workers only engage with you to clear your dishes and get you out of there so that they can seat another party. This lackluster dining experience, combined with the high cost of the meal (came out to roughly $200 before tip for 4 adults), left me feeling disappointed with little interest in ever returning or recommending this place. read more

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As great as always. Guy who brought us our food was legit hyped that my friend was here for the first time. - Brisket is incredibly tender and not fatty - great cut - Tri tip - again, fantastic - pulled pork - strong, but pales to the brisket and tri tip - birria taco - another great addition My recommendation - get a few meats and share, have the meat equal 1/2 lb per person. We did 1/4 lb of each meat and the taco. My friend is already waiting our next visit. Don't forget to try their house BBQ at the tables. Here at lunch on a weekday and the line moved quick. read more

Heritage Barbecue - Brisket, tri-tip, pulled pork, birria taco, mac and cheese. - Barbeque Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

À la carte Bib Gourmand BBQ spot across from the mission. Meats are weighed and sliced to order. Recommended portion size is half a pound per person. For lunch I had - Brisket: Juicy with the right amount of fat, tenderness, and smokiness! Tri-Tip: Chewy, moist, and flavorful! Classic Mac: cheesy Cavatappi topped with some parsley and breadcrumbs. The perfect accompaniment. Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread: Had a good kick to it, wished it was sweeter to balance out the tanginess. Sourced from a local bakery down the street called FKN Bread ("eff kay enn"). Expect a long wait if you stop by on a weekend. Beverages can be bought at the Capistrano Brewery bar on-site. Outdoor seating only, most tables were in the shade. Don't visit too late because they can sell out! read more

Heritage Barbecue - Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread, 1/2 LB Brisket, Tri-Tip, Classic Mac - San Juan Capistrano, California - Barbeque Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Not sure if I'm to blame for wanting to come here on Memorial Day Sunday but here we are. We came around 12:15 and stood in line for 3 hours. By the time it got to us, several things have already sold out such as the char siu pork belly, pork ribs, burnt ends, and cornbread. Honestly I was super disappointed because I thought they'd anticipate the holiday rush and maybe prepare more meats. Anyway, we did end up with something but honestly not sure if we waited too long by the time we got our food but it tasted quite mediocre to me. My personal favorite from my plate was the pulled pork which was the most tender of the meats. The sausage was dry and the cheese filling was hard. O read more

Heritage Barbecue - Sausage, brisket, pulled pork, tritip, cucumber salad, mashed - Barbeque Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

The smell of amazing bbq filled the air as we visited the SJC mission. Checked a couple other places but braved the line. We bought a tri tip sandwich, sausage sandwich, 1/2 pound of ribs, and 8 ounce cups of Mac and cheese and the beans with burnt ends. Let's do this. Our order taker was very calm and professional. He explained everything. Our hostess sat us immediately as we waited for our food. The vibe is family/ backyard. The outdoor seating of benches under umbrellas was relaxing. Them Then the food showed up. Ribs: amazing. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. The sauce was light and sweet. The tri tip was cut thick and seasoned well. I'm from the Central Valley and this meat was a close second, but was DAMN good. The sausage sandwich was paired with a good red vinegar pickle slaw and BUMPED. The beans had huge chunks of burnt ends and had a non-traditional flavor that was smooth and not overpowering. The Mac and cheese was firm, saucy, and had bread crumbs over the top. If I ever come back to San Juan Capistrano I will come back here again and again. read more

Heritage Barbecue - Tri tip sandwich and a rib - Barbeque Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

This place always has a ridiculous line and I've been wondering what the value was if I were to wait for a long time... today was the day for a visit, a Wednesday at 11:30, still busy but not uncomfortably so. We opted for pork ribs, garlic rice, and a smash burger (no bun). They give you a number then they'll go find you. Mustard and bbq sauces and tons of heavy duty napkins on the benches/tables. Food doesn't take long to arrive. The pork ribs are very tender, fall off the bone, comes with pickled veggies (technically fruit)... I really enjoyed the garlic rice, cooked well and a nice hint of garlic went really well with the meat. It's a busy place and definitely only gets busier, as I've seen so my suggestion is a weekday earlier in the day when the meat is fresh and less people are on their lunch break. Cute atmosphere, rustic and bbq style restaurant! read more

Heritage Barbecue - Smash burger no bun, pork ribs and garlic rice. $65 (with tip) - Barbeque Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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Just your usual Michelin-rated BBQ spot. I've passed by here a few times and finally decided to stand in line and check it out. AMBIANCE Parking: Parking can be a bit tough. There's a paid lot and street parking, but it fills up quickly in the small-town area of San Juan Capistrano. Seating: Outdoor patio seating with room for around 50 people. Vibes: Hello, San Juan Capistrano! The area has a lot of charm and does a nice job preserving its history. The restaurant sits in an Old Town setting surrounded by small local businesses. Country music playing in the background mixed with the smell of barbecue smoke in the air makes the experience feel pretty authentic. FOOD / DRINKS Prime Brisket (Recommend) Flavorful, savory, and tender with a good smoky profile. Simple and satisfying -- exactly what you want from a well-done brisket. Brisket Chili (Recommend) Warm, hearty, and filling. The brisket and pork rib tips add a nice depth of flavor, while the cheddar and scallions bring everything together. Potato Salad (Recommend) Refreshing side with a creamy texture and a subtle kick. The mustard and buttermilk dressing adds a nice tang that balances the richness of the barbecue. SERVICE Awesome. Props to the staff who manage the chaos that comes with long lines -- they kept things moving and stayed friendly throughout. TL;DR OVERALL 4 Stars. Solid BBQ experience buuuuut It feels like an incomplete visit though -- many of their specials had already sold out, so I'll need to come back to get the full experience. I wouldn't necessarily go far out of my way just for this, but if you're already in the San Juan Capistrano area enjoying the beach or exploring Old Town, it makes for a great food stop. TIPS: * Come early for lunch -- popular items sell out quickly. read more

Heritage Barbecue - Woooo! - Barbeque Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Heritage Barbecue is located on the corner of Old Mission Road and Camino Capistrano across the street from Mission San Juan Capistrano with paid public parking below/behind around The Station restaurant. I first came across this place while scrolling through YouTube. Saw it on "48 Hours at Michelin's #1 BBQ in California" video and had it flagged to stop in for a while. Well, I finally did and I wasn't dissapointed!! Stopped in on a semi-rainy and overcast day, which meant there was no line, good for me. Everything's ala-cart on the menu, and with their decent options, it took me a bit to narrow down what I wanted. Also, everything's priced by the 1/2 pound. After ordering food and paying, there's a separate drink area with bottled/can sodas as well as draft and canned beer. They have a solid selection of local beers. Food came out quick on my visit and everything was nice and hot, and full of flavor! There's no inside area to eat, a few bar stools overlooking the sidewalk under a cover, then a few family/group picnic tables with a couple square 4-seater tables. The food was excellent and the staff was friendly, so I obviously had to get some merch!! Hat and shirt to-go read more

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They under calculated demand for Beef Ribs, sold out less than an hour after opening, they know they only serve this on weekends and why people come to try it. Not cool. As we waited 3.5+ hours in line to only be told "So Sowwy we out of Beef Ribs" Food was all Cold and Dry Taste was just okay Service was just okay, they seemed irritated we did not know their system, crew was neutral but their system of service is a bit off I really wanted to like it here but their system or lack there of organization, really needs help Price is what I expected but their system was horrible experience read more

Heritage Barbecue - Weekend Beef Ribs (rubbed out at the bottom) sold out by 12:00 noon - Barbeque Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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We arrived at 3:30 on a Saturday and the line was down the street. We waited over an hour to order. After ordering at the window, the food came out within 10 minutes. We ordered: beet salad-10/10 1/2 pound of brisket-10/10 1/2 tri tip-7.5/10 a sausage link-8/10 It was more than enough for the 2 of us and we had some leftovers. We paid $78 and overall, it was delicious and I would come again. My husband and I had a leisurely day, so the wait didn't bother us. The beet salad is a standout and really met the need to offset the heaviness of the meat. It was a bright salad which was tasty with oranges and a creamy dressing. The brisket was juicy and tender- I could eat on its own. One thing to note is that the meat cools down very quickly and becomes a tad dry. This was the case with the tri tip. Thankfully, there is BBQ sauce and Dijon mustard to season. Glad we came. Service was good. Outdoor seating only. 2 unisex restrooms, which were clean when I used it. read more

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