The service was friendly but slow. I can't speak to the ambiance, as I ordered take out. I ordered brisket with Mac & ribs with greens. Included was BBQ sauce & cornbread. The cornbread was good. I didn't use the BBQ sauce. The greens were tasty but had a little too much vinegar on them. The Mac & cheese was flawless. The ribs were dry except for a small piece right in the middle near the bone. The brisket was the best I've ever eaten. I would definitely return & get the brisket & Mac & cheese. I also want to try the catfish. read more

Completely unacceptable. The City of Oakland hired this vendor for our Juneteenth lunch, and they were clearly unprepared despite having weeks of notice. Employees were standing in line starting around 11:00 AM and waiting close to two hours, only to find out they had run out of food and multiple menu items. The staff were rude and dismissive. The woman handing out sauces acted as if employees were the problem and were holding up the line, when the real issue was the vendor's lack of preparation and organization. After standing in line for nearly two hours, no one should be made to feel like they are an inconvenience for asking questions or requesting items that should have been available. We were told certain items were gone, only for them to suddenly appear later. At one-point people were told there were no ribs left, and then nine more ribs somehow appeared. That is unacceptable and reflects poor communication and poor customer service. The city paid for this event, and City employees deserved better than long waits, limited food, rude staff, and a poorly managed operation. This level of service was disappointing, disrespectful, and unprofessional. Oh, yea and the food was awful!!! read more

This is such a cool location very spacious and clean. The staff was very friendly and patient. I hope I went on a bad day and the food is usually better. The macaroni and cheese was very...different not a fan at all. The ribs are good without their sauce. Unfortunately this isn't a place I would go back to. read more

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Had the brisket and Mac and cheese! Brisket was soft and delicious, a mix of lean and fatty. Mac and cheese was okay, would want to try another side next time. Got here before the lunch rush- it filled up fast! Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area. read more

Saints Smokehouse - Barbeque Near Me - Oakland, California

I can't say enough about Saints Smokehouse and Chef Rashad. His food is amazing, him and his team are so kind and the space is super cute! I've had his catering a few different times and each time was FIRE! I'm always on the lookout for his pop-ups and can't wait until he opens full time. Definitely recommend, 100/10 read more

Saints Smokehouse - Brisket Fries - Memorial Day weekend special - Barbeque Near Me - Oakland, California

Popped in after a friend hyped it up and I see why. Salmon salad was fire, the picture doesn't even do it justice. Fresh, flavorful, and loaded. Super cute space and good vibes. I'm pescatarian so I really hope they keep a salmon option. Heard the brisket is good too. Excited to come back when the full menu drops. read more

Saints Smokehouse - Love the decor - Barbeque Near Me - Oakland, California

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Came here for a birthday. They had a DJ and great food with chill vibes what more can you ask for. I ordered the brisket fries and the portion was very healthy! I still have left overs and its been hours lol. Meat was nice and tender, fries were perfectly crispy, i love the addition of the corn slaw on the side and fried onions on top. The space has easy street parking right out front. The space its self is right on the corner so very easy to locate. The resturant is very open and airy. It was a bright sunny day today and the sun shining through made it feel like a summer day. The DJ was playing nothing but hits everyone was vibing, eating, singing and dancing. Im glad they have a place like this finally open up, really made it feel like i was on vacation being here. Just a moment to chill with your people and have a good time without any stress. Also brought along our little princess and she had a great time. Shes a foodie in the making and loves to dance and people watch so this was her perfect place. Would love to come back and try more food items. Heard the tacos are smackin too! Come visit you will not be disappointed. read more

Saints Smokehouse - Brisket fries - Barbeque Near Me - Oakland, California

Get over there asap! Brisket plate was bomb and they don't skimp! Portions were on point and had to take the rest to go. Bbq sauce was good. This a must for me next time I have a bbq craving. Staff was friendly read more

Saints Smokehouse - Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Oakland, California

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I ordered the ribs, chicken, and brisket. Ribs are probably what you want to go far as I enjoyed it more than the others. You get 2 pieces that are nice and tender but on the ends of the ribs were tough and dry. Flavorful and balanced with the smokiness. I didn't need the bbq sauce for it because it was that tasty but it definitely helps enhance it. Brisket - I was fairly disappointed because on this particular day I was craving for it. It was very tough and dry. I was really looking for that tendernism but instead I was spending a lot of time chewing it. It did lack flavor but luckily the bbq sauce was there to help a little. 1/2 Chicken - This was 50/50 to me. The meat pulls off the bone very easily. Some parts were very tender but other parts and particularly the breast was a little dry. But luckily the bbq sauce was there and I used it mostly on the breast which made it more enjoyable to eat. Watermelon lime - A very refreshing beverage. I would get it again. The sides I got were smoked gouda mac n cheese, potato salad, yams, and purple corn bread. Smoked Gouda Mac n Cheese - it's honestly good but it is a little greasy as you can see the fats/oil separating. But who's trying to be healthy eating mac? not me. Potato salad - also very good. It helped cut out the heaviness of the bbq and the mac. Yams - it was the best side I ate like a dessert after each bite of the meal. Purple corn bread - I'm 50/50 with it. I love the crunchy edges or layer on the outside but I also didn't like how the inside was a little dry. Service - I felt welcomed coming in and the staff were friendly with helping me choose my options. Received my order within 15 minutes after placing my order. I know this spot just opened and just like every other new restaurant, it needs some time for adjustments from feedbacks to work out the kinks. I'll come back in either 6 months or a year so I can give this spot another try and hopefully give a better review. read more

I ordered the brisket and mac-n-cheese. Originally ordered their watermelon juice, but the cashier enthusiastically suggested the hibiscus lemonade because he made it. I appreciated his care for his work so I tried it. I don't really like hibiscus drinks. It was one of the best I ever had. Brisket and mac was excellent. Didn't need a knife to break apart the brisket. BBQ sauce worked well with the brisket. This place is a hidden gem! read more

WARNING!! PLEASE DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME ON THIS ESTABLISHMENT!! To celebrate Administrative Professionals' Day, my office placed an online order some 5 days in advance. We got a confirmation, and was charged immediately--so naturally, we expected everything to be ready for pickup as scheduled. When we showed up at the agreed time, the restaurant was completely closed for a private event. No prior notice, no call, no email--nothing. Just a locked door and confusion. When we finally got in touch with someone, we showed them our receipt of purchase, and the only response we received was essentially, "Sorry, the only thing we can do is refund you." That's it. No accountability, no attempt to make things right beyond the bare minimum. We were left scrambling last-minute to figure out an alternative. I'm honestly baffled at how poorly this was handled. If you're going to accept advance orders and take people's money, the least you can do is honor them--or at the very least communicate if something changes. This felt incredibly disorganized and disrespectful of customers' time. This is horrendous customer service! I guess I will never actually taste their food, because I cannot foresee a time when they will ever get my patronage again! read more

Brisket isn't good but the ribs are. They are skimpy with the sides and only give 2 little cups of BBQ sauce. I didn't ask for more, the guy who gave me the food wasn't friendly only the guy that took my order was. I think the owner isn't very nice, either way doubt I'll be back. read more

Great service and huge portions I got the salmon salad and it tasted good I wish they gave me more sauce or offered more

Wow. Some really great BBQ in downtownish Oakland. If you are tired of the chains and of having to travel far for good meat, this is the place. Wonderful owners and staff. Top quality meat. Great vibes. You should go! read more

After waiting over 45 minutes for my order, I had to cancel because I needed to return to work. I spoke with Rashad, who identified himself as the manager. My receipt also lists Rashad as the server who processed my order. He asked me to write down my phone number and stated I would receive a text confirmation once the refund was completed. When I asked if the refund could be processed at the register, I was told it would need to be handled at the end of the day. It has now been a week, and I have not received any confirmation or refund. I was also disappointed by the lack of acknowledgment regarding the delay. Best of luck opening a restaurant! read more

Went for lunch on a Wednesday. Had wings because it was Wing Wednesday. They came with a really nice bbq sauce that I ended up taking home the extra to use for dinner! The wings are flavorful and fall-off-the-bone tender and didn't need sauce, they were delicious either way. Had collard greens and the Cali baked beans as sides. The greens were perfectly al dente with a nice bite and great flavor and the beans were deliciously sweet and tangy. I judge bbq places by the sides even more than the meat and these were some of the best sides I've had in the area. Also had a chance to taste the mac n cheese and though the flavor was great, but be warned, this is a traditional baked mac n cheesse, so if you're looking for creamy stove-top type, you might find it a little dry. I personally lilke both styles for what they are. Smoked gouda is a perfect cheese for mac n cheese and this didn't disappoint. The peach pineapple cobbler was the perfect way to finish off the meal. The pineapple really does something with the peaches. Delicious! The chef/owner was very friendly as was the rest of the staff and I'll definitely be coming back to try the brisket when I get a chance. Arrive early as the first time I went, they'd sold out by 2:30! read more

The guoda mac & cheese, greens, potato salad, the brisket is my go to every time. The customer service is very professional, kind, and informative. The restrooms stay cleaned as well as smells good. I love the two paintings of the beautiful Black Queens on display. Chef is always available to answer questions and he receives feedback graciously. I never had a issue of any since I've been going there. read more

Wings are in the top 5 Ive had in my life - meaty and perfectly cooked n seasoned - delicious sauce(s) on the side for take out. Service was excellent - 10 minute wait for takeout at lunchtime. Go early before they sell out! (Brisket and ribs on a prior visit were also cooked to perfection) read more

Got there today about 15 minutes before opening at 2pm Saturday. There was already a line of around 10 people. I recommend parking as close as possible. As I drove around the block looking for parking I noticed broken glass from bipped cars. Got to order my food in about 30 minutes. Then another around 20 minutes to get my brisket and potato salad. Brisket was very good. Potato salad was excellent. This is my new goto for BBQ. I hope they expand their hours. I hope they don't lose focus like Horn BBQ and don't let their success make them complacent. read more

"Tenderism", the Chicken, the Brisket, the Ribs, falling off the bone. I think the message from Rashad is I'm here to stay and he is ready to go plate for plate. The Gouda Mac and cheese is cheesing and the potato salad is something we've all been missing where ever his competitors are and I appreciate his consistency in everything that I tasted! read more