Payed a visit to this new gem because the great BBQ hunt continues. Stopped in for lunch Sunday afternoon and from the moment i stepped out of the car I could smell the intoxicating aroma and hear the incredible playlist. For those complaining about the music you would probably do better eating in your car at the crystal gallery down the street. Was greeted by the friendly staff and they walked us through the menu highlighting some of their proud favorites. My wife and I brought our appetite and we settled on a bevy of meats and sides. The sausage link had the best snap, the brisket was unctous, the ribs were delicate. Both bbq sauces changed the flavor profile of each bite allowing us to enjoy our meal in different and incredible ways. The sides...I can probably write a whole chapter on just how fabulous the sides were. I'm sorry if folks expect smoked beans out of a can or your mema's yellow mustard potato salad, but these sides HIT! The potato salad was giving me samosa. The slaw was bright and acidic. The kimchi crushed your typical bread and butter pickle. Even though we were stuffed, we couldn't step away without trying what the server touted as "the best milkshake". It's called the Thunderstruck and my wife and I polished this bad boy so quickly I think I swallowed the straw. The Namari (a complex N/A Amari) brought the wow factor in this decadent dessert. Please please please get this milkshake because she may have been write. This isn't Lucille's, this isn't Texas, this isn't what you expect from BBQ joints. This is just delicious food that feels like a love letter to smoke, meat, and punk rock. read more

Joplin's - American Near Me - Ojai, California

See all

Store has incorrect hours posted. Waited 30 minutes to receive wrong order which was stated clearly. :/

My Dad and I had lunch @ Joplins today. It was such a treat! We had smash burgers, tallow fries and Coca-Cola in the bottle. Food was exceptional. Serving sizes were generous. Inside the walls are lined with photos of musical greats eating. Clever! We met Brittney, one of the owners and she was super kind. We will be going back for some BBQ and more fries! read more

I was looking forward to the possibility of some good BBQ, but was disappointed. I had the pulled pork Buddy's plate, shared with my wife...slaw and potato salad sides with some cornbread. My son joined us with a Sando and mac and cheese. BBQ pork was bland the Sando portion was small with no sauce. The slaw and potato salad were unremarkable. My wife's cornbread tasted as if the oil was rancid. $90 for 3 to eat, ouch. Outside eating and an amazing band, Josephoenix, was a plus, but didn't make up for the food or the cost. $30 dollar Buddy plate when individually items are $4 less expensive doesn't make sense. read more

Mouthwatering food, amazing service, and great music! Totally worth the drive from LA!

5/5, the tallow fries & pulled pork are my go-to, and i get the oreo shake when i feel like splurging. always has jams playing and a chill environment, staff is always friendly. read more

Joplin's - American Near Me - Ojai, California

We wanted to try something in Ojai we had never been to before. We always go to the same places. We saw little signs with arrows leading to this place. Menu is very small which tells you how fresh it is. Caesar was crisp and made right! Cornbread was moist, dense and just vaguely sweet. Brisket was unhinged. The pulled pork is a little dry/crumbly. Maybe hold it at temperature in a broth and tamarind sauce (their signature bbq sauce) bath. Servers were professional and friendly. Excellent read more

Great BBQ, fun atmosphere, owner was super friendly and helpful. Dog friendly. Had a wonderful lunch here celebrating our first anniversary.

Loved the place .. Nice little spot near the end of Ojai... Service/front of house staff really friendly and helpful. Brisket/pork sandwiches were a little pricey but still really good. Tallow fries were crisp and delish, masala potato salad had an original and tasty flavor. Shakes were really good, wish they were a little thicker. Band was playing and they just added to the flair of the place and they were good too. Go, don't overthink it. read more

Came here for lunch on a Friday afternoon. Food was good, nice to sit outside. I'm certain the staff took my sunglasses though, which is wildly annoying. I set them down when I ordered then they disappeared. read more

Food was not very good and overpriced. The woman serving and working the cash register had an attitude and was not welcoming at all. Over heard her talking to another table in a condescending manner. 10 out of 10 would not come back. read more

This place was delicious! After 10yrs of plant based diet it's been nice to eat some great BBQ. We ordered the brisket and payed but unfortunately found out they were all out of brisket so they upgraded us to a giant beef rib and it was falling off the bone so tender and flavorful. The corn bread was delicious paired with the chili beans and the collard greens were out of this world tasty and perfectly savory. Will be back again for sure. Kind and informative service was a plus! read more

Joplin's was not just a great place to eat, it was an experience you need to have. Chef Saw and Brittany have hit a homerun! The burgers to the shakes, even the Corn Ribs! Just Amazing! The Vibe, Music, Food, Beer. They even got you covered if your not into alcohol. What a great place to eat. I'm still dreaming of the burger I ate! read more

Brisket was fire! Cucumber salad is basically cucumber kimchi and it was delicious! You can't get bbq without cornbread and the cornbread here is gas! Nice spot for a small group with live music, good IPAs and beer. Cashiers are nice and friendly, and same goes for bussers and food runners! Keep up the good work guys read more

This is my second visit. First time was with a handful of friends. We all had a great time. today I'm trying the brisket sandwich. ohhh sooo good. I was greeted by the owner who is delightful and as I wait for my friend the weather is gorgeous. nothing better than good food, sunny skies, and great conversation. it's great for locals!! read more

Joplin's - Brisket sandwich cut in half - American Near Me - Ojai, California

See all

Loved this quaint, eclectic spot. The put a twist on their menu items that weren't the norm but were incredibly good. Brittany was fabulous and we chatted with her a bit. It was my partner's birthday and she treated us special! A must go and check them out kinda place. : read more

Food 3 out of 10. Service 3 out of 10. Please save your hard earned money and eat at another BBQ Joint.

Wow. Best ribs beans collared greens and probably more than we got around to. Charming owner ( her husband is chef at Duchess) So glad we had lunch here. Fun decor. The music is intrusive but obviously a chosen part of the aesthetic. read more

Amazing brisket sandwich so tender and flavorful, the slaw was crunchy and added a nice layer to the sandwich. The mac and cheese was a great addition to the brisket sandwich and for dessert the banana pudding milk shake was to die for!! read more

What a lovely place! I go here about once a week. The bbq, burgers, specials and sides are all delicious. The inside decor is very cool, awesome music, and a nice outdoor patio. The service is great, everyone is so friendly. Certainly one of my new favorite spots in town! read more

A little hidden gem thank goodness for signs. We stumbled into this place by accident, but it was a great place. The food was delicious, the drinks were good the service and ambiance good and the owner really great! If you find yourself in Ojai stop by and grab some good eats and see some cool memorabilia. read more

best burgers!!!coolest bathrooms in cali!!!! awesome music great vibes!! love this place!! read more

See all

Fireee food, had a brisket burger and bowl, 1000/10. Nice ambience as well and friendly staff, recommend

Good Texas BBQ option in Ventura County. We don't have that many here. Enjoyed our first visit and will come back to try more things. So far 5/5 for friendly service and food. read more

Four of us went in for dinner and ordered different items Service was good, smash burger was very small, greasy and overpriced for what was presented. The ground brisket burger was not a hit either. Too bad because we need a good BBQ place in town. Dinner for two was $120 w tip on pic nic tables outside. Our friends were underwhelmed as well..... read more

So you order before you get sat. Menu is pretty straight forward. We ordered the brisket ribs and pulled pork. For sides we ordered Mac n cheese collard greens and baked beans. Thy have multiple sauce/dip options. Everything was AMAZINGLY GOOD! The service was wonderful and the vibe was very cool. We were sat out doors they had music just at the right volume playing the best rock hits. Will definitely be visiting again in the future. read more

Joplin's - Clean establishment cool decor - American Near Me - Ojai, California

See all

Harmony was wonderful. The food: Brisket bowl fab. Pork bowl: overcooked pork. Fried chicken: dry, overcooked. You'll have to do better or you won't make it. Hopefully for you guys! read more

How do I communicate that I'm in love in a review? The food is incredible, mellow vibes, delightful staff -- Joplin's is among the absolute best in ojai and a must-stop read more

Best food and music EVER! Home away from home. Every time we come back there's something new to try on the menu and each time it blows our minds. Had the pulled shroom sando and fried chicken today. Can't forget about the milkshake... best shake I've ever had. Thanks for always bringing the best vibes and flavors Joplin's! read more

Very cool spot in Ojai, we ate in the patio & got to enjoy some of the best BBQ outside of Texas! The pulled pork sandwich is crazy good & the milkshakes are delicious. My wife had the ribs & loved them. You can tell this place puts the love into their BBQ. Eat here for sure. read more

My husband and I eat at Joplin's in Ojai at least twice a week--and honestly, I'm not even a little embarrassed about it. The food is just that good. Everything is made from scratch, and you can really taste the difference. There's so much care and intention behind each dish, and it shows. One time, the chef, Saw, took the time to tell us how the Brisket Burger is made--turns out it takes hours and a whole process just to get it right. That kind of attention to detail goes into everything on the menu. What I also love is knowing the ingredients are fresh, locally sourced, and free of preservatives. You're getting BBQ that's not only delicious but thoughtfully prepared. If you're anywhere near Ojai, put Joplin's on your must-try list. It's a gem. read more

The food, service and ambiance is great. The cornbread is an amazing and unexpected surprise. The brisket was juicy and incredibly tender. The pulled pork was beautifully seasoned too. And don't forget to try the Mac and Cheese. Didn't get pictures cuz we just dug in. Totally recommend. read more

It's been hard finding good smoked brisket. We finally found a place. Service was excellent too. We'll likely become regulars here.

Not so good. Service staff were indiffent. $14 for a $ .39 baby burger. Won't be repeating this experience. read more

No exaggeration the wagyu tri tip was the best tri tip I've ever had . Anyone who loves tri tip needs to try it. The brisket was great too as well as the sides that were ordered with it . Customer service was really good , everyone was polite and friendly . Will for sure be going back , and will be my one go to place when I want tri tip. read more

First of all the ambiance of this place is really laid back and dark, loved it! The lady at the front was super friendly and funny and that made the experience just that much more relaxing. I hate dealing with bad customer service and bad attitudes, and hers was awesome. Thank you. Now to the food. I got Mac n cheese and coleslaw, both were good, nothing extraordinary. But then came the brisket! It was just like in those Instagram videos where it falls apart and is super juicy and moist and makes your mouth watered! Makes your mouth watered as you're eating it, its that good. I ate it with no BBQ sauce to get the full flavor. GODDAMN DELICIOUS! I also tried the smoked sausage, which was pretty thick and really full of flavor. Going to be telling all.my people about it. I read someone else's review of this place and they said it was a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for. Definitely worth the price, and coming back for more!! read more

We absolutely loved everything about Joplin's while stopping in Ojai for a day trip. Brittany was amazing! She took her time to explain what was on the menu and recommended a few of her favorites. The mushroom burger and pulled pork were delicious. Stopping at Joplin's for lunch was one of the highlights of visiting Ojai for the first time. Great ambiance and food... highly recommend. read more

Love this place! Love Brittney especially but, Saw is the man as well. Together they are golden!! A MUST visit!!

This place is incredible! Every time I come to Ojai I eat there as many times as I can. the best BBQ you will find in California! I can't recommend it enough. read more

The service was friendly and efficient, however I regret my selection. The brisket burger lists beef, cheese and pickles but it came smothered in mayonnaise and so much salt that salt should be included in the menu description. They don't provide any condiments on the table so there was no pepper to try and balance out the overload of salt. Although the smoked patty was medium rare, the texture was oddly dense and firm. I'm glad to see so many positive reviews because I would like to see them succeed, but I don't think I will be returning. read more