When should I go back. Ever just have a craving and a place actually meets your craving expectations??? Well. Hole smokes - you did it! That's a hard feat for me and my other half bc we are picky! But this was great, and we tried a bunch of stuff. So, the man- well he was thoroughly satisfied with his full on bbq platter of brisket and meat and the carne asada tacos the next day. lol. I tried a bite and the meat was so juicy and tender - extremely well cooked and seasoned and just Melt in your mouth - LIKE BUTTER!!! I, on the other hand, have been craving shrimp, don't know why, but they had it on the menu, so figured I'd try - and the smoked shrimp tacos- man OH man - so delishious! Yup! I spelled it wrong on purpose - de-lish. The fried shrimp tacos too and my other craving- Cole slaw. Yummie - I should have ordered more than I did because it was so refreshing and crisp and sweet and just perfect. Mac and cheese creaminess was adored by both of us, wanting more of that too! The only thing I didn't care for, which was slightly disappointing, was the cornbread. Quite dense for me. I couldn't enjoy it. So kind of a shame. And I got a Shirley temple to boot while we waited! Who doesn't love an old fashioned Shirley temple! We had decided to go in person to place our order bc we felt like it needed the 'in person attention', which was good bc the bartender takes the orders and there seems to be ' regulars' at the bar and the attention definitely goes more towards the bar then the phone- so I'm very glad we ordered in person or else it might have been messed up. Just being honest. Even were interrupted mid order by another 'patron' to the staff about plans or something. So that was kind of annoying as we had to repeat that item 3 times to get it correctly ordered. But overall. We will definitely go back, try other menu items and have definitely recommended already. Happy to have found a good bbq spot semi-near where we currently live. read more

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Not really a big fan of it but I was craving BBQ and stumbled upon this one. Food came out pretty quick which I suspect they only reheat them or something, the meat was super dry and hard to chew for some reason. I understand that I came after regular lunch hours, probably 2-3, but I was hoping they maintain their quality. The decoration is nice and there was not plenty of people dining when I came. read more

Fantastic for breakfast or lunch. The veggie burrito with spinach, mushroom, avocado, onion and eggs - super delicious. Our server was Bella and she was AMAZING! There is a bar, good for happy hour and game watching as well as restaurant seating area, inside and outside good for groups and families to sit and enjoy the food and beverages. Burnt Ends are a great appetizer, the tacos of all kinds but especially enjoy the brisket. All the smoked meat is good brisket, tri-tip, pulled pork and sausages, choose your sides French Fries, Baked Potato, salads, Mac and cheese, etc. there are plenty of great options. read more

Holé Smokes - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Amazing service and food. Our waitress was so friendly and nice. She explained the menu well and gave a lot of suggestions! You can tell that she loves her job and the food. My husband and I ordered: 3 meat platter (brisket, ribs, and link) with baked potato and Mac & cheese, honey glazed burnt ends, and a side order of corn bread. Everything was so good! The golden sauce is so good! I love the pickled onions with the meats. We will be coming back! read more

Holé Smokes - 3 Meats & 2 Sides Brisket Hot Link Pork Ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Phenomenal!!! Listen I'm not a huge BBQ person but when I crave it I want the best. So let's get into it, I got the 3 meat combo. Ribs, brisket and tri tip. I appreciated my waitress asking if I preferred fatty or lean. I got the baked beans, elite corn (YUM) and I dove into some honey glazed burnt ends. Baby when I tell you all this meat is tender, seasoned to perfection and juice ooozing out believe. I loved the food so I ordered a tray to take home to my family. Crazy part is I've been looking at this place for months. Im so happy the smoking king disappointed me otherwise I would have never found this gem. Now to make it even better my waitress Fatima was super sweet, super informative and very knowledgeable about their menu. She made the experience even better becuz when I walked in I was hangry and frustrated. Within 10mins my whole mood changed. Thank you Fatima. Place is good for goods or fly solo like me. Either way you wont be disappointed. read more

Holé Smokes - 3 meat combo - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Wish I could give this place 6 stars! The gentleman sat us down an explained the menu and very attentive to us while dining, very unexpected from a restaurant in a strip mall but very much appreciated. The food was awsome, from the fried pickles to the brisket. Very satisfying, two meat combo was plenty of food. Texas Chili, cornbread, hot links, brisket, ladies had the brisket sandwiches, 6 people ate for $160. Winner, winner in my book, highly recommend! read more

Everyone absolutely loved the BBQ! We all agreed that the seasoning was perfectly balanced. Not overly salty or sweet, which made it even more enjoyable. The chicken was incredibly moist (I actually thought Gee's BBQ chicken was a bit too dry). The fatty brisket was juicy and flavorful, and the hot links had the perfect kick, just the way I like them! We also ordered the mac & cheese, creamed corn elote, Brussels sprouts, and cornbread. Every single side was delicious, and honestly, everything we tried was amazing. We'll definitely be coming back! read more

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Came here to satisfy BBQ cravings and ordered the meal for two, which came with three meats and two sides. For meats, we went with brisket (moist part), ribs, and shrimp. The brisket was the clear standout. It was perfectly tender, melt-in-your-mouth, and smoked with pecan wood so the smoke flavor was there but subtle and not overpowering. The ribs were flavorful and had a good bite, though a few sections were a bit tougher than others. The shrimp was also well-smoked, which isn't always easy to pull off without drying it out. We also had an order of tri-tip and it tasted like a good smoked steak but not as flavorful and tender as the brisket. Sides were solid and a little more interesting than your standard BBQ lineup. The honey-glazed brussel sprouts were unique and surprisingly good, and the loaded baked potato with brisket was massive and filling, with generous brisket pieces mixed in. Ambiance is very much BBQ sports bar vibes, and it's cool that they have the smoker indoors in the kitchen. Everyone was friendly and attentive, water glasses were constantly refilled without us having to ask, and our server patiently answered all of our questions. Overall, a great spot for quality smoked meats with good service and a relaxed atmosphere. Would definitely come back for the brisket! read more

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Been trying to find a replacement for my previous love of Hambones that closed in Huntington Beach, and unfortunately this place wasn't it Got a two meat plate with links, ribs, mac and beans. On this place, ribs were better than the links (which weren't hot at all) and beans were way better than the mac. Both meats weren't anything to write about, mac was very much so "white people mac" with no flavor and unnecessary bread crumbs. Best were the beans. DoorDashed so can't speak to service or ambiance, but won't be back. read more

Holé Smokes - Two Meats & 2 Sides - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Taco Tuesday happy hour We stopped by for their Taco Tuesday. Before 6 PM, you can sit anywhere, but if you plan to stay later, you'll need to be seated in the bar area. When we arrived, the bar was already full, so we sat at one of the small tables nearby. There was a bit of a wait to order. We tried the shrimp, fish, asada, and carnitas tacos, along with the yellow chile, HH Smash Burger, and a Shiner Bock. Out of all the tacos, the shrimp taco was the best. The others were just okay. The BBQ flavors didn't really come through, the meat wasn't very smoky and lacked flavor, so I wouldn't recommend those. The staff was friendly, but the bar area gets busy, so there can be a wait to place an order. The happy hour menu is pretty limited overall. I'd mainly recommend the shrimp taco and the yellow chile. Holé Smokes 1500 Adams Ave #100B, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 read more

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AMAZING food & service! Decided to marry my now husband at the OC courthouse and came here afterwards with our small big wedding party. The ladies working this shift were chiefs kiss (08/08/26) Accommodated everyone's seating, food and bill. No eye roll or 'tude in sight. Now the food, omg. The meat was falling off the bone, in the best way it can. The corn they serve was DELICIOUS, coming from a not so big corn gal. 10/10/10 all across. read more

Yelp steered me in the wrong direction. The server claimed they were known for the brisket so we ordered a few lbs. The food came out fast, a few minutes after we ordered and some were cut thinly and some were thick and ALL were reheated and DRY. The tri tip was ok. And the sides were also ok. Pricey. But if we have to douse our food in bbq sauce, it's not really good BBQ. No wonder it wasn't busy on labor day weekend. And no one came to check on us until we asked for the check. Pass. read more

The BBQ here is great. I had the pulled pork, brisket and the burnt end tacos. Everything was great and the staff was very friendly

This is a great casual BBQ place. My husband and I got a meat please for 2 to share. You pick three meats - and two sides. Meats are well-prepared and smokey. Food is plentiful and we had left-overs. We both got Texas chili as a side - and it was delicious. It turned out they had non-alcoholic beer and we both enjoyed Heineken zero. There seemed to be only one waiter and it was a little hard to get his attention. But - eh - it's casual and has a great vibe so 5 stars it is. Definitely a do-again. read more

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my dad and grandad loved it! food was great and so was the service! Brussels Sprouts were a highlight! Portions were big. read more

Holé Smokes - Cornbread, Brussels Sprouts, Tri-tip, Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Ok barbeque place but my meal was not special and left an aftertaste that bothered me. It might have been from the spicier BBQ sauce. The server was pleasant and helpful. The prmary problem was just that ithe meal did not stand out in any way. Worth a visit buy not a long drive. read more

Hole Smokes is located in Costa Mesa and specializes in BBQ meats. Brisket is their most popular meat but they have several other options as well. I opted for the 3 meat platter. (3 meat platter - $21 + $3 upcharge for brisket) - For my meats I went with brisket, shrimp, and chicken. A side was included so I went with the cole slaw. The shrimp was a little disappointing it didn't have much flavor. The chicken did have a bit of smokiness and wasn't bad taste wise. However, I was impressed with the brisket, it was juicy and flavorful. They had 3 BBQ sauces - regular, spicy, and a mustard based one that I really enjoyed. Overall, I did enjoy the brisket but wasn't too impressed with the other meat options. Service was friendly and it's good size restaurant with inside as well as patio seating. read more

Holé Smokes - 3 meat platter - $24 - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I ordered the Smash Burger, Mac n cheese and French fries. The Mac n cheese was pretty good with bread crumbs on top and the French fries were nicely fried and crispy but the burger was kind of bland. It was $13.25 which is expensive for what it is. Definitely better off with burgers at In N Out and save some money. The parking lot is shared with several other businesses like The Habit and Hole Mole and it can get pretty crowded. read more

Holé Smokes - French fries - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Wife got a FEAST! She ordered the Brisket, Ribs & Sausage with coleslaw. Her eyes lit up on first bite, she exclaimed it was the best most tender brisket she's ever had. "Best meal all year." Currently they serve a couple items all day every day like pulled pork sandwich & brisket sandwich. Until the BBQ ramps up a bit more it's limited until it runs out daily so get it while you can OR goto their Costa Mesa location. They also offer catering it's on their website. read more

Holé Smokes - Outside - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Delicious!! Hidden bbq spot bc they are part of hole mole brand but that place is gone. Food was good, corn bread could have been better. Great beer options and I can't wait to get to football. read more

My wife and I tried Holé Smokes for the first time yesterday. We did not know it is part of the Holé Mole Mexican food brand. We were very pleased with our meal. We ordered the trio appetizer for starters and both got Modela Negra beers since it was happy hour. The appetizer was fantastic. Loved the deep fried pickles and the burnt ends. The guacamole for the chips was great. This is a large appetizer so plan accordingly. For our main course my wife ordered the pulled pork sandwich with a side of bacon Brussel sprouts. She really enjoyed this. I ordered the 3 meat combo with pulled pork, ribs and brisket with two sides. Mac & cheese and bacon Brussel sprouts. It was delicious. I couldn't finish my meal because of the large appetizer we got. The service was quick and friendly and the restaurant was very clean. I would recommend this for anyone looking for good BBQ and beer. read more

Came in here randomly a few months ago and was pleasantly surprised by the happy hour and smell of smoke. I had a really good wedge salad and a burger. Beers were nice and cold, clean tasting, and the service was great. Very friendly, left satisfied read more

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What can i say about Hole Smokes...ummm one thing I can say is that it is very delicious! I didn't visit the establishment personally i used a delivery app to order two brisket sandwiches, so I can not speak on there on personnel or the physical place only on the food. First, I will like to just mention the quality of food here is two times better than its sister Restaurant (Hole Mole) which if you didn't know is a fast food Mexican restaurant. I was very apprehensive at first to try their new BBQ establishment because of the not-so good quality of their sister restaurant (Hole Mole). But, I was feeling a little adventurous and plus they had a good deal that was going on, so not too much was at stake here. The Brioche Bun is nice and soft which absorbed the brisket juices perfectly, but did not fall apart at all, mostly because they put the BBQ sauce on the side. The meat is chopped up in fine pieces and is very tender with just the right amount of smoke flavor. They provided two different BBQ sauces (They didn't provide a name) which I dipped my sandwich in, they were very well balanced, not too sweet, not too spicy and not too much acid as well. Everything just fit together in a very cohesive manner. I must say i was highly satisfied and also extremely surprised by the quality and flavor. I have to say they are beating some major BBQ places out here in Orange County. I just hope the rest of the items are just as good and they don't start cutting corners like so many good BBQ places end up doing eventually down the road. read more

My golf crew and I decided to drop by nearby Holé Smokes, and we were glad we did. Its located on Harbor & Adams in CM. One of my buddies and I shared a 3 meat, 2 side platter. First of all, the brisket was a little lean for our palates. As a result, it was a tad dry. On the other hand, the link and pork ribs were moist and nicely seasoned. We were offered three sauces: Regular, honey mustard and spicy. I tried the regular and spicy, and found that both accented the meat well. Likewise, the sides were very good. The beans were cooked for a long time and were nice and soft. There was the right amount of dressing for the slaw. It was not too much, which tends to make the cabbage soggy: Lastly, I had a bite of my other friend's brussell sprouts, and they were seasoned well & crispy. Regarding the ambiance, there is a bar as you walk in. They serve beer, margaritas, micheladas and wine. You can smell the pecan & oak wood when you walk in. There is indoor & outdoor seating. Our waiter was really nice and efficient. He explained the menu to us, and our food came out quickly. Our iced teas snd diet coke were refilled in a timely manner. HS is on our rotation for after round lunch. They offer hearty food, at a reasonable price, all in a casual setting. The foregoing is perfect for us after we finish golf. read more

Holé Smokes - 3 meat and 2 side plate for two ($40) Brisket, link and pork ribs w/ slaw & beans - Very good - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

3rd time eating Hole Smokes and it's solid bbq. And incredibly underrated. Ordered the "try it all" platter that came with: -1/2 brisket -1/2 pork ribs -1/3 pulled pork -1/4 tri tip -2 chicken 1/4 shrimp 3 16oz sides Brisket; the thickest cuts. Lots of restaurants give thin ones, even broken ones but not Hole Smokes. This is the brisket model I've been trying to smoke towards. Amazing. Pork ribs: decent. Not as juicy but still tasty Pulled pork: the only restaurant so far with juicy/tender pulled pork Tri tip: got the end bits, dry and mostly inedible. This was already overcooked and reheated too much. The only disappointing item of the platter Links: good kick but also seemed reheated, dry. Shrimp; tasty Brussels sprouts, mac and cheese and elote (must get) were solid. Definitely a top bbq location for me. Overall, quality smokes with great flavors. read more

My boyfriend and I wanted to try a new spot and we were extremely disappointed. Service was great and we were seated right away, but the food was not very appetizing. Food and drink review: Sangria: (3/5) It was OK. Nothing special. Horchata spiked: (4/5) It was tasty, but didn't taste like any alcohol inside. Trip sampler: (3.5/5) This came with burnt ends, chips and guac, and fried pickles. The pickles weren't the best. The burnt ends were too burnt and crisp. Wouldn't order again. Brisket and link sandwich: (4/5) The link was delicious! The brisket was just OK, but wasn't too bad after I added the BBQ sauce. Mac & Cheese: (2/5) This was horrible. There was absolutely no flavor to this dish. The added breadcrumbs on top did not help it. read more

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Amazing happy hour deals and great food! My favorites are the burnt ends, brisket, hot link, and elote style corn! But honestly you can't go wrong with anything. The pulled pork taquitos are great! I love the Mac and cheese! And the cornbread is so buttery! Definitely going to make this a regular spot! read more

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Had a party of 8 and everyone absolutely loved the food. Server did an awesome job. Prices were quite high. I would knock them down a star for that. But them ribs and wings were a 10! Bad to the Bone in San Juan Cap used to be my fav' bbq joint in OC. But now they've got company! Definitely recommend and I'll definitely be back again some day . Get one of the platters for large groups. read more

Holé Smokes - This was an absolute 10! Everything was awesome!!! - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Stopped on a random late afternoon to watch the NBA playoffs. Good for a solo dolo sitting. Service was great at bar. She helped me decide on the top choices. Fried pickles are your typical bar food option with extra batter. The meat however was mid and came out slightly warm. Was expecting it to be hot. Needless to say, I won't be coming back. read more

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kept seeing this place on tiktok so i decided to give it a try! i got the 3 meats and 2 sides combo which included the brisket, pork ribs, and pulled pork with a side of mac n cheese and brussel sprouts! i also got an extra side of coleslaw the meats were all really flavorful and moist! my favorite meats were definitely the pork ribs and brisket! but honestly the brussel sprouts were the star of this meal! they were so flavorful and crispy! its a must get side if you like brussel sprouts! read more

Holé Smokes - 3 Meats & 2 Sides - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great location. Great service. Amazing food. Run do not walk to get to Holy Smokes. For reference this is part of the Holé Molé family. This is a combined taco and barbecue restaurant. Amazing taco Tuesday deals. Fusion new items. Cool restaurant with TDs and a nice bar. Very clean and ready for a large party. read more

Holé Smokes - Delicious food and great environment. - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I've been coming to Hole Spokes since 2023, and it's honestly been one of the better spots I've found for pulled pork around Costa Mesa and Orange County. The pulled pork sandwich on the brioche bun with the slaw is super good, and I really appreciate that they don't drench the meat in sauce beforehand. They let you choose your own sauces at the table, and all of them are really tasty. The fries are great, the beans are good, and the sides overall are solid. The restaurant itself is also really nice with plenty of parking, family friendly, huge indoor seating area with heating, patio seating, and even a little bar area. The only reason it's not a full 5 stars for me is because I've been here probably 6 or 7 times now, and the pulled pork consistently has a little too much fat/gristle mixed in. Sometimes you'll get a bite that's mostly squishy fat, and occasionally the smoke flavor can taste a little overpowering, almost like extra smoke flavoring was added. It's not a deal breaker at all because the food is still really good, but if they trimmed the pork a bit more and toned down the smoke flavor slightly, this would easily be a 5-star spot for me. read more

I usually go to Hole Mole in Tustin but decided to come to this location after trying the brisket bowl at the Tustin location, which was super good! We happened to come for happy hour and tried a few things. Tried the wedge salad, which was tasty and fresh. Fried pickles and guacamole with chips, pickles tasted good and not too much coating on them; guacamole tasted freshly made without any fillers. Burger had a smoky flavor and good balance of flavors. Pulled pork taquitos were a surprisingly good fusion of bbq and Mexican flavors. The ensenada shrimp taco was full of shrimp and fresh flavors. Our server was welcoming and very attentive. The location was giving a mix between sports bar and smokehouse, it was relaxing and inviting space. I would definitely come back. read more

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I ordered Ribs, tri tip, pulled pork, beans and corn for my Supper Club!! What an amazing meal- I have never seen my granddaughter eat so much!! I had it delivered and it was at the time they promised!!! It was hot, packaged wonderfully and so delicious! Everyone loved it-- hurry and open in HB!!! Thank you for making it so easy. The drivers communication was OUTSTANDING!! Will do it again!!! read more

I was itching to leave a negative review of this place. I ordered take out for the first time today. When I came in to pick it up, I got in line at the counter behind a guy. When he finished ordering, the woman behind the counter took off to go take the order for some people in the bar area. I see there's bagged food sitting on the counter not far from me, but I don't want to be rude or suspicious by just grabbing it, though I'm sure it's mine. So I'm standing there, staring at my food, as it gets older and colder in front of me. I'm looking around, waiters and waitresses are walking around, at least one is just chatting with people. No one's helping me. A family comes in and stands behind me in line, and almost immediately a waiter walks up and seats them. I'm still standing there, starting to feel invisible. So, I reach over, see my name on the receipt, grab the bag and turn on my heel to go out the door directly behind me. As soon as my hand touches the door, a voice behind me goes, "Are you sure that's yours, brother?" I freeze, my hand still on the door, and I think: So, let me get this straight: the whole time I'm standing there, no one can be bothered to help me, but the very second I touch my food on the counter, now someone's got time to talk to me? Are you kidding me? So, I gathered my self-control, turned and looked into the eyes of the guy who asked, said, "Definitely," and walked out of there. As I got into my car I thought, "This food better be good, or I'm gonna leave them a very negative review." Well, gosh, the food was delicious, so delicious that I immediately felt less mad about that BS that happened up there in the first three paragraphs. The brisket, tri-tip, and pulled pork were all very, very good. The potato salad was basically perfect, with a slightly unique flavor to help it stand out among an ocean of potato salad I've had in my life. I'm not a big fan of copious amounts of cheese, and thankfully the Mac and cheese was very well balanced. I was a little surprised my three meat combo plate didn't come with any BBQ sauce on the side, but to be honest, the beef didn't really need it, and what the pulled pork had on it was more than enough. Most of all, the two pieces of corn bread we got were divine. They've got some sort of cinnamon-y sugar butter stuff melted all over them and they're basically the perfect dessert in my book. Just utterly delicious. There's not much else to say about it. So, yeah, you can ignore me and then basically accuse me of theft, that's all water under the bridge, so's long as your meats and cornbreads are delicious. read more

So I ordered the brisket sandwich today by itself no sides and I have to say the brisket tasted like it was a day old the proportion was for a kid I paid $15 and it's an absolute rip off. All bread no meat sando. The smokiness came through very strong and was a delight. read more

The service was incredible, maybe it was because we were one of the only people there. Anyway, the food was also very good, however, some of the brisket was very dry. Besides that, everything was amazing. read more

Holé Smokes - mac n cheese, Brisket, ribs, bread, sausage, and pickles - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I originally visited this neighborhood gem as part of 2024 OC restaurant week. It took me this long to return, and I was quickly reminded... I'm not waiting to return! Don't pass up a chance to sink your teeth into the incredibly smoked meats and treats! The Tri It All family platter Served is 3 adults and one kiddo. Westill took home two boxes of leftovers! The brisket was really tender with good bark, sausage was spicy and full of flavor (good snap, too)- the ribs are meaty and the pile of pulled pork was amazing. The shrimp on the platter was a pleasant surprise. Several choices of BBQ sauce are brought to the table. I found the original sauce Smokey/Hickory and not too sweet. For the sides?? Plenty to choose from..We had Brussel Sprouts, French fries and (of course) mac n'cheese. All were incredibly tastey and cooked perfectly. After all that, who had room the Texas toast that was included on the platter?! Great, friendly service from Cesar. He was helpful with the menu, offered suggestions and very attentive. Full bar. And a pretty extensive Mexican menu, too. Would I go back? HECK YA! read more

Holé Smokes - Happy Hour Red Sangria, $5 Draft beer, Guacamole and chips - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Bought the 3 meats 2 side option and I would recommend if you are nearby to try it. Satisfy my craving for American BBQ. Brisket 5/5 Very tender, soft, flavorful Tri Tip 4/5 good Sausage 3/5 good but dry Mac and cheese 3/5 standard Fries 3/5 standard read more

Honestly this place is so good . Everything was perfect no complaints and a now must when im in the area ! Service is great and the enviroment is great . All in all its a great bbq spot read more

Holé Smokes - Plate for 2 3 Meats & 2 Sides - Barbeque Near Me - Costa Mesa, California