I don't usually crave BBQ but this place has my dolla every time I come into the Public Market. Having several BBQs around the Bay Area, I like this one the best. Their brisket is so money, they don't even know it. It ain't cheap but SuperDuper next door is chargin' $12 for a cheeseburger now. Thanks [insert president from the opposing political party]. read more

We went to the public market around 4 pm on Sunday. Just a few people in line and there were plenty of parking outside. Ordered almost 2 lbs of brisket together with the sauces to go. The brisket was so tender and juicy. Excellent with the Alabama sauce. Will return and dine in the market, since there were plenty of seating. Definitely the place for a delicious BBQ meal. read more

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The food was good. One of the main reasons why I made the trip from San Francisco to Emeryville is because -- I listen to -- on the Radio Station KNBR says that if you make the trip to Pig in a pickle that you will be hooked up!! FALSE ADVERTISING!! They say that they have NO SPECIAL deal with Mr. Kruger! I didn't know that it was NOT an actual restaurant setting/sitting. Not a fan. The food had to be microwaved.... Not a fan. The food was good but everything was weighed; not a fan. INCLUDING the Bar-B-Que sauce??? The only ribs were Baby back, not particular. The chicken was the best. Then the brisket, but you are out of sauce by then. Their famous white sauce was just not bar-b-que sauce. You could eat the baby backs WITHOUT sauce; but, I like sauce on bar-b-que. Sides ... the greens have all of the right ingredients but the need to be cooked, much much longer. They were pig in a pickle ... didn't like their pickle s. Service was ok. It was like going to a food truck INDOORS!! Ambience. It was like going to a food truck. The positive from this 'Muppet's adventure' ... I am going to start my own 'sports blog'. read more

Pulled pork: smoky, mild sweet and vinegar. Pretty good Sausage (house made): very mild spice. Very good Brisket (not lean): a jiggly mass of smoky deliciousness. Nice crust, nicely done. Pork rib: doesn't stand up to the others. Can live without. White Cheddar Mac: cheesy, gooey, salty in all the right ways. I can definitely come back for the brisket, sausage, and the Mac n cheese. read more

Pig in a Pickle - Barbeque Near Me - Emeryville, California

After hearing so many people rave about Pig in a Pickle, I finally made the trip over to Emeryville, and I'm glad I did. This place is located in a food hall, so there are plenty of other choices. If you're looking for barbecue that focuses on the meat first and doesn't rely on drowning everything in sauce, this place deserves a visit. I ordered a plate with brisket, a pork rib, hot link, collard greens, a side of BBQ sauce, and a drink for Super Duper. Brisket Without question, this was the star of the meal. I specifically asked for the fatty point, and it absolutely delivered. The brisket was incredibly tender with a beautiful bark, plenty of rendered fat, and a deep smoky flavor throughout. It had just the right balance of salt, pepper, and smoke without any one flavor overpowering the others. Honestly, this is the kind of brisket you don't even need sauce for, but I couldn't resist trying it with their BBQ sauce anyway. Pork Rib I ended up with an end piece, which can sometimes be a little dry, but that wasn't the case here. It was surprisingly tender and packed with flavor. The smoke came through nicely, and the seasoning had a great balance of pepper and salt. It wasn't falling off the bone--which, in my opinion, is exactly how properly cooked barbecue should be--but it pulled cleanly with each bite. I'd absolutely order the ribs again. Hot Link I've had plenty of hot links that were overly dense or aggressively spicy. These weren't. The casing had that satisfying snap when you bit into it, and the sausage itself was juicy and flavorful. The heat level was very approachable--enough to notice but never overwhelming--allowing the smoky, seasoned meat to remain the focus. A really well-made sausage. BBQ Sauce I mixed the mild and hot BBQ sauces together, and that ended up being the perfect combination for my taste. The mild sauce added sweetness and tang while the hot sauce contributed just enough kick without masking the flavor of the meat. That combination complemented everything on the tray exceptionally well. Collard Greens The collard greens were another pleasant surprise. They were well-seasoned, flavorful, and not overly spicy. The greens still had some texture without being tough. My only complaint is that I wish there had been a little more smoked meat mixed in. The flavor was definitely there--I just wanted a bit more of the meaty goodness. Overall, Pig in a Pickle impressed me from start to finish. The quality of the smoked meats really stands out, especially the brisket, which was easily one of the better briskets I've had in the Bay Area. The rib was excellent, the hot links were flavorful without being overly heavy, and even the sides held their own. I'll definitely be making the drive back to Emeryville to work my way through more of the menu. If the rest of their offerings are anywhere near as good as this tray, I can see why they've built such a strong reputation. Highly recommended--especially if you're a brisket lover. Simply Wonderful!! read more

Pig in a Pickle - Order what you want. This was my combo - Barbeque Near Me - Emeryville, California

You guys need to move out of that location and get a standalone building and just destroy the competition. Best bbq in the bay.

The brisket here is the truth!!! I'm talking about a smoke ring and flavor for days. The Dino rib was also delicious. Potato salad, greens and the different sauces to choose from are all yummy!! read more

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4% discount for cash. They sell by the pound, and generally upsell you like at a deli counter; if you ask for half a pound, they cut 0.65 pounds, and asks you if that is OK, and of course you are going to say yes. This place is unusual in that they do both ribs and brisket exceptionally well; normally, BBQ places do one or the other well, but not both. - 5/5: brisket: $38/lb. I recommend asking for lean. On the fatty side, I got too much fat. Very good flavor that does not rely too heavily on a rub. - 5/5: ribs: $21/lb. Near perfect, but not quite enough smoke flavor as I like. Maybe a 4.8/5. - 5/5: white cheddar mac n cheese: $6 for 8 oz. Great flavor. Al dente. The ribs and brisket arrive at room temperature; I assume they store them at lower temps to keep them juicy and prevent drying out. Both ribs and brisket are good warmed up as leftovers; I steam them briefly (2 minutes) to keep it juicy. read more

Pig in a Pickle - They sell by the pound, and tend to upsell on the poundage. - Barbeque Near Me - Emeryville, California

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The smell when I walked in the market place was amazing bbq smoked smell My first time here walked around with my girlfriend who lives in Oakland Emeryville area to see all of the different places that offered food I thought about the fried chicken, but I kept going back to the smell of smoked barbecue. The staff was amazing and so friendly, I ordered the chicken and the beans baked beans so good. They gave me the spicy sauce barbecue sauce and the regular they were both amazing. My girlfriend got the brisket sandwich and the greens. She loved it and ate the entire plate. I will definitely go back here if I'm in the area it's really good and I've been to a lot of barbecue places. I asked for a lid for my leftovers and they also gave me some more barbecue sauce for my chicken very nice place. I would try it definitely again. read more

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I'm surprised they don't have a Michelin Star.. The quality of the ingredients, preparation, flavor are on the level of one. The brisket (I usually get a 1lb so I ask for half fatty half lean) is perfectly seasoned and the pink ring is evidence of how well it's been smoked. The ribs... Literally when you bite into it, the meat falls off the bone but it's not fatty at all. The exterior has an even crust of seasoning but it's not too salty. A little bit of the mustard sauce adds a hint of acidity to complement the meat. After you bite off the meat, what you're left with is a completely clean bone, which is evidence of how well it's been prepared and cooked. The cornbread is another must - huge, crumby and has little bits of peppers. read more

Pig in a Pickle - Storefront - Barbeque Near Me - Emeryville, California

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Came in on a late Thursday afternoon after a doctors appointment and the food-court was pretty empty which was great because there's no wait. I love BBQ/Smoked Briskets, so we decided to have Pig in a Pickle. Boy, they didn't disappoint, the brisket was was juicy, packed with flavors and it just melted in you month. I had it with the Alabama White Sauce, which was suggested by the manager/owner maybe, was a complete hit. Cornbread was baked perfectly with roasted poblano pepper and made fresh daily. White Cheddar Mac n Cheese with their home made cheese sauce and blend with New York White Cheddar and 7-year aged Wisconsin White Cheddar is one of the best I have had. Love their house made B&B Pickles. It is a must tried if you're in the area. read more

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This is a worthwhile visit to the Public Market. Had the ribs and pickles and beans. Simple, but extremely well executed. Try the Alabama white sauce! The house mild and spicy are also very good. As a pickle snob, their house sours are legit and SUPER crispy. A great foil to the ribs... read more

After scouting out the eateries at the Emeryville Public Market, I decided to give Pig in a Pickle a try. I love BBQ and wanted to love this place. I was excited about everything being ala carte. The thought of selecting exactly what I wanted was enticing. The macaroni and cheese left something to be desired. It was bland. The BBQ was dry, nothing to write home about. The greens were ok. The guy at the counter was nice and ready to serve. I almost forgot the banana pudding. It was just ok as well. I could have had a better plate of BBQ for $40 elsewhere. All in all it was edible. Will I return probably not. It's a food stall with shared spaces for dining. I took mine to go and ate looking at the Golden Gate out of my window. read more

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Best brisket anywhere! And I've had brisket in Georgia, in Tennessee, in Texas of all places and this is STILL the best. Ask for it fatty! Pig in a Pickle also has some great other food, too. I like the sausage (housemade) and the pulled pork is delicious. The chicken you could get almost as good at Whole Foods so no need to spend your money there. But man...if you're looking for true BBQ this is the place. FOOD: Brisket! I'll say it over and over. It's the best. Ask for it fatty! Jalapeno cornbread muffins are terrific and not very hot which is perfect. Awesome baked beans and some of the best potato salad anywhere. Potato salad is a bit on the mustard side which I like but fair warning. The sauces are great. And they have a wonderful variety to choose from. Just a very solid and tasty place! SERVICE: Always great! Seriously. Portions are as you like them. You tell them how much you want and in the case of the brisket if you want a leaner slice or fattier slice. But everyone I've encountered here is so nice and helpful. And they take good care in packaging. COST: It is expensive, but no more than what you'd pay anywhere for such high quality brisket! Go here often. Or don't. More for me! read more

Pig in a Pickle - Small unassuming stand in Public Market in Emeryville - Barbeque Near Me - Emeryville, California

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Food is very good. Staff is rude. Not very helpful when you're trying to figure out how much food you're getting with a pound as everyone's a barbecue genius. Not worth disrespect. read more

I tried out Pig in a Pickle while I was visiting Emeryville. White cheddar mac and cheese, small: I thought it was pretty good, definitely very thick, creamy, kind of goopy with the level of cheese sauce it's in, but I liked the flavor, including the black pepper. Kind of pungent. Beef brisket: It was $32 a lb at the time, but you can choose whatever quantity (like a deli). Sharing thoughts from other person in my party who ate it: salty, crispy, smokey, black pepper on the sides, savory, juicy, there's fatty parts but not to the point that the rubberiness would be off-putting. Very good brisket! read more

Pig in a Pickle - Beef brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Emeryville, California

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Best of the best BBQ in the Bay. I've reviewed this spot already, so I won't do a full review. I've been here 3-4 times, and it's always incredible. The brisket is my favorite, it's juicy, tender, super flavorful. The bark is just perfect. It just melts in your mouth and is pure decadence. read more

Pig in a Pickle - Beef Brisket - 1 lb. - Barbeque Near Me - Emeryville, California

Tucked away inside the Public Market in a little side nook, this is easily one of the best barbecue spots I've come across in the Bay Area. It's the kind of place you almost miss if you're not looking for it, but once you find it, you'll keep coming back. The brisket, pulled pork, and spare ribs are consistently excellent. The meat is incredibly tender, it basically melts in your mouth, and that deep, smoky flavor really seeps all the way through, not just on the surface. The sauces come on the side, and they're free, so don't be shy about asking for extra. I actually asked if there was a limit once, and the cashier laughed and said something like, "Maybe six containers?" If I'm being picky, I'd probably skip the hot links next time. They're not bad, just nothing special compared to how strong everything else is, slightly smoky, but otherwise pretty standard. The collard greens are a standout side dish. They've got this nice acidity that cuts through the richness of the meat really well. There is a noticeable vinegar tang, though, so if that's not your thing, you might want to pass, but if you like that balance, they're great. Another big bonus, there's a park right outside the building near the exit by Cashew Creamery. It's perfect if you've got kids. There's this whale structure they can climb into (through the mouth or side), with a slide on top and climbing holds all over -- fins, back, tail, the whole thing. There are also surfboard-style balance boards on springs and plenty of open space and greenery to run around. And if you're making a little outing of it, it's only about a 10-minute walk to Bay Street, so you can easily pair your meal with a stroll, some shopping, or more food and drinks nearby. read more

This is the absolute best barbecue in the Bay Area and perhaps all of California! Everything is delicious, the ribs, the brisket, the sides. The cornbread and honey butter are heavenly. The beans and slaw and chow chow are a dream. The meats are where this place really shines, excellent quality and real care in the cook/smoke. Do yourself a favor and go! Enjoy! Wonderful service in a chill location next door to a bar. read more

Attached is old receipt when this place was cheaper and better, ribs are not great very average and VERY dry. Links and brisket (marble) are the best items here. Today the Mac and cheese wasn't good and it's always good, noodles broken just sloppy! read more

I've been listening to Larry Krueger wax poetic about Piiiiiiig In A Pickle for years, but BBQ in northern CA has a very low bar set. That being said, the brisket was EXECUTED very well. My slices had the fat trimmed perfectly so that when it renders down, it makes subtle transition between the meat, fat, and bark. I didn't get any crunchy/burnt/dry bark, so it appears that the pit master is really watching his fire. I would prefer more pepper, but that's a personal issue (I literally say this about every almost every brisket I review on yelp, lurk my reviews). Parking was easy at 1130 on a Friday. Will be back. read more

Pig in a Pickle - Barbeque Near Me - Emeryville, California

Got a hot link sandwich. 3/4 lb of brisket. Med potatoes salad, and med Mac and cheese. Everything was so disgusting. The hot link wasn't even spicy and was way too much smoke flavor. There was this weird meaty gristly thing in the potato salad which literally made me puke. I'm always looking for the next bbq spot. But could have done without this one. The service was good the food was terrible. Honestly $80 dollars horribly spent. Don't believe me.. go experience it for yourselves read more

Super glad I came here for lunch. Probably one of the best BBQ places I've been to in all of California. My pulled pork sandwich was 1/3 pound of meat with vinegar based seasoning on a sturdy bun that held up perfectly. I'm from South Carolina and really loved the mustard sauce which I drenched the pork with. Definitely will be back when I'm in the area again. read more

Pig in a Pickle - Pulled pork- 1/3 lb sandwich, potato salad, Arnold Palmer drink - Barbeque Near Me - Emeryville, California

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Go to the Corte madera location. The guys there are rude. Definitely night and day customer service. Food seems to taste better

This lives within the food court next door to Guitar center and is my goto in east bay for an excellent brisket. Nothing else is as consistently good in quality and service as these folks. Their sides of collard greens and pickles are also great. read more

I have not been to the restaurant I had it delivered, but the brisket and ribs were so good. I also enjoyed the potato salad and I usually do not like potato salad at all read more

Best brisket I've had in the bay for a while.. The bark was okay, needs more seasoning. The smoke was pretty good. The collard greens were good. The macaroni and cheese, I didn't like it at all. I'll give this place a go. I'll try the ribs next time, read more

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Whyyyyyyyyyyy?!!!! Bay Area bbq is so bad!! Over smoked meat!!! This place is bad. I'm so sad!!! I love bbq but can't find one in the Bay Area that's decent. read more

I love a good beef rib, and Pig in a Pickle got a good beef rib. (Available on Sundays). Price was $41.92 and the weight of our rib was 1.31lbs. My daughter and I devoured it. Great flavor, so damn tender and a perfect ratio of fat to meat. The Mac and cheese is so creamy and cheesy. I couldn't get enough. The collard greens were also delicious with a bright vinegary flavor. I tried the Easter Carolina sauce, mild and hot. They also had Alabama white sauce and a mustard sauce as well. Sauces come on the side. I appreciate that there's a variety of different types of bbq sauces. I'm looking forward to trying more of their offerings! read more

Pig in a Pickle - Beef rib, White Cheddar Mac N Cheese - Small 8oz and Collard Greens with Ham Hock - Small (8oz.) - Barbeque Near Me - Emeryville, California

Very good bbq - inside the public market near the bar makes for a fun and lively dining experience. Very good bbq - I had the brisket - it was a fresh one from the back - second person to get some slices. It was flavorful and the wood smoke was evident - to me it didn't seem like there was any cost cutting. One highlight I really liked was that you weren't forced to buy 1 lb of meat in order to get it for a lower price. I was just at Canyon BBQ in Castro Valley the day before and that is their tactic to get you to buy more. The drink was half lemonade and half ice tea - it was not the largest cup and next time I will get one of those and a water as I found the brisket and the bun to be very dry. I give credit for the bun being unique and homemade but just too big and bulky and dry. To me the biggest thing about this place is that it is the one that lures you in from the parking lot. That bbq smoke smell - you can't miss it. There are so many other places in the market that are so simple to just walk right past. Overall, I would prefer if they sold a sandwich instead of everything separately - if they have this option - I sure didn't notice it.... If in the future I can buy a pulled pork sandwich with a little Cole slaw on it to combat that big dry bun I would be happy to re rate at 5 stars. read more

Food looks amazing. Had the pulled pork sandwich. Completely tasteless and the bun only made it worse. Unacceptable for the price. Mac n cheese was good -- if that was all I had I'd have been happy. read more

First time trying Pig in a Pickle BBQ, and it did not disappoint! We ordered the beef brisket, baby back ribs, mac 'n' cheese, and coleslaw, and everything was excellent! The beef brisket was unbelievably tender and juicy, with a perfect smokiness from the California White Oak. The flavor of the meat was so rich and delicious that it didn't even need any sauce. The baby back ribs were equally impressive, falling off the bone with every bite. The mac 'n' cheese was creamy, and the coleslaw was a refreshing complement to the meats. Without a doubt, this is the best BBQ I've had in 2024! read more

Pig in a Pickle - beef brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Emeryville, California

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I came here with my uncles who love BBQ but I don't eat meat so some things were lost on me. I had sides. The Mac & cheese was delicious! Creamy & rich & just yummy! Potato salad was classic & super yummy as well. I did not care for the corn bread-it had a weird flavor that I can't describe, or the coleslaw-a strong vinegar flavor. But my uncles absolutely LOVED the baby back ribs, chicken & I think it was brisket too. & the house made mild bbq sauce was a big hit with them. This spot was pretty pricy but I think worth it. It's inside of a market that I didn't have time to check out but I want to come back to shop around. It's a walk up counter that gets pretty busy too. Plenty of high top tables around to sit at. Give it a shot if you're in the area & ready to get down on some tender bbq meats! read more

The choices of BBQ in the East Bay has gotten smaller, so imagine our surprise and treat to find Pig in a Pickle. We took a chance and we were not disappointed. The portions were good, the BBQ ribs were tender, fell off the bone, gave us a choice of BBQ sauce, the greens were so tasty & tender. We also had the potato salad (made w/mustard) and corn bread. Now I want to try more of the sides. Go Here. Eat Here. read more

Really good bbq brisket by the lb. and super friendly staff. Corn bread is pretty delicious read more

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The BBQ was great and the prices and portions are more than reasonable. Just a few things about the sides: The collared greens were cooked well but still a little bitter - maybe some apple cider vinegar and sugar can help there. The potato salad was too mustard-forward for my taste - again, some sweetness or replacing some of the mustard with mayo might help there. read more

Showed up to hang out after church, decided to eat here out all public market places. It took a slight wait since I showed up during shift change. We ordered pulled pork, that was nice and juicy. We ordered, Mac and cheese it was delightful. The beans were cool. I can't speak much about ambience, it's the public market ambiance so for a Sunday it's busy with the football game at the nearby bar. Staff was friendly, however it's not pleasant to hear guy argue with a customer. It didn't bother me but depends on who to ask may have bothered others. 4.4/5 perhaps needs some reflection on customer service handling but overall I would visit this place again read more

Wow, Pig in a Pickle serves up some of the best BBQ we've had in a while! Everything is order by pound and ala carte. They have lots of different sauces, all free and on-the-side, plus some very excellent sides. Definitely recommend: * Baby Back Ribs - get a pound to share for two. The outsides looked charred and burnt, but in really the meat underneath is soft, moist and succulent. You don't even need sauce since the seasoning is spot on! * We liked the mild sauce and the Carolina sauce which has apple cider vinegar. They also have a white , mayonnaise based sauce that's supposedly good with chicken. * We opted for marbled brisket instead of the lean brisket. After all, fat=flavor. It's sliced to order. Here, you may want to enjoy with sauce. * White Cheddar Mac and Cheese is creamy and good, and is a favorite of our 4yo son, which normally only likes penne pasta. 5 stars! Glad they are always a good option in Emeryville Public Market for our meat fix. read more

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Shared a beef brisket sandwich. The brisket was delicious! The roll soaked up the spicy barbecue sauce perfectly. The homemade pickles - what can I say - Yum! read more

Wow bbq HEAVEN. Now I can't say I am a BBQ specialist, but I know good food. The last time something concreted into my memory was in Austin at micklethwait, where I got the last beef rib. We got the last of 2 beef ribs on a Sunday, chose the 2 pounder end piece for leftovers to take home. I would rather next time, get the inner rib for less burnt ends but that's just preference! I also have two kids who loved it so we had to share the juicy parts with them and eat the burnt ends (again, just preference). Fall off the bone, clean off the bone, so flavorful, with great bbq sauces. And Mac and cheese was SOLID, real white cheddar, just creamy enough, and not overcooked. Speckled with black pepper that wasn't too spicy for my very (hungry) spice averse kids. Well, no need to go anywhere else now for bbq! Coming back for brisket next time. And my pickle lover kid ate her dill pickle with both hands, and licked the juice in the paper tray... much to my dismay. The customer service was excellent too!!! read more