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    Salinas City BBQ

    4.3 (2.1k reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Salinas City BBQ Takeout or Delivery

    Salinas City BBQ Photos

    SALINAS CITY BBQ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    BBQ-sauced Smoked Chicken
    Mike B.

    Salinas City BBQ really hit the spot. The Berry Bleu Salad with added tri-tip was fresh, colorful, and loaded with flavor -- crisp greens, green apples, blackberries, candied pecans, bleu cheese, and smoky tri-tip all worked perfectly together. It felt like a salad, but still had that real BBQ heartiness. The Smoked Chicken on the side was excellent too -- tender, smoky, juicy, and coated in a rich BBQ sauce that made every bite better. The grilled bread was a great touch and perfect for soaking up the extra sauce. Great portions, bold flavor, and a casual BBQ feel that makes you want to come back. A strong 4-star experience and definitely worth ordering again.

    3 meat combo
    Pearl R.

    Amazing BBQ place in Salinas! Their barbecue sauce was so good. They have both non-spicy and spicy options. There was a lot of seatings, so a lot of people dine in, but you can do takeout as well. I really enjoyed the combo. I had with three meats and two sides. Definitely get the brisket, it was the best!

    Jennifer U.

    I got the breakfast tacos, with tri tip and brisket. They came with eggs and you can pay extra for cheese and pickled jalapeños. They are decently large! Good price. My friend got the tri tip meal and it came with two sides and corn bread or garlic bread! Which is nice bc a lot of bbq places only give you white bread. Great, friendly service!

    First time here
    Joe P.

    It was our first time here and we enjoyed it. The only thing was my baked potato, all I want is butter but they gave it to me loaded. That's ok. The brisket was amazing. The ribs are kinda dry and not fall off the bone the easy I like. But all in all , it was good.

    Ashley G.

    Food was moderate, service was pleasant, unfortunately they were out of brisket so we settled for tri tip still filling and delicious

    Brisket, ribs, tater salad, cornbread and beans
    Trudy M.

    When asked if I was enjoying my meal, I responded with " this was cheaper than flying to Texas". Haha! I thoroughly enjoyed the brisket and ribs. The bbq sauce was yummy. Had the beans and tater salad. All great as well. Corn bread! Yes! I don't even live in the area. I'll be back. Worth the driv

    3 meat combo of tri-tip, ribs, brisket, beans, potato salad, and garlic bread.
    Daniel S.

    $38.50 and excellent. Ribs: on the sweet side Tri-tip: damn near perfect. Brisket: salty crust but great. Potato salad: liked it Beans: ton of smoked paprika Garlic bread: solid enough 3 meats combo was too much for one normal dude. 4 stars because it's all well made. No 5 stars because my preferences weren't a perfect match. Still, I'm very happy they exist and I can't think of a single reason not to recommend them. I'll come back for sure.

    Bbq Brisket, Tritip and fixings...

    Definitely the spot to hit if you're craving BBQ! Tritip and Brisket were on point tonight! Thank you Salinas City BBQ!

    Ribs, bean, coleslaw
    Ian T.

    Been here a couple times now and have to say this is a great BBQ joint! The music, the mismatched tables and chairs, handkerchief curtains, great food and a Dr Pepper transported me back to my time in Texas! Loved the ribs and pulled pork, and the beans are amazing! The coleslaw was a little on the bland/sweet side for my taste, but throwing the pickled veggies in there made it great! Will definitely keep coming back when I'm in town!

    Tri Tip Sandwich and Tri Tip
    Devin M.

    9/10 Definitely an amazing meal! I enjoyed both the Large Tri-Tip Sandwich and the Tri-Tip by itself. Starting with the sandwich, the soft bread and the tri tip were perfect together. It's simple, minimal, and honestly doesn't need anything extra to taste great. The side of jalapeños and pickles added a nice kick without overpowering it. The Tri-Tip on its own was also solid, seasoned perfectly and cooked just right. The only downside for me was that some of the cuts came out a bit cold, which was disappointing since everything else was on point. Service was great, everyone was friendly, and the environment had a nice vibe with the Christmas decorations. Music wasn't my favorite, but not a big deal, I was there for the food and atmosphere anyway.

    Sandra Lorena V.

    This spot was well recommended in the area so I decided to give it a try. First impressions: it looked like there should be a window outside the restaurant taking orders as there is dining outside. But in fact inside is where you order and can find more seating. Upon walking in service was nice. I ordered brisket, tri tip, Mac and cheese, coleslaw and cornbread. Besides the brisket with their spicy bbq sauce nothing else stood out. It was bleh/dry. I am confused as to whether it was an off day given all their awards....

    Hot link, brisket, potato salad with toasted cornbread.
    HOLLY P.

    Our group of four like this barbecue spot. We all ordered different items. I ordered the two combo plate with brisket and ribs, with beans and coleslaw. The ribs were my favorite. They had tons of flavor and the seasoning was on point. The coleslaw was very simple, but tasty. The brisket really had great flavor, but because of the cut I received it was extremely fatty and I could not eat most of it. If you like spicy, the beans are for you. They had good flavor, but they were way too spicy for me. My BF actually had the Lil plate, which included cornbread, one meat, and one side for $10. What a deal. He absolutely loved it. Others in our group got the hot links, sausage and nachos. The staff was very helpful and courteous.

    Lunch!

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    3 days ago

    Who knew a bbq place could make one of the best salads I've ever had! Would recommend the blue berry salad, corn bread, ribs and mac!

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    3 days ago

    Our favorite place to eat when we're in the area! Sooo good! The tri-tip is amazing, though we haven't had a meat here we didn't love!

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    3 months ago

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    11 days ago

    Service was great but the Brisket I ordered was dry.. Probably won't be going back here.

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    9 months ago

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    3 days ago

    Delicious food and super friendly services! I love their pulled pork. The best corn bread too. We come here whenever we are in Salinas.

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    13 days ago

    Great BBQ. Extremely fast and friendly service. If you have a hankering for great, smoked meats. This is the place! Highly recommend.

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    Sourdough & Co

    Sourdough & Co

    4.3(42 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    We had an enjoyable meal at Sourdough Company. Both the quality of the food and the friendly…read moreservice left a positive impression. From the moment we walked in, the staff were warm, welcoming, and genuinely kind, which made the whole experience even better. I ordered the Double Chicken Pesto, and it was easily the highlight of my visit. The sandwich was served warm, which made a big difference. The pesto added a rich, savory flavor and all of the ingredients worked well together. The bread though! Crisp and nicely crunchy on the outside, yet soft and fresh on the inside. It had that perfect texture you hope for in a sourdough sandwich and elevated the experience. My son ordered the Chicken Caesar Salad along with a cup of clam chowder. The salad had a generous portion of chicken, lots of croutons for extra crunch, and a Caesar dressing that was creamy and flavorful. They also included two sides of dressing, which was great for anyone who likes a well-coated salad. My son ended up asking for a third. The clam chowder was decent overall. It wasn't the best we've had compared to some of the chowder spots in Monterey, where the standard is pretty high, but it was still warm, satisfying, and worth trying as part of the meal. Overall, Sourdough Company delivered fresh food, solid portions, quality bread, and excellent customer service. If you are looking for a satisfying sandwich or casual lunch spot with friendly staff, this is definitely a place worth visiting. We'd happily return to for lunch.

    The best sandwiches in the town and the salads still serve you very well the place is very clean…read moreeverything is perfect

    Photos
    Sourdough & Co - (in between Starbucks and BKM health foods)

    (in between Starbucks and BKM health foods)

    Sourdough & Co - The French Dip sandwich

    The French Dip sandwich

    Sourdough & Co - Double chicken pesto sandwich

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    Double chicken pesto sandwich

    Caffe Soleil - Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese on a Bagel

    Caffe Soleil

    4.4(26 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Here's the complete list of everything I disliked about Caffe Soleil:…read more Please note the generous white space above, there were no complaints. Even arriving close to closing, we were met with exceptional customer service, a thoughtfully designed menu, delightful pairings, and truly outstanding espresso. All of this unfolded in an intimate, charming setting that basically transported us to a European bistro. It's a rare and wonderful experience to feel so completely taken care of, and this café delivers it effortlessly.

    First time trying Caffe Soleil, and overall I had a good experience. It's a very small café with…read moretwo counters and a few small tables, but the inside is adorable. The atmosphere feels warm and welcoming, with trendy décor that is very appealing to the eye. When I arrived, it was a little challenging to find the full menu, and I wasn't greeted right away. However, I understand places can get busy, so I didn't let that affect my overall impression too much. I ordered the Panini Caprese sandwich, and my son ordered the Caesar salad wrap. My sandwich didn't look quite as full as the photo, but honestly, the flavor made up for it. It was delicious with great texture, and I loved every bite. I also appreciated that it came with pickled jalapeños on the side, which was a nice extra touch since I love adding those to sandwiches. My son rated his wrap a 3 out of 5. He felt there wasn't much chicken inside, and there also wasn't much Caesar dressing, so it mostly tasted like a wrap with lettuce. It would have been a much better experience if they had included more chicken and Caesar dressing on the side to add more flavor. Overall, I'd definitely come back and try this place again because I really enjoyed my sandwich and the café itself has such a cute, cozy vibe.

    Photos
    Caffe Soleil - Interior Sign

    Interior Sign

    Caffe Soleil - Pain au chocolat

    Pain au chocolat

    Caffe Soleil - Macarons

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    Macarons

    Carlitos Crispn Chicken & Bar - #6 Sliders meal, comes with 2 slider and fries.

    Carlitos Crispn Chicken & Bar

    4.6(81 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $

    Holy moly best chicken Ive ever put in my mouth. Must try with honey pack. I've driven more than 2…read morehrs for this chicken! Worth the gas

    I visited Carlitos for the first time after seeing several posts on social media. We were greeted…read morepromptly upon arrival, and I appreciated that the menu was small and straightforward. When we asked about the spice level, the staff clearly explained what to expect. The drink selection was a pleasant surprise, offering a variety of sodas including Jarritos and Jamaica. I ordered the chicken sandwich with jalapeños, mac and cheese, and a Jamaica, while my husband chose a sandwich with fries. The food exceeded our expectations. The chicken was extremely crispy and flavorful, and I was pleasantly surprised to receive an extra small chicken strip on the side. The house sauce was delicious, and the staff generously provided plenty of it along with honey and ranch without us needing to ask, an appreciated touch. The mac and cheese was creamy and felt like my mom's homemade one. The fries are more like cross cut fries and come extra crispy as well, which I like. Service was friendly and efficient, and the staff even shared the story behind how they decided to specialize in chicken sandwiches. While the restaurant itself appears a bit run down and parking was somewhat confusing for first time visitors, the quality of the food and the welcoming service more than made up for it. Overall, I would definitely return. In my opinion, these are the best chicken sandwiches in Salinas.

    Photos
    Carlitos Crispn Chicken & Bar
    Carlitos Crispn Chicken & Bar - Slider

    Slider

    Carlitos Crispn Chicken & Bar - Menu April 2026

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    Menu April 2026

    The Bakery Station - Caddy Sandwich

    The Bakery Station

    4.2(257 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $

    8/10 I ordered the…read moreSupercharger and the Belair, and overall both sandwiches were solid, filling and generously packed. Starting with the Supercharger, this was easily the standout of the two. It's loaded with roast beef, bacon, turkey, ham, salami, pepperoncini, tomatoes, red onions, gouda cheese, and chipotle aioli on a ciabatta roll. They definitely don't skimp on the meat, which makes it super satisfying. The combination of the soft ciabatta and cheese worked really well together and balanced out the heaviness of the meats. My only complaint is that it could've used a bit more sauce, something like extra mustard or mayo would've taken it to the next level. Still, a strong 8.5/10. The Belair was decent but didn't quite hit the same level. It came with turkey breast, bacon, gouda cheese, spring mix, tomatoes, red onions, pepperoncini, and chipotle aioli on fresh sliced sourdough. Ours actually came with American cheese instead of gouda, which slightly changed the flavor profile. It was a good sandwich overall, but noticeably drier, especially with the sourdough, so it definitely needed more sauce to bring everything together. I'd give it a 7.2/10. Service was fast and efficient, which I appreciated. The ambiance stood out too, it has a cool retro gas station vibe that gives the place some personality and makes it feel unique. Staff was friendly, and the overall experience was smooth.

    Try the bakery station again with a coworker of mine. We both got a turkey sandwich. It was pretty…read moredelicious. We were both very satisfied. The only thing I was pretty excited about trying a cookie and we were not able to because they still have Covid precaution to where you cannot step inside the establishment. It's all good. The sandwich was great. The service was nothing to write home about, but the food was good and that's all that matters.

    Photos
    The Bakery Station - No indoor dinning

    No indoor dinning

    The Bakery Station - Belair

    Belair

    The Bakery Station - Storefront

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    Storefront

    Portobello's

    Portobello's

    3.8(282 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    I stopped by Portabello's for a Sunday brunch and overall, I had a very nice experience. We were…read moreseated right away and provided menus promptly, which is always a good start. We ordered avocado toast, French toast, banana pecan pancake, house potatoes, and an Aperol spritzer. My avocado toast was served on a single very thick piece of bread, which had a very generous amount of avocado smash and was topped off with this delightful and fresh arugula salad. I added an over easy egg for an extra charge that was the perfect balance. The house salad was simple with butter lettuce, cherry tomatoes, radish, cucumber, with a light lemon house dressing that brought the salad together. It was refreshing. The French toast is pretty standard. Nothing that particularly stood out. The banana pecan pancake was delicious and shared with everyone at the table. The house potatoes were extra crispy on the outside but soft on the inside, which I found particularly satisfying. Overall, we had a pleasant experience and found Portabello's to be a good brunch spot in Salinas. The service was fast, the food portions were big, the food tasted fresh, and it was a nice ambiance. I would definitely return for the avocado toast and potatoes. Side note - I noticed Caesar Salad was misspelled on the menu as "Caeser"

    This is a cute spot to drop in and grab a bite if you are in the Salinas area. The service was a…read morebit slow despite the restaurant not being very busy, but the waitress was also very kind. The portion sizes were large and the food was decent. I opted for the club and my partner grabbed the blt. Bacon was super crispy!

    Photos
    Portobello's
    Portobello's - Grilled Chicken Portabello Sandwich with Sweet Potato Fries

    Grilled Chicken Portabello Sandwich with Sweet Potato Fries

    Portobello's

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    Salinas City BBQ - bbq - Updated June 2026

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